Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 78

78. 22nd. Give and Take (8)

I was at the office when I received a call from my grandfather, summoning me to Samcheong-dong. I knew what it was about without even asking. It had to be the article prominently featured in this morning’s newspapers, including the Dongyang Ilbo.

“It’s Sungmin, Grandfather.”

I knocked on the study door and heard my grandfather’s voice.

“Come in.”

I opened the door, greeted him, and sat on the sofa. Following my grandfather’s instruction, an employee brought me milk tea, which I drank.

“You saw today’s newspaper, right? Hehe.”

“Yes, Grandfather. The people at the company were laughing their heads off, hehe.”

“That old man [referring to himself] is the mastermind. Our eldest grandson thoroughly trounced that old woman Ko, so we have to spread the news all over town, hahaha.”

I knew it.

Even when I was admitted to Seoul National University as the top student in the liberal arts, or when the new Haedong Department Store’s main branch ranked first in sales nationwide, my grandfather had articles published in the newspapers.

There was no way he’d miss this opportunity. Our group, entering the discount store business for the first time, recorded sales of over 8 billion won in just one month after opening, suggesting annual sales of 100 billion won were possible, right?

My grandfather, who had been laughing heartily, calmed down and said.

“But that old woman Jang Hokyung is not an easy opponent. She’s a spitting image of Byeongho hyung [referring to her father], so she’ll try to get revenge somehow.”

“You mean she’s going to fight us? Seriously?”

“Yes. She’ll definitely remodel her stores like our Haedong Mart.”

That’s right.

In the past, Jang Hokyung, having reached her limits in 1997, took the advice of one of her children—one she had ruined herself—and started remodeling like the Eunpyeong branch. The timing was accelerated because of me, but she would never back down.

“But we’ve blocked the supply of goods on our side, so we only need to hold out for two years, Grandfather.”

The reason Haedong Merchant Bank lent money to food companies, even at the cost of potential profit, wasn’t just to secure our supply.

‘We’ll lend you money for additional equipment under the same conditions, so increase your facilities to match our store opening speed and give us priority delivery for the next two years, hehe.’

The effectiveness of bundled products was clearly demonstrated with the opening of the Eunpyeong branch, and we can use those bundled products exclusively for the next two years. So, even if SSK Mart remodels its stores like us, it can never sell neatly packaged bundled products directly from the factory.

If they really want to compete, they can either hire people to bundle and sell them individually or sell bundled products of ‘Spam,’ a popular product from their affiliate, Jeil Jedang. Either way, Shinsegae Group will have to bleed unnecessarily for the next two years to counter the attacks I’m launching.

After two years, Shinsegae Group, sitting in second place, will look up at Haedong Group, which will be able to look down on them in the distribution business, whether it’s department stores or discount stores, and despair.

‘Second place in two years… That friend who did the bean dance comes to mind?’ [A reference to a humiliating corporate event]

Seeing me lost in ridiculous thoughts, my grandfather wore a sinister smile.

“You sly dog. This old man has been rolling around in this business and has done everything to knock down opponents, but I’ve never done it quite like you, hehe.”

“To win a war, you have to use every means possible. I’ve made enough follow-up arrangements, hehe.”

I exchanged sinister smiles and laughter with my grandfather, but what I said was not just empty words. Distribution was the easiest for me, having experienced the blood-draining tactics of Shinseong Group’s distribution business firsthand.

My grandfather listened to my answer and smiled, his eyes narrowed.

“If you’re so confident, I’ll leave the distribution business to you from now on.”

I was surprised. He’s entrusting me with the core business of the logistics and distribution sector, one of the two pillars of Moolsan [Haedong Group’s trading and construction arm]?

“Grandfather?”

“Everything from department stores to discount stores is doing well because of your ideas. If we open the Gangnam branch in two years, department store performance will double, so what are you so surprised about?”

I’m going crazy. I wasn’t planning on staying at the company forever; I was planning on moving to Standard Capital…

“Even if you make such a sudden decision…”

“I know where your real allegiance lies, so I’m not completely entrusting it to you, but give me a hand from time to time. Help this old man out, you rascal.”

There was room for compromise in my grandfather’s words, and his voice was filled with affection for me. Now that it’s come to this, I have to reveal what I’ve been preparing since I came back from the United States.

“I have something to tell you, Grandfather.”

“What is it?”

“Next year, Standard Capital will be opening a corporation in Korea.”

My grandfather’s eyes widened at my words.

“Is that true?”

“Yes. So, I’ll only be working at the Eunpyeong branch until the 1st of next month, and from next year, I’ll be moving to Standard Capital’s Korean corporation.”

“Hmm…”

Looking at my grandfather’s expression, he seemed happy but also regretful. So, I quickly added what I had to say.

“Don’t worry. Even if my affiliation changes, I won’t neglect taking care of the family.”

“How can a guy who eats at someone else’s house take care of the family?”

“I was recognized for my skills at headquarters during the last yen-carry trade [a type of investment strategy], and my investment funds have also increased. Thanks to that, I’ve been granted permission to do external activities as a management consultant.”

My grandfather’s face brightened, and he lightly slapped the desk with his palm.

“That’s right! There was that method!”

“Yes. So, even if I participate in group management in the future, there won’t be any group members who openly complain.”

This is how I can legally participate in group management while avoiding the family’s unwritten rules. No one knows that Standard Capital is essentially my company, so unless it’s a major issue, I can manage both sides in Korea without any trouble.

At the same time, people inside and outside the group, and the people of this country, will have no choice but to recognize me more and more. Because I’ll show them all my money and skills.

My grandfather nodded and opened his mouth.

“Who will be the head of the Korean corporation?”

“It hasn’t been decided yet. They say they’ll be appointing someone by the end of the year…”

I trailed off, barely holding back a sigh.

In my heart, I had marked Sun Haecheol, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask. Aside from the difference in company size, isn’t he my father’s best friend, my business partner, Henry’s closest aide, and Claire’s lover?

It’s a bit, no, a very soft-hearted thought, but even if it’s just business, I wouldn’t want to treat him like a subordinate because of all the personal relationships involved.

“Grandson.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

My grandfather looked up at me, put his fist to his mouth, and cleared his throat.

“If CEO Lawrence is okay with it, should this old man find someone useful for you?”

“Yes?”

“If your company is going to establish itself in Korea, you’ll need someone who knows the ins and outs of this country. It would be even better if it’s someone who gets along with you.”

For some reason, I felt a strange sense of foreboding. Could it be?

My grandfather ignored my gaze and made a phone call.

“It’s me, CEO Sun.”

I can’t believe it.

It seems like what you fear comes true. My grandfather was bringing Sun Haecheol to me. I clenched my fist at the feeling that was more thrilling than getting a royal straight flush [a very rare and valuable poker hand].

***

After leaving the study, I went straight to the Triumph Capital office.

“Are you okay?”

“About what?”

Sun Haecheol asked back indifferently. I watched his expression and said cautiously.

“About leaving Triumph Capital.”

Even as I asked, my grandfather’s words to Sun Haecheol on the phone echoed in my ears.

[It may sound presumptuous, but how about you take on the role of CEO of Standard Capital’s Korean corporation? CEO Lawrence is your woman, and your nephew also works at that company. I need to get approval from the person you serve first, but even if you leave that company, your relationship with that person won’t be completely severed, so I hope you’ll consider it carefully.]

Since a job can determine a person’s life, my grandfather politely asked while avoiding blatant coercion. What will that man, who is drinking tea with me, say…

Sun Haecheol took a light breath as he looked at me, who was swallowing hard and watching him.

“I think it’s a good thing. I wanted to change the stage little by little.”

“Uncle?”

Sun Haecheol looked at me with a serious expression.

“The reason I’ve been holding this position is because of Henry. To be exact, I couldn’t leave out of loyalty because that man seemed to be in danger.”

“I see.”

“But thanks to you, Henry has regained control. IT investments are also increasing like Standard’s. I’ve kept my loyalty to Henry enough, so now I have to keep my loyalty to Myungwoo and you.”

“But Lord Royce is your boss and friend, isn’t he? Miss Lawrence is Lord Royce’s daughter, and even if the CEO of Standard Capital headquarters is the young master, the company is owned by him, so if something goes wrong…”

Sun Haecheol smiled as he looked at Park Taejin, who trailed off beside me, and me, who nodded silently.

“Henry isn’t that narrow-minded. Thanks to Sungmin, he’s also raised his family and gotten along well with Claire, so he’ll allow it. And.”

Sun Haecheol paused for a moment and looked at us with a mischievous look.

“He’ll be even more happy because he’s working at the same company as Claire? He’s someone who wants to see his grandson no matter what, hehe.”

Hearing his unique playful laughter as usual, my heart felt much lighter.

“Thank you, Uncle.”

“There’s nothing to thank me for, nephew. I’m going to submit a contract asking for the same annual salary I’m getting here.”

“Anything is fine. I’ll give you the best treatment with the owner’s authority. I’ll also give you a seat on the board of directors and the investment committee at headquarters, hehe.”

It doesn’t matter how much is written on the contract. I felt like my mouth was going to reach my ears because I could work with the person I trust the most.

“How about hyung [older brother]? I’m asking as a shareholder.”

Park Taejin is also a shareholder who holds 3% of Standard Capital’s shares. In addition, he is still traveling between Korea and the United States with me to develop his knowledge, so I had to listen to his opinion as well.

“There’s no need to talk about hyung’s skills, so there’s no reason to object, haha.”

When Park Taejin readily agreed, Sun Haecheol opened his mouth.

“Okay. The problem of the head of the Korean corporation has been solved… What are you going to do?”

“I have to quit at the beginning of next month and move to Standard. I also have to look at our household that I couldn’t take care of because I was stuck at the mart.”

While I was working at Haedong Mart, Standard Capital was entirely entrusted to Claire. Now that the immediate task is over, I, as the owner, need to give my opinion on the current asset management situation and future investment direction.

Sun Haecheol nodded and asked the most important question.

“What about Haedong? All the plans you’re making now came from your head, right? Setting up a business base is one thing, but you need a group nameplate to control the internal organization later, right?”

Sun Haecheol looked at me with worried eyes, but I also had a way.

“I’m going to participate in group management as a consultant. I also have shares in Haedong Moolsan, and my grandfather and other adults have recognized my skills, so it won’t be difficult. If I have the opportunity, I’ll also provide consulting to other companies.”

In the future, I will go a different path from other chaebol heirs [family-controlled conglomerates].

If I steadily prove my ability and skills inside and outside the group as one of the controlling shareholders of Haedong Group but as an outsider, no one in the world will be able to slander me when I become the owner of the Samcheong-dong study [a symbol of power within the family].

“But Jang Hokyung will never use you, right? You’re going to make her suffer for the next year, hehe.”

Sun Haecheol laughed at me. Jang Hokyung, who lives for her own excellence, Jang Hokyung, who has skills as much as her arrogant personality, but Jang Hokyung, who was miserably defeated by me, would she use me?

“That’s not the only company, is it? Isn’t that right, hyung?”

Park Taejin, who was next to me, laughed loudly at me.

“We won’t even be able to compete with them in a year, so is there any need to go? Haha.”

***

Around the time when the Lee Sungmin Trio was laughing.

Jang Hokyung, who was the target of that laughter, couldn’t laugh after receiving Jo Seokhan’s report.

“You can’t?”

“Yes, Chairman. Before reopening the store, I contacted ramen companies and liquor companies to receive bundled products, but I only heard that it was difficult to supply.”

“Why can’t they? It would be good for each other if they sold more, wouldn’t it?”

Jang Hokyung shouted sharply. Manufacturing and distribution can never be enemies, but food companies are refusing to supply?

Jo Seokhan hesitated, putting his lips in and out, and finally opened his mouth.

“That’s… because with the pilot equipment, they can barely meet the supply volume for Haedong Mart’s Eunpyeong branch.”

“What did you say?”

“Of course… there is a surplus, but it is impossible to support our total demand with that alone, Chairman.”

Jang Hokyung, who had been thinking for a while, said urgently.

“Have the employees stand by and take away the shipping volume! We can’t not do it when we clearly have the answer in front of us!”

However, the answer that came back from Jo Seokhan only gave Jang Hokyung despair.

“I’m sorry, Chairman. Haedong Moolsan says they pay for the shipping volume in cash every month.”

Jang Hokyung was speechless.

What crazy distributor pays for the shipping volume in cash and takes it over to sell it? ‘Pre-delivery-post-payment’ is the current distribution business formula, but Haedong Moolsan has completely broken that formula.

Jo Seokhan said to Jang Hokyung, who was breathing roughly.

“Please calm down, Chairman. There are not many discount stores yet, so the business is doing well, so I think it’s reasonable to change it when the supply volume of bundled products increases sufficiently.”

“Hmm…”

Listening to Jo Seokhan’s opinion, Jang Hokyung’s breathing gradually softened.

‘There are only about 10 discount stores in Korea. There is plenty of time.’

Jang Hokyung, who had organized her thoughts, opened her mouth.

“Okay, Chief Jo. Let’s keep the shelf display as it is. Instead.”

Jang Hokyung stopped talking and paused for a moment to calm her breath and relax her expression, and Jo Seokhan tensed up. Her usual fiery personality was a habit that came out when she was judging as calmly as possible.

“Be sure to introduce the instant cooked food corner. Also, try to find items that can be bundled and packaged at Jeil Jedang. If you don’t even do that, the former chairman will be sad.”

She couldn’t not do what she could do, let alone what she couldn’t do. There was no way she could face her father, Jang Byeongho, whom she liked so much when he was alive, since the deadline was just around the corner.

Jo Seokhan also looked at Jang Hokyung with a determined expression because he had served and revered Jang Byeongho in the secretariat during his Shinseong Group days.

“Yes, Chairman.”

But the two didn’t know.

That they were trapped in a swamp.

That the eldest grandson of Haedong Group had created the swamp they had fallen into.