The Chairman Who Wants to Play and Eat

Episode 20. I plan to change everything except the name.

“What did you just recommend to my grandson? Did you say engineering?”

With just one cold remark from Chairman Hyun Byung-gun, the pleasant atmosphere instantly cooled down.

‘Wait a minute?’

Cho Young-dae quickly pulled himself together.

Did he make a slip of the tongue?

As he subtly glanced around, he suddenly noticed a large frame hanging on one side of the wall.

He quickly scanned its contents.

‘A diploma?’

Despite his age, he had good eyesight.

So he could recognize from a distance that it was an honorary Bachelor of Laws degree from Korea University, awarded to Chairman Hyun Byung-gun.

The moment he saw it, he realized.

‘If it’s displayed above the 500 million dollar export tower certificate, it means the chairman is proud of his grandson attending law school. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have hung it there.’

Even though he had lived in the U.S. for a long time, his roots were Korean.

He knew that graduating from Korea University’s law school, passing the bar exam, and entering the legal profession was the royal road to success and a symbol of power in Korean society.

He just thought that being a chaebol, the chairman wouldn’t care about such things.

But that wasn’t the case.

He almost made a mistake.

“Although it’s tempting, I was only trying to compliment your grandson’s excellence. I believe Mr. Hyun Sang-yoon is best suited for his current position (law school).”

He quickly changed his attitude 180 degrees.

“Haha, is that what you meant? Then that’s a relief. You have a good eye. I also think that position (Seonghyun) suits him best, haha.”

Chairman Hyun immediately softened.

Dr. Cho sighed with relief.

‘It’s best to avoid the coming rain for now.’

Even if he didn’t have to be intimidated, it was still not a good idea to upset his employer from the very beginning.

Yesterday, today,

In these two days, which were neither short nor long, he had felt a lot. He was gradually becoming more attracted to the place called Seonghyeon.

He didn’t want to end things with just this small mistake.

Anyway,

‘Even though he’s a direct grandson, it’s impressive that Hyun Sang-yoon has already earned such infinite trust from the chairman at such a young age. This friend will surely make a name for himself.’

And that’s not all.

A law student who is also knowledgeable about semiconductors.

His casual remarks hit the mark every time.

According to what he heard before entering the country, it had only been a few months since he started studying semiconductors.

Unbelievable.

Such outstanding potential is rare. Almost nonexistent.

He must have been born with a good head.

He’s a person to be coveted.

Once he starts studying in earnest, this friend named Hyun Sang-yoon will undoubtedly surprise the world.

This much is certain.

‘I’m getting more and more excited about this.’

As he sipped the tea recommended by Chairman Hyun, he smiled and changed the subject.

“The tea has a very nice aroma.”

Chairman Hyun laughed heartily at that.

“I’m glad it suits your taste. If you like, I’ll send a box to your home.”

“That’s too kind of you.”

“Too kind? What a disappointing thing to say. It’s just a small gift from an old man hoping you’ll help our Sang-yoon do his ‘work’ well. Please don’t refuse.”

There was a hidden message in his words.

It was a warning not to have any other thoughts. A declaration that he would never let his grandson be taken away by semiconductor engineering.

Chairman Hyun was not an easy person.

He was still holding onto the slip of the tongue from earlier.

He thought.

“I don’t intend to give up either.”

I didn’t want to fall out of favor with the chairman, so I would be careful for the time being, but that didn’t mean I would leave that friend alone forever.

Hyun Sang-yoon was too valuable a talent to give up.

He thought anew.

He was glad he came to Korea.

Perhaps this could be the best decision of his 60-year life.

I was just watching him.

“How can he praise someone so openly right in front of them? It’s so embarrassing I could die.”

My insides were boiling.

But I couldn’t show it.

I hadn’t achieved anything I wanted.

No, it was the opposite.

Far from tarnishing my reputation through Dr. Cho, I was just sitting there pointlessly watching the chairman and Dr. Cho’s nerve war with me in between.

I silently drank the tea in front of me.

“Ugh, it’s bitter.”

Is it because my taste buds are bitter?

*

A few days later,

[ Seonghyun Electronics opens global semiconductor research institute. ······ Appoints Dr. Cho Young-dae, former Bell Labs USA, as director. ]

[ Advanced technology development organization ‘New Development Team’ launched, joining full-scale semiconductor development following A&T technology partnership. ······ Jeongsang and Geosan also accelerate 64K DRAM. ]

Articles were published all at once.

Both Jeongsang and Geosan are strong players in electronics.

They are the top 1 and 2 in the country.

They just couldn’t make the problematic 64K DRAM, but they had the facilities to produce high-density integrated circuits used in products.

However, new circuit design was impossible.

Because they didn’t have the core technology.

So Jeongsang had to suffer the humiliation of not being able to let their training team approach the actual manufacturing line despite having a technology partnership contract with Bicron,

And Geosan had to reluctantly acquire Korea Semiconductor, founded by Dr. Han Tae-kyung from Intek, while taking on huge deficits.

But Seonghyun was different.

There was no need for that.

It was because of Director Jo Young-dae.

Thanks to him, Seong-hyeon was able to catch up with the existing leaders, Jeong-sang and Geo-san, in the semiconductor development war in South Korea and join the leading group.

“…so they say.”

It was Deputy Lee Beom-seok’s report.

“Director Jo works like a bull, not only the semiconductor TF but also the newly formed development team of 150 employees, and even Deputy Kim In-rak’s training team, who will soon leave for training at A&TT, haven’t been able to go home for over a week.”

“Is it that bad?”

“Yes.”

Deputy Lee replied.

“According to the information I found, Director Jo keeps muttering all day, ‘I have to work harder. I can achieve what I want.'”

“Achieve what he wants? What does he want?”

“That, I don’t really…”

In fact, I knew.

I felt like I had heard the answer even without hearing it.

It was impossible not to know.

It was because of the sticky(?) gaze that both Director Jo and Chairman Hyun’s grandfather sent to me simultaneously on the day they first met.

It was so uncomfortable that I almost couldn’t digest my food that day.

Damn it.

It’s one thing for my grandfather, but why Director Jo too?

One more annoying person has increased.

I can’t touch semiconductors anymore.

If nothing had started, it would be one thing, but now that the business has been launched on a large scale and is on track, it can’t be ruined.

It stands out.

He crosses the line too strongly.

If I handle things clumsily, it will be difficult to even get a room in Gangnam, let alone a building.

Let’s slow down the tempo for a moment.

While lowering my rising reputation, I need to find another groundbreaking way to preserve the Gangnam building.

While I was thinking about that,

“I will take you to school.”

With Deputy Lee’s words, the car started to turn onto the familiar road heading towards Gwanaksan.

It’s been a while since I’ve been to school.

After the exam, there was hardly any reason to come.

Of course, with the semiconductor TF work, attending the monthly president’s meeting chaired by the chairman, and just the company work alone, I was so busy that I couldn’t keep my head straight.

But,

The campus atmosphere is a bit strange.

[ 198X 1Xth Korea University Festival: The Stage of Youth and Intelligence ]

In the meantime, new banners stretched out on both sides of the vehicle entering the main gate caught my eye.

“Korea Festival?”

“You didn’t know? It’s festival season.”

“Does Korea University have festivals too?”

“Oh, of course. Korea University is also a university in our country. But…”

Lee trailed off as he turned the steering wheel.

“But what?”

I asked.

“There is a saying about the three fools of Korea University. One is the person who gets off at the Korea University entrance station and walks to school, another is the person who boasts about being the top student at Korea University, and the last one is the festival itself.”

He chuckled as he spoke.

“It must be quite boring.”

Lee stuck out his tongue.

“As expected of you, young master. You understand without me having to say much, as if you were a genius.”

“Let’s keep the genius talk to a minimum.”

“Haha, I’ll keep that in mind.”

The car slowly came to a stop.

“Then, I’ll come back to pick you up when your class ends. After all, you don’t plan on going to the festival, do you? Haha.”

I entered the first class.

“Han Ki-taek!”

“Yes!”

Professor Min Do-kyun, who was in charge of civil law, was calling the roll. It was the very subject that gave me my first perfect score on a descriptive test.

“Hyun Sang-yoon!”

My name was called.

When I answered and raised my hand, Professor Min put down the attendance book and began to stare at me quietly.

But, those eyes.

‘Those sticky eyes I’ve seen somewhere before.’

It’s chilling.

It feels like a dagger flying and piercing me.

Isn’t it the exact same gaze that the old man and Chief Jo gave me in the chairman’s office a few days ago?

But why is this person doing it too?

The first two had something they wanted from me, but what could a law professor want from me?

Is he asking me to build another library or something?

“…Then let’s start the class.”

Professor Min, who had come to his senses, broke the silence.

The class didn’t go well.

There were many empty seats.

Even the students who were still in the lecture hall seemed to be more interested in the cheerful festival sounds coming from outside than in the class.

…It seems there are many fools in this lecture hall.

Is it because they are freshmen?

“Everyone.”

“Yes!”

Professor Min put down the chalk.

“It seems like it’s hard for everyone to concentrate today, so let’s end the class here. But don’t be too happy, because I plan to make up for it thoroughly.”

“Yes!!”

“Thank you!!”

The responses were full of energy.

“Oh, and student Hyun Sang-yoon.”

He pointed at me.

“Could you spare a moment? It’s not me, but our dean who wants to see you for a bit, is that okay?”

As expected!

I knew it from the moment they were talking about canceling classes for a mere festival.

They had this scheme in mind.

“No.”

I answered firmly.

“I will not go.”

It’s obvious even if I go.

There’s nothing to say.

Professor Min surprisingly accepted my words without any resistance.

“…Alright. Well, we can meet next time. But can I know the reason? I’m sorry, but shouldn’t we at least tell the dean why you can’t come?”

I was momentarily speechless.

Reason?

In fact, there isn’t one.

I just don’t want to go. But somehow, I didn’t want to say that.

The festival banner I saw earlier suddenly came to mind.

“I’m going to prepare for the festival.”

Once the idea came up, the words flowed smoothly.

“I can’t stand the ridiculous rumor that the Korea University festival is boring. It’s our school. I’m planning to change everything about the Korea University festival except for the name.”

Did I go too far?

Well, it’s just a white lie anyway, so it doesn’t matter.

“…!”

“…!”

Not only Professor Min, but even the few remaining classmates were stunned. They were surprised by my words.

Wait a minute?

Come to think of it, this makes sense?

I thought maybe this could be another path.