Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Myeongjin Construction (4)
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Go Chang-seok's situation.
At first glance, it looked like an opportunity.
If he seized this chance well and tarnished his reputation, it would surely create an opening for Go Chang-beom.
Go Chang-beom thought the same.
After hearing Kim Hyun-seong's plan, he eagerly agreed.
"Exactly! We'll dig into Chang-seok's dirty affair with that woman and drive a wedge between him and his wife's family. It's a great idea. If I complain to Dad that a guy like Chang-seok is the one dragging down the Go family name, he'll definitely start doubting Chang-seok as heir."
"No. That's not a good approach."
"Huh? What do you mean? You're the one who suggested we go with this plan."
Go Chang-beom's face twisted.
Just as he said.
It was certainly a strategy to eliminate the rival's backing, but using that as an excuse to tear down Go Chang-seok was a separate issue.
Back in his vegetative state days.
Unlike the hospital rules, the caregivers kept the TV on all day, and ironically, Kim Hyun-seong got to hear about a lot of the world's news that way. All sorts of incidents and accidents—who got caught drunk driving, who exposed what—stuck vividly in his mind since he had nothing to do but listen.
Among them.
There had been mentions of Go Myeong-jin.
The successful businessman who had retired without issue suddenly appeared in a reporter's memoir.
"As a journalist, I investigated many famous figures, and there were some unusual ones. Take Go Myeong-jin, the founding chairman of Myeongjin Construction, for example. People say the company nearly collapsed due to his two idiot sons' rivalry, but that's not the truth. Chairman Go Myeong-jin knew exactly how his sons were competing. No matter what dirty tricks they pulled, he never intervened and planned to choose the winner as successor. It was his way of bearing the risk to keep it a family business from the start. If Go Chang-seok had won through ruthless means and Go Chang-beom had smartly responded knowing that, we wouldn't have the professional management at Myeongjin Construction today."
It was an intriguing story.
It briefly buzzed on people's lips as just another tale of how Chairman Go Myeong-jin was scarier than he seemed. And that memory took root in Kim Hyun-seong's mind. In his series of revenge plans, Myeongjin Construction was a key point requiring perfect understanding of Go Myeong-jin.
'Chairman Go Myeong-jin knew about Go Chang-seok seeing that woman and acting maliciously to undermine Chang-beom. Yet he stood by. That says everything about his character. A man who doesn't care about means or methods if the result is right. Even abandoning his two sons he meant to carry somehow—that's the outcome of his nature. So, in a situation where the affair is exposed, is it smart for Go Chang-beom to openly condemn him?'
No.
That's not wise.
Go Chang-beom's reputation stays the same, and just condemning Go Chang-seok won't win over Go Myeong-jin.
So, he changed his thinking.
A different approach.
An attitude befitting the chairman's seat.
What if Go Chang-beom showed that side?
When Go Chang-seok's value dropped, Go Chang-beom's new image would inevitably appeal.
Kim Hyun-seong spoke.
"The plan from now on is..."
The conversation was long.
He explained every detail.
The attitude and expression while speaking, and exactly what to say.
Go Chang-beom had been skeptical at first when he heard the plan, but with things unfolding as predicted, he had no choice but to trust Kim Hyun-seong now. He had no reputation left to lose anyway. Planning to retaliate against Kim Hyun-seong if it failed, he spat out the lines exactly as scripted.
"For whatever reason, it was wrong for me, the eldest son of Myeongjin Construction, to cause this issue. From now on, I'll think carefully about my position and act with caution. And Father, I'll reprimand Chang-seok about his matter once more myself."
The die had been cast.
And then.
When he lifted his head again, seeing his father's surprised face looking at him, Go Chang-beom inwardly cheered.
'It worked.'
No doubt about it.
That expression on his father's face.
He was clearly proud of him.
* * *
Go Chang-beom's attitude.
It was unexpected for Go Myeong-jin.
His eldest son, who never admitted fault even when caught, wasn't making excuses this time, even though the other side started it.
'...Could he have changed?'
His eldest son.
He was the sore spot.
Go Myeong-jin had truly loved his firstborn, born with such difficulty, and planned to hand over the entire Myeongjin Construction to him, even if his abilities fell short. After all, what use is it after you're dead? If Go Chang-beom, who looked so much like him outwardly, led Myeongjin Construction well, he thought it would be a father's happiness beyond just being chairman.
But reality differed.
Was it because he gave too much love?
Seeing his incompetent son live arrogantly, his disappointment in his eldest grew over time.
And today.
Go Chang-beom showed a different side.
No excuses, no blaming his brother.
'Chang-beom's incident started because the other side picked a fight first. Normally, he'd whine about their fault and never admit his own. As Myeongjin Construction's heir, he wouldn't even acknowledge getting tangled in such a mess to begin with. And he didn't criticize Chang-seok. Has he realized that petty tattling and blame won't secure the chairman's seat?'
If.
He could have crushed Go Chang-seok through condemnation, then this merciful attitude would have been unwelcome.
But not now.
Though there was friction with his wife, Go Chang-seok's position was still solid, and comparing personal abilities and reputations, he overwhelmingly held the advantage. It wasn't a problem solvable by mere criticism. Tattling and blame was like asking the chairman—himself—to point fingers at Go Chang-seok together, not proving Go Chang-beom's own worth in the succession battle.
That's why.
He stepped back.
Even though he stood to gain the most from this, he didn't flaunt it outwardly.
That was when.
He saw Go Chang-beom's expression.
The corner of his mouth twitching oddly—then Go Myeong-jin saw the truth.
'So that's it. Chang-beom has a clever advisor.'
Certain now.
Having rolled in the construction world for decades, rising from the bottom to chairman, Go Myeong-jin could read Go Chang-beom's thoughts from subtle facial changes alone. Possible because he'd watched his son all these years. This series of events hadn't originated from his head; someone had instructed him to act this way.
The meaning of that smile.
That's what it was.
Something he'd doubted himself had succeeded, so Go Chang-beom couldn't fully hide his expression.
'Having someone to compensate for his shortcomings nearby. And listening to that advice despite unease. That's a quality of a chairman too.'
He was pleased.
His eldest son's incompetence.
He already knew.
It was a fact that wouldn't change even if the heavens and earth split, but trusting and keeping capable people around showed room for improvement. Just like he'd once told his son: if he could just manage people well, the once-sore-spot eldest had a real shot at the chairman's seat.
He swallowed his smile.
Didn't show his emotions.
But.
Praise was needed.
"I've heard the story. They picked a fight with you first. Yet you tried to avoid the situation as much as possible."
And then, casually.
He stirred ripples in Go Chang-beom's heart.
"Well done. I'm proud of how composed you were."
* * *
Click.
The chairman's office door closed.
Go Chang-seok, who had bowed his head repeatedly until he was out, changed his expression the instant it shut.
"Fuck, that asshole."
Yesterday.
Truly the worst day.
He'd been cussed out and slapped by Kim Ji-hye, forced to apologize repeatedly under his father-in-law's cold gaze. And now his father's scolding on top—his insides boiled. Trying to suppress his rage, he spotted Go Chang-beom standing there dazed.
"I don't know which bastard leaked the Hanseong Officetel location, but if I catch him, I'll tear him to shreds."
He targeted him outright.
It was a hunch.
The only one who benefited from attacking him was Go Chang-beom, so he was certain it was him.
However.
No matter what Go Chang-seok blabbered, Go Chang-beom's mind wasn't there.
"Well done. I'm proud of how composed you were."
"Well done. I'm proud of how composed..."
"Well done. Composed..."
His mind.
Was a field of flowers.
In that ecstatic world, his father—who'd been nothing but strict since adulthood—looked down at him with a benevolent face. If heaven existed, it'd feel like this. Shivers rising from his toes, Go Chang-beom couldn't hide his joy.
'Dad acknowledged me. Said I handled it well and composedly, looking at me proudly!'
Thrilling.
Truth be told, he hadn't even realized his own longing.
Living as a wastrel had built up a craving for his father's approval, and today it all melted away. He didn't care about Go Chang-seok grumbling as he left. For him, the one fact of his father's praise mattered, and he wanted to savor this moment fully.
Clench.
He balled his fist.
This incident.
He hoped it wouldn't end as a one-off.
He yearned for his father to keep looking at him with proud eyes, consistently from now on.
For that, he needed something.
'Kim Hyun-seong!'
Everything had gone according to his plan.
Go Chang-beom pulled out his phone.
Ring ring.
Click.
"Oh, my sweet Hyun-seongie. Where are you now? I'll come right over."
* * *
One day.
Less than 24 hours since their reunion, Go Chang-beom looked at Kim Hyun-seong with honey-dripping eyes.
"Thanks to you, I finally got some recognition from Dad after so long. So tell me quick—what do I need to do to become chairman? Whatever you say, I'll follow without question."
His attitude had completely flipped.
One single proof.
That was enough.
Forget his 17 years old; having witnessed the astonishing result firsthand, he couldn't not trust Kim Hyun-seong now.
Kim Hyun-seong said,
"This was just the beginning. Sure, Go Chang-seok's drifted from his wife, but he's only dropped to the same level as you, who never had that backing to begin with. To truly claim the chairman's seat, you need to win the other two conditions too. Those are impossible right now. Start at the bottom learning the ropes, and when the time's right, I'll tell you how."
"You want me to start at the bottom? Ugh, fine! If you say so, what can't I do?"
"And there's a condition."
"A condition?"
"Yes."
Go Chang-beom and Kim Hyun-seong.
Their relationship truly started now.
To put Go Chang-beom in the chairman's seat no matter what, Kim Hyun-seong needed commensurate reward.
"You remember our talk? Our relationship is purely transactional. I'll do my utmost for you from now on, and in return, you'll grant what I want for me."
"Just say it. What can't I do for my Hyun-seongie? I'm Go Chang-beom, a man of loyalty despite appearances."
"Perfect."
He smiled.
Another reason he chose Go Chang-beom.
Unlike Go Chang-seok, at least he properly took care of his own people.
Kim Hyun-seong cut straight to it.
"Be my guardian, Mr. Go Chang-beom."
Myeongjin Construction.
This was the moment he seized the most crucial puzzle piece for his future revenge.