I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 312
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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 312
Samjeon Hotel Lobby.
Jeon Tae-guk was doing a little shoulder dance, thrilled by Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung’s permission.
“Sung-guk, I should head home and open a nice bottle of wine tonight. Father gave me his blessing, so… all I have to do now is perform well. Right?”
“Hyung… I think instead of going home to open wine, you should contact Lim Jin-seo right now.”
“Right now?”
Jeon Tae-guk stopped in his tracks.
It was five minutes before 9 p.m.
The movie theater still had screenings running.
But Jeon Tae-guk glanced at his watch and hesitated.
“Isn’t it too late? It’s nighttime.”
“Nobody goes to bed at 9 these days.”
“True, but… I suddenly cancelled our plans, so Jin-seo might want to rest. And I don’t even know if there are any movie times available…”
I quickly checked the showtimes at a movie theater near Lim Jin-seo’s place.
“Hyung, there’s a screening at 10:10. Just call Lim Jin-seo already!”
“But… will it work? What if she hates being asked to come out so late at night…?”
[Are you serious? Now I have to help with his love life too?!]
I called Lim Jin-seo instead of waiting for the hesitant Jeon Tae-guk to make up his mind.
Lim Jin-seo’s voice came through the phone.
– Sung-guk, what’s going on?
“William wants to catch a movie right now. How does that sound?”
– Right now?
“There’s a screening at Yeouido CGJ at 10:10. Yeouido CGJ is pretty close to your place, right?”
– But why are you calling me to ask instead of William?
[What lie should I tell?]
After a moment of thought, I just answered honestly.
“William’s having decision paralysis right now. I called instead so he wouldn’t miss the time while he was deliberating. Should I have him call you?”
Lim Jin-seo’s laughter came through the phone.
– No, it’s fine. Yeouido CGJ is close by, so tell William to meet me in front of the theater at 10.
“Got it!”
I hung up and looked at the waiting Jeon Tae-guk.
“Sung-guk… what did she say? Does she hate the idea?”
“Why are you assuming rejection before even hearing her answer? Lim Jin-seo said she’ll meet you in front of the theater at 10. Go now.”
I handed the car keys to Jeon Tae-guk.
“Since it’s late, watch the movie and drive her home safely. Understood?”
“Yeah… got it! Sung-guk, I’ll never forget this favor!”
“Just have a good date!”
Jeon Tae-guk took the car keys and bolted out like a madman.
[Sigh… just how far does the karma from my past life extend?]
With Jeon Tae-guk gone, I walked slowly out of the lobby.
At that moment, I heard Secretary Yang’s voice from behind.
“Sung-guk.”
I turned around to find Secretary Yang approaching with a smile.
“The young master asked me to drive you home.”
“I can just take a taxi.”
“We live in the same apartment complex anyway. Let’s go together.”
Secretary Yang was also a resident of Samjeon Palace.
“And… actually, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”
I had a feeling it would be about his son, Yang Chul-soo.
* * *
It had been a while since I rode in a car that Secretary Yang was driving himself.
It seemed he had sent the driver home early so he could discuss his son with me.
Secretary Yang fiddled with the radio before starting to make small talk.
“It’s completely summer now. It’s pretty hot, isn’t it, Sung-guk?”
“This is bearable. Besides, air conditioning is pretty good these days.”
[Secretary Yang, listen. I’m someone who survived summer in a tiny one-room apartment with my mother, father, and Min-guk using just one fan. This heat is nothing. And back then, I was even wearing diapers!]
Secretary Yang chuckled and glanced at me.
“Right, once this semester ends, Chul-soo will finally be done with his studies.”
[Hmm… so the real conversation is finally starting.]
“….”
I waited calmly for Secretary Yang to continue.
“I heard about the proposal you made to our Chul-soo.”
“Once Chul-soo finishes his studies, he’ll take my place at FaceNote. His education is solid, and I’ve been deliberately asking him to intern at different SNS companies during breaks.”
Yang Chul-soo understood my intentions better than anyone, and following my wishes, he had interned at various competing SNS companies during his breaks.
[I’m not the kind of person to just put anyone in a position based on personal connections, Secretary Yang.]
“But here’s the thing….”
Secretary Yang kept hesitating.
“I haven’t discussed this deeply with Chul-soo, but from my perspective, I’m concerned about the young master Tae-guk….”
Finally, Secretary Yang revealed his true feelings.
Secretary Yang was someone who maintained a calm expression no matter what and acted according to Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung’s will rather than his own. But even he seemed worried when it came to his son.
His concern for his child took precedence.
“Why are you concerned about Tae-guk?”
“I heard that you asked the young master Tae-guk to stay at the FaceNote Korea branch for another six months.”
“Yes… but I haven’t given him a definite answer yet. Neither has Tae-guk.”
“If the young master Tae-guk stays at the FaceNote Korea branch, he’ll end up under Chul-soo anyway.”
“In terms of title, yes, but we operate almost as equals. There’s no clear distinction between who’s the superior and who’s the subordinate… not like Samjeon, Secretary Yang.”
“That may be true, but I’m still concerned. After all, Chul-soo once served the young master Tae-guk, and it won’t be easy for Chul-soo to work at the same company with someone he once served.”
“Secretary Yang, did you… discuss this with Chul-soo?”
Secretary Yang was so startled that he took his hands off the steering wheel and waved them frantically.
“Secretary Yang, the steering wheel.”
“Ah… I’m sorry, Sung-guk.”
Secretary Yang quickly gripped the steering wheel again. It seemed all parents worried about their children in the same way.
“Chul-soo doesn’t even know I think like this. You know how he is—so caught up in his studies that he barely calls home, and when he does, he just asks how everyone’s doing before hanging up. If he found out I said this to you, he’d be furious.”
I nodded quietly.
“Secretary Yang, I understand your concerns. But since Chul-soo chose to leave his position as Tae-guk’s personal secretary and forge his own path, please respect his decision.”
“Ha. I suppose I was being a bit overbearing.”
“It’s your son—that’s not overbearing. I’d call it care.”
“Sung-guk, I don’t think I’ve ever said this, but thank you for showing our Chul-soo a new life.”
[A new life? What are you talking about, Secretary Yang? In my past life, Yang Chul-soo was my secretary too, and in this life, he’s still supporting me the same way.]
Well, at least he expressed his gratitude, so I should accept it gracefully.
“I believe Chul-soo will help me greatly.”
“Of course he will!”
As we continued our conversation, Secretary Yang’s car was already heading toward the parking lot of Samjeon Palace.
I wondered if my past life’s karma would let that date go smoothly without me….
* * *
Jeon Tae-guk fortunately arrived at Yeouido CGJ before 10 o’clock.
‘Since I got here first… I should definitely book the tickets first….’
Jeon Tae-guk hurried to the ticket counter and asked the employee.
“For the 10:10 showing. Is there any way I could rent out the entire theater?”
“I’m sorry?”
The employee stared at Jeon Tae-guk with a bewildered expression.
Honestly, no one here would recognize Jeon Tae-guk, the heir to the Samjeon Group.
“I get really distracted when there are people around me while I’m watching a movie.”
“I’m sorry, sir. We’ve already sold quite a few tickets.”
“Well, I suppose there’s no help for it then. Just give me two tickets.”
“Yes, sir….”
The employee’s expression suggested she’d just encountered a difficult customer.
“Sir, the 10:10 showing of 【Bread War】, correct?”
“Yes, that one. And are there any empty seats nearby? If there are, I’ll book them all.”
“Sir, I’m sorry, but the theater is almost completely full today.”
“At 10 p.m.?”
“It’s summer, so people watch a lot of movies at night.”
“Sigh, I really can’t do anything about this. But 【Bread War】 seems to be quite popular.”
“Yes, sir… it’s the most popular one these days.”
The employee handed the tickets to Jeon Tae-guk with a reluctant expression.
“Then, please enjoy the movie.”
Jeon Tae-guk held the tickets and waited for Lim Jin-seo to appear.
And soon, Lim Jin-seo approached Jeon Tae-guk in casual attire.
“You got here early, William.”
“I already bought the tickets in advance.”
Jeon Tae-guk confidently handed the ticket to Lim Jin-seo.
“It’s called 【Bread War】… I think it’s a historical drama. Something like 【The King’s Man】, right, Jin-seo?”
“Pfft—.”
In that moment, Lim Jin-seo barely suppressed her laughter before continuing.
“The content rating is a bit high for a first date, but let’s go in. I’ve been wanting to see it!”
“That’s a relief. I’m fine with anything you want to see, Jin-seo!”
Jeon Tae-guk entered the theater with Lim Jin-seo, his expression pleased.
* * *
I called Yang Chul-soo while looking down at the Yangjae Stream.
After a few rings, Yang Chul-soo’s voice came through.
– Sung-guk, what’s going on all of a sudden?
“How are you doing, hyung?”
– I’m dying with this thesis deadline.
“Right, hyung… We agreed you’d join the FaceNote Korea branch once your thesis is done.”
– Yeah…
“Hyung… I think I need to stay in Korea a bit longer.”
– Is something wrong with the Korea branch?
“Six months is too tight to get things settled. I want to observe things a bit longer. And since you have no practical experience at our company, I’d like you to build up experience at the US FaceNote first… What do you think?”
– Sung-guk, can I be honest with you?
Yang Chul-soo’s voice was calm.
As always, he was precisely analyzing the current situation.
He probably already knew that Jeon Tae-guk would be staying longer at the Korea branch.
“Go ahead, hyung. Speak freely.”
– It’s because of Young Master Tae-guk, isn’t it?
“Hmm… I can’t say it’s zero percent.”
– Honestly, that part bothered me too. For FaceNote to establish itself quickly in Korea and Asia, there’s no backing as solid as the Samjeon Group. That’s probably why you put Young Master Tae-guk in that position.
It was an obvious fact.
– Sung-guk, honestly, I also wanted to learn more at headquarters before being deployed directly to the Korea branch. So don’t worry about that part and just speak freely.
“Thank you, hyung. Let’s meet and talk when you come to Korea.”
– Yeah, Sung-guk.
Yang Chul-soo also found Jeon Tae-guk’s position as his superior uncomfortable.
In any case, I needed the backing of the Samjeon Group right now, and to make that happen, keeping Jeon Tae-guk at FaceNote was the best option.
Click.
Just then, the entrance light came on and Jeon Tae-guk walked in.
[He came back earlier than expected?]
Jeon Tae-guk loosened his necktie as he walked inside.
“How was the movie, hyung?”
“Jeon Sung-guk…”
For someone who’d just been on a date with a woman he liked, Jeon Tae-guk’s voice was heavy.
“Have you ever seen a movie called 【Bread War】?”
“I’ve heard the title before…”
“No… The 10:10 showing was that movie.”
“Really? Was it fun?”
In my past life, I’d only heard the title of “Bread Affair,” never knew what it was about.
Jeon Tae-guk pulled a cold bottle of water from the refrigerator and chugged it down.
“You don’t know anything either… Ugh….”
“What’s wrong, hyung?”
“The thing is, that movie’s content… Never mind. How can I talk about this when you’re a hopeless romantic?”
“What does the movie have to do with that? Anyway, did you two part ways right after the movie ended?”
“Yeah….”
“You should’ve gone to the Han River and grabbed some ramen.”
“Look up that movie. It was our first date and… I couldn’t even swallow in the theater, I was so embarrassed! I was worried she’d get the wrong idea if I kept her out late, so I drove her home the moment it ended.”
“Hyung, did you fight with Jin-seo over the movie?”
“No… Jin-seo said she enjoyed it. I was just embarrassed about it. Ugh… I don’t know. I’m tired, I’m going to bed.”
Jeon Tae-guk shook his head and tried to head to his room.
“Hyung… Wait a moment.”
“What?”
“About staying at the Korean branch for another six months or so. That was my wish, wasn’t it? What are you going to do?”
“That’s…”
“I’m planning to stay another six months. So that settles it, right?”
Suddenly, Jeon Tae-guk’s face flushed red and pale alternately.
“It’s not Secretary Yang anymore!!! It’s Jin-seo who’s the problem!!!”
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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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