During the real-name financial system implementation, most of the nominee accounts were transferred to Director Ha's name.
"Once you decide, let's start by converting the money in those accounts to dollars."
Finally, Grandfather nodded.
"Do as you see fit. If that's what you think."
"Thank you, Grandfather."
Now that Grandfather had given his permission, there was no need to hesitate. I planned to convert all the cash assets to dollars as quickly as possible.
"Move all the money in Director Ha's accounts to foreign banks and exchange it there. Not our domestic banks, but definitely foreign banks."
Money wasn't just in the accounts.
"Exchange the cash in the underground vault using the money changers in Myeongdong."
Cash that no one knew about had its own value.
Since it wasn't recorded, it could be used for bribes without much issue.
"Leave the physical assets like real estate and gold bars as they are. Just convert the won to dollars cleanly."
"I understand, Chairman. I'll leave now."
"Go ahead. Do as Muhyuk suggests."
After Director Ha left, Grandfather and I were alone.
"Now, tell me what you're waiting for. I'm curious."
No one could predict a large-scale bankruptcy of major corporations just because they sensed an unusual atmosphere.
Daema Bulsa (大馬不死).
The government's policy of never letting major corporations fail. This is why the large corporations couldn't get rid of their bloated attitudes.
Irresponsible issuance of bills was choking small and medium-sized enterprises.
Grandfather nodded, but he still didn't fully understand.
"Would the country really collapse so easily? Even though crises have come before, hasn't the government managed to prevent them?"
During the Third and Fifth Republics, economic crises hit due to oil shocks.
The government did everything possible to prevent companies from failing.
Thanks to this, the companies survived, but it also led to internal rot.
They should have burst before they festered. The forced life support of failing companies was the root cause.
"Right now, South Korea is in a comprehensive crisis. The weakness of the yen has dealt a fatal blow to our export-dependent economy, and various incidents and accidents have occurred due to corruption and shoddy construction. It's just one step away from bursting. In the end, foreign investors will leave, and a rapid outflow of dollars will follow. The government will do its best to maintain the exchange rate."
"Hmm..."
Speaking with conviction, Grandfather stroked his chin.
"The government's choice will be the worst."
"I see. Now I understand why you've been consistently liquidating bonds and converting to dollars."
"Dollars have that kind of power, Grandfather."
"Hehehe."
Grandfather laughed heartily.
"It's nice that you're thinking of this old man, but I'm done. You should take the lead, Muhyuk."
I still needed to stay behind Grandfather.
Until I had the power to cut off the Cheongpung Society's lifeline, I couldn't step forward.
"Grandfather, it's not over yet. I need you to do one more thing."
Grandfather's eyes fixed on me.
"Boy, what are you so afraid of?"
With the wisdom of his years, Grandfather seemed to see through me.
"You can't gain anything by just avoiding what scares you. I don't know what makes you so afraid, but I trust you. You can do better than me."
"Grandfather..."
"I'm getting old. I don't want to be a backroom old man, but you should do what you can. Understand?"
Grandfather's sincere words made me feel at ease.
What was I afraid of?
So much had already changed.
I saved Grandmother and brought down the Chunsuwan brothers.
I also succeeded in weakening the Cheongpung Society to some extent.
"I understand. But for now, I still need Grandfather's help. I'm still too young."
"Hehehe. Young? Who would think you're young? You're like a little old man."
Grandfather laughed, then suddenly started coughing.
"Cough, cough!"
His condition looked serious, and I sent him a worried glance, but he just waved me off.
"I'm fine. It happens sometimes. I've lived a long life."
"Grandfather..."
"The doctor says there's no major problem, but I've been feeling weak lately. You can't win against time."
Last time, Grandfather passed away suddenly.
Even though Director Ha managed his health meticulously...
"Your in-law is also getting old. No matter how busy you are, you should visit him more often. Remember my words. Don't regret it later."
At Grandfather's words, it felt like I had been hit on the head with a hammer.
'What am I doing?'
Making calls every day wasn't enough. Revenge was one thing, but I couldn't lose Grandmother again like I did in my previous life.
"Thank you, Grandfather."
"Don't mention it."
As soon as I left the study, I told Manager Ma.
"Cancel all my appointments. I'm heading to Busan right away."
Manager Ma moved quickly.
While he was preparing, I made a call.
― Hello.
"Hyunseong, I'm going to Busan. Do you want to come with me?"
― Suddenly?
"Yeah. It's been too long since I last saw Grandmother."
― What about Myeongsoo?
"Myeongsoo isn't a kid. Don't worry about him and get ready. I'll pick you up."
― Got it. I'll call Mom. I'll hang up.
After hanging up, the thought of sitting in the car in silence for a few hours made me shudder.
"All appointments have been canceled. We can leave now."
"Are the staff on standby?"
Since the beginning of the year, whenever I moved, two cars with four of Manager Ma's subordinates each would follow me.
In the car I was in, one of Manager Ma's subordinates drove with me.
It was inconvenient, but Manager Ma insisted, saying he didn't know what the Yakuza or the Cheongpung Society might do.
Unlike Grandfather, who rarely went out, I often traveled, so his advice made sense.
On the way to Myeongsoo's house to pick up Hyunseong.
"What about PMC?"
"We're preparing to establish a legal entity in the U.S. You can trust the experts there."
I hired an administrative specialist and former special forces member who was Manager Ma's superior at EO to handle all the tasks.
The conditions were a high salary and 10% of PMC's shares as stock options.
"Wasn't his name Eric Clark?"
"Yes. He's a former Navy SEAL officer. He has good connections in the special forces and is well-versed in military operations, so he'll handle it well."
"Even so, we can't leave everything to him. Someone needs to be there."
"I'll look into it."
"Have him come to Korea once first."
"Yes."
By the time we finished talking about PMC, we had arrived at Myeongsoo's house.
Hyunseong was already waiting outside, having finished all her preparations.
"Get in."
I opened the rear door, and Hyunseong got in silently.
The car was filled with silence the whole way to Busan. Just as I had expected.
When the suffocating time finally ended, I got out of the car, genuinely happy.
"Grandma!"
Surprised to see me, Grandma jumped up from her seat.
"What? Who is this?"
"Who else? Your grandson."
"My child, why are you here without any notice? Did you come for business? Let me touch your face."
I had only visited at the beginning of the year, citing busyness, and hadn't come for the summer or Chuseok. No, I hadn't come at all.
'Your in-law is also getting old.'
Grandfather's words echoed in my ears.
Chasing revenge could make me neglect the most important and precious things.
When I first regressed, I was only grateful to whoever, be it a god or a devil, had given me a second chance to save Grandma.
But as time passed, my initial resolve had faded.
'I need to get my head straight.'
I didn't want to make any more regrets this time.
"Are you eating well? Why are you so thin?"
As Grandma kept touching my face, tears welled up in my eyes without me realizing it.
"I'm not thin. I've been exercising because I've gained weight recently."
"What? What do you have to lose weight for? But you're here, right? What's the matter?"
Grandma, noticing the moisture in my eyes, asked in surprise.
"It's nothing. I'm just happy to see you after so long."
"Is something wrong?"
"No, I'm eating well and sleeping well."
"My child, you're doing well."
Grandma's wrinkled face lit up with a smile, making me feel good.
"I missed you, Grandma."
I took a step closer and hugged her tightly.
Her hands, holding my back, felt so comforting.
"I didn't know you were coming, so I didn't prepare anything. Take a shower and wait. I'll go buy groceries quickly."
"But we can eat out..."
"What? Since you're here, you have to eat what Grandma cooks."
Grandma's angry but cute reaction made me smile.
"Got it, got it. Go quickly."
Grandma found her wallet and was about to leave without a coat.
"Grandma, it's cold outside. Dress warmly."
"Ah, I'm getting forgetful."
Perhaps due to her age, her forgetfulness had worsened.
Grandma left the house. The empty house felt strangely large.
Grandma must have felt this way every day.
When I opened my room, it was spotless, as if it had been cleaned daily. My heart ached.
Even though she didn't know when I would come, Grandma must have cleaned every day and thought about me.
The room I'm staying in now is smaller and the furniture is older, but it feels wider and better, maybe because of Grandma.
I sat on the bed, lost in thought.
'Right. Let's take it a bit slower.'
I went to the bathroom to wash up and returned to the room, opening the closet.
The clothes were all neatly in place.
Just as I put on a comfortable outfit, Grandma returned.
"Wait. I'll cook quickly."
Manager Ma bowed at the front door, about to leave.
"Wait. Stay and spend the night."
Manager Ma flinched at Grandma's words.
That guy is also secretly weak for affection.
"Manager, stay and have dinner. Have you arranged the staff's accommodations?"
"Yes."
"Come in."
While Grandma cooked, I sat in the living room and talked with Manager Ma.
"I'll be in Busan until the end of the year. If there's no urgent matter, handle it for now, Manager."
"Understood."
Most of the work could be handled by Manager Ma even without me.
Except for Han Kyungyeong's work in the U.S.
"Have Eric come to Busan next year or this year if he's coming."
"Understood."
Next year, things would really get busy.
Before that, I planned to spend as much time as possible with Grandma.