I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 468

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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 468
Beep, beep, beep, beep.
The sound of the entrance code being punched in echoed through the apartment, and Jeon Tae-guk walked in carrying beer.
“Sung-guk, let’s have a drink. Did Ji-hee’s move go well?”
“She should be moving right now with Secretary Kim Mi-so.”
Ji-hee’s officetel contract had closed without issue, and I’d received word that the interior work finished today and she was moving in.
“Ji-hee’s finally becoming independent. She always seemed like a kid, but when I saw her that day, she expressed her opinions so clearly and decisively.”
“Hyung, Ji-hee’s always been like that with her words.”
[Too decisive, actually—that’s the problem…]
Jeon Tae-guk took a sip of his beer.
“But… Sung-guk, remember what Ji-hee said that day? She said you seem to have a lot of money, but she’s never really seen you spend it. What did you think about that?”
“There’s a saying about being ungrateful, hyung.”
“You mean Ji-hee doesn’t recognize your kindness?”
“Right. It seems like Ji-hee doesn’t realize that all the comfortable studying she’s done up until now is because of me.”
“Ji-hee’s still young. She’s not at an age where she’d understand such things yet.”
I gulped down my beer.
At that moment, Jeon Tae-guk stared at me with a serious expression.
“Sung-guk, but… do I really seem like someone who doesn’t do much work relying on the family?”
“Hyung, that’s actually true.”
“I’m incredibly busy, you know. There are countless places where I have to show my face. This is part of being a third-generation chaebol…”
“Hyung, but it seems like Ji-hee doesn’t see it as anything significant.”
“Once Ji-hee grows up and experiences working in society, she’ll understand the pain that you and I go through.”
“That’s true.”
And so Jeon Tae-guk and I drank our beer bitterly.
* * *
At that moment, Secretary Kim Mi-so was surveying the completed interior of Ji-hee’s officetel.
Thanks to Jeon Tae-guk providing his card and connecting her with an interior designer, Ji-hee’s room had transformed into something that looked like it belonged in an interior design magazine.
Ji-hee herself scanned the room with a satisfied expression.
“Do you like it, Ji-hee?”
“Very much. It’s going to be so convenient to live in.”
“I’m glad. You mentioned needing a large desk for studying, so we had one custom-made for you.”
“Thank you, Secretary Kim.”
Secretary Kim Mi-so took a moment to collect herself, then looked at Ji-hee.
She felt like this was something she needed to say.
“Ji-hee, shouldn’t you be thanking Representative Jeon Sung-guk and Executive Director Jeon Tae-guk? I know Representative Jeon cares about you deeply. Executive Director Jeon also looks after you like you’re his own sister.”
Ji-hee exhaled softly.
“I know that well enough.”
“Then why don’t you show your gratitude more often?”
“It’s embarrassing to do that kind of thing with family. And Secretary Kim.”
“Yes, Ji-hee.”
“I know my older brother pretty well. Once he starts praising someone, he gets way too full of himself. I just can’t stand it.”
Ji-hee clenched her small fists tightly.
Secretary Kim Mi-so barely suppressed a smile.
“The representative does tend to have that habit.”
“And Tae-guk tends to be overly generous when someone does something well. Look at today—he could have just bought some furniture, but he even hired an interior designer to completely set up the place. That’s a bit much.”
“Executive Tae-guk does have that tendency as well.”
“Secretary, being the younger sibling to two such thoughtless people is really difficult.”
“I understand. Still, you should at least say thank you. Gratitude is gratitude, after all.”
“Yes….”
Ji-hee reluctantly picked up her phone.
And she sent the same message to both Sung-guk and Tae-guk.
– Thanks for helping with the move. I appreciate it, brother.
* * *
Ding. Ding.
The notification sound arrived on both my phone and Jeon Tae-guk’s with a brief time delay.
Who is it?
When I opened my phone, there was a message from Ji-hee.
It was a very simple message, just like Ji-hee.
[Grateful? Did I ever think Ji-hee would say something like that….]
While I looked at Ji-hee’s message with suspicious eyes, Jeon Tae-guk’s mouth stretched from ear to ear.
“Sung-guk, Ji-hee sent me a message.”
“She sent me one too.”
“Sung-guk, Ji-hee says she’s grateful. Is she finally growing up?”
“I think… Secretary Kim Mi-so probably made her do it.”
But that was enough.
Ji-hee was gradually maturing.
“Even if she was made to do it, Ji-hee was the one who sent the message.”
Jeon Tae-guk continued grinning at Ji-hee’s single message, and he seemed to be far more of a pushover for his younger sister than I was.
* * *
In place of Ji-hee, who was focused on bar exam preparation, a staff member with experience at a film company recommended by CEO Kim Mi-young was stationed at the Family Business office.
Her name was Kim Ga-young, and her position was Producer.
She had worked on the previous project with Director Bong Joon-ho, so the director actively recommended her as well.
From early morning, Producer Kim Ga-young visited my office at Alpha.
“Representative!”
Producer Kim Ga-young’s voice was somehow slightly excited.
What’s going on?
“Representative, this is huge!”
Producer Kim Ga-young had a more outgoing personality than anyone else around me.
“What’s huge, Producer Kim?”
“The Cannes Film Festival office just contacted us.”
[It’s finally happening….]
“Representative, you know Dennis Chazelle’s film?”
“You’re talking about 【Whip】 being invited to the non-competitive section of the Cannes Film Festival, right?”
“Wow… how did you know that, Representative? Did someone contact you separately?”
“No. But I had a feeling it would happen. The way PD Kim was making a fuss about it.”
“Oh, was I being that loud?”
“A little. Anyway, I’ll contact Dennis separately.”
PD Kim Ga-young continued staring at me with an excited expression.
“PD Kim, why aren’t you leaving?”
“Representative, your first film has been invited to Cannes. Even if you produce dozens of films, it’s rare to get an invitation to Cannes. But aren’t you amazed?”
“I’m not a filmmaker.”
“Well… that’s true, but….”
PD Kim Ga-young couldn’t find anything else to say.
“PD Kim, if you continue working on Family Business with me going forward, you’ll see many more amazing things. Since we’ve received an official invitation from the Cannes Film Festival, first check what they’re providing on their end. For any shortfalls, we’ll cover the costs from our side.”
“Yes… Representative. But… can I go to Cannes Film Festival too?”
“Why are you asking that?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t go, can I?”
“Of course you should go with us. You didn’t participate in 【Whip】, but you’ll need to continue participating in future projects. Try contacting Director Bong Joon-ho as well.”
“Representative! Thank you so much!!!”
PD Kim Ga-young bowed at a ninety-degree angle and then bustled out of the office excitedly.
Sam and Adam, who were just coming in, asked with puzzled expressions.
“Sung-guk, is something going on?”
“Dennis’s film got invited to Cannes this time.”
“Congratulations, Sung-guk! I should send Dennis a message.”
“It’s not in the competition section, so he won’t be winning any awards.”
“Still, it’s the Cannes Film Festival!”
Sam spoke excitedly as well.
“Sam, Adam…. Don’t we have something more important to focus on?”
“Oh, right.”
Sam scratched his head awkwardly.
“Can TikTok officially launch by the end of this year?”
At my question, Sam and Adam nodded with determined expressions, unlike usual.
“It looks possible, Sung-guk.”
Adam answered with conviction.
“Sung-guk, do you know what it means when Adam answers with such conviction?”
“Of course, Sam.”
By now, I could tell the status of a project just by looking at Sam and Adam’s eyes and tone of voice.
Adam was currently in a state of conviction about TikTok.
“Adam, you’ve worked hard all this time, but there’s not much left now, so please hang in there a bit longer.”
“Sung-guk, don’t worry.”
“Oh, and… I have something I prepared for you.”
Sam and Adam had been running themselves ragged for TikTok all this time.
Overtime had become their lifestyle, and they came to the office even on weekends.
Of course, I compensated both of them generously with their salaries, but sometimes money alone wasn’t enough.
Adam looked at me with curious eyes.
“Adam, I heard you’ve switched over to A-Punk lately.”
“Sung-guk, how did you know that?”
“Adam, every time you call, your ringtone is A-Punk music. There’s no way I wouldn’t notice.”
“Ah, that’s right….”
Adam’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Adam remained a K-pop fan, and lately he’d been obsessed with A-Punk.
“There’s an A-Punk concert next weekend. I booked VIP seats for you.”
“Sung-guk…. I’m really grateful. I was trying everything I could think of to get tickets, but I failed. I can’t compete with South Korean people when it comes to this.”
“I figured as much. Go with Sam. You both deserve a day to clear your heads.”
Sam and Adam both left the office with bright smiles on their faces.
By the end of this year, TikTok would finally be launched globally.
Smartphone technology still had limitations in implementing video freely, but within a few years, the age of TikTok would dawn.
FaceNote and Instagrim. And YouTube and TikTok as well.
I was gradually climbing toward the true throne of social media.
What if I even took over Twitter?
The thought suddenly occurred to me.
Elon Musk had his eye on Twitter, but if I seized it first?
I would become the absolute king of social media.
[I should look for an opportunity….]
* * *
“Dennis, congratulations. Even though it’s in the non-competition section, you got an invitation to the Cannes Film Festival.”
– Sung-guk, I still can’t believe it. Cannes… Am I really walking the red carpet I only dreamed of?
“That’s right. Our production company will arrange the schedule and send it to you. I’m going too, and I think Ji-hee will probably come as well. She’s very interested in copyright matters.”
– Got it, Sung-guk. I’ll prepare on my end.
“Director, just prepare yourself mentally.”
– Understood!
Dennis seemed unable to believe the fact that he’d been invited to the Cannes Film Festival.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
There was a knock, and Secretary Kim Mi-so entered.
“Representative, your schedule for Cannes has been confirmed.”
“Dennis’s film received an invitation.”
“PD Kim Ga-young has been glued to the phone all day. The calls from various media outlets won’t stop. They found out that The Whip was invested in and produced by a Korean company. There are already many inquiries about distribution rights.”
“I’ll make all decisions after Cannes. Please tell PD Kim on your way out.”
“Yes, Representative. And… also….”
Secretary Kim Mi-so trailed off.
It was Secretary Kim Mi-so’s habit to hesitate whenever she had something difficult to say.
“Is there a problem?”
“I received a call from PD Kim Ga-young and was organizing your schedule.”
“And?”
“On the day 【The Whip】 is screened, another film is being shown nearby.”
Multiple films were screened simultaneously each day at the festival.
“It’s just that… it’s a film starring Emma Watson, and Emma Watson is also planning to walk the red carpet. Your red carpet timing is expected to overlap with hers.”
Emma Watson and I were already completely finished.
But people wouldn’t see it that way.
Especially when exes encountered each other at the same venue—the media absolutely loved such moments.
“I have to walk the red carpet for work, so there’s no avoiding it.”
“I apologize. Since the Cannes Film Festival organizes the schedule, it’s difficult for us to adjust, Representative.”
“Secretary Kim Mi-so, this isn’t something you need to apologize for.”
“I’ll do my best to ensure our paths don’t cross.”
I paused to think, then looked at Secretary Kim Mi-so.
“Secretary Kim, I don’t mind whether I overlap with Emma Watson or not. I just want to surprise her a bit. Would you help me?”
“How can I help you?”
“Secretary Kim, would you walk the red carpet with me as my partner?”
Secretary Kim Mi-so fell silent for a moment at my proposal.

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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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