» The Youngest Son of Sunyang
The Youngest Son of a Chaebol Family - Chapter 244
[244]Five-Day Funeral 2
As Jin Donggi was engrossed in such complex thoughts, there was another person whose heart was equally uneasy due to a similar experience.
'This is... I expected it, but it's a bit much. This is what they mean by brazenly ignoring someone.'
Chief Secretary Lee Hakjae was aghast that almost none of the mourners visiting the funeral parlor treated him as they used to.
Just a few days ago, people who would obsequiously bow were now scrambling to catch the eye of Chief Secretary Hyeok Baek, Vice Chairman Jin Younggi's right-hand man, rather than his.
He even felt a delusion, as if he were looking at his former self.
Hyeok Baek, representing the Sunyang Group, announced Chairman Jin's passing. As his image simultaneously spread through the media, those familiar with Sunyang believed he had fully inherited Lee Hakjae's role.
The closest confidant, the one who could approach the Group Chairman most intimately.
He was realizing, from the very first day of the funeral, that this position was no longer his.
"They say that when a prime minister's dog dies, the house is packed, but when the prime minister himself dies, the courtyard for mourners is empty, don't they?"
"But there's a son inheriting the prime minister's seat, so it's still bustling with visitors, isn't it?"
"Instead, no one pays attention to the dog the dead prime minister raised anymore."
"Still sharp-tongued, I see. When did you arrive?"
"I'm on my way directly from the airport now."
"Unless you came by fighter jet, that's incredibly fast, isn't it?"
"A few days ago, Yoonki called. He said it seemed the Chairman wouldn't hold on much longer, so I should come."
"Was CEO Oh that close to the Chairman? Enough to be present at his final moments?"
"Not close, no, but there are aspects I respected about him. Of course, I didn't come to witness his passing."
"Dojun?"
"Yes. With the Chairman gone, the Vice Chairmen will make their moves, and we at Miracle, holding a controlling stake in Sunyang Group, must also watch the situation closely. Aren't we major shareholders? We can't stand by and watch just anyone take the chairman's seat."
Oh Sehyun said, standing side-by-side with Chief Secretary Lee Hakjae in a corner of the courtyard, watching the endless procession of luxury cars arriving.
"You must be tired, why don't you get some rest and come back? It doesn't seem like there's anything for you to do here."
"Even if it wasn't a private jet, I slept soundly in first class. My mind is perfectly clear. I wanted to see Yoonki and Dojun, and offer my condolences."
Oh Sehyun nudged Lee Hakjae's side.
"When I show up, shouldn't all the chief mourners bow? The major shareholder has arrived, after all..."
"To the sons of this family, you're probably seen as a thief and a swindler, aren't you? Since you took away their precious shares."
"Then what about you, Chief Secretary Lee?"
"Didn't you just say it? The dog the dead prime minister raised. No, is it worse? Since no one pays any attention to me, it's probably more accurate to say I'm like a duck egg floating alone in the Nakdong River? Heh heh."
"Then stop lamenting your fate and accept Dojun's offer."
"Offer? Ah, the HW Group?"
"Yes. Even if it's not a prime minister's position, wouldn't it be at least a minister's?"
Watching Oh Sehyun slyly grin, Lee Hakjae shook his head. It truly was a mystery how such a slick character had become friends with the earnest Yoonki.
"Let me see... A prime minister is Jung 1-pum, and a minister is Jung 2-pum, isn't that right?"
"My, you certainly know a lot."
"This much is common knowledge. It's you who's ignorant."
"Well, I'm a student who studied abroad in England, so... my knowledge of Korean history is a bit dim. Let's stop the small talk and think about it, shall we? Seriously."
"If Sunyang is Jung 1-pum, then HW isn't even close to Jung 2-pum... It's barely at the level of someone who just passed the state examination. The comparison doesn't fit."
"Instead, the position is different. This is a chairman. Isn't it a snake's head rather than a dragon's tail?"
"Stop when it's appropriate. Even jokes get tiresome and annoying when they go on too long. By the way, why don't you just take that position yourself, CEO Oh? Just drop 'CEO' and add 'Chairman'."
Oh Sehyun raised a hand and pointed to his own face.
"Take a look at my complexion. Don't I look almost like a Southeast Asian native?"
He wasn't quite a native, but his face was tanned darker than a professional athlete. The fact that he had changed so much in just over two months spoke volumes about his daily life.
"Looks like you're living the good life?"
"I wake up leisurely in the morning, have hotel breakfast, play a round of golf. Then I swim a bit in the pool, sit by the beach admiring bikini-clad beauties, and enjoy a lavish dinner with wine. That's my daily routine. I can't work anymore. I'm living in paradise. Heh heh."
"Didn't you go with your wife? Bikini-clad beauties, you say?"
"That's why I said 'admiring,' didn't I? It's a little regrettable, of course."
"CEO Oh, you're truly strange. A gambler can't live once they leave the gambling table... Did I misjudge you?"
"Isn't a true gambler someone who knows when to quit and fold the game?"
Chief Secretary Lee Hakjae glanced at Oh Sehyun and smiled.
"You've been resting too much and lost your touch. This time, you picked the wrong hand. I'm not interested, so just place a chrysanthemum at the mourning hall and leave. Oh, and contact me before you go back to paradise. Let's have dinner sometime."
Lee Hakjae placed a hand on Oh Sehyun's shoulder once, then ambled away.
"He's not the type to retire just like this..."
Oh Sehyun, watching his retreating figure, tilted his head.
I confirmed that Chief Secretary Lee Hakjae had disappeared, then approached Oh Sehyun.
"What did he say?"
"I don't know. From what he said, it's clear he's unhappy with his current situation, but he showed absolutely no interest."
"You were supposed to get under his skin, weren't you? Did you just say something irrelevant again?"
Oh Sehyun playfully tapped my head.
"Hey, you! I treated him like the dog in a prime minister's courtyard, and he just laughed. I can't figure out what he's thinking."
"That's a shame."
"We won't get an answer by just provoking his pride. Let's change our strategy."
Oh Sehyun began to glare at me with a look of mistrust.
"Anyway, I'm just going to light some incense and then leave."
"You'll be at the hotel, right?"
"Yes. Finish the funeral well. We'll talk later."
"Okay. You've come after a long time, so please meet some people and socialize."
"Alright. I'm planning to see a few friends, have a soju or two, and kill some time. You work hard."
He lightly patted my back and entered the house.
* * *
As soon as Oh Sehyun entered, he felt glares fixed upon him.
A major shareholder of Sunyang Group, not to be taken lightly.
But as Chief Secretary Lee Hakjae had said, their gazes were full of hostility.
The only warm gaze belonged to his friend, Jin Yoonki.
Oh Sehyun politely offered incense and performed a deep bow.
"I am at a loss for words to express my condolences for this immense misfortune."
As he spoke with the utmost courtesy, Jin Younggi's expression softened.
"Thank you for your words of comfort."
However, he whispered softly into Oh Sehyun's ear.
"See me for a moment before you go?"
As Oh Sehyun nodded lightly and quietly withdrew, Jin Younggi followed, motioning to him.
Jin Yoonki saw this and tried to follow, but Jin Donggi grabbed his hand.
"It's the shareholders and management talking. There's no place for you here."
# # #
"You said you weren't feeling well, but it looks like you were just exaggerating. Looking at your tanned face... golf...?"
"Not exactly exaggerating, but I've been healing my mind and soul. You could call it a sabbatical."
As the two sat opposite each other in the second-floor living room, Chief Secretary Hyeok Baek rushed in.
"Shall I prepare something to drink?"
"No. This will be over quickly. And, please don't let anyone come up here."
"Yes, Vice Chairman."
Once they were left alone, Oh Sehyun spoke first.
"Is it alright for the chief mourner to leave his post?"
"Stop with the silly talk. I'm busy, so just state your business. A shareholders' meeting will be held soon."
"Naturally. The vacant position can't remain empty."
"I won't tell you to give up your shares, so just hand over your voting rights and go back. Live your life playing golf in Southeast Asia. I'll even send you a good set of golf clubs."
Oh Sehyun shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
"I can't do that. What kind of major shareholder misses a general shareholders' meeting? I must exercise my shareholder rights faithfully and properly."
"I'm not joking."
"Neither am I."
Their glares clashed. Oh Sehyun was the first to avert his sharp gaze.
"Isn't it a bit excessive to intimidate a major shareholder who came to offer condolences?"
"If you were an ordinary major shareholder, I'd carry you on my back. But CEO Oh, you're practically a corporate raider specializing in hostile takeovers, so I won't even offer you a glass of water. Ha ha."
Oh Sehyun let out a snort of laughter, watching Jin Younggi's composed demeanor.
"You're mistaken. I have no interest in M&A. Sunyang Group would choke me to death if I tried to swallow it. I am merely a shareholder interested in selecting the best management. And purely in terms of managerial capabilities, my judgment is that Vice Chairman Jin Donggi is superior to Vice Chairman Jin Younggi."
"What did you say?"
"Don't shout; just look back at the past. Consider who has more instances of ruining businesses. And if we combine Miracle's shares with Vice Chairman Jin Donggi's, isn't that a perfectly plausible scenario?"
Oh Sehyun rose from the sofa.
"Please contact me when the date for the general shareholders' meeting is set. Then... Ah, my deepest condolences for the deceased."
Leaving Jin Younggi, who was gritting his teeth, Oh Sehyun bowed lightly and descended to the lower floor.
Catching Vice Chairman Jin Donggi's eye, Oh Sehyun approached with a smile.
He brought his mouth close to Jin Donggi's ear.
"Buy me a drink later."
* * *
"Are you, by any chance, coordinating with Oh Sehyun?"
"What are you talking about, out of the blue?"
"Are you sure? If you're thinking of stabbing me in the back, stop now. You'd be crossing the river of no return."
"Why are you picking a fight again, all of a sudden?"
They had come up to the second floor, saying they needed to talk alone. But from the very first word, he spoke in such a confrontational tone that Jin Donggi's irritation flared up.
Jin Younggi relayed exactly what Oh Sehyun had said just moments before, neither adding nor subtracting a word.
"Hoo.... Brother. Let's not get drawn in by that guy. He only gains power when we brothers are at odds. A casting vote is his only weapon. What will happen if we waver like this over such a shallow trick?"
Jin Younggi glared at his younger brother's face, then took a deep breath.
"Alright. I went too far. I apologize."
"It's alright. I understand; you're just sensitive."
"Donggi. This won't do. I can't live with this much anxiety. Let's hurry with the holding company."
Though he felt uneasy, Jin Donggi couldn't say anything else. Oh Sehyun's casting vote could aid Jin Younggi at any moment.
To eliminate such unsettling factors, it was best to clear their surroundings and leave only the brothers.
"Yes. Right after the funeral..."
"No. Starting today!"
"Huh?"
Seeing Jin Younggi's resolute expression, it seemed his words weren't merely tossed out.
"First, we'll pressure Lee Hakjae. We need to make him help us. That'll make the transition to a holding company much faster, won't it?"
"I know... but what's the significance of 'today'?"
"We just got word. Ministry of Justice officials are coming to pay their respects. I need to have a quiet word with them."
He understood what that meant.
Most Ministry of Justice officials were from the prosecutor's office.
In particular, key positions within the Ministry of Justice were held by leading prosecutors, who then wielded control over the prosecution. If they stepped in, pressuring Lee Hakjae would be as easy as eating cold porridge.
Jin Younggi intended to ask them for a favor today.
"If we utterly crush him and then let him live, he'll become docile."
Jin Donggi watched his agitated older brother and said,
"Everything's fine, but don't act alone anymore. Until we establish the holding company and clearly divide the shares, we're in a three-legged race together."
"What do you mean?"
"Why meet important mourners alone? No more private meetings like that in the future. Let's meet and talk together. That way, we won't have misunderstandings like with Oh Sehyun just now. Don't you think?"
Jin Younggi looked at his brother's serious expression and quietly smiled.
"They say it's the dead who reconcile the living and bring them together. That's exactly our situation. Father has made us join hands, after all."
For the first time in a long while, the two truly joined hands.