Chapter 15
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Should I Just Buy It?
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The triplets headed straight to the private elementary school as soon as vacation ended.
"Young Master, we've arrived."
"Haa. The tedious school life begins again."
"Tedious school life!"
"Tedious but school is fun!"
The twins mimicked Kangyul's bored tone.
At some point, the twins had started copying Kangyul's speech patterns in particular. It seemed because they didn't see Park Jeong-a and Im Myeonghan often, they relied on him a lot.
'How am I supposed to endure another six years here.'
Kangyul sighed inwardly so the younger ones wouldn't copy him. If it weren't for his parents, he'd want to take the high school equivalency exam.
'Ugh, even thinking about suggesting it would get me a beating.'
Kangyul got out of the car with his brothers.
"President—no, Young Master. Have a safe day!"
"Yeah. See you later."
The private elementary school the triplets had enrolled in was extraordinary in scale from the start. The playground had golf and tennis courts as basics, plus an indoor gym and swimming pool.
Moreover, in line with globalization trends, half the teachers were native speakers.
'That's why the tuition is so high.'
Annual fees per student exceeded 20 million won.
Accordingly, there were few students, with only six per class. The entire school barely maintained 50 pupils.
As they entered the school gate, teachers from each class were waiting.
"You must be the triplets. Nice to meet you. I'm Yun Mi-kyeong, your homeroom teacher for the next year."
"Yes, nice to meet you. I'm Lee Kangyul."
"I'm Lee Deokyul!"
"I'm Lee Jiyul."
Kangyul stroked his brothers' heads as they greeted her in kind, then looked at Yun Mi-kyeong.
"Please take good care of my brothers from now on."
"...Ah. Haha, Kangyul, you're awfully mature. Got it. I'll do my best too."
Kangyul nodded and entered the school with the twins.
The school definitely had a different atmosphere as a private institution. Classes mostly centered on what students wanted, with plenty of diverse activities to discover their aptitudes.
The problem was there were too many activities.
'...No breaks, classes nonstop.'
What classes were there so many of? From morning, they were constantly moving around.
Korean and English classes were held in separate dedicated rooms.
The kids, including the twins, seemed thrilled with each new activity, but not Kangyul.
'Haa, and I already have company work piling up; now even less time.'
Weeeeng—
His phone kept buzzing with messages from the filming team leader, Park Gyusu.
It was nonstop about the building he'd bought for the new studio.
'...Is there no recess here or what.'
As Kangyul sat there bored, the teachers' attention poured onto him even more.
"Kangyul, you look unwell. How do you say 'I'm not feeling well' in English?"
The native English teacher, Kevin, looked at Kangyul and asked.
Kangyul was about to give a perfunctory answer but changed his mind seeing the twins staring wide-eyed beside him.
'Still, as the big brother, I should set an example.'
"I'm not in a good mood."
"Why are you in such a bad mood today?"
Kevin suddenly followed up in English.
"I'm in a bad mood because you're getting in my hair."
"Hahahaha, Kangyul, that's hilariously great!"
Kevin took it as a joke and laughed it off.
And so, Kangyul's first day of elementary school life passed.
"...Haa. So boring. Dull and tedious. Can't even use my phone."
"Still, to become a fine man like the Chairman, you have to work hard."
Kangyul shook his head. Unlike him, though, the twins looked thrilled despite their boredom complaints.
They'd run around and studied all day until exhausted, now collapsed asleep in the back seat.
"Haa. Why not just buy the school outright? Might make things a bit easier."
"Hahaha, how do you buy a school? No way that'd happen."
"In Korea, is there anything money can't buy? They even buy other people's ancestors... Look into it. Even if it's just the management rights, buy them if they're for sale."
"Yes, I'll check it out first."
Jang Deokcheol tilted his head but responded to Kangyul anyway.
"How's the company?"
"The filming team was thrilled you bought them a studio. They want to hire a few more people and go all out."
"Hiring before results is iffy. Tell them to produce something first."
Kangyul usually seemed generous with people but drew firm lines when needed.
'...Definitely not your average elementary kid.'
Hwijeong Private Elementary School Chairman's Office.
Chairman Mun Seyun was having the worst time lately.
It started with the "sure thing" tip his close younger brother had brought last year.
Believing rumors of subway expansion developing the capital area, he'd invested his entire fortune in nearby land. But years passed with no subway, only rumors of it being zoned as a greenbelt development restriction area.
Knock knock—
"Come in!"
The door cracked open, and in came Principal Mun Segwang.
The Hwijeong Elementary principal and the chairman's brother.
"...You called?"
"I'm about to burst from anger because of you, you bastard!"
Mun Seyun grabbed the nameplate engraved "Chairman" but couldn't bring himself to throw it.
"You think I want to get kicked out by my wife at 60? Huh? Speak up if you've got something to say!"
Mun Segwang hung his head, gauging his brother's mood.
"...How was I supposed to know it'd turn out like this? Sell it quick now, right?"
"Is that what you call advice right now! We took out loans for 6 billion won! And now no one's buying, you idiot!"
With greenbelt restrictions, no one would buy that land.
If things continued, Mun Seyun wouldn't just drown in debt—the school might be at risk too.
He hadn't told Mun Segwang, but he'd siphoned some school funds.
"...Why'd you overextend like that."
"What? Whose fault is this!"
As Mun Seyun seriously went to hurl the nameplate, the phone rang noisily.
Riiiing—
A direct line to the chairman's office meant staff couldn't handle it—usually from big shots.
Mun Segwang glanced around and snatched the phone.
"Yes, Hwijeong Private Elementary School Chairman's Office."
—Ah, hello. This is Midas Corporation Vice President Jang Deokcheol. I'm calling to ask if the school or its management rights are available for purchase.
"What? Buy the school or management rights? What nonsense is this!"
Mun Segwang yelled and tried to hang up.
Hwijeong Elementary had been run by the Mun family for generations. He had no intention of selling to anyone.
'What? Purchase?'
"Wait!"
Mun Seyun's eyes lit up as he snatched the phone.
Unlike his brother, he'd sell his own hair if someone offered.
"Is this real? You want to buy?"
—...Well, if you're selling, of course.
"Let's meet and talk first!"
Jang Deokcheol hung up, feeling dazed. He'd only called on Kangyul's whim, never dreaming they'd actually sell.
'Well, damn. Schools really are for sale.'
Jang Deokcheol messaged Kangyul.
[Vice President Jang Deokcheol: President, they say the school's for sale. What should we do?]
Kangyul, busy, replied a bit later.
[President: Buy it, no question.]
[Vice President Jang Deokcheol: Yes, understood.]
Jang Deokcheol headed straight to Hwijeong Private Elementary and the chairman's office.
"Hello. I'm Mun Seyun, chairman of Hwijeong Private Elementary."
"Yes, nice to meet you. I'm Midas Vice President Jang Deokcheol."
After shaking hands, Jang Deokcheol sat and looked around.
It was so stately, hard to believe it was a school chairman's office.
'Feels like a major corp president's office.'
"Coffee?"
"Yes."
Mun Seyun personally brewed and set down coffee.
"Ahem. I'm not one for beating around the bush, so I'll be direct."
"Yes, I prefer that too."
"How much can you offer?"