[189] Living the Good Life 2
“Yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking. Managing a trillion won that isn’t urgently needed and having an overseas account that could become a powerful weapon someday. There’s no need to overthink it. Holding onto it is the right move.”
“Do you really think it could be a weapon?”
“Yes. According to my uncle, the moment you withdraw or transfer the money, the old account gets deleted. It’s best to keep it for when it’s truly needed.”
“But just having an account doesn’t make it a weapon, does it?”
“I’ve taken care of that. I’ll explain later.”
There was a hint of regret in Oh Se-hyun’s eyes.
He talked about interest, but he couldn’t help calculating how much profit could be made if a trillion won were invested in the stock market.
“Uncle, a massive opportunity is coming soon. So much so that a trillion won will seem like pocket change.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“I’ll tell you when the time is right. So don’t worry about letting that trillion sit idle. Haha.”
Oh Se-hyun, having been through this kind of thing more than once, didn’t press further.
“Alright, I’ll wait for that massive opportunity. By the way, what time is the flight tomorrow?”
“Anytime. I’ve chartered a plane.”
“What?”
“Why are you so surprised? It’s like taxi fare for me, isn’t it? If I’m going to relax, I won’t do it on the cheap.”
Even the usually stoic staff from Sunyang Security, who always quietly stayed by my side, seemed excited about the famous overseas resort and the chartered flight.
They tried hard to hide it, but their eyes were smiling, and the corners of their mouths couldn’t help but turn up.
Incheon International Airport, with only its first and second runways, passenger terminal, and cargo terminal, was already welcoming passengers with its vast and pristine facilities, incomparable to Gimpo Airport.
The airline staff, already informed, took care of our luggage and guided us to the private gate for chartered flights, but I insisted on using the regular gate.
“I have some business to attend to, so don’t worry. I’ll call you when I’m done. Come then.”
Coming all this way and not checking out the business site would be neglecting my duty.
I sent the flustered airline staff away and slowly headed to the departure hall.
The security team, who had been looking forward to experiencing the luxury of a VVIP, showed a hint of disappointment but quietly followed me, scanning the surroundings.
Damn, this is a bit embarrassing.
I regretted not telling the security team about the dress code. I should have told them to come in tourist attire.
Here I was in jeans and a t-shirt, surrounded by six men in dark suits, drawing all eyes in the airport.
After clearing the departure inspection, I gathered them around.
“This isn’t going to work. Let’s spread out a bit.”
“Sorry, but just in case…”
“We’ve cleared the departure inspection. The national agency has checked all our belongings and even the metal on our bodies. Nothing’s going to happen, so just do as I say.”
International airport police officers, with their guns pointed to the ground, were patrolling the area. Seeing them, the security team cleared their throats and stepped back.
“Come on, go shopping or something. There are plenty of duty-free shops here. I’ll cover everything, so just swipe your cards. Whether it’s luxury watches or handbags, go ahead and splurge.”
“Oh, no, that’s not necessary.”
I knew their salaries were several times that of regular Sunyang Group employees. But I also understood that swiping a card for luxury items worth hundreds of thousands was daunting.
“Think of it as a special incentive. It’s fine.”
With that, I managed to shake off the security team and hurried on my way.
I headed straight to the Sunyang Duty-Free Shop operated by Sunyang Department Store.
There was no need to look for the expensive luxury section.
Those glamorous and luxurious stores are intimidating unless your card limit or balance is substantial. So, customers who naturally browse luxury stores are always ready to swipe their cards.
Moreover, these places sell handbags that cost only about ten thousand won to make for hundreds of thousands, even millions, so of course, they’re friendly.
The real value is found in the general stores where you can enjoy shopping for just tens of thousands or a hundred thousand won.
I wandered around, asking about prices and trying on products, looking for anything that needed improvement, but nothing dramatic happened.
Everyone was friendly, and they provided detailed explanations that were almost overwhelming. It seemed like the timing wasn’t right for a surprise inspection.
The new airport had only been open for three months, so they were still on their best behavior. If there was a flaw, it was excessive friendliness? That was about it.
When I left the duty-free shop, two security guards were waiting outside.
“I told you to go shopping. Why are you just standing around?”
“We can take turns shopping. We can’t leave you alone.”
“Then I’ll be in the airport lounge, so you two go shop to your heart’s content. Once everyone’s back, we’ll head out.”
“Understood. Just a moment.”
The airline staff, who came running at the security guard’s urgent call, guided us to the first-class lounge.
“Sorry, we don’t have a separate lounge for charter flight customers.”
“It’s fine. People flying on chartered planes don’t usually spend time at the airport.”
“Ah, yes, exactly. Usually, they board right after clearing departure, so there’s no need for a lounge. Anyway, thank you for understanding.”
While flipping through magazines in the airline lounge, I felt a few people’s gazes.
Since Chairman Joo Young-il’s funeral, more people seemed to recognize me, probably because my face had been all over the media.
According to my father, several magazines had asked for interviews. They said I had all the marketable qualities.
Apparently, even film companies were subtly using my name, Jin Do-jun, when casting top actresses, saying it piqued curiosity and expectations.
Fortunately, the security team was sharp. They returned with a few shopping bags in just over ten minutes, ensuring I didn’t have to wait long.
We took a limousine to the runway, where a Global Express XRS, a 28-seater, awaited us.
Along with the Gulfstream G550, it’s one of the most popular private jet models.
When individuals order, they usually make it under 15 seats and add various amenities, but this aircraft was purely for business use, so there weren’t any notable facilities.
I debated whether to buy a private jet and imagined how I would decorate it if I did.
The security team members were no different from me.
They were arguing about whether you could play pool on a private jet if you installed a pool table. Meanwhile, the chartered flight quickly flew us to Malaysia.
Kota Kinabalu International Airport was originally a military airport built by the Japanese during World War II. It was in ruins by the end of the war due to Allied bombings, but civilian airlines took over, and by 1957, it became Malaysia’s second airport.
Even so, it was still a small airport with a 3.7 km runway.
At the airport, resort staff were already waiting with limousines.
As a top-tier customer who had booked three private villas, each costing over $8,000 a night, this level of service was expected.
The security team, who had relaxed and chatted on the plane, immediately reverted to their usual stoic demeanor upon landing.
“You can loosen up a bit here. We’re here to relax, aren’t we? Our accommodation is in a secure location with guards. Think of this week as a time to unwind and take off your ties.”
“This is us being quite relaxed. Don’t worry too much, sir,” said Moon Seong-hoon, the team leader, who always sat in the passenger seat of my car, with a smile.
“I don’t think you understand…”
“Sorry?”
“I don’t have holidays or vacations. Haven’t you experienced it already? Since taking charge of my security team, have you had a day off? You’ve only had a day off here and there, right?”
“It’s fine. It’s part of the job.”
“You might not get a vacation for years. Especially you, Mr. Moon.”
”…”
Others could work in shifts, but as the team leader, Moon couldn’t.
“Think of this week at the resort as your last vacation. It’s okay to drink… No, make sure you drink until you’re drunk and pass out. Haha.”
Realizing I was sincere, they slowly leaned back against the limousine seats.
The emerald sea view from the resort with its private beach was breathtaking.
The security team members, following the winding coastal road to the private villas, couldn’t stop exclaiming in delight like children on a field trip.
“Mr. Moon, tell me about yourself. What did you do before joining Sunyang?”
At the private poolside, hotel staff were busy grilling meat while we drank beer and chatted.
With a drink in hand, I casually asked about their pasts, something I’d always been curious about, but they hesitated, just exchanging glances.
“Sir, it’s a bit awkward…”
“Why? Because your subordinates are listening?”
“No, we all know each other well. Of course, they might not have shared everything they should keep secret.”
“Oh, come on, Mr. Moon. We haven’t hidden anything.”
A young security guard waved his hand vigorously.
“You’ve probably shared what’s on record. Heh.”
Moon downed his beer and cleared his throat lightly.
“Sir, these guys are all athletes. They were either sports scholarship students or aspiring national athletes who, for various reasons, gave up their dreams and aimed to become professional soldiers or special police recruits.”
“So, the security work…?”
“They learned it at Sunyang Security. They undergo about two years of training.”
“Mr. Moon, were you an athlete too?”
“Yes, I was part of the national reserve team. The second string, you could say. I never got the chance to move up to the first team, so I quit.”
I always wondered if these guys had a past in organized crime, but it turns out my imagination was a bit off.
“So, was Executive Director Woo Byung-jun on a similar path?”
“No.”
Manager Moon chuckled and shook his head.
“Honestly, we don’t really know what he did before. It’s all just rumors.”
“What kind of rumors?”
“Some say he was with the National Intelligence Service, others claim he spent years as a mercenary abroad. There was even a rumor he was with the FBI, but that can’t be true. His English is just Konglish. Haha.”
They were sitting at the resort, sipping beer and reminiscing about the past. I wondered what kind of situation would make Executive Director Woo open up about his story.
“Wow, look at that! It’s amazing!”
“What?”
“That boat over there. The yacht.”
“Fishing on something like that would be incredible…”
“Hey! That’s not a fishing boat. It’s a luxury yacht. People have parties on those.”
“Why not do both? Party and fish.”
Out on the darkened sea, a yacht was gleaming like a chandelier.
“It’s a mega yacht.”
“Excuse me?”
All eyes turned to me.
“A mega yacht is a large yacht over 24 meters in length.”
“Do you own a yacht too? You seem to know a lot.”
“No, I don’t. Italy is strong in the yacht industry, and I’ve invested there. I learned from reports. As the number of super-rich increases, so does the demand for yachts. It’s a promising business sector.”
A few of them looked a bit disappointed. Did they expect a third-generation chaebol to own a yacht?
“Why don’t we rent that tomorrow? We could fish and party. Sounds good, right?”
Regardless of age, the six men gaped in astonishment.