Chapter 3 - Getting a Child
The mood is tense because the kids are trying to mentally and emotionally get ready for their lives. Tae-Hyun looks at the other kids and notices the hope, fear, and uncertainty on their faces. Some people quietly talked to themselves to feel better, while others just stood there and thought.
They were still. The car door slamming in the air drew the kids' attention to the car approaching the departure gate. They saw several adults exit the vehicle, some looking around nervously while others smiled warmly.
His is racing as he tries to guess which adults might be his new parents. He felt happiness and fear when he thought about his life with his new family.
The adults walked toward the door, and the kids came out to meet them. New families quickly take in some kids, while others stand nervously waiting for someone to approach them.
The person in charge of the hostel stands in the potential parents and talks about the child's pros and cons.
"We'll talk about Tae-hyun next. He is a smart young man with a genius brain, "The person in charge was proud.
Some parents come up to Tae-Hyun to ask him questions, showing interest. But none of his parents wanted to adopt him, even though he was brilliant.
One of the parents asked, "Why isn't anyone interested in Tae-hyun?"
"Well, as you can see, Tae-hyun isn't like most Koreans," the person in charge said. "It might be hard for some families, and they might not want to take the chance."
Tae-hyun stands off to the side and listens to what is being said. He was a little sad when he realized that his differences made finding a new place to live hard.
But Tae-hyun still has hope, even though he was turned down. He knows that someone out there will love and accept him for who he is and his differences. When the person in charge of the dorm room was done talking, the potential parents spread out to look at the other kids. One of the parents, though, lives close to Tae-Hyun.
"Excuse me, young man," said the old man as he approached Tae-Hyun. "I can't help but see that you're all alone."
Tae-hyun looks at the older man, surprised that someone cares about him.
"Yes, sir," said Tae-Hyun with some hesitation.
The older man looked like he was thinking for a second, then nodded.
"Well, I think you and I would be a good match," said the old man. "I'm looking for a child who is mature and can take care of themselves, and from what I've seen, you seem to fit the bill."
The things his parents say surprise Tae-Hyun. He had never thought of himself that way, but the older man seemed to see something in him that he did not.
Tae-Hyun said, "Thank you, Master," with a slight smile.
The older man returned the smile. As word gets out that Mr Kim adopted Tae-hyun, people wonder why he chose Tae-hyun over all the other kids. Even though Mr Kim already had a child of his own, a beautiful daughter, many people don't understand why he adopted a child.
Some people talk about Mr Kim behind his back and say he may have other reasons for adopting Tae-Hyun. Others just shrugged and figured she must have had a good reason for choosing the boy.
Even though there are rumours and guesses, Mr Kim is not bothered by them. He took Tae-Hyun into his home because he liked the boy's toughness and determination, which made him stand out.
And as time passes, those who once questioned Mr Kim's decisions begin to see what he sees in Tae-Hyun. They saw the boy improve under Mr Kim's guidance and grow into a confident and booming young man.
People think that Tae-Hyun is lucky to have been raised by a wealthy family because it means he will live in luxury and maybe become the next heir. However, they don't know that Mr Kim has done something that Tae-Hyun regrets opening his heart to him.
As Tae-hyun grows up, he begins to see Mr Kim in a different light. He thinks about how controlling and manipulative her adoptive father is and realizes that the man he sees as a father figure is not the man he thought he was.
As they drive from the hostel, Mr Kim turns to Tae-Hyun and talks to him.
"Tae-hyun, I need to talk with you about something," Mr Kim said.
When Tae-Hyun looks at Mr Kim, he gets a bad feeling.
Taehyung asked, "What's wrong, sir?"
Mr Kim said, "I want you to quit school." "And I want you to give up the scholarship you've been awarded so far."
Taehyun was taken aback. He has worked hard to get the scholarship and hopes to continue his education.
"Why, sir?" Tae-Hyun asked, trembling with emotion.
"I want my daughter to study there, even though you know it's hard to get in," Mr Kim said. "And I will offer you a job at my company and a better place to live."
Tae-Hyun is confused when he gets in the car with Mr Kim. On the one hand, he had always wanted to attend college and get a higher education. On the other hand, he knew he needed money to live and had no other way to make money.
The offer from Mr Kim was very tempting. That means Tae-Hyun will have a steady job and a place to live. He'll also work at a reputable company, making many people look forward to working there.
They made a deal, and he was taken to the apartment he was promised. The condo was close to his school and surrounded by tall, primarily empty buildings.
Tae-Hyun looks around at his new place and notices how dark and clean it is. He knew the area was still in the testing phase, so it made sense that many buildings were empty.
When Mr Kim and his car leave, Tae-hyun is left alone in front of his new house. He felt happy and scared as he looked at the tall buildings around him.
When Tae-hyun walks into the apartment, he is struck by how there are only a few essential household items and nothing else to show that someone lives there.
Tae-hyun remembers that Mr Kim came to the door right before they left.
"Don't tell anyone about this," Mr Kim said. "Include people you know and people I know. Nobody should know that you live here."
He didn't say anything.
"I will tell people will send you abroad to study," said Mr Kim.
Taehyung was taken aback. He had always wanted to study abroad but didn't think it would ever happen. Tae-hyun hates him. He felt like he had to live like a zombie in his own country, hiding from people and keeping secrets from them.
Tae-hyun knows he has no choice but to do what Mr Kim asks. On the day of the high school graduation ceremony, parents and students gathered under the cherry blossom trees in full bloom. It was a beautiful day, and the air was filled with the sweet smell of soft pink and white flowers.
The ceremony started. The students took their seats, put on their graduation caps and uniforms, and were filled with joy and pride.
Tae-hyun is called to the pulpit as the best student in his class. He was both nervous and proud as he took his place in front of the crowd.
When asked to speak a little there, Tae-hyun took a deep breath and began to talk. His words were full of hope and encouragement, and he told them they all had bright futures ahead of them.
As Tae-hyun finishes his speech, he is presented with a bouquet of graduation flowers and other school attributes. He held the flower proudly, feeling both happy and proud. He could only see Kim's assistant sitting there representing the family.