Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Jin Seol-hwa's Arrival
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From early morning, we threw ourselves into busy preparations.
It was because we'd heard Jin Seol-hwa would soon arrive in Korea.
"Everything ready?"
"Yes. We've prepared everything you requested."
"Then let's go."
Today, it wasn't just the Rolls-Royce Cullinan—we were also bringing Park Seong-ho's Maybach. And the number of security personnel escorting us neared fifty.
Black vans shrouded in heavy tint began departing one after another.
The overwhelming presence resembled a presidential motorcade, drawing stares from passersby who turned their heads.
"Whoa, what's that?"
"No idea... some VIP must've arrived."
"Yeah. It's as long as the Saudi crown prince's entourage back in the day."
Under normal circumstances, we'd head to Incheon Airport.
But our destination was Pyeongtaek's U.S. Forces Korea Air Base—not a civilian airport.
According to what Im Yun-ah had told me, Jin Seol-hwa was arriving on a private jet arranged by Jack Ryan.
"Security's tight."
Im Yun-ah, at the wheel, nodded at my comment.
"The threat hasn't been apprehended yet. We need to stay vigilant in case they've entered the country."
"Still no luck? I heard they'd sealed off the airports and ports..."
Put another way, this person was impressive.
Just dodging all those cops and FBI agents showed they weren't your average crook.
Thanks to prior coordination, we entered the base smoothly.
We met the waiting U.S. officer.
Unexpectedly, she was a female soldier who reacted positively to Selig.
"Sergeant! Sergeant Harper here. The commander ordered me to escort you around the base."
Curly hair and skin like cocoa.
Her arms resembled honed rebar, forged through countless battles.
"Thanks."
Im Yun-ah greeted her first, as if it were routine, then guided us as we waited awkwardly behind.
Was it about time?
A large dot appeared in the distant sky.
"There's the private jet carrying Seol-hwa."
"It's huge."
"Jack Ryan prepared it. It won't go down to a missile or two."
"..."
Was this like the famous Air Force One?
It certainly looked a full size larger than anything I'd seen at a civilian airport.
This would be my first time meeting her in person.
The thought of finally seeing Jin Seol-hwa face-to-face, after only video calls and phone chats, made my heart race.
I owed my massive fortune—and becoming the envy-inducing CEO of a company—to her.
The private jet's door opened as it touched down.
A familiar face appeared.
"President Kim Do-jun!"
She must've been thrilled.
Jin Seol-hwa rushed over in an instant, arms wide, and pulled me into a tight hug.
The generous swells pressing against my chest.
She didn't care about that—or the public eyes—as she held on without hesitation.
"S-Seol-hwa..."
The faint breath on my neck sent my heart pounding like war drums.
A subtle fragrance brushed my nose, like inhaling fresh forest air.
She said nothing in response.
Suddenly, an irritated voice came from the side.
It belonged to Sergeant Harper.
"Ahem. This is a sacred air base. If you must engage in affectionate displays, please do so at a love hotel..."
"!"
Only then did Jin Seol-hwa's flushed face become visible as she let go. It felt oddly disappointing. When does a guy like me get skinship with a beautiful woman like her?
After that, we followed the planned schedule.
The U.S. Forces Korea commander himself came to greet her.
"I heard from my eternal friend Jack Ryan. Welcome to the base."
"No need. Thanks to you, I arrived safely."
The two shook hands.
Then they held a small event.
Nothing grand.
Just a chance to eat our fill and chat.
Who was the U.S. Forces Korea commander, after all?
A general whose fame echoed worldwide from the land of the free.
Getting acquainted couldn't hurt. We might even need his help someday.
"I'm Kim Do-jun."
Jin Seol-hwa was publicly known as Selig's CEO. Of course, I was the true owner—but that was still secret.
She introduced me.
"This is a very important person to me."
"Is that so? What an impressive figure. To be on friendly terms with the famous CEO of Selig these days."
The commander's lavish praise left me flustered.
"Hahaha. Your words make my face heat up, Commander."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After brief greetings, we headed to our original destination: Songdo, site of one of Selig's two planned production bases in Korea.
Construction was already underway, with heavy machinery bustling about.
"This is Songdo."
Jin Seol-hwa tied back her hair whipping in the strong wind. It had been quite short when we first met—must've grown out over time.
Her flawless jade-like skin and cute features contrasted sharply with her voice.
"President Kim Do-jun."
"Yes?"
She'd sidled up beside me, gazing at the vast site below the hill.
"Do you remember the resolve you shared with me?"
Of course I did.
The goal and dream: not just to be rich, but to be remembered.
"Naturally. It's Selig's management philosophy."
We stood like ancient trees, watching the workers on site. They were the true heroes sustaining this nation. As a businessman, there was much to learn here.
"A company's rise and fall is decided by passionate employees like these. Didn't someone say it? 'We'll pay even those who don't work, but don't interfere with those who do.'"
"!"
A proverb packed with meaning.
Even thriving companies collapse in an instant over such issues. Sideline the hard workers for cozy cliques, and soon only the unmotivated remain.
That's when the company crumbles.
Selig's core focus was R&D. Filled with devoted employees eager to save one more patient.
Researchers with ironclad mission sense, cutting back on food and sleep for less pay.
"That's why Selig's executives are researchers, not finance or management types. I always tell them: Sell my organs if needed, but keep pioneering new frontiers."
Seeing her like this, wasn't Jin Seol-hwa the epitome of a true entrepreneur?
Cherishing employees like life itself.
Investing boldly when spending.
Company before self.
She turned, staring straight into my eyes.
"That's why I never forget my gratitude to you. Without you, I'd be wasting away in a Philippine ghost company by now. My sister's life would've been uncertain too."
"Seol-hwa..."
"If you asked for my life, I'd give it without hesitation. My body and soul are yours alone."
My heart pounded fiercely.
Like receiving a proposal.
A hnam man's instincts shone at those words of total devotion.
"Th-that far...? Hahaha!"
We inspected Selig's new factory, then headed to a budae jjigae joint for a simple meal. As expected, Jin Seol-hwa preferred this soul food over slicing steak at a fancy restaurant.
Growing up poor, she relished hearty dishes like budae jjigae packed with ingredients.
Slurp!
Chomp!
She ate so heartily, I felt full just watching.
"Ah! This is Park Seong-ho, our Korea branch chief. Seong-ho, this is Jin Seol-hwa."
"Uh, huh?"
He'd been quiet earlier, but seeing her in person—straight out of TV—left him flustered.
Jin Seol-hwa smiled brightly and offered her hand first.
"I've heard so much about you from the president. Looking forward to working together."
"N-no, the pleasure's mine..."
Now all my fellow shipmates had greeted her.
Come to think of it, one was missing.
"Olivia hasn't arrived yet?"
"Her Philippines schedule isn't done."
More work at DJ Investment?
As I knew, Olivia handled it: invest boldly, cut losses decisively.
"Actually, this is something I handled personally. I held off reporting since it wasn't certain."
Her story continued, leaving me speechless with disbelief.
No way...
I'd never dreamed of acquiring shares in Daehyeon and GC.
"We hold 2% of Daehyeon and 3% of GC."
"That much?"
"Yes. The EV market's buzzing lately, so we negotiated."
"..."
Rumors on stock galleries said Daehyeon's shares had surged—if true, the gains were staggering.
2% and 3%.
Seemingly small, but in a succession battle, they'd wield massive power.
Jin Seol-hwa invested boldly for the future, not the present.
"Oh! We also dug deeper into Yu So-geum."
"...Pardon?"
Shockingly, rumors spread that Mirae Distribution's granddaughter frequented gyms.
Dieting for that figure?
"Possible? That's not dieting; it's human modification..."
"..."
Jin Seol-hwa and Im Yun-ah exchanged looks and shook their heads. For every possible feat, impossibles exist.
Given Yu So-geum's fiery temper, success was impossible.
"Quitting midway would still count as success..."
Why would a wild boar diligently diet?
Likely because of me.
Suddenly, everyone in the restaurant stared at me.
Their expressions gradually turned bizarre.
Huh?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Yu So-geum took a deep breath in front of the scale.
A month had passed since her grandfather's shocking declaration.
Only one month left now.
Failure here meant her dreamlike life would collapse.
"Miss, have confidence. You've worked hard. Heaven doesn't betray the diligent."
"R-right?"
"Absolutely!"
She stepped onto the scale with both feet.
Standing like a small mountain.
Creeeak! Creeeak!
Ominous noises came from the scale.
As the numbers climbed, Yu So-geum swallowed hard.
Moments later.
A chilling scream filled the gym.
"Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!"
"Miss!"
Unable to bear the mental shock, Yu So-geum collapsed flat on the floor.
⚖️ WEIGHT: [94.7kg] Despite dieting, her weight hadn't dropped—it had increased.
"Wh-why did it go up?!"