I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 353

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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 353
Choi Dong-jun taught me everything in detail—from how to catch the ball to how to use the snap.
Then he looked at me and smiled.
“CEO Jeon Sung-guk, have you ever thought about playing baseball even now?”
“If Pitcher Choi Dong-jun teaches me directly, I’ll give it serious consideration.”
“Ha ha. I’d better shake off this injury and get back on my feet.”
“In that case, I’ll consider changing jobs too.”
Choi Dong-jun said nothing more and gripped my shoulder firmly.
“Do well with the ceremonial pitch.”
“I’ll take your lessons to heart and do my best. Please watch over me.”
“I can’t make it to the stadium in person, but I’ll watch on TV.”
Choi Dong-jun never lost his smile until the very end.
“Oh, my son was making a fuss about taking a photo with you, but he couldn’t come today because of something at school.”
“Let’s take a photo together today, and I’ll send him an invitation for the day I throw the ceremonial pitch. Please tell him.”
“Got it. Now I understand what it means to be a father… I’m asking for things I’d have been too embarrassed to ask for in the past. He was going crazy about uploading the photo with CEO Jeon Sung-guk to FaceNote.”
“I’m the one who should feel honored.”
I quickly pulled out my phone and captured a memory with Choi Dong-jun in a photograph.
* * *
Secretary Park Sung-hee took the wheel.
And the car departed.
On my lap lay a glove and a baseball, both autographed by Choi Dong-jun himself.
To think I’d meet Choi Dong-jun in this life—someone who had once been like my idol in my previous one.
But my heart felt heavy knowing that our time together wouldn’t last long.
“Sung-guk, are you alright?”
“Yes… Secretary Park, you know about Choi Dong-jun’s financial situation, don’t you?”
“To some extent.”
“What’s it like?”
“He was a successful player, so he received appropriate compensation, but his baseball career was cut short after the players’ union incident. He’s been coaching since then, but coaching salaries don’t compare to what he earned as a player.”
Secretary Park Sung-hee’s words essentially meant that despite his fame, his financial situation wasn’t particularly comfortable.
“I’d like to cover all of Choi Dong-jun’s medical treatment expenses from my own pocket. If he finds out personally, he’ll be uncomfortable. Could we handle it as support from the Samjeon Group, given that he once played for them?”
“I’ve heard he hates being indebted to others, but I’ll do my best to find a way.”
“And it seems we could also provide educational support for Choi Dong-jun’s son… could you look into how to arrange that?”
“Yes, understood.”
Secretary Park Sung-hee glanced at me while driving.
“Sung-guk, I’m curious about something.”
I thought I had some idea what Secretary Park Sung-hee was curious about.
“Please feel free to ask.”
“Why are you helping Choi Dong-jun so much? I’ve been a Lotte Giants fan since childhood, but you left the country when you were young and lived abroad, so it seems you wouldn’t have those kinds of roots.”
[Hmm… I was a fan of Choi Dong-jun in my previous life. Secretary Park…]
In fact, Samjeon had such an old-fashioned corporate culture that even the late Chairman had left instructions not to form unions.
I too grew up as the successor to Samjeon, naturally accepting such corporate culture.
After becoming the owner of the Samsung Lions, I came across Choi Dong-jun while studying baseball history one day.
During his most brilliant playing years, Choi Dong-jun prepared and established the Professional Baseball Players Association to support struggling baseball players.
But no matter how exceptional a player he was, it was a difficult battle against large corporations.
Because of this, he left the Lotte Giants, his hometown team, and was traded to the Samsung Lions.
Don’t chase after the ball—become a star yourself.
He lived exactly as his words suggested.
That’s why I respected him so much in my previous life as well.
“No matter how much I’m abroad, I can’t abandon my roots as a Korean.”
“That’s true. Then, I’ll do my best to look into full support for Choi Dong-jun.”
“It would be much easier if we use Tae-guk for this.”
“I was thinking the same thing. I’m glad that my thoughts and yours align regarding support for Choi Dong-jun.”
Secretary Park Sung-hee smiled as warmly as I did.
* * *
Passionate cheers filled Daegu Stadium even before the game began.
As the car arrived at the back entrance, reporters who had been waiting rushed forward.
Jeon Tae-guk quickly put on his sunglasses.
“Sung-guk, how do I look?”
“Those people aren’t here to cover you, are they?”
“Hey, I’m the successor to Samjeon too. This team is mine. So of course the reporters will take my photos as well, right?”
“That may be true, but today I’m the main attraction.”
I shrugged my shoulders and opened the car door.
The reporters immediately swarmed forward.
“CEO Jeon Sung-guk, is it true that you received special coaching from Choi Dong-jun for today’s ceremonial pitch?”
“CEO Jeon Sung-guk, which team do you think will win today? Give us a prediction!”
I stood before the reporters and calmly held up a glove signed in Choi Dong-jun’s own handwriting.
“I’ll answer each of your questions. First, I received direct coaching from Choi Dong-jun for today’s ceremonial pitch, though it was brief. And… the winning team today is….”
I pointed with my gloved hand toward the fluttering Samsung Lions flag.
“The winning team today is none other than the Samsung Lions.”
Laughter and exclamations erupted among the reporters.
“The Samsung Lions and the Kian Tigers are the greatest rivals. Is there a reason you’re making such a bold prediction?”
“My prediction is based on scientific analysis of game performance, as I mentioned during the Great East Japan Earthquake. The Samsung Lions’ current performance is better than ever, and with this momentum, I’d say we can even expect a grand slam home run in today’s game.”
[A grand slam home run by a Samsung batter in the 2011 opening game between the Samsung Lions and the Kian Tigers….]
Why do I remember this so clearly?
I was at this Daegu stadium for the 2011 opening game as well. As Vice Chairman of Samjeon.
Just then, Jeon Tae-guk slowly removed his sunglasses from behind.
And he casually cleared his throat.
“Hmm. Ahem.”
He seemed to be waiting for the reporters’ camera flashes and questions.
But just then, a car carrying the Kian Tigers players was arriving right beside us.
“Thank you for the interview today, CEO Jeon Sung-guk. Good luck with the ceremonial pitch!”
The reporters bowed and rushed toward the vehicles carrying the Kian Tigers players.
“Wait… excuse me…?”
Jeon Tae-guk called after them with a bewildered expression, but not a single reporter turned back.
“Sung-guk, are you treating me like this? I’m the heir to Samjeon.”
“Brother, you don’t actually hold any position at Samjeon yet. It would be different if someone like Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung were here.”
“Ugh… I really need to ask Father for a title…”
Jeon Tae-guk grumbled and walked ahead.
* * *
“I heard you trained under player Choi Dong-jun. Would you mind if we refined your form a bit more?”
The Samjeon Pitching Coach approached with a smile.
“Of course, I’d appreciate that.”
“Then let’s have you practice with the catcher for today’s opening game.”
I loosened my shoulders slightly and threw the ball exactly as Choi Dong-jun had taught me.
Thwack!
The ball flew straight into the catcher’s glove, and both the pitching coach and catcher stared at me in astonishment.
“CEO Jeon Sung-guk, did you play baseball before?”
“Was it decent?”
“More than decent. Just throw it like that. We’ll have ourselves a legendary ceremonial pitch today.”
[I’m Jeon Sung-guk, after all.]
I shrugged my shoulders.
* * *
The 2011 professional baseball opening game finally began.
Shortly after, the stadium announcer introduced today’s ceremonial pitch.
“Today’s ceremonial pitch for the Samsung Lions and Kian Tigers will be thrown by Jeon Sung-guk, CEO of FaceNote, a world-class entrepreneur born in South Korea and recently active as a prophet.”
I took the mound wearing a uniform with the number 11 that Choi Dong-jun had worn during his Samsung Lions days.
Then I exchanged signals with the catcher and warmed up slightly.
Each time I did, cheers from female spectators echoed through the stands.
“It seems our Daegu Stadium has particularly many female fans of CEO Jeon Sung-guk today. Now, CEO Jeon, I saw in the earlier article that you predicted a Samsung Lions victory… we look forward to a magnificent ceremonial pitch.”
The moment the stadium announcer finished speaking, I put on my cap and prepared the mound.
I exchanged a few pre-arranged signals with the catcher and threw the ball toward the strike zone.
Whoosh—crack!
“Strike!”
The umpire’s booming call rang out, and the speed appeared on the display.
– 121km/h.
* * *
In the VIP seating area where Jeon Tae-guk sat, chicken and beer were placed in front of him.
“Sung-guk, look at these articles.”
Jeon Tae-guk handed me his phone as I returned after completing the pitch.
– CEO Jeon Sung-guk creates a legendary ceremonial pitch using techniques passed down from baseball legend pitcher Choi Dong-jun!
– Fastball clocked at 121 km/h. It seems unlikely anyone will break this record in the future!
– Jeon Sung-guk, the representative who set Daegu ablaze with that pitch!
Jeon Tae-guk sipped his beer with a listless expression.
“Sung-guk, I went to Gucci and bought these new sunglasses specifically to look good in photos today… but there’s not a single article about me.”
“Brother, you need to work on your posture from now on.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re with me, you’re going to get photographed a lot.”
“Really?”
At my words, Jeon Tae-guk straightened his posture immediately.
That’s when Jeon Tae-guk removed the Gucci sunglasses and held them out to me.
“Sung-guk, try these on.”
“But those are yours.”
“That’s true, but… if I wear them, they won’t have any effect. But if you wear them and get photographed, these will sell out. If that happens, I’ll be the man who owns sunglasses that are completely sold out across South Korea. Just put them on.”
Jeon Tae-guk thrust the Gucci sunglasses at me without taking no for an answer.
[I suppose I can’t refuse. Might as well grant this fool his wish.]
I put on the Gucci sunglasses and held a beer in one hand. I drank it as naturally as possible, eating chicken between sips while maintaining a relaxed smile.
Without even trying, camera flashes erupted from all directions in succession.
Jeon Tae-guk grinned widely as he sipped his beer.
“Sung-guk, what do you think? Wasn’t my prediction right?”
“Brother, why don’t you apply that kind of clever thinking to your actual work?”
“It just doesn’t translate well to work…”
That’s when I received a message from Choi Dong-jun.
– I think I missed out on a good player. That was the best pitch I’ve ever seen!
– I won’t become a star through baseball, but I’ll do my best to become one elsewhere. I’ll always remember what you said.
Then it happened.
Chae Tae-sung of Samjeon hit a home run—a grand slam.
“Sung-guk! It’s a grand slam!”
[I already know… I’ve seen this game in my previous life…]
I leisurely sipped my beer.
* * *
– Gucci sunglasses worn by Jeon Sung-guk completely sold out!
– Jeon Sung-guk’s prediction comes true again! Samsung Lions defeat Kian Tigers for a satisfying first victory!
– Jeon Sung-guk’s grand slam prediction also comes true! Why we must keep watching Jeon Sung-guk’s next moves—the representative who gets everything right except his love life!
“Gets everything right except his love life!”
I barely managed to smooth out my furrowed brow.
Jeon Tae-guk stood beside me, contentedly smiling at his own photo next to mine.
“Sung-guk, the sunglasses are one thing, but the sales of the beer and chicken we drank and ate together are skyrocketing right now.”
Well, it was expected.
Then came a knock, and the conference room door opened as Secretary Park Sung-hee entered.
“Secretary Park, what happened with Choi Dong-jun?”
“The group has decided to cover all treatment costs. We’ve also sent a scholarship certificate to your son.”
“Shouldn’t Lotte be handling that? I’ll give Sung-guk a call about it.”
“Whether it’s Samjeon or Lotte helping is a good thing. Brother, I’m counting on you.”
Secretary Park Sung-hee handed me a document she had brought.
“What is this?”
“The Saudi Arabian Prince will be visiting next month.”
The Saudi Arabian Prince… That meant the real power broker.
“Saudi Arabia sent over a list of companies they want to meet, and Alpha is among them.”
In other words, oil money was taking notice of Alpha.

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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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