Chapter 1: We’re Family

The awkward silence was finally broken by Jin Young-jun.

“Oh, by the way, how’s Sang-jun doing? Is he doing well with his music studies in the States?”

“He’s doing what he loves, so I’m sure he’s managing just fine. But, Young-jun.”

“Yeah?”

“Is there something you want to say to me? If there is, just say it. This small talk is making me uncomfortable.”

Having had a few drinks, I decided to be a bit bold.

“Huh? Haha. You really are sharp, aren’t you?”

He let out an awkward laugh, then lowered his voice, speaking more earnestly.

“Have you ever thought about working with me?”

“With you?”

Just as I expected. He’s trying to win me over before I become a successor.

“Yeah. Since I started working as a director, I’ve realized how hard it is to find someone like you.”

“And what exactly am I like?”

“What?”

Jin Young-jun’s eyes wavered. He was at a loss for words, having praised me without really knowing what kind of person I am.

In the company, when someone says, “There’s no one like you,” employees usually feel honored and thrilled. Did he think it would work on me too?

Employees have no choice but to be pleased when someone from the owner’s family acknowledges them. It’s a big deal when a potential future chairman recognizes you.

“Well, you know… Does it have to be something specific? It’s just a feeling. The people working under me have great credentials and backgrounds, but there’s always something missing.”

“I’m sure I’m the same. It’s hard to find someone who fits perfectly. They might look good on the outside, but once you peel back the layers, there’s always something lacking.”

I tried to be modest.

“You don’t want to work with me, do you?”

His tone was light, but his eyes were sharp.

“It’s not that. We just don’t match.”

“What? I don’t match with you?”

“No, it’s just that I’m not comfortable working with others. I prefer working alone. Studying alone, working alone.”

“Is that why you’re gaining experience at an investment firm?”

“Yes. Investing is about analyzing data, gathering information, and making decisions on your own. It’s not about coordinating with others. I think it’s my calling.”

“Investment, huh.”

I hinted that I wasn’t interested in the group. How would he react?

He’s not naive enough to take my words at face value. He’ll probably test me a few more times.

“Listening to you makes me want you even more.”

“Huh? Why?”

“I’m weak at things like planning and analysis. I’m good at managing people, but numbers aren’t my strong suit.”

Is he serious?

If you’re bad with numbers, can’t plan, and can’t analyze, what else is there to say but that you’re incompetent?

Managing people is easy for him. As the chairman’s grandson, everyone would naturally follow his lead. It’s an obvious statement.

I hid my grimace and forced a smile.

“Why say that? You have all the smart people in the country working for you.”

“No, really! They might look impressive on the outside, but many are just empty shells.”

Watching Jin Young-jun put on a serious face, I decided to throw out the first bait. If he bites, I’ll throw the real bait next.

“Young-jun.”

“Yeah?”

“Let’s say, hypothetically.”

“Sure, go on.”

His eyes started to sparkle.

“If I find that investment isn’t for me, I’ll have to do something else… and the group is the only option, right?”

“That’s true.”

“What exactly do you mean by working together?”

“You’d be my right-hand man.”

“Are you saying you want me to oversee the group?”

“Exactly. In fact, you’d have more power than the current chief of staff, Lee Hak-jae. He’s just an outsider, a salaried employee. But you’re family, my brother. The subsidiary presidents wouldn’t be jealous or rebellious, right?”

Lee Hak-jae constantly clashes with key executives of the subsidiaries. Even though he’s at the same level as the presidents, many of them are older and have been with the company longer, having built it into a group.

They take pride in being the founding contributors to Sunyang.

With Lee Hak-jae joining later and nitpicking everything, it’s no wonder they don’t get along.

“When our generation takes over the group, you’d truly be the second-in-command. As the cherished grandson of the founder, who would dare hold a grudge against you? Right?”

“Hmm…”

I pretended to ponder over my drink, and Jin Young-jun, eager to win me over, started pouring out sweeter words.

“I’ll stand firm and support you. Honestly, investing is just playing with money. Wouldn’t it be more exciting to grow Sunyang into a global company? The scale is entirely different.”

“But wouldn’t I still be just an employee?”

“What? What do you mean?”

“Even if we’re blood-related, what does it matter? I don’t own a single share of Sunyang Group.”

”…”

Mentioning shares made him clam up. It’s a sensitive topic and not something he can easily promise.

After all, isn’t securing shares what determines the successor of Sunyang Group?

“Young-jun, I’m learning about investments. I’m not a real estate speculator; I focus solely on corporate stock investments. The first thing you learn in this field is the importance of shares. Stocks are the symbol of ownership and the owner’s ID.”

Jin Young-jun still couldn’t find the words.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? You just told me I’m family, right? Or am I not?”

“Huh? No, of course, you’re family.”

“Does that mean you won’t share the group’s shares with your cousin?”

I pretended to be angry and slammed my glass down.

“What is this? You say we’re family, but you just want to use me as an employee?”

“Hey! Why are you talking like that?”

“Isn’t it true? Even if you call me family, how is it different from being an employee?”

“Do I look like that kind of jerk to you?”

His sudden outburst suggested he had thought of a retort.

“I don’t have any shares right now, so I can’t promise anything. We’re talking about the distant future. It will take at least 10, maybe 15 years for our grandfather to pass the group to our father and then to me. How can I guarantee what will happen 15 years from now?”

He might not fully trust me, but I can’t act like I have no interest in the group’s shares. I need to show some ambition for him to believe me.

“So you’re telling me to wait 15 years for shares that might come my way? And work under you in the meantime? That’s ridiculous.”

“Hey! Under me? You’re my right-hand man, not under me. And if you’re serious, I’ll promise you. Of course, I’ll share the shares. You need to feel secure to be motivated, right?”

He caught my words and turned them around, trying to read my intentions.

“Fine. Let’s be honest. How much do you want?”

I need to answer carefully here.

I should ask for just enough to make him think I don’t have ambitions for the group’s management.

What’s the right number for him?

I pretended to think, not answering immediately.

“25% of the shares you’ll eventually have in Sunyang Group.”

His expression was subtle. It’s a tricky number—not too much, not too little.

But it’s pathetic.

Isn’t it all about the distant future anyway? He’s just testing me and probably has no intention of giving it. In such cases, he should have immediately agreed.

Hesitating only reveals his narrow-mindedness and greed.

I almost laughed, remembering an old memory.

“If you win the lottery, how much will you give me?”

My wife asked while I was picking lottery numbers.

Since it was a losing ticket anyway, I should have said I’d give her everything to make her happy. Even if I miraculously won, I could have hidden it.

I was just like that back then.

Hesitant.

The result was a fight with my wife, and I had to endure her cold expression for a week.

To assure him that I wasn’t after the group, I said,

“The 25% I get will be a permanent friendly share to protect your management rights. And when you step down and your son, my nephew, takes over, I’ll sell it to him cheaply. Haha.”

If he hesitates even after I’ve been this accommodating, he’s not worth dealing with.

“Give that 25% to your son, my nephew. Haha.”

If our grandfather saw this, he might be so shocked he’d faint.

How absurd it must be to see two young grandsons talking about shares like this.

“It’s a bit embarrassing. I haven’t even decided what I’ll do yet…”

“It’s fine. This will be your Plan B in life. If things don’t work out, remember this promise. I won’t forget it either.”

I needed to keep him in a good mood to naturally throw out the second bait.

“Thank you, Young-jun. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to think of me this much.”

“Hey, stop it. Between us, there’s no need for that!”

Jin Young-jun, full of bravado, downed his drink and held it out to me.

“It’s still a long way off, but the important thing is that you and I are on the same page. Let’s support each other and make Sunyang Group amazing.”

“Yes, Young-jun. If I end up working for the group, I’ll always be on your side.”

I also emptied my full glass.

Now, should I throw out the bait?

“Young-jun, do you have some money?”

“Money? Why? Do you need it?”

“No, not really. What would I need money for?”

“Then why?”

“I want to show you that I’m genuinely on your side.”

With a curious glint in his eyes, Jin Young-jun leaned in closer.

“What is it?”

“You might not know, but CEO Oh Se-hyun has been a major supporter of my uncle’s election campaign.”

“What? Really?”

“Yes. Initially, my aunt approached me for some campaign funds, but all my money is tied up in Miracle, as you know. So, I introduced her to CEO Oh.”

“So your aunt struck a deal with Oh Se-hyun. Do you know what she promised him?”

“That’s the crux of it. Heh.”

Jin Young-jun clapped his hands at my chuckle.

“Why don’t you take a break inside? I’ll call you if I need anything.”

Once everyone who had been helping with our gathering headed upstairs, Jin Young-jun’s interest became more pronounced.

“What is it? Is it about that Media City thing? The one in my uncle’s campaign promises? Did they acquire Dae-ah Construction because of that?”

“Yes.”

After spending some time on construction sites, he’s gotten sharper. He figured it out right away. But he’d be shocked to learn the scale of it.

“Many of Sunyang Construction’s executives have moved to Dae-ah, right? My grandfather and CEO Oh are in cahoots. But they’ve kept the details tightly under wraps.”

“What details?”

“The location. They haven’t announced where Media City will be built yet. I mean, given its size, I understand the need for secrecy, but…”

I glanced at him, and his mouth was agape, eyes blinking in disbelief.

A massive project in the midst of an economic crisis.

With the government likely to back it, hidden information about such a project?

“You know the location, don’t you!”

I gave a sly smile and nodded.