“Hey, hyung.”
Jin Young-jun stood at the door, leaning casually against the frame with a sly grin.
He probably wasn’t here because of my article. Was he running an errand, or just acting on his own again?
“I saw the article and thought of you, so I dropped by. Lucky you’re here.”
Vice President Jang Do-hyung gave a slight nod before gathering his papers.
“Please, have a seat. I’m done here, so you two can chat.”
Without asking for permission, Jin Young-jun plopped down on the sofa as if Jang Do-hyung wasn’t even there or didn’t matter.
“Today’s Chairman Joo’s funeral. You didn’t go?”
“No.”
“Your father and uncle went. I heard most of the Federation of Korean Industries’ members are attending.”
“I see.”
Keeping my answers short was the quickest way to get Jin Young-jun to cut to the chase.
Perhaps it was my indifferent expression and tone that made him frown. Normally, his temper would flare by now, but the fact that he only frowned meant he wanted something.
“So, I heard you had a secret chat with Chairman Joo Kwang-sik yesterday. Is that true?”
Has word already spread?
If my actions are circulating this quickly, it means either Joo Kwang-sik leaked it, or someone is tailing me.
“Yes. Just a moment.”
“Can you tell me what you talked about?”
“Nothing significant.”
Frustrated by my nonchalant attitude, he brought up the topic of cards.
“You’re not thinking of handing over Sunyang Card to Daehyun, are you?”
“Hyung, why would you say that all of a sudden?”
“Didn’t Joo Kwang-sik propose to acquire Sunyang Card yesterday?”
“Where did you hear that?”
“At the grand funeral of Chairman Joo, how many eyes do you think were watching? The rumor’s already out.”
“Eyes can’t replace ears, can they? How could they know the conversation details?”
“Are you picking a fight with me now?”
“Why would I? I have no reason to.”
He could sense the underlying meaning in my words.
Thanks to my father and me, who hold a significant position in Sunyang, you’re in a different league altogether.
Picking a fight is for equals, not for someone who can’t even be compared.
Jin Young-jun clenched his fists, trembling with anger, but he didn’t explode. He’s not one to hold back, so this restraint must be due to a sense of duty to complete his errand.
“Is that so? Fine, then.”
“Hyung, it’s not fine. You need to tell me.”
“What? I said it’s just a rumor.”
“There’s no such rumor. In fact, my grandfather warned the Daehyun family not to spread such rumors, saying Sunyang affiliates will never be sold externally.”
“Your grandfather did?”
“Yes. So, tell me the truth. Stop beating around the bush.”
Jin Young-jun hesitated, biting his lip, before speaking arrogantly again.
“Fine. Let’s get to the point. Hand over the card company to us, not your uncle.”
“Start with the terms. This isn’t a small shop we’re talking about. How many people are involved, and how much money does it make annually?”
“We’ll offer 10% more than your uncle. That’s our position.”
So, they’re going to throw money at it?
If this is the best idea they could come up with, it’s pathetic.
“10%? That’s in the hundreds of billions, isn’t it?”
“That’s a lot of money.”
“Hyung, do I look like someone who’s short on cash? Sunyang’s financial division isn’t selling the company because of a lack of funds. It’s just that the card company’s business structure isn’t appealing.”
“So? Offering more money is pointless?”
“To get what you want, you first need to know what the other party wants, don’t you?”
“So, what do you want?”
“I don’t know.”
“Hey! Are you messing with me? Just because you got a few affiliates, you think you can act all high and mighty?”
There it is—his true feelings.
Arrogance.
Negotiation is about subtly steering the other party’s intentions in your desired direction, even if it means bowing your head or massaging their feet. But to Jin Young-jun, anything that doesn’t align with his desires is arrogance. And he can afford to think that way.
There are plenty of people who will bow and massage feet on his behalf.
But Jin Young-jun doesn’t realize he’s standing in for Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki. His nature is fortunate for me.
“That’s the truth. I don’t particularly want anything. Isn’t that even better?”
“Stop playing games! What is it?”
“Think about it. When you shop at a department store, do you only buy what you need? When you have money, if something catches your eye, you just buy it, right? It’s called impulse buying. Selling at a high price is basic.”
I’m getting frustrated with this guy’s inability to understand. Maybe I should teach him a thing or two.
“Vice Chairman Jin Dong-ki won’t lose in a money fight. Instead of just raising the price, offer something that truly appeals to me. The meticulous skill of understanding the customer’s heart… Isn’t that the slogan for Sunyang Electronics’ home appliances?”
Jin Young-jun clenched his teeth, holding back his words. He’s trying to think of something that would truly captivate me, but for someone who believes money is everything, he won’t come up with anything.
Just like how I can’t think of a way to screw over both vice chairmen with just the card company sale.
Jin Young-jun stood up, lips tightly sealed.
He’ll probably run to his father and spill everything.
“Do-joon.”
“Yes.”
“I haven’t forgotten what I told you before.”
“I must have forgotten, since I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“That I’d make you the second-in-command of Sunyang Group. Does that ring a bell now?”
“Oh, that? Haha.”
I couldn’t hold back my laughter.
“Hyung, become the first-in-command first. Then your words will carry weight.”
“If I become the first-in-command, I won’t need you. You need to make me the first-in-command for you to become the second.”
“I can make my second uncle the first-in-command right now. Then I’ll be the second-in-command of Sunyang Group. Right this moment.”
The power to shift the balance.
Should I remind him that this is my greatest weapon?
“Keep running. Even then, you might not catch up to me.”
Jin Young-jun’s face was flushed with anger, ready to burst.
Yet, he held back, showing that he’s learned to control his temper. He’s matured a bit.
“Do you greet all the mourners like this?”
“Of course not. Our dear nephew is so special that I had to treat you specially. Why? Is it uncomfortable?”
“It’s so special it’s almost too much. I’ve rented out entire restaurants before, but never a pizza place.”
A small pizza joint with fewer than ten tables. Not exactly fitting for someone of Chairman Joo Kwang-sik’s age.
“It’s a secret that pizza is my favorite food. It’s a bit embarrassing, you see. Haha.”
“It’s unusual, but nothing to be ashamed of.”
“At your age, maybe. But at mine, liking pizza gets you teased for having a child’s palate.”
But when the pizza arrived, it was so good that we stopped talking and devoured it.
“This place is amazing. I usually don’t like greasy foods like pizza or pasta…”
“Good, right? It’s one of the few places I cherish.”
“Revealing your hidden gems raises my expectations.”
“Hmm? Expectations for what?”
“For your hidden intentions. Or should I say plans? ‘Intentions’ sounds a bit too sinister.”
Joo Kwang-sik chuckled as he wiped the oil from his lips with a napkin.
“Wow… I wish I had a son like you. Sharp as a tack… truly living up to your reputation.”
“Meeting in a place like this, anyone would be suspicious.”
“Alright. I can’t strip completely in front of you, but I’ll leave just my underwear on.”
Chairman Joo Kwang-sik took a sip of wine he had brought himself.
“I’m the one who spread the word about wanting to acquire Sunyang Card.”
“I suspected as much.”
“Then you must have guessed I have no intention of actually acquiring it.”
“Of course. My grandfather knows too, which is why he put on that show for you.”
“For me? No, let’s get it straight. He did it for his beloved grandson.”
“True.”
“So, how’s it going? Has the price gone up since I jumped into the fray?”
“We’re still in the midst of a game of wits. How about your brothers? Are they buying it?”
Chairman Joo Kwang-sik’s smile faded, replaced by a stern expression.
“You read the situation well. Yes, they seem a bit complacent.”
“Seems like it’s not enough to completely disguise your intentions.”
“Aren’t they naturally suspicious people? Just like you and me.”
“So, what’s the next step? How can I assist you?”
“Hahaha!”
He suddenly burst into laughter, shaking his head.
“If you keep showing how brilliant you are, I’ll have to be wary of you. Are you okay with that? Have you forgotten we’re always in competition and keeping each other in check?”
“No, I have no intention of competing with Daehyun Group. That’s a matter for the distant future. My competition won’t be with you, but with your children. The second generation should compete with the second, and the third with the third. I’m just a nephew, after all. Please, lend me a hand.”
“Oh dear, please go easy on my kids. It seems more fitting for me to make such a request.”
Chairman Joo Kwang-sik downed a glass of wine and refilled mine.
“Alright, let’s get to the point. Among Sunyang Life’s subsidiaries, there’s a company specializing in insurance investigations called Sunyang Special Accident and Loss Assessment, right?”
“Yes.”
What’s this about? It’s such a small company that it’s hard to even remember. Why is its name coming out of the chairman’s mouth?
I’m not the only one who’s quick on the uptake.
He caught my expression and gave a slight smile.
“It’s not a company worth keeping an eye on, so I’m not familiar with its assets.”
“That’s true. Is there anything unusual about it?”
“That company is a merger of three others: DH Communications, LWS, all in the insurance sector…”
“Judging by the initials DH, it must be a subsidiary of Daehyun Group.”
“Exactly.”
What a blunder.
How could I not have known such a crucial fact?
And no one reported this to me!
When I get back to the office, someone’s going to hear about this.
“That company holds 2% of Daehyun Motors’ stock.”
I was so shocked I couldn’t hide it. This is a major issue that needs to be reported. It’s not something that can be brushed off with a simple reprimand.
“Don’t be too surprised. It only happened a few days ago.”
“What do you mean…?”
“A few days ago, Daehyun Motors acquired a parts company. They merged to secure the company’s patents.”
“So the parts company’s stock turned into Daehyun Motors’ stock.”
“Exactly. Since there’s been no official announcement, your company doesn’t know yet.”
What a stroke of luck. This time, I couldn’t suppress my smile.
How much have I made just sitting here?
“You want that stock, don’t you?”
“I’ll give you a generous offer. How about it?”
“Well, I’ll have to think about it…”
Joo Kwang-sik’s expression hardened.
“To you, it’s just money. To me…”
“It’ll be a crucial asset, right? So don’t think of it as just money.”
“If not money, then what?”
“Let’s trade.”
“What?”
“I’ll give you 2% of Daehyun Motors’ stock. You give me 2% of Sunyang Electronics.”
By today’s market value, that’s about a twentyfold difference.
Let’s see what Chairman Joo Kwang-sik is made of. Heh.