I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 161

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

Chapter 161
I also received a message from Scott Brown.
– You’re in Silicon Valley right now, right? I’ll fly out immediately, wherever you are! Just set a time and place.
Scott Brown was incredibly eager.
At the same time, there was another eager person—Jeon Tae-guk.
“Sung-guk, did you set up a meeting with Scott or whoever?”
“Yes, he said he can come this Sunday.”
“Hmm… where did you decide to meet?”
“We haven’t finalized the exact location yet, but I was thinking of meeting in San Francisco.”
“Is that so? Then, shall we meet at Moda, the Michelin-starred restaurant in San Francisco?”
“I was just planning to meet casually, you know, just to see his face.”
“What are you talking about? I’m the heir to Samjeon Group—I can’t be meeting at just any restaurant. Besides, even if Scott Brown is a somewhat well-known entertainment producer, we need to show him what kind of people we are so he doesn’t get ahead of himself.”
[Hmm… Jeon Tae-guk still has plenty of swagger, doesn’t he.]
Moda Restaurant was one of my favorite places to visit whenever I came to San Francisco in my past life.
“Tae-guk, if it’s inconvenient for you, you don’t have to come along.”
“You asked me for help, so I’ll see it through to the end.”
My eyes narrowed slightly.
[Has Jeon Tae-guk always been like this? Did something about him change when I crossed over from my past life to this one…?]
I decided to change the subject.
“Hyung, don’t you have a presentation next week? Aren’t you preparing for that?”
“Secretary Yang is helping me with it. All I have to do is read through the PowerPoint, right?”
“Tae-guk, I don’t think it’s going to be that simple. I also made a promise with the Chairman, so I won’t let this slide easily.”
“Hmm… honestly, I don’t understand why Father is so interested in FaceNote. Anyway, don’t worry too much. I’m confident I’ll do well.”
[We’ll see if you can say that after it’s over, Jeon Tae-guk.]
* * *
Father had set out another spread.
Bossam and various Korean side dishes filled the table. And today, there was even dumpling soup!
“Mom, where did you buy the dumplings?”
“Sung-guk, you’ve always enjoyed dumpling soup. Your mother is pretty good with the internet these days, you know. I found a place that sells Korean-style dumplings and asked Secretary Yang for a favor.”
That’s why Jeon Tae-guk and Secretary Yang were joining us for dinner tonight as well.
Jeon Tae-guk savored the broth of the dumpling soup.
“Wow, this tastes absolutely incredible. Sir, have you ever thought about starting a dumpling soup business?”
“Tae-guk, I’m sorry, but this dumpling soup broth is just instant ramen seasoning.”
“Ah, well. I just don’t eat instant food very often.”
Jeon Tae-guk cleared his throat awkwardly, embarrassed.
Everyone suppressed their laughter and continued with dinner.
Min-guk looked up at me with bright, eager eyes.
“Big brother, that person who commented on my YouTube—is he really coming to meet us?”
“Yeah. We’re meeting at Moda Restaurant in San Francisco this Sunday. Min-guk, let’s go together.”
“Wow! Wow! Wow!”
Min-guk was thrilled beyond measure.
“Sung-guk, what’s going on? Who are you meeting?”
“Father, I was planning to tell you over dinner. During the break, Min-guk uploaded some dance and singing videos to YouTube, a site where people share videos. A famous entertainment producer from the United States saw them and wants to meet him.”
“Is this person trustworthy?”
Father’s concern naturally came first.
“Sir, at Sung-guk’s request, I—as the successor to Samjeon Group—personally verified this person, so please don’t worry. And I’m planning to attend the meeting as well. I’m quite knowledgeable about the entertainment industry in both Korea and the United States.”
Min-guk and I shook our heads simultaneously.
[What a show-off….]
The moment Jeon Tae-guk glanced at us, Min-guk and I naturally diverted our attention, focusing on our mandu soup.
“Min-guk, don’t you think you need to go on a diet? How can you be a singer with such chubby cheeks?”
Min-guk handed me the dumplings from his bowl.
“Big brother, eat a lot. I’m going to diet seriously starting today.”
Min-guk clenched his fists with determination.
“Sung-guk, since you found out through Tae-guk, it should be trustworthy, but why am I still uneasy?”
“Father! Come with us too!”
Min-guk blurted out suddenly.
“What? Me? Your father doesn’t even speak English.”
“Big brother can interpret for you.”
At that moment, Jeon Tae-guk’s expression seemed slightly annoyed. Well then, naturally!
“Father, you should come with us. Of course it’s Min-guk’s matter, so you should go. I’ll interpret the English for you. Min-guk still isn’t that fluent in English yet, so I need to help him along anyway.”
“Is that so? But… to attend such a meeting, I’d need to dress nicely and all that. Your father’s clothes are all like this….”
“Father, I wear hoodies all the time anyway. Don’t worry.”
“Wait a minute!”
Jeon Tae-guk interjected urgently.
“What is it, brother?”
“Since I’m going as the successor to Samjeon Group, couldn’t you all dress appropriately to match my status?”
“Brother, even if we wanted to, we only have comfortable clothes.”
“Hmm… Do you all have time tomorrow? Let’s go to a luxury boutique nearby tomorrow and get matching suits.”
“Brother, we’re fine as we are.”
I tried to stop Jeon Tae-guk, but oblivious Min-guk raised his hand excitedly.
“Big brother! Cool!”
* * *
Even on the morning of Scott Brown’s appointment, Bang Mu-hyuk had not responded.
Bang Mu-hyuk had left a message saying he would check the video and contact me.
[Does Bang Mu-hyuk not think much of it?]
This was a serious problem.
The future I had designed for Min-guk could change because of this.
If Bang Mu-hyuk didn’t approve, it might actually be better for Min-guk to work with Scott Brown instead.
Behind me, I heard Father and Min-guk rustling around.
“Father, is this how I’m supposed to wear it?”
“Wow, Min-guk looks so sharp dressed up like this!”
Jeon Tae-guk had even hired a stylist and coordinated all our outfits at nearby luxury boutiques.
Father was now wearing a crisp shirt and trousers.
Min-guk bounced excitedly on his feet.
“Dad, Dad! You look so cool!”
Seeing Father all polished up instead of in his usual chef’s whites from the Bossam Restaurant made my lips curve upward.
Father was quite tall, and though he didn’t exercise formally, the grueling kitchen work had kept his physique lean and muscular.
[Mother really made the right choice with Father….]
I gazed at him warmly.
“Sung-guk, come get dressed with us.”
“Dad, I’m comfortable in jeans and a hoodie.”
At that moment, Min-guk grabbed my hand and tugged urgently.
“Big brother, big brother, hurry! Today’s the day Min-guk meets the client. So do what Min-guk wants, okay?”
[This kid is absolutely impossible to deal with!]
Min-guk dragged me forcefully and yanked down my pants.
“Min-guk! I’ll do it myself!”
“If you don’t, you’ll go out wearing those clothes again!”
“Fine, fine. Stop! I’ll really wear the clothes Tae-guk gave me.”
Only then did Min-guk grin widely and release the pants he’d been pulling down.
“Big brother, if you don’t change in five minutes, I’m pulling your pants down again!”
[This is scarier than a military drill sergeant!]
I grumbled internally while changing clothes.
The outfit the stylist from Samjeon Group had selected was indeed refined in design with a perfect fit.
No tie, and I left a few buttons on the shirt undone.
The cotton pants reached my ankles—neither too casual nor too stiff.
As I brushed back my hair that fell past my eyebrows, I heard a woman’s shriek.
“Kyaaaah!”
At the same moment, my eyes met Lim Mi-mi’s, who had been watching me.
“R-Restaurant Owner….”
“What brings you here, Lim Mi-mi?”
“Restaurant Owner, is that really you?”
“Lim Mi-mi, what are you doing here screaming all of a sudden?”
“Oh, your mother said everyone was going out for dinner tonight and told us to come eat with you. Mark came with me.”
Mark poked his head out from behind and began clapping.
“Sung-guk! You look just like young Leonardo DiCaprio!”
[What’s with this comparison? Leo? I don’t neglect my appearance like that.]
Then I heard Mark and Lim Mi-mi whispering.
“His shoulders tensed again.”
“Mark, that’s why you hyped him up too much.”
“I can hear everything you two are saying.”
At that moment, Mother and Ji-hee peered at me through the open doorway.
Ji-hee’s eyes suddenly widened, and she began rushing toward me.
“Big brother!”
Ji-hee threw her arms around me.
“Ji-hee, your big brother’s cool, right?”
“Yes! You’re the coolest person in the whole world!”
Ji-hee gave me a thumbs up.
No matter what anyone else said, it was enough that Ji-hee thought I was cool.
“Hyung, we’re going to be late. Come on out.”
I heard Min-guk’s impatient voice calling from outside.
“I’m coming now.”
I quickly set Ji-hee down and left the room.
* * *
The car driven by Secretary Yang came to a stop in front of the restaurant.
I quickly glanced at Father and Min-guk sitting in the back seat, and Jeon Tae-guk.
“Are you all ready?”
“Of course!”
“Yes!”
“Sung-guk, let’s go!”
Everyone straightened their clothes and got out of the car.
I also rolled up the sleeves of the shirt I’d worn for the first time in a while as I exited the vehicle.
As our family stepped out of the car simultaneously, soft exclamations erupted from passersby throughout the street.
The women gasped in admiration, while the men hurried to pull their girlfriends along.
Jeon Tae-guk glanced at me and whispered.
“Sung-guk, you’re used to these kinds of stares, aren’t you?”
“I’ve experienced it often enough. That’s why I wear messy hair and hoodies. The attention is bothersome.”
Jeon Tae-guk looked exasperated, but I simply shrugged and opened the restaurant door.
* * *
Scott Brown stood up from his seat upon spotting Min-guk and me.
Then he looked at our family with a slightly excited expression.
“Ah… so this is Min-guk, and this is the genius older brother Sung-guk who appeared in the video.”
Scott Brown’s gaze turned toward Father.
“There’s an even older brother?”
“That’s our father.”
“Wow!”
Scott Brown’s face was filled with admiration.
At that moment, Jeon Tae-guk beside him muttered.
“Why isn’t he asking about me?”
At those words, Scott Brown’s gaze naturally turned toward Jeon Tae-guk.
“Ah, so you’re the heir to South Korea’s Samjeon Group. It’s an honor to have you join us.”
“I have a very close connection to your family as well.”
Jeon Tae-guk was clearly desperate to entangle himself with our family, but Scott Brown quickly steered the conversation back to Min-guk.
“Among all the YouTube videos, yours were by far the best. Especially the busking footage and the dancing. That was impressive.”
I translated Scott Brown’s compliments about Min-guk to Father verbatim.
Now it was time to get to the real point.
“Scott, we’re very grateful that you think so highly of my younger brother Min-guk. That’s why we’d like to understand exactly what you mean by having interest in him.”
“The Asian population in the United States has grown significantly. I see potential in Min-guk not just for the American market, but also for Asian markets like Japan.”
Scott Brown looked at us with a confident expression.
In that moment, my brow furrowed.
“The Japanese market?”
“It’s actually quite difficult for an Asian man to gain popularity in America. Since I also work with contacts in Japan, I thought—”
“Mr. Scott Brown, you’ve come such a long way. Why don’t you stay for a meal?”
I had no reason to listen to Scott Brown any further.
* * *
When Min-guk returned home, his disappointment was evident.
He went into his room saying he’d go to bed early.
Scott Brown wanted to develop Min-guk for the Japanese market. That was naturally not what either I or Min-guk wanted.
I opened my laptop while sipping cold milk.
I was hoping there might be a message from Bang Mu-hyuk.
But there was nothing from Bang Mu-hyuk.
[Does he not think much of Min-guk….]
Min-guk’s rejection weighed on my heart as if it were my own.
Just then, my phone rang.
It was a number with no caller ID displayed.
I hesitated for a moment before answering. A familiar voice came through the receiver.
– Sung-guk, it’s Uncle Mu-hyuk.
The noise of traffic was loud in the background.
“Uncle… where are you?”
– Sung-guk, I just arrived in San Francisco to meet Min-guk!

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