Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 144

144. 42nd. That Winter, When Warmth Returns (2)

The next morning.

Park Tae-jin was driving with Yoo Hyun-jung in the passenger seat, leaving the Hi-Mart headquarters’ underground parking lot.

“Oppa, where are we going?”

“You’ll see when we get there. Don’t worry, we’re not going anywhere bad.”

Yoo Hyun-jung tilted her head, looking at Park Tae-jin. She had received a call from him as soon as she arrived at work and requested a vacation from Na Chang-seok, which was approved. Still, she was suspicious of him driving off without a word.

About 30 minutes later, the car passed the Hyoja-dong intersection, drove along the back road of Gyeongbokgung Palace [one of Seoul’s major royal palaces], and turned south towards the Baegaksan Mountain range. Yoo Hyun-jung’s eyes widened at the sight of a large hanok [traditional Korean house] gate as big as a castle gate.

“H, here is…?”

Yoo Hyun-jung couldn’t finish her sentence and froze. There was only one mansion like this nestled in the Samcheong-dong mountain range, wasn’t there?

Park Tae-jin smiled at Yoo Hyun-jung and addressed the employee who emerged from the gate, a doorway barely wide enough for one person.

“This is Director Park Tae-jin. Please inform them that I’ve arrived with the woman I intend to marry.”

“Yes, Director.”

The employee relayed Park Tae-jin’s message via radio, and the gate immediately swung open on both sides. Park Tae-jin drove through, parked the car, got out, and opened the passenger door for Yoo Hyun-jung.

“O, Oppa?”

“Don’t worry, Hyun-jung. The Chairman isn’t concerned with formalities. What you’re wearing today is perfectly fine.”

Unlike Park Tae-jin, Yoo Hyun-jung looked almost tearful. It wasn’t that her clothes were inadequate, but this was a meeting with the head of the entire group she worked for, as the future spouse of his close associate!

She wished she could go back and put more thought into her attire, but it was too late, thanks to Park Tae-jin’s surprise visit.

Seeing Yoo Hyun-jung’s distress, Park Tae-jin quickly tried to reassure her.

“I’m wearing my everyday clothes too, so you don’t need to feel self-conscious. Just remember how the Chairman fast-tracked your promotion, okay?”

Yoo Hyun-jung knew that. Wasn’t she, along with Na Chang-seok, a symbol of rapid advancement within Haedong Corporation’s logistics and distribution sector?

“Still… it’s different as the person marrying you, Oppa.”

Park Tae-jin smiled warmly at Yoo Hyun-jung’s worried reply.

“I told you it’s okay. Just trust me.”

Park Tae-jin comforted Yoo Hyun-jung and held her hand tightly. Slightly reassured by his confident demeanor, Yoo Hyun-jung allowed him to lead her into the main building and up to the study.

“Chairman, this is Park Tae-jin.”

[Come in.]

At the voice from inside the study, Park Tae-jin opened the door and entered with Yoo Hyun-jung.

“Oh, a very charming young lady has come with you? Heh heh.”

Unlike Lee Dae-soo’s hearty laughter, Yoo Hyun-jung’s face flushed. To meet the head of the group in this study, a place reserved for only the top executives!

‘Get a grip, Yoo Hyun-jung. Don’t be intimidated.’

Composing herself, Yoo Hyun-jung suppressed her pounding heart and greeted Lee Dae-soo.

“Yes, Chairman. I am Yoo Hyun-jung, Deputy Manager of the Hi-Mart headquarters.”

“Oh, you have a strong character, as I’ve heard. Thank you so much for catching our Tae-jin, Deputy Manager Yoo.”

“Not at all, Chairman. I knew I would regret it for the rest of my life if I didn’t pursue a man like Tae-jin.”

“Why did you think so?”

“It was because of Tae-jin’s behavior when I worked at Hi-Mart. I admired his humble and polite demeanor, even though he was so close to the Chairman.”

Lee Dae-soo stared intently into Yoo Hyun-jung’s eyes as she gave her answer. After a moment, he nodded with a satisfied expression.

“Thank you for thinking that way, Deputy Manager Yoo. I can’t keep a guest standing in my house, so let’s have some tea first.”

“Yes… Chairman.”

Yoo Hyun-jung sat on the sofa with Park Tae-jin. Soon, tea prepared by the head butler was placed on Lee Dae-soo’s desk and on the table in front of the sofa where Park Tae-jin and Yoo Hyun-jung were seated.

“So, you said you’ve been dating our Tae-jin for over two years?”

Yoo Hyun-jung’s eyes widened at Lee Dae-soo’s question after she took a sip of tea. Even though he kept Park Tae-jin as his closest aide, he was paying attention to his relationship with an ordinary employee like her?

“How… how did you…?”

Lee Dae-soo smiled sheepishly at Yoo Hyun-jung, who looked as surprised as a rabbit.

“This old man had three major concerns besides business, and one of them was finding a good woman for Tae-jin to marry. Seeing that he brought our Deputy Manager Yoo, it seems Tae-jin’s luck has finally turned, heh heh.”

Yoo Hyun-jung’s face flushed again at Lee Dae-soo’s praise. Park Tae-jin bowed his head, smiling, to Lee Dae-soo.

“Thank you, Chairman.”

“Please take good care of our Tae-jin, Deputy Manager Yoo. I raised him as if he were my own son, so he will never make you cry. I guarantee it with my name.”

Yoo Hyun-jung didn’t know how to react to Lee Dae-soo’s words. She came here because she liked Park Tae-jin, but she hadn’t realized how much Lee Dae-soo cherished him!

After that, Park Tae-jin and Yoo Hyun-jung discussed wedding preparations with Lee Dae-soo before leaving the main building.

“Oppa.”

“Why?”

“Was the Chairman always like that?”

Yoo Hyun-jung’s eyes, questioning Park Tae-jin, were filled with a mixture of reverence and disbelief.

Who is Lee Dae-soo? Isn’t he the second head of the Haedong Group, known by nicknames like ‘Eccentric of the business world’ and ‘Tiger of Samcheong-dong,’ and the wealthiest businessman in the country? How could such a person be as approachable as any grandfather…

Park Tae-jin smiled at Yoo Hyun-jung.

“He’s always been like that. He’s like a father to me, the Chief Secretary, and the other brothers [referring to close associates].”

“I see…”

Park Tae-jin began to tell Yoo Hyun-jung his story.

“When I first came to this house from Myeong-dong [a bustling district in Seoul], it was hard to adjust. Instead of a collection ledger, they handed me a textbook, and instead of street fights, they taught me taekwondo, judo, and kendo [Korean martial arts]. Other things remained the same.”

Yoo Hyun-jung’s eyes widened like lanterns as she heard this story for the first time. Park Tae-jin, perfect in every way except for being somewhat rigid, was Lee Dae-soo’s creation?

“The Chairman is truly like a father to you, Oppa.”

“That’s right. He’s more like my parents than my own, whom I barely know. But still.”

Park Tae-jin paused, looking at Yoo Hyun-jung with concern.

“Hyun-jung, you might face some difficulties in the future. There will be people who secretly criticize you, even within the company… are you okay with that?”

Since she was marrying the closest aide, practically a son, to the head of the group, wouldn’t there be envy and jealousy even in the harmonious Haedong Group? Unlike Park Tae-jin’s apologetic expression, Yoo Hyun-jung smiled.

“Don’t worry, Oppa. You know I’m popular in our company, right?”

Yoo Hyun-jung’s coy answer wasn’t a lie. Her success wasn’t solely due to her intelligence and execution skills, but also her excellent social skills, which allowed her to connect with most people.

That sociability had even won over Park Tae-jin, who was considered the most unapproachable person in the group, so there was nothing more to say.

Yoo Hyun-jung hugged Park Tae-jin’s arm tightly. Park Tae-jin walked to his car with Yoo Hyun-jung, a pleasant expression on his face.

***

“Sunbae-nim [senior colleague], is it true you went to see your grandfather [referring to the Chairman]?”

“Yeah. Hyung [older brother/male friend] is also getting married, so he went to see grandfather.”

Jang Ha-yeon, sitting in the passenger seat, nodded after hearing that Park Tae-jin had entered the main house in Samcheong-dong with Yoo Hyun-jung.

“I see. It would be strange if a man like Sunbae-nim didn’t get married.”

“What about me?”

“That’s why we’re going to see Father now, hehe.”

Jang Ha-yeon smiled at me. Yes, I was now on my way to Sunguiwon [likely a location] with Jang Ha-yeon.

“But, Noona [older sister/female friend]. Are you going to buy all of the Korea Hotel shares with cash?”

I asked cautiously, but Jang Ha-yeon’s expression didn’t change.

“That’s the best way. To make Father feel at ease. Yong-jae, Soo-yeon, and Min-jae won’t be able to find fault with it either.”

I was a little disappointed, but that was typical of Jang Ha-yeon.

As of last week, Haedong Securities’ $5.7 billion had turned into 10 trillion won, and after settlement, Jang Ha-yeon’s bank account held 1 trillion won. She was going to use all that money to acquire Korea Hotel… I briefly clicked my tongue and spoke.

“Me and my cousins also paid all the inheritance tax while inheriting grandfather’s shares, so Noona should do that too, haha.”

My cousins and I had cleanly paid the remaining inheritance tax and loans totaling 1 trillion won this morning, which we had been paying in annual installments due to the Haedong Corporation shares our grandfather had given us last year. Since Jang Ha-yeon was also going to become a member of our family, I thought it would be better for her to inherit it legitimately.

“It’s not like we’re losing out either. Isn’t that right?”

I nodded at Jang Ha-yeon’s question.

“That’s true. Noona is buying the company she’ll inherit, so Ajusshi [uncle/older man] won’t be able to refuse giving it to you.”

It wasn’t just that Jang Ha-yeon was buying the company with her own money. She had agreed to my request to bring the person I wanted into the company, so it wasn’t a bad deal for me either.

In the meantime, the Ado Motors sedan we were in arrived at the main gate of Sunguiwon. After passing through the gate and parking, we walked to Jang Ho-geon’s office.

“The Chairman is waiting for you, Executive Director. Please come in.”

“Thank you.”

The two of us passed through the door opened by the employees and entered the office.

“I’m here, Father.”

“Hello, Chairman.”

Jang Ho-geon, seeing us greet him, got up from his desk and walked over.

“Welcome. I made time because you said you had something important to say, but I’m curious what it is. Let’s sit down and talk.”

We sat down and drank coffee with Jang Ho-geon. Jang Ha-yeon, after taking the first sip and putting down her glass, spoke to Jang Ho-geon.

“I’ll acquire all of the Korea Hotel shares.”

“What are you talking about? You’re going to acquire it with your own money?”

“I received the money I invested in Haedong Securities this morning. I received 1 trillion won, so I can acquire it sufficiently, Father.”

Jang Ho-geon looked at Jang Ha-yeon with a flustered expression and said.

“Your father isn’t that hard up, Ha-yeon. Your father can at least afford to give you a good start in your marriage…”

Jang Ha-yeon took the Haedong Securities bankbook from her clutch bag and handed it to him while Jang Ho-geon was speaking.

“I don’t want to burden Father. If I get married, you’ll be the only one at home, so this is how you can have something to show Mother and the others. Please accept it, Father.”

It was the first time his children had contradicted him, but Jang Ho-geon didn’t get angry. Instead, he looked at Jang Ha-yeon silently with an apologetic expression. I spoke after seeing the heartbreaking scene between father and daughter.

“Please accept it, Ajusshi.”

“Sung-min.”

It was the first time Jang Ho-geon’s eyes looking at me were so stern. He didn’t want to show such a shabby appearance in front of his prospective son-in-law.

I didn’t completely like this deal either. The money Jang Ha-yeon would give while acquiring all of the Korea Hotel shares would become a strong lifeline for Shinseong Corporation.

Still.

I couldn’t ignore the fact that that man had written a marriage pledge with my deceased father and tried to connect Jang Ha-yeon and me, and that he had treated me kindly because I was dating Jang Ha-yeon. There were other reasons too.

So, I was going to take a step back this time. The people I will definitely crush in this life are Jang Yong-jae, Jang Soo-yeon, Jang Min-jae, and their cronies.

After organizing my thoughts, I took out an old envelope from my coat and handed it over.

“Do you remember this?”

Jang Ho-geon’s eyes widened at the envelope in my hand.

“This is…?”

“This is the marriage pledge that Father and Ajusshi wrote. Grandfather told me to deliver it. He said that if I give you this, you will grant Noona’s request.”

Of course, my grandfather didn’t say that, but I said it on purpose. I believed he would grant Jang Ha-yeon’s request because I handed over the marriage pledge that his friend had written so preciously.

“Please grant it, Father-in-law. Ha-yeon can’t live happily unless her heart is at ease, can she?”

As I subtly called him Father-in-law, Jang Ho-geon looked at me with a firm gaze.

I nodded silently at Jang Ho-geon, and he nodded back at me, then received the envelope and said to Jang Ha-yeon.

“Okay. I’ll tell Director Lee to receive 1 trillion won from you, Ha-yeon, and hand over 100 percent of the Korea Hotel shares. But still…”

Jang Ho-geon, hesitating, said to Jang Ha-yeon.

“I can’t just receive it, so tell me if there’s anything you want.”

Was he trying to protect his last bit of pride as a parent? Jang Ha-yeon, who was silently looking at Jang Ho-geon’s bitter smile, said.

“…Please move Executive Director Park Tae-gon of the Secretarial Office Audit Team to SH Asset Development.”

“Director Park?”

Jang Ho-geon’s voice rose as if it was an unexpected request. He seemed more surprised than angry. By the way, Park Tae-gon had already become an executive director… His success was three years faster than in his previous life.

While I was lost in thought for a moment, Jang Ha-yeon calmly answered Jang Ho-geon’s question.

“Yes. If I take over Korea Hotel, I’ll also get 50 percent of the SH Asset Development shares. That person is needed to transparently manage the funds for the Yeongdeungpo redevelopment project. The same goes for after that.”

As promised to Jang Ha-yeon, Jang Ho-geon merged Shinseong Corporation and Korea Hotel, and then bundled the golf courses and Yongin Resort managed by Shinseong Corporation, as well as 50 percent of the shares of SH Asset Development, the Yeongdeungpo redevelopment project corporation, and placed them all under a subsidiary.

Jang Ha-yeon’s request to send Park Tae-gon to SH Asset Development meant she was taking him with her when she married into the Haedong Group.

“Hmm… Director Park…”

Jang Ho-geon’s words trailed off, indicating his reluctance. Lee Soo-han, who was more like his own younger brother than an employee, had found a gem, so how could he not be reluctant to hand him over?

But.

With the 1 trillion won in Jang Ha-yeon’s hands, there was enough money to become the largest shareholder of Shinseong Corporation, whether through a rights offering or in-market purchases.

If he gave up Shinseong Corporation, which controlled Shinseong Electronics and other affiliates, and chose to acquire the Korea Hotel shares that would give Shinseong Corporation 1 trillion won in cash, Jang Ho-geon would end up disappointing Jang Ha-yeon if he didn’t even give up Park Tae-gon.

So.

I hoped Jang Ho-geon would send Park Tae-gon.

He was not only a shield to be taken away from the Shinseong Group, but also my friend who would be abandoned later if left alone, and my friend was too good to be abandoned like that.