A Genius Speaks with Money

Chapter 27

“You aren'

t surely planning to buy that company, are you?”

I, Lim Hyunjun, slightly raised the corners of my mouth at Choi Seo-jun'

s question.

I replied calmly without taking my eyes off the tablet screen.

“…I'

m planning to buy it.”

“Whaaat?!”

Choi Seo-jun could not help but be surprised at the tone, as if I were purchasing an item at a market.

PREZO was not just a simple car company.

It was a company with a history and symbolism that were among the best in the European automobile market.

Of course, it was currently mired in a swamp of deficits and restructuring.

Even so, acquiring PREZO was not a simple investment but could be a strategic move.“Representative, PREZO has a European headquarters and high brand value. Furthermore, I understand that Daehan Group is also coveting it.”

“Is that so? Since you say that, it'

s even more attractive.”

I leaned back comfortably against the sofa backrest after putting the tablet down on the table.

“The fact that Daehan is interested could mean that who enters this board has already been decided. However, PREZO is not a simple car company. It is also a key that allows us to enter Europe.”

Choi Seo-jun looked at me without a word and then quietly let out a breath.

“Then, are you starting?”

Instead of answering, I turned on the tablet screen again and stared at the screen.

The financial status of PREZO, restructuring plans, and details of major shareholders'

stakes passed by in order on the screen.

“The start has already been made.”

On the part where my fingertips stopped, bold letters were floating.

[American private equity fund L&

B Capital. Reviewing the sale of PREZO acquisition stakes]

I slowly smiled while turning off the tablet screen.

***

The Liberation Day XXth Anniversary Ceremony was solemnly held at the Grand Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul.

As it was a national event where the President personally attended, tension lingered under strict security in the venue from early morning.

In front of the ceremony hall, the national flag fluttered in the wind, and descendants of fallen heroes and people of distinguished service entered in groups of three or five in neat attire.

Behind them, major figures in politics and business, whose names would be recognizable just by hearing them, were taking their seats one after another.

There were Chairman Lim Man-seok of Taeseong Group, Chairman Nam Kun-ho of Daehan Group, and Chairman Lee Jin-cheol of Hanmyeong Group.

Among them, the one who quietly drew attention was an elegant woman who appeared in neat clothing.

It was Mrs. Kang Ji-yeon, the daughter-in-law of Chairman Lim Man-seok of Taeseong Group and the granddaughter of the late Kang Han-gyeom, an independence activist.

She was invited here as the sole descendant.

Beside Mrs. Kang Ji-yeon, a youth who looked young in a neat suit was standing together.

The youth, who looked at the stage with a calm gaze without avoiding or intentionally staring at the camera flash, was I, Lim Hyunjun.

I, who was once notorious as a rascal, was in a more quiet and polite appearance than anyone else today.

I waited for the event to begin while assisting my mother by her side.

The camera lens naturally captured their appearance.

Some of the reporters muttered as if whispering.

“That kid over there. Isn'

t he Lim Hyunjun?”

“Kang Ji-yeon is the only granddaughter of the independence activist Kang Han-gyeom.”

“He must have come to this place together thanks to his mother.”

At that moment, the host'

s voice resonated within the hall.

“Next, Mrs. Kang Ji-yeon, the only granddaughter of the late independence activist Kang Han-gyeom, will go up on stage to greet the President.”

Kang Ji-yeon, who stood up quietly, headed toward the podium with an undisturbed gait.

The one who walked together while quietly protecting her side was none other than I.

The President shook hands with Mrs. Kang Ji-yeon with a sense of deep respect and gave me a short glance as well.

Although not officially mentioned, many people already began to take notice of me.

After the official ceremony ended.

A private banquet hall near the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts quietly opened its doors.

It was a place where the President and his wife, major figures, bereaved families of people of distinguished service, and representatives of politics and business had a meal together and shared words of blessing.

Inside the banquet hall where round tables were placed, a quiet dignity was held under softly lowered lighting.

A dim chandelier light flowed above the ceiling, and a traditional music melody resonated gently throughout the space.

People began to converse naturally.

Laughter spread here and there.

It was the same for the table where Kang Ji-yeon was sitting.

She was with her father-in-law, Chairman Lim Man-seok, and her son, I.

At that table, the President and his wife were also sitting.

The First Lady quietly spoke.

“Mrs. Kang, the sight of you going up on stage today was very impressive.”

Kang Ji-yeon replied politely and slowly.

“Thank you. If my late grandfather had seen this place, he would have been very happy.”

The President nodded his head quietly upon hearing those words.

“We all remember the spirit of Kang Han-gyeom. Thank you very much for being with us here today.”

Naturally, the gaze turned toward me, who was sitting quietly beside her.

Kang Ji-yeon noticed and said with a smile.

“This is my son. He is the grandfather'

s only maternal great-grandson, so I brought him along.”

“I see.”

The President looked at me quietly.

“Are you still a student? It must be boring to be sitting among adults.”

I straightened my posture and bowed my head politely.

“I am Lim Hyunjun. I turned eighteen this year. It was rather an honor to be able to be with my mother in such a meaningful place.”

The President looked at me and then smiled lightly.

“Is it because he is a descendant of Kang Han-gyeom? He speaks very clearly and well.”

The First Lady assisted with a smile on her side.

“The student is also very polite.”

At those words, I bowed my head once more and delivered my gratitude.

That humble attitude left a good impression on the people around.

Chairman Lee Jin-cheol of Hanmyeong Group, who was sitting on the opposite side, spoke while putting down his glass.

A low voice containing a characteristic Gyeongsang-do accent resonated over the quiet table.

“Mr. President, if it'

s not discourteous, may I say a word?”

As the President nodded with a smile, Chairman Lee looked at me briefly and then continued his words.

“Chairman Lim'

s grandson is more clever than he looks.”

Chairman Lim Man-seok turned his head quietly and looked at Chairman Lee.

Chairman Lee Jin-cheol smiled slightly as if he had perceived that gaze and continued his words.

“Chairman Lim, you must be happy! How precious is a child who studies well in today'

s world. They say he even got a perfect score on the achievement evaluation.”

The President narrowed his eyes as if interested and said.

“Oho. A perfect score.... You must be pleased, Chairman Lim.”

Chairman Lim Man-seok still sat without a word, but a subtle change passed through his expression.

Chairman Lee Jin-cheol continued his words.

“An article also came out. Man, I was so envious that it was painful.”

Laughter followed here and there.

Chairman Lee Jin-cheol continued as if he had no intention of finishing his words.

“He also submitted a thesis to the Youth Economic Forum held by our foundation. At that time, he submitted it without even revealing his name, and I heard the judges unanimously gave him the highest score, so I wondered who it was. It turned out to be Chairman Lim'

s grandson.”

The President'

s gaze looking at me changed.

“Chairman Lim, you have a very wonderful grandson.”

I quietly stood up from my seat and bowed my head politely.

“Thank you for the undeserved words. I will continue to live without being ashamed in the future.”

The President smiled slightly and raised his glass.

“I am happy that such a fine young man is together in a place like this today. It is good because the future of the Republic of Korea is bright.”

Chairman Lim Man-seok quietly raised his glass.

Although there were no words, an unhidable joy was held in his expression.

After all official events ended.

The front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts was becoming crowded with people leaving one by one by vehicle.

Chairman Lim Man-seok was walking toward the vehicle under the guidance of his secretary.

At that moment, a familiar low voice was heard from behind.

“Chairman Lim.”

Behind Chairman Lim Man-seok, who stopped his steps and turned around, Chairman Lee Jin-cheol of Hanmyeong Group was standing.

“Do you have some time?”

Lim Man-seok nodded his head without a word.

The two moved to a quiet space and walked.

The secretaries who were far away quietly kept their distance.

Chairman Lee Jin-cheol opened his mouth first.

“I bragged about your grandson on your behalf, Chairman Lim, are you satisfied?”

Lim Man-seok looked at him expressionlessly.

“When did I ask you? You just prattled on by yourself, and now you'

re taking credit for it!”

Lee Jin-cheol continued his words with a hearty laugh.

“If I don'

t do it, who will? You'

re dying of happiness because I did it on your behalf since it'

s embarrassing to do it with your own mouth, right?”

“What debt?”

“It'

s true that you owe me. I'

ll be a bit disappointed if you just pass by without a word.”

Lim Man-seok turned his head, glanced at Lee Jin-cheol, and then spoke slowly.

“Clear your schedule for golf when the heat lets up a bit.”

“Aey, you'

re settling it with golf again. Anyway, you'

re stingy, stingy.”

At Chairman Lee Jin-cheol'

s banter, Chairman Lim Man-seok also laughed out loud, as if he were in a good mood.

***

While Chairman Lim Man-seok was talking with Chairman Lee Jin-cheol of Hanmyeong Group, I was spending time quietly on one side of the venue with my mother, Mrs. Kang Ji-yeon.

Even after the formal banquet ended, some figures could not leave and were exchanging greetings in groups of three or five.

I was looking at such scenes blankly when I suddenly discovered a familiar face among the people.

A middle-aged man wearing a black suit.

It was Min Ki-tae, the 1st Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The moment I looked at Vice Minister Min Ki-tae.

He also looked around and checked the surroundings as if waiting for someone.

And a moment later, a man quietly approached him.

A silver tie and neatly groomed hair.

He was a figure I had seen familiarly in numerous economic journals.

President of Daehan Construction, Park Se-dong.

The two exchanged greetings while bowing their heads lightly to each other.

On the surface, it was an ordinary handshake, but I did not miss the intentional distance and cautious gaze hidden within it.

Because it was far away, the conversation the two shared was not heard, but I watched closely.

Then, I made eye contact with Vice Minister Min Ki-tae.

In an instant, the world shook for a moment.

Short silence.

And some image surging in like a wave.

My pupils shook slightly.

The space in front of my eyes changed in an instant.

It was somewhere where grey walls and curtains were draped.

There, Min Ki-tae and Park Se-dong were sitting facing each other.

Wine glasses and documents were seen on the table.

They appeared to be sharing a conversation regarding the Iraqi diplomatic line.

And the scene ended with them talking about having sent a painting at the end.

I felt a sensation as if my breath were catching.

Having returned to reality, I realized that I was in the banquet hall.

Park Se-dong and Min Ki-tae were disappearing quietly toward the back door.

I closed and opened my eyes while composing my breath once.

Goosebumps slowly rose on the back of my neck.

My mother'

s voice was heard.

“Hyunjun, are you okay?”

“…It'

s nothing.”

I barely answered and then chewed over the scene I just saw.

The two of them were clearly deeply related to each other.

And that too, in a very bad way.

I looked toward where the two had disappeared and said to my mother, Mrs. Kang Ji-yeon.

“I'

ll go get some fresh air for a moment.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“…Yes.”

I walked toward the back door without hesitation.