Chapter65:< Those Who Threaten the Future (3) >
When Yeonghun turned around, Assemblyman Jo's wife approached, glanced around, and spoke in a low voice.
“Are you a doctor, by any chance?”
“No, ma'am. It’s just that when I was young, the corners of my mother's eyes were always raw. I later found out she had a heart condition. When she was in the hospital, I noticed that others with heart problems had the same thing, so now whenever I see someone with raw skin and fine veins spreading around their eyes, I can't help but wonder if they have a heart problem. If you’re healthy, please don’t pay it any mind.”
When reading a person's features, the condition of their internal organs can sometimes be revealed.
That didn't mean he went around telling everyone he saw, "You have a problem with this," or "You need to be careful about that."
For the most part, any health issues visible in a person's features were things they were already aware of, or they were so minor that there was no need to mention them.
Also, the reason he didn't point out even severe, clearly visible symptoms was because there was simply no reason to.
He wasn't a doctor, and pointing it out would only lead to an endless, tiring barrage of questions like, "How did you know?" and "What should I be careful of from now on?"
Nevertheless, the reason he had said this to Assemblyman Jo Jae-min's wife was because when he read her features, he saw that despite her poor health, she was fated to live out her later years without any major hardships.
In any case, after he spoke lightly, he watched her expression as she continued to speak.
“Actually, my chest has been feeling tight for a little while now. That's why I asked if you were a doctor. Oh my, I wonder if I should go to the hospital...”
It seemed she had already been thinking she should probably see a doctor.
She was the wife of an assemblyman, after all, so it probably wouldn't have made much difference even if he hadn't said anything.
“Then why don't you go get it checked out? I know a few people who thought it was nothing and waited too long, and their condition got much worse.”
“Thank you. I was already wondering if I should... By the way, I heard earlier that you're from Hyunjin Corporation? I was hoping I could get a business card...”
Yeonghun quickly took out his business card and handed it to her.
“My name is Choi Yeong-hun.”
“Thank you for today.”
As Yeonghun said his goodbyes and came out, Yeon-hee hurried over to him.
“Oh my god... You can see things like that just from face reading? That's unbelievable...”
“It's not that big of a deal. It's not like I can see anything incredible.”
In truth, he even knew what changes appeared in a person's features when they were about to die suddenly, but he had never actually seen it himself.
Therefore, he wasn't sure if he would be able to recognize it if he ever actually encountered such a situation.
But he probably would.
After all, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was born with a destiny to see such things.
Still, he didn't want to be confident about it.
“Still, her reaction wasn't bad, was it? From her expression, she seemed really grateful.”
“It's hard to say.”
“But did you help her on purpose?”
“Let's talk in the car.”
Yeonghun led her back to the car and began to explain.
“Looking at Assemblyman Jo Jae-min's four pillars, he's the classic type of man who is a gentleman outside, praised by everyone, but is not the same at home. For instance, when he gets a little money, he'll buy gifts for others or treat them to expensive drinks, yet at home, he acts like a penny-pincher. But it's not because he dislikes his wife; it's because he places great importance on his public image.”
“Ah...”
“So, even though he can't express it outwardly, he's the type who always feels sorry toward his wife. That's why if someone does something nice for his wife, he feels more grateful for that than for anything else. Ah, but you have to be very careful. If you try to help in a clumsy way, he might become suspicious of his wife. He values his public image, but he doesn't trust easily. His four pillars are those of a truly typical politician.”
Yeon-hee's eyes widened as she asked,
“Huh? I know a few people like that. Does that mean I should just target their wives?”
Yeonghun smiled and shook his head.
“That works for Assemblyman Jo because he's a family man at heart. There are plenty of men who just wander around outside because they like drinking with their friends. Not everyone is the same.”
“It's complicated.”
“How could understanding a person's personality and life be easy? You just have to understand them on a case-by-case basis.”
“Right. I just need to listen to your explanations and do my part. Well then, let's go get something to eat.”
Yeon-hee casually took Yeonghun's arm and led him toward the restaurant.
At the pleasant sensation, Yeonghun pretended to be unable to resist and followed her lead.
*
Toward evening, Chang-hoon and Department Head Yun were already seated at a quiet Hanjeongsik restaurant in Gwangju.
“Coming empty-handed feels really awkward.”
Chang-hoon said, rubbing his hands together, and Department Head Yun Hui-chan replied.
“The Chairman told us not to use clumsy bribes and to win this with our abilities. Besides, he's practically the Chairman's friend. Do you think a bribe would even work?”
“It's not about a bribe, it's just embarrassing to show up completely empty-handed.”
As the two were talking, the door opened and two faces appeared.
Chang-hoon's expression hardened.
“You're here already?”
Yeon-hee said with a smile as she entered, and Chang-hoon replied.
“You're good.”
“That's why I told you. You're way too confident. Shall we sit? We should leave the head of the table open, right?”
Yeonghun sat next to Chang-hoon, and Yeon-hee sat at the very end.
The sight of the four of them sitting in a row on one side, leaving the other side empty, was strange.
Chang-hoon, seemingly displeased that Yeon-hee hadn't sat next to him, scratched the bridge of his nose and muttered a complaint.
“Tsk, some people just don't know how to read a room.”
“Ah, were you talking to me?”
Yeonghun asked, pretending not to understand, and he replied.
“Well, who else is sitting between us besides you? Didn't you see us earlier? We're at the point of discussing marriage...”
Yeon-hee cut in at once.
“Chang-hoon, would you mind not saying pointless things to my employee?”
“Ah, sorry... Did I say something too personal in front of your employee? We should save this kind of talk for when we're alone...”
“...Just shut up.”
Chang-hoon, feeling wronged, was about to say something, but Department Head Yun kept poking him in the thigh, so he closed his mouth.
An awkward silence continued for about five minutes before Chang-hoon, unable to bear it any longer, spoke up.
“Are you really trying to do this? You think you can beat U-Myeong Construction?”
Yeon-hee replied without even turning her head.
“Is there any reason we can't win?”
“How many apartments has Hyeseong Enterprise even built? Have you ever even heard of their brand? I haven't... Department Head Yun, have you?”
“They have one, but it's only been built in a few regional areas, so not many people know about it.”
“See what our Department Head Yun says? Not many people know about it.”
“We're making a fresh start now that we've changed our name to Hyunjin Construction. And hey, if you're so pissed off, why don't you guys start building ships? Is there some law that says we can't build apartments?”
As Yeon-hee's voice grew increasingly irritated, Chang-hoon flinched.
“No... I'm just saying we should be efficient. Didn't Hyeseong Enterprise do a lot of other things besides apartments? Right?”
Department Head Yun quickly answered.
“Hyeseong Enterprise primarily handled government-commissioned projects like roads and ports, rather than apartments. In fact, they brought on significant losses by earning money on government projects and then losing it on apartments. The recent large-scale unsold unit situation is an example of that.”
“You hear that? You should aim for government projects instead of apartments.”
Yeon-hee, with a dumbfounded look, was about to retort when she saw Yeonghun, sitting next to her, silently nodding. She fell silent, an expression of utter disbelief on her face.
Seeing this and thinking his words were having an effect, Chang-hoon was about to say more when the door opened and Assemblyman Jo Jae-min entered.
The entire group shot to their feet, and Assemblyman Jo gestured for them to sit.
“You've arrived.”
“Sit, sit. U-Myeong Construction must have been a bit surprised, right? I'm sorry. I couldn't tell you in advance.”
“Haha, I didn't realize there would be other guests, but it's fine.”
“Originally, the appointment was only with your side, but I figured it would be better to meet together rather than meet separately to say the same thing, so I arranged this.”
“Not at all. It's fine.”
When Assemblyman Jo Jae-min held out his hand to the aide who had accompanied him, the aide surprisingly took out a bottle of soju and soju glasses.
Assemblyman Jo handed the soju glasses to the four of them and poured a drink for each one in turn.
Then he poured the rest of the bottle into the water glass in front of him.
As the four of them sat speechless, wondering what was happening, Assemblyman Jo downed the drink in one go without a word.
“Wait...”
Kim Chang-hoon started to say something in bewilderment, but Assemblyman Jo Jae-min spoke.
“You came all this way, so I couldn't just send you back. That's why I agreed to this meeting. However, I'm an assemblyman, and I know exactly what you're going to say. I'm afraid of what people would say if we were seen having a pleasant meal and conversation. Politics these days isn't like it used to be, you know?”
“We understand.”
Yeon-hee quickly replied, and Assemblyman Jo continued with a smile.
“So, let's each drink our shot of soju, say our piece just once, and then leave cleanly. Since I drank the most as a penalty, I'll speak first. I cannot intervene in the selection of the construction company, nor can I offer any help. Now, let's each say what you want to say and then we'll get up.”
In the end, it meant that because he felt bad just sending them away, he was giving each of them a chance to say what they wanted to say.
Chang-hoon, with a look of dismay, glanced at Department Head Yun, who, as if there was no other choice, was the first to down his soju and speak.
“Apartments are real estate. And real estate is an asset of unwavering value. The U-Myeong Construction brand will never waver. We ask only that you look at our construction capabilities.”
“You ask to be judged on skill alone. A good sentiment. Understood.”
Chang-hoon turned his gaze to Yeon-hee and Yeonghun.
It meant it was now their turn.
He expected the man named Manager Choi Yeong-hun to drink, but Yeon-hee was the one who tossed back the soju and opened her mouth.
“Manager Choi here will speak on my behalf. Does that mean we get to speak twice?”
Assemblyman Jo burst out laughing.
“Hahaha! That’s a fair point. But I understood Miss Yeon-hee to be from the Hyunjin Group family... It seems someone else holds all the authority. This is interesting.”
Assemblyman Jo wasn't the only one surprised by Yeon-hee's words.
Chang-hoon and Department Head Yun, who thought they were just there to support Yeon-hee, also looked back and forth between her and Yeonghun with shocked expressions.
Yeon-hee looked at Chang-hoon as if to say, *Now it's your turn.*
Chang-hoon took a moment to compose himself, drank a shot of soju, and then spoke.
“My father sends his regards, Assemblyman. And please, speak comfortably with me. Didn't we meet several times when I was young?”
“Haha, alright. I’ll do that. Tell him I’m doing well. Seeing his son all grown up like this makes me quite envious. He’s certainly raised his son well.”
“Seeing that you’re in good health, Assemblyman, I feel I’ve done my duty.”
As if there was nothing more to say, Chang-hoon straightened his posture.
Yeon-hee tensed up as she listened to the conversation between Chang-hoon and Assemblyman Jo.
In South Korea, was there any power greater than school ties, regional connections, and family bonds?
Chang-hoon's words carried a weight that went beyond a simple display of acquaintance.
Although Assemblyman Jo responded pleasantly to Chang-hoon, his face had stiffened, as if he was offended.
He must have taken it as a form of pressure.
Now, Assemblyman Jo turned his gaze to Yeonghun.
His expression was one of curiosity, wondering what this man would say. But Yeonghun pushed his soju glass forward, indicating he wouldn't be drinking.
“Hm?”
“I don’t usually drink without something to eat with it.”
A deep furrow appeared on Assemblyman Jo’s brow.
“What do you mean by that? Am I to interpret that as you have nothing more to say?”
“You said the matter would be handled fairly, Assemblyman, so what more is there to say? I hear this place is famous for its grilled deodeok, so I’ll enjoy my meal before I head back up.”
“Is that really it? Miss Yeon-hee next to you passed the baton to you. Are you going to give up this opportunity so easily?”
He was contradicting himself, after just saying he couldn't exert any influence.
But Yeonghun’s response was beyond anything anyone in the room could have imagined.
“Yes. And so what if we fail to be selected as the construction company for some apartment complex?”
“What did you say?”
“When you’re working, sometimes you succeed, and sometimes you fail, don't you? Bongseon-dong isn't the only place in South Korea where apartments are being built. Things like that aren't what's important.”
At this point, Assemblyman Jo couldn't help but feel a strong sense of curiosity.
“Then what is important?”
“After meeting you this afternoon, I was bored while waiting for dinner, so I was reading the news. I saw that the Gunsan Bus Terminal is so run-down that it’s causing a lot of inconvenience for the local residents. I also saw an article saying the modernization project is being delayed because you couldn't secure enough of a budget. Is that correct?”
“That is the situation. The project is being delayed because of a lack of construction funds. But... surely you don't mean you're going to take that on?”
“What does building a large-scale, ultra-expensive apartment complex matter to ordinary people? At the end of the day, it only benefits the wealthy. But what the newly reborn Hyunjin Construction can do for the residents... isn't that what's truly important?”
Assemblyman Jo, seemingly impressed, stared at Yeonghun with his mouth agape for a long moment before speaking.
“The grilled deodeok is decent, but for the best pairing with a drink, there's nothing like hongeo. Do you happen to eat hongeo?”
He had switched to informal speech at some point.
“I can't get enough of it.”
“I know the best hongeo place. I’ll set something up, so make some time.”
< Those Who Threaten the Future (3) > End
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