I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 505

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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 505
Jeon Ji-sung.
I became a father at twenty-two.
Building a family was a dream I harbored every day while growing up in the orphanage.
A small room where I could return after finishing work and lay down to rest.
And a family waiting for me.
But the weight of being a provider was heavy.
Still, I found strength in my kind and beautiful wife and my handsome, adorable, and intelligent son.
He babbled earlier than other children, and with his beautiful mother’s looks—a beauty recognized even at school—everyone said he was undeniably handsome.
Even after working all day in the bossam restaurant kitchen until my feet swelled, my steps toward home carrying expired whelks in the evening felt light.
Sung-guk, who couldn’t even hold his head up yet, beamed with laughter, and my wife praised my whelk noodle soup as the most delicious thing in the world.
That’s when I understood.
Life wasn’t entirely miserable.
The world saw my wife and me, raised in the orphanage, as unfortunate.
They predicted that the future of an unhappy orphan couple would naturally be unhappy too.
But watching my wife and Sung-guk wriggling about, I felt that it might not be so.
Ji-sung recalled the past and calmly shared stories he had never told anyone in his life.
The Netflix Documentary Director in front of him gazed at Ji-sung with glistening eyes.
“So you believed that because you were born unfortunate, your future would naturally be unfortunate as well?”
“Yes. I think everyone raised in an orphanage would think the same way. Right after finishing high school, they hand you a few dollars and tell you to go out into the world… It felt like they were handing you a ticket to misfortune.”
“Then, at that time… you couldn’t have imagined that your son would attend Harvard, become the CEO of a global company, and deliver such a magnificent speech at an honorary graduation ceremony like this?”
“Of course not.”
Ji-sung nodded emphatically.
“When the child was first born, I did have such daydreams. I thought I’d give him all the education I couldn’t have. Then maybe he could get into Seoul National University. If he’s smart, couldn’t he become a lawyer or a doctor and live well? Those kinds of daydreams.”
“He surpassed those daydreams.”
“Yes, Sung-guk has always been a child who exceeded my imagination. Always, truly….”
* * *
My family and I all stared intently at the hotel room door where Father had gone in with the Documentary Director.
Mother was filled with worry.
“I wonder if your father is telling all those old stories again. Getting emotional….”
“Mom, I’ll bet a hundred dollars that Dad is telling that old story about the Suyu-ri single room again!”
Min-guk declared boldly, even wagering a hundred dollars.
Ji-hee shook her head too.
“Something about this interview dragging on feels ominous….”
That was the moment.
The door clicked open, and Father and the Documentary Director emerged side by side.
Father’s expression was calmer than expected, but the Documentary Director’s eyes were swollen and red.
I approached the director with a deliberate smile.
“Director, how was the interview?”
“Yes… your father’s sincerity… even through the interpreter, it came through. I’ll make sure to capture this interview beautifully.”
[Hmm… does emotional storytelling work in America too?]
I stroked my chin thoughtfully for a moment.
Just then, the Director leaned in and whispered to me.
“Sung-guk, you’re truly fortunate. You have wonderful parents.”
“Of course, I think so too.”
“By the way, I’m planning to start interviewing people around you soon. You’re close with the heir to Samsung, right?”
“Yes.”
I decided to simply acknowledge my relationship with Jeon Tae-guk.
We were close friends, and we made excellent use of each other in all the right ways.
* * *
“I thought I’d relax with a beer after the graduation ceremony, but with the interviews continuing, I can’t seem to let my guard down.”
Mark loosened his necktie and took a sip of beer.
Jeon Tae-guk’s interview was next, followed by Mark’s.
“Since you’re the reason we’re all suffering, you’re treating us to something delicious tonight, right?”
“Of course. Grace and Peter said they’d come too.”
I briefly considered reserving the hamburger place nearby that Peter had first taken me to, but I feared what criticism I’d face, so I booked a high-end restaurant in the area instead.
“But… I’m really curious what Tae-guk will say about you.”
“Hmm… I’m curious too.”
I could somewhat predict what others would say in their interviews.
Mark would speak like he was delivering a sermon, calling me his life partner, while my younger siblings would probably call me a ruthless older brother demanding they earn their keep. But Jeon Tae-guk’s true feelings remained a mystery to me.
* * *
The Director offered a beer to Jeon Tae-guk, who seemed slightly nervous.
“Would you like a beer?”
“Sure.”
Jeon Tae-guk relaxed a bit as he sipped the beer.
“Then, let me start the interview. Do you remember the first time you saw Jeon Sung-guk?”
“Of course.”
Jeon Tae-guk smiled briefly before continuing.
“I invited him to my birthday party. At that time, Sung-guk was a famous child model, known for ‘Five Men and a Baby Basket’ and various commercials. Inviting famous people to birthday parties is the same whether it was then or now.”
“So you met him when he was just a baby?”
“That’s right. I don’t know if Sung-guk remembers, but I still recall the first time I saw him. He glared at me as if I were his enemy. I think even at that young age, he had the determination to become someone like me. Hahaha.”
Jeon Tae-guk laughed pleasantly.
* * *
“I can hear Tae-guk’s laughter from here. What on earth is he saying in that interview?”
Mark seemed very curious about Jeon Tae-guk’s interview.
“Wait until my documentary comes out. Then you’ll know everything.”
“Anyway, he’s completely abandoned humility. By the way, did you see the article about our speeches?”
Mark searched for the article on his phone and showed it to me.
“Fortunately, my speech was well-received too.”
– ‘FaceNote’ Co-founders’ Harvard Honorary Graduation Speeches: Mark Zuckerberg delivered an emotional address, while Jeon Sung-guk presented a visionary masterpiece.
“Hmm… I see.”
“What? You seem a bit dissatisfied.”
“My speech was better.”
Mark sighed and shook his head.
“Even if they don’t ask me in the interview, I’m going to say this one thing for sure. If I had to describe Jeon Sung-guk in one sentence, it’s that he thinks he’s the best person in the world!”
* * *
Mark looked like he’d lose his mind just having a camera directly in front of him, but with the Director and Cameraman staring intently at him, he seemed ready to completely fall apart.
The Director asked Mark a question.
“You’ve been by Jeon Sung-guk’s side longer than anyone else. What kind of person is he, as a colleague and friend?”
“Hmm… that seems clear to me. Sung-guk thinks he’s the best person in the world.”
The Director let out a slight laugh at Mark’s words.
“I’m sorry. Please speak freely.”
“You can laugh. It’s the truth. But actually, Sung-guk really is the best person in the world. That’s the conclusion I’ve reached after watching him from high school until now. Jeon Sung-guk is indeed the best in the world, and he knows it better than anyone! That’s what I mean.”
Mark grinned widely.
“What’s it like having such a friend and colleague by your side, Mark?”
“Hmm… people might think it’s burdensome, and some even pity me for always being in Sung-guk’s shadow, but honestly, I’m very comfortable. Sung-guk understands me better than anyone. I don’t like standing out, I’m shy, and I’m not good at communicating with people. Instead of me doing those things, Sung-guk talks to people, presents the vision, and leads the company. I get to do what I love—programming.”
Mark paused in thought, then continued.
“Now that I’m saying this, I feel even more grateful to Sung-guk.”
* * *
Mark and the Director came out together.
I stood up from my seat as if I’d been waiting.
“Is that all for today’s interview, Director?”
“Yes. We’ll go to Korea ourselves to conduct the family interviews in more detail.”
“Then let’s go grab some food.”
Mark came and stood beside me awkwardly, looking embarrassed.
“Mark, did you badmouth me? Why is your face so red?”
“Sung-guk, I think there’s something I haven’t told you.”
“What is it?”
“Thank you.”
“You’re just realizing that now?”
Mark patted my shoulder with his hand.
“Next time I do an interview, I need to remember not to say things like that. I absolutely should not say thank you to Jeon Sung-guk!”
“Mark, without me, you’d be getting exploited in some corner of Silicon Valley right now.”
“Yeah, you’re right about everything. You are. But what are you buying me for dinner?”
“You know that restaurant we used to pass by all the time when we were broke freshmen?”
Mark’s eyes widened.
“That steakhouse where we promised ourselves we’d buy steaks once we made a lot of money?”
“Yeah.”
“Sung-guk, I think we made it.”
“Of course we did.”
Mark and I bickered playfully as we headed to the steakhouse we’d promised each other to visit if we ever succeeded when we were young.
* * *
Most of the corner of the steakhouse was occupied by my family, Mark’s family, Jeon Tae-guk and Jeon Mi-jin’s group, and the documentary team.
I could also see Peter and Grace.
At that moment, the Documentary Director looked at Mark and me.
“The two graduates of honor today should say a few words.”
Mark was shaking his head with a deep sigh.
“I made a vow when I stepped down from that podium. I swore I’d never step forward again.”
Everyone laughed at that, and Lim Mi-mi patted Mark’s shoulder.
“Then, how about CEO Jeon Sung-guk says something? After all, everyone here has gathered to see you.”
I stood up from my seat. And I picked up my wine glass.
“I seem to be talking too much today.”
“What are you saying? You always talk a lot!”
Jeon Tae-guk shouted with a laugh.
“Well, that’s true. Still, I’m grateful that everyone attended Mark’s and my graduation ceremony today, and even more grateful that you participated in the documentary filming. I’ll keep my toast very brief.”
“It’s already long….”
Min-guk grumbled from beside me. But I wasn’t one to be swayed.
“I’ll just say this. Please look forward to what comes next for me more than what I’ve accomplished so far.”
I raised my glass high.
* * *
On the way back to the hotel, the Documentary Director held the camera and spoke to me even while tipsy from wine.
“Sung-guk, you’ve already accomplished so much. You said in your toast just now that you want people to look forward to what comes next. Honestly, I wonder if there’s anything more for you to achieve. For the future Sung-guk, it’s not just about work—surely your personal life will be included too? Many women are curious about what kind of woman CEO Jeon Sung-guk will meet.”
“Work comes first for me.”
I answered briefly.
“Oh, that’s the kind of answer women love. In some ways, CEO Jeon Sung-guk is like an idol. The object of everyone’s admiration, yet unreachable.”
The tipsy Director rambled on.
At that moment, my phone rang quietly.
Who could it be?
Jack Dorsey’s name appeared on the caller ID.
The founder and CEO of Twitter.
That same Jack Dorsey I’d competed with to sign Kim Yeo-na as an advertising model.
“Jack Dorsey?”
At my words, the Director sobered up and grabbed the camera again.
“Twitter, right?”
“Yes.”
I quickly answered the call.
Jack Dorsey’s husky voice came through the phone.
– Sung-guk, you remember me, right?
“Of course, Jack. What brings this on?”
– Congratulations on graduating from Harvard… and I wanted to make you an interesting proposal.
What?
– Are you perhaps interested in Twitter?
I responded with a faint smile instead of words.
Interested?
Of course I was interested!
But in any business negotiation, showing too much eagerness is one of the worst tactics.
It reveals your true intentions too openly.
I spoke as coldly as I could manage.
“Jack, would I really be interested in just Twitter?”
What I meant was that I was ready to buy Twitter right now.

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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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