Chapter 232: Chapter 1: Chairman Jin Awakes

Chairman Jin woke up again after nearly forty-eight hours.

His children, who had rushed to the hospital upon receiving the call, found him dressed in dress pants and a shirt instead of a patient gown.

“Don’t make a fuss, and behave yourselves. I’m not dead yet.”

Those were the first words he uttered as soon as he saw his children flooding through the door.

“Father!”

“I’m not deaf. If you’re going to raise your voice, leave. Maintain some decorum.”

Though his body was frail, his voice was clear and filled the room. His children were almost relieved by their father’s imposing demeanor.

“Young-gi.”

“Yes, Father.”

“I heard you were spouting nonsense while I was unconscious. Our hospital director might be a quack, but he doesn’t deserve to be subjected to your insults. Apologize.”

“Ch, Chairman.”

“Ah, Father.”

Both men were flustered but couldn’t avoid Chairman Jin’s piercing gaze.

“Director, please forgive my rudeness the other day. I was out of my mind and said things I shouldn’t have.”

The hospital director waved his hand dismissively at Jin Young-gi, who bowed deeply.

“P, please stop. I’ve heard far worse. This kind of thing happens all the time in hospitals. What wouldn’t a child say when their parent is in critical condition? Don’t worry about it.”

Chairman Jin watched them and smiled.

“That’s right. Even when you’re filled with resentment and anger, you should hide your true feelings and greet each other with a smile. That’s what it means to be an adult. Haha.”

Chairman Jin glanced at the medical staff, and they quietly left the room.

“You all heard that, right? If I collapse again, no one can guarantee whether I’ll be crossing the river Styx or just wake up after a good nap.”

“Father, please don’t say things like that….”

“Shut your mouth. Where did you learn to interrupt your father like that?”

Jin Young-gi, the vice-chairman, flinched at Chairman Jin’s sharp glare and closed his mouth.

“Sang-ki.”

“Yes, Father.”

Jin Sang-ki approached Chairman Jin with a stiff expression.

“I know you feel the most aggrieved. But look at your younger sister, Seo-yoon. If you can’t hold onto what you’re given, it’ll be taken away. You’re even softer than Seo-yoon.”

“Fath, Father, I….”

“Didn’t I say I wouldn’t tolerate interruptions?”

“Ah, yes….”

“Hold your head up. Not having business acumen isn’t a sin.”

Chairman Jin took his son’s hand, who had his head lowered.

“I have some money stashed away. I’ll entrust it to the foundation, so you can hold onto it and use it when needed. It’s okay to lose the money, but you must not lose the company.”

Jin Sang-ki bit his lip. He had so much to say, but he couldn’t throw a tantrum in front of his ailing father.

“Young-gi.”

“Yes.”

“Since you’re the eldest, take Sang-ki and teach him. When your younger brother seems to have a firmer grasp, spin off a couple of useful subsidiaries for him.”

Chairman Jin then spoke to his third son again.

“Make sure you keep the slush fund I gave you safe. When your brother spins off those subsidiaries, pay a generous price. People take free things lightly. Buy them at a high price and nurture them until you recoup your investment.”

Though their motives differed, both brothers nodded.

The older brother wondered how much that slush fund was, while the younger brother doubted his greedy older brother would ever spin off two worthwhile subsidiaries.

Chairman Jin didn’t care about his sons’ thoughts. He simply smiled contentedly at their nodding.

“And Yoon-ki.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve gained enough thanks to your capable son, haven’t you? Is there anything else you need?”

“There’s just one thing left.”

“What? Something left? Look at you. A talented son, a beautiful wife… and you also have that flower garden of your company, where all the prettiest women in the country are gathered! And you still want more? You thief.”

Jin Yun-ki was pleased to see his father joking. There was no trace of a man facing death. He looked at his father as the chairman of Soonyang and said,

“I’m talking about the Soonyang Financial Group that Do-jun manages. Please completely separate it. As an independent company with no intertwined controlling stakes.”

Everyone’s expression changed. They were suppressing the urge to shout that it was outrageous.

If his son were here, he would have the same expression. Jin Yun-ki knew very well that Do-jun himself wouldn’t want the separation.

His son, who aimed to devour the entire Soonyang Group, would never want to sever the links between the subsidiaries.

Chairman Jin felt the same way. Complete separation wasn’t what his beloved grandson desired.

“Hmm… It seems your greed is quite something. As someone who knows the financial sector serves as Soonyang Group’s treasury, how can you say such things?”

“Ah, Father, it’s not that….”

“Enough. You want to break up the group? The moment it’s fragmented, it’s no longer Soonyang. Don’t you know it’ll just become another ordinary company?”

Chairman Jin sternly cut off Jin Yun-ki.

He knew why his son was making such a request. It was out of concern that his son, Do-jun, would face a difficult battle.

“Yoon-ki, don’t be greedy. Your share has already been given to your son, so you shouldn’t have any complaints.”

After cutting off his youngest son’s request, Chairman Jin looked at the two vice-chairmen.

“I’ve given everything to you two. Whether you fight tooth and nail and one of you takes it all, or you manage it together amicably, the choice is yours. But remember one thing.”

The two vice-chairmen listened intently to Chairman Jin’s last words.

“Whoever wins, don’t cast the other aside. Prepare a position that won’t be shameful to others and guarantee it for life. That’s my last request as your father.”

These were Chairman Jin’s last words, but whether his two sons would honor them was uncertain. After all, wouldn’t he close his eyes before seeing the result?

All the departing can do is leave their last words.

Whether those words are heeded or not is something the departing shouldn’t dwell on.

“Now that I’ve said everything I needed to, shall we talk about other things? Like ordinary people. Ah, tell me about my grandchildren. How are those rascals doing these days?”

His children relaxed their stiff expressions and began to smile like Chairman Jin. To humor their father, who had little time left, they had to recount the recent happenings of their children, whom they themselves didn’t know well.

* * *

Chairman Jin, having chased away all his children who offered to take turns watching over him, fell back asleep.

He woke up in the deep darkness of night and called for his attending physician.

“I was thinking of getting some fresh air for a couple of hours. Would that be alright?”

“As long as it’s not another long trip like last time, it should be fine… May I ask where you’re planning to go?”

“It’s nothing much. I’m just feeling a bit peckish.”

“Ah, we’ll prepare a meal right away….”

“No. Why would I say I’m going out if I wanted hospital food? I suddenly have a craving for sushi. Eating sushi isn’t bad for me, is it?”

“Were you perhaps thinking of having some alcohol as well….”

The attending physician asked, carefully observing Chairman Jin’s expression.

“I have no thoughts of drinking, so don’t worry. I’ll just have a few pieces of sushi.”

“It would be better to send someone. There are plenty of people who can run errands.”

The attending physician continued to voice his concerns, clearly worried about his VIP patient leaving the hospital even for a short time.

“Goodness, you worry too much. Ah, if you’re so anxious, why don’t you come with me? Do you like sushi?”

His expression clearly said ‘of course,’ but he couldn’t voice it, knowing Chairman Jin’s intention.

“Ah, no. Please go ahead. But please don’t be gone too long, Chairman.”

“Alright. A couple of hours will be enough.”

As the attending physician bowed and left, Chairman Jin pulled out his cell phone with a satisfied look.

“Oh, Director Kim. I hope I didn’t wake you?”

The first call was to the bank president.

“I have a favor to ask. You know my safety deposit box? Could you bring it to me? I’m sorry for asking at this hour. No, there’s no need for you to come personally; just send a subordinate.”

The second call was to the sushi restaurant owner.

“Master? It’s me. I suddenly had a craving for the sushi you make. Yes, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Just make a few pieces with whatever you have left. I’ll be there within the hour.”

The third call was….

“Do-jun? This old man is calling you to come quickly to this location.”

After ending all the calls, Chairman Jin summoned all the bodyguards outside his room.

“Listen carefully, everyone. I’ll be away for a while, but as far as you’re concerned, I haven’t left the room. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes, Chairman.”

It was an order for secrecy and to keep their mouths shut.

“Don’t even tell Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae. Remember that.”

“Yes, sir!”

They all answered with unwavering posture and strength. They knew who their employer was.

* * *

A sushi restaurant in the middle of the night?

Without time to think, I quickly changed and went outside. Assistant Manager Kim Yoon-suk had told me that my grandfather had instructed my uncles on a few things in the hospital today.

He must be calling me out to tell me something too. It can’t just be to have me as a dining companion for a few pieces of sushi.

When I arrived at the sushi restaurant, someone was already busy preparing.

“Sorry, we’re closed.”

I quickly replied to the chef’s blunt response.

“I have an appointment with Chairman Jin Yang-cheol.”

“Ah, is that so? I apologize. Please come this way.”

It was a small sushi place with only a counter and about six chairs.

As I warmed myself with hot green tea, the door opened and my grandfather entered.

“You’re already here? You should drive carefully on icy roads, you rascal.”

“How are you feeling? Is it alright for you to be out here?”

“I wouldn’t have come out if I wasn’t. Stop making a fuss and sit down.”

The chef bowed as I sat down.

“It’s been a while, but I’m afraid the ingredients aren’t the best today. I apologize.”

“It’s fine. Next time, give me a call in advance. Take good care of me then.”

“Is there anything specific you’d like to eat, Chairman?”

“No. Actually, I’m just borrowing this place because I have something important to discuss with this young man. A few pieces will be enough for me.”

“Ah, I understand. I’ll prepare it.”

My heart began to race at the mention of an important discussion. This place might be where my grandfather gives me his last words. It’s quite a humble place, though.

Just then, the door opened again, and an unfamiliar middle-aged man entered.

He bowed deeply as soon as he saw my grandfather.

“Chairman, the bank president sent me.”

“Good, you’ve worked hard coming so late. Bring it here.”

The middle-aged man took out a long, narrow steel box wrapped in cloth.

“Let’s see, the key….”

My grandfather took out a key wallet from his pocket and started looking for the safety deposit box key. The middle-aged man watched him intently before cautiously approaching and speaking.

“Chairman, the small one, that looks like the box key.”

“Really? This one?”

“Yes.”

My grandfather handed the key wallet to the middle-aged man.

“My eyes are getting blurry, so could you open it for me?”

“Yes.”

He quickly took the key and opened the box.

Inside were two document envelopes, which my grandfather took out and placed beside him.

“That’s done. You can go now. Thank you for your trouble in this cold weather. Tell Director Kim I’ll stop by.”

“Yes, Chairman. Then….”

I couldn’t take my eyes off the envelopes, not the middle-aged man leaving through the door. What on earth was inside that was kept in a personal bank safe?