Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 31

31. 10th. After Impact (2)

Hogan Jang, holding the receiver, spoke as soon as the call connected.

“I’d like to meet regarding Hayeon’s matter. Let’s have a cup of coffee in my office.”

About thirty minutes later, a knock was heard, and Changho Jung entered. As Hayeon Jang’s guardian, Changho Jung’s face was filled with tension upon being summoned to the office.

“What’s the matter, Chairman?”

“I’ve found out who Hayeon’s fund manager is.”

Even as Changho Jung blinked, Hogan Jang’s face looked refreshed as if his questions had been resolved. Unable to contain his curiosity, Changho Jung asked Hogan Jang first.

“Who is Hayeon’s fund manager, Chairman?”

“It’s Seongmin, haha.”

“Seongmin, you say?”

Seongmin Lee was the one making money for Hayeon Jang… Changho Jung couldn’t hide his surprise.

“Yes, brother. It seems that fellow has been helping our Hayeon with her stock investments, haha.”

The smile never left Hogan Jang’s face. Even though he and Daesu Lee were like cats and dogs, it was a relief that Hayeon Jang and Seongmin Lee were doing well.

Unlike the refreshed-looking Hogan Jang, Changho Jung tilted his head.

“How did you find that out…?”

“I observed the two kids.”

Changho Jung flinched. Observation sounded nice, but wasn’t it wiretapping?

“Chairman?”

“I don’t like chasing after my grown-up daughter as her father, but since she doesn’t have that person, I have no choice but to take care of her myself.”

Seeing Hogan Jang’s bitter smile, Changho Jung nodded.

To Hogan Jang, Hayeon Jang was like her late biological mother. Changho Jung couldn’t possibly not know that Hogan Jang wanted to take care of Hayeon Jang, even if it meant wiretapping.

“I was also curious about who was by Hayeon’s side, but it’s a relief that Seongmin is there, Chairman.”

“It’s a relief. They’ve known each other for a long time, and the vibes between them are good, so I feel relieved, haha.”

Hogan Jang, chuckling heartily, took a pleasant sip of his coffee.

“It seems you didn’t summon me just for that. Is there something more you want to say?”

“Seongmin asked Hayeon a favor. He asked if Haedong Group could take over the deal she cut off with her sister.”

Changho Jung nodded slightly, as if understanding without needing to hear the details. Hogan Jang watched Changho Jung and sighed lightly.

“It seems that old man’s private funds have been almost completely destroyed. Why else would that kid step up himself?”

It was unimaginable otherwise. The eldest grandson of that proud family going around begging… Even though he couldn’t believe it, Hogan Jang felt sorry for Seongmin Lee, the only one left by his deceased friends.

“Hmm…”

Changho Jung hummed and nodded.

“I need to hear Director Lee’s opinion as well, but the deal with Haedong wasn’t a loss for us either. We had several gains, including expanding the semiconductor factory, opening a hotel, building a Yeongdeungpo shopping mall, and agreeing on equity. However…”

Changho Jung paused, sipped his tea, and took a breath.

“Haedong Department Store is the problem. To cut off the deal with Shinsegae Group, we have to cut off the department store deal as well, but Haedong Department Store, which only deals with low-priced goods, can’t replace Shinsegae Department Store.”

As Hogan Jang’s first chief of staff, Changho Jung accurately grasped the current situation of Shinseong Group and Haedong Group. Hogan Jang also knew that Changho Jung kept his work and personal life separate, so he readily nodded.

“That’s why I’m saying this… Hayeon wants to provide consulting for Haedong Department Store to Seongmin.”

“Yes?”

Changho Jung was taken aback. Helping another group’s business while being affiliated with Shinseong Group?

Hogan Jang chuckled at Changho Jung’s dumbfounded expression.

“Hayeon is smart, but she’s also proud. She seems to want to repay the debt since she gained a lot from the last deal. Since there’s an order to things, she’ll have to tell Director Lee after she tells me.”

“Director Lee will be very upset if he finds out it was pushed through [Korean term for ‘pushed forward’] without his knowledge, haha.”

Changho Jung laughed heartily, but he couldn’t laugh anymore after hearing Hogan Jang’s next words.

“It can’t be helped. Suhan is fighting against my in-laws’ cronies on my behalf. Like the Joguk Ilbo…”

“I’m sorry, Chairman.”

Changho Jung quickly erased his smile and bowed to Hogan Jang.

Joguk Ilbo, which started as a disguised affiliate of Shinseong Group.

After Chairman Byeongho Jang’s death, the Hwang family swallowed all the shares of Joguk Ilbo in exchange for supporting Hogan Jang inside and outside Shinseong Group.

It would have been fine if it had stopped there, but Suhan Lee from the secretariat was keeping the Hwang family, who were trying to act like superiors, in check.

Knowing this, Changho Jung only felt sorry for Hogan Jang. Wasn’t he caught between his brothers and his in-laws?

Hogan Jang gave a bitter smile as he looked at Changho Jung, who was looking at him with pity.

“No, brother. You’re taking care of Hayeon, aren’t you?”

Hogan Jang waved his hand at Changho Jung and looked at him with a firm gaze.

“No matter what, Goryeo Hotel must be Hayeon’s share. To do that, we must make the plan that the two kids have come up with this time succeed.”

Changho Jung also understood Hogan Jang’s heart.

To the greedy Hwang family, consulting for Haedong Department Store could be seen as a warning that Haedong Group was behind Hayeon Jang.

He was concerned that it was being done against Daesu Lee, who had a wide network in the business world, but Haedong Group seemed so desperate for money that they couldn’t refuse the opportunity to get out of debt, to the point where Seongmin Lee was running around.

“I understand, Chairman. Please tell me when the work progresses.”

After answering, Changho Jung bowed to Hogan Jang, like a brother, as if swearing allegiance once again, and left the office.

***

That evening.

Hogan Jang was having a private meeting with Hayeon Jang in his study.

“How is it, Father?”

“Hmm…”

Hogan Jang was humming, but it was the same content he had already heard. His daughter, who had proposed consulting for Haedong Department Store and breaking up with Shinsegae Group, was looking at him earnestly.

However, he couldn’t easily agree. It was something he already knew, and something he had decided for the daughter in front of him, but he couldn’t let her think that she could handle the company that had to be passed down as she pleased, could he?

Hogan Jang, who had stopped humming, slowly opened his mouth.

“I’ll talk to Director Lee and try to resolve it in a good way.”

“Father?”

Hogan Jang’s heart was also filled with pride at the sight of his daughter’s face brightening, but he didn’t easily show it. It was, after all, company business, wasn’t it?

“That friend also owes Director Go a debt from the last deal. He seems to want to repay it, so we have to help him. I’ll take care of it, haha.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“No thanks needed. Go now.”

Hogan Jang waved his hand to dismiss his daughter, then called Suhan Lee and told him about his plan.

[…So that’s what happened.]

“I didn’t want to bother you, so I looked into it quietly. Don’t feel left out.”

[No, Chairman. I’m just grateful for your consideration.]

Suhan Lee’s words were not empty words. He respected Hogan Jang’s decision, whom he served like a brother, because he didn’t know if there were any of the Hwang family’s agents inside the secretariat that he didn’t know about, even though he kept weeding them out.

“Thank you for understanding. Meet Director Go and handle it well.”

[Yes, Chairman.]

***

Some time later.

Suhan Lee, having received Hogan Jang’s instructions, was drinking with Seungju Go at a *yojeong* [Korean-style restaurant with private rooms and entertainment] in Seoul, holding the prepared contract and proposal.

“I’ve been seeing you often these days. If the other group guys see us, they’ll think we’re dating, haha.”

“Don’t say such things, *hyungnim* [term of respect for an older brother or male friend]. I only love my wife. Why else would I have a total of five sons and daughters, haha.”

Suhan Lee emptied a bottle of Igangju [traditional Korean liquor] in an instant, using jokes as seasoning for the food served on the table with Seungju Go.

“I don’t think the Chief of Staff of Shinseong Group called me just to joke around… If you have something to say, say it comfortably.”

After ordering Daetongju [another type of Korean liquor], which was said to have come from Damyang, Seungju Go told him to get to the point, so Suhan Lee took out a file from his bag and handed it over.

“What is this?”

“It’s an internal transaction that our Shinseong used to pass on to Shinsegae Group.”

“This is…”

Suhan Lee’s shoulders straightened as he saw Seungju Go unable to continue speaking after looking at the documents.

“As you can see, we would like Haedong Corporation to take charge of all gift sets, department store gift certificates, and consumable material purchase agency necessary for the electronics and materials divisions. We will not receive any rebates.”

Seungju Go opened the documents and checked to see if what Suhan Lee said was correct, and his mouth dropped open.

“What’s the reason for this, Suhan?”

“It’s a reward for the last deal, *hyungnim*. Haedong Corporation will be starting a discount store business next fall, so it will be of some help, haha.”

Unlike Suhan Lee, who was laughing heartily, Seungju Go couldn’t laugh. Giving up a deal worth tens of billions of won in annual sales without receiving any rebates?

“Tell me frankly. What’s the other reason?”

When Seungju Go hardened his face and spoke, Suhan Lee nodded with a slightly arrogant expression.

“Seongmin asked Director Jang for a favor. Director Jang also received something from Seongmin, so it’s a fair exchange, haha.”

Suhan Lee’s voice was annoying, but Seungju Go focused on evaluating Seongmin Lee’s vessel even in the midst of it.

The result of his evaluation of Seongmin Lee was a beast.

A beast that doesn’t miss an opportunity and rushes towards its prey.

A child who had barely reached his mid-20s, a child who seemed like just an immature 20-year-old until he opened his eyes from his sickbed, had become a beast roaming the wilderness in just over a year.

‘Haha, I don’t know how much this guy has to eat to be full.’

Seungju Go, feeling good about the growth of his nephew-like child, nodded to Suhan Lee.

“I understand. I’ll tell the Chairman and CEO Tae as soon as I get back.”

“Instead, there’s a condition.”

Suhan Lee smiled at Seungju Go, who narrowed his eyes, and took out another file.

“It seems like I’ve repaid the debt I received from the last deal with this, haha.”

“You’re playing with me. Do it all at once, man.”

Seungju Go smiled and handed over the file. Suhan Lee spoke to Seungju Go, who was looking at the documents.

“I would like Director Jang to proceed with the consulting for Haedong Department Store with Seongmin. If you accept the consulting, we will proceed with the deal.”

After speaking, Suhan Lee quickly opened his mouth after seeing Seungju Go’s hardened face.

“I feel like I’m interfering in other people’s business, but think about it, *hyungnim*. Even if you don’t know it now, Haedong Department Store will have no future if discount stores cover the whole country. Even if it’s Chairman Lee’s will, what about the morale of the employees if the company doesn’t make money?”

Suhan Lee persuaded Seungju Go by talking about Daesu Lee’s eccentricities. Wasn’t this something that had to be accomplished in order to keep the Hwang family of Joguk Ilbo in check? No matter what happens with the consulting, all they had to do was show that Hayeon Jang and Seongmin Lee were together.

“If you say you’ll reflect the consulting results, I’ll hand it over right after the opening of the new building of the Haedong Department Store main branch. Isn’t this something we’re doing to get along well?”

To get along well?

The nuance was strange, but Seungju Go thought it was a good thing.

If the most cunning guy in Shinseong Group was saying that, it could be said that there were almost no guys chasing private funds left in Korea.

In addition to Taeho Tae, who is in charge of the logistics and distribution division of Haedong Corporation, and Daesu Lee, who is unofficially considering reorganizing the department store business in line with the opening of the discount store, it was an opportunity to absorb the shock of the system transition.

“…I understand. I’ll contact you as soon as the Chairman approves.”

“I’ll be waiting for good news, haha.”

After the two people finished negotiating, they poured the alcohol into their mouths and savored the bamboo scent, starting their same bed, different dreams [idiom for outwardly agreeing but having different intentions].

***

The news that Suhan Lee and Seungju Go met in the early evening today was learned from a phone call from Hayeon Jang around 10 o’clock.

“Really?”

[Yeah. I just heard it from Father.]

It was unexpected. Shinseong Group, which tries to keep even 10 won [Korean currency, very small amount] inside by creating subsidiaries even for the lowest-ranking janitors, would so readily hand over such a large-scale deal.

I didn’t know the details, but I thought it was a good thing. Even if Hogan Jang and Suhan Lee, who had their pride hurt by the last deal, handed it over to save face, anyway, thank you if the deal goes through.

After organizing my thoughts, I asked the most important thing.

“Sister, if Grandpa accepts the deal, what will happen to the company work?”

[I’m going to go to work early in the morning, finish the company work, and then look around in the afternoon.]

“Really?”

[Why? Do you hate it?]

“Ah, no… Still, you’re the uncle’s daughter, so it’s a bit much to do that…”

I had to listen to Hayeon Jang’s nagging because I couldn’t continue speaking because I was so *jillyeo* [Korean slang for being fed up or overwhelmed].

[Are you saying something big? 8-hour work is also in the law. Both the company and the workers have to protect it, don’t you know?]

Who doesn’t know that? Even if she’s an illegitimate child, she’s the third generation of Shinseong Group, so she’s going to work at 5 a.m. and work for 8 hours?

“T, that’s right? Then… I’ll see you from 3 or 4 p.m.?”

[No? I was going to tell you to meet me at 2 p.m.?]

“S, Sister…?”

It was getting worse and worse. If she said what she said now, she would be going to work at 5 a.m. and working until 1 p.m. without resting? I’ll have to subtract the travel time.

Hayeon Jang has a personal office, so she can eat something like a sandwich there, but if you think about the preparation for women to go to work, they have to wake up at 4 a.m. at the latest, and 3 a.m. at the earliest. *Aigoya* [Korean exclamation of dismay].

I sighed because I could see that she would suffer, and I heard Hayeon Jang’s nonchalant voice.

[What are you talking about? I’m going to eat, sleep, and commute from the hotel room?]

“Huh?”

[CEO Jung was kind enough to let me stay in the hotel room instead of staying up all night. Hehe, so don’t worry and come at 2 o’clock.]

I feel like I’m getting caught up in it. Hayeon Jang, she has a sly side to her, doesn’t she? It’ll be much better than a bear-like woman, so I thought it wouldn’t be bad.

I was about to hang up the phone because it was late at night, but I made a *jjok* [Korean onomatopoeia for a kiss] sound before putting down the receiver and ended the call. Taejin Park, who was sitting on the sofa next to me, laughed as he looked at me.

“You’re becoming more and more like the late president. The president was also often taken advantage of by the madam when he was dating the madam… Haha.”

“Blood doesn’t lie. We’ll be busy again soon. Let’s have a can of beer each and go in, *hyung* [another way to say hyungnim].”

“Let’s do that.”

I got up from my seat and headed to the refrigerator, but I heard the phone ringing and picked up the receiver.

“Yes, this is Seongmin Lee…”

[It’s your *hal-aebi* [Korean for grandfather]. Shall we have breakfast tomorrow morning and have a cup of tea in the drawing room?]

That’s strange. I’ve never seen him in the drawing room except during the financial real name system [a Korean financial reform]. Is it because of today’s work?