The Genius Grandson Of The Cash King Becomes A Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 44

#044

“Please, spare me, CEO. I beg you.”

Kwon Young-soo bowed his head as low as he could.

“Then show me and the company your faith.”

At those words, Kwon Young-soo looked up at Yoon Jeong-hoon.

‘Is he giving me a chance?’

Jeong-hoon tossed a pen and paper onto the desk.

It must have felt insulting.

“Write down all the corruption you’ve committed so far. If it differs from what I know, I’ll report you to the prosecution immediately.”

But if he could endure this humiliation and confess, he was willing to consider him differently.

“Will you write?”

Kwon Young-soo hesitated.

He glanced at CEO Yoon Jeong-hoon and then shifted his gaze to the pen and paper.

If he went to Heaven Securities, he would be turned away at the door anyway.

Perhaps his life would be taken to conceal the evidence.

If he stayed here, he could at least save his life.

If he revealed everything, could he survive?

He had no choice but to bet everything on a sliver of hope.

He prayed that the hem of the pants he was holding onto would save him.

At that moment, CEO Yoon Jeong-hoon’s voice echoed in Kwon Young-soo’s ear.

“Write it down if you don’t want to disappear without a trace. That’s the only way to live. At least we… will let you live.”

Choi Joon-ki, who had been watching the scene, thought Kwon Young-soo would storm out of the room.

A proposal to write down his wrongdoings in detail.

It was obvious that Kwon Young-soo, with his strong pride, would not accept Yoon Jeong-hoon’s offer.

He was relieved at the thought that he wouldn’t have to witness this awkward situation soon.

He eagerly hoped that Kwon Young-soo would leave the office and this embarrassing situation would end.

Choi Joon-ki’s eyes widened.

‘No way.’

Kwon Young-soo didn’t get up but grabbed the pen and paper.

Then he knelt on the floor and began to write.

‘How on earth…?’

It was hard to believe that the vice president of BHC Securities was submitting to the new CEO.

Yet, he was writing down his shameful wrongdoings in detail.

Choi Joon-ki turned his head to look at CEO Yoon Jeong-hoon.

His calm eyes looking down at Kwon Young-soo.

He was tall, but he seemed even taller than usual.

He couldn’t understand what power had changed Kwon Young-soo.

Choi Joon-ki was overwhelmed by the force emanating from Yoon Jeong-hoon.

Choi Joon-ki, who had been spacing out.

“Executive Director Choi.”

“Yes, CEO.”

Choi Joon-ki, who had been sitting down, jumped up and answered.

“Please, sit down. Executive Director Choi, do you have as many sins as Vice President Kwon here?”

“No, I don’t.”

Choi Joon-ki carefully sat back on the sofa.

Meanwhile, Kwon Young-soo remained on the floor, confessing his sins.

“Here’s a card.”

He handed the card to Executive Director Choi Joon-ki.

“What should I use it for?”

Choi Joon-ki instinctively bowed as he received it, due to the atmosphere in the room.

“I’ve made a reservation at the Japanese restaurant across the street. I’ve arranged for an omakase [a multi-course meal selected by the chef], so enjoy it with the staff. Oh, don’t misunderstand. This is my personal card. It was a personal promise I made yesterday, so I can’t use company money.”

Jeong-hoon surprised him once again by presenting his personal card.

He didn’t even use company money for personal matters.

He was keeping promises that he thought he wouldn’t keep.

He himself…

He wouldn’t even treat his employees to a company dinner unless it was with a corporate card because he thought they were a waste of money, but this man was different.

Choi Joon-ki’s face turned red with shame.

“Executive Director Choi Joon-ki, please report to the Vice President’s office starting tomorrow.”

“Yes?”

His eyes widened.

“Shouldn’t you be promoted since you came in second place?”

“That’s right. If it’s a promotion, shouldn’t it be to the next level, Director?”

“I don’t think I said it was just one level.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

He had a disbelieving expression, but Choi Joon-ki was already grinning from ear to ear.

“Anyway, please take care of me, Vice President Choi Joon-ki. And please take good care of the new CEO who will be coming.”

“What about you, CEO?”

“As I said, I’m just temporary, aren’t I? Once the project is over, I have to go do something else.”

“What project? It doesn’t seem like it’s even started yet.”

“It’s about to start.”

He didn’t tell him exactly, so he was curious, but he wasn’t interested because of the promotion.

“Understood. And thank you again for the dinner.”

Choi Jin-gu, who had been promoted to vice president, left the room with a light step.

And after a while, Vice President Kwon Young-soo got up from his seat.

“Here it is.”

“You made the right choice. It’s better to live like a dog and plan for the future than to die a meaningless death. Vice President Kwon is now an employee. Think of it as serving in the ranks. If you make contributions, you can return to being an executive.”

Yoon Jeong-hoon compared him to his dog.

But he thought it wasn’t wrong.

A dog-like life, he lived like a dog.

Perhaps it was a life worse than a dog’s.

“Really?”

At Yoon Jeong-hoon’s words about planning for the future, he unknowingly harbored vain expectations.

But he soon realized.

It was too late for regret and hope.

“I always keep my promises.”

Kwon Young-soo looked up and met Yoon Jeong-hoon’s eyes.

He didn’t avoid his gaze.

Even if it was a false hope, he wanted to believe his words.

He had the power to move people’s hearts.

“Understood. Then I’ll look for something to do now. I’ll think about what path is best for the CEO and the company.”

“I’ll trust you.”

The word ‘trust’ pierced Kwon Young-soo’s heart.

Who had ever trusted him until now?

No one except his parents.

A life lived diligently to do everything well.

He didn’t care about the means or methods.

Betrayal and backstabbing were always more than just friends.

But this man was going to trust him, a traitor… Kwon Young-soo was confused.

He couldn’t tell how sincere he was.

“Thank you for the opportunity, CEO.”

Kwon Young-soo bowed deeply and left the room.

***

“Elder, Young Master has come in first place.”

“What?”

Hyun Jeong-ok’s eyes widened.

“Really first place? Is that even possible?”

“Yes, he really came in first place. He hit the double limit and made a comeback.”

“Double limit? Two consecutive days of the price ceiling?”

“Yes.”

“Is it luck or skill?”

“It’s skill. He is thoughtful and always moves according to plan. He never acts carelessly. And luck that continues is skill.”

“Skill, huh? He’s not even twenty years old yet…”

Hyun Jeong-ok still couldn’t believe her grandson’s skill.

“And the company atmosphere is great now. People who doubted his skills have stopped doubting him since Young Master came in first place. The employees who saw Young Master’s miraculous comeback are in a mood to try anything.”

“Even the company atmosphere has changed? Could he have been thinking about that when he opened the investment competition?”

“That… I think he did. Why else would he have risked his position as CEO?”

Hyun Jeong-ok had a blank look on her face, as if she couldn’t believe it.

And she slowly opened her mouth with a still expressionless face.

“Our Jeong-hoon has a plan.”

“Yes, he has a plan.”

The promise Hyun Jeong-ok made with her grandson came to her mind.

“Man-ho, take out 10 billion won from the vault.”

“Shall I prepare it in 10,000 won bills?”

“That would be good. The prize money should be given in cash. Our grandson probably hasn’t seen it yet, has he? 10 billion won in 10,000 won bills.”

“No one has ever seen it.”

“Hahaha, that’s true. I think it’s been a while since I’ve seen 10 billion won in cash.”

“Where shall I put it?”

“Bring it to the garage.”

“Yes, Elder. I don’t know if it will all fit. It’s about 70 apple boxes worth.”

“Fill it up.”

Hyun Jeong-ok’s voice was excited.

“Understood, Elder. I’ll prepare it as soon as possible.”

Calming down her excited mood, she got up from her seat and looked out the window.

The scorching sun was intensely heating the green garden.

The heat wave was already raging in July.

She felt like her physical strength was rapidly declining due to the heat.

“Was it because of the hot weather? I’m so tired these days.”

“Elder, I’ll go to Dongdaemun and get some wild ginseng.”

“Yes, please prepare some for me and the children.”

After saying that, Hyun Jeong-ok suddenly said with a serious expression.

“But I keep getting it wrong these days, so I feel uneasy. I’m getting a lot of thoughts.”

“What do you mean?”

When Man-ho asked, Hyun Jeong-ok said in a cautious voice.

“I’m wondering if I should retire soon.”

“Elder, aren’t you still at an age where you can work?”

“No, look at Jeong-hoon. At that age, he properly managed the reconstruction project and even the securities firm full of SKY graduates [graduates from the top three universities in South Korea: Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University]. I think it’s okay to step down now.”

“No. Absolutely not.”

Hyun Jeong-ok didn’t answer Man-ho’s words and just stared out the window.

***

Kwon Young-soo’s desk, who had been demoted, was placed in the hallway.

His position plummeted from vice president to ordinary employee overnight.

He was aware of the jeers and finger-pointing of his subordinates, but he didn’t want to be kicked out like this.

His life was stained with corruption.

Money was the standard for everything, but he couldn’t understand why he was sitting here now.

‘Why am I sitting here?’

He had enough money.

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t figure out the reason.

He could feel the presence of his juniors passing behind him.

But no one was worried about him.

Was this the 30-year life of Kwon Young-soo, a securities man? He was overcome with a sense of futility.

He was lost in thought.

“Employee Kwon Young-soo, what are you doing?”

Director Hong Young-ho was looking at him.

He thought he was sneering, but he wasn’t.

‘Is he worried?’

The man who used to bicker with him so much.

“What’s the matter, Director Hong?”

“Let’s have a cigarette.”

“I quit smoking.”

“Tsk, if the director tells you to smoke, you smoke. Where does an employee get off? Follow me.”

“Ahem.”

Kwon Young-soo got up and followed Director Hong to the rooftop.

The rooftop, come to think of it, was the first time since he was promoted to executive.

Director Hong Young-ho pulled out a mixed coffee from the vending machine and handed it to him.

“Ahem, the world has gotten a lot better. A director even pulls out coffee for an employee.”

“Ahem, stop joking around.”

Kwon Young-soo said with a stiff expression.

Director Hong took out a cigarette from his pocket, put it in Kwon Young-soo’s mouth, and lit it.

“Hoo.”

Kwon Young-soo took a long sigh and exhaled a long stream of white smoke.

“Senior Kwon, it’s been a while since you’ve come up here.”

“Yeah, it’s been a while.”

The scenery of Yeouido [the financial district of Seoul] in the distance came into view.

“In the old days, I used to come here to smoke, chat, and slack off a lot.”

He inhaled the smoke again and exhaled it for a long time.

“That’s right.”

“What are you going to do? Are you going to retire like this?”

“Well, I don’t know. I don’t know. I’ve been sitting in the hallway for a long time since I was demoted, so I think I should leave.”

“Well, I think they gave you a chance.”

“What chance…”

“If it were me, it would be dismissal and prosecution.”

“What?”

“Think about it. I don’t know the details, but I know that Vice President Kwon is related to the hacking incident last time. Then, of course, they should dismiss you and report you to the prosecution. But instead, they’re keeping you as a company employee anyway. And there’s no criminal complaint…”

“That’s true, but…”

“I don’t know what our CEO is thinking either. But one thing is clear, he’s not one to give up easily. Not on work or people. You know, right? How he made a comeback in the investment competition.”

“…”

Kwon Young-soo couldn’t say anything.

He thought it was a false hope, but was the CEO trusting and expecting him?

While he was lost in thought, Director Hong Young-ho spoke again.

“If someone trusts you, shouldn’t you try to live up to their expectations? Senior, there’s still a lot you need to do at our company. I’ll be waiting.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Then I’ll go down.”

Hong Young-ho went down and looked around.

Employees in their 30s and 40s were gathered in groups of three or five, relieving stress with a cup of coffee and a cigarette.

He remembered the old days when he felt the happiness of everyday life with his colleagues during tea time.

The happiness he had forgotten.

The moments of trusting, relying on, helping, and pulling each other along began to faintly emerge.

Kwon Young-soo closed his eyes for a long time and thought about the past.

The smile that had lingered on his lips disappeared.

His face, with his eyes open, was filled with determination.

He took out his phone and dialed a familiar number.

“Chairman, this is Kwon Young-soo.”

He started making a call.

***

He was supposed to receive 10 billion won as a gift from his grandmother, but there was no word for a while.

Jeong-hoon didn’t want to upset his grandmother.

Moreover, she seemed to have a lot on her mind lately.

When Jeong-hoon went out to the living room, his grandmother was resting.

“Grandmother, are you watching TV?”

“Yes. Were you studying?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t overdo it. It doesn’t matter if you don’t go to a good university.”

Hyun Jeong-ok felt sorry for her grandson, who was studying by cutting into his sleeping time.

“Still, I have to go to Seoul National University Law School. I’m the grandson of Hyun Jeong-ok, the Cash King…”

“The way he says such pretty things…”

Hyun Jeong-ok was pleased with her grandson’s words and wore a loving expression.

Jeong-hoon, seeing her smiling face for the first time in a while, mustered up the courage.

“Um, Grandmother… about that gift. It’s not too much of a burden, is it?”

He finally asked what he hadn’t been able to ask for days.

He came in first place.

He won the bet, so he had to receive 10 billion won, but the amount was too large, so he was cautious.

So he couldn’t bring it up for days.

He couldn’t stop worrying that she might be trying to get away with it.

Hyun Jeong-ok, hearing Jeong-hoon’s worries, chuckled.

“Boy, have you forgotten what this grandma’s nickname is? Cash King. 10 billion won is like the price of gum to this grandma.”

“Yes?”

Jeong-hoon was surprised by her scale, comparing 10 billion won to the price of gum.

He thought it was a relief.

She was sure to keep her promise.

“Boy, you must be worried that you won’t get the money. I was going to show it to you anyway.”

Hyun Jeong-ok slowly got up and continued.

“Let’s go.”

“Where to?”

“To get your gift.”

His grandmother got up and went outside.

Passing through the garden, his grandmother opened the door to the garage.

A familiar scent wafted from the dark garage.

‘What is this smell? I’ve definitely smelled it often.’

His grandmother turned on the garage light.

And Jeong-hoon could only blink in surprise at the sight that unfolded before his eyes.