The Return of the Ruined Chaebol's Third-Generation Heir - Chapter 97

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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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Regression of a Fallen Chaebol’s Third Generation — Episode 97
“How many guests are we expecting?”
As Han Jae-yi and I entered the restaurant, an attendant came to greet us.
“Ah, your party has already arrived.”
“May I have the name, please?”
“Han Jae-yi, and Kang Seon-woo.”
Once Han Jae-yi answered, the attendant nodded and guided us deeper inside.
“Please follow me.”
As we followed the attendant, I could see this was an upscale establishment operating by reservation only.
“Min-jae, I didn’t think he was the type, but is he really being this careless with money?”
Han Jae-yi spoke with a note of disapproval in her voice.
“I suppose we must mean something to him as seniors. Don’t scold someone who’s just trying to be thoughtful.”
“Ugh…… all right, I understand.”
As we entered the restaurant following the attendant, Lee Min-jae was seated by the window, waving his hand at us.
“Min-jae, did you really make a reservation?”
Han Jae-yi spoke first.
“It’s my first paycheck—this much is the least I can do.”
Min-jae rose halfway from his seat as he answered. His shoulders were held high with pride. Han Jae-yi appeared to be struggling to suppress some emotion.
“Well, thank you so much, Min-jae. It’s nice to visit a place like this.”
I answered him that way, and as Han Jae-yi sat down, I gave her a thumbs-up. Once we were both seated, Min-jae handed over the menu.
“Please, order whatever you’d like.”
Han Jae-yi took the menu and began turning the pages from the back.
“Well, I’ll just have the sirloin—”
“Unnie, let’s get the premium Korean beef. I’m treating you both today.”
“Look, kid. What kind of intern salary are you making that you’re reserving a place like this? Put that money aside and give it to your parents.”
Han Jae-yi could no longer hold back and snapped at him, and Min-jae’s shoulders dropped.
“I just…”
Losing an argument to Han Jae-yi was something that never changed, past or present. I understood both their positions.
“I know what you’re trying to do. I appreciate that you want to treat Seon-woo and me to a nice meal, but you can do that later. Seon-woo.”
“Yes?”
Han Jae-yi suddenly looked at me.
“Today, the three of us split the bill evenly.”
“You’re right. Min-jae, I’m really grateful for bringing us to such a nice place anyway, and I appreciate the thought from the bottom of my heart. I can’t accept it because of my senior.”
At my words, Min-jae hung his head low.
“Say something.”
Seeing this, Han Jae-yi spoke with exasperation, and Min-jae nodded.
“I understand. Then I’ll definitely treat you both next time.”
“That’s right, and thank you from me too. The fact that you wanted to use your first paycheck to treat Seon-woo and me is truly something to be happy about.”
With that settled, we ordered our food. A short while later, as the meat came out and began cooking on the grill, conversation naturally turned to work.
“At first, I was only organizing files. Plugging numbers into my seniors’ reports, pulling data. But these days, I’m sitting in on meetings too.”
“Really?”
Han Jae-yi asked.
“Yes. CEO Danny told me to attend.”
“What kind of person is CEO Danny?”
I asked as though I didn’t know, and Min-jae continued as he flipped the meat.
“CEO Danny is truly an amazing person. He was the head of derivatives at Salomon Brothers, and now here he is in Korea starting from scratch again.”
Han Jae-yi nodded while picking up some side dishes.
“That is impressive.”
Both of us had to pretend not to know Danny. Han Jae-yi had only introduced the company, nothing more.
“By the way, Seonjin Trading Company…… well, I mean your company, Seon-woo.”
As Min-jae spoke with excitement, he paused and glanced at me nervously.
“I’ve heard there was something, but since I can’t get involved in company matters, I don’t know the details.”
“Is that so? Well, Seonjin Trading sold some ships, and we bought them. The atmosphere in the office since we started trading is completely different.”
Min-jae raised his voice.
“The day we signed the contract, the CEO gathered all the employees and bought them dinner. We’re a brand-new investment firm, and we closed a deal with a company in the top twenty of the business world. Without changing a single term, even.”
I nodded.
“Chairman Kang came out in person, or so I heard from my mother.”
Min-jae continued.
“CEO Danny keeps praising your mother, and he’s not the type to praise just anyone, so I figured your mother must really be amazing.”
“Is that so?”
“When I think about it, you’re amazing too. That’s why I understood.”
Han Jae-yi gave me a sidelong glance. I picked up another piece of meat.
“Unnie, thank you so much.”
Min-jae spoke with evident joy, looking at Han Jae-yi.
“I would never have had a chance like this without you.”
“I introduced you because you’re you. You’re just so capable.”
Min-jae paused for a moment before continuing.
“…… To be honest, when I didn’t get into Mirae Electronics, things were rough. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do.”
Min-jae smiled and looked at me.
“Thank you too, Seon-woo.”
“What did I do? I didn’t do anything.”
“No, it’s just…… having you by my side.”
DK Capital is a company I created, and it was I who placed Min-jae there. When he didn’t get into Mirae Electronics, I made a position for him.
“Min-jae, no matter where you go, you’ll do well. As long as you keep trying like you are now.”
But it was Min-jae himself who held his ground there. It was Min-jae who pointed out the risk in the lease rate meeting.
“Thanks. Oh, and I’m graduating next year. I think CEO Danny might create a position for me.”
“A full-time position?”
“Yes. My seniors hinted at something like that.”
Han Jae-yi laughed.
“Work hard.”
“I will, Unnie.”
After chatting about various things, we finished our meal, and Min-jae got up from his seat.
“We’re not ending it here, are we? Let’s go to a café and have some coffee. Seon-woo, what do you say?”
“Sure, sounds good.”
“Let me pay first. You two pay for your own share.”
Min-jae said so, took out his wallet, and went to the register, leaving Han Jae-yi and me alone.
“He’s growing up well.”
Han Jae-yi said quietly, and I smiled and nodded.

* * *
“You’re here today?”
When I came to the kitchen after waking up in the morning, my mother—who normally left at six in the morning—was standing there tying an apron.
“Of course. It’s New Year’s Day, so Seon-woo and Seon-ah should have soup.”
My mother spoke with a smile, and I smiled back.
“Happy New Year to you.”
“Happy New Year to you too.”
“Let me call Seon-ah.”
I said so and went upstairs to wake Seon-ah, then came back down.
“Mom! How long has it been since I’ve seen your face?”
Seon-ah approached her mother eagerly and embraced her.
“I know, I’ve been so busy I haven’t been able to see you.”
“Are you okay?”
“Okay with what?”
“Are you healthy? Take it easy. Don’t stress yourself out like this.”
“I’m fine. Come on, don’t worry about that. Sit down and let’s eat before it gets cold.”
At my mother’s words, we sat facing each other and began eating the soup. My mother’s lips were more upturned than usual.
“You look happy.”
“Do I?”
My mother took a spoonful of soup and spoke.
“…… It must be because the company has stabilized a bit.”
My mother’s face bore a complexion I hadn’t seen in recent months.
“The losses have decreased significantly. An investor came into the trading company, and the terms were good.”
“That’s fortunate.”
“Executive Director Choi Dong-su has been very helpful. If you hadn’t told me what your father did, I would never have known that person existed.”
“I’m glad. Your face looks so much lighter, so I’m happy too.”
“Me too!”
When Seon-ah said that too, my mother laughed.
“Compared to this time last year, it feels like a dream. I couldn’t sleep at night watching the deficit reports every month.”
I remember. How dark the circles under my mother’s eyes were at this time last year.
That’s why I decided to send Danny to Seonjin Trading Company then.
“How is school?”
My mother changed the subject.
“I’m attending well.”
“And your friends? Is Min-jae doing well?”
“Yes, we even had dinner together not long ago.”
“Is that so? You’re eating well?”
“Yes.”
To my mother, I am a fourth-year university student. Someone who attends school well, has dinner with friends, and has nothing unusual happening. She doesn’t know that I run Ribbon Capital, that I’m the actual controller of SJ Holdings. And that’s comfortable. At least at this dinner table.
“You’ll graduate next year.”
My mother put down her soup bowl and spoke.
“Since I’m a senior this year, I’ll focus more on school.”
My mother smiled brightly.
“That’s right, it should be. You need to enjoy school while you’re there.”
It was sincere. School was the only shackle that I could hold onto. I couldn’t reduce the work I’ve already set in motion…… but I needed to pay more attention to school. The way I’d told Han Jae-yi, I thought about doing it carelessly, but there was no safety net better than this to keep Kang Tae-yong and my mother from suspecting my double life.
After eating for a while, my mother got up to clear the dishes.
“Let me do it.”
“No, stay seated.”
My mother took the dishes to the sink, and Seon-ah went to the side to help her.
There was no happiness like this in my past life. At this time back then, Seonjin Trading was collapsing, and my mother had no time because she was busy keeping the company away from my cousins.
Watching that scene, I made a quiet vow within myself. Never again would I allow anyone to take this happiness away.

* * *
February 2010.
“Next, we present the President’s Award to the outstanding graduate from all bachelor’s degree recipients. Kang Seon-woo, bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.”
I heard my name called, and I walked past the graduates in black gowns and made my way to the stage.
“This recipient has achieved excellent academic records during his time as a student in Korea University’s bachelor’s program, and has served as a model to others. Therefore, we bestow this award.”
As I shook hands with the president while receiving the certificate, applause poured out. I had studied as hard as I told my mother during this final semester.
Of course, I also worked hard on company matters. Over the past year, I dealt with the Greek and Eurozone Crisis, and now all the buildings in Ochang Industrial Complex have been completed with companies relocating there.
I looked out at the audience, and my eyes met my mother’s. Seeing her smile like that, this single certificate didn’t feel light at all.
After the graduation ceremony ended and I stepped outside the auditorium, a familiar face came running up.
“Oppa!”
Seon-ah came running with a bouquet of flowers.
“Congratulations!”
“Thank you.”
I took the bouquet. Seon-ah looked up at my mortarboard and spoke.
“Wow, no matter how much you scored a perfect on the College Entrance Examination and studied hard, I never thought you’d actually get the President’s Award.”
“I worked hard, so you can too.”
“You’re really my study motivation. Thanks to you, I’m studying hard.”
While I was talking and laughing with Seon-ah, my mother walked up from behind.
“I never expected you’d receive the President’s Award.”
Her lips were curled upward.
“I was just lucky.”
“Don’t say that. Let’s take a photo. Mom, come here.”
Seon-ah called over a passing student to take the picture, placed my mother in the center, and stood on either side.
“One more!”
Seon-ah called out again, and my mother laughed.
“Oppa, give me the mortarboard.”
Seon-ah took the mortarboard off my head and put it on, then struck a pose.
“How does it look?”
“Doesn’t suit you.”
“What!”
Seon-ah grumbled and took off the mortarboard, then, as though it hadn’t been her intention all along, placed it on my mother’s head.
“Really, the true star of this occasion is Mom.”
My mother’s face grew tender as she continued to adjust the mortarboard. After taking photos, on the way back to the car, Seon-ah asked first.
“Oppa, what are you going to do now?”
My mother added to the question.
“That’s right, what are you going to do? If you want to study more, tell me.”
“I’d like to start working right away.”
My mother looked at me.
“I want to help with mother’s work. Even an affiliate would be fine. Please make a place for me to go.”
“…… Why all of a sudden?”
“It’s not sudden. I was planning to start right after graduation.”
“What kind of work would you like to do?”
“I’d like to work in logistics. If I can take on domestic operations, I’ll learn from the ground up.”
My mother looked at me for a moment, then gazed ahead. Her face was as if weighing my words.
Then, sensing sincerity in my eyes, she nodded.
“I understand. I’ll look into it.”
I said I’d learn from the ground up, but honestly, there was nothing left to learn. I’d done everything I could do on the outside; now it was time to move inside and restructure Seonjin Group from the ground up.

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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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