A Genius Speaks with Money

Chapter 80

Shin Seo-yoon’s laughter grew louder and louder.

The hem of her dress sparkled and shone brilliantly.

Several figures nearby turned their heads at that sound.

A gallery representative approached first to offer greetings, followed by a publishing company representative and officials from the Ministry of Culture, who joined one by one.

“Chairperson, the atmosphere today is truly wonderful.”

“What you said on the platform a moment ago was also impressive.”

The corners of Shin Seo-yoon’s mouth rose higher and higher.

A subtle sense of satisfaction welled up at the thought that this was exactly where she belonged.

Go Hye-rim also matched the atmosphere from the side and raised her glass.

“I am envious of you, Chairperson, because you always seem so composed.”“Is that so? I feel like this place shines more because you are here, Hye-rim.”

Shin Seo-yoon laughed appropriately and straightened her back elegantly.

Her mood naturally became elated as she felt the gazes focused on her.

Thoughts about me, Lim Hyunjun, had already disappeared from her mind.

However, that did not last very long.

A buzzing sound was heard nearby, and people’s heads turned slightly.

And even those who had been gathered around Shin Seo-yoon until just now shifted their gazes.

I, Lim Hyunjun, reached out my hand toward Nam Jae-min.

That moment naturally captured everyone’s attention as if a spotlight on stage were shining on me.

Nam Jae-min also hesitated for a moment, then set down his glass and took my hand.

“It is an honor to meet you for the first time. I am Lim Hyunjun, the representative of HJ Partners.”

My confident voice was quite attractive.

The humility coming from a proper attitude gave a fresh shock to the people who knew my age.

Nam Jae-min spoke a short word.

“I am Nam Jae-min.”

I naturally raised my glass and spoke toward the people around.

“It is an honor to be able to properly greet everyone on this occasion.”

That one sentence made me the protagonist.

People clung to my side and spoke.

“I also wanted to meet you, Representative Lim.”

“What are you interested in these days?”

Along with the sound of glasses clinking, laughter erupted in succession.

The table where Nam Jae-min sat began to gradually fill with people.

Shin Seo-yoon was pushed away to the point of being excluded from the conversation altogether.

She merely blinked her eyes with a frozen expression while holding her glass.

They were clearly the ones who had been bowing their heads toward her until just a moment ago.

She had received attention for her flashy dress, confident way of speaking, and her friendship with Go Hye-rim, but now everyone was moving following me.

Several women looked at Shin Seo-yoon and sneered among themselves.

She felt resentful and gritted her teeth.

Everyone knew that the future of Taeseong Group was me.

Therefore, no matter how much she decorated herself, Shin Seo-yoon was not the first priority.

Her fingers began to tremble.

Strength entered her wrist holding the glass to the point where even her laughing expression was awkward.

Go Hye-rim quickly observed her complexion.

“Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”

“It must be because I am tired. Perhaps because I have been standing for a long time, my legs feel a bit tingly.”

“Please have a seat. Shall I bring you a drink?”

“It is fine. I will take a short break and return soon.”

Shin Seo-yoon set down her glass and quietly left the spot.

The hem of her dress swayed according to her movements and she soon disappeared among the crowd.

I quietly watched Shin Seo-yoon disappear while lightly swirling the glass in my hand.

It was not a good sign for her, the chairperson, to leave the spot in the middle of an event.

‘As expected, her emotional ups and downs are large.’

I did not pay any mind to Shin Seo-yoon.

From now on, my interest was solely on Nam Jae-min.

I naturally struck up a conversation with Nam Jae-min.

“Demand for content investment has been growing recently. I am curious how you see it at Daehan Culture & Media.”

Nam Jae-min replied calmly without a single disturbance in his gaze.

“We intend to be faithful to the basics. Rather than moving quickly, we want to choose what lasts longer than others.”

I spoke with a meaningful smile.

“The basics… that is a good thought. The basics are always important.”

With those words, my gaze lingered on Nam Jae-min.

In the moment our eyes met for a brief second, my special ability was activated.

A short but intense future flowed in.

A vivid scene unfolded before my eyes like spreading light.

Inside a Daehan Group office.

Amidst dozens of executives sitting with stiff expressions, a man took center stage.

He spoke while quietly raising his hand.

“Now, Daehan will be reborn around me, Nam Jae-min, not Chairman Nam Kun-ho.”

A firm yet cold voice.

Behind that man, a new logo of Daehan appeared on a giant screen.

For some reason, Nam Kun-ho was nowhere to be seen.

When the momentary vision vanished, I slowly settled my breathing while holding my glass.

‘He was not a person who gave up greed for love.’

My gaze turned toward Nam Jae-min.

He was still quietly holding his breath, but the temperament of a gambler was hidden within him.

He merely had not revealed his desire yet; he was a person ready to seize it more certainly than anyone else when the opportunity came.

Above all, he knew better than anyone that he was not the mainstream of the family.

And he seemed to have noticed that I was interested in him.

I quietly set my glass down on the table and spoke.

“Thank you for the good words. Representative Nam, do you have a moment? I would like to hear more of your opinions.”

When I actively appealed, we moved spots.

The place where we moved was a private room inside the Taeseong Hotel.

A quiet space where external noise was perfectly blocked.

On the table, there were various drinks and teas as if they had been prepared in advance.

As soon as I sat down, I naturally reached for a drink.

While pouring juice into a transparent glass, I spoke quietly.

“Would you like some?”

Nam Jae-min shook his head.

“I would like tea, please.”

I silently poured tea into a cup.

The scent of warm tea spread without a sound.

A silence flowed for a moment as the two of us drank according to our preferences.

I opened my mouth first.

“Are you satisfied with your current position, Representative?”

The words spat out casually were not something anyone could easily overlook.

It was a question that one might even feel was somewhat arrogant.

However, I did not hesitate in the slightest.

My gaze stared as if piercing through Nam Jae-min.

Nam Jae-min raised his teacup, took a sip, and set it down quietly.

Only then did he answer calmly.

“Of course not. Would you do so if you were me?”

Unexpectedly, it was a very honest remark.

I smiled lowly and immediately continued my next words.

“In that case, I feel that we can cooperate in a direction that is mutually beneficial. What will you do?”

Nam Jae-min spoke without even a twitch of his eyebrow.

“What benefit does that bring me? My older brother has already collapsed anyway. All that remains is my sister. If I just push one person aside, there will be no one to oppose me. If I just wait a little longer, it will naturally be my turn, so is there a reason why you and I should join hands?”

I spoke while wearing a smile.

“The words sound plausible. But about that sister of yours. She did not seem like such an easy opponent. Do you not also know this, Representative Nam?”

Nam Jae-min’s pupils wavered minutely.

I did not miss that gap and dug in.

“Hasn't Daehan Finance already fallen into Representative Nam Yoon-kyung's hands? And recently, most of the public opinion within the group is leaning toward her. She has also proven her ability several times already. As you know, her skill in coordinating from behind at the recent general meeting of shareholders was no ordinary feat.”

Nam Jae-min was silent for a moment.

For the first time, his expression turned fierce.

It was because he was agitated by my words.

I had intentionally irritated Representative Nam’s feelings.

“Was I wrong?”

Nam Jae-min eventually laughed shortly and spoke.

“No. I admit it. You are not wrong.”

He raised his glass again to moisten his mouth and added.

“In the end, the leader of Daehan will be decided depending on who shows the possibility of being better.”

I spoke quietly as if I had been waiting for those words.

“I feel that now is that opportunity. If I lend a hand to you, Representative, who has no foundation, would the work not become easier?”

Nam Jae-min’s eyebrows rose.

“Are you confident?”

I answered firmly.

“Of course.”

At that answer, Nam Jae-min looked at me for a moment and then suddenly burst into laughter.

That appearance was to the point of giving goosebumps as he looked like a person who had lost his mind.

“You are a very interesting person, Representative Lim Hyunjun. This is my first time seeing someone talk to me like this in a place like this.”

I raised my glass, took a final sip, and then spoke.

“Then choose me. I will make sure you have no regrets.”

Nam Jae-min leaned his arm on the armrest and spoke lowly.

“Make sure I have no regrets….”

He muttered and turned his gaze for a moment, then returned to me.

“I truly like those words. I shall remember them. Instead, let’s make one promise.”

“Please speak.”

“From the moment I decide to join hands with you, I do not want to have a weakness held by anyone. So you must also be prepared. If you try to use me, you will not be able to handle the aftermath.”

The corners of my mouth rose slightly.

“I always conduct deals fairly. And I tend to keep my promises.”

At those words, Nam Jae-min narrowed his eyes and nodded.

“Good. Then let’s stop here for today.”

“I will contact you when I am ready.”

Nam Jae-min stood up from his seat.

When I reached out my hand to him, the two of us shook hands.

Nam Jae-min left the room first.

As if he had been waiting for him to leave, Choi Seo-jun entered.

He sat opposite me and asked.

“Representative, how did it go?”

I leaned back comfortably and opened my mouth.

“Representative Nam Jae-min is a more interesting person than I thought.”

“That means he is indeed no ordinary person.”

“He might even be a figure who is more than Chairman Nam Kun-ho. Anyway, he decided to join hands with us. For the time being, let’s do what is necessary for each other.”

Choi Seo-jun contemplated for a moment and then asked.

“Could he perhaps stab us in the back after joining hands for nothing?”

“I do not think we will become such a close relationship. We just give and take what each other needs. Do you understand what I mean?”

“So it’s like, cooperate but not be friends? Less than lovers but more than friends?”

At the absurd remark, I burst out laughing.

Choi Seo-jun cleared his throat as if a bit embarrassed.

I waved my hand and changed the subject.

“The companies owned by Nam Yoon-kyung are Daehan Telecom, Daehan Oil, and Daehan Finance.”

“Ahem. She possesses only the real gems.”

“We must find a gap among them. Now, all that remains is to get busy again. Let’s go.”

As I stood up from my seat, Choi Seo-jun followed behind.

The event was still in progress.

However, since we had achieved our goal, there was no longer a need to stay here.