Chapter 154
Chapter 154
80th Anniversary Volunteer Work
“You’re here?”
The brothers, who first greeted Chairman Yu seated at the head of the room, sighed inwardly. Their grandfather’s face, with wrinkles deepened by a wide grin, looked particularly irksome today.
“...Has Dad been like that this whole time?”
“He seems a bit more relaxed today.”
Really? Looking like that?
Even though his beloved sons had arrived, Yu Geon-min just sat on the sofa, barely glancing their way. I get that he’s mad at me because of my acceptance speech, but why is he ignoring my brother too?
“But did you do something to upset Dad?”
“He said it’s joint responsibility.”
“What?”
As if overhearing their whisper, Chairman Yu looked at his son and clicked his tongue in disapproval. Yu Geon-min paid him no mind. He was never one to feel embarrassed when it came to his sons.
“...Son, aren’t you going to greet me?”
“Have you been well, Father?”
“I have.”
Yu Yeon-seo offered his greeting in the tone of a historical drama, and Yu Geon-min answered gruffly. Yet, the corners of his mouth twitched upward, suggesting his mood had already lifted.
Laughter came from the side at their comedic exchange. Only then did he notice an old man he’d never seen before, sipping tea.
“My, my... I’ve shown you an unseemly sight.”
“Not at all. It’s wonderful to see such a harmonious family.”
The old man, with his hair neatly combed back and wearing a perfectly fitted suit, was the very picture of a gentleman. He was said to be a tailor who had run a suit shop in the country for several decades.
“This is my first time meeting this grandson of yours. Though I’ve seen him often on TV.”
“Hello.”
Yu Yeon-seo politely accepted the handshake. The old man smiled with satisfaction.
His tailor shop was frequented by many conglomerate heirs, rumored to be a favorite of Chairman Yu, but it had been a long time since he’d met one of the third generation who was so polite.
“I’ll have to ask for your autograph later.”
“Of course.”
“Now that your grandsons are here, shall we begin?”
At the old tailor’s gesture, the people waiting behind them brought out the fitted garments. Among them was a familiar face—the person Im Seung-hyeon had brought a few weeks ago to take his measurements.
“So, you’re going to do the volunteer work too? All of it?”
“I’m on a break, so what’s the point of staying home?”
“You don’t even have a position in the company, so why? Should I make one for you while we’re at it?”
At Chairman Yu’s final attempt to sound him out, Yu Yeon-seo leaned back. What is this ill-tempered old man up to?
“I already have a spot at my mother’s company, so it’s not that...”
“Then what is it?”
“I just wanted to help my father. Things get more attention when I’m around.”
Maybe this will soothe his hurt feelings... As he wrapped his words in a plausible excuse, he could tell without looking that Yu Geon-min was moved, likely covering his mouth in emotion.
“Your father isn’t so powerless that he needs your help.”
“Of course, I know that.”
It was Chairman Yu who grew displeased at that answer. Grandchildren are useless. Yu Yeon-seo’s eyes twinkled mischievously.
“Why? Should I tell you I’m interested in your money, Grandfather?”
“Tsk, tsk. Kids these days are all so greedy...”
“You’re the one who raised us this way.”
“Now you’re even talking back!”
His grandfather, who once seemed so terrifying, wasn’t very scary anymore. He now knew that while Chairman Yu opposed what he did, he also secretly cared. My past self probably never knew, since I never tried to find out what my family was up to.
“Tsk, if I hand over all my wealth, will you even stick around?”
“By then, maybe we can go on a trip together.”
“Together?”
“Yes, with the money you give me.”
Of course, that’s all predicated on the culprit being found and paying for their crimes by then... And if the ‘mastermind’ is closer than I think, a trip will be the last thing on my mind.
“Ahem... That sounds rather nice.”
Unaware of what his grandson was truly thinking, Chairman Yu’s mood brightened. He had a few affectionate grandchildren, but their deference was always obvious. Yu Yeon-seo was the only one who would sass him like this.
In truth, there was another reason for Yu Yeon-seo’s enthusiastic participation.
‘It’s a chance to watch my relatives more closely.’
He still hadn’t figured out who the ‘mastermind’ was.
Leaving Chairman Yu’s mansion, the brothers began their participation in the 80th-anniversary volunteer activities in earnest. Im Seung-hyeon and other attendants followed them.
“Whoa, it’s Yu Yeon-seo!”
“No way!”
The moment Yu Yeon-seo stepped out of the car, a murmur went through the crowd.
They started by replacing appliances at a welfare facility. Next was a donation of smartphones and tablets for students from low-income families. As Yu Yeon-seo handed out Juseong Electronics’ new devices alongside his brother, he looked up at the sound of camera shutters.
“Oh, that’s a great shot.”
The PR team was there, making sure not to miss the moment. The photos would probably be out in a press release within minutes.
“Senior Managing Director, Young Master. It’s time to head to the next location.”
“...Aren’t we going to finish handing these out?”
“We have another appointment on the schedule.”
“Postpone it for a bit.”
“Pardon?”
The attendant was bewildered. It was Park Ji-won, the same man who had assisted Yu Yeon-seo during the vacation reward for The Imperial Seal.
Ignoring the anxious attendant, the brothers personally handed out every last device.
“Hey.”
Yu Yeon-seo approached a student he kept making eye contact with. The boy was stealing glances at him, thrilled about receiving an electronic device and hopeful that he might get a picture with the celebrity if he stuck around.
“Hello! I’m a f-fan!”
Seeing the student shout as if he’d been waiting for the chance, he let out a small laugh. The boy was particularly short, so Yu Yeon-seo bent his knees slightly.
“Oh, really? Want to take a picture?”
“Yes! B-but... can the three of us take one together?”
“The three of us? Hey, you must be pretty smart, huh?”
The three of us, meaning me and my brother... This kid’s quick on the uptake.
At Yu Yeon-seo’s playful question, the friend next to him shouted out as if bragging about himself.
“He’s one of the top students in our school!”
“Oh... I had a feeling. Bro, let’s take a picture before we go.”
The two students beamed, flanked by the most famous brothers in Korea. Once one started, others clamored for photos as well. The brothers obliged every request without a single frown.
“Young Master.”
The attendants were the ones growing restless.
After finally finishing with all the photos and autographs, Yu Yeon-seo slung an arm around the displeased Park Ji-won’s shoulders. He pointed to a black car parked in the distance.
“Mr. Park, you see that?”
“...Yes.”
“That’s a reporter. From where was it? Sports something...”
“Should I chase them off?”
Park Ji-won’s expression hardened instantly. Yu Yeon-seo shook his head. Chasing them away recklessly would only fuel their fire.
“Leave them be. They’ll just come back anyway.”
“...”
“Anyway, now that I’m involved, if we do anything half-heartedly, there will be talk. Adjust the schedule accordingly.”
“Understood.”
Since he had his reasons, the attendants acquiesced. In the first place, they had to accommodate the whims of the royals anyway. Yu Eun-ho and Yu Yeon-seo were on the tamer side.
As he got into the car to move to the next area, Yu Yeon-seo’s eyes widened at the sight of an unexpected person.
“Huh? Park Seon-woo.”
“Hey, guys. Long time no see.”
Park Seon-woo greeted them with a mock salute. He looked a little tired, having left home early in the morning to distribute daily necessities.
“You’re doing this stuff too?”
“Mom said I have to put in the legwork if I want to get my share. Mind if I crash?”
“Tough.”
No wonder things felt off since the holidays. Yu Yeon-seo pointed to a phone mounted on a long stick. Text was scrolling up the screen.
“...Are you live-streaming right now?”
“I got permission. They said it would help with publicity.”
“Your channel?”
Yu Eun-ho and Yu Yeon-seo said in unison. Park Seon-woo, still hungry for attention, looked crestfallen. The moment the brothers appeared, the channel’s owner had already been forgotten.
[LIVE] Seon-u is also at the Juseong 80th Anniversary Event!
-LMAO your channel? (in a questioning tone)
-Hey guys, our Seon-u is popular too!
-So handsome
-Did the video quality just jump from 720p to 8k or is it just me?
-Seon-u, move your face, I can’t see
-Seon-u, show us your cousins
“While you’re at it, say hi to ‘my viewers’.”
-Look at him emphasizing ‘my viewers’ LOL
-Seon-u’s kinda cute lol but his cousins are way too handsome lol
-Seon-u, I’m saying this for your own good, but stand a little further from them... the comparison is brutal
Yu Yeon-seo chuckled at the chat. Since people had already seen him on screen plenty of times, he gestured to the side, pointing at his brother’s face.
“Hello. You all know me, so let’s skip that... This is my brother.”
“Hello. I’m Yu Eun-ho.”
Unaccustomed to such broadcasts, Yu Eun-ho gave an awkward nod.
-Look at him introducing his bro first ㅋㅋ a true broadcast veteran lololol
-What is that deep voice, he has everything
-Wow f*** his voice is amazing
-Felt like I was in a cave LOL
While Yu Eun-ho also enjoyed celebrity-level popularity, unlike his father or brother, he didn’t use social media. At most, he could be seen in news articles or on TV. The reaction was, naturally, explosive.
“But Eun-ho, aren’t you supposed to be with my uncle? You’re a Senior Managing Director.”
“It’s more comfortable hanging out with you guys.”
“What did you do last year?”
At Yu Yeon-seo’s question, Yu Eun-ho pressed his lips together for a moment before answering softly.
“...Made kimchi.”
“Kimchi?”
“All executives have to participate.”
Yu Yeon-seo quickly searched his brother’s name and ‘founding anniversary’ on his phone. There were photos of Yu Eun-ho from a volunteer event, making and distributing kimchi. He was wearing a sanitary cap, a plastic apron, and pink rubber gloves.
“...Pfft.”
“Pffft.”
They weren’t laughing at the act of making and sharing kimchi. It was because Yu Eun-ho had a prim and dandy image, one that suited him best in a suit. That was true even among his family. Seeing him in such an uncharacteristic state was what made them burst out laughing.
“What’s with that look?”
“What look?”
Park Seon-woo couldn’t see anything different, but Yu Yeon-seo could tell just from his brother’s expression in the photo that he’d had a pretty tough time.
“Wow, but he’s still handsome even dressed like that. So unfair.”
“Hey, bro, maybe the three of us should start a kimchi business under our names?”
“Stop it.”
Yu Eun-ho sighed softly and pushed his teasing younger brothers’ shoulders. Yu Yeon-seo and Park Seon-woo laughed again.
-LMAO I thought chaebols would be different but they’re just like us
-Seon-u, from our perspective, you’re unfair too
-I just got here, what is this, a museum? Are those statues?
-For a sec I thought this wasn’t Seon-u’s channel lol
As they joked around, they quickly arrived at the next location. Park Seon-woo stopped Yu Yeon-seo, who was about to get out first.
“Guys, you know what my nickname is?”
“What?”
“President of the Elementary Schoolers.”
“You?”
The brothers questioned him in unison again. Park Seon-woo just told them to watch and see, stepping out of the car confidently.
“Hey, kids!”
“Huh?”
“It’s Seon-u!”
“Wow, wow!”
The children recognized Park Seon-woo and, forgetting the ball they were playing with, quickly ran over. Park Seon-woo spoke triumphantly to the brothers getting out behind him.
“See? This is who I am.”
“Oh... It’s true.”
Then the children caught sight of Yu Yeon-seo, and their mouths fell open. After a few seconds of silence, they erupted into a frenzy.
“Whoa! A celebrity!”
“I know him!”
“Woooow...”
“Hello? Sis! Yu Yeon-seo... he’s here!”
If the reaction to Park Seon-woo’s appearance was mere fascination, the reaction that followed was about five times greater. Yu Yeon-seo rested his arm on Park Seon-woo’s shoulder.
“Try harder.”
“...Sob.”