The Chairman Who Wants to Play and Eat

Episode 2. Can’t Beat a Lucky Guy.

South Korea was turned upside down.

To exaggerate a bit.

Even the media outlets that usually don’t mess with third-generation chaebols couldn’t resist this time and rolled up their sleeves.

[ Hyun Sang-yoon, third-generation of Seonghyun Group, admitted to Korea University Law School. ]

[ The real reason why the chaebol’s son could go to Korea University Law School. ······ Was he a beneficiary of the shortage crisis, or a winner of strategic admission? ]

From major newspapers to weekend papers,

Everyone plastered my name in big letters.

I’m going crazy.

“What the hell is going on?”

In fact, whether it was luck or strategy, it doesn’t make much difference to me.

Why?

Because it’s irreversible.

Even if I wanted to, even if I decided to give up my admission now, it wouldn’t matter.

I’ve already received the acceptance letter from Korea University Law School.

I stood out conspicuously.

Not just a little, but to the extent that I achieved overwhelming results that stood out among all the third-generation chaebols in South Korea who had already completed their college entrance exams, and even among those who would take the exams in the future.

My plan failed completely.

It was a total disaster.

By producing results that were neither outstanding nor mediocre, my life plan to live quietly and comfortably from now on was completely derailed from the very beginning.

And then,

“Oh my, our grandson!”

After dodging the reporters who were crowded from the school gate to our house in Hannam-dong, I came home to find the person I really wanted to avoid sitting in the living room.

Chairman Hyun Byung-gun, my grandfather.

No wonder the atmosphere with the men in black suits from the entrance felt strange.

“Chairman, you’re here?”

“You rascal. At home, you should call me grandfather.”

“Yes, grandfather.”

“Yes, yes. Such a commendable boy. Come and sit here quickly.”

I knelt and sat demurely in front of my grandfather, Chairman Hyun, who had been smiling broadly since earlier.

Today, I learned for the first time that the eyes of Chairman Hyun, who was always strict, could soften and curve like the eyes of a Hahoe mask.

“Father, here.”

My mother approached and placed a cool bowl of sujeonggwa next to him.

“Yes. You all sit down too.”

Even my father, who should have been at the company, sat down in front of Chairman Hyun.

“I won’t ask for all the details of what happened. How could you know all the family affairs? But I must say this. Duk-jae, you.”

“Yes, father.”

My father, Vice Chairman Hyun Duk-jae’s expression instantly turned tense.

“Well done.”

“······Thank you.”

“Daughter-in-law, you also worked hard taking care of your child.”

“Thank you, father.”

At the same time, the spacious living room was filled with Chairman Hyun’s hearty laughter.

“Hahaha. Do you know how proud I am? Everyone was so proud of sending their kids to Korea University that I almost died of annoyance. If it weren’t for Sang-yoon, I would have died without seeing this joy.”

“Don’t say such harsh things, father.”

“It’s just a saying. Just a saying.”

“Since our Sang-yoon got into Korea University’s law school, you should live long and see him become a chief prosecutor, even the prosecutor general.”

“Prosecutor general?”

‘What, prosecutor general?’

I don’t even dream about it, so why are they deciding my career path on their own?

I couldn’t say anything and just grumbled inwardly,

“Why does Sang-yoon have to do that?”

Grandfather, for some reason, took my side.

“…If he becomes a judge, he should at least get that much support. For our Seong-hyun’s sake too.”

“Judge, my foot. Don’t even think about it in your dreams.”

Oh, my grandfather. You’re doing great.

“Later, when my Seong-hyun has to firmly establish the foundation of our family’s three generations, how can he do something like a lawyer? I won’t say anything since it’s within the family, but be careful what you say outside.”

What?

What am I supposed to establish?

My ears and nose are blocked.

I felt betrayed.

But Chairman Hyun looked genuinely angry.

“Thank you for thinking so highly of our Sang-yoon, Father. Hoho.”

My quick-witted mother intervened at the right time to ease the awkward atmosphere.

“Yes, you must still be bewildered.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Anyway, it’s a good day, so I won’t say much. Deok-jae, are you going to the company?”

“I’ll go in with Father.”

With that, Chairman Hyun stood up. He looked back at me.

“Sang-yoon.”

I quietly responded, “Yes.”

“Be careful until you start school. Watch out for reporters like hyenas. They might catch you with something unnecessary.”

“Yes.”

“If you need anything, tell this grandfather right away. Do you want some pocket money?”

I shook my head.

“I’m fine.”

“Hehe, you little rascal. The more I see you, the more adorable you become.”

His eyes were so clouded with affection that he wouldn’t be offended no matter what I said.

Grandfather, please!

What I really need is for you to turn off that burdensome attention.

Of course, I didn’t have the courage to say that.

One wrong word and even the insignificant position I have now would disappear like dust.

The absolute ruler of Seonghyeon, Chairman Hyun Byung-geon, was more than capable of doing that.

“Sang-yoon, you.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Keep your evening free. We have to go to the main house later.”

Father also said a word.

*

“Ride with me in my car.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

It wasn’t a common occurrence.

Vice Chairman Hyun Deok-jae got into Chairman Hyun Byung-geon’s Rolls-Royce. The car started quietly, like a bar of soap slipping away.

Inside the car, completely isolated from the outside,

“What do you think?”

Chairman Hyun’s voice resonated softly.

“Yes, about what…”

“About your youngest son. My grandson, Sang-yoon.”

“He’s still young. He’s just turned twenty, Chairman.”

“Really? Is that what you think?”

It was clearly the wrong answer.

Even though they were father and son, Vice Chairman Hyun Deok-jae’s back was always covered in cold sweat at times like this.

“There’s a ridiculous rumor going around that Sang-yoon’s acceptance into law school was due to our Seonghyeon’s influence because he didn’t meet the requirements.”

“Really?”

But Chairman Hyun seemed rather pleased.

“What does it matter?”

“But the group’s image…”

“If the image was going to crumble over something like this, it wouldn’t have made it this far in the first place. It should have crumbled long ago.”

“Chairman.”

“I actually like it more.”

Chairman Hyun said something unexpected.

“If my grandson was just another bookworm aiming for a perfect score on the college entrance exam, this acceptance wouldn’t have been so delightful. Do you understand what I mean?”

There was no answer for a while.

“Dukjae.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Why do you think I run a business?”

“Sorry?”

Sweat broke out on Vice Chairman Hyun’s back again.

“To realize customer value? To create jobs? To contribute to society?”

“….”

“No. We run a business to make money. The way to make a profit is to buy goods cheaply and sell them at a high price.”

Why suddenly? A question mark flickered in Vice Chairman Hyun’s eyes.

“He’s already practicing that.”

“What do you mean…”

“He took the exam with minimal effort. He strategically obtained the minimum score needed to get accepted into Korea University’s law school. This is the way of business. Even without anyone teaching him, he realized it.”

“….”

“Some might call it luck.”

“That’s right.”

“If it really is luck, I could hand over Seonghyun to him right now.”

“Father!”

“If it’s that kind of luck, it’s enough to lead Seonghyun. You know it. No matter how many smart and capable people you gather, they can’t beat a lucky one.”

Vice Chairman Hyun did not answer.

It was clearly a probing remark, so there was no need to respond.

“Of course, I’m still healthy, so there’s no need to hand it over right away. Hahaha.”

A sigh of relief enveloped Vice Chairman Hyun.

After a while,

“We have arrived, Chairman. Vice Chairman.”

As the secretary’s office staff opened the door, Chairman Hyun gave his final instructions to his son, Vice Chairman Hyun.

“Hey. Vice Chairman.”

The title had changed to Vice Chairman.

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Assign someone to him. Someone flexible and sharp.”

“But Chairman, Sang-yoon is still too…”

Chairman Hyun interrupted.

“Do as I say. If he has any sense, he’ll find something he can do.”

*

He had dozed off for a moment and woke up with a start. It was a nightmare.

‘Didn’t I just become the successor?’

It was a dream.

It had to be a dream.

Reality was harsher, though.

Unintentionally, he had earned too much favor from Chairman Hyun with this incident.

It might have been a joke made in a good mood, but even talks about being the pillar of the family had come up.

Given his grandfather’s personality, it wasn’t something to be dismissed as a joke.

He was a man of his word.

He had to think.

He had to find another way.

‘A way to lose the points I’ve earned.’

It wasn’t easy.

The second principle was, ‘Don’t show any signs of potential.’

If he intended to give up entirely, it would be easy. Just play around recklessly like other chaebol brats.

But if he showed any signs of potential, everything would be over.

Even the comfortable life of a young master would be gone.

That wasn’t what he wanted.

Ring, ring, ring.

The phone rang again.

The calls I’ve received several times since earlier were from the editors of women’s magazines to TV station writers, so my voice naturally stiffened when answering the phone.

“Who is this?”

“Yes, this is Chief Secretary Joo Yong-hoon. Master Sang-yoon.”

This time, it’s a proper call.

Chief Joo,

He is a key figure who assists Chairman Hyun closely. He is also the only employee whom Vice Chairman Hyun calls “brother” in private.

Normally, he has no reason to call me directly.

Why is such a person calling me all of a sudden?

“Have you been well, Chief? But what brings you to call me?”

“There is something the Chairman has instructed, so I wanted to inform you first. So you won’t be surprised suddenly.”

What could it be?

This ominous feeling.

“Please go ahead.”

And it didn’t take a second for that ominous feeling to be confirmed.

“The Chairman has instructed to assign a secretary office staff exclusively for you. If it’s alright, I will proceed with the personnel arrangement right away.”

Oh my.

Grandfather, I’m still a college student.

What does it mean to assign a Seonghyun secretary office staff to me?

I shouted inwardly.

But I didn’t say it out loud.

At this moment, I have to assume that everything I say will reach my grandfather.

Chief Joo is a person who is absolutely loyal only to my grandfather.

There’s no need to create unnecessary misunderstandings.

“Yes, I understand.”

I barely managed to make a calm reply.

“You have a dinner schedule at the main house today, so we will arrange for you to meet the staff at your residence. Is that alright?”

“Of course, thank you.”

“Oh, and.”

What, there’s more to say?

“The Chairman said he would send you a gift to congratulate your admission.”

What? A gift?

“And he says that you should decide on the gift yourself, sir. If you tell me, I will report it directly to the chairman. If it’s difficult to decide right now, you can tell the staff who will be sent to you later at your convenience.”