DHG Ch 24

“I heard you went fishing in Ganghwa with the Chairman over the weekend? Does Director Jang even know how to distinguish fish?”

Jang Cheonwoong said, taking off his fur coat. He handed it off without looking at the servant, nearly causing the expensive mink coat to fall. Just as Jang Cheonwoong, his narrow eyes tightly crumpled, was about to scold the servant,

“I heard you took Kim Jinhwan’s kids and grilled them the old-fashioned way.”

Jang Seungyung interjected. His strikingly handsome face, openly single, instantly drew everyone’s attention.

“Illegal seizure in this day and age? If you can’t distinguish where to meddle and where not to, you’ll be screwed. Chief Inspector Lim won’t tolerate it anymore.”

Chief Inspector Lim was the chief of the Gyeonggi Eastern Police Agency and the Chairman’s golf buddy. How can someone be so flawlessly handsome? Jang Cheonwoong, momentarily admiring Jang Seungyung’s youthful and attractive appearance, softened his expression.

What the hell is this superficially polished bastard talking about?

Jang Cheonwoong, about to explode, met the young man’s dark, downward gaze and suppressed his bubbling anger.

Despite the upturned corners of his mouth, his eyes were silent, reminiscent of a deserted wharf at night. That son of a bitch was a real instigator. If Jang Cheonwoong were to abandon all pretense of civility, Jang Seungyung would be waiting to stab him with a sashimi knife. It was in Jang Cheonwoong’s best interest to maintain decorum.

“Director Jang, the one who personally gave Kim Jinhwan a one-way ticket to hell, shouldn’t be talking.”

“I illegally seized an illegal seizurer. So, there’s a hair’s breadth of room for leniency, you know.”

Jang Seungyung, with a cheerful grin plastered on his face, feigned modesty. Of course, Chief Inspector Lim, who never took off his golf cap on the field funded by his grandfather, would surely make allowances, as much as he did for the wig hidden beneath it.

“Besides, a one-way ticket to hell? I didn’t even give him a boarding pass. That Kim Jinhwan fellow, he’s as tough as they say.”

Jang Seungyung mentioned Kim Jinhwan, who, even after being gutted, managed to crawl up to the second floor of the employee quarters. Even he wouldn’t be able to do that. Of course, he wouldn’t be getting disemboweled before dying either.

Just then, the sliding door opened again.

“Oh! Executive Director Jang!”

Jang Cheonwoong, whose face was red and blue with anger, shouted and ran out as if he had met his savior. Jang Seungyung, leaving the fleeing loser behind, followed the servant to the inner parlor.

His words to Jang Cheonwoong weren’t just empty threats. If Jang Cheonwoong continued to meddle where he shouldn’t, the interests that the Chairman had painstakingly protected would surely depreciate to less than the value of a wig.

Why won’t he just accept that the world has changed?

It was only making his stylish self tired.

Jang Seungyung, yawning languidly, crossed the threshold, wiping his moist eyes. The beautiful room, decorated with dark-colored pottery and cotton as if welcoming winter, was crammed full of people, belying its intended purpose as a place for quarterly family meals.

“It’s been a while, Senior Managing Director.”

“I heard you’re getting promoted soon.”

He walked further inside, receiving trivial greetings. The seating arrangement was predetermined. Jang Seungyung was guided to one of the two seats closest to the head of the table.

“Such an expensive mink coat. These days, young punks have neither common sense nor properly functioning finger joints!”

The sound of Jang Cheonwoong venting his belated frustration at the servant grew closer from the end of the hallway.

The door opened again, and two people entered. Jang Cheonwoong, having gained nothing from trying to engage with Jang Seungyung earlier, avoided his gaze and boisterously greeted only the Taekang personnel.

Jang Seungyung looked up at the presence that settled across from him.

The two seats closest to the Chairman. The other seat was, naturally, occupied by Jang Jooshin.

“You’ve been working hard, hyung.”

Jang Seungyung spoke softly to Jang Jooshin, who was old enough to be his father.

“Hasn’t it been a pain dealing with my uncle?”

Jang Jooshin, with his perfectly slicked-back hair, impeccably tailored suit, and his usual blue tie – the very image of a sophisticated middle-aged alpha male – simply responded with a slight upturn of his lips. His unreadable eyes shone quietly.

You’re still so boring. Jang Seungyung idly rolled the teacup the servant had filled, in his large hand.

Although it was billed as a family meal, everyone was so busy watching the Chairman that the seats were filled even before the designated time.

Jang Cheonwoong and the Taekang personnel, led by Jang Jooshin, formed one line. The Chairman’s side, led by Jang Seungyung, formed another.

The clear division between the two factions facing each other across the long table blurred as a large, elderly man entered the parlor.

“Chairman, good evening.”

“What are you all standing for? Sit down!”

A man in his seventies with an unbent posture and a booming voice. The elderly man, dressed in traditional Korean attire, entered with an almost boisterous air. Those who had awkwardly risen from their seats only sat down properly after the elderly man was fully settled at the head of the table.

“Your complexion looks even better!”

Jang Cheonwoong spoke loudly, hoping to attract the attention of his relatives.

“Thanks to Executive Director Jang, we’ve won the bid for the metropolitan railway project in the construction sector! It was big news, you must be pleased.”

While smiling, Jang Cheonwoong inwardly clicked his tongue. Originally maintaining connections with the old Taekang personnel, he wasn’t exactly on the best terms with Jang Jooshin.

But the enemy of my enemy is my friend, as they say.

Who knew that this young whippersnapper, who had appeared out of nowhere, would threaten even the share that should have rightfully belonged to Jang Cheonwoong, even if he were to lose to Jang Jooshin? This was the reason he had formed a strong alliance with Jang Jooshin since last year.

Voices of agreement erupted from here and there. The Chairman made a humming sound.

“Well, there are more than a few things lacking.”

Then, the elderly man’s tiger-like gaze suddenly turned to Jang Jooshin.

“I’ve already contacted Chairman Choi of Hyogil Industries. He’s a man with a vast network in the construction sector, so listen carefully and don’t take his words lightly.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

Jang Jooshin smiled faintly as usual. Only Jang Cheonwoong couldn’t maintain his composure and tightly gripped the mother-of-pearl inlaid spoon.

“Since we’re on the topic, how’s Chairman Choi’s daughter? I heard she’s some kind of artist. Choi treasures her like a jewel.”

The Chairman changed the subject to Jang Seungyung. The smile in the corners of his wrinkled eyes was so warm that Jang Cheonwoong couldn’t bring himself to smooth out his crumpled expression.

Jang Seungyung, who had been eating with languid movements as if bored, slowly chewed and swallowed his food before answering.

“Seoah? I just watched her performance and had a cup of coffee with her.”

His nonchalant tone infuriated Jang Cheonwoong.

That ragtag bastard.

Although his half-brother, the Chairman, also came from a rough background, that orphaned bastard had a particularly rogue-like quality. His consistently smooth and ingratiating attitude, even in front of the Chairman, as if he had nothing to lose, was a testament to that.

“Treat her well. Who knows, I might even handsomely tailor your wedding suit. I’ve known Choi since he started Hyogil Tailor in front of Manhyeon Station. Even back then, he was a man of style and made fantastic suits.”

At Chairman Choi’s words, Jang Cheonwoong’s heart grew anxious. If that brazen bastard truly captured the heart of Chairman Choi’s granddaughter, he would become a major obstacle for him and Jang Jooshin.

“Isn’t Seungyung still young?”

He interjected, replacing the almost-uttered “Director Jang” with a more familiar title. His plump cheeks twitched as he forced a smile.

“I don’t understand why you’re already concerned about his marriage, hyungnim.”

“Address me properly. Call him Senior Managing Director Jang! Stop being so impertinent!”

The Chairman roared. At the same time, Jang Seungyung, who had been observing the situation, almost grimaced. He had frequently complained about the Senior Managing Director title, saying it made him sound old. It was fortunate that he possessed enough social skills not to mention it here and now.

“Yes, hyungnim. I made a mistake.”

Jang Cheonwoong, who often had to be mindful of the Chairman, immediately groveled. He reluctantly addressed Jang Seungyung, whom he had intended to ignore completely after the incident in the main hall.

“Senior Managing Director Jang, if you need anything, just let me know. I’ll roll up my sleeves and help you.”

“You’re so kind, little uncle. You’re like one of those trendy youth mentors.”

That, that, talkative bastard! Jang Cheonwoong almost clutched the back of his neck. Always talking back to his elders! It felt like he retorted with a hundred words for every one word spoken to him.

He was about to shout, despite knowing it would be detrimental, when a strong hand suddenly gripped his knee. A pointed, warning gaze was directed at him simultaneously. It was Jang Jooshin. The warning gaze of his former rival and current ally served as a wake-up call.

Although it was a gathering where two factions with differing agendas were checking each other, the meal proceeded amicably on the surface. Even if they were inwardly dreaming of all sorts of dirty and despicable schemes, just like outside, beyond the private forest.

After the superficial dinner concluded,

The Chairman, brushing off the people rushing towards him, had a private conversation with Jang Seungyung. The two stepped out into the backyard, connected to the slope of the forest. A well-maintained, expansive walking path stretched out leisurely before them.