[053] Revealing Secrets, Part 3

Watching his grandfather drink water, he spoke with concern.

“Maybe you should take some calming pills…”

“Quiet, you rascal. Do you think I’m so weak that I need those silly pills?”

“You seemed really shocked…”

His grandfather waved his hand dismissively and let out a long breath.

“Do-jun, I didn’t mishear, did I? You’re not asking for Ajin Motors as a gift instead of a car for your admission, are you?”

“No, sir. I mean to acquire it with my own money.”

“Your money, huh… Just how much do you think Ajin is worth that you’re so confident?”

He tried to maintain his composure, but his words came out faster than usual.

“If you were to acquire it, how much would you offer?”

When I subtly asked about the acquisition price, my grandfather paused, blinking as he gathered his thoughts.

“Hmm… Well, if it were me… Oh? Look at this cheeky fellow! Ha ha ha.”

Suddenly, he burst into laughter, regaining his calm and understanding the hidden meaning behind my question.

He must have remembered the lesson that a ruler’s privilege is to hear the other party’s thoughts first.

“You cheeky brat. Right now, you’re the one who needs to speak first. I’m still above you, you know. Where do you get off trying to pull a fast one? Ha ha.”

“I’m estimating around 1.5 trillion won. There will be variables, and we’ll need to assess Ajin Motors’ condition to know for sure.”

“Hmm…”

“You don’t seem too surprised.”

“About what? The amount?”

It was the first time I mentioned a number. While it wasn’t the total amount I had, saying 1.5 trillion won implied I had more than that.

Yet, my grandfather showed no particular reaction to my wealth, only pondering whether the amount was appropriate.

Is he just that bold? Or calm? Or perhaps, to him, 1.5 trillion won isn’t a significant amount?

“Why? Should I be shocked at how you got so much money? Or do you want me to praise you?”

“Praise can come later, right? If we’re just talking about cash reserves, I have more than the entire Sunyang Group. I thought you’d be surprised that an individual surpassed the top business group.”

His eyes changed.

“You rascal. I understand you want to boast, but if you’re planning to acquire Ajin, you should have more than that.”

His gaze was now that of a grandfather looking fondly at his adorable grandson.

“I was surprised enough when you said you wanted to acquire it. Now, I’m just curious. And satisfying curiosity isn’t urgent, is it? Curiosity isn’t the priority. Right now, it’s Ajin Motors.”

“So, you believe me? Even though it’s over a trillion won?”

“If you’re in your right mind, you wouldn’t spout nonsense about such a serious matter.”

I wanted to applaud his statement that curiosity isn’t the priority. It’s the most tempting thing, but it’s not the priority.

Sunyang is a place where countless people start new ventures every day. At the top, dealing with numerous pressing issues, setting priorities is crucial.

Curiosity should always be pushed to the back.

I asked a necessary question, not out of curiosity.

“What do you think the acquisition price should be, Grandfather?”

“I don’t know.”

“What?”

Without a second’s thought, he shook his head. Somehow, it felt unfair. A conversation without give-and-take is proof of a hierarchical relationship.

“I never intended to acquire it, so I haven’t looked into it. Six years ago, I scrutinized it, but it would be quite different now.”

“You’ll help me, right?”

“I’m considering it.”

I asked cautiously, but as expected, I didn’t get a clear answer.

“I’m thinking about why you want to acquire Ajin Motors and whether it would benefit Sunyang if you did.”

Even as I carefully observed his expression, it didn’t seem like he was just saying it.

I closed my mouth and waited quietly.

What is he thinking?

Is it the thoughts of a grandfather who dearly loves his grandson? Or the thoughts of a chairman who prioritizes the Sunyang Group he built above all else?

It would be ideal if the two thoughts aligned, but it’s hard to know the outcome yet.

“Alright. Let’s try this.”

After a long pause, my grandfather finally spoke.

I swallowed hard without realizing it. Surely, he wouldn’t turn his back on me?

“Let’s say my grandson Do-jun, the owner of Ajin Motors, and I, the owner of Sunyang Motors, join forces to merge the two companies.”

Has he already read my thoughts, my plan?

It felt like he had uncovered my intention that Ajin Motors was merely a stepping stone to absorb Sunyang Motors, leaving me at a loss for words.

My grandfather paused, seemingly waiting for my reaction, then smiled as he saw my flustered expression.

“I’d like to hear your opinion on the merger ratio of the two companies. What do you think?”

After pondering for a while, an unexpected thought struck me.

Now isn’t the time to obediently answer my grandfather’s questions. It’s time to ask questions myself, to understand his true intentions.

“Why do you think there will be a merger?”

“If not a merger? Do you think you can keep Ajin Motors with your ability? It might be swallowed by Daehyun Group within a year. Or do you think you can manage it properly?”

His smile seemed like a mocking sneer. But I could afford to show some confidence. I had a plan.

“You don’t need to worry about management.”

“You’re getting cocky. Do you have something up your sleeve?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Oh ho!”

It wasn’t a sneer or a look of disdain, but pure admiration.

He must have found it commendable that I not only had the desire but also a plan in place.

“If you have the capacity to lead the company, the merger might not happen.”

“So, don’t be too sure…”

“You’re getting cocky again.”

My grandfather cut off my confident words and wagged his finger.

“There’s no proposal that can’t be accepted. If the scales are off, you just need to balance them. Tell me the merger ratio. How much more should I add to the scale?”

“1:0.2”

“You little rascal!”

Despite his words, his expression showed surprise, and he struggled to suppress a smile.

“Considering market share, brand value, new car development capabilities, and technology, Sunyang Motors is only about 20% of Ajin Motors. This isn’t just my opinion; it’s what automotive experts say.”

“Do you say that because you don’t know? That’s purely based on the automotive sector alone. You need to reflect the hidden value too. Doesn’t the stock price tell you that?”

Sunyang Motors’ stock price is more than double that of Ajin Motors. The reason is the shares in Sunyang Group affiliates that Sunyang Motors holds.

Controlling Sunyang Motors means controlling half of Sunyang Group.

“Are you planning to put that hidden value on the scale as well?”

“Depends on how you do. Ha ha.”

The negotiation ended with my grandfather’s pleasant laughter. Under the guise of negotiation, he had subtly revealed his intentions, and I had shared many secrets.

My secret desire for Sunyang Group and his willingness to consider passing it on. It wasn’t a straightforward answer, but for now, it was enough.

“Do-jun.”

“Yes.”

“Chairman Joo of Daehyun Group won’t want to miss this opportunity. Meanwhile, I’m not prepared at all. That old man has tied my hands and feet.”

“I never thought it would be easy.”

“Chairman Joo will see you as a variable, not a competitor.”

“It’s good when the opponent is complacent.”

“It’s good to boast, but you need a basis. Let’s hear it. I’ll score how smart our youngest is.”

I calmly explained my plan to acquire Ajin Motors. Naturally, it included where the power of the Sunyang Group chairman should be applied.

”…So, the creditors should not delay but rather hasten the pressure to recall loans. The sooner Ajin Motors goes bankrupt, the better.”

“Turns out, I was hindering my grandson’s plan, not Daehyun Group. I was buying time by treating the creditors to expensive meals. Ha ha.”

His hearty laughter suggested he was pleased with my plan.

“How did I score, Grandfather?”

“It’s not the correct answer, so I can’t give full marks, but since it’s subjective, it’s not a zero either. And given the current situation, it seems like the best option. Good, very good!”

Seeing my grandfather nodding and laughing, I felt relieved.

“Now, I need to satisfy my curiosity. Where did you get all that money, more than Sunyang Group’s cash reserves?”

“I sold the ranch in Bundang and invested in an overseas IT company. The stock price skyrocketed, and that’s how I made the money.”

“To have multiplied it over a hundred times, that guy Oh Se-hyun has a good eye.”

I didn’t bother to mention that it was actually several hundred times, nor that it was me, not Oh Se-hyun, who led the investment. If I told him that I, a mere elementary school student at the time, had spearheaded the investment, my old grandfather might really have a heart attack.

“I was just lucky.”

“What position do you hold in that Miracle Investment Company? Are you…?”

“I’m the majority shareholder. I own 98% of the shares.”

“Then, what about Oh Se-hyun?”

“He’s the CEO. Don’t you have many professional managers yourself, Grandfather?”

I should have prepared some calming pills. His shocked expression was quite unsettling.

“So, you know that my billion won is just sitting in your company?”

“I’ve grown that money significantly. I was thinking of returning the investment profits along with 7% of Ajin Motors’ shares.”

“Of course, you rascal. Were you planning to swallow my hard-earned money?”

“I was hoping you’d just let me use that money as a gift for my admission… Isn’t that a bit harsh?”

I said it with a smile, but my grandfather didn’t laugh.

“If you want me to buy you an island worth a billion won, I’ll do it. If you want a private jet worth a billion won, I’ll get you that too. But money isn’t just given away.”

“Is it because money can get you anything you want?”

“Exactly. From now on, when your subordinates do a good job, give them just a little money. Even if you take them to a fancy bar and spend hundreds of thousands on drinks, don’t give them cash. Make them think, ‘Why didn’t he just give me the money instead?’”

“It’s like giving them false hope. By making them believe that if they work harder, they might actually get that money.”

“Ah, my clever child. You catch on quickly.”

It’s not about being clever. It’s because I’ve been through it, felt it deeply, that I understand.

I once spent hundreds of thousands on a single night out, swiping the corporate card. As a reward for handling a delicate situation, I was given a night with a racing model from a motor show. I later found out her fee was over five hundred.

That reward came the day after my wife nagged me about being two hundred short for my mother-in-law’s hospital bill.

The cost of drinks, the fee… How many times did I wish all that money was mine?

“Do-jun.”

My grandfather’s gentle call pulled me out of my memories.

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“Make sure no one knows until you have A-Jin Motors in your hands. Stay hidden, let only Oh Se-hyun be visible.”

“That’s the plan. And you, Grandfather…?”

“Of course. Even Director Lee Hak-jae won’t know.”

As we shared a satisfied smile, my grandfather called me again, his voice even softer.

“Do-jun.”

“Yes?”

“How much do you have in total? After acquiring A-Jin Motors, how much will you have left?”

His face was full of curiosity. I shook my head with a smile.

“You shouldn’t peek into someone else’s wallet. But if you need cash, just let me know. I’ll lend it to you.”

Grandfather stood up abruptly, came over, and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

“Well done, my boy. You’ve really grown up.”