I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 370

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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 370
After a few glasses of wine, Dennis’s face flushed with excitement as he eagerly discussed the film.
“Sung-guk, you know that musical film I told you inspired me?”
“The story about young people gathering in Los Angeles to chase their dreams?”
“Yes! The screenplay is rough, but I have a draft, and I’ve been shopping it around. But everyone keeps saying the same thing—how can an unknown director make a musical film? Los Angeles wasn’t the land of opportunity for me after all.”
Dennis went on to recount all the contempt and dismissal he’d received while pitching his screenplay to film studios.
“When they found out I went to Harvard, they just told me to get a real job. But I really want to make films.”
“Dennis, I’m going to push this film forward, so don’t worry.”
“Sung-guk… you’re not investing in a boring film just because we’re friends, are you? You’re a successful businessman now.”
“Dennis, after all this time, you still don’t know me? Have you ever seen me move based on personal connections alone?”
“You’re right. Jeon Sung-guk would never do that.”
Dennis shook his head vigorously, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
[Don’t get emotional, Dennis. I’m investing in a film that will make money. Especially with low-budget films like this—if they hit big, the returns are beyond imagination.]
Dennis wiped his runny nose and looked at me.
“Sung-guk, you’re truly… my benefactor for life.”
“Let’s talk about that after the film releases.”
“Right!”
“By the way, Dennis, when’s your flight back to Los Angeles?”
“Well…”
Dennis hesitated for a moment.
My suspicion seemed to be correct.
It wouldn’t have been easy for an aspiring director who hadn’t sold a screenplay in years in Los Angeles to fly all the way to San Francisco.
“Dennis, you don’t even have money for a return flight, do you?”
“Well… it’s embarrassing to admit, but you’re right. If this didn’t work out, I was planning to just find a job here.”
Dennis had come to me with such desperation.
“Dennis, can I make you a proposal?”
“What kind of proposal?”
“Do you really have a reason to go back to Los Angeles right now?”
“Just the rent I’m splitting with a friend.”
“Do you have a girlfriend?”
“Who’d date an aspiring director like me who can barely make ends meet?”
“Then perfect. Come to Korea with me tomorrow.”
…
Dennis blinked for a moment before asking in surprise.
“Sung-guk, is this a proposal as an investor?”
“Of course. The screenplay is excellent, but I think it needs a bit more work. You know how sometimes when screenplays aren’t coming together, you go travel and write?”
“That’s incredible… that’s literally the life I’ve always dreamed of. Traveling the world, getting inspired, developing ideas for my work…”
“Seoul isn’t a resort like Cancun or Bali, but revising and completing your work in a different place could be wonderful. And it’s also the perfect place to develop the conductor’s character.”
“What do you mean?”
“South Korea is a small country where hierarchy is determined by which university you attend. To get into those universities, students obsess over studying, treating even their friends as competitors. Seeing that reality will add authenticity to The Whip.”
“Really… Sung-guk, South Korea is going to be the model for my 【Whip】!”
Dennis was already buzzing with excitement about the trip to Korea.
* * *
Mark drove his Porsche to the airport to see off Dennis, a college classmate he hadn’t seen in ages, and me.
“Dennis, are you really going all the way to Korea just because Sung-guk talked you into it?”
“Yeah. I’m really desperate, you know. If Sung-guk hadn’t said he’d invest, I might’ve disappeared into the Bermuda Triangle or something.”
“Dennis, let me give you one piece of advice as someone who’s already worked with Sung-guk… just remember that Sung-guk is exactly the same whether he’s your friend or your boss.”
“So he’s ruthless and shows no mercy?”
“Of course!”
Mark nodded emphatically.
“Hey, you two—I’m right here, you know.”
Mark laughed awkwardly and glanced at me sitting in the passenger seat.
“Sung-guk… I meant go easy on Dennis. Unlike me, he’s an artist. Most artists are sensitive, and….”
That’s when Dennis interjected.
“Mark, don’t worry. Right now, I need a whip more than anyone.”
Dennis seemed fully resolved.
[Dennis, if it’s a whip you need, don’t worry. I wield it better than anyone.]
“By the way, Sung-guk. William is heading straight to the airport, right?”
I glanced at the empty back seat.
Normally, Jeon Tae-guk should have been sitting there, heading to the airport with us.
But Jeon Tae-guk left early this morning with a determined expression to meet with Lim Jin-seo.
“William said he always gets scared and runs away before goodbyes, but this time he doesn’t want to do that. He’s going to hold on one more time, and if it doesn’t work out, then he’ll step back.”
“So William was serious this time.”
“Seems like it.”
Dennis, who had been listening to our conversation, clapped his hands together sharply.
“I… just thought of the ending for my story about young people gathering in L.A. to chase their dreams. I was struggling with whether to give it a happy ending for a musical film, but maybe it doesn’t have to be. If this love has helped me grow, that alone could be enough.”
[Hmm… so Jeon Tae-guk is inspiring Dennis’s next work….]
I shrugged.
“Dennis, let’s talk about that together when we get to Korea.”
“Yeah… Sung-guk, the moment you said you’d invest in 【Whip】, all these ideas that were blocked just started flowing.”
“Oh, Dennis—here’s your plane ticket to Korea. You’re flying with us.”
I handed Dennis the ticket.
Dennis’s mouth fell open in an instant.
[He’s surprised, huh….]
“Sung-guk, this is… first class.”
“Don’t thank me. When I travel with William, Samjeon always books everything in first class anyway.”
“Wow….”
“From now on, remember that you’re not just my Harvard classmate—you’re a director I’m investing in.”
“Yeah… I’ll really work hard on the script when we get to Korea!”
Dennis hugged the plane ticket tightly, his face flushed with emotion.
[Dennis, there’s a saying that everything has to be worth its price. So don’t get too overwhelmed with emotion.]
Mark shook his head as he watched the moved Dennis.
“Dennis, I wish you’d have that expression when you come back from Korea….”
* * *
Jeon Tae-guk boarded the first-class cabin for the last time.
One look at his face made it obvious he was upset.
“Hyung, are you okay?”
“Of course I’m not okay. But Sung-guk, I think I really did everything I could this time….”
“Wait a moment!”
Dennis suddenly interjected.
Jeon Tae-guk looked at Dennis in surprise.
“Dennis, what’s wrong?”
“Tae-guk, I’d really like to hear that story seriously.”
[Hmm… Dennis, you’re going to regret this….]
Dennis wanted to hear the story of Jeon Tae-guk being rejected by Lim Jin-seo.
I subtly told Jeon Tae-guk.
“Hyung, Dennis is planning a film for his next project. It’s about male and female leads who come to Los Angeles chasing their dreams and fall in love, but when I told him your story, he wants to change the ending to a breakup.”
Jeon Tae-guk’s eyes sparkled for a moment.
“Dennis, are you saying you’re basing this film on me right now?”
Dennis was slightly flustered at Jeon Tae-guk’s question, but I quickly elbowed Dennis in the ribs.
[Dennis, read the room. This is Samjeon Group. He could be your biggest backer!]
“Tae-guk, of course! I’d really like to hear more details about your heartbreak.”
Fortunately, Dennis wasn’t as oblivious as Mark.
Jeon Tae-guk raised his hand and asked the flight attendant for champagne.
“A story about parting ways can’t be without alcohol.”
“I’ll pass. I have a lot to do.”
Before I could even finish speaking, Jeon Tae-guk grabbed my shoulder.
“Sung-guk, you’re an investor in Dennis’s film?”
“Not in this one.”
“If the first film does well, you should invest in the second one too. To do that, you need to listen to stories like this together.”
[I already know how the movie ends!]
I sighed and closed my laptop.
Perhaps meeting Dennis in this lifetime was something like destiny.
Just by listening to the stories of this genius who would become a world-renowned director, I was witnessing history unfold. If that was the case, I thought I should enjoy this opportunity while I had it.
I took a sip of champagne and looked back and forth between Jeon Tae-guk and Dennis.
“Well, shall we start with the story of your parting now?”
Jeon Tae-guk relaxed slightly and began telling the story from his first meeting with Lim Jin-seo.
[Oh no… I won’t be able to sleep until we get back to Korea….]
During the more than ten-hour flight, Jeon Tae-guk told Dennis about his meeting and parting with Lim Jin-seo, and even shed a few tears along the way.
And even after arriving home, he held onto Dennis and continued lamenting how much he was hurt and how difficult it was to live as a chaebol before finally falling asleep.
* * *
The alarm blared loudly.
I quickly silenced it and got out of bed.
Being in my twenties truly meant knowing nothing of fatigue.
Despite being thoroughly exhausted from the long flight and champagne, my eyes snapped open at the sound of the alarm.
From outside, I heard rustling sounds—someone was already awake.
Who could it be?
When I opened the door and stepped out, Adam was standing there with a sleepy face.
“Adam, you’re already up?”
“Sung-guk… William was talking all night, and the sound traveled through the walls. I couldn’t sleep.”
“Just bear with it for a few days.”
“Of course I understand. He must be going through a lot after the breakup.”
Just then, Jeon Tae-guk’s door opened, and Dennis stumbled out like a zombie, his face gaunt and hollow from a single day of anguish.
“Dennis, is it over now?”
“Well… I think it’s mostly over, but the problem is I’ve been thinking about it ever since I got off the airplane.”
Adam and I barely managed to smile.
“Dennis, if sharing a room with Tae-guk becomes too difficult, just tell me. I’ll look into finding a studio with living quarters.”
“I’ll try to manage just for today.”
Dennis gulped down some water with a disheveled expression and headed back to his room.
At that moment, Secretary Park Sung-hee entered with an immaculate appearance.
“Young Master Sung-guk, did you see off Charlie Jobs safely?”
“Yes, Secretary Park.”
“I’ve been in low spirits for days since hearing about Charlie Jobs.”
Many people around the world felt the same way.
“By the way, where is the young master?”
“He’s in his room, but I don’t think he’ll be able to come to work today. Between the flight and everything…”
[He probably hasn’t even sobered up yet…]
Secretary Park Sung-hee’s brow furrowed.
“Young Master Sung-guk, does the young master not know what today is?”
“What day is it?”
“It’s the first day of the Korean Series! As the successor to the Samjeon Group, today is his first official public appearance!”
Secretary Park Sung-hee rushed into Jeon Tae-guk’s room.
From inside came Jeon Tae-guk’s scream.
“No!!!”
* * *
Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung stared sternly at Jeon Tae-guk and me in turn.
Secretary Park Sung-hee had hurriedly taken him to the hospital for a hangover IV and medication, but Jeon Tae-guk was unmistakably suffering from a severe hangover.
Even the luxury brands adorning his body were useless.
Moreover, fearing Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung’s wrath, he had even dragged me into the situation.
Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung glanced at the baseball bat in the VIP waiting room. He was thoroughly furious.
The moment I returned to Samjeon, it was painfully obvious that word of my business trip as a pretext, my visit to the United States to see Lim Jin-seo, and our breakup had all reached Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung’s ears.
“What on earth is this mess?”
“Father, I… well…”
Jeon Tae-guk stammered before the furious Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung.
Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung picked up a baseball bat in one hand and approached, slapping his palm with it.
“Jeon Tae-guk, you’re the face of Samjeon now. And you’re going to keep acting so carelessly?”
[No matter what, violence isn’t the answer, Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung!]
I quickly caught the baseball bat as Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung swung it.
“Representative Jeon Sung-guk should stay out of this. It’s a family matter.”
“Chairman, please hear me out first. What if we ran an interesting marketing campaign for this Korean Series—that whenever my brother attends a game in person, Samjeon wins?”
Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung stared at me in disbelief.
“Representative Jeon, is that even possible?”
[Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung, with me around, anything’s possible!]

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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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