CH18

"Where are you headed in such a hurry?"

Before I could answer, Chairman Park's eyes traced my intended path.

When his gaze reached the annex at the end of the garden.

"You're going to see your father."

Chairman Park raised the corner of his mouth slightly.

"Grandfather, what brings you here instead of going to work?"

"Today is Sunday."

"You usually go to work on Sundays too."

"What? You don't like seeing your grandfather lounging at home not earning money?"

"It's not that…"

"If you have something to say, go ahead."

"Well, even a young kid like me is running around like this, but seeing someone who influences the economy lounging at home… it seems like a national loss."

"This rascal, flattering me. What is it? Do you need your grandfather's help for your business?"

"…Hmm."

As I hesitated, Chairman Park seemed slightly expectant.

"Of course, I always need your help, Grandfather."

As expected, a smile spread across Chairman Park's face.

"Well then, what can I help you with?"

"Not yet."

"...?"

"If I reach out for help because it's tough, my share will decrease."

"What?"

"You wouldn't help for free anyway…"

"Greedy rascal, you want to keep everything for yourself?"

"It's not a crime to be a little greedy, is it, haha."

For some reason, I always felt like speaking candidly to Chairman Park.

And I always ended up mixing in a bit of a joke.

"So, can you handle it on your own?"

"I'm working hard to make sure I can."

"Do you have plans for the money you earn?"

"Hmm… I need to think about that."

Was it my imagination?

Chairman Park's smile seemed to grow even bigger.

"Your father must be waiting. Go ahead."

After bowing my head, I hurried toward Park Jong-in's annex.

***

Knock knock.

I wasn't sure if the knock was loud enough to be heard since my hands were so small.

I counted to five in my head and was about to open the door.

Click.

The door opened as if he had been waiting.

"Ji-hoon."

Park Jong-in greeted me with a tired face.

"What brings you here at this hour?"

"Do I need a reason to see my dad?"

Park Jong-in looked as if he realized something.

"Right, come in. Let's talk since it's been a while."

"Sounds great."

This was my first time in Park Jong-in's study.

It was roughly 100 sq metre in size.

Only the large desk and the high-end audio system looked intact; the rest were disassembled electronics scattered all over the place.

"Dad, what's all this?"

"I'm studying various things."

"Do adults need to study too?"

"Of course."

Park Jong-in took off his worn gloves as he spoke.

"Dad is responsible for many people. Naturally, I can't neglect learning."

"Isn't it tough?"

"It's not."

He said so, but Park Jong-in's eyes looked weary.

Physical and mental fatigue seemed to have piled up.

Even if he was in a good mood, getting permission to go to the US might be a stretch.

In this state… it would be challenging.

I needed to change the atmosphere first and then subtly bring up the topic.

While I was deep in thought.

"Want something to drink?"

"I can get it myself."

"No, I'll get it for you."

As Park Jong-in headed to the refrigerator, I carefully looked over his desk.

A leather-bound notebook filled with notes.

A stack of documents awaiting approval.

But what caught my eye the most.

"...!"

A pile of tiny, worn-down pencils on one side of the desk.

A conglomerate.

Who would care if he threw away half-used pencils?

Yet, he not only used them to the end but also kept them all.

Why?

Using my novelist's imagination, it felt like a sort of totem.

A position that decides the future of a corporation.

Where a signature on a document could change the lives of tens of thousands of employees.

Is this decision correct?

How can I be sure that my judgment is accurate?

To shake off the endless pressure, Park Jong-in might be stacking those tiny pencils.

The mechanical parts filling the office floor, and even his habit of eating only plain bread while working at the food subsidiary to keep his palate sensitive.

All those things might be reminders of his relentless efforts.

Like charms, talismans, or totems that he hoped would make people trust him because he had dedicated himself so intensely.

"What are you thinking about?"

A voice came from behind.

I turned around, trying to appear nonchalant.

"Just looking around."

"You like orange juice, right?"

"Of course."

After awkwardly smiling and drinking the juice.

"Dad, have you been very busy lately?"

"Hmm?"

"Coming home late and all…"

"Now that you mention it, I haven't talked much with you recently."

Park Jong-in smiled awkwardly, looking apologetic.

He then asked me various questions.

But his eyes kept darting to the phone on his desk.

He was waiting for a call.

I guessed.

'He must be struggling with semiconductor investments.'

How could it be otherwise?

Chairman Park had surely told him to keep everything to himself and not to share, which meant he was likely scrambling to secure funds from various places.

'Those weary eyes are probably because of that.'

But there was no need to worry.

I didn't remember the exact process, but Park Jong-in would definitely overcome this crisis.

'Of course.'

I had seen it in my past life.

How Hyungang grew into a world-class company by leading the semiconductor industry.

Which means.

'Park Jong-in's gamble was successful.'

What help would he need from me?

Since he was going to do well, all he needed was my full support.

Maybe because I had made up my mind.

I looked at Park Jong-in and asked.

"Dad, did you use all those pencils yourself?"

"What?"

"Did you keep studying until you had a mountain of pencils?"

Park Jong-in didn't answer, just gave an awkward smile.

His mind was probably still on the phone.

"Did you dismantle and experiment with all these machines?"

"Of course."

"Wow! Did you do all of this?"

Nod, nod.

"Then you must be the top expert in the country, Dad?"

"Not necessarily."

"Oh, come on! Who else has used as many products as you? You've taken them apart, fixed them, recorded everything… and done a lot of research too."

The words Park Jong-in probably wanted to hear the most.

"You've worked harder than anyone, so you'll definitely succeed, right?"

"Ji-hoon, unfortunately, hard work doesn't always pay off."

"But you have a lot of smart employees, right? Since you've worked so hard, I'm sure your excellent staff have done even better."

Someone as astute as Park Jong-in wouldn't miss why I was saying this.

"You mean you trust me 100%?"

"Of course."

"Because I'm your dad?"

"No. Because you're the most passionate businessman."

"...!"

"You're a CEO who studies hard enough to pile up a mountain of pencils. If I were a shareholder, I'd be very happy."

"So, you're telling me to stay strong?"

"You don't have to stay strong."

"Hmm?"

"You've worked hard enough. You'll definitely succeed. It's inevitable."

I've seen it.

Did the absurd trust in my eyes come across?

Grin.

Park Jong-in focused entirely on me for the first time.

"Did you come just to say that?"

"Hmm, well…"

It didn't seem right to bring up the US trip in this mood.

"Y-yes, I came to cheer you on."

I'll get permission for the US trip from Mom… or rather, Song Soo-hee… Ahem.

"Alright, I'll be going now, Dad."

"Ji-hoon."

"...?"

"Didn't you have something to say?"

"Huh?"

"Like asking to go to the US."

How did he know!

"Your grandfather mentioned it a few days ago. Said you'd come to ask soon."

A few days ago… when I hadn't even thought about the US trip yet.

As I looked at Park Jong-in, trying to hide my surprise.

"Grandfather told me to pretend to give in and let you go if you asked."

"Oh, I see."

"Grandfather sounded very sure when he said it."

Ha… How many steps ahead is that old man thinking!

"Then why didn't you ask him directly for permission?"

"I'm your son, so of course I came to you first."

"Is that why you came?"

"…Hmm."

"Then, seeing Dad's face looking so tired, you didn't even bring it up and just planned to leave?"

Scratch scratch.

"Well, it's a relief."

"...?"

"Grandfather was waiting to see if you'd come to him first. He said if you bypassed your parents and came to him, he'd scold you severely, business or no business."

Ah.

Knowing Chairman Park's personality, he probably said something like this:

'If a young brat disrespects the hierarchy for money, I'd crush the business and everything else!'

A perfect example of a bottom-up reporting system in action.

Anyway.

"Ji-hoon, are you worried because of the burden?"

"The burden?"

"About what you're planning to do in the US. Grandfather called it a business."

"...."

"Are you practicing early because you're worried you might take over the company as an adult?"

Instead of answering, I waited for Park Jong-in to speak.

I was curious what he would say.

"If that's really the case, it's okay. You don't have to follow the adults' logic. I'll let you do as much literature as you want…"

"Dad, I'm going to the US to do more literature."

"What do you mean?"

How should I explain this?

Would it be easier if I talked about my concrete plans?

While I pondered for a moment.

Riiiiing!

Suddenly, the phone rang.

Was it the call he had been waiting for?

Park Jong-in alternated his gaze between me and the phone.

Asking with his eyes if he could take the call and finish our conversation later.

I nodded.

"This is Park Jong-in."

From his darkening expression, it seemed he was hearing bad news.

But he didn't falter.

Park Jong-in spoke more resolutely than ever.

"I'm sure you've worked hard. It's alright. Please proceed as I mentioned. The loss doesn't matter."

He probably heard objections over the phone.

Park Jong-in responded even more firmly.

"It's a guaranteed successful venture. I'll take responsibility, so please sort out the shares within two weeks."

The other party seemed to have been persuaded.

Park Jong-in hung up the receiver.

He stared at the tiny pencils for a while, seemingly lost in thought.

Then, remembering my presence, he approached me.

"The US… should I come with you?"

"No. You're busy. It's enough to go with a staff member."

"Will that be okay?"

"Of course!"

"Alright. You go alone this time, but once the busy period is over… I promise to take you and your brother on a trip together."

"Thank you, Dad."

I had gotten the permission I was waiting for.

But why?

Instead of feeling joy from achieving my goal, 

-'It's a guaranteed successful venture. I'll take responsibility, so please sort out the shares within two weeks.'

Park Jong-in's words lingered in my mind for a long time.