A Day Worth a Thousand Gold
Kimpo Airport. It was the day Cheon Dong-gwan returned from Tokyo, where he'd been sent to handle the investment. To welcome him, Min-ho and Lawyer Choi had arrived early that morning.
Min-ho's eyes were fixed on the gate when Lawyer Choi spoke up. "Young master, let me stand here and let you know when Mr. Cheon comes out. Why don't you sit in those chairs back there?"
"It's about time anyway, and he'll feel a lot more at ease if he sees me waiting right here."
"Understood."
Lawyer Choi, who had been staring at the same spot as Min-ho for a while, finally voiced the doubts he'd long harbored. "At first, I didn't fully trust Mr. Cheon."
"You thought he'd abandon his family for 40 million won?"
"Yes. Debtors backed into a corner can act unpredictably, so that worry was real."
Min-ho flashed a relaxed smile. "And now?"
"It was unfounded. I had no idea he cared for his family so deeply."
"That's exactly why I chose him. A man like that wouldn't squander billions, no matter how much you gave him."
Just then, the airport TVs blared nonstop news about JK Group.
[Regarding the acquisition of Daehan Mobile Communications, Chairman Kang Jin-gwang expressed that it was a profoundly meaningful and glorious moment...]
[Chairman Kang then credited all the glory to the people and vowed to transform the company into one that would earn even greater love in the future.]
Min-ho's face overflowed with smiles as he watched. Lawyer Choi, who hadn't been at the Seongbuk-dong residence, couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer. "I haven't been allowed back at Seongbuk-dong yet, but what was the chairman's reaction at the announcement?"
"To put it simply, picture scoring the winning goal with one second left on the clock."
"Really that intense?"
"Yeah—he hugged everyone, shouted, teared up in感動. It was chaos for a good while."
"The office was the same. I cheered loud myself. Just to confirm, what about the land compensation you agreed on with the chairman?"
Min-ho pulled out a pen and notepad, checked a few things, and replied. "It'll be processed soon and hit my account. Add in the 3 billion from Tokyo, and it'll be just over 10 billion total."
Min-ho spoke casually of an amount that could buy a hundred apartments. To Lawyer Choi, it was unimaginable wealth. Doubting his own ears, he asked again. "Y-Young master... did you just say 10 billion?"
"Any legal issues?"
"None at all. I'm just clueless about your plans after this."
"Then let me give you a hint."
With that, Min-ho pointed at the TV airing the news.
[Next up: Struggling with cash flow, Yeonggwang Ilbo has finally hit the market. All eyes are on who the new owner will be.]
Contrary to Lawyer Choi's guess of a safe investment, Min-ho's next move was a newspaper. It didn't add up. Tilting his head, Choi double-checked. "Young master... are you saying you're acquiring Yeonggwang Ilbo?"
"Remember that office listing I told the Yeouido real estate team about?"
"Yes, Team Leader No will contact you once it's ready."
"That's where I'll start my business. We've got time—ask away if you're curious."
The chairman's trust was beyond imagination. Yet here was Min-ho, tossing aside the golden lifeline of the royal family to forge his own path. From Lawyer Choi's view, it made no sense. He ventured his opinion cautiously. "In my personal view, you already have the chairman's full trust. Building your career this way poses no problems."
"Fast and easy, sure—assuming no competition."
"Are you worried about the family members you mentioned last time?"
"You think they'll sit idle if I climb up?"
"They'll cling and bite however they can."
Lawyer Choi still couldn't fathom why a newspaper of all things. To erase the question marks from his face, Min-ho explained in detail. "Do you know the annual revenue of the big three dailies with editorial pages that we saw a few days ago?"
"I know it's substantial, but not the exact figures."
"Last year alone: Seyoung Shinmun at 178.7 billion, Mingukbo at 164.6 billion, Dongyoung Ilbo at 138.4 billion. Up over 15% every year since the mid-80s."
"That much? I figured it was big, but not that big."
"We'll go over the details in Yeouido. Oh, there he is."
The gate opened, and Cheon Dong-gwan finally emerged, lugging a massive bag.
"Mr. Cheon, over here!"
Spotting Min-ho, he halted, bowed deeply in greeting.
It had been months since they'd seen Cheon Dong-gwan. Thanks to steady hospital visits, his face had filled out nicely. He beamed, but couldn't hide the lingering loneliness.
"Young master, I'm back."
"Good work."
"No, no—thank you again for trusting me with this chance."
"Skip the handshake today—let's hug it out."
Min-ho spread his arms and embraced him, patting his back lightly to soothe the toil.
"I never dreamed you'd come all the way here."
"Who else would ease your worries if not me?"
"I wouldn't dream of it."
"Your family's doing well. Now it's time for me to keep my promise."
They loaded the huge luggage into the trunk and sped off toward Pocheon. Passing near Gahwa-dong, Min-ho handed Cheon two bags of cash.
"Here—should be plenty."
"Thank you for keeping your word."
"No need—I'm just glad you handled Tokyo smoothly and came back healthy. Want to take a peek?"
Clutching his pounding chest, Cheon slowly unzipped one. As expected, it brimmed with the promised money. Instead of the expected grin, he stared silently at the crisp stacks of ten-thousand-won bills.
"Two billion per bag, four billion total. Use one to pay off debts, the other for a fresh start."
Free at last from the Pocheon nightmare, Cheon could now rebuild with his family. Motionless, he let tears of pent-up sorrow fall onto the bundles.
Min-ho patted his back wordlessly.
Wiping his eyes with his sleeve, Cheon turned and gripped Min-ho's hand tightly. "Young master, thank you truly. I'll never forget this grace."
"I just kept my promise."
"Every night, lying in the dark, I endured by replaying this moment. It feels like a dream."
"It's reality. You must be tired—close your eyes. We'll be in Pocheon before you know it."
His heart raced too fiercely to shut his eyes even briefly, so Cheon gazed silently out the window.
***
Seongbuk-dong.
[With JK Group's acquisition of Daehan Mobile Communications, consumer burdens are expected to ease somewhat.]
[Daehan Mobile shares are rising on the acquisition news.]
Chairman Kang's face brimmed with joy at his first victory in a dreamed-of acquisition battle. "Last night, I woke up mid-sleep, wondering if it was a dream, and pinched my cheek."
"It's no dream, sir."
"That's how good it felt. Come on, eat breakfast quick and let's head to the office."
"Here's your morning schedule: Interviews with Seyoung Shinmun, MKS, and Gyeongmin Shinmun from 10 a.m., followed by a 11 a.m. meeting with President Park Baek-chul."
"Gonna be busy for a bit. Get dressed and eat, you too."
"Yes, sir."
As Moon the butler sat at the table, the living room phone rang. He picked up the receiver. "Seongbuk-dong."
"Immigration Office here."
"Yes?"
"About Mr. Cheon Dong-gwan we mentioned before?"
"What about him?"
"Just calling to say he entered via Kimpo Airport today."
"Got it. Thank you."
Hanging up, Moon approached Chairman Kang immediately. "Mr. Cheon entered the country today."
"Dong-gwan's back?"
"Yes, sir."
Chopsticks in hand, the chairman pondered deeply before nodding. "If Dong-gwan's back, it means he finished the task Min-ho gave him... Nothing else from them?"
"No, sir—that was all."
"Sit and eat first."
Scooping rice into his mouth, the chairman asked, "What did Min-ho say about the investment details?"
"The Tokyo branch report estimates profits at 3 billion won."
"He foresaw Japan's downfall again—makes sense. Protects his old man's money and fattens his own pocket... Not your average gambler."
The chairman set down his chopsticks and let out a hearty laugh. "From a measly 40 million... Who'd have thought. That's my grandson."
"I was stunned when I first heard."
"What do you think Min-ho'll do next?"
Moon thought carefully, then mentioned one thing that came to mind. "Given the young master's nature, he'll give ample compensation."
"That's what I always say—reward those who deliver generously. Your guess is spot on."
The chairman nodded lightly. Moon rose swiftly, fetched the ledger from the study, and returned.
"How much does Dong-gwan owe? I remember it was quite a bit."
"As of today: 2 billion, 123 million, 2,500 won."
"Big spender in business—life's unpredictable, just like they say. Sometimes I think it's a shame to keep Dong-gwan in Pocheon."
"How shall we handle it?"
"Promises must be kept. Min-ho'll treat him right, and that'll get Dong-gwan out into the world."
"I'll check personally to avoid any future issues."
The chairman shook his head with a faint smile. "Excluding the dead ones, no one's ever paid off every cent and walked out of Pocheon on their own two feet."
"With the young master's help, of course—but this is a first for Mr. Cheon."
"No need for you to go. Dong-gwan won't even think of Pocheon now. Min-ho'll handle the rest—no worries."
"Understood. I'll pass that to Manager Ham."
"Skip the formalities—tell him to deduct the interest and take just the two billion."
"Yes, sir."
Just as Min-ho had kept his promise to Cheon Dong-gwan, now Chairman Kang had to honor his with Minister Kim Dae-geun. The Line 7 land compensation would be fair—but beyond what anyone might imagine.
Sensing the chairman's intent, Moon asked carefully. "Sir, how do you plan to settle with Minister Kim Dae-geun?"
"No need to drain a fresh fish dry if you want to use it later. Stroke it gently. Dae-geun's coming this afternoon."
"As you said last time?"
"Exactly. Help me snag Daehan Mobile, and we'll settle fairly. You handle it."
"Yes, sir."
"Even conservatively, it'll add about 70 billion. Put it toward Min-ho."
Tens of billions were pocket change to the chairman, barely worth notice. But he was curious what Min-ho would do with it.
"I'll wrap it up as instructed and report back."
Now the chairman needed to buy up Daehan Mobile shares. Glancing at the paper, he asked casually. "How's the stock prep going?"
"We've agreed to a block deal for the government's 40% stake."
"Price climbs daily. Tell legal to hustle quietly."
"Yes, sir."
Nine out of ten credits for this acquisition went to Min-ho—no exaggeration. Tens of billions in compensation felt insufficient to express the chairman's affection.
Pondering deeply, the chairman spoke. "When buying shares, secure 10% under nominees."
Factoring future gains, 10% would exceed 100 billion—an enormous sum. There was only one reason to prepare that much anonymously.
The quick-witted Moon knew it instantly. "For the young master?"
"He earned it—proper treatment. Putting it straight in Min-ho's name would have Du-seong or greedy Jin-seong flapping their gums. Move trusted folks quietly."
"Understood."
At that moment, Min-ho arrived at Pocheon with Cheon Dong-gwan.