Max-Level Son of a Chaebol Family - Chapter 52

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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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52. This Can’t Be! (1)

 

I settled down in the Hyeonmu Hotel Garden with Mother, waiting for the fireworks.

 

Mother quietly exclaimed in admiration.

 

“They really put a lot of effort into decorating this garden. All the colorful sparkling lights are so pretty.”

 

In the center of the garden, a large Christmas Tree sparkled with multicolored lights wrapped around it.

 

Large and small lights wrapped around the garden trees, illuminating brightly.

 

Walking along the well-laid walking path had quite a charming atmosphere.

 

“Wow, what a delicious smell! Jeong-hyeok, shall we go over there?”

 

“The chef uncles are grilling skewers.”

 

In a corner of the garden, the hotel head chef had lit charcoal fire on a barbecue grill and was diligently grilling skewers to serve the guests.

 

There was a variety of grilled skewers too.

 

There were chicken skewers, heart skewers, beef cube skewers, and even marshmallow skewers.

 

Bang!

 

A firework that had soared up into the black night sky drawing a long tail exploded with a bang.

 

It was the fireworks display.

 

Mother stared blankly at the sky in a daze.

 

Bang! Bang-bang-bang! Bang!

 

Colorful multicolored fireworks painted the sky.

 

This was precisely the explosive technology that Hyeonmu Chemical took pride in.

 

‘Hyeonmu Chemical’s fireworks are definitely worth watching. Truly befitting a company that stands tall as the Republic of Korea’s top defense contractor.’

 

Hyeonmu Chemical was second in Asia, meaning they succeeded in extracting glycerin independently after Japan.

 

Until then, Korea had to rely solely on foreign explosives.

 

But thanks to Hyeonmu Chemical, they were able to achieve domestic production of explosives.

 

Hyeonmu Chemical’s explosives were widely used for tunnel construction and civil engineering rock work, so they were scheduled to be heavily used in the Subway Line 2 construction as well.

 

“Wow, it’s really beautiful.”

 

Mother smiled brightly like a young girl, delighted.

 

The various colored fireworks reflected in Mother’s eyes seemed to be embroidered like jewels.

 

So I also held Mother’s hand and smiled brightly.

 

“Yes, it’s really beautiful.”

 

I have no memories of watching fireworks with Mother in my childhood.

 

To me, fireworks weren’t festival fireworks to enjoy with family, friends, or lovers.

 

For me, who had wandered the Back Alleys since childhood, they were forbidden – similar to the flames lit by the little match girl on Christmas Eve with matches she couldn’t sell.

 

I sold food at fireworks festivals and earned money by cleaning up the trash people left behind.

 

Always looking at people’s wallets, picking up trash, staring at the ground.

 

I had never once straightened my back and watched fireworks in a daze.

 

“I really like it. Watching fireworks with Mother. I hope we can watch them together again next time too.”

 

Oh no.

 

A complaint mixed with joy and bitterness slipped out without me realizing it.

 

Mother embraced me.

 

“Jeong-hyeok, are you upset that you couldn’t be with Father?”

 

“No.”

 

“Father was too busy today so we couldn’t be together, but next time let’s pester him to watch fireworks with us. How about it?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Then don’t be upset. Promise~”

 

Mother smiled brightly and held out her pinky finger to me.

 

I stared blankly at her pinky finger and couldn’t help but chuckle.

 

“Promise.”

 

I prefer documents over words, promises sealed with a thumbprint over pinky promises.

 

But if it’s Mother’s pinky promise, I have no choice but to accept.

 

I hooked my pinky finger and pressed our thumbs together firmly.

 

“Actually it’s a secret, but Mother was also thinking it would be nice to watch fireworks with Father. Mother is really disappointed too. Were you the same, Jeong-hyeok?”

 

Mother gently stroked my head.

 

“But Jeong-hyeok saw it too, right? How Grandfather and Father were working hard for Mother and Jeong-hyeok earlier.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“That’s why Father is so busy. So let’s just understand for today. Okay?”

 

“Yes.”

 

I know.

 

That Father must be very busy right now.

 

Actually, I had Secretary Kim send Father to Mayor Gu.

 

“Mother, let’s stay at our Hyeonmu Hotel tonight.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Father gave me this earlier. He said he reserved a room so we should rest comfortably.”

 

I handed Mother the note with room number that I had received from Father.

 

“Father said he’ll be very busy tonight.”

 

Perhaps he might have to work through the entire night.

 

Father’s whereabouts tonight would be determined by how much enthusiasm and motivation Mayor Gu shows after seeing the subway route map that Father brought.

 

“Let’s not worry ourselves waiting for Father and go to sleep first.”

 

“Let’s do that. My legs were hurting anyway, and I was tired. Thanks to Father, we even get to sleep in such a pretty hotel. This is so nice~”

 

Mother smiled brightly.

 

Bang! Pop-pop-pop-bang! Bang!

 

The fireworks bursting in the night sky were quite a spectacle.

 

‘Hey, Guardian Spirit.’

 

[Mm, truly beautiful.]

 

The Grim Reaper stood beside me with his hands clasped behind his back, looking up at the night sky.

 

He seemed quietly impressed.

 

[To think that the fireworks technique in the Mortal World has developed this far. How can they shoot up such colorful and diverse fireworks? I can feel the lingering beauty of the unforgotten.]

 

The Grim Reaper turned around and asked.

 

[So where should I go?]

 

How beautiful is the back of someone who knows exactly when they must go and goes.

 

‘Mayor Gu.’

 

[I’ll be back.]

 

* * *

 

Mayor Gu was still in the hall where the Year-End Night event was being held, talking with the Ruling and Opposition Party Members.

 

“Mayor Gu, let’s go out for a moment and watch the fireworks.”

 

“It would be a shame to leave without seeing the spectacle that President Oh of Hyeonmu Hotel has ambitiously prepared.”

 

The ruling party lawmakers took their champagne glasses and stepped out of the hall.

 

Thanks to that, only Mayor Gu and President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction remained here.

 

The two lightly clinked their champagne glasses together.

 

President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction spoke.

 

“Now that it’s just the two of us, show me that thing.”

 

“What thing?”

 

“What else? The Subway Line 2 route chart. You brought it, didn’t you? Let me take a quick look.”

 

“Oh no, that won’t do. You know very well it’s classified information.”

 

“Earlier you were putting on airs like you were going to show it. Was all that just a political show?”

 

“Hmm, it wasn’t a lie.”

 

Mayor Gu turned his head.

 

Since they were near the terrace, the garden could be seen through the glass window.

 

“President Oh, what do you think? About the Line 2 subway construction. Between Woo-gwang and Taeseong, who do you think can handle the construction better?”

 

“Obviously Taeseong. From every angle, Taeseong is clearly ahead of Woo-gwang, so why even ask?”

 

President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction laughed.

 

“The bidding competition that was running neck and neck suddenly tilted sharply recently. Toward Taeseong.”

 

“Ever since that fellow Cha Seong-jun returned to the country recently. Hmm.”

 

“Mayor Gu, why do you look so displeased?”

 

“The president is too young to lead a major corporation like Taeseong Construction. Too young to be entrusted with a major project like Subway Line 2.”

 

Mayor Gu spoke bluntly.

 

“I heard Chairman Cha purged most of Taeseong Construction’s executives and employees.”

 

“That seems to be the case. It wasn’t long ago.”

 

“The Subway Line 2 construction bidding is less than a month away.”

 

This was the reason Mayor Gu looked displeased.

 

“If he had at least appointed a president from another affiliated company, that would be one thing. But putting such a green kid in the construction company president’s seat like this—doesn’t that just mean he’s giving up on the project? Chairman Cha made too arrogant a decision.”

 

“Don’t you know Chairman Cha? He’s not someone who would easily give up on the Subway Line 2 construction.”

 

President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction shook his head.

 

“On the contrary, I think purging former Taeseong Construction President Cha Yun-seong and the incompetent executives was a masterstroke. That fellow is quite the capable operator, more than he appears.”

 

“Capable operator? How much can such a young fellow accomplish with his tricks?”

 

“Haven’t I told you yet how I obtained the Suseo District apartment site, and why underground financial sector figures appeared here?”

 

“Wait. Where? Suseo District?”

 

Mayor Gu turned around in surprise.

 

President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction blinked at Mayor Gu’s uncharacteristic reaction.

 

“Why are you suddenly acting like that?”

 

“What a coincidence this is. I just stamped the approval documents to completely suspend Suseo District residential development and was on my way here.”

 

“What?”

 

“Development restriction zone and permit trading zone expansion. You know? For that reason, construction permits won’t be issued at all in the Suseo District area for the next several years.”

 

“H-how could such a thing…!”

 

President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction looked as if he’d been struck by lightning from a clear sky.

 

“There was no mention of that! It’s land that already has permits for apartment sites in Suseo District…”

 

“Land designation and construction permits are different things. This turned out unfortunate.”

 

“No way!”

 

President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction staggered.

 

“Why… how did this happen so suddenly…!”

 

“You must have known too. The real estate market has been overheating lately, so there’s been a lot of talk from above. Did you really not know that real estate regulations would start soon?”

 

“I knew! But I didn’t know it would be Suseo District!”

 

President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction trembled violently.

 

“Don’t tell me Taeseong Construction knew this fact in advance and deliberately tried to screw me over…”

 

“No, that wouldn’t be it.”

 

Mayor Gu said definitively.

 

“Originally, what came up for approval today was Sindorim District. But since Subway Line 2 is scheduled to pass through that area.”

 

“What?”

 

Mayor Gu patted his chest where he said the route map was kept.

 

“The Subway Line 2 construction bidding has less than a month left. It’s better to change the development restriction zone than to change the 180 billion won Subway Line 2 route. Don’t you think?”

 

“This can’t be!”

 

“The Urban Development Planning Director was also shocked and grabbed the back of his neck earlier. Just like you are now.”

 

Mayor Gu patted President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction’s shoulder.

 

“What can we do? The approval documents have already been stamped and it’s done. So this time, you give up.”

 

“No! Can’t those approval documents be withdrawn somehow? Can’t you stamp them again? Please, just this once!”

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Mayor Gu.”

 

Secretary Kim and Father walked over with large strides.

 

Mayor Gu turned his eyes away from President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction to look at Father.

 

“Yes, what is it? Is there something else you’re curious about?”

 

“No. I’ve brought the Subway Line 2 Route Map.”

 

Mayor Gu’s eyes widened.

 

“What? Are you trying to joke around with me right now?”

 

“Of course not.”

 

Mayor Gu checked his wristwatch.

 

“It hasn’t even been 30 minutes since you received my proposal. But what? You’ve already drawn up the Subway Line 2 Route Map?”

 

Mayor Gu openly displayed his displeasure.

 

“Think carefully. The deadline I gave you is one week. If you carelessly waste this opportunity like this, it’ll be useless even if you regret it later.”

 

Mayor Gu’s gaze was cold.

 

“Even though I said I’d give bonus points without any disadvantages, you shouldn’t come here with something so carelessly and half-heartedly drawn. Is this Taeseong’s attitude?”

 

He even snorted openly.

 

“It only sounds like you’re saying you want to give up the bonus points early because you don’t want to take on troublesome work.”

 

“Of course not. I came all the way here because I wanted to make an impression on you somehow, so how could I carelessly waste such a golden opportunity?”

 

When Father gave a look, Secretary Kim presented a neatly folded premium gift map.

 

“First, take a look at this and then speak again.”

 

“Fine.”

 

Mayor Gu obediently accepted the map.

 

“It’s obviously a premium gift map that looks like it was just newly bought. Well, let me see… Huh!”

 

Mayor Gu unfolded the map and couldn’t help but be shocked.

 

His stunned expression was completely exposed.

 

It was an uncharacteristic reaction for Mayor Gu, who had been accustomed to hiding his expressions and thoughts after rolling around in the political arena for so long.

 

“Th-this can’t be!”

 

Mayor Gu was extremely flustered as he fumbled through his jacket.

 

What he urgently pulled out was a neatly folded map.

 

“Taeseong drew this? In less than 30 minutes!”

 

Mayor Gu’s hands holding the map were trembling very finely.

 

“This is the Subway Line 2 that Taeseong has been dreaming of…!”

 

Mayor Gu spread out both maps.

 

The two maps were different in size, but the stations marked were the same.

 

The difference was that the map Taeseong brought had the Subway Line 2 route drawn in red marker, while Mayor Gu’s prepared map had it drawn in black pencil.

 

“Is this even possible?”

 

That someone exists under the same sky dreaming the same dream as me?

 

Mayor Gu’s eyes busily went back and forth between both maps.

 

“Taeseong pinpointed almost the same 43 subway stations that I decided on! This is absolutely ridiculous…!”

 

Since the marked subway station locations were similar, the Subway Line 2 route connecting the stations had to be similar too.

 

“Wait! No! There’s one thing that’s completely different from my plan!”

 

Mayor Gu focused on the spot marked with a star.

 

“Why did Taeseong choose Sindorim instead of Yeongdeungpo for the Line 1 transfer station? I think Yeongdeungpo Station would be better.”

 

“Yeongdeungpo Station already has the underground Line 1 tracks running through it. With Korea’s current civil engineering technology, it’s nearly impossible to excavate through the underground of an already built station.”

 

“Oh!”

 

Mayor Gu’s eyes widened.

 

It’s still too early to be surprised.

 

The present I conveyed to Father through Secretary Kim wasn’t just that one thing.

 

There are still more maps to be handed over to Mayor Gu.

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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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