The Unexpected Turn of Events (1)
The ringing of the telephone was louder than expected. In the 2010s, most people used mobile phones and kept them on silent, so there were few occasions to hear a ringtone. However, in the 1980s, telephone bells were remarkably loud. Most households had only one or two phones, and you had to be able to hear the bell from anywhere in the house to answer it. Since this mansion had been purchased in something of a rush, there was only one phone in the first-floor living room, and naturally, the sound was piercing.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Let’s go together. I think I’m awake now, too.”
As they descended to the first floor with Merrill, the ringing grew even more frantic. A moment later, Yoon-gi picked up the receiver, and silence reclaimed the mansion.
“Hello?”
"Chairman, I am truly sorry for calling at such a late hour. I received an urgent request from JSD just now, and despite knowing you are on vacation, I had no choice but to contact you."
“JSD? What is it about?”
"He said we should discuss the details in person, but in short, voices are getting louder about the capital outflow caused by YK Department Store."
The main industry of YK Department Store was the sale of luxury goods. Since all the luxury goods were foreign-made, strictly speaking, it was true that foreign currency was flowing out of the country. 'In the 2010s, this wouldn't be an issue at all, but in the 80s, it’s certainly an easy target to pick on...'
Yoon-gi fell into thought. Should he return immediately and give direct instructions to Ryu Geun-tae, or should he spend the rest of his vacation with Merrill?
"Chairman, what should I do? This is related to a weakness of YK Department Store, so I find it difficult to act on my own."
Hearing Ryu Geun-tae’s voice through the receiver, Merrill spoke to Yoon-gi cautiously. “I’m fine, so I think you should go. You can’t let a company you built with such difficulty falter like this.”
It was a truly grateful sentiment. However, Yoon-gi was unexpectedly convinced that he didn't need to go himself. 'JSD doesn't even know that I am the owner of YK, does he?'
Since it would be an odd sight for him to appear at a meeting meant for Ryu Geun-tae and JSD, Yoon-gi gave Ryu a more appropriate instruction.
“Secretary Ryu.”
"Yes, Chairman."
“It would be difficult for me to attend the meeting with JSD anyway. Externally, the owner of YK Department Store is you, not me.”
"That is true."
“Discuss it with my grandfather, father, and uncle, and if possible, go to the meeting with JSD accompanied by my grandfather. Then, tell me over the phone what JSD demanded. My next move will be decided after that.”
There was a silence that felt as if Ryu Geun-tae was nodding on the other end of the line.
"I believe you are right, Chairman. I will call you again via landline once the conversation with JSD is over."
“Even if JSD demands an immediate answer, there is nothing I can do from that spot anyway. So, I will entrust full authority for your actions there to you, Secretary Ryu.”
"I will never disappoint you."
“I look forward to it.”
Yoon-gi replied with a tone that seemed to instill a bit of expectation, then hung up the phone.
“Are you really sure it’s okay not to go...?” At Merrill’s worried words, Yoon-gi nodded.
“Yeah. There is absolutely nothing I can do by going there right now.”
In reality, there was no way for Yoon-gi to know what JSD would demand with his current knowledge or ability. Even if he placed Choi Deok-bae next to JSD, it would be virtually impossible to find out unless JSD talked to himself. It was also ridiculous to send Choi Deok-bae to something Ryu Geun-tae would find out about anyway once he had the meeting.
“Still, I’m worried the company might go wrong because of me...”
“If the company goes wrong, are you going to dump me?”
At Yoon-gi’s joke, Merrill hit his chest with her fist as if hammering a nail.
“Ugh!”
“You fool! When I first met you, did I know anything about you?”
“Hmm... I did find out that you were a person who kisses a ten-year-old child...”
Once again, a hammer struck Yoon-gi’s chest.
“Ugh!”
“Fool!”
Even while saying that, Merrill seemed deeply moved and hugged Yoon-gi’s chest. A moment later.
“I brought it just in case...” Merrill muttered, starting to walk toward the place where their luggage was stored.
“Merrill, what are you doing?”
However, Merrill, her face turned a rosy red, began to quietly rummage through her luggage. It was a truly busy dawn. While Merrill was busy digging through her things, muttering, 'Ah, where did I put it? Come to think of it, what did it look like?', Ryu Geun-tae was hurriedly sending a message to Choi Chul-kyu.
An urgent meeting with JSD. Choi Ki-hyun was present at this meeting alongside Ryu Geun-tae.
“I am truly sorry for calling you so urgently.”
At the apology from JSD, who could be considered the second-in-command of the new military regime at this point, both Choi Ki-hyun and Ryu Geun-tae hurriedly bowed their waists.
“Not at all. It is a true honor for me to be granted this audience.”
“The same goes for me. We are always grateful because our YK is thriving thanks to you.”
At the words of Choi Ki-hyun and Ryu Geun-tae, JSD smiled softly and gestured toward the sofa in his office.
“Aren’t I always receiving help from YK? I am also always grateful. Please, sit down.”
As they sat, coffee was served naturally, and once the office door closed, Ryu Geun-tae spoke first.
“I didn't think this matter was something I could decide on my own, so I brought Chairman Choi of Samwoo with me.”
“Ah, I honestly expected this, as Mr. Yoon-gi is the actual owner of YK. It would be difficult for President Ryu to decide on his own.”
Currently, the inner circle of power, including JSD, thought that the actual owner of YK Department Store was Choi Ki-hyun. While the exact reason was unknown, the inner circle speculated it was an inheritance issue. There was a strong opinion that they were thinking of Choi Yoon-gi as the future successor of Samwoo. Of course, JSD had also seen Yoon-gi’s genius clearly from the side, which added weight to this opinion, and he showed no resistance at all to Choi Ki-hyun being there now.
“Thank you for understanding. But I heard there is a problem regarding the foreign currency outflow...?”
At Ryu Geun-tae’s cautious words, JSD nodded.
“That is correct. Actually, we don't really want to pay attention to it. There are so many people who like it the better YK does.”
JSD’s expression, with a slightly embarrassed smile, was sincere. The profits that those in power, including JSD, were gaining through the Mini Department Store were truly significant. Furthermore, because it was a ‘legal’ method, it was easy to spend the money, so those with connections were currently begging the inner circle to please secure a spot in the Mini Department Store for them. In fact, those who fell out of favor with the inner circle had their contracts terminated even while running their Mini Department Stores properly, so it had reached the point where those whose families had shops in the Mini Department Store were the core power figures of the new military regime.
“May I ask which figures are taking issue with this?”
At Choi Ki-hyun’s question, JSD sighed.
“Whew, isn't it obvious? Other economic figures. Actually, some figures have noticed that Chairman Choi is the real owner of YK. But unlike other groups in our country, Samwoo is not a chaebol by blood, but by US military blood, isn't it? Because of that, they are looking at it with a jaundiced eye.”
“Hmm... it is certainly both a strength and a weakness of Samwoo. But it has become a weakness this time. I am sorry for causing concern because of Samwoo.”
At Choi Ki-hyun’s apology, JSD shook his head.
“No, no. I don't think of it badly at all. It’s just that we don't only have a relationship with Samwoo, so at the very least, some minimal measures are needed to make those people shut their mouths.”
At this point, JSD was truly showing tremendous consideration for YK. Of course, the background of this consideration was based on goodwill toward Yoon-gi, the interests through YK, and the difficulty regarding Colson and Guster.
“I didn't go into detail, but I mentioned it was a foreign currency issue over the phone. Have you thought of anything?”
At JSD’s words, Choi Ki-hyun wore a thoughtful expression for a moment before cautiously opening his mouth again.
“It might sound like I’m repeating myself, but in the end, isn't the foreign currency outflow the problem?”
“That is correct.”
If he couldn't offer a solution here, it would be a truly dangerous conversation. However, since Choi Ki-hyun, Ryu Geun-tae, and Choi Chul-kyu had reached a conclusion through a meeting yesterday morning, he could deliberately act slowly and answer.
“Then, how about solving it like this?”
“How?”
“YK will invest capital in foreign companies so that we can earn foreign currency.”
“That is a very simple yet difficult method. Investing company capital in places you don't want to...”
As JSD said, it was easy to say. Because you just have to invest abroad. The problem was that the moment they invested abroad, the opportunity for YK to reinvest in the country would disappear. However, for now, this was the most certain way to shut the opponent’s mouth. Therefore, JSD asked Choi Ki-hyun again.
“Will that be alright?”
“It is difficult, but if it is for the operation of the country, it is a task we must do. However, since investment is not something you do blindly, I would like you to give us some time to select where to invest.”
“That is a matter of course. Even I wouldn't let things proceed so blindly. However, I would still like to know the schedule. How much time do you need?”
“We will decide on the investment destination by the end of this year at the latest.”
“The end of this year...”
“That is the absolute latest.”
At Choi Ki-hyun’s words, JSD nodded as if convinced.
“Since you say it like that, I should also show as much consideration as possible. I will somehow buy time until the end of the year. However, if it goes past the end of the year, I won't have anything to say to them either. If that happens, there will be a brake on luxury goods purchases, and that...”
JSD deliberately closed his mouth, and Choi Ki-hyun and Ryu Geun-tae could clearly realize what that meant. [If a situation arises where the interests YK gives are lower than the interests other places give, I will have no choice but to change ships.]
It was an extremely realistic economic logic, but all Choi Ki-hyun and Ryu Geun-tae could do was nod. 'In the worst case, I can just purchase Microsoft stock from the Chairman.'
It was a solution Ryu Geun-tae had assumed for the worst-case scenario yesterday. Just by coming up with this, Ryu Geun-tae had earned a passing grade from Yoon-gi, but he still felt sorry for Yoon-gi.
“Well, then it seems it has been roughly resolved. Would you like to have a meal before you go?”
““We will consider it an honor.””
Choi Ki-hyun and Ryu Geun-tae answered at the same time. Thanks to the precious people acting in the best way possible, Yoon-gi was spending a happy and passionate vacation with Merrill, the likes of which might only come twice in a lifetime.
[I will never forget this vacation in my life.]
Recalling Merrill’s words when they parted, Yoon-gi smiled faintly in the vehicle driven by Cha Pil-gyu. 'Every moment with you is the best for me.'
Since Yoon-gi hadn't been able to have a proper relationship for nearly 60 years of his life, including his days as a laborer, the satisfaction he felt now was immense.
'The fun vacation is over, so is it time to work again?'
Ryu Geun-tae, in the seat next to him, who had grasped that Yoon-gi’s atmosphere had changed, spoke cautiously.
“Chairman, how should we handle the JSD matter? I told him we would find an overseas investment destination by the end of the year, but...”
“Secretary Ryu, I’m sorry.”
“Yes?”
Ryu Geun-tae was very flustered inside when Yoon-gi suddenly apologized to him. For what reason was his master apologizing? Yoon-gi added a word to Ryu Geun-tae, who was harboring fear that he might be abandoned.
“Actually, the response was already in progress.”