The Regressed Chaebol Grandson Finds It Hard to Forgive - Chapter 41

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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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Episode 41. The Takeover (5)

Thwack!

An elderly man from seventy meters away struck an Approach shot that landed the ball near the Hole Cup.

He appeared to be in his mid-seventies, remarkably healthy for his age.

“Nice Approach!”
“Grandfather, that was perfect!”
“Father, you’re amazing.”

Clap-clap-clap-clap!

Applause erupted from those gathered around, watching the old man’s ball stop near the Hole Cup.

Every face among the assembled family members—young and old—wore a bright smile.

“Ha ha. The ball’s cooperating nicely today.”

The old man turned to face them, holding his Wedge with a broad grin.
His frame was compact, but his bones looked sturdy.

Chairman of the Oyang Group, firmly established within the top sixty of South Korea’s business elite.
This was Lee Do-joong.

At the same time, the younger brother of Lee Do-sung, chairman of Doa Daily News, one of South Korea’s two major central newspapers.

The grandson of Lee Jang-soo, who had earned his place among the three richest men of the late Korean Empire.
He also served as one of the key directors at Gokuk University.

He had come to the course this weekend with his family.

No matter how busy the schedule, most family members had to join Lee Do-joong at the course once a month.
It was a rule set by the patriarch of the family.

His three sons, their wives, and five grandchildren were all present.

The daughters-in-law and grandchildren became spectators to the adults’ round.
They did not travel by cart.

Shale CC itself was owned by the Oyang Group.

The time slots before and after Lee Do-joong’s round were typically cleared entirely.
They enjoyed the course without carts, savoring every moment.

A time to fully enjoy the beautiful May weather.

“Seok-pil.”
“Yes, Father.”

Lee Do-joong called to his eldest son while receiving the Putter from the Caddy.

“How did you handle the congratulatory funds?”

The round on the course was more than just exercise.

Away from the confines of the city, business matters naturally emerged in conversation on the course.

“I delivered it in cash.”
“Directly?”
“No, Father. As you instructed, I went through trusted intermediaries.”

Lee Seok-pil, his eldest son, currently managing Oyang Construction, the group’s core business.
Lee Do-joong checked on the status of delivering congratulatory funds to the newly elected president.

Oyang Construction’s growth was driven by government projects.

The company benefited greatly from his older brother, the chairman of Doa Daily News, when it entered the market late.

Through periodic alignment with shifting administrations, it had served as the group’s crucial cash cow ever since.

“Well done. Some of the money transferred will be recorded, but that’s all insurance. Even if they end up in prison for their mistakes, most of those who grease palms keep their mouths shut. If the truth comes out, it’s far worse for them.”

The family had been wealthy even before the late Korean Empire.

Through the Japanese occupation, after liberation, South Korea had weathered rough waters.
The family’s resilience had been forged through Korea’s turbulent modern history.

While the group’s current ranking had slipped somewhat, its historical standing remained exceptional.

The business wisdom accumulated over generations in South Korea had never been exposed.

The children standing at a distance never missed the chance to learn from living family history.

This was practical education for the future leaders of the group—the next generation.

“Keep your distance from the current administration’s officials. Don’t get too close.”
“The reason being……?”

Lee Seok-pil asked, curious.

“They’ve seized the scepter and swing it far too freely. When power is wielded like that, something breaks. That’s how the world works. Anything excessive fractures eventually.”

Looking up at the unusually clear sky, Lee Do-joong spoke of the common ways of the world.

“At this rate, I’d say three years at most. Conduct yourselves carefully.”
“Yes, understood.”

All three sons immediately nodded in acknowledgment, bowing their heads.
Despite their advancing years, their father possessed an uncommon wisdom.

“By the way…… are Hyo-joo and Jeong-ho preparing well for their entrance exams?”

Lee Do-joong turned his attention to his grandchildren following at a distance.

“…… Yes.”

Lee Hyo-joo answered quietly to her grandfather’s question.

“And Jeong-ho?”

When there was no reply, Lee Do-joong stopped walking and turned around.
He looked at Lee Jeong-ho, whose face was covered with acne.

The boy’s face bore a mixture of shame and discontent.

“Ha ha. Father, Jeong-ho is preparing well too.”

Lee Hyo-joo, the only daughter of his second son, and Lee Jeong-ho, the eldest grandson of his third son—
both attended Cheonghua High School.

Lee Do-joong’s eyes held an unreadable glint.
Jang Hee-ae, his third daughter-in-law, spoke on behalf of her son with a smile.

“He’d better. If you pay good money for horseback riding lessons, the boy should show results.”

Lee Do-joong’s barbed remark wiped the smile from Jang Hee-ae’s face.

Unlike Lee Hyo-joo, whose academic performance was excellent, Lee Jeong-ho showed little interest in studying.

He was preparing for university as a special-talent athlete.

“…….”

Jang Hee-ae’s complexion darkened.

Her husband, Lee Seok-jong, looked the same way.
He clenched his teeth out of wounded pride.

Unlike his two older sisters-in-law, who were cultured with excellent educations, Jang Hee-ae came up short.

She too was among those whose families had sent them to university with money in the past.

Lee Seok-jong, the third son, had always been the most ambitious of the three.

Above all, he was driven by greed for money.

Without hesitation about the future, he had married Jang Hee-ae purely for her wealthy family background.

Of course, Lee Do-joong had been dissatisfied with his choice of bride.

However, unlike other conglomerates, he respected the children’s opinions somewhat when it came to their own marriages.

Lee Do-joong believed that each person should choose their spouse according to their own fate.

“Hyo-joo.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”

Lee Do-joong’s gaze toward Hyo-joo was warm.

“Is there anything difficult?”
“No.”
“Are your friendships at school going smoothly?”
“…….”

Lee Hyo-joo’s school life was hardly rich in friendships to speak of.
For a moment, she fell silent.

Lee Do-joong knew his granddaughter’s basic nature well.
He brought up her lack of social skills precisely because he understood her.

“Father, I met one of Hyo-joo’s friends yesterday…… and she seemed quite nice.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’m thinking of inviting her to our home soon.”
“That’s good. A good friend made at that age becomes solid insurance for the future.”

Lee Do-joong’s face brightened at hearing a response better than expected.

He regarded Hyo-joo again with a satisfied expression, different from before.

Lee Do-joong, now past seventy, still kept in touch with his old schoolmates.

Bonds maintained with a closeness that surpassed even the connections made after entering society.

“Father, shall we do some Putting? We have fresh Makgeolli waiting in the pavilion.”
“Is that so? Then let’s finish quickly.”

Lee Do-joong nodded at his eldest son’s words and stepped onto the green, Putter in hand.
Despite his advanced age, his shoulders remained broad and sturdy-looking.

Every family member gathered around gazed at those shoulders with complex expressions.

* * *

‘What the hell is this guy?’

Park Do-jun’s irritation was soaring.
Ha Tae-woong, who had said he was just getting started with his swing today.

Had just driven the ball over 300 meters.

Among golfers, Driver Driving Distance was a matter of pride.

And the accuracy was excellent too.
Even the Caddy praised it as perfect.

Vrrrroooom.

They were moving by cart.

“Hyun-joo, do you have some secret technique or something?”
“Secret technique?”
“Your drives are going farther than during the tour.”

Choi Yu-rin was equally taken aback.
For female professional golfers, Driving Distance was everything.

The closer to the Hole Cup the shot landed, the easier the next stroke became.

Ahn Hyun-joo’s Driving Distance was improving compared to before.

‘Did she take some kind of supplement?’

Choi Yu-rin struggled to maintain her expression.
She was losing by thirty meters in Driving Distance.

Ahn Hyun-joo’s Driving Distance was a full 280 meters.

Her ball was even landing ahead of Park Do-jun’s, and he was a man.

‘…… Why did my distance increase?’

Ahn Hyun-joo herself harbored the same doubt.
At some point, she began to feel the ball stretching out smoothly ahead.

‘That’s right. Come to think of it…… it was from that day.’

Ahn Hyun-joo became certain as she confirmed the actual Driving Distance on the course.
Her distance had definitely increased since the day after shaking hands with Ha Tae-woong.

Her waist turned more naturally now, and her follow-through was cleaner.

Usually, professionals and amateurs alike wouldn’t hesitate to spend money if it could add just ten meters to Driving Distance.

An improvement in Driving Distance was that important—it was proof of skill for any golfer.

‘But you still can’t beat me. Heh heh heh.’

Though he’d fallen short in Driving Distance, Park Do-jun remained confident.
His strengths lay in Approach and Putting.

And among those, his Putting technique was so refined he was called the prince of putters—ranking among the best in South Korea.

Park Do-jun could more than compensate for the Driving Distance disadvantage with his putting.

“I think I’ll go with a sand wedge.”

Ha Tae-woong, choosing to solve the distance—just over 100 meters—with a sand wedge.

“…… Give me a seven.”

Park Do-jun, meanwhile, chose an Iron, knowing that a sand wedge wouldn’t work.

“Tae-woong, isn’t it? Just wait. Do-jun is a master of the short game.”

Choi Yu-rin pumped up Park Do-jun’s confidence.

“Really? Then I’ll look forward to it.”

Contrary to his words, Ha Tae-woong folded his arms casually and watched Park Do-jun’s second shot.

Clink! Clink!

With two Practice Swings, Park Do-jun lightly settled his form.
The target: On Green!

Thwack!

With textbook form, the Iron cleaved the air and struck the ball precisely.

“Nice!”

Choi Yu-rin cried out in a high tone as she watched the shot.
Park Do-jun’s ball soared through the air, catching the wind as it stretched far ahead.

“On Green.”

The Caddy confirmed the ball landing.

The ball came to rest about twelve meters from the Hole Cup.

“Tae-woong, fighting!”

Ahn Hyun-joo clenched her fist lightly toward Ha Tae-woong.

Clink!

Ha Tae-woong swung a light Practice Swing.

Thud!

Immediately after, he lightly struck the ball with his Wedge.
And then.

“Oh!”
“Nice!!”

The ball rose smoothly and landed three meters from the Hole Cup.

‘Damn it.’

Park Do-jun’s expression twisted as he checked the ball’s position.
The situation had turned against him.

The shots by Ahn Hyun-joo and Choi Yu-rin that followed also landed On Green.

Park Do-jun picked up his Putter.
Currently, his ball was farthest from the Hole Cup, and he would attempt Putting first.

‘I’m Park Do-jun!’

At ten meters, he could normally sink it easily.

Putting with his usual skill!

Tick.

The golf ball struck by the Putter rolled across the green.
Toward the Hole Cup, fast and precise…….

“Oh!”
“What, what??”

It slid past.

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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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