When I sit in my grandfather's office, Machiavelli's The Prince comes to mind.
I am not talking about the image of a leader who is full of authority. I am talking about the subjects who want to catch the eye of the monarch even once. While there are honest ones, there are also flatterers who use all kinds of sweet talk, and even those who exaggerate their performances. The company has always been a jungle.
Yes.
But who is Grandpa?
He has been through all kinds of hardships, including battles in the air. As Machiavelli said, a leader must have both the cunning of a fox and the stupidity of a bear, so his skill in manipulating his opponents is no joke. Don't all the older executives leave the office with their backs soaked? Former prosecutor
As a person, I think you would have been well suited to life as a prosecutor.
"Hyun-ah, aren't you bored? Don't you want to go to school quickly? I'm looking for an art school where you can learn the violin well, so wait a little bit."
"No, Grandpa. I like working more than going to school."
It wasn't a lie. I already know every nook and cranny of Dongju. Would you believe me if I said I felt affection? The employees saw my face on the front page of the newspaper and even got my autograph. Of course, there were no special events after that, but it was good. People's interest deserves a reward.
It is the law.
That was when.
dripping.
My father entered the office with the report. In private, they were son-in-law and father-in-law, but not at work. It was not a situation where he could directly submit a report, but it was obvious that my grandfather was trying to train my father tightly. If it was a one-on-one customized education, it would be
The sun will rise easily.
"The report seems to speak for itself, where did you learn this?"
My father glanced at me.
Ah, I only created the framework and didn't touch the content, so you can proudly say that you did it!
A satisfied smile filled my grandfather's face. Of course, it was a framework that contained the essence of report writing, and the content was organized clearly, so it was natural for him to react like that. By the way, where on earth did my father study in the past?
After my father left.
"Hyeon, is that what you were talking about?"
I wonder if my grandfather learned the law of attention! But he really didn't touch the content.
"Yuha, you've already been helping me out. If you were born a man with the obsession to get what you want at all costs, you wouldn't have any general qualities."
Yuha?
I looked at him as if I wanted more explanation, but my grandfather just smiled without saying anything. An unknown energy came over me. That was because he was an unpredictable little punk.
*
"Oppa―!"
Yes, you don't call me Uncle anymore. Son Yu-ha ran to me from across the garden. Secretary Kim followed behind, sweating as usual. By the way, she sticks to me like a cicada, but somehow she seems to grow taller every day. Now that I think about it.
'He was popular, wasn't he?'
Was she called the Ice Queen for nothing? Later on, no one in the wealthy families could compare to her in terms of beauty. Rumor has it that many wealthy families wanted to date her, but Son Yu-ha flatly rejected them. Also, most men couldn't even dare to say a single word in front of Son Yu-ha.
"Oppa, oppa. I could have made a hole-in-one, but then the wind suddenly blew and the ball went a little off course!"
But why does he act like this in front of me? It's so strange. Isn't it the same now? When he was explaining what happened with his grandfather at the golf course, his face turned red with excitement. He looked so cute, like a chubby rabbit.
"Oh my, is that so?"
"Yeah. I could have given my violin to you, oppa, ugh." What?
It feels like cold water has been poured on my head.
At that moment.
"Hyun-i, are you here?"
The voice of the old man, the king of snakes, was heard.
As before, there was a strange atmosphere in the reception room. Chairman Wang was leisurely sipping his teacup, and Yu Ha, next to him, still had his cheeks full of wind. Was it my imagination that he felt like a shrimp caught in a fight between whales?
"It seems like Yuha wants to give Hyun a violin as a gift. Honestly, it's something that Grandpa doesn't need…"
Then, please give it to me!
But it wasn't something worth a few pennies, and the person receiving it was Chairman Wang, so if you just accept it, you never know what will happen later.
"Hyun-ah, do you know how close your grandfathers are?"
How could I not know?
"But I can't just give you the violin for free. I'll lend it to you for now. But there are conditions to make it completely yours."
condition?
Chairman Wang Il-sun looked at me with a strange smile.
"It is said that Dongju's company value is currently ranked in the top 10 among chemical companies."
It refers to market capitalization. Although it is a word that is difficult for a young child to understand, Chairman Wang was not shy. He looked at me as if he was saying, "You know, right?"
"If Dong-ju makes it into the top 7, then I will hand over my violin to you."
It's the same as a story that is impossible in common sense. Dongju can also be evaluated as a leader in the chemical industry, but the top tier is different. Aren't they affiliates of large Korean companies? Right now, the chemical affiliates under Jeil Group are soaring at a frightening rate. But.
"Really, Grandpa?"
There is no other way to say it.
Chairman Wang swallowed his surprise when he saw my expression.
"Do you understand what I mean, Hyun-ah?"
Of course, you must have understood.
Haven't you decided to raise Dongju? You've already done the math.
"of course."
In fact, it was only a matter of time. Within a few years, numerous companies would have gone bankrupt. If the development of new materials had not been done, Dongju would have been swept up in the storm.
* * *
"Isn't this awesome?"
Kang Sung-wook exclaimed in admiration without realizing it. There is a saying that the charm of broadcasting is editing and highlighting. The unified personality from AD to CP brings out the charm of the broadcast. That is why he sometimes compares it to a chef. Even if it is the same filming, the taste and color change depending on who is in charge.
This was the law of change.
Up until now, the Queen Elizabeth documentary has been raw. It has shown the struggles of sensitive musicians as they change their emotions, without any preparation. But this year was different. It shook up the music industry with the news that it would be remembered for a long time as the youngest recipient.
Didn't this happen, it was even more surprising when I opened the lid?
There was no other delicacy than the mountains and the sea. Each character overflowed with character, making it impossible to take your eyes off the documentary. The youngest winner of the grand prize was Kang Hyun, who was by far the best. Despite his young age, he had the charisma to command the audience, as well as the fluency and unique language skills of a native speaker.
I could feel the magic in the wind.
In the scene where he makes a funny face towards Anna who is nervous and shaking in the waiting room, you can feel a kind of humanism. Not only his performance skills, but the energy that comes out of the character itself is so attractive. His appearance is also something that could be cast in a high teen drama right now.
It wasn't bad enough to hurt.
"Seongwook, what do you think the viewer ratings will be?" The director's voice came from the other end of the phone. You'd want to check the footage, but it wouldn't be possible right now unless you flew in.
"This time too, if you make a mess of it, it won't end with just a simple report. That one thing costs more than buying three or four documentaries. There was a lot of talk from the higher-ups this time."
"Director, what program do we consider our rivals?"
"This is the animal kingdom. Do you think we can be pushed around by the beasts running around in Africa?"
My heart was pounding so hard that it contrasted with the director's anxious voice.
"Director, I don't think you should compare it to the animal kingdom."
"What? Hey, you're not telling me to come here and kill me now, are you!"
Let's also sell our worries.
Thump thump thump.
It wasn't a short time, but when the documentary ended, a strong aftertaste came over me. It seemed as if the child's voice and melody were still lingering in my ears. What can I say about the feeling of fullness? It was as good as visiting a famous Michelin restaurant.
"Director, what percentage of the weekend evening dramas are on?"
I think we may need to change the competitive program.
*
Kiya―!
I think I know why the ladies are crazy about the drama. It completely captivates people with its tearful melodrama and soul-sucking laughter. Sometimes, when it ends without a trailer, I can't help but click my tongue.
"I didn't know my son liked dramas this much."
I didn't know, Mother.
In my past life, I didn't even have time to watch TV freely, but who would have thought that a classic movie featuring old stars would take up so much of my time! I'm at a point where I have to re-establish the joys and sorrows of life.
Dinner was more cheerful than ever. The quiet mansion was filled with the smell of people and the liveliness, so perhaps it was my mood that made the housekeeper's cooking taste better.
"Gang Seo-bang, a businessman from China will be arriving soon."
"Yes, Master."
"He's not a business buyer, but he's here for a side job. He has a close connection with us. Beom-gyeong used to be in charge, but now that he's gone, you take over."
Grandfather was also with Chairman Wang, and he must have felt something. China will soon open up its tight lock on foreign capital. In a way, this applies to the semiconductor industry as well as the chemical industry. Technology that becomes a cash cow is important, but tariffs and distribution competition are also indispensable.
In that respect, China had no land that was a goldmine.
"Jiang Seo-bang, the Chinese people treat everyone differently from their own subjective perspective. They sell something to one person for 200 yuan, while to another they sell it for 150 yuan. That's why Confucius said there are ten suns in the sky and ten classes of people."
Of course, it is not for nothing that China is called the country of guanxi. Didn't you often see it in your past life, the scene where Chinese tycoons personally created universities and exchanged connections? My father seemed to still not understand it. Well, he had never encountered it himself, so he couldn't understand it.
I made it.
"I will try my best, Master."
Grandfather smiled happily at his father's answer. He seemed satisfied because his father seemed to be adapting to company life better than he had expected.
"Originally, we assigned one person from the secretary's office as a Chinese interpreter."
My grandfather, who was eating the pickled crab that my mother made, made eye contact with me for a moment.
"This time, take Hyeon. She speaks English pretty well, so communication won't be a problem."
"Master?"
"It's not a business visit, so it'll be better for us to get to know each other better. Plus, since your child is coming with you, it'll probably feel less awkward, and I think Hyun-i is better than most of the staff who majored in interpretation."
There was a look of interest in Grandfather's eyes.
"Hyun-ah, can you do it?"
Of course, just leave it to Grandpa!
"What about Kang Seo-bang? Can you make that person your man?"
But why, it seems as if my grandfather's question is directed at me.