Chapter 54: What Do You Mean, 50 Billion? We Agreed on 100 Billion After Selling the Shares!

“What are you talking about? Fifty billion? We were supposed to get a hundred billion after selling all the shares!”

“Ajin’s stock price plummeted, so….”

“Enough. Get it all. It’s my money, what’s with all the excuses?”

Chairman Jin’s sharp words silenced Lee Hak-jae.

He didn’t make the mistake of trying to persuade the chairman with a list of difficulties. What subordinates consider persuasion, superiors often see as mere excuses.

“Understood, Chairman. I’ll handle it swiftly.”

“And find some sharp minds. Once the general shareholders’ meeting is over, I want a team that can scrutinize Ajin Automobile’s accounting books like a microscope.”

“Already prepared, sir. Daehyun Group will undoubtedly send their own fixers to the extraordinary general meeting. We’re preparing countermeasures for that as well.”

As Chairman Jin nodded, seemingly satisfied, a knock sounded, and the president and executives of Soonyang Automobile entered.

“Looks like we’ll have to go through the same grind as we did six years ago when preparing the Ajin Automobile data.”

Before they could even settle into their chairs, the chairman’s bombshell announcement left them all bewildered.

“Chairman, are you perhaps planning to acquire Ajin Automobile?”

“As you know, our finances aren’t exactly flush right now. Even if we delay the acquisition payment….”

The executives were immediately concerned that the chairman might be making a reckless decision.

“No. We’re not acquiring it, we’re just preventing it from falling into Daehyun’s hands.”

“If we block Daehyun, who will acquire it? Surely you’re not considering Woosung Automobile…?”

“Woosung has a lot of American capital. It’s not feasible.”

Seeing the troubled expressions of his executives, Chairman Jin roared.

“Do you think I don’t know what you know? Enough with the pointless chatter, just make sure you do as you’re told. You have one week.”

At the mention of a week, the Soonyang Automobile executives shot to their feet without hesitation. Time was so tight that every second counted.

“As you all know, though I shouldn’t have to say it… if word of this leaks out, there will be a bloodbath. And Jo Dae-ho.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Tell Chairman Song Hyun-chang I want to share a bowl of makgeolli with him. I have something to discuss.”

President Jo Dae-ho was puzzled but bowed his head. What could the two chairmen possibly need to discuss? And if there was something, what could it be?

It was a shared question among everyone in the study.

* * *

I could see the anticipation in Oh Se-hyun’s eyes, and thankfully, I had an answer that would satisfy his expectations.

“Did your talk with your grandfather go well?”

“Yes. He’ll give his full support. Once you take over the shares, you can start meeting with the relevant people.”

“You can? Does that mean you’re not involved?”

“I should stay out of it. Wouldn’t my involvement look suspicious? Anyone can see I have zero credibility.”

“Is that all? No other reason?”

“Chaebol families are always being watched.”

And there are many enemies within. We need to avoid their attention. I didn’t say this. It wasn’t time to reveal the ultimate goal yet.

“Hmm, true… If you get involved, everyone will just assume it’s your grandfather’s money talking.”

“We don’t have much time. We need to finish assessing Ajin Automobile’s current state before it officially goes bankrupt.”

“I’ve already got our company’s accountants ready. They’re reviewing the publicly available data.”

Oh Se-hyun’s excitement was contagious, and I felt a strange sensation too. Perhaps it was fear.

Could I really acquire a massive corporation like Ajin Automobile? Was I taking on something beyond my capabilities?

The trillions of won I had already earned. The temptation to live a life like an emperor with that kind of money was a constant whisper.

But the nightmare I had every night kept me grounded.

And… it wasn’t just the nightmare.

The life I had dreamed of in my past life, chasing pleasure and joy with an endless supply of money, felt less appealing than the life I was currently living, fighting for every moment.

Eliminating enemies one by one and building my own empire. I wanted to see where it led, even if it ended in emptiness.

“Hey, what are you thinking about? Why the sudden silence?”

“Oh, I was just remembering what my grandfather said. He wants you to use his entire hundred billion won slush fund when acquiring the shares.”

“What? Hey! We just managed to cut it in half, why give it all away?”

He had a right to be annoyed. It wasn’t a small sum; he had saved a hefty fifty billion won, only to lose it again with a single sentence.

“I apologize, but I have no choice. I promised him. And since he’s willing to use all his influence for me, I have to give him everything.”

“Didn’t you tell him I’m the major shareholder of Miracle Investment? Did you leave out that I’m the owner?”

“No, I told him. How else could I ask for his help?”

“And he still wants you to give it all? Even though this is a good opportunity to legally inherit fifty billion won?”

“If he were the type to pass on slush funds that way, Soonyang Group would already be in my uncle’s hands.”

“Good grief. Have you ever seen such ruthless people? The rich really are worse….”

Oh Se-hyun, realizing his slip-up after the careless remark, quickly stopped talking.

The “ruthless people” he mentioned were, after all, my own family.

“That’s right. I have to survive among such ruthless people.”

Oh Se-hyun simply stared at my bittersweet smile, saying nothing.

* * *

“How can you suddenly change your mind?”

“Honestly, it’s embarrassing… I feel bad for Mr. Oh.”

“What’s the reason? You’re not one to go back on your word.”

“What other reason could a salaryman have for changing his mind? The orders came from above, so I have to go.”

“I see, I see. Haha.”

Oh Se-hyun burst out laughing at Lee Hak-jae’s frankness.

“I’m sorry, Chief of staff, but this side of you… it’s quite unexpected. It makes me think you’re human after all.”

“Then what did you think I was before?”

Oh Se-hyun chuckled, scratching the back of his neck.

“The Terminator….”

“What? Hahaha.”

Lee Hak-jae burst into laughter, recalling the old movie.

“What made you think that?”

“Isn’t the Terminator programmed to only focus on completing its mission? Without any emotions getting in the way.”

“Was I really that bad?”

“Until now.”

“So, now I seem more human than machine?”

“Still a bit short of that… Ah, I have the perfect phrase. Soonyang Electronics’ advertisement slogan, right? Human Tech.”

Lee Hak-jae felt much lighter at Oh Se-hyun’s playful response, sensing that the problem might be resolved more easily than expected.

“Well, would you do me this favor? I’ll be sure to repay you handsomely.”

“I don’t trust promises made with words.”

“Then what should I do? Write you a contract?”

“There are exceptions… I’ll trust you this once.”

Lee Hak-jae became suspicious when Oh Se-hyun agreed so readily. Oh Se-hyun, noticing his gaze, clicked his tongue.

“Have a little faith. Like me.”

Oh Se-hyun’s words were accompanied by a smile, and Lee Hak-jae suddenly extended his hand.

“Thank you. I’ve backstabbed many who trusted me, but I don’t think you’ll do that, Mr. Oh. If I were to backstab you, I’d at least give you a warning.”

Oh Se-hyun, taking his hand, was speechless.

He couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity, wondering if this was truly how the man lived his life.

“Now then, let’s prepare for the extraordinary general meeting. Soonyang will handle everything you need, Mr. Oh….”

“I’ve already prepared everything I need to do. Let’s get this done quickly.”

The grip on their clasped hands tightened.

* * *

Two cars quietly left Chairman Jin’s residence, heading towards Bukhansan Mountain.

The lead van carried bodyguards, and Chairman Jin rode in the sedan following behind.

He had never moved for the sake of others. For his own sake, he would go to the ends of the earth, but for others, he would simply summon them to his study.

Today, he was lowering himself for his grandson for the first time.

Chairman Jin chuckled repeatedly, thinking about his conversation with his grandson Do-jun a few days prior.

# # #

“Chairman Song Hyun-chang, what do you think of him?”

“What do I think?”

“For example, his abilities and qualifications as a businessman.”

“His reach is short.”

“Do you mean he can only manage a few things at a time?”

Chairman Jin looked at his grandson with warmth. He was only twenty years old, yet it was amazing how well he understood.

The language of a twenty-year-old and a seventy-year-old was different. The years of life, the things seen, heard, and experienced, were embedded in their language. They used those words to create the most appropriate analogies and expressions.

His young grandson’s brilliance in understanding them so perfectly was astonishing.

“One car company and the three or four companies needed for it, that’s his limit.”

“What’s the reason for that?”

“The pride of a successful man has turned into arrogance and become stubbornness.”

“He doesn’t listen to the opinions of others.”

“Exactly. That’s it. He ignores anyone who expresses a different opinion. Who do you think you are? Have you been as successful as me? If you’re smarter than me, why are you working under me? He can’t shake that mindset.”

“Surely it’s not that extreme? Just considering how Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, had generals like Han Xin, isn’t that a lesson we can all learn?”

“I’m the same way.”

“Excuse me?”

Chairman Jin looked at his grandson, who was tilting his head in confusion, and said,

“I also get frustrated when Chief Lee or the subsidiary presidents oppose my opinions. Because I’m human. But I grit my teeth and bear it. Do you know why?”

“Because they’re saying it for your benefit?”

“Right. Isn’t it sound advice to help my Soonyang Group grow and make more money? But Chairman Song is different. Ajin Group isn’t his. He only holds 2% of Ajin Automobile’s shares. Even though the labor union holds 14%.”

“Since he doesn’t feel ownership of Ajin Group….”

“Exactly. Because it’s not his, he wants to run it as he pleases. Even if it means ignoring the opinions of others.”

Chairman Jin couldn’t help but admire his grandson’s quick understanding.

“By the way, why Chairman Song? Does it have something to do with acquiring Ajin Automobile?”

“Ah, yes. Actually, I was thinking about what to do with Ajin Automobile after the acquisition.”

Chairman Jin listened intently to every word his grandson said. When his grandson finished, he slammed his fist on his desk in admiration.

“That’s truly ingenious. How did you come up with such a brilliant idea!”

“So, I was wondering if you could meet with Chairman Song and inform him of this plan and ask for his active cooperation.”

“Of course. My grandson wants Ajin Group, is this little bit of effort too much to ask? Don’t you worry about it. Heh heh.”

# # #

“Goodness, Chairman Song. Are you trying to kill me? Why of all places here?”

“You asked for a bowl of makgeolli, Chairman… and their makgeolli here is top-notch.”

“You didn’t choose this place to flaunt your good health, did you?”

Chairman Jin grumbled, looking around the small pancake restaurant located at the entrance of the hiking trail. The place was empty, likely due to some prior arrangement.

Chairman Song Hyun-chang, dressed in hiking attire, already had several stacks of wet wipes on the table as if he had finished his hike.

“You can drive right up to the bottom. You only walked a little over a hundred meters. You should get some exercise and take care of your health. Instead of just trying to snatch other people’s things.”

“I don’t have the strength or the desire for that anymore. Don’t be so hard on me.”

Chairman Jin casually brushed off Chairman Song Hyun-chang’s pointed words and plopped down onto a red plastic chair.

“Chairman Song.”

“Yes, speak.”

“Let me give you a warning in advance.”

Chairman Song’s hand, which was wiping his neck with a wet wipe, paused.

“If the makgeolli here isn’t good, I might just flip the table and leave.”

He didn’t know what kind of offer or negotiation was coming, but it sounded like opposition would be met with retaliation.

Chairman Song Hyun-chang put down the wet wipe and twisted the cap off the makgeolli bottle.

“I’m used to drinking alone.”

It was a response that showed that even the mighty Soonyang Group would face difficulties.