Chapter 107: Hearts in Perfect Sync
***
The rapid growth of the JK Mutual Savings Bank group was something even eldest son Kang Du-seong should have welcomed with both hands raised. Yet he couldn't simply rejoice. The group was expanding, but he could sense his own presence within it growing ever fainter. The fact that Chairman Kang's summons had noticeably decreased—unlike the old days when even minor issues prompted a call to Seongbuk-dong—proved it plainly. He controlled the group's lifeline, the savings bank, but that offered no real comfort. Once anxiety sparked his imagination, even the steadfast Kang Du-seong began to fidget restlessly.
Urged by news of the Seyoung Shinmun acquisition, Du-seong summoned his eldest son, Sang-hyuk.
"Heard about the Seyoung Shinmun buyout?"
"Yeah, saw it on the news. Something up?"
Unlike his anxious father, the son remained utterly nonchalant. No trace of ambition flickered in Sang-hyuk's eyes. For over ten years, he'd just been drifting along, month after month. Seething at his son's attitude, Du-seong scowled and snapped, "How long are you planning to sit here tapping away at that calculator?"
"Grandpa said before that if I stuck around, he'd give me a position. I'm waiting for that."
"You at least check in with him now and then?"
"Well... once a month or so?"
Unlike Min-ho, who treated the chairman's office like his own home, Sang-hyuk had never set foot there even once. Sighing at the stark contrast, Du-seong lit a cigarette.
"Where do you think the core of our group lies?"
"The savings bank, obviously."
"From now on, JK's heart has two beats: the media and here."
"What're you getting at all of a sudden?"
"Think about it. Once we acquire Seyoung Shinmun, who do you suppose the Secretariat will cozy up to closest?"
"The newspaper, naturally?"
"And you know that, yet you sit there so calmly?"
To tighten his grip on the group and climb to vice chairman someday, controlling the Secretariat was essential. With the major affiliates now divvied up among his four children, Du-seong had no choice but to consider his eldest son Sang-hyuk's placement next. He longed to take the presidency himself, but that was impossible in reality. His best scenario was planting the obedient Sang-hyuk as vice president.
"Head to Seongbuk-dong right now. Tell Grandpa you're ready for the newspaper's VP spot."
"You think he'll actually give it to me?"
"What changes if you just sit here?"
"No, that's not what I—"
"Your cousins and younger siblings are scrambling for positions, yet the eldest acts like he has zero ambition..."
"Fine, I'll go this evening."
"I'll call ahead. No arguments—just go to Seongbuk-dong."
"Yes, Father."
The temporary shareholders' meeting for Seyoung Shinmun was imminent, where the president would be decided. Impatience turned to jittery anxiety. To gauge Chairman Kang's intentions, Du-seong dialed the chairman's office.
"Moon Sang-oh speaking."
"Is Father there?"
"He's in a meeting right now. I'll relay when it ends."
"A meeting at this hour? What the hell?"
"A sudden press interview came up."
"...I see."
Du-seong, who knew the headquarters inside out, couldn't help but find it suspicious. It felt like they were deliberately dodging his call. Puffing on his cigarette, he racked his brain but drew a blank. He had only one hill to lean on. He grabbed the receiver and dialed Myeong-seon.
***
Meanwhile, en route to his appointment, Chairman Kang couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter upon hearing Butler Moon's report.
"How does that boy read people so effortlessly? He's a real charmer. Min-ho really said that?"
"Yes. He proposed elevating Executive Director Kim Si-hyung to president and Director Mo Seok-woon to VP."
"Even if he's my grandson, how is he so brilliantly sharp? It melts my heart. What do you think?"
"I agree—it's the best possible move."
"Exactly. No one can complain then."
One thing still nagged at Butler Moon. Min-ho's uncanny recall of details: not just names and nicknames of executives, but their past stories too. After hesitating, he ventured cautiously, "Chairman, may I ask something?"
"Speak freely."
"Young Master knew everything about Executive Director Kim and Director Mo. Is it really just from stories you told him as a child?"
Chairman Kang stared silently out the window. Sensing his slip, Moon bowed hastily. "My apologies. I phrased it poorly..."
"No need for apologies, man—it's ancient history. I've pondered it myself. Min-ho's right; I told him when he was very young. And he must've heard bits directly from them too."
"Retaining memories from age five so perfectly... it's hard to fathom. Not that I'm doubting Young Master's abilities."
Chairman Kang smiled contentedly. "You know how devoted those two—Ragpicker and Hangang Bridge—are to me, don't you?"
"Yes, Chairman. The incident from before?"
"That's right. They'd throw away their lives for me. Still would... It was ages ago, before you joined— they'd come to Seongbuk-dong like it was their own house."
"Hard to imagine."
"It was back then. Age and cancer surgery slowed things, that's all. So how dazzling must Min-ho look in their eyes?"
"Given their personalities, he'd be like a nephew or even a son."
With the window down, Chairman Kang exhaled cigarette smoke and continued. "They probably spilled everything—drunk rants and all. You know Ragpicker's drunken repeats?"
"The same stories over and over."
"Bet they told Min-ho too. That's why he remembers so vividly. And commendably, not a detail missed. Elevating those two with their colorful histories to president and VP signals another layer to the play."
Before Moon could ask, Chairman Kang grinned. "I know my boy inside out. He must've outright said he'd pull an empress dowager move."
"Yes, exactly that. What are your thoughts?"
The presidential race was now in full swing. Who claimed the Blue House would shape JK Group's fate. One choice could decide it all.
"The humiliations I've endured? We'd need a year of sleepless nights to cover them."
"With policies flipping like a peddler's tricks and all those regulations, even I lose sleep sometimes."
"Ten years ago? When you came back from Gibbs, you said you tripped on the stairs?"
"Yes? Yes, Chairman."
"I knew. Just pretended not to, out of pity."
"I'm sorry."
Chairman Kang took Moon's hand in both of his. "How mad must you have been? You went downstairs, punched the wall out of my sight—the thud was something else."
"I couldn't contain my anger then."
"Time to repay those humiliations, eh?"
"Yes. This time, no matter what, we'll put your chosen man in the Blue House."
"The coffers are full. The group's bulked up nicely. High time I make my move."
"We're more than ready."
This wasn't the old Jin-gwang with just money. The group had grown beyond anyone's control. And he had his peerlessly brilliant grandson, Min-ho. Pick the right Blue House master, and JK's path ahead was all roses.
With resolve set, Chairman Kang spoke gravely. "Let's stake my neck on Min-ho this once."
"Handing Se-min Shinmun's control to Young Master?"
"The Times plus Se-min? That's real scale. Chance to see if Min-ho's bowl is a washbasin or a rice bowl."
"I'll gather more intel via the Secretariat. It's still anyone's guess who'll win."
Chairman Kang was firmer than ever. "No need for extra work. He wields the knife now—whether he slices garlic or meat, that's on him."
"I'll pass it on."
"By the way, our grandson's eyeing some girl?"
"Park Joo-mi, age 22."
"Hee-ae or Sun-kyung as models wouldn't fall short, but if Min-ho insists, there's reason."
As he finished, the phone rang.
"Moon Sang-oh speaking."
"Secretariat's Oh Sang-min here."
"Chairman is beside me. State your business."
"Found Park Joo-mi. She's at the NBC talent audition site now. Instructions?"
"Thanks for the trouble. I'll go myself."
Hearing the call, Chairman Kang smiled intriguingly. "That girl's at NBC?"
"Yes, Chairman."
"Curious how Min-ho stressed her so much... Can't wait. Push back the meeting with Kim Chairman by an hour."
"No need, Chairman—I'll go."
"Can't sit idle after my grandson's gift. Turn the car around."
"Understood."
***
Athena. The Seyoung Shinmun acquisition, topping sales charts, rocked the media world. Min-ho's The Times buzzed too. Having sorted a mountain of reports in a flash, Min-ho turned to Lawyer Choi.
"All done with the busywork?"
"Nearly wrapped up."
"That's enough. Call a meeting."
Reading Min-ho like a book, Choi urgently dissuaded. "Not about Se-min Shinmun, surely?"
"Gotta prep. Temporary shareholders' meeting's right around the corner."
"No word from Chairman yet."
"Election's closing in. Grandpa's grinding his teeth over past humiliations."
"High odds, but timing might be off."
"Don't worry. He'll hand Se-min Shinmun's reins to me for sure."
"Got it. Convening now."
Gathered in the conference room: Section Chief Cheon Dong-gwan and key staff. Far earlier than usual. They sensed something big, but no one guessed what Min-ho would say.
"Thanks for coming despite your schedules."
Catching Min-ho's eye, The Times President Jo Dong-uk probed, "Representative, bad news?"
"No worries—the good news is almost too good. President Jo, our market share?"
"Climbing steadily, but pure circulation? About 10%."
"And Seyoung Shinmun?"
"Massive—over 30%."
Odd for Min-ho, who knew it all, to ask. Jo tilted his head, listening intently.
"What if Seyoung and our The Times moved as one?"
"Beyond major stories—we could sway the election itself, exaggeratedly speaking."
"Let's shake the election then."
"Pardon? Suddenly? Seyoung's acquired by JK—cooperation possible, but fully synced? Tough, I'd think."
Min-ho dropped the bomb with a knowing smile. "Seyoung—precisely, I'll run Se-min Shinmun from now on. The Times and Se-min move together starting today."