Chapter 48: A Completely Different Atmosphere

The school atmosphere was completely different. It was April, and the air was thick with spring, but that wasn’t the reason.

Walking from the main gate to the lecture hall, I exchanged greetings with quite a few classmates and upperclassmen. Some students even joined me on the way.

Even in the lecture hall, many students were the ones to strike up a conversation with me first.

“Hey, Do-jun. That laptop is seriously awesome. Totally killer. But aren’t you neglecting your studies while playing with it? Hehe.”

“That’s the hidden purpose. Toss a toy to the competition to keep them from studying.”

It’s my job to ease their discomfort with comments like these.

“Since I got the laptop, I don’t even use a pen anymore. It’s all word processing now.”

“Ah, that was another goal. When you write reports, just give me the file. I can tweak it a bit and submit it as my own. Hehe.”

I scanned the lecture hall while making lighthearted jokes.

The gazes of those who hadn’t attended the freshman orientation and therefore didn’t receive a laptop were sharp. Within those stares, I could also sense a hint of anticipation, wondering if I might hand out more laptops.

It might be good to give out another round during the May festival.

I also spotted a few of the names from the memo.

During a short break after the lecture, I approached a guy getting coffee from the vending machine.

What made this guy reject the temptation of 3 million won, more than double the starting salary for a college graduate at Daehyun Group?

He put a hundred-won coin into the vending machine and got his coffee.

“I heard you didn’t take a laptop? Did you forget?”

The expression on his face, holding the paper cup, instantly soured.

“Damn it, why? Did you want to hear me say ‘Thank you’ while eagerly accepting it?”

I had expected something more profound, but it was a pointless hope. His reason was plain old pride.

“Well, it wasn’t really on my mind.”

My nonchalant reply with a smile seemed to anger him even more. His words became increasingly barbed.

“Even if you don’t flaunt your wealth, we all know you’re a third-generation chaebol. But now you’re throwing money around at your own university classmates?”

“So, would you refuse if a senior bought you a 1,500-won meal at the student cafeteria? Is that showing off wealth too?”

I took out a hundred-won coin from my pocket.

“Is a classmate buying a hundred-won vending machine coffee showing off wealth?”

“You bastard! Is that the same as a laptop?”

“It’s the same.”

“What?”

Seeing the young punk’s bewildered expression was almost amusing. Well, when else would he stand on his pride?

Once you step out into the world and get knocked around, you’ll realize how cumbersome pride can be.

“You might count numbers like one, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand! But I only think in terms of billions, tens of billions, hundreds of billions, trillions! Anything under a billion is just pocket change for me.”

I tossed the paper cup in my hand into the trash.

“Laptops and vending machine coffee… no difference. Not for a third-generation chaebol.”

His face was beet red. Maybe I went too far, but you have to firmly step on them so they can’t even look up.

“Would you quickly pick up a hundred-won coin if it fell on the street? Because you get a free coffee? Where does your pride go then? But when a three-million-won laptop falls in the student union, suddenly you have pride when you pick it up? If that’s pride, it’s truly useless. Don’t you think?”

I turned away, confirming his distorted expression.

Most of the others showed the same reaction. It was a series of disappointments.

But there were some who were worth noticing.

“Hey, Jin Do-jun.”

A guy stared at me, grinning slyly. His face was deeply tanned, almost like a discharged soldier, suggesting he was from a farming family in the countryside.

“The upperclassmen said it wasn’t a bribe, but it totally is, man.”

“Why is it a bribe?”

“Bribes are usually prepaid. What you get after fulfilling the request is an additional gift of gratitude.”

“You’re not a public official, and I haven’t asked you for any favors yet?”

“Do you only give bribes right before asking for a favor? There are many cases where they’re given years in advance. In a few years, I’ll be a prosecutor at the Prosecutor’s Office, so it’s definitely a bribe. Did you learn that from your grandfather?”

“No. I’m the youngest in my family, so my grandfather doesn’t teach me anything. That kind of thing happens to my cousins in the eldest branch of the family.”

“So, you’re completely excluded from Soonyang Group?”

“You could say that. Maybe you know, but my father, the Chairman’s youngest son, was also excluded early on. That’s why he’s making movies now.”

“So, you’re just a third-generation chaebol in name only?”

He didn’t answer, just nodded. The guy who looked like a discharged soldier pulled out a cigarette.

“Damn it. I should’ve taken it.”

“Pfft.”

It was hard to hold back a laugh. This guy is interesting.

“Hey! Can I still get one now? Is it too late?”

A guy who has no intention of receiving it is just reaching out his hand. He’s the type who doesn’t make enemies. He’s unusually mature for his age.

“Did you perhaps retake the entrance exam or something?”

The guy who had been grinning dropped his smile, his expression hardening.

“Don’t imply I look old. That’s a sensitive spot, you know.”

“Will you let it slide if I give you a laptop?”

“Next time. I’ll let it go this time, since it’s the first.”

He stubbed out his cigarette and headed into the library. I called out to his back.

“Answer me before you go. How old are you?”

* * *

“Who is Seo Min-young?”

“Wow, the guy who barely shows up to school has already set his sights on someone?”

“What are you talking about?”

“What else? Someone that beautiful is rare. You heard the rumors about how pretty she is and came to ask, right?”

I can’t trust these guys’ definition of pretty. They’ve only focused on studying, so their standards for women are terrible. Only those with extremely low standards gather here.

“Stop with the nonsense. Who is she?”

“Wait. When the chattering in the lecture hall suddenly stops, that means she’s arrived.”

It wasn’t long before his words proved true.

When Seo Min-young appeared, the lecture hall fell silent as if by magic, and all eyes turned to her.

Impressive.

She’s definitely someone who would attract attention from men. Her height is a bit of a drawback, but if her bare face looks this good, my father might consider casting her.

“What do you think? Am I right?”

“You have a good eye.”

“Don’t even think about touching her. Our Min-young deserves a chance. You’re a third-generation chaebol, you can date celebrities. Take my words to heart. If you date her, you’ll make enemies of every guy in this school.”

“Don’t worry. Actresses are constantly coming and going at my house. My standards are high. But I don’t think I saw her at the welcome party?”

“She only showed her face briefly and left quickly. You were causing a commotion handing out laptops. She slipped away then.”

I waited until the lecture ended and then stood in front of Seo Min-young as she was leaving the school.

She was a little surprised by my sudden appearance but quickly regained her composure.

“What is it? Do you need something from me?”

Judging by her expression, she knows who I am.

“Yeah. I just have a quick question. You didn’t take the laptop I handed out at the freshman orientation. Can I ask why?”

Seo Min-young chuckled and said something unexpected.

“Do you know how to fly a plane?”

“Huh?”

“I’m asking if you know how to fly a plane.”

“Of course not.”

“Then a plane would be useless to you, right?”

“Stop playing word games. What are you trying to say?”

“Someone who got such high scores on the university entrance exam has no wits.”

Judging by her persistent smile, it was clear that she wasn’t refusing out of pride or because she was upset.

“I’m a computer illiterate.”

“Huh?”

“For me, that’s like a plane. What good is it to receive something I can’t even use?”

I hadn’t even considered this reason. Speechless, I could only stare at Seo Min-young’s face, unable to think of a reply.

That’s when another unexpected remark came from her lips.

“Don’t look at me like that. My heart is fluttering.”

* * *

Due to the ongoing bankruptcies of major companies, the study became a continuous setting for meetings.

Today, as Chairman Jin leaned back in his chair to rest after finishing another marathon meeting, the intercom rang as if it had been waiting for the meeting to end.

– Chairman. Madam Yoon from Seocho-dong is here waiting.

“Ah, I’ll be right there.”

Chairman Jin headed to the living room with a spring in his step.

“Madam Yoon. Did you wait long? I forgot the time.”

“Not at all, Chairman. You’re the busiest person in the country, it’s only natural to wait.”

The person waiting for Chairman Jin in the living room was a middle-aged woman with an air of a girls’ high school principal.

“So, have you found someone worthwhile?”

The woman called Madam Yoon took out three files from her briefcase and laid them out in front of Chairman Jin.

“I paid special attention. After all, this is for the person who will become the captain of Soonyang Group….”

“Ahem! Watch your mouth!”

“Oh my, how indiscreet of me. I apologize, Chairman.”

Madam Yoon quickly bowed her head and opened the first file.

“She’s the youngest daughter of the head of Daeil Bank. Twenty-seven years old, graduated from Princeton, and currently works at the Hong Kong branch of Boston Bank—a real talent.”

She opened the second file.

“She’s the eldest granddaughter of the chairman of Hanseong Ilbo. Twenty-six years old….”

Chairman Jin nodded as the introductions of the three women concluded.

“Excellent. Set up the dates.”

“Who are you referring to…?”

“See all three of them. Why? Is that not allowed?”

“Ah, no. I will prepare it as soon as possible. But, Chairman.”

“I know. I’ll tell them to be careful with their words so it doesn’t sound like they’re being shopped around.”

Madam Yoon took out another file from her bag with a bright expression.

“Chairman. This one was really hard to find. They’re still so young, with baby fat and all….”

“Ahem, stop exaggerating! I’ll give you a generous sum for your legwork, so stop with the nonsense and tell me about her.”

Madam Ttu’s mouth stretched wide as if she wanted to hear the words ‘generous sum’.

“She’s the only daughter of the newly appointed Constitutional Court Justice.”

“Constitutional Court Justice? At the end of the day, isn’t that just a judge?”

“It’s a family of legal professionals. You know the former Chief Justice who passed away last year? She’s his granddaughter.”

“Ah, that fellow! The family who doesn’t become a lawyer after their term as a judge ends.”

“Yes. People even say that the gathering place for that family is the Supreme Court and the Prosecutor’s Office. You could call them a respected family of legal professionals.”

“I know they’re an upright family. What’s she like?”

“She’s a real gem. It’ll be hard to find someone like her.”

Chairman Jin, bothered by the excessive praise for the woman, barked out.

“Is she comparable to our boy? He gets top scores nationwide. He’s a student at Seoul National University’s law school. And what about her looks? You know that handsome actor who’s popular these days, what’s his name? Jang….”

“Jang Dong-gun?”

“Yes. Doesn’t our boy have features that are just as striking?”

“I know very well. That’s why I found someone who wouldn’t fall short. She also got into Seoul National University’s law school.”

“What? Then…?”

“Yes. They’re classmates in the same department. They can meet very naturally.”

“Hmm….”

Not bad. No, it’s quite good. A family of legal elders, respected in society. They don’t practice law privately but serve in the cabinet, such as the Minister of Justice, after time on the university faculty.

Didn’t they produce a Prime Minister too?

“But isn’t it a bit much to have her go on arranged dates when she’s still young?”

“Hahaha, Chairman. These days, young successors absolutely hate going on dates in hotel coffee shops.”

“Then?”

“My role is to make them get to know each other naturally. I’ll arrange meetings so smoothly they won’t even realize it’s an arranged date. Just like real dating.”

“Oh-ho.”

“If the Chairman approves, I’ll proceed. What do you think?”

“What does her family think?”

“Of course, they’re on board. Who would refuse to have their daughter marry into the great Soonyang family?”

“Good. Proceed.”

Madam Yoon smiled brightly and stood up at the Chairman’s approval. Then, she mustered her courage and spoke.

“But Chairman. You have many grandsons of marrying age, why are you taking care of the youngest first?”

“The older ones’ parents will take care of them. Shouldn’t I see our youngest get married before I die? That’s why I’m in a hurry.”

The matchmaker, Madam Yoon, thought that wasn’t the only reason. The grandson who received the Chairman’s extraordinary affection – she had a feeling that something unexpected might happen.