Chapter 233: A Grandfather’s Wishes and Hidden Gifts

I shifted my gaze from the envelope.

Since it was prepared for me anyway, I’d find out what was inside soon enough.

Now, I needed to listen intently. Every word from Grandfather now could be a final testament, a legacy to be etched in my heart and followed without fail.

“This was prepared in a hurry, so I’m not sure if it will suit your taste.”

The chef placed a small cutting board with a few pieces of sushi in front of us.

“Your skills are well-known, what are you talking about? I’ll enjoy it,” Grandfather said.

As Grandfather picked up his chopsticks, the chef wiped his hands and said,

“Please, talk amongst yourselves. Call me if you need anything.”

“The weather outside is harsh; you’re suffering because of me.”

“Not at all. The cold winter wind is something I enjoy as much as fresh sashimi.”

He bowed deeply to Grandfather and left the room.

“Try it. This fellow’s skill is as sharp as his wits.”

Seeing Grandfather put a piece of sushi in his mouth, I picked up my chopsticks as well.

“How is it? Is it alright?”

The weather was cold, and a lump of rice topped with a cold slice of fish wasn’t exactly appetizing.

Seeing my expression, Grandfather quickly swallowed the rice in his mouth and took a sip of warm green tea.

“Aigo, it makes my teeth ache. Should we have gone to a place with hot soup instead?”

“Shall I ask him to make some oden broth?”

“No. The location was the only thing that mattered; I didn’t call you here for a treat.”

Grandfather put down his chopsticks and took another sip of warm tea.

“Do-jun.”

“Yes.”

“Your father mentioned something today. He wants the financial division to be completely separated.”

“Really? Father did?”

With the shares the financial companies held, they could exert a 10% influence on Soonyang Group. But if they were separated, that 10% influence would vanish.

Seeing my bewildered expression, Grandfather chuckled.

“Yes. But don’t worry. I scolded him firmly, telling him it was a ridiculous idea.”

Seeing my relief, Grandfather held my hand tightly.

“I want you to succeed me. But reality isn’t so simple. The bonds of family, the generations, age, time… reality is a fearsome thing.”

“It’s only a temporary vacancy. There might be people who pass through that empty spot, but it will eventually return to its rightful place.”

“Big talk, huh?”

Grandfather playfully slapped the back of my hand he was holding.

“For the past decade or so, watching you grow has been more enjoyable and fulfilling than the expansion of Soonyang Group. Big corporations, big businesses, they’re all just trade in the end. And the most important thing in business is making money.”

I had made a lot of money, but could it be considered business? It was essentially buying pre-determined lottery tickets. I had put in backbreaking effort to learn management and business, but it still fell far short of Grandfather’s expectations.

Oblivious to my inner thoughts, Grandfather looked at me with pride.

“In that regard, you’re already the chairman of the top corporation in our country. You’ve made an unimaginable amount of money in just over a decade.”

I wanted to tell him how much I had earned, but I worried that Grandfather’s already weakened heart wouldn’t be able to take it, so I just offered a modest smile.

“In fact, I even wonder if you truly need Soonyang Group. If you continue on this path, you’ll undoubtedly build a lineage that surpasses Soonyang in ten or twenty years.”

“I only have money. I don’t have the power you possess, Grandfather. The symbol of having both money and power is the chairmanship of Soonyang Group, isn’t it?”

“The fact that you have such ambition pleases me. A man should naturally have the aspiration to wield power that can shake the nation, of course.”

Grandfather’s gaze, which had been filled with approval, shifted slightly as he asked an unexpected question.

“Are you very disappointed?”

“Pardon?”

“You thought I’d still be holding onto my shares… and that I would give those final shares to you, didn’t you?”

Chief of staff Lee Hak-jae must have told him, so there was no use pretending otherwise.

“Honestly, yes, I did.”

“So? Are you disappointed that I’m penniless?”

“I am disappointed, but I don’t resent it. You’ve given me enough, and with that foundation, I’ve already secured more than a third.”

“If that’s how you feel, then it’s fine.”

This was sincere. Didn’t I receive more shares than expected when acquiring Soonyang Automobile?

Grandfather picked up his chopsticks again, ate a piece of sushi, and then slowly began to speak.

“The reason I called you here in secret is to give you a few pieces of advice.”

“Please, tell me. I’m listening.”

“I don’t know how you’ll seize the chairman’s seat at Soonyang. Just having a lot of money doesn’t mean you can buy the entire Soonyang Group, you know that, right?”

“Yes.”

“But I believe in you. You will eventually take control of Soonyang. I want to talk about what comes after that.”

After becoming chairman…

My heart pounded.

I had never considered it. My goal simply ended with reaching that position. Once I became the owner of Grandfather’s study, what would I do?

Grandfather, unaware of my thoughts, dismissed the process of becoming chairman. He believed I would navigate it easily and was trying to tell me about what came after the finish line.

A sudden feeling of guilt washed over me.

“The chairman’s office at Soonyang is a lonely place. Before you know it, all your close friends disappear. Even the guys you thought were your friends start watching your every move.”

But did Grandfather even have friends? Aren’t friends people with whom you share an equal standing? I’ve never seen anyone look at Grandfather as an equal.

“The first thing you’ll have to endure is loneliness. Don’t readily open your heart to your aides or pretend to be friends with them. Such luxuries aren’t for the chairman. You’ll have to endure loneliness without making a single friend….”

“Grandfather.”

“?”

“I’ve never had friends. All my relationships with people have been transactions. However, there are people I respect and admire, but that’s it. I don’t need anyone to share the burden on my shoulders.”

“Transactions?”

“Yes. Anyone can work under me. But I don’t expect loyalty from them. I just give them what they want and take what I need from them.”

“Is that the way the new generation does things? Haha.”

It was a laugh that revealed nothing. Grandfather stared at me for a moment before speaking.

“I was going to teach you something, but it seems there’s no need.”

“No. I still lack much.”

“Don’t be unnecessarily modest. You only lack one thing.”

“One thing?”

“Yes. Look, every talking head in the world curses me, and everyone with fingers points them at me. They call me a symbol of political-business collusion, a chaebol who engages in illegal and underhanded tactics, a vicious old man who built his wealth by squeezing subcontractors.”

Even as he said these things, he didn’t seem angry. It was just a story he wanted to tell me.

“But do you think any of those bastards aren’t afraid of me? Not a single one of them dares to say such things in front of me. Even the politicians. I’ve stood in the National Assembly hearing room three times. The assemblymen who poured all sorts of accusations on other group CEOs become like puppies wagging their tails, watching my every move.”

“Is that because of fear?”

“Yes. Transactions are good, respect is good. But at their core, they must have fear of you. Fear is the source of the power you desire.”

The puppy-like behavior wasn’t solely due to fear. The heavy weight of money they received from time to time couldn’t be ignored.

The carrot and the stick were the source of Grandfather’s power.

Grandfather held my hand tightly again.

“I’ve heard that you speak politely and treat the people who work for you with courtesy.”

“Yes. They are all older than me, so I tend to be careful.”

“Don’t overdo it. If you keep petting a cute puppy, it will try to take over the dinner table.”

“I understand. I’ll be firmer from time to time.”

“Good. I have nothing more to lecture you about. Now, let me ask you a favor.”

“Anything, please.”

“Even when you become the owner of Soonyang, don’t mistreat your blood relatives too harshly. Create suitable positions for them and share them. Aren’t they all my children?”

“Of course. Aren’t they family?”

There was nothing I wouldn’t say to put Grandfather’s mind at ease. I could tell even greater lies than this.

What was a little strange was Grandfather’s reaction. He was simply saying what needed to be said, not appearing particularly concerned.

Having said everything he wanted, he pushed the envelope he had kept in the bank towards me.

“Now, you manage this.”

“This is…?”

“Open it.”

As I reached into the envelope, I grasped a thick notebook.

A leather cover, the pages inside stained black with use. Could it be?

As soon as I turned the cover, I swallowed hard.

It was exactly what I suspected.

Names, dates, places, and amounts meticulously recorded.

It was the ledger that meticulously recorded the details of Soonyang Group’s slush fund disbursements.

“I started recording this when the New Military took power. With a single word from the President, the entire group could collapse, so I couldn’t live in peace. So, I reached out to various people and recorded everything without missing a detail. I thought I’d reveal it all if necessary.”

Soonyang’s money was known for leaving no trace. Even when the group chairman was called to a hearing or stood trial in court, there was never any mention of bribes.

“There was no need to reveal it.”

“Yes. But I kept recording even after the government changed. All the bastards who took my money know. They know this ledger exists. And that I will never reveal it.”

This ledger that Grandfather was pointing to was a silent threat in itself.

“Even when things didn’t go my way, I didn’t brandish this ledger and threaten them. Instead, I gave them more money to make them follow my will.”

Threats aren’t made with words. The very act of holding a bomb is a threat. Holding a bomb in one hand and offering money with the other.

Which one they would choose was obvious.

“Did you record all of this yourself?”

“I don’t know about the petty officials or rookie politicians who were given a few bucks as a bonus. Lee Hak-jae and the presidents of the subsidiaries handled those without reporting to me.”

Low-level judges, prosecutors, first-time assemblymen, and government ministry staff were considered petty. I could guess the status of the people whose names were on this ledger.

“Take out the other envelope too. That will also be useful.”

The second envelope was filled with bankbooks, credit cards, and a bunch of keys.

“The ones under my name will be distributed to various foundations. The media will make a fuss about me returning my personal wealth to society. Those who know it’s a cheap trick will curse me.”

“Then these are… under borrowed names?”

Grandfather nodded.

“Domestic and international accounts. There are paper companies and accounts created with forged passports. All the domestic bank accounts are under borrowed names.”

“Grandfather, I have a lot of money. I have enough to use, so this money….”

As I started putting the bankbooks back into the envelope, Grandfather shook his head.

“Are you going to use your precious money to bribe those trash-like bastards?”

“Pardon?”

“Use this money when you need to grease some palms. It’s hard to trace, so it will be safe. And keep using those accounts. If you create money that can’t be traced, put it in those accounts. It’s safe.”

People who needed to be managed without leaving a trace, the money and accounts needed for that management.

At this moment, I couldn’t help but think that I had just gained half of Grandfather’s power.