I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 441

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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 441
“Okay! That’s a wrap!”
The Photographer called out loudly.
The shoot had finished in a remarkably short time.
Mark stared at Editor Sean with a bewildered expression, his hands clasped behind his back.
“Sean, we’re done, right?”
“I think we got the okay cut. Let’s take a look together.”
Mark and I walked over to the monitor.
The screen was filled with photographs capturing our faces—brief moments, yet complete.
Sean and the Photographer carefully reviewed the images, then Sean pointed to one with his finger.
“This photograph is truly excellent.”
“That’s why I gave the okay sign too, Sean.”
“This would be more than suitable for the cover.”
I studied the photograph that Sean and the Photographer had approved.
My brow was slightly furrowed, and Mark’s lips were pressed together.
Somehow, the photograph conveyed the anguish that Mark and I carried.
“Sean, is this really the okay cut? We both look quite serious. Mark and I both do.”
“That was the concept we captured. Behind FaceNote’s meteoric rise stand two geniuses wrestling with profound doubt. The weight bearing down on the faces of two people who upended America’s wealth hierarchy with a single idea. We wanted to show people that.”
Then Mark and I understood.
“I didn’t mention the concept beforehand because I was worried you’d overact trying to match it.”
Ultimately, Sean and the Photographer’s direction had been perfect.
Mark still looked dissatisfied.
“Now that I’m photographed like this with Sung-guk… I look even uglier. You’ll photoshop me, right?”
At Mark’s words, Sean, Peter, and the Photographer all burst into laughter.
“Mark, you have a distinctive look. Sung-guk is famous for his face as it is. I think Time Magazine’s sales are going to surge thanks to Sung-guk’s female fans.”
“I feel like I’m just making Sung-guk stand out even more next to me.”
Peter patted the dejected Mark’s shoulder.
“Well, we’re done with everything in New York, so let’s go grab some food. I’ve rebooked that Michelin Restaurant we couldn’t get to before.”
Just as I was about to follow Peter out, a message arrived from Secretary Kim Mi-so.
– CEO, could you give us just two more days? The homeowner said they could vacate early, so we’re trying to get as much interior work done as possible.
– Two days will be enough?
– Of course it’s nowhere near sufficient, but we should be able to set things up enough so Mark and Lim Mi-mi won’t have to stay at the hotel anymore.
After exchanging messages with Secretary Kim Mi-so, I gazed quietly at Mark’s retreating figure ahead.
[How am I going to keep that guy occupied for two days?]
Suddenly, a thought occurred to me.
I quickly searched for the Boston Red Sox schedule.
Fortunately, the Boston Red Sox had a game in two days. Against the New York Yankees, no less! At Yankee Stadium!
Mark was a devoted Boston Red Sox fan, and the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees were destined rivals.
This mission would require asking Jeon Tae-guk for help.
– Hyung, could you get me tickets to the New York Yankees versus Boston Red Sox game? It’s at Yankee Stadium the day after tomorrow!
* * *
The Boston Red Sox tickets had arrived.
The problem was that Jeon Tae-guk had also come along with the Boston Red Sox tickets.
Jeon Tae-guk, having already heard the situation from Secretary Kim Mi-so, calmly handed Mark the VIP tickets to the Boston Red Sox.
“There’s no game today, but there’s one tomorrow. And it’s the Boston Red Sox against the New York Yankees.”
“Tae-guk… how did you know I’m a huge Boston Red Sox fan?”
“Mark, you’re getting married soon. I didn’t think bachelor parties were your style, so I asked Sung-guk what could replace one. He told me about the Boston Red Sox.”
Mark gazed at Jeon Tae-guk with a face full of emotion.
No, it was a face brimming with awe and reverence.
“Tae-guk, did you really prepare this for me?”
“Yeah. But I’ll need to stay in New York a few more days.”
“Oh, right!”
Mark quickly called Lim Mi-mi.
At first, Mark seemed to be scolded by Lim Mi-mi, but he ended up smiling brightly.
“Mi-mi, thank you. No, I love you! You know I love you more than the Boston Red Sox, right?! Got it, I’ll just watch the game and rush right over.”
Lim Mi-mi had scolded Mark as we had already discussed—saying she was busy with work and how could he be interested in a baseball game—and reluctantly gave her permission.
Things that were difficult to obtain were always precious.
Mark came running over with a bright face and embraced Jeon Tae-guk fiercely.
“Tae-guk, thank you so much! Really, really thank you!”
[This is a bit disappointing… it was me who came up with the Boston Red Sox idea, Mark!]
I could only clear my throat awkwardly.
* * *
The Boston Red Sox unfortunately lost to the New York Yankees.
But Mark cheered for the Boston Red Sox with more enthusiasm than ever, as if it were the last game of his life.
After that, we immediately boarded a flight to San Francisco.
At San Francisco Airport, Lim Mi-mi was waiting to pick us up, having driven Mark’s car.
Mark rushed over and embraced Lim Mi-mi fiercely.
“Mi-mi, you must have had a hard time being alone all this while?”
“No, Mark.”
“How’s the morning sickness?”
“It’s fine. You know I’m not picky about food—I eat everything. But I’m worried because I keep gaining weight. I’m afraid my wedding dress won’t fit…”
Lim Mi-mi glanced at Mark’s expression before opening her mouth.
“By the way, Mark… about our house.”
“Our house?”
“Our newlyweds’ home.”
“Yeah. What about it?”
“The previous owner moved out quickly, so I moved in while you were away.”
“Mi-mi! Then you should have called me to come back quickly.”
“I know you’re a huge Boston Red Sox fan. How could I do that? Your freedom before marriage is important too.”
Lim Mi-mi answered calmly.
Jeon Tae-guk and I fell silent as we witnessed the scene.
“Mark, so we’re going to that house right now.”
“What about Sung-guk and Tae-guk?”
“Mark, we’re going to the hotel. Don’t worry.”
As I spoke from behind, Lim Mi-mi quickly gestured to us.
“You two should come along for now. Let’s go and have a simple dinner at the house. Secretary Kim said he’d bring pizza.”
Jeon Tae-guk whispered quietly to me.
“Sung-guk, doesn’t it feel like she’s using us as a shield?”
“From what I know, Mark still hasn’t thrown away the underwear he wore in high school. If he finds out about the sofa, all hell will break loose.”
“That guy Mark is really stubborn.”
“Anyway, let’s just go with them.”
I quickly followed Lim Mi-mi and Mark.
* * *
As we opened the door to the newlyweds’ home and stepped inside, signs of renovation were visible everywhere.
Mark looked at Lim Mi-mi with a puzzled expression.
“Mi-mi, did we decide to repaint the walls?”
“Well… about that…”
At that moment, Mark’s eyes widened as he saw the kitchen covered in plastic sheeting.
“Mi-mi, did we decide to renovate the kitchen too?”
“Well… about that. The walls were worn, and the kitchen sink was so old that I thought it would be better to replace it.”
“Mi-mi, once the baby is born, they’ll scribble on everything and run around anyway. The furniture won’t stay nice. Let’s just use what we have. We don’t even have time—why all this renovation?”
And then something happened that made Mark’s eyes grow even wider.
A new sofa had been placed in front of the fireplace in the living room.
The cream-colored sofa looked simple yet comfortable, and the table chosen to match it was elegant.
Throughout the house, furniture arranged with the eye of an interior designer was placed everywhere, and the decorative objects were excellent.
Mark stared at Lim Mi-mi with an incredulous expression.
“Mi-mi, where’s my sofa?”
“Mark… well, about that…”
“Mi-mi, ever since we walked into this house, you’ve only said ‘about that’… that’s all you’ve said! What’s going on? Where’s my sofa! And my bed! Where did all my cherished furniture go?”
Lim Mi-mi let out a deep sigh.
“Mark, that sofa was so tattered we couldn’t even sell it secondhand. You know the bed’s springs were completely shot?”
“Only one spring was like that. I could avoid it and sleep closer to Mi-mi, which I actually preferred!”
At Mark’s words, Lim Mi-mi couldn’t continue.
[I need to step in now.]
I placed my hand on Mark’s shoulder.
“Mark, all the furniture and appliances in that house were so worn out that I decided to give you a wedding gift by completely redesigning the interior of this place.”
“Sung-guk…”
“Mark, look at Lim Mi-mi. Soon her belly will be quite large, and it will be uncomfortable for her to move around. How could I let her rest her body on such a worn-out sofa? And the bed…”
But Mark’s anger didn’t subside.
“Still, it was my cherished sofa… How many years did I spend sitting on that sofa after work at the company, having a beer…”
In that moment, Lim Mi-mi let out a sigh.
“Mark, I knew you’d pull something like this, so I had the sofa and furniture moved to the warehouse.”
“Really?”
“So go ahead and put that sofa in your study or do whatever you want with it! But don’t you dare let it show up in front of me again!”
“As expected, only Mi-mi truly understands me.”
Mark kissed Lim Mi-mi on the cheek.
Jeon Tae-guk smiled wryly from beside me.
“Married couples really do resolve their fights quickly.”
Mark turned to me with a brightened expression.
“Sung-guk… but is all of this really a wedding gift?”
“Of course, Mark. You’re my one and only friend.”
Mark fell silent for a moment, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
[Mark, if you’re moved, just say so. You looked at Jeon Tae-guk with such admiration when he gave you those Boston Red Sox game tickets. You can give me that same look!]
I shrugged my shoulders slightly.
Just then, Mark looked at me.
“Sung-guk, while you’re at it, could you renovate the bathroom too?”
“What?”
What kind of reaction is this?
“You said it was a wedding gift?”
“Mark, you said you were taking those old sofas and beds to save money.”
“That’s true, but… I wouldn’t say no to another gift. Especially since you’re a billionaire, wouldn’t it be reasonable for me to accept this much?”
Mark smiled brightly.
“Sung-guk, I’ll fix the bathroom while we’re at it.”
I stared at Mark with a look of utter bewilderment.
“Mark, just do whatever you want.”
“Really?”
“Yeah… but there’s one condition.”
“What is it?”
“You absolutely cannot get married twice!!!”
* * *
August 15th, 2012.
The wedding day of Mark and Lim Mi-mi had arrived.
The wedding of Mark and Lim Mi-mi was to be held in a suburb near Silicon Valley.
It was a corner of a park that could accommodate only about a hundred guests. However, it was surrounded by trees and hidden from everyone’s view.
It was a choice befitting Mark and Lim Mi-mi.
Our families from Korea and Lim Mi-mi’s family all arrived two days before the wedding.
And Mark’s parents arrived here yesterday.
Mark’s wedding venue, the guests’ accommodations, transportation, food, drinks, and even the band—all of it was Jeon Tae-guk’s wedding gift.
In any case, Mark was fortunate to have me and Jeon Tae-guk as friends. And he was getting married before us, no less!
I woke up as usual, ran on the treadmill, and then took a shower.
I examined the suit I’d worn as the groom’s best man. It was a striking navy ensemble.
Today, I’d decided to wear a suit instead of my usual hoodie.
Once I’d put on the suit and tied the necktie, a message arrived from Secretary Kim Mi-so.
– CEO, once you’re ready, let’s meet in the lobby. The groomsmen need to move together with the bride and groom anyway.
The moment I finished preparing, I headed to the lobby.
Secretary Kim Mi-so, who had arrived early, greeted me.
Secretary Kim Mi-so was radiant in a soft pink dress, smiling brightly.
“Secretary Kim….”
As I approached, Secretary Kim Mi-so laughed somewhat bashfully.
“CEO, it’s my first time in a dress—don’t I look strange?”
“No, not at all.”
“Then why are you staring at me like that?”
Well, that’s because…
[You look more beautiful than usual…. Just a little, a very little bit more beautiful than usual. Don’t get the wrong idea, Secretary Kim!]

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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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