The Chairman Who Wants to Play and Eat

Chapter 31. You want to go to America?

The final exams had come to an end.

‘Is Hyun Sang-yoon the top student in all subjects this time?’

‘It’s not just being the top student. He scored full marks on the descriptive questions again, just like last time, and apparently he got full marks on the objective ones too!’

‘What kind of score are we talking about here?’

‘Can’t you do the math? Of course, it’s 100 points.’

‘Does that even make sense?’

‘If it doesn’t make sense, then what? There’s a notice on the bulletin board with the overall rankings. Just go see it with your own eyes.’

When the grades were announced, rumors spread throughout the law school, or rather, the entire school.

‘As expected, I can’t feel at ease.’

It was just as I had anticipated.

Everyone I met on the street stopped me. They were there to congratulate me. There was even a friend who cried, thanking me while talking about the scholarship.

That was fine. I had prepared myself for it.

After all, vacation was just around the corner.

During the break, I wouldn’t have to come to school, so if I could just endure a few more days, I wouldn’t have to hear any more of it.

The problem lay elsewhere.

Specifically, with the professors.

‘Hyun Sang-yoon, the president really wants to meet you this time. He has something important to discuss. Can’t you just do me this favor, even for my sake?’

‘Are you really asking me like this? Should I kneel? Or maybe bow deeply? Just tell me. I’ll do anything if you just listen to me.’

The last class was almost torture.

It was all like this.

Especially Professor Min Do-kyun in Civil Law nearly knelt in front of me, only to pull a muscle in his back.

‘Isn’t this a bit excessive?’

How strong could the president’s will be?

I felt like I had to be on guard even more than necessary while on campus, as running into him might be risky(?).

And so, the semester came to an end.

The first semester of my freshman year, filled with chatter and busyness, was over. The vacation had begun.

I felt relieved and unburdened.

“I thought it would only be good, but it’s a bit much.”

On the last day, as I got into the car heading home, I grumbled to Deputy Lee Beom-seok.

“I can’t help but feel sorry that you had to go through inconveniences that you shouldn’t have had to because of me… I’m truly sorry.”

“You might think that way, but it’s in the past, so let’s just consider it not to have happened.”

“······I’m sorry.”

“You want to leave quickly. Let’s get going.”

“Yes!”

Of course, I didn’t think it was his fault.

Life as the third generation of a conglomerate is just like that.

It’s exhausting and cumbersome.

Though the details varied, I had experienced such things often since childhood. It was merely awkward, not unfamiliar.

The car entered the main road.

“Oh, is it there? Was it called Eobinja?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Is the process of replacing everything there, from the facilities to the furnishings, currently underway?”

I had heard that this agent was the one I had suggested regarding the scholarship.

If I hadn’t known, I might have stayed quiet, but now that I did, I couldn’t just sit back. I had coordinated with the scholarship foundation to secure funding and entrusted this agent with the task.

“It will start soon.”

“During the vacation, right?”

He replied.

“That’s what we planned, but it wouldn’t have mattered if it wasn’t during the vacation. They’re not friends who place much significance on breaks. They’ll study elsewhere during the construction period.”

Indeed, those who have prepared for the bar exam understand well.

“Well, that makes sense.”

That was all I needed to know.

Next question,

“Are we heading to the family home now?”

“Yes, the chairman said that any time is fine, but after class, he instructed me to take you straight to the family home.”

“You must have something important to convey to me.”

“That’s correct.”

The agent’s response was succinct.

Of course, we both knew.

The reason Chairman Hyun, my grandfather, was eagerly looking for me as soon as the vacation began.

It was all because of the exam.

Having achieved a score he didn’t desire and topped the department, he must be anxious, wondering if I was planning to enter the legal field again.

Though it doesn’t show on the surface, I know.

I have that much intuition too.

Even while thinking,

“Are you really studying law so hard just to get a scholarship? I’m not putting in all this effort for you to become just a lawyer, so you might as well quit right now and disappear to some corner of Gangnam. I can’t stand the sight of you.”

It was true that I harbored a hope that someone would say this to me.

Of course, hope alone isn’t enough.

You need a plan.

“They must be waiting for you a lot.”

“Then let’s hurry up and go.”

Before I knew it, the car was speeding towards Hannam-dong.

*

Meanwhile,

Clatter, bang.

It was collapsing.

Eobinjae was currently undergoing a major renovation. Everything that had been neglected and old was crumbling down.

Watching this, Majinsang felt it once again.

“What an amazing and grateful friend.”

The long history of Eobinjae, the legend of a long-term student at Korea University’s Law School, the man who dedicated his youth to the bar exam, the 7X class student Majinsang secretly wiped away his flowing tears.

In truth, he hadn’t done much at all.

No, he had done nothing at all.

But Hyun Sang-yoon didn’t mind.

He acknowledged the “contribution.”

Not only did he renovate Eobinjae, but he also said that starting next semester, the Seongam Scholarship would include the preparatory class for the bar exam in its scope of beneficiaries.

He received rewards without giving any help.

Questions remained.

“But how did he top the class without even helping? If that’s the case, how far could he go if he actually did help?”

At first, I was skeptical.

When I met my classmate Lee Beom-seok, who said he would handle it himself and left, I merely regarded it as a rejection.

But it wasn’t that simple.

After that, Seonghyeon III Hyun Sang-yoon took the top spot in the entire class.

With a score that defied all common sense, a perfect score in every subject. Perhaps it was the first time in the history of Korea University?

‘Could it be that I’m witnessing the giant I’ve only heard about?’

Tears flowed.

Not out of sadness.

It was the tumultuous tears that could not help but fall in the presence of greatness that felt so distant.

It was then.

“Are you crying, my friend?”

A gentleman approached from the side. It was the president of Korea University, Cheon Jong-tae. I quickly bowed at a 90-degree angle.

“P-President! I’m just a humble person in this esteemed place… I mean, what I meant was…”

“I know. I know everything.”

President Cheon interrupted his words.

“I understand your heart without you having to say a word. So, you don’t need to say anything.”

“Th-Thank you, President.”

The two stood side by side, silently gazing at the construction site.

Thud, rumble,

The ceiling before them began to tear down, starting to make a loud noise again. The hearts of the two beat in the same rhythm, thud, thud.

It wasn’t because of the sound.

Nor was it because of the vibration.

Perhaps it was due to the shared understanding that they were witnessing the bright future of the legal field.

“President.”

Majin-sang opened his mouth.

“Speak.”

“I heard from Dae-jun (the student council president). I know what the dean and you wish for.”

“Is that so?”

Their eyes met.

“I will surely fulfill your wishes, President. During this vacation, by any means necessary, I will lead that friend to Eobinjae. I will prepare him as a capable talent for the legal field.”

Two people, four eyes, were burning with fervor.

It was passion.

*

They arrived in Hannam-dong.

“Strange. It’s summer, so why do I feel a chill? Is it cold inside the house?”

No.

The main house is kept at a precise 23 degrees Celsius all year round. It’s the temperature my grandfather prefers. It’s never too cold or too hot.

It was odd.

“Must be in my head.”

“Young Master, you’ve arrived?”

As soon as I stepped in, the voice of Director Joo Yong-hoon greeted me.

“Were you waiting here?”

“Of course. The Chairman has been waiting for you for quite some time. Please, allow me to escort you. Follow me.”

We headed towards the study.

“Have you come?”

At last, I heard the warm voice of Chairman Hyun.

“Yes.”

“Come in and sit. I have much to discuss with you.”

“Understood.”

With Director Joo present, I sat side by side with Chairman Hyun. A plate of fine sweets was placed before us, and my grandfather began to speak.

“Did you finish school today?”

“Yes.”

“I hear you topped the exam?”

Here it comes.

“Yes.”

I replied in a voice that felt guilty.

I was bracing for the impending scolding. Following that would be the disappointment, and then…

But,

“Well done.”

Unexpected words came from Chairman Hyun, completely catching me off guard.

“I was angry at first. I had clearly told you to understand, yet you still devoted yourself to studying law. How could I not be upset? But then, Director Jeong of the scholarship foundation told me. Thanks to you, the amount of the Seongam Scholarship has increased.”

“Oh, so you knew about that. But why?”

They spent more money because of me.

Almost double.

Then shouldn’t you be raising more issues? Shouldn’t it be ‘because of’ rather than ‘thanks to’ or ‘due to’?

“I thought for a long time and realized. That you had no choice but to take the lead for our Seonghyeon.”

Huh?

What did I just hear?

No choice?

However, Chairman Hyun continued, unaware of my inner turmoil.

“Sometimes, a company pursues values higher than profit. What could that be? It’s the spirit of serving the nation through business. There are times when one must take the lead. I almost misunderstood your intentions, not knowing that. You have enlightened me. Well done.”

Even Director Joo chimed in from the side.

“It’s always been the case, but it seems you’ve really grown a lot, young master.”

“Do you think so too?”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“I feel the same way. Hahaha.”

······ The two of them are in perfect sync.

Well, it’s only natural after decades of working together.

“But.”

Grandfather turned back to me.

“If something like this happens again, then next time, do your best not to take the lead and ask this old man honestly for help. Do you understand what I mean?”

“I will do that.”

There was no other way. I answered quietly.

A moment of silence passed in the study. I took a sip of the tea placed on the table. It was then that Grandfather spoke up.

“So, what are you planning to do now?”

“Are you talking about the vacation?”

“Yes. The vacation.”

Another test.

My two older brothers, who went to college before me, and my cousin Hyun Taeyoon were also asked this question during their first vacation after entering college.

At first glance, it seems like a trivial question.

A casual inquiry about vacation plans directed at a grandchild.

But it’s not.

“Is it acceptable that the grandchildren of Hyun Byeong-geon have been out of school for months without even a proper plan? No allowance until a proper plan is made. And don’t even think about coming to Korea.”

I often heard such stern orders.

“I have a plan.”

“Go on, tell me.”

I opened my mouth.

“I’ve heard from the seniors in law school that, since I ranked first in my first year, they want to study with me during the break. The president has also instructed them to do so.”

This was what I had heard from Deputy Lee Beom-seok.

“And?”

“I am a law student. It wouldn’t make sense to outright refuse.”

“Mm.”

What I really wanted to say next was this.

“I could deflect with a story about my grandfather, but wouldn’t it be cleaner to resolve the issue by not being here during the break? Out of sight, out of mind, after all.”

“That’s a fair point.”

“So, I’m planning to take this opportunity to go to America and broaden my horizons.”

At that, my grandfather’s eyebrows twitched.

“You want to go to America?”

“Yes.”

“You’re not just saying you want to go for a vacation, are you?”

In that moment,

“That’s right. I’m saying I want to go for a vacation.” Those words almost slipped out of my throat.

But no, this is not the time.

It wouldn’t be too hard to get scolded for saying I’m just going to America for a vacation. My goals are bigger. I have a larger plan.

But why America, of all places?

There are many reasons, but the biggest one is this.

There’s nothing I can do right now in Korea.

In my major, law, everyone is eager to scout me.

It’s quite bothersome.

And the semiconductor and internet that will eventually take me to a building in Gangnam are still in their infancy. They need time to grow. I have to wait.

This isn’t an impulsive decision.

I’ve thought about it a lot.

I’ve concluded that this break is the perfect time to establish a foothold for a new stage. And that stage is America.

“It’s not just a casual trip.”

I answered clearly.

“Then what is it? Explain.”

“There is a local corporation establishment preparation team dispatched by the Semiconductor Division of Seonghyeon Electronics in the United States. It’s a team led by Deputy Manager So Byeong-hwa, who once worked with me.”

Is that guy telling the truth? Chairman Hyun glanced at Director Joo with a puzzled expression. He nodded.

After confirming, Chairman Hyun asked,

“Are you saying you want to join them?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

A moment later,

“Alright.”

Chairman Hyun’s permission was granted.

“Now that I think about it, you’re right. It would be good to establish the corporation and practice managing it anew. It will be part of your management training, so go ahead with it. Director Joo, make sure to check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Handle the exit permit smoothly without any noise. Got it?”

“Thank you.”

“Understood, Chairman.”

Our responses came simultaneously.

Finally, the decision for my trip to the United States was made. A new stage was opening.

The day was approaching.

The day I would show my unworthy self to my grandfather,

It felt like the carefree days of a young master enjoying life in a building in Gangnam were within my grasp.