[057] Win-Win 4.
“Wait, are you saying Chairman Jin gave that money to the kid?”
It was common knowledge that Chairman Jin would gradually gift stocks or cash to his grandchildren once they reached adulthood. Some criticized him for manipulating even family ties with money, while others praised him for his wisdom in stopping the gifts if the recipient showed no potential.
So when it was revealed that Chairman Jin had already gifted over tens of billions, everyone was taken aback.
“Yes, it was a gift, but not a typical one. Ten years ago, he gave Jin Do-jun a ranch. Coincidentally, that ranch is now located in the bustling new city of Bundang.”
“Ah…”
“It was sheer luck. Land worth a few million won skyrocketed to billions.”
In a way, it was a relief. For someone like Chairman Jin, a gift of a few million won to a grandson wasn’t exactly a sign of special affection.
“The money was entrusted to Miracle Investment. The head of this investment firm, Oh Se-hyun, was a study mate of Jin Do-jun’s father.”
“Is there anything else? From what you’ve reported, he just seems like a lucky kid.”
“What’s unusual is that he’s the only grandchild who frequents the study. He even spent his vacations at Chairman Jin’s house. It indicates a special affection.”
“Special affection, huh…”
“Yes. I see two reasons for this. First, Chairman Jin might feel guilty for having neglected his son, Jin Yoon-ki, for so long, and that affection has shifted to his grandson, Jin Do-jun. Second, he might see him as a child blessed with extraordinary luck. Chairman Jin has often said in interviews that you can’t beat someone who holds financial luck in both hands.”
“Isn’t it common for a grandfather to have a soft spot for the youngest?”
As Chairman Hong tried to downplay the significance, Hong So-young shook her head vigorously.
“No, Grandpa.”
“Why not?”
“I heard even Young-jun struggles to enter the study. It’s not just any study; it’s the control tower of Sunyang Group. The other grandchildren only meet him in the living room. But a private meeting in the study? That’s like having a private audience in the chairman’s office of Sunyang Group.”
“That’s right. Even Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki can’t have a private meeting. It’s known that he always has Secretary Lee Hak-jae with him. So far, the only person known to have private access to Chairman Jin is Secretary Lee.”
No one spoke.
At the very least, it was undeniable that Chairman Jin had a special affection for Jin Do-jun.
The first to break the silence was Hong So-young’s father, President Hong.
“What about that Jin Do-jun kid? Is he into women or nightlife? At his age, it’s easy to get carried away…”
He just hasn’t had the chance to cause trouble yet. Now that he’s an adult, if he indulges in the typical vices of young heirs—booze and women—Chairman Jin’s affection might wane.
“He’s still the model student. Honestly, it’s unlikely he’ll get into nightlife. He doesn’t have friends who would lead him astray. At the private school where the third-generation heirs naturally meet, Jin Do-jun has no friends because he only studies.”
“It seems unlikely he’ll get carried away.”
Chairman Hong, who had been silent, stood up with some difficulty.
“Frequenting an investment firm in Yeouido means he knows the thrill of making money. There’s nothing more exciting than that. He might enjoy it moderately, but he won’t get completely absorbed.”
Chairman Hong glanced around the meeting room as he moved.
“He’s unique, but don’t get too distracted. Considering Chairman Jin’s age, he doesn’t have the luxury to think about his grandchildren. Keep an eye on his second son, Jin Dong-ki, and his daughter, Jin Seo-yoon. They’re wolves. When the tiger dies, they’ll show their fangs.”
Chairman Hong addressed the man who had just briefed them.
“Just in case, keep an eye on that kid, Jin Do-jun. He might be using Chairman Jin’s insider information to play the stock market.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“And So-young.”
“Yes, Grandpa.”
“Subtly check with your future husband about what position that Jin Do-jun holds in the family.”
“Got it.”
As Hong So-young nodded, Chairman Hong addressed everyone.
“Opportunities like this don’t come twice. Stay vigilant until everything of Chairman Jin’s falls into Jin Young-jun’s hands.”
We drove past Jayu-ro to the Unification Observatory. In the observatory’s lounge, I sipped coffee while keeping an eye on the tailing vehicle with Deputy Kim Yoon-seok.
“How is it? Are they following us?”
“Yes. As expected, they haven’t gotten out of the car.”
“Are you sure it’s surveillance?”
“It’s the same vehicle I saw at the chairman’s house. I’m sure.”
If someone is monitoring the house, it’s most likely my uncle. Is he starting to make his move to seize control of the group?
“Are my uncle’s people, like Young-jun or Kyung-jun, also being followed?”
“I don’t know about that. Should I check?”
“Yes, please do.”
If they’re playing this game, I need to prepare too. It’s time to consider something I hadn’t before—finding someone to handle the dirty work.
Could Kim Yoon-seok be that person?
Noticing my sidelong glances, Deputy Kim cautiously spoke up.
“Um, sir.”
“Sir? What are you calling me that for…?”
“Then what should I call you…?”
Damn, there’s no suitable title. Calling me Do-jun seems too informal, and calling me Do-jun-ah implies dropping honorifics.
I should avoid informal speech. Language is the most definitive way to establish hierarchy.
“You’re right. Let’s stick with ‘sir’ for now.”
“Yes, sir. If you need anything, just let me know. All I do is go to Yeouido, and I’m worried I might get fired at this rate.”
There’s no way he’d get fired, but I understand his anxiety. Other strategy team members are on call 24/7, handling all sorts of tasks, even running errands for cigarettes.
Compared to them, Kim Yoon-seok has a cushy position. He only works an hour a day.
“Unless I tell them to fire you, that won’t happen. Excuse me for a moment. I need to use the restroom.”
After a quick stop at the restroom, I withdrew some cash from the ATM at the lounge entrance. Would ten million won be enough?
When I placed the envelope on the table, Deputy Kim’s eyes widened.
“Th-this is…”
“Use it when you need it. Let’s go.”
“S-sir!”
Leaving the flustered Deputy Kim behind, I exited the lounge. He hurriedly followed, clutching the envelope.
He had started the car but hadn’t driven off yet.
“Sir, you need to tell me what to do with this money.”
I’m not sure if this is the right move, but I need capable hands. Instead of finding new ones, I should nurture the ones I have.
“Deputy Kim.”
“Yes.”
“There are plenty of people who just follow orders. People with good education and intelligence are lining up to join Sunyang.”
I didn’t miss the slight twitch in his hand on the steering wheel.
“We’re the ones choosing, and they’re the ones scrambling to be chosen.”
“Are you saying I need to outperform those smart, well-educated people?”
I might end up saying something nonsensical if I keep beating around the bush. I should be direct.
“Since joining Sunyang, have you ever made a decision on your own?”
”…”
“Become someone who makes their own choices, Deputy Kim. The first step is choosing what to do. Start by choosing your tasks and then the people you need for those tasks. The money I gave you is a tool to win over the right people.”
Deputy Kim remained silent.
“Oh, and you don’t need to keep receipts.”
He glanced at me through the rearview mirror and then pressed the accelerator. Since he didn’t ask any questions, it seemed he understood.
As expected, when the grace period ended, Ajin Group entered court receivership.
Chairman Song Hyun-chang, clinging to his last hope of not losing the company, even filed for a workout, but he couldn’t reverse the tide.
“We must save Ajin Specialty Steel.”
“What are you talking about? It’s the division with the biggest losses. How can we save it?”
“Ajin Specialty Steel was established for the development of an independent automotive platform and engine. Domestic steel companies ignore it due to low demand. If we dismantle it, we’ll still have to rely on imports.”
Despite restructuring 14 subsidiaries and the entire Ajin Group union declaring a no-strike and wage freeze, the creditors continued their ruthless cuts.
“Look, Chairman Song. We need to put out the immediate fire first. The future of the Korean automotive industry? Leave that to Daehyun Motors. Separating and selling debt-ridden Ajin Specialty Steel is a key self-rescue measure to save Ajin Motors!”
Chairman Song Hyun-chang painfully realized that court receivership meant losing management rights and could only hope for Miracle’s acquisition.
“Chairman Song, before the full-scale acquisition battle begins, you need to establish a clear image. You’re an automotive expert. It’s just that you made some reckless moves to counter other conglomerates, which led to this mess. If you focus solely on automobiles, there won’t be any issues. We’ll change the media narrative with this.”
Oh Se-hyun meticulously outlined the path Chairman Song should take in the remaining time.
“Before that, Mr. Oh, what about taking care of our people who have already been ousted? I understand the slush fund has already been transferred to Miracle Investment.”
Oh Se-hyun found it both pitiful and somewhat understandable. He knew the heart of a leader who wanted to care for the comrades who had stood by him until now.
But the priorities were wrong.
“Chairman Song, we’re in the middle of a war. Dividing the spoils is something to consider after victory.”
“They’re already out of the war. They’re like wounded soldiers sent to the rear.”
“Wounded soldiers with missing limbs should show their scars to fuel more animosity against the enemy. Tell them to show results if they want a share of the spoils.”
Chairman Song couldn’t hide his bewilderment.
“Mr. Oh, are you saying that if we lose the acquisition battle, you won’t return the slush fund? Did I misunderstand?”
“No, you understood perfectly. If Miracle fails to acquire Ajin Motors, consider the 270 billion won as the cost of war.”
Oh Se-hyun’s firm conclusion left Song Hyun-chang speechless.
In this urgent situation, he momentarily forgot that there wasn’t a single person in the world he could truly trust. The money, incomparable to the profits he had gained as CEO of Ajin Motors for the past five years, was now on the verge of disappearing.
“Listen, Mr. Oh—”
Oh Se-hyun raised a hand to silence him.
“Do you want a financial feast? Then do everything in your power to ensure that Miracle becomes the majority shareholder of Ajin Motors. And just to ease your mind… the money laundering is flawless. Make sure those old men who might get ousted don’t entertain any funny ideas.”
With a final warning, Oh Se-hyun stood up.
“You have, at most, two months. The creditors are using every trick in the book to hand things over to Daehyun as soon as possible. Even if it means dipping into your personal assets, hurry up and establish yourself as an automotive expert.”