Opportunity Requires Ability to Be Properly Utilized (2)
"Hospitality? It’s only natural that I treat you with the respect you deserve."
The reason Choi Cheol-min was being so obsequious to Lee Seong-won was simple: the mole he had planted in the secretary’s office had been fired recently. The reason for the firing was obvious—he had foolishly blurted out the truth about the mole while in the study. Having been unable to plant a new one and left in a state of constant anxiety, Lee Seong-won had reached out to him directly. Lee Seong-won had provided him with refreshing, clear answers to the questions he had about Yoon-gi, and had subtly hinted that he would stand behind Choi Cheol-min. For Cheol-min, who had nowhere else to lean, this was nothing short of a golden rope. He had grabbed it, and since then, the two had been meeting frequently to exchange information. Or rather, it was closer to a one-sided benefit for Cheol-min.
"Honestly, I wanted to treat you at a nicer place, but my pockets haven't been very deep lately. I truly apologize."
The Chief Secretary directly under the Chairman of the Samwoo Group. A place like this cheap, rowdy tavern was hardly appropriate for entertaining such a man. Even looking at the clothes of the people nearby, they were ragged—a place for commoners to get drunk cheaply and fill their bellies.
"No, I actually like places like this. Back in the day, filling a large bowl with makgeolli and eating it with tofu was just heavenly."
Lee Seong-won was in his late fifties. Having worked under Choi Ki-hyun for a long time, it had been quite a while since he’d actually frequented such taverns, but he didn't mind lying at all. It was a lie that wouldn't be caught, anyway. However, Choi Cheol-min took his words at face value and smiled.
"I'm grateful for your understanding. First, please have a drink."
"Yes, I will accept it gratefully."
Although they filled their respective bowls with the same makgeolli, there was a difference in their actions. Choi Cheol-min, finding the taste not to his liking, took a few sips and set it down, while Lee Seong-won lifted the bowl with both hands and downed it in one cool, refreshing gulp. So much so that the white droplets of makgeolli clung to his thick, dark hair and heavy black eyebrows.
"Seeing you drink so well puts my mind at ease."
With Lee Seong-won’s considerate behavior, Choi Cheol-min’s guard was completely lowered. A secretary’s head had rolled in the secretary’s office, yet the Chief Secretary was suddenly approaching him? If it had been Choi Chul-kyu, he would have been suspicious from the start. But Choi Cheol-min, who was effectively isolated, was emboldened by Lee Seong-won’s actions and relied on him without a shred of doubt.
"That aside, is there any news lately?"
At the desperate question from Cheol-min, Lee Seong-won popped a silkworm pupa into his mouth, chewed, and nodded.
"As a matter of fact, Young Master Yoon-gi has begun some full-scale activities."
"R-really?"
A startled Choi Cheol-min leaned his upper body forward, pressing his chest against the circular iron table.
"It seems he brought in some construction workers from the provinces. It looks like he’s doing some groundwork to start construction somewhere, but I don't know the specifics of where or what he intends to build."
Choi Cheol-min’s expression turned serious. He didn't care about anything else, but he couldn't stand to see Yoon-gi succeed. Because that would be the biggest barrier to him succeeding his father.
"Hmm... do you happen to know who he brought in?"
"I couldn't get my hands on a specific list either. After all, Young Master Yoon-gi isn't operating under the Samwoo Group umbrella."
"Ah..."
"However, it’s not that I haven't done anything at all."
Choi Cheol-min’s face brightened at the words.
"As expected of the Chief Secretary!"
Smiling, then turning serious, then depressed, then brightening up. Choi Cheol-min laid his emotions bare in front of Lee Seong-won.
"The place written here is the office Young Master Yoon-gi newly opened."
"You mean the office where the construction workers are?"
"Yes, that's right. I have to be careful of prying eyes, so I can't move further than this, but I trust you will handle it well, Young Master."
Choi Cheol-min nodded his head vigorously and repeatedly.
"Of course. I have to do well for this information to be valuable. And it’s good for you, Chief Secretary, if I do well. I will continue to trust only you, Chief Secretary."
"Don't worry. I am on the side of the second young master."
As Lee Seong-won lifted his bowl, Choi Cheol-min let out an "Oops!" and filled Lee Seong-won’s bowl with makgeolli using both hands. The Chairman’s Chief Secretary and the Chairman’s second son. The picture they painted was the exact opposite of what one would normally expect.
* * *
"Hold it. It’s curfew time right now."
At Yoon-gi’s words, Choi Deok-bae smacked his lips and floated around Yoon-gi’s bed. It was 12:20 AM. Choi Deok-bae had returned home after confirming the meeting between Lee Seong-won and Choi Cheol-min at the tavern. Currently, Choi Ki-hyun was staying at Choi Cheol-ho’s house. Naturally, Yoon-gi had been in his room when Choi Cheol-min arrived, but he had eaten in his room under the pretext of studying, and Choi Ki-hyun had allowed it. However, since it wouldn't hurt to know why Choi Cheol-min had come, he had temporarily attached Choi Deok-bae to him.
"You’ve worked hard."
To Choi Deok-bae’s question, Yoon-gi shrugged.
"Well. In my opinion, the Chief Secretary doesn't seem to be our enemy—at least for now."
"Yes. Of course, if my first uncle continues to act like an idiot, Chief Secretary Lee Seong-won might get greedy. He might aim to become the real power behind the scenes, controlling the Chairman by becoming his solid backer."
"Is that so?"
The topic Yoon-gi found most interesting while talking to Choi Deok-bae. It was exactly what the 'thief' had done at Samwoo Group before the regression. Of course, Choi Deok-bae seemed to be sparing the details out of consideration, but since the thief’s name had finally come up, Yoon-gi’s face lit up.
"I’ll buy three bottles of makgeolli tomorrow and hold a memorial service for you."
Up until the 90s, it was no problem at all for a minor to buy alcohol or cigarettes at a supermarket. There was the magic word: "an errand." Furthermore, because Yoon-gi had treated the people building the foundations of the 70s on the streets to drinks and heard many stories, the local supermarket merchants handed over the alcohol without hesitation.
"Is there anything else you want to eat?"
"That’s not difficult."
"Surely that’s not all, right?"
Seeing Yoon-gi’s furrowed brow, Choi Deok-bae continued his explanation.
"If he’s at the level of being the Chairman’s Chief Secretary, he must have tucked away plenty on the side, right? Even Secretary Ryu is quietly lapping up the honey dripping from the bowl with the information I give him."
"...How like a thief."
Thinking that people’s personalities really were the same, whether before or after the regression, Yoon-gi clicked his tongue.
"Roughly when does that period happen?"
"When the thief is 32. He had already been interacting with foreigners long before that. Your grandfather dies around that time, too. Let’s see, considering the era, was that a long life?"
Yoon-gi’s face darkened for a moment at the mention of his grandfather’s death, but he soon returned his expression to normal. There were still over 20 years left, so there was no reason to worry about it now.
"So you killed him...?"
Yoon-gi gave a bitter smile. It was honest advice from Choi Deok-bae, but Yoon-gi just shook his head.
"You said it yourself. You said Grandfather can control Lee Seong-won. Why would Lee Seong-won have met with my first uncle?"
"You don't need to worry. I can understand whatever Grandfather does."
Yoon-gi fell asleep with a peaceful mind. Choi Deok-bae was reminded of the jujube in Yoon-gi’s pocket.
* * *
The day after Choi Deok-bae eavesdropped on the conversation. Choi Ki-hyun and Lee Seong-won were having a private meeting in the Chairman’s office at Samwoo Corporation.
"How was it?"
"Just as you said, Chairman, I went to find the second young master and told him everything Young Master Yoon-gi is doing."
"And his reaction?"
"He seemed full of intentions to interfere."
"Was it that obvious?"
"He couldn't hide his expression."
Choi Ki-hyun furrowed his brow. The reason he had Lee Seong-won tell him what Yoon-gi was doing. It wasn't because he hated Yoon-gi, nor was it because he considered Choi Cheol-min his successor. It was simply to see if Choi Cheol-min was worth receiving a share of the Samwoo Group.
'He should at least go under Yoon-gi now, or if not that, quietly build his internal stability like Chul-kyu. At the very least, he should be like the fourth or fifth, showing no interest in corporate management and just doing his own work!'
Although Choi Ki-hyun had long since abandoned his expectations for his second son, Choi Cheol-min was still his own flesh and blood. If he had at least done his duty, he would have passed down a small share, but Choi Cheol-min had absolutely no ability. What was the point of graduating from Korea University’s Department of Business Administration? His sense of reality was near zero, and his personality was completely unsuited for a manager. Yet, he didn't have the personality to work under someone else, either. At