Chapter 311: It Seems Like Good Tea

However, for a moment, my interest waned as I watched Kim Ji-soo, who was trembling with his head down.

I turned to Seo Eun-sam, who looked bewildered beside him, and said,

“If you feel affected in any way because of me, please let me know. If there’s a large company you like, feel free to talk to your supervisor at any time…”

I looked over at Yoo Sung-jin. Seeing him standing there blankly, I doubted I could leave things to him.

As I pondered who to entrust this to, my gaze met Lim Hwa-soo’s.

“Director Lim Hwa-soo?”

“Yes.”

“That employee seems to be most comfortable speaking with you, Director Lim. Right?”

“That’s correct.”

It might be overstepping, but it wouldn’t be right if my joke disrupted her.

Besides, no matter how well I explained, people’s glares would be unkind.

It would be fortunate if she didn’t get badmouthed by other employees for being a whistleblower against her boss.

“Make sure to provide enough compensation to Seo Eun-sam. If necessary, arrange a few meetings with her. After that, she can decide which company she wants to join. When everything is settled, contact Manager Ma for me.”

I extended my hand toward the direction where Manager Ma was standing, and he naturally handed me a business card.

The black card had no name on it, just a single phone number.

I handed the card to Lim Hwa-soo.

“Please contact me here.”

Lim Hwa-soo accepted the card ad bowed his head.

Now, I had no business left in the lobby. I turned away from Kim Ji-soo and Seo Eun-sam.

“Let’s head up now.”

I got into the elevator with Yoo Sung-jin.

However, aside from me, Manager Ma, and Yoo Sung-jin, no one else entered the elevator.

“Is Director Kang and Manager Lim not coming up?”

“I’ll take another one.”

“Just get on. Don’t be so troublesome.”

Having only seen bad manners, Yoo Sung-jin glanced at me and said.

“Get in quickly.”

“Yes.”

As soon as Yoo Sung-jin’s words finished, Kang Jun-woo and Lim Hwa-soo entered the elevato together.

Watching the slow rise of the numbers, I spoke up.

“Chairman Yoo.”

“Yes, Boss.”

“It seems the training for the organization members is going well, but we need to pay more attention to the training for the general employees.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m not asking for an apology.”

“General employees are also part of the Heavenly Group. I’ll make sure to pay more attention.”

Just as I nodded, the elevator arrived at the floor where the conference room was located.

“Don’t accept any calls. Also, prepare the Pu-erh tea we received this time and bring it over.”

Before entering the conference room, Yoo Sung-jin spoke to the secretary in front of him and opened the conference room door.

Once inside, we naturally took our seats.

As I sat in the main seat, Lim Hwa-soo’s eyes flickered. Een if he realized it, it would be hard for him to accept that I was the real master.

I couldn’t help but chuckle, as it seemed he still didn’t quite grasp the situation.

After Yoo Sung-jin settled on my left, Kang Jun-woo and Lim Hwa-soo took their places o my right.

“I’m sorry for coming here without notice today. I have something to convey and give you, but I know I should have contacted you first, yet I wanted to come without any prior notice. Is that a problem?”

“Not at all. It’s fine.”

“Thanks to you, I got to see something interesting. It might have been even more entertaining if Director Kang hadn’t showed up.”

At my words, Yoo Sung-jin’s expression subtly shifted. He must be weighing whether I’m being bold or just lacking in fear.

“…What were you thinking coming here if you might get hurt?”

“Chairman Yoo seems really worried. I’m not likely to get hurt this time.”

“Our kids are quite reckless. They try to pull their punches, but after living through many fights for a long time, they find it hard to restrain themselves in a short period.”

As Yoo Sung-jin mentioned, there was an unavoidable swagger typical of gangsters present in his appearance and actions.

Still, it was clear they were trying to be polite, showing their effort.

While I appreciated their efforts, they ultimately couldn’t hold back. I smiled and shifted my gaze towards Kang Jun-woo and Lim Hwa-soo.

“You were called Lim Hwa-soo, right?”

“Yes, indeed.”

“You could have held out a bit longer.”

“…”

If he had held out a bit longer, Kang Jun-woo would have come along.

Lim Hwa-soo could only look at oo Sung-jin, unable to say a word. I offered him a wider smile.

“You don’t understand the situation, do you?”

“…Honestly, that’s correct.”

“Think of it simply. Chairman Yoo and I are comrades in the same boat. Right, Chairman Yoo?”

Chairman Yoo nodded in agreement.

“I called you here to praise you, so no need to be so cautious. Once we finish dealing with that Ji-soo or Ji-won person, let’s arrange a meal together with Chairman Yoo.”

“Yes, thank you.”

I nodded at Chairman Yoo, who seemed to catch my signal and spoke to Lim Hwa-soo.

“Make sure to wrap up today’s matter tightly, and be aware that our children need to keep their mouths shut. Additionally, provide sufficient compensation to those injured.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Alright, you can go now.”

“Then, please enjoy your conversation.”

Lim Hwa-soo bowed and turned toleave the conference room.

Watching the door close behind him, I resumed speaking.

“I came here today because there’s something important to discuss.”

“Are you speaking of something important?”

A look of confusion crossed Yoo Sung-jin’s face.

From his expression, it seemed he was unaware of the incident that happened in Myeong-dong.

“Chairman, the tea is ready.”

“Come in.”

As the door opened, Yoo Sung-jin’s secretary entered with a pot of tea and tea cups.

Yoo Sung-jin placed a cup in front of me and poured tea from the pot.

“I received this as a gift. They say it’s hard to find even in China.”

Listening to his explanation, I raised the cup filled with Pu-erh tea to savor its aroma.

“This tea truly seems to be excellent.”

“Haha, it’s a gift from a good friend in China.”

After taking a sip of the Pu-erh tea, I continued speaking. Speaking of which, China.

“It’s nice. It reminds me of a Pu-erh tea I received as a gift before. But aren’t you currently at war with the mafia? Having friends in China is surprising?”

“Not every mafia organization is fighting against us. There are specific mafia groups I’ve known since long ago, ones that are uninterested in the Korean market at all.”

A mafia group that has no interest in Korea. I put down my teacup and replied.

“No interest? You seem quite close, then.”

“They’re originally Chinese residing in Busan. We became friends in Busan. His father called him back to China, and when he returned to Korea, he had already become a mafia official. I was still in school at the time.”

“Does Dong-soo recognize him?”

Both Yoo Sung-jin and Kang Jun-woo poured tea into their cups and raised them.

After taking a sip, Yoo Sung-jin nodded and responded.

“Yes, he came to the funeral home. After that, he visited me in prison, and we have maintained our connection since then.”

“I see.”

“By the way, I also had something to mention regarding the mafia. Although it’s not certain yet, I felt you should know about it.”

I had been entirely uninvolved in the war between the mafia and the Heavenly Group.

However, hearing there was something to report piqued my interest. I put down my cup and asked.

“What is it that you want to discuss with me? You know I usually avoid meddling in Chairman Yoo’s affairs.”

“I know. But the issue is quite significant…”

“Why are you being so evasive then?”

“The mafia organization fighting us in Korea is the Heavenly Dragon Society, based in Tianjin.”

The term mafia in China doesn’t refer to a single criminal organization but rather suggests an underground world.

With a vast territory and a large population, numerous crime organizations were born.

They intertwined with Chinese emigrants spread across the globe, establishing roots in the underworlds worldwide.

So foundational was their establishment that even the New York mafia wouldn’t trespass into a Chinatown run by Chinese gangs.

But greedy Chinese wouldn’t confine themselves to just Chinatown.

As they expanded their reach, wars were bound to erupt with the local crime organizations that originally occupied those territories.

In Korea, they too expanded their influence, ultimately leading to open conflict with the Heavenly Group.

“My friend Wang Wei, whom I just mentioned, has asked for mediation from the Heavenly Dragon Society.”

“They’re requesting mediation?”

“Yes. They suggested we meet to discuss the details, and the Vice-Chairman has contacted us about visiting Korea in person. Since then, there hasn’t been an incident involving the Heavenly Dragon Society attacking our establishments or personnel. More precisely, there’s been no activity outside of Chinatown.”

“Hmm…”

I stroked my chin, falling into thought.

‘A mafia organization requested mediation? This smells fishy…’

Chinese people generally don’t bow their heads easily.

To them, face is more important than life.

“What are their conditions?”

“I haven’t received detailed conditions yet. I wasn’t sure if it would result in a ceasefire or not, and I wanted to check their conditions before informing you. Since you reached out to me, I figured it’s best to let you know.”

“I see. Got it. So when do you plan to meet? Did you make an appointment?”

“We’ve arranged to meet next Saturday in Seoul.”

Though a week remained, it wasn’t much time when considering an inter-organizational meeting.

“Does that friend, Wang Wei, also plan to attend?”

“He’s supposed to arrive a day earlier to discuss various matters, so I believe we will know the reasons by then.”

“What’s Chairman Yoo’s viewpoint on this?”

I was curious about the intentions of the Heavenly Dragon Society, but more than that, I wanted to know Yoo Sung-jin’s thoughts.

After hesitating for a moment, Yoo Sung-jin spoke firmly.

“To be honest, if the mediation proposal looks okay, I’d like to proceed with it.”

“Really? Well then, let Chairman Yoo take the lead and simply inform me of the outcome.”

“Yes?”

Yoo Sung-jin, who looked visibly taken aback by my words, replied.

“Is there a problem?”

“Doesn’t Chairman Yoo have any instructions?”

“Isn’t this your matter, Chairman Yoo? There’s no need for me to meddle and complicate things. However, ensure there is absolutely no domestic drug distribution by foreign organizations. I mentioned this before, but it’s essential for Chairman Yoo to firmly keep a hold of it.”

If we couldn’t eradicate drugs, it was better to have a firm grip on them.

Besides, it would also serve as a good funding source for the Heavenly Group.

“Do you think they would accept that condition? The mafia organizations in Southeast Asia accepted the mediation proposal and came under our wing, but the Chinese organizations are an entirely different matter. Isn’t drug dealing the most lucrative business?”

“If they would permit that, would I have advised Chairman Yoo to wage war against them? Why? Is it hard? If it’s too much, feel free to say so at any time.”

“No, it’s not hard.”

I shifted my gaze from Yoo Sung-jin back to Kang Jun-woo.

“Currently, Director Kang is leading the war, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“How is it going?”

“No issues at all.”

“Really, no problems at all?”

“None at all.”

Kang Jun-woo’s eyes revealed no deceit. I offered a gentle smile, then directed my gaze back to Yoo Sung-jin.

“Then that’s fine. You mentioned Heavenly Dragon Society, right? Make sure to emphasize that illegal drug distribution in the country is unacceptable. The advantageous position lies with Chairman Yoo.”

“Understood.”

“Then let’s hold off on this discussion until we meet. The reason I came to see you today is to deliver this.”

I signaled to Manager Ma, who placed the bag he was holding on the table.

“You know Noh Ik-seon, right?””

“Yes, I know him.”

“Open the bag and have a look.”

Yoo Sung-jin opened the bag and looked between it and me.

“What is all this?”

Inside the bag I handed him were loan documents and other materials taken from Noh Ik-seon’s office..

“Noh Ik-seon has been secretly eengaging in illegal loans without my knowledge. I just found out this time, do you happen to know about it?”

Although I directed the question to Yoo Sung-jin, my gaze scrutinized Kang Jun-woo.