Chapter 38
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Grandpa Baek
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Im Honggyu, who had returned to the company, handed Kangyul a single contract and a business card.
It was a real estate contract worth 48 billion won, missing only the seal.
He examined the business card closely, wondering if it held any information, but it was just a stiff black background with a name and phone number.
Not even an occupation was listed.
[Baek San-gang]
[010-5507-####]
"President. They asked if meeting at the Wonang Hotel this Friday would work."
"Friday overlaps with the Midas workshop."
"Yes, that's right."
"Then set it for that time."
Im Honggyu bowed his head and quickly left the president's office.
Kangyul stared intently at the business card in his hand.
'Who the hell is this guy?'
The long-awaited day of the workshop finally arrived.
All employees of Midas Corporation gathered at the Wonang Hotel, leaving only the minimum staff behind.
Since the workshop details had already been shared in advance, the employees were buzzing with excitement.
The Wonang Hotel's workshops were already famous for their luxury and delicious food.
The staff marveled at the opulent interior and lavish dishes.
"Whoa, check out that chandelier. It's huge!"
"We can eat those foods over there, right?"
"Yes, please enjoy as much as you'd like."
The hotel staff politely guided the Midas employees.
'Worth every penny of the hefty cost. Whew.'
The rental fee for the Wonang Hotel's convention hall came to about 100,000 won per person.
With around 100 employees in total at Midas Corporation, that made the base rental about 10 million won.
But that wasn't all—factoring in events, gifts, and extras pushed it to around 30 million won more.
'At least with our small headcount, it's manageable at this price.'
"President, this way."
Kangyul moved to the innermost seat with Jang Deokcheol.
It was a spot shielded by walls, out of most people's view.
'With bank and school staff all coming, it's quite a crowd.'
Though he'd thought of it as just 100 people numerically, seeing them in person made it feel like more.
The employees sat in groups with familiar faces, enjoying the food.
Once everyone had gathered, the MC stepped forward to kick off the workshop.
It was Jo Ne-ho, a comedian he'd seen on TV now and then.
"Hello, everyone from Midas! I'm Jo Ne-ho, your host for today's workshop. Nice to meet you!"
The workshop was straightforward.
It focused on simple, fun events tailored for Midas Corporation employees, keeping things light and enjoyable.
"I didn't realize until today, but all the top YouTubers these days are under Midas Corporation?"
"...We have YouTubers in our company?"
Staff from the school foundation and bank tilted their heads in confusion.
But they gasped in surprise at the images on the large screen.
"Isn't that Park Junhyeong?"
"Kangyul's there too! Huh, I even subscribed to that gamer!"
"Kim Min-a! Kim Min-a, she's so pretty!"
The male employees cheered wildly for Kim Min-a.
Among them was Park Gyusu, the filming team leader.
"Jeez, what's up with them."
Kim Min-a blushed, looking embarrassed but secretly pleased.
"Beyond that, we're also handling operations for Midas Savings Bank and the Midas school foundation."
The MC delivered even the drier topics smoothly and engagingly.
In the meantime, Wonang Hotel staff brought out the courses in order, starting with fresh appetizers.
As employees ate and mingled, the performances began.
Kangyul sat blankly watching when someone approached his side.
It was a man with sharp eyes.
"President. Chairman Baek is waiting. Shall we go?"
'He knows exactly who I am.'
Jang Deokcheol, sitting right next to Kangyul, hardened his expression and stood up.
He'd already been briefed on the Baek San-gang matter long ago.
As Kangyul followed the man, Jang Deokcheol and Im Honggyu flanked him on either side.
It felt reassuring somehow.
'How long are we walking?'
Kangyul trailed behind the man, passing through several small doors.
The man didn't even glance back to consider the young Kangyul's shorter strides.
"President. Let me carry you."
"No, it's fine."
Just as his legs started to ache, Kangyul arrived at a secretive area of the Wonang Hotel.
He'd eaten here many times with Im Myeonghan and Park Jeong-a, but this was his first time in this spot.
'Where is this?'
The ceiling soared as if outdoors, landscaped like a garden.
And in the center stood a large standalone house.
'...Whoever Baek San-gang is, the guy's loaded. Building this in my dad's hotel.'
Kiiik—
As the sharp-eyed man approached the house's front door, it swung open.
Inside, stern-faced men stood guard at the corners.
"From here, only President Kang may enter."
"What kind of nonsense is that? No way."
Jang Deokcheol stepped forward, shaking his head.
The man glared at Jang Deokcheol, but he held his ground.
Jang Deokcheol had been a scrapper in his youth, after all.
A subtle standoff ensued between them.
But a voice from inside the house broke the tension.
"Just let him in."
At the short, gruff, authoritative words, the men swiftly ushered in Kangyul and Jang Deokcheol.
"Please, go ahead."
As the two entered, Im Honggyu tried to follow, but the men blocked him.
"You can't enter."
Kangyul hadn't planned to bring Im Honggyu along anyway.
"Honggyu, wait outside."
"Yes, sir."
Im Honggyu seemed uninterested in pushing further and quickly stepped back.
Kiiik—
Clunk—
As the door closed, an inexplicable tension gripped Kangyul.
'Whew. What's the big deal that we need all this to meet? Is he the president or something?'
Kangyul steadied his nerves and headed into the house where the voice had come from.
At the old-style sliding door overlooking the garden, the man turned and said,
"...Chairman is inside. Only President Kang may enter."
Jang Deokcheol moved to step forward again, but Kangyul raised a hand to stop him.
"I'll be fine. Uncle Jang, wait here."
"It could be dangerous."
"Haha. You think a chairman would drag a kid like me in for something shady?"
The man's eyes narrowed as he glared at Kangyul, but he said nothing.
Kangyul, in turn, looked at the man leisurely.
"Doorman. Open the door."
Drag!
'...Damn. What a showoff.'
Kangyul swallowed dryly and stepped into the room.
'...Huh?'
The tension that had gripped him melted away the moment he entered.
Sitting in the antique room was a face Kangyul knew well.
"Young Master Kangyul. You must have been quite startled."
The elderly man with deep wrinkles and a warm smile was none other than the head manager of the Wonang Hotel.
"...Grandpa, you're the chairman of a loan shark operation in Myeongdong?"
Baek San-gang merely smiled faintly without answering.
He gestured to the cushion before him, inviting Kangyul to sit.
"Have a seat first. We should have some tea. It seems we have much to discuss."
Kangyul nodded and plopped down on the cushion.
His legs had been tingling from the long walk anyway.
Baek San-gang poured warm water from a nearby kettle into two cups.
Glug glug—
White steam rose, filling the air with a rich tea aroma.
"Doesn't this place feel remarkably serene, even indoors?"
"Yes. First time here."
"Fewer than ten people in Korea have ever set foot here."
"Then it's an honor for me."
Kangyul lifted the teacup before him to his lips.
Slurp—
"By the way, Grandpa. How did you know about me?"
Kangyul asked casually, but it was the question burning in his mind.
Baek San-gang gazed at him steadily before speaking.
"That wasn't hard. I've been watching you closely all along."
"Me? Why?"
Baek San-gang grinned and glanced at a framed photo on the wall.
It showed two young men smiling brightly.
One resembled Baek San-gang in his youth; the other was unfamiliar.
"As I mentioned before, the eldest young master reminds me greatly of my old friend."
"Is that friend our grandfather? The one who built the Wonang Hotel?"
Baek San-gang nodded.
Then he launched into a somewhat tangential topic.
"A businessman needs many qualities. Leadership and charisma to draw people in, financial acumen to handle vast sums, and the resolve to stand firm before great wealth."
Grandpa Baek's eyes shifted from the frame to Kangyul.
"But there's one quality that surpasses them all. Do you know what it is?"
His face still wore a smile, but his eyes gleamed like sharpened blades.