I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 226

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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 226
“Sung-guk, is it true you’re going on a blind date?”
The moment I arrived at the office, whispers followed me from every direction.
I gave Mark a subtle wink.
“Mark, when did word about my blind date spread like this?”
“Mi-mi told that employee with the younger sister, so it probably got around fast.”
“But why are people talking about my blind date in such a strange way?”
“You wouldn’t know since you don’t read all the comments, but some people were saying things like he’s gay or whatever.”
“What?!”
My outburst made the nearby employees jump and stare.
“Sung-guk, what’s wrong? It’s just a joke.”
“Even as a joke, you shouldn’t say things like that!”
“I thought you were going on this blind date because you were conscious of those comments, but you haven’t even read them?”
[Comments are bad for your mental health!]
In my previous life, I’d applied lip balm once during a hearing, and the comments that followed were absolutely insane. After that, I’d learned to skim comments and move on.
Mark patted my back.
“Sung-guk, give this blind date a real shot. I didn’t know either, but dating is amazing. It feels like I finally have someone on my side.”
“Mark, Lim Mi-mi isn’t always on your side, though.”
“Mi-mi’s pretty objective. But having someone to talk to when you get home from work—you have no idea how good that feels.”
“Mark, there’s something you always forget… I’m a minor. Living together is something adults do.”
“Oh right. But what does being a minor matter? You can grab a burger sometimes, go to a movie.
The more he talked, the worse my headache got.
“Mark, let’s check out the New Corporate Building this afternoon.”
Work was the best cure for a pounding headache.
* * *
The New Corporate Building was nothing short of spectacular.
The location was perfect, and since it was newly constructed, every facility was state-of-the-art.
The Real Estate Agent handling the lease and Secretary Park Sung-hee toured the building together.
Mark couldn’t stop exclaiming in wonder the entire time.
“Wow! Sung-guk, we really made it.”
“Mark, we’re going to be even more successful going forward… don’t worry.”
The Real Estate Agent kindly explained every detail of the space.
“From what I understand, you’re planning to tear down the partition walls and place tables in an open layout. Is that correct?”
“Yes, you could think of it as a massive cafe. Of course, we’ll need several separate conference rooms as well.”
I began describing the office layout I’d envisioned.
“We’ll place large wooden tables here. Each table will have outlets. And over there along the wall, we’ll have separate conference room spaces… and it would be nice to have a few sofas in the middle where people can sit freely.”
“Sung-guk, you’re providing unlimited coffee, right?”
“Of course. Since the space is large, I’m thinking we should distribute maybe three coffee machines throughout…”
“Sung-guk, aren’t you setting up a separate executive office?”
Secretary Park Sung-hee asked.
I shook my head.
“I’ll only be here when I’m working, so I don’t think I’ll need a separate space. If we need a divided area, we can just use the Conference Room.”
Secretary Park Sung-hee entered all of Mark’s and my requirements into her notes.
“So in short, you’re looking for a comfortable atmosphere that promotes good communication?”
“Yes, Secretary.”
“The interior work will probably take about a month. You can move in after that.”
True to her sharp nature, Secretary Park Sung-hee organized every detail regarding the contract and interior design.
I gazed at the still-empty FaceNote Office.
In my previous life, everything had been prepared from the moment I was born.
There was already a headquarters building, and I already had my place.
But in this life, I had to build everything from scratch, one piece at a time.
Now, from this space, FaceNote would race all the way to its public listing.
I patted Mark on the shoulder.
“Mark, doesn’t it feel like we actually did it?”
“I really… can’t believe it.”
Mark’s face was filled with emotion.
“Sung-guk, we should raise a toast with Mi-mi tonight. How about it?”
“Wouldn’t that be a place where I shouldn’t be?”
“What are you talking about? I’ll order food from the Korean Restaurant. We’ll have alcohol, you’ll have cola. How’s that?”
“Sounds good!”
* * *
After so long, the aroma of Korean food made my mouth water on its own.
Mark had brought back everything from the restaurant in Koreatown, starting with kimchi stew and various other dishes.
“Mark, how are we supposed to eat all of this?”
“Don’t worry. It’s the weekend. Mi-mi and I can just lounge around at home and finish the rest.”
“Boss, don’t worry about having too much food—just sit down. By the way, boss… how about next Saturday at noon for the blind date?”
“That works.”
I answered without much thought.
With kimchi stew and japchae right in front of me, a blind date couldn’t possibly register.
“But… boss. Are you really going to wear a hoodie and jeans to the blind date?”
“Do I have to wear formal clothes for a blind date?”
“It’s not that. Don’t you think the other person would like it better if you dressed more like kids these days?”
“Isn’t this how kids dress these days? Mark, what do you think?”
“Sung-guk, want to borrow my checkered shirt?”
The moment Mark finished speaking, Lim Mi-mi let out a shriek.
“Absolutely not!”
At Lim Mi-mi’s outburst, Mark asked with a startled expression.
“Mi-mi, what’s wrong with my fashion sense?”
“Mark… it’s just…”
Lim Mi-mi’s embarrassment was plainly evident.
“Mark, what I mean is… I don’t think a checkered shirt suits the boss.”
“Right? And now Sung-guk has grown so much taller than me that I can’t even lend him my shirts anymore. If Sung-guk wore mine, his arms would stick out completely.”
“That’s true, Mark.”
Mi-mi seemed to understand that Mark’s checkered shirt barely escaped being a fashion disaster.
In any case, the checkered shirt had become Mark’s signature look.
Mi-mi sat down at the table with beer and cola in hand.
“Boss, you’ll have cola, right?”
“Of course.”
I picked up the cola.
Mark ate the japchae eagerly with chopsticks he’d grown quite skilled at using.
“Sung-guk, let’s open a Korean restaurant later when we succeed. Not because of Mi-mi, but Korean food just makes you feel satisfied, you know?”
“Yeah… we can add it to the company cafeteria menu. Whatever.”
“Sung-guk, isn’t it just fun imagining things like this with you?”
“Mark, our imagination will become reality.”
Hearing our conversation, Mi-mi shook her head.
“You two are both so positive.”
[Well, it’s true… Mi-mi.]
Just then, the doorbell rang frantically.
“Who is it?”
Jeon Tae-guk’s face filled the intercom screen.
When I opened the door, Jeon Tae-guk rushed in and sat down at the table.
“I knew it was kimchi stew! Mark, enjoy your meal.”
Secretary Park Sung-hee burst in right after him.
“May I join you as well?”
“Of course. We have plenty of food.”
Jeon Tae-guk ate hastily, then patted his full belly and looked at me.
“Sung-guk, you’re going on a blind date?”
“You know about it too, Tae-guk?”
“The whole FaceNote is going crazy about you going on a blind date.”
I looked at Mi-mi.
“Mi-mi, how did this happen?”
“Boss, there’s no stopping word from spreading. Especially on FaceNote.”
* * *
“No way! Change your clothes!”
Jeon Tae-guk stood guard at my door from early morning, shouting.
“Tae-guk, I’m comfortable in this. I’m not interested in polishing myself up just because it’s a blind date.”
“Park Secretary! Bring the clothes I picked out yesterday.”
“Yes!”
Park Secretary brought the clothes Jeon Tae-guk had selected the night before—brand new items with tags still attached.
It was clear he’d bought them specifically because I was going on a blind date.
“Sung-guk, wear this when you go out.”
“Brother, I’m more comfortable in a hoodie.”
“You can’t wear a hoodie to a blind date! That’s not proper!”
“Tae-guk, I work in a company, but the friend I’m meeting today is a high school student. All high schoolers dress like this.”
Jeon Tae-guk had even enlisted Park Secretary to his cause.
“Park Secretary, what do you think of Sung-guk?”
“He looks the same as always.”
“I mean, do you think that outfit is appropriate for a blind date?”
“Well… it does look a bit shabby.”
“See, Sung-guk? Even Park Secretary says it’s shabby!”
“Tae-guk, I don’t need luxury brands. I’ll just wear one of my clean hoodies.”
“No way! Absolutely not! Park Secretary, grab Sung-guk!”
Mark, who had just arrived, also grabbed my shoulder.
“Sung-guk, would you wear my checkered shirt instead?”
“That’s not happening either!”
* * *
I ended up wearing the designer shirt Jeon Tae-guk had prepared, paired with jeans.
Instead of the hoodie, I chose a simple shirt.
And I swapped out my worn sneakers—barely holding together—for a new pair.
[Is this really necessary for a blind date? My face does all the work anyway….]
I grumbled my way to the meeting place.
The meeting spot was inside a cafe at the Large Shopping Mall where teenagers hung out these days.
Today’s blind date itinerary was coffee first, then dinner—something like that.
As I loitered in front of the cafe, a girl appeared before me—according to Mi-mi, the most popular female student at a nearby high school.
Tall, slender figure. Blonde hair, blue eyes. A quintessential blonde beauty with a fresh charm.
She had the kind of looks that would make her popular.
“Are you Sung-guk?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“You’re Emma Button, right? You’re Julia Button’s younger sister from our company?”
“Yes! Everyone says my sister is a genius, but she’s not a genius in looks—she’s a total prom queen!”
“I was prom king too.”
“Wow, seriously? What age did you graduate high school?”
Emma Button, true to her teenage nature, had plenty of questions, and I tried my best to answer sincerely.
I suddenly remembered why I’d despised blind dates in my past life.
It was because of these self-introduction sessions.
In my past life, if I revealed I was the son of Samjeon Group, I’d get bombarded with endless questions. If I didn’t reveal it, I’d later hear people call me annoying behind my back.
Emma Button chattered away beside me non-stop.
“Actually, my sister said her company has two CEOs. One is a typical engineering type, and the other is a typical narcissist, so I was really curious about you.”
[What? The employees know I’m a narcissist too?]
I let out a bitter laugh.
“Emma, would you like some coffee?”
“I’ll have sparkling water. Sung-guk, did I mention? My dream is to become a singer. So I’m managing my figure starting now.”
Emma Button continued talking incessantly after that.
[Ugh… teenage girls and I really don’t mesh well….]
I simply listened to what Emma Button was saying and offered her advice on her worries.
“Sung-guk, do you think I could become a singer by uploading videos to YouTube?”
“Emma, try anything at least once. If you actually attempt something instead of just thinking and talking about it, things will change.”
After that, Emma continued to confide in me about everything—from friendships to her deepest concerns.
“But, Emma. Didn’t you come out today for a blind date with me?”
“Oh, right! Being with Sung-guk just makes me feel comfortable without realizing it. I’m sorry. But, what’s your ideal type, Sung-guk?”
Ideal type?
“How about we talk about the upcoming presidential election instead of that kind of thing?”
I wasn’t interested in discussing something as trivial as ideal types, so I steered the conversation toward the presidential race.
[I’ve entertained her enough so far. Now I should seriously showcase my charm.]
“Emma, who do you think will become the next U.S. president?”
“Um… well… I’m not sure. I don’t even have voting rights.”
“Still, you must have some thoughts, right? You’re an American citizen—shouldn’t you at least think about it?”
“Sung-guk… I haven’t really thought about it yet.”
Emma laughed awkwardly, seeming flustered.
I glanced at my watch.
It was time for the broadcast of The Intern, which I appeared in. And two hours later, my exclusive interview was scheduled to go live on YouTube.
I stood up from my seat.
“Emma, today was fun. Let’s catch a movie next time.”
[Heh. She seems completely smitten, but this is just a polite gesture, Emma.]
“Oh… Sung-guk, after hearing what you said, I’m going to practice uploading videos to YouTube from now on.”
What’s this reaction?
“Sung-guk, I’m sorry. I might be too busy to contact you from now on.”
[The movie thing was just empty talk!]
“It was fun today, Sung-guk!”
Emma Button quickly grabbed her bag and rushed out of the cafe.
* * *
When I arrived home, Mark and Jeon Tae-guk were laughing hysterically on the sofa while looking at FaceNote in the living room.
“Sung-guk, how on earth did you manage that blind date?”
“Why is everyone asking?”
“Emma posted a review of her blind date with you on her FaceNote.”
“What did she write?”
“See for yourself.”
I read through the review that Jeon Tae-guk pointed out.
– Sung-guk is the perfect teenage heartthrob on the surface, but once we talked, he was no different from my boring dad who only discusses politics.
He asked to see a movie and suggested an after-date, but I couldn’t bring myself to meet such a boring guy who only talks about politics, so I ran away.
I shrugged my shoulders.
Everyone seemed taken aback by my composed demeanor.
Mark stared at me with a bewildered expression.
“Sung-guk, you’re completely boring right now—you got absolutely roasted.”
“Mark, now everyone will stop wondering why I don’t date. That’s all I needed.”
Jeon Tae-guk patted my shoulder.
“I knew Jeon Sung-guk always had a plan.”
Mark tapped my back as well.
“Anyway, making excuses for not dating is genius-level stuff.”
[Right. This was all intentional. Intentional….]

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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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