A Genius Speaks with Money

Chapter 116

Christmas decorations were sparkling on the streets, but the night air of the foreign land was still chilly and unfamiliar.

A black armored car came to a stop in front of a luxury hotel in the middle of the city center.

I got out from the back seat and briefly raised my head to look up at the night sky.

I straightened my head while my fatigue was evident.

As I entered the main entrance of the hotel, the grand interior unfolded before my eyes.

It was a sight reminiscent of a palace, but there was no particular inspiration in my expression.

At that time, a familiar voice was heard from the lobby.

“Representative!”

As I turned my head, Choi Seo-jun and Hong Jang-gun were hurriedly approaching me.

Relief and gladness brushed past the faces of the two people at the same time.General Hong asked cautiously first.

“Did it end safely?”

I nodded with a composed expression.

A bit of tiredness could be seen, but I forced a smile.

“Nothing much happened.”

I turned my gaze and looked toward the hotel window.

The night scenery seen beyond the window was quite different from Korea.

I opened my mouth while feeling somewhat regretful.

“It is a bit of a shame to have to spend Christmas in a foreign land.”

To Choi Seo-jun's eyes, it seemed as if I were thinking of my family in Korea.

In addition, since Chairman Lim Man-seok had collapsed not long ago, he knew that my heart was not in a good place.

It was the first time seeing this kind of side of me after only seeing my strong appearance.

“If you were in Korea, you would have spent it warmly with your family, so you must be regretful, right?”

I lowered my gaze for a moment and wore a bitter smile.

To Choi Seo-jun, it seemed as if my shoulders were particularly slumped today.

However, I soon raised my head and regained my usual composure.

“Well, it cannot be helped.”

I shrugged my shoulders and smiled as if pretending to be composed.

However, Director Choi and Advisor Hong knew that regret was still permeating that smile.

I opened my mouth to change the atmosphere.

“Let's eat something delicious among us tonight. Since we have to return to Korea again tomorrow, let's properly enjoy and go today.”

As soon as those words were finished, Choi Seo-jun and General Hong locked eyes with each other.

Both were actually having the same thought.

They felt better as I said it on their behalf.

Choi Seo-jun answered.

“That is good, Representative.”

General Hong also agreed and nodded.

“We should also rest well for today at least.”

The three of us moved our steps side by side into the hotel interior.

While walking along the luxurious corridor, I fell into thought.

‘I have informed the President of their existence for now, but…. Is it okay to leave it like this?’

However, such a thought did not last long.

Right now, it was more important to enjoy this moment with the colleagues who were together.

As we entered the restaurant inside the hotel, a gentle jazz melody welcomed us.

For tonight at least, I intended to set aside both work and worries and take a real rest.

Christmas decorations were stylishly arranged throughout the restaurant, and a red poinsettia was placed on each table, heightening the atmosphere further.

Receiving the waiter's guidance, we took a seat at a private table by the window.

I slowly opened the menu made of a luxurious leather cover.

Scanning the dish names written densely in English and the prices displayed below them, a mischievous smile spread across my lips.

I was like a child who had discovered an interesting toy.

“Let's do some flexing today.”

As soon as those words were finished, my fingers began to dance over the menu.

It was as if I were demonstrating from here to here, and not a single trace of hesitation could be found.

While the waiter was diligently writing it down, I turned my eyes to the wine list.

Something entered my eyes as I was turning the thick wine booklet.

I pointed to the one at the very top with my finger.

The waiter's eyes grew somewhat large, but he soon answered with a professional smile.

“That is a good choice, guest.”

I wore a bright smile toward the waiter.

In that smile, it was only full of a joyful look without any reluctance.

I looked at Choi Seo-jun and Hong Jang-gun alternately and said,

“Since we are leaving tomorrow anyway, do not feel burdened and enjoy to your heart's content tonight. I will treat you today as well.”

At those words, General Hong could not close his mouth for a while, then he could not hold back the laughter that was about to burst out.

“Hahaha! Representative, looking at you at times like this, the aura of a third-generation chaebol is truly overflowing.”

At his words, I shrugged my shoulders and answered playfully.

“Well, don't we live for this kind of taste sometimes. We earn it all to spend it.”

Choi Seo-jun also could not hold back his laughter anymore.

He too laughed out loud, then drank some water and opened his mouth.

“Truly, if I only follow the Representative, my mouth enjoys a luxury. Now, most things will not satisfy me. This is a big problem.”

“Pull out and eat a lot at times like this. I have a lot of money.”

“As expected, keu.”

The laughter of the three people spread gently inside the restaurant.

The appearance of the usual cold businessman was nowhere to be found.

For today at least, I wanted to set everything down and enjoy this moment while enjoying delicious food with good people.

It was at that time.

A somewhat loud voice was heard from the entrance of the dining room.

The agitated voice was Hindi.

The harsh and resolute tone as if rebuking someone was quite a contrast to the elegant atmosphere of the restaurant.

Turning my gaze for a moment, I saw a group of Indians standing near the entrance.

A middle-aged man in traditional Indian clothing and a somewhat fat-looking youth who appeared to be in his twenties lowered their heads deeply while being completely discouraged.

I did not pay any particular attention.

I turned my head again and said.

“It seems it is finally coming out.”

Right at that time, the sommelier walked cautiously to the table.

In his hand, the wine I had ordered was held.

The sommelier pulled the cork with a skilled hand movement, then poured a small amount into a glass for me to taste first.

It was the moment I was about to pick up the glass, thinking this was the time.

“Wait a moment, Representative!”

My hand stopped for a moment.

Choi Seo-jun spoke while smiling slightly as if he were in a difficult spot.

“Since you are still a minor. This is not allowed.”

Choi Seo-jun continued to scan my expression, then let out a sigh and added.

“Just smell the scent and taste a little… really just a little.”

In his voice, a mind that was worried while respecting me was contained at the same time.

General Hong shook his head while watching them.

I was momentarily dejected and forced a smile.

Even though I had concluded contracts on the scale of tens of billions of won and boldly engaged in negotiations in international business scenes, the reality that I was still legally a minor hit me poignantly.

“Hahaha, that is right. I am a minor.”

I wore a bitter smile and picked up the glass.

As I gently shook the glass, the red liquid reflected off the warm light of the Christmas decorations and emitted an alluring light.

I brought the glass close to the tip of my nose and deeply savored the scent.

The heavy scent of grapes brushed the tip of my nose.

And I carefully tasted it as if just lightly wetting the tip of my lips.

“Umm. It is a really good wine.”

I put down the glass while admiring.

Even though I could not drink it properly, this moment alone was special enough.

Before long, the dishes began to be set on the table one by one.

Perfectly grilled steak and king crab where the scent of butter could be felt.

It was full of delicacies of all kinds that I was seeing for the first time.

On the table, the scent that stimulated the appetite and laughter harmonized.

For this moment at least, I briefly forgot the regret and loneliness I felt in a foreign land.

Surely, I will return to Korea again tomorrow.

I will meet my family and a familiar daily life will continue to unfold from now on.

So for tonight at least, I must enjoy the end properly.

I raised my head and looked at Choi Seo-jun and Hong Jang-gun.

The two of them were already holding glasses containing wine.

I picked up the glass containing a beverage and lightly clinked it against their glasses.

As the glass cups clinked, a clear resonance spread out gently.

Like that, the Christmas night was deepening.

Time flowed and empty plates increased on the table before I knew it.

General Hong was the type to enjoy alcohol moderately, but Choi Seo-jun seemed to be in a good mood today as he emptied his glass several times.

Unlike his usual serious appearance, his face was flushed red.

At a glance, it could be seen that he was tipsy as he laughed while swaying with the glass held.

“Representatiiiive... I am only surprised every time, so can't you inform me in advanceee!”

I laughed composedly while drinking my beverage.

“Were you disappointed about that?”

At my words, Choi Seo-jun flustered while waving his hand.

“No, I am not. I am not. It is not that, but….”

In the end, he knocked over the glass containing wine and the red liquid flowed onto the table, making it messy.

He lowered his head deeply as if embarrassed, but he laughed broadly like a happy person again.

Watching that appearance, General Hong clicked his tongue and straightened the glass.

“Director Choi, stop drinking now. You are drinking too much today.”

After a while, I slowly stood up from the seat.

“I shall go to the restroom for a moment.”

Choi Seo-jun raised his head blankly and asked slowly.

“ 어… I will go too. If the Representative goes alone….”

Thump!

He, whose face had been flushed red, ended up dropping his head and fell asleep just like that after planting his head on the table.

General Hong looked at me while letting out a sigh as if it were a difficult situation.

“Sigh…. Representative, it seems Director Choi has fallen asleep because he is drunk. You may go without worrying.”

I examined Choi Seo-jun for a moment.

Seeing that he was breathing regularly and evenly, it was certain that he had fallen into a deep sleep.

“Then I shall go for a moment.”

“Yes, please go without worrying. I shall be guarding this drunkard well.”

I leisurely moved my steps toward the restroom.

The corridor sparkling with Christmas decorations made my mood even better.

As I opened the restroom door and entered, a smell mixed with a subtle perfume wafted out.

The voice of someone talking on the phone could be heard from inside.

I could not understand the exact words, but from the feeling, it was as if he were ridiculing someone.

I indifferently turned my gaze and passed the person talking on the phone.

However, the man stopped the call quickly and sensibly, then glanced at me and went outside.

Seeing that the gaze looking at me was not pleasant, it seemed he considered me a disturbance.

Rather, as if he could not think that talking on the phone in the restroom is bad manners.

I did not want to ruin a pleasant day, so I blew it away while taking care of my business.

Before I knew it, I came out of the restroom and moved my steps toward the restaurant again.

However, unlike a moment ago, the air had become quite different.

Inside the hall, which was full of laughter and conversation until just now, a certain tense energy flowed.

The voices that had been buzzing lowly had died down, and a heavy energy was flowing from something unknown.

Right at that moment.

Thump!

Along with a heavy sound, a chair was pushed roughly and fell over at my feet.

I instinctively stopped my walking and nothing happened, but I was flustered.

I turned my head toward the place where the chair had flown from.

There, a youth was present, exhaling a rough breath with a face flushed red.

It seems he took out his groundless anger on the chair while being unable to suppress his rage.

Then he even caused damage to me.

A deep darkness that was hard to explain with just the influence of alcohol was felt in the man's eyes.

“I was surprised several times today.”