Seeing Through
Seongbuk-dong.
What would a typical collector do with a small liquor bottle adorned with a dragon pattern that fetched a staggering 450 million won at auction? They'd treat it like gold or jade, cherishing it so carefully that not even a speck of dust would dare touch it.
But here, where money was just a number, things worked differently. The bottle, won at that exorbitant price, was already filled to the brim with liquor and neatly placed on the table.
Moon Sang-oh lifted the bottle and carefully poured its contents into the old man's glass. The elder downed it in one gulp, stared silently at the bottle, then nodded with a satisfied smile.
"This beautiful dragon pattern, and that bluish hue no paint could imitate—it's perfect. I never dreamed I'd find something so rare."
"You've always said every item has its rightful owner, Chairman."
"Exactly. Now that it's back where it belongs, the liquor tastes exquisite. Well done. Have a drink."
"Yes, Chairman. Thank you."
Was it because he'd finally obtained the treasure he'd sought for so long? The old man's expression was more satisfied than ever.
Taking a puff from his pipe, he casually tossed out a question. "Did you know that boy was my grandson?"
"Not until we entered the auction house."
"When you brought this bottle, your face looked like you'd encountered a tiger in the mountains."
"The auction was tricky because of the young master. I'm sorry for showing such incompetence."
"Nonsense. You need to make that dazed face once in a while—it makes you seem human."
This time, the old man picked up the bottle. Moon Sang-oh knelt, holding out his glass with both hands respectfully. He turned his head slightly and emptied it carefully before speaking.
"When you called it 'an unstoppable advance,' I didn't fully grasp what you meant."
"Of course not. How could you know it was Min-ho without seeing the opponent? Even I would've struggled in your shoes."
"No, sir. I believe you would've achieved a far better outcome."
"Save that for an appetizer—it's perfect for it. Care to tell the story again?"
"Yes, I'll recount it."
Moon Sang-oh had already reported every detail from the auction the moment he arrived in Seongbuk-dong. Yet the old man, clearly intrigued by Min-ho's tale, wanted to hear it once more. As the shadow ever at his side, Moon Sang-oh knew exactly why. He subtly highlighted the part that had drawn the most nods.
"The bidding for the bottle was fiercer than expected."
"With only one such item in this narrow land, that's inevitable."
"Everyone bid the moment it appeared."
"What does that tell you?"
"It could mean Representative Gu leaked info about the bottle to multiple clients to drive up the price."
"Close, but you missed something."
Moon Sang-oh racked his brain desperately but drew a blank. "I'm sorry, sir. I can't figure it out. Was it the term 'elder' I used on the phone? Did that bother you?"
"That was our agreement—no reason to take offense. I'm talking about something out of the ordinary."
"Representative Gu Ung-jae, the appraisers, and other staff all seemed normal. If I missed something, I'll go wrap it up."
"Too late. That boy's already got one over on you."
Moon Sang-oh stared blankly, unable to decipher the old man's riddle-like words. The elder, meanwhile, threw his head back in hearty laughter, clearly amused.
Perplexed on whether to laugh or cry, Moon Sang-oh waited. Finally, the old man exhaled a long plume of smoke and got to the point.
"Do auction houses call often?"
"No more than two or three times a year."
"I never acquire items that exist in duplicates. If someone else has what I struggled to obtain, it loses value. This flat bottle's the same."
"As you always emphasize."
"How many know my tastes?"
"Excluding me, President Kang Du-seong and President Kang Myeong-seon."
The old man emptied his glass again and shook his head. "Those fools chase money—they've never truly noticed what I want or own."
Moon Sang-oh mentally reviewed the royal family members for a satisfying answer but found none. That left only Min-ho. He ventured carefully, "If I may, do you mean the young master?"
"Exactly. Only Min-ho has eyes that sharp. No need to explain—you know why."
"Unlike the other grandsons, he's shown keen interest in your ancient artworks since childhood."
"Do you think today's events were all coincidence?"
The old man's word "coincidence" made Moon Sang-oh's pupils tremble violently. He replayed the entire incident from start to finish. If true, Min-ho's plan was a meticulously crafted masterpiece.
"Surely... you mean he lured you to the auction to drive up the price?"
"Precisely. He knew few could buy it outright."
"And using Representative Gu to leak info deliberately."
"He knew I only seek one-of-a-kind items—I told him often as a child."
"It's possible, but the odds seemed extremely low."
Moon Sang-oh was right. Min-ho's plan had razor-thin chances of success—an undeniable fact.
"And he added one more masterstroke."
"What was it?"
"He knew about President Hwang's daughter's heart condition."
"Yes, I'm aware."
"He factored in her surgery costs too."
As the bridge between President Kang Myeong-seon and the old man, Moon Sang-oh knew all about Min-ho's recent actions. Simple debt resolution didn't require involving the elder. Yet Min-ho chose risk, drawing him in to maximize the bottle's value.
Moon Sang-oh couldn't easily accept it—confusion only deepened.
"With collections as priority, there was no need to take such risks."
"He profited from it. What do you think Min-ho gained?"
"Solid footing at JK Credit Info, plus rapid promotion and incentives."
"You know better than anyone how he's changed... but that's not all."
Min-ho's transformation exceeded Moon Sang-oh's imagination. Though he'd denied it, every action pointed to one goal.
"He wanted to show his changed self to his father and me. The price—400 million or 500 million—was secondary."
"You see it as a meticulously designed plan?"
"Yes. He targeted me as the one who could buy it outright, factoring in Hwang Ki-cheon's debt and the surgery—everything."
"If even one part failed..."
"It all crumbles... I love that meticulousness, betting on the slimmest chance with such guts."
In the final showdown with Moon Sang-oh, Min-ho raised without hesitation. Moon had the elder's backing; Min-ho had only audacity.
"I raised bids midway as warnings."
"He wouldn't flinch."
"Others dropped like flies, but he raised even higher."
As if picturing it, the old man smiled in satisfaction.
"He carefully weighed my instructed price and hit it exactly."
"Factoring in 300 million debt, surgery costs, and your attention... it's unbelievable."
"The art isn't this jagged bottle—it's his plan. So bold, I love it. Now, repeat the end? What did he say offering the handshake?"
"Four-fifty. And congratulations on becoming its owner."
The old man roared with laughter, voice booming. "At my age, it's hard to get excited, but this kid's whetting my appetite perfectly."
When Min-ho was at his rebellious worst, he'd considered disowning him. He'd avoided even seeing his face outside family events. But this bottle changed everything. It was a plan perfectly tuned to capture his interest.
He'd seen the guts every heir must possess. Still, no room for optimism yet. This time, he wanted to confirm with his own eyes, not reports.
A subtle smile played on the old man's lips. Pouring liquor from the bottle into his glass, he issued an order.
"Call Du-seong. Tell Min-ho to come too."
***
Art Gallery.
The record for highest single-item sale had been shattered. Representative Gu Ung-jae grinned ear to ear, but Min-ho's identity gnawed at him.
A newbie handling that much cash outright? Must be from no ordinary family. And his face rings a bell...
As he racked his brain, a knock sounded, and the door opened. Lawyer Choi and Min-ho entered.
"Oh, our Min-ho has left a huge mark on our gallery. I don't even know how to thank you."
"You helped in every way, Representative. That's why it went smoothly."
"Your words flow like clear water. Please, sit here."
Gu pulled out documents and explained to Lawyer Choi. "As you know, there's a commission, but since it broke the single-item record, no extra fees."
"Thank you."
"How shall we prepare the funds?"
"One moment, please."
Normally, Lawyer Choi would review and sign. Not this time. The legal team's lawyer deferred to newbie Min-ho. Different departments allowed it, but something felt off—not just to Gu.
"How should we handle this, Min-ho?"
"Send 315 million to the company. The rest to Hwang Ki-cheon's wife, Jeong Yeong-mi's account."
"Hwang has no assets; it'd be seized immediately. Do that for now."
"Yes, Lawyer. If needed, a sham divorce works. I think this is best."
Lawyer Choi signed, and Gu quickly called the bank. "Lawyer, spoke to the branch manager. About 10 minutes."
"Thank you."
"Bank's just around the corner. Our staff's waiting with the passbooks—they'll bring them right over. Coffee while you wait?"
"Yes, please."
Gu beamed like he'd give his liver and gall, handing over coffee. Staring at Min-ho, memory clicked.
Lawyer asking a newbie's opinion? Weird... Looks like a chaebol kid... Familiar... Where've I seen him?
Gu's eyes were sharp. He gauged clients by gait, speech, posture—not just clothes.
To him, Min-ho exuded unbecoming poise for a newbie: unnatural calm for his twenties, immense guts. Traits money couldn't buy—bred from birth.
"Excuse me briefly."
Stepping out, he addressed waiting staff. "Gather round. Among our VIP heirs, how many named Min-ho?"
"Common name, but shall we check records?"
"No time—quickly. Twenties only; ignore rest."
Staff mobilized, soon selecting files. "Fourteen total, sir. Twenties: second son of Yeonggwang Group, and JK."
Gu checked personally. Brief surprise—Min-ho was no ordinary heir.
That's it! Kang Du-seong's son. My memory's spot-on.
"Representative, everything okay?"
"Nothing. File them back."
"Yes, sir."
Gu, who'd chased corporate events to schmooze, recalled Min-ho's young face.
Common name, so kept it but changed surname to dodge suspicion... Hiding identity, rising from bottom... No ordinary player.
Just then, the bank staff returned with passbooks. "Agent Yang, all set?"
"Yes, sir. Passbooks here."
"Good work. I'll handle it."
Gu reentered, smile more obsequious. He handed the passbooks and transfer slip not to Lawyer Choi, but Min-ho—with both hands, bowed.
"Here are the transfer receipt and passbooks. Satisfied?"
"Thanks for the quick handling."
"Such praise leaves me speechless."
Min-ho, battle-hardened, noticed the shift. He touched his index finger to his lips.
"Not a birth secret, but best keep quiet for now."
"Of course, young master. My lips are sealed."
"You want a good word, right? I'll tell my father."
"That'd be incredible."
"Then we'll trust and go."
"Safe travels, Min-ho."
The head of Korea's top gallery, handling billions, bowed 90 degrees to newbie Min-ho. Passbooks in hand, Min-ho left with Lawyer Choi for Bongcheon-dong's slum.