Chapter 80: Even in the New Year, the Sound of the Economy Collapsing Didn’t Stop

Even in the new year, the sound of the economy collapsing didn’t cease.

On January 14th, Nasan Group went bankrupt, followed by Kukdong Construction, ranked 31st in the business world, filing for court receivership.

Once hailed as the ‘Construction Big Five’ and leading the industry, Kukdong Construction had even acquired a securities firm, boasting strong fundraising capabilities and expanding its business. Ironically, it was precisely this aggressive expansion that made it a direct target of the foreign exchange crisis.

Rumors were rife that Dae-ah Construction, with a similar profile to Kukdong Construction, was also on the verge of bankruptcy.

“Haven’t you heard anything?”

Oh Se-hyun couldn’t hide his unease.

“Why? Do you think Dae-ah Construction will hold out?”

“Don’t believe the rumors. It’s been over a month since people started saying they’d collapse any day now. It seems we miscalculated. They’re surprisingly resilient.”

“But aren’t their finances even worse than Kukdong Construction’s? How are they surviving?”

“That’s what I’m saying! They expanded into Southeast Asia and got hammered by their financial crisis. Their cash flow should be completely cut off, yet somehow they’re hanging on.”

“Maybe the CEO of Dae-ah Construction has a lot of personal wealth saved up…?”

“Have you ever seen a Korean business owner use their own money to save a company? When the end comes, they’re usually too busy siphoning off company funds…”

Oh Se-hyun stopped talking and looked at me.

“Hey, could they actually be pulling off some kind of scheme?”

“How is that even possible? With things in this state, how can they embezzle company assets?”

“Rolling the debt over. Since they’re a construction company, they probably have a lot of land, right? They’re quickly selling it off just to cover the promissory notes. They haven’t paid their employees’ salaries in over three months. They’re covering the urgent notes and pocketing the rest. If they keep doing that until bankruptcy, their pockets will be full.”

“Uncle, that could lead to criminal charges.”

“These bastards are planning to take the money and say goodbye to Korea. They definitely have no intention of saving the company with a bailout or anything else.”

A midnight flight.

The only difference between them and ordinary people is the amount of money they’re pocketing—enough to live comfortably for three generations.

In my mind, names of construction companies other than Dae-ah Construction flashed by. There’s no point in acquiring a construction company that’s been completely stripped bare, leaving only the shell, is there?

But no suitable alternative came to mind.

Among the top construction companies in Korea, Dae-ah Construction is the only one that focuses solely on construction without any affiliates.

Other construction companies are tied up with their affiliates, making it difficult to acquire just the construction arm.

Unlike my frowning face, Oh Se-hyun’s expression gradually brightened.

“These bastards. They walked right into our trap.”

“Do you have a plan?”

“Hold a shareholders’ meeting, throw them all in jail for embezzlement and breach of trust, and take over their positions. It should be easier that way.”

My mind sparked.

Dae-ah Construction’s stock is currently at rock bottom. Acquiring just 5% would trigger a shareholders’ meeting. Picking up the company and reviving it after bankruptcy might be an easier path than negotiating with creditors.

“Let’s double-check everything before we move forward. What do you think?”

“Sounds good. You’re the best, Uncle.”

As I gave him a thumbs-up, Oh Se-hyun picked up the receiver and said,

“Remember, if you become the chairman of a chaebol, it’s all thanks to me.”

Oh Se-hyun instructed the staff to purchase shares of Dae-ah Construction and then put down the receiver.

“Oh, right, when is your cousin’s wedding?”

“The day after tomorrow. Only family will attend. Just like a chaebol, it’s being done discreetly.”

* * *

The wedding was held at Chairman Jin’s mansion.

Given the difficult times, only the minimum number of guests were invited, and only a brief article appeared in the press.

Thanks to Chairman Jin’s request and the power of Hanseong Ilbo, reporters didn’t swarm the area around the mansion.

Despite it being a ‘minimum number’ of people, nearly two hundred guests filled the space, as both families were far from ordinary.

“Thanks to you, I’m getting to see the Soonyang Group chairman’s house. It’s an honor for our family, you know?”

“Maybe it’s because they’re from wealthy families, but everyone looks so handsome.”

“Didn’t they say the youngest in this family is twenty-one? That means she can marry just about anyone, right?”

“Dream on, you. They’re all targets for arranged marriages!”

Beside Hong So-young, dressed in a pure white dress, her bridesmaids were deep in conversation.

Even Hong So-young, who was usually composed, couldn’t hide her nervousness today.

“Where’s the honeymoon house? Cheongdam-dong? Hannam-dong? A villa? Or an apartment?”

“It’s my in-laws’ place in Pyeongchang-dong. My married life starts with living with them.”

Her friends frowned at Hong So-young’s words about starting her married life with her in-laws.

“Seriously, chaebol families still live in the Joseon era.”

“Are you stupid? Even if they tell you to move out, you should cling on. Have you ever seen a prince living outside the kingdom?”

“The vice-chairman of Soonyang Group is her father-in-law. Is she going to cook? Do laundry? Clean? She just has to sit at the table for breakfast and dinner and smile sweetly. That’s married life with in-laws. It’s manageable.”

Her friends were all daughters of wealthy families, not lacking anything, but they all looked at her with envy, as she was marrying into a family on a different level, especially the eldest son who was the clear successor.

While the women disliked the idea of marrying the eldest son, their true feelings shifted drastically depending on the wealth involved. Meanwhile, Jin Young-jun was greeting the guests in the Yeongbin Gwan, which had been decorated for the wedding.

Apart from family, the guests were mostly key figures from the affiliates and major personnel from Hanseong Ilbo, so he wasn’t particularly busy.

His friends, who had flocked to him, dragged Jin Young-jun to a corner of the spacious garden and offered him a cigarette.

After forcing smiles and handshakes, it felt like a breath of fresh air to smoke without worrying about being watched.

“Young-jun’s getting married. Who will lead us now?”

“Are you still on about that? Marriage is just a formality. Our Young-jun will still hang out with us. Right?”

Jin Young-jun, after taking a few puffs of his cigarette, smacked the back of his friends’ heads.

“Shut up, you bastards! You married guys are talking like bachelors. I’m the last one to get married, so stop with the nonsense.”

“We’re saying it because we’re sad. How many of our friends are being watched by their wives after getting married? We’re telling you not to be like that.”

“Idiot. That’s because their wives’ families are richer. It doesn’t apply to Young-jun, so he’s fine.”

“Whatever. After I get married, I have to behave myself. The old man is telling me to seriously start working at the company. We might not have to worry about our wives, but we do have to worry about the old man, right? I have to tone down the fun.”

“That’s the spirit. Where would our Young-jun go? Okay, I get it. Hehe.”

“I’m going back inside. Let’s have a drink after the honeymoon.”

Jin Young-jun put out his cigarette.

“Oh, where are you going for your honeymoon?”

“Prague. And you, I need to see you for a bit.”

Jin Young-jun and one of his friends started walking back towards the Yeongbin Gwan.

“You know that girl from yesterday?”

“Who? Ah… the one from the Theater and Film Department at Hanyang University?”

“Yeah, that girl who plays some supporting role in a drama or whatever.”

“Why? You didn’t get enough last night? Are you planning to take her on your honeymoon? Hehe.”

Jin Young-jun’s friend smirked, then his mouth dropped open.

“Dude! Seriously? Are you crazy?”

“Hey! Keep it down.”

Jin Young-jun glanced around to make sure no one was there, then relaxed.

“Book a flight for her in two days. I’ll tell you the hotel, so make the reservation and be my contact in Korea.”

“Classic Jin Young-jun. You’re really something. Hehe.”

“When else can I have fun without worrying about what people think? The honeymoon is ten days long. How can I spend ten days alone with a woman I barely know as my wife? If I spend two days with her, I’ll go crazy from boredom. I need to enjoy myself.”

“Do you really like her that much?”

“It’s hard to find a body like hers. She’s mine for now. Tell her I’ll get her a lead role in a drama. She knows she’ll become famous overnight if she just shoots one TV commercial for our company, right?”

Jin Young-jun’s friend grinned and said,

“Okay, leave it to me. I’ll set everything up perfectly for you. Just think of it as a wedding gift. Hehe.”

The thought of enjoying himself with the woman from last night for over a week made Jin Young-jun eager to leave for his honeymoon as soon as possible.

While his grandson, the little rascal, was excited about his antics, Chairman Jin was making his rounds among the guests in the Yeongbin Gwan, ‘receiving’ greetings.

People sitting at the tables stood up as Chairman Jin approached and offered their congratulations, and Chairman Jin patted their shoulders a couple of times.

“Chairman, or should I say, in-law, this Yeongbin Gwan seems a bit too extravagant for a modest wedding. Haha.”

Chairman Hong of Hanseong Ilbo approached Chairman Jin with a broad smile.

“Oh, in-law. My precious granddaughter. I just hope she’ll be comfortable in your family. I’m just being overly cautious. Haha.”

The two men clasped hands.

“Shall we move to another room? I have something to discuss with you.”

Chairman Jin gestured to his attending secretary and headed towards a private room in the Yeongbin Gwan.

In the quiet private room, a tea table and comfortable chairs were prepared.

“Please, have a seat.”

A brief awkward silence passed before Chairman Jin, after taking a sip of tea, spoke first.

“Chairman Hong.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“Now that we’re family, stop it.”

Chairman Jin’s voice was gentle, but his gaze towards Chairman Hong was sharp.

“What are you referring to?”

He didn’t seem to be feigning ignorance; he genuinely appeared not to understand Chairman Jin’s words.

“With that level of perception, how did you manage to make a living as a writer? Tsk, tsk.”

Chairman Jin lightly clicked his tongue.

“I’m talking about the people you’ve placed to watch our family. Put an end to it.”

“S-Sir, in-law.”

The wrinkles on Chairman Hong’s face couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

“My granddaughter, whom I wouldn’t trade for the world, is marrying into your family, so I suppose you thought I, as a grandfather, would want to know what kind of people the in-laws are. Up until now, that is.”

“N-No, it’s not…”

“Just shut your mouth and listen to me.”

Despite the harsh words, he couldn’t get angry; instead, he had no choice but to lower his head. The other man was older and held a higher position.

Arranged marriages happen because of mutual needs, but the hierarchical relationship still remains.

If one side desperately wants the marriage, equal footing between the in-laws is impossible.

“Don’t get so excited as if slipping your granddaughter into our family is some great achievement. She’s a bright and assertive young woman, so I took a liking to her. That’s all there is to it.”

Chairman Jin picked up his teacup and moistened his throat.

“Our Young-jun still lacks maturity. Even at thirty, he still enjoys playing like a child. He likes alcohol and chasing women. You might have thought he was careless and easy to control, but you’re mistaken…”

“N-No, Chairman. I would never think that…”

His honorific had already changed from ‘in-law’ to ‘Chairman’.

“But our son is allowed to be like that. Because he’s my grandson. He can shoulder all the world’s faults and it doesn’t matter. Because he is my grandson! No matter how harsh the world’s criticism, it won’t even reach our doorstep!”

Chairman Jin’s voice grew louder.

“If you even slightly consider using our son as a puppet and trying to meddle with the Soonyang Group from your in-laws’ side… it’s not too late. If you don’t want your granddaughter to end up as a discarded daughter-in-law, erase that thought completely.”

Chairman Jin stood up from his chair, but Chairman Hong’s legs trembled, preventing him from rising.

“Don’t think everything is over just because the wedding ceremony is done. Don’t you dare order our son around as your son-in-law. There will be no meetings with your family. If you want to see your granddaughter, call only her. Today is the last day Young-jun will see anyone from your family. If they do meet, it will be for business. Only when we distribute advertisements. No one with the surname Hong can set foot in a building with the Soonyang name on it.”

Chairman Jin’s final warning as he left the private room pierced Chairman Hong’s ears.

“The pens of Hanseong Ilbo can be broken with the power of Soonyang Group’s money. Don’t take my words lightly.”

Chairman Hong sat alone in the private room for a long time after Chairman Jin left.