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Chapter 38




#38
Chairman Cheon and Cheon Su-man.
“Going above ground... Is that really possible?”
Even as I spoke with confidence, they did not hide their doubtful looks.
It was understandable that they did not believe me.
After all, the relevant laws were not yet properly established, and anyone could engage in private lending.
However, after the IMF, the underground economy would be brought to the surface under the pretext of legalizing the private lending market.
I planned to take advantage of that and bring my grandfather’s business above ground.
“Yes, it’s possible. Just wait and see.”
In response to my words, Kim Ho-shik, the double-edged sword, stood up and bowed, saying,
“Then I will follow you, young master. In a few years, my daughter will be old enough to understand things. Wouldn’t it be better to be called the president of a company rather than a private lender?”
I nodded.
However, No Ik-sun remained silent, seemingly reconsidering.
“Then, I will wait for your answer, Mr. No.”
With that, I left the place.
In the car as I moved away from the office, I twisted my lips into a small smile.
If No Ik-sun did not intend to follow me, I would just proceed with the original plan.
* * *
While Kim Mu-hyuk was meeting with the Myeongdong bosses,
Chairman Cheon was having a conversation with Cheon Su-man in his study.
“So, you’re busy these days because of the real-name financial system?”
“Yes.”
Chairman Cheon, nodding as if he understood, continued to observe Cheon Su-man’s face.
“Have you visited Su-han?”
“I can’t go often, but I’ve visited him twice. When do you plan to get him out? He looked really bad.”
Chairman Cheon frowned uncomfortably.
“It’s difficult right now. He can only come out next year, so tell him to bear with it.”
Cheon Su-man nodded, thinking to himself.
‘He plans to get Su-han out next year.’
While he didn’t have much loyalty to his brother, it was inconvenient to have Cheon Su-han locked up.
Cheon Su-man began to think of ways to get Cheon Su-han out sooner.
The conversation between father and son paused for a moment.
Chairman Cheon looked at the thoughtful Cheon Su-man with a displeased expression.
“Are you still following politicians around? Haven’t you learned from Su-han’s example? Why don’t you listen when I tell you to keep a proper distance?”
“Sigh... How can I do private lending without the protection of politicians? You can do it because you’ve had a long relationship with them, but I can’t. What will happen when you pass away?”
Chairman Cheon looked at Cheon Su-man in surprise.
This was the first time his son, who had never raised his voice to him, was speaking up at the age of fifty.
“You!”
As Chairman Cheon’s voice grew louder, Cheon Su-man, who had suddenly spoken up, looked around nervously.
However, he did not completely shut his mouth.
“I have to think about what happens after you.”
“Why do you worry about that? Do you think I’ll die easily? Do you want me to die soon?”
“No... Why would I say such a thing? I want my children to bring in at least half of Il-sung. That’s why I’m preparing now to do everything for it. You don’t care about Ji-su and Ji-won, do you?”
“Why wouldn’t I care about my grandchildren? And why are you so obsessed with Il-sung? What do you lack?”
“It’s just Il-sung to you, but it’s important to me.”
“What?”
Cheon Su-man spoke with a choked-up expression.
“I’m just your son outside. The son of Chairman Cheon, the blood of Chairman Cheon. I don’t have a name. That’s why I want to pass the name of Il-sung to Ji-won and Ji-su.”
Chairman Cheon looked at Cheon Su-man with a sympathetic gaze, remaining silent.
Seeing this, Cheon Su-man became even more assertive.
“Look at it now. You don’t even look for Ji-won and Ji-su, but you always have Mu-hyuk around, don’t you?”
“...Didn’t Mi-suk leave home to marry a man you opposed?”
“She’s your daughter who left home because you drove her away. Don’t pretend to care now.”
“Sigh...”
Chairman Cheon, who had been looking at him with a sympathetic expression, sighed.
“You might be right.”
“I’ve always followed your words. I even married the person you told me to. But in the end, you’re always around Mu-hyuk, aren’t you?”
Cheon Su-man’s face was flushed with anger.
“What rumors are circulating in Myeongdong? They say Mu-hyuk is your successor. Does that even make sense? I’m the eldest son, Cheon Su-man, and I’m still alive! You’re saying a Kim, not a Cheon, will be the successor?”
Chairman Cheon, who had been listening, laughed bitterly.
“Have I ever told you to succeed me? Why do you think you’re my natural successor? I’ve never said such a thing to you.”
Cheon Su-man’s expression twisted.
“What...”
“Yes, the rumors in Myeongdong are true. I plan to entrust my successor to Mu-hyuk. I will leave you enough to live comfortably, but all my power, money, and people will go to Mu-hyuk.”
“Father!”
“What’s the problem? I’m giving you what’s mine.”
Finally, Cheon Su-man, overwhelmed with anger, began to speak the words he had been holding back.
“You’ve always been like this. Whenever I or Su-han make a small mistake, you get angry, but you’re endlessly lenient with Mi-suk. If you’re going to be like this, why did you even have us?”
“What?”
Chairman Cheon was speechless.
Cheon Su-man, not shrinking back as usual, shot back at Chairman Cheon.
“You shouldn’t treat me like this. No, you shouldn’t treat us brothers like this. I’m the eldest son of the Cheon family. Ji-won is the eldest grandson. And yet, you’re making Mu-hyuk the successor? A mere twenty-year-old?”
“I said I’ll leave you enough. You won’t lack anything.”
“I don’t need money. I want everything you have.”
Cheon Su-man revealed his raw ambition.
Chairman Cheon, seeing his burning eyes, was at a loss for words.
“I won’t let you do this. Absolutely...”
With that, Cheon Su-man turned and left the study.
The door to Chairman Cheon’s study slammed shut.
Seeing Head Secretary Ha standing in front of the door, Cheon Su-man asked,
“...Head Secretary Ha, do you think the same?”
Head Secretary Ha did not answer and bowed his head.
After staring at the back of Head Secretary Ha for a while, Cheon Su-man left without saying another word.
Entering the study, Head Secretary Ha quietly observed Chairman Cheon’s expression.
The iron-fisted private lender stood by the window, looking at Cheon Su-man’s car as it drove away from the mansion.
After a long silence, Chairman Cheon suddenly asked Head Secretary Ha,
“...Am I thinking wrong?”
Head Secretary Ha did not answer.
Chairman Cheon, who had been pressing his forehead with his palm, finally spoke after a long time.
“Sigh... Finish the stock transfer by next month. Make sure they can’t complain. Be careful not to let the rumors spread, and pay all the taxes without any issues. Handle everything perfectly so there’s no trouble later.”
“Yes.”
“And, keep an eye on them...”
Chairman Cheon stopped speaking and closed his mouth.
“...Forget the surveillance. How is Mu-hyuk doing?”
“He’s meeting with the Myeongdong bosses.”
“Alone?”
“He said he would meet them alone, so I didn’t go with him. Mr. Cheon also came to see you. My job is to assist you. The young master is secondary.”
Chairman Cheon nodded heavily.
“Is there anyone to introduce to Mu-hyuk? He shouldn’t be going around alone anymore.”
“He’s coming to Korea next month.”
“Is he reliable?”
“Yes. But, winning his heart is beyond my control.”
“That’s right, that’s something Mu-hyuk has to do himself. Understood. Any other reports?”
“No.”
“Go.”
After Head Secretary Ha left, Chairman Cheon, alone in the study, muttered to himself,
“I hope Mu-hyuk doesn’t get eaten by his uncles...”
Chairman Cheon, who knew better than anyone that family meant nothing in the face of money.
* * *
Han Kyung-yeong, having settled his life in Korea, left for the United States to prepare for the preliminary work.
I was living a normal life while attending university.
“Hey! Mu-hyuk!”
“What?”
“Why didn’t you answer even after I called you for a while?”
“Sorry, did you call me?”
Myeong-soo, who had been glaring at me, sighed and said,
“I plan to take the first round of the bar exam next year as practice. I don’t expect to pass this time, but I need to see how the exam works.”
I nodded.
“Yeah, I’ll take it with you then.”
“Really? You’re taking it too