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Chapter 19




The Genius Grandson of the Loan Shark King - Chapter 19 (19/840)
< Four Bosses of Myeongdong Loan Market >
#19
Four bosses of the Myeongdong loan market.
A fist flew straight and true.
I twisted my head to dodge the punch, then mercilessly threw a punch at his face.
The guy who got hit in the nose staggered back.
In the meantime, the two who were watching rushed over simultaneously.
Ignoring them, I closed the distance with Hyunwoo and grabbed his collar, throwing several punches.
Punch! Punch!
As the guy staggered, the other two were shocked and grabbed him.
“You damn bastard!”
The guys cursed and charged at me.
I uppercut the jaw of the guy on the left, and blood spurted from his mouth.
The guy on the right, foolishly, tried to kick me.
I threw a short punch, striking his ulna.
“Gah! Gah... Huh.”
The guy who got hit in the ulna gasped for breath, clutching his neck.
“...Do you want more?”
In just a few minutes, the situation was over.
“Jae-in?”
When I called his name, Cheon Jae-in, who had been trembling, finally came to his senses and looked at me.
“Bro, I’ll say this one last time. We’re both uncomfortable, right? So let’s not get involved with each other. And stop hanging out with these guys and playing gangster. It’s embarrassing. Isn’t it time to stop being a brat? You’re in your late twenties, for God’s sake. Get your act together, please.”
Cheon Jae-in couldn’t say a word, like a bee that had eaten honey.
He looked so pitiful that I involuntarily clicked my tongue.
“...This is really the last time. If this happens again, I won’t let it slide, no matter what. Got it?”
The three who had attacked me were sprawled on the floor or crouching, groaning. I looked at them and said,
“Come on, do you really want to clean up after such a guy and get free drinks? It’s embarrassing, really.”
I picked up my coat, which I had taken off, and turned to leave.
Before leaving, I didn’t forget to give Cheon Jae-in a heads-up.
“Bro, you clean up the mess. You’re an expert at that, right? Don’t bother me with this. If you do, we’ll meet again.”
I left the shop, leaving Cheon Jae-in, who couldn’t even make a sound.
Outside the building, Myeong and three others were waiting.
“Hey! Muhyuk! Are you okay?”
“What? Let’s go now.”
“Huh? Oh, are you hurt?”
“I just had a talk.”
I greeted the seniors.
“Then we’ll be going, seniors.”
I walked with Myeong to where we had parked the car.
The March night was still cold.
* * *
“Did you say that guy is living with the old man’s family? And learning the business under Mr. Ha?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Hmm... I can’t understand what the old man is thinking all of a sudden.”
Chun Su-man frowned and leaned back on the sofa.
The secretary, who was reporting, glanced at him sideways.
“Mr. Ha is personally taking him to big company meetings and introducing him to the big shots. If rumors start that he’s the successor...”
At this, a loud voice echoed through Chun Su-man’s office.
“What? A successor? With my eldest son still alive, who’s saying such nonsense!”
“...I’m sorry.”
“Annoying, really.”
Chun Su-man took out his frustration on the innocent secretary.
“What’s Su-han up to these days?”
“He’s working on the Kim legislator’s case, as far as I know.”
“What exactly is he doing?”
“Yes, it seems...”
“Hmm... Working on the Kim legislator’s case isn’t easy. Look into it more. What about the four in Myeongdong?”
“They haven’t had contact with Kim Muhyuk yet. But I think they’ll meet soon. Should I find out?”
Chun Su-man scratched the back of his head irritably.
“I’ll handle that. You look into Su-han and Kim Muhyuk, and keep an eye on the old man’s recent activities.”
“Yes.”
“Out.”
When the secretary left, Chun Su-man, who was left alone, flipped through a notebook.
“Let’s see, the snake’s phone number... Ah, here it is.”
Chun Su-man dialed the number.
— This is No Ik-seon.
“Hey, Mr. No. This is Chun Su-man from Myeongdong. Are you free? I’d like to meet today.”
— Today, sir?
“Yes. I’d like to gather all the Myeongdong family for a drink. Is your time free?”
— Hmm, I understand.
“Alright, alright. I’ll call the others too, so let’s meet at our usual spot.”
— Yes, Mr. Chun.
After hanging up, Chun Su-man continued to flip through the notebook and made another call.
A few hours later, at a bar in Myeongdong.
Four men were waiting for Chun Su-man.
“Hey! Ma-jeok. Do you know why Mr. Chun called us?”
“I don’t know either. Do you know, sir?”
“Yeah. Why did he call us? Does Mr. Mangchi know anything?”
“No. If he knows, he’ll tell us when he comes. Let’s wait and see.”
“Ugh~ I can’t stand these meetings. Why do the two bosses make us suffer like this?”
At that moment, the door opened, and Chun Su-man entered.
“All four of you are here. It’s been a while.”
The four men quickly stood up and bowed to Chun Su-man.
“Yes, Mr. Chun. It’s been a while.”
“Sit down first. Let’s talk while sitting.”
Only after Chun Su-man sat in the seat of honor did the four sit down.
“Let’s have a drink first. We’ll finish the talk with one drink, then call the girls and go somewhere else. How about it?”
“Yes.”
They all raised their glasses and drank in one shot.
“Ah! It’s good to drink together after a long time.”
Mangchi, who had been watching Chun Su-man’s reaction, immediately took the lead and asked.
“But, sir. What’s the matter? Why did you call all four of us?”
“Mr. Yu, do we only meet when there’s something to talk about? Why do you make it sound so distant?”
“We sometimes meet individually, but all four of us meeting is rare, isn’t it?”
Chun Su-man scratched his chin.
They all looked at him, seemingly agreeing.
“Ugh~ I can’t get anything done in front of the Myeongdong bosses. Anyway, I called you because I have something to say.”
“Please speak.”
After drinking another glass of brandy, Chun Su-man spoke.
“Do you all know that there’s a kid living at the chairman’s house these days?”
“You mean the chairman’s grandson?”
“Grandson, my ass. Anyway, I heard that this kid is following Mr. Ha and learning the business. But I’m worried that strange rumors will start, even though I’m here. That’s why I called you for some help.”
“Help?”
The bosses exchanged glances.
Chun Su-man watched their busy eyes with a relaxed face.
“Honestly, the chairman doesn’t have much time left, and I, as the eldest son, should pay more attention. It’s not right for a strange kid to stick around and block the chairman’s view.”
At this, Ma-jeok Shin Seong-il suddenly got angry and said,
“Mr. Chun, be careful with your words. How can you say the chairman doesn’t have much time left? He’s still in good health.”
Chun Su-man frowned at Shin Seong-il.
“I’m just saying, I’m just saying!”
“Still, it’s not right to say such things about your father.”
Chun Su-man clicked his tongue.
‘What a thick-headed kid...’
He put on a fake smile and shrugged.
“Hmm... I’m sorry for my slip of the tongue. Anyway, Mr. Shin, think about it. For the chairman’s sake, shouldn’t we get rid of anyone who blocks his view?”
“Hmm...”
They didn’t answer.
The first to speak was Ssangkal.
“Is the kid really the grandson?”
“According to the chairman, he is. He’s the son of the youngest, Mi-sook.”
“If it’s true... What can we do? It’s a family matter. Even if we help, what can we do?”
Ssangkal, Kim Ho-sik.
An elite from Yonsei University. But he started working under Chairman Chun due to debt. With his sharp mind, he quickly rose to the position of boss.
It was a sharp question, but Chun Su-man burst into laughter after hearing Kim Ho-sik’s words.
“Hmm~ Mr. Kim, or Ho-sik. It’s not a family matter. Am I afraid of that kid? I’m worried that my father might make the wrong decision.”
The four didn’t believe Chun Su-man’s words.
“Anyway, Mr. Ha will bring that kid to see you soon. When he does, don’t just bow to him because he’s the chairman’s blood. Test him. You can do that, right? You’ve all been under the chairman for at least ten years.”
Ssangkal, Kim Ho-sik.
Ma-jeok, Shin Seong-il.
Mangchi, Yu Ji-gang.
Snake, No Ik-seon.
The four were deep in thought.
Shin Seong-il, who finished thinking first, spoke.
“No. We can’t test what the chairman has decided. I’ll just listen to Mr. Ha and decide.”
Chun Su-man nodded, seemingly not expecting Shin Seong-il’s support.
“Alright, Mr. Shin, do as you please. What about the others?”
“I’ll test him. Mr. Chun asked, and honestly, it’s ridiculous to take orders from a kid. This business isn’t easy. Isn’t it?”
The oldest, Mangchi Yu Ji-gang, started, looking at Ssangkal and Snake. Kim Ho-sik and No Ik-seon also nodded in agreement.
“I agree with Mr. Mangchi. What does a twenty-year-old know about this business? We can treat him well, but we should test him in terms of work. What do you think, Ho-sik?”
Ssangkal, who received No Ik-seon’s gaze, also spoke.
“He seems smart, having entered the law school at Seoul University as the top student, but that doesn’t mean everything. I’ve been in this business for years after graduating from university. You all know that. I’ve been beaten by Ma-jeok, scolded by Snake, and comforted by Mangchi to get to this position...”
The other bosses reminisced about the old days.
“We don’t have to be loyal to the chairman’s grandson. I’ve been in this business, so you all follow me.”
The other bosses, except for Mr. Shin, agreed and smiled.
Seeing things go as planned, Chun Su-man clapped his hands in satisfaction.
“Hahaha. As expected, you are the chairman’s loyalists. My father is good at judging people. I need to show my nephew that this business isn’t easy. Come, let’s stop the boring talk and drink.”
Their drinking session lasted for a long time.
* * *
I met various people while following Mr. Ha.
I quickly absorbed what he taught, and Mr. Ha couldn’t hide his surprise.
“You learn quickly, young master.”
“Hahaha. It’s because Mr. Ha explains well.”
I laughed, but Mr. Ha shook his head.
“No, it’s a natural talent. The ability to see the flow of money and find the hidden picture in documents. It’s hard to learn these things in a short time, no matter how well someone explains. You have to figure it out yourself. It took the two bosses a long time to master these skills.”
Of course, I’ve been learning from you for years. I can’t afford not to.
I listened to Mr. Ha’s praise and entered the chairman’s study with him.
The chairman, who was sitting alone at his desk reading documents, looked up.
“How’s the work? Is it manageable?”
“Yes, I’m learning with interest.”
The chairman glanced at Mr. Ha.
Mr. Ha, without being asked, reported.
“He’s a natural. When I teach him one thing, he figures out two or three more. He already understands how to read documents and the flow of funds.”
“Hmm, really?”
Mr. Ha wasn’t the type to exaggerate.
The chairman, who knew this best, looked at me with interest.
“Then... Can you handle the Myeongdong business? What do you think?”
At this, Mr. Ha looked at me with a slightly worried expression.
“Hmm... Isn’t it too early? The Myeongdong bosses aren’t ordinary people... Will they recognize you?”
“Even if it’s necessary, isn’t it better to face it early? Even if my head gets cracked and I bleed, I’ll gain something, won’t I?”
“Young master!”
Mr. Ha was surprised and looked at me.
The chairman stopped Mr. Ha with a gesture and looked at me for a long time.
“Are you confident?”
“I’m always confident.”
The chairman smiled, tilting his mouth.
“Hmm? They’re not easy to handle. Even your uncles can’t deal with them easily. Can you handle them?”
The chairman tested me.
I met his gaze with a challenging look.
“If once doesn’t work, I’ll try twice. If twice doesn’t work, I’ll try three times... I’ll keep trying until it works.”
At this, the chairman threw his head back and laughed.
Mr. Ha couldn’t hide his surprise.
“Hahaha! I have many interesting things to do in my old age thanks to you. Go ahead and face them. If it gets tough, let me know.”
“It won’t get tough. I’ll bring good news.”
At my words, the chairman stopped laughing and looked at Mr. Ha.
“Who should you start with?”
“Start with Mr. Shin. He’s the most loyal to the chairman, isn’t he?”
“Hmm...”
The chairman, who had been thinking, quickly made up his mind and looked at me with an expectant face.
“No, that’s not interesting. Start with Ho-sik. He’s the smartest, so send him first.”
“Mr. Kim is...”
Mr. Ha looked worriedly at me and the chairman.
But the chairman waved his hand.
“Send him to Ssangkal first for the handover. Transfer the bookkeeping authority and all the accounts they manage to Muhyuk.”
“Understood.”
“Muhyuk, go out for now.”
“Yes.”
* * *
After Kim Muhyuk left the study, the chairman’s expression changed.
“You said the eldest met with the bosses?”
“Yes.”
The chairman’s face, which had been stiff, twisted even more.
“Tsk tsk. Is he already scared?”
“I couldn’t figure out what they talked about, but I’m sure they had a meeting.”
At Mr. Ha’s words, the chairman pinched his temples as if he had a headache.
After a while, he sighed and said,
“Hmm... Send Muhyuk to Ssangkal first. Watch over him. Don’t let him overdo it. Got it?”
“Yes, Chairman.”
A few days later.
Kim Muhyuk went to Ssangkal Kim Ho-sik’s office in Myeongdong with Mr. Ha.
< Four Bosses of Myeongdong Loan Market > End