The Chairman Who Wants to Play and Eat

Episode 3. The gift I want is a building in Gangnam.

What? A gift?

‘Should I just close my eyes and go for it?’

For a moment, I imagined myself shamelessly asking my grandfather for a building in Gangnam as a gift.

I quickly realized.

That was impossible.

Few people know my grandfather’s personality as well as I do.

I am a realist.

Realism starts with knowing reality well.

‘I know very well that I won’t get anything.’

Like any self-made man, my grandfather doesn’t waste a single penny.

He’s not someone who would skimp on giving a gift, but that doesn’t mean he would give one without any meaning.

Just by telling me to decide for myself, it’s obvious.

This is a test.

That’s the kind of person my grandfather is. The absolute ruler of Seonghyeon Group, Hyun Byung-gun.

If I mess around here for no reason?

Everything will turn to bubbles.

‘I can’t let that happen.’

It’s not that I don’t want to be the successor of Seonghyeon Group, but that doesn’t mean I want to throw everything away.

If I want to enjoy it, I have to be careful.

Like walking on thin ice.

What kind of gift should I choose?

It’s a difficult problem.

What kind of gift would make me not look too materialistic, while also not lowering the score my grandfather gives me?

The contemplation grew longer.

It was when I was thinking for a long time.

“Sir, the car is ready.”

Evening had come.

It was time to go to the main house. Another test. A series of tests.

I briefly saw my father at the entrance.

“Go in first. I’ll bring the chairman.”

The main house was harmonious.

On the surface.

“Ha ha, our Sang-yoon has done something great.”

As I entered the dining room, the first to speak was my eldest uncle, Hyun Seung-jae, the president of Seonghyun Trading.

“Thank you, uncle.”

“You’re better than ten of my useless children. Ha ha.”

To that,

“Sang-yoon did well. He worked hard. But why are you dragging my child into this mess, brother?”

“Even if you don’t include the others, please exclude my Ji-yoon, who hasn’t even entered elementary school, brother.”

My second uncle, Hyun Woo-jae, the president of Seonghyun Chemical, added in a grumbling voice, and my aunt, Hyun Hee-jae, the president of Seonghyun Department Store, laughed and glared.

“Ha ha, is that so?”

Hyun Seung-jae pretended to be embarrassed and sipped the sujeonggwa in front of him.

Until Chairman Hyun Byung-geon, the owner of the seat, arrived, the only thing they could touch was the sujeonggwa.

“I wonder what Tae-yoon is doing. Is New York that far away?”

“Oh, it’s far.”

“But he can still make a phone call, can’t he?”

“What does distance have to do with not being able to call because he’s studying, brother?”

But there was something neither of them could say.

That my cousin Hyun Tae-yoon, who is just one year older than me, was only registered at NYU and was busy partying and clubbing day and night instead of studying,

That if grandfather found out, there would be no mercy, but as long as he didn’t, it didn’t matter,

That my brother knew this well,

That my uncle was very worried, and that the group’s secretariat was closely monitoring and controlling the situation.

These were obvious stories that passed through everyone’s minds even if they didn’t say them.

“How’s the trading company?”

“Same as always. How’s the department store?”

“It’s a nightmare, ho ho.”

The topic changed quickly.

As if no one had said anything.

This was such a place.

A battlefield where gentle smiles and low laughter exchanged, everyone acted as if they were unaware of such things.

I was no different.

It was something I experienced all the time, so it didn’t bother me.

“The chairman is coming out.”

At those words, everyone stopped chatting and stood up.

Soon, my father, Vice Chairman Hyun Deok-jae, escorted my grandfather, Chairman Hyun Byung-gun, out of the study and approached the dining table.

“Sit down. Sit down.”

Grandfather said.

“Thank you all for gathering despite the sudden call.”

“Don’t mention it, Father.”

“The reason I called you all, as you might know, is to share and celebrate the good news about our grandson Sang-yoon.”

At those words, everyone’s eyes at the table turned to me again.

The empty congratulations I received earlier poured out once more.

I felt slightly suffocated.

But I endured it.

‘This is also a test.’

I had to appear calm as if nothing was wrong.

I urged myself.

“Yes, Sang-yoon.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Grandfather said.

“There was something I told Chief Joo to tell you, right? About giving you an entrance gift, have you thought about it? I think I’ve given you enough time.”

A gift?

Even without saying it, I could see everyone’s eyes widening.

It was hard to believe what came out of Grandfather’s mouth.

He was someone who had never mentioned giving gifts to his grandchildren, even as an empty gesture.

‘What about our Tae-yoon? Did he even say a word of congratulations when he got into NYU?’

‘It’s not like those schools where you can get in just with money. Be mindful, oppa.’

It felt like Uncle and Aunt were exchanging telepathic messages with their eyes. All of this happened within a few seconds.

I was also surprised in my own way.

‘Chief Joo clearly told me that later he would…’

No.

It’s already happened. There’s no time to hesitate.

Maybe this is also a test.

“Yes, I have thought about it, Grandfather.”

“What is it? Speak.”

“The gift I want is a building in Gangnam.”

The answer came easily, considering how long I had thought about it.

“Please build a law school building for our university. I want to study in a new building, not an old one, Grandfather.”

A carefully chosen gift, shameless but not appearing shameless.

This is it.

There’s a bit of selfishness too.

If you think about it, this is also a building in Gangnam. After all, Korea University is located south of the Han River.

“A university building…”

Grandfather’s eyebrows went up.

And then,

“Hahaha.”

In the quiet restaurant, it wasn’t long before Grandfather’s loud laughter filled the room, as no one could easily speak.

*

In the mansion where everyone had left,

Chairman Hyun Byung-gun and Chief Secretary Joo Yong-hoon were having a private conversation in the study, and the silence was growing longer.

“Chief Joo.”

“Yes.”

“That boy, Sang-yoon. What do kids his age usually want the most?”

To Chairman Hyun’s question,

“So, the young master…”

“No, not the young master. I mean ordinary kids his age.”

After a moment of thought, Chief Joo replied.

“As far as I know, they usually prefer foreign cars or luxury goods. Because they are young.”

“Right. Cars or luxury goods.”

But a building,

And a school at that.

A new smile appeared on Chairman Hyun’s face as he repeated his grandson’s completely unexpected request.

“Did I just get outsmarted?”

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

Unknowingly, Chairman Hyun’s face was filled with a broad smile.

“Of course, I’m in a good mood.”

His voice had gained strength before he knew it.

“There’s nothing more delightful than seeing the potential that my person had hidden. Moreover, if that person is not just anyone but my grandson. It feels strange that I hadn’t noticed such a capable person until now, doesn’t it?”

Meanwhile,

“What on earth is he thinking?”

Hyun Seung-jae muttered.

The three siblings had left the main house and gathered separately.

They intended to have a candid conversation where no one could see or hear them.

His younger brother, Hyun Woo-jae, pouted, wondering why they had to go to such lengths.

“Brother, really. He’s always been a secretive kid. Just like our eldest brother used to be.”

Hyun Woo-jae threw out.

“That’s true.”

“Making a fuss over nothing again.”

“It’s strange, that’s why.”

“What’s so strange?”

At his brother’s question, Hyun Seung-jae looked at him as if he were pathetic.

“You really don’t know?”

“What?”

“The kid who had been quiet all this time suddenly decides to enter Korea University’s law school, and when offered a gift, he asks to rebuild a school building instead of a house or a car. Don’t you find this change really strange?”

“Do I have to find it strange?”

Hyun Woo-jae’s face, which was asking back, even showed signs of annoyance.

“Oh, you little rascal.”

“Don’t just be frustrated, speak up. How can I know if you don’t talk?”

“Isn’t everyone in Korea University’s law school top-notch? From the start, it’s about winning people over by being generous. Can’t you catch that?”

“But they’re just kids. What’s wrong with being generous to kids once?”

“Brother.”

Hyun Hee-jae, who couldn’t stand it, intervened.

“Why are you butting in?”

“They may be kids now, but they won’t always be kids.”

“So?”

“If you win their hearts now, they’ll be friends who will support Sang-yoon when he grows up. Buildings are built from the basement up, not from the first floor that people can see.”

Hyun Woo-jae laughed at those words filled with meaning. It was a sneer.

“Yeah, yeah. We’ve got some Zhuge Liangs here. Worrying about buildings that don’t even have blueprints yet.”

He stood up and left one last remark.

“If you’re so worried, take good care of your own leaking basements. Especially you, Seung-jae. There was a commotion in the secretary’s office yesterday because Tae-yoon’s kid couldn’t be reached again. Who knows, maybe he’s off making another grandchild somewhere?”

“What the heck, you always have to say something.”

“I’m leaving.”

With those words, Hyun Woo-jae left.

Hyun Hee-jae shrugged his shoulders.

“Brother Woo-jae is always simple-minded. Don’t worry about it. He must have his own thoughts. But he’s right. Nothing will change now. Just think of it as our cute nephew getting into a good university and let it be. Then I’ll be off too.”

The sound of the door opening and closing,

“Do as you please.”

So the cold voice of the second son, Hyun Seung-jae, reached no one.

*

A while later, an article was published.

[ Seonghyun Foundation donates a whopping 600 million won to Korea University’s law school library… Is it a donation following the admission of the third generation? ]

“They spent 600 million won.”

Good.

If they’re building a school building, it’s on a different level than spending a few hundred thousand or million won on gifts like houses or cars, as I had guessed.

I’ve done my part as a greedy grandchild.

I was satisfied.

With this, the score was tied at 1-1.

Showing such a lack of understanding of money, it could be said that I gave up the equalizing goal to the points I had accumulated by getting into Korea University’s law school.

Next is Plan B.

‘Even if I can’t help with the admission, I can handle the grades myself.’

I must not mess things up too much.

If there’s no potential, it’s out.

Everything must be moderate. I planned to gradually lower my grades while attending school and looking for opportunities.

‘If I gradually lower my grades and show that I’m not adapting well, the expectations for me will gradually decrease.’

This plan is perfect.

I like to establish realistic and achievable plans.

Someone knocked on the door.

“Young master.”

“Yes, I’m coming.”

It was Deputy Lee Beom-seok.

He was the name of the secretary office staff who had been waiting for me when I returned from Pyeongchang-dong that day.

He said he would be accompanying me from now on by the chairman’s order.

After spending a few days together, I found him to be a good employee with a gentle appearance but a sharp ability to handle tasks.

However, I couldn’t get used to this protocol.

Especially on days like this.

“I can go to the department orientation by myself…”

I got into the back seat of the car driven by Lee Beom-seok.

“Oh no, please don’t say that. If you take the subway, you have to walk over thirty minutes on a mountain path after getting off at the station.”

“No way, it’s Korea University Entrance Station.”

“It’s just called the entrance. No students use it.”

“How do you know that…”

Could it be?

A smile spread across Deputy Lee’s eyes as he looked at me through the rearview mirror.

“Yes, that’s right. I also graduated from Korea University. Law class of 7X, so I’m your senior, Young Master Sang-yoon.”

…

Was this it?

It was around the time we finished eating that day.

Grandfather had said he had prepared another surprise gift for me.

I knew right away that he was talking about this assistant manager, but I never dreamed he would prepare a senior from the same department as my assistant.

What does that mean?

“If you have any difficulties while studying, he said to make sure to help you.”

“······.”

“He also said to be prepared to give up your position if your grades drop.”

“······.”

Grandfather, please!

Do you really have to make me look like a bad person?

“Young master.”

Assistant Manager Lee spoke again after seeing my hardened expression.

“You don’t need to worry, young master. Although I didn’t take the bar exam, I have tutored many juniors for the bar exam while attending school. I can explain even the most difficult concepts easily. Why else would my nickname be the Kingmaker of Seocho-dong?”

It felt like he was exaggerating to reassure me.

Thanks to that, Plan B was ruined.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, young master.”

I guess I’ll have to come up with Plan C.

As soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the car started heading towards Gwanak Mountain, where Korea University campus is located, crossing the bridge.