Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 125

125. 37th. That Summer, When Things Moved Hotly (2)

Jang Ha-yeon rushed to Sung-Eui Hospital after receiving a call from Jang Ho-gun.

“Are you having a hard time, Father?”

“How could I be having a hard time when I’m doing what I love? Let’s have some coffee.”

Jang Ho-gun had Jang Ha-yeon sit on the sofa and ordered an employee to bring two cups of coffee. And… on the tray, there was not only coffee but also her favorite fruit tart.

“What is this?”

“I brought it from the main branch bakery. I had them make it fresh so you could eat it and feel energized, Father.”

Jang Ho-gun smiled bitterly at Jang Ha-yeon’s response. He had to make a terrible request of his devoted daughter, didn’t he? Even if it was a trade.

“Are you… uncomfortable anywhere?”

“No, no. Let’s eat quickly, haha.”

Jang Ho-gun ate coffee and tart with Jang Ha-yeon, talking about trivial things. The thought of the pain he would inflict on his daughter made the tart, which he usually loved, feel dry today.

Only after finishing a piece of tart did Jang Ho-gun wipe his hands and mouth with a tissue and get to the point.

“Meet Sung-min and get him to extend the maturity date of Shinseong Electronics’ loan.”

“…Father?”

Disappointment filled Jang Ha-yeon’s eyes.

It wasn’t that she had no ambition. Rather, she wanted to become a good manager as the successor of Shinseong Group, but she suppressed her ambition knowing the limitations of being an illegitimate child and a daughter.

Still, she had suppressed her own desires because she was always concerned about her hardworking father, and now he was making such a request to her when she came to comfort him!

Just as Jang Ha-yeon, heartbroken, was about to open her mouth, Jang Ho-gun quickly raised his hand.

“If you delay the bond maturity, I’ll give you all the shares of Goryeo Hotel.”

Jang Ha-yeon’s expression turned blank at her father’s offer. He would give her all the hotel shares?

“Pardon?”

“The Haedong Merchant Bank bond issue is something only you can solve. If you solve it, your stepmother, Yong-jae, Su-yeon, and Min-jae won’t be able to complain to you.”

“Still…”

“I know how vicious your stepmother’s family is. So…”

Jang Ho-gun took a sip of coffee and continued.

“If you solve it, I’ll merge Goryeo Hotel with Shinseong Corporation, make it a subsidiary, and give you 100 percent of the shares. If the conditions are good, I’ll bundle the hotel’s duty-free shop, the resort and golf course under Shinseong Corporation, and even SH Asset Development shares.”

Although he didn’t tell Lee Soo-han, Jang Ho-gun was planning to give his daughter as much as possible, safely, using Goryeo Hotel as an excuse if she seized this opportunity. If the results were good, wouldn’t everyone be convinced?

“Ah, Father?”

Jang Ha-yeon even stuttered at her father’s offer.

Wasn’t he saying he would make it an unlisted company so no one could touch it and hand it over to her? Goryeo Hotel, or even more assets than that.

“If you do that, your stepmother and the three children won’t be able to complain or harm you for giving you that much. Please understand your father.”

Jang Ha-yeon couldn’t refuse her father’s affectionate gaze. He had even devised this method because of the Hwang family of Joguk Ilbo, even though he wanted to give her as much as possible, so it would be unfilial to refuse.

“It won’t be too much or too little as a dowry when you get married. If you get married with that, merge it with Haedong Corporation so no one can take it away. Chairman Lee or Sung-min will protect you.”

Jang Ho-gun’s request ended, and Jang Ha-yeon nodded.

“Thank you, Father. I will definitely do it.”

***

As I was about to leave the company and go to Hi-Mart, I received a call from Jang Ha-yeon as I started the car and was about to leave the building.

“Yes, Sister. You want to meet now? …Okay. I’ll see you there.”

She was not the type of woman who would ever ask to meet during work hours. It seemed like she had something to ask of me…

As I tried to recall what she might ask, the most important thing came to mind.

“Is it because of the Shinseong Electronics bonds?”

I muttered to myself, but there was no other reason to meet. Usually, it wouldn’t matter, but because of the multi-billion dollar mergers and acquisitions, the financial management plan must be complicated, so there was no other reason.

I drove to the meeting place and walked towards Jang Ha-yeon, who was sitting at a table inside.

“The sun must be rising in the west tomorrow. For you to ask to meet during work hours. I’m worried you’ll get burned by the sunlight, haha.”

As I sat down, trying to lighten the mood with a joke, light began to enter Jang Ha-yeon’s dark face.

“Are we vampires? To be burned by the sunlight.”

“We always met at night. Although we didn’t do things that are done at night. Right?”

At the playful smile and joke, Jang Ha-yeon made an X with her arms and covered her front.

“Beast! I don’t know why men are like that.”

“Still, I’ve protected you so far, right? Wouldn’t it be more strange if nothing happened when a young man and woman slept in a hotel room?”

I acted more confidently and shamelessly. I wanted to help the woman in front of me forget the burden in her heart, even if it was just like this.

My efforts seemed to work, and the darkness disappeared from Jang Ha-yeon’s face.

“Well… it would be hard to find a man like you. What would you like to drink?”

“Iced black. What about you?”

“I’ll have the same. Excuse me.”

After breaking the ice, I drank the coffee I ordered with Jang Ha-yeon and brought up the matter she seemed to want to ask me first.

“I’ll talk to Grandpa and CEO Cho about the Haedong Merchant Bank bond issue.”

“Su, Sung-min?”

Jang Ha-yeon’s eyes widened like lanterns. I looked into her eyes, which seemed to draw me in, and said calmly.

“I had a feeling that topic would come up when I saw the news these days. Uncle is in a battle with Taehyun Group because of Ado Motors, right?”

“We, well, yes… Thank you…”

Jang Ha-yeon blushed and lowered her head, fiddling with her teacup. I watched her and drank my coffee.

“But Sister, Uncle didn’t ask you to do this for free, did he?”

“Huh?”

“It’s a whopping 300 billion won [approximately $250 million USD]. It’s not easy to delay the maturity of that much money, is it? If Uncle is trying to use you for free to build up Shinseong Corporation, I’m going to storm Sung-Eui Hospital like last time.”

In the current situation, even if Shinseong Group delays the 300 billion won debt they owe us, there is no problem for us to acquire Ado Motors.

Regardless, if they were trying to use Jang Ha-yeon for free to grow Shinseong Corporation’s automobile business, which they wouldn’t even hand over to her, I was planning to overturn this whole thing.

Seeing my hardened face, Jang Ha-yeon hurriedly raised her hand and shook it.

“It’s not like that! Father told me…”

I couldn’t believe what Jang Ha-yeon heard she would receive if she successfully completed this task.

“Si, Sister?”

All of Shinseong Group’s leisure businesses and 50 percent of the Yeongdeungpo redevelopment shares amounted to nearly 1 trillion won [approximately $833 million USD] in assets. He was going to bundle those assets into an unlisted company and hand over 100 percent of the shares… Jang Ha-yeon smiled slightly as she saw me stuttering.

“Still, I don’t want to inherit it for free. You know what I mean, right?”

I loved that upright heart so much. It was a difficult and challenging path, but I felt like I had to work hard in Hong Kong to help Jang Ha-yeon, who was trying to walk the royal road step by step like my woman.

“Okay. I’ll ask CEO Cho and Grandpa.”

I took out my phone and dialed Cho Young-chan’s number.

“This is Lee Sung-min, CEO. I have something to tell you…”

I told Cho Young-chan about Jang Ha-yeon’s situation and the conditions she would be satisfied with.

“[Readjusting the principal and interest to be repaid to the principal, with a 20-year maturity and 6 percent… I understand. Since it’s a Shinseong Electronics bond, there won’t be a default, so you can tell the Chairman.]”

It was unexpected. I thought he would be reluctant even if he agreed to give the competing group some breathing room, but he readily agreed?

“CEO?”

“[You should take this opportunity to score some points with your woman, right? The Chairman has also approved of your marriage with Director Jang, so do that, haha.]”

“Thank you, CEO.”

I happily hung up the phone and told my grandfather the same thing.

“[Oh, Jang Ho-gun is making a big decision and giving our granddaughter-in-law a generous dowry. It will also help to create a smokescreen, but CEO Cho has also agreed, so do it, euhehe.]”

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

After making the two calls, the look in Jang Ha-yeon’s eyes was different from the beginning. I looked at her and puffed out my chest appropriately.

“How is it, Noona?”

I looked at Jang Ha-yeon with a confident smile, but she stared back with a sulky expression.

“You’re not just giving this to anyone, are you?”

“I’m doing it because it’s you, Noona [term of endearment for an older sister or female friend]. You’ll be part of our family soon anyway.”

Jang Yong-jae, Jang Su-yeon, and Jang Min-jae wouldn’t even dream of it.

Jang Ho-kyung, who is above those guys, is being squeezed dry in business, and Jang Ho-min has a leash around his neck with the Han Go Steel acquisition loan. Why would I show mercy to those who tried to kill me?

“How can I call myself your boyfriend if I can’t do this much when you’re working so hard? Tell your uncle proudly.”

I can’t stand seeing my people, my love, my woman living with their heads down. It’ll also give Hwang Na-yeon, Jang Yong-jae, Jang Su-yeon, and Jang Min-jae an unforgettable sense of humiliation, so I already feel great.

“Thank you… Seong-min.”

Tears welled up in Jang Ha-yeon’s eyes, and I took out a handkerchief from my pocket and wiped them away. After wiping her tears, I took a sip of coffee and brought up my request.

“Noona, can I ask you for a favor too?”

“Anything. I’ll listen to anything.”

“You know that’s a very dangerous thing to say, right? Really… you’ll listen to anything?”

I asked with a sly smile that I didn’t mean, and Jang Ha-yeon’s expression turned sulky.

“Ugh, really! Do you really want to take advantage of that so much?”

“No. It’s enough that you granted my wish.”

Jang Ha-yeon blinked at my words.

“Huh? What did I do?”

“Well, I like it better when you’re being prim and sulky than when you’re crying. So you just granted my wish.”

Jang Ha-yeon, who had paused for a moment, chuckled. Jang Ha-yeon is most beautiful when she’s smiling, so she perfectly granted my wish.

“You’re really something… tell me your real wish.”

“I… received an indefinite business trip order from the company.”

When I said it with a slightly gloomy expression, Jang Ha-yeon’s voice rose.

“An indefinite business trip? Did something happen?”

“Well… they want me to go to Hong Kong. The people at Haedong Securities are people who used to work at our headquarters.”

“But why? If they’re those kinds of people, they should be able to do well on their own, right?”

“Actually… our company is going to entrust $100 million to Haedong Securities, so they want me to work with those people and learn about futures options.”

My conscience pricked me as I rattled off such ridiculous lies, but I couldn’t help it. I had to prepare for when Standard Capital and Haedong Group join hands to acquire Ado Motors.

“What should I do…”

Jang Ha-yeon’s face was a mix of disappointment and pity. I took her hands in mine and said,

“I should be prepared for at least a year. Can you wait until then?”

Jang Ha-yeon’s eyes, which had turned red as soon as I took her hands, wavered for a moment. Isn’t she turning thirty next year? I looked at Jang Ha-yeon with earnestness and said,

“I’ll work hard over there. If the results are good, I’ll be able to come back early.”

Jang Ha-yeon nodded after a moment of silence.

“Okay. I’ll wait, even if it’s not just one year, but ten.”

I could feel a firm resolve in Jang Ha-yeon’s voice. As soon as I heard that voice, I couldn’t hold back the surging emotions inside.

My body moved forward without me realizing it. And my lips were pressed against Jang Ha-yeon’s lips.

In an instant, Jang Ha-yeon’s eyes widened.

Her widened eyes closed, and I closed my eyes as well.

***

Jang Ha-yeon ended the light yet intense kiss and parted ways with Lee Seong-min. After parking her car in the Seonguiwon parking lot, she looked in the car’s mirror and touched her lips.

“Thief…”

Unlike the words that came out of her mouth, Jang Ha-yeon’s face looked as happy as if she could fly.

Hasn’t she been unable to even have a single kiss with Lee Seong-min, even though they’ve been meeting for five years since he opened his eyes in the hospital? For Jang Ha-yeon, who was like that, the stamp that Lee Seong-min put on her today wasn’t too bad.

Jang Ha-yeon got out of the car and immediately walked to Jang Ho-gun’s office. The employee blinked at Jang Ha-yeon’s confident expression, who had returned in just a couple of hours.

“D, Director Jang?”

“Is the Chairman in?”

“Yes… but he’s in a meeting right now…”

“It’s urgent. Tell him that I’ve resolved the matter he instructed.”

Unlike usual, the employee nodded at Jang Ha-yeon’s firm instructions, which cut off his words. The employee closed his eyes tightly and spoke into the intercom.

“Chairman.”

[I’m in a meeting, what is it?]

Jang Ho-gun’s low but heavy rebuke was heard, but Jang Ha-yeon looked at the employee and nodded. The employee closed his eyes tightly and spoke into the intercom.

“I’m sorry, Chairman. Director Jang Ha-yeon said she resolved the matter you ordered…”

[Al, already?]

Following Jang Ho-gun’s surprised voice, even the voices of the executives murmuring could be heard, so Jang Ha-yeon answered into the intercom.

“Yes, Chairman. I resolved it just now.”

[…Come in.]

Hearing the words to come in, the employee looked at Jang Ha-yeon with surprised eyes.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Jang Ha-yeon smiled slightly at the employee, then opened the office door and entered.

“Director Jang, did you really resolve it?”

Even Jang Ho-gun showed a sign that he couldn’t believe it, but Jang Ha-yeon confidently raised her voice.

“Yes, Chairman. You can check with Chairman Lee Dae-soo right now.”

At Jang Ha-yeon’s unwavering voice, the eyes of the executives, including Lee Soo-han, widened. Only Jang Ho-gun and Lee Soo-han smiled slyly at their daughter among them.

He made a fuss when receiving the call in front of the executives, but wouldn’t he cooperate since it was a matter of preparing a dowry for Jang Ha-yeon? From Haedong Group.

“I see.”

Jang Ho-gun immediately called Lee Dae-soo.

“This is Jang Ho-gun, Chairman. Yes. My daughter… Hahahaha! Thank you. To extend the bond with such generous conditions! Yes! Thank you so much, haha!”

Seeing Jang Ho-gun’s bright expression, the faces of the executives lit up. Looking at Jang Ho-gun, who put down the receiver, Lee Soo-han quickly asked.

“Was it resolved, Chairman?”

“He said to pay it back in 20 years at an annual interest rate of 6 percent! Hahahaha!”

The mouths of the executives, including Lee Soo-han, dropped open at Jang Ho-gun’s cool laughter. Aren’t those much better conditions than commercial banks?

“Congratulations, Chairman!”

“Congratulations my foot! It’s not me, but Director Jang who worked hard, hahahaha!”

He waved his hand at the executives’ pouring congratulations, but Jang Ho-gun couldn’t hide his laughter as much as today.

Isn’t his eldest daughter, who is always a pain, but works hard for the family and the group, hitting a grand slam? In just a couple of hours!

Jang Ho-gun, who had been laughing heartily for a long time, got up from his seat and approached Jang Ha-yeon.

“You worked hard. You really worked hard! Hahahaha!”

Jang Ho-gun burst into laughter and patted his daughter’s shoulder as if to show the executives, including Lee Soo-han. Jang Ha-yeon also bowed her head to Jang Ho-gun as if to show those executives.

“It was nothing, Chairman. Thank you for the excessive praise.”

The executives’ eyes looked like they would pop out at Jang Ha-yeon’s words. If postponing 300 billion won of debt with generous conditions against ‘Samcheong-dong Miser Old Man’ Lee Dae-soo is nothing, then what is it?

Lee Soo-han was the only one among the executives who was looking at Jang Ha-yeon with a satisfied expression. Jang Ha-yeon also smiled at Lee Soo-han’s unspoken praise.

“It’s nothing? If doing such a difficult thing is nothing, then this father must acquire Ado Motors? Haha.”

Unlike the executives, the laughter faded from Jang Ho-gun’s mouth, who had been laughing heartily. Now was the opportunity, with the key executives in this place also acknowledging Jang Ha-yeon.

“After this acquisition battle is over, I will merge Korea Hotel and Shinseong Corporation. After the merger, the existing Korea Hotel business, Shinseong Corporation’s resort business, golf course, and SH Asset Development shares will be bundled together and spun off as a subsidiary, and then I will hand over 100 percent of that company’s shares to Director Jang Ha-yeon. What do you think?”

Was it because he was openly declaring the inheritance to Jang Ha-yeon? Jang Ho-gun’s face looked relieved and carefree.