Chapter 126
Chapter 126
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Seojin Motors' Sponsorship Proposal
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lee Dae-hyuk stepped out of Chairman Lee Myung-guk's office.
His next destination was the officetel belonging to Kim Mi-jin and Kim Jae-woon.
Yoon Tae-ho had insisted that his presence would disrupt business talk, so he was waiting in the parking lot.
Only Lee Dae-hyuk entered the officetel.
"Young Master!!"
"You've arrived."
Welcoming voices filled the air.
Kim Mi-jin and Kim Jae-woon greeted him with beaming faces.
"I hope you've been well. Both of you have worked hard while I was away."
Lee Dae-hyuk smiled back in response to their greetings.
Just as he praised, both Kim Jae-woon and Kim Mi-jin had faithfully carried out their duties.
Kim Jae-woon had continued investing in the blue-chip stocks he discovered, generating 30 million won in profits over two months.
In the current situation where 10 billion investments were routine, it might seem like pocket change.
But from a general investment perspective, 30 million won was a substantial return.
Especially since it came from just 100 million won.
'With a bit more tempering, he'll regain his full potential.'
2007 was a year of global economic boom.
The world economy was busy sipping wine and firing off celebratory cannons, oblivious to the bomb about to explode.
Even so, Kim Jae-woon's feat of turning 100 million into a 30% profit deserved praise.
After all, poor timing on buys and sells meant losses in the stock market.
On top of that.
'I don't know every stock movement myself.'
Embarrassing as it was, he was a former thug.
No matter his overheard knowledge and foresight into the future, he couldn't remember every detail.
Kim Jae-woon's role was to generate profits through investments in those fine details.
And he had proven his capabilities with the 100 million budget Lee Dae-hyuk permitted.
'He's probably made a tidy sum personally too?'
Lee Dae-hyuk didn't pry into Kim Jae-woon's personal investments.
He planned to work him even harder going forward...
'Business talk can wait a bit.'
But contrary to Lee Dae-hyuk's thoughts, Kim Mi-jin jumped straight into work.
"As I mentioned, preparations for the fighting tournament are going smoothly. We've settled on Spoex as the broadcasting partner, and sponsorship offers are coming in..."
"And?"
Lee Dae-hyuk waited for her to continue, his eyes puzzled.
Seeing her trail off, something troubling must have come up.
Sure enough.
"Um..."
After a brief hesitation, Kim Mi-jin replied.
"This is tricky for me to decide on my own. Seojin Motors has offered sponsorship too."
"Seojin Motors... has?"
"Yes. They're offering about 2 billion won."
"......?!!"
Lee Dae-hyuk was stunned.
He wasn't an expert in sports, but he recalled sponsorship articles from sports news.
'Pro baseball, soccer, basketball league teams get around 1 to 2 billion.'
And they were offering 2 billion for a one-off fighting tournament?
From Seojin Group, no less, who harbored ill will toward him?
'What's their angle?'
Lee Dae-hyuk found Seojin's intentions suspicious.
Kim Mi-jin was worried about the same thing.
And beyond that.
"If we accept from Seojin Motors... our image within Daehan Group might suffer."
Lee Dae-hyuk held his tongue at her concern.
Purely on practical terms, what was wrong with taking Seojin Group's sponsorship?
Rejecting it just because they were rivals would earn him accusations of folly.
But the issue was his current position.
Unlike Lee Dae-hwan's solid footing.
At a time when he needed to establish his presence in Daehan Group, getting tangled with Seojin...
'It’s risky.'
After reviewing all angles and reaching a conclusion, Lee Dae-hyuk spoke.
"I'll meet with the Seojin Motors representatives myself."
.
.
.
After a brief catch-up and chit-chat.
Lee Dae-hyuk gave instructions to Kim Jae-woon and Kim Mi-jin.
To Kim Jae-woon: Increase the investment capital to 1 billion and submit reports on groups where investments are decided.
To Kim Mi-jin: Continue preparing the fighting tournament while investigating Daehan Hotel on the side.
As Lee Dae-hyuk finished assigning tasks and rose to leave.
Kim Jae-woon bowed at a perfect 90 degrees.
"1 billion... I'll do my best."
"Incentives will be 50% of the profits, excluding principal."
"......!!! Th-thank you, sir."
Lee Dae-hyuk's smile deepened at Kim Jae-woon's raised voice.
If Kim Jae-woon's abilities kept developing like this, it would benefit him too.
He could afford to give away half the profits.
The same went for Kim Mi-jin.
If she continued helping like now, things would proceed more smoothly.
"By the way, Young Master. I have connections at Daehan Hotel, so the investigation isn't hard... but why the order?"
Kim Mi-jin was curious about his intentions.
"I might become a director at Daehan Hotel."
Kim Mi-jin and Kim Jae-woon's eyes widened at his answer.
Friend of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, Silicon Valley hero who caught a bomb terrorist—now suddenly a director at Daehan Hotel.
"You’re still making those wildly unpredictable moves."
"I'm surprised myself."
Lee Dae-hyuk flashed a grin at her admiration and fell silent.
His talk with Lee Myung-guk was confidential.
He couldn't tell anyone yet.
"Alright. Coordinate the Seojin Motors meeting schedule first."
With his final instruction to Kim Mi-jin, Lee Dae-hyuk stood from his chair.
***
The next day.
Meeting the Seojin Motors executive at a coffee shop, Lee Dae-hyuk's eyes widened.
The person Kim Mi-jin met was from Seojin Motors' PR team.
But the man before him now...
'The president, Kim Jun-sik?'
It was a face Lee Dae-hyuk knew well.
A management genius and automotive prodigy who became president in his forties and globalized Seojin Motors.
Unlike the many villains under Yoo Jae-man, he was a pure car enthusiast.
A middle-aged man with a model-like physique from meticulous self-care smiled at Lee Dae-hyuk.
"Hello. I'm Kim Jun-sik, president of Seojin Motors."
Rising from the sofa, Kim Jun-sik extended his right hand.
Lee Dae-hyuk shook it with a smile.
"I'm Lee Dae-hyuk."
Even during his Kim Gun-woo days, he'd met Kim Jun-sik a few times.
With his gentle demeanor and sense of humor, he was the only likable necktie in the obnoxious Seojin Group.
However.
Flash-!!!
The psychometry revealed the truth, and Lee Dae-hyuk frowned.
The incoming info on Kim Jun-sik matched what he knew.
But what grated on him was the evolved psychometry's 'scene.'
'......!!!'
A scene of Kim Jun-sik meeting Yoo Jae-man directly.
.
.
.
"One favor."
"What favor? Just give me an order. An order."
Yoo Jae-man gave a wry smile at Kim Jun-sik's playful tone.
"You're the only one who can talk to me like that."
"Hm. Did I overstep?"
"No, it's endearing. That's why I'm asking you."
"Order or favor, just say it."
As Kim Jun-sik pressed, Yoo Jae-man got to the point of summoning him to the chairman's office.
"By any chance... do you know a guy named Lee Dae-hyuk?"
"No, I don't."
Kim Jun-sik shook his head.
Busy with cars, he had no interest in anyone outside his family.
Yoo Jae-man, knowing his personality well, chuckled.
"I figured as much."
It was the expected answer.
"Then straight to the point. That guy's holding a fighting tournament. I'd like Seojin Motors to sponsor it."
"Pardon?"
Kim Jun-sik couldn't comprehend Yoo Jae-man.
"Is this a favor? No, you could just have the PR team handle it."
"Let the PR team make the proposal, and when a meeting with Lee Dae-hyuk is set, you handle it personally."
"...Understood."
Kim Jun-sik replied curtly.
Even for royal family business heirs born into chaebol blood, becoming president in one's forties was impossible—a dream.
But Yoo Jae-man recognized his genius and made him president in his forties.
It was a direct order from the man who made that dream reality.
Regardless of their casual rapport, 'orders' had to be followed.
"Yes. I'll meet Lee Dae-hyuk myself."
,
,
,
Having seen the psychometry vision, Lee Dae-hyuk masked his displeasure.
It was pointless in front of Kim Jun-sik.
But now certain of Yoo Jae-man's intentions behind the order.
'I definitely need to reject the sponsorship.'
Releasing Kim Jun-sik's hand, Lee Dae-hyuk spoke.
"I didn't expect the president himself... honestly, I'm surprised."
"I was surprised too—you're younger than I thought. Friend of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. Silicon Valley hero. Rising star in Yeouido, fighting tournament promoter. Wow... I'm busy enough with one thing. Impressive."
Kim Jun-sik had researched Lee Dae-hyuk before the meeting.
Each article left him more astonished.
"You live a truly remarkable life."
"Yes. I'm managing to hold on admirably."
Lee Dae-hyuk parried the praise and continued.
"I'm glad to meet someone like you too, President. I'd love to chat more, but business first?"
Lee Dae-hyuk cut to the chase.
Kim Jun-sik nodded in agreement.
"Fair enough. So, what about the sponsorship?"
"I'm grateful for the offer."
"Hm... so just the thought counts."
Kim Jun-sik scratched the back of his head.
He knew Lee Dae-hyuk was Chairman Lee Myung-guk's son at Daehan Group.
Still, such a frank rejection left him flustered.
"Got it. Can't be helped. Sometimes you prioritize the greater good over profit."
"Thank you for understanding."
Kim Jun-sik shook his head at Lee Dae-hyuk's response.
"Frankly, I don't understand. A plain businessman like me chases the money in front of him."
"I hear you chase dreams over money. That's how you got there, right?"
Surprise flashed across Kim Jun-sik's face at the spot-on remark.
"You know about me too?"
"Business magazines, newspaper econ sections. I read them diligently."
A bland lie, since he couldn't say they'd met in a past life.
"Reality beats the photos, right? Hahaha."
Kim Jun-sik laughed, buying the obvious fib.
"...Yes? Yes. Reality is much better."
Lee Dae-hyuk forced a wry smile and chimed in.
***
The meeting with Kim Jun-sik ended amicably.
But the ripples appeared elsewhere.
In Seojin Group's chairman office.
Yoo Jae-man, on the phone with Kim Jun-sik, replied impassively.
"Expected that. No issue. Good work."
Click-!
Ending the call, Yoo Jae-man looked intrigued.
Lee Dae-hyuk's reaction, as relayed by Kim Jun-sik, was too amusing.
'Firmly rejected, then chatted up a storm?'
"Definitely... an interesting guy."
"You're talking about Lee Dae-hyuk?"
The man who overheard Yoo Jae-man's mutter asked back.
"Yeah, him. I even sent my president to show respect, and he still turned it down."
"Feeling slighted?"
Yoo Jae-man shook his head at the man's question.
"Slighted? Nah, just fun. But if he keeps this up, you might need to step in someday."
Kim Gun-woo nodded at Yoo Jae-man's words.
"If he's the chairman's enemy, anytime."