PHUW 128

The timetable was drawn up on the spot.

Taking into account that Haeri had no foundation or study habits at all, Teacher Kim proposed four hours of study: Korean and Math, one hour each from 10 a.m., then lunch from 12 to 1, followed by Social Studies and English, one hour each.

“That seems reasonable.”

Reasonable to who? This wasn’t like tutoring three days a week, it was five days a week. Because she was dealing with a chaebol, tutoring fees weren’t even a consideration. That made it unfair. Any other household would have cut class hours for the sake of cost.

On top of that, until he cleared the elementary-level basics, lessons would even continue on public holidays if they fell on weekdays. That was child abuse.

“He’s not an elementary schooler but twenty-four, so he can handle that much, right?”

“Ah, well… yes.”

Teacher Kim instantly saw through Haeri’s thoughts and cut off his escape. If not child abuse, then at least idiot abuse. Maybe even a violation of labor laws. Should he check the Ministry of Employment and Labor website?

“I’ll keep holiday homework to a minimum instead.”

There was homework too? Not none, just “a minimum.” It was pure cruelty.

Teacher Kim would handle Korean herself, while Math and English would be assigned to other subject specialists. Honestly, Haeri expected her to say she’d contact them later.

But Teacher Kim was a professional trusted by the chairwoman’s husband. She immediately pulled out a file of candidate instructors from her briefcase.

The instructor files, labeled English, Math, and Social Studies, looked like thin karaoke songbooks.

“There are many new teachers.”

“The ones I introduced to Jeong Mok before were at the doctoral level. These aren’t, so of course you don’t know them. Most of those who taught Jeong Mok still work.”

Teacher Kim glanced at Haeri with a small smile.

“Haeri, they’ll be your teachers, so you should look too.”

Jeong Mok handed him the Math file. On the front, beneath a large ID photo, were educational backgrounds, mostly from S University or affiliated teacher’s colleges. On the back were summaries of teaching style and results. But what did any of this mean to a middle school dropout?

But Haeri still clung to a faint hope that his opinion might matter and skimmed only the photos, searching for the softest-looking one, someone who might assign less homework.

“Almost all the English teachers are domestic graduates.”

“It’s elementary level. For basics, domestic teachers are better. But if you want a native teacher, shall I add to the timetable?”

Teacher Kim answered the professor’s observation as he skimmed the English instructor list.

“I’d prefer a Korean teacher.”

Haeri jumped in, desperate to prevent the addition of native speakers. Even if hours didn’t increase, a native teacher was dangerous. He needed to be able to say “let’s take a break,” but that wouldn’t fly with a foreigner.

“I also think a domestic teacher is better. We’ll be starting with the alphabet after all.”

Jeong Mok assisted. Good job, master.

Only after confirming the timetable and teachers did Teacher Kim say she’d send the detailed lesson plans and textbooks separately. But it didn’t end there.

She pulled out an industrial tape measure and a checklist board and began searching the house for a classroom. With so many spare rooms, it was no problem. She carefully measured the windows of each, writing down the dimensions.

“The lights should be changed to white for focus, the projector here, the screen there. The blinds should be cream-colored instead. A dull environment prevents concentration.”

She was already drawing up a list of furniture and supplies, including a teacher’s desk, laptop, printer, even replacing the existing blinds and lights. Jeong Mok received the list.

“Does he have any allergies?” Teacher Kim asked.

“No, none.”

“Then the standard diet will do.”

Out came another document. A student diet plan focused on brain activation. Even receiving it felt absurd.

Even cowed, Haeri’s mouth moved on its own.

“You carry all this with you?”

“If I send it by email or text, parents often check late or forget. Printed delivery is more reliable.”

It was a method born of long field experience with guardians who ignored instructions no matter how urgent. Where had this meticulous tyrant even come from?

Teacher Kim then handed him two thin spiral notebooks. What kind of structure did that briefcase even have? Things just kept coming out.

They looked like the cheap notebooks given as freebies at academy registration. But inside, one was labeled Diary, the other Reading Log. A chill ran down his spine.

“Korean is my subject, remember? The best way to improve is reading and writing. Those don’t develop if you only do them in class. You have to build them up little by little in daily life.”

“Ah.”

So he was supposed to use this? At twenty-four, twenty-six in Korean age, writing a diary? He was so stunned he couldn’t close his mouth.

“The recommended reading list is inside the notebook. There are two copies, one for the student, the other for the guardian to confirm and purchase the books. If you can’t find any, contact me. As for the diary, you know it just means writing about your day, right? It isn’t a real diary, it’s a composition practice. Keep in mind that I’ll be checking it when you write. For now, these two will be your Korean homework.”

“Uh… yes.”

Jeong Mok, standing by Haeri’s side, pulled one of the reading lists from the notebook, took a photo, and sent it somewhere. Probably to his secretary. Those books would arrive at the house by tomorrow morning at the latest.

Haeri realized, too late, the downside of the chaebol life. For ordinary people, even choosing one tutor meant long consultations and worries to spend limited money wisely. Chaebols weren’t like that. They had endless money. Nothing was an obstacle. If a speed bump appeared, they’d abandon the car and switch to a helicopter on the spot.

“We’ll turn one of the rooms into a study. I’ll send over reference notes, so please check them and arrange a renovation contractor. The sooner the construction is finished the better. Cost doesn’t matter as long as the quality is good.”

Vice Chairman Jeong showed the chaebol side of himself without restraint, immediately forwarding Teacher Kim’s materials to his secretary.

What about visiting furniture stores, sitting down to test things, finding something pretty and comfortable but too expensive, or affordable but ugly and inconvenient? What about checking dozens of online shops to find the lowest price or the best knockoff, then assembling it yourself with both joy and frustration? None of that was even on the table.

What frightened Haeri most was that no one mentioned the cost. He was curious how much all this would add up to, but he had no intention of asking. What was the point in asking? No matter what, it wouldn’t amount to the price of a single watch Jeong Mok had put in his dressing room.

Teacher Kim, who had upended Haeri’s peace, finally handed over a list of recommended stationery and a collection of maxims on proper study habits, then closed her briefcase.

“Then let’s start lessons next Monday.”

It was Friday now. Monday was only three days away. Did that mean the renovation would be done over the weekend? Wasn’t that a violation of labor law? These ruthless bosses.

“I should escort you out, but I’m sorry. I need to return to the company.”

“Just saying so is enough. I’ll see you next time. See you Monday, Haeri.”

After exchanging farewells with Jeong Mok, Teacher Kim smiled at Haeri. He couldn’t answer and only bowed his head.

“Let’s go together.”

The professor followed to see her out. When he suggested dinner, Teacher Kim immediately agreed. Surely they weren’t going to dig into Haeri more, right?

“Ahn Haeri-ssi, sorry for dropping by suddenly today. I didn’t plan it this way, but it turned out so. I hope you won’t resent me too much.”

He already did. Cowardly of him to say that after the fact. But Haeri couldn’t hate someone with such a powerful background as his master’s elder.

“No, it’s something you did for me.”

“Thank you for saying so. That lightens my heart. Next time, let’s talk more slowly. Vice Chairman Jeong, sorry for calling during work. I’ll see myself out, no need to escort me.”

“Take care. I’ll call you later.”

Once the overwhelming presence of Teacher Kim and the professor was gone, the black dog that had been crouched beside the sofa staggered to his feet, then collapsed halfway over. Like someone completely exhausted.

“What did you even do to be that tired? I’m the one who should be collapsing. Studying when it isn’t in my fate. I’m screwed.”

Haeri rubbed the floppy ears of the dog, whose four legs sprawled weakly.

“But he wasn’t wrong to say you should study.”

Jeong Mok spoke as he took a picture of the stationery list, then pinned the diet plan and other papers from Teacher Kim to the refrigerator with magnets.

“It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just too sudden.”

“That’s true.”

Jeong Mok nodded.

“I didn’t expect him to come so soon. I said I’d introduce you soon, but I guess he was too curious.”

Then a late question popped into Haeri’s mind. He’s a human pet, basically a hidden male lover, but introduced to the family?

“Can I really be introduced to the family?”

“What do you mean?”

Jeong Mok frowned slightly.

“I mean, people usually oppose relationships with such a gap in level. And I’m not even a woman.”

The slight frown on Jeong Mok’s forehead twisted in an instant.