Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Grandfather and Grandson’s Harmony

When Father stood up abruptly, Mother also stood up from her seat.

That was the same for me.

We headed to the living room.

In the living room, Chairman Cha was giving various instructions with gestures.

“Go manager, pile our Jeong-hyeok’s gifts under the Christmas tree there.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Last time at the Taeseong Hotel coffee shop, he was also holding a mountain of gifts.

This time, he was stacking a gift tower even higher than then.

“Secretary Kim, it would be better to set aside the gifts for the child’s mom separately, right?”

“This is also a Christmas gift, so it would be better to place them together under the tree.”

Secretary Kim was holding a lot of Taeseong Department Store paper envelopes.

“The young master’s gifts are wrapped in colorful wrapping paper, and this side is put in paper envelopes, so they can be distinguished at a glance, right? The young master will also prefer unwrapping the gift wrapping while sitting with Mother.”

“Good! Then place the child’s mom’s gifts this way too.”

Chairman Cha turned to look at Go manager.

“Take care of the Taeseong Group security guards.”

“Yes, of course.”

“They worked hard protecting my child, so let them buy and eat beef.”

When the word beef came out, the Taeseong Group security guards smiled broadly and clapped loudly.

Originally, year-end company dinners go up to pork.

So beef should be seen as a definite reward.

“Last night, armed robbers entered and it almost became a big problem, right?”

“Yes, I heard they possessed illegal firearms and tried to climb the wall.”

“Then beef isn’t enough. Go manager, put a thick year-end bonus for all the security guards here! Performance pay 200%!”

“Yes, I will do so.”

Go manager smiled brightly as if he himself had established merit.

It was natural that thunderous applause and cheers of the Taeseong Group security guards followed.

‘As expected, life is carrot and stick!’

I nodded.

Blood can’t be deceived.

Chairman Cha also has corners similar to me.

‘Originally, sincerity should be shown through actions rather than words. Among them, cash is still the best.’

In the noisy atmosphere, Chairman Cha turned to look at Father.

“Seong-jun, it’s been a long time.”

“Father.”

“The Middle East scorching sun is quite poisonous, I see. Your face is burnt black like a charcoal lump, you’ve become quite ugly.”

······Can the word ugly be attached to our Father?

If this porcelain-like skin looks like a charcoal lump, isn’t that Chairman Cha’s eyesight problem?

“Father is the same as ever.”

“Where in the world do you confirm your son’s life or death with an embassy telegram? Seeing your son’s face is this hard. Tsk.”

Chairman Cha didn’t hide his dissatisfaction.

But Father didn’t struggle.

He answered calmly in a blunt voice.

“I was busy.”

“Showing off in front of your father! Yes, you brought in a lot of overseas construction orders.”

“Thanks to that, Taeseong Construction’s holding funds became ample, right? Are you happy?”

“Ahem! It’s happy that Taeseong Construction’s holding funds increased! But in the end, if you think about it, that wasn’t the company handed over as your share?”

Chairman Cha snorted.

“Working hard on your own company, your own work, yourself is natural. What’s that got to do with me that you’re showing off?”

“It’s Father’s company, right?”

Before I knew it, Secretary Kim who approached next to me casually taught me.

“Taeseong Construction’s shares are 12% for Young Master Seong-jun, 41% for the chairman.”

Then our Father’s words are right!

Originally, the company is owned by the major shareholder.

“Unfilially wandering outside for 7 years without even properly making one phone call?”

“You said to become a child who raises performance outside rather than a child who lives filially attached next to you.”

“Ahem!”

“I did filial piety in my own way.”

“······.”

Chairman Cha couldn’t refute.

-Become a wolf cub that hunts outside rather than a bastard that eats rice in the house!

It was the words Chairman Cha repeatedly said usually.

“Ahem, the nagging is enough at this point. Seong-jun, you go into the house now. Your mom is waiting with her neck stretched out.”

“I will be here. Instead, I will call Mother separately.”

“7 years! Do you even know how eagerly your mom waited for you all this time?”

Chairman Cha clicked his tongue.

“That damn shaman house! She went in and out until the threshold wore out praying only for your safety!”

Just looking, Chairman Cha was an atheist.

Because he trembled at the word shaman house.

“Thinking of your mom, you shouldn’t act so harshly like this either. What kind of unfilial piety is this?”

Chairman Cha glanced at Mother.

“Looking at it, it seems your mom was firmly disliked because of the money envelope. After suffering heartache for 7 years, it’s enough. Go into the house now!”

“There are also two people who waited for me for 7 years here.”

Father gently placed a hand on my shoulder.

“My son waited for me for a lifetime. Are you telling me to go back like this leaving such a child?”

“······.”

Chairman Cha couldn’t refute this time either.

He looked back and forth between me and Father, and finally let out a long sigh.

“Seeing my precious child, I’ll pretend not to know for just one day. I can’t yield any more either!”

“I will continue to be here.”

“Where is a guy who hasn’t even married yet going? Are you intending to run away from home?”

“If necessary, I have to. If anything, independence after marriage would be better than running away from home.”

“Marriage?”

“Yes.”

Father hugged the shoulder of Mother who was looking anxiously as if showing off.

“I will marry this woman.”

“What? What about the marriage with U-gwang? It’s a matter with a 30 billion won business at stake!”

“The marriage with U-gwang was also decided by Father, and the 30 billion won business was also promoted by Father. You should take responsibility for the matters you started yourself.”

“This damn child!”

“I will take responsibility for the matters I started. So I will take care of my wife and child.”

“Cha Seong-jun!”

Finally, Chairman Cha exploded.

“Do I have to swing the knife for you to come to your senses······!”

Up to there!

I ran to Chairman Cha with a rush.

“Grandfather!”

I clung tightly to Chairman Cha.

Seeing me dangling and clinging, Chairman Cha couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

The adults all turned to look at me with surprised eyes at the unexpected child’s attack.

“Grandfather, don’t get angry. I’m scared.”

“Go into the room.”

“Can’t you stop getting angry?”

“This is adults’ matter. It’s not something for kids to interfere in.”

“Don’t get angry at our Dad. Okay?”

I clung to Chairman Cha and whined.

Chairman Cha’s face was turning red and blue, but he couldn’t forcibly push away and detach me who was clinging desperately.

“Grandfather, hug me! Okay?”

This is exactly the privilege of a child who can ignore adults’ circumstances!

Chairman Cha let out a long sigh.

Then he reluctantly lifted me up.

He tried to immediately hand me over to Secretary Kim, though.

“Jeong-hyeok, you go outside with Secretary Kim for a bit and make a snowman······.”

“Grandfather, choose just one.”

I hugged Chairman Cha’s nape tightly and whispered in his ear.

“If you’re going to do as your temper dictates, I can’t give you the three cut pages.”

“······!”

Chairman Cha stopped all movements abruptly.

“You have to block the leaking water jar. Why are you trying to draw tears from our Mom’s eyes.”

“······.”

Chairman Cha’s temper is so great that the nickname Flame Bulldozer is attached.

But if he only rampaged without distinguishing when to throw a temper and when not to, he absolutely couldn’t have come up to this position.

Chairman Cha’s position was a position that experienced all hardships, and had to hide a knife in the heart while smiling.

Chairman Cha was a person whose chest was hot, but whose head was colder than anyone.

“Didn’t you come all the way here wanting to know where the 2 billion won bribe came from?”

I reminded Chairman Cha of his purpose.

Chairman Cha didn’t come to fight with Father or to settle the marriage with Mother.

“I met Dad for the first time today. So can’t Grandfather endure just for today? Okay?”

Chairman Cha was still glaring fiercely at Father, but that was all.

The lips that were moving were only for a moment.

“Instead, don’t use the words Chairman Cha from now on.”

“I absolutely won’t use them! Promise!”

Grandfather patted my back.

“I can’t get angry in front of our Jeong-hyeok. I almost showed an ugly sight in front of the child.”

“Thank you, Grandfather.”

I kissed Grandfather’s cheek with a smack.

The fiercely crumpled expression of Grandfather gradually loosened.

The raised eyebrows also returned to their place, and the trembling corners of the mouth drew a soft arc.

Grandfather clicked his tongue while looking at Father.

“You really obtained a good son. Know that this is all thanks to my precious child.”

Grandfather turned his back.

“Since I came all the way here, I can’t just go without playing with our Jeong-hyeok for a bit. Secretary Kim!”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Follow while properly preparing the coat, gloves, scarf, earmuffs, fur hat, and even fur shoes so my child doesn’t catch a cold.”

“Yes.”

I quietly entrusted my body while hugging Grandfather’s neck.

Grandfather walked out while stroking my back.

“Good one. Taking the side of the father you’ve never seen before calling him father.”

It would have been really good if it ended around here.

Father inevitably added one word.

“No matter what Father says, my resolve won’t change. I can’t abandon my wife and child.”

Grandfather’s footsteps paused for a moment, but soon he pretended not to know and walked forward again.

I hugged Grandfather’s neck even tighter because I was grateful for that.

“If you say you can’t permit it until the end, I intend to put everything down and leave.”

Grandfather walked silently.

He crumpled on his shoes and opened the front door with a bang.

The cold wind of midwinter blew in whoosh, and heavy snow was falling flutteringly from the sky.

Every time Grandfather let out a sigh, white steam spread long.

Pat pat.

I patted Grandfather’s back with my fern-like hand.

“I raised him with difficulty but he doesn’t even understand Father’s heart. This is our Dad’s fault.”

It was comfort I could give because Father chose me and Mother.

Grandfather smiled softly.

“Even if the son doesn’t understand, the grandson understands, so the feeling isn’t that bad.”

“As expected, our Grandfather is a magnanimous person. You’re cool.”

I raised my thumb.

Grandfather’s smile became a bit thicker.

“Jeong-hyeok.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“Do you dislike Grandfather a lot? Because I’m trying to separate Mom and Dad.”

“It’s not because you dislike our Mom, right?”

“Dislike. Where is there a person who doesn’t know your mom is pretty?”

Grandfather paused his steps for a moment and looked at the garden that had turned pure white.

Snow was piled on every branch, and the wide lawn was clean like white drawing paper.

“I know your mom is a good woman. I also know well that she suffered a lot alone protecting and taking responsibility for you.”

“······.”

“But Grandfather also has people he has to protect and take responsibility for. Taeseong Chemicals has 2,000 employees.”

That 30 billion won business entangled in the marriage.

A company exceeding about 1.5 trillion won in 21st century prices.

That was the problem.

“The jobs of 2,000 people, and at least 8,000 mouths including their families, depend on this Grandfather. I’m blocking U-gwang from rampaging saying they’ll restructure and sell it immediately.”

U-gwang jumped into the steel business 4 years ago and is seeing a deficit.

Since money is tight, they’re thinking of cleaning up an easy cooperative business and extracting cash.

If the fund situation is that bad, they should just sell U-gwang’s prime affiliates.

To deliberately shake Taeseong and cling.

“The start was a partnership on the condition of the marriage, but now it has become my people, my employees, my company. It would have been better not to accept that proposal from the beginning.”

Why wouldn’t I know that Grandfather also has his own circumstances.

“I’m sorry, Jeong-hyeok. Because Grandfather is incompetent and incapable. Since I started the business by selling my son, it’s something I can’t help even if I’m despised by my son. It’s all self-inflicted.”

“Not yet. It’s too early to resign like that.”

I grinned.

“If I snatch Taeseong Chemicals from U-gwang, will you permit this marriage?”

Grandfather blinked both eyes.