The Genius Grandson of the Loan King - Chapter 69 (69/840)
< I hope they get along well. >
#69
I hope they get along well.
Song Hyunji leaned in close, as if about to share a secret, and whispered,
"Actually... Grandfather said if he doesn't listen, he'll marry me off to someone else."
"I know, but can you back off a bit?"
Then Song Hyunji glared at me and stepped back a little.
"What? Are you getting nervous or something?"
"No."
I tried to sound casual, but my heart hadn't calmed down yet.
"Brother?"
"Let's continue what we were talking about."
I quickly changed the subject.
Song Hyunji lifted her chin and said in a commanding tone,
"I want to fall in love. I don't want to marry someone my family picks for me. I'm just meeting you because Grandfather suggested it. I'm trying to buy some time. If I find a guy I like, I'll run away."
I couldn't help but laugh.
"Haha, you're telling me you want to use me?"
"Well... but after meeting you, you seem pretty good. Maybe I don't need to look for someone else."
"I've never met anyone like you."
She was so honest, it felt almost bold.
"What do you think?"
"We just met today, what are you talking about?"
I had no interest in dating or marriage. I was too focused on avenging those who killed me. I had successfully eliminated my uncles, but it wasn't a complete revenge yet.
There was still the large enemy, the Cheongpung Society.
"Hey, you flinched when I got close just now."
I found her straightforward and honest nature somewhat appealing.
But this wasn't the time to dilly-dally.
"That's natural. Who wouldn't be surprised when someone suddenly gets close? It's not like you were sharing a secret or anything."
"It's fun."
Song Hyunji giggled.
It seemed she was deliberately trying to tease me.
"Is it fun?"
"Yeah."
She's such a fox, a fox.
If we kept talking, I might get dragged in.
"Anyway, it was nice meeting you. See you next time."
"Where are you going? You have to answer. What do you think of me?"
"What? Do you like me?"
As I asked, I could see the confidence in her eyes, as if she was sure I would say yes.
She knew exactly how people saw her.
"I'll think about it."
"Wow, really? Don't back out! That's not how it works?"
I was smiling as I watched Song Hyunji pout. Then, Song Group's chairman's secretary approached, as the chairman had called us in.
When we went inside, the chairman was looking at me with a playful expression.
"Finally, you two have met?"
"Grandfather! It's been a while. How have you been?"
Song Hyunji quickly approached the chairman and sat down next to him.
"Hey, you. There are guests here."
"Hehe."
Even as he scolded her, the chairman's expression was very bright. It seemed he really did cherish his granddaughter.
The chairman then boasted,
"So, how was it? Meeting her was a good idea, right? My granddaughter is a top-notch bride, even if you put her up against anyone."
"Yes, that seems to be the case."
The chairman clicked his tongue, displeased with my indifferent response.
"Tsk, that boring guy. Whether it's the Cheong family or you, your reactions are... How was Hyunji?"
"I like her."
"Hehe, really?"
He looked at Song Hyunji, who was sitting across from me.
Song Hyunji met my gaze without flinching, as if to say, "What? What do you want?"
I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Then, let's meet occasionally. You should get to know each other. I introduced you because she's my most cherished granddaughter."
Since our first meeting went well, I nodded.
"Understood."
"Hehe, that's good."
"Grandfather, you have to keep your promise. I'm not interested in business or the company, so you have to let me live freely, remember?"
"Hehe, you. Is that even possible?"
This revealed Song Hyunji's personality.
Born as the granddaughter of the chairman of Daehyun Group, could she really live freely? Or, more importantly, could anyone resist the allure of the vast empire of Daehyun?
I understood why I had never heard of Song Hyunji's name.
She probably never appeared in the media or in rumors about the wealthy families. Perhaps she left to live freely to avoid the dirty fights that would ensue after the chairman's death.
"You promised. If I meet Brother Muhyuk, I won't marry or do anything else."
"Hehe."
I decided to help Song Hyunji.
"I'll try to meet and talk with her occasionally. I like that she's different from the wealthy people I know. You know our family's background."
Song Hyunji didn't understand my words, but the chairman did.
A person who left everything for love.
Thinking of my mother, I might have liked Song Hyunji even more.
"Right, I hope you two get along well."
The chairman finally nodded.
Song Hyunji's face lit up.
Whether she was happy because she wouldn't have to be sold off for a strategic marriage with another wealthy family or because she genuinely liked me, we would see.
This was an event that wouldn't have happened otherwise. How our meetings would continue and what form they would take was still unknown.
But now, it was time to ask about the reason for my visit.
"Did you have a good talk with the CEO of Daehyun Construction?"
"Hey, do you know what it means for Daehyun Construction, the top-ranked construction company in the country, to participate in a single building project?"
Daehyun Construction, currently the top-ranked in terms of construction capability and the 20th largest construction company globally, was a powerhouse.
But I smiled calmly at the chairman's reprimand.
"I know. But it must be a significant project. It will require a lot of money."
"How much, really? Anyway, I've said my part. Send someone from Geumsung Construction to Daehyun Construction for the details."
"Thank you."
A satisfied smile spread across my face as I achieved my goal.
The chairman then asked Song Hyunji,
"Did you exchange contact information?"
"Oh, right. Brother, give me your number."
Even if I refused, she was still from a wealthy family.
It was still an era where pagers were more common than mobile phones, but she asked for the number as if it was the most natural thing.
The chairman, who had been watching us exchange contact information with a pleased expression, gestured to Song Hyunji.
"Hyunji, you can go now. I have more to talk about with this guy."
"Okay, Grandfather. I'll come again."
Song Hyunji gave the chairman a light hug. As the chairman chuckled, she winked at me.
"Brother, see you next time!"
And she disappeared like the wind.
I wasn't sure if I should call her cool.
"Immature, isn't she?"
"No, not really."
"Still, she's my most cherished granddaughter. Maybe I've spoiled her, but she's always been so carefree... even as an adult."
"But that's what makes her appealing. It seems you like her too, Chairman."
"Hehe, that's true."
It was surprising to see the chairman, known for being tough even with family, show such a soft side to Song Hyunji.
I was about to ask whose daughter she was but decided against it. It wasn't information I needed.
But the chairman spoke first.
"I have a hidden child."
The chairman had only married once but had many children with different women. It was a well-known story.
His wife was often cited as the epitome of a devoted Korean wife.
Three of his current children were illegitimate. Yet, he mentioned another hidden child.
The chairman nodded, understanding my surprise.
"Having many children is well-known, but there was one child no one knew about. The mother refused, so the child couldn't be registered... Anyway, it's her daughter. Her parents died early, and she lives with her grandmother."
The chairman spoke calmly, but his expression was bitter.
"Maybe that's why I cherish her even more. She was a child without greed, and Hyunji is the same. I want you to take care of her even after I'm gone. You'll understand what I mean."
The chairman seemed to be predicting what would happen after his death.
"Understood. I'll treat her like a sister and take care of her. Don't worry too much."
The chairman nodded several times, his expression changing from bitter to something else.
"I've heard rumors that you're recovering funds. What's going on?"
Rumors about Chairman Cheon of Myeongdong recovering funds had already spread widely.
Most of the funds I had recovered were from those who hadn't yet paid me. After the IMF crisis, I had left the surviving companies alone, but those that didn't want to take loans from banks, investment firms, and other low-interest sources were few.
"Overall, I'm restructuring my debts. I haven't finished with the top conglomerates yet. Daehyun shouldn't have any problems. If we recover now, the company will go bankrupt."
"Hehe. What? Daehyun?"
The chairman laughed loudly, finding it absurd.
But it was true that Daehyun was struggling to get loans due to government pressure.
Thanks to the chairman's continued support, there was no immediate financial crisis, but aggressive investment was difficult.
Of course, Daehyun was still the top conglomerate in Korea.
Even the Ilseong Group, which would later be called the Ilseong Republic, was no match for Daehyun at the time.
The stories of the Ilseong founder and the chairman of Daehyun were often retold, showing their significant influence in this era.
However, the IMF crisis was inevitable.
No major Korean company could avoid the foreign exchange crisis.
"I'm also securing cash assets. Grandfather is retiring, and it's easier to settle old loans. "
"Hmm... You're not doing this because you think the rumors about Korea's bankruptcy are coming true, are you? Don't you know how prosperous it is now? Even if you leave it alone, the interest will keep coming in. Why hold onto cash assets?"
He had a point.
This was a period of unprecedented prosperity.
Low interest rates, low oil prices, and a low exchange rate.
Korea was growing rapidly.
But in a few months, the dollar would strengthen and the yen would weaken due to negotiations with the US and Japan.
The era of prosperity would end.
"I think the Korean economy is too abnormal. Corruption and collusion between government and business are severe. The debt ratio is also too high. It might explode all at once. Or, it will definitely happen. I just don't know when."
"Hmm..."
The chairman put his hand on his chin, focusing on my words.
"But that's not the reason I'm recovering funds. I plan to run the loan business differently from Grandfather. The current recovery is part of that preparation. Grandfather's power will disappear when he passes away."
"The times have changed. But that doesn't mean the Cheong family's money will disappear. That's power."
Money is power, and he was right to some extent.
But money alone couldn't achieve my revenge.
The Cheongpung Society isn't an opponent that can be defeated with money alone.
"During Grandfather's and the chairman's era, money was power. But it's not the same now. Don't you feel the difference? You must be experiencing it the most."
"Hehe."
Even during the harsh military regime, the CEOs of major companies thrived by paying bribes.
They were the pillars of the Korean economy, and many powerful figures bowed to them in hearings and national inspections.
But not Chairman Cheon.
It was because Grandfather only had money.
If Grandfather's ledger didn't exist, all that wealth would have been torn apart and taken by the powerful.
The IMF crisis was the last chance.
The opportunity for me to gain power... to face the Cheongpung Society.
The Cheongpung Society must be in a frenzy.
On March 1, 1995, the 50th anniversary of Korea's liberation, the demolition of the old Japanese Governor-General's building was announced, along with a special address by the president.
With Japan showing a strong reaction,
The Cheongpung Society is doing everything it can to stop it.
Time passed, and finally, the movements of major countries like Japan and the US began. The yen started to weaken.
— This... monster.
Han Kyungyeong's reaction was perhaps inevitable.
We had bet on the yen's weakness faster than anyone else. We would likely make profits far beyond those of other hedge funds.