I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 108

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 108
Peter picked me up at the airport himself.
“You all must be exhausted from the journey. It feels like it’s been a month since we last saw each other, and now you all look like proper college students.”
“Aren’t you busy?”
“It’s Friday evening. I try to take weekends off whenever possible. Of course, except for important investment deals….”
Peter drove us to the Hotel in his own car.
“Get some rest tonight, and I’ll see you tomorrow at lunch.”
“Yes, thank you.”
After dropping us off at the Hotel, Peter drove away.
Mark looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“Sung-guk, why hasn’t Peter said a single word about Face Paper?”
“Who knows. Maybe he wants to give the impression that he invited you all as a senior from school, not because of Face Paper. Anyway, Mark, let’s think about that tomorrow. Right now, there’s something I’m really craving.”
“What is it?”
“Steak. My treat!”
* * *
“Sung-guk, isn’t this place expensive?”
Dennis hesitated unnecessarily.
[This week, Samjeon Electronics and Amazon stocks have been climbing steadily….]
Neither of them knew that I owned stocks or property.
“I’ve been living frugally on thirty dollars a month, so I have plenty of spending money left over.”
[I’m a guy sponsored by Hyojin Group.]
Hyojin Group sent me generous allowances to cover tuition, dormitory fees, and what amounted to a stipend for maintaining appearances.
Of course, in return, I simply had to make appearances in the Junho Foundation magazine from time to time.
“Ah, that makes sense. Anyway, I’ll enjoy this. If it’s not enough, I can chip in too.”
“Got it.”
The three of us sat down and all ordered steaks.
Mark gazed at his steak with excitement.
“When I came to New York with my parents as a kid, I ate here. I thought it was delicious back then too…. Thanks to you, Sung-guk, I get to eat here again.”
“Eat plenty.”
I took a bite of my steak.
[Ah, is this what success tastes like?]
Of course, a mere steak wouldn’t constitute that level of success.
But what was certain was that now I had reached a point where I could comfortably afford this without worrying about anyone’s judgment.
“New York really feels different. Everything moves so fast….”
For Dennis, who was from Ohio, New York was almost like a new world.
“Dennis, once you become a film director, you’ll probably end up living in New York or Los Angeles anyway. Think of this as practice.”
“Everyone here probably thinks that after graduating from Harvard, we’ll just get decent-paying jobs at some company and become salary workers… I’m worried that if I pursue filmmaking, I won’t make money and will end up living in poverty my whole life.”
Dennis voiced his anxieties about an uncertain future.
[Dennis, don’t worry. You’ll be incredibly successful.]
I wanted to say that, but I held my tongue.
“Dennis, if the film directing doesn’t work out, come find us. I’ll hire you at our company. Talent like you is needed everywhere.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, Sung-guk.”
Mark looked at me with an anxious expression.
“Sung-guk, you always seem confident we’ll succeed… but will we really be okay?”
“Mark, if you don’t believe in success, how will you even get close to it? You can’t just think negatively and never try.”
“I suppose you’re right….”
“Let’s enjoy a good meal today, and worry about tomorrow when it comes.”
I cut a large piece of steak and put it in my mouth.
After a month of nothing but hot dogs, oranges, and protein shakes, the steak here tasted even more exquisite.
* * *
Peter’s office overlooked Ground Zero, still bearing the scars of the 9/11 attacks.
Knock. Knock.
The door opened and Miranda led Sung-guk and Mark inside.
“Peter, your guests have arrived.”
Peter greeted us with a warm expression.
“Sung-guk, Mark. Did you rest well?”
“Yes.”
“Miranda, could you bring us something to drink?”
“Of course, Peter.”
I found myself drawn unconsciously to the window.
From the office, Ground Zero was visible in its entirety.
It felt like a massive black hole had opened up between the towering buildings of New York.
“My office was originally in the World Trade Center, actually. It’s almost shameful to call it luck, but… I had a meeting that morning and didn’t go into the office that day.”
Mark and I remained silent, somewhat taken aback.
So many Americans had died in the 9/11 attacks.
“It hasn’t been many years, but people seem to forget so quickly. I lost a partner I’d worked with my entire career that day, and the shock of it caused me to take time away from work. After experiencing something like that, your perspective on life changes. As a way to never forget that day, I deliberately chose to have my office here.”
Peter smiled apologetically.
“I’ve brought up something rather heavy, haven’t I?”
“Not at all. You must have struggled tremendously then. Please, tell us how you overcame it next time.”
“Of course. Now then, shall we all sit down and discuss business in earnest?”
“Yes.”
I finally took my seat at the negotiation table.
* * *
Peter guided the conversation with ease.
“My company’s employees have discussed the value of Face Paper extensively over this past month. And the biggest risk we identified—your and Mark’s qualifications as representatives—well, I’ll be honest with you.”
Peter paused, alternating his gaze between Mark and me.
[Come on, Peter. Say it already! My heart’s about to burst!]
My previous life’s impatience nearly burst out, but I held it back and waited.
Peter smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
“The consensus is that it’s only natural for two young men to lead Face Paper. We want to provide you with the best support possible as you grow without hesitation. Here are our contract terms.”
Peter handed over the documents.
Mark and I reviewed the paperwork.
Peter’s words about recognizing us as co-managers and supporting us to the best of his ability were no empty promise.
The condition was that over the next three years, there would be full-scale investment while Mark and I maintained equal and maximum equity stakes.
“In the early stages, our investment alone should sustain things, but as we grow, we’ll need larger capital. When that time comes, I’ll be a flexible investment advisor for you both.”
Both personally and in every other way, the terms were exceptionally favorable.
Of course, Peter wasn’t forgoing his share of the profits.
Still, the fact that there were no contract clauses threatening our management rights—unlike with Jessie’s Father or the Winklevoss Brothers—made it an extraordinarily generous agreement.
“So, what do you two think?”
Mark stared at me with a bewildered expression.
I maintained a poker face as much as possible, then spoke slowly.
“Dinner’s on Mark and me tonight. We’re going to be working together from now on, after all.”
Peter broke into a broad smile.
“Excellent!”
* * *
Mark still stared at me with that bewildered look.
“Sung-guk, can you really decide that quickly?”
[Of course. If you knew how many contracts I reviewed and signed in my past life, you’d faint.]
“Yeah. The terms are solid. Our management rights are clearly protected. And I’ll contact a lawyer I know to fine-tune the contract details. They’re lawyers who deal with major conglomerates in South Korea, so they’ll never let unfavorable clauses slip through.”
“Yeah, that’s true… Honestly, I like Peter too. There’s something comfortable about him, unlike Jessie’s Father or the others.”
“Mark, but let’s not trust too much until we actually sign the contract.”
“Sung-guk, you’re seriously the most cautious twelve-year-old I know.”
[Of course. Mark, you don’t realize it yet, but we have exactly ten years left before we become the richest people in the world.]
I smiled.
Just then, an advertisement for Samjeon Electronics played on the elevator monitor.
I was now ready to surpass the Samjeon Group.
* * *
Dennis and I headed to Manhattan Music Academy, a music school specializing in music education in New York.
Manhattan Music Academy was a prestigious institution focused on practical music instruction.
“Mark said he was too tired from meetings.”
“Sung-guk, aren’t you tired?”
“Nope. I’m only twelve.”
I laughed sheepishly.
“Michelle helped out a lot this time. She even introduced me to someone she knows at Manhattan Music Academy.”
[Hmm… that’s suspicious….]
“Dennis, are you not seeing Michelle?”
At my question, Dennis jumped in surprise.
“Oh, no… Sung-guk, we’re not like that.”
“I was just asking.”
Blink blink.
[This is the innocent blink of a twelve-year-old. Dennis, why are you so startled in front of me?]
Dennis scratched his head sheepishly.
“Oh, sorry… I was just worried I might be misunderstanding something.”
“Dennis, honestly, I don’t know much about dating. I’ve never been in a relationship.”
Being perpetually single at twelve wasn’t something to be ashamed of.
“I did date someone briefly in high school. But I got busy with studying and we broke up, and things got hectic. Anyway, Sung-guk, you really don’t date?”
“No. I don’t date before becoming an adult. Everyone in South Korea is like that.”
[Dating. I did plenty of it in my previous life, but it was all pointless. People are inherently lonely creatures, and life is something you live alone.]
I walked through the streets of New York with my hands in my pockets, trudging along.
* * *
The male student Michelle had introduced us to greeted us.
The student had a bag with drumsticks slung across his shoulder.
“Hello. I’m Miles. Michelle contacted me about you.”
“I’m Dennis, and this is Sung-guk, my roommate.”
“I’ve seen that show too. Living on thirty dollars for a month. After watching it, I thought I’d try it myself sometime. Musicians have uncertain futures too, after all.”
[I know. I know it well.]
Miles already knew a bit about me.
“By the way, who’s writing the screenplay?”
“I was planning to, but we’re discussing whether to write it together with Sung-guk. I originally had the idea of a story about a middle school drummer, but Sung-guk suggested changing the setting to a college student in New York.”
“I’ll help you out as much as I can.”
Miles first gave us a tour of the school.
This was my first time visiting this place too.
True to being a school located in New York, it was a university with a small campus where everything happened in a single building, but the faculty were all people who held important positions in the American music world.
“I’m studying drums under this person. John Keith—he’s basically a legend in the drumming world.”
“What’s his personality like? Dennis said he quit drum lessons because his teacher was too scary.”
“Teachers vary, but John is on the intimidating side. There are times when my heart is pounding before I even enter the classroom… We talk about it among ourselves. We say John doesn’t hit us with drumsticks but with his words. Seriously, after class ends, your mental state is completely shattered.”
Miles told us various things about John Keith.
Everything from his teaching methods to his favorite sayings.
Dennis didn’t miss anything and took notes.
“Would you like to try playing the drums?”
Miles held out the drumsticks to Dennis.
“I haven’t played in so long that I’m not confident I can play well.”
“Just give it a try. It’ll bring back old memories and feel good.”
Dennis took the drumsticks Miles offered.
He sat in front of the drums and at first made various sounds, then played through a short piece perfectly.
Miles looked at Dennis with admiring eyes.
“You play really well.”
“Not really. I just practiced this one piece to death back then.”
Dennis set down the drumsticks regretfully.
* * *
Dennis and I trudged toward our meeting place with Peter.
After the interview, Dennis’s face bore a wistful, yearning expression.
“Dennis, do you regret giving up drums?”
“Sometimes I do. I wonder what would’ve happened if I hadn’t let that teacher’s words wound me, if I’d just kept honing my skills instead.”
“Dennis, what if the protagonist of a film had that kind of personality? You know, those people who grow stronger the more they’re whipped. When they hear harsh words, they think, ‘I’ll surpass what that person said!’ and develop that fierce determination. They practice even harder….”
“And in the process, you’d have massive conflicts with that teacher?”
“Right. In your early twenties, you should be dating, taking vacations like your friends. But while all that’s happening, the protagonist abandons romance and everything else.”
“Sung-guk, that sounds incredibly compelling….”
Dennis’s eyes sparkled again.
Artists truly were different.
They shone brightest when chasing something.
“I’ve never been to New York before… It really seems like young artists live all over this place. Sung-guk, have you been to New York?”
Now that I thought about it, this was near where I’d stayed with Grace.
“I lived in a dormitory here before I went to Phillips Academy.”
[Grace must still be living here….]
Just then, someone with a familiar face approached with a warm smile.
“Sung-guk?”
“Grace!”
[They say speak of the devil and he appears… Manhattan really is small.]
“Sung-guk, what brings you to New York?”
“I have business here. This is my roommate, Dennis.”
Since I’d come to meet Peter, I hadn’t contacted Grace beforehand.
“Grace, actually I was meaning to reach out to you. I’m about to sign a contract related to Face Paper. I was hoping Hyojin Group could review the contract for me.”
“Of course you should ask. But where are you headed?”
“To dinner with Peter—a senior from our university who’s going to be an investor. Would you like to join us?”
“Is it appropriate for me to be there?”
“Let me ask Peter.”
I quickly pulled out my phone and called Peter.
When I mentioned she was like a teacher who’d looked after me, Peter said he wanted to meet Grace.
“Grace, we’re meeting at Wolf Steakhouse at seven. Please be on time.”
“Got it. So you want me to get a good read on this guy, right?”
“Exactly.”
[Actually, Grace, I think Peter’s a good person and I wanted to introduce you two. Good connections are worth their weight in gold.]
Grace said she needed to go prepare and headed into a nearby apartment building.
Dennis looked at me and grinned.
“Sung-guk, this might just be my imagination, but are you trying to set Peter up with Grace?”
Caught.
[Was it that obvious?]

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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