Chapter 183: Pretending to be Relaxed Won’t Change Who You Are.

Pretending to be relaxed won’t change who you are.

You’ll just be playing a supporting role and going home empty-handed… I almost feel sorry for you.

“Since we’ve established a familial bond, consider it an uncle’s allowance for his nephew and be generous,” I suggested.

“Oh, you’re thinking of selling? To someone outside the family like me?”

“When it comes to business, blood relations don’t matter. If I can get a higher price, I wouldn’t even discriminate based on skin color.”

I watched Joo Kwang-shik’s expression, probing for a weakness.

“By the way, do you have sufficient funds to acquire our card company?”

“Nephew, a merchant doesn’t need to worry about the customer’s wallet.”

“As long as you get paid, right?”

“Exactly. As long as it’s not an IOU, I don’t care where the money comes from.”

“I’m just saying, it might not come through, so I’m worried.”

“Why would my dear nephew think that?”

Joo Kwang-shik scrutinized my expression, as if trying to see through me.

How much should I reveal?

Could I tell him that his eldest brother, Chairman Joo Tae-shik, was ruthlessly expanding his wealth using the automobile business as a foundation? Could I tell him how shocked he’d be to learn that his brothers would be systematically stripped of their companies, left with only a couple of insignificant subsidiaries thrown to them as charity?

No, he wouldn’t believe it even if I told him now. Every brother in the Joo family believed he was the one destined to succeed their father as the CEO of Daehyun Group.

“Anyone with a bit of foresight can see it, can’t they? That the war will be fought with money instead of bullets.”

“War, you say….”

“The media, always eager to report, is already buzzing about it. They’re calling it the ‘war of the princes,’ aren’t they?”

“You think I don’t have the luxury to look elsewhere. Heh.”

Joo Kwang-shik’s bitter smile spoke volumes. His goal was different.

Knowing he couldn’t have all of Daehyun, perhaps he’d changed his strategy to securing what he already had.

Things were getting interesting.

In the original timeline, Joo Kwang-shik recklessly invested in acquiring Daehyun Group shares, ultimately squandering all the financial affiliates he’d inherited.

Subsequently, Daehyun’s scattered financial companies were mostly absorbed by other major corporations, leaving only the newly established financial arm of Daehyun Automobile.

If Joo Kwang-shik no longer coveted more and focused solely on protecting his own assets, how would the future change?

“If you have the financial leeway to acquire Soonyang Card, doesn’t that imply you’re withdrawing from the war…? Am I right?”

“Looks like I’m revealing all my secrets to a nephew I just met today. Your intuition is truly remarkable. There’s a good reason why you’re favored by Chairman Jin.”

Joo Kwang-shik grinned at me and suddenly extended his hand.

“I shouldn’t be away from the mourning hall for too long, it’s not proper etiquette. But make no mistake, I’m making an offer. Don’t forget to include me in the list of potential acquirers for Soonyang Card. Okay?”

Without really agreeing, I found myself shaking his hand, which he squeezed a bit too enthusiastically.

In that instant, I felt a subtle yet strange sense of incongruity.

It wasn’t simple. Something more complex was hidden beneath the surface.

I couldn’t shake off the feeling and frowned slightly, but Joo Kwang-shik didn’t notice, as he had already turned away to survey his surroundings.

Returning to where Grandfather was, it didn’t seem like the line of people waiting for a moment to speak with him had shortened. I briefly considered whether I should leave or chase away the crowd surrounding him.

But Grandfather spotted me and waved his hand enthusiastically, leaving me with no choice.

The person speaking with Grandfather noticed me and subtly stood up.

“Thank you for your valuable insights. Then….”

Since there wouldn’t be another opportunity to meet with Grandfather until I left again, everyone eagerly waiting for their turn must have been disappointed.

“So, what did he say?”

“He asked to be included in the acquisition of Soonyang Card.”

“Joo Kwang-shik did? He actually said that?”

“Yes.”

“And you? What did you say?”

“He left without waiting for my answer.”

“Really? Then what do you think? If Joo Kwang-shik offers the best terms, will you hand it over?”

I gently waved my hand at Grandfather’s worried question.

“As I mentioned before, we’re expanding Soonyang’s presence, not shrinking it. One of my two uncles will acquire Soonyang Card.”

“Haha, looks like Joo Kwang-shik is barking up the wrong tree.”

I shook my head at Grandfather’s relieved chuckle.

“No. I think he achieved his goal.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

“He probably has no intention of acquiring Soonyang Card. He might have used me to create that impression.”

“Pretended?”

“It seems he wants the rumor to spread that Chairman Joo Kwang-shik is entering the race for Soonyang Card. A feint, if you will.”

“A feint? Why? He has nothing to gain by trying to shake you up, does he?”

“His goal isn’t to shake me, but to reassure his brothers, especially Chairman Joo Tae-shik, wouldn’t you agree?”

Grandfather blinked a few times before clicking his tongue.

“Goodness, the infighting in that family is something else. Tsk, tsk.”

Pouring all their assets into acquiring outside companies.

Grandfather quickly understood that it was a signal that he wouldn’t be involved in the internal power struggles of Daehyun.

“You’re quite sharp, aren’t you? How did you figure that out?”

“There are eyes everywhere. Yet, he deliberately sought me out and called me over. Even the exaggerated handshake… it’s no different from an advertisement. The head of Daehyun’s financial sector met with the heir of Soonyang’s financial affiliate. He desperately wants that fact to reach someone’s ears.”

“That’s right. It’s not like there aren’t other ways to convey his intentions discreetly.”

“Acquiring Soonyang Card implies he has no intention of buying shares in other Daehyun Group affiliates, doesn’t it?”

“Do you think that will be enough to reassure Chairman Joo Tae-shik?”

“It might not be a perfect smokescreen, but it will buy him some time. He’ll definitely drag out the negotiations with me and spread the rumors widely. In the meantime, he’ll be secretly securing his control over Daehyun Group’s shares and building his power base.”

Grandfather wore a satisfied smile, which seemed out of place at a funeral.

“Then shall we see our grandson’s insight in action?”

“What…?”

“Who will ultimately become the chairman of the unified Daehyun Group? Not the fragmented Daehyun we see now.”

“You believe they will merge again.”

“Rivers may split and meander on their journey, but they eventually join the ocean. It’s only a matter of time.”

“Right now, Daehyun Automobile seems the most likely. It’s the largest and carries Daehyun’s symbolic weight.”

“Aren’t construction and shipbuilding also symbols of Daehyun?”

“Being the eldest son is also a significant advantage. Look over there.”

I gestured towards the funeral hall.

Chairman Joo Tae-shik was politely greeting the Speaker of the National Assembly, surrounded by his entourage.

“This is a family funeral. The eldest son is the one receiving the honored guests. The real reason for holding a family funeral, rather than a business magnate’s funeral, is to firmly establish himself as the successor in the eyes of these VIPs.”

In reality, for someone of Chairman Joo Young-il’s stature, a business magnate’s funeral would be more fitting.

If they had opted for a business magnate’s funeral, the funeral committee would have been formed first by the Federation of Korean Industries, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea International Trade Association, the Korea Federation of SMEs, and the Korea Employers Federation – the five major economic organizations.

This funeral committee would oversee the entire funeral, and the media would focus solely on the committee and its chairman’s actions and announcements.

The deceased’s prestige would be elevated, but the eldest son would not be the center of attention.

Chairman Joo Tae-shik undoubtedly considered all of this when he insisted on a family funeral.

Grandfather stared at my mouth, looking utterly dumbfounded.

“What kind of person are you, really?”

“Pardon?”

“You know, even though your deceased father should be sent off by his family with pure hearts… to think everything is driven by such meticulous calculations….”

“Grandfather, the funeral is tomorrow. Today is the last night we spend with our deceased father. Yet, his own son calls me, someone he barely knows, to engage in deceptive tactics. I don’t believe they possess even a shred of pure intentions.”

My firm words silenced Grandfather for a moment. He was probably reminded of Chairman Joo Young-il’s funeral overlapping with his own.

When he spoke again, it was with an unexpected question.

“What are your plans?”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“My funeral. Will it be a family affair? Or will you hold a grand social event to undermine your uncle, the eldest son?”

“That’s for the elders of the family to decide. As the lowest in the family hierarchy, all I can do is abide by their decision.”

“So, you’ll just do as the adults tell you, even if it goes against your own wishes?”

Thinking about it, my words were perfectly realistic and even reasonable. Funerals are the responsibility of the children, not the grandchildren.

But perhaps the older one gets, the more they revert to being like children? He understood logically, but he seemed upset and disappointed by my passive stance.

“My body will follow the adults’ instructions, but my heart will follow my own will.”

“What? Are you playing with words? Fine, what is your will then?”

People were craning their necks, eavesdropping on our conversation. Fortunately, neither Grandfather nor I had raised our voices, and as if by agreement, there were no mourners seated too close to us.

“Grandfather’s burial site is in the Soonyang Arts Center Park in Yongin, right? Since Grandfather personally chose that auspicious spot, no one will be able to change it.”

“What are you getting at?”

“I will visit your gravesite every morning for the next three years without fail to pay my respects. While my heart wishes to build a hut and observe the three-year mourning period, I cannot neglect the affiliate you entrusted to me. My morning visits will have to suffice.”

I was certain he was touched, but he tried hard not to show it.

“Honestly, the way you string together those sweet words is remarkable. Do you practice them regularly?”

Grandfather pouted like a grumpy old man, but his eyes were smiling brightly.

“Really, is that how you perceive my sincerity?”

“Quiet.”

After a brief outburst, his voice returned to its calm tone.

“Do you think you’ll just goof off after I’m gone? A fellow who values every second talking about three years of daily visits… if you think of it, stop by and tell me how the world is turning.”

He always said that after death, one returns to complete nothingness. But seeing him wanting me to remember his resting place and visit often, it seemed like he feared loneliness.

“Let’s get up. My body isn’t what it used to be.”

“Are you going home?”

“I wanted to keep Chairman Joo company for the night….”

“Yes, please rest at home. Even for a young person like me, staying up all night is tough.”

“I suppose so. I’ll come back tomorrow to see the old man off.”

As Grandfather stood up, people rushed over from all directions.

He mostly ignored them, only exchanging greetings with the chief mourner, Chairman Joo Tae-shik, and his brothers.

“See you tomorrow. I’ve grown too old to even attend a friend’s final farewell. Haha.”

“No, Chairman. Your presence alone is more than we could ask for.”

Grandfather shook hands with them one by one. When he reached Joo Kwang-shik, the sixth son, he locked eyes with him and said,

“Don’t touch what’s mine.”

“Excuse me? What are you talking about…?”

Joo Kwang-shik was flustered by Grandfather’s sudden outburst. Or at least, he appeared to be.