837

 [Chapter 210]

[Life is Like Walking on a Blade's Edge (4)]

Rewinding time, a few hours earlier.

Choi Ye-jin was busy adapting to her life as a successor.

She wasn't paying attention to the Northern Gyeonggi Development Conference.

The Northern Gyeonggi Development Conference is important, but solidifying internal affairs is more important now.

We can get what we want from the conference just with the right to speak anyway.

So let's not worry about it.

The founding chairwoman Choi Yun-hye passed away.

After grandmother passed away, the will disclosed to the direct descendants through a lawyer was quite shocking.

She, who had excluded women's participation in management until now, left a will recognizing Choi Ye-jin.

As a result, Choi Ye-jin's position became even more solid.

The gender issue that had been an obstacle for her until now was resolved.

So Choi Ye-jin had to run around busily recruiting people to stand on her side, as if she had gained wings.

YH Group is different from other groups.

We who create and sell culture don't need to be tied down to railways.

Meanwhile, YH Group was also interested in northern Gyeonggi development.

But they decided to send a proxy without voting rights to the conference.

YH and Luminous.

The foundation of both groups was culture.

Therefore, whichever group owned the railway, it didn't greatly affect the profits they would gain.

They just needed to build cultural facilities near the cities where railways were laid.

That alone raises the value of the land.

Groups that got railway construction rights would have to send love calls to them instead.

There was no need to spend enormous capital to lay railways.

Buzz

So Choi Ye-jin and YH's direct descendants were silently doing their own work even on the day of the conference.

Then her smartphone vibrated.

Choi Ye-jin checked her smartphone.

"Seo-hyeon unnie?"

Han Seo-hyeon, Sirius Group's direct descendant.

She was like a benefactor who had supported her from behind until now.

Of course, the other party supported her because they had something to gain from her too.

Choi Ye-jin didn't forget that point.

"Why is this unnie calling?"

It hadn't been announced yet that she had become the official successor.

It couldn't be a congratulatory call.

Choi Ye-jin answered Han Seo-hyeon's call, feeling puzzled.

[Hello, are you doing well?]

"Hello? Unnie, what's the matter?"

[I need your strength.]

"My strength?"

[To be precise, YH's strength. You can use that power now, can't you?]

"...I was going to keep it secret, but I really can't fool you. How did you know?"

[People working under someone are spread everywhere, and they all become my husband's ears.]

"..."

It was a meaningful statement.

But Choi Ye-jin quickly realized that Noh Eun-ha had found out through some kind of information network he had.

I heard Pandora Clan's information network is that amazing... I guess it really is.

She silently clicked her tongue.

She could tell from Han Seo-hyeon's call.

As long as YH Group's power was still weak, she couldn't defy Han Seo-hyeon.

"So? What do you want me to do?"

[It's simple. I want you to attend the conference right now and lend strength to my husband.]

"Why? Is he going to lose?"

[Galaxy Group moved cleverly. It seems they got Pine Group's agreement. I'm calling you like this after hearing that information just now.]

"Pine Group? That's unusual. I thought they wouldn't be interested in the conference."

[Galaxy Group must have made an offer that made their eyes roll back.]

"Hmm, I think I can arrive just in time if I go now... But if I help you, can I get a reward worth it?"

[How far does your ambition go?]

"..."

[You're not satisfied with just the owner's seat of YH Group, right?]

People in political and business circles generally feared Han Seo-yeon.

But Choi Ye-jin was different.

From a young age, she feared Han Seo-hyeon more than Han Seo-yeon.

Maybe it was just a feeling, but it seemed like Han Seo-hyeon could see through her heart.

It was the same now.

She couldn't hide it.

Choi Ye-jin burst into laughter.

"Of course. The wish grandmother couldn't fulfill, now I have to fulfill it."

[Right, you shouldn't be satisfied with just that. You'll become Sirius's enemy someday, but until then, I'll cheer for your ambition.]

YH Group, derived from Galaxy Group.

YH Group's wish from its founding until now was consistently to surpass Galaxy Group.

Choi Ye-jin's wish was no different.

She also wanted Galaxy Group to be inferior to them.

[You don't want to miss the chance to catch Galaxy Group off guard, right?]

"Of course. I have to break Jung-hoon oppa's pride and show that I'm here. I'll call a quick service and go."

[Okay, I'm hanging up.]

And so.

Han Seo-hyeon's years-long arrangement came to fruition.

☆

Choi Ye-jin's appearance changed the situation.

Eun-ha, who came to his senses, just blinked his eyes.

What is this?

What's going on here?

The situation wasn't easy to understand.

But one thing he understood was─

"─YH Group opposes railway construction."

That Choi Ye-jin expressed opposition.

As a result, people belonging to YH Group's faction started changing their opinions.

And groups that cast abstention votes also showed reactions.

"This time there's not a single abstention. Summarizing the opinions again... The opposition has become 51 votes."

Im Ga-eul said with interest.

Her clear voice stuck in Eun-ha's ears.

Although he didn't understand the situation well, in the end, the situation he wanted had been achieved.

51:49.

We won.

It was really a hair's breadth difference.

Choi Ye-jin and the faction following her had just enough numbers to exceed the majority.

We were lucky.

That's all he could think.

"I'll reflect everyone's opinions well. I'll notify you when the results come out. Then I'll end the conference with this."

Im Ga-eul was excited.

She immediately ended the conference so others couldn't intervene and pour cold water.

"This is ridiculous!"

"51:49!? We ended up like this with a 2 vote difference!?"

The hall was in panic.

Im Ga-eul ignored their voices and left the conference room.

There was no need to listen.

It was the losers talking.

"Wow, Seo-hyeon really... To think she'd strike so refreshingly unexpectedly like this. Brother-in-law really got one good wife."

"Sister-in-law, how did this..."

"How did this happen? Can't you see just by looking? Things flowed as brother-in-law wanted so badly."

Putting aside the dignity they wore when entering the conference hall.

People were fighting, shouting and pointing fingers.

Han Seo-yeon laughed watching them and approached Eun-ha.

She seemed to know how the situation had turned.

"Seo-hyeon must have persuaded Ye-jin to come here. Only Seo-hyeon would do something like this."

"Seo-hyeon did?"

"Check your messages. Seo-hyeon must have sent you something."

Han Seo-yeon poked his side.

Eun-ha quickly took out his smartphone.

He had turned off his smartphone while attending the conference.

He turned on the power.

There was a message from Han Seo-hyeon.

「♥Seo-hyeon Madam♥」:

Twenty-five sent information. Seems Galaxy and Pine colluded. (1:53 PM)

I'll send reinforcements. (2:02 PM)

Is it all over? (4:35 PM)

It was a message filled with worry.

Eun-ha's face couldn't help but relax seeing the messages she sent.

Eun-ha sent her a Pine Talk message saying the conference ended well.

What would I have done without Seo-hyeon.

Thank you, really.

I love you to death.

He wanted to see Han Seo-hyeon quickly.

The corners of his mouth rose naturally.

Perhaps reading Eun-ha's emotions.

"Oh my, look at this kid? Are you happy? Do you like my sister that much? Oh my."

Han Seo-yeon teased him.

Eun-ha let her poke his side.

Anyway, things were resolved well.

Her help couldn't be ignored either.

Above all─

"─It's been a while, Eun-ha."

"Yeah, it's been a while. Thank you so much for helping today."

Choi Ye-jin's help was really big.

Eun-ha welcomed her as she approached to greet him.

Choi Ye-jin immediately sighed.

"It's not really related to me, but I came because Seo-hyeon unnie nagged. So thank Seo-hyeon unnie, not me."

"Still, thank you for coming like this."

"Then don't forget today's matter. You'll have to repay it someday."

"Okay, I won't forget."

"Then I have other schedules so I'll go. See you next time. Seo-yeon unnie too."

Choi Ye-jin looked busy.

She left the conference room right after exchanging greetings with Eun-ha.

Eun-ha saw her off.

"Don't forget that drawing in YH is the result of Seo-hyeon and my work all this time."

"Okay, I'll remember."

"With this, Sirius and YH's relationship will improve again. That's good. It means YH has become your ally too."

Han Seo-yeon explained.

Eun-ha nodded.

YH Group had been looking at Eun-ha unfavorably until now.

It was because of Choi Ye-jang.

But with Choi Ye-jin becoming the successor, Eun-ha and YH Group could return to an amicable relationship.

Maybe Choi Ye-jin becoming the successor was because YH Group wanted to resolve the grudge entangled with Eun-ha.

"But you shouldn't let your guard down. YH is different from us and Alice, Luminous, and Hana as exceptions. We'll cooperate as much as possible in the future since we bet our group's future on brother-in-law, but other groups like YH and KK aren't like that."

"...I know."

It was Han Seo-yeon's advice.

Eun-ha knew too.

For businesspeople, there are no eternal allies, and no enemies either.

Although YH would cooperate now, the future was unknown.

"But there is one way. A way to make YH submit to you."

"What is it?"

"It's simple. Marry Ye-jin."

"..."

"There's nothing more certain than a strategic marriage. If you want to get your hands on YH, that's the most efficient method."

"I'm not interested."

"Why? Ye-jin is pretty too."

"Are you saying that to your sister's husband? Should I go tell Seo-hyeon?"

"Of course Seo-hyeon is prettier. But if you say it's a strategic marriage for Seo-hyeon too, wouldn't she allow it?"

"..."

"What Seo-hyeon fears is when brother-in-law gives his heart only to someone other than her. But a strategic marriage has no emotions, right?"

"I still won't do it. I'm fine."

"Kick, you're not falling for it?"

"Stop trying to test me."

"They say those who succeed through strategic marriage eventually fail through strategic marriage. That's the nature of this field. Keep that in mind."

"..."

"If it's a marriage made with emotion, maintain that attitude to the end. Of course, the same goes for marriages made with reason. The moment emotion and reason mix, it's chaos."

"I have no plans to have a strategic marriage or meet other women in the future."

"Well... Your reason seems that way, but I'm not sure about your emotions. If it's emotions, it's not for me to intervene. That's for brother-in-law's wives to intervene in."

Han Seo-yeon keeps trying to test him.

Her eyes were sparkling.

Eun-ha got slightly annoyed.

She knew when to back off.

She changed the atmosphere and turned the topic.

"By the way, Hae-in became pitiful. She must have been aiming for a chance to rise again, but her calculations were wrong."

Han Seo-yeon gestured with her chin.

Oh Hae-in had a crumpled face and was surrounded by faction people.

Eun-ha's gaze turned to her too.

"She can be called the epitome of someone who succeeded through strategic marriage and simultaneously failed through strategic marriage. Jung-hoon oppa cut off her tail quickly as soon as he thought she would be a loss, right? If the railway construction rights had gone to them, Samra Group would have gained wings again, but since that didn't happen... Probably Jung-hoon oppa and Hae-in will break off their engagement soon. Ai, seduce her."

"...There's personal interest in your words."

"How unpleasant it's been all this time seeing her wag her tail at my rival when she doesn't even have the ability."

"Sister-in-law, perhaps..."

"Jung-hoon oppa is my type. But because we're both so greedy, we don't want to throw away what we have just to gain one emotion."

"Sister-in-law is completely different from Seo-hyeon."

"If Seo-hyeon hadn't met you, she could have become like me. So, what do you think will happen now?"

"What?"

"How do you think Samra Group will act from now on?"

Eun-ha racked his brains.

He could predict that Samra Group's situation would become precarious.

Nothing more came to mind.

To this, Han Seo-yeon taught him.

"What do you mean how will they act? They'll be delivery men for a long time, groveling to other groups."

Han Seo-yeon cackled.

Hearing her words, Eun-ha could judge that he wouldn't have to worry about Samra Group in the future.

On the other hand─

─I'm worried this person might stab me in the back and go solo later.

Eun-ha was wary of Han Seo-yeon.

She was a good stakeholder.

But if Han Seo-yeon set her mind to it, that relationship could be ruined.

Although the railway construction rights would go to the Fairy Government, Han Seo-yeon might turn Uijeongbu into a Sirius kingdom with her extraordinary skills.

Yes, that's something to think about later.

If possible, I hope I don't have to fight this person.

Eun-ha prayed inwardly.

Then he turned his back on Han Seo-yeon.

He walked towards Oh Hae-in.

"Oh Hae-in noona."

"...What? Did you come to laugh at me?"

""""...."""

Oh Hae-in asked with glaring eyes.

Eun-ha chuckled.

Ignoring the people around her, Eun-ha put his hand on her shoulder.

He lowered his posture.

He whispered in her ear.

"─Don't act up from now on."

"...!!"

"You should have messed around moderately. You messed with my clan?"

"..."

"Be grateful you're not a player. Otherwise, you wouldn't even be alive like this."

"Are you threatening me now?"

"I'm warning you."

"..."

"From now on, stay quiet like a dead mouse. Don't think about acting up like this without knowing your place."

"...I got it. I got it, geez."

Whether she endured the pain or not.

Eun-ha put strength into the hand on her shoulder.

Oh Hae-in couldn't say anything.

 In the end, she submitted.

Oh Hae-in can no longer become an enemy.

☆

Everything that needed to be done was finished.

Eun-ha was about to return to the clan with Ha Baek-ryeon.

"Pandora Clan Lord."

"What?"

Just then, Choi Jung-hoon approached.

The good mood he had until just now dropped.

Moreover, if things had gone wrong, he could have ruined everything because of Choi Jung-hoon.

Eun-ha replied gruffly.

"Congratulations. I thought I had caught you off guard by drawing in Pine Group, but I didn't expect YH to come out as a hidden card there."

"Too bad. In the end, you're saying I was played on my wife's palm."

"Ah, as expected... It wasn't something you prepared. Was it Seo-hyeon who did it? You married well."

Choi Jung-hoon's tone is unpleasant.

As if saying that without Han Seo-hyeon, he would have lost this matter to himself.

Eun-ha couldn't completely deny it, so he just stared silently.

Eventually Choi Jung-hoon sneered.

"So is that why you married Seo-hyeon? I couldn't calculate her existence, but was her existence some kind of variable in your past life?"

"...What are you talking about."

The words 'past life'.

Eun-ha was inwardly shocked by the words Choi Jung-hoon suddenly uttered.

He asked in a trembling voice, suppressing his emotions as much as possible.

Choi Jung-hoon seemed to have seen through him.

He shrugged his shoulders.

"I saw them calling you that on CayouPle recently. 'Second round of life'."

"..."

"Or should I say it directly? In front of the people here?"

It's not a simple bluff.

Eun-ha realized.

Choi Jung-hoon knows.

That he had regressed.

It seems difficult to gloss over...

Seeing him speak directly, it probably means this guy doesn't intend to tell others around him either.

Eun-ha quickly finished thinking.

He sighed.

"Let's talk."

"That's what I wanted."

To Eun-ha's proposal.

Choi Jung-hoon agreed.