The house of Dae-hyun's honorary chairman, who ranks first among the chaebols, was of similar size to my grandfather's house.
At that moment, a man who looked like a secretary came out and greeted me.
"Please come in. He has been waiting for you."
My grandfather nodded lightly and followed him. I followed my grandfather as well.
When we entered, Chairman Song was there to greet us at the front door.
"Oh, Chairman Cheon! How long has it been?"
"Chairman Song, it's been a while."
"Hahaha, you rascal. You're still as stubborn as ever. How many times have I told you to call me 'hyung'?"
I met Dae-hyun's chairman for the first time at his funeral.
My grandfather's health had worsened, so I visited the funeral in his place.
"Is that the grandson you were so proud of? He looks quite a bit like Chairman Cheon."
Hearing that, I bowed deeply.
"Nice to meet you, Chairman. My name is Kim Mu-hyuk. It's my first time meeting you."
"Indeed, indeed."
Chairman Song nodded and led us to the reception room.
After laughing heartily, Chairman Song finally broke the ice once we were seated.
"Hehe. So, what brings you to move your heavy behind?"
My grandfather glanced at me and then shrugged at Chairman Song.
"What else? To thank you for your help and to introduce my grandson. I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone."
"Heh, the great Chairman Cheon introducing his grandson? You must be getting old. Weren't you the one who had no blood or tears?"
Without realizing it, I glanced at my grandfather's expression.
But even in response to Chairman Song's blunt words, my grandfather showed no change in emotion.
"You don't have blood or tears either, do you? When we first met, didn't you think I was the president of a construction company or a local thug?"
"Hehehe."
The two of them didn't seem to want to break away from their old stories for a long time.
I couldn't help but focus on their vivid conversation and listened intently.
"Why do you insist on getting involved in politics? You can just do what you've always done..."
The atmosphere grew heavy.
As my grandfather chided Chairman Song with a sigh, Chairman Song responded in a weak, bitter voice.
"It's because it's dirty. They always ask for money, and then when the government changes, they catch us like mice. So I thought I'd give it a try. Sigh..."
"So, are you planning to stay holed up at home, watching the government's every move?"
Chairman Song shook his head.
"My children need to take care of things now. We're both at the age where we should step down. Well... you can sit there until you die, since it's all about money for you. I envy you..."
My grandfather feigned a frown and joked.
"Are you saying you don't need my money anymore?"
"Hehe. Are you trying to threaten me with money again? You're joking, right? Come on, enough small talk. What's the real reason you're here?"
My grandfather turned to look at me.
"Mu-hyuk, go out for a bit. I'll call you back in."
Without a word, I got up and left.
Outside the reception room, Manager Ha, who had been talking to someone, bowed deeply when he saw me.
"Welcome, young master."
"Yes. He said I should go out for a bit. Is it okay if I go to the garden?"
The secretary, who caught my gaze, led the way.
"I'll show you. This way, please."
I followed the secretary to the garden.
The summer sun was scorching, but it was quite cool under the shade of the trees.
I looked up at the sky through the branches of the garden trees.
'What are Grandfather and Chairman Song talking about?'
Dae-hyun's Chairman Song Yeong-ju.
A few years later, when he died, Dae-hyun, which had been the top chaebol, was torn apart and split into several groups.
After that, Il-sung Group dominated the position until the day I died.
The stocks my grandfather owns and the stocks I will gather from now on.
'Whose side will I take?'
The future will change dramatically depending on my decision.
Just then, I sensed someone approaching.
I looked up to see a young man looking at me.
"Who are you?"
That was his first words to me.
I recognized him at a glance.
Song Hyun-su, the grandson of Dae-hyun's Chairman Song.
I stood up and extended my hand.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Kim Mu-hyuk."
"Oh, I'm Song Hyun-su."
Song Hyun-su, who had been tilting his head, seemed to realize his mistake and shook my hand.
I smiled and introduced myself first.
"My grandfather came to meet Chairman Song, so I came along. They said they would talk, so I came here to clear my head."
"Oh... I see. I came over because I was curious about who you were. Your face seems familiar... Have we met before?"
Ah, no wonder...
I felt a bit embarrassed as I replied.
"Probably during the college entrance interview."
"Oh! The one who said studying was the easiest?"
"Yes..."
"Haha, I laughed so much at that interview. Was it really sincere? I wanted to ask you if I ever met you."
"Haha... Forget about it."
"Ahahaha!"
Unlike me, who was embarrassed, he laughed heartily.
His expression seemed friendly.
"Sorry, I couldn't help but laugh... Did it make you feel bad?"
I laughed sadly and waved my hand.
"No, I think I was a bit crazy back then. It's a dark past I'll carry with me for life..."
"Not at all. It might be funny to look back on when you're older. You were in the law department at Korea University, right? Your dream was to be a prosecutor or a judge?"
"No. It just happened... I plan to take the bar exam once. I'll decide later whether to take the second stage."
"I see. I'm in business administration. I didn't have the skills to go to Korea University, but fortunately, I got into a prestigious university. I'll probably go abroad for further studies after graduation. Hahaha."
Before, our paths only crossed briefly at the funeral. But now, as we talked for a while, I realized he was more talkative than I expected.
He was completely different from his charismatic future self.
Kim Mu-hyuk and Song Hyun-su continued their conversation, losing track of time.
* * *
The door to the reception room closed. Chairman Cheon, who had been watching Kim Mu-hyuk leave, turned back to Chairman Song.
"Chairman Song, I came here to ask for a favor."
"A favor?"
"Yes, a favor."
"Hehe, you've really lived a long life. I never thought I'd hear the word 'favor' from you. What is it?"
Chairman Cheon picked up the teacup in front of him with a cautious look.
"I plan to transfer most of my stocks to my grandson soon. I also have quite a few shares in Dae-hyun's subsidiaries."
"Ho, you're really planning to groom him. So what?"
Chairman Song looked at Chairman Cheon with interest.
"Could you meet him once a week and give him some advice? Even once a month would be fine."
"..."
Chairman Song stared at Chairman Cheon for a long time without answering.
Finally, when Chairman Cheon put down the cold teacup, Chairman Song chuckled.
"It seems you've made up your mind to make him your successor. Is it okay? Without going through your son... handing everything directly to your grandson could cause a storm in the family. And he's not even your direct grandson, but a nephew. Will your sons understand?"
Chairman Cheon seemed resolute.
"For now... I'm still alive, so I'm not worried. I don't want him to live the same life as me. He needs to come out into the light. I'll leave the illegal stuff to my sons and teach him how to live in the light."
"Do you really like him that much? He's only twenty. Isn't it too early?"
"Take some time to meet him. He's not an ordinary kid."
Chairman Cheon's eyes softened.
I wonder who he's thinking of. Chairman Song looked at him silently, guessing.
"He sees things I can't. He's smart and decisive, always getting his way. How could my sons compare?"
"Heh... I never imagined you'd be like this. I'll take some time to talk to him. Is that okay?"
"Thank you."
"If you're grateful, call me 'hyung'."
Chairman Song joked, and a faint smile appeared on Chairman Cheon's lips.
* * *
While talking with Song Hyun-su in the garden, Chairman Song's secretary found us.
"The chairmen are calling you."
We ended our conversation at the secretary's words.
"Alright, Mu-hyuk. Let's have a drink next time."
"Yes, hyung. I'd like to have such a time again."
After exchanging greetings with Song Hyun-su, I followed the secretary back to the reception room.
"Did you call for me?"
When I entered the room, Chairman Song pointed to the sofa next to my grandfather.
"Yes, sit down."
"Okay."
Once I sat down, Chairman Song stared at me intently, without saying a word.
It was an awkward moment.
After staring at me for a long time, Chairman Song finally spoke.
"Come to my house every Saturday starting next week."
"Excuse me?"
"Chairman Cheon asked me to. He wants me to give you some advice."
I looked at my grandfather in surprise.
But his expression didn't change at all.
Chairman Song continued in a matter-of-fact tone.
"We'll decide if we should continue meeting after our first conversation. Even if Chairman Cheon asks, I won't meet a young kid like you unless it benefits me."
I listened silently, trying to guess my grandfather's intentions.
"Book smarts and street smarts are different. I didn't even finish elementary school. But is there anyone in this Korea who doesn't know my name? Don't think the world is easy just because you're smart."
"Yes, I understand."
I nodded without a word.
Chairman Song added, as if confirming my resolve.
"Good. But since Chairman Cheon came all the way here to ask, I'll meet you a few times. Try to impress me. If you do, you'll gain a lot."
"Yes."
Chairman Song, who had been listening silently, looked at Chairman Cheon.
"Chairman Cheon, is this okay?"
"Thank you."
Chairman Song's voice softened as he spoke to me.
"I'll introduce my grandson to you next time. He's about your age, so you'll probably get along. He's a fourth-year university student, right?"
"I already met Hyun-su hyung in the garden. We were admiring the trees when he came over and we talked."
"Really? You're already calling each other 'hyung' and 'dongsaeng'? You're quite savvy for your age. Chairman Cheon doesn't know what you know."
Chairman Song glanced at Chairman Cheon as he spoke.
So he has this side too.
Still, my grandfather, who didn't show any change in expression, was truly remarkable.
My grandfather soon got up from his seat.
"I'll take my leave now. From next time, I'll send my grandson alone."
"Alright. And don't forget about the loan we agreed on. These days... you know, right?"
Ah...
Suddenly, I remembered that the current president was quite anxious because Chairman Song had received 16.8% support in the presidential election.
'They pressured the banks not to give loans and conducted intense tax investigations, right?'
My grandfather and I left Chairman Song's house and headed to Pyeongchang-dong.
My grandfather didn't say a word until we arrived home.
Only when we got home did he say to me.
"Learn as much as you can."
Then he went into his study.
I entered my room with a confused feeling.
'Did I really know my grandfather well?'
His actions were completely different from what I was used to, making me feel uneasy.
That evening.
The 9 o'clock news anchor reported.
- This morning, Lee, the leader of a nationwide organized crime syndicate based in Busan, was found in the prison where he was incarcerated...
'It seems he's made up his mind. That's good. I don't have to be abandoned...'