The Chairman Who Wants to Play and Eat

Episode 8. He asked to keep it a secret.

“Easy, you say? Question number 10?”

Manager So stuttered.

“Yes.”

“That can’t be. Have you perhaps been studying consistently all this time?”

“No. Absolutely not.”

“Then when did you start studying…”

His voice trailed off as he spoke, as if he realized he was being too harsh.

“I’m, I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay.”

There are things I haven’t said either.

It’s not like I only read this one book on basic semiconductor theory. I also thoroughly read other elective subjects like circuit theory and device engineering.

Additionally, I already had enough background knowledge in math and physics from my entrance exams to support me.

“I’ve been studying for about a week. Why? Is something wrong?”

Anyway, it’s not a lie.

There’s no reason to deceive.

“That’s impossible…”

Finally, Chief So’s mouth dropped open.

“Have you really only been studying for a week?”

“That’s impossible. It’s amazing.”

Other employees chimed in as well. Even though they didn’t say it outright, it felt like they were treating me like a genius.

I don’t understand.

Why?

There’s theory and there are problems. There are solutions too.

If you read everything in the book and learn it all, isn’t that enough? Everyone studies like that.

Why are they making such a fuss over something so trivial? That’s what I thought.

Oops,

No.

I shouldn’t think like this.

‘What if the word that I’m a genius reaches the chairman’s office?’

I did something unnecessary.

I need to stop it.

Not all geniuses become successors.

But there’s a chance I might score points. Anyway, I need to minimize that possibility as much as possible.

Come to think of it,

“That’s impressive! No wonder you mentioned the club!”

There he was. President Im Doo-won. I had almost forgotten about him.

“You’re still here.”

He seemed oblivious.

“At first, I was a bit uneasy too. I was afraid the chairman would scold me for leading a law student astray. But it was an unnecessary worry. I apologize.”

I glared at him.

“There’s nothing to apologize for, and don’t say such things.”

“I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

He asked.

“But why semiconductors? Aren’t there plenty of other profitable fields?”

I just guessed.

That was my answer.

“There’s a saying, ‘light, thin, short, and small.'”

But I gave another prepared excuse.

“Oh, what does that mean?”

Though he said that, he didn’t seem unaware.

“It refers to ultra-small, ultra-precise technology-based ultra-high-density integrated circuits, which is the direction of advanced countries’ businesses. Until now, Korea has grown based on heavy industry. Our major companies like Seonghyeon, Jeongsang, and Daeun have followed that trend diligently. But it can’t always be that way.”

President Im asked.

“Then what should we do?”

“Sooner or later, we must catch up with and surpass the United States and Japan.”

“So you’re saying that the path lies within semiconductors. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Before we knew it, our surroundings had become quiet.

Everyone was listening attentively.

“Thank you for your words. They are very reasonable, but unfortunately, not very realistic. As you know, semiconductors are not an easy path.”

President Im scratched his head and continued.

“The technology gap with advanced countries is a whopping 20 years.”

“That’s true.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Director Im’s rebuttal is reasonable. Anyway, it was just an excuse for me too.

This should be enough. I didn’t want things to get any bigger.

“But, I can definitely see the young master’s spirit. And his consideration for Seonghyun Electronics. Accepting Deputy Lee Beom-seok’s request seems to be the best decision I’ve made in my life, haha.”

Director Im burst into hearty laughter.

“So, about that…”

“Yes, young master. Please go ahead.”

“In that sense, I ask you to keep today’s events a secret from the chairman.”

It was something that had to be said.

“Of course.”

Director Im readily agreed.

“I’m known for being tight-lipped in Seonghyun, so you don’t have to worry at all. I’ll take it to my grave.”

*

An hour later, in the chairman’s office,

“…The young master specifically asked me to keep it a secret.”

“Did he now, hahaha.”

It was a meeting with Seonghyun Electronics’ president, Im Doo-won, who had rushed over, claiming it was an urgent report.

Even Chairman Hyun Byung-gun, who dislikes private meetings without important matters, had a satisfied smile on his face.

After he left,

“Hahahaha!”

The chairman’s trademark hearty laughter echoed through the office.

“Chief Joo.”

“Yes.”

“Isn’t our Sang-yoon amazing? He’s not just a bookworm buried in school studies, but he’s also studying various things for the company.”

And doing it very well,

Chief Joo nodded in agreement.

“Moreover, he solved problems that even specialists find difficult, and yet he got the easy ones wrong. What do you think that means?”

“It could be a simple coincidence.”

“If it were someone else, you might think so. But not him.”

Chairman Hyun was certain.

“He’s not someone who relies on coincidences. That’s his skill. He might fool others, but he can’t fool my eyes.”

He confidently added.

“Is there any reason to do so?”

“Who knows. One thing is certain. That guy is hiding something from me.”

“I don’t know for sure, but I think the chairman is right.”

“Just wait and see. It will be exactly as I said.”

However, there was a question that neither of them could bring themselves to ask.

‘Why semiconductors, of all things?’

This was the question.

But,

Neither of them could easily bring it up.

Chief Joo couldn’t because he was a subordinate,

And Chairman Hyun couldn’t because it was a matter of pride.

In fact, electronics were not a major business sector for Seonghyun. Its sales proportion was not significant.

That was the reality.

To summarize the conglomerate Seonghyun:

First, Seonghyun Trading.

A general trading company dealing with steel, construction materials, and textiles, mainly engaged in export trade. It can be said to be the flagship of Seonghyun.

Next, Seonghyun Petrochemicals, handling two main products: naphtha and synthetic resins, as well as fertilizers.

Lastly, the cash cow, Seonghyun Department Store,

These three companies made Seonghyun what it is today.

Electronics were not part of it.

It was a burden.

It was only maintained because of the sunk costs, but it was Chairman Hyun’s sore spot.

Even if they couldn’t beat Jeongsang or Geosan, being overtaken by a newcomer like Hou was too much.

They didn’t incur losses.

But failure, no matter how it’s packaged, is still failure.

For someone who couldn’t tolerate even small failures, it was an unbearable blow to his pride.

Given these circumstances, it had been a long time since he had smiled in front of President Lim, who was in charge of electronics.

It was all thanks to his grandson.

‘What a commendable fellow.’

Chairman Hyun muttered to himself. He finally made up his mind.

“At the monthly meeting.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Shall we let Sang-yoon say a few words?”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course, I am. Who knows? He might come up with a brilliant idea that will wake up the board members.”

It was a surprising statement.

For Chairman Hyun, who valued qualifications, it was an extremely unconventional move.

“He’s not an employee, is he?”

“Chief Joo.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Do you think I said that without knowing?”

Chief Joo gently shook his head.

“That’s not what I meant, Chairman. I’m just saying that the employees might see it as favoritism.”

“That can’t be.”

Chairman Hyun said.

“Have I ever given anyone meaningless favoritism while running the group? Whether it’s my children or grandchildren.”

Chief Joo, with nothing left to say, closed his mouth.

Chairman Hyun’s words were true.

Although his three children were in charge of three of Seonghyun’s core companies, they had never avoided verification.

In fact, Chairman Hyun’s personnel principle was to check their abilities more frequently and more strictly than when an outsider was in charge.

He was a strict person.

Even more so with his children.

No wonder there were rumors calling Chairman Hyun ‘a man whose arm bends outward’ and ‘a man with no blood or tears for his children.’

Chief Joo wasn’t saying this without knowing that.

However,

“I’m already looking forward to it. What this guy will say to create a new atmosphere in that meeting. Ha ha ha!”

Whether he knew Chief Joo’s concerns or not, Chairman Hyun’s hearty laughter once again echoed through the chairman’s office.

Rumors spread.

‘You know the vice president’s youngest son? They say he’s a genius.’

‘He must be a genius to have gone to Korea University’s law school.’

‘That’s not all. They say he memorized and recited a semiconductor basic theory textbook in one sitting.’

‘No way. Is he even human? He’s a god.’

The wild rumors were deifying me.

This was the news I received through Manager Lee.

It was maddening.

Where did it even come from?

“It wasn’t me!”

“Me neither. I’m not that loose-lipped.”

When I asked the club staff I met during class, they all adamantly denied it was their doing.

There was nothing I could do.

I had no choice but to believe them.

Now, I strongly suspected President Im Doo-won of Seonghyeon Electronics.

‘He once said he’d take it to the grave.’

I didn’t ask.

President Im was older, so it felt inappropriate to press him, and besides, questioning him wouldn’t bring back spilled water.

Meanwhile,

‘The day has come.’

Tomorrow is the day of the monthly president’s meeting chaired by the chairman.

“Sang-yoon.”

That evening,

As I returned home after class, my father’s voice, Vice President Hyun Deok-jae, caught me. It was a subtle voice.

“Shall we talk? Come to the study.”

“Yes.”

I entered the study.

“Sit down.”

He looked troubled.

“There are rumors circulating within the group. They say you’ve been attending the second headquarters in Gangnam, organizing a study club, and commuting daily.”

The rumor has already reached my father.

I was prepared. I gave the prepared answer.

“I want to study. I asked President Im Doo-won for a favor.”

“Is that the reason?”

“Yes.”

“Is that the reason why you, a law student, studied semiconductors? Even being called a genius?”

It wasn’t an interrogative tone.

On the contrary, it was a sorrowful look as if he had expected this.

“People like to gossip. Especially subordinates.”

My father continued as if he had made up his mind.

“Yes, I know.”

“The more you meet and interact with company people, the more eyes will be on you, and the more gossip will spread. Being called a genius is the same. At first, they treat you like the tongue in their mouth, but when a problem arises, they will bite you without hesitation. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Yes.

These were all things I had been thinking about.

‘There will be gossip within the company. Father is right.’

There is one thing my father doesn’t know.

That’s exactly why I’m doing it.

Since I’ve already been called a genius, the more gossip there is, the better.

There will be more slander about me.

And, having many flaws means that I am not that close to the successor position.

“Tomorrow’s matter is the same.”

“You mean the monthly meeting?”

“Yes.”

At this point, my father hesitated, which was unlike him.

“…You know that your brothers have never been to that meeting, right?”

I understand.

What he is worried about.

‘He must be worried that if I stand out in that meeting, my relationship with my brothers might deteriorate.’

To my father, we are all the same sons.

I understand.

The hope that I wouldn’t get hurt in the fight with my brothers.

If I were really the kind of son who aimed to surpass my brothers and seize the throne, my father’s worries would have been meaningful.

But no.

It’s an unnecessary worry.

It’s too early a worry, and more than anything, I have no intention of doing so.

“Please don’t worry, Father.”

I said.

“I know well what you’re worried about. I will never disappoint you.”

After the son left,

‘… I will never disappoint you.’

Vice Chairman Hyun Deok-jae couldn’t leave his seat until late at night.

The last words his son left behind kept ringing in his ears. It felt like he was seeing the true nature of his youngest son, whom he had always thought of as cute.

He was on a different level from the first son, Do-yoon, and the second son, Jong-yoon.

‘Those guys.’

They should be nervous,

he was thinking.

He knew all too well from his experience that a younger brother is not always just a cute younger brother.

Also, just as muscles grow faster when they are injured, the earlier the injury, the better.

It was an easy fight for him because he was born as the eldest son.

The younger brothers accepted it.

Although the seeds of discontent remained.

But this issue is a bit different.

‘Because he’s the youngest.’

If he showed promise and was nurtured, the other two sons would be affected.

They wouldn’t just sit back and watch their father’s favoritism. Especially if it was related to the succession structure.

It’s a complicated issue.

And his thoughts were…

“Honey, are you still awake?”

At that moment, his wife Ra Young-hye’s voice rang out.

“What were you doing up until this hour? Go to bed right away.”

“I’ll wait.”

“It’s okay if you sleep first.”

The door closed.

I felt conflicted.

But there was no other choice.

Just as the first and second children are my children, the youngest is also my child.

‘Not immediately, but someday the moment to decide may come.’

I smiled.

Pretending to be calm and composed.

As a father, I couldn’t show a weak side, even if I couldn’t cheer for the youngest’s lonely and tough fight.