Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Quickly, Route Map

I snickered.

‘Did Mayor Gu really hand over that proposal impulsively? I don’t think so.’

If he had called Taeseong and U-gwang to the mayor’s office and secretly handed over the proposal, that might be different.

‘He brought the Subway Line 2 route map that can be called top-secret information to this public place. It doesn’t make sense commonly. How does he intend to handle the aftermath?’

Earlier, when it seemed Taeseong would take charge of the Subway Line 2 construction, what kind of reaction did people show.

As soon as it seemed they would put out reserve land to investors, they flocked one after another and asked about investment.

Even after witnessing that situation, Mayor Gu made the motion of taking out the Subway Line 2 route map.

This was a calculation with quite political and strategic intent mixed in.

‘Typical corporate taming.’

Anyway, the answer is already a decided matter.

Mayor Gu already made a plan, and intends to push it as is.

He even said it openly.

-The budget that the government can pay is fixed. If the plan that Taeseong draws is not innovative and outstanding? No choice but to follow the desk administration we planned.

That’s Mayor Gu’s authority, the Blue House’s will, and the direction of budget execution.

This time, Mayor Gu intends to flatten the construction company’s nose, and cleanly end even the ridicule and dissatisfaction of desk administration.

‘In Mayor Gu’s mind, it would have been a proposal handed over while confident that a mere construction company couldn’t draw a subway route map in just one week.’

If that was an easy matter, Father wouldn’t have hardened his expression, and President Oh of Hyunmu Construction wouldn’t have dismissed it as an unreasonable demand either.

With the budget and deadline already fixed, there are too many things to consider separately, and too many things to calculate.

On top of that, the period when they have to write the bidding estimate and construction plan with less than a month left.

It’s natural that the personnel put into writing the subway route map decreases greatly.

So the probability of bringing a mediocre route map or coming empty-handed is very high.

‘It’s blatant calculation, and a bothersome trick. No need to put effort for long.’

Rather, wouldn’t it be better for us to firmly drive a wedge before Mayor Gu even hands the proposal to U-gwang Construction.

If I draw the Subway Line 2 route map, there won’t even be a reason for Father and the Taeseong Construction people to gather and groan for a week.

Good?

‘If it’s an eye stamp that has to be stamped anyway, stamping it on the day, definitely, flashily is the best.’

Mayor Gu already used the word ‘young’ several times to Father.

In this field that favors career and experience, he subtly revealed a bit of unreliability.

‘Being recognized is better than being ignored.’

It’s a great construction that has to match hands and feet together for as much as 5 years.

If the decision maker and supervisor looks down on the construction company and picks on them whenever there’s a gap, every matter becomes enormously tiring.

‘Rather, it turned out well.’

If Taeseong draws a Subway Line 2 route map similar to what Mayor Gu conceived?

As Mayor Gu said, a construction expert looking at the same goal, the same direction appears.

Then what kind of reaction will Mayor Gu show?

From now on, can he ignore Taeseong’s ability, Father’s youth?

‘But here, just one problem.’

If trivial, it was a very trivial problem.

‘Where do I get a Seoul City map right now?’

There has to be a Seoul City map to draw the subway route map!

I lifted my head and looked around the surroundings.

This is the event hall of the Hyunmu Hotel.

The information desk that would be in the hotel lobby came to mind.

‘Is there a Seoul City tourist map at the front? Or even a Seoul City map book would do.’

Since it’s not a time when many foreigners come and go, I don’t know if a tourist map is prepared at the hotel front, but in an era without navigation, everyone drove while looking at map books.

I crossed the hall with confident steps.

* * *

“Young Master!”

When I came out of the hall, Yu Jong-tae and the Taeseong Group security guards ran over with delight.

“Young Master, why did you come out all the way here? Perhaps your legs hurt?”

“Aigo, your hands are ice. Wear my fur gloves at least.”

“Your cheeks are red. Isn’t there a fever?”

Among the Taeseong Group security guards, someone carefully massaged my arms and legs, and someone else brought a hand to my forehead.

“The legs aren’t swelling. Soft like rice cake······.”

“Fortunately, there’s no fever either. Just redness on the cheeks······ may I touch the cheek just once?”

“Ahem, where dare a newbie. You stay back, you.”

Before I knew it, Yu Jong-tae pushed aside the security guards and stood at the very front.

“No tear marks around the eyes, no chocolate marks around the mouth. Good.”

Yu Jong-tae made the usual sly and greasy smile.

“Looking at the brave and firm expression, it’s definitely our Young Master. Perhaps do you need something like comfort or encouragement? My bosom is very wide and warm. Come, come in here.”

“It’s fine. I’ll politely decline. By the way, why is everyone gathered here?”

“U-gwang came, right? We were waiting here for a bit in preparation for an unexpected situation.”

Taeseong had decided to break off the marriage with U-gwang.

The Taeseong Group security guards all knew that too.

It seemed they were waiting worrying that a fight might break out inside the event hall.

“Young Master, did you eat something inside?”

“Just in time, very coincidentally, somehow, there are silver pills and puffed rice. Will you eat?”

“I prepared children’s digestive medicine in case you get indigestion in the stuffy atmosphere.”

Then Yu Jong-tae took out one beverage bottle from his pocket and held it out.

“Young Master, there’s no warm hoppang, but there’s lukewarm soy milk. When hands are cold, you have to eat something like this.”

“Thank you. I’ll eat well.”

I obediently accepted the goodwill of Yu Jong-tae and the Taeseong Group security guards.

The Taeseong Group security guards flashed their eyes.

“Hoppang and soy milk······. Memo······.”

“Wait, Team Leader Yu! Between lukewarm soy milk and warm soy milk, which is correct?”

Growl!

An embarrassing sound was heard from somewhere.

I ate a few of the finger foods that Father brought earlier?

Growl! Growl!

As expected, it wasn’t a sound coming from my stomach.

Looking up, the Taeseong Group security guards awkwardly touched the back of their heads and cleared their throats.

“Perhaps you haven’t eaten dinner until now?”

“······.”

“What time is it now. Quickly go inside and eat something.”

The Taeseong Group security guards urgently waved their hands.

“We can’t enter inside.”

“It’s fine, Young Master. Dinner can be eaten later.”

“We’ll eat after the event ends. We also received beef company dinner tickets as a reward.”

Suddenly, I thought of the president of U-gwang Construction who was running wild saying to drag them out immediately while talking about rank or topic to the previous era’s big shots who controlled South Korea’s underground finance.

I seemed to know why large men were loitering here full.

They would be secretaries or drivers, or security guards.

‘Really acting childishly. Who is a person and who is a servant?’

I forgot that in a situation where even rich previous era’s big shots are being chased out, there’s no way they’d take care of security guards or drivers.

“Then do it now, beef company dinner!”

I took out a 100,000-won cashier’s check from the coin wallet.

The 100,000-won cashier’s check was the highest denomination and was often used by the wealthy class.

It was money that fell to my share while cleaning the safe of the former president of Taeseong Construction.

“It’s all work to live, so working overtime while even starving is too pitiful.”

“Young Master······.”

“Remember that our Mom got angry at the sound that Uncle Cheol-gu starved? Quickly go eat beef.”

“No, Young Master. We’re fine.”

“I hear the steak at this Hyunmu Hotel restaurant is that delicious? Drink expensive and good wine along with it too.”

“The event isn’t even finished yet······.”

“The event is hosted by Hyunmu, not Taeseong. Now there’s no need to worry about a fight that might happen. Grandfather and the chairman of U-gwang Group went to drink alcohol amicably.”

I smiled.

“If having to prepare for an unexpected situation, wouldn’t it be fine to eat dinner in turns and come? Since it’s during work, just one glass of wine each.”

There won’t be a fruit punch bowl to use as a wine glass here.

“Young Master, you don’t have to do this. What are we to receive such a large sum······.”

“It’s because I’m grateful that you help our Dad’s work from early morning until late at night every day. I really wanted to treat you to a delicious dinner meal grandly.”

Five 100,000-won cashier’s checks in total, total 500,000 won!

In this era, a minister’s salary was 250,000 won, and the prime minister’s salary was 350,000 won.

“And today I was recognized as a Taeseong family person for the first time in front of people. I’m so happy about that that I’m trying to buy a congratulatory drink.”

“Ah······!”

“If it’s refusing the dinner I’m buying because you don’t want to congratulate······.”

The Taeseong Group security guards quickly waved their hands and said urgently.

“No, Young Master. Let’s do it, company dinner! Beef company dinner, we have to!”

“Anyway, we were on the verge of starving to death! I want to eat right now, beef long live!”

“Our Young Master has formally become a member of the Taeseong family, of course we have to congratulate. We’ll pop champagne too!”

I held out the cashier’s check to Yu Jong-tae.

“The change is a tip.”

The Taeseong Group security guards said as if to be heard by the surrounding people with very happy faces.

“Did you see? Already this generous and flashy! This person is our Taeseong’s youngest young master!”

The people who were loitering cleared their throats and pretended not to know.

Some showed envious complexions while looking at the 100,000-won cashier’s checks that Yu Jong-tae was holding open like a fan.

There were people who smacked their lips, and people who acted indifferent.

I took out a 10,000-won bill from the coin wallet again.

“The day is cold and chilly, please buy hot coffee and snacks generously and give them to these people.”

Here the hotel lobby door is wide open and only one oil stove is lit so it seems too chilly compared to inside the hall.

“Uh······?”

“You’ll take care of ours too?”

It was a dazed expression.

Regardless.

I slightly stuck out my head.

“Team Leader Yu, perhaps can I get a Seoul City map or map book?”

“Seoul City map?”

“Yes, since our Dad is doing construction, I’m curious. I’ll take it inside and look.”

“Hey, newbie!”

Yu Jong-tae threw the car key he took out from his pants pocket with a whoosh.

A security guard who looked young at a glance received the car key unexpectedly.

“Bring the map book rolling around in the back seat of my car.”

“Yes, understood. But that’s completely yellow because of cigarettes. Will it be okay?”

What can I do. In a hurry, I have to use even that.

It’s not like I’m eating gold on a map that I’ll show briefly and throw away.

“It doesn’t matter. If there’s a red sign pen or magic, please that too.”

“Yes, I’ll go and come quickly.”

The Taeseong Group newbie security guard ran hurriedly.

Then a man dressed neatly raised his hand.

“Just in time, I have a quite large Seoul City map. If this is okay.”

It was a well-packaged high-quality gift map.

I’m a man who doesn’t refuse goodwill handed over first.

“Team Leader Yu, that person also join for steak!”

“Understood. Secretary Jang of Geumjo Group, perhaps is joining possible?”

“Sorry but that seems difficult. I’ll gratefully receive only the goodwill.”

I’m not the type who eats goodwill and gratitude debt.

“Then at least receive the map price. Thank you.”

I stuck a thick sincerity into his suit pocket.

“······.”

He couldn’t hide a peculiar expression.

Yu Jong-tae smiled brightly and bowed at the waist.

“Young Master, perhaps is there anything more you need?”

“Secretary Kim.”

“Aha, if it’s Secretary Kim, he went up to the Hyunmu Hotel bar now? Because the chairman is opening deodeokju.”

“Will you convey to Secretary Kim to make a bit of time?”

“I’ll go and come quickly.”

Just in time, the newbie came panting with the map book and red sign pen.

“Thank you. You worked hard.”

I put both hands together and bowed at the navel.

“······?”

Somehow it felt like everyone in the lobby was paying attention this way.

Whether they do or not.

Anyway, I’m going to enter the bathroom avoiding others’ eyes and draw the Subway Line 2 route map.

3 minutes is enough!

* * *

Secretary Kim entered the hall.

He discovered Father and walked over that way with large strides.

Father was smoking cigarettes in a row alone on the terrace and faced Secretary Kim.

“Young Master, I brought a gift.”

“Gift? So suddenly?”

“The proposal that Mayor Gu demanded. Let’s submit and finish it before Mayor Gu goes home.”

“······!”

Father looked at Secretary Kim with an expression as if he saw a ghost.

“Not even 20 minutes have passed since receiving the proposal now. Will that work?”

“What won’t work again?”

Secretary Kim shook the neatly folded map.

Father’s pupils also shook together every time the map shook.

“S, surely······.”

“Then shall we go? Read and familiarize yourself with this while going.”

Secretary Kim also held out a paper densely written with letters.

“What is that again?”

“You have to be able to answer Mayor Gu’s questions, right?”

“······?”

Honestly speaking, the time to write that took longer than the time to draw the subway route map.