IPSTDS Chapter 50

Chapter 50

The employees who had escorted him to the chairman’s office finally said their goodbyes.

“Well then, we’ll be off now.”

“Thank you for showing me the way.”

“…! N-no need to thank us.”

Just how much of a tyrant had Yoon Noah been for them to be so startled by a simple thank-you that they even stuttered?

Nahyuk gave them a soft smile, feeling oddly sympathetic. Having recently been an office worker himself, he could understand the way they bowed to power.

At last, Nahyuk entered the chairman’s office.

Yoon Taesik sat with one leg crossed on a large single-seater sofa, staring at him sharply.

His gaze was so firm it was hard to believe he was an old man. His posture was incredibly upright too. Without a strong mindset, one could easily be overwhelmed by Yoon Taesik’s presence.

Nahyuk swallowed dryly. He desperately wanted to return to the house with the beautiful garden.

“You’re right on time.”

“Yes, time is money. Have you been well?”

“Yes, I’ve been fine. Sit down first.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Even after he sat down on the sofa next to him, Yoon Taesik’s eyes never left him.

“Grandfather… your gaze is a little intense, ha ha.”

“Is that so? I didn’t mean to.”

If Nahyuk wanted to ensure Yoon Taesik wouldn’t call for him again, he first had to find out why he was summoned here.

“Why did you call me here?”

“Are you still contemplating life like you mentioned before?”

He was always reflecting on life.

How to get healthy, how to get along with Lee Kangil who was helping him, and if he couldn’t recover—what then?

Nahyuk nodded calmly.

“Yes, actually… I’ve been diagnosed with a rather nasty illness. It’s made me reflect a lot on my life.”

Of course, the true reason for his self-reflection had occurred before he possessed Yoon Noah’s body.

After being scorned by both a close colleague and his family, he had questioned whether he even deserved to live.

He had been devastated and lonely to the point of wanting to die, but without the courage to do it, he couldn’t go through with it. He had even thought of disappearing somewhere unknown to start anew.

But before he could come to a conclusion, he had ended up in Yoon Noah’s body.

Even so, he brought up Yoon Noah’s illness deliberately—to cut off Yoon Taesik’s growing interest in him, which was starting to show in his eyes.

He hoped that if he played the part of a weak man who might die soon, business matters wouldn’t be brought up.

But as if he had seen right through that, Yoon Taesik spoke.

“You brat, isn’t the pharmaceutical heir taking good care of your illness?”

He had clearly done his research.

“I need to live, so yes—I asked the heir of a pharmaceutical company to save me.”

“Why do you want to live?”

“Because there’s something I want to do.”

“Don’t tell me you want the company?”

Nahyuk shook his head.

“No, I don’t want anything like that. I just want to stay in this current status—still within your good graces. That way, my parents might not kick me out of the family registry.”

“Hahaha!”

Yoon Taesik let out a booming laugh, even though it wasn’t much of a joke.

“So, what is it that you want to do?”

Nahyuk answered with a slightly unhinged smile, like a daydreamer craving something unreal.

“Love.”

“…What?”

Yoon Taesik looked completely caught off guard by that answer. Nahyuk smiled without realizing it, amused by how this tiger-like man had lost his composure.

“I’ve never really been in love before. It’s okay if you laugh. Even if people mock or scorn me, this wish won’t change.”

But this time, Yoon Taesik didn’t laugh or frown. He just quietly repeated the word “love” to himself a few times.

“…So, is there someone you like?”

“I’m not sure. There are people who make my heart flutter… but that’s all.”

Naturally, Lee Kangil and Kim Daon came to mind—the two who had stirred his heart most recently.

“I see. And you really have no intention of working for the company?”

Nahyuk nodded.

“I’m too sick to work hard. And I’m not sure I’d be good at anything either… But Grandfather, why are you suddenly trying to involve me in company matters? Is it because of my self-reflection?”

“You might not know this, but I try to give every child an equal chance. I give them work, and if they do well, I give them more responsibility. If they don’t, I let them go.”

“I see…”

“But I realized I never gave you a chance. After seeing you last time, you seemed a little more mature.”

“…”

“And it just so happens that we’re about to collaborate on a hotel project with Hansan Group… I thought if you wanted, I could involve you. You’re close with their heir, right? Not in an executive role of course—just entry level.”

“Hansan Group?”

“Yes, aren’t you friends with Seo Dowoong?”

It seemed Yoon Taesik had investigated Yoon Noah thoroughly—even knowing his close friends.

“…We were friends. But I don’t hang out with Seo Dowoong anymore. I’ve come to dislike him.”

“So you fought?”

“Something like that. Anyway, thank you for the offer, but I don’t think I can accept it.”

“Well, if you ever change your mind, you can always tell me. And friends shouldn’t stay in conflict for long—understood?”

“Yes, Grandfather. Thank you for thinking of me.”

“Alright, then you may go.”

“Yes!”

Nahyuk stood and bowed deeply to Yoon Taesik.

At first, he had been scared of the man. But the more they talked, the more Yoon Taesik started to feel like a real grandfather.

Maybe it was because of how he looked at him.

There was warmth in Yoon Taesik’s intelligent eyes—a warmth Nahyuk had never felt from his real parents.

Because it was the first time he had ever seen such gentle eyes from family, he felt a tinge of regret that this might be their last meeting.

Since he had clearly stated he wouldn’t work for the company, Yoon Taesik probably wouldn’t call for him again.

Just as he was about to leave the chairman’s office, Yoon Taesik’s voice called out once more.

“Noah. I like who you are now much more than before.”

“Thank you. I hope to see you again.”

With a smile, Nahyuk bowed once more.

If only Yoon Noah had leaned on Yoon Taesik instead of clinging to Seo Dowoong, perhaps his life might have turned out a little differently.

Nahyuk briefly imagined Yoon Noah as a respectable office worker.

And just as he was truly about to open the office door—

“Since you’re here, why not take a tour of the company?”

“…Pardon?”

“You’ve hardly visited or even looked around the place, living like a total brat!”

“…”

Nahyuk was about to refuse, but Yoon Taesik stared at him firmly, making it clear he wouldn’t back down this time.

…Well, it’s not like I have anything else to do. Maybe just a quick tour, then.

Defeated in their silent standoff, Nahyuk gave a reluctant nod. At that, a smile crept across Yoon Taesik’s face.

* * *

One of Yoon Taesik’s secretaries personally guided Nahyuk around the company.

To be honest, it would’ve been too much to tour every floor of the massive building, so the secretary only showed him the main areas.

Every place they visited looked neat and pleasant. Nahyuk had worked for a fairly reputable company before his possession, and this one seemed just as good—if not better.

Most notably, the employees’ faces bore no sign of gloom.

No dark clouds on office workers’ faces? That was genuinely impressive. It spoke volumes about the internal atmosphere of the company.

‘So that’s what Grandfather wanted to show off.’

Nahyuk thought he could now understand why Yoon Taesik was being so meticulous about choosing a successor, even going so far as to test his children. After managing a company this diligently, he couldn’t just hand it over to anyone.

He hadn’t expected much, but the tour turned out to be surprisingly interesting. Starting from the upper floors, they eventually made their way down to the third floor.

“This floor has many departments related to the hotel business.”

“Ah, I see.”

Several employees who recognized the secretary greeted him, sneaking glances at Nahyuk as they passed. It seemed most of them didn’t realize who he was.

Then, as they were walking down a hallway—

“Oh…”

Nahyuk stopped in his tracks without thinking.

A room that looked like a conference room didn’t have the blinds down, and through the clear glass wall, he spotted a familiar face.

Someone he never expected to see here.

Not only was the man not an employee of Taegwang Construction, he was happily chatting with its staff as if he belonged.

It was such a surreal sight.

‘He’s supposed to hold a pretty high position… What is he doing here?’

Rather than being glad at the unexpected encounter, Nahyuk immediately wanted to disappear before the man noticed him.

He hoped they wouldn’t cross paths. Quietly, he took a step and moved behind the secretary to hide.