Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 147

147. 44th. Dojo Break Part 1 (1)

As the alcohol took effect, Park Tae-gon, fueled by his drunken sincerity, began to express his pent-up emotions to me.

“You have no idea how much I resented that, Director Lee. How could you not contact me even once while living in the same country?”

“Ah, hahaha…”

Since I was largely at fault for not contacting him even once in the nearly three years since we parted ways in Tokyo, I could only offer an awkward smile and refill Park Tae-gon’s glass.

“But… is it really true that you made 1.8 trillion won?”

“Why do you ask?”

“To be honest, the fact that Standard Capital gave you such an opportunity… haha.”

I smiled at Park Tae-gon, who was still wearing an awkward smile, and went to my room to bring back the Haedong Merchant Bankbook.

“What do you think?”

As I opened the bankbook cover and showed it to him, Park Tae-gon’s pupils grew larger with each passing moment. He probably couldn’t believe that Standard Capital had given me such an opportunity, rather than the amount of money itself. Of course, he didn’t know that Standard Capital was my company.

***

The next morning.

We had emptied over ten bottles of soju [Korean distilled rice liquor], whiskey, and wine until 3 a.m. the night before, and we finally woke up around 9 a.m. looking disheveled. The four of us washed up and went to a nearby hangover soup restaurant, where we devoured bowls of pork bone hangover stew.

“Haa, I feel alive now.”

Holding the earthenware pot with both hands, I emptied every last drop of the broth, placed the pot on the table, and wiped the sweat from my forehead.

“Executive Director Park’s drinking capacity is quite impressive… did you learn that in the military?”

Sun Hae-chul asked, wiping his mouth with a tissue after drinking water, and Park Tae-gon gave an embarrassed smile.

“It’s partly my constitution, but I also trained in the military. I had to drink to persuade the higher-ups and save even a penny. Thanks to that, my wife suffered, having to boil oriental raisin tree fruit for me.”

Just looking at Park Tae-gon’s desolate smile, I could clearly see how hard he must have worked against those stubborn military men. I smiled gently and said to Park Tae-gon,

“If you come to our group, you won’t have to suffer from alcohol anymore. We even give out red ginseng sets to executives every holiday, so make sure to take them regularly, haha.”

“Understood, Director Lee. Then, I’ll see you next year.”

After leaving the restaurant and parting ways with Park Tae-gon, Park Tae-jin said to me,

“It seems Executive Director Park Tae-gon definitely believes that you were John Davidson.”

“I guess so. I didn’t think he would believe it…”

To be honest, I was worried that Park Tae-gon wouldn’t believe me. He might have thought that Sun Hae-chul had obtained an identical mask.

As I tilted my head, feeling strange, Park Tae-jin gave me a smile.

“Perhaps the skills you’ve shown so far in the department store and discount store businesses have earned his trust. And the Hong Kong deal as well.”

“I think so too, haha.”

I didn’t reveal that Standard Capital was my company, but showing my bank balance at Haedong Merchant Bank while drinking last night must have had a significant impact.

“Now that the scout has been successful, I should report it, hehe.”

I chuckled and took out my phone to call my grandfather. Since the scout was successfully completed, a report was in order, wouldn’t it be?

###

“Okay. If you value him that much, then this old man and CEO Cho should keep a close eye on him too, haha. Alright, I’ll hang up now.”

Lee Dae-soo smiled after ending the call with Lee Sung-min, who had reported the successful recruitment of talent.

“Jung Chang-ho and Park Tae-gon, huh…”

After sending Lee Sung-min and Jang Ha-yeon back, Lee Dae-soo gazed out the window and murmured to himself.

He knew very well that both were excellent talents and that they were decisive people who knew how to draw the line. Lee Dae-soo’s lips spread into a smile at the thought of such talents joining the Haedong Group, which was absolutely lacking in manpower.

“Whether it’s the family or the group, now that we have more new members, we need to increase our assets. And we need to teach our eldest puppy too.”

Lee Dae-soo muttered to himself and made a phone call.

“It’s me, Seung-joo. Starting next year, reorganize the Secretary’s Office into the General Strategy Headquarters. And…”

After issuing instructions to organize the group around coordination, Lee Dae-soo took a deep breath.

[Are there any other instructions, Chairman?]

“Seung-joo, you’ll be Vice Chairman starting next year.”

[…Pardon?]

Unlike Go Seung-joo, who was taken aback, Lee Dae-soo spoke in an indifferent voice.

“The group has grown this much, how long are you going to keep using the title of President?”

[But the three CEOs are also Presidents…]

Sensing that he couldn’t ignore seniority even though he was the de facto leader of the group, Lee Dae-soo chuckled.

“CEO Bae, CEO Tae, and CEO Cho will also be promoted to Vice Chairman. CEO Cho is also the CEO of both Merchant Bank and Securities, so he should be promoted to Vice Chairman of the Financial Sector. And the Planning Office under those three should be elevated to the Strategy Office.”

With the group having grown so much over the past three years, organizational restructuring was essential. It was just a euphemism for expansion, so Lee Dae-soo had to raise the ranks of those at the top of the group first.

[Understood, Chairman. What about Chairman Geum Seok-ho?]

“Leave him alone. I promised to give him the title of Chairman for 10 years, so I have to keep my promise. But all of Chairman Geum’s people need to be replaced. Send our people to Finance, HR, Product Development, and Production.”

Even if he promised Geum Seok-ho job security, if he left his hands and feet intact, the efforts that he and his eldest grandson had poured in could be in vain. Once he had laid his hands on it, he wanted to be number one, so Lee Dae-soo ordered Go Seung-joo to make personnel changes.

[Understood, Chairman. I will take action as soon as possible.]

“And one more thing, tell CEO Bae, CEO Tae, CEO Cho, and Myung-jin right now to prepare to test Sung-min. In relation to the business issues they are each preparing. And.”

Lee Dae-soo paused for a moment and gave another instruction.

“Starting next Monday, give Sung-min our group’s strategic consultant position.”

[Strategic consultant, then…?]

“Since we can’t break the tradition that has been going on for decades, we have to create another tradition, what else can we do? It’s not like Sung-min is the only one who isn’t my grandson.”

Go Seung-joo’s voice was heard in response to Lee Dae-soo’s indifferent question.

[I see. Sung-min has experienced both the top and bottom as a consultant, but Sung-moon, Sung-woo, and Sung-ah wouldn’t be able to do that… Understood, Chairman.]

“Good work.”

Lee Dae-soo, having finished his instructions, sighed and muttered.

“Sung-min, that guy, definitely has good potential, that’s for sure…”

According to Park Tae-jin’s report, Lee Sung-min was not only focused on making money in the financial market but was also studying business.

[He’s studying all of that?]

[Yes, Chairman. He is reviewing everything from the current status of the group’s internal businesses to the status of domestic and foreign competitors. Also, recently…]

Lee Dae-soo shook his head, recalling Park Tae-jin’s report that he was even studying the steel, automobile, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and shipping industries that had been expanded through mergers and acquisitions.

“It’s not like he’s possessed by a ghost who died with a grudge because he couldn’t work…”

Even as he trailed off, Lee Dae-soo’s expression was delighted.

Even though he was prone to being distracted because he didn’t have parents, Lee Sung-min’s daily routine consisted only of exercise, work, business, and study. His relationship with Jang Ha-yeon was about creating a lifelong partner, and he had even grown the group’s assets through that relationship, so there was no more desirable eldest grandson.

Therefore.

He gave Lee Sung-min the title of Haedong Group Strategic Consultant and raised the ranks of the group’s leaders. If he had studied that much, he would be familiar with the group’s internal business issues, and as a strategic consultant who directly exchanged management agendas with the group’s vice chairmen, other executives and employees would not be able to treat Lee Sung-min carelessly.

“If there’s good steel, how can I not temper it? I’ll heat it up diligently and hammer it hard to sharpen it, euhehe.”

Lee Dae-soo chuckled to himself.

***

Returning home with Park Tae-jin and Sun Hae-chul, I was drinking tea when I suddenly felt a chill down my spine and shivered.

“What’s wrong, Director Lee?”

“That’s strange. Is someone talking about me…?”

Are Shinseong Group and Taehyun Group gossiping about me? Both houses were severely beaten by Standard Capital in the Ado Motors acquisition, so how could they not be…?

After tilting my head for a moment, I straightened my posture as I watched the news on TV.

[This morning at 9:00 a.m. sharp, President-elect Kim ○○ and Henry Royce, Chairman of Triumph Capital’s Board of Directors, signed a contract to purchase $10 billion of Korean government bonds without fail on President-elect Kim’s inauguration day. This will have a positive impact on the creditworthiness of overseas financial institutions in Korea…]

Watching TV, I smiled as I looked at Sun Hae-chul.

“I have to thank Henry.”

“Thank him? There are still two more months before he invests.”

Sun Hae-chul waved his hand as if it were nothing, but the fact that a world-class moneylender like Triumph Capital had promised to invest $10 billion was like a green light for the Korean economy.

As a mega-sized American investment company promised to invest a large sum of money, international credit would naturally increase. The extension of loan maturities for overseas financial institutions will happen faster than I remember.

Park Tae-jin, who was next to me, said with a smile.

“This year will be one of the most eventful years in history. The country was in chaos, but we and the group made unimaginable profits, and both you and Director Lee have started families, haha.”

Sun Hae-chul smiled at Park Tae-jin and me.

“That’s right. We’re almost sorry that only we hit the jackpot. Congratulations to you guys for getting married, hehe.”

“Thank you, Hyung [older brother/male friend].”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

Park Tae-jin and I thanked Sun Hae-chul for his congratulations. Haven’t all three core members of this office started decent families?

“Tae-jin, where do you want to buy a house? I want to give you a huge wedding gift.”

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

Sun Hae-chul chuckled and waved his hand at Park Tae-jin’s cautious question.

“Don’t worry about money. I’m giving the money I squeezed from Jang Ho-min to the group, and my performance bonus alone is worth hundreds of billions, so what can’t I buy? You’re not going to ask me to buy you a building in Gangnam [affluent district in Seoul], are you, hehe.”

Looking at Sun Hae-chul, who was laughing good-naturedly, Park Tae-jin opened his mouth.

“I would be grateful if you could buy me the house next to Director Lee’s. If you buy me that house, I won’t ask for anything else, Hyung.”

“Hyung?”

Looking at me with wide eyes, Park Tae-jin smiled.

“If our bodies are far apart, our hearts will also grow apart, Director Lee. If we’re going to live somewhere, wouldn’t it be better to live next door? There’s no better sparring partner than Director Lee, and there are many things to discuss from time to time, so that would be better, haha.”

Looking at Park Tae-jin, who was laughing heartily, I was just grateful. You are really… I was so grateful for his heart that always tried to stay by my side.

Looking at me with gratitude, Sun Hae-chul gave a bright smile.

“Good! Who else but me would help you guys? I’ll have to see the owner of that house after lunch. No matter how much it costs, I’ll get you a house, haha.”

Sun Hae-chul laughed heartily and readily agreed. Our uncle is a generous man who knows when to spend.

###

After lunchtime.

“Oh my, if you’re going to give me 10 billion won [Korean currency] in this kind of market, of course, I have to hand it over.”

“Thank you, haha. Please vacate the house within the next month.”

The three of us went next door after finishing our meal and immediately signed the sales contract.

The owner of the house next door was blinded by the number of 10 billion won, but for us, it was money that could come and go, so we could easily offer it. Isn’t happiness more important than money now?

“Thank you, Hyung.”

“What are you thanking me for? Promises are meant to be kept, haha.”

Park Tae-jin bowed to Sun Hae-chul as we returned home. Sun Hae-chul smiled and patted Park Tae-jin on the shoulder.

“Thank you, Uncle. I’m feeling a little drowsy, how about some coffee?”

“Coffee sounds good. If you have Kenya AA, make me a cup.”

When you’re feeling drowsy, there’s nothing like a cup of Kenya AA with its intense and rich acidity. I hummed a tune and made drip coffee in the kitchen.

After pouring a cup of coffee in front of each of them, I sat down and was about to take a sip of the coffee I had made for the first time in a while. But then, the phone rang.

‘I haven’t even taken a sip yet…’

I smacked my lips, put down the teacup, and answered the phone.

“Yes, this is Lee Sung-min. Yes, Uncle. Yes? No, it’s not that I don’t like it… Yes. I understand. Have a good weekend.”

Sun Hae-chul looked at me with a puzzled expression as I hung up the phone and sighed.

“It sounds like Seung-joo Hyung, but why do you look like that?”

“He wants to hire me as the group’s strategic consultant starting next week. He told me to meet with the CEOs and uncles starting next week to review the group’s business.”

I got up from the sofa and went into my room on the second floor.

“It’s time to use it.”

I took out the trunk bag under the bed and dusted it off.

This contains documents that summarize the future of our group for decades. It was the product of squeezing out all the memories of my past life, collecting data from inside and outside the group in this life, and pouring in my time and effort. I took the trunk and went downstairs.

“Why the trunk all of a sudden?”

“I think I need to use what I’ve been studying so far.”

Unlike Sun Hae-chul, who was blinking his eyes, Park Tae-jin only wore a calm smile. Did that gentleman tell my grandfather what I was preparing?

***

Several hours later.

Sun Hae-chul, who was reviewing the business plans for each affiliate that were in the trunk with me, slammed the documents on the table with a thud.

“So that’s why you asked Claire to send you those materials all this time? To start a business when the foreign exchange crisis hits?”

“I was planning to push it forward after overcoming the foreign exchange crisis, but I didn’t expect the exchange rate to rise this much. I thought it would end at around 1,300 or 1,400 won per dollar.”

Sun Hae-chul’s eyes, looking at me nonchalantly answering without batting an eye, were closer to looking at a monster from another world or a great sage who had awakened to all the principles of the world.

“It’s not like I’m experiencing this once or twice, but it’s still amazing.”

Looking at Sun Hae-chul, who was smacking his lips, I could only laugh inwardly.

‘What can I do, Uncle? It doesn’t seem like this will relieve my anger.’

It was self-inflicted, but when I think about how Jang Yong-jae, Jang Soo-yeon, and Jang Min-jae repeatedly stole the meals I had prepared while being endlessly exploited at Shinseong Group in my previous life, I still grind my teeth.

That resentment, my memories of my past life, and the concentrated anger and sorrow of the past 5 years that I have spent since starting this life were the business plans that I just reviewed.

Anyway.

I’m already looking forward to next Monday. I wonder how much everyone has prepared to welcome me.