Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Year-end Night (2)

‘Hey, guardian deity. Turn up the sound over there a bit.’

[The people who entered this time are quite a few. So which guy?]

‘The one with whim stuck thickly on the face, the most cunning and mean-looking guy.’

[Ah, then is it this guy?]

The underworld messenger accurately picked the president of U-gwang Construction.

‘Bingo.’

The president of U-gwang Construction who quickly looked around the surroundings reported small.

“Older brother, today the event atmosphere seems quite different from usual.”

“I know.”

“I’ll go grasp how the situation is turning in advance and then older brother······.”

“Enough.”

Chairman Kim, the head of U-gwang Group, laughed heartily.

“I didn’t know everyone would welcome us this fiercely. Is this the sound to sponsor greatly?”

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group raised three fingers.

“30 million won! I’ll sponsor in U-gwang’s name.”

It was an amount that could buy a couple of Gangnam apartments.

If it was usual U-gwang, they would have put out about 10 million won moderately and done face-saving.

But when the atmosphere was not good at all, Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group called largely to reverse that atmosphere.

Clap clap clap clap!

In the hall, thunder-like applause burst out.

It was the courtesy sent to people who generously donated sponsorship money.

But at the complexion quite different from usual, Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group’s eyes narrowed a bit.

“Chairman Kim, I have something to ask.”

“As much as you like. I don’t know why it’s so urgent that you’re stepping forward to ask the business without even a gap to catch breath.”

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group lightly raised his hand with a leisurely attitude.

An employee passing among people held out a tray.

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group leisurely drank one sip of champagne.

“Music also stopped, gazes also stopped, conversation also stopped.”

Chairman Kim turned his eyes and scanned the people looking at them.

They were cold but sharp eyes.

“President Kim, it seems you’re the problem.”

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group’s eyes headed to the president of U-gwang Construction at once.

“How did this happen?”

President Kim of U-gwang Construction stepped back one step without realizing.

He would have had something on his mind anyway.

Because the figures glaring fiercely openly are specified.

“That is······ actually for this Subway Line 2 construction······.”

“Subway Line 2 construction. Later. In detail.”

“······Yes. Understood.”

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group turned his eyes smoothly.

Grandfather walked out from among people.

“Chairman Kim, welcome. I’ve been waiting.”

Grandfather held out his hand with a smiling face.

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group held hands with Grandfather and shook hands.

“Chairman Cha, were you here first? I was curious anyway since there was no contact at all these days. Have you been well?”

“Me, always the same. I was busy.”

“You take care of health and do it moderately. Your work addiction is also a disease.”

“You too take care of health and do it moderately.”

The relationship between Grandfather and Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group looked quite friendly.

Grandfather also called an employee and picked up one glass of champagne.

* * *

I cut off the connection with the underworld messenger.

‘According to the Taeseong Group report, Taeseong and U-gwang are tightly bound by marriage ties. It seems the heads had friendly exchanges even before that?’

Thinking about it, it was puzzling.

In the past, Father died young from a plane crash, and until now Taeseong and U-gwang have no marriage ties.

Then who tied Taeseong and U-gwang how and made the tight marriage ties?

“I put in a call to the U-gwang Group secretariat, and they said you went to the Middle East. Why did you fly all the way there?”

“Yes, I went thinking of pulling a loan from Saudi. Anyway, I’m coming straight from the airport. While going to the Middle East, I thought of briefly seeing Seong-jun······.”

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group’s eyes headed this way.

Because Father walked over bringing Mother and me.

“Seong-jun was here. It’s been a long time.”

“It’s been a long time, Chairman Kim.”

“If you were planning to return, contact in advance. You almost made a futile trip.”

The young people who were near Father sneakily stepped back.

Between Grandfather and Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group, and our three family, it opened wide.

“Seong-jun, the Saudi royal family praised you greatly. They said you decided to construct one city whole that will enter the Jubail industrial port? How many hundred million dollar construction did you win?”

“It’s a 100 million dollar construction.”

“Amazing. You’ll sweep all the Middle East oil money. Is there separate national prestige enhancement? This is exactly national prestige enhancement.”

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group soon stopped the thin smile he was making.

The gaze became cold.

“There’s a lady I haven’t seen next to Seong-jun. Moreover, a child who looks exactly the same as when Seong-jun was young at a glance.”

“Yes, my daughter-in-law and grandson. Greet, it’s Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group.”

“Nice to meet you for the first time. I’m Lee Su-jin.”

“Hello. I’m Cha Jeong-hyeok.”

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group didn’t receive our greetings.

He only stared at Grandfather silently.

“Hmm······.”

Heavy silence descended on the hall.

Not only Grandfather and Chairman Kim but even the people gathered here didn’t open their mouths easily.

Grandfather said calmly.

“Our Seong-jun has decided to take charge of and handle all matters related to the Subway Line 2 construction this time. He’s scheduled to be formally appointed as the president of Taeseong Construction soon. You’ll see him often from now on.”

Chairman Kim had no words, but the president of U-gwang Construction couldn’t hold back.

“Then what happened to President Cha who was in charge of Taeseong Construction?”

Grandfather already saw the younger brother’s confession.

Thanks to that, he came to know very well how the matter went.

The gaze glaring at the ringleader of the problem that caused separation from the younger brother was cold.

“That guy retired.”

“So suddenly? When I met him a few days ago there were no particular words, and even at Taeseong’s regular general meeting there were no words······.”

“Who do you think it’s because of?”

President Kim of U-gwang Construction closed his mouth.

“Even if that guy is incompetent and lacking, he’s my cherished younger brother. That Yun-seong guy almost did 15 years in prison. Because of who seduced him talking about the subway business.”

“T, that······.”

“Know that I’m keeping my mouth shut now looking at your older brother’s face. Step aside!”

“······Yes.”

President Kim of U-gwang Construction who was at a loss for an answer stepped back.

Then Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group’s eyes headed to the president of U-gwang Construction at once.

President Kim of U-gwang Construction only poured cold sweat while keeping his mouth tightly closed.

“I don’t think there’s a need to explain Taeseong’s circumstances in detail. But I’d like this side’s circumstances explained definitely.”

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group pointed at us.

The cold and sharp gaze stuck like a blade.

“That woman and child. Quite annoying.”

“That would be so.”

Grandfather nodded obediently.

“The matter became so. So I want to make the marriage of Seong-jun and your daughter as if it didn’t happen.”

“It’s a mistress and illegitimate child. If it’s that, isn’t there particularly nothing to be a problem?”

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group raised one corner of his mouth.

“It’s a common matter in this field. Among the people gathered here, how many do you think there are who didn’t have a problem like this once? If there’s no business problem, this kind of thing is not a big deal.”

“It’s a matter with the children’s lives at stake. Not only my child’s life but your daughter’s life is also at stake.”

“So. I’m saying it’s fine.”

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group stamped the cane.

“But bringing them in front of my eyes as if showing off in this official place is a problem, I think.”

“So I’m saying it definitely now. U-gwang, let’s break off the engagement of our kids!”

“At whose will?”

“Originally, when dating it starts with mutual agreement, but when parting it ends with unilateral notification! For your daughter, breaking off the engagement will be better than getting the divorcee label.”

“That kind of thing isn’t important. What’s important is the business.”

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group snorted.

“What about Taeseong Chemicals?”

“Let’s clean that up too!”

“Clean up?”

One eyebrow of Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group rose greatly.

Regardless.

Grandfather said confidently.

“It was a matter pushed on the premise of the marriage. Can business cleanup be missing when cleaning up the marriage. Let’s not act dirty and end it cleanly!”

“You’re saying you’ll clean out Taeseong Chemicals after returning only 500 million out of the 1 billion jointly invested?”

“I’m not saying lose to you. Since I said let’s break off the engagement, I have to take responsibility. Considering that, it’s the sound of cleaning up the shares.”

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group clicked his tongue.

“Cha Tae-seong, you’re drawing a stupid conclusion unfitting for you. Anyway, if it’s a matter of your child. Tsk.”

“What can I do. For me, wife and child are everything. Really sorry. U-gwang, this matter at this point······.”

“Stop.”

Chairman Kim raised his hand and blocked Grandfather’s words.

Instead, he looked at Father.

“Seong-jun, what is your will? You have to answer carefully.”

“Same as Father’s will. I’ll break off the engagement.”

“Even though I’m saying I’ll overlook your mistress and illegitimate child?”

“Yes. My decision doesn’t change.”

“Even if you lose the 30 billion won Taeseong Chemicals that your father carefully grew with open eyes?”

“I have no face to Father, but that’s not a reason to give up my wife and child.”

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group glared at Grandfather.

“Taeseong, it seems you’ll ruin the business thanks to your son.”

“Thanks to my son, your daughter’s life was saved. Is that all? Your company also has room to breathe thanks to my son. U-gwang was only seeing deficits until now because of the steel business so money was tight.”

Grandfather said.

“What will you do? I’ll hand over the shares so will you take Taeseong Chemicals, or hand over the shares to me and receive money?”

“Cha Tae-seong!”

“Good. Business cleanup needs time. But remember just this one thing. It’s a matter where the conclusion is already out. If the situation changes, the position also changes so the negotiation will be advantageous to you the faster it is.”

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group turned his back.

“Cha Tae-seong, you’ll definitely regret today’s matter.”

“Still, it can’t be helped! It’s a matter I started so I’ll take responsibility!”

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group walked out leaning on the cane.

Grandfather silently watched that back.

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group who was walking limping stopped his steps abruptly.

Chairman Kim shouted greatly without looking back.

“Taeseong, let’s postpone the kids’ marriage or business problem for a bit and have a drink among ourselves after a long time!”

“Let’s do so.”

“Go up to the Hyunmu Hotel bar first. Today you buy!”

“Of course! Let’s drink until our noses go crooked today! Just in time, a few bottles of very good deodeokju came in, let’s open one of those too!”

Chairman Kim of U-gwang Group walked shaking his long coat.

Grandfather looked back.

“Taeseong also 30 million won as sponsorship money! 20 million won more in the name of my son Seong-jun’s couple and grandson Cha Jeong-hyeok!”

It was the confirmation of the highest sponsorship money at today’s year-end night event.

Grandfather officially nailed me and our Mother on the year-end night sponsor list.

This was like a threat that no one should talk nonsense to me and Mother from now on.

Clap clap clap clap!

People clapped according to the sponsor courtesy.

Grandfather raised his hand.

“I caused an unpleasant disturbance at a good event so I won’t receive applause. President Oh, sorry about this.”

“It’s not even that fists were exchanged. Would this level of disturbance even fit in the disturbance category? Don’t mind it so don’t worry.”

“Good. Then I’ll take responsibility and raise the Hyunmu Hotel liquor sales today! Put up the best liquor in this hotel. As you know, I’m planning to drink with U-gwang until noses go crooked.”

Grandfather patted Father and Mother’s shoulders a couple of times.

“You suffered. I’ll go first. Don’t look at eyes and stamp eyes with people and come. If there’s a guy talking nonsense, remember well and inform me.”

Following behind Grandfather, the Taeseong Group affiliate presidents gathered.

“Chairman, are you really thinking of separating from U-gwang like this?”

“It became so.”

“If it’s Taeseong Chemicals, isn’t it a business entity that the chairman carefully grew for a long time?”

“If cleaning up now, the loss will be enormous!”

Grandfather raised his hand.

“In life, there’s business that grows greatly with small investment, and business that ruins small with large investment. Let’s consider Taeseong Chemicals as a business that ruined while growing.”

“Chairman!”

“That kind of thing is not a big deal. Does Taeseong collapse without one Taeseong Chemicals? We focus on the subway construction.”

Grandfather said cutting it off.

“It’s a business with only the expected bidding price at 180 billion. It’s a large case incomparably larger than the 30 billion Taeseong Chemicals. The loss that arose because of Taeseong Chemicals will be covered and still remain.”

“That’s right.”

“If we just win the subway construction, Taeseong Construction will solidify its position as the best construction company in our country. Do you all know well what that means?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t assume that because of breaking off the engagement we’ll hand over Taeseong Chemicals and also hand over the subway construction obediently! I have no intention of overlooking U-gwang Construction at all! So all know that and actively help Seong-jun!”

“Yes, understood!”

The Taeseong Group affiliate presidents shouted loudly.

Clap clap clap!

Even though Grandfather said he wouldn’t receive sponsor applause, applause sounds were heard.

But President Kim of U-gwang Construction snorted.

“Is there a person who doesn’t know that Taeseong Construction’s holding funds hit the bottom? With what money are you cleaning up Taeseong Chemicals, with what money are you trying to push the subway construction?”

I confirmed the invited guests quietly entering the hall.

The master, Maljukgeori Horse Head, Jongno’s Gold Teeth and Kkachisan Room Madam.

All completed entry.