Chapter 6

< Fortress (1) >

#6

The Fortress of Mr. Cheon

Cheon Tae-san, the living legend of Myeongdong's loan market.

Born to a servant father during the Japanese occupation, he came to Seoul at the age of 12 and worked hard to earn money wherever he could.

After Korea's liberation from Japan in 1945, he quickly bought up the enemy properties that the Japanese were selling at low prices, amassing a significant fortune. He also bought enemy properties that the government was distributing after the Korean War.

With the capital he had accumulated, he boldly entered the loan market and survived several near-death experiences.

Now, he has become a wealthy man with the highest cash mobilization ability in South Korea.

Fortress.

Neither the Third Republic, which seized power through a military coup, nor the Fifth Republic, which followed suit, nor any other power since then has been able to touch his wealth. He is the king of the loan market.

This is where he lives, a place where even the CEOs of major corporations wait for hours to meet him.

“Have you arrived?”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“Hahaha. Grandfather... It sounds good. Even though we’ve only met twice, it feels like I’m seeing Misook again. Sit down.”

“Yes.”

I sat opposite the sofa where Grandfather was sitting.

“I heard the news. You were the top student in your class, right?”

“Yes.”

“Did you study before? Or is it just inexplicable?”

I shook my head silently.

“No. Perhaps the stormy youth I experienced has helped me a lot. Grandmother’s illness had a significant impact.”

“Hahaha! Stormy youth... I also had a tough time in my youth. I fought, stole, and hid. What did you gain during that stormy period? Was it a meaningless time?”

The conversation continued, not at all like one between a grandfather and grandson. Each time he asked a question, it felt as if a knife was brushing past my neck.

“I made a friend. A friend who will stay by my side until I die.”

“Hmm, a friend? You’re still young! Very young.”

I met Chairman Cheon’s piercing gaze head-on.

“From beggars to the president in the Blue House, it’s all about people. The path you take is determined by how many people you can truly trust and rely on. I have made a friend I can trust with my life. So, I can say I have everything.”

“Hahaha. I’m not sure if I’m talking to my young grandson or a seasoned, old politician.”

A smile appeared on Chairman Cheon’s face, one I had never seen in my previous life.

“Do you want something?”

“It’s not been two years yet. I’ll tell you after the college entrance exam. Please don’t forget that you promised to grant me anything.”

“Alright. I’ve never broken a promise in my life. You should feel the weight of a promise too.”

Chairman Cheon nodded in satisfaction.

“Anyway, this is just a bet between you and me. I want to give a gift to my grandson who has come to his senses... What would be a good gift?”

I didn’t answer.

“Do you know what I do? Why have you never asked?”

“Is it important? No matter what you do, you’re still my grandfather, right?”

“Haha, that’s true. Let’s eat first. An-sung!”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes.”

I followed Chairman Cheon to the dining room.

There were about six side dishes on the table.

“Eat well.”

“I will.”

I picked up my chopsticks and followed the old man’s lead. During the meal, not a single word was exchanged.

Chairman Cheon never talks during meals. Perhaps it’s due to his upbringing, but he said it’s an old habit.

After the meal, we returned to the living room.

“I want to give a gift to my grandson... I’ll have to decide on my own since you don’t have any requests. Manager Ha!”

Manager Ha, who had been waiting nearby, rushed over at the old man’s call.

“Did you call, Chairman?”

“What gift should I give my grandson? I’m not familiar with it, so I can’t get a feel for it.”

“Give him what he wants.”

“He doesn’t say anything.”

“Doesn’t he know what he wants? From what I’ve seen, he’s that kind of person.”

“What? Manager Ha, did you see something in Muhyuk?”

After a long silence, the old man, who had been lost in thought, finally spoke.

“Manager Ha, don’t you have 4% of Daehyun stock in your name?”

“Yes.”

“Transfer it to his name. Pay the taxes properly. Make sure there’s no trouble when giving it as a gift to my grandson.”

“Understood.”

Daehyun... One of the top ten conglomerates, and a unique one at that. Although it split into several entities after the founder’s death due to conflicts among the children, it is currently the top one.

Even after the split, it remains the second and sixth largest conglomerate.

“This should be a sufficient gift for my grandson. You may not understand now, but you will in the future. The weight of the name Daehyun.”

I know, I understand. It’s not something that can be bought with money... 4% means not only a significant financial stake but also a decisive vote in future succession battles.

It was an unexpected gift.

“Thank you.”

“Can’t you speak more casually?”

“...I’m not comfortable yet. Maybe next time...”

I deliberately left the sentence hanging. Although he might be disappointed, Chairman Cheon surprisingly nodded in agreement.

“Alright. Stay in Seoul for a few days. If you want to go anywhere, tell Manager Ha. I’ll inform Busan. Rest well.”

“Yes.”

Manager Ha led me to the room where I would be staying. It was the same room I had lived in after entering university... exactly as it was.

“Call me if you need anything.”

“Yes.”

The door closed, and I was alone.

The smile on Grandfather’s face and the extravagant gift were things I had never experienced in my previous life.

Daehyun stock... I thought he would just throw some money at me. But to transfer Daehyun stock, which is impossible to value...

‘He really has a big heart.’

I wondered if I had truly understood Chairman Cheon.

Life in Seoul was monotonous.

I had meals with Grandfather in the morning, noon, and evening, and during the day, Manager Ha took me on tours of Seoul.

...I’m not a bumpkin, you know.

We visited department stores, where Manager Ha bought me watches, shoes, and clothes, doing his best for me over the next few days.

* * *

The day before I left for Busan.

It was the day I would meet Cheon Su-man and Cheon Su-han.

“Father, we’re here.”

First, the eldest son Cheon Su-han and his wife Lee Su-kyung, along with their children Cheon Ji-won and Cheon Ji-soo, entered.

‘I can endure... I can endure...’

I repeated in my mind.

But the moment I saw Cheon Su-man, I almost punched him without realizing it.

Then Cheon Su-han’s family arrived, and the quiet atmosphere of Chairman Cheon’s residence became bustling.

During the meal, the entire family, aware of the old man’s habits, ate in silence. Throughout the meal, the two brothers kept their eyes on me, trying to assess me.

After the meal, as everyone gathered in the living room:

“Is this Misook’s son?”

“So what? Isn’t it funny? A child who left on a whim 17 years ago is now sending his son. Do you expect me to believe that?”

“You’re right. I agree with you, brother. Where did Misook go, leaving her child behind? Did you check properly?”

Cheon Su-man and Cheon Su-han, who were desperately trying to deny me, looked ridiculous to me.

As I inwardly sneered, a storm of anger fell upon the brothers.

“Misook? You mention her name now?! You, who never bothered to check if your sister was alive or dead, are asking if this is her real son? Where did Misook go?”

Chairman Cheon, in a fit of rage, shouted at them. From that moment, they began to stammer.

“Well, Father, you said you only had two children...”

What a joke. You must have thought it was for the best. Your younger sister, who had been the apple of your father’s eye, disappeared, and you must have been overjoyed.

“When did you ever listen to me? Did you ever ask where Misook was? She’s dead. She died 15 years ago, when she was so young that she couldn’t even remember her mother’s face. It’s been 17 years. If you had truly wanted to find her, you could have. Did you think I didn’t know? Or did you know and not tell me?”

Sweat began to trickle down their foreheads.

They probably didn’t know she was already in her grave. But they asked where Misook had gone and why I was here alone...

“You can deny it all you want, but he is my grandson. I don’t need your permission. I called you here to get to know him, but seeing your behavior, I don’t think it will do any good.”

“Father.”

“Father, that’s not what I meant...”

Chairman Cheon, with a deeply hurt expression, turned away from his two sons.

“Muhyuk, go to your room. Su-man and Su-han, go to the study with your wives. The children should go to their own rooms.”

It was already an uncomfortable situation. When he told me to go to my room, I bowed and left without looking back.

“Yes, Grandfather. I’ll go up now. It was nice to meet you, uncles. I hope we can meet again with smiles. Goodbye.”

Saying words I didn’t mean made me feel like my insides were twisting.

“Phew...”

I sighed in relief as I entered my room.

Fortunately, no one noticed the murderous intent I felt when I first saw Su-man and Su-han.

I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to clear my mind.

Suddenly, the door opened without a knock.

“Hey~”

I turned my head to see Cheon Ji-won, Cheon Su-man’s eldest son, entering the room with a despicable smile.

Right, this guy was here.

“You’re Misook’s son, right?”

“So what?”

“So what? You’re short with your words?”

“You started it.”

“You’re 17, right? I’m 23. Use honorifics.”

“I don’t want to.”

“What a lunatic...”

This guy hasn’t changed at all.

I turned my head back to the ceiling and waved my hand dismissively.

“Hey. I’m tired. Shut up and get out. Turn off the lights when you leave.”

Ji-won, who hadn’t expected this reaction, stared at me in silence for a while.

He must have always been pampered, so this was probably the first time someone spoke to him like this.

Brat. There’s no better word to describe Ji-won. His father is the eldest son of the powerful Cheon Tae-san, and his mother is the daughter of the chairman of Ilseong Group. Who would dare to challenge him?

This environment only worsened his character.

“Who do you think you are, a nobody, to talk to me like that! Hey, get up. Who said you could lie down in front of me? Not getting up?”

“Yes, brother. We’re family, right?”

“What?”

“My lineage is your lineage. Get it? Be either stupid or a complete failure, but choose one.”

“Hey! Are you really asking for a beating?”

Ah, this is annoying. Really.

I sat up on the bed.

“What? Why? I’m up. If you have something to say, say it quickly and leave. I’m tired.”

“Use honorifics. This is your last warning.”

“Sure, sure~ Say what you have to say, brother! I’ll listen quietly.”

“...”

“If you have nothing to say, I’d like to sleep. Can you leave, brother?”

“Hahaha! You’re driving me crazy. Hey! Forget it. Just take the money and leave. This isn’t a place for someone like you. How much? 100 million? 1 billion?”

I had to suppress my laughter. Didn’t he say the same thing before? Back then, I couldn’t say a word and just stood there like an idiot.

“Wow! Our brother is giving his little brother pocket money?”

“What?”

“100 million isn’t pocket money?”

Ji-won laughed sarcastically.

“You’re really a lunatic. You might end up dead without anyone knowing. You’re young, so you don’t understand that fists come before the law. Don’t ignore my warning.”

“Sure, sure.”

“Huh, did you grow up without parents? Your upbringing is a mess. This is why you shouldn’t talk to a parentless brat.”

...This guy is really crossing the line.

“Did your grandmother raise you? Or your grandfather? Looking at you, I can tell how they are.”

I grabbed Ji-won by the collar and slammed him against the door.

“So, my parents are gone, and I’m invisible to you. Do you want to get a beating from a parentless brat?”

< Fortress (1) > End