Chapter 38: Lunch Plans and Legal Aspirations

You're really going to go public with this… is that even possible?"

Despite my confident assertions, their skeptical gazes remained fixed on me.

It was no surprise they couldn't believe me.

After all, the laws surrounding private loans were still murky, allowing anyone to engage in them.

However, after the IMF crisis, the underground economy would be legitimized under the guise of transparency.

I planned to seize that moment to elevate my grandfather's business into the public eye.

"Yes, it's possible. Just wait and see."

At my words, Twin Blades Kim Ho-sik got up from his seat and bowed slightly.

"In that case, I will follow you, Young Master. In a few years, my daughter will be at an age where she understands these things. Wouldn't it be better for her to hear people calling her father a company president rather than a loan shark?"

I nodded in agreement.

But Noh Ik-seon remained silent, loost in thought.

"Then I'll just wait for Mr. Noh's answer."

With that, I left the room.

As the car pulled away from the office, I twisted my lips into a small smile.

If Mr. Noh had no intention of following, I could simply proceed with my original plan.

* * *

At the same time, Kim Mu-hyeok was meeting with th bosses in Myeong-dong.

Chairman Cheon was conversing with Cheon Su-man in his study.

"These days, the financial transparency laws are driving us all crazy, huh?"

"Exactly."

Chairman Cheon nodded, as if he understood, while scrutinizing Cheon Su-man's face.

"Have you visited Su-han?"

"I haven't been able to go often, but I've visited twice. When do you think he'll be released? He looked really worn out."

Chairman Cheon frowned, his brow furrowed.

"It's tough right now. He won't be out until next year, so tell him to hang in there."

Cheon Su-man nodded in acknowledgment but thought to himself,

'So, you're planning to release Su-han next year, huh?'

He didn't feel a strong sense of loyalty towards his brother, but having Cheon Su-han, who he treated like an extension of himself, locked up was uncomfortable.

Cheon Su-man began to think of a way to get Su-han out quickly.

The conversation between father and son paused momentarily.

Chairman Cheon looked at Cheon Su-man with a disapproving glare.

"You're not still tailing politicians, are you? Can't you see what happened to Su-han? Why won't you listen to me about keeping a proper distance?"

"Hmph… How can I run a loan business without the protection of politicians? You've been in their good graces for so long that it's easy for you to say. What happens when you're gone?"

Chairman Cheon stared in shock at Cheon Su-man.

The son who had never raised his voice at him was now boldly speaking up as he approached fifty.

"You brat!"

Chairman Cheon's voice rose, and Cheon Su-man immediately flinched, sensing the shift.

But he didn't completely shut his mouth.

"We have to think about what comes after you."

"Why do you worry about that? Do you think I'll die easily? Do you want me to die quickly?"

"No… What are you saying? I want my children to inherit half of Il-sung. That's why I'm preeparing everything now. You don't care about Ji-soo, do you?"

"Why wouldn't I care about my grandchildren? And what's so special about Il-sung? What are you lackiing?"

"To you, it might just be Il-sung, but it's importantt to me."

"What?"

Cheon Su-man said with a hurt expression.

"I'm just your son outside. I'm the son of Chairman Cheon, but I have no name of my own. That's why I want to pass Il-sung's name on to Ji-sooo and Ji-soo."

Chairman Cheon looked at Cheon Su-man with pity, speechless.

Then Cheon Su-man became even more fervent and shouted,

"Look, Ji-soo and Ji-soo aren't even being looked for right now, yet you always have Mu-hyeok by your side, don't you?"

"…Didn't Mi-suk die?"

"She's the sister who left home to marry a man you didn't approve of. You pushed her away, so don't pretend to care now."

"Hmph…"

Chairman Cheon sighed and wiped away the pitying look on his face.

"You might be right about that."

"I've always kept your words close. I married who you wanted me to marry. But in the end, you're still circling around Mu-hyeok, aren't you?"

Cheon Su-man's face was flushed with anger.

"Do you know what rumors are spreading in Myeong-dong? They say Mu-hyeok is your heir. How does that even make sense? I'm the eldest son, yet I'm here living like this! A kid with a surname Kim is called your successor?"

Chairman Cheon let out a hollow laugh.

"When have I ever said you're my successor? Why do you think you're entitled to that? I've never said a word to you about it."

At that, Cheon Su-man's expression twisted.

"What…"

"Yes, the rumors in Myeong-dong are true. I plan to entrust my legacy to Mu-hyeok. I'll ensure you have enough to live comfortably, but all my power, money, and resources will go to Mu-hyeok."

"Father!"

"What's the problem? I'm giving you what's mine."

Overcome with rage, Cheon Su-man began to voice the words he had been holding back.

"You've always been like this, Father! Whenever I or Su-han make a mistake, you rage at us while being endlessly forgiving to Mi-suk. If you're going to act like this, why did you even have us?"

"What?"

Chairman Cheon was left speechless.

Cheon Su-man stood tall, no longer shrinking away, and confronted Chairman Cheon.

"You can't treat me this way! You can't do this to our family! I'm the eldest son of the Cheon family! Ji-soo is the first grandson! And you want to make Mu-hyeok, a mere twenty-something, your heir?"

"I said I would ensure you have enough to live comfortably, didn't I? It won't be lacking."

"I don't need money! I need everything you have!"

Cheon Su-man displayed his raw greed.

With those burning eyes, Chairman Cheon found himself at a loss for words.

"I will never allow that to happen. Absolutely not…"

With that final word, Cheon Su-man turned and stormed out of the study.

The door slammed shut behind him.

Seeing Chief Ha at the door, Cheon Su-man asked,

"…Chief Ha, do you think the same way?"

Chief Ha didn't answer, only bowing his head.

After glaring at Chief Ha for a while, Cheon Su-man left without saying another word.

Entering the study, Chief Ha quietly observed Chairman Cheon's expression.

The iron-fisted king of loans stood by the window, a regretful old man watching the car carrying Cheon Su-man drive away from the mansion.

After a long pause, Chairman Cheon suddenly asked Chief Ha,

"…Am I thinking about this all wrong?"

Chief Ha remained silent.

Chairman Cheon pressed his palm to his forehead, and after a while, he finally spoke.

"Hmph… By next month, finish the stock transfer. Make sure they can't say a word, keep it under wraps, pay all taxes without issues, and ensure no noise arises later. Handle it perfectly."

"Yes."

"And keep an eye on them…"

Chairman Cheon paused mid-sentence, then shut his mouth.

"…Monitoring is fine. What about Mu-hyeok?"

"He's meeting with the bosses in Myeong-dong."

"Alone?"

"He said he wanted to go alone, so I didn't accompany him. Mr. Cheon came to see you as well. My job is to assist you, and Mu-hyeok comes second."

Chairman Cheon nodded heavily.

"Is there someone I can introduce to Mu-hyeok? It's not the time for him to be alone anymore."

"Someone is coming to Korea next month."

"Are they trustworthy?"

"Yes, but winning their heart isn't something I can manage."

"Right, that's up to Mu-hyeok. Do you have any other reports?"

"None."

"You may leave."

After Chief Ha left, Chairman Cheon muttered to the empty study,

"I hope Mu-hyeok doesn't devour his uncles…"

Chairman Cheon knew better than anyone that in the face of money, family ties meant nothing.

* * *

Having wrapped up his life in Korea, Han Gyeong-yeong left for the U.S. for preliminary work.

I was leading an ordinary life while attending university.

"Hey! Mu-hyeok!"

"What?"

"What were you thinking? I called you a million times, but you didn't respond!"

"Sorry, did you call me?"

Myeong-su, who had been glaring at me, sighed and said,

"I'm planning to take the Bar Exam next year as a practice run. I'm not expecting to pass, but I need to see how the exam goes."

I nodded.

"Sure, I'll take it with you then."

"Huh? You want to take it too? Why?"

"Just to see you stress out alone?"

"You crazy bastard, are you trying to make me feel discouraged by passing?"

"Hahaha."

"Don't joke around, are you really going to take it?"

I nodded in response.

At first, I had no intention of taking the Bar Exam. I thought the time spent in training was a waste.

But now, my thoughts had changed a bit…

"I'm only going to take the first round. If I take the second, Grandpa might start talking about something else. I just want to pass the first round to brag a bit to others. Grandma would feel the same way."

"Huh, you're crazy. Are you starting with the assumption that you'll definitely pass? You're such an annoying bastard."

Just then, we heard someone calling us.

"Mu-hyeok! Myeong-su!"

We stopped walking and turned around to see two guys and a girl waving at us.

They were one of the reasons I chose to study law.

"Where are you two going?"

The tallest and most lively of the three, Oh Hyeon-woo, spoke first.

Oh Hyeon-woo was the eldest son of a prestigious legal family; his grandfather, Oh Jeong-seok, had served as the Chief Justice and was respected by all legal professionals.

He was someone who had been considered a candidate for the Prosecutor General before I died.

"Are you guys going to grab some food? Want to join us? What do you think, Mu-hyeok?"

When I nodded, Myeong-su flashed a grin.

"Today, Mu-hyeok's treating us! This guy's even going to pay for the drinks!"

At that, the other three burst into laughter.

"Why are you laughing? Is my joke funny?"

Han Min-kyung, the only girl in the group, replied with a smile.

"Myeong-su, can't you fix your dialect? Mu-hyeok sounds like a total city boy!"

"Come on, don't pick on my accent!"

Han Min-kyung waved her hands, still chuckling.

"I'm just teasing because it's cute!"

"Alright, enough of that. What are we eating?"

Yoon Jae-ha, who had been quiet, smoothly changed the subject.

Yoon Jae-ha was the son of Yoon Hyung-min, the head of one of the top law firms in the country.

The five of us drove our cars to a family restaurant.

After parking, we gathered in front of the place.

"Is Mu-hyeok pushing it too far?"

In the 1990s, family restaurants had a reputation for being upscale, with prices significantly higher than other eateries.

"Worrying about Mu-hyeok is the most useless concern in the world. Let's get in already!"

Myeong-su led the way, urging the others into the restaurant.

'You'd think he was paying for everyone.'

Well, it wasn't entirely untrue.

I clicked my tongue and followed Myeong-su inside.

The ceiling was adorned with orange lamps, and the deep green walls were lined with small picture frames. To me, the décor looked quite vintage.

After everyone ordered what they wanted, Myeong-su brought up the Bar Exam again.

"Are you guys preparing for the Bar Exam? Mu-hyeok and I are planning to take the first test in February next year. I'm just doing it for practice, but Mu-hyeok's so gifted he'll probably pass on the first try. It's a real blow to my confidence!"

"Wait, Mu-hyeok is actually taking the Bar Exam?"

All eyes turned to me.

I smiled and said, "I'm thinking about giving it a shot as practice. How about you guys?"

At that, Oh Hyeon-woo and Yoon Jae-ha nodded, saying they were also planning to take it.

Han Min-kyung shrugged, wearing a slightly bitter expression.

"I'm going to pass for next year. I can't focus on studying like you guys do."

She was the only one among us struggling financially, juggling several tutoring jobs while studying.

Maybe that's why she planned to enter the legal field as a lawyer after passing the Bar Exam and then jump into politics in her thirties, eventually becoming the floor leader of the ruling party in her forties.

Just as the atmosphere was about to grow heavy, Myeong-su changed the topic.

"So, what did you all do during the break? I went to Busan with Mu-hyeok, but this guy ditched me to go to Seoul. What a jerk!"

"I've never been to Busan…"

Min-kyung chimed in, and Myeong-su immediately responded.

"Let's all go together next winter break. What do you think?"

At that moment, my mobile phone rang.

"Hold on a sec,"

I stood up to take the call outside.

"This is Kim Mu-hyeok speaking."

"It's Noh Ik-seon, young master.""

It was a call from Noh Ik-seon, who still hadn't rresponded to my proposal.