We’re Family, Aren’t We? Part 2
“Your uncle’s first project as the mayor of Seoul will be the Digital Media City. As you know…”
“Just announcing it will send property prices through the roof.”
Jin Young-jun couldn’t hide the greed dripping from his voice.
“Announcement, approval, contractor selection, and so on. Each step makes the prices jump…”
“It’s the perfect place to park some spare cash.”
“Where exactly is it?”
“The area around Sangam-dong in Mapo.”
“Sangam-dong?”
Jin Young-jun frowned. He knew Mapo but wasn’t sure about Sangam-dong’s exact location.
“Yes. But most of Sangam-dong is either state-owned or city-owned land.”
“What? Then it’s useless.”
“No, no. Just cross a narrow street from Sangam-dong, and you’re in Susaek-dong, Eunpyeong-gu.”
“Susaek-dong, you say…?”
“Yes. You can practically pick it up for nothing. It’s dirt cheap. You know about the ripple effect, right?”
“Hey! Of course, I know that. I’m an executive at a construction company, after all. When the land prices in the central area rise, the surrounding areas follow suit.”
“Exactly. The documents I saw mentioned Sangam-dong and its vicinity, so Susaek should be included. Your uncle, being the mayor, won’t miss the chance to gain support from both Mapo and Eunpyeong districts. The Media City will definitely span Sangam-dong and Susaek-dong.”
“Just a street apart…”
“A narrow two-lane road. It’s practically one piece.”
No point in saying more.
Jin Young-jun was already lost in the fantasy of money raining down on him.
“Just buy a bit of land in Susaek, and you’ll make a tidy sum, right?”
“Of course. But don’t go overboard, just use your spare cash. We don’t know how much of Susaek will be included in the project.”
He hedged a bit for the future, though he knew it would fall on deaf ears.
“Do-jun, when things are uncertain, you increase your odds.”
Yes, that’s the response he was waiting for.
“At the very least, the ripple effect is guaranteed, so buy as much as you can. Sure, you’ll have big wins, moderate wins, and some losses, but overall, you’ll profit. So, buy as much as possible.”
“But doesn’t that increase the risk?”
“If you have the money to take the risk, go for it. If you’ve got enough ammo, you can’t lose. Heh.”
He spoke with the air of someone imparting wisdom.
At times like this, it’s polite to show a bit of admiration.
After exchanging sweet words and lifting each other’s spirits, there was only one thing left to do.
Jin Young-jun called the people in the other room to prepare some snacks. Then he made a call to invite some company to liven up the night.
In less than an hour, the doorbell rang, and Jin Young-jun quickly ran to open the door.
“Oppa—!”
A chorus of high-pitched, playful voices greeted him as a line of pretty young women entered.
Ah, seeing them reminded him of a face and a name.
Seo Min-young.
When did he last see her? About three months ago?
All they did was have a meal together once.
He should probably reach out. She had quite the personality, despite appearances.
Dating is tough and exhausting. Even with sporadic contact, it still weighs on his mind.
“You understand now, don’t you? What Father is thinking?”
Jin Yoon-ki was surprised by his brother Jin Dong-ki’s sudden visit. But the issue he cautiously brought up was sensitive enough to warrant a personal visit.
“Hyung, you don’t need to take it so seriously. Father’s just getting old. He probably decided on the trip to Gunsan as a gift for his beloved grandson.”
Since the accident, Jin Yoon-ki had been uncomfortable with the changed attitudes of his siblings. He wasn’t directly involved, but he was sure of his perspective. This was just one of their father’s whims.
A game of naming the group’s successor. It’s absurd.
But Jin Dong-ki, the second in line, thought differently.
The news of a successor spreads, and people’s attitudes change. Especially those in the group’s main stream or those trying to climb it flock around the named successor.
Jin Do-jun is still young.
If people who mistakenly think he’s easy to handle swarm around him, he’ll have to repeatedly sort allies from enemies and fend off the latter.
“Whatever the cause, the result is what matters in business. Do-jun is young, so people will flock to you instead. What will you do?”
Jin Dong-ki calmly waited for his brother’s response.
“Don’t ask me. Let’s hear your thoughts, Hyung. You’re not really interested in my opinion; you’re here to share your plan, aren’t you?”
Seeing his perceptive brother, he seemed completely different from his carefree days. It was like seeing the sharp kid he used to be.
“I’ve mentioned it before, right? Just be my brother.”
“Don’t just demand it; tell me how. I’ll be the best brother ever.”
“What?”
“If Do-jun’s dream is to become the chairman of Sunyang Group, what will you do? Fight your nephew? Then I can’t be your brother. I’ll be my son’s father.”
“It’s just a pipe dream. You should talk him out of it.”
“I can’t be the father who crushes his son’s dreams.”
Jin Dong-ki could clearly see his brother’s firm resolve.
“So, Hyung, you need to come up with a solution. There’s only one chairman position at Sunyang Group. Fight with the eldest brother, but don’t even think about forcing Do-jun to give up or overpowering him. You’re a businessman, aren’t you? Let’s find a mutually satisfying solution.”
His brother’s feelings were clear.
He didn’t want his son caught up in an inheritance battle, but he wasn’t ready to give up everything either.
A deal that satisfies both. That’s what his brother wanted.
Running his own business, he knew that the first step to solving a problem was to set aside emotions.
Jin Dong-ki had let his emotions get the better of him and rushed to his brother.
Let’s handle this like businessmen.
Jin Dong-ki steeled himself.
“Alright. I’ll talk to Do-jun. That’s the first step to solving this.”
“I’ll join you. Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
Jin Dong-ki suddenly loosened his tie.
“Shall we have a drink while we wait for Do-jun?”
“In the morning?”
Jin Yoon-ki was surprised by his brother’s sudden change in demeanor but soon smiled.
Regardless of the reason, it had been a while since the brothers shared a drink.
“Something strong? Or mild?”
“Let’s go with mild. My body can’t handle the strong stuff anymore. Besides, I feel like I’ll need a clear head to talk to Do-jun. Heh.”
They planned to drink lightly, but they quickly finished a bottle of wine.
The hangover lingered longer than expected. Rubbing his throbbing head, he opened the front door and heard laughter from the living room.
“Oh? Uncle, you’re here?”
“You rascal. I heard you stayed out last night? What are you up to already?”
They appeared in order.
He didn’t need to ask why the eldest and second sons were looking for him.
Though he was still feeling the effects of the alcohol, he noticed the wine bottle on the table. Thankfully, the two wouldn’t notice the smell of alcohol on him.
“Just because I stayed out doesn’t mean I was up to no good. Haha.”
“Sit down. Take a drink from your uncle.”
It was surprising to see smiles on their faces, as if there was good news, but at least they were starting with smiles. Hopefully, they could end the conversation with smiles too.
“Do-jun.”
“Yes.”
His uncle filled his glass and spoke.
“Do you want to become the chairman of Sunyang Group? Enough to endure the leap over a generation?”
“Hyung!”
His father’s shocked outburst at his uncle’s direct question was expected.
His uncle was known for his rational thinking, emphasizing efficiency, disliking unnecessary procedures, and simplifying everything. It was a mystery why he lost the succession battle to the eldest brother, who was all ambition.
“It’s fine. Do-jun isn’t a naive kid like the other nephews, and I’m not here to scold him like a child. I want to hear the plans of someone who’s practically an adult. Without knowing his thoughts, we can’t move forward. You agree, don’t you?”
His uncle looked at his father.
The smiles had vanished, and they seemed to have sobered up.
Knowing his uncle’s nature and temperament, he decided to be straightforward.
“I understand what Gunsan represents. But I also know it’s practically impossible.”
Their eyes were on him as he interrupted their conversation with his opinion.
“I plan to accept everything Grandfather offers. Then I’ll sell it. To whoever offers the highest price.”
“Sell it? Is money your goal?”
“I’m not necessarily looking to be paid in cash.”
“Then what?”
“Well, it’s hard to say without the goods in hand. I’ll decide once I have them.”
No more questions followed.
That answer should be enough for someone who can read between the lines.
Whether his answer was the truth or not was another matter.
Silence settled in the room.
He stared at his wine glass while the two men drank their wine.
When another empty bottle rolled across the table, his uncle spoke again.
“You’re cautious. And clever.”
His father remained silent.
“You mean to balance the scales with your two uncles on either side? The price of the goods will skyrocket if you side with the one who can’t handle the tension and cries out first.”
“I might just offer a discount to avoid the hassle.”
“Like you’d really do that. Haha.”
This uncle wasn’t easily fooled.
His uncle drained his glass and stood up.
“It’s clear that Do-jun is the most remarkable one in our family. If it weren’t for the disadvantage of being the youngest, you would have been the third-generation chairman.”
He didn’t mention the second generation.
It was a statement filled with determination not to lose the position of the next chairman.
As my uncle put on the jacket he had taken off, my father spoke up.
“Heading out?”
“I’ve learned all I need to know, so I should be going. If I want to be Do-jun’s first customer when he starts his business, I can’t afford to dawdle.”
My uncle patted me on the back.
“Keep growing just like this. Don’t follow in the footsteps of your cousins who only pretend to be tycoons.”
Having received a compliment, I knew I had to respond.
“Thank you. I won’t let you down, Uncle.”
Though my face was flushed from the alcohol, my eyes sparkled with understanding. I intended to grow into someone formidable, not an easy opponent.
Once my uncle left, my father sat me down again.
“You’ve given up on the chairman position at Sunyang, even though you want it?”
“For now.”
“Does that mean you might change your mind later?”
“It depends on what and how much Grandfather decides to give me.”
“Hmm…”
My father chuckled as he opened a new bottle of liquor.
“If you need help, just say the word. I’ll do my part as a parent.”
“Who’s badmouthing me now? Ugh.”
Chairman Jin grumbled, cleaning his ear with his pinky finger.
“So, both of my sons are scheming?”
“Yes.”
Chief Lee Hak-jae sat beside Chairman Jin, trying to suppress a smile as he looked at the bandaged head.
“What are they up to?”
“Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki had a breakfast meeting with the presidents of the minor subsidiaries.”
If they’re not the main subsidiaries, all the presidents are from open recruitment.
What kind of plot are these guys hatching?