Chapter 50: This Will Benefit Both of Us
The mention of Chairman Lee Seung-hwan of Buksan reminded me that he was none other than CEO Lee Jong-hoon’s father.
There was a time when I had been dodging him for a while because he kept pestering me for a rematch in janggi 1(Korean chess).
But I had no real reason to refuse an invitation for dinner.
Besides, at his level, I expected nothing less than a meal that would leave anyone wide-eyed in amazement.
“It’s been a while since I last saw the chairman, so this works out well. Let’s go have dinner together.”
I decided to ride with CEO Lee Jong-hoon in his car.
As soon as the driver started the vehicle, Jong-hoon glanced at me with a playful smile.
“My father’s been preparing for this. He’s determined to win this time no matter what.”
Although he didn’t explicitly say it, I knew exactly what he was talking about.
The old man’s competitive spirit was truly something else.
I shook my head in disbelief.
“Is Dae-woon-ssi really that good at janggi? There’s no one in the family who can beat my father. Even among the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) chairmen, he’s considered the best.”
I scratched my chin awkwardly and gave a sheepish smile.
“I’m just… using what little I’ve learned. It’s nothing special.”
“Hahaha, if my father heard you say that, he’d probably be furious. Here’s a secret though—his janggi lessons are quite expensive. From what I’ve heard, he’s even gotten some extra tutoring recently.”
What a petty old man.
I couldn’t help but imagine him scrambling to finally beat me, and the thought made me chuckle.
“But still, I appreciate it.”
“Huh? Appreciate what?”
“Thanks to Dae-woon-ssi, my father’s health has improved a lot lately. As you know, he’s not getting any younger, and his energy has been quite low for a while. But ever since he started playing janggi with you, he’s been in much better spirits. As part of the family, I can’t thank you enough.”
I was momentarily at a loss for words, caught off guard by the sincerity in his gratitude.
It felt a bit awkward, yet at the same time, my heart tingled with warmth.
Having lived without a family all my life, I never knew what it was like to have a grandfather like everyone else.
But after meeting Chairman Lee Seung-hwan, I began to cautiously wonder if this was what it might feel like to have one.
No matter what I said, he would chuckle and listen, offering advice that was both valuable and heartfelt.
Though we had no blood ties and had met through an unusual event—an auction for a dinner—Chairman Lee Seung-hwan had always shown genuine interest and affection toward me.
And as a human being, how could I not grow fond of someone like that?
“Yes, this is Lee Jong-hoon. Ah, President Choi. Haha, how have you been?”
While CEO Lee Jong-hoon answered the incoming call, I turned my head and absentmindedly gazed out the car window.
The sky beyond was a crystal-clear blue.
How much time had passed?
Eventually, the car we were in pulled into a parking lot covered in crushed gravel.
Once outside, I took a moment to look around, letting out a quiet gasp of admiration.
Gasp
“I can’t believe there’s a place like this in the middle of Seoul.”
Before me stood a stately hanok 2(한옥 (Hanok) refers to traditional Korean houses with distinct architectural features, such as curved roofs and wooden beams, usually associated with a classic, rustic charm), as if it had been transported directly from the set of a historical drama.
“This has been my father’s favorite spot for the last 40 years. Whenever there’s someone important, he always brings them here at least once. On a side note, he doesn’t even bring me here often. Hahaha, shall we go in?”
Following CEO Lee Jong-hoon’s lead, we passed through the large gate.
The atmosphere almost made me want to shout, ‘Come here at once!’ 3(‘이리 오너라‘ (iri oneora) A very formal and commanding way of saying ‘come’. It is a phrase that was often used in historical Korean settings, particularly by those of high status like kings or nobles from Joseon dynasty settings, to command someone to approach them. It gives off a feeling of being in a royal court or a historical drama where such language was common.) like in an old court scene.
Yet, while the exterior retained the traditional hanok aesthetic, the interior had been beautifully modernized without losing its charm.
A woman in a simple but elegant hanbok 4(traditional Korean dress) guided us to the VIP room.
Inside, Chairman Lee Seung-hwan, dressed in a modified hanbok of earthy tones, was resting his chin on his hand, gazing thoughtfully out the window.
“Father, there was some traffic, so we’re a bit late.”
“Hehehe. When have you ever shown up on time? Stop yapping and sit down already.”
As soon as I took my seat, Chairman Lee Seung-hwan fixed his gaze on me, his trademark mischievous smile playing on his lips.
“You never show your face when I call you to play janggi, but when it’s for a meal, you come running.”
“It’s a coincidence, I swear. I really had something going on last time. And while we’re on the topic, playing janggi with you, Chairman-nim, leaves no room for anything else that day. I have to use up all my energy! If I let my guard down for even a second, the entire game turns around. How can I not be on edge?”
“Hahaha! That silver tongue of yours—smooth as ever! Well, I suppose it’s only natural to be tense when you’re playing a match against someone like me, Lee Seung-hwan! Hahaha!”
Thankfully, he seemed pleased.
If there was one thing he loved, it was being praised for his janggi skills.
“In that case, how about a round after dinner?”
Here it comes.
Knowing Chairman Lee Seung-hwan’s fierce competitive streak, I was already prepared with my rebuttal.
I’d had enough of these intense matches, so I let loose the line I’d prepared.
“Of course, I’d be honored to play a match with you any time, Chairman-nim. But on a day like today, in such a perfect setting, wouldn’t it be a dereliction of duty not to enjoy a refreshing cup of dongdongju 5(traditional Korean rice wine)? There’s a line in Hamlet that goes, ‘On such a day as this, one feels as though life is at its peak’. Isn’t today just like that? We can play janggi anytime, but who knows when a day as beautiful as this will come again?”
Chairman Lee Seung-hwan’s wrinkled eyes shifted toward the large open window.
The clear sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds, and under the bright sunlight, birds chirped from the shade of the trees.
“Hmph, you slippery rascal. Fine, no janggi today—let’s go with the dongdongju instead.”
Just then, a procession of neatly prepared dishes began to fill the table.
The three of us exchanged cups of dongdongju poured into small ladles, thoroughly enjoying the feast.
The atmosphere was lively, and the conversation was full of laughter.
“Hahaha! Whew, I’m going to laugh myself tired at this rate.”
CEO Lee Jong-hoon watched Chairman Lee Seung-hwan, who was bursting into hearty laughter, with a pleased expression.
“By the way, how did your investment in that movie turn out? I heard you put in quite a significant amount.”
CEO Lee Jong-hoon’s eyes sparkled with interest at the news he was hearing for the first time.
During a previous janggi match, I had casually mentioned that I invested in the film ‘Nemesis’, but I didn’t expect him to remember.
Of course, the detailed advice he had shared based on his own experiences with film investments had been incredibly helpful.
“It went better than expected. Your advice really helped.”
“Bah, it was just an old man nagging you. But I’m glad to hear it went well.”
“What kind of movie did you invest in, Dae-woon-ssi?”
“Oh, it was a film called ‘Nemesis’.”
At the mention of the name, CEO Lee Jong-hoon flinched.
“’Nemesis’… You mean the one that recently passed 16 million in ticket sales?”
“Yes, that’s right. It did get better than I expected.”
“It didn’t just get better; it was a massive hit! The returns were insane compared to the production costs. I’ve heard it’s a hot topic among investment firms.”
“Really? I didn’t realize.”
I genuinely had no idea.
The way I approach investments is by simply following where I see potential, so I never really had much of a network in that industry.
Chairman Lee Seung-hwan, who had been watching CEO Lee Jong-hoon in surprise, turned his gaze toward me.
“Hehehe. I bet you made a pretty penny, didn’t you? I love films too. Back in the day, I tried my hand at movie investments, but it’s not easy. There are just too many variables. So, what’s your secret, Dae-woon-ah? Is it luck? A sharp eye? Or something else entirely?”
His sharp gaze seemed to pierce through me, but I maintained a relaxed smile.
His intense stare still made me flinch, but I had grown used to it over time.
“Both are good. My eye is sharp, and my luck is even better.”
At my response, Chairman Lee Seung-hwan burst out into hearty laughter.
“Hahaha! Exactly! When it comes to investments, you can’t rely just on a sharp eye, and luck alone won’t cut it either. Only when both are blended together do you get real skill, right?”
As expected, I could never fully let my guard down around the old man.
He had a way of slipping in sharp questions when least expected.
“But what about women? Have you no thoughts about finding a girlfriend?”
He suddenly asked, catching me completely off guard.
I nearly spit out the water I was drinking.
The most flustering part wasn’t the question itself, but the assumption behind it.
“I mean… I never mentioned not having a girlfriend, so how can you be so sure…?”
“Hmph. At my age, it’s almost like being half a fortune teller. Just one look, and I can tell. You’ve got no one, do you?”
I had no real comeback for that, so I just poked at the side dishes with my chopsticks, trying to avoid the topic.
“Come on, why don’t you tell me what kind of woman you like? Who knows? If there’s a suitable lady, I could even play matchmaker for you.”
At the mention of matchmaking, my ears perked up for no reason.
“Matchmaking is a bit much… but a blind date… well, that’d be fine. Ahem. I don’t ask for much. Someone who’s affectionate toward me, kind, of course it’d be great if she’s pretty, and someone who stirs up a protective instinct, you know? The kind of woman I’d want to look after.”
“Hmm…”
Was it my imagination, or did I see a faint hint of disappointment on Chairman Lee Seung-hwan’s face?
Why was CEO Lee Jong-hoon, who usually just smiled warmly, now giving me that look of subtle discontent?
“You might as well live alone!”
What in the world? Was this some sort of curse? I had just described my ideal type, nothing more.
“No way! I’ll have a wife as lovely as a rabbit and five clever children like foxes, and we’ll live happily ever after!”
CEO Lee Jong-hoon gave me a puzzled look.
“Isn’t it usually… the wife who’s compared to a fox?”
“I just prefer a wife like a sweet, gentle rabbit.”
“Hehehe. You want five kids, huh? That, I like. But why don’t you reconsider your ideal type?”
“How should I change it?”
“Well… she might be a bit sharp-tongued, not very affectionate, but she’ll take good care of you behind the scenes. Plus, she’s stunningly beautiful, tall, and elegant. She might lack sweetness, but she’s got a sharp mind and knows a lot.”
It felt like he was hinting at someone specific, but sadly, that type was far from my ideal.
“A woman like that deserves someone far better than me.”
“Tch. There are only useless guys around, that’s why.”
He grumbled, chugging down his cup of makgeolli in clear dissatisfaction.
Watching Chairman Lee Seung-hwan drink like that made CEO Lee Jong-hoon’s face turn red, clearly trying to suppress his laughter.
“Anyway, aren’t you ready to graduate by now? You need to start thinking about your future path, don’t you?”
“I’ve already decided. I’ve found something I want to do.”
The Chairman’s sharp white eyebrows twitched in curiosity.
“I’m curious. What is this thing that made you kick Buksan’s strategic team to the curb?”
I could feel CEO Lee Jong-hoon’s eyes on me, but without hesitation, I proudly declared.
“I want to be an investor who invests in people.”
“An investor in people…”
Chairman Lee Seung-hwan echoed, as if chewing over my words.
“I’m not just chasing money. Instead, I want to invest in people who attract wealth and grow alongside them. It’s far more meaningful and rewarding.”
The once lively dining atmosphere grew a little more serious.
But soon, Chairman Lee Seung-hwan burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! You’re absolutely right. People don’t realize that the real asset is always people. Hehehe. You’ve got far more insight than those fools out there.”
Chairman Lee Seung-hwan let out a hearty laugh that seemed unfitting for his age, then looked at me with a contemplative gaze.
“I understand what you’re trying to do, Dae-woon-ah. But know this: helping someone grow isn’t just about providing money. If you want to nurture others, you yourself must be prepared to be a vessel worthy of that task.”
His words made sense.
Even with the recent investment in Beslo, I had already realized that there were gaps I needed to fill in myself.
As I mulled over this, lost in thought, Chairman Lee Seung-hwan made an unexpected proposal.
“How about interning at Buksan Ventures for about a year? I guarantee it would be a great opportunity for you.”
“An internship…?”
I was intrigued.
Buksan Ventures was a massive organization, and its system could certainly provide a solid foundation for growth.
Stroking my chin thoughtfully, I turned to look at Chairman Lee Seung-hwan.
“I’ll accept the internship… on one condition.”
“A condition, you say…”
It might have been odd for someone in my position—someone being offered an internship—to set conditions, but I was confident.
“This condition will benefit both me and Buksan.”
To me, time was more precious than gold.
I couldn’t afford to let a full year pass by as merely a time for learning.
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