Chapter 7
Chapter 7
A Risky Gambit
“How are you going to live from now on?”
At Yu Eun-ho’s question, Yu Yeon-seo looked at him.
“What do you mean, ‘how’? I’ll just live like I always have.”
He had been nervous at first, but now he had a grasp of how to deal with Yu Eun-ho. All he had to do was maintain a reasonable distance and be moderately prickly.
“But why do you ask? Is it because of Grandfather?”
“Yeah.”
“Right, it’s not like we’re just meeting for a meal. What do you think Grandfather will say?”
Yu Eun-ho didn’t answer, instead staring intently at his younger brother, as if seeing someone entirely new.
“What is it?”
“Just wondering why you’re being so cooperative for a change.”
The very fact that he was wondering what would be said implied an intention to resolve things with Grandfather through conversation, one way or another.
Yu Yeon-seo felt a brief pang of guilt, but for moments like this, he had an invincible shield.
“You should try having a near-death experience too, big brother. It’ll change your perspective.”
“...Is that so?”
The death shield. It was the very reason no one had suspected anything was amiss, even as his personality changed during his hospital stay.
In truth, who would ever suspect that his soul had been swapped? It was the kind of thing you’d only find in a science fiction novel. But he had been unconsciously thinking in terms of the scientific standards of 2207, worrying himself sick about being found out.
“And I just figured that stubbornly resisting Grandfather would only be counterproductive.”
“How’s your body?”
“I was discharged because I’m fine. So, what do you think Grandfather will say?”
Yu Eun-ho looked out the window as he spoke.
“He’ll tell you to quit what you’re doing now and help with the company.”
“Damn it...”
“You should have known when to stop.”
Yu Yeon-seo had a vague idea of what he meant.
The portfolio related to Yu Yeon-seo’s list of assets, which he had received through Im Seung-hyeon, was enough to make anyone drool. Unrealistically, there wasn’t a single loss. True to his nickname, ‘the money fiend,’ he had an incredible nose for cash.
‘It’s certainly tempting.’
Moreover, according to a past interview with Yu Yeon-seo, before he went AWOL from ‘One Seven,’ he had aced the national college entrance exam, which he only took to get a single press photo. He then enrolled in Hankuk University, known as the best university in South Korea.
It was an event that further boosted the name of ‘One Seven,’ which had already been garnering significant attention for having a chaebol heir as an idol. Of course, they couldn’t strike while the iron was hot, as the man himself had flown the coop.
He had a short training period, and as a rookie, he should have been busy building his reputation, yet he aced the entrance exam. For a family, it was infuriating to see such a smart kid getting criticized for his failing acting career instead of working for the company as he should have.
“What do you think, big brother? Should I work for the company?”
“I don’t care what you do. Do whatever you want.”
Yu Yeon-seo narrowed his eyes. Really?
From what he had researched, he knew Juseong Group was a formidable corporation. That would only make the prospect more enticing. Succession battles and power struggles in large corporations weren’t just things you saw in dramas. In fact, reality was sometimes more intense.
“I’m doing you a favor, you know.”
“You are?”
“If I join the company, your position as the successor will be in jeopardy, won’t it?”
“Go ahead and try.”
A smirk played on Yu Eun-ho’s lips, his face overflowing with confidence.
‘Are they just good-natured brothers?’
After reviewing his own asset management status, Yu Yeon-seo had assumed the original Yu Yeon-seo had been plotting something.
He had thought that the ‘terrible actor’ persona was a front, a way to hide his true strength for the succession battle. But seeing as he didn’t seem to be on bad terms with Yu Eun-ho, well... maybe he was just a bastard crazy for money.
“Son!”
As soon as they got out of the car, a middle-aged man standing at the main gate rushed toward them.
“Dad, what are you doing waiting outside?”
“I couldn’t even come to the hospital to pick you up when you were discharged. Eun-ho, you’ve worked hard.”
During his hospital stay, Yu Geon-min and Yu Eun-ho had frequently visited Yu Yeon-seo’s room. He was now getting a feel for how to interact with them.
Yu Geon-min was a classic doting father. He favored both his sons without discrimination. With his gentle face and flustered demeanor, he almost looked pitiful.
“Let’s go inside. Grandfather is waiting.”
But his grandfather was different. This was their first meeting since the huge fight they had when he first entered this body. Hiding his tension, Yu Yeon-seo followed his brother through the gate. The spacious yard with its well-manicured landscaping caught his eye.
“Welcome.”
As they entered the house, the staff greeted them. Yu Yeon-seo did his best to maintain a calm expression in the face of the lavish interior.
“We’re here.”
“You took your time. Sit. Let’s eat first.”
Chairman Yu Chang-ho, seated at the head of the table, was the very picture of solemnity. Taking a cue from his surroundings, Yu Yeon-seo sat next to Yu Eun-ho and picked up his spoon, following his family’s lead.
‘The hospital food was good, but this is on another level.’
In 2207, such a luxurious meal was something he could only dream of. Outwardly, Yu Yeon-seo feigned composure while his hands moved diligently. Perhaps due to the body’s ingrained habits, his perfect chopstick etiquette and upright posture even exuded a sense of refinement.
“What happened with the Juseong Corporation matter?”
“Father. Can we not talk about work at home...”
“Vice Chairman.”
“We’ve concluded negotiations with the local firm. We will be entering into a business partnership soon.”
As the conversation turned to work, Yu Geon-min’s expression sharpened considerably. Yu Yeon-seo glanced at his father. So he wasn’t just a soft-hearted man... Then again, he had beaten out his two younger brothers to secure the Vice Chairman position, so he was likely far from a pushover in business matters.
“Alright, Eun-ho. How is work these days?”
“We are preparing to establish a semiconductor factory overseas.”
After grilling Yu Geon-min about work for a while, Chairman Yu Chang-ho’s gaze shifted to Yu Eun-ho. The work talk continued for some time.
‘There’s not a single bad dish here.’
Yu Yeon-seo had no opening to join the conversation, but he couldn’t care less; he was completely focused on eating.
“Grandfather, Yeon-seo is here too. Let’s continue the work talk in your study.”
“Shall we?”
Yu Chang-ho cleared his throat, a bit sheepishly. Whenever the three of them gathered, they only talked about work, which meant they had unintentionally excluded Yu Yeon-seo.
Finally, the Chairman’s gaze turned to Yu Yeon-seo. They should have just kept talking about work. Enjoying a pleasant meal, Yu Yeon-seo’s body tensed up. It was such a subtle movement that his family didn’t notice.
“So, you visited your deceased manager’s home?”
“Yes. I gave them some money.”
“Well done.”
The Chairman smiled, pleased. He’d heard his grandson’s personality had changed after the accident, and he was relieved to see it seemed to be a positive change.
“By the way, isn’t Mother here?”
The hands of the other three men at the table froze. Mother? Did he just say Mother?
Their reaction startled Yu Yeon-seo internally, but he forced himself to remain composed.
‘I have amnesia. I have amnesia.’
But still, what else would you call your mother? Could it be that he never even called his stepmother ‘Mom’?
While Yu Yeon-seo was internally aghast at the original owner of his body, his family was equally shocked. Yu Geon-min had remarried when Yu Yeon-seo was in the throes of puberty. Since it was a marriage of convenience, Yu Eun-ho had adapted easily, but Yu Yeon-seo had always stammered things like ‘um...’ or ‘that person...’ never properly addressing his stepmother.
“She’s on a business trip for a film festival.”
It was Yu Eun-ho who answered, substituting for Yu Geon-min, who had even dropped his spoon. With the atmosphere having instantly chilled, the Chairman decided to get straight to the point.
“Ahem, quit this celebrity nonsense and graduate from school. Then, come work for the company.”
“No.”
Yu Yeon-seo answered without a moment’s hesitation. Management? He had come here to become an actor. Not a chance.
But his answer displeased the Chairman, whose temple began to twitch. Seeing this, Yu Geon-min hastily interjected.
“Yeon-seo. Don’t be stubborn and think about it properly.”
“I’m not being stubborn... The truth is, there’s a problem with my head, Grandfather.”
The Chairman put down his spoon. A servant silently approached and offered him a napkin.
“I am aware of that. You can’t even remember your own account number, I hear?”
The Chairman said as he wiped his mouth with the napkin. He knows? Then this should be easy.
“Actually, it’s worse than that. There are many times I can’t properly remember things related to Father or my brother.”
Yu Geon-min looked at his second son, at a loss. But the Chairman didn’t back down.
“That’s all the more reason you should work for the company. Stop clinging to something that’s not working out and cultivate your true talents.”
“I have a contract with my agency...”
“I’ve seen the contract. It’s structured so that you can terminate it if you wish. You did well with that contract.”
“There are also commercials and pre-scheduled shoots...”
“That’s a matter that can be resolved by paying a few times the penalty fee. I’ll cover it.”
Isn’t this an unbreakable combo? Yu Yeon-seo pressed his lips together. What should I do...
‘Beta, activate automatic action mode for five seconds, starting now.’
<Acknowledged.>
“I’m offering you a position at a respectable company, yet you insist on wasting your time with such useless pursuits...”
“My mother.”
“What?”
Yu Eun-ho’s eyes widened. Yu Geon-min and Yu Chang-ho’s mouths fell open. He had said ‘mother.’ Not Vice Chairman Choi, who was away at a film festival...
“I wanted to know what kind of work my mother did.”
<Automatic action mode, disengaged.>
“But where did Mom go?”
With the automatic action mode over, it was now his turn to act. Yu Yeon-seo shook his head and frowned as if his memories were jumbled. Then, he slowly lifted his head, his gaze mirroring the one that had looked upon two legs dangling in the air when he peeked into the past. His eyes were filled with emptiness.
“Yeon-seo...!”
“Hey.”
At the sight, Yu Geon-min shot up from his seat, and Yu Eun-ho, sitting beside him, placed a hand on Yu Yeon-seo’s shoulder.
“...Enough!”
The Chairman also shouted loudly.
“What did I just say?”
As if jolted back to his senses by the roar, Yu Yeon-seo blinked and returned to his usual self.
“You... How could you...”
How could you remember that? Yu Eun-ho wanted to ask, but he couldn’t finish the sentence.
The atmosphere was no longer suitable for a meal. Yu Yeon-seo rose from his seat. The scraping sound of the chair seemed unusually loud.
“In any case, I’ll graduate from school properly.”
“...”
“And as for work... I can take on a role, as long as it doesn’t interfere with my acting. Please give me a suitable title.”
Yu Yeon-seo spoke casually, as if he didn’t remember what had just happened. His grandfather, father, and brother could only stare at him, their lips sealed.
“But I can’t give up acting. I can’t.”
That’s the reason I came here.
“Let’s go to my place.”
“Are you finished already, sir?”
Yu Yeon-seo didn’t answer, gazing out the window instead. His head throbbed from the aftereffects of the automatic action mode. Just five seconds had done this.
Im Seung-hyeon didn’t ask again and started the car.
‘I knew Grandfather wouldn’t back down easily.’
Their first meeting had been intense, after all. He had anticipated that the Chairman would use this accident as an opportunity to leash him. That’s why he had prepared a method for when persuasion failed.
It was to touch upon the one forbidden topic.
Yu Yeon-seo stared intently at the family relations section on his own wiki page.
The late Lee Hui-seo.
The biological mother of Yu Eun-ho and Yu Yeon-seo, and the owner of the two legs he saw during the memory synchronization.