Hero's Welcome and Hidden Maneuvers
The next morning on his way to work, Min-ho sat in the passenger seat. As the car neared the company, he unbuckled his seatbelt and prepared to get out, just like always.
"I'll get off here. See you later."
"You look tired, young master. Let me drive you all the way."
Min-ho had always gotten out far from the entrance to avoid drawing attention. But for some reason, Lawyer Choi was insisting on dropping him off right at the door.
"If word gets out that I'm Kang Min-ho, everything I've done so far goes up in smoke. I'd rather walk in peace without the rumors."
"If anyone sees, we can just say the meeting ran late last night and you stayed over at my place."
"You've never been this stubborn before. Is something up?"
"No, nothing. You just look especially worn out today, so I thought I'd offer."
"Guess my face tells the story. Fine, but just this once."
At the same time, the lobby of JK Credit Info was buzzing more than usual. And none other than President Kang Myeong-seon herself was directing the chaos.
"Deputy Manager Seo, you stand here and hand out the flowers. The rest of you line up on both sides. When he comes in, give him a big round of applause."
"Understood."
"Our top new hire brought in 300 million, so this is the least we can do, right, Deputy Manager Seo?"
"No need to even ask. After closing a deal this huge, I'd say we could do this every day."
Oblivious to all this, Min-ho stepped out of the car and headed to the first floor. Unlike usual, there were a lot more people around.
What's going on? Why is everyone out here?
The moment he opened the door, an earth-shattering cheer erupted.
-Lee Min-ho! Lee Min-ho!
-Lee Min-ho! Lee Min-ho!
Stunned by the sudden ovation, Min-ho stood there dumbfounded, trying to make sense of it. That's when Senior Deputy Manager Seo Gwang-hun approached with a smile, draping a massive flower lei—straight out of Hawaii—around his neck.
"Deputy Manager, what's all this?"
Min-ho, on his way to becoming an executive, lightly scattered petals as he accepted the flowers. No matter what he did, it all looked perfect in the deputy manager's eyes. His handshake came with eyes brimming with affection.
"I'm truly lucky to work alongside a talent like our Lee Min-ho."
It was the kind of textbook platitude you'd read in a manual. And there were all the executives lined up on one side. Not to mention the credit team on the other, clapping nonstop and chanting his name.
Overwhelmed with embarrassment and surprise, Min-ho didn't know where to look. The grand finale came from his aunt, President Kang Myeong-seon, who patted his back with the widest smile he'd ever seen.
"Our Lee Min-ho worked so hard, didn't he? You all think so too, right?"
-Of course, President!
-The best new hire ever!
-Not exaggerating to call him a collection machine!
He might have been flustered by the unexpected fanfare, but Min-ho quickly sized up the situation and bowed deeply in gratitude.
"This is all thanks to you, President, Deputy Manager, and everyone in the team. Your full support made it possible. I'll keep working hard. Thank you."
Another thunderous wave of applause followed, wrapping up the lively morning ceremony.
Naturally, Min-ho then headed to the president's office for his meeting.
***
As soon as the door closed, Min-ho collapsed dramatically, whining with a playful pout.
"Auntie, what was that? Calling everyone out first thing in the morning?"
"What's wrong with it? My boy's so handsome, that's all."
"It's not Hawaii—flowers, speeches? Can't you see the goosebumps on my arms?"
"Aigoo, really? Anyway, my nephew worked hard."
Min-ho had cleanly resolved the Hwang Gi-cheon debt that no one thought could be won. Even his complaints looked adorable to President Kang.
She patted his butt affectionately, as usual.
"Auntie, should I just rip off one cheek and give it to you?"
"I'd love that. Who told you to only do cute things?"
The door opened, and Lawyer Choi walked in with some documents. He caught Min-ho's eye and gave a subtle smile.
"I knew something was off when you insisted on dropping me at the door. You two planned this, huh?"
"I know nothing about it, young master."
"Betrayed by my own axe, but hey, it feels good. Thanks for the effort."
President Kang was still gazing at Min-ho with eyes full of honeyed affection.
"Auntie, could you wipe off some of that oil in your eyes before staring?"
"Then I'd want to even more. Who told you to do such great work? Every time you go out, you snag hundreds of millions. How could I not adore you?"
"Just lucky."
"Luck that keeps coming? That's skill."
She propped her chin on her hand, beaming lovingly at her nephew. Maybe it wasn't enough—she scooted closer and patted his butt again.
"How much incentive does my nephew want from Auntie?"
Just then, Secretary Jeong knocked softly, having prepared the coffee. If she saw this, what would she think? It was innocent enough between aunt and nephew. But to an outsider? Definitely not normal.
The bickering pair hadn't heard the knock. Quick-witted Lawyer Choi cracked the door, took the tray, and said,
"The president's in a meeting. I'll pass it on."
"Yes, Lawyer. This one's for the president, and the other two are the usual."
"Got it. Thank you."
Min-ho clutched his chest in relief and moved to the seat opposite President Kang. Her face was full of regret.
"What would the secretary say seeing the president patting an employee's butt?"
"She'd think he's cute, probably."
"I shouldn't say anything... Anyway, shall we get serious about that incentive, President?"
"Drawing the line already?"
"Otherwise, my butt wouldn't survive your hands."
President Kang smiled slyly, lit a cigarette, and dove into business.
"These amounts are usually set by negotiation. Last time for over 100 million, it was 300, so how about a generous 10 million?"
"Come on, Auntie, you're no rookie at this."
"How much were you thinking?"
Min-ho held up two fingers like he'd been waiting.
"Twenty."
"Way too greedy."
"It's money you'd toss anyway. Worth it for this."
"Too much. Fifteen. I'd give it to you happily, but we have to give to Proxy Oh too, so..."
Min-ho tilted his head, then stood up with a dramatic flourish.
"Well, no choice then. Guess I'll take it elsewhere."
"Are you threatening me right now?"
"Sometimes the temple has to move."
"Sixteen."
"Twenty."
"Seventeen. That's a big concession."
"Twenty."
Min-ho was holding firm, against expectations. President Kang sighed deeply and issued her ultimatum.
"Eighteen. No more, final offer."
"Twenty, plus a million each for Pi Dong-ho and Jeong Nam-hoon."
"Now conditions keep piling on?"
"Gotta give enough to build loyalty, right, President?"
Lawyer Choi, finding the whole thing hilarious, turned away, shoulders shaking. President Kang whined at him.
"Don't just laugh, Choi. Help me out here."
"I think twenty's fair too."
"You two hang out too much—you're the same now. Fine, I surrender. Twenty for Proxy Oh and you, a million each for Pi and Jeong. Deal?"
"Thank you, President. I'll dedicate this body to JK Credit Info."
She'd known about Min-ho's changes from the start, but his bold moves kept piquing her curiosity. Fixing her gaze on him, President Kang continued.
"By the way, since when were you into art? You knew it the second you saw it?"
"Yeah, just a hunch. The rest is exactly as Gu Ung-jae told you."
"How'd you know I talked to Gu?"
"Gu knows I'm your nephew."
"That explains why that slippery eel was extra slimy. You told him to keep his mouth shut?"
"No point blabbing—he'd only hurt himself."
Min-ho was racking up huge wins, but one thing remained uncertain: the reaction from Seongbuk-dong. To climb higher, word of him had to reach Grandfather Kang Jin-gwang. He'd dangled an enticing bait with that side deal, but would the chairman bite on just that? Hard to say. For now, it was all speculation.
That didn't mean Min-ho would sit around waiting for a call from Seongbuk-dong. He locked eyes with Lawyer Choi, who nodded and quietly set down his papers before leaving the office.
Now it was just Min-ho and Myeong-seon. He reminded himself once more about the chairman, Moon Sang-oh the butler, and the royal family. The chairman used Moon as his eyes and ears. So the key was finding who contacted Moon.
The chairman's kids, eyeing his fortune, wouldn't take kindly to the butler shadowing their father. On the surface, all was fine—but underneath, they despised each other. Except for one good-natured soul.
"Why'd you send Choi out all of a sudden?"
"He doesn't know about Moon butler."
"True, Dad's so prickly about showing his face."
"Speaking of, Auntie, you talk to Moon butler often?"
"Why bring him up?"
"Nothing big. At the auction, he asked about Grandfather but not you."
"Can't even drink cold water in front of you. We chat sometimes."
Contact with Moon butler meant Min-ho's story was flowing to Seongbuk-dong—and a summons would follow. To advance, he needed to step outside. But juggling company work made it impossible time-wise. He couldn't stick around chasing small change forever.
Min-ho's road was long; his goal was the throne Chairman Kang occupied. What choice would he make?
He'd foreseen this from the start. That's why he'd picked the credit team—with its freedom for field work already secured. Time to play that card.
It provided a perfect excuse and bought time for his next plan. Calculations complete, Min-ho didn't hesitate.
"I won't be coming in for a while."
"Why? Sniffed out another big one?"
"Not that. I'll explain later."
"What's gotten into you? Got a girl? Overseas trip? Whose daughter? Pretty? Good personality?"
"Auntie President, why not try writing a novel?"
"A hot-blooded guy your age suddenly says that? Must be a girl. Spill to Auntie."
"Like I have time for dating. You know that."
President Kang winked and grinned broadly.
"No girl like Auntie?"
"Sure, let's say that. Anyway, got some business. Just go with it."
"So prickly... Can't tell me?"
"Spoils the movie if you see the ending first—popcorn tastes bland, soda's flat. I'll tell you later."
Min-ho always showed results over words. Knowing his style, Myeong-seon didn't pry further.
"Fine, as long as it's not your old nonsense. Need anything else?"
"Incentive plus all my back pay—dump it in my account tomorrow. Easy, right?"
"What do you take Auntie for? Piece of cake."
"Then this humble servant will go deliver the good news to the credit team."
With that, Min-ho left the office. Myeong-seon stared at the door long after it closed. Fiddling with her lighter, deep in thought, she made a call.
A deep male voice answered.
"Yes, miss."
"Moon butler, just one question."
"Please."
"Has Dad called Min-ho to Seongbuk-dong?"
"Yes, he has. Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing. Just checking."
Hanging up, Kang Myeong-seon mulled over Min-ho's requests.
Using field work as cover for something... He wouldn't do anything stupid... Investing somewhere? Can't read the kid, even if he's my nephew.
Her head tilted as she pondered his intentions. Something clicked—she hurriedly prepared to go out and headed to JK Mutual Savings Bank, where Kang Du-seong was.