Chapter 58: The Golden Slips

I was curious.

It was both amazing and astonishing that a great figure I’d only ever encountered in books or official documents would soon be arriving here.

‘Why would someone like that call for my father? And to a private drinking party, no less?’

He was already an incredibly busy man; there was no way he had time to spare.

So I asked.

“You’re sure it wasn’t my grandfather who was invited, but my dad? Absolutely sure?”

“Secretary Kim double-checked with Former Mayor Goo as well. The Chairman was not invited.”

That could only make me more suspicious.

‘My father isn’t nearly important enough to attend the President’s private drinking party.’

If it was the President of this era, even my grandfather, the head of Taeseong Group, would have to bow his head and crawl on his knees, completely at a loss.

And my father, young and only president of Taeseong Construction?

Even a section chief from the Blue House wouldn’t spare him a glance.

‘If he deliberately singled out a subordinate unworthy of such a position, it means there’s a definite purpose. What in the world could it be?’

Yoo Jong-tae whispered softly.

“Once summoned, you can’t keep His Excellency waiting. We were immediately placed on emergency standby and were in the process of moving all related documents so they could be delivered instantly if necessary.”

If my father and the Taeseong Group security team prepared documents, it would naturally be related to the Line 2 Subway construction.

‘No. That much could be reported to Former Mayor Goo. It means there’s something important he wants to confirm with my father directly.’

Just then, a black limousine appeared on the entrance road to the Hyeonmu Hotel.

At once, the Blue House security detail tightened their control even further.

The Seoul Mayor, ministers, and others waiting in the lobby rushed out and began lining up in two neat rows.

‘Hey, Guardian Spirit!’

[Yes.]

I shared my sight with the Grim Reaper.

---

The scene that unfolded was so vivid, it felt as if I were seeing it with my own eyes.

That meant the Grim Reaper was interested as well.

The owner of the limousine, who lined up the Seoul Mayor and ministers in two ranks.

I could tell at a glance who it was.

‘The President and his closest aides have arrived!’

The limousine stopped at the Hyeonmu Hotel’s main entrance.

Click.

Blue House security agents rushed to the car, securing the area.

A sharp-looking man got out of the passenger seat.

I knew who he was.

‘That’s the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.’

As the director moved to open the rear door, the opposite rear door opened first.

“Step back. I’ll escort His Excellency.”

The stern-looking Blue House Chief of Security growled, and the intelligence director stepped back.

Only then did the Chief of Security smooth his collar, stride over, and open the rear door.

“Your Excellency, we have arrived.”

“Yes.”

Click.

A glimpse of the finest calfskin shoes appeared from between the doors, gleaming without a speck of dust.

The suit pants were creased as sharp as a blade.

He wore a black long coat trimmed with glossy, luxurious mink fur.

The President stepped out of the car.

‘The biggest shot in this country!’

In this era, the President wasn’t a mere five-year figurehead.

At a single word from him, land would be reclaimed, mountains would be tunneled through, and factories would be built using foreign loans if necessary—a time of true absolute power.

‘This tension, this excitement—I haven’t felt anything like this in ages.’

I hadn’t felt this way since my greenhorn days.

‘Perhaps because he’s the only President I never met in person.’

That made it all the more interesting, all the more exhilarating.

‘But he has nothing to do with me. Our paths don’t cross.’

In this life, I’d have no reason to meet or be entangled with him.

The President brushed his coat.

“Your Excellency, you’re here!”

As the President appeared, the Seoul Mayor and ministers—lined up in two ranks—bowed at a ninety-degree angle and greeted him in booming voices.

“Allow us to escort you inside!”

“Hm.”

The President nodded lightly.

He swept his sharp gaze around.

Thanks to the Blue House security’s control, not even an ant could be seen from the hotel’s main entrance to the lobby—the entire space was cleared.

“Let’s go.”

Adjusting his attire, the President strode forward with a confident gait.

Maintaining the two lines, the country’s leading figures followed, matching their pace to his.

‘That’s some ironclad discipline. Even a division commander wouldn’t keep lines this sharp.’

Naturally.

Not even the Army’s Chief of Staff could compare before the President of this era.

He was known as the absolute ruler of the country, a military dictator who held power for eighteen years.

Ding.

The elevator doors opened.

The President strode in.

Although there was plenty of room, only three people entered with him: the Blue House Chief of Security, the Chief Secretary, and the Intelligence Director.

Ding.

The elevator swiftly ascended.

The Blue House Security Office’s operations director spoke.

“In the next elevator, the Seoul Mayor, Minister of Finance, Minister of Construction, Minister of Commerce, and Minister of Foreign Affairs will board.”

Even the order of elevator boarding was assigned by the security office.

‘I can clearly see how this government operates. It’s all about ranking power.’

Visible, enforced hierarchy.

This must be the code of conduct for an absolute ruler.

Even though the operations director’s rank was lower than the Seoul Mayor and all the ministers, they all obediently followed his directions.

No one showed even the slightest hint of displeasure or resistance.

‘No resistance—only anxiety. Why is everyone so tense about a private drinking party?’

Former Mayor Goo was just as nervous.

He kept fiddling with a paper envelope, licking his dry lips.

The Blue House security agents grinned.

“The rest of you, please wait here. Even cold water has an order of drinking—please go up in turn. Isn’t that right?”

Of course, the last in line were my father and Oh, President of Hyeonmu Construction.

‘It’ll be even tougher at the drinking party. If you’re not fully prepared, you’ll be sent packing with nothing to show for it.’

Then I understood why the Taeseong Group security team had brought along stacks of documents on the Line 2 Subway construction.

I clenched my fist.

‘If only I weren’t just a seven-year-old kid. If I could negotiate directly, it would be perfect. How frustrating.’

But the regret only lasted a moment.

I remembered the more important task.

‘It’s a drinking party hosted by the President. The first priority is to keep my father from embarrassing himself.’

No, I can’t let a golden opportunity like this go to waste so cheaply.

‘While I’m at it, why not make a strong impression on the big shots and secure Taeseong Construction’s position?’

I’d choose practical benefit over honor!

‘Alright. Let’s paint a picture that even the President can’t help but be impressed by.’

This was the conviction I’d chosen after living in the shadows.

‘Nice. Maybe, for the first time at our New Year’s family gathering, Mother can hold her head high and join in confidently—maybe I can set up something like that?’

News must have spread to the family that Taeseong Chemicals could be ruined because of Mother.

No one would dare call her a leech or a woman blocking her husband’s path in front of her child.

‘If word gets out that Father had a private meeting with the President, none of the siblings would dare look down on him.’

Maybe they’d even envy him, saying his career had finally opened up.

As a child born to a concubine and a late addition to the family, Father had no solid foundation after spending years in the provinces and the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the other family members had each firmly secured important posts in Taeseong’s key subsidiaries.

But none of them would have shared drinks with the President in private!

“Team Leader Yoo, could you call Secretary Kim over for a moment?”

As my grandfather’s closest aide, Secretary Kim would know far more about the President than I did.

And he’d certainly have prepared countermeasures.

That’s probably why the Taeseong Group security staff had brought so many documents.

---

“I don’t know.”

I was left speechless at Secretary Kim’s response.

“You have no idea? None at all?”

“Since the invitation came through Former Mayor Goo rather than Chairman Cha, we suspect it’s about the Line 2 Subway construction.”

Worry clouded Secretary Kim’s face.

“That’s why it’s quite a troubling situation. With no clues, our preparations are lacking.”

Secretary Kim was on edge, more than usual.

Yoo Jong-tae, reading the mood, had volunteered to stand guard in the hallway, so only Secretary Kim and I were left in the room.

He said,

“For that reason, the situation outside is not great. I can’t afford to be away from my post for long. Please, young master, I ask for your understanding…”

“Please wait a moment.”

I grabbed a memo pad placed in the Hyeonmu Hotel.

Using a cheap pen also from the hotel, I scribbled down my thoughts.

Secretary Kim checked his watch, his face stiffening.

“Young master, we don’t have time for this right now.”

“If you have no idea what to expect and your preparations are lacking, then you have no countermeasures. So wait a moment—I’m writing them out now.”

“Countermeasures… you say?”

I handed him three neatly folded slips of paper, each labeled 1 to 3.

“I’d like you to give these to my father.”

“What are they?”

“Sample answers.”

Secretary Kim took the notes.

“What do the numbers mean?”

The memo paper was small, so I couldn’t fit all the writing on one page. There was another reason, too.

“I numbered them by likely question, so they don’t get mixed up.”

“May I check the contents?”

“Of course. But it’s your choice—do you value trust, or curiosity more?”

“Then I’ll take that as your permission.”

Without hesitation, Secretary Kim unfolded the notes.

A very different choice from Yoo Jong-tae, who had picked trust over curiosity.

“So, you choose curiosity over trust? Won’t you regret it?”

“The only time I regret something is if I bring incorrect information to my employer and ruin the job.”

Secretary Kim bowed deeply.

“I’m sorry to you, young master. I’ll accept any blame or disappointment.”

As expected. I liked it.

I was satisfied.

‘Secretary Kim shouldn’t make the same choice as Yoo Jong-tae. He can’t remain just a messenger boy.’

Secretary Kim began reading the notes intently.

His reading pace grew faster and faster.

After finishing the third slip, he looked up at me, shock written all over his face.

“You wrote all of this, young master…!”

He wiped his face with his hands.

“It’s hard to believe. How could a preschooler have such insight… whew!”

A very uncharacteristic reaction for Secretary Kim.

“If things play out like this, it couldn’t be better.”

Secretary Kim clenched his fists tightly.

“If luck is with us, Taeseong could win the sole bid for the Line 2 Subway project. If we’re even luckier, it could be granted to us by private contract.”

“And if we’re luckier still, even the other project I mentioned earlier could go entirely to Taeseong.”

A president who’s rarely seen in person has arrived—what better chance could there be to catch a big fish?

When opportunity comes, you have to seize it!

‘It’s the first time I’ve seen a note I wrote shine with a golden glow.’