The Heart I Didn’t Know I Had, Part 2
“Why did you call for me…?”
“Aren’t you the face of investment in our country?”
“That’s odd. The chairman himself is singing my praises…”
“It wasn’t me. It was them. They have a lot of questions. You know, right? The housing corporation is still selling off shares?”
“Yes, it’s part of the privatization, isn’t it?”
“Exactly. Everyone’s trying to get a piece of Korea Land Trust, so they’re curious.”
I could guess what was coming.
“Are they trying to see if Miracle is interested in acquiring it?”
“They didn’t ask directly, but I doubt it. They think of Miracle as foreign capital. Even if it’s privatized, would they hand over something that’s practically a state enterprise?”
“That’s true.”
Chairman Lee handed me a business card.
“He’s the president of the Land Trust. It’ll be his last public position. He’ll have to step down once it’s privatized. And he’s from a good family.”
“Is he from a wealthy family?”
“Not money, but his whole family has been through Yeouido or the Blue House. It’s good to know. Treat him with respect.”
“Is there anything else you’re not telling me? You seem particularly worried today.”
“His character is a bit… well, he’s like your eldest uncle.”
I understood why he was being cautious. It meant he was arrogant, and there was concern about potential conflict with me.
“Ah, I see. Even if he’s like my grandmother, I’ll hold my tongue and bring back the shares.”
I confidently pocketed the business card.
“Hello, sir. This is Jin Do-jun from Sunyang.”
“Oh, hello. I’ve been expecting your call.” A gruff middle-aged man’s voice came through the phone.
“Chairman Lee mentioned you. It’s about the sale of your company’s shares held by the housing corporation…”
“Ah, wouldn’t it be better to discuss such complex matters in person?”
“Of course. I’ll arrange a visit to your office.”
“Hmm… How about we talk over a meal instead of at the office?”
Is he asking me to buy him a meal? If I can secure the shares, I’d buy him a hundred meals.
“That sounds good.”
“Would today work for you…?”
Of course, it would. But I didn’t want to seem too eager.
“I’m sorry, I have a prior engagement today… How about lunch the day after tomorrow?”
“Sure. I’ll make a reservation and let you know.”
What does he hope to gain with 2.8% of the shares?
This man is at the end of his career. He’s a soon-to-be-retired official with no place after privatization. It’s clear what he wants.
Coming from a family that has produced many politicians, he likely desires power and prestige over money.
People like him know very well that power brings money.
Selling off company-owned shares under the guise of authority for personal gain is the advantage of power, isn’t it?
I considered a few positions. An ambassadorship seemed easy enough, perhaps in Southeast Asia, or a mid-level public institution role.
He probably wants more than that, so I’ll need to put in some effort.
Just in case, I checked his family background.
One son, one daughter.
If he wants a job for his son, that would be ideal, but it’s too weak.
I thought about packaging money and his son’s future together. It’s an easy enough offer to make.
I planned a few options to persuade him.
Two days later, I headed to the restaurant he had reserved.
It was amusing to think of a man well past middle age choosing an Italian restaurant.
But it wasn’t a bad place for a discreet conversation. At least, no one he knew would frequent such a place.
I arrived ten minutes early out of respect for my elder, but it was unnecessary. The restaurant manager informed me that the reserved guest was already waiting.
As I was led to a private room, a man in his fifties stood up.
“Finally, I get to meet the pillar of Sunyang. I’m Byun Do-sik.”
I didn’t hear his greeting.
Standing with Byun Do-sik was a young woman, modestly dressed but wearing clothes and carrying a bag that could buy a mid-sized car.
Look at this…
You can’t hide your roots; the young woman’s face bore traces of Byun Do-sik.
Bringing his daughter to a meeting like this?
The young woman bowed slightly, but I couldn’t hear a word.
“Oh dear, I hope this isn’t inappropriate. But my daughter insisted on meeting Director Jin Do-jun… Haha.”
“Dad… I never…”
Her voice was barely audible, and Byun Do-sik clearly didn’t think it was inappropriate, as he kept laughing.
“Young people don’t worry about formalities. I just brought her along to say hello. Our family may not match the Sunyang family, but we’re respectable enough. It’s fine to know my daughter.”
“Ah, yes. The more acquaintances, the better.”
I sat down, but my expression didn’t soften. It was uncomfortable, but I had to endure it. Didn’t I say I’d hold my tongue even if he was worse than my grandmother?
“I’ve seen you on TV a few times, but you’re even more impressive in person. When you walked in, I thought you were a celebrity. Haha.”
It was too ridiculous to agree with, so I just smiled slightly.
“Mr. President, does the company only hold Sunyang Group shares in MulSan?”
“Ah, yes. I was being foolish. Here I am, wasting time with a busy man…”
“No, not at all.”
“Shall we order first?”
As the father and daughter reached for the menu, I stopped them.
“How about we get to the point first and eat afterward? Discussing numbers over a meal might be uncomfortable for your daughter.”
“Ah, shall we?”
Byun Do-sik glanced at me and pulled out a piece of paper.
“It doesn’t look good to sell only Sunyang MulSan shares. So… would you like to take a look? It’s a list of Sunyang Group shares.”
I took the paper and scanned it. There were minor shares, but the only significant one was 2.8% of Sunyang MulSan.
“I’ll purchase all the Sunyang Group shares. It won’t look bad. Oh, and it might be a good idea to sell all the other company shares held by the trust. Let me know if you need anything.”
“No, just selling the Sunyang Group shares is fine. If we sell everything, people will talk about favoritism.”
The items to buy and sell were set; only the price remained.
“What would be a reasonable selling price? I’ll make sure there’s nothing for the board or auditors to nitpick.”
“Ah, it’s not difficult. The previous president also liquidated company shares. For blue-chip stocks, they added a 15% premium, and for non-blue-chip stocks, they sold at a 15% discount.”
Nothing new, just what I already knew. Now I needed to hear the real premium.
I offered options to naturally draw out Byun Do-sik’s intentions.
“That’s not an unreasonable condition. Thank you for offering fair terms. So, what else can I do for you? Feel free to speak.”
“Oh, the company’s policy is privatization, so we’re disposing of assets before that. What more could I want? I’m satisfied that you accepted the company’s terms. Haha.”
What he wants isn’t money or a position, but a relationship. His daughter, sitting across from me, glancing sideways, is the option to start a plausible relationship with me.
“Mr. President.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“I don’t want to make any mistakes due to misunderstandings, so let me ask: were you planning to formally introduce your daughter to me?”
“Oh, no, not at all… just to know each other…”
“Are you saying there’s not even a hint of ulterior motive?”
The smiles vanished from both their faces.
“Ulterior motive! How could you say such a thing…!”
The daughter’s eyes narrowed sharply.
“Your family is respectable, and she’s pretty enough to be considered a good match for me… Wasn’t that your thought?”
“Hey, Director Jin! How could you say such a thing…!”
“If I misunderstood, I apologize. Then, since the contract discussion is over, shall we leave?”
As I pushed my chair back, Byun Do-sik couldn’t hide his dismay, and his daughter bit her lip. Their pride was hurt, but they couldn’t walk away from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
I was inexplicably angry, unable to contain it. I had endured worse without showing it…
I mustn’t let my anger ruin things. If I storm out now, I’ll never get the 2.8% of Sunyang MulSan shares.
I calmed myself and resumed negotiations.
“President Byun. I understand your conditions. Now, let me tell you mine. This will be my final offer.”
“What?”
His face was already flushed, but I didn’t care.
“You put your daughter on the table, so let me tell you what I think she’s worth. If you find it reasonable, nod. A hundred billion.”
“What is this guy doing!”
“Two hundred billion.”
“Hey! Director Jin! Are you putting a price on me? With money?!”
His daughter, who had been holding back, finally exploded.
“Hey, miss. How else do you measure a person’s worth if not with money? Marriage agencies judge a man’s value by his salary. In our world, people die because they can’t afford surgery, and compensation settles traffic accident deaths.”
The naive young woman, unaware of the ways of the world, couldn’t close her mouth as she listened to me.
“Even life is valued in money, so of course, a person’s worth is judged by numbers. I don’t know how old you are, but you seem immature. Three hundred billion.”
Byun Do-sik shouted at my disdainful gaze toward his daughter.
“You scoundrel! How dare you approach my daughter like this! Do you think money can solve everything?”
“I was merely expressing what I believe your daughter is worth. But this offer… it won’t last long. Five billion.”
Oddly enough, the higher the numbers climbed, the calmer I felt.
As I spoke of the value of President Byun’s daughter, it seemed I was also contemplating someone else’s worth. Though I wasn’t entirely sure whose.
“Your daughter has quite the self-esteem. I’m starting to wonder if this isn’t already overpriced. Seven billion.”
“You bastard! Stop this at once!”
President Byun leapt up, knocking over his chair, but he didn’t storm out. His beloved daughter had caught hold of his sleeve. An amusing girl.
“It seems the decision is made on this side. All that’s left is for you to nod, President Byun. Let me make it easier for you. Ten billion.”
This time, I stood up, leaning on the table.
“Shall I leave, or will you nod?”
As I stared him down, President Byun averted his gaze and slowly sank back into his seat.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
I smiled and took out my phone.
“Mr. Kim, could you step in for a moment?”
Guided by an assistant, Mr. Kim Yoon-seok hurried over.
“Mr. Kim, please go to the bank and prepare a bearer certificate of deposit.”
“Yes, sir. What amount should it be?”
“Ten billion. And make sure to hand it over to this gentleman.”
“Understood.”
Mr. Kim didn’t bat an eye at the sum, and the two people watching him were left speechless.
“Enjoy your meal. You’ll receive the ten billion before you finish dining. And I’ll send someone to your company tomorrow. There must be no issues with the transfer of Sunyang Group shares. Understood?”
Leaving President Byun, who finally nodded, I exited the restaurant.
I got into the waiting car and said, “To Seocho-dong, please.”
It was time to meet the person whose name had been echoing in my mind all day as I called out those numbers.