Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 96

96. 28th. One Shot, Multi-Kill (5)

Several days had passed since my meal with Jang Yong-jae at the Gomtang restaurant.

“He left the country this morning?”

“Yeah. He confidently said at breakfast that this time would be different. He packed a pearl necklace, a painting… quite a lot, I heard.”

Taking a break from lunch, Jang Ha-yeon and I were drinking coffee at a cafe near Standard Capital.

“Yong-jae is amazing. He must be really motivated since our company is backing him.”

“That’s probably it. It would be great for him if he just brings back the contract, and your company will take care of the acquisition funds. My father is very happy too.”

Jang Ha-yeon showed neither dislike nor approval regarding this matter. If Jang Ho-geon likes it, isn’t it unrelated to her? The expansion of Shinseong Corporation.

However.

Jang Yong-jae will fail. Considering Grandfather’s eye for talent, insight, and empathy, the plan Jang Yong-jae prepared will be rejected by Jane Leonhart.

I postponed imagining Jang Yong-jae’s miserable state and focused on the woman in front of me. It’s my job to comfort her, who has become a bit gloomy, so I changed the subject.

“Isn’t there anything you want to do, Noona [older sister or female friend], something you’re passionate about?”

“Like what?”

“It’s a shame to just focus on hotels and distribution. How about manufacturing?”

If Jang Ha-yeon’s aesthetic sense is combined with my memory and financial power, there is a manufacturing item that we can do wonderfully.

To be precise, it’s not just manufacturing but also a business that involves real estate, and I hoped her thoughts would align with mine.

After pondering for a moment, she opened her mouth.

“Clothes.”

“Clothes?”

“Yeah. Making clothes.”

The big picture matched. What kind of clothes does she want to make? Luxury goods like she’s wearing now? Or… the opposite?

Hiding my anticipation and nervousness, I asked her comfortably.

“What kind of clothes?”

“Clothes that anyone can wear without worrying about money.”

As the answer I wanted was coming out, a smile spread across my face. Is it because she’s a woman who can make even cheap clothes look luxurious thanks to her artistic eye?

Jang Ha-yeon took a sip of iced coffee and continued her story.

“It’s true that clothes definitely need to catch the eye. But they’re unnecessarily expensive when they can be made and sold cheaply. If we make and sell cheap and good clothes, we can make enough money.”

Jang Ha-yeon’s eyes were filled with genuine conviction. Considering that a future actress, who is only 7 years old now, will walk the red carpet in an H&M dress that costs less than 50,000 won [approximately $40 USD] about 20 years later and become a hot topic, Jang Ha-yeon’s concerns and regrets were extremely reasonable.

“Then… shall we consider it after recovering the Titanic investment? We can earn at least twice as much, so it would be good to start small.”

Her eyes sparkled at my suggestion.

“Really?”

“Of course. Let’s definitely do it later, Noona.”

If I push the money and Jang Ha-yeon takes care of the clothes, it will definitely be a hit.

***

While Lee Seong-min and Jang Ha-yeon were dreaming their own small dreams, Jang Yong-jae also arrived at Perth Airport in Australia with great expectations.

“The people from the Australian branch are here, right?”

“Yes, Executive Director.”

Jang Yong-jae nodded as he walked towards the arrival hall, listening to the answer from the employee who came with him.

“Let’s go.”

With Jang Yong-jae at the lead, a total of four people, two on each side, came out of the arrival hall.

“Have you arrived, Executive Director?”

Five people in charge, including Joo Byung-tae, bowed their heads, and Jang Yong-jae also lightly nodded in response.

“Thank you for coming, Director Joo. Is everything ready?”

“Yes, Executive Director. The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. tomorrow, and everything from the pearl necklace to the painting is prepared. The flower basket will also be delivered early tomorrow morning from Perth.”

Jang Yong-jae shook hands with Joo Byung-tae, checked the preparation status, and nodded with a satisfied expression.

“The Haedong Group doesn’t know, right?”

“Of course. If those guys find out that we have become the second-largest shareholder of Hancock, they will foam at the mouth and collapse, hehe.”

“This will repay the debt for the Kazakhstan project, hehe.”

The Kazakhstan project was a project that Shinseong Corporation had been preparing since the end of the Cold War, gradually recruiting influential Koreans. Considering the time, money, and effort invested, it wouldn’t have been enough to tear apart the Haedong Group, but Jang Yong-jae couldn’t help but laugh because he was going to repay them with this project.

“Ah, how is the zinc mine in Queensland that Haedong Group invested in?”

“It is known to be profitable. It is estimated to generate steady profits for more than 20 years.”

Joo Byung-tae stopped laughing and spoke with a serious expression. Isn’t this proof that Shinseong Group, which must be number one among domestic companies in everything, is lagging behind the Haedong Group, which is like a rat’s tail, in the resource development business?

Jang Yong-jae also nodded with a stiff expression.

“A zinc mine… it will be linked to the automobile industry. To prevent corrosion, galvanized steel sheets must be used.”

“That’s right, Executive Director. Therefore, the trading division is also looking for zinc mines.”

Jang Yong-jae smiled faintly after hearing the company’s movements from Joo Byung-tae.

“Good. While we’re here, let’s also look at the data on the Australian raw material market.”

He was satisfied with doing his playboy antics only in Korea. Jang Yong-jae was thinking of dedicating himself to work with a clear mind for once.

He entered the Royal Suite Hotel room that the company had secured for him and sat at a long table with the people in charge who had come with him to start the meeting.

“Currently, the Australian raw material market is dominated by BHP and Rio Tinto. Also, North Limited, which is ranked third, or the fourth…”

After listening to the general market size, market share by company, and then the explanation of this project, Jang Yong-jae sighed.

“It all comes down to the railway network being the problem.”

“Yes. Australia’s iron ore is concentrated in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, and the railway network in that area is controlled by BHP and Rio Tinto.”

Jang Yong-jae received a map of the Pilbara region from Joo Byung-tae, who had finished speaking, and made a groaning sound.

Everything from A to Z is a matter of money. Even if the funds of the current electronics and trading divisions are mobilized, it was impossible to lay hundreds of kilometers of railway networks and build ports.

After organizing his thoughts, Jang Yong-jae took a light breath.

“There’s no other way. Let’s focus on securing Hancock Prospecting’s shares for now.”

“Yes, Executive Director.”

“Everyone, don’t be discouraged. If we do it step by step, opportunities will come. Let’s stop here.”

After comforting the discouraged people in charge, Jang Yong-jae remained alone at the table and looked through the data.

“It’s definitely a big market. It would be nice if we could eat it all.”

Jang Yong-jae covered the documents and sighed.

Shinseong Electronics, the core of the Jang Ho-geon group, and especially semiconductors, which are the core, were built by his father.

Therefore, he came to the conclusion that he had to create the future of Shinseong Corporation through resource development. The resource development industry, which his father had emphasized since he was vice president but was ignored by executives, but if he achieved results in the resource development industry, which has good prospects due to China’s growth, wouldn’t he secure the legitimacy of management succession?

While dreaming of the future of becoming the owner of Seonguiwon [a traditional Korean house, symbolizing wealth and status] following in his father’s footsteps, Jang Yong-jae raised his head and looked at the wall clock.

The hour and minute hands of the clock pointed to midnight. Jang Yong-jae cleared away the scattered data for a rosy tomorrow and entered the bedroom.

***

The next morning.

Jang Yong-jae, who visited the Hancock Prospecting headquarters with Joo Byung-tae and others, almost vomited because of the woman with strong features facing him across a table. Was it because he had only dealt with beautiful celebrities in Korea every day?

But he had to endure it. If he could only make that insignificant woman, who was acting up in front of the great Shinseong Group with only the iron ore development rights, kneel, he would be confidently recognized in front of all executives and employees as the successor to his father.

“Thank you for coming, Mr. Jang.”

“No, Mrs. Leonhart. Thank you for welcoming me.”

Unlike his greetings, Jang Yong-jae’s face was expressionless as he looked at Jane Leonhart’s face, but he overcame the initial awkwardness with his cultivated manners.

“Director Joo.”

“Yes, Executive Director.”

Jang Yong-jae politely handed Jane Leonhart the box he received from Joo Byung-tae.

“What is it, Mr. Jang?”

“It’s a gift for Mrs. Leonhart. Please open it.”

Jane Leonhart opened the box she received from Jang Yong-jae, who was smiling.

“Oh, a wonderful necklace.”

“There is no gem as pure as a pearl. It is a pure white gem created over a long period of time, haha. I’m glad you like it.”

As a smile spread across Jane Leonhart’s face, the smile on Jang Yong-jae’s face became even more natural. He then gestured to Joo Byung-tae, who had the youngest employee bring a framed painting and a flower basket wrapped in paper.

“What kind of gift is this, Mr. Jang?”

“It’s a gift of the heart for Mrs. Leonhart.”

“A gift of the heart… I’m looking forward to it.”

Jane Leonhart smiled broadly and untied the wrapping string tied to the frame and unwrapped the wrapping paper.

“This is…”

A picture of a father pushing his daughter on a swing hanging from a tree in the garden at home. Jane Leonhart was speechless after seeing the picture.

“In Korea, we think of partners as neighbors. There is an etiquette of treating a neighbor’s difficulties as our own and comforting them. How much hardship have you gone through to protect the company?”

Jang Yong-jae continued to praise Jane Leonhart.

“I hope the gift we have prepared will be a comfort to your heart, Mrs. Leonhart.”

Seeing Jane Leonhart’s shaking eyes, Jang Yong-jae gave strength to his facial muscles to harden his mouth, which seemed about to tear. Didn’t Jane Leonhart, who had worked hard to protect the company instead of the family affairs that were difficult to talk about, seem moved by his gifts and words of comfort?

However.

Jane Leonhart’s cheeks began to twitch. Her fist on the table was trembling, turning red enough for the blood vessels to bulge.

Unlike his words, the picture he gave, the wound she had hidden, and the fact that he had touched the wound she didn’t want anyone to know about! That yellow Eastern brat!

“Aaaaaagh!”

A scream that seemed to tear the eardrums burst from her mouth, widening the eyes and opening the mouths of Jang Yong-jae and the Shinseong Corporation officials.

“M-Mrs. Leonhart?”

“I don’t want to see you again, Mr. Jang! Go right now! Get out of here!”

Jane Leonhart shouted, looking at Jang Yong-jae with murderous eyes. At the same time, as she pointed to the door with her hand, Jang Yong-jae’s face turned red.

***

A few days later.

Bae Jae-hoon, who was reviewing payment documents at the Haedong Group’s Main Building 1 in Teheran-ro [a major business district in Seoul], widened his eyes after receiving a phone call.

“…Is that true?”

[Yes, CEO. I heard Joo Byung-tae talking while drinking, and that woman smashed everything, including the picture and pearl necklace that Jang Yong-jae gave her, hehe.]

Bae Jae-hoon’s lips twitched at Ma Young-min’s laughter in his ear. In the end, Bae Jae-hoon couldn’t hold back his laughter and burst out.

“Ehehehe! It worked perfectly!”

[I was nervous that the contract might be concluded, but it seems like the sky helped, haha!]

Ma Young-min was no different from Bae Jae-hoon in being thrilled. The most powerful competitor in the Australian raw material market, which the higher-ups of the group were paying attention to, had been chased out, so wasn’t it a great celebration!

He was only a director now, but if the scale of the business in Australia grew, the Australian branch would also grow accordingly, and a red carpet could be laid on his path to success, so he couldn’t help but be excited.

“I’ll report to the chairman right now. I’ll take care of your bonuses even if I have to empty my confidential funds, ehehehe!”

[Thank you, CEO!]

Bae Jae-hoon ended the call and burst into laughter like a crazy person. Didn’t he twist the wrist of Shinseong, who was smiling in front and holding a knife behind his back? Very nice!

After stopping laughing, Bae Jae-hoon picked up the phone.

“It’s me, Seung-joo! I just got a call from the Australian branch…”

Bae Jae-hoon finished the story he was telling in an excited voice and enjoyed the laughter of Go Seung-joo, which struck his ears.

[Congratulations, teacher!]

Go Seung-joo also couldn’t hide his joy. The trio of his first teacher, Lee Dae-soo, his second teacher, Bae Jae-hoon, and his nephew, Lee Seong-min, didn’t fit together nicely!

“I have to report to the chairman right now and go to Samcheong-dong [an affluent neighborhood in Seoul]. Ehehehe!”

The laughter that had barely stopped from Bae Jae-hoon’s mouth burst out again cheerfully.

***

We, who were summoned to the study in Samcheong-dong, were having a good laugh with the group’s elders, including Grandfather.

“Ehehehe! That womanizer got covered in shit!”

“Are you talking about this, Chairman? Now Hancock is like ownerless land, ehehehe!”

Grandfather and Bae Jae-hoon had not stopped laughing from the moment everyone gathered until now. Is it because they repaid what they received with words? Other adults also laughed and wiped away the tears that leaked out, gleefully ridiculing Jang Yong-jae and the Shinseong Group.

The laughter that had filled the study for a long time subsided, and Grandfather took a sip of cold tea.

“We are merchants. Merchants must win people’s hearts, and they must not stir up people’s hearts.”

Everyone nodded with serious expressions as Grandfather’s lecture continued.

“When Seong-min was out of his mind, I wanted no one in the world to know his faults. So I covered and erased them, no matter how much it cost. Comfort, encouragement, I didn’t want to hear any of it.”

At Grandfather’s words, my old, ugly self, which I thought I had forgotten, pricked my heart. To ignore the person who embraced me as his own…

“I’m sorry, Grandfather.”

“I’m not saying this to scold you, Grandson.”

Grandfather looked at me with soft eyes and waved his hand.

“I would have done the same if I were that woman. It’s something I don’t want to reveal to anyone, and I don’t want anyone to know. Jang Yong-jae, he only has a long academic record, but he still has a long way to go in the world. Hehe.”

So that’s why Jang Yong-jae failed. Considering Grandfather’s eye for talent, insight, and empathy, the plan Jang Yong-jae prepared had no choice but to be rejected by Jane Leonhart.

If Jang Yong-jae had thought a little more about empathy, he could have unconditionally rejected that garbage-like plan. But Jang Yong-jae failed because he was only ahead of his ambition, obsessed with appearances, and blinded by arrogance.

‘Even if the other person looks lower than you, you have to respect them… stupid bastard.’

In the end, Jang Yong-jae will also become callous and hardened like his father, and as a faint smile appeared on my face, I heard Grandfather’s words.

“That’s it. Now that we’ve pushed out the Shinseong guys, negotiations will be easier. CEO Bae.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Send a new proposal to Hancock. Focus on acquiring shares in Roy Hill and Hope Downs.”

“I understand, Chairman.”

Grandfather smiled at Bae Jae-hoon’s mouth, which looked like it was about to tear, and turned his gaze to me. What words will come out of Grandfather’s mouth?