CTL 24

Even without something like a salary from the company, Ko Yoonchul would not live a life short of money. It was because the money Ko Yoonchul already had was more than enough to rot away.

“I will now admit that money ruined that child.”

So, he was saying that he would not let him gain any more wealth than what he currently possessed.

“Then, what is next after Shinhyun Textiles?”

From Yoongeon’s perspective, it was a story where he had nothing to lose. He asked without refusing.

“First, you can immediately get that eyesore Ko Yoonchul out of your sight. Second, Shinhyun Motors will fall into your hands. Third, you can avoid making an enemy out of me.”

“….”

Among the three benefits he mentioned, the most attractive one was, of course, the third. Park Dongju was a person who could confidently say he could get Ko Yoonchul out even in a situation like this. Not making an enemy of such a person meant he could eliminate one potential risk in the future.

But Park Dongju’s proposal was not just that.

“If you just spare my son’s life, I will also transfer seven percent of my shares to you. This is not a condition of the deal, but a gift given as a token of my request.”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course.”

The fact that he brought up a topic he could have mentioned after seeing Yoongeon refuse meant that some calculation was settled in his mind.

Seven percent was the bottom line where Park Dongju could narrowly avoid losing his power. Yoongeon contemplated. Even if he were to demand and secure more shares, Park Dongju was not an easy person to deal with. As he said, it was far more beneficial not to make an enemy of him.

“Oh, one more thing. The suspicion that broke out this time. The drugs.”

“Yes.”

“Go ahead and finish that. I’ll moderately block Chairman Ko from interfering.”

“…Pardon?”

When Yoongeon, surprised by the unexpected words, asked again, Park Dongju smiled, lifting only one corner of his mouth.

“I’m going to make him quit the drugs. I’m going to put him in a hospital ward.”

“For how long.”

“The doctor said it would be good to put him in for about five years.”

He looked over Yoongeon’s shoulder with cold and chillingly sunken eyes. He seemed to be thinking of his own son.

“Damn it, I love my son.”

For a person as cool-headed and intelligent as him to handle, Ko Yoonchul had already crossed the line too many times. Park Dongju shook his head and muttered. They say a child never turns out as you wish, but….

“For my son’s sake, I can endure that much. And this will be a good thing for you too, Geon.”

Finally letting out a deep sigh, Park Dongju clutched his forehead as if he were tired. It seemed he was suffering a great deal of heartache because of his grown son.

“….”

It seemed that even for a person like this, loving one’s child was something that could not be stopped at will.

Park Dongju was a cold person, but he was another mother who thought of and loved her son. A very long time ago, Yoongeon had thought that if Hae Hwayoung had been born with a different name and a different face, perhaps this person would be the closest, but after all, it seemed that was not the case. It was because he too had an innate goodness.

“But I want you to promise me. After my son comes out of the hospital, I hope you won’t push him to the brink like this.”

“….”

Yoongeon pondered. It was not about whether to accept this proposal.

“Let’s add the condition that Ko Yoonchul does not attack me and my people.”

“Fine. I understand.”

“Let’s do this.”

Yoongeon said.

“Please give the seven percent of shares to Yebin.”

“Yebin? Why is that name suddenly coming up?”

Park Dongju looked at him with a suspicious gaze, then his mouth fell open in surprise.

“You, don’t tell me… you’re going to take Yebin with you to the end?”

He looked quite shocked.

“Chairman Ko’s opposition will be formidable. That man absolutely never gives a woman a big role. That’s why I divorced him, you know.”

Anger filled his face as he spoke of his ex-husband. It was a rare reaction for him, who usually maintained a poker face.

“That damn mouth of his is always going on about women, women. What was it he said? That I should be a flower in the house? I divorced him after hearing that.”

“I know it well.”

“The world may change, but that man doesn’t. He was so stiff-necked even though he couldn’t have managed the company properly without our law firm’s help. Even after receiving my help, he ultimately didn’t change.”

There was no way Yoongeon wouldn’t know how Chairman Ko treated women, as he had always seen it.

“Even though Chairman Ko hasn’t changed, the world has. It’s changing to a structure where an individual can no longer monopolize a company. So Chairman Ko’s stubbornness won’t last long either.”

“…I don’t know if you’re audacious or reckless.”

Park Dongju let out a sigh.

“Still, you can’t beat Chairman Ko yet. It’s a toss-up even if we combine all three of our shares.”

“I’m not saying I will kick Chairman Ko out of the company, Great-Aunt.”

“Hah….”

The position Yoongeon was aiming for was not the chairmanship, but the vice-presidency. Realizing this, Park Dongju thought for a moment and then nodded his head.

“I can guess what you’re thinking, but I won’t say it.”

“Yes.”

“Anyway, I understand. If you’re willing to give up those shares, we have nothing to lose for now.”

“….”

“But keep this in mind. For people like us, sibling affection isn’t that strong. It means we don’t know how Yebin might change later on.”

His advice had a point, but it was of little use to Yoongeon. It was because there was no possibility at all that Yoongeon would be alive until Yebin changed.

“I’ll think about that when the time comes.”

“Geon, I really like that you didn’t grow up to be like that person. It’s been like that since the old days. I’ve always strangely liked you.”

“I don’t dislike you either, Great-Aunt.”

There was no reason to dislike a person who had treated him as Yoongeon, without worrying, without discriminating. The two looked at each other and drank the rest of their tea.

✧ ✧ ✧

As if he really liked the jasmine tea, Park Dongju only stood up from his seat after emptying the entire teapot. Yoongeon, who had been drinking tea with him to match his pace, went out first, got his shoes, spoke to an employee to find out the type of tea, and even placed an order.

“I’m glad you liked it, Director-nim. I was quite careful in choosing it this time.”

The owner of the restaurant, who had been waiting for them to finish their meal and come out, said with a wide smile. But for some reason, the way the man smiled looked a little familiar.

‘…What is it?’

Of course, there was no way he wouldn’t know the face he saw every time he came to eat. It was natural to be familiar. But the man’s smiling face bothered him a little more, for some reason.

“Did you enjoy your meal?”

“Yes. We ate well, thank you.”

He politely answered the restaurant owner’s question. Just then, Park Dongju, who was putting on his shoes right behind him, said with a laugh.

“Oh my, I really would have had such a hard time if it weren’t for this restaurant. It’s not easy at all finding a restaurant that suits my palate. Ah, by the way, isn’t it about time for the lunch special to change again?”

At his words, the owner nodded, saying he was right.

“Yes. We’re thinking of adding spicy braised chicken and spicy stir-fried pork this time.”

“Oh my, that sounds so delicious.”

Park Dongju’s face lit up.

“But please don’t make it too spicy. You know, right? Our Executive Director Ko doesn’t eat spicy food well.”

“I know. When the Executive Director comes, I’ll make non-spicy soy sauce braised chicken instead of the spicy braised chicken, so don’t worry.”

Park Dongju knew Yoongeon’s eating habits very well. Well, weren’t they people who had sat around a table and eaten together for a long time?

It was when the two were chatting cheerfully, ha ha, ho ho, and Park Dongju was saying his goodbyes to leave. Yoongeon, who was bidding farewell along with him, looked ahead in surprise.

“…Mr. Yoon Seohwi?”

Unless his eyes had gone strange, the person carrying food over there right now was Seohwi. What the hell is that punk doing over there right now. At the sound of someone calling him, Seohwi also stopped working and looked at him, but his face was not surprised.

“…What are you doing here?”

“Ah…”

As Yoongeon looked at him with a surprised face, Seohwi paused before finishing his serving. Yoongeon’s face hardened as he watched him say “Enjoy your meal” to the customers. Who does that punk think he’s flirting with? In reality, Seohwi had just said it casually without any soul, like a typical service industry worker, but it did not sound that way to Yoongeon. His face crumpled as if Seohwi had just whispered sweet nothings of love to the customer.

When Seohwi, having finished serving, walked toward where they were, a look of uncertainty crossed the owner’s face. Just then, Seohwi came closer and greeted Yoongeon.

“Hello, Executive Director.”

“No, it’s not ‘hello,’ it’s….”

What’s he talking about, ‘hello.’ That’s not it, I’m asking what he’s doing right now. Just as he was about to say that, the owner suddenly smacked Seohwi on the back with a loud thwack. He hit him so hard it made a brutal sound, but Seohwi just stood there calmly as if he were used to it. Instead, it was the owner who did the hitting who seemed to be in pain, shaking his hand and frowning.

“……”

“Aigo, this…!”

Yoongeon looked at the owner, wondering why he had suddenly hit him. Yoongeon’s face as he looked at the owner was quite fierce.

“You, Yoon Seohwi. The Executive Director you were talking about was Executive Director Ko Yoongeon?!”

But that did not last long either. Surprised by the words that came out of the owner’s mouth, Yoongeon looked at Seohwi and the owner.

‘Huh?’

Something is strange. Strangely, the atmosphere is too similar….

The man said, “Aigo,” then bowed his head deeply.

“Executive Director, I’m sorry for not recognizing you. This punk is my son.”

“Pardon?”

“I didn’t know because there are many Executive Directors at the company. Aigo, I’m truly sorry for not recognizing you. I didn’t even know that one thing even though I entrusted my son to you.”

“…Mr. Yoon Seohwi is your son, sir?”

“Yes. Haha, this punk is very quiet. I didn’t know because he never talks about me. He doesn’t answer anything properly even when I ask. Gosh, I only heard that he got into the competition a week before this punk started work!”

Only then did a look of realization cross Yoongeon’s face. Why the food he had brought had a familiar taste, and why he had felt a sense of déjà vu looking at the owner’s smiling face.

“I apologize. I enjoyed the side dishes you sent me before.”

“I don’t know if they suited your palate. I tried to be mindful, but I didn’t have much time. The ingredients weren’t exactly the best either….”

As soon as he learned that he was Seohwi’s father, Yoongeon’s attitude became extremely polite.

“Not at all. …I was thinking it was a taste I’d had a lot somewhere, and it seems it was because it was your cooking, sir.”

Yoongeon had been acting like he had nothing to fear in the world, but not in front of Seohwi’s father. As if forgetting he had just been glaring fiercely at him, his attitude was nothing but gentle.

“Haha… Yes. I suppose that’s right, isn’t it? I create all the recipes for our restaurant. In any case, I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ll send you some more next time.”

“Thank you.”

At Yoongeon’s polite attitude, Seohwi’s father smiled awkwardly. Because Yoongeon was generally cold even while being courteous, a faint curiosity flickered across Park Dongju’s face as he watched him.

“But… what is Mr. Yoon Seohwi doing here?”

“Ah…”

It was a question of why he was here when he had been sent home to get some rest. His tone was soft, but for some reason, Yoongeon’s demeanor was unusual, which made everyone watch him cautiously.

“One of the part-timers suddenly bailed today.”

Except for Seohwi.

At his nonchalant reply, the owner, who had been glancing around cautiously, stepped in to add an excuse.

“Yes. He’s the best worker, so I had him scheduled for the weekend, but today his father unfortunately had something come up, so he had to miss. So he was helping out. My son often helps out anyway.”

The owner stepped up to make an excuse for his son, but he did not seem to understand at all why Yoongeon was saying this. Well, Seohwi was not the type to show it first, so he probably did not even know his son had been sick.

At the owner’s answer, Yoongeon thought for a moment. It was not strange for children to help their parents if they owned a restaurant, but right now, Seohwi needed to rest. After a brief moment of thought, Yoongeon spoke carefully with a troubled face.

“Mr. Yoon Seohwi was actually a bit sick, sir.”

A person who worried about his son that much would not knowingly make him work while he was sick. So Yoongeon explained the situation in a gentle tone. It was a request not to make him work because he had been sick. Just as he expected, at the news that his son had been sick, the owner was startled and spun around to look at Seohwi. Seohwi was impassive even as his father looked at him in surprise.

“Son, are you sick somewhere?”

“Body aches.”

“Geez, why didn’t you say so?”

The owner touched his forehead. It seemed he really had not known.

“This is what my son is like. His personality is so foolish, geez…. I’m telling you, I’m about to die of frustration. Not even showing that he’s sick.”

Yoongeon was inwardly relieved to see his father caring for Seohwi.

“Um…”

Nevertheless, Yoongeon did not feel at ease. Wasn’t the boisterous Baek Cheongha at Seohwi’s house? If by any chance he made all sorts of trouble again and disturbed Seohwi’s rest, he might end up sick in bed again. At the company, he thought it was natural to send him home if he was sick, but now that thought had changed. His own quiet house was better.

“If it’s alright, I would like to return home with Mr. Yoon Seohwi, would that be possible, sir? I feel that he needs to rest.”

“You, the Executive Director, will nurse my son? Oh my, no. What’s so great about this punk that he’d receive nursing from an Executive Director? I will take him home right now and make sure he gets good rest.”

The owner firmly refused, but Yoongeon persuaded him by saying that he could call a doctor to his house at any time, so he would take him.

“Gosh, I feel so bad about this….”

“It’s alright.”

After realizing Yoongeon was serious, he was burdened, but as Yoongeon repeatedly said it was okay, he eventually gave in to his persistence and said he understood. He earnestly told Seohwi not to even think about bothering the Executive Director.

“Anyway, you really are… geez, hurry up and go inside. Go in and rest.”

The owner pushed Seohwi’s back with a fed-up look on his face. Seohwi, unable to win against his father’s nagging, went into the changing room, and the owner also said his goodbyes and went to clear the table where a group of customers had left.

A short while later, Seohwi came out with only his cell phone and car key dangling in his hand. The weather was this cold, yet he had nothing on over his clothes. Yoongeon, who was waiting, frowned at the sight.

“Where is your jacket?”

“It’s in the car.”

“Hah…. A person who even had body aches is so willful….”

“Mr. Yoon Seohwi?”

It was then. Just as he was about to nag with an annoyed face, Park Dongju, who had been watching the two bicker from the side, interjected. Seohwi looked at him and bowed politely.

“Who might you be that our Geon is so concerned about you?”

“…He’s my employee, Great-Aunt.”

Yoongeon answered, slightly blocking Seohwi’s front. He had momentarily forgotten that his great-aunt was next to him while bickering with the owner.

“Employee? Not an employee I know…. Ah, don’t tell me, is he the first-place winner of this competition?”

At Park Dongju’s question, Seohwi answered that he was.

“Oh my, so you’re the owner of that wonderful design? And he was our Mr. Yoon the owner’s son.”

He nodded to himself, lost in thought, then patted Seohwi’s arm and said.

“Work hard at the company. Learning from our Executive Director Ko is tough, but it will definitely be helpful. I’ve got company now, so I’ll be going first, Geon-ah. Get home safely.”

He waved his hand, telling him to have a safe trip. Yoongeon followed him out and stood still, watching until the car left, then frowned at Seohwi, who had come to stand beside him at some point.

“Put on your jacket. Don’t you know how cold it is right now?”

“I should be beside you while you’re saying goodbye.”

“It’s perfectly fine to do it after you put your clothes on.”

“It won’t be cold once I get in the car anyway.”

He pointed with his finger at the piece of junk car that he wanted to scrap right away. Yoongeon felt his temper rise every time he saw that car.

“Let’s take my car.”

“Then what about my car?”

“You can just leave it here.”

“Customers won’t be able to park, so I can’t.”

“Haaah….”

Should I just crash into it right now? That would solve it cleanly. As Yoongeon was looking back and forth between Seohwi and his piece of junk car with annoyance, Seohwi suddenly burst into laughter.

“Why are you laughing?”

Is he suddenly laughing at me, he thought, asking back sharply, but Seohwi looked at him with a smiling face.

“I was just wondering if you hate my car that much.”

“……”

“It’s written all over your face. That you want to scrap it right away.”

“I won’t say that’s not true.”

“Everyone around me says the exact same thing as you, Executive Director.”

“This is really getting on my nerves… You know that, and yet, what, what are you doing?”

It was then. Seohwi took Yoongeon’s hand, pulled him toward that piece of junk car, and opened the passenger side door.

“Just get in first, then.”

“Why should I.”

“If you’re so suspicious, you can just get in and see. My car is fine.”

“Ah, no, I don’t want to.”

Yoongeon was horrified. At his threat that he would rather ride a horse than get into this, Seohwi snorted and forcibly shoved him into the passenger seat. For a punk who did not even work out properly, he was so strong that Yoongeon, who was half-thrown in, contorted his face. He did not want to get in the piece of junk car, but he had gotten into the piece of junk car. As the infuriated Yoongeon tried to get out again, he personally fastened the seatbelt for him to prevent his escape.