Chapter 1142. Opening for Business (2)

On the top floor of MK’s head office with a view of the sea of gray structures filling up Seoul below...

Several people had gathered to discuss business.

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at Lee Hyeon-Su and asked, “Where is Chairman Hwang?”

“He left earlier due to prior commitments, sir.”

Kang Jin-Ho sighed in relief.

‘Well, that’s good.’

If Hwang Jeong-Hu was still here, he would've found a reason to keep lecturing Kang Jin-Ho until now! Didn't the chairman of the mighty Jaegyeong Group look like he was itching to offer more of his wisdom, free of charge, to the newest addition to the fellowship of Korean business owners during the ribbon-cutting ceremony?

A deep smirk floated up on Kang Jin-Ho’s face.

His relationship with Hwang Jeong-Hu initially began as a contract. Kang Jin-Ho was to heal Hwang Jeong-Hu, and the latter would pay him for his troubles. Such relationships could be found commonly throughout South Korea. In fact, it could very well be the most common relationship in the country!

However, this once-straightforward relationship continued to develop and transform over the years before finally reaching its current state. Whether it was Kang Jin-Ho or Hwang Jeong-Hu, they no longer viewed each other as merely the ‘other party’ in a contract.

‘Isn’t it funny?’

A relationship that should've remained clear-cut had morphed into one of deep bonds and connections. This was why humans could be such amusing creatures sometimes.

Lee Hyeon-Su cautiously noted, “Sir, you look tired.”

“Yeah, I am. A little.”

Lee Hyeon-Su smiled wryly at that prompt reply. Kang Jin-Ho looking tired or admitting to being tired usually never happened. But that illustrated how difficult dealing with strangers was for him even now.

‘I’m not that surprised.’

Kang Jin-Ho looked as if he was at ease chatting with politicians, but he hadn't always been like this. Knowing what he was like back when Lee Hyeon-Su first ran into him, one could say the current Kang Jin-Ho was a

completely

changed man.

The information Lee Hyeon-Su received back then painted Kang Jin-Ho as...

‘What do the cool kids say? Is it a lone wolf?’

As in, he was a loner? An introvert?

Other than maintaining his relationships with those he felt comfortable to be around with, Kang Jin-Ho didn't really bother to widen his circle of acquaintances. He was a man who established the boundaries of his 'world' and didn't permit any strangers to intrude into it.

However, what about now?

‘He’s made a lot of progress since then.’

Maybe it was not correct to say Kang Jin-Ho had made some progress. Being a lone wolf was not inherently wrong, after all. No, that was just how he was.

So, the 'more' correct way to describe it would be: Kang Jin-Ho had learned to perform his role as the Assembly Master.

Especially now, with the Assembly expanding outwardly to the surface world, it was crucial that Kang Jin-Ho diligently performed this role.

Kang Jin-Ho quietly asked, “So, are we finally done?”

“Yes, sir,” Lee Hyeon-Su grinned brightly. “You’ve worked hard, sir. Although there are some niggles we must sort out to bring stability to this company, leave those to us. We can deal with them on our own. However, please do attend those meetings that require your presence.”

“You know, that’s the best thing I’ve heard in ages” Kang Jin-Ho groaned while mouthing a fresh cigarette. It felt like his entire body had turned into a marshmallow.

The type of people Kang Jin-Ho found the most difficult to deal with was 'strangers' he couldn't afford to be rude to. The Prime Minister and the members of the National Assembly showing up to today's launch were the prime examples.

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at Lee Hyeon-Su. “What about the Prime Minister?”

“He left as well. But not before asking me to deliver the message that the person above him is watching us with a great deal of interest.”

The person above the Prime Minister...? Kang Jin-Ho sighed again. Only one person qualified for that label in this country.

‘It seems I’m definitely a Korean through and through.’

He could appreciate that fact even more now.

Back in the past, when Kang Jin-Ho led the demon cult, the one ruling everything under the sun was the emperor.

Compared to the emperor of ancient China, the current-day South Korean President seemed no better than a little pauper. This wasn't the issue of whether ancient China was more powerful and whatnot. No, the difference was down to the eras they lived in.

The President was bound by the set of absolute rules called the law. However, the emperor could break his own laws at will.

Back then, the emperor wielded enough authority to annihilate nine branches of one family under some trumped-up charges because they dared to displease him.

Presidents in the modern era were people’s representatives, leaders voted into office by the citizenry. Meanwhile, the emperors in ancient times were basically worshiped as demigods.

Even so, Kang Jin-Ho didn't care much about the emperor back then.

The demon cult received missives from the imperial court several times, but Kang Jin-Ho never paid much attention to what the emperor had to say.

That was because the emperor was someone Kang Jin-Ho could kill at any time.

However, here he was, bothered by the fact that the comparatively weaker President of this country was closely watching him!

Maybe this was the surest proof of Kang Jin-Ho being a South Korean.

“It’s bothersome, isn’t it?” Kang Jin-Ho muttered quietly.

“You have my sympathies, sir,” Lee Hyeon-Su shrugged helplessly. “Even so, I still believe it’s fine to relax a little now. We’ve overcome the biggest hurdle, after all.”

“

Mm

? I thought our work has only just begun?”

“Yes, that would've been true if we were operating an ordinary company. However, we aren't exactly ordinary, sir. We don’t really have to do anything to expand our business, after all. Besides...” Lee Hyeon-Su sneakily glanced to his side. “Miss Lee here will take care of things for the time being, anyway.”

“Yes, I will. Please leave it to me, sir,” said Lee Hyeon-Ju, her expression filled with heroic determination.

It was not an exaggeration to say she was responsible for MK's existence. Lee Hyeon-Su and Kang Jin-Ho did help out by dealing with some external issues, but all the operational-level work was done by her. This company was practically her baby.

Since that was the case, it made sense for her to display this much passion and commitment.

She worked long and hard to bring everything to this final stage. The fruit of her labor, so to speak, was just around the corner now.

Wasn’t it human nature to want to conclude everything as perfectly as possible?

“Although several trials and errors might get in our way, I’ll make sure there won’t be any major issues, sir!” Lee Hyeon-Ju energetically said. “Give me three months, and I’ll finish adapting to the role! I give you my word that MK’s management will be as trouble-free as it can possibly get, sir!”

However, her impassioned speech was interrupted by someone entering the office. “Oh, my? I have to say, I find that rather strange.”

Everyone quickly turned their heads toward the entrance to the chairman’s office. Choi Yeon-Ha was stepping inside while carrying a tray of drinks.

“Welcome, Miss... No, Director Choi.” Lee Hyeon-Su got up, then smartly greeted Choi Yeon-Ha. On the other hand, Lee Hyeon-Ju faltered ever so slightly.

Choi Yeon-Ha placed the tray on the coffee table. “Here, I’ve brought some coffee for everyone.”

Lee Hyeon-Su sheepishly scratched the back of his head. “Ah... Thank you. I should’ve prepared this, but due to how preoccupied I was... My apologies, everyone.”

“Oh, no. It’s fine. I thought it’d be a good idea to get something for everyone since I was going to buy the coffee for a person who’s very particular about his drinks and might resort to drinking water instead.”

Choi Yeon-Ha smiled brightly while handing out the coffee to everyone.

Once the warmth of the coffee registered in their palms, everyone in the office sighed in relief. They had been hankering for some caffeine, so Choi Yeon-Ha’s arrival couldn’t have been more perfectly timed.

Even Kang Jin-Ho reacted rather dramatically, too. A man who was usually taciturn and near-emotionless acted as if this cup of coffee was the nectar from the gods. His companions all reflexively laughed at this overly dramatic behavior.

Once the laughter had settled down and everyone had a sip of the coffee, Lee Hyeon-Ju asked Choi Yeon-Ha. “Earlier, you mentioned something was strange. May I ask what you meant by that?”

“Oh, that? I was wondering, isn’t Mister Jin-Ho the chairman of this company?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then, the management should be... I’m sorry, but may I ask for your name?”

“It’s the head of department, Lee Hyeon-Ju.”

“I see. Miss Lee. If you perfectly deal with the company’s operations, what exactly will Mister Jin-Ho do?”

Lee Hyeon-Ju subtly pushed her glasses up her nose. “I’d like to request that you refrain from saying Mister Jin-Ho within the company’s corridors, ma'am. Please refer to him as Chairman. I know it can be a little awkward, but it’s something we must adhere to from now on.”

She spoke as politely as possible so as not to offend the other party.

Choi Yeon-Ha nodded. “Yes, you’re right. I’ll keep that in mind from now on.”

“Thank you. Getting back to the topic... Yes, the chairman will undoubtedly have the final say in the company's operation, ma'am. It's just that he is also managing another 'company' besides MK. That's why we plan to let his trusted subordinates handle ordinary administrative matters and those that don't have to be reported to the chairman directly.”

“I see. And I’m assuming you’re one of these trusted subordinates?”

“...Yes, ma’am.”

Lee Hyeon-Ju’s gaze collided with Choi Yeon-Ha’s mid-air.

“...

Hmm

.” Choi Yeon-Ha coolly nodded, then turned her head toward Kang Jin-Ho next. “Chairman?”

Kang Jin-Ho unwillingly responded. “...Yes?”

“Just to confirm, the department head, Miss Lee, will be in charge of MK's operations, yes?”

“Yes, she will.”

“In that case, this won’t do!”

Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head. “Huh?”

“She's a department head, after all,” said Choi Yeon-Ha, her tone conveying how unimpressed she was. “Being in charge implies she will be dealing with MK's business partners and associates, but what can she do exactly in the lowly position of a department head?”

“...!”

Kang Jin-Ho was left stupefied by that attack and silently stared at Lee Hyeon-Su for help.

Lee Hyeon-Su smiled awkwardly. “Allow me to explain, ma'am. As you may know, certain things about our operation are rather unique compared to our peers in the industry. As discussed, the day-to-day operations will be handled by Department Head Lee, but the actual roles of directors and presidents will be filled by other people. With those folks handling the public engagement and the like, we...”

Choi Yeon-Ha cocked an eyebrow. “Why?”

“...I beg your pardon?”

“Why should other people handle such things?”

“

Oh

,

uh

, that's because Department Head Lee is still too young, so the optics of her occupying a higher-ranked position won't be...”

That was when Choi Yeon-Ha's crooked gaze slowly shifted toward the chairman's desk. After realizing that she was looking at him, Kang Jin-Ho stealthily avoided meeting her gaze.

Choi Yeon-Ha muttered, still unimpressed. “Even though the Chairman is even younger?”

“...”

Lee Hyeon-Su was momentarily left speechless, his lips twitching slightly.

‘Ma’am, that’s a bit... That’s an exception, you know? But, uh...’

Indeed, Kang Jin-Ho's case was an exception, but how was Lee Hyeon-Su supposed to talk his way out of this? When Choi Yeon-Ha had expertly cornered him?!

Choi Yeon-Ha pursed her lips. “I just don’t understand why you’re willing to do things so inefficiently and irrationally. Since you’re trying to utilize someone for her talent, shouldn’t you do everything in your power to help her out? So that she can do the most effective job? Isn’t that the duty of the people higher up in the hierarchy?”

While silently listening, Lee Hyeon-Ju's lips began quivering in happiness.

She had thought about this very topic so, so many times until now but never dared to say it out loud. However, Choi Yeon-Ha came to her rescue and poured out what was in her heart!

Even though Lee Hyeon-Su was her boyfriend, he was also her superior in the workplace. Not just a superior in name only, either, as he wielded absolute authority in the organization, too.

That made it tricky for Lee Hyeon-Ju to demand an upgrade to her job title.

But Choi Yeon-Ha’s words began melting away all the frustration that had welled up inside Lee Hyeon-Ju into nothingness.

“If the position of president is too much, at least grant her an executive position like the chief of a department or a director on the board,” said Choi Yeon-Ha.

Lee Hyeon-Su panicked slightly. “D-director, you say? That’s totally out of the question, ma’am.”

“Why not?”

“...”

Lee Hyeon-Su almost blurted out, ‘

What do you mean, why not! I'm a chief of a department, you know? So what will happen to me if Lee Hyeon-Ju suddenly becomes a director?! A position that's higher than mine!'

Instead of saying all that, however, he desperately called out to the one person in this room who could save him.

“Chairman!”

Kang Jin-Ho silently stared at Choi Yeon-Ha, his face looking gaunt for some reason.

Choi Yeon-Ha coolly asked him, “Do you mind telling us what you think, Chairman?”

Kang Jin-Ho sighed deeply. “Actually, I’ve been meaning to discuss something about this topic with you for a while...”

Lee Hyeon-Su grew hopeful just then and energetically replied, “Yes, sir! I’m listening!”

Kang Jin-Ho’s tired gaze shifted over to Lee Hyeon-Su and Lee Hyeon-Ju next. “Do I have to be the chairman?”

“...”

“...”

His expression gradually morphed into that of a tragic main character who had lost everything. “Every time someone calls me that, it feels like I'm getting older by fifty years, you see? And that kinda makes me feel... You know. Isn't there any other title you can use instead of this one? It's wearing me out in a different meaning than the title of Assembly Master.”

“But, sir, in terms of age, there’s nothing wrong with calling you either of those?”

“...” Kang Jin-Ho dazedly stared at Lee Hyeon-Su, forcing the latter to urgently look away and avoid making eye contact.

“In any case!” Choi Yeon-Ha intervened to summarize the situation. “Please consider it, Chairman. I’ll be an MK executive from now on, so discussing important business matters with a person lower in rank than me will only make me lose face, you know? I mean, really. I can’t ask permission from a head of a department, right? I wouldn’t have joined you in that case.”

But, no one told her to join this company, though...?

Kang Jin-Ho found it rather odd that, for some reason, it now felt like he had talked her into joining MK.

“So, please consider it carefully, Chairman! Oh, and Department Head Lee?”

Lee Hyeon-Ju sobered up. “Y-yes, Director Choi?”

“I think we need to discuss a few things in private. So? How about it? Before the coffee gets cold, would you like to come with me to the break room and talk, just the two of us?”

“Yes, of course! I was hoping to do that as well! Shall we get going right away?”

“Yes, let’s.”

Lee Hyeon-Ju shot up to her feet and stuck very close to Choi Yeon-Ha. By now, the unexplainable hint of tension she felt when they first started talking was gone. And now, she looked at Choi Yeon-Ha with sparkling eyes as if a dependable bulwark she had been searching for so long had finally presented itself.

“Then, I’ll catch up with you later, Chairman~,” said Choi Yeon-Ha, then exited the office while leading Lee Hyeon-Ju.

Kang Jin-Ho and Lee Hyeon-Su, now left behind in the office, dazedly stared at the doorway.

“...She actually won Lee Hyeon-Ju over in five minutes,” Kang Jin-Ho muttered.

Lee Hyeon-Su asked, still in a bit of shock. “Yes, that really happened, didn’t it, sir?”

“...”

Should Choi Yeon-Ha be praised for figuring out who the real manager of this place was and winning her over in no time at all? Or should Lee Hyeon-Ju be commended for recognizing the true authority figure in this place and sticking very close to her?

Groans from the two men, who suddenly got demoted to the role of a third wheel, loudly filled the chairman’s office.