I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 309

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

Chapter 309
Jeon Tae-guk’s expression was sincere. That made it all the more terrifying.
So ignorance truly does breed courage….
[Karma from my past life… But if Jeon Tae-guk came out of a business administration program as Samjeon’s heir, he should at least know how much more valuable his stock is compared to what ordinary investors hold!!!]
The Samjeon stock that Jeon Tae-guk possessed carried an entirely different meaning than the stock held by ordinary people or investors. It wasn’t a matter of money—it was a matter of succession structure.
[I thought he was becoming a decent person….]
I stared at Jeon Tae-guk as calmly as I could manage.
“William….”
At my voice, Jeon Tae-guk flinched.
“Sung-guk… Why are you calling me like that? You’re making me nervous. Did I do something wrong?”
“William, you’re seriously going to wager the stock you own on a World Cup bet?”
“Seriously? Our country is a nation of soccer. We always get knocked out in the Round of 16, we’re constantly making blunders, but we love soccer more than anyone else… Isn’t that value comparable to Samjeon stock?”
“William, you bet on South Korea getting knocked out in the Round of 16.”
“I love South Korean soccer more than anyone, but I believe we need a whip too.”
Jeon Tae-guk spoke with confidence.
“First, let’s change the bet conditions, William. Even if you’re wagering stock on this bet, when Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung finds out, you might have to meet with him one-on-one. For the first time in quite a while….”
At my words, Jeon Tae-guk’s eyes widened.
My one-on-one meetings with Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung had become virtually nonexistent while I was supporting Jeon Tae-guk.
But if he wagered stock on this bet, it was clear that it would become a very compelling reason for such a meeting.
If he wagered his stock, what would come flying at Jeon Tae-guk from that one-on-one with Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung would be beyond imagination.
[Jeon Tae-guk, are you really willing to stake your life on a bet like this?]
Then Lim Jin-seo stepped forward.
“William, even I think stock is too much. William, you always seem not to know yourself. No matter that you work at FaceNote now, William is Samjeon’s heir. You don’t understand how important the value of the stock you hold is?”
Only then did Jeon Tae-guk come to his senses.
“Ah… but it’s a bet, so I thought I should wager something plausible. Then, should I wager my Rolex instead of the stock?”
“That’s enough, William. Instead of our stock or luxury goods… how about the loser grants the winner one wish? It doesn’t cost anything and it’s nice, right?”
At Lim Jin-seo’s suggestion, Jeon Tae-guk quickly agreed.
“I like it! Sung-guk, what about you?”
“I like it too. But my wish might cost money.”
“Sung-guk, let’s just make it something that doesn’t cost money. You know, things like that. Like organizing your office desk for a week.”
“My desk is always clean.”
I really couldn’t understand Lim Jin-seo.
[When there’s an Aladdin’s lamp like Jeon Tae-guk right here, why does she keep insisting on wishes that don’t cost money?]
Lim Jin-seo read my disgruntled expression and quickly offered another suggestion.
“Sung-guk, or maybe… giving you a ride home?”
“That costs gas money too. In a country that doesn’t produce a single drop of oil.”
Lim Jin-seo shook her head.
“Our CEO really has no sense of romance.”
“I don’t know about romance, but anyway, if I win, it won’t be anything like Samjeon stock or a Rolex. Everyone, be prepared!”
I was certain I would win this bet!
* * *
At last, the final group stage match of the South Africa World Cup had arrived.
After securing a victory against Greece and suffering a crushing defeat to Argentina, our national team remained trapped in the precarious mathematics of advancing from the round of sixteen.
Television analysts dissected every possible scenario and Nigeria’s tactical strengths.
Meanwhile, a cardboard box filled with Red Devils merchandise sat in the FaceNote office.
“Jin-seo, what is all this?”
“What do you mean? We need to pick out a shirt for Sung-guk to wear. Later, he’ll wear it while promoting at the street cheering event.”
“I had Sung-guk’s shirt custom-made especially for him.”
Jin-seo pulled a Red Devils shirt from the box.
The seemingly small crimson shirt had “FaceNote” emblazoned across its center.
“Jin-seo, this looks a bit snug for me.”
“I ordered it to fit your body perfectly on purpose.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You always pretend not to understand when you clearly do. Sung-guk, if you wear something like this, it’ll generate buzz and draw attention, won’t it?”
“Since you see me so often, you might not realize it, but I draw plenty of attention in ordinary clothes. So just get me a normal size, please.”
Despite my protest, Jin-seo thrust the smaller-sized shirt into my hands.
“Sung-guk, street cheering or not, the match is at night because of the time difference. In the darkness, your silhouette needs to stand out more. So wear this.”
“Sung-guk, just wear it. I’d wear it if I could.”
Jeon Tae-guk quickly chimed in from beside me.
“Anyway, let me try it on. By the way, did Twitter prepare anything for this event?”
“They seemed to take a significant hit from the last match. Things have been quiet. And Kim Yeo-na reached out.”
Jin-seo was the agency representative handling Kim Yeo-na’s affairs.
“What did Kim Yeo-na need?”
“I mentioned that I’d be heading out for the street cheering today. Since Kim Yeo-na is our FaceNote advertising model, it would be great if she could join us.”
Moments like this made it clear that Jin-seo truly excelled at her work.
I trusted her enough to leave these matters in her hands even when I returned to the United States.
“So? Is Kim Yeo-na actually coming?”
Jeon Tae-guk asked with noticeably more excitement in his voice than I had.
“I told her that FaceNote would be preparing various support activities and serving beer and beverages, and she said she’d like to come help out. We arranged for her to come by the office in a bit so we can all head out together wearing the Red Devils shirts.”
“Jin-seo, if Kim Yeo-na comes, we’ll need to arrange security personnel because of the attention she’ll draw. You should give us advance notice about these things.”
“Kim Yeo-na only made the decision late last night because of her training schedule. Of course, I’ve already coordinated all the security arrangements with her agency.”
Not a single misstep in her handling of the situation.
And watching the capable Jin-seo work, anyone could see that Jeon Tae-guk’s eyes reflected the gaze of someone hopelessly in love.
Unfortunately, this time Jeon Tae-guk seemed to have chosen well. But a forbidden love… it was simply heartbreaking.
I quickly tapped Jeon Tae-guk on the shoulder.
“William, double-check the sponsorship details again.”
“Oh, Sung-guk.”
[When stray thoughts creep in, staying busy is the best cure, William.]
* * *
“The two of you look just like a couple!”
Watching me in my Red Devils jersey and Kim Yeo-na in hers, Jin-seo let out a cheer.
I quickly tried to stop her.
“Jin-seo. Just remember—if you say things like that carelessly, our FaceNote could end up shutting its doors.”
That’s how much absolute love Kim Yeo-na commanded from the nation.
“It’s fine, Sung-guk.”
Rather, Kim Yeo-na herself stopped me.
“You’re already our advertising model, and you’re participating in this grueling event—how could I possibly object?”
“Since I was young, I’ve always wanted to try serving jobs like my friends did. I volunteered enthusiastically to do this through the event, so please don’t worry.”
Kim Yeo-na had a gift for always considering others first and putting them at ease.
“Still, your body is everything to you as an athlete. You absolutely cannot overexert yourself.”
“Yes! But I just heard from Jin-seo that the three of you made a bet on today’s match?”
“Yes. Would you like to join in?”
“Sung-guk, do you know how long I’ve been waiting to hear those words?”
Kim Yeo-na laughed, wrinkling her nose.
“Jin-seo and I bet on advancing to the Round of 16. Where will you place your bet?”
“Hmm… honestly, my heart says Round of 16 too… but 3 against 1 wouldn’t be fun, would it?”
“We’re not doing this just for fun.”
I meant every word.
I was already thinking of about 108 wishes I’d demand from Jeon Tae-guk if he lost.
When I spoke seriously, Kim Yeo-na looked at me with a determined expression.
“So what’s the penalty if someone loses the bet?”
“The loser grants the winner’s wish.”
“Then I’ll bet seriously too—I’m betting on our country advancing to the Round of 16!”
“Three to one. Perfect!”
I smiled broadly.
[Jeon Tae-guk, just wait. Tonight you’ll probably have to grant three people’s wishes!]
* * *
FaceNote’s booth was packed shoulder to shoulder.
People lined up long queues to receive beer or coffee.
Most women stood in my line where I distributed beer, while men lined up at Kim Yeo-na’s station where she handed out coffee.
Behind us, Jeon Tae-guk and Jin-seo continuously helped us distribute beer and coffee while muttering complaints.
“Jin-seo, those two are getting all the credit… and we’re doing all the work, aren’t we?”
“There’s nothing we can do about it. Thanks to them, FaceNote is getting incredible publicity right now.”
I turned around to look at the two of them.
“You’re distributing beer too slowly. The life of beer is its temperature! William, you need to pick up the pace!”
“I’ve never done this before, so my hands aren’t used to it.”
“Then use your head!”
At my words, Jeon Tae-guk quickly grabbed his phone and called someone.
[As expected….]
Jeon Tae-guk didn’t deviate from my expectations one bit.
Soon after, Secretary Park Sung-hee appeared with a group of employees.
“Young Master, what can we help you with?”
“I’ve been pouring beer for three hours straight. Park Secretary, come help me out!”
“Yes, Young Master!”
The moment he spoke, the employees began hauling the prepared beer kegs, and with their swift assistance in pouring, the line started to dwindle rapidly.
Kim Yeo-na’s coffee line was experiencing the same relief.
Just then, a Broadcasting Station camera crew approached us.
Jin-seo quickly glanced at me and said.
“Sung-guk, brush your bangs back with your hand right now.”
“Why?”
“Hurry!”
Left with no choice, I casually swept my bangs back with my hand. The moment I did, an admiring shriek erupted from the waiting crowd.
“You’re really handsome!!!”
I smiled shyly.
[I know I’m good-looking, cool, and talented—I’m well aware of it.]
But in South Korea, appearing too confident invites rejection, so I had no choice but to smile ambiguously.
At the same time, an Announcer who had arrived with the camera approached me and requested an interview.
“You’re Jeon Sung-guk, the representative of FaceNote, correct? Could we get a quick interview with you and Kim Yeo-na?”
I wasn’t about to pass up such a golden promotional opportunity.
“Instead of just a typical Q&A interview, what if you captured our entire booth and included a brief edited segment of us working?”
“Since we’re interviewing both of you, we’ll do whatever you’d like!”
The Announcer readily agreed.
* * *
“FaceNote’s representative Jeon Sung-guk is also famous for predicting the American economic crisis. How do you see today’s match?”
“Of course, I believe our country will advance to the Round of 16.”
“That’s the wish of the entire nation. Do you have a specific score in mind?”
“Hmm….”
I paused deliberately.
[Pretending not to know what I know is harder than I thought….]
Then I slowly opened my mouth.
“I think it will end in a 2-2 draw, allowing both our country and Argentina to advance to the Round of 16.”
“Wow, if that happens, we’d have nothing left to wish for.”
[That’s exactly what will happen, Announcer!]
* * *
As the sun began to rise and we drew 2-2 with Nigeria to advance to the Round of 16, the street supporters cheering for South Korea began cleaning up the streets with unending enthusiasm.
Jeon Tae-guk, Kim Yeo-na, and I all showed signs of exhaustion, but it was a happy conclusion.
I distributed the remaining beer to everyone.
“You all worked hard today!”
“Wow, beer tastes really good when you drink it like this.”
Kim Yeo-na smiled brightly, and Jeon Tae-guk, oblivious to what lay ahead, beamed with a broad smile.
“Well then, it seems William, who lost today’s bet, should grant us our wishes.”
“Ask for anything! I feel like I can really make it happen.”
[Really?]
I looked at Jeon Tae-guk with a satisfied smile on my face.
Just then, Lim Jin-seo suddenly interjected.
“William! Let me tell you my wish first.”
“What is it, Jin-seo?”
“William, go on a date with me this weekend!”
What?
I doubted my own eyes and ears.
Did Lim Jin-seo just ask Jeon Tae-guk out on a date?

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