Night (2)
Same time, Jang Cheon was drinking on the rooftop as well.
There was a space on the rooftop sheltered from the rain, and it was the perfect spot to quietly sip liquor while watching the downpour.
His gaze on the night view of the rain-swept city was filled with emptiness.
Then, someone unexpected stepped into the space. It was none other than Chairman Park In-hwan.
“I got a fine bottle of whiskey as a gift, so I came to share a drink with you. That alright?”
“Of course.”
Hong Tae-sik set down the whiskey bottle, glasses, and ice bucket nearby before closing the rooftop door behind him and stepping out.
The chairman seemed to want some time alone with Jang Cheon today.
Jang Cheon drank his on the rocks; Park In-hwan took his neat. The rooftop drinking session amid the rainy night carried a peculiar charm.
“So, you don't use guns?”
“No, I do. I was a mercenary once, so I can handle them well enough.”
Though Jang Cheon downplayed it as “well enough,” Park In-hwan had a feeling it was more than that.
“When did you start learning martial arts?”
“From a very young age.”
“You've killed before, I assume?”
“Yes.”
“Many?”
“Depends on the benchmark.”
“Even so, you must have a rough count. I wouldn't know.”
“Have you ever killed anyone?”
“Not with a blade. But you don't always need a blade to kill.”
It was a nod to the many sacrifices that had built HT Group to its current stature.
“Why the smile?”
“I know you're not the sentimental type.”
“Haha, you talk like you know me well. Did some digging?”
“Naturally. I did it on the flight to Korea. Hired the most expensive team available.”
“I see.”
Park In-hwan was inwardly surprised; what started as a joke turned out to be true.
“What'd they say about me?”
“That's premium intel. Can't just give it away.”
Jang Cheon deftly sidestepped the question.
“Haha.”
Park In-hwan chuckled good-naturedly before asking again.
“Blayton mentioned you run several businesses. Makes me curious what kind of man a businessman like you is.”
“As a businessman, I'm just an ordinary guy.”
“Ordinary?”
Park In-hwan's expression showed clear skepticism.
“Yes. I got lucky and met people with exceptional business talent. I owe my position to them.”
“Knowing how to use people is a key skill for any businessman. They must be quite capable.”
“Yes, the best.”
Jang Cheon said it with pride.
“Enviable.”
“Don't you have capable people around you, Chairman? Chief Hong alone is utterly reliable.”
“He meddled in your affairs at every turn, yet you speak well of him.”
“You'll have plenty of smart folks around you, Chairman—geniuses, even, from your upbringing. But how many would step up in your place to haggle over costs, yelling on your behalf? Fewer still would keep doing it after a scolding from you. That's why he'd throw himself in front of a bullet without hesitation.”
Park In-hwan was impressed by Jang Cheon's assessment of Hong Tae-sik. He'd pierced straight to the heart of their relationship.
“Now I'm curious about your people.”
“Hearing that makes me suddenly want to hear from one of them. Mind if I make a call?”
“Go ahead.”
“Then, if you'll excuse me.”
Jang Cheon actually stepped to the railing and dialed.
Park In-hwan was surprised deep down. In this situation, calling someone he missed was refreshingly bold—especially something that had never happened in front of him since becoming chairman.
Normally, one would wait until after the meeting. But Jang Cheon was acting on the impulse before it faded.
Out of disregard?
It could be seen as rude.
But Park In-hwan wasn't petty.
On the contrary, he was learning from Jang Cheon: the passion to convey emotions before they cooled. Coming from someone so unlikely, the surprise hit harder.
A thought crossed his mind.
Did he have anyone like that? Someone he'd ask permission to call mid-conversation?
Just then, Park In-hwan noticed a flag flapping wildly at the rooftop's edge behind Jang Cheon, battered by wind and rain.
He glanced around. The wind was indeed fierce up here.
Yet no gust touched him; a warm aura enveloped his space instead. He extended a hand. Cold wind brushed his fingertips. The warmth lingered only around him.
Park In-hwan understood.
Jang Cheon had used some martial art to shield him—even now, from afar while on the phone.
Jang Cheon returned after the call, face bright. Remarkably, not a drop of rain on him.
“Sorry about that. Thanks to you, it was a good talk.”
“Glad to hear it. I enjoyed tonight.”
“Me too.”
They toasted one last time and headed down.
Cold rain and wind swept the now-empty rooftop.
Pouring rain fell in a Seattle back alley too.
A man stood under a low eave, gazing up at the downpour.
He had a gentle, kindly face—one that screamed natural salesman, thriving in sales or business.
After a long while stargazing the rain, he opened his umbrella and set off. He walked the quiet road to a whiskey warehouse.
Waiting inside was a young man named Lloyd.
“You must be the famous Mr. Choi.”
“That's right. The one and only Mr. Choi. Haha.”
The man played along with the joke before bowing formally.
“Pleased to meet you. Choi Hyuk.”
“What brings you here today?”
“What do you mean? I'm here representing SGC, of course.”
Lloyd gave a sly smile.
“Right. You're the CEO of the world-renowned security firm SGC—Secret Guard Company. But you're also CEO of the global shopping giant Into The New, entertainment powerhouse Big Star, fast-rising internet broadcaster Spider TV, and major shareholder in film studio Grand World. That's all I dug up after taking over from Dad. How many more names do you have?”
“Hahaha, must've cost you a pretty penny. Next time, leave it to us.”
Was that a denial of the details or an admission there were more he hadn't found? Unclear.
“My father was a fan of yours.”
“Your father was a fine man.”
“Yes, a fine man. But not a great father.”
“No one can be perfect in every way. At least in business, he was outstanding.”
“I'll grant you that.”
Like many tycoons, Lloyd and his father hadn't been close.
“I wrestled with it all night: renew the contract or not. Dad trusted you implicitly, but I'm not him.”
“Made your decision?”
“One question first.”
“Shoot.”
“Heard some odd rumors about you. That you have a boss. Some say yes, others call it nonsense. Which is it?”
Choi Hyuk didn't flinch. He answered calmly.
“Yes. It's no big secret. I always say so, but people don't believe me...”
Lloyd was stunned.
“For real?”
“Yes. Even those companies you mentioned are his, not mine. I'm just the errand boy handling his affairs.”
Disbelief filled Lloyd's face.
“You're not lying for some ulterior motive?”
“Like what?”
“Hiding your true self or something.”
“Mystery! Great concept. Hahaha.”
Lloyd remained skeptical. Choi Hyuk's reaction gave nothing away.
“Then who's your boss?”
“Can't say.”
“Fine, assuming it's true. Why hasn't someone as capable as you gone independent?”
“Why should I?”
Lloyd faltered at the counterquestion. Wasn't it obvious?
“Well, you'd make more money.”
“And?”
“Need more reasons?”
“Hahaha. I'm the one scared he'll cut me loose. So I work harder to stay useful.”
“That just makes me more curious about him.”
“Ever liked someone?”
“Had a few girls I liked.”
“Haha, what I have with my boss is even more thrilling than that.”
“No way?”
“Whoops, no misunderstandings. I mean the thrill from respect and trust. Living a life where you truly admire someone, and they trust you back—it's more exhilarating than any pleasure. Honestly, I prefer drinking and hanging out with the boss over sex.”
Lloyd couldn't tell if he was being teased or serious.
Choi Hyuk strolled to the side, eyeing a whiskey barrel.
“Know that whiskey in an oak barrel evaporates about 2 percent a year naturally? They call it the Angel's Share, what the angels drink.”
“Why bring that up?”
“What's your angel's share, Mr. Lloyd?”
“Huh?”
Lloyd looked baffled.
Choi Hyuk stared silently at the barrel before turning back.
“Haha, never mind. Rain's got me sentimental. Don't worry about it.”
Lloyd had thought meeting Choi Hyuk would reveal all. Instead, he felt even more in the dark than from rumors.
“Renew the contract, and you'll introduce me to your boss?”
Choi Hyuk smiled at the offer.
“Not hard, but I think we shouldn't renew this one.”
Lloyd was shocked by the refusal.
“Serious?”
“Yes.”
“You know how much it's worth?”
“Yes. Our net profit alone is around $30 million a year.”
“And you're walking away?”
“Yes.”
“Why? Because I dangled your boss?”
“Haha, no. We'd forge a boss and sign if it closed the deal.”
“Then why?”
“I know you won't last—you'll tank the company soon.”
His smiling delivery made it sound like a joke. But it wasn't.
“Think you alone investigated me? I looked into you too. Thoroughly, not half-assed. Women, drugs, gambling—all of it.”
Lloyd's face hardened, but Choi Hyuk pressed on.
“I figured you'd beg to sign anytime. But we don't partner with just anyone. Hahaha. See you next time.”
Choi Hyuk headed for the stairs and door.
Lloyd bellowed.
“You'll regret disrespecting me!”
At the door, Choi Hyuk chuckled softly.
Without turning, he said,
“Know why I work myself to death despite being called a workaholic? To stay confident in moments like this.”
He turned. The smile was gone; he seemed a different man entirely. Like he'd shed the mask of “nice guy.”
“You'll be the one regretting. Remember my words when you go bankrupt...”
Choi Hyuk paused, chuckling self-mockingly.
“Actually, no one ever does. Then again, if they remembered in ruin, they wouldn't have fallen that far.”
His expression softened back to normal. Beaming, he said,
“Good luck, Lloyd.”
“Fuck you!”
Choi Hyuk laughed as he stepped out.
The rain poured on.
Then his phone rang. Seeing the beloved name, joy flashed across his face.
“Boss! It's Night. Doing well? Yes, yes. It's raining here too. Haha, yes. Phone told me. I'll fly in tonight. Yes, see you there. Thanks for calling.”
Night looked up at the falling rain after hanging up.
“Finally heading back.”
He opened his umbrella and walked off. The rain had thickened since arrival, but his steps were lighter, more spirited.