Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 119

Kwak Hong-shik, the head of the Cheongdam Seonyeong Apartment Association, had lived in Cheongdam-dong, a neighborhood in Seoul, for many years.

He had worked at a bank in Cheongdam-dong for thirty years, working his way up to bank manager before retiring. Then, he became the head of the reconstruction association.

People who didn’t know him well might think the association head was like a high school class president or a university student representative.

They might assume that a retired resident with free time would take the job to get a salary as a retirement plan. But that wasn’t the reality.

Rebuilding projects involve huge amounts of money, hundreds of billions. So, the association head is very important. They are like the captain who guides the ship.

The project’s progress depended a lot on the association head’s drive and skills.

Kwak Hong-shik was a capable association head.

The Cheongdam Seonyeong Apartment reconstruction association was progressing much faster than other similar projects.

It had only been about two years since the *committee for promoting reconstruction* (a group formed to start the rebuilding project) was created.

Some reconstruction projects with slow progress wasted more than 10 years after the committee was formed. But Cheongdam Seonyeong was already choosing a construction company in just two years. This showed that Kwak Hong-shik had good skills.

It would be great to get the final approval to start building by the beginning of next year.

Despite his skills, Kwak Hong-shik wasn’t completely honest.

He didn’t commit any major corruption as the association head, but he also didn’t refuse small amounts of money that came his way.

Hong-shik told himself he was doing what was best for the apartment owners. Of course, if a little something came his way for his hard work, was that so wrong? He told himself it was just a small thank you, nothing that would hurt anyone.

Because of this, Hong-shik was waiting for the people from Cheonwoong Construction who were visiting the association office today.

Now that the bidding war was starting, he thought there was only one reason why construction company officials would visit him.

They’re probably trying to slip something in. I should take it moderately, enough not to cause any problems, and refuse appropriately.

Officials from major construction companies like Jeun Construction, SH Construction, and Myungseong Construction had already visited the association office.

Each time, Hong-shik had accepted a thick envelope, feeling the crispness of the bills inside, and he thought today would be similar.

Of course, Hong-shik knew this wasn’t right.

But he didn’t think it was that bad either.

I feel like I’ve aged ten years while working on this reconstruction… What would I do without this little fun?

It was how he justified his actions, feeling he deserved it because he worked so hard leading the association.

Whew.

Hong-shik took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, opened the back door of the office, and walked onto the veranda.

The shopping area of Cheongdam Seonyeong Apartment, where the association office was, was a tired, old building. Dusty windows looked out onto the street, and the faded paint peeled like sunburnt skin. It was like the apartment building itself, which was about to be torn down.

The office was scheduled to move out once the relocation was done and demolition began.

The back veranda was hidden from visitors, and it showed. Cigarette butts overflowed the ashtrays, a small mountain of Hong-shik’s worries. Each one marked a stressful decision, a difficult meeting, another day closer to the huge changes coming.

He had experienced all sorts of things while running the reconstruction association.

Hoo-oo…

Hong-shik took a deep breath of cigarette smoke, checked the time, and rubbed the cigarette butt in the ashtray.

Screeeech-

It was almost time for the appointment, so he had to get ready to greet the guests.

I hope the Cheonwoong guys are reasonable people…

Hong-shik put out the cigarette, opened the door, and went back into the office.

Just as he was about to sit down, there was a knock on the office door.

They’re punctual, at least.

Hong-shik muttered quietly and said in a calm voice, “Come in.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Park Kyung-wan, in charge of this project at Cheonwoong Construction.”

“Thank you for coming. I’m Kwak Hong-shik, the association head.”

“Hello. I’m Seo Woo-jin, the CEO of WJ Studio.”

You’re the CEO at such a young age. Please, have a seat over here.

The beginning of the meeting seemed normal.

Seo Woo-jin, the CEO of the design office, looked very young, but otherwise, it was just a typical exchange of greetings.

Park Kyung-wan smiled. “You’ve really moved things along quickly, Association Head. Impressive.”

Hong-shik chuckled, a low sound. “Just doing my job. You know how it is – gotta keep things moving.”

“The last project briefing was really impressive. We at Cheonwoong also want to participate in the bidding war.”

“I’m really grateful for that.”

The construction companies show their plans to win the project at the construction company joint briefing.

The association’s project briefing involves explaining the project site to construction company officials. Park Kyung-wan was praising this briefing.

“The Clio brand that you launched in Mapo last time was really impressive.”

Haha, is that so?

“Why else would I have contacted Cheonwoong directly and asked for a bid?”

“We are really grateful for that.”

“Anyway, please take good care of us. Cheongdam Seonyeong Apartment, shouldn’t it be reborn as the best apartment in Gangnam, a famous area in Seoul? Haha.”

“Of course, Association Head.”

Despite the smooth conversation, Kwak Hong-shik and Park Kyung-wan knew that these words were meaningless.

These greetings were just a way of checking each other out.

Both sides knew there was a separate, main point to be discussed. They had different ideas about what that main point was.

“Insu, please bring three drinks.”

“Yes, Association Head.”

The conversation stopped briefly as the office worker brought in coffee in cheap paper cups. The coffee tasted surprisingly good.

Then, Kyung-wan spoke again.

“So, Association Head.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“Our Cheonwoong Construction would like to make a suggestion to the association…”

A strange light flickered in Kwak Hong-shik’s eyes.

He’s finally bringing up the main point.

Hong-shik paused for a moment and asked in a subtle voice, “A suggestion? What kind of suggestion is it?”

“It must be a suggestion to make this bidding war a success in a fair environment and in a positive direction, right?”

“A positive… direction?”

Hong-shik was surprised by Kyung-wan’s words, which were different from what he had expected.

“We at Cheonwoong suggest that the Cheongdam Seonyeong Association try to push for a ‘clean bidding’.”

“’Clean bidding?’ you ask,” Hong-shik repeated, a slight frown creasing his brow. “Shouldn’t all bidding be fair and open anyway?”

Kyung-wan nodded, his gaze steady. “So, you agree, Chairman?”

Hong-shik hesitated, shifting in his seat. “Um, yes, I agree, but…”

Kyung-wan smirked at Hong-shik, who now looked distinctly uncomfortable. “Then,” Kyung-wan continued, his voice smooth, “what if we stop all construction companies from talking to members of the association privately during this bidding?”

“What… was that?”

“Naturally, Cheonwoong will be no exception.”

“No, you won’t find any company that would agree to that!”

“The money construction companies spend on lobbying association members, you know that’s all included in the construction costs, don’t you?”

Kwak Hong-shik was surprised and couldn’t speak for a moment because Kyung-wan spoke so quickly and directly.

“Cheonwoong intends to save that expense and pour every penny into the high-end upgrades and specialized design of Cheongdam Seonyoung.”

Everything Kyung-wan said was true.

Knowing this, Hong-shik was momentarily lost for words.

But, even so….

‘What sort of blighters are these?’

Hong-shik couldn’t easily agree to the proposal.

It wasn’t a particularly appealing suggestion to begin with, and besides, he’d already taken money from other construction companies.

So, after a moment of silence, Hong-shik slowly began to speak again.

“I understand what you’re saying, Manager.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Look, Manager,” Hong-shik said, leaning back in his chair, “there are, you know, established customs, right? It’s not exactly easy to just… overturn all of that, is it?”

Hearing Hong-shik’s words, Woo-jin couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.

He pretended it was difficult because of ‘customs,’ but really, he was just saying ‘no’ without a good reason.

“Of course, it would be ideal if all construction companies shared Cheonwoong’s vision, but you know that’s impossible, don’t you?”

So, while Kyung-wan hesitated, Woo-jin subtly jumped into the conversation.

“Does every construction company really need to think the same way?”

At Woo-jin’s words, Hong-shik leaned forward, his voice losing its earlier politeness and becoming sharper.

He thought someone young and new was suddenly jumping into their talk.

“I am speaking with Cheonwoong…!”

This time, Kyung-wan spoke.

“This friend’s position is also Cheonwoong’s position.”

Hong-shik narrowed his wrinkled eyes and glared at Kyung-wan.

“Can you take responsibility for that statement?”

“Of course.”

Hong-shik and Kyung-wan’s gazes turned back to Woo-jin.

After confirming that Hong-shik’s agitation had subsided a little, Woo-jin slowly began to speak again.

Woo-jin spoke calmly, but his words were making Hong-shik more and more angry, like a bomb about to explode.

“Chairman, you can be a little more honest.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Besides us, other construction companies have already visited you quite a bit, haven’t they?”

“……!”

“You’ve already received something, but now you’re suddenly talking about clean bidding and locking the gates… I know it puts you in a difficult position, Chairman.”

Woo-jin’s words were too direct and clear, which even made Kyung-wan a little embarrassed.

As a result, Hong-shik, who was the target of those words, couldn’t help but turn completely red in the face.

“Young man, you speak too carelessly.”

“Did I say anything that wasn’t true?”

“Do you have proof? It sounds like you are just guessing wildly. Where did you learn to be so rude?!”

Seeing Hong-shik’s fist clenched so tightly as if he were about to slam it on the desk, Woo-jin calmly continued to speak.

Woo-jin didn’t see any reason to get upset.

Hong-shik’s reaction was, in fact, exactly as he had expected.

“Of course, I have proof. I have good manners. I wouldn’t say things like this just based on guesses.”

“……!”

“But I don’t think proof is really necessary.”

“What?”

“It’s not as if I came here to scold you for how much you received from other construction companies, Chairman.”

“What on earth are you saying!”

“I am well aware that such customs exist in every business.”

“Then why…!”

Hearing Woo-jin’s words, Hong-shik realized he had made a slip of the tongue and shut his mouth.

He had almost openly admitted that he had done such a thing.

Hong-shik realized he was almost trapped by Woo-jin’s words. He was boiling with anger inside, but he tried to hide it.

Woo-jin slowly began to speak again, addressing him.

Woo-jin’s voice had become much softer.

“It doesn’t matter what has happened so far. Just prevent all lobbying from all construction companies from now on.”

The reason Woo-jin and Kyung-wan came here today was ultimately to make a deal with the association.

It wasn’t to provoke Hong-shik and expose his wrongdoings.

They were just pushing him a little to get a better deal. Now they would offer him something good.

With the atmosphere calmed, Hong-shik’s expression also softened a little.

But even so, he didn’t hide his displeasure.

In fact, at this point, with the selection of the construction company imminent.

The chairman of the association was the one holding all the cards.

“Do you think I’ll do that for you? After such rudeness?”

But Woo-jin was not at all intimidated, and instead, he continued to speak in a gentle, coaxing manner, as if he were trying to appease Hong-shik.

“I apologize if you felt it was rude. But there was no intention of that at all.”

“Is that what you call an apology….”

“The reason we came to this meeting today is, in fact, for mutual benefit.”

“……?”

Before Kwak Hong-shik could even respond, Woo-jin continued.

“We’ve come here today to make a deal with you, Chairman. You just need to proceed with the clean bidding that we’ve requested, and in return, we’re going to offer you a proposal so attractive that you won’t be able to refuse it.”

Hong-shik was taken aback.

After just a short talk with this young, cheeky person, he realized he was completely caught in his plan.

‘What sort of bloke is this?’

Before Hong-shik could even collect himself, Woo-jin once again went in for the kill.

“You’re having a headache because of the Emergency Committee these days, aren’t you?”

“The Emergency Committee? Why are you suddenly bringing that up?”

“I’ll tell you how to completely sort out the Cheongdam Seonyoung Emergency Committee.”

“……!”

“Wouldn’t you say this is a losing game for us?”

As if all the unpleasantness from just moments ago had vanished into thin air.

Kwak Hong-shik’s eyes widened.