The Deal, the Contract, and the Scoop
I’m translating the chapter into the required HTML format and keeping the special in-universe text as styled blocks where it appears. After that I’ll do a quick pass for title, paragraphing, and any stray Korean.CHAPTER_TITLE: The Contract and the Scoop
The next day, Saturday, Si-woo called Jun-hyuk.
He wanted to tell him the news as quickly as possible.
"Jun-hyuk, is now a bad time to talk?"
"No, Si-woo hyung. I'm fine."
His voice was husky, as if he had only just woken up.
Si-woo carefully explained the conversation he'd had with Shin A-young the night before, making sure Jun-hyuk understood every detail: the 15 billion won conditional preliminary contract, the asset trust arrangement, the way the hospital bills and living expenses would be handled, and everything else that could leave room for misunderstanding.
"If you have any questions, just ask."
"Wait, are you really saying both scroll paintings from my grandfather's collection will be bought together for 15 billion won? Seriously?"
His stunned voice burst through the phone.
It was an understandable reaction.
Fifteen billion won was an absurd sum.
If Si-woo had been in Jun-hyuk's shoes, he wouldn't have believed it either.
"Yes. Like I said, they'll still need a more precise appraisal, but if they're confirmed to be genuine, Representative Shin A-young of Eterna Gallery said they'll buy them at that price."
Nothing came back through the receiver for a moment.
Si-woo waited until Jun-hyuk had calmed down.
"And Jun-hyuk, don't take this the wrong way. I'm going to receive a brokerage fee."
Jun-hyuk was legally an adult, but he was still a high school senior.
Talking about money directly felt awkward.
But it had to be said.
"A brokerage fee?" Jun-hyuk repeated.
"Yes. It looks like I'll get 10 percent."
"Ten percent? Then... 1.5 billion?"
Jun-hyuk sucked in a sharp breath.
Was he shocked that Si-woo was taking too much?
But his next words made it clear that was nothing but a needless worry.
"Hyung! Isn't that way too little?"
"...What?"
That was not the reaction he had expected.
He had prepared to explain himself if Jun-hyuk objected, but there was no need.
"If it weren't for you, hyung, I don't know what would've happened to my family. We couldn't have kept covering my father's hospital bills, and getting him proper treatment would have been impossible from here on. And you're only taking 1.5 billion out of 15 billion?"
Jun-hyuk's voice rose as though he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Hyung, you could take at least half. If someone had offered me a few million, no, even just a few hundred thousand, I would've sold it."
"It's fine. That's already a pretty high rate in the industry."
"But still."
"This is enough. We've already settled the contract details with Eterna Gallery, so let's talk more when you come up to Seoul."
For now, Si-woo soothed him.
"And I'm going to appoint a lawyer."
"A lawyer?"
"Yes. You're legally an adult, but for a contract this large, you need professional help. Especially with something as complicated as setting up a trust."
Si-woo went on, "And since your father is recovering, he probably can't be directly involved in such an important contract. We may also need to go through guardianship designation or related procedures in case anything legal comes up. The lawyer will handle all of that."
"Ah..."
"The gallery recommended the lawyer. They said he's trustworthy. He'll review the contract and handle the trust setup carefully. Eterna Gallery will cover all the legal fees."
"...Si-woo hyung. Thank you. Really."
"I'm not doing this for free, so there's no need to thank me that much."
"No, I mean it. Thank you. I'll do whatever you say."
Eterna Gallery's conference room.
A thick contract lay on the table.
The lawyer flipped through it page by page as he explained.
"If scientific appraisal confirms both works as authentic, Bluebird in Green will be purchased for 5 billion won and Moonlit Rendezvous for 10 billion won. The total is 15 billion won."
Jun-hyuk stared at the contract as if trying to bore straight through it.
"The remaining 13.5 billion won, excluding Si-woo's share, will be managed through an asset trust, and 2.5 million won in monthly living expenses will be automatically deposited. That amount will increase gradually as you get older."
The lawyer turned to the next page.
"What about my father's treatment costs?"
"Unlimited. Expenses can be paid in full for whatever is needed."
Jun-hyuk turned his head away and hid his tears.
"When you need a lump sum for marriage, buying a house, starting a business, or anything similar, withdrawals can be made after consulting the trust administrator. All procedures will be handled transparently, and the trust will remain in place even after you become an adult, though you can terminate it on your own if you choose."
The lawyer added, "And the trust administrator is required to submit an asset management report to you every quarter. You'll be able to check transparently how the money is being handled."
Shin A-young looked at Jun-hyuk and said, "Jun-hyuk, this contract is meant to protect you and your father. If rumors spread and people around you start demanding money, just tell them the assets are locked in a trust from the time of the contract, or contact your asset manager."
Si-woo added an explanation of his own. "Jun-hyuk, the gallery will introduce you to an asset management specialist. You'll be able to meet regularly and learn how to handle the money, deal with tax issues, and get basic education on investing."
"An asset management specialist?"
"Yes. When money like this suddenly lands in your lap, it's hard to know what to do with it. A specialist will give advice tailored to your situation. Of course, the final decision will always be yours."
Shin A-young nodded in agreement.
"Our gallery has an asset manager we've worked with for years. He's trustworthy, and he has plenty of experience managing the wealth of younger clients."
Jun-hyuk's voice caught in his throat.
"Thank you. Really... thank you."
The lawyer handed him a pen.
"Then please sign here."
Jun-hyuk took the pen with trembling fingers.
Carefully, he wrote out his name.
Lee Jun-hyuk.
Once the signature was done, Shin A-young signed the contract as well.
"Congratulations, Jun-hyuk."
Jun-hyuk bowed deeply.
"Si-woo hyung, Representative Shin A-young. Thank you so much."
Si-woo watched him with quiet satisfaction.
He was glad Jun-hyuk hadn't wavered when faced with the valuation and had held to what he believed in.
While Jun-hyuk went off to speak with the lawyer, Shin A-young called out to him.
"Si-woo, one moment."
"Yes?"
Shin A-young pulled out another set of documents.
"This is your contract, Si-woo."
Her proposal from the night before.
"Shall we proceed as I suggested yesterday?"
"Yes. That works for me."
The lawyer unfolded the contract.
"Eterna Gallery appraisal advisor position. Annual salary: 200 million won. Brokerage fee on discovered works: 10 percent. Employment type: freelance, with no obligation to commute. Will you sign?"
After reading it carefully, Si-woo picked up the pen and signed.
"Congratulations. You're officially part of our gallery family now."
Shin A-young smiled brightly and offered her hand.
He took it.
"I'll be in your care."
"Likewise."
Shin A-young thought for a moment before speaking again.
"Si-woo, I wanted to talk to you about Kato Kiyomasa's sword."
"Yes."
"We're going to start promoting it in earnest now. We'll make a public announcement and set an exhibition schedule."
Si-woo nodded.
It was the obvious next step.
Kato Kiyomasa's sword had been confirmed as authentic.
It had already passed through the hands of countless people over the years for appraisal.
What nobody could figure out was the sword's true owner, and Si-woo had solved the hidden puzzle.
If that fact spread, the impact would be anything but ordinary.
"So, how about doing an interview?"
"An interview?"
"Yes. An interview about how you discovered who the sword belonged to. Public interest will be high, and it would do a lot for the gallery's publicity."
Shin A-young looked at Si-woo and asked, "Do you know any media outlets, or maybe any reporters you could contact?"
At once, one person came to mind.
Han Ji-yeon.
A culture reporter for Joa Ilbo.
"I do."
"Who is it?"
"Reporter Han Ji-yeon from Joa Ilbo. I interviewed with her when I first found those independence movement relics in Yeongju."
Shin A-young folded her arms and nodded.
"Joa Ilbo? That's good. It's a major daily, so the reach will be strong. Then please ask her."
Lately, Han Ji-yeon had felt as though she were floating through the sky.
Her exclusive interview with Si-woo had aired, and it had become a huge topic of conversation.
There was talk of an additional performance bonus, of being first among her peers to get promoted, and even of a possible Reporter of the Year award.
"I'm jealous, Reporter Han. You really struck gold. I want to land an interview like that too."
"Don't you have any story material worth writing about Kim Si-woo?"
Another reporter looked at Han Ji-yeon with envious eyes and said, "Or could you maybe connect me to Kim Si-woo? You could even just give me his number. Our team would like to cover him too."
"I'm sorry."
Han Ji-yeon answered flatly.
Just then, one of the senior reporters from the same culture desk came over.
"Hey, Reporter Han. Don't be like that and connect me, all right?"
It was the same guy who always kept pestering her.
"I don't think I can do that."
"I'm only asking for his number. That's not exactly a hard thing, is it?"
"I'm sorry. I don't have any story material to share, and I don't think Si-woo would want his number passed around."
Han Ji-yeon shut her mouth firmly after that.
Her expression made it clear that asking any further would be pointless.
One by one, the other reporters drifted back to their desks.
She could hear them whispering behind her.
"Reporter Han's really cold."
"Yeah. Couldn't she at least share some information with the others on the culture desk?"
"She got promoted and now her nose is in the air."
Han Ji-yeon paid them no mind.
If I keep my line open with Si-woo, I might get another great story out of it.
That was when her smartphone chimed with a notification.
Her eyes went wide.
Speak of the tiger, and it appears.
She quickly sent a reply.
The answer came almost immediately.
She read the message again.
Kato Kiyomasa.
The Japanese warlord who invaded Joseon during the Imjin War.
In Japan, Kato Kiyomasa was considered one of the representative military figures of the Sengoku period.
Artifacts connected to him were preserved throughout Japan, especially around Kumamoto, where he was celebrated locally as a hero.
Of course, from Korea's point of view, he was nothing more than an invader who had cut down countless ancestors.
That made the fact that his sword had remained in Korea strangely satisfying.
And if you consider the historical context of the Imjin War...
Han Ji-yeon's mind raced.
This isn't just a simple antique discovery.
The academic world would be shaken, and maybe even politics would get dragged into it.
The impact will be bigger than anyone expects.
Every news outlet in the country would be scrambling for the story, and perhaps even major overseas media would take notice, not to mention the TV networks.
Japan, especially, would probably erupt.
Wait... I'm the one doing the interview with the person who identified the sword's owner as Kato Kiyomasa? And that person is Kim Si-woo?
Another front-page headline was guaranteed.
The buzz was undeniable.
Her heart thudded hard in her chest.
Then, behind her, the reporters from before were drinking coffee and sneering.
"Reporter Han looks pretty pleased these days. Did Kim Si-woo contact you again?"
"Come on, no way. He got lucky once. You don't keep getting handed scraps after one big scoop."
Ignoring them, she replied calmly.
Han Ji-yeon's mouth curved upward.
It was an uncontrollable smile.
"Chief!"
She sprang to her feet and shouted.
Every gaze in the office turned toward her.
"I'm going out to interview Kim Si-woo!"
The section chief, who had been auto-farming a mobile game at his desk, looked up in surprise.
"What? Kim Si-woo? Did that kid find something else?"
"I think I need to go see first to know!"
Han Ji-yeon said as she hurriedly grabbed her bag.
"Good, go! No, don't come back, just clock out there!"
"Yes! I'm going!"
Holding her phone, Han Ji-yeon sent another reply.
As she tried to leave with her bag over her shoulder, another reporter rushed over and grabbed her in haste.
"W-wait! Reporter Han! Can't I come too? Huh? I know the cultural heritage beat better than anyone!"
Han Ji-yeon gently peeled his hand away.
"You said I was cold earlier. You told me not to share information, remember?"
"......"
"I'm sorry, but Si-woo contacted me. Not another reporter."
With a smile, Han Ji-yeon turned away.
"And Reporter Kim. While you were drinking coffee just now, didn't you say, 'After one big scoop, you don't just keep getting tossed crumbs'?"
Reporter Kim's face went white.
"N-no, that's not what I meant......"
"It sounds like not crumbs, but an entire measure of rice is about to fall into my lap. Then I'm off."
As Han Ji-yeon opened the office door to leave, the section chief's shout rang out behind her.
"Hey, Reporter Kim! Don't just stand there staring. Hurry up and take over Reporter Han's work too, then finish your quota for the day before you go!"
Behind her, she could hear her colleagues' envious sighs.
"Man, I'm really jealous of Reporter Han."
"Why can't I ever get connected to someone like Kim Si-woo?"
While waiting for the elevator, Han Ji-yeon checked her phone again.
Kato Kiyomasa's sword.
If this breaks too, I might not just be aiming for Reporter of the Year. I could even go after a journalism award.
The elevator arrived.
The doors opened, and just as Han Ji-yeon stepped inside.
"Ji-yeon!"
The female reporter who had earlier asked for Si-woo's number came running up, panting.
"Can I go too? I could even just help out as an assistant..."
The elevator doors began to close slowly.
Han Ji-yeon bowed politely.
"I'm afraid that's impossible. This is an exclusive interview."
The doors shut completely.
Inside the elevator, the laugh she'd been holding back finally burst out.
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