"Do you know where this is?"
"Yes."
I looked around once again. The residence of the honorary chairman of Daehyun Group, the number one conglomerate. It was a house similar in scale to my grandfather's house.
Just then, the door opened, and a man who looked like a secretary came out and bowed.
"He is waiting. Please come inside."
Grandfather gave a light nod and followed him. I also followed behind Grandfather. When we went inside, Chairman Song was already out at the front door to welcome us.
"Oh my, Chairman Cheon! How long has it been?"
"Chairman Song, it has been a long time."
"Hahaha, you rascal. You are still as ill-mannered as ever. How many times do I have to tell you that I am the older brother?"
The first time I met the chairman of Daehyun Group was at his funeral. Because Grandfather's health had worsened, I had gone to the funeral in his place.
"Is this smart-looking kid next to you the grandson you were always boasting about? He looks quite a bit like Chairman Cheon."
At those words, I bowed at the waist and greeted him.
"Hello, Chairman. I am Kim Mu-hyeok. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Yes, yes."
Nodding his head, Chairman Song led us to the drawing room. Letting out a hearty laugh, Chairman Song only started speaking after sitting down.
"Haha. So, what is the reason you moved that heavy bottom of yours?"
At that, Grandfather looked at me once, then shrugged his shoulders toward Chairman Song.
"What special reason would there be. I came to thank you for the help I received, introduce my grandson, and just visit for various reasons."
"Hah, the great Chairman Cheon is personally introducing his grandson? You must have gotten very old too. Weren't you a person without blood or tears?"
Without realizing it, I checked Grandfather's expression out of the corner of my eye. But despite Chairman Song's straightforward words, Grandfather had no change in emotion at all.
"You are the same when it comes to having no blood or tears, Chairman Song. You wouldn't say you don't remember when we first met, right? I was wondering if you were a construction company boss or a neighborhood thug."
"Hahaha."
For a long time, the two showed no thought of coming out of their stories of the past. Caught up in their vivid stories, I unconsciously focused and listened carefully to their words.
"Why on earth did you step forward to do politics and end up like this. You should have just kept doing what you always did..."
The atmosphere sank. As Grandfather scolded Chairman Song as if lamenting, Chairman Song also answered in a weak voice as if feeling bitter.
"I did it because it was filthy. Whenever something happens, they tell us to fork over money, and then isn't it us conglomerates they hunt down like rats every time the regime changes. That is why I thought I should give it a try myself. Phew..."
"So, are you planning to just stay stuck in your house like this, walking on eggshells around the government?"
At that, Chairman Song shook his head back and forth.
"The kids should take care of things now. Aren't you and I at the age where we should step down. Then again... your work is playing with money, so you can just sit around until you die. I am jealous..."
At that, Grandfather deliberately frowned and threw a joke.
"It seems you do not need my money anymore, huh?"
"Haha. Why are you threatening me with money again? It is a joke, a joke. Alright. Enough chitchat, what is your real business here?"
Grandfather looked back in my direction.
"Mu-hyeok, go outside for a moment. I will call you back later."
At those words, I stood up from my seat without a word of complaint and went outside. When I came outside the drawing room, Manager Ha, who was having some conversation with Chairman Song's secretary, saw me and politely bowed his head.
"Have you come out, Young Master."
"Yes. They told me to step outside for a bit. By the way, is it okay if I go out to the yard?"
Receiving my glance, Chairman Song's secretary took the lead.
"I will guide you. Please come this way."
I followed the secretary out to the yard alone. The summer sunlight was hot, but it was quite cool under the shade of the trees. I lifted my eyes and looked up at the sky where the branches of the garden trees stretched out.
"You can look around freely. Shall I attach someone to you?"
"No, I plan to think alone. I will call if I need anything."
Chairman Song's secretary stepped aside. I slowly strolled through the yard. The greenery of the pine trees and shrubs that sat as if surrounding Chairman Song's house was deep.
I sat on a bench placed in the corner and fell into thought. 'What kind of conversation is Grandfather having with Chairman Song.' Daehyun Group Chairman Song Yeong-ju.
A few years later when he dies, Daehyun Group, which was ranked first in the business world, would be torn to shreds and separated into several groups. After that, until the day I died, Ilseong Group rose to that position and reigned supreme. The shares Grandfather had and the shares I would scrape together from now on.
'It comes down to whose hand I raise.' Depending on my decision, the future would change tremendously. It was then, while I had been lost in thought for a long time.
I felt someone approaching. When I lifted my head, a young man was looking in my direction.
"Who are you?"
That was the first word he threw at me. I recognized him at a glance. Song Hyeon-su, the grandson of Daehyun Group Chairman Song.
Rising from my seat, I held out my hand.
"Hello, I am Kim Mu-hyeok."
"Ah, I am Song Hyeon-su."
Tilting his head for a moment, Song Hyeon-su grabbed my hand, perhaps realizing his mistake. I smiled and introduced myself first.
"My grandfather came to meet Chairman Song, and I ended up coming along. Since the two of them said they were going to talk, I came out here to rest and cool my head."
"Ah... so that is what happened. I saw someone I had never seen before, so I got curious and came over. But your face looks familiar... Have we perhaps met before?"
Ah, no wonder... Feeling awkward, I answered.
"...You probably saw me during the college entrance exam interview."
"Ah! 'Studying was the easiest', that person?"
"Yes..."
"Haha, you do not know how much I laughed watching that interview. Were you really being sincere? I wanted to ask you if I ever met you."
"Haha... Please forget it."
"Ahahaha!"
Unlike me who was giving an awkward smile, he laughed out loud, letting out a truly hearty laugh. Looking at his expression, it seemed close to goodwill.
"Ah, laughter suddenly burst out... I am sorry if I offended you."
I smiled sadly and waved my hands.
"Not at all. I guess I went a bit crazy for a moment back then too. It is probably a dark past I will have to carry for the rest of my life..."
"Not at all. I think it will be fun to look back on when you get older. You were in Korea University's law department, right? Is your dream a prosecutor? A judge? Something along those lines?"
"No. It just happened somehow... I am thinking of taking the bar exam once for now. I will take the first round and decide later whether to take the second round."
"I see. I am a business major. I did not have the skills to get into Korea University, but fortunately, I still got into a prestigious university. I am graduating soon, and I will probably go study abroad. Hahaha."
Before, it was a fate of just passing each other briefly at a funeral, but after talking for a long time like this, he was someone who talked more than I expected. He looked completely different from his future self, who had been overflowing with charisma. Song Hyeon-su and I continued talking, losing track of time.
The door to the drawing room closed. Chairman Cheon, who had been watching Kim Mu-hyeok's back, turned back to Chairman Song.
"Chairman Song, I came here because I have a favor to ask."
"A favor?"
"Yes, a favor."
"Hah~ I guess you really have to live a long time to see everything. To think I would hear the word 'favor' come out of your mouth. What is it?"
With a cautious face, Chairman Cheon picked up the teacup placed in front of him.
"Sometime soon, I plan to hand over most of my shares to my grandson. There will be quite a lot of shares from Daehyun Group's affiliates in there too."
"Ho, it seems you are planning to raise him properly. So?"
Chairman Song looked at Chairman Cheon as if interested.
"I would like you to meet him at least once a week and give him advice. Even once a month is fine."
"..."
Chairman Song just stared at Chairman Cheon for a long time without answering. Eventually, when Chairman Cheon put down his cold teacup, Chairman Song let out a hollow laugh.
"You must have fully made up your mind to make him your successor. Will it be okay? Skipping a generation... there will be a bloodbath in your family if you hand it directly to your grandson. And he is a grandson from your daughter's side, not your son's. Will your sons understand? It is not even a proper corporation, but the underground economy."
Chairman Song asked worriedly. However, Chairman Cheon seemed to have firmly made up his mind.
"For now... since I am still alive, I am not worried. I have no intention of making that kid live a life like mine. He has to go out into the sunlight. I plan to pass down the illegal matters to my sons, and teach him how to live out in the light."
"Do you like him that much? Even so, he is only twenty. I think it is too early."
"Take some time and look him over. He is no ordinary child."
Chairman Cheon's eyes became wistful. Guessing who he was thinking of, Chairman Song silently looked at him.
"...He sees things that I cannot see. He is smart, yet when he needs to be firm, he properly pushes his will through. So how could my sons catch my eye."
"Hah... I never imagined seeing this side of you. I will make some time to talk with him. Will that do?"
"Thank you."
"If you are thankful, try calling me older brother."
As Chairman Song spoke playfully, a faint smile hung on Chairman Cheon's lips.
While I was talking with Song Hyeon-su in the garden, Chairman Song's secretary came over.
"The chairmen are calling for you."
At the secretary's words, we ended our conversation.
"Alright, Mu-hyeok. Let's have a drink together next time."
"Yes, Brother. I hope we can have a time like this again next time."
After exchanging farewells with Song Hyeon-su, I followed the secretary back to the drawing room.
"Did you call for me."
When I entered the room, Chairman Song pointed to the sofa next to Grandfather.
"Yes, take a seat."
"Yes."
Once I sat down, Chairman Song just stared at me intently, whatever his thoughts were. It was an awkward time with no conversation. Chairman Song, who had only been looking at me like that for a long time, opened his mouth.
"Come to my house every Saturday starting next week."
"Pardon?"
"Chairman Cheon asked me for a favor. To give you advice on this and that."
I looked at Grandfather with a surprised face. But Grandfather's expression did not change at all. Chairman Song continued speaking in a calm voice.
"Whether we will keep meeting is something I will decide after we talk next time. No matter if it is Chairman Cheon's request, if it is not a beneficial time for me either, why would I bother meeting a young kid like you."
While silently listening to his words, I diligently racked my brain to guess what Grandfather's intentions were.
"The brain for studying and the brain for surviving in the world are different. I did not even graduate from elementary school. But is there anyone in this Republic of Korea who does not know my three-character name right now? You shouldn't think of the world's matters easily just because you have a smart head."
"Yes, I know."
I nodded my head without much to say. At that, Chairman Song added as if securing a promise.
"If you know, then that is fine. Still, since it is a favor Chairman Cheon personally came to ask by lifting his heavy bottom, I will meet you a few times. Try to satisfy me. Then you will also gain a lot of things."
"Yes."
Chairman Song looked at Chairman Cheon, who had been silently listening to the conversation.
"Chairman Cheon, will this do?"
"Thank you."
Chairman Song spoke to me in a slightly softened voice.
"When you come next time, I will also introduce you to my grandson. Since he is around your age, you guys will probably get along well. He was a senior in college, I think."
"If you mean Brother Hyeon-su, we already exchanged greetings earlier. I was looking at the trees in the garden, and he approached me, so we talked with each other."
"Oh? You already decided to be brothers? You know how to live in this world at such a young age. Chairman Cheon does not even know what you know."
Stopping mid-sentence, Chairman Song glanced over at Chairman Cheon. So he was a person who had this kind of side to him too. Even so, Grandfather was truly amazing for not changing a single facial expression.
Grandfather soon stood up from his seat.
"I will be getting up now. From next time, I will just send my grandson."
"Do that. And please pay some attention to the loan we promised. Lately... you know how it is too."
Ah...
It suddenly occurred to me that the current president had been quite anxious because of Chairman Song, who received 16.8% of the support in the presidential election. 'Did they say the banks were pressured so they couldn't issue loans, and harsh tax audits were conducted?' I left Chairman Song's house together with Grandfather and headed to Pyeongchang District.
Grandfather did not say a single word until we arrived home. It was only after we arrived home that he casually tossed a single remark at me.
"Learn a lot."
Then, he went into his study. I entered my room feeling confused. 'Did I... really know Grandfather properly?'
My mind was completely unsettled by Grandfather's actions, which were entirely different from before.
That evening.
The voice of the 9 o'clock news anchor delivered a report. - Early this morning, a certain Mr. Lee, a gangster boss who wielded influence nationwide while based in Busan, at the prison where he was incarcerated... 'It seems Mister has properly made up his mind. That is a relief.
Now I do not have to throw him away...'
< Chairman Song Yeong-ju and Song Hyeon-su > The End