Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 5

5. 2nd. Re-sewn Button (3)

As Park Tae-jin headed to Lee Dae-soo’s mansion in the most familiar Ado Motors No. 1 sedan—one of the few cars Park Tae-jin had left for Lee Sung-min—Jang Ha-yeon arrived at her workplace, the Goryeo Hotel.

“Good morning, Manager.”

“Good morning, Manager.”

As Jang Ha-yeon got out of the driver’s seat, entrusted the keys to the doorman, and entered the entrance, several employees, starting with the manager, politely greeted her. Seeing this, other hoteliers passing by belatedly recognized Jang Ha-yeon and bowed their heads in the same way.

Wasn’t she Jang Ha-yeon, whose ‘Associate’ title was conspicuously missing between ‘Assistant’ and ‘Manager’? Because when she joined Goryeo Hotel, Jang Ho-geon had prepared an office in the most luxurious suite room for three months and personally oversaw her onboarding.

“Yes. Was there anything unusual?”

Jang Ha-yeon greeted them with an elegantly raised hand and entered the office. Sitting in a mahogany chair carefully made by an Italian craftsman, she was lost in thought.

‘I feel relieved that he’s selling the car… Can I really trust him?’

Lee Sung-min’s face kept replaying in her head… Even if she opened the documents piled up on the desk in front of her, she didn’t think she could focus on her work.

Unlike usual, Jang Ha-yeon’s ears, usually sharp, were dulled by her preoccupation. She barely heard a knock.

“Come in.”

When Jang Ha-yeon called out, a man with neatly combed, partially graying hair came in with documents.

“CEO?”

Jang Ha-yeon got up from her seat, her eyes wide with surprise. It was Jung Chang-ho, the CEO of Goryeo Hotel and her father’s former secretary.

“I stopped by to discuss which artwork to hang in the hotel lobby, but I heard you just came in, Manager.”

“Please speak comfortably, CEO. I feel burdened even being a manager at this age…”

“Oh my, how dare I to Manager.”

When Jung Chang-ho, the CEO of Goryeo Hotel, acted humble, Jang Ha-yeon looked at him with a slightly sulky gaze and said.

“CEO, you know the employees are making it harder for me. Please speak comfortably. I’m the subordinate here.”

Only then did Jung Chang-ho relax at Jang Ha-yeon’s words. Even though he was the CEO of Goryeo Hotel Co., Ltd. and Jang Ha-yeon’s guardian, it was not easy to cross the line with the Jang family, so he had been acting cautiously for three years now.

“Would you like something to drink?”

“I’ll have black tea, haha.”

When Jung Chang-ho sat comfortably opposite her, Jang Ha-yeon wore a much softer smile.

“I heard that Haedong Department Store was selling Golden Tips recently, so I bought it. You picked it perfectly?”

“Haedong Department Store? Why did you go there when there’s Shinsegi [another department store]?”

Jang Ha-yeon answered with a slightly sulky tone, questioning why he was buying goods at a competitor’s store.

“My father and aunt are fighting, so I can’t sell it there. It’s not like my aunt is happy to sell things on her side. Just wait a little bit, *ajeossi* [a respectful term for an older man, like ‘uncle’].”

Jang Ha-yeon poured black tea leaves and hot water into the teapot, and in the meantime, she brought two pre-warmed teacups on a tray.

“Enjoy your tea, *ajeossi*.”

“It’s a precious tea, so I have to drink it well, *heo-heo* [an onomatopoeic expression of a hearty laugh].”

Jung Chang-ho smiled gently after taking a sip of black tea. The rich fruity fragrance and sweet taste pleased his nose and mouth.

“The taste is really good. But, where have you been?”

“Seoul National University Hospital.”

“Seoul National University Hospital? Why there?”

“I heard from *seonbae-nim* [a respected senior colleague or mentor] that Sung-min opened his eyes, so I went to see him. But…”

As Jang Ha-yeon talked about what happened at the hospital, Jung Chang-ho nodded silently.

“Soo-yeon seems to be getting worse. Park Tae-jin, that friend, is not an ordinary employee in that family…”

“I know. He’s a better person than me, except for the bloodline.”

Since it wasn’t a story to drag on in front of Jang Ha-yeon, Jung Chang-ho paused briefly and refocused the conversation.

“Yes, Sung-min seems to have changed a lot after overcoming death’s door. If he’s going to hand over the car he cherished so much to Chairman Lee, it’s a big change. Isn’t that car blessed by our chairman or his friend’s father?”

“I think so. *Seonbae-nim* also told me to see Sung-min as a man from now on and see him often.”

“Chief Park is absolutely right. You have to do that to see more progress. If you want, I’ll excuse you from night duty until he’s discharged, *heo-heo*.”

“*Ajeossi-do cham* [Oh, uncle]… Are you teasing me again?”

Jang Ha-yeon, who was inwardly happy but embarrassed by the atmosphere that kept linking her with Lee Sung-min, shifted her gaze to the artwork list that Jung Chang-ho brought.

***

While Jang Ha-yeon was sharing rosy-hued sweet talk with Jung Chang-ho about her budding relationship with Lee Sung-min, business stories were being exchanged as always in the study of Chairman Lee Dae-soo’s mansion at the foot of Samcheong-dong Mountain.

“How much do you need?”

“Two hundred billion won in nominee accounts, Chairman. If we just block the Shinsegi side’s Ado Motors stock purchase, I’ll return 15 percent more than the principal.”

“That’s a total of two hundred and thirty billion. *Heueum* [a Korean expression of contemplation]…”

The more the old man with silver-gray hair sitting in front of the desk hummed thoughtfully and tapped the desk with his fingers, the more the middle-aged man sitting on the sofa’s mouth became parched.

“What’s the collateral?”

As soon as the words fell, the man took out an envelope from the bag next to him and placed it on the old man’s desk.

“Ado Motors shares of executives including me and the headquarters building.”

The man, who sat back on the sofa, stared anxiously at the old man with piercing eyes.

Even though they’ve been interacting for over 20 years, even though Ado Motors gave him the large sedan No. 1 car made in partnership with Peugeot as a gift, even though it’s blocking the Shinsegi Group’s business that he dislikes, he’s acting so picky!

The old man chuckled while looking at the man whose face was turning dark.

“Chairman Geum.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“The collateral is insufficient. Add more.”

Geum Seok-ho, the chairman of Ado Motors, felt his face flush.

Is he telling me to hand over the slush fund that I’ve gathered with my colleagues, or hand over my personal assets? He felt like his chest was about to explode.

But.

He couldn’t let his guard down because the robust old man is the Haedong Group’s 2nd chairman who moves hundreds of billions, no, trillions of won in cash that circulate in Myeong-dong with just one word and is known as ‘the eccentric of the business world’ and ‘the social butterfly of the business world,’ Lee Dae-soo.

Lee Dae-soo opened his mouth with a sly expression while looking at Geum Seok-ho.

“I’ll give you two hundred billion, so give me six points and let’s play a game of *baduk* [Go, a strategy board game]. I’m busy today, so let’s do it next time.”

“Yes?”

Lee Dae-soo wore an embarrassed smile because Geum Seok-ho was startled, thinking he was being rejected.

“I’ve never lost to you in trump or *hwatu* [a Korean card game], but I’ve never won when I play *baduk*, right? If you add that more, I’ll take care of it.”

“Chairman…”

Lee Dae-soo’s face hardened when a hollow voice flowed out from Geum Seok-ho’s mouth.

“What, that voice? Do you dislike it?”

“That’s not what I mean, Chairman! I can give you a few *baduk* stones anytime, but why go that far…”

Lee Dae-soo’s face relaxed again when Geum Seok-ho cut off his words with a raised voice. His smile, which even looked mischievous, seemed to be enjoying Geum Seok-ho’s flustered appearance.

“If you want to play with six points, you have to pay the price, right? Will you do it, or not?”

“Of course! I have to do it a hundred or a thousand times! Thank you, Chairman! Thank you so much!”

Geum Seok-ho 벌떡 일어나 from his seat and 숙였다 his 허리를 90 degrees because it wasn’t a 제안 that would end with 임원들 욕먹고 if he 거절하면. Is 돌 몇 점 a 대수 in a 일 that 걸린 급전 이천억 원 that’s 필요할 for 경영권 방어?

Lee Dae-soo nodded with a pleased expression while looking at Geum Seok-ho.

“You must have been quite desperate. Quickly stamp the documents and go back. It’ll be taken care of by the time you arrive.”

Geum Seok-ho repeatedly bowed because he couldn’t believe it. Unlike usual, Lee Dae-soo was lending him money like lightning, so it felt like heavy rain was falling on a rice paddy that was cracked and dry.

After sending Geum Seok-ho out, Lee Dae-soo paused briefly and leaned his head on the headrest.

“That eldest grandson…”

Lee Dae-soo muttered with a blunt voice because he was displeased that he was obsessed with cars and was indebted to the hospital. He felt uncomfortable that the eldest son and his wife had been so reliable before they passed, but now he had become half a cripple.

He furrowed his brow, and then he composed his expression after hearing the knock. Isn’t it a luxury for the Haedong Group chairman to reveal his emotions to others?

“Come in.”

Lee Dae-soo called out towards the door, and then the head butler came in.

“What’s going on?”

“Chief Park Tae-jin came and requested to see you, master.”

“What? Why is Tae-jin here?”

“He says it’s because of Sung-min’s matter. The details are written in this letter here.”

He’s always calm and serious, Park Tae-jin. Lee Dae-soo couldn’t understand why he had come all the way here because he had said he would leave as soon as the reception was over.

“Let me see.”

“Yes.”

Even though he was uneasy, Lee Dae-soo took out the letter from the received envelope.

“This rascal…!”

Lee Dae-soo 벌떡 일어났다 with a 탄성을 지르며, 체통도 잊은 채, after 읽은 the 편지지.

The news that Lee Sung-min was returning the sports car was 담겨 in the 편지 아주 간결하게. But the 무게 of that 의미 was 비교할 수 없었다 with the 무게 of the 편지지.

He was grateful that he had given up his desires for him and entered the business administration department, he was pitiful that he had lost his parents right after becoming an adult, and he was sad that he was wandering around, unable to overcome his grief.

He couldn’t be shameless enough to finish his work because the eldest grandson was now giving up even the car that held the remaining memories of his parents.

“Head Butler! Have the car ready. I have to go see Sung-min!”

Lee Dae-soo 일어서자 자리를 박차고 집사장이 말을 더듬었다.

“그, 그럼… What about the 기다리는 손님들?”

“Ah, just 내주고 한 상 푸짐하게 to those 놈들 and 둘러대 적당히. Are those 놈들 대수 now?”

Lee Dae-soo 나왔다 본채 that 길로, and he 향했다 to the 병원 in the Ado Motors 세단 that Park Tae-jin 끌고 온 instead of the 독일 세단 with Park Tae-jin and the 운전사.

“Did 하늘 도우셨나. I can’t 믿기지가 않는구나 that our 장손 has 바뀐 게 as soon as he 눈떴자마자.”

“He’s 회장님 장손, isn’t he? He’s not an 아이 to 쓰러질 쉽게, and he’s not 우둔하지도.”

“That’s right. I would have 요절냈을 내 손으로 if he hadn’t 바뀐 even in this 지경, 으허허.”

Lee Dae-soo didn’t want to 보이고 약한 모습을 because the 장손 could be his 후계자.

***

I was lost in thought while looking out the window, lying on the bed.

‘Is it really back…’

I still couldn’t believe it. I’m not a salmon, but I crossed over and returned to the past from the river of death.

I heard a knock while 고민하던 about this 상황 that’s 쉽게 받아들여지지 않는.

“Yes.”

[It’s Park Tae-jin, 도련님.]

“Come in, *hyeong* [older brother or a term of respect for a male older friend].”

I was surprised by an unexpected but familiar figure after 일으켜 세운 몸을.

The robust physique that you can’t believe belongs to a seventy-year-old man.

The 풍성한 은회색 머리카락 and 우뚝한 콧대.

Called the 삼청동 호랑이…

“Ha, 할아버지 [Grandfather]?”

I couldn’t 내뱉지도 제대로 말을 and just 뻐끔거렸다 my 눈.

“What’s the use of a 사내자식 being 이리 골골거려서? 에잉, 쯧쯧.”

할아버지가 던지며 투박한 말을 혀를 끌끌 찼다.

The 중후한 목소리.

The 특유의 모습 of 찌푸린 채 눈살 and 혀를 차는 while 보며 날.

It was too 그리웠던 모습 to me even that 마저도 잔소리가 과하다 싶으면 계속 되었지만 from 옆에서 보면.

“…Grandfather!”

“Why, why are you 그러느냐, 성민아? Is there 뭔 일?”

할아버지는 뭐라고 더 하려고 잔소리를, but he 급 바꾼 채 표정을 after 보고 나를 that was 목 놓아 우는, and he 댔다 손을 on my 볼.

“Why is a 사내자식 서러워서 그리 질질 짜누 눈물 콧물?”

Even if he 말해도 툭툭 던지듯, 할아버지는 닦아주고 눈물을 of my 눈 with his 크고 넓은 엄지로 어느새, and he 닦아주고 내 코 밑을 with the 실크 손수건 꺼낸 from his 주머니.

“병원장, isn’t this 놈 잘못된 somewhere? I’m talking about the 머리 쪽, but also in other 데도.”

As soon as he heard the words that 회장님이 떴다는, the 의사 양반 that 들어온 뒤따라 허겁지겁 after hearing the 소식을 조심스럽게 내놓자 소견 with a 겁먹은 표정, and 할아버지’s 눈썹 떨렸다 파르르.

“외상 후 스트레스?”

The 의사 양반 삼키면서도 마른침 when the 목소리까지 높아지자 이어갔다 설명을.

“환자들 중 의식을 회복한 일시적으로 보이곤 증세를 같은 성민 군 합니다. 심려치 마십시오, 회장님, 가라앉으니 지나면 시간이.”

The 병원장 was 훔치며 자신의 이마를 with a 손수건 because of me that was 질질 짜는 눈물 콧물까지 불며 울고 in front, and he 애썼다 to 해명하려 최대한 침착하게.

“흐음…”

The 침음성이 that was 흘러나오던 from 할아버지’s 입 멈췄다 after the 병원장’s 해명이 끝났다.

“Know that 기부금도 끝인 줄 알아 if something 잘 못 되면 티끌하나 to our 장손. Do you know what I mean?”

“Of course, 회장님. 여부가 있겠습니까.”

I don’t know if it’s because of the 기부금, or if he’s a 참된 의사, but the 의사 양반 대답했다 재빨리.

“태진이 너도 푹 자 and 챙겨 먹고 잘. I can’t see the 꼴 상하는 너 either, but it’s 좋지만 챙겨주는 저놈.”

“Yes, 회장님.”

할아버지가 돌렸다 고개를 to my 쪽 after 말한 무뚝뚝하게 to 두 사람. 할아버지 was 무슨 생각을 하는 것인지, he was 보다가 나를 for 한참을, and then he 쉬고 한숨을 and 돌렸다 발길을.

“할애비는 가보마. 차장이 박 내일 자동차는 실장하고 고 만나서 처리할 게다. 건너와 삼청동으로 퇴원하면.”

할아버지는 말했다 간단히 용건만. It’s 다행이었다 that 욕이 안 나온, but I can’t 나올 텐데 고운 말이 생각하면 된 걸 이 지경 하다 레이스를 자동차 당신이 싫어하는 내가 집안의 장손인.

I could understand it now, unlike before.

How lonely he must have been because he always had to appear calm and strong because of the weight of being the chairman of the Haedong Group, which encompassed both the light and dark sides of the business world, and he always had to be strong.

There won’t be a 혁신적인 불효손도 like me because I 하게 돌아가시게 화병으로 결혼해서 장수연. The 의사들이 이름난 said that he would have 살았을 넘게 구순 because he was 워낙 강골…

“Yes… Grandfather.”

할아버지는 나갔다 병실 뒤 끄덕인 번 한 고개를 작게. It seems like this is 현실이긴 that I see the 싸늘한 모습을 못해 나다 쿨 that 저.

Park Tae-jin, who 온 배웅하고 할아버지를, 바라봤다 표정으로 걱정스러운 얼굴을 내 누운 병상에.

“괜찮으십니까, 도련님?”

“Yes…”

“Don’t 서운해하지 너무 to 회장님. 그러시는 겁니다 잘되라고 다 도련님.”

I 미소를 띠었다 while 보며 박태진을 위로해주는 말로 좋은.

“I know, *hyeong*. He’s a 분이시잖아요 책임지는 식구들 명동 and 회장님 해동그룹 before 가장이기 우리 집안, 할아버지.”

It’s 때다 져야 나누어 무게 짊어진 홀로 돌아가시고 아버지가, 배우기에 강인함을 저 이제는, 이해하기에 할아버지를 이제는, 하기에.

There just has to be 일만 놀랄 할아버지는 앞으로는.

I’ll 할 테니까 복수(?) 소심한 놀랄 할아버지가 없이 쉴 내가.