Chapter 51: Three Minutes to Draw Seoul

I let out a snort.

‘Did Mayor Gu really make that proposal on a whim? I doubt it.’

If he’d called Taesung and Woo Kwang to his office and made the offer secretly, maybe I’d believe it.

‘But he brought out the subway Line 2 route map—top-secret information, in such a public place. Logically, it makes no sense. How is he planning to handle the fallout?’

Just recall how people reacted earlier when it looked like Taesung might take on the Line 2 construction.

As soon as there was a hint that investors might get a piece, everyone flocked in to ask about investing.

Even after witnessing that, Mayor Gu still pretended to take out the Line 2 route map.

It was a political and strategic gambit through and through.

‘A classic case of putting companies in their place.’

The outcome was already set.

Mayor Gu had made his plans and intended to push forward with them.

He even said so, outright.

-The budget the government can allocate is fixed. If Taesung’s plan isn’t innovative and outstanding? Then you’ll have no choice but to go along with our deskbound bureaucracy.

That was his authority as mayor, the will of the Blue House, and the direction of budget execution.

At this opportunity, Mayor Gu intended to put the developers in their place and cleanly sweep away all the sneers and complaints about bureaucratic red tape.

‘In Mayor Gu’s mind, he’s confident that no mere developer could possibly come up with a subway route map in just a week.’

If it were that easy, Father wouldn’t have looked so grim, nor would President Oh of Hyeonmu Construction have brushed it off as an absurd demand.

With both budget and deadlines set, there’s just too much to consider and calculate.

And with less than a month left before bid estimates and construction plans are due, the number of people who can be assigned to the subway route map is bound to be sharply reduced.

Naturally, the chances are high that anyone attempting this will either bring in a poor route map or show up empty-handed.

‘It’s blatant calculation, a bothersome ploy. No need to waste time on it.’

Frankly, it’d be better for us to drive in the wedge ourselves before Mayor Gu even has the chance to approach Woo Kwang Construction.

If I draw the Line 2 route map myself, there’s no reason for Father and the Taesung Construction staff to spend a week struggling over it.

Sounds good to me.

‘If I’m going to make an impression, might as well do it today—clearly and boldly.’

Mayor Gu had already called Father ‘young’ several times.

In an industry that values seniority and experience, that’s an implicit expression of distrust.

‘It’s better to be acknowledged than ignored.’

After all, it’s a major project that’ll take five years of close cooperation.

If the key decision-maker and supervisor keeps looking down on the contractor and picking fights at every turn, everything gets exhausting fast.

‘Actually, this could work out perfectly.’

Suppose Taesung produces a subway Line 2 route map almost identical to what Mayor Gu envisioned?

Then, as Mayor Gu said, a construction expert sharing the same vision and goals appears.

How will Mayor Gu react?

Will he be able to continue dismissing Taesung’s skills or Father’s youth?

‘But there’s just one small problem here.’

It was, at best, a trivial matter.

‘Where am I supposed to get a map of Seoul right now?’

I need a map of Seoul to draw a subway route map!

I lifted my head and glanced around.

This was the event hall at Hyeonmu Hotel.

I thought of the information desk in the hotel lobby.

‘Maybe the front desk has a Seoul tourist map? Or a city atlas will do.’

Since it wasn’t tourist season, I couldn’t be sure the front desk had tourist maps, but in these pre-navigation days, everyone drove with atlases.

I strode confidently across the hall.

* * *

“Young master!”

As I stepped out of the hall, Yoo Jong-tae and the Taesung Group bodyguards rushed over, their faces lighting up.

“Young master, why did you come all the way out here? Are your legs hurting?”

“Oh dear, your hands are like ice. Please, wear my wool gloves.”

“Your cheeks are so red. Are you feverish?”

One of the bodyguards gently massaged my arms and legs, while another placed a hand on my forehead.

“Doesn’t feel like any muscle knots. Your legs are soft as mochi...”

“Luckily, no fever either. It’s just a flush... May I touch your cheek, just once?”

“Hey, how dare a rookie talk like that. Step back, kid.”

Before I knew it, Yoo Jong-tae had shooed the bodyguards away and stepped forward.

“No tear stains by your eyes, no chocolate smudges by your lips. All good.”

He wore his usual sly, affable grin.

“Judging by that lively, resolute look, you’re definitely our young master. Need some comfort or encouragement? My embrace is wide and warm. Here, step right in.”

“No thanks, I’ll politely decline. By the way, why is everyone gathered out here?”

“Woo Kwang is here, isn’t he? We were standing by here just in case something happened.”

Taesung had already decided to call off the marriage arrangement with Woo Kwang.

All the Taesung Group bodyguards were aware of this.

They must have been waiting out here in case a fight broke out inside.

“Young master, did you eat anything inside?”

“As luck would have it, purely by coincidence, we have some silver candy and puffed rice cakes. Would you like some?”

“Just in case the tense atmosphere upset your stomach, we even brought children’s digestive tablets.”

Just then, Yoo Jong-tae took out a drink bottle from his pocket and handed it to me.

“We don’t have any hot steamed buns, but there’s some lukewarm soy milk. When your hands are cold, you need to drink something like this.”

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”

I readily accepted the kindness of Yoo Jong-tae and the Taesung Group bodyguards.

The bodyguards’ eyes sparkled.

“Steamed buns and soy milk... Noted...”

“Wait, Team Leader Yoo! Was it lukewarm soy milk, or hot soy milk?”

Growl!

A faintly embarrassing sound rang out from somewhere.

But I’d already snacked on a few finger foods that Father brought earlier.

Growl! Growl!

It wasn’t my stomach after all.

Looking up, I saw the bodyguards awkwardly scratching the backs of their heads, clearing their throats.

“Have you not had dinner yet?”

“......”

“Look at the time. Go inside and get something to eat.”

The bodyguards hastily waved their hands.

“We can’t go inside.”

“It’s fine, young master. We’ll eat later.”

“We’ll eat after the event. Besides, we got rewarded with a beef dinner coupon.”

Suddenly, I remembered the Woo Kwang Construction president who’d been blustering about dragging out the underlings of Korea’s former financial kingpins.

Now I understood why so many big, burly men were milling around here.

They must be drivers, bodyguards, or personal assistants.

‘How childish. Who’s human and who’s just a servant?’

Trying to throw out wealthy old tycoons, let alone their bodyguards or drivers—how could I forget that?

“In that case, let’s have the beef dinner now!”

I took a 100,000-won cashier’s check from my coin purse.

That was the highest denomination and commonly used by the wealthy.

I’d gotten it as my share when I helped clear out the former Taesung Construction president’s safe.

“We’re all just working to eat, aren’t we? Skipping dinner for overtime is just too depressing.”

“Young master...”

“Remember how Mom got mad when Uncle Cheol-gu went hungry? Go have some beef, quickly.”

“No, young master. We’re fine.”

“They say the steak at the Hyeonmu Hotel restaurant is amazing, right? Get some expensive wine, too.”

“The event’s not over yet...”

“It’s hosted by Hyeonmu, not Taesung. There’s no need to worry about any more trouble. Grandpa and Chairman Woo Kwang went off drinking together.”

I smiled.

“If you really need to be on standby, you can take shifts eating dinner, right? Since you’re on duty, just have one glass of wine each.”

There might not be punch bowls for toasting here, but still.

“Young master, you don’t have to do this. We’re not worthy of such generosity...”

“I’m grateful you help my father from early morning to late at night every day. I really wanted to treat you to a delicious dinner.”

Five 100,000-won cashier’s checks—totaling 500,000 won!

At this time, a government minister’s monthly salary was 250,000 won, and the Prime Minister made 350,000.

“And today, for the first time, I was recognized as part of the Taesung family in front of everyone. I’m so happy, I want to buy a round to celebrate.”

“Ah...!”

“If you turn down dinner from me because you don’t want to celebrate, then...”

The Taesung Group bodyguards frantically waved their hands.

“No, young master. Let’s do it! Beef dinner! We have to!”

“I was on the verge of starving anyway! I want beef right now—long live beef!”

“Our young master’s officially a member of the Taesung family, of course we’ll celebrate! We’ll even pop some champagne!”

I handed the cashier’s checks to Yoo Jong-tae.

“Keep the change as a tip.”

The bodyguards, beaming, spoke up loudly for all to hear.

“See? So generous and bold! This is our youngest Taesung master!”

The other men who’d been loitering tried to pretend they didn’t notice, but glanced enviously at the checks Yoo Jong-tae was fanning out for display.

Some licked their lips; others looked away.

I pulled a 10,000-won bill from my coin purse.

“It’s cold out—buy plenty of hot coffee and snacks for everyone here.”

The hotel lobby doors were wide open, and with just one kerosene stove, it was much chillier than inside the hall.

“Huh...?”

“You’ll include us, too?”

They looked a bit bewildered.

I didn’t mind.

I tilted my head up slightly.

“Team Leader Yoo, do you think you could get a Seoul map or city atlas?”

“A Seoul map?”

“Yes, I’m curious about my father’s project. I want to take it in and look.”

“Hey, rookie!”

Yoo Jong-tae tossed his car keys from his pocket.

The obviously young rookie bodyguard caught them by reflex.

“Fetch that atlas rolling around on my back seat.”

“Yes, sir. But it’s all yellow from cigarette smoke. Is that all right?”

What can you do? I’ll have to make do with that.

It’s not like I’m going to gold-plate a map I’ll just use once.

“It’s fine. And if you can, please bring a red marker or pen too.”

“Yes, I’ll be right back!”

The rookie dashed off.

Just then, a well-dressed man raised his hand.

“I happen to have a fairly large map of Seoul. If that’s all right?”

It was a nicely wrapped, high-end gift map.

I never refuse a favor offered first.

“Team Leader Yoo, let’s invite that gentleman for steak too!”

“Understood. Secretary Jang from Geumjo Group, would you care to join us?”

“Sorry, I’ll have to decline. But thank you for the kindness.”

I’m not the type to take favors and not repay them.

“Then at least let me pay for the map. Thank you.”

I discreetly slipped a generous token into his suit pocket.

“......”

He couldn’t hide a strange expression.

Yoo Jong-tae bowed deeply, grinning.

“Young master, do you need anything else?”

“Secretary Kim.”

“Ah, Secretary Kim is upstairs at the Hyeonmu Hotel bar. The chairman wanted to open some deodeok liquor.”

“Could you ask him to spare me a moment?”

“I’ll go right away.”

Just then, the rookie returned, panting, with the atlas and a red marker.

“Thank you. Good work.”

I put my hands together and bowed.

“......?”

Why did it feel like everyone in the lobby was watching me?

Well, whatever.

I’m just going to sneak into the restroom and draw the Line 2 route map anyway.

Three minutes is plenty!

* * *

Secretary Kim entered the hall.

He spotted Father and strode over.

Father was out on the terrace, chain-smoking alone, but met him as he approached.

“Young master, I brought a present.”

“A present? Out of nowhere?”

“That proposal Mayor Gu requested. Let’s submit it before he leaves tonight.”

“......!”

Father looked at Secretary Kim as if he’d seen a ghost.

“It’s been less than twenty minutes since the proposal was made. Is that even possible?”

“Why not?”

Secretary Kim shook the neatly folded map.

Father’s eyes followed the movement every time the map fluttered.

“No way...”

“Shall we go? Read and memorize this on the way.”

Secretary Kim handed him a paper densely filled with writing.

“What’s this?”

“You should at least be able to answer Mayor Gu’s questions, right?”

“......?”

Honestly, writing all that out took longer than drawing the subway route map.