The Nine-Tailed Fox Meets the Viper
Min-ho finally faced Chairman Kang. His hand gripping the lunchbox tightened with memories of the past. He steeled his gaze and composed himself. His opponent was Chairman Kang, a man who could read intentions from a mere breath. To climb higher, he needed the chairman's money and power. This was no time for anger—rational reason was essential. Relaxing his eyes and hands, Min-ho quickly sifted through past memories.
"How had I treated Chairman Kang before?"
He flailed mentally for recollections, but nothing surfaced. There was good reason. In the past, Chairman Kang had avoided meeting his troublemaking grandson Min-ho at all costs. He hadn't even allowed him to attend his own birthday or the company founding anniversary. With no encounters to remember, it was only natural.
Now Min-ho faced two choices: treat him like a normal grandfather and grandson, or approach him stiffly like an employee, avoiding eye contact. He stood at a crossroads. It all hinged on the chairman's first words.
In that moment, the silently seated Chairman Kang spoke.
"It's been a long time, my Min-ho."
Contrary to expectations, the chairman greeted him warmly. In that brief instant, Min-ho made his decision without hesitation. The chairman had summoned him because of his bold spirit and meticulous plans. Bowing deeply would be less effective than a friendly approach. Reminding himself that he was royal blood with the chairman's lineage flowing through his veins, Min-ho responded with fitting grandsonly charm.
"Grandfather, it's been so long since I've been to Seongbuk-dong—I nearly got lost and was late."
"And how does it feel to see your grandfather after so long?"
"Of course it's great. Your face has been flickering in my mind so much, sometimes I couldn't even sleep."
Instead of bowing his head to show his crown, he chose the demeanor of an affectionate grandson. Pleased, Chairman Kang extended his right hand for a shake. Min-ho grasped it and took it a step further with a light embrace.
"You've grown into quite the fine young man while I wasn't looking—your face even looks better."
"You sent that wild ginseng home last time. I think that's what did it."
"If you want more, I'll send as much as you like. Come, sit—you must be tired from the trip."
"Yes, Grandfather."
Chairman Kang nodded, and Butler Moon moved to the kitchen. Soon, a lavish table laden with delicacies arrived. The star, of course, was the dragon-patterned flattened bottle won at auction. Glancing at it, Min-ho flashed a subtle smile.
Chairman Kang, pipe in mouth, eyed Min-ho and tossed out a casual question.
"You found this at that Hwang fellow's place, right?"
"Yes, the blue glaze is really beautiful, isn't it?"
"Your old grandfather went through quite a bit to track it down. But how did you spot it at a glance?"
"I've seen a lot of things like this in the house since I was little. It just stood out to my eyes."
"That's right. Who'd have thought holding your little fern-like hand and naming them one by one would come back like this."
Satisfied, Chairman Kang set down his pipe with a pleased smile. As he reached for his chopsticks, his eyes fell on the large ribboned lunchbox Min-ho had brought.
"What's this lunchbox for?"
"It's a gift I prepared for you, Grandfather."
"The table's already overflowing with food. Did you bring kimbap like kids on a picnic?"
"Something better than kimbap."
"If it's for your grandfather, it's only right to at least taste it."
Butler Moon took the lunchbox and placed it respectfully before Chairman Kang.
"Open it."
"Yes, Chairman."
"Let's see what pretty thing our grandson brought."
Butler Moon untied the neatly wrapped ribbon and opened the box. Shockingly, it wasn't the expected kimbap—instead, out came potato chips. Flustered, the butler opened the next tier. Then the next, and the next— all five tiers were packed full of potato chips.
Potato chips as a gift for Grandfather? It was beyond imagination. Butler Moon's pupils wandered in bewilderment. Watching this, Kang Du-seong could only press his hand to his forehead and squeeze his eyes shut. He'd barely soothed his father's anger, and now this was the offering? Furious, he ground his teeth, barely holding back. He wanted to yell, but he couldn't dare before his sky-like father. Instead, he poured all his irritation and rage into a piercing glare at Min-ho.
Butler Moon and Kang Du-seong—their reactions were perfectly reasonable. A twenty-something grandson bringing snacks as a gift for his grandfather? It warranted it.
Butler Moon quickly closed the lunchbox to salvage the situation.
"Chairman, these look very appetizing. I'll prepare them for after your meal."
Min-ho had laid another charming trap, and things were unfolding exactly as planned.
Chairman Kang will definitely reach for the potato chips before the meal.
Staring at the chips, Chairman Kang issued an unexpected order.
"Leave it as is."
"Pardon? Chairman?"
"My grandson went to the trouble of packing it— I have to at least taste it."
"Understood."
Chairman Kang stepped into Min-ho's alluring trap. He picked up a chip and popped it in his mouth. Closing his eyes, he savored it at length. Contrary to Butler Moon and Kang Du-seong's expectations, he nodded and broke into the world's happiest smile.
"They say the kids who once gave you grief grow up to be filial—seeing Min-ho makes it ring true. Delicious, and this crisp texture is just superb."
Savoring potato chips amid a feast of delicacies was utterly alien to Butler Moon. Stunned, he stammered as he cautiously confirmed.
"Uh... Chairman, did you just say it's delicious?"
"You try one too. Du-seong, you as well."
"Yes, Father."
Unable to refuse the chairman, they each took a chip. To them, it was just ordinary junk food. Unable to answer honestly, they forced awkward smiles and hedged.
"It's... delicious."
"Butler Moon, what do you think?"
"It's... not too sweet, very good..."
The unbelievable was just beginning. As if bewitched by the nine-tailed Min-ho, Chairman Kang kept popping chips nonstop. He even silently lifted his glass with one hand. Min-ho smiled slyly and swiftly filled it from the bottle.
Kang Du-seong couldn't hide his bewilderment at his father's unprecedented behavior. His father, who never touched snacks, was devouring them like a man possessed.
Father's eating snacks?
Chairman Kang went further, sipping liquor while savoring Min-ho's potato chips. In no time, he emptied the entire five-tier box. With a satisfied smile, he set down his glass.
"Our grandson brought a proper gift. It suits my taste perfectly."
Min-ho's prediction hit the mark. Having enchanted the chairman with crispy chips, it was time to pull out all the stops. Filling Grandfather's glass, he chimed in slyly.
"I toned down the sweetness, added just the right saltiness, and made them extra crisp. Tasty, right?"
"No need for words—it's the best I've ever had. Where'd you get something this good?"
"I made them after work this afternoon. For you, Grandfather."
A person's palate doesn't change. Min-ho knew the tastes and had simply introduced them earlier. The grandfather who once threatened to disown him—his lingering resentments melted away like snow with one perfect batch of chips.
Butler Moon and Du-seong could only stare dumbly at the scene. The chairman's praise flowed on.
"Not too sweet, not too salty, perfect crunch—your grandfather accepts this gift with great pleasure."
"Next time, I'll make them even better."
Rinsing his mouth with water, Chairman Kang smiled warmly.
"You dazzled your old grandfather with that flattened bottle, then addled my mind with snacks. Now I want to hear the true intentions of this nine-tailed fox."
"You knew I'd bring something up?"
"Of course, boy. My blood flows in your veins—how could I not know? Speak your mind, whatever it is."
Min-ho paused dramatically before speaking carefully.
"I don't know the exact amount, but I've heard there's quite a bit invested in Japan."
Chairman Kang was a peerless figure who rose from nothing through unique insight. Broaching economics first before him was unimaginable for Kang Du-seong. He glared daggers at Min-ho. The chairman didn't like his son's attitude either.
"Du-seong."
"Yes, Father."
"Let the boy breathe. You won't farm good children by raising them like you're about to devour them."
"My apologies."
Having rebuked Du-seong, Chairman Kang turned to Min-ho with a smile.
"They say you can't even drink cold water in front of children. You've heard that somewhere, and now you want an answer while we're on the topic."
Draining his glass slowly, Chairman Kang replied.
"As you said, there's a fair amount invested here and there in Japan. But why bring it up suddenly?"
The Japan investment was one of the darkest stains in JK Group's history. It yielded massive profits from the bubble, but unliquidated funds were mere ledger entries. Ignoring rising interest rate signals, Chairman Kang paid dearly when the party ended. All M&A plans for legitimacy were scrapped, and he endured the world's mockery. If he didn't change course now, 300 billion won would vanish into thin air. A major hit to the group would derail Min-ho's plans. Soon, the chairman would sink into the quagmire—only Min-ho knew. No one else could help. If Min-ho extended a steady hand?
His position would transform from wastrel to lifesaver in an instant. Infinite trust from the chairman would be the bonus. No more time or reason to hide his claws. Min-ho boldly revealed his hand.
"Actually, that's what I came to tell you."
"Out with it. In my current mood, what couldn't I grant you?"
Chairman Kang assumed it was a car or a bigger house at most. Min-ho wanted far more. His words shattered all expectations.
"Do you think Japan is still an economic superpower?"
"Well, the past was regrettable, but I have to admit... it's one of the top economic powers."
"Even the hottest sun eventually sets with time. And that moment is now."
No one could deny Japan's economic might. Kang Du-seong and Butler Moon tilted their heads at Min-ho's absurd claim. But Chairman Kang, gazing deeply at him, thought differently. This wasn't the grandson he knew. Expression, speech, actions—all changed. He'd brought snacks to his taste and melted years of ice. His instincts sensed something extraordinary.
So that's why the boy came here... But Japan shaking? What makes him think that?
Pondering deeply, Chairman Kang spoke gravely.
"Min-ho, what you said... it sounds like the great economic power of Japan has run out of luck."
"Yes, Grandfather. That's why I'm telling you to pull out every last bit of the investment. Not in yen—in dollars and gold."
"Economics isn't as simple as you think. Still, your grandfather will review it later."
The blade of death hovered at his throat. Of course, Chairman Kang had no inkling. "Later" didn't exist. He needed to decide now and act fast. More serious and resolute than ever, Min-ho pressed on.
"If you don't recover the funds by the end of this month, it will all disappear."