Chapter 20
Chapter 20
“Um… Team Leader Jung Jin-woo?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Gwak I-jin from Hyoyeon IT.”
She looked older with her makeup and outfit, yet still youthful.
Hearing “Hyoyeon IT,” Jung Jin-woo’s eyes flickered. Hyoyeon IT was a subsidiary of Hyoyeon Group, an internet company like Kiseong IT.
“Why meet at a café instead of the office?”
“Sometimes a café is better for maintaining security.”
It wasn’t a typical meeting request. Normally, they’d meet at the company or Kiseong IT, but she insisted on a café for a critical matter.
“Alright. So, why did you contact us?”
“There’s only one reason to contact Kiseong IT: a website development request.”
“Why would someone at Hyoyeon IT… and each company has their own dev team…”
“It’s a confidential project. Even internal staff can’t know.”
“Oh, I see.”
That made sense. A project so secret even from internal staff might require outsourcing.
“Um, Team Leader Jung Jin-woo?”
“Yes?”
“Do you have a side job?”
“A side job? What do you mean?”
“Nothing… never mind.”
Gwak I-jin was scrutinizing him closely. He was handsome, but not so much that women would immediately fall for him. He didn’t have the typical aura of a seducer—the kind sometimes called ‘lustful’ or ‘lecherous.’
Gwak I-jin, with her privileged background and beauty, had been approached by countless men and could read them at a glance. Usually, such a subtle charm drew others like a magnet. Though she felt a subtle pull toward Jung Jin-woo, it was different from that of a player.
“What kind of project is it?”
“You need to sign a non-disclosure agreement first.”
“I will.”
The NDA had little content. The project was to acquire a small game company and quickly launch a business, so they wanted the site prepared in advance. Jung Jin-woo signed quickly and looked at Gwak I-jin.
“Now, tell me the main point.”
Her large eyes, sharp nose, and full lips—so much like their mother. They could easily be mistaken for sisters. Jung Jin-woo felt an inexplicable fondness, just from shared blood.
From the moment Gwak I-jin called, he sensed something unusual. His half-sister was calling him for a private reason, right after meeting their mother. It had to be related to her.
“Do you have a girlfriend?”
“There’s someone who claims to be my girlfriend.”
He thought of Oh Se-eun.
“Do you usually date many women at once?”
“……”
The conversation briefly touched on work but quickly veered into questions about his personal life.
“This meeting doesn’t seem purely business-related…”
“Of course it is. I’m just curious. You’re the one who made Do Ye-rip and Choi Ji-eun fight at the gathering.”
“Ah… I see.”
He could guess, but couldn’t voice it. Their mother, Kim Mi-rim, would have to be mentioned.
“Honestly, between Choi Ji-eun and Do Ye-rip, who’s your real girlfriend?”
“Neither.”
“Then why were they fighting?”
“Who knows.”
“Then the one who appeared later, Oh Se-eun, is she your girlfriend?”
“No.”
Even if she were his girlfriend, he wouldn’t admit it here.
“Do you like older women?”
Ah, that explained it. His eyes narrowed. Jung Jin-woo closed his laptop and gathered the papers.
“We’ll decline the Hyoyeon Group project.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know why you came to me, but whatever you think, it’s not right. Don’t misunderstand.”
Vice Chairman Go Yoon-seok was right. Gwak I-jin’s brother, Gwak Jung-jin, had used underground people to investigate Jung Jin-woo’s background. They knew he had met their mother. They were trying to find out why.
They assumed it wasn’t a mother-son relationship but that a young man was scamming a wealthy middle-aged woman. Any explanation would only make him feel guilty toward his mother. Such imaginative suspicions were absurd.
“Yes? It’s not?”
“I don’t know, but no. Whatever you’re trying to dig up, it has nothing to do with Hyoyeon Group.”
“Nothing at all? Really?”
Gwak I-jin placed photos on the table. They clearly showed Jung Jin-woo with his mother, Kim Mi-rim, wiping tears with a handkerchief, and him looking at her with a complex expression.
Seeing the photos, Jung Jin-woo’s breath quickened and cold sweat formed. His desire to meet his mother had inadvertently put her in an uncomfortable situation. Any excuse would be futile. She might even suffer.
He smiled as if nothing had happened, determined to protect his mother rather than himself.
“This was supposed to be a personal matter.”
“Personal? What do you mean?”
“Ask your mother directly.”
“You’re amplifying imagination…”
“Most imagination is meaningless nonsense.”
Gwak I-jin glared at him, but Jung Jin-woo met her gaze.
“Do you trust your mother?”
It wasn’t anger, just a quietly spoken question.
“How could you say that…?”
“Then… it’s best to let this pass quietly.”
“Can it really pass quietly?”
“If you trust your mother… then let it pass. Don’t indulge in absurd imaginings. And…”
He stood and continued.
“It seems this Hyoyeon Group order has another purpose. We’ll treat it as if it never happened.”
“No… that’s not it…”
“Consider it done.”
She nodded and left. It was uncomfortable, but also relieving. Blood has its pull.
Jung Jin-woo received a message from Lee Jin-ho:
“Jung Jin-woo! It’s during work, so I’m texting instead of calling. Are you free tonight? I really want to meet you…”
It was a minor nuisance.
He could guess the reason: probably to thank him for enabling the Gold Coin purchase. He didn’t dislike Lee Jin-ho, but…
Just as he was about to reply that he had no time:
“I want to introduce some good friends to you. Please make time.”
Good friends? Who? He only had one close childhood friend, Park Kyung-tae.
But if Lee Jin-ho called them “good friends,” they must be worth meeting. He replied:
“Sure. Tell me the time and place.”
A response came quickly with the details.
“Team Leader! How did things go with Hyoyeon Group?”
Jee Jang-eun asked.
“Oh, that? Could you handle it?”
“Why?”
“Some uncomfortable things… if you don’t handle it, I won’t sign the contract.”
Jang-eun’s eyes widened.
“You must maintain your initial stance. Hyoyeon has many potential clients. Why would you refuse the contract?”
“I’m busy with other work… it’s inconvenient to talk with that director.”
“They mainly do web development. We could easily take over. Our gain.”
“Really? Easy gain? Hahaha.”
Seeing Jang-eun’s excited eyes, Jung Jin-woo laughed. Even though her title was assistant, her mindset was like a director.
“Then you handle Hyoyeon. If you do it, we get the incentive split: 80/20.”
“Incentive?”
“Yes. When we sign, 2-5% of the contract goes as incentive. You’ll likely triple your salary this month.”
“Really?”
“Wouldn’t you enjoy working otherwise? That’s why our department’s salary is tight.”
He realized employees had left before he arrived due to lack of results.
“If you don’t do it, I will. No regrets. That’s why the split is 80/20.”
“No, take it all. Work harder for it.”
Jang-eun shook her head.
“So you’ve worked hard without even knowing about incentives? Nothing received? Unbelievable.”
He just found the work itself enjoyable. Even billions or trillions could be earned, yet it wasn’t the motive. Only a handful of people worldwide could understand his mindset.
He arrived 10 minutes early. Surprisingly, everyone was there. Four men and one woman, including Lee Jin-ho, greeted him.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Koo Hyung-woo.”
“Hello. I’m Choi Ki-cheon.”
“You’re more handsome than expected. I’m Shin Bin-seon.”
“Welcome. I’m Jung Hyun-moo.”
Initially, they seemed like familiar faces. After introductions, he realized who they were.
“Your names might seem familiar because I trained them well. No nonsense will happen.”
“It’s easier if we’re straightforward. Jin-ho didn’t tell me much. He just said these people could help you… Thank you in advance.”
“Yes, ha ha…”
Jung Jin-woo scanned them and swallowed.
Crazy.
They were the heirs of the top five conglomerates in Korea: Lee Jin-ho of Saengsong, Koo Hyung-woo of MJ, Choi Ki-cheon of SA, Jung Hyun-moo of Kyeon-dae, and Shin Bin-seon of No-dae. In 5-10 years, they’d dominate the country’s economy.
“I’ll repeat: this meeting isn’t for introducing you to Jung Jin-woo. It’s to introduce him to you. If anyone falls out of favor… don’t expect to be invited again.”
“Jin-ho oppa, must we follow hierarchy?”
“Just don’t make mistakes. Especially you, Bin-seon. Don’t wag your tail.”
“What’s wrong with wagging? If not for oppa…”
“Be careful…”
They treated each other comfortably, clearly familiar.
“These companies control most of Korea’s industries. If you need Jung Jin-woo, feel free to contact them.”
“Yes… I’ll surely seek help. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“No, we’re honored.”
“Please take care of me.”
Lee Jin-ho’s people were exactly those Jung Jin-woo needed.
“Um…”
Choi Ki-cheon of SA asked:
“Do you know about Gold Coins?”
“What? Suddenly…?”
Jung Jin-woo looked at Lee Jin-ho, who shook his head—he hadn’t leaked any info. Then how did Choi Ki-cheon know about the purchase?
“That cryptocurrency that’s causing a stir on Wall Street?”
“How do you get it?”
“Just pay for it, right?”
“They don’t sell to just anyone.”
Now he understood why Lee Jin-ho had called him here. The prey was everywhere.