Max-Level Son of a Chaebol Family - Chapter 29
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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29. Grandfather and Grandson’s Perfect Harmony
When Father suddenly stood up, Mother also rose from her seat.
I did the same.
We headed to the living room.
In the living room, Chairman Cha was giving various instructions with hand gestures.
“Director Go, stack our Jeong-hyeok’s presents under that Christmas tree.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
Last time at the Taeseong Hotel Coffee Shop, he had brought a mountain of presents too.
This time he was building an even higher gift tower than before.
“Secretary Kim, wouldn’t it be better to set aside the presents for the child’s mother separately?”
“Since these are also Christmas presents, I think it would be good to place them under the tree together.”
Secretary Kim was carrying a bunch of Taeseong Department Store paper bags.
“The Young Master’s presents are wrapped in colorful wrapping paper, and these are in paper bags, so you can tell them apart at a glance. The Young Master would probably prefer to sit with his mother and unwrap the presents together.”
“Good! Then put the child’s mother’s presents over here too.”
Chairman Cha turned to look at Director Go.
“You take care of the Taeseong Group Security Guards.”
“Yes, of course.”
“They’ve worked hard protecting my brat, so buy them beef to eat.”
When beef was mentioned, the Taeseong Group Security Guards smiled broadly and clapped loudly.
Usually year-end company dinners only went up to pork.
So beef had to be considered a definite reward.
“Last night there were armed robbers who almost caused big trouble, right?”
“Yes, I heard they even had illegal firearms and tried to climb over the wall.”
“Then beef isn’t enough. Director Go, give all the security guards here generous year-end bonuses! 200% performance bonus!”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
Director Go smiled broadly as if he had achieved something himself.
It was only natural that thunderous applause and cheers from the Taeseong Group Security Guards followed.
‘Indeed, life is all about carrots and sticks!’
I nodded my head.
Blood doesn’t lie.
Chairman Cha has similar aspects to me after all.
‘Originally, sincerity should be shown through actions rather than words. Among those, cash is still the best.’
In the bustling atmosphere, Chairman Cha turned to look at Father.
“Seong-jun, it’s been a long time.”
“Father.”
“The Middle Eastern sun must be harsh indeed. Your face is burnt black like charcoal, making you quite ugly.”
…Can the word “ugly” really be applied to our Father?
If this porcelain-colored skin looks like charcoal, wouldn’t that be a problem with Chairman Cha’s eyesight?
“Father is still the same.”
“What kind of world is it where a father confirms his son’s life or death through embassy telegrams? It’s this difficult to see your son’s face. Tsk.”
Chairman Cha didn’t hide his displeasure.
But Father didn’t flinch.
He answered calmly in a blunt voice.
“I was busy.”
“Acting proud in front of your father! Well, you did win many overseas construction contracts.”
“Thanks to that, Taeseong Construction’s cash reserves have become abundant. You’re pleased, aren’t you?”
“Ahem! Of course I’m pleased that Taeseong Construction’s cash reserves have increased! But when you think about it, isn’t that the company I’m passing down to you?”
Chairman Cha snorted.
“Your own company, your own work, working hard on your own is natural. What does that have to do with me that you’re acting proud?”
“It’s Father’s company.”
Secretary Kim, who had approached beside me, quietly informed me.
“Young Master Seong-jun holds 12% of Taeseong Construction shares, and the Chairman holds 41%.”
Then our Father is right!
Originally, the major shareholder is the owner of a company.
“How unfilial to wander outside for 7 years without making a proper phone call?”
“You told me to become a child who goes out and achieves results rather than one who stays by your side being filial.”
“Ahem!”
“I was being filial in my own way.”
“······.”
Chairman Cha couldn’t bring himself to argue back.
-Be a wolf cub that hunts outside rather than a dog brat that begs for food at home!
It was something Chairman Cha always used to say.
“Ahem, enough nagging. Seong-jun, you should go home now. Your mother is waiting with her neck stretched out looking for you.”
“I’ll be staying here. Instead, I’ll call Mother separately.”
“Seven years! Do you even know how desperately your mother has been waiting for you all this time?”
Chairman Cha clicked his tongue.
“That damn Shaman’s House! She wore down the threshold going in and out, praying only for your safety!”
Chairman Cha was clearly an atheist.
He shuddered at the word Shaman’s House.
“Thinking of your mother, you shouldn’t be so cruel. What kind of unfilial behavior is this?”
Chairman Cha glanced at Mother.
“I found out your mother fell into serious disfavor because of that Money Envelope. Seven years of heartache is enough. Go home now!”
“There are two people here who have also waited seven years for me.”
Father gently placed his hand on my shoulder.
“My son has waited for me his entire life. Are you telling me to leave such a child behind and go back?”
“······.”
Chairman Cha couldn’t argue back this time either.
He looked back and forth between me and Father, then finally let out a long sigh.
“For the sake of my precious brat, I’ll pretend not to know for just one day. I can’t compromise any more than that!”
“I’ll be staying here continuously.”
“An unmarried guy like you going where? Do you mean you’ll run away from home?”
“If necessary, I’ll have to. While we’re at it, independence after marriage would be better than running away.”
“Marriage?”
“Yes.”
Father demonstratively pulled Mother, who was looking anxiously, into his arms.
“I will marry this woman.”
“What? What about the marriage arrangement with Wooguang? There’s a 30 billion won project at stake!”
“The marriage arrangement with Wooguang was also Father’s decision, and the 30 billion won project was also Father’s initiative. You should take responsibility for what you started yourself.”
“You damn brat!”
“I will take responsibility for what I started. So I will take care of my wife and children myself.”
“Cha Seong-jun!”
Finally, Chairman Cha exploded.
“Do I really have to wield the sword before you come to your senses…!”
That’s enough!
I rushed toward Chairman Cha.
“Grandfather!”
I clung tightly to Chairman Cha.
Seeing me hanging onto him, Chairman Cha couldn’t hide his bewilderment.
At the unexpected child’s attack, all the adults looked at me with surprised eyes.
“Grandfather, don’t be angry. It’s scary.”
“Go to your room.”
“Can’t you stop being angry?”
“This is adult business. It’s not something for kids to interfere with.”
“Don’t be angry at our father. Okay?”
I clung to Chairman Cha and whined.
Chairman Cha’s face was flushed red and blue, but he couldn’t forcibly push away me who was desperately clinging to him.
“Grandfather, hold me! Please?”
This is exactly the privilege of being a child – being able to ignore adult circumstances!
Chairman Cha let out a long sigh.
Then he reluctantly picked me up.
Though he immediately tried to hand me over to Secretary Kim.
“Jeong-hyeok, you should go outside with Secretary Kim for a while and build a snowman…”
“Grandfather, choose one.”
I wrapped my arms tightly around Chairman Cha’s neck and whispered in his ear.
“If you’re going to act on your temper, I can’t give you the three pages I cut out.”
“······!”
Chairman Cha stopped all his movements abruptly.
“You need to plug the leaking water jar. Why are you trying to draw tears from my mother’s eyes?”
“······.”
Chairman Cha had such a tremendous temper that he earned the nickname “Flame Bulldozer.”
However, if he had only raged without distinguishing when to lose his temper and when not to, he never would have climbed to this position.
Chairman Cha’s position required experiencing all kinds of hardships and hiding a sword in one’s heart while smiling.
Chairman Cha was a man with a hot heart but a head colder than anyone else’s.
“Didn’t you come all the way here because you wanted to know where that 2 Billion Won Bribe came from?”
I reminded Chairman Cha of his purpose.
Chairman Cha hadn’t come to fight with Father or to settle the matter of his marriage to Mother.
“I met Father for the first time today. So couldn’t Grandfather just be patient for today? Please?”
Chairman Cha was still glaring fiercely at Father, but that was all.
His lips twitched for just a moment.
“Instead, don’t use the term ‘Chairman Cha’ anymore.”
“I absolutely won’t use it! I promise!”
Grandfather patted my back.
“I can’t lose my temper in front of our Jeong-hyeok. I almost showed an unseemly side of myself in front of the child.”
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
I gave Grandfather a kiss on the cheek.
Grandfather’s frighteningly wrinkled expression smoothly relaxed.
His raised eyebrows returned to their proper place, and his trembling lips gently curved into a soft arc.
Grandfather clicked his tongue while looking at Father.
“You really got yourself a good son. You better know this is all thanks to my precious brat.”
Grandfather turned around.
“Since I’ve come all this way, I can’t leave without playing with our Jeong-hyeok for a bit. Secretary Kim!”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Make sure my brat doesn’t catch a cold – bring along a coat, gloves, scarf, earmuffs, fur hat, and even fur shoes.”
“Yes.”
I quietly nestled into Grandfather’s embrace around his neck and entrusted my body to him.
Grandfather walked out while stroking my back.
“Good child. Taking your father’s side even though it’s the first time you’ve met him.”
It would have been so nice if things had ended here.
But Father just had to add one more thing.
“No matter what you say, Father, my resolve won’t change. I cannot abandon my wife and children.”
Grandfather’s steps paused for a moment, but he soon pretended not to hear and continued walking forward.
I was grateful for that, so I hugged Grandfather’s neck even tighter.
“If you refuse to give permission until the very end, I’m prepared to give up everything and leave.”
Grandfather walked silently.
He slipped on his dress shoes carelessly and flung open the front door.
The cold winter wind came rushing in, and heavy snow was falling from the sky.
Every time Grandfather exhaled, white vapor spread out in long streams.
Pat pat.
I patted Grandfather’s back with my small hands.
“After raising him with such difficulty, he doesn’t even understand his father’s heart. Our Father was wrong about this.”
It was comfort I could offer because Father had chosen Mother and me.
Grandfather smiled softly.
“Even if my son doesn’t understand me, my grandson does, so I don’t feel too bad.”
“As expected, our Grandfather is magnanimous. You’re amazing.”
I gave him a thumbs up.
Grandfather’s smile deepened a little more.
“Cha Jeong-hyeok.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“You must really hate Grandfather, don’t you? Since I’m trying to drive your Mother and Father apart.”
“It’s not because you hate our Mother, right?”
“Hate her? Where would you find someone who doesn’t know your Mother is beautiful?”
Grandfather paused his steps for a moment and looked at the garden that had turned completely white.
Snow had accumulated on every branch, and the vast lawn was clean like white drawing paper.
“I know your mother is a good woman. I also know well that she suffered alone, protecting and taking responsibility for you.”
“······.”
“But Grandfather also has people he must protect and take responsibility for. Taeseong Chemical has 2,000 employees.”
That 30 billion won business that was at stake in the marriage arrangement.
A company worth over 1.5 trillion won by 21st century standards.
That was the problem.
“The jobs of 2,000 people, including their families, easily 8,000 mouths depend on this grandfather. Wooguang is rampaging about restructuring, saying they should sell it off immediately, and this grandfather is blocking them.”
Wooguang had entered the steel business four years ago and was running at a loss.
With their cash shortage, they were thinking of liquidating an easy partner company to extract cash.
If their financial situation was that bad, they could sell off Wooguang’s profitable subsidiaries instead.
Yet they deliberately shook Taeseong and kept biting and hanging on.
“It started as a partnership conditional on marriage, but now they’ve become my family, my employees, my company. I should have never accepted that proposal from the beginning.”
How could I not understand that Grandfather had his own circumstances?
“I’m sorry, Jeong-hyeok. Because Grandfather is inadequate and incompetent. Since I started the business by selling my son, I can’t help being despised by my son. It’s all my own doing.”
“Not yet. It’s too early to give up like that.”
I smiled broadly.
“If I take Taeseong Chemical away from Wooguang, will you give permission for this marriage?”
Grandfather blinked his eyes.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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