Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Thicker Than Blood Money (3)
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"I'm disappointed, son. Truly disappointed in this matter."
"……."
What words from a father could cut deeper into a son's heart?
A single remark from Im Gye-hyeon, Chairman of SA Group, pierced straight into Vice President Im Jae-ho's chest like a dagger.
Confined to a wheelchair, his body frail and barely mobile. Yet the old man's mind remained sharp, unclouded by age.
With no trace of anger, Chairman Im Gye-hyeon continued his mechanical reprimand.
"I won't belabor how you failed to keep your wife in check. I never saw her as daughter-in-law material to begin with."
"…My apologies."
"But to return empty-handed on a matter concerning the group's century-long future? That, I cannot overlook."
Unable to stand on his useless legs, Chairman Im Gye-hyeon leaned forward toward his son.
His piercing gaze held no fury or resentment.
Just endless pity. Sorrow for his inadequate, lacking son.
"I was wrong to burden you with so much when your abilities have their limits. It all circles back to my own failings."
Vice President Im Jae-ho squeezed his eyes shut, unable to bear it.
It wasn't darkness that blinded him. The fog of knowing he'd live his life as a deficient son clouded his vision.
"Why not curse me outright, Father? Or hurl whatever's at hand—anything would hurt less than this…."
"Foolish. And weak-willed. It must be exhausting. Undoubtedly painful."
Frustrated, Vice President Im Jae-ho pounded his chest with his fist.
The gnawing agony had rotted his roots and climbed his heart like a vine, strangling his self-esteem.
As always, Im Jae-ho's head drooped like unharvested rice stalks.
Until memories of Seo Yun-ji surfaced—the woman he could barely call his wife.
-Smack!
That day at the Industrial Bank's main building terrace, when Cheolhwa Semiconductor slipped from SA Group's grasp, Vice President Im Jae-ho had slapped her with all his might.
She spat blood-mixed saliva onto the floor.
Seo Yun-ji showed no tears, no pitiful act. Cheek reddening, she stepped forward and declared.
'The Defense Ministry's new weapons development project. We're pushing it. Cooperate.'
He'd thought it mere tantrum-throwing. Like a child wailing amid ruins, everything in vain.
But then... her next words.
'China. We're acquiring a Chinese semiconductor firm. Through a company bridged by [Shanghai Capital].'
A rat hole spotted in a corner when cornered.
Deeply suspicious. Utterly dubious.
The moment he poked into that dark, chilling void, he'd be trapped in shadows forever.
Yet now, before his father— a towering mountain of a man— Vice President Im Jae-ho began to shrink.
An insurmountable giant of SA Group. Which was why... he had to prove his worth by crossing it, even if it meant squeezing into that narrow, ominous hole.
"…I believe letting go of Cheolhwa Semiconductor might actually benefit us more."
"Benefit? How do you figure that?"
Though seated in his wheelchair below, Chairman Im Gye-hyeon's gaze looked down on his son.
He tilted his chin slightly, urging him to elaborate.
"Domestic demand and U.S. exports are plenty covered by SA Electronics alone. So... for further expansion, we must turn our eyes sideways."
"Go on."
Like unleashing pent-up words, Vice President Im Jae-ho poured out his emotional explanation.
Chairman Im Gye-hyeon merely nodded silently. He knew his son's heart—earnest in effort, if deficient.
"We'll acquire a semiconductor company in Guangzhou, China. Through SA-Cheolhwa Techwin."
"China, hm."
"Securing the Defense Ministry's new weapons project that way will elevate SA Group's capabilities further. And that Chinese firm will surely become a gem…."
"Enough. That's plenty."
Chairman Im Gye-hyeon suddenly raised a hand, cutting his son off.
An obvious failure, plain as day. Yet this time, he loosened the reins.
His son's reflection in his eyes seemed like an oil painting layered thick on plaster—a self-erasing fade imminent.
"Do as you wish. The group will back you."
"Father…?"
"You started it. See it through yourself."
Stunned, Vice President Im Jae-ho stared.
Seeing this, a bitter wrinkle creased Chairman Im Gye-hyeon's lips.
Grown but still shadowed, he offered comfort like to a child.
"I won't demand results. If you learn and grow from this, that'll suffice for your father."
"Thank you… I won't disappoint you."
"Yes, yes. Now go. I'm feeling weary."
Creak. The metal hinges of the door closed as Vice President Im Jae-ho departed his seat.
Silence and stillness. In this empty place devoid of presence, Chairman Im Gye-hyeon murmured to the air.
"Let him... see it through alone."
"Sir, there's intel linking that Chinese semiconductor firm to [Shanghai Capital] as well…."
A hoarse voice from behind the screen. SA Group's little giant replied to his trusted retainer.
"It's fine. I'll pull the reins before it blows up too big."
"Then we'll report daily."
"Yes. Just watch for now."
Flutter. The white paper's texture brushed the old man's fingertips in his wheelchair.
Magnifying glass on and off repeatedly, Chairman Im Gye-hyeon sat statue-still for a long while.
Finally, piecing all clues together, he let out a soft, sigh-laden mutter.
"In this game, the only winner emerging... is that Ammunition Group's Han Seo-jun."
* * * *
Guangzhou, China. A certain 5-star hotel.
Kim Won-cheol, who'd stuck to me like a remedy on every business trip, wasn't along today.
He had plenty on his plate already, and for this trip... better to exclude strong-personality types.
"Um… Chairman? What on earth is…."
Instead, my companion this trip: Aide Yoo Se-na.
In a suite at a Guangzhou hotel. Seeing the items on the bed, she asked me with a bewildered look.
"Chairman, why suddenly pull out these masks?"
"Pick one you like and try it on. Personally… let's see."
Dozens of masks scattered from my travel trunk.
From Hahoe or Gaksital styles that screamed folk performance or independence fighter upon wearing, to cute tiger or bunny ones.
I handed a random one to the pondering Aide Yoo Se-na.
"Bunny. Bunnies are nice. The white one's just like you, Aide Yoo Se-na."
"Bunny… Do I resemble a bunny, Chairman?"
"Yeah, sort of. Face-wise. But it's not important—don't overthink it."
She seemed about to say more but pressed her lips together.
Clutching the half-face-covering bunny mask, it clearly wasn't unwelcome.
Time was short—I grabbed a large mask right in front of me.
"I'll go with this. Sturdy and good."
"Isn't that a strawberry… Haah, really."
A red strawberry mask.
It oddly resembled Ammunition Group's flame symbol, which I liked.
"Better to cover my whole face. Hmm… Size fits perfectly."
Through the eyeholes in the strawberry mask, the mirror showed a decent look.
Decision-making or appearance might seem silly, but no big deal. Felt oddly uncle-like, nostalgic even.
"Haah, Kim Chief of Staff's cultural influence irks me extra today."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"…Nothing. Anyway, that mask you're wearing? Better swap for another."
Muttering oddly, Aide Yoo Se-na rummaged through the pile.
Found something suitable, it seemed. She handed me a gray mask.
"Better than strawberry. Has a… vindictive vibe against ex-President Lee Tae-gyu."
"Vindication, huh."
Stone angel statue-like, it carried heavy gravitas.
Closed eyes in prayer. Vertical tear streaks below like remorse, iron thorn crown atop.
The mirror's reflection exuded intimidation—like drawing a sword before sinners any moment.
"Good. I like it. This one it is. Now, let's head out."
"Ch-Chairman. You still haven't said where we're going."
"Just follow, Aide Yoo Se-na. Attract eyes by my side—that's enough."
A solid red dress, luxurious on its wearer alone.
With her figure accentuated and a white bunny mask perched cutely, undeniable allure.
-Click-clack!
Dice—two in one hand—clacked together.
Long time no hold, but the feel returned quick.
Before regressing to this life. In stuffy prison, betting snacks in dice games for boredom.
Gambling novice me honed dice over a full decade.
"Sense is back… Piece of cake against newbies."
"Chairman?"
"Oh, right—haven't answered your question yet, Aide Yoo Se-na."
Question marks hovered over her head.
She'd be shocked learning the destination now.
Felt like overworking her since last Kim Beom-ho infiltration. Hiding a playful grin under my mask, I spoke.
"Right downstairs in this hotel. So… we're off to the underground casino. Incognito."