I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 358

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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 358
– Saudi Arabia Confirms Final Investment in Samjeon!
– Jeon Sung-guk, CEO, Spearheads Saudi Investment!
I was watching the morning news while choosing between an Americano and a latte from Starbucks that Kim Mi-so had offered me.
At that moment, Kim Mi-so held out the latte.
“CEO, why don’t you stop deliberating and have the latte first?”
“You’re right….”
It had been a week since Jeon Tae-guk left for the United States.
And Kim Mi-so at Samjeon managed me far more meticulously than Jeon Tae-guk ever did.
Suddenly, I looked up at Kim Mi-so.
“Ms. Kim Mi-so.”
“Yes, CEO.”
“Has Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung given you any separate instructions?”
[Like surveillance or something….]
Kim Mi-so answered with a smile befitting her name.
“Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung has given me exactly one separate instruction.”
“What is it?”
“There is no limit to the corporate card budget needed to assist CEO Jeon Sung-guk. That is the only instruction.”
[Yet it’s always Starbucks….]
Still, I could tell what Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung thought of me.
People assume that for the wealthy, a billion won is pocket change—the kind of money ordinary people spend on dessert—but there are also conglomerates that haggle over perm prices at salons.
“Ms. Kim Mi-so, what’s on the schedule for today?”
“Since it’s Monday, there’s a full Alpha meeting at 10 AM. After that, lunch. And in the afternoon, there are back-to-back meetings with FaceNote and YouTube’s Asia division.”
“What are the meeting topics?”
“First, a full staff briefing on Adam and Sam’s TikTok progress. Second, a briefing by Yang Chul-soo, Asia Division Director, regarding FaceNote’s Asia expansion strategy. Finally, there’s the recent YouTube controversy over adult content and internal sanctions.”
Kim Mi-so laid out today’s meeting schedule cleanly.
“Lunch seems to have about an hour of flexibility. What should we arrange for meals?”
“Since I’ll be eating with Adam and Sam, please arrange something for the two of them rather than me—whether it’s a bento box or a restaurant.”
“I messaged both of them on the way here, and they both wanted kimchi stew.”
Adam and Sam were becoming more Korean than I was.
“Then, please make a reservation at the place we go to often.”
“Understood. And CEO, this is an invitation that came through the Samjeon secretarial office. Take a look.”
What kind of invitation could this be?
The invitation was a bright pink color, adorned with extravagant fresh flowers.
In short, it was an invitation money had been lavished upon.
My brow furrowed instantly.
There was only one person I could think of who would spend money so thoughtlessly on something so trivial.
I opened the invitation.
– Sung-guk, it’s me, Mi-jin.
My prediction hadn’t missed by a single step.
It was Jeon Mi-jin.
– The third Monday of May is our coming-of-age day, you know.
[So this means I’ve finally lived a full 60 years.]
I read through the invitation with a listless expression.
– To commemorate that day, we’ve decided to hold a small party at the Diamond Hall in Samjeon Hotel.
Sung-guk, many of our kindergarten classmates will be coming, so I hope you’ll attend and celebrate coming-of-age with us. The dress code is mid 【Gossip Girl】.
I shook my head and immediately tossed Jeon Mi-jin’s invitation into the trash.
Kim Mi-so watched my expression carefully.
It seemed Kim Mi-so also knew what this invitation was about.
“CEO, this invitation is from Miss Mi-jin. Are you planning not to attend?”
“Yes, if the Samjeon secretariat contacts you, please tell them I have a personal schedule and cannot attend.”
“I’ll relay that, but the truth is Miss Mi-jin also contacted me personally. She said to make sure CEO Jeon Sung-guk comes to this coming-of-age party.”
I frowned and looked up at Kim Mi-so.
“Secretary Kim Mi-so, are you in charge of Jeon Mi-jin?”
Kim Mi-so smiled faintly and then nodded.
“I’ve been handling her affairs while Miss Mi-jin is in Korea.”
“Isn’t Jeon Mi-jin supposed to be attending university in New York? But… why is she in Korea in May of all times?”
“I’ll tell you the truth. Miss Mi-jin’s academic performance was poor last year, so she decided to take a one-year leave of absence. This year, when she comes of age, she expressed a strong desire to be in Korea with CEO Jeon Sung-guk, so she returned home urgently a few days ago.”
Jeon Mi-jin was truly still a foolish and vain existence.
[I’m already busy taking care of Jeon Tae-guk. I don’t have the energy to look after Jeon Mi-jin too.]
Moreover, Jeon Mi-jin saw me, her older brother from my past life, as a man.
That was truly unbearable!
“Secretary Kim Mi-so, coming-of-age day holds no particular meaning for me.”
[Living life twice, what’s the significance of becoming an adult….]
“Even if I had a prior commitment, it would be with people I truly cherish. I won’t be attending the party.”
“I understand, CEO Jeon Sung-guk. But may I say something as your secretary?”
“Of course.”
“Miss Mi-jin’s coming-of-age party is actually a very advantageous gathering for networking. All of your classmates from the Samjeon Kindergarten special class have confirmed their attendance. It will be a gathering of second and third-generation heirs from political and business circles in their twenties. In summary, it’s a place where all the next-generation powerhouses who will lead South Korea will gather.”
“Secretary Kim Mi-so, I apologize, but I’m not particularly interested in South Korea’s political and business circles. You know I’m only in South Korea right now for military service, correct?”
“Ah….”
Kim Mi-so’s expression showed she finally understood.
“I apologize.”
“Secretary Kim Mi-so, I am not an employee of Samjeon. Samjeon and I have a strictly business relationship, and that will continue to be the case. Keep that in mind.”
“Yes, CEO.”
* * *
“As expected, Sung-guk, you really come alive at lunch when you have kimchi stew and rolled egg like this.”
Adam was already on his second bowl of rice.
“Adam, the TikTok development pace seems slower than expected.”
“Sung-guk…. I heard there’s a Korean saying that you don’t even touch a dog while eating….”
[Adam, you’re becoming more Korean than I am now….]
At that moment, Sam chimed in from beside me.
“Sung-guk, TikTok is a video-sharing SNS. It’s quite different from Instagrim, which is just for photos. The growth momentum probably won’t be as fast.”
“I understand. Let’s talk about work next time and grab lunch instead.”
Just then, my phone rang.
It was Bang Mu-hyuk.
What could he want at this hour?
“What’s going on?”
– Sung-guk… I wanted to discuss something with you.
“What is it?”
– Samjeon Group is throwing some kind of party in May, and they’ve invited Min-guk’s group to perform.
“They invited a group that hasn’t even been formed yet?”
– Yeah. They saw the YouTube videos of Min-guk’s practice sessions. They want him to perform on stage, but… I’m not sure if it’s right to put kids who haven’t even debuted on such a stage. And they won’t even tell me what kind of party it is exactly.
It seemed that when I declined, Mi-jin had reached out to Min-guk instead.
“What do you think about it?”
– Hmm… I’m worried, but it’s also a good opportunity for the trainees to gain stage experience. Plus, they’re offering a substantial appearance fee. Given our current situation, I’m honestly grateful for that money.
“I received an invitation too. It’s probably Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung’s daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony. She was my kindergarten classmate.”
– Ah, is that what it is?
“Since it’s not an open party and only invited guests are attending, what if you set conditions like no photography? That might work.”
– But here’s the thing…
Bang Mu-hyuk hesitated for a moment before continuing.
– The condition is that Min-guk and you both have to come.
“What did you say?”
– That’s what’s strange to me too. You already received an invitation.
“I declined it.”
– Ah, so they invited Min-guk’s group just to get you to come?
Mi-jin really did have an obvious, persistent streak.
“How do Min-guk and the other trainees feel about it?”
– They all want to go so badly. Since they’re always filming videos in the practice room, they seem eager to perform on a stage like this and get their skills recognized. Plus, the appearance fee is quite generous.
There was no way around this.
“Go ahead and accept it.”
– But Sung-guk, are you really okay with this?
“Of course.”
[I just need to tolerate Mi-jin for a few hours… and I have my own plans anyway.]
* * *
“Why do I have to go to Mi-jin’s coming-of-age ceremony party!”
Tae-guk shouted in an irritated tone.
If there were two people in this world who hated each other the most, it would probably be Tae-guk and Mi-jin.
Having just returned from the United States, Tae-guk pulled at his hair in frustration.
“She couldn’t even study properly and took a leave of absence, and now she’s coming back to Korea to have a coming-of-age ceremony! Mi-jin really does all kinds of ridiculous things.”
[Tae-guk, that’s not something you should be saying. I got you through university, after all.]
“On top of that, you invited him too, and Min-guk’s group as well? Ugh. This is really frustrating.”
“Hyung, I don’t understand either, but Min-guk’s group is struggling financially. I thought this would be a good opportunity for them to earn some pocket money and build confidence by performing on stage.”
“But, Sung-guk… Why do I have to go with you? I can’t stand watching Mi-jin dress up and play Gossip Girls.”
“Hyung, my younger sister included you as an option. I feel like I need to go for my sister’s sake.”
“Don’t tell me… Sung-guk, you’re using me as a shield against Mi-jin?”
[This fool has decent instincts after all.]
I nodded readily.
“Fine! I’ll make sure Mi-jin remembers her coming-of-age ceremony for the rest of her life. How dare she covet our Sung-guk! She doesn’t know her place!”
Indeed, in this world, the siblings from wealthy conglomerates who despised each other the most were the ones with the most to inherit.
In my previous life, I hated Tae-guk and Mi-jin more than anyone else in the world.
* * *
The Diamond Hall at Samjeon Hotel was decorated with countless flowers from the entrance.
Security personnel thoroughly inspected invitations at the entrance, and young faces from the political and business circles I recognized were entering one by one, either with partners or alone.
Tae-guk adjusted his collar as if heading into battle.
“Sung-guk, I told you to wear a suit.”
I deliberately came to the party in the hoodie I usually wore.
“It’s the Gossip Girls concept from the TV show. I’m playing the poor student from Brooklyn.”
Just then, Bang Mu-hyuk arrived with all the Sevens members, including Min-guk.
The members, visibly nervous, were busy looking around.
“Whoa! Hyung, are we really performing here?”
“Yeah. How many songs did you prepare?”
“Three cover songs.”
“Alright, just do it comfortably as practice.”
“Got it, hyung!”
Then my two secret weapons walked in behind them.
“Oppa!”
“Sung-guk….”
“Mom, today is Min-guk’s first time on stage. You should watch it too.”
It was Ji-hee and Mother.
With Tae-guk on my right and Ji-hee and Mother on my left, there was no way Mi-jin could approach me no matter what tricks she tried.
“Let’s go in.”
* * *
As we entered the party venue, Mi-jin, dressed in a gaudy gown that didn’t suit her, cheered and approached me when she saw me.
“Sung-guk!”
At that moment, Tae-guk on my right blocked my path.
“Mi-jin, you should greet your oppa first.”
Tae-guk was perfect!
Bringing Tae-guk along was a masterstroke.
But Mi-jin…
“Oppa, why are you like this with family?”
I pushed Jeon Tae-guk aside effortlessly.
Then she stepped even closer to me.
“Sung-guk, you’re really… so cool. Wow, how tall are you? And why is your face so handsome? Seriously… Sung-guk, do you remember when I chased after you back in kindergarten because I liked you?”
[Where are you getting your medication? I remember everything from kindergarten, Mi-jin. You were the one who said you liked me back then.]
“Mi-jin, I think your memory might be a bit distorted. You should see a doctor.”
“Oh my, how cold. Sung-guk, today is Coming of Age Day, isn’t it? You know? Flowers and perfume and… a kiss.”
Just then, Ji-hee stepped directly in front of me, blocking her path.
Jeon Mi-jin tried to push Ji-hee aside with all her strength, but Ji-hee didn’t budge an inch.
“Who is this little kid? I didn’t invite anyone this young….”
“She’s Sung-guk’s little sister.”
For a moment, Jeon Mi-jin’s expression hardened, but she quickly switched to a sweet tone to coax Ji-hee.
“Oh my, so you’re Sung-guk’s sister. Ji-hee, since your brother and I are meeting after so long… could you step aside so we can give each other a hug? A hug is just a greeting abroad.”
“Tch.”
Ji-hee snorted and showed no intention of moving out of my way.
Jeon Mi-jin tried once more to push Ji-hee’s shoulder with all her might. Ugh—
That’s when someone grabbed Jeon Mi-jin’s wrist as she reached for Ji-hee’s shoulder.
Jeon Mi-jin looked at that person with an irritated expression.
“What?”
“I’m Sung-guk’s mother. The child you’re trying to force away is my daughter.”
Jeon Mi-jin’s pupils began to tremble.
“Young lady, take your hand off my daughter.”
“Oh, oh Mother~ I apologize for not recognizing you. I was just trying to greet Sung-guk.”
Mother stepped directly in front of me, looking down at Jeon Mi-jin.
“Young lady, I understand you’re happy to see an old classmate after so long, but this is South Korea. There are many eyes watching. Please maintain an appropriate distance!”
“Ah… yes, Mother.”
I quickly gave Mother a thumbs up.
[Mother, you’re the best!]

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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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