Grandfather's Dilemma and Grandson's Gambit
The meeting dragged on in a desperate bid to resolve the crisis gripping JK Securities, but no viable solution emerged. Kang Beom-seong and Kang Myeong-seon kept proposing countermeasures without pause, yet they were mere stopgaps. Chairman Kang's face couldn't possibly brighten. Nor could he lash out in frustration—after all, he had no sharp-edged alternative himself.
Moon Sang-oh, standing silently in the back, read the chairman's mood perfectly. 'It wouldn't be good if the young master walked in right now... What should I do...' If Min-ho barged in and pulled out some resolution in this mess, things were bound to get complicated—plain as day.
Glancing at his wristwatch, Moon Sang-oh slipped quietly out the door into the hallway. Just then, the elevator doors parted, revealing Min-ho. With eyes and ears everywhere in the corridor, he couldn't act as usual. Instead, he approached naturally and murmured,
"It's been a while. Let's head up to the rooftop for a bit."
"Sure thing."
Up on the rooftop, the two of them settled in. Moon Sang-oh scanned the area meticulously, confirming they were alone, before explaining the situation.
"My apologies, young master. Too many watching eyes— I had no choice."
"You think I wouldn't realize that much? But if you're pulling me aside like this, something must be going down inside."
"That's why I came out—to brief you."
As the chairman's shadow, Moon Sang-oh knew Min-ho's brilliance better than anyone. Right now, Myeong-seon and Beom-seong were planted firmly in the chairman's office. If Min-ho showed any exceptional insight here, those two greedy sorts would start seeing their nephew not as family, but as a rival. With his intimate knowledge of the Kang family's intricacies, Moon Sang-oh had lured Min-ho up here to avert just that.
"I wanted to give you a quick rundown of the meeting ahead of time."
Moon Sang-oh laid out everything unfolding in the chairman's office, crystal clear.
"The situation stands like this. So even if you have a solution, I'd advise keeping it under wraps."
Having heard it all, Min-ho nodded. "You seem to know this family better than I do."
"I won't spell it out explicitly—just a heads-up, in case. If it upset you, my apologies."
"No way. I'm grateful you're looking out for me. Grandpa hates it when we're late. Let's head down."
"Understood. By the way, I've reserved lunch for just you and the chairman."
Meaning: save the details for when no one's around. Min-ho nodded and headed back to the chairman's office.
Moon Sang-oh eased the door open and announced, "The young master has arrived."
The Min-ho they'd been desperately awaiting finally appeared. Chairman Kang was overjoyed, tempted to rush out in his socks to embrace him—but he held back. Gripping the armrests, he barely contained his surging affection. His body obeyed, but his loving gaze and expression betrayed him utterly.
Myeong-seon watched her father's face intently. Even after a lifetime together, she'd never seen that look. It confirmed the scales of affection had tipped since the JK Telecom acquisition.
Min-ho strode boldly into the chairman's office—no less than that. It was shocking enough for Beom-seong. In his memory, Min-ho was still the wastrel punk. Unwelcome as it was, no need to show it. He stood with a feigned grin, offering a handshake.
"Aigoo, if it isn't my nephew—long time no see!"
"Uncle, you're here?"
"Change the title, kid. Makes me sound ancient. Forgot our deal—you calling me uncle for life?"
"Been so swamped lately, slipped my mind. Congrats on the president gig, Uncle."
"Heard you've turned into a real stand-up guy? No more boozing and brawling, word's spreading."
No point dredging up old dirt. Myeong-seon caught Chairman Kang's glance, jabbed her brother's thigh, and cut in without signaling.
"He's our company's top talent—what outdated crap are you spouting, oppa?"
"Really? Not just talk?"
"Min-ho smashed all our credit collection records."
"Well, damn—live long enough, you see it all. Good on you for doing well at the company, then."
Min-ho shot Beom-seong a sly smile. Beom-seong didn't realize it was pure mockery. The presidency he'd snagged by sheer luck—thanks to Min-ho—now weighed on him like a brick on his shoulders. Tempting to snap back, but Beom-seong was no contender in the succession game anyway. Min-ho pivoted to Myeong-seon.
"When'd you get here, Aunt?"
"Just a bit ago—headache from hell."
"What's up?"
"We've got securities credit extension clients in the mix. No plan, and it's all gonna evaporate."
"How much we talking?"
"Roughly 300 billion—probably a tad more if we tally exact."
It matched Min-ho's estimates.
"Don't let me interrupt the meeting. I'll just read the paper in the corner."
"Yeah, talk later."
Beom-seong bristled at Min-ho's mere presence. Objectively, Min-ho was just a JK Credit Info employee. This was the chairman and two affiliate presidents in conference. Min-ho was a lowly staffer—and his own kids couldn't even set foot here. How dare he? Beom-seong didn't hide his displeasure.
"Dad, we've got important business. Is it okay for Min-ho to sit in?"
The interim shareholders' meeting where Min-ho attended, bringing him here now—it was all management training. Denying him would defy Chairman Kang's will. Beom-seong, of course, was clueless to his father's intent.
The chairman saw right through the question's intent.
"Min-ho's not blood?"
"Huh? No, that's not—"
"Any reason he can't be here?"
One word from Dad, and he'd be back to loan-sharking in Myeong-dong. Sensing the chill, Beom-seong tucked tail.
"No, no other meaning—just testing the waters."
Chairman Kang let out a long, weary sigh before speaking.
"So after an hour of yapping, that's all you've got?"
"Realistically, no choice—saves us every penny. Details with Myeong-seon, we'll report back."
This was exactly why the chairman had kept his third son off the front lines. Always bustling, but results? Lackluster. As president, he lacked bold decisions, dragging things out while peeking at Dad's mood. Not entirely Beom-seong's fault—the chairman's own harshness toward his kids played a part. Hopes he'd grow into the role? His vessel was just a soy sauce dish, as predicted. The deepening worry drew even deeper sighs.
'If Min-ho were in that seat... He'd have pulled some unforeseen fix...'
Chairman Kang turned to Min-ho. Unlike the fretful Beom-seong and Myeong-seon, Min-ho wore a relaxed smile. It spoke volumes. He had an alternative these two lacked—intuition screamed it.
"For now, I'm tabling what you proposed."
"What? Dad, we wrapped it up."
"We can watch the trend and decide later—not too late."
"Still..."
The chairman's warning glare silenced Beom-seong. Knowing Dad's temper, he flattened.
"Don't rush and muck it up—think calmly for other options."
"Yes, sir."
"You're busy—off with you."
Clueless Beom-seong hustled out. Myeong-seon, sensing the affection's tilt, felt her unease swell.
***
Post-meeting, Min-ho and Chairman Kang moved to the reserved restaurant.
"How's this spot? Grandpa picked it after much thought—curious if it suits."
"You know I love meat. It's perfect."
"Haha, my grandson's delight warms me right through!"
"I'll order your favorite yukhoe too, Grandpa."
"How'd you know that, you rascal?"
"I love it too. Wonder who I got it from."
As Chairman Kang beamed in satisfaction, a table laden with mouthwatering dishes appeared. A neatly uniformed server began laying meat on the grill.
Out of the blue, Chairman Kang asked, "How many staff here?"
"Twenty in total, sir."
"Twenty..."
He pulled a check from his wallet—a million won, way too much for a tip—and handed it over.
"Chairman, this is far too generous."
"Company party or split it—your call."
"Thank you, sir."
"Don't thank me—my print's on it, that's all."
With that, he did the unbelievable: extended his hand to the server.
Years in service had honed the server's instincts, but this stumped him.
"Pardon? Chairman? If you need anything, I'll prepare it."
Chairman Kang smiled indulgently. "Hand me those tongs."
Tongs for grilling? The server panicked. Moon Sang-oh shot up from his seat.
"Chairman, surely not the grilling... If the staff's not to your liking, I'll do it."
"Enough! Is it such a big deal for grandpa to grill meat for his grandson?"
Unprecedented. Even Moon Sang-oh was flustered. The server handed over the tongs with trembling hands.
"Out—I'll call if needed."
"Yes, Chairman... Understood."
Chairman Kang personally loaded the grill, cooking for Min-ho. His face radiated bliss as he gazed lovingly at the boy.
"Beef's best grilled like this—dig in."
"Yes, Grandpa. I'll polish off every bit here."
"Speaking of—wanted you at the exec meeting, but couldn't. Called you anyway. Thoughts?"
Min-ho had another proposal for Chairman Kang. A simple answer wouldn't cut it—he had to tread carefully, without ruffling feathers.
"Wasn't thrilled with the meeting outcome."
He'd expected more than boilerplate, but this blew past it.
"So what rubbed my grandson wrong?"
"You knew about the credit extensions when acquiring Namdo Securities. Bought at a discount, sure."
"Go on."
"JK Securities' extensions total about 300 billion now. If reverse trading keeps up, we might salvage half at best."
"True—stock keeps tanking, we eat the loss."
"No need. There's a way to fix it all at once."
As predicted, Min-ho had a hidden ace. How to solve what even he couldn't? Chairman Kang set down the tongs—burnt meat be damned.
"Fix it at once—how?"
Min-ho popped a piece of meat leisurely before replying. "Move the securities stabilization fund. But I've got a favor to ask."
Beyond solving the extensions, Chairman Kang marveled at the idea. The fund was Ministry of Strategy and Finance turf—meaning sway the ministry to end this. Beyond Beom-seong and Myeong-seon's soy-sauce minds. And Min-ho wasn't done.
"I'll secure all 300 billion intact. In return, lend it to me for six months."