Money Power? (3)
A gift that truly costs a fortune. Even though YK Department Store dealt in luxury goods, receiving a gift worth hundreds of millions of won was an entirely different matter. That was why Choi Ki-hyun, while feeling satisfied, wore a bewildered expression as he looked at the massive gift sitting in his living room.
"I visited YK Department Store and picked out the best items that would suit the Chairman's dignity. I truly hope you like them."
Choi Ki-hyun's smile deepened at the attitude of Kang Seok-ho, who had taken a seat on the lower-ranking three-seater sofa first. If this were a situation where he couldn't afford to let his true feelings show, he would never have acted this way, but the opponent was openly bowing his head. Because of that, Choi Ki-hyun couldn't help but show a look of satisfaction that was difficult to contain.
"To think that the new Chairman of the Sinsang Group would bow his head to me like this..."
Currently, the Samwoo Group's ranking in the business world was around 90th. In the original history, they would have been eyeing the top 80s by now, but in the current timeline, because they had provided significant support to Yoon-gi, the Samwoo Group's growth was actually stagnating or even regressing. Although they had received the technical prowess of Daehan Electronics, it naturally took time to digest that technology. If there was one thing to be thankful for, it was that the Samwoo Group wasn't running any deficits.
Of course, regardless of deficits or net profits, it was impossible not to be pleased when the Chairman of the 8th-ranked conglomerate in the business world voluntarily took the lower seat, brought gifts, and even bowed his head.
"I naturally had to bow. Samwoo is a dragon that has lowered its head. No, to be more precise, it is a dragon that has prostrated itself to raise an even greater dragon. Isn't the Chairman who raised such a dragon a dragon himself?"
Choi Ki-hyun's mouth curled up so wide it felt like it might tear. If there had ever been a time in his life when he couldn't manage his expressions like this, it would have been during Yoon-gi's childhood.
"To praise me to that extent... I don't know what to do with myself. Thank you."
He couldn't treat the other party poorly when they were bending over backward like this. Naturally, Choi Ki-hyun's attitude was also extremely generous.
"I had only seen YK Department Store from afar, but visiting it today, I was truly surprised. The high-priced goods packed into the building... I realized why YK Department Store's total assets are so high."
The reason why other companies' checks against them weren't that severe compared to their total assets. It was because YK Department Store was doing business with the least amount of competition among domestic companies. Since CES, which could have been considered a competitor, had shriveled up and practically disappeared, the current YK Department Store was effectively the only utopia built on ownerless land. However, even for new competitors, YK's brand power was already so massive that they had simply given up.
"In terms of total assets alone, we are a tier above Samwoo. Before we repaid our bank debts, it was much higher than that... Even I am often surprised."
Choi Ki-hyun, who had been speaking up to this point, shouted "Oh!" and ordered coffee from the housekeeper.
"I apologize. I should have served coffee as soon as you arrived, but this old man was so carried away by the praise that I lost my focus."
"Not at all. Until just a short while ago, the Sinsang Group caused great harm to YK and Samwoo. I am just grateful that you accepted my visit."
Kang Seok-ho also nodded and replied to the honest apology.
"Honestly, I was surprised back then. That you could throw yourself so recklessly for the sake of a friend's child's revenge. I thought to myself that the former Chairman of Sinsang was, in a sense, quite something."
It was a remark with a bit of a sting, but since it meant he recognized the current Chairman of Sinsang Group and would not hold the past against him, Kang Seok-ho felt relieved.
"To be honest, if my son had suffered such a thing, I don't know what I would have done. But I didn't raise my son to be a human piece of trash like that guy named Kim Jong-su, so such a thing wouldn't have happened in the first place."
"Looking at your current actions, I can see your child's character. Now, the coffee will get cold, so have a sip."
At the coffee brought by the housekeeper just in time, both Choi Ki-hyun and Kang Seok-ho took a sip, and a moment later, when the coffee cups were set down on the table, Choi Ki-hyun pointed to the housekeeper who hadn't left yet.
"This housekeeper is the mother of the child who was bullied by that guy named Kim Jong-su."
For a moment, Kang Seok-ho's body jolted. It was an introduction he hadn't even imagined. Instinctively, Kang Seok-ho stood up from his seat and bowed his head and waist toward Jin-su's mother.
"I, I am truly sorry. Because of us..."
However, Jin-su's mother shook her head.
"No. It's not like you or the Sinsang Group harmed Jin-su."
At the words of Jin-su's mother, who was smiling, Kang Seok-ho let out a sigh of relief.
"I will still apologize. It is a fact that we once took Kim Jong-su's side, after all."
"You never did that, Chairman. I am truly okay."
"Thank you for understanding."
Choi Ki-hyun, who had been listening to the two, opened his mouth.
"Yoon-gi cherishes the child named Jin-su so much that I was actually hesitant to keep employing her, but she insisted on continuing to work, so she is still working as a housekeeper. Because of that, Yoon-gi also treasures Jin-su to a terrifying degree. If his friend says he is being 'unfairly' ostracized and bullied at school, would he be a friend if he just stood by? Correcting a friend who did wrong and helping a friend who suffered a bad deed—that is true friendship."
"That is correct. I agree entirely."
With this answer, Kang Seok-ho had only the final test remaining.
"Chairman." Jin-su's mother spoke.
"Yes, please speak."
"I just... I want the kid who bullied Jin-su to pay the price for sure. That is all I wish for. You or the Sinsang Group are not at fault."
"That will certainly happen. Because I am not his father."
Jin-su's mother smiled and moved into the kitchen, and Kang Seok-ho passed the final test. The conversation that followed was truly heartwarming. When the atmosphere had definitely ripened, Kang Seok-ho bowed his head to Choi Ki-hyun and requested.
"I would very much like to meet your grandson."
"Well then, I will excuse myself. I have a book I want to read."
As Choi Ki-hyun entered the study, only Yoon-gi and Kang Seok-ho were left in the living room of Choi Ki-hyun's residence.
"It is truly an honor to meet you."
Kang Seok-ho's demeanor was extremely humble. As it had been five days since he requested the meeting with Choi Ki-hyun, Kang Seok-ho had been quite anxious.
"You don't need to be so nervous. I've heard a lot about you from my grandfather."
The smile on Yoon-gi's face contained a sincerity rarely seen in such situations. It was only natural, as he had already heard from his grandfather and Jin-su's mother about what kind of attitude Kang Seok-ho was taking. Yoon-gi was not a cruel person who would push away someone who was genuinely being humble.
"No. Considering what our Sinsang Group has done so far..."
"Hmm, it's good to have a long conversation, but I don't think there's a need to repeat what you discussed with my grandfather. It's inefficient, isn't it?"
It was a remark based purely on efficiency, without any other meaning. Kang Seok-ho quickly caught on and nodded.
"I understand. The reason I came here today is to ask a question and a favor."
"Shall we start with the question?"
"First of all... the person who told Director Jo Yun-tae's mailbox where I was being held... could that perhaps be you, Yoon-gi?"
"Why do you think so?"
At Yoon-gi's question, Kang Seok-ho scratched the back of his head lightly and said cautiously.
"I don't know if I should say this, but I have met Jung Tae-ryong."
Jung Tae-ryong of Daehan Group, who had tried to eliminate Yoon-gi through murder solicitation in the past. Kang Seok-ho mentioned this very Jung Tae-ryong and continued.
"Actually, there was a time when Jung Tae-ryong almost bothered me too. But, perhaps because I am older? I felt like Jung Tae-ryong was taking his attention off me. However, hearing the rumors circulating in the business world, I heard that you defeated Jung Tae-ryong. That is why I just thought you might have planted informants around my father..."
"Your insight is remarkable."
He didn't confirm it, but at the answer that was similar to a confirmation, Kang Seok-ho nodded.
"To be honest, it might sound like boasting, but I have the experience to recognize someone stronger than me. Of course, this experience isn't just based on intuition, but on the analysis of information."
"If it's information analysis, what are you referring to?"
"It's similar to the conversation I had with the Samwoo Chairman, but what I paid the most attention to was YK Department Store's total assets, net profit, and dividends. As a result, the fight between Sinsang and YK was a narrow victory for Sinsang, and in reality, a defeat."
"You thought YK would lose."
"This was an analysis based only on that information. However, I became interested in the rumors circulating in the business world. What if the reason YK Department Store made such great strides wasn't Samwoo's power, but the power of you, Yoon-gi, the real owner...? Based on rationality, the probability was extremely low, but because it was a low figure, I saw the possibility as even greater. Isn't it high risk, high return?"
"Ho-ho..."
With Yoon-gi's honest admiration, Kang Seok-ho's words continued.
"Could you tell me honestly? When the Sinsang Group first started the attack, you must have planned the operation on the premise of 'winning' against Sinsang. Isn't that right?"
A question he would never have answered under normal circumstances. But Yoon-gi gave an unconventional answer.
"That's right. That's why I thought it was a battle of hitting a rock with an egg. A temporary decrease in sales was natural, but I didn't want to suffer long-term losses."
"However, you, Yoon-gi, gained a 1 trillion won oil field."
A smile formed on Yoon-gi's lips.
"As soon as I heard that news, I thought I had to stop my father no matter what. Of course, I thought I had to stop him even before that. Fighting a war that would only leave scars is something only an idiot would do."
"That is why I am meeting Chairman Kang here right now."
The title 'Chairman Kang' instead of 'you'. Feeling Yoon-gi's goodwill in this expression, Kang Seok-ho let out a big sigh of relief inwardly.
"For now, the Sinsang Group will raise a white flag completely regarding this matter. It will be difficult to make a lump-sum repayment for the damages caused by this incident, but we will definitely compensate in the long... no, medium term."
"But it seems you want something in return?"
A situation where he was offering compensation voluntarily without being asked. As Yoon-gi guessed, Kang Seok-ho pondered for a moment and then nodded immediately.
"Please lead me. That is all I wish for."
"Are you saying this knowing that I am currently a high school student?"
Kang Seok-ho judged that it was time to make his move. If he just made the compensation like this, the connection between Sinsang and YK would disappear. The purpose of today's visit was, after all, to become a certain ally of YK. No, not just an ally, but he had to become a 'close aide' to this boy in front of him.
He had seen with his own eyes that the owner of a small construction company in the provinces had instantly become the manager of 'CES Samgang', now 'YK Samgang', that the secretary of the Samwoo Mulsan Chairman had become the president of YK Department Store, and that the secretary of CES's eldest son had become the president of Japan Commodity. If he became a close aide with a blue-chip company like the Sinsang Group? It was clear that when he achieved results, he would receive an unimaginable reward.
"What does it matter that you are a high school student? I already know your ability, Yoon-gi, and the world will know it soon enough. I, and the Sinsang Group, will be loyal to you with all our might. So, please include me, my family, and my employees in your royal road."
Insight that could surpass Nakayama, and ability estimated to surpass Ryu Geun-tae or Choi Ki-hyun. When such a talent bowed his head extremely low and asked to serve, Yoon-gi wanted to laugh brightly, but he restrained himself with a smile.
'From this side's perspective, it's naturally welcome.'
He had already grasped Kang Seok-ho's character through Choi Deok-bae long ago. The leader who was effectively commanding the Sinsang Group. He had assumed a few outcomes for how that leader would act when this situation occurred, and from Yoon-gi's perspective, the optimal result had emerged. If he had chosen the path of sending only Kang Jang-hwan and wiping his mouth clean, he would have made him pay the corresponding price, but Kang Seok-ho chose the path of coming under him. However, Yoon-gi did not nod, but changed to a serious expression and opened his mouth.
"If you truly wish for that... there is just one condition."