Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 124

124. 37th. That Summer, a Time of Passionate Action (1)

I set down my teacup and glanced at the wall calendar. It was already May, time for passionate action.

“Uncle.”

“What?”

“Announce the Ado Motors acquisition bid after I leave Korea.”

Sun Hae-chul put down his tea, blinked, and asked, “That wasn’t in the plan, was it? You’re leaving Korea?”

“We need to create a smokescreen, too.”

“A smokescreen…”

Sun Hae-chul trailed off, looking puzzled. He probably had a similar idea to mine, so I elaborated. “If we announce the acquisition bid while I’m here and bring in Grandpa when it’s most advantageous for us, how will Shinseong and Taehyun interpret that?”

Sun Hae-chul hummed thoughtfully. “That’s been bothering me. Either way, they’ll suspect our relationship with the Haedong Group. Should I give you an indefinite leave of absence?”

“Instead of a leave of absence, send me on a business trip. To Hong Kong.”

“Hong Kong?”

“I need to play around with the Hang Seng Index [Hong Kong stock market index] with the Haedong Securities guys and manage $100 million from Standard headquarters.”

Sun Hae-chul, who had been stroking his chin, lightly tapped the sofa armrest. “That would work. All those guys used to work at Standard, so if they claim they requested an SOS from that side, it’ll be a good excuse.”

“If we invest money and manage it under those conditions, it’ll be an even better scenario. And we’ll give Haedong Securities management fees, too.”

I needed to showcase my skills to the Haedong Securities people this time. If I scored another jackpot in Hong Kong, the Haedong Securities members would really respect me.

Sun Hae-chul nodded, but his expression turned slightly gloomy. “Still, having me carry the torch alone… it’s a bit much, isn’t it?”

“Haedong Securities is my company too, isn’t it? They’re people who will be around longer than you, Uncle, so we need to give them some clout. Please understand, Uncle. Okay?”

When I tried to act cute, Sun Hae-chul looked horrified. “You’re disgusting, you little rascal. This isn’t a problem you can solve by acting cute. The Ado Motors acquisition involves backroom deals, doesn’t it?”

“Are you talking about slush funds?”

“Someone in the know tried to gloss over it? Laundering and distributing Ado Motors’ slush funds with Seung-joo hyung [older brother/friend] is a lot of work. Even if we get delivery guys from the Chairman’s private loan organization, we still have to create positions…”

Everything Sun Hae-chul was saying was something I had done myself after reuniting the Shinseong Group in my past life. How many times had I mobilized connections with current and former executives to contact everyone from bureau directors to the prime minister, stuffing golf bags or car trunks with money to suit each case?

While I was reminiscing about old memories, Sun Hae-chul’s complaints continued. “Besides, there are so many places to give money to! The ruling party, the main opposition party, the second opposition party, government officials, the Blue House [South Korean presidential residence], the prosecution, the courts, the media, the creditors… all together, we have to spread around 150 billion won [approximately $115 million USD], you know?”

Looking at Sun Hae-chul’s stern expression, it seemed like it wasn’t just grumbling. They would use bearer bonds, but in this era without 50,000 won bills, spreading 150 billion won would require a lot of effort, so it seemed like a big burden.

After a moment of thought, I made a suggestion to ease Sun Hae-chul’s burden. “You’ll need a lot of hands. Hire as many new employees as you need.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Just use skills, connections, and character as the criteria. Regardless of the industry.”

Now, during times like these, which are like the calm before the storm, when people’s worth is depreciated, is the best time to scout. We can easily bring in talent that would be difficult to attract under normal circumstances by offering more generous conditions.

“Okay. There will be plenty of people applying when we post the job ad, so the manpower problem is solved… what else?”

“Later, when we take Jang Ho-min’s affiliates and resell them to Haedong Corporation, all the profit we make will be yours, Uncle. How about it?”

At the incentive offer I made with a generous heart, Sun Hae-chul’s eyes sparkled. “It’ll be at least several hundred billion won, are you sure?”

“Of course. It’s a gift I’m promising as the owner, hehe.”

When I gave my confirmation once again, Sun Hae-chul’s mouth stretched wide. “If the owner is going to give me a generous bonus, what can’t I do? Don’t worry and go, hehe.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Sun Hae-chul, who was smiling in an instant. Sun Hae-chul looked at my face and quickly stopped smiling, clearing his throat.

“Ahem… money is like a performance indicator to me. It’s proof that I worked hard and well. Um, that’s it.”

Sun Hae-chul spoke quite seriously, even lowering his voice and nodding. I chuckled at the sight.

“I didn’t say anything, Uncle. You, who has Henry as your father-in-law, wouldn’t be attached to money, right? Hehe.”

“You little rascal, hehe.”

I have no intention of exploiting Sun Hae-chul, who is my father’s friend and my business partner, for free. Besides this deal, I wanted to give Sun Hae-chul bigger and more gifts in the future.

***

After finalizing the agreement with Sun Hae-chul, I immediately went to Samcheong-dong [affluent neighborhood in Seoul] and told my grandfather that I would be going to Hong Kong.

“What do you think?”

“You cunning fellow. You’re going to create an alibi and make money, aren’t you?”

I blinked at my grandfather’s question, who had narrowed his eyes. How did he know without me even saying it?

“Excuse me?”

“That money of yours and Ha-yeon’s. Isn’t 35 percent of the money you’re managing in Hong Kong yours? If you bring in your money from America, it’ll be more than half, hehe.”

Unlike his words, he seemed pleased, so my grandfather must have liked my plan. I spoke more comfortably with a lighter heart.

“It’s all in one go. There’s no point in me staying in Korea anyway.”

“That’s right. Shinseong and Taehyun are not easy opponents.”

“So, after I leave Korea, when Standard comes forward, shouldn’t there be grounds for Grandpa to argue when either side questions the relationship between our family and Standard? Hehe.”

“That’s why I say you’re cunning. How did you change so much? Ehehe.”

My grandfather, who was laughing heartily, took a sip of tea and breathed lightly. “Tae-jin must have been lonely living alone, so go and come back. I don’t know when you’ll be back, but this grandpa will delay the acquisition bid as much as possible. Go now.”

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

I got up from the sofa, greeted him, and walked to the door. As I turned the doorknob, I heard my grandfather’s voice from behind.

“By the way, when is that Tae-jin getting married?”

“Excuse me?”

My grandfather said to me, who had turned around. “This grandpa heard that Yoo Hyun-jung, the manager of the Hi-Mart main store, is dating Tae-jin. Is that true?”

“How did Grandpa know that…?”

I was shocked for a moment. How could someone who always stays in his study in Samcheong-dong know about their relationship?

My grandfather snorted at me. “This grandpa has eyes and ears all over this country, you little rascal. How could I not know that the guy I raised as my youngest son is having an affair with a nice woman in our company? Hehe.”

I got goosebumps all over. Our grandfather was Big Brother, at least within the Haedong Group. Wait, maybe me too…?

Seeing my flustered face, my grandfather smiled mischievously. “I also know that you slept with that Ha-yeon girl in a hotel room last winter. Did you have fun? Ehehe.”

My face flushed as I looked at my grandfather, who was laughing heartily. This old man, really!

“Fun, Grandpa! How can we sleep together when we’re not even married yet?”

I absolutely didn’t want premarital relations. It wasn’t because of my faith, but because I wanted to protect the woman named Jang Ha-yeon.

I had been suppressing the desires that sometimes surged up like nausea and hadn’t done it even once, but my grandfather looked at me with narrowed eyes and clicked his tongue.

“Oh, you sap. Who was talking about an erotic affair? Just give her a shoulder to lean on…”

“Grandpa!”

My grandfather clapped and laughed heartily, finding my shouting funny.

“Ehehehe. Our big puppy’s face has turned red. Go now.”

Anyway, our old man is too open for his age, so it’s hard to adapt.

Perhaps it’s because I’m wearing the skin of a twenty-seven-year-old, even though I’m a fifty-year-old man. They say the mind follows the body…

It seems like my grandfather wants Park Tae-jin and Yoo Hyun-jung to do well, so I should meet Yoo Hyun-jung first and comfort her. While I’m at it, I should check Hi-Mart and hand over the internet shopping mall business plan.

***

At the same time.

When the smokescreen operation was decided at the Samcheong-dong residence, Seonguiwon [a high-end residential area] in Hannam-dong was also bustling.

“What happened to the 250 billion won that Korea Exchange Bank lent to Electronics?”

“It was extended to December of next year, Managing Director.”

“What are Life and Fire saying?”

“If we recover the loans that went to other groups, we can take on an additional 270 billion won in loans from Shinseong Corporation, Executive Director.”

The various managers of the Jang Ho-geon group, who were assigned to the Ado Motors acquisition, were busy checking the cash flow in the office set up in the annex of Seonguiwon.

It was all about harming the bank and other groups, but…

It may seem like a fuss, but the Ado Motors acquisition is one of the biggest deals. Isn’t it about absorbing the Ado Group, which is ranked 8th in the business world, beyond just saving the owner’s cherished automobile business?

For that reason, the working-level staff, who have been staying at Seonguiwon for several days, were sighing while smoking cigarettes in the smoking area in the corner of the garden.

“I hope it ends soon. The food is better than home-cooked meals, but I can barely remember my wife and children’s faces, Managing Director Yoo.”

“It’s not just that, Executive Director. Even when I go home to get my underwear, undershirts, and socks, I have to pack them in front of the bodyguards… sigh.”

The Shinseong Group working-level staff who were put into the Ado Motors acquisition were sleeping on cots set up in Seonguiwon and eating food delivered from the Korea Hotel.

They could endure this much, but every time they left Seonguiwon, they had to move with the Shinseong Group bodyguards. Even the underwear that they brought to or from home was checked by the bodyguards because of possible information leaks.

They understood, but they couldn’t openly complain about the measures that seemed excessive.

From Jang Ho-geon, the head of the group, to the Seonguiwon office, they were setting up cots and eating and sleeping together. It was a pain because they were checking the M&A preparation status in real time.

“What’s the progress?”

“All 1.4 trillion won has been deposited in the bank. Instead of cash, we’ve been giving out promissory notes to subcontractors for the Yeongdeungpo redevelopment construction costs. Loan extensions are also going smoothly.”

At Lee Soo-han’s report, Jang Ho-geon put down the documents he was looking at.

There’s nothing like a promissory note to keep liquid assets tied up in the company. Subcontractors who are short on cash will discount the promissory notes to get cash, but the two didn’t care.

“What about the funds from Life and Fire?”

“We have recovered all Ado Group bonds and loans. We are also recovering loans that have gone to other groups. If we return that money to Electronics and Corporation, most of the group’s internal financial problems will be solved. But…”

Lee Soo-han continued the words he had been hesitating to say. “The problem is the 300 billion won in Shinseong Electronics corporate bonds held by Haedong Investment & Securities.”

“As expected… that’s the problem.”

“Yes. The maturity date is in June, which is only a month away. Even if it was a deal, we lowered the interest rate below the market rate…”

Jang Ho-geon took over the words that Lee Soo-han, who was explaining almost like a complaint, couldn’t continue. “Seong-min is involved, so you’re saying I need to make a decision?”

“…Yes. We have to either extend the maturity date or redeem the bonds. Even if the maturity date is extended, an interest rate hike will be inevitable.”

“Hmm…”

Jang Ho-geon’s humming grew longer.

Under normal circumstances, they could pass on Shinseong Electronics or Shinseong Corporation’s bonds to Shinseong Life or Shinseong Fire, but now is the time to invest all resources for the Ado Motors acquisition, isn’t it?

Lee Soo-han, who was watching Jang Ho-geon’s mood, carefully opened his mouth. “What do you think about entrusting the Shinseong Electronics corporate bond issue to Ha-yeon?”

“What?”

Jang Ho-geon’s eyes flashed. It was his long-cherished project, but he was selling his most sorry and grateful daughter!

Seeing Jang Ho-geon’s hardened face, Lee Soo-han quickly explained his thoughts. “Not just like that, Chairman. You must set the condition that if you extend the maturity of the corporate bonds, you will hand over the Korea Hotel to Ha-yeon.”

“Korea Hotel…”

Seeing the fire disappear from Jang Ho-geon’s eyes as he hummed, Lee Soo-han quickly continued to persuade him. “Even if you decided on the Korea Hotel for Ha-yeon’s share, you’ve been postponing it because of your wife and in-laws, haven’t you?”

It was an undeniable fact. He had shaken down his in-laws three years ago, but he couldn’t turn them into complete enemies, so he was postponing Jang Ha-yeon’s inheritance, wasn’t he?

“Hmm…”

“If we acquire Ado Motors, it will also increase the shares of Yong-jae and Min-jae, even if Soo-yeon doesn’t. If we extend the maturity of the corporate bonds, your wife’s family will have no choice but to recognize the inheritance of the Korea Hotel.”

“That’s right. Besides, my wife, Yong-jae, Soo-yeon, and Min-jae can never do that job.”

Everyone who knew knew that Lee Dae-soo regarded the Hwang family of the Joguk Ilbo as less than insects.

Jang Ho-geon’s children, who were half of that blood, had no good relationship with Lee Dae-soo, so they could never extend the bond maturity.

“You’re just like you. I like it.”

Jang Ho-geon, who was laughing heartily, lightly tapped the desk. “Good. I’ll tell Ha-yeon, so you can revise the funding plan, under the premise that the Haedong Investment & Securities bond maturity has been extended.”

“Yes, Chairman.”