Unpredictable Whirlwind 2
Chairman Jin awoke after nearly 48 hours.
His children, who had rushed to the hospital, found him not in a hospital gown but in dress pants and a shirt.
“Stop making a fuss. I’m not dead yet.”
These were the first words he uttered upon seeing their worried faces.
“Father!”
“I’m not deaf. If you’re going to raise your voice, step outside. Show some decorum.”
Though his body was frail, his voice was clear, filling the room with authority. His children found a strange comfort in his confident demeanor.
“Young-gi.”
“Yes, Father.”
“I heard you were speaking out of turn while I was unconscious. Our hospital director may be a quack, but he doesn’t deserve your disrespect. Apologize.”
“Ch-chairman.”
“F-father.”
Both were taken aback but couldn’t escape Chairman Jin’s piercing gaze.
“Director, please forgive my earlier rudeness. I was overwhelmed and said things I shouldn’t have.”
The hospital director waved it off as Jin Young-gi bowed deeply.
“Please, it’s nothing. I’ve heard worse. It’s common in hospitals. When a parent is critically ill, what can’t a child say? Don’t hold it against yourself.”
Chairman Jin smiled as he watched them.
“Yes, even when things are infuriating, hide your true feelings and face each other with a smile. That’s what it means to be an adult. Ha ha.”
With a nod from Chairman Jin, the medical staff quietly left the room.
“You all understand, right? If I collapse again, no one can guarantee whether I’ll cross over to the other side or just take a long nap and wake up.”
“Father, please don’t say such things…”
“Silence. Where did you learn to interrupt your father?”
Jin Young-gi, the vice chairman, flinched under his father’s stern gaze and closed his mouth.
“Sang-gi.”
“Yes, Father.”
Jin Sang-gi approached with a solemn expression.
“I know you’re the most disappointed. But look at your brother Seo-yoon. If you can’t protect what you’re given, it’ll be taken away. You’re softer than Seo-yoon.”
“F-father, I also…”
“I told you, I won’t tolerate interruptions!”
“Y-yes…”
“Lift your head. It’s not a crime to lack business acumen.”
Chairman Jin took his son’s hand.
“I’ve set aside some money. I’ll entrust it to the foundation, and you hold onto it for when it’s needed. It’s okay to lose money, but don’t lose the company.”
Jin Sang-gi bit his lip. He had much to say but couldn’t argue with his frail father.
“Young-gi.”
“Yes.”
“You’re the eldest, so teach Sang-gi. When you think he’s ready, split off a couple of subsidiaries for him.”
Chairman Jin turned to his third son.
“Keep the money I gave you safe, and when your brother gives you a subsidiary, pay him well for it. People don’t value things they get for free. Pay a high price and nurture it until you break even.”
Though they had different motives, both brothers nodded.
The elder wondered how much money his father had hidden, while the younger doubted his greedy brother would ever give him a decent subsidiary.
Chairman Jin didn’t care about their thoughts. He just smiled, satisfied with their nods.
“And Yoon-gi.”
“Yes.”
“You’ve got enough thanks to your son, haven’t you? Do you need anything more?”
“Just one thing left.”
“What? Left? Look at this guy. With a brilliant son, a beautiful wife… Isn’t your company a garden full of the prettiest women in the country? And you still want more? You thief.”
Jin Yoon-gi enjoyed his father’s joking. There was no sign of a dying old man. He spoke to his father as if he were still the chairman of Sunyang.
“The Sunyang Financial Group that Do-jun manages. Please separate it completely. Make it an independent company without any controlling shares.”
Everyone’s eyes changed. They held back from shouting that it was absurd.
If his son were here, he’d likely have the same reaction. Jin Yoon-gi knew Do-jun didn’t want the separation either.
A son aiming to take over the entire Sunyang Group wouldn’t want to sever the ties between subsidiaries.
Chairman Jin felt the same. Complete separation wasn’t what his beloved grandson wanted.
“Hmm… I see your greed isn’t ordinary either. You know the financial division acts as Sunyang’s vault, yet you say such things?”
“F-father, it’s not that…”
“Quiet. You want to break up the group? Once it’s split, it’s no longer Sunyang. It becomes just another company.”
Chairman Jin quickly silenced Jin Yoon-gi.
He understood why his son made such a request. He didn’t want Do-jun to face a tough battle.
“Yoon-gi, don’t be greedy. I’ve given your share to your son, so you shouldn’t have any complaints.”
After cutting off his youngest son’s request, Chairman Jin addressed the two vice chairmen.
“I’ve given everything to you two. Whether you fight it out or manage together, it’s your choice. But remember one thing.”
The two vice chairmen listened intently to Chairman Jin’s final words.
“Whoever wins, don’t cast the other aside. Ensure they have a respectable position for life. That’s my last request.”
Though it sounded like a will, whether his sons would honor it was uncertain. After all, he wouldn’t be around to see the outcome.
For those departing, leaving a will is all they can do.
Whether it’s honored or not, the departing must let go of any lingering attachments.
“Now that I’ve said all I need to, let’s talk about something else. Like ordinary people. Tell me about the grandchildren. How are they doing these days?”
His children relaxed their expressions and began to smile like Chairman Jin. To please their father, who didn’t have much time left, they started sharing updates about their children, even if they didn’t know much.
After sending his children away, who insisted on taking turns watching over him, Chairman Jin fell asleep again.
In the dead of night, he awoke and called for his doctor.
“I’m thinking of getting some fresh air for a couple of hours. Is that alright?”
“As long as it’s not a long trip like last time… May I ask where you’re planning to go?”
“It’s nothing much, just feeling a bit peckish.”
“Oh, I’ll have a meal prepared right away…”
“No need. If I wanted hospital food, I wouldn’t be going out. I’ve suddenly got a craving for sushi. Eating sushi isn’t bad, is it?”
“Are you planning to have a drink as well…?”
The doctor watched Chairman Jin’s expression closely.
“Don’t worry, I’m not in the mood for alcohol. Just a few pieces of sushi.”
“You could send someone. There are plenty of people who can run errands.”
The doctor, still uneasy about a VIP leaving the hospital, added more comments.
“Oh, come on. If you’re that worried, why not come along? Do you like sushi?”
Though his expression said he did, he couldn’t voice it, knowing Chairman Jin’s intentions were clear.
“No, it’s fine. Please go ahead. But don’t stay out too long, Chairman.”
“Got it. A couple of hours will do.”
After the doctor bowed and left, Chairman Jin took out his phone with a satisfied look.
“Ah, Manager Kim. I hope I didn’t wake you.”
His first call was to a bank manager.
“I have a favor to ask. Could you bring my safety deposit box? I know it’s after hours, but… No need for you to come personally, just send someone.”
His second call was to a sushi restaurant owner.
“Master? It’s me. I suddenly craved your sushi. It doesn’t have to be anything special. Just a few pieces with whatever’s left. I’ll be there in an hour.”
The third call was…
“Do-jun? Come to the place I’m about to tell you.”
After finishing his calls, Chairman Jin gathered all the security personnel outside his room.
“Listen carefully. I’m going to step out for a bit, but as far as you’re concerned, I never left the room. Understand?”
“Yes, Chairman.”
It was a command to keep it secret.
“Don’t even tell Director Lee Hak-jae. Remember that.”
“Yes, sir!”
They all responded firmly, knowing well who their employer was.
Sushi in the middle of the night?
Without much time to think, I quickly dressed and headed out. Earlier, Deputy Kim Yoon-seok had informed me that Grandfather had given some instructions to my uncles in the hospital.
He must have something to tell me too. It can’t just be about sharing a meal over a few pieces of sushi.
When I arrived at the sushi place, someone was busy preparing.
“Sorry, we’re closed.”
I quickly replied to the chef’s curt greeting.
“I’m here by appointment with Chairman Jin Yang-cheol.”
“Oh, are you? My apologies. Please, come this way.”
It was a small sushi bar with just a few seats at the counter.
As I warmed myself with some hot tea, the door opened, and Grandfather walked in.
“You’re here already? Take it easy in the snow, you rascal.”
“How are you feeling? Are you sure you’re okay to be out here?”
“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be here. Stop fussing and have a seat.”
As soon as he sat down, the chef bowed slightly.
“It’s been a while since I had the honor of serving you, but I’m afraid the ingredients aren’t the best today. My apologies.”
“Don’t worry about it. Just give me a heads-up next time, and I’ll make sure to come prepared.”
“Is there anything special you’d like to eat, Chairman?”
“No, not really. Actually, I have some important matters to discuss with this young man here, so we won’t need much. Just a few pieces will do.”
“Understood. I’ll get it ready.”
The mention of an important conversation made my heart race. This might be the moment my grandfather shares his final words with me. The setting was modest, but the significance was not lost on me.
Just then, the door opened again, and a middle-aged man I didn’t recognize walked in.
As soon as he saw my grandfather, he bowed deeply.
“Chairman, I’ve been sent by the bank manager.”
“Ah, thank you for coming at this late hour. Please, bring it over.”
The man produced a long, metal box wrapped in cloth.
“Now, where did I put that key…?”
My grandfather fumbled with his key wallet, searching for the key to the safe. The man watched him closely before stepping forward cautiously.
“Chairman, I believe the small one might be the key to the box.”
“This one? Are you sure?”
“Yes, sir.”
My grandfather handed the key wallet to the man.
“My eyesight isn’t what it used to be. Would you mind opening it for me?”
“Of course.”
He quickly took the key, opened the box, and revealed two envelopes inside. My grandfather took them out and placed them beside him.
“That’s all, thank you. You can head back now. It’s cold out, and I appreciate your effort. Let the bank manager know I’ll stop by soon.”
“Yes, Chairman. I’ll do that.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off the envelopes, even as the man left the room. What could possibly be inside that warranted keeping them in a private bank vault?