Chapter 136: That Kid Only Grew Older Without Facing Hardship

“That kid just got older without any real struggles. He can manage okay when things are easy, but if the company faces a crisis, all he’ll do is panic and take it out on the people below him.”

Why are you so negative?

Lee Hak-jae guessed Chairman Jin’s intentions.

“Are you perhaps planning to remove him from the front lines of management?”

“Yes. If things get shaky, someone will try to take over, won’t they? I was thinking of finding a decent man then and turning her into an ordinary housewife. If she doesn’t want to remarry, I can give her a scholarship foundation and let her continue her outside activities.”

“And that ‘someone’ is surprisingly Oh Se-hyun.”

Lee Hak-jae carefully observed Chairman Jin’s expression.

Seeing a very slight smile appear and disappear on his face, he was convinced that he was happy about Jin Do-jun taking over.

“Oh Se-hyun is still the better option. I can buy it back with money. At least it didn’t end up in the Myeong-dong private loan market.”

While Chairman Jin was content and smugly smiling, the two vice-chairmen were dumbfounded by the report, as if struck by lightning.

* * *

“Welcome. Want to have some tea?”

“No tea. Is this about Seo-yoon?”

“Yes. So you’ve heard too.”

The 27th floor of the Soonyang Group’s main building was occupied by the two vice-chairmen, Jin Young-ki and Jin Dong-ki, and the Group Strategy Headquarters, which could be considered the brains of the group.

When Jin Dong-ki was promoted to vice-chairman, the entire floor was renovated. There’s a chairman’s office in the center, but since Chairman Jin rarely comes to work, it can be seen as a place for the two of them.

Jin Dong-ki was visiting his older brother Jin Young-ki’s office because of the summons. It was about that very matter.

“It’s not just you who has people planted over there, brother. I also have people who can pass on that kind of information.”

“Then you know about Oh Se-hyun too.”

“Of course.”

“That idiot finally messed things up. Did the money come in?”

“Same as you. Most of it’s been paid off.”

“I heard she even wants to cancel the contract for the mega-mart construction?”

“No official document yet. Just a phone call.”

After confirming the situation, both men simultaneously pulled out cigarettes.

She didn’t sell off the stocks. Not yet, anyway, since they hadn’t even acquired them.

But she absolutely shouldn’t do something stupid like using the controlling stake as collateral. Of course, she must have trusted her special relationship with Oh Se-hyun.

As the close friend of his younger brother Jin Yun-ki, he wouldn’t let her company be taken over as long as she paid off the debt and interest.

The reason the two men were just inhaling cigarette smoke without speaking was that they were completely out of control of the situation.

Even if their father had divided the inheritance, they never intended to just sit back and watch the spin-off.

They planned to restore everything to its original state when the opportunity and time came.

But the opportunity and time vanished like a migrating bird flying away.

“Dong-ki, I’ve been thinking… about Oh Se-hyun.”

“I’m listening. Tell me.”

“Doesn’t it seem like he’s acting on Father’s orders?”

“Oh Se-hyun and Father?”

“Yeah. Look at him handing over Soonyang Automobile to Miracle. No matter how desperate we were for dollars because of the IMF, he gave away too much. The automobile company and 17% of the group’s shares. It’s excessive.”

“What do you think Father’s instructions are?”

“I have a feeling he’s handing things over one by one for Do-jun’s share. This department store too. Would Oh Se-hyun, if he were in his right mind, use non-existent shares as collateral? If Father doesn’t give them to him? He’d just lose 400 billion won without any collateral.”

“Did he at least get a definite answer from Father that he’d hand over all the distribution stocks?”

“Yeah. And Father is planning to give all of the distribution business to Do-jun. Including the finance sector later on.”

Jin Dong-ki didn’t pay close attention to his older brother’s words.

If all of this is his father’s plan, there’s no way to reverse it. So, associating Oh Se-hyun with their father is pointless.

“If that’s the case? What are we going to do? It’s Father’s will. Is there a way? All we can do is watch helplessly as it goes into Do-jun’s hands.”

“We need to stop it, why would we just watch? I can’t stand seeing that little bastard nibbling away at Soonyang.”

“Stop it? How? Like last time, try to run him over with a car? A single truck won’t be enough this time, you know?”

Jin Dong-ki subtly provoked his older brother. Or… perhaps it was wishful thinking.

But contrary to his expectations, Jin Young-ki calmly stared at Jin Dong-ki.

“I thought it would be you, wouldn’t it? The most anxious person isn’t the one in first place, but the one in second. It’s hard enough to catch up, and there’s someone chasing from behind.”

Jin Young-ki went a step further than his younger brother.

“Try again before you get caught up. With Father or Do-jun.”

“Can I go now?”

Jin Dong-ki smirked and stood up.

“How much liquid capital does your company have?”

Jin Dong-ki frowned at his older brother’s unpredictable question.

“Oh Se-hyun is a Yeouido man. Let’s buy the collateral that Seo-yoon put up. They said it’s 400 billion won, so wouldn’t offering 500 billion won work? We’re paying an extra 100 billion won to get it back. If that bastard doesn’t hand it over… he’s acting on Father’s orders.”

For once, his older brother came up with a decent idea. He could definitely manage about 50 billion won.

“You make the offer, brother. If Oh Se-hyun accepts, I’ll prepare 50 billion won.”

“It feels like we’re finally working together again after a long time?”

Jin Young-ki smiled at his younger brother, but the younger brother didn’t even look at him as he spoke.

“There’s something else you haven’t considered, brother.”

“Our smart little brother, what do you want to say?”

“Have you considered that Oh Se-hyun might be Do-jun’s proxy?”

“What?”

Jin Young-ki thought he might have misheard. What nonsense…!

“Maybe Miracle is Do-jun’s company. And Oh Se-hyun is a professional manager.”

“How can you even say that now!”

“I want to believe it’s not true, but lately, this thought keeps coming to mind. You should think about it carefully too, brother. If Do-jun is the real owner of Miracle, most things make sense. Starting with why Father is so eager to hand over Soonyang to him.”

“Seriously…? Are you serious? That’s going too far.”

“I don’t want to believe it either, but the pieces fit. When we injected 1 billion dollars, wouldn’t just handing over the automobile company be enough? If Oh Se-hyun brought in foreign capital, why give him shares as well? Especially since it was just currency exchange.”

That part was the strangest for Jin Young-ki too. No matter how urgent the situation, giving away shares as well….

“Giving the financial sector to Do-jun too. He’s only twenty-two. What exactly has Do-jun shown him?”

It sounded absurd, but it kept making a disturbing amount of sense.

“Let’s keep the possibility open. Let’s get the department store back first.”

When a common enemy appears, even sworn enemies can join forces.

Perhaps brothers who used to bicker over their young nephew might join hands.

* * *

In March, heralding spring, when Hanaro Telecom launched Korea’s first commercial ADSL-based internet service, the world began to change.

PC bangs exploded in popularity, overwhelming the neighborhood arcades. Instead of putting coins in and pressing buttons, people were now immersed in the online worlds of Starcraft and MMORPGs, using mice and keyboards.

Finally, the ‘Korea Professional Game League,’ one of the small-scale offline tournaments, began, and the world’s first game broadcast aired on cable from the DCN studio provided by his father.

His father clicked his tongue in disbelief as he watched this, but he was stunned when he saw the viewership ratings.

The viewership ratings were higher than those of movies.

Many people paid close attention to these viewership ratings. They realized that games could be something to watch, not just something to play.

And high viewership ratings mean money.

People related to the gaming industry began to gather around his father.

High-speed internet service also ignited venture capital.

New Data Technology, whose main focus was internet communication, garnered significant public attention once again through extensive media play.

Experts knew how to promote this company, and as the company rose, so would its stock price.

“How much are you going to invest?”

“About 3 billion won for the company seems appropriate. Since the company’s size is small, investing more would be burdensome. Let’s do it discreetly.”

Oh Se-hyun finished his calculations in an instant.

“If the initial public offering price is 1,500 won, that’s 2 million shares. If we sell them when they hit 50,000 won, we’ll have 100 billion won.”

“You’ll save some of the money you lent your aunt.”

Not some. I plan to sell them when they reach 200,000 won. Then it’ll be exactly 400 billion won. It’ll be a perfect match.

Oh Se-hyun’s eyes sparkled even more.

“Don’t you plan to make any personal investments?”

“Let’s do it discreetly. 300 million won?”

“How about 500 million won?”

“Sure.”

While Oh Se-hyun was happily contemplating how much 500 million won would grow, someone knocked on the office door.

“Oh? Uncle?”

“Do-jun. How have you been?”

The third son, Jin Sang-ki, had suddenly come to visit. Why would someone who usually manages the foundation come here? This question quickly disappeared.

He must have been sent by Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki.

“Have you two met before? This is my third uncle, Chairman of the Board Jin Sang-ki. And this is Representative Oh Se-hyun.”

The two exchanged business cards and awkward greetings.

The awkwardness continued even after the introductions. Oh Se-hyun was the first to speak to Jin Sang-ki, who was just looking around the office.

“What brings you here?”

“Ah, I have a favor to ask.”

“Uncle, please speak comfortably.”

When I also asked about his business, my uncle cleared his throat.

“Ahem, ahem. Representative Oh. Since you’re my younger brother’s friend, I’ll speak frankly.”

“Yes, please do.”

“It’s not about anything else, but I heard that our younger sister made a big mistake, and we need to rectify it.”

The corners of Oh Se-hyun’s mouth turned up.

It felt like he was mocking our family, and my face flushed for no reason.

“Rectify a mistake? That seems like a personal matter… Can I be of assistance?”

“Only Representative Oh can help.”

Jin Sang-ki paused for a moment before getting to the point.

“We will buy back the shares that were used as collateral. Our sister, who’s old enough, was too hasty in handing over the family’s assets. As you know, it’s not like we’re a poor family.”

“I’m just a businessman, aren’t I? If the price is right, there’s nothing I can’t sell.”

My uncle, misunderstanding his positive response, looked bright.

“Indeed, you’re a man of your word. Good, good. Then tell me the price. Haha.”

“Aren’t you the one who said you would buy them first, Chairman of the Board?”

“Ah, right.”

Jin Sang-ki began to cautiously observe Oh Se-hyun.

If you’re just here to run an errand, just do it. There’s no point in a messenger with no authority trying to act like this.

“Since we’re buying our own things back, we’ll add a little extra… 450 billion won.”

“I did say if the price is right.”

“Is it not enough?”

“No. Not even close.”

The smile disappeared from Oh Se-hyun’s face, and my uncle, who had been so relaxed until now, seemed flustered.

“This must be a very big deal for you.”

“Yes. We have a rule to make at least ten times the profit on anything we buy. Otherwise, we don’t even start.”

“W-what? Ten times?”

Oh Se-hyun drove the nail in the coffin for my uncle, who had a bewildered expression beyond just being flustered.

“Don’t even think about negotiating. Not a single won less than ten times the amount.”

Even an oblivious uncle would know what this meant.

“Even if you swallow that, you won’t be able to digest it. You’ll get indigestion if you try to take over Soonyang.”

The two men began to glare sharply at each other.