Slim and Tight 2
“Look at this wicked old man. Haha.”
“Wasn’t it you who taught me to use what I have most effectively?”
“Yes, yes. Just don’t overdo it. It loses its charm.”
“As long as my two uncles don’t give up their greed, I doubt it’ll lose its charm.”
“Is that so?”
Grandfather chuckled softly.
“I’ve given your uncles a firm talking-to. Told them to join forces and reclaim Sunyang Motors. They’re not just greedy; they might join hands temporarily for a bigger prize. Being brothers, it might be easier for them.”
“The car company?”
“Yes. In this world, if you’re weak, you lose. Isn’t that right?”
What a cunning old man!
He strictly prevents external conflicts but welcomes internal ones, even stirring the pot when he can.
I wouldn’t be surprised if his favorite song is “The Winner Takes It All.”
“I’ll be well-prepared.”
“You should be. Even that 17% stake you wield like a weapon could become useless. Do you know why?”
“If Sunyang Group grows, the shares Miracle holds become insignificant.”
“Smart boy. It’s already dropped to 16%. Several subsidiaries have increased their capital after the economy picked up. Can you keep up?”
“I’ll do my best not to fall behind. I wouldn’t want to disappoint you.”
“Only me?”
“I have my own ambitions too, but I’ve realized it’s not going to be easy…”
Seeing my bitter expression, Grandfather’s eyes twinkled.
“Why do you think that?”
“I underestimated Uncle’s years of experience. The people he’s built up over those years, their power. It’ll take me at least 20 years to match him. Maybe even longer. He’s your eldest son, and I’m the youngest, farthest down the line. Do you think those powerful people will even notice me?”
Grandfather slapped his knee, raising his voice.
“That’s the true power of Sunyang.”
“Yes. I understood it in theory, but now I’ve experienced it firsthand.”
“If you try to do it alone, it’ll take you 50 years. More than half of Young-gi’s power came from me. He added 20 years to what I gave him.”
I flashed a smile at Grandfather.
“You’re planning to give me some too, right?”
“For a fair fight, I suppose I should. But remember, even if I give it to you, it won’t be yours. It’s not a thing; it’s people.”
“Since they’re people, I don’t have to worry about losing them.”
“What? Losing? Haha.”
Grandfather laughed heartily, slapping his desk.
“If you give them to me, I’ll take good care of them. After all, aren’t they people bought with money? I’ll pay the highest price to use their power.”
“That’s only at first.”
“Sorry?”
“At first, it’s money, but later, they’ll need something more.”
“What would that be?”
“Even if I told you, you wouldn’t understand. It’s something you have to figure out and provide.”
“Not easy, is it?”
“That’s because they’re people. People are complex and difficult. Their desires are so varied that it’s hard to measure. You have to fulfill those difficult needs to make them yours.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Grandfather cleared his throat a few times, adjusting his voice. He looked at me with clear eyes and said, “The share inheritance process is almost complete. The two of them will split it, but given the growth, it looks like Young-gi, your eldest uncle, will get a bit more, focusing on electronics.”
“I see.”
“The remaining part is the financial sector, and we’re currently adjusting the group’s shares.”
I swallowed hard. Mentioning this means he’s considering giving it to me…
The phrase “adjusting shares” bothered me.
“You know how valuable the financial subsidiaries are, right?”
Especially Sunyang Life, with its solid cash flow, is one of the major companies with vast real estate holdings. It’s not called the group’s bank for nothing, given its massive rental income from all the properties it buys with its cash reserves. It’s also a major shareholder, holding 7% of Sunyang Electronics.
“Yes. It’s one of the key subsidiaries for group control, isn’t it?”
“What do you want to do with it?”
“Are you giving it to me?”
“I forgot to say ‘if.’ Haha.”
“I’ll focus on expanding around Sunyang Life until it becomes another giant conglomerate.”
“Not growing Sunyang subsidiaries but expanding outside?”
“That’s not what I meant. Sunyang subsidiaries are just part of the expansion target, not everything to me.”
I hoped it was the right answer.
Expanding the company without limits, isn’t that the ultimate goal of conglomerates?
A bloodline that dreams of expansion rather than defense. The heart must be in it. Only then can I secure even one more share.
“You always give textbook answers. And you back them up with results, so there’s nothing to criticize.”
“Is it troublesome?”
“What is?”
“Handing over the financial part to me, knowing my uncles will surely object.”
“It’s not just your uncles who will object. All the executives in the financial subsidiaries will rise up. It’s not easy to bow to someone their grandson’s age.”
“My job is to fulfill their desires. If you entrust it to me, I’ll turn their objections into a warm welcome.”
“Usually, the louder they boast, the less they deliver, but with you, it’s believable…”
Grandfather chuckled, shaking his head.
“I’ll entrust the financial subsidiaries to you. The process is underway, so be prepared.”
Though I expected it, hearing it confirmed made me feel like I was on cloud nine. But there was a nagging concern.
He didn’t mention how much of the group’s shares the financial subsidiaries hold. It should be at least 30%…
If combined with the 16% from the car company, it approaches half.
Grandfather must know this.
The “adjusting shares” likely means reducing the stock ratio. How much will he leave?
“Why aren’t you thanking me, you rascal?”
“Oh, no. As I said, I’ll build another conglomerate.”
I stood up and bowed deeply.
I hoped he’d leave at least 20%. If combined with the car company’s shares, it would create a triangular balance. Just 10 years, no, 5 years of balancing in the center, slowly chipping away, and I could secure half. After another 10 years, I could make it all mine.
The chair where Grandfather sits, smiling contentedly at me now. It would take just 15 years to make it mine.
Gathering the family in one place was a sight to behold.
A wife who gambled away billions, a son floundering between the legs of a female celebrity, and a second son, whom I thought had come to his senses, secretly cohabiting.
A daughter over thirty, with no intention of marrying, refuses to return from Europe. At least she stays quietly by her grandmother’s side.
But an unmarried woman in a chaebol family! What a disgrace. Rumors are spreading in the business world that something must be wrong with her.
Lastly, a daughter-in-law whose intentions are a mystery.
Even when her husband stays out all night, she doesn’t bat an eye.
Vice Chairman Jin Young-gi suppressed his boiling anger and spoke slowly.
“From today, you’re not leaving the house. You’re grounded for a year. Remember that.”
“Honey! What are you… Am I a child?”
“Shut your mouth. If you knew how I feel right now, you’d be groveling for forgiveness…”
“But honey…”
“Shut up! Should I let you rot in jail for a few years? Should I have the papers splash headlines about a crazy woman who gambled away billions?”
Park Hye-young, the lady of the house, lowered her eyes. What a humiliation in front of the children.
The daughter-in-law and two sons were already staring at their mother, mouths agape, at the enormity of her actions.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you from being summoned to the prosecutor’s office. It means it’ll end with a written investigation. So stay holed up in the house and live quietly. If you step one foot outside, I’ll destroy your family. Got it?”
At her husband’s harsh words, Park Hye-young could only nod.
“I met with your family elders. When I told them about this ridiculous mess you caused, they were all so shocked they couldn’t even lift their heads. They asked me to fix their old daughter’s bad habits. So don’t expect any more money from your family.”
She wanted to argue with her husband, who had cut off all her financial support, but his icy demeanor left her with nothing but silent resentment.
“Kyung-joon, quit school and everything. Get married and start working.”
“F-Father.”
“Don’t argue. That Hong Kong actress you were living with is gone. You’ll never see her again. I’ve already arranged your marriage. It’s with a daughter from the Sae-kwang Group. I hear she’s quite pretty and well-educated. If you object, I’ll make you end up like your brother.”
Jin Kyung-joon bit his lip. He knew his brother’s situation well. Without a single bill or card, he shuttles between home and work, enduring miserable days.
It’s a life he can’t even imagine. But to marry a woman he’s never met? This isn’t the Joseon Dynasty.
Jin Kyung-joon had a lot to say, but he kept silent. Now was the time to lay low. Once his father’s anger subsided, that would be the time to plead.
“The money flow in this household is officially cut off. From now on, do nothing but eat and breathe. Until you start acting like decent human beings, there’s no going back to the way things were.”
Jin Young-ki addressed his daughter-in-law, who sat with her head bowed.
“And you, my dear, remember this well. If you so much as take a single penny from your family, I’ll pull all the ads from the Hansung Daily. Whether we become enemies with your family is entirely up to you. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Father,” Hong So-young replied promptly. Given the current atmosphere, she knew that even a single word of protest might get her thrown out.
“From now on, your attendants will report everything to me. Where you go, what you do, even how many side dishes you have with your meals—nothing will be left out. The only time you’ll be alone is when you’re using the bathroom. If you complain to your attendants even once, you’ll be banned from going out.”
Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki looked down at his family, who sat with their heads lowered, and continued.
“I’m not asking for a happy family. Just try to live like decent people.”
With that, Jin Young-ki turned on his heel and swiftly ascended to the second floor, leaving everyone to exhale deeply and disperse.
Once Hong So-young saw her family members retreat to their respective rooms, she quickly made her way to her father-in-law’s study.
The saying that crisis is an opportunity doesn’t just apply to major events. It holds true for family matters as well. Is this an ordinary family? Don’t the trivial happenings in this household influence the nation’s economy?