Chapter 160: Seizing the Initiative
By a sheer stroke of luck, news of Kang Beom-seong's actions reached Gu Eun-chae's ears. She couldn't grasp the full context, but it was undoubtedly high-grade intelligence—no doubt about that.
To stoke Min-ho's curiosity, President Gu Eun-chae mentioned Kang Beom-seong. Contrary to her expectation that he'd jump in surprise, Min-ho merely nodded calmly.
"Kang Beom-seong... You mean Grandfather's third son?"
"Yes. Surprised?"
"It's definitely out of left field."
"Curious about the details? Then..."
She flicked her long straight hair as she headed to her car, calling back over her shoulder.
"I've kept my promise. Now it's your turn, Min-ho. Hop in."
Gu Eun-chae was neither ally nor enemy—a perfect shade of gray. Min-ho, still not fully letting go of his suspicions, pressed her again.
"This info's really got substance?"
"You think I don't know better after all these years in business?"
"If it's just some trivial gossip wasting my time, I won't sit idle."
"You think I can't tell a fat, meaty fish from one full of bones? Don't worry—I've got a killer instinct for reading the room."
Min-ho couldn't guess exactly what intel she had. To hear the rest, he got into the car as promised.
Grasping the wheel, she hummed cheerfully—what had her in such high spirits?—and asked, "What do you like, Min-ho?"
"Nothing in particular I avoid."
"There's this spot I know well. Their braised short ribs are out of this world. Let's go there."
The reaction any ordinary guy would have was nowhere to be seen in Min-ho. Question marks began piling up in Eun-chae's mind.
No reaction, no real response... What’s he thinking? Feels like I'm the one being strung along...
Min-ho, staring out the window without replying, suddenly spoke up after spotting something.
"How about something a little more special?"
"Special how?"
"Braised ribs are a dime a dozen. Since we're on the topic, let's head there instead."
The car hit a red light, and Eun-chae turned to check the spot.
"There? That's swarming with schoolkids. No restaurant like that around."
"If we're not going there, drop me off here."
Ordinary men showered her with lavish gifts to win her favor, granting her every whim. Was she too accustomed to that? Min-ho was like a wild stallion galloping freely across the plains.
It only piqued her curiosity more.
Definitely not your average guy... Something totally new I've never seen before...
Gazing at him with a cheeky expression, Eun-chae asked, "You always gotta do things your way to feel satisfied?"
"To be precise, it's not 'do'—it's 'eat' what I want."
"Why's your tone so stiff all of a sudden? You're not usually like this. Putting on an act for me?"
He replied without even glancing her way, as if annoyed.
"Any reason I should?"
"That's how it looks to me."
"Think whatever's comfy. If it bugs you, I'll get out. Go enjoy your ribs alone."
"You'd regret that."
"I don't do regrets."
"Where on earth does that confidence come from?"
"I don't create situations worth regretting. Your call."
No matter the man, Eun-chae always held the reins. But Min-ho was different—something else entirely. Not only had she yielded control, she was now meekly following his lead like a lamb.
"Fine. We'll go wherever you want, Min-ho."
They arrived near the elementary school and got out. In this residential neighborhood, no restaurants were in sight, even if you scrubbed your eyes raw looking. Min-ho walked ahead silently, as if it were a familiar path.
"Where you off to by yourself?"
"See that red tent next to the real estate office?"
"Yeah. What's there?"
Peering closely, Eun-chae was so shocked she clapped a hand over her mouth.
What Min-ho pointed to was none other than a street-side snack bar in front of the school.
"No way... A kids' snack joint?"
"Kids eat it, so isn't it for all ages? You hate tteokbokki?"
"No... That's not it..."
"Hate it? Get ramen. Lucky spot might have jjolmyeon too."
Min-ho just wanted to try that classic '90s schoolgate tteokbokki. That was all.
No sooner said than he pushed open the door and stepped in.
"Hey, auntie, hi!"
-Handsome young buck! Place lights up when single gals like you drop by. Water's self-serve, menu's up there—holler when you're ready.
"Thanks."
Min-ho got up, filled a small cup with water, and returned. At the tiny table in this hole-in-the-wall, everything felt surreal to Eun-chae.
JK royalty slumming it in a snack bar? Weird tastes? Or does he hate me?
Whining wouldn't change a thing. She glanced at the wall menu and asked, "What'll you have? I'll..."
Before she finished, Min-ho ordered.
"Auntie! Tteokbokki for two, fish cakes, fritters, sundae, skewered rice cakes, and ramen here."
His high-handedness irked her.
"Ordering for me without asking? How am I supposed to..."
"That's everything on the menu. Pick what you like."
A perfect dodge to her nonsense question. At a loss, she could only soothe herself with cold water.
"If it's bad, I'm out."
"Guess you'll stick around then."
"You a regular?"
"Nah. Street snacks don't suck."
She knew if they stuck to her planned route—familiar roads, familiar spots—she couldn't seize control. That would force her to humble herself for the intel. Min-ho wouldn't play that game.
Everything unfolded by his design, not hers. As expected, President Gu Eun-chae was the flustered one. She'd hoped he'd squirm with curiosity—instead, the opposite.
"Chaebol heirs eat this stuff?"
"Kimchi stew, pork, beef—everyone eats the same. People just have weird fantasies."
"You're surprisingly normal. So, Min-ho, got dreams like regular folks?"
"Yep. Mine's conquering the world. Yours?"
-Here's your tteokbokki. Dig in!
Eun-chae murmured low enough to barely be heard.
"Mine's a man who owns the world."
***
The table groaned under a feast of street snacks. Min-ho went straight for the tteokbokki. The nostalgic taste hit just right. A satisfied smile crept onto his face unbidden.
"Whoa, you never smiled like that at Soseonjae. This good?"
"Try it. Tteokbokki's only right on a green plate."
"Hold up—don't dip the lung segments in the sauce. I can't eat sundae."
"Should've said earlier... One more coming up."
"No, it's fine. Eat from this side."
Eun-chae popped some tteokbokki in her mouth and, surprised by the flavor, flashed a thumbs-up.
"Damn, way better than expected."
"Time to pay up. What intel do you have on Kang Beom-seong? Who'd you hear it from?"
"Speeding ahead already? I'm a media boss—source protection."
"Fair. Won't pry then."
"But... feels off spilling for free."
"You're eating tteokbokki right now."
"Not what I meant!"
Min-ho smirked, one corner of his mouth twitching. He set down his chopsticks, pulled out a thick wallet.
"If it's got meat on those bones, it's all yours."
"Don't need cash. Not like you, but enough to coast forever."
"Not money? Then what?"
She glanced around furtively, lowering her voice.
"Cut me in on your gig."
"What gig? My company?"
"Broadly speaking, yeah."
"Be specific."
Wiping her mouth with a tissue, she murmured, "I don't know details, but I hear war's brewing at JK."
Expecting shock, Min-ho just calmly chewed his fish cake.
Thirsty for a reaction, she dug deeper.
"Few days back, word is Kang Beom-seong took a cab and scouted around JK Credit Info. That's why I called you—to spill that."
"How'd you peg him as Kang Beom-seong—my uncle? Not many know his face."
"I'm Gu Eun-chae of Soseonjae."
"I know."
"Looks, age, hair, speech, shady behavior—all factored in. Trust me. I'm surer than the cops."
He feigned nonchalance, but the unexpected news churned his mind. If Beom-seong knew nothing, he'd have barged straight to Myeong-seon. Cruising by cab to spy meant he'd caught a whiff of something. Myeong-seon was under virtual house arrest. Loose lips would earn her only Chairman Kang's iron rod.
Auntie wouldn't blab... She's watched too closely... Leaves just one suspect...
Considering Beom-seong's Pocheon ties, it was the most plausible scenario. But he couldn't show it to Eun-chae. Keeping cool, he continued.
"Old news anyway. Nothing shocking. Still, won't forget your help."
His stone-faced response left her stunned.
"Not big enough to freak you out?"
"I'd be in a coffin by now if it were."
"Don't... trust me?"
"Not yet."
Thoroughly hooked, she couldn't hide her excitement.
"What'll prove I'm on your side? Rip out my heart here?"
"Dead, it's worthless. Anyway, name your price. You brought goods; I'll pay."
Glinting like a magpie, she shot back, "What if I dig deeper?"
"Can't mine bedrock barehanded. What's the ask?"
"Told you—cut me into your war."
"Rougher than I thought. Could get you killed."
"I'm an orphan anyway—no folks left."
"Don't need your sob story. Keep the intel coming then."
"Build trust? Like what, specifics?"
"All your politico-business dirt. Fair trade, right?"
Demanding everything she had? Outrageous.
"Playing hardball? You know what happens if I talk—dozen reporters in a snap."
Eyes unwavering, Min-ho replied.
"Yeah. But you'd die first. Why bring it up now?"
"Didn't ask for a house. Just let me tag along."
"Stay out of family fights. Dead serious—it's dangerous."
"Whatever. I'll keep feeding you info."
"Do you. Eat up and enjoy."
Min-ho slapped cash on the table and slipped out without a word. She'd thought she had the edge—reality said otherwise. Frustrated at the elusive tteokbokki, she crammed fritters into her mouth.
Min-ho hit the main road, ducked into a payphone booth, and dialed.
"Butler Moon, it's Min-ho. Time to shut Seo Gwang-hun up for good."