The Wedding of a Right-Hand Man
The wedding was a deluge, a baptism by the sheer number of guests pouring in like a tide. Although he served as a secretary at Yoon-gi’s side, Ryu Geun-tae was, to the outside world, the president of YK Department Store—the very epicenter of power. Because of this, the wedding hall was packed to the point of bursting, and for the average person, even catching a glimpse of Ryu Geun-tae’s face was a Herculean task.
'Truly, those with power make money even through congratulatory money.'
Of the people handing money to Ryu Geun-tae right now, how many would ever be able to receive a return favor? Among the guests were many who were desperate to create even the slightest connection with him, and as a result, their envelopes were noticeably thick.
'Back in the day, the envelopes at the weddings of people around me were paper-thin.'
He had never understood the saying that wedding costs could be covered by the congratulatory money, but seeing this, he finally understood. In his days as a laborer, he remembered his colleagues stuffing ten thousand to thirty thousand won into envelopes. Feeling a strange sensation, Yoon-gi headed to the groom's waiting room to meet Ryu Geun-tae.
"It’s quieter than I expected?"
"Ah, I asked Cha to keep others out because I wanted to see you first, Chairman."
Cha Pil-gyu had been specially assigned to Ryu Geun-tae for the day. It was only possible because Cha Pil-gyu had been blocking the crowd in front of the waiting room.
"You want to see me even on a day like this?"
"It’s precisely because it’s a day like this that I want to see you. If it weren't for you, how could I be getting married while being blessed by so many guests? I might have been able to marry a few years earlier, but I would have just lived as an ordinary salaryman, and the moment Chief Secretary Lee Seong-won lost his job, I would have been sent off to some remote post to grow old and die."
"Come now, you had the talent, so it wouldn't have gone that far."
In the original history, Ryu Geun-tae would have become the chief secretary to the uncle. But Ryu Geun-tae did not overrate his own abilities.
"It’s just that easy to be discriminated against based on your background. In that regard, I am truly grateful to you, Chairman. Thank you."
"You’re laying it on too thick; it’s embarrassing. Anyway, have a good honeymoon. Don't worry about work."
At Yoon-gi’s words, Ryu Geun-tae wore a slightly worried expression.
"Actually, I am a bit worried."
"Why?"
"I’m afraid that if company business proceeds while I’m away, I might be pushed out..."
At Ryu Geun-tae’s honest words, Yoon-gi smiled and nodded.
"Well, that could happen."
"Ugh!"
"However, Secretary Ryu."
When Yoon-gi called him, Ryu Geun-tae looked up.
"Even if company business proceeds and you drift a bit further from it, you are my number one secretary. Even if others receive a higher salary than you, what would change? They might get more money, but it won't be easy for them to be trusted more than you."
"Chairman..."
"I’ll likely be handling the Sewha business while you’re away. So don't worry and rest comfortably. I took a break in August, so shouldn't you have a time to rest too?"
"Phew, I don't know if I can be a good husband."
"Why don't you just treat Hana the same way you treat me?"
"I won't treat anyone else the way I treat you, Chairman. Not even my wife."
"I appreciate the sentiment, but please don't say that in front of Hana."
"Of course. Isn't that just basic social skills?"
At the light joke, the tension seemed to break, and a smile began to form on Ryu Geun-tae’s rigid face.
"Then, I’ll be heading out now. Oh, and use this on your honeymoon."
Ryu Geun-tae was startled as he received dozens of American checks with substantial figures written on them.
"Ch-Chairman... You’ve already done so much for me..."
"Shouldn't I be able to show this much spirit for a once-in-a-lifetime event? I’m really going now."
"Chairman..."
Leaving behind Ryu Geun-tae, who bowed deeply, Yoon-gi stepped out and met JSD.
"Oh my, Mr. Yoon-gi."
At JSD’s playful demeanor, Yoon-gi bowed politely.
"Hello."
"Oh, no need to be so stiff. By the way, you’re entering high school now, so you’re practically an adult. Why don't you take this opportunity to tie the knot with Ms. Merrill? I can fully support you, you know."
At JSD’s words, which were half-joke and half-serious, Yoon-gi responded with a smile.
"I appreciate the offer, but I think I’ll have more responsibility if I wait until I’m an adult."
"You know you have to send me an invitation then, right?"
"Of course."
"My sons need to bring home brides as stylish as yours, but I don't know if that’s possible."
After chatting for a while, JSD said he would go greet Ryu Geun-tae and stepped into the groom's waiting room. Not only Cha Pil-gyu but also JSD’s bodyguards took up positions in front of the room. This sight naturally caught the eyes of other guests, and it had the effect of showing off the power of YK Department Store to those around them.
'It seems people from the Daehan Group are here too.'
He didn't know everyone, but he remembered the faces of the Daehan Group figures. Although the clever Jung Taeryong had effectively returned home in a broken state, the Daehan Group could never be hostile to YK. At least, on the surface.
'Seeing them attend the wedding like this, I have to assume JSD is controlling the Daehan Group well.'
Externally, the incident caused by Jung Taeryong of the Daehan Group had not been reported in any newspaper, but since the rumor had already spread through the business world, officials from other groups were also waiting near the groom's waiting room. The purpose was, naturally, to get acquainted with Ryu Geun-tae. And as Yoon-gi came out of the waiting room, he was exposed to them.
'Those who need to know about me already do. The largest shareholder and the de facto owner of YK Department Store. As time passes, the fact that I am the de facto owner and the actual operator will be revealed as well. Which will come faster: me becoming an adult or my identity being fully exposed?'
Yoon-gi, who thought it was better not to be caught but that it wouldn't be a big problem if he were, didn't pay much attention to the gazes of others and took a seat in a suitable spot.
"Yoon-gi!"
Turning his head at the familiar voice, he saw Choi Cheol-gyu sitting next to him. Effectively Yoon-gi’s second secretary and the president of YK Hotel. Because there was a slight shadow on Choi Cheol-gyu’s face, Yoon-gi smiled at him and said,
"Come to my office after the ceremony."
After Ryu Geun-tae’s grand and flashy wedding ended, Yoon-gi and Choi Cheol-gyu met in the study.
"Did you see that the second brother came to the wedding?"
"The first uncle?"
"Yes. He brought his wife and nephew."
"I have a rough idea of why he came."
"Right. I stopped him from going to you."
"You did well."
Watching Yoon-gi answer without a moment's hesitation, Choi Cheol-gyu also nodded.
"As expected, it was good that I stopped him."
"Well, there’s no other daily topic you need to talk about, is there?"
Watching Yoon-gi, who didn't even seem curious about how he was doing, Choi Cheol-gyu nodded.
"No."
"Then I can speak. As you know, Uncle, you’re a bit anxious, aren't you?"
"Well... I suppose so? Hahaha..."
The inner thoughts of Choi Cheol-gyu, who gave an awkward laugh, were none other than about factions. Currently, Ryu Geun-tae’s uncle, Kim Jeong-seon, sat in the president's chair of YK Samgang, and he had even taken Jung Dong-yoon, the president of Japan Commodity, as his father-in-law. Since Ryu Geun-tae and Choi Cheol-gyu both knew that Jung Dong-yoon had recently been promoted to secretary level, Choi Cheol-gyu’s anxiety was an unavoidable reality.
"Don't worry too much."
"I know that, but..."
"YK will grow even larger anyway. It’s just that I’ve been appointing people around me because there’s a shortage of trustworthy people right now. And there’s a more important fact."
"Yes?"
"That I am young."
"Ah..."
Choi Cheol-gyu nodded with a bitter smile.
"With me alive and well, they dare to form factions? If they do, I’ll cut their heads off immediately. So, don't worry. And I’m thinking of recruiting capable people from among the other uncles and aunts, so you don't need to worry too much."
"Do you have anyone in mind?"
"Among the blood relatives, there’s already the third aunt's husband. The legal secretary."
Among the secretaries, Jo Cheong-woo had the least influence and was treated differently, but he was a secretary nonetheless. Since being hired, Jo Cheong-woo had been working diligently under Yoon-gi, almost to the point of being ground down. Although he had some of Im Si-chan’s subordinates assigned to him, Jo Cheong-woo handled all legal matters related to YK, so he worked hard and earned a high salary.
"Yoon-ja’s face was beaming because you gave Secretary Jo such a high salary that they’re moving soon."
"If they work hard, I should pay them well. That’s only natural."
"Still, from Yoon-ja’s perspective, they were in a situation where they were behind on office rent, so it’s a huge success."
"If she thinks of it that way, I’m glad. Anyway, I’m also considering the third and fourth uncles."
"You mean Cheol-jun and Cheol-jae?"
Choi Ki-hyun’s fourth and fifth sons. Choi Cheol-jun was currently working quietly at a group other than Samwoo, and Choi Cheol-jae had finished his military service and was working hard again, chasing his dream of being a singer.
"There are many others besides them. I have absolutely no intention of hiring someone just because they are blood relatives, but if they have the ability, I will appoint them. As long as they don't have useless greed."
"Ah, like the first brother-in-law?"
At the mention of Seo Jong-oh, who was currently serving as a prosecutor in the provinces, Yoon-gi nodded.
"Exactly."
Seo Jong-oh had been waiting in the provinces, hoping for Yoon-gi to call him, but Yoon-gi never did. Now, he wouldn't even answer the calls he used to receive. Therefore, Choi Cheol-gyu made a request that wasn't quite a request.
"Wouldn't it be better to give a hint to your sister?"
"The cousin is innocent, after all."
At Yoon-gi’s answer, Choi Cheol-gyu realized what Yoon-gi meant and nodded.
'The cousin is innocent, but there must be an exception.'
That exception was, of course, Park Gyeong-ja’s son, Choi Jeong-gi. Choi Cheol-gyu was certain that even if all the other cousins were hired, Jeong-gi would never be.
"Anyway, it’s true that I’ve been troubled for a while, but hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. From now on, I’ll just work hard without such thoughts."
"If you’re that anxious, it might be good to hang out with Fernandez. Fernandez is also bored lately because he’s subcontracting work to Pike and Aaron."
The reason Fernandez had spent several years training Pike and Aaron to death. The results were shining, and Pike and Aaron were working themselves to the bone on the remodeling of the second YK Department Store.
"Hmm, that doesn't sound too bad, does it?"
Fernandez, currently fourth in the YK hierarchy. Thinking of him, Choi Cheol-gyu felt his heart become much more at ease.
"I’ll say it again, getting close is fine, but the moment you start forming factions... you know, right?"
Knowing that Yoon-gi would strike down even blood relatives without mercy, Choi Cheol-gyu nodded his head several times immediately.
"Of course!"
"Good. Then, I’ll be going to Japan for a while before school starts. I need to create some subcontractors."