CH 429

Hwang Jeong-Hu cocked an eyebrow. “Just what did you do for that fella to personally call you, Gyu-Min?”

“Sir, it wasn't much. Since an incident occurred in his amusement park, I merely gave him a call to suggest the evacuation of the parkgoers.”

“That's their job, isn't it? Was there a need for you to speak to that guy directly?”

“Well, sir... That man didn't have the necessary authority to make the call. What I did was give him a way out in case he ran into issues of authority or loss of revenue later on. He can now rely on Jaegyeong's name and avoid the punishment.”

“Really...?” Hwang Jeong-Hu blinked his eyes a couple of times before guffawing loudly. “What an idiot!”

“My apologies, sir.”

“No, no need to apologize. The funny thing about 'names' is that you think you'll get to use them lots and lots of times, but... But when you're finally ready, there aren't any opportunities to use them. In that sense, it's good that you found a suitable situation to use Jaegyeong's name, Gyu-Min.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu watched Jo Gyu-Min bow deeply with eyes burning in complicated light.

'Hmm. Whenever I see this kid, he seems to become more extraordinary...'

Truth be told, Hwang Jeong-Hu hadn't sensed the keen sharpness most geniuses possessed from Jo Gyu-Min. At least, not all that often, anyway. However, Jo Gyu-Min still handled his tasks cleanly and without any loose ends, regardless of what those tasks were. He rarely flipped the script on the head and turned the situation on its head since that wasn't his style. He preferred to tread a more predictable and stable path to reach the best possible outcome in a given situation. And he knew how to minimize the risks as much as possible, too.

'For a top-level executive, those are some admirable qualities, aren't they?'

Back when Jaegyeong was still growing and constantly needed to challenge itself, such a style of management wouldn't have worked. However, Jo Gyu-Min's style might be the... most suitable in the current era of Jaegyeong.

“Hmm. Gyu-Min, how about receiving training in business administration?”

“Business... administration, sir?” Jo Gyu-Min's brows rose up in surprise. “Why so suddenly?”

“Well, I'm getting on in years,” Hwang Jeong-Hu chuckled bitterly. “The older you get, the harder it is to avoid thinking about the future. Sure, the current trend is to hire professional managers to run your business, but I'm an old-fashioned man, Gyu-Min. That idea just doesn't sit well with me. Those managers can just drop everything and walk away if the results aren't satisfactory enough. What I'm looking for is a person who will treat this company like a part of themselves... But finding someone like that is easier said than done.”

“But, sir. What about Mister Jin-Ho...?”

“Nah, that guy's not gonna work.” Hwang Jeong-Hu grunted and pulled out a cigarette to alleviate his frustration. Jo Gyu-Min smartly took out a lighter and lit his Chairman's cigarette. “Let's be honest here, shall we? Why would that guy want to take over Jaegyeong? He's got money and even power, too. Besides, if we're talking purely about influences, I need to grovel before that punk, right? That's how things are now.”

Jo Gyu-Min held his chuckle back. For quite some time now, Hwang Jeong-Hu had been trying to reel Kang Jin-Ho into Jaegyeong's folds, but none of his attempts had yielded a favorable result. It was never going to work since Kang Jin-Ho lacked interest in Jaegyeong, to begin with.

“That's why I need someone trustworthy at the top level. And from where I sit, you seem like a great fit for that role. As long as you study a bit, of course. So? How about it?”

“Sir. I am grateful for the consideration, but...”

“Eiiing!” Hwang Jeong-Hu didn't even bother to wait for the rest of Jo Gyu-Min's rejection and grunted in unhappiness. “Yeah, yeah. I know, you brat! I knew you'd say no. Tell me, is hanging out with Jin-Ho that great? Great enough for you to reject the top leadership position in Jaegyeong?”

Jo Gyu-Min shook his head. “No, sir. A position like that, being a president of a corporation like Jaegyeong... That is an incredibly tempting offer. If I'm being honest, I've never thought that an opportunity to occupy a position as impressive as that would land on my lap in my lifetime.”

“Oh? Then why are you saying no?”

“Well, sir...” Jo Gyu-Min sheepishly scratched his cheek. “I don't think it'll be as fun as the other option.”

“Ungrateful brat...” Hwang Jeong-Hu deeply sucked in the unhealthy cigarette smoke before spitting it out. “Well, I'll be. Live long enough, and you get to see some weird things. Being the president of Jaegyeong isn't like working as a manager in a corner store or something... But, to think that this idiot and that other idiot don't want to do it...”

Jo Gyu-Min finally couldn't hold it and chuckled softly at that. Even he thought this was a weirdly funny situation. To think he'd say no to the offer of inheriting the country's top corporation! Whether it was Jo Gyu-Min or Kang Jin-Ho, they both were... certifiably insane.

“Sir, what about your sons?”

“Don't even bring them up,” Hwang Jeong-Hu stubbed his cigarette out in clear irritation. “When we tried to talk the last time, they shouted at me about how everything's my bloody fault! It's driving me nuts! If it hadn't been for Jin-Ho, I'd never have reached out to them in the first place! But now that I've taken pity and decided to allow them in, they have the audacity to raise their voices at me!”

Jo Gyu-Min wordlessly nodded. He was busy remembering what Kang Jin-Ho said earlier. The one about how Hwang Jeong-Hu's sons didn't really do anything wrong back then.

'Well, that's not something I can say out loud, now is it?'

Sometimes, even 'truth' needed to mind the right time and place. Jo Gyu-Min knew that openly revealing his thoughts to Hwang Jeong-Hu right now would be no different than dumping a tank full of oil into a raging fire.

“Still, sir... Shouldn't you consider improving your relationship with your children, at least?”

“I don't care,” Hwang Jeong-Hu dismissively waved his hand. “The whole thing about dads letting their kids win is an outdated notion these days. I have done nothing wrong, so why should I deliberately lose to those ungrateful punks? Besides, I can only accept them back when they have properly reflected on their actions. But then... Did you see how embittered and angry they were the last time they were here?!”

“...”

“Besides, realistically...” Hwang Jeong-Hu suddenly looked deflated just then. “The eldest, he's too angry. Too bitter. Regardless of whose fault it was, a boss of a massive corporation cannot be so resentful of others like that. Resentment and hatred always blind people, you see? That's not how a boss should behave.”

“But, sir... You still have two other sons.”

“Sure. But my second son, Min-Su, has become just too wishy-washy lately. And he used to be so full of confidence, too. As for my third son, Min-Guk... Nope, definitely not. Since he was a kid, Min-Guk got bullied and manipulated by his older brothers. Giving Jaegyeong to him will be like... Turning him into a puppet while someone else gets all the benefits. I'll rather give the company to his brothers instead of doing that.”

Jo Gyu-Min was honestly impressed by that assessment and stared in awe at Hwang Jeong-Hu. Even though Hwang Jeong-Hu's emotions toward his sons were still not great, he didn't let his feelings cloud his judgment of whether or not the trio was fit to serve as the company's top boss.

This indicated that Hwang Jeong-Hu would've seriously considered handing his company over to one of his sons in spite of the bad blood if he thought they were the right person for the job.

Jo Gyu-Min contemplatively nodded. “If I'm being honest, I couldn't quite understand what happened back then in your office, sir. Even if the emotions were running high, your sons should've known what it means for you to extend the hand of reconciliation first, so why did they...”

“Yes. I wonder about that myself...:” Hwang Jeong-Hu sighed, then his expression reddened slightly, which was uncharacteristic of him. “Well, I gotta admit... Maybe I was a bit too heavy-handed back then.”

“I'm sorry, sir?” Jo Gyu-Min blinked his eyes in shock while staring at Hwang Jeong-Hu. This bundle of stubbornness, otherwise known as Hwang Jeong-Hu, would never, ever, say he was in the wrong. The fact that he admitted to it meant even he thought his mistake was too significant to ignore.

Jo Gyu-Min barely managed to clamp shut his slack jaw and stuttered out a question. “B-but, how?”

“...Well, when I thought about calling them back and trying to reconcile, it felt like I was admitting defeat and begging them to come home, right? I didn't feel so good after realizing that, you know what I mean? It's like, I'm an old man getting lonely and have to call his sons back to fill a hole in his life or something!”

'But, sir... Isn't that a pretty good description of yourself?'

Jo Gyu-Min thought he heard a voice crying out in his head but firmly suppressed it. This was what living in society entailed. Even if one had something to say, they should keep their mouth shut in front of their boss unless they didn't want to be employed anymore!

“Yes, sir. I see where you're coming from.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu nodded weightily. “Right. So, I showed them my will when they came here.”

“Y-your will, sir?”

“Yeah. I had one drawn up not too long ago, see? It said I'm not leaving any inheritance to my idiot sons, so they shouldn't drool over it. Something similar to that. However, if they still wanted jobs, I'd be willing to let them back into Jaegyeong.”

“S-sir, that's a bit...” Jo Gyu-Min's lips quivered. He wanted so badly to say something. So much so that it actually physically hurt!

'Sir, don't you know what doing it in moderation means?!'

Who would feel great after getting treated like crap during the supposed reconciliation?! Jo Gyu-Min suddenly started sympathizing with the eldest son. No wonder he was yelling in agitation like that back then!

Hwang Jeong-Hu grunted unhappily again. “Those ungrateful brats! I'm still their father at the end of the day, aren't I?!”

Jo Gyu-Min subtly shook his head. It was too late. Too late for Hwang Jeong-Hu, that was! Besides his company, Hwang Jeong-Hu was too clueless in everything else, including human relationships.

Jo Gyu-Min cautiously piped up. “By the way, sir... May I ask you something?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“If none of your sons is inheriting your estate, who will? Are you planning to donate everything to society, sir?”

“Don't be stupid, Gyu-Min. If I hand my company over to some foundation or, even worse, the government, those jackals will rip it apart into tiny pieces in no time at all! They will fail to see the abundance of future profits and blindly focus on fattening their wallets instead. You think I can close my eyes knowing that will happen?”

“In that case?”

Hwang Jeong-Hu smirked suspiciously. "So, you think you can guess who the beneficiary will be?"

“...Could it be?”

An ominous cackle leaked out of Hwang Jeong-Hu's lips next. “If that punk doesn't want the company, I'll just dump it on him and leave him to his devices. What choice would he have when he's forced to become the new owner?”

“...” Jo Gyu-Min turned his head and stared outside the distant heavens beyond the windows.

'Yup, this place is also screwed.'

Jo Gyu-Min was sure of it now. Hwang Jeong-Hu was not sane, either!

***

“Hey, there!” Choi Yeon-Ha smiled brightly as she airily entered the cafe.

Kang Yu-Hwan welcomed her with a warm smile, but Kang Jin-Ho's face leaned more toward 'Why is she even here?'

Choi Yeon-Ha narrowed her eyes slightly. “What's wrong with your expression, Mister Jin-Ho?”

“Well, you haven't called me ahead of time, that's why.”

“Mm? Do I need to alert you every single time I want to drink coffee in a cafe?”

“...” Kang Jin-Ho was left speechless and searched his brain to find the right comeback, but his father beat him to the punch.

He smiled brightly and replied to Choi Yeon-Ha. “Of course you don't need to. As the owner of this fine establishment, I assure you, you're always welcome.”

“Thank you. I'm actually here to see the handsome boss of the cafe and not that gloomy man sitting there all by himself, you see?”

“Aha. You have a discerning eye, Miss Choi. And I'm assuming you'll be having americano?”

“Yes, please. And make it warm, please.”

“Understood,” Kang Yu-Hwan nodded, then glanced at his son. “Jin-Ho, you heard her.”

“I'm sorry?” Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head.

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“Go and brew her coffee.”

“...But of course.” Kang Jin-Ho staggered to his feet and walked toward the coffee maker behind the counter. He could hear the peals of laughter behind him.

“Is it okay to let a part-timer brew your customer's coffee?” Choi Yeon-Ha asked.

“Well, he might not be the brightest or the most versatile, but my son is still surprisingly good at brewing coffee, Miss Yeon-Ha. I guess it's his only useful talent.”

“It's all thanks to your guidance, of course.”

“Hahaha. Indeed.” Kang Yu-Hwan laughed happily away.

Kang Jin-Ho sighed grandly while operating the coffee maker. Just where was a place he could lay down and rest? Even though the world was so vast, it seemed his search was not over yet!

By the time Kang Jin-Ho brought three steaming cups of coffee to the table, Kang Yu-Hwan and Choi Yeon-Ha were already laughing and talking like long-time friends.

“Miss Yeon-Ha, I heard so much about you from my son.”

“Eii, that has to be a lie, though? Mister Jin-Ho's not the type, after all.”

“Words aren’t the only way to express how you feel,” Kang Yu-Hwan chuckled. “I only need to see my son sitting on the couch deeply thinking about something while grinning like an idiot or double-checking his appearance in the mirror before leaving to know everything.”

“Oh, my? Really? He does that?” Choi Yeon-Ha looked surprised while covering her mouth.

Nope, that never happened.

Father, what you described has never happened!

Kang Jin-Ho felt wronged by that lie and wanted to protest his innocence, but Kang Yu-Hwan's annoyed glare forced him to lower his head and keep his mouth shut.

No matter how strong or deep Kang Jin-Ho's cultivation continued to grow, he knew he could never win against his parents.

Choi Yeon-Ha took a sip of the coffee and nodded in appreciation. “This is quite good.”

Kang Yu-Hwan smiled proudly. “Yes. It's one of the few talents my son has.”

“I'm sure he got it from you, Father,” Choi Yeon-Ha smiled back at Kang Yu-Hwan, even calling him 'father' in the process. “Even so, I still prefer your coffee, Father.”

“Hahaha... Indeed, a mere copy can never beat the original!”

After being branded as an inferior product, Kang Jin-Ho tried to console himself by one-shotting the cup of still-steaming coffee.

“What brings you to our cafe, Miss Yeon-Ha?” Kang Yu-Hwan curiously asked.

Choi Yeon-Ha was about to nonchalantly reply, 'For your coffee, of course,' before changing her mind and shrugging her shoulders. “I'd like to borrow your son for a minute. Will that be alright with you?”

“Of course. As long as you promise to bring him back in one piece.”

“I promise. He'll definitely be back, safe and sound.”

“In that case, he's all yours.”

Choi Yeon-Ha smiled meaningfully while staring at Kang Jin-Ho. “You heard him. Shall we get going?”

Kang Jin-Ho suddenly had an ominous foreboding for some reason.