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“The negotiations are already over. Today’s exchange rate is 1,342 won. You offered 1,600 won. Surely, you don’t have any ulterior motives?”
“It could go over 2,000. By the time your billion dollars are in my hands, you’ll be at a huge loss.”
“Do you really think the exchange rate will hit 2,000?”
I should check the predictions from the Sunyang Economic Research Institute. Are the rumors true that all the smart minds are gathered there?
“There’s over a 90% chance it’ll reach 2,200. That’s what the researchers predict. They’re not always right, but sometimes they hit the mark.”
Grandfather glanced at me, gauging my reaction.
“Why? Do you think it’s a waste if it goes up to 2,000?”
“I’ve mentioned it before, haven’t I? That it could go over 2,000. But I don’t feel it’s a waste at all. I’m your grandson, after all. I’m not petty enough to think you’re taking advantage of me.”
“I know you’re not petty. But you’re not one to take a loss either. So, what’s the catch? What’s your additional condition?”
Trying to play coy with someone perceptive only raises unnecessary suspicion. Better to get it out in the open.
“I have two requests.”
“Of course. Go on, then. Let’s see if it’s enough to make up for your loss or if you’ll gain even more.”
With curiosity piqued, Grandfather watched as I unfolded a map I had prepared.
“This is a map of Seoul, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Please take a look at the places marked with red circles.”
After examining the dozen or so locations, Grandfather looked up.
“What are these?”
“They’re public lands owned by the city of Seoul.”
“Public lands?”
“Yes. I’d like to purchase them at a low price.”
“Hmm… Are you asking me to pressure the mayor of Seoul?”
“No, the current mayor only has six months left in office. We should ask, or rather demand, it from the next mayor.”
The word “demand” made Grandfather’s eyes flash.
“Are you thinking of your uncle?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
He pushed the map away, as if there was nothing more to discuss.
“I’ll fund my uncle’s campaign. Once he’s the mayor, he can sell the public lands, and you just need to pressure the local congressman to approve the sale. We might not even need to pressure the congressman.”
Ignoring Grandfather’s firm refusal, I continued.
“Didn’t I say no?”
“The justification is sound. In the midst of a national economic crisis, if Seoul sells off non-essential lands to raise funds, there won’t be any public opposition.”
“Oh, you cheeky brat!”
“Could you tell me why you’re against it?”
“He’s not a Jin, he’s a Choi. Isn’t that reason enough?”
As expected, bloodlines mean a man’s blood. A daughter’s blood is outside the family’s domain.
I pretended not to understand and said something off-topic.
“The mayor of Seoul doesn’t have much influence over Sunyang Group.”
“Choi’s political ambitions come from his wife’s head. He’s just her puppet.”
Aunt Choi Seo-yoon is trying to cover her handicap as a daughter with political power.
There are very few politicians in Korea who can stand up to Chairman Jin.
Even without a microscope or magnifying glass, you can see all of Sunyang Group’s illegal and unethical practices. But everyone turns a blind eye. If someone brings it up, it quickly gets buried.
If a powerful politician starts shouting into a megaphone, trouble will inevitably follow.
I know my aunt will use that power to demand as much of Sunyang’s shares as a son would, or even more.
“Grandfather.”
“I said enough!”
“Why not make Uncle a puppet of Sunyang Group?”
“What?”
“By the time he sits in the mayor’s chair, he’ll be covered in dirt and dust. If we hold onto that, isn’t he a puppet?”
“That dirt and dust come from Sunyang. If it blows up, Sunyang will get hurt too.”
“I’ll take on that dirt and dust. I’ll keep a tight grip on Uncle, so you don’t have to worry.”
“You cheeky rascal. I’m the one funding it, but you want to take the credit? You little…!”
Grandfather snorted in disbelief.
“No, I’ll fund it myself. And you can use him when you need to.”
“What? You’ll fund it yourself? Then just go ahead. You don’t need my permission, do you?”
“With just one call to the ruling party leader, he won’t even get the nomination, right?”
Grandfather silently stared into my eyes.
“Just twice, for eight years, let him act as the owner of Seoul City Hall. Isn’t that enough time to get what we need?”
I could almost hear the gears turning in his head. Finally, Grandfather spoke.
“And the second request?”
“Are you agreeing?”
“Not yet. Tell me the second one.”
“Please stop government funds from flowing into Dae-A Construction.”
“What? Dae-A Construction?”
Grandfather’s eyes widened at the unexpected name.
“I don’t plan to turn the public lands into parking lots. I need to build something on them. For that, I need a construction company, don’t I?”
“A small one? Dae-A is ranked fifth in construction. Do you think it’s a small shop?”
“Grandfather, I own Ajin Group and Sunyang Motors. Compared to that, Dae-A is a small shop.”
Suddenly, a smile spread across Grandfather’s face. Is that approval?
“You really mean it.”
“Sorry?”
“You said you’d build a company yourself. Instead of whining for Sunyang Construction, you’re thinking of acquiring Dae-A…”
“Would you have given it to me if I whined?”
I joked, and Grandfather’s expression turned peculiar again.
“Maybe I would have… or maybe not… but it’s irrelevant now. You said you’d acquire Dae-A.”
No, don’t be fooled. He’s just trying to provoke me.
I repeated it to myself several times, but the thought of “what if” made me feel a bit resentful.
“Dae-A Construction, huh…”
“Yes. No company can escape this foreign exchange crisis. Dae-A Construction must be desperate for dollars. If we cut off government funds, it’ll go bankrupt. Then I’ll pick it up.”
“Dae-A is a good company. A few blood transfusions, and it’ll be fine.”
“Exactly. CEO Oh Se-hyun and his team spent days selecting it.”
“So, Dae-A and your uncle’s mayoral campaign are a package deal.”
“Yes. I’ll provide the blood, and Uncle will be the fertilizer, and it’ll bloom beautifully.”
“And there’s no connection between Choi’s campaign and Sunyang, so no problem?”
“That’s right.”
Grandfather started tapping his fingers on the desk, a habit when he’s deep in thought.
I waited quietly, keeping my mouth shut.
“After you make Dae-A Construction bloom…”
“Of course, I’ll put the Sunyang name on it.”
“That’s music to my ears. You’re the only one in this family, besides me, who wants to expand Sunyang’s subsidiaries. Haha.”
This doesn’t feel right. That laugh isn’t a happy one.
“I’ll think about both. Anyway, our deal is done, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then hurry back. Even the group presidents are getting restless. We need that billion dollars to calm things down.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
I withdrew without pushing further. Just in case, I should meet with Aunt and give her a heads-up.
As soon as his grandson disappeared from the study, Chairman Jin stood up abruptly.
He paced the room, trying to calm the shock he had been holding back.
The idea of a Seoul mayor cooperating to overcome the national economic crisis by selling public lands to raise funds was a good one.
Creating that mayor with his own hands, acquiring the land, and then using a construction company to turn that land into a pile of money.
The picture was perfect.
To complete this picture, he was willing to forgo a few hundred billion won, even though the exchange rate was bound to skyrocket.
Doesn’t that mean he’s confident he can extract more than a few hundred billion?
He had to suppress the urge to agree on the spot when he heard his grandson’s explanation. He couldn’t lend his power so easily.
And once again, he felt fear.
That boy, beneath his cute and handsome face, hides the nature of the most ferocious beast.
The sweet words about putting the Sunyang name on Ajin Group and Dae-A Construction, he mustn’t be fooled.
He’s sure to take Sunyang Motors and Sunyang Construction.
A grandson who takes away is much more admirable and lovable than children who try to take what’s theirs.
But he couldn’t help feeling fear and unease.
“What? You told him?”
“Yes.”
“Do-jun! How many times have I told you it’s not going to happen? If Dad finds out, everything will be ruined. He’ll never agree. We’re doomed now.”
Aunt was in a panic, looking like she was about to faint, while Uncle had a sullen expression.
“Aunt, calm down. It’s going to be fine.”
“How can you say that?”
“Honey, calm down and listen to Do-jun. He must have a plan if he’s saying this, right?”
He’s just a puppet dancing to his wife’s tune, lacking in thought. He’s just excited about the prospect of becoming the mayor of Seoul.
“Grandfather said he’d think about it. He’s not completely against it.”
Aunt took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
“Honestly, you both know why Grandfather is against it, right?”
“Why? What did he say to you?”
“He seems uneasy about Uncle’s campaign funds coming from Sunyang. If a political scandal breaks out, it could be a big problem.”
My aunt scrutinized my every expression, as if trying to extract some hidden truth from me.
“So, like I said, just pretend you don’t know anything. We’ll find the campaign funds elsewhere.”
“Again? Didn’t he say anything else?”
“Well, I did suggest that it might be nice for him to retire from politics after serving as the mayor of Seoul.”
“What? Just end it as mayor? That’s ridiculous!”
What an idiot. Can’t even grasp the point!
“Honey! Focus on the task at hand. Let’s deal with what’s right in front of us first!”
My aunt was much more perceptive.
“Do-jun, if your father agrees to turn a blind eye, can you secure the campaign funds?”
“How much are we talking?”
I blinked innocently.
“Thirty billion for special party dues, fifty billion to spread among the party leaders… and about three hundred billion for the campaign itself. So, roughly four hundred billion?”
My uncle rattled off the numbers as if he’d been waiting for this moment.
Four hundred billion? It’s not like that’s the name of someone’s pet dog… Does he have no sense of reality?
Shouldn’t he at least have a detailed breakdown ready?
“Wow! That’s a lot.”
I widened my eyes, feigning shock, and my uncle’s face darkened.
“Why are you surprised? Don’t you have that much?”
“We’re quite short. Plus, we need to set aside money for my father’s theater.”
My aunt, who had been silent, finally spoke up.
“I can manage about 150 billion. You just need to come up with 250 billion. Can you do that?”
“Yes, I can manage that.”
Their expressions were almost embarrassingly comical, like children both surprised and delighted.
“I can’t withdraw 150 billion all at once. We need to pay the special party dues early next year, so start by preparing 30 billion.”
Is this how the minds of these out-of-touch chaebol families work?
They casually talk about tens or hundreds of billions to a mere twenty-year-old nephew. Do they really start counting money from the billions?
“I’ll get on it right away. But first, shouldn’t we draft a contract?”
“What? A contract? What kind of contract?”
They both looked at me, bewildered.
“It’s money without even a receipt. We should at least have a contract, right?”
I mirrored their bewildered expressions, meeting their gaze.