Chapter 29: Snowstorm Showdown

When Father suddenly stood up, Mother also rose from her seat.

I did the same.

We headed for the living room.

In the living room, President Cha was gesturing, giving out various instructions.

“Director Go, pile Jeonghyeok’s presents under the Christmas Tree over there.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Last time at the Taeseong Hotel café, he was already carrying a mountain of gifts.

This time, he was stacking an even taller tower of presents.

“Kim Secretary, shouldn’t we set aside the present for the child’s mother?”

“It’s also a Christmas present, so I think it’s best to put it under the tree together.”

Kim Secretary was carrying a stack of Taeseong Department Store paper bags.

“The Young Master’s presents are wrapped in colorful paper, and these here are in paper bags, so it’s easy to tell them apart. I think the Young Master will enjoy opening presents with Mother even more.”

“Good! Then put the child’s mother’s present over here too.”

President Cha looked over at Director Go.

“Take care of the Taeseong Group bodyguards yourself.”

“Yes, of course.”

“They work so hard to protect my child. Treat them to some beef.”

At the mention of beef, the Taeseong Group bodyguards beamed and clapped loudly.

Usually, the year-end party means pork at most.

So beef was clearly a reward.

“I heard there was an armed robbery last night? That must’ve been serious.”

“Yes, I heard they even tried to jump the fence with an Illegal Firearm.”

“Then beef alone isn’t enough. Director Go, give every bodyguard here a fat year-end bonus! Performance pay at 200%!”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Director Go smiled as if he himself had earned all the credit.

It was only natural that thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the Taeseong Group bodyguards.

‘As expected, life is all about the carrot and the stick!’

I nodded.

Blood will tell.

President Cha and I are similar in that way.

‘True sincerity is shown in actions, not words. And nothing beats cold, hard cash.’

Amidst the lively atmosphere, President Cha turned to Father.

“Seongjun, it’s been a while.”

“Father.”

“The Middle Eastern sun must be harsh. Your face is tanned black as coal. You’ve gotten so much uglier.”

……Is it even possible to call my father ugly?

If this porcelain-colored skin looks like charcoal to President Cha, isn’t that his vision problem?

“You haven’t changed, Father.”

“Where in this world does a father have to check on his son’s life or death by Embassy Telegram? If seeing my own son’s face is this hard… Tsk.”

President Cha didn’t bother to hide his displeasure.

But Father didn’t falter.

He replied in his blunt voice, calm and composed.

“I was busy.”

“Trying to brag in front of your old man! Still, you brought in a lot of foreign construction orders.”

“Thanks to that, Taeseong Construction has plenty of reserve funds now. You’re pleased, right?”

“Hrmm! Of course, I’m happy Taeseong Construction’s reserves have increased! But in the end, isn’t that the company I left to you?”

President Cha snorted.

“It’s your company, your work. It’s only natural you work hard at it. What does that have to do with me?”

“It’s your company, Father.”

At some point, Kim Secretary sidled up next to me and whispered.

“Seongjun Young Master holds 12% of Taeseong Construction’s shares, and Chairman holds 41%.”

So Father is right!

The major shareholder is always the true owner of a company.

“For seven years, you ran around outside without even a single proper phone call?”

“Didn’t you tell me it’s better to be the child who achieves results out in the world than the child who just stays home and does filial duty?”

“Hrmm!”

“In my own way, I did my filial piety.”

“……”

President Cha couldn’t quite refute that.

-Be a wolf hunting outside, not a mongrel just begging for food at home!

That was something President Cha always said.

“Ahem, enough nagging. Seongjun, go home now. Your mother is waiting for you with a neck stretched long.”

“I’ll stay here. I’ll call Mother separately.”

“Seven years! Do you even know how desperately your mother has waited for you all that time?”

President Cha clicked his tongue.

“That Shaman House! She wore down the threshold, going there to pray for your safety!”

It was obvious President Cha was an atheist.

He practically trembled at the mention of the Shaman House.

“If you think of your mother, you shouldn’t be so cold. How unfilial is this?”

President Cha glanced at Mother.

“Turns out your mother really got on my bad side because of that envelope of money. Seven years of heartache is enough. Go home now!”

“There are two people here who’ve waited seven years for me, too.”

Father gently rested his hand on my shoulder.

“My son has waited his whole life for me. Are you telling me to just leave behind such a child and go?”

“……”

President Cha couldn’t argue this time, either.

He looked back and forth between Father and me, and at last let out a long sigh.

“For the sake of my precious child, I’ll turn a blind eye for just today. But no more! I won’t yield again!”

“I’ll keep staying here.”

“How can an unmarried fellow just—? Are you saying you’ll run away from home?”

“If necessary. But if I can, I’d rather not run away but become independent after marriage.”

“Marriage?”

“Yes.”

Father pulled Mother—who looked uneasy—close, wrapping his arm around her shoulder for all to see.

“I’ll marry this woman.”

“What? What about the marriage to Ukwang? That’s a 30 billion won business!”

“You decided on the marriage with Ukwang, and you’re the one pursuing that 30 billion won project, too. You should take responsibility for your own actions.”

“You little brat!”

“I’ll take responsibility for what I do. So I’ll look after my own wife and child.”

“Cha Seongjun!”

At last, President Cha exploded.

“So I really have to wield the knife to knock some sense into you—!”

Enough!

I dashed over to President Cha.

“Grandfather!”

I clung to President Cha.

President Cha couldn’t hide his confusion at having me suddenly hang from him.

All the adults stared at me in surprise at this unexpected child’s assault.

“Grandfather, please don’t be angry. You’re scary.”

“Go to your room.”

“Can’t you stop being angry?”

“This is adult business. Kids shouldn’t butt in.”

“Please don’t get mad at my dad. Okay?”

I clung to President Cha, whining.

President Cha’s face flushed red and blue, but he couldn’t quite pry me off.

“Grandfather, hug me! Okay?”

This is the child’s privilege—ignoring adult circumstances!

President Cha sighed deeply.

Then, as if he had no choice, he picked me up.

He tried to hand me straight to Kim Secretary, though.

“Jeonghyeok, why don’t you go outside and build a snowman with Kim Secretary for a bit…”

“Grandfather, pick just one.”

I hugged President Cha’s neck tightly and whispered in his ear.

“If you’re going to lose your temper, I won’t give you the missing three pages.”

“……!”

President Cha froze.

“You should plug the leaking pot, not make my mother cry.”

“……”

President Cha was known for his explosive temper, earning him the nickname “fire bulldozer.”

But if he couldn’t distinguish when to throw a fit and when not to, he’d never have gotten this far.

His position required him to survive all kinds of storms and smile while hiding a dagger in his heart.

President Cha had a hot heart, but his head was colder than anyone’s.

“You didn’t come here just to find out where the 2 billion won bribe came from?”

I reminded President Cha of his purpose.

He hadn’t come to fight Father or to put an end to Mother’s marriage.

“I met my dad for the first time today. So could you please hold back just for today, Grandfather? 4||?”

President Cha was still glaring fiercely at Father, but that was all.

His lips parted for a moment, then closed again.

“But from now on, don’t call me President Cha anymore.”

“I’ll never call you that! Promise!”

Grandfather patted my back.

“How could I lose my temper in front of Jeonghyeok? I nearly showed an ugly side to my grandchild.”

“Thank you, Grandfather.”

I planted a kiss on Grandfather’s cheek.

Grandfather’s furrowed expression relaxed.

His bristling eyebrows returned to normal, and his trembling mouth curled into a gentle arc.

Looking at Father, Grandfather clicked his tongue.

“You really lucked out with a son. Just remember, it’s all thanks to my precious child.”

Grandfather turned around.

“Since I’ve come all this way, I can’t leave without playing with Jeonghyeok for a bit. Kim Secretary!”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Make sure my precious child is bundled up well—coat, gloves, scarf, earmuffs, hat, and boots. Follow us.”

“Yes.”

I quietly wrapped my arms around Grandfather’s neck and let him carry me.

Grandfather stroked my back as he walked out.

“Such a good boy. To take your father’s side even when you’re meeting him for the first time.”

It would’ve been nice if things ended here.

But Father just had to add a word.

“No matter what you say, my mind is made up. I can’t abandon my wife and child, Father.”

Grandfather paused for a moment, but soon pretended not to notice and walked on.

I was grateful, so I hugged his neck even tighter.

“If you say you’ll never give permission, I’ll give everything up and leave.”

Grandfather walked on in silence.

He stepped down with his shoes crumpled, flung open the front door.

The bitter winter wind blew in, and thick snowflakes fluttered down from the sky.

Every time Grandfather exhaled, a long white breath drifted out.

•Pat pat.

With my tiny hands, I patted Grandfather’s back.

“After all the trouble raising him, he doesn’t even understand a father’s heart. That was bad of my dad.”

Father had chosen Mother and me, so this was all I could offer in comfort.

Grandfather chuckled softly.

“My son may not understand, but my grandson does. That’s not such a bad feeling.”

“Grandfather, you’re the real big man. You’re so cool.”

I gave him a thumbs-up.

Grandfather’s smile grew wider.

“Jeonghyeok.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“Are you angry at me? For trying to keep your mother and father apart?”

“It’s not because you hate my mother, is it?”

“Hate her? Who wouldn’t know how beautiful your mother is?”

Grandfather stopped for a moment, gazing out at the now-white garden.

Snow piled on every branch, and the wide lawn was as clean as a white canvas.

“I know your mother is a good woman. I know well she struggled to raise and protect you all by herself.”

“……”

“But I have people I need to protect and be responsible for, too. Tae-seong Chemical has 2,000 employees.”

That was the business tied to the marriage—worth 30 billion won.

At 21st-century value, that’s over 1.5 trillion won.

That was the issue.

“Those 2,000 jobs, and the mouths of their families—about 8,000 in all—depend on me. Ukwang is planning restructuring, trying to sell the company off, and I’m holding him back.”

Ukwang got into the steel business four years ago and has been running at a loss.

Now that they need money, they’re planning to clean out the easy affiliates for cash.

If they’re that desperate, why not sell off one of their own solid subsidiaries?

But instead, they’re shaking Taeseong on purpose and latching on.

“It started as a business partnership tied to marriage, but now it’s my family, my staff, my company. If I could go back, I’d never have agreed in the first place.”

As if I didn’t know Grandfather had his reasons.

“Jeonghyeok. It’s all because I was incompetent. I started my business by selling off my son. Even if he despises me, I have no excuse. It’s all my own doing.”

“It’s too early to give up like that.”

I grinned.

“If I take back Tae-seong Chemical from Ukwang, will you give your blessing for this marriage?”

Grandfather blinked at me.