Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 154

154. 45th. New Year’s Day, Warm and Cold (1)

Having dropped Lee Sung-min off in Seoul, Bae Jae-hoon headed to his mansion in Seongbuk-dong.

“What do you think of him?”

“Who are you referring to, Vice Chairman?”

Bae Jae-hoon sighed and answered the driver’s bewildered question.

“I’m talking about Director Lee. The Chairman’s eldest grandson. You’ve been with me for 30 years, so you must have some insight, right?”

The driver pondered for a moment, carefully glanced at Bae Jae-hoon’s face in the rearview mirror, and then spoke.

“I didn’t realize what I’d only heard was true. Usually, men from *chaebol* [family-owned conglomerate] families around Director Lee’s age are busy with women and pleasure.”

Seeing Bae Jae-hoon nod, the driver continued.

“However, since being discharged from the hospital, Director Lee hasn’t caused a single incident and has been focusing solely on company matters. Even the projects he’s prepared are, though I don’t know much, very meticulously planned.”

“You mean the biosimilar business?”

The driver nodded at Bae Jae-hoon’s question.

“Yes. Starting with research on culturing human host cells and various animal cells, he has secured protein production technology while also…”

He mentioned, as he remembered, antibody drugs with high demand, such as Remicade for arthritis, Herceptin for breast and stomach cancer, and Mabthera for lymphoma and leukemia, as well as the list and scale of research personnel needed, and the timeline for each stage.

“Having picked up bits and pieces while serving the Vice Chairman, I know that setting up such detailed plans is difficult. Yet, the fact that he’s pushing forward with such confidence…”

“He’s not a fortune teller, so it means he’s studied thoroughly. Moreover, the fact that he’s building the research institute and factory in Jeonju shows that he deeply understands the Chairman’s heart.”

That’s what Bae Jae-hoon thought. Lee Dae-soo, who had left as a child and barely remembered his hometown, always had lingering feelings for it.

“Vice Chairmen Tae and Cho, and I were all born in Seoul, but our fathers and the founding Chairman were all from Jeonju. Whenever I go there, I feel a strange emptiness… Director Lee seems like he’ll fill that emptiness.”

The driver asked at Bae Jae-hoon’s murmur.

“Come to think of it, the Vice Chairmen’s fathers also returned after studying at Tokyo University with the founding Chairman, didn’t they?”

“That’s right. It was thanks to the founding Chairman’s father. That connection has continued to us and our children for three generations already.”

The relationship that began with the fathers of the three vice chairmen had continued for three generations, with their children joining the Haedong Group and working as middle managers. Bae Jae-hoon chuckled as he answered.

“Others might mock us, saying we’re like vassals of a dynasty. But what does it matter? As long as we’re upright, that’s all that matters.”

It wasn’t just empty words; it was the truth.

The three vice chairmen had all made remarkable contributions to become the group’s top executives, and their children had risen through the ranks from the entrance exam to middle management without any help from their parents.

Bae Jae-hoon, who had been smiling faintly, snapped out of his reverie.

“Anyway, Director Lee is quite something. Not only his work but also the fact that he’s been with one woman for five years, built a group while running a youth business with such a woman, and even registered their marriage because the situation is difficult… Ordinary *chaebol* guys wouldn’t even dream of it, haha.”

The driver, watching Bae Jae-hoon’s laughing face in the rearview mirror, smiled.

‘The Vice Chairman seems to be considering the young master as the next owner of the Samcheong-dong library.’

As the driver thought, Bae Jae-hoon had finished his assessment of Lee Sung-min.

‘That guy is the only one who can look down on this country from the Samcheong-dong library after my brother. He’s the one who can fulfill the wishes of Jae-ho, Young-chan, Myung-jin, and even the late Myung-woo, besides Bae Jae-hoon.’

[As the eldest grandson of a merchant family, I believe it is my duty to sell the products that our family has made well. I hope you all will not worry and focus on research to achieve results.]

Lee Sung-min’s firm determination shown at the textile factory and research institute in Jeonju was the secret behind Bae Jae-hoon’s decision.

***

After taking a short break at home, I went to the Korea Hotel and spent the last night of 1997 passionately with Jang Ha-yeon, welcoming the new year of 1998.

“Do I not need to wear a *Hanbok* [traditional Korean dress]?”

“You don’t have to. My family isn’t that rigid.”

Jang Ha-yeon, dressed neatly as if she was worried about greeting my family for the first time on New Year’s Day, looked only cute to me.

We arrived at the Samcheong-dong library by car and greeted Lee Myung-jin’s family, who arrived shortly after.

“Happy New Year, Uncle. Aunt.”

We got up from the sofa, went to the door, and greeted Lee Myung-jin and his wife.

“Oh, yes. Happy New Year to our Sung-min and niece-in-law, haha.”

“Happy New Year, Sung-min. Happy New Year to our niece-in-law too, hoho.”

Lee Myung-jin and his wife greeted us and went to the sofa. Watching the three siblings who came in after them, we greeted them.

“Happy New Year, everyone.”

“Happy New Year. Young masters, young lady.”

As soon as they received our greetings, Lee Sung-moon, with his sturdy physique, and Lee Sung-woo, with his sleek physique, smiled faintly.

“Happy New Year, Hyung [older brother]. Happy New Year to you too, Sister-in-law.”

Lee Sung-ah, the youngest of our family, who came in after them, also greeted us.

“Happy New Year, Oppa [older brother]. Happy New Year to you too, Unnie [older sister], hehe.”

Jang Ha-yeon smiled as the youngest cousin, who looked like she could beat out any idol debuting in the 2020s, greeted us with a bright smile.

After a round of greetings, we entered the main room where my grandfather was, led by Lee Myung-jin and his wife.

“Happy New Year, Father.”

“Happy New Year, Father.”

“Happy New Year, Grandfather.”

“Happy New Year, Grandfather.”

With Lee Myung-jin and his wife in front, we all greeted my grandfather together from behind.

“Yes, happy New Year to our father and mother, and happy New Year to our puppies, euhehe.”

My grandfather, who was laughing heartily, took out seven white envelopes, each containing a new bill, from under the long pillow he always had his arm on, gave them to us one by one, and began to give us words of blessing.

“I hope our father’s business will prosper this year as well.”

“Thank you, Father.”

My grandfather, nodding at Lee Myung-jin’s firm expression, spoke to my aunt.

“Mother, continue to help the difficult and struggling children at the orphanage as usual.”

“Yes, Father.”

Next came the blessing for me.

“Sung-min, now that you’re the head of the family, you must work hard and take even better care of your wife.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“Daughter-in-law, now that you’re a member of our family, don’t be afraid of your family members.”

“Thank you, Grandfather.”

My grandfather, who had comforted even Jang Ha-yeon, who had become a new member of the family, gave a blessing to Lee Sung-moon, my first cousin.

“Sung-moon, finish your undergraduate studies well and prepare well for your master’s degree. Don’t neglect your studies just because you have a pretty girlfriend like your sister-in-law, okay?”

“I understand, Grandfather.”

‘He’s dating a girlfriend without me even knowing… I need to shake him down!’

While I was lost in thought, my grandfather’s blessing flew to Lee Sung-woo, my second cousin.

“Sung-woo, study hard and take good care of your health. Do you understand?”

“I will keep that in mind, Grandfather.”

Hearing Lee Sung-woo’s clear voice, my grandfather spoke to the youngest of our family.

“Our youngest, go to college and meet a good man based on your older brothers. Got it? Euhehe.”

“Grandfather, really…”

My grandfather, who had finished all the blessings with Lee Sung-ah, who was giving a shy smile, got up from his seat.

“Now that the stories are over, let’s go get the first meal of the new year.”

Following my grandfather, who had left the door, we all headed to the dining room. I wonder what kind of reaction our Ha-yeon will show when she learns about our family’s first meal culture of the new year?

***

Sitting at the table, we emptied our bowls of rice cake soup (*tteokguk*) while chatting. Perhaps because of the different atmosphere from the Jang family’s table at Shinseong Group, Jang Ha-yeon couldn’t erase the sense of unfamiliarity from her face.

“Why is that, my dear? Is something uncomfortable?”

“Ah, no, Grandfather. It’s just that this is my first time at such a harmonious table…”

My grandfather said in a warm voice to Jang Ha-yeon, who couldn’t continue her words.

“From now on, this is your home and your family, so make yourself comfortable. From now on, you’re a member of our family, euhehe. Isn’t that right, Mother?”

“…Thank you, Grandfather.”

Jang Ha-yeon answered with a tearful voice, looking at my grandfather, who was laughing heartily. Nevertheless, seeing a smile bloom on her face, I felt like I knew what emotion it was.

‘She’s only received cold meals, so how could she not feel overwhelmed by receiving our family’s meal…’

Even as I was feeling all sorts of emotions while looking at Jang Ha-yeon, our family’s conversation continued.

“What do you like, Sister-in-law?”

Jang Ha-yeon was flustered by Lee Sung-moon’s sudden question.

“Yes?”

“Hobbies. I like to carve and assemble large pieces of metal designed with CAD [computer-aided design], haha.”

“Ahahahaha…”

I could only let out a hollow laugh because of that guy who was laughing so casually.

‘This guy can’t hide his obsession with tinkering with metal!’

Lee Sung-moon was attending the Department of Mechanical Engineering and even taking lectures related to metallurgical engineering. It was all because he wanted to make the things he wanted with metal, making him the No. 1 in matching his hobby with his career among the fourth generation of our family, except for me.

“Ah…”

Jang Ha-yeon stopped the low exclamation she had been making at Lee Sung-moon’s casual laughter.

“I originally wanted to go to art school. So…”

When she said that she paints or sculpts in her personal studio, Lee Sung-moon’s eyes sparkled.

“Wow, really? We also occasionally make molds and cast parts.”

“The principles are the same. I’d like to make a metal sculpture with you later, Young Master, hehe.”

After that, Lee Sung-woo and Lee Sung-ah also tried to ease her tension by talking about art-related stories or university festivals with Jang Ha-yeon. Thankful guys.

My grandfather, Lee Myung-jin, my aunt, and I continued to eat while watching the four of them talking amicably.

“Now, we have to clean up. Father.”

Lee Myung-jin answered at my grandfather’s call, who had emptied his rice cake soup and put down his spoon.

“Yes, Father. You and niece-in-law, Sung-ah, rest on the sofa. We’ll clean up. Everyone.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“Yes, Father.”

Lee Myung-jin, me, Lee Sung-moon, and Lee Sung-woo answered briefly as if we had promised, rolled up our shirt sleeves, put our ties in our pockets, and began to clear the dishes. Jang Ha-yeon, surprised by the sight, looked at my grandfather.

“G, Grandfather?”

“It’s our family tradition. The men of the family do the cleaning for the first meal of the new year, so keep that in mind, hehe. Isn’t that right, Mother?”

My aunt answered my grandfather, who was laughing heartily.

“Of course, Father. Our niece-in-law should remember that well in the future too. Got it?”

“Yes… Aunt.”

“Let’s go quickly, Unnie. Tell me about the painting hanging in the Korea Hotel in the living room.”

Jang Ha-yeon, who had been feeling bewildered, smiled brightly at Lee Sung-ah, who was wrapping her arm around her and urging her.

“Yes, young lady.”

She escaped from the Siberia-like Shinseong Group, so I hope her heart melts in our sunny family from now on. My love.

***

After finishing the dishes, our family split into three groups and moved to different places. My grandfather went into the main room with Lee Myung-jin and his wife, and Jang Ha-yeon and Lee Sung-ah went into the guest room on the first floor. Me, Lee Sung-moon, and Lee Sung-woo went into another guest room to eat refreshments.

“What do you think of your sister-in-law?”

Lee Sung-moon chuckled at my question after taking a sip of tea.

“Does everyone become a fool for their wife like Hyung when they get married?”

“You rascal! Well… if it’s a woman like your sister-in-law, it’s okay to be a fool for her, hehe.”

Lee Sung-moon shrugged his shoulders, watching me laugh.

“Sister-in-law is pretty, but I only have Young-ran.”

“You mean the eldest daughter of President Jo of *Dongyang Ilbo* [a major newspaper]?”

Lee Sung-moon, who nodded, took a sip of green tea and opened his mouth.

“I met her at a meeting, and she was quite assertive. She’s also pretty and petite. During the last presidential election, *Dongyang Ilbo*…”

I never thought that Jo Young-ran, who wrote the article when Henry visited candidate Kim, was this guy’s girlfriend. Grandfather, are you trying to become family with *Dongyang Ilbo* altogether? In the name of in-laws.

Lee Sung-moon, who had called me a fool for my wife, kept bragging about Jo Young-ran. She was definitely amazing, and I couldn’t help but be impressed.

“That’s amazing. She even took a leave of absence and became a cub reporter.”

I said, pretending not to know, and Lee Sung-moon looked at me proudly and chuckled.

“You’re definitely a man from our family, hehe.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

Unlike Lee Sung-moon, who was puzzled, Lee Sung-woo, who was munching on sweets, was grinning next to him with an expression that he seemed to know what I was talking about.

“Grandfather misses his late grandmother, and our late father loved our mother very much. Even Uncle’s love for Aunt is extreme, so you’re the same, hehe.”

Lee Sung-moon spat out, looking at me with a smirk.

“Don’t talk about others, Hyung. You looked like your lips were about to reach your ears the whole time you were eating next to your sister-in-law? Hehe.”

We smiled at each other and looked at the other guy who was quietly drinking green tea and asked.

“When are you going to get a girlfriend?”

“Me? I’m dating someone?”

We both stared at him with dumbfounded expressions at Lee Sung-woo’s nonchalant yet confident answer.

“You? You, who only focuses on motor research?”

“You! When did you get a girlfriend?”

Lee Sung-woo chuckled at my and Lee Sung-moon’s questions.

“I met her while researching motors with seniors or professors in the lab. She’s pretty and matches me so well, hehe.”

Lee Sung-moon let out a hollow laugh, and I shook my head. I can’t hide that this bastard is the No. 2 in matching his hobby with his career.

***

Lee Dae-soo, who was drinking tea in the main room, was chatting with Lee Myung-jin and his wife.

“So, Sung-moon is going to get a master’s degree and enter the professional research personnel program?”

“Yes, Father. He said he’s going to get an industrial equipment engineer certificate this year and apply after finishing his master’s degree. He said that if he has to serve in the military anyway, he wants to do it in a way that helps his career.”

Lee Dae-soo nodded at Lee Myung-jin’s answer.

Lee Sung-min, the eldest grandson, had received a military exemption because his body was wrecked in a car accident, but the second and third grandsons had no choice but to go to the military. Lee Dae-soo himself had been an interpreter officer, and Lee Myung-woo and Lee Myung-jin had stubbornly served until they were discharged as sergeants, hadn’t they?

“That would be good. The two of them have won awards in overseas competitions, so they should be able to do enough professional research personnel with their skills. If they do that, no one will say anything even if they start as assistants.”

“Yes, Father. And…”

At Lee Myung-jin’s gesture, who was slurring his words, Lee Myung-jin’s wife, Jung Yu-min, opened her mouth.

“Sung-woo didn’t seem to be dating a girlfriend, so we took action, Father.”

“What?”

Lee Myung-jin quickly continued when Lee Dae-soo’s eyes widened.

“Sung-woo only researches motors in the lab after class, according to his seniors and juniors on the faculty. So, we found a good kid in the same department as Sung-woo and set them up…”

Lee Dae-soo nodded when he heard that she was the daughter of the president of a partner company related to the Haedong Heavy Industries’ heavy electric equipment division.

“Good job. My healthy child can’t be without a lover. If they do well, let them get married when the time is right.”

“Yes, Father.”

Lee Dae-soo and Lee Myung-jin and his wife were busy taking care of the love lives of their grown children and grandchildren.