Chapter 173: What Exactly Are You?

“What the hell are you? The president of the company just stands there twiddling his thumbs while rumors of our company’s sale circulate? Is that how a president should act?!”

“I-I’m sorry.”

Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki, his glare still fixed on the continuously bowing Lee Min-seop, addressed Chief of Staff Baek Jun-hyuk.

“Baek, get the media under control right now. Take down all the online articles and make sure this story doesn’t get repeated anywhere else.”

“Yes, Vice-chairman.”

Baek Jun-hyuk immediately stood up and rushed out. It was still early morning, so the news shouldn’t have spread too far yet. The faster he moved, the easier it would be to manage.

“President Lee Min-seop.”

Unlike his older brother, Jin Dong-ki remained calm.

“As you watched Chief of Staff Baek rush out, didn’t anything occur to you?”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

Lee Min-seop cautiously began to eye Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki with an uneasy gaze.

“If it were me, I’d hold a press conference right now to deny the rumors of Soonyang Card’s sale as baseless. You seem awfully relaxed, President.”

“If you don’t want to see the stock price plummet, get it together right now! What are you waiting for?!”

Under the barrage of criticism from the two vice-chairmen, President Lee Min-seop also scrambled out of the room.

Soonyang Life Insurance’s President Yang Woo-chan and Soonyang Securities’ President Ko In-kyu had no choice but to remain in their seats, their minds filled with unease due to the two vice-chairmen’s sharp words.

“President Yang, President Ko.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

The two men’s gazes turned towards Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki.

“Assuming Soonyang Card is sold, acquiring the shares held by your two companies would be enough, right?”

“Soonyang Electronics and Soonyang Heavy Industries also hold some of our life insurance shares, right? So, it depends on who the buyer is.”

“Calculate the minimum price based on the current stock market. Also, calculate the maximum based on the stock prices from the past three months.”

“Dong-ki, you…!”

“Hyung-nim, Do-jun will definitely sell it off.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“A credit card company isn’t some small corner store. Do you think he made this decision on his own? He definitely consulted with Oh Se-hyun from Miracle. He’ll either use the proceeds from the sale to invest elsewhere or as funds to acquire a company that Miracle needs.”

Jin Dong-ki’s opinion was met with groans of dismay.

After a moment of silence, Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki spoke.

“You two, calculate the acquisition price, and President Yang,”

“Yes.”

“Meet with Executive Director Jang Do-hyung. We need to know why things have gotten this far and exactly what Do-jun is thinking.”

“Understood, Vice-chairman.”

“Well, you’ll have your work cut out for you, cleaning up after our young nephew’s mess.”

As the two presidents left to handle the situation, only the brothers remained.

Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and casually offered it to his brother.

“Still haven’t quit?”

“Started again.”

“Why?”

“Things just turned out that way. Is it okay?”

Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki frowned and waved his hand dismissively. As Jin Dong-ki lit his cigarette, Jin Young-ki pressed the intercom button.

“Bring me an ashtray.”

Jin Dong-ki exhaled a long stream of cigarette smoke and chuckled hollowly.

“Do-jun never caused any trouble until he graduated college. The kid who never even had a typical girlfriend problem is now hitting it all at once.”

“This is far more than just girls or drinks. He’s trying to sell off a company. I’m speechless.”

“What are you going to do? You’re not just going to watch, are you? Are you going to acquire it?”

“What about you?”

“I’ll have to run the numbers. I’m not exactly flush with cash to acquire a card company.”

“Stay out of it. I’ll handle it.”

Jin Dong-ki, annoyed by his brother’s command, stubbed out his cigarette.

“It’s something my nephew dropped. If the numbers make sense, there’s no reason for me to stay out of it.”

“If we fight over it, it’ll only benefit Do-jun.”

“Do you think we’re the only ones interested? Daehyun Group, and all the others who haven’t entered the card business yet, will be swarming like bees. The financial sector will be watching too. This isn’t a fight that will end just because we come to an agreement.”

Jin Dong-ki showed his unwavering resolve and stood up. He planned to quickly run the numbers and then try to appease Do-jun, the eye of the storm.

He still had Jin Yun-ki on his side, who was favorably disposed towards him.

Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki glared at his departing younger brother’s back, grinding his teeth.

* * *

Chairman Jin held the back of his neck for a long time, his eyes closed.

Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae, who had been anxiously observing him, cautiously spoke.

“Chairman, are you alright? Shall I call the family doctor?”

“Leave it. It’s not my body that hurts, it’s my head.”

Chairman Jin took a gulp of cold water and then sat upright in his chair.

“Did that kid leak this? Or are the reporters just making things up?”

“He leaked it. Executive Director Jang Do-hyung had drinks with some reporters last night. It’s definitely him.”

“Did Executive Director Jang encourage Do-jun to do this?”

“I doubt it. You know what kind of kid Do-jun is. Jang Do-hyung is probably already acting as Do-jun’s puppet.”

“True… Who could possibly sway that kid? Do-jun’s the one who’s good at persuading others.”

That’s why his head was throbbing even more.

This was his grandson who had grown up without ever causing a single disappointment. There must be a reason for him doing something like this, but it wasn’t easy to call him in and ask.

Handing something over also meant no longer interfering.

Relinquishing the throne and acting as the retired king only fuels confusion. Even if it’s shaky, it’s right to watch and let the new king establish himself.

“What should we do?”

“What is there to do?”

“We could readjust the card company’s shareholding before it’s too late.”

Chairman Jin’s gaze towards Lee Hak-jae turned pitiful.

“If we could readjust it that easily, wouldn’t that mean I messed up the succession plan?”

“No, sir. I still have Do-jun’s seal. Even if it’s not all the shares, transferring just a small portion would make the sale impossible.”

A burst of air escaped Chairman Jin’s lips.

“Hah! This fellow still doesn’t know Do-jun well.”

“Sir?”

“Go to the community center and check. Did you think Do-jun would just let you hold onto his seal? He’s probably already changed it.”

“N-No way…?”

Lee Hak-jae gaped at Chairman Jin, who clicked his tongue.

“That kid… he’s meticulous. He’s not the type to entrust his things to others, nor is he the type to hand them over. So, I’m the one who’s strange. Selling off a valuable company as soon as he gets his hands on it… That’s odd.”

Lee Hak-jae cautiously spoke to Chairman Jin, who was still tilting his head in confusion.

“Could he be planning a big deal with Daehyun Group?”

“Daehyun?”

“Yes. The newspaper article mentioned that Daehyun would welcome it. That’s not wrong. If he offers Soonyang Card, Daehyun will come running with loads of cash.”

“It’s not Daehyun. Don’t worry about it.”

“That’s not the only possibility, Chairman. Could Do-jun be considering Miracle? If he offers one of Daehyun Automobile’ subsidiaries as bait, handing over the card company would be natural…”

“No. Don’t you know Chairman Joo of Daehyun is on his last legs? They say he can’t even recognize people anymore. What will happen when that old man passes away? His children will start an all-out inheritance war. Why would they waste money on something else? They wouldn’t have enough even if they poured it all into buying Daehyun’s own shares….”

“Ah…….”

Lee Hak-jae almost slapped his knee. The second generation’s fight for inheritance.

This family isn’t any different from theirs.

In some ways, Daehyun Group might be even worse. Daehyun not only has children but also Chairman Joo Young-il’s brothers and nephews, who could be considered founding members.

Daehyun Group was built by over twenty men who bet their lives on it.

The only way to get more is to secure more shares. They need an enormous amount of cash, so they don’t have the luxury to look elsewhere.

Since there was no risk of it going to an outside party, Lee Hak-jae breathed a sigh of relief.

“Chairman, why don’t you call Do-jun for lunch? It wouldn’t hurt to ask him casually. It’s not like you’re interfering with his management, and there’s no need to be so cautious, I think.”

“Is that so? Well, having a meal together….”

As if he had been waiting for those words, Chairman Jin picked up the receiver.

“Do-jun? Come to the house right now. Ah, no. It’s been a while, so let’s meet outside. It’s chilly, so how about we have lunch with some hot soup?”

* * *

“How is it? The sundae soup at this place has been the same for over 30 years. It’s a good thing that some things don’t change with time. Don’t you think?”

“Yes, it’s delicious.”

He must have seen the articles, but he keeps changing the subject.

“Young kids wouldn’t know this deep flavor.”

“It is delicious. Everyone, young and old, likes good food.”

“Goodness, why are you suddenly raising your voice?”

“Grandfather, don’t worry. Soonyang Group will remain unchanged even after 30 years.”

“Is that true?”

The grandfather, who had been making satisfied noises while eating his soup like any other old man, abruptly put down his spoon.

“Yes. It will only get bigger, not smaller. Honestly, you’re feeling uneasy right now, aren’t you?”

“What?”

“You’re wondering if this grandson of yours is really going to sell off the card company.”

“Is the article just fiction?”

His grandfather’s voice was very low.

“No, sir. I leaked it. And you probably already know that.”

“Who? Your uncles?”

“Yes, sir.”

His grandfather picked up his chopsticks again and put some kimchi in his mouth.

“Nicely fermented, this one. Haha.”

After swallowing the kimchi, his grandfather’s expression had softened.

“I’ve never liked the idea of credit cards, which are no different from loan sharking. But remember, whether the money is earned from loans or fees, money has no name tag. That money could be choking you. I hear the card company is making quite a bit of money.”

“Since it’s a highly profitable company, my uncles will buy it at a high price, right? Won’t they?”

His grandfather shook his head.

“I can never figure out what’s going on in that head of yours…. Tch.”

“The runaway cow will return leading several cows.”

“May you be caught and eaten, leaving only your bones behind. I hope you suffer a bit, you rascal. Haha.”

That won’t happen.

The runaway cow will return carrying a treasure chest called Soonyang Group shares on its cart.

* * *

“Are you still just going to watch?”

Jin Dong-ki tossed the newspaper onto his younger brother’s desk.

“Why are you barging in here again?”

Jin Yun-ki picked up the newspaper and began searching for the reason behind his brother’s grim expression. His own face hardened when he found the headline about the Soonyang Card sale rumors.

“Is this true? Or is it just fiction?”

“Do-jun is the one spreading it. Don’t you get it?”

“Why would Do-jun do that?”

“You’ll have to ask Do-jun that. And then tell me what he says.”

“What are you talking about? Make some sense!”

Seeing his usually composed brother so agitated, Jin Dong-ki was taken aback but figured his brother had also realized the gravity of the situation.

“No matter how smart Do-jun is, he’s still a kid. The card business has some inherent risks, so he’s probably feeling insecure and wants to get rid of it.”

“According to the article, it’s Daehyun?”

Jin Yun-ki held up the newspaper.

“No. Isn’t this a message to me and Young-ki hyung? He’s even threatening to sell it elsewhere if we don’t buy it at a high price.”

Jin Yun-ki remained silent, clutching the newspaper.

When he finally spoke, his words were unexpected.

“Okay. I’ll meet with Do-jun. And I’ll tell you everything he says. How about dinner tonight, hyung? Are you free?”

“What?”

“No, you absolutely have to make time. Let’s have a drink over dinner.”

“Hey! What’s with the….”

Jin Yun-ki raised his hand to stop Jin Dong-ki from speaking and pulled out his cell phone.

“Young-ki hyung. I know you’re busy, but please make some time for dinner. I’ll take care of the card company issue, so please come. Of course, Dong-ki hyung will be there too. I’ll make a reservation at Soonyang Hotel’s Japanese restaurant. 8 PM.”

After ending the call, Jin Yun-ki looked at Jin Dong-ki and said.

“You heard it too, right? 8 PM. Don’t be late.”

It was a unilateral decision, but there was no arguing. He couldn’t skip it, nor could he be late. Who knew what his brothers might discuss in his absence?

“Alright. See you tonight.”

As Jin Dong-ki stormed out, Jin Yun-ki let out a long sigh of relief, as if the tension had finally left him.

“Whew—acting is really a job for actors. It’s harder than I thought.”

He recited the lines according to the script his son had written. The premiere is tonight at 8 PM. I wonder if it will be a hit….”