Chapter 67: Sibling Rivalry

Jin Dong-ki looked up at the tall building outside the window as the car stopped.

“Is this the right place?”

“Yes, sir.”

“This kid’s made some money, hasn’t he?”

“He’s not just producing movies, he’s handling distribution soon too. A real powerhouse in Chungmuro.”

Jin Dong-ki waved his hand dismissively as the secretary in the passenger seat elaborated.

“Enough. How much can he possibly be making? It’s just a hobby anyway.”

The secretary started to follow Jin Dong-ki out of the car but had to stop.

“Wait here. I’ll go alone.”

Opening the door to the film company, the first thing he saw was dozens of people moving busily.

It was his first time seeing a company without an information desk at the entrance, and he was momentarily bewildered, standing blankly at the office entrance.

“Can I help you?”

“Huh?”

“Where are you from?”

“Ah, I’m here to see the president.”

One of the busy employees addressed Jin Dong-ki, who was standing awkwardly, with a slightly irritated tone.

“Yes, but which company are you from?”

“I’m Jin Yun-ki’s older brother. His actual brother.”

“Oh, I see. Please, follow me.”

“Hmph, well, now.”

Jin Dong-ki chuckled dryly and followed the young employee.

Even though he clearly stated he was the president’s older brother, the employee wasn’t particularly polite. Moreover, his blood boiled when he was led to a small conference room instead of the president’s office.

“Hey. What’s this? I said I was here to see the president. I’m his brother!”

“The president is in a meeting right now. Please wait a moment. I’ll let him know you’re here.”

The young employee closed the door and left before Jin Dong-ki could say another word.

“What kind of guy is that?”

He was fuming at the treatment, which was a first for him, but the feeling soon gave way to a strange sensation.

Except for his father, he had never waited for anyone. People always came to him, and he was the one who made them wait.

Just as he was starting to understand their feelings, the door burst open.

“Hyung-nim! Wow… What brings you here?”

“You punk, is there somewhere I can’t come? Why are you so surprised?”

Jin Dong-ki smiled and extended his hand.

“It’s just, you haven’t visited in almost ten years.”

Jin Dong-ki was taken aback by Jin Yun-ki’s words as he shook his hand.

“What? Has it been that long? Ten years already?”

“Anyway, let’s go to my office.”

Jin Dong-ki frowned as he entered the president’s office.

“You said you were making a lot of money, what’s with this dump?”

The room was smaller than a low-level director’s office at Soonyang Group. The desk was similar to those used by regular employees. The already cramped room felt like a warehouse with all sorts of documents piled haphazardly.

“It’s all just rumors. Even if you make a lot of money in this industry, it’s still nothing compared to one department in your company, Hyung-nim.”

“Damn it! I can’t stand this. I’m sending someone over tomorrow, so get your president’s office expanded. Fix it up so it looks decent.”

Jin Yun-ki knew his older brother’s irritable words were a sign of goodwill.

“Hyung-nim, some of the more successful film companies have nice president’s offices. Their company interiors are fancy too.”

“Then why are you living like this?”

“I have debts to pay off.”

“What? Debts?”

Jin Dong-ki was startled, and Jin Yun-ki waved his hand dismissively.

“Don’t worry, it’s not like I took out a loan from loan sharks. Do-jun gave me the initial capital when I started this business. He sold the ranch… Didn’t you know?”

“Ah, that’s right. I remember now.”

“I have to pay him back. Our father took money from a kid, I need to make it right, don’t I?”

“You’re right, now that you mention it. If you’re making good money, you should pay it back. With plenty of interest. Haha.”

“Alright, alright, enough about that. Tell me what you came here for. What wind blew you in?”

Jin Yun-ki offered Jin Dong-ki a cigarette, and he took one.

He took a few puffs, exhaled a long stream of smoke, and then spoke.

“You’re going to stick with this, right?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Are you going to see this through to the end in the movie business?”

This time, Jin Yun-ki simply puffed on his cigarette for a while.

“Don’t even think about the company side of things?”

“Yes. You too… And your children…”

Jin Yun-ki frowned deeply at Jin Dong-ki’s words and continued to smoke. Jin Dong-ki’s expression also darkened at the sight.

“Don’t tell me you were hiding your ambition too?”

“Too? So, is there someone else hiding their ambition?”

“Wouldn’t it be everyone except you?”

“Is that so? They all seem to be dripping with ambition to me.”

“Stop dodging the question. Did you have ambitions or not?”

Urged by Jin Dong-ki, Jin Yun-ki stubbed out his cigarette and said.

“I haven’t been much of a father, but I’m thinking of trying now.”

“You’re talking about Do-jun?”

“That kid dreams of being a businessman like our grandfather. Ah, no misunderstandings.”

Jin Yun-ki raised his hand to stop his brother from saying something and continued.

“He’s not some small fry who’d try to take over a few Soonyang Group subsidiaries. He wants to achieve something on his own. I’m going to do my best to help him.”

“What does that have to do with the company?”

“Even though I’m the black sheep youngest son, I still have the blood of Soonyang Group’s Chairman running through my veins. I won’t refuse what’s given to me, and if it’s not given, I’ll take my share. Enough to make sure he doesn’t lack anything.”

“Your share, enough to not lack anything…”

Jin Dong-ki was seeing a new side of his youngest brother for the first time and struggled to hide his surprise.

“Something must have happened with our oldest brother for you to suddenly act like this. What is it?”

Jin Yun-ki smiled his usual affable smile, returning to his usual demeanor.

“Are there a lot of share fluctuations because of Soonyang Automobile?”

“It’s not that.”

Jin Dong-ki pushed his chair back and stood up.

“You just stay out of it for now. And support me. If I win, I’ll make sure Do-jun has enough capital to achieve his dreams.”

“What if the eldest brother wins?”

“If I’m going to be a father, I’ll have to fight with the eldest brother.”

Jin Dong-ki, about to leave the president’s office, turned back and delivered a final warning.

“Don’t be too greedy. I don’t want to lose my only remaining younger brother.”

“What are you talking about? There’s also our third brother.”

“Sang-ki hasn’t been my brother for a long time. He’s just the eldest brother’s brother. Remember this. At least you stay my brother.”

Jin Dong-ki’s bitter expression settled quietly in a corner of Jin Yun-ki’s mind.

“But what kind of movie is this? Titanic?”

Jin Dong-ki pointed to the poster hanging on the president’s office door.

“Ah, our company will distribute that early next year. We’re securing theaters now.”

“If the tickets don’t sell, let me know. I’ll buy a bunch.”

“I appreciate the thought. Hehe.”

* * *

“Nuna? Brother-in-law? What’s going on? At this hour?”

Jin Yun-ki saw the two people who had suddenly visited after 9 PM and even wondered if something significant had happened in the family that day that he had missed.

His older brother in the afternoon, and now his older sister at night!

These were people whose schedules were packed from morning till late at night.

Also, they weren’t a family that visited each other frequently enough for unexpected visits to feel natural.

Especially the department store president and the politician, they wouldn’t come to their younger brother’s house late at night without a clear purpose.

“Why so formal? Can’t we visit our younger brother’s house?”

“Yeah. I guess you can. Sorry. Have a seat. Brother-in-law too. Can I get you some tea? Or maybe a drink?”

“No. Just a glass of water.”

His brother-in-law, looking tired, plopped down on the living room sofa.

“Where’s your wife? Isn’t she here?”

“She went to the US a while ago. To take care of Sang-joon.”

As the housekeeper placed the glasses of water down, Jin Seo-yoon said with a smile.

“That’s alright, you can go rest. It’s an important matter…”

Jin Yun-ki chuckled as the housekeeper retreated.

“It seems like today must be some kind of special day. Everyone’s looking grim.”

“What? What are you talking about? Everyone?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just work stuff. So, what’s the matter? Seeing you two come together like this, I doubt you just came for a glass of water.”

Jin Seo-yoon subtly gauged her younger brother’s reaction.

“Could you lend us some money?”

“What? Money?”

It was absurd. A department store president asking a film company president for a loan?

The daily revenue of a department store must be more than the profit of a movie, right?

Jin Seo-yoon, reading his thoughts from his expression, hastily explained.

“Father took all the cash when he acquired Hando Steel, and now all the department store’s money is tied up. They’re reporting the deposit and withdrawal history daily.”

“Why? Did you get into some trouble, Nuna?”

“No! It’s because of him.”

Jin Seo-yoon glared at her husband, who was sitting beside her, sighing.

“Since he said he’s going to run for Seoul City mayor next year, Father blocked the funds. We can’t touch the department store’s money.”

“Seoul City mayor?”

That was even more absurd than asking for money.

“Didn’t your movie ‘Contact’ or whatever it was called hit it big this year? You must have made a lot of money, right?”

“Just because a Korean movie is a hit, doesn’t mean it makes that much. Do you know how much the ticket price is? Six thousand won, six thousand won. It had 670,000 viewers. That’s only 4 billion won in total. The theaters take their cut, the distributors take their cut, the production costs… How much do you think is left? You have to be realistic.”

How could they be so out of touch with the real world!

Living only in a world of gold bars, they had no idea about reality.

Hearing the box office revenue, the two sighed again and stood up from the sofa.

“Brother-in-law. Just pretend you didn’t hear anything.”

Jin Yun-ki clicked his tongue as he watched them leave through the front door and went upstairs to the second floor.

The two people who left the massive gate looked at each other and exchanged glances.

A taxi pulled up just as Jin Seo-yoon took out her phone.

“Oh? Aunt?”

The couple smiled broadly as they saw their wealthy nephew’s face.

* * *

“Excuse me? Seoul City mayor?”

“Why? Do you look down on your uncle?”

He could look down on him, but he couldn’t show it. He plastered a bright smile on his face in the hotel lobby lounge.

He suddenly appeared, grabbed my arm, insisted on having a cup of tea, and was it finally about money?

“Of course not. I’m just surprised.”

“The Democratic Justice Party will win anyway. Once you become the party’s candidate, it’s game over.”

Would it really be that easy?

When the government changes, the ruling and opposition parties switch places.

His ambition was ahead of his ability, so he kept clinging to hopeless endeavors.

“Should I tell Grandfather…”

As soon as the word ‘Grandfather’ came out, both of them sighed, as if on cue.

“He just scolded you, didn’t he?”

His aunt nodded.

“Mmm…”

The department store’s money must be completely tied up, so they came running to me?

DJ would definitely be the next president, but he couldn’t remember who the Seoul City mayor was.

“Is it perhaps because of the election funds?”

Their eyes sparkled at the mention of money.

“Yes. We just need the money to give to the party leader and key figures. If I get nominated as the party’s candidate…”

“Wouldn’t a single call from Grandfather prevent all of this?”

“I’ll handle that. I’ll take care of it myself.”

His aunt snapped her fingers confidently.

“But how much do you need? I don’t have that much money.”

Wasn’t refusing from the start the mark of an amateur?

There were still more than six months left. He could keep them hooked and pull the rug out from under them when the time was right.

“How much do you have?”

His uncle’s eyes gleamed.

“Well, it’s tied up in investments, so I need to check. You know how it is. Stock and bond prices change every day. And I need to see if I can liquidate the funds before the election.”

His uncle’s eyes showed a hint of disappointment. But they hadn’t lost all hope.

“Then check it out. I’ll also figure out how much funding I need.”

Could he achieve something as the Seoul City mayor that he couldn’t as one of hundreds of National Assembly members?

What did this couple want?

Complete independence for the subsidiary his aunt managed?

Or were they planning to become powerful figures in politics, putting pressure on Soonyang and getting even more?

Either way was fine.

It was easier to conquer small, fragmented companies one by one than the giant Soonyang Group.

“If Uncle becomes the Seoul City mayor, please give our father a large piece of public land.”

“Public land? You mean land?”

“Yes.”

“Why? Are you going to build a building?”

“No. I’m going to build a big theater.”

I smiled innocently, watching the two people’s flickering eyes.