CH10

'How do I bring this up?'

While I was pondering this alone.

Knock, knock.

I heard a knock behind me.

Was it because it was so quiet?

I was startled by the small sound.

"Young master, you have a phone call."

A phone call?

I quickly opened the door.

An employee bowed, aligning their eyes with mine.

"It's the head professor of the Western Painting Department at Seoul National University."

The head professor, the man who seemed very susceptible to power.

'Why is he calling?'

It probably wasn't to ask if I got home safely.

Could it be related to the painting?

"Would you like to take the call?"

"Yes."

With that, I walked down the long hallway.

(Ji-hoon, do you remember my voice?)

"Yes, Professor. Hello."

(Haha, I'm calling about the artwork. Yoo Sun-ho, you know him, right? I reached him a few hours ago.)

"Really?"

(To be precise, I went to Yoo Sun-ho's house. I couldn't just leisurely call when Ji-hoon was waiting.)

Does everyone become this proactive when Hyungang's name is involved?

(Ah, I'm not boasting. I'm just stating the facts. Anyway, he was busy preparing for studying abroad and couldn't take the call. Still, I called many times…)

After flaunting his efforts, the professor continued.

(I asked him if he would be willing to sell the painting. He hesitated. So I told him, London is expensive, sell it at a good price while you can, and that it's a smart move.)

London?

Banksy is also British…

Does this create a bit more connection between Yoo Sun-ho and Banksy?

(When I mentioned the price, he immediately agreed to sell it. I did offer a lot, considering it's a beginner's piece. He was so pleased he offered to throw in the drawings for free.)

"You've worked hard."

(What hard work? Thanks to art lovers like you, we thrive.)

I thought the call would end there, but…

(The painting should arrive at your house within ten minutes.)

"What?"

(No need to trouble yourself to come back to the school. We'll send it directly. We hired professionals to pack it properly, so it should arrive undamaged.)

Indeed.

Ding-dong!

The doorbell rang just in time.

"It seems it's already here."

(Oh dear, I should hang up then. Ji-hoon, please give my regards to your grandfather, alright?)

Give my regards to your grandfather.

That's probably why he went to the student's house to finalize the deal.

Anyway.

I hung up the receiver and it took me a minute to reach the front door.

An adult would have gotten there quickly…

But there's no helping it with the short steps of an eleven-year-old.

When I arrived at the entrance, men in suits were already inside.

"Where would you like us to place this?"

They asked me directly, as if they knew I was the owner of the painting.

"This way, please."

Chairman Park said he wanted to see the painting first.

'It's not yet time for him to come home.'

I couldn't let outsiders into his study without permission.

I'll place it outside the study door for now.

"Please set it down here."

No sooner had I spoken than they started unwrapping the package.

They meticulously removed the excessive safety packaging.

Moments later.

"One oil painting and 48 drawings have been delivered. Would you like to check them?"

I quickly shook my head at the man's words.

They had confirmed it several times during the unwrapping process.

"May we leave now?"

"Thank you. You've worked very hard."

When I bowed, the two men followed suit.

As I escorted them to the entrance and returned.

"..."

I glanced at the clock.

6:30 PM.

Just after school, I was completely absorbed in buying Yoo Sun-ho's painting.

'And now.'

I was completely fixated on Dürer's final work.

What can I do?

'Just as I managed to acquire this piece…'

I must get Dürer's final work soon, ahem!

Anyway, with the painting delivered, I would have a chance to talk with Chairman Park tonight.

Strike while the iron is hot.

'This might work out well.'

About 30 minutes until Chairman Park comes home.

How should I present this?

I leaned against the wall and fell into thought.

***

Chairman Park had dinner right after coming home.

With Chairman Park at the head, Park Jong-in and Song Soo-hee sat facing each other.

Yoo-geon and I sat next to our respective parents.

Dinner was as silent as always.

No one spoke unless Chairman Park initiated it.

And with Chairman Park's strict dining etiquette.

"..."

Everyone kept their mouths shut, not even making any noise while chewing.

So, it was quiet as could be.

Just as dinner seemed to be wrapping up without incident.

"Jong-in."

At Chairman Park's words, Park Jong-in put down his spoon.

He quickly rinsed his mouth with water.

"Yes, Father."

"You're looking into a semiconductor company?"

"Yes. There's a company with technology but severe financial difficulties. We're cautiously approaching them."

"How long have you been interested in semiconductors?"

"Since my time studying abroad."

"Why? Why the sudden interest in semiconductors?"

Park Jong-in straightened up.

He probably judged this to be an important conversation.

"My only joy during my time abroad was dealing with electronic devices. Whenever a new product came out, I would use it, take it apart, and reassemble it… that was my routine."

"..."

"Then one day, transistor-based products started to replace vacuum tubes. Even audio devices, slow to change, began to shift."

"How was it?"

"Vacuum tubes, handcrafted, provided better sound. But they were unsuitable for mass production. Meanwhile, transistor-based products were cheaper, had less heat, and the sound varied greatly depending on the components used."

"So semiconductor technology is cheap, suitable for mass production, and has endless potential for development?"

"Yes."

Park Jong-in was known as a reclusive manager.

Instead of meeting many people like a politician, he would lock himself in a room and dive deeply into one field.

The anecdote of him using every available audio product for months was well-known.

Knowing his son's nature, Chairman Park didn't ask more about the technical details.

"Acquiring a company someone else built with blood and sweat will require a lot of money. Where do you plan to get the funds?"

"..."

"Why aren't you answering? Were you thinking of asking the company for money?"

Wait.

What's wrong with using company funds for the semiconductor business?

As someone planning to ask my grandfather for money soon… this conversation was extremely sensitive.

"Semiconductors are great. Everyone knows they have a future. The problem is they're a money pit. Not just for a year or two, but for ten years without any returns. How will you convince the shareholders?"

"..."

"Were you planning to use this old man to beg the shareholders for help?"

"No, sir."

"If you fought your way to the vice-president position against older brothers ten years your senior, you need to show the guts to match."

"You're right."

"If you're sure about succeeding in semiconductors, do it with your own money."

"..."

"Then you can enjoy all the glory alone, right?"

"..."

"Mark my words, true certainty isn't shared. That goes even for family."

"...!"

"Understood?"

"I'll keep it in mind."

As the suffocating conversation ended and silence returned.

'True certainty isn't shared.'

Chairman Park's last words echoed in my ears.

Dürer's final work… 20 billion… I'll give you ten times the investment…

I was planning to make a bold request.

Damn.

After hearing that, how can I ask for an investment?

Just as my plan seemed to be falling apart.

"Ji-hoon, did you buy the painting?"

It was Chairman Park.

"Yes, Grandfather."

"Alright, come to my study after dinner."

"…Yes."

"Let's see what a good piece you picked."

"..."

A solo meeting with no hope.

Dinner wrapped up in such a manner.

***

Chairman Park's study.

Chairman Park carefully examined the piece.

He observed it from about two meters away to get a full view.

Then he approached closely to scrutinize the details.

Chairman Park, with a collection rivaling that of a national art museum.

His artistic eye was impeccable.

He'd seen countless great works, so he could judge with a glance.

Moreover, it was a painting by a university freshman.

Yet.

"Hmm."

Chairman Park studied the piece very cautiously.

As time passed, I fell into thought.

Given the dinner conversation, it seemed unlikely I'd get Chairman Park's help.

But giving up wasn't an option.

'That's not right.'

There must be a way.

If I could list architects living in Boston and narrow it down to those with drawings in their homes, the manpower needed would significantly reduce.

'Though the filtering process will also cost money…'

If I save as much as possible, I might manage with around 50 million won?

I have about 10 million won, so if I can cover the shortfall!

'But where can I get that money?'

While my mind was entangled with various thoughts.

"Why are you standing there?"

Chairman Park looked back at me.

"Sit down. You must be tired."

"Oh, it's okay."

"Isn't it boring?"

"No. It's fun watching you, Grandfather."

He chuckled.

He removed his magnifying glass, seemingly done with his assessment.

"You picked this painting yourself?"

"Yes."

"What did you like about it?"

"It looked different from the other paintings."

"...?"

"The other paintings seemed to focus on excelling in one aspect. They were humble, so to speak. But this one was different. It wanted to excel in everything. I was drawn to that overflowing ambition."

"In your eyes, this is a successful piece?"

"No. It just looks full of ambition."

"Then why did you choose it?"

"Ah, that's because."

"Tell me."

"The painting… smelled of money."

"Money?"

For the first time, Chairman Park showed genuine interest in my words.