Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 75

75. 22nd. Give and Take (5)

After a month and a half of internal preparations and product procurement, we launched our on-site promotions two weeks before the grand opening. The team members, initially skeptical, were now working in perfect sync, and our momentum was building.

One week until the grand opening.

To maximize awareness of the Haedong Mart Eunpyeong branch, we were diligently conducting on-site promotions in the apartment complexes of Ilsan New Town today.

“Hey, young man! Give me one too!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

I responded smoothly to the middle-aged woman, only to realize we were out of towels.

“Manager Park! Bring two boxes of towels from inside!”

“Yes, Master!”

Park Tae-jin’s loud reply caused the surrounding chatter of residents and team members to abruptly cease.

“Master?”

I glanced at the whispering onlookers and offered an awkward smile.

“Ah haha… Actually, my grandfather is the chairman of Haedong Group. He insisted I start from the ground up, so here I am. Isn’t that right, Manager?”

“Yes?”

I quickly looked to Yoo Hyun-jung beside me and forced a smile. She immediately caught on and nodded.

“…Yes, Employee Lee Sung-min! Our chairman isn’t one to hand out positions to his grandson easily. This discount store is backed by someone who truly cares, so you can trust it, ma’am.”

“You expect me to believe that? Haedong Group is the one that profited so much from those Japanese deals last time. Why would a rich young master suffer like this?”

Despite Yoo Hyun-jung’s cheerful tone, the plump lady remained unconvinced.

I guess it defies common sense, right? In their eyes, the wealthy are always glamorous and privileged.

“Employee Lee Sung-min, didn’t you enter Seoul National University as the top student in the humanities department? It was all over the newspapers?”

“Ah, that? How long ago was that, Manager? That’s ancient history.”

“Hey, Employee Lee Sung-min? While you’re out here.”

Yoo Hyun-jung pretended to search for something in the back, then produced a file and opened it for the lady to see.

[Haedong Group’s Three Generations, All Alumni of Seoul National University’s Business Administration Department.]

[Top Student of Seoul National University’s Humanities Department is Haedong Group’s 4th Generation? Lee Sung-min, His Choice?]

The lady’s eyes widened as she scanned the newspaper article featuring photos of my grandfather, father, and me.

“Oh my… Is that true?”

“Yes, ma’am. Employee Lee Sung-min is here to learn from the bottom up. And you know Haedong Department Store guarantees quality, right?”

The lady clapped her hands as Yoo Hyun-jung mentioned the department store.

“I forgot! I got a refund for something I bought there without any hassle. Is the mart the same?”

“Of course, ma’am. Please visit our mart.”

I beamed at the lady, retrieved a box of towels from the stack Park Tae-jin had brought, and handed it to her.

“Please come and buy a lot when our store opens, ma’am. Thank you!”

Did our impromptu skit work?

###

Meanwhile, some individuals were photographing the scene from a distance.

“Did you get everything?”

“Yes, Manager.”

“Aren’t those guys crazy? Spending money on promotions is one thing, but sending the chairman’s grandson to a place like that?”

“I know, right? Our group can’t even imagine doing that.”

The two couldn’t comprehend Haedong Group’s promotional strategy.

The owner family that rules the kingdom called a company.

Mobilizing the 4th generation of the owner family, the eldest grandson of the direct line, for mart promotions, especially on-site promotions where they interact with apartment complex residents? Unthinkable!

Unaware that they were witnessing an idea conceived by Lee Sung-min himself, the two simply shook their heads.

“I don’t get it… Let’s go back and report first.”

“Yes.”

Back at the company, they reported the events at the Ilsan New Town apartment complex. Cho Seok-han, the chief of staff of Shinsegi Group, upon receiving the report and data, immediately sought out Jang Ho-kyung.

“Chief Cho, is this true?”

“Yes, Chairman. I had the secretary’s office investigate, and they confirmed it.”

Cho Seok-han carefully placed the photos and flyers on Jang Ho-kyung’s desk. The photos showed the eldest grandson of the prestigious Haedong Group wearing a sash and distributing flyers and free gifts.

“…Ah hahaha!”

A burst of laughter erupted from Jang Ho-kyung as he examined the pictures.

“Are they out of their minds? Commoners will come if the price is low, but quality assurance, free gifts, discount coupons, and prize events… A discount store isn’t a department store, for crying out loud.”

“I agree with the chairman. I suppose they’re trying to appear different, but isn’t the trend warehouse-style stores?”

Jang Ho-kyung, sharing Cho Seok-han’s opinion, continued to ridicule them.

“I know, right? The eccentric of the business world must be losing it. Our SSK Mart won’t even break a sweat.”

Jang Ho-kyung predicted Haedong Mart’s failure. He had been concerned about Haedong Merchant Bank contacting other food companies and providing loans, but that was the extent of it. What’s the point of selling low-priced items in small quantities?

After dismissing Cho Seok-han, Jang Ho-kyung made a phone call.

“It’s me. Haedong Group is doomed, are you okay?”

***

“What are you talking about, Sister? Haedong Group is doomed?”

Jang Ho-geon was stunned by the news his sister delivered as soon as he answered the phone.

[That guy Lee Sung-min, or whatever his name is, is mingling with commoners in Ilsan? I heard he’s wearing a sash and handing out flyers, discount coupons, and even towels?]

“What? Why is he doing that?”

Jang Ho-geon’s voice rose in shock, but Jang Ho-kyung’s sarcastic tone continued.

[That’s not all. He built a large supermarket, not a discount store. And the prizes alone… Is the stingy old man of Samcheong-dong [referring to the chairman’s residence] senile? Ah hahaha!]

Unlike Jang Ho-kyung’s laughter, filled with ridicule, Jang Ho-geon’s expression was filled with questions.

“Is that all?”

[Huh? …Yes. That’s all.]

“Okay. See you later.”

Jang Ho-geon hung up on Jang Ho-kyung and made another phone call.

“It’s me, Hyung [older brother/friend]. Can you leak Sung-min’s recent situation to Ha-yeon?”

###

“…I understand, Chairman. I’ll let her know right away.”

After ending the call, Jung Chang-ho went directly to Jang Ha-yeon’s office.

“Director?”

As soon as Jang Ha-yeon saw Jung Chang-ho open the door and enter, she covered the restaurant sales status document and stood up from her seat.

“I heard some news; can we talk for a moment?”

“Yes? …Yes.”

She was startled, then quickly composed herself, recalling the promise she had made with Lee Sung-min at the Misari cafe.

“I heard from a friend who lives in Ilsan that Sung-min is promoting Haedong Mart Eunpyeong branch.”

“Yes?”

Jung Chang-ho sighed, seeing her feigned surprise. He was unaware that Jang Ha-yeon was pretending.

“I heard he’s taking the bus and even wearing a sash and handing out flyers. I don’t understand why someone who doesn’t need to do that is doing it. Everyone who knows Sung-min’s skills knows it.”

Jang Ha-yeon nodded and continued to listen to Jung Chang-ho.

“If you have feelings for that friend, it would be good to comfort him. Suffering when you’re young is good, but I think Chairman Lee is going too far.”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

“If you want, you can take a half-day off today and meet him. I’ll tell the personnel team to approve it if they contact you.”

With those words, Jung Chang-ho strode out of the office.

“I guess he’s going to do it properly this time?”

Jang Ha-yeon, left alone, had a slight smile on her lips, anticipating how well the thief she had apprehended would perform.

***

After finishing the promotion at the Ilsan New Town apartment complex, we surveyed the empty flyer boxes, free gift boxes, and discount coupon boxes and took a collective breath.

“You worked hard, Manager Yoo. Your acting was excellent today, too.”

“I have to try my best since Employee Lee Sung-min is doing it. Ah, Section Chief Park, you worked hard too, hehe.”

Park Tae-jin’s face froze momentarily at Yoo Hyun-jung’s smiling face. She even wiped his face with a handkerchief and handed him water when he was carrying the box earlier… What was that about?

“No, Manager Yoo. But Employee Lee Sung-min, why do I feel like I’m the only one who doesn’t understand what’s going on?”

“Think of it as fate, Section Chief Park. But you know that Manager Yoo and I have more to do, right?”

“That’s right, Section Chief. You only have to shout ‘Yes, Master!’ once every time, right?”

Park Tae-jin grimaced at Yoo Hyun-jung’s coy voice, but it was true.

Park Tae-jin, skilled in many areas, struggled with public interaction. So, aside from shouting “Yes, Master!” once, he was relegated to diligently carrying boxes, while Yoo Hyun-jung and I performed the planned skit.

“What are the results of the team members’ survey?”

“I asked the taxi drivers, and they said they would spread the word. They said it’s worth visiting a mart run by people like us.”

If the taxi drivers were talking about it, further confirmation was unnecessary. They were the ultimate source and disseminators of information. If the rumor spread in Ilsan New Town, it would eventually reach the entire Goyang City.

“That’s good. Since most of the preparations are complete, the three of us can alternate between Ilsan and Eunpyeong-gu. If we go back…”

I paused, wanting to ask Yoo Hyun-jung and the other team members something.

“Is everyone free tonight? I’d like to treat everyone to dinner.”

As everyone considered, Yoo Hyun-jung glanced at Park Tae-jin and spoke.

“Yes. I’m available.”

“I’m free today too. My girlfriend’s date is on the weekend, haha.”

Whether it was true or not, after confirming the schedules of the other team members, I took out my phone.

“This is Lee Sung-min, Team Leader. Please check if the team members in the store are free for dinner. …Really? How about a Korean beef party when we get back? Yes, I’ll pay.”

After ending the call, I announced to the team members.

“Let’s go eat meat when we get back. Korean beef sounds good, right?”

The cheers of the team members resonated happily in my ears. How long had it been since I heard that sound?

Upon arriving at the company, we reserved a Korean beef restaurant nearby and washed away the day’s fatigue with Korean beef and wine.

“Haedong Mart!”

“Let’s sell well!”

After shouting the toast, we heartily drank the red wine. We poured it into beer cups and drank it, but the gesture was enough.

“Thanks to Employee Lee Sung-min, my mouth is experiencing luxury. I can’t even dream of this with the company’s 회식 [company dinner] expenses.”

“The 회식 culture should slowly change too, Team Leader. We can’t just drink soju at a meat restaurant every time, haha.”

What I disliked most was drinking soju at every 회식. It’s a 회식 that steals individuals’ precious time, so if you’re going to do it, you should at least drink something good to lift your spirits, right?

“This sounds like something I’d hear from my 직장 [workplace] superior. Anyway, thank you for your hard work, haha.”

“It’s nothing. It was nice to work in the field. I got some fresh air, saw people…”

I was incredibly grateful for Na Chang-seok’s words. When I was in the housing business department of Shinseong Corporation, I wore a sash and handed out apartment sales flyers to encourage the employees, and I even took care of other matters and 완판 [sold out completely], but I didn’t receive any recognition from Jang Ho-geon…

Na Chang-seok looked at me with a puzzled expression when I smiled bitterly at the memory.

“Is there anything troubling you?”

“…No. I’m sorry because Manager Yoo did better than me.”

“You don’t need to apologize. To be honest… Employee Lee Sung-min’s 모습 [appearance/demeanor] reminded me of the late President, so I was happy, haha.”

Na Chang-seok laughed heartily and drank his wine.

“If it’s the late President…”

“President Lee Myung-woo. When I joined the company, he was the manager of the main store of the department store business division, and he wore a sash and personally interacted with customers during the holiday season.”

“Ah…”

“Seeing Employee Lee Sung-min working, I thought he was like President Lee’s son.”

This life was meaningful in many ways. It was like assembling more and larger pieces of a memory than I realized.

I wanted to make this work 멋지게 [splendidly/impressively] for these people who had given me precious puzzle pieces.

***

The next morning.

After eating 해장 [hangover cure] ramen with Park Tae-jin, I received a call from my grandfather and went to Samcheong-dong.

“Are you doing well?”

“Yes, Grandfather. The promotion is going smoothly, and all that’s left is the opening.”

Grandfather nonchalantly drank 홍차 [black tea] with ice.

“You’re not just doing company work, are you? Taking care of your family is also work.”

“Yes, Grandfather. I’m checking the schedules of the team members and planning bowling outings, billiard games, and visits to cocktail bars.”

Grandfather looked at me with a puzzled expression and asked.

“Aren’t you being too careful?”

“Times are changing, so I have to adapt. We can’t just drink soju at a meat restaurant forever.”

Grandfather’s words weren’t wrong. I had also 박살냈었으니 [crushed/defeated] countless guys who saw goodwill as an entitlement and tried to exploit or ridicule me, so how could I not know?

I nodded calmly and said to my grandfather.

“If you demonstrate skill and effort like Grandfather, Father, and Uncle, who would look down on you? I’ll do my best, Grandfather.”

Grandfather smiled at me with a mixture of pride and bitterness.

“Hehe, you don’t even yield to this 할애비 [old man/grandpa] anymore.”

“You’re not thinking you’re getting old, are you?”

Regardless of wealth or poverty, there’s nothing more 서러운 [sad/pathetic] than aging. I didn’t want to see that 모습 [appearance/state] in my grandfather, so I quickly provoked him, eliciting a loud outburst.

“Hey, you! This 할애비 [old man/grandpa] will live to be a hundred years old. I’m going to see all of my great-grandchildren get married, 으허허 [sound of hearty laughter].”

I was relieved to see him return to his 활기 넘치는 모습 [energetic state]. He needed to live much longer than 10 years to witness our family’s future prosperity, right? The doctors predicted a long life, so I wanted to create only 즐거운 [joyful/pleasant] experiences for him in the future.

The smile faded from Grandfather’s mouth as he looked at me with narrowed eyes.

“Speaking of which, are you doing well in the 청춘 [youth/romance] business?”

“Yes?”

“When I was your age, I received hundreds of love letters and photos from 신여성 [modern women] regardless of whether they were from Gyeongseong Imperial University, Ewha Women’s College, or Sookmyung Women’s College. You know just by looking at your late 할미 [grandma], right?”

My grandmother, who had passed away long ago, was a graceful woman who graduated from the Department of Literature at Gyeongseong Imperial University and grew up in a lawyer’s family that supported independence activists.

Even that grandmother had fallen in love with grandfather and sent him a love letter with her picture, but she used to 놀리곤 [tease] grandfather in front of all her children and grandchildren, scolding him for contacting her so late.

Grandfather, 잠겨있던 [immersed] in a brief 회상 [recollection], wore a subtle smile.

“The world that 할애비 [old man/grandpa] lived in when he was young and the world you live in are different. The world is changing as you say. There’s nothing to be 흠 잡힐 [criticized/faulted] even if you have free love, so what are you afraid of?”

“I have grandfather’s blood, so I have to be 신중 [cautious/prudent], hehe.”

“That guy… only his mouth is alive, 에잉 [expression of disapproval].”

Grandfather looked at me with a 못마땅한 [displeased] look, but what could I do since it wasn’t the right time yet? I’m sorry, Grandfather.