CH35

The next day.

Jo Soo-deok spent the morning making several calls.

The first task was to look into purchasing a building in Santa Clara.

("It's not as expensive as New York, but it's still quite pricey. Especially near Stanford University.")

"We've got plenty of money, so find the most valuable property available."

("But there's nothing on the market that fits the bill.")

"Why are you talking about what's on the market?"

("Pardon?")

"Think about it. If we're just going to buy something that's already listed, I wouldn't be calling you. I'd just go to a real estate agency myself."

("So… you want me to go around convincing property owners to sell their prime real estate?")

"Bingo."

("Are you serious?")

"Why not? I'll give you a 10% commission."

("Come on, Professor, where would you get that kind of money…") 

"Think, man. We're talking about buying a prime property. Do you really think it's my money?"

("Oh… right, that makes sense.")

"Are you going to do it or not?"

("It's just… there aren't any sellers right now, you see.")

"Then should I hang up?"

("Whoa, whoa! No need to be hasty. There may not be any sellers, but hey, this isn't Korea we're talking about. If you keep showing up every day and pestering them, they'll eventually cave just to get rid of you. They're only human, after all.")

"You've got a week."

("A week? Who finds a building in just a week?")

"So you just want to pocket that 10% for nothing? Don't eat or sleep until you find the property. That way, you'll have plenty of time. Makes sense, doesn't it?"

("Phew!")

"Get it done as quickly as possible, okay?"

("Should I report back to you in Korea?")

"Okay."

That was the end of that call.

"Alright, the building's handled."

Next up, the lawyer.

"Please draft a contract for me. I'll dictate the details, so take notes."

This was something Jo Soo-deok did regularly.

"Yes, Miyamoto Shigeru's creations. Yes, that part is crucial. And make sure to clearly state that as soon as the contract is signed, the rights to Donkey Kong and Super Mario will be transferred to our side."

("What are Donkey Kong and Super Mario?")

"I just told you. They're game characters."

("Ah, I must've forgotten because the names are unfamiliar…")

"Everyone finds them unfamiliar because our CEO is always ahead of his time."

This was the first time the lawyer was drafting such a contract, but fortunately, the documents were completed quickly.

"Please send this over to Nintendo America. Make sure it's done by this morning. Can you handle that?"

("Of course.")

"Oh, and I have one more question."

("Go ahead.")

"It says here that profits will be split 50-50. But what if the other company lies about their sales figures?"

("That would actually be a blessing.")

"…?"

("This is America. If they get caught cooking the books…")

"Oh, the infamous American law would take care of them?"

("Absolutely. They'd be shut down immediately.")

"Now I can finally rest easy. It's always reassuring to talk to a professional."

("Is there anything else you're curious about?")

Hmm.

Jo Soo-deok scratched his head for a moment.

If it were his own matter, he would have wrapped it up here, but this was the CEO's contract!

One can never be too cautious.

"I feel like if I keep asking questions, you might think I'm overly suspicious."

("…?")

"This contract says that only the characters created by Shigeru will belong to the CEO, right?"

("That's correct.")

"What if, hypothetically, Shigeru created a character but colluded with the company to deceive us?"

("For example?")

"The company could bribe Shigeru."

("Convincing him to hide the character's creation and hand over ownership to the company in exchange for some compensation?")

"Exactly."

Unlike the serious Jo Soo-deok, the lawyer calmly responded.

("I wouldn't worry too much about that.")

"Are you saying the great American law would take care of that as well?"

("Of course.")

Whoa!

The lawyer's explanation was straightforward.

The company that Park Ji-hoon was establishing would be an American corporation.

Stealing money from an American corporation and funneling it to a Japanese company?

("They're welcome to try. Let's see how long they'd last in jail.")

"Now that's reassuring."

("Does that address all your concerns?")

"Thanks to you, I'll be able to sleep soundly tonight."

The call ended on a positive note.

"There are definitely advantages to setting up a company in the U.S."

'Wait, come to think of it…I was wondering why the CEO insisted on establishing a corporation in the U.S.'

Could it be that he anticipated all this?

Given his age, that would be a far-fetched idea.

However…

"Heh heh."

Jo Soo-deok couldn't help but chuckle.

He had long since gotten used to being surprised by the CEO.

"I should've learned to just go with the flow by now."

Jo Soo-deok nodded to himself as he came to this realization.

***

That afternoon.

After checking out of the hotel, I packed my things and headed outside.

Jo Soo-deok and the graduate students were following behind me.

There were about three hours left before our departure.

I turned to Jo Soo-deok and said,

"You were busy handling things all morning?"

"Ah, it wasn't anything major. Just made a few calls, drafted the contract, got it signed, and that's about it."

Apparently, he had even met with Shigeru in between his tasks.

"That guy was practically living in that warehouse, wasn't he?"

"Pretty much."

"So, I told him we were getting an office in San Francisco. Since it's a favor from the CEO, I told him to just accept it…"

"What did he say?"

"He was over the moon."

Heh.

"Looks like everything's taken care of."

"Indeed. Now you can board your flight with peace of mind."

"Should we stop by the department store first?"

"…Department store? Oh, for gifts! You're buying presents for your family, right?"

"Let's go."

We headed to Macy's department store in the heart of Boston.

"If it's too much trouble to move around as a group, the students could wait in the car…"

"No, let's all go."

"It might be a bit uncomfortable."

"We're already here, so we might as well look around."

"Understood."

I went straight to the men's clothing section.

Which store looked the best?

'Ah, that one looks good.'

Giorgio Armani.

Even from a distance, the interior screamed luxury.

As soon as I entered the store, an employee bowed and approached me.

With so many adults around,

"Can I help you with anything?"

The employee directed the question specifically at me.

Just like in the audio store…

It seems I must give off a certain aura of wealth.

"I'm looking to buy some clothes."

"What style are you looking for?"

"Something for formal occasions."

"For formal occasions…"

"Like a PhD completion ceremony?"

The graduate student who was interpreting for me turned to me with a surprised look.

He seemed to be asking if I meant what he thought I meant.

'Come on.'

It's just a suit, why the wide-eyed reaction?

I turned to the employee and said,

"I'm buying suits for all these gentlemen. Please assist us."

"All of them?"

"Is that a problem?"

"No, not at all. I'll be right with you."

As the employee left, Jo Soo-deok quickly approached me.

"Mr. CEO? Why all of a sudden…"

"They've all worked hard."

Sure, they'll receive bonuses and extra pay.

But a luxury suit makes a great gift, doesn't it?

The graduate students were clearly excited.

Who would've imagined wearing a suit more expensive than their college tuition?

"You've already been so generous… isn't this too much?"

"This is just a small gesture."

"Well, we appreciate the thought, but… isn't this going a bit overboard…"

"Overboard?"

"Excuse me?"

"Are you worried about my finances?"

"Ah, well… Considering your wealth, I guess 'overboard' isn't the right word. But still… buying suits for this many people…"

"Hurry up and pick one, Professor."

"I…"

"You're always wearing those worn-out suits. That navy one over there would look perfect on you."

"No, no…"

Jo Soo-deok had done so much for me.

And now he's hesitating over a simple suit?

"Pick one now, so we can go buy shoes afterward."

"Shoes? No, no! Sneakers are just fine."

"You can wear sneakers, Professor, but your students should wear dress shoes."

"But…"

"I don't like repeating myself."

"Wow… these kids sure are lucky to have you as their CEO. Hey, don't you think you should be thanking him?"

"Let's save the gratitude for after the purchase…"

But contrary to my wishes, the graduate students eagerly approached me.

They all expressed their thanks in unison.

"…"

Embarrassed, I looked away.

Anyway!

'This feels pretty good.'

After picking out suits from Armani and buying Edward Green dress shoes that cost over a million won per pair, we finally left the department store.

The graduate students carried their bags full of luxury items.

Yeah, this is the kind of shopping spree that makes a trip to the airport worthwhile.

And just like that, we were ready to return home.

***

During the 10-plus hour flight, I spent most of my time reading.

Whenever I got bored, I reflected on everything I had gained in the U.S.

I sold Dürer's final work for 300 billion won.

With that money, I established a company to manage intellectual property.

My first recruit was Miyamoto Shigeru.

As a result, I bought a building and invested in Nintendo, but it looked like I wouldn't need to spend more than 20 billion won in total.

"Hmm."

Having secured the IP for Super Mario, I started thinking about Sega's Sonic and Capcom's Mega Man.

As I continued to ponder various things, the plane finally touched down on the runway.

"We've finally arrived."

Jo Soo-deok, who was sitting next to me, turned and spoke.

"You've done well, Mr. CEO."

"Will you be focusing on your solo exhibition for a while?"

"If I want my paintings displayed at the Hyungang Museum of Art's opening, I'll have to get busy with my brushes, won't I?"

"I suppose I won't see you for a while then."

"Come on, don't say such things. A pro like me can keep up daily life while cranking out quality works."

"I hope so, heh heh heh."

"By the way, Mr. CEO, did you contact your family?"

"Contact them about what?"

"To let them know you'd be arriving today…"

"Oh, I completely forgot!"

"What?"

"Now that I think about it, I didn't make a single call to them while I was in the U.S."

"What?"

Oh, don't look so shocked.

I didn't contact them on purpose.

'A carefree kid who forgot to call home during his first overseas trip…'

That's the image I wanted to project.

And in line with that, I was returning empty-handed, without any gifts for my family.

"So there's no way your family is waiting for you at the airport…"

"They'll be there."

"What? But you didn't call…"

"Do you really think they wouldn't know? The moment I bought a plane ticket under my name, my grandfather would have been informed."

"Oh, that makes sense. With Hyungang's intelligence network, there's no need to explain."

Shortly after, an announcement came on saying we could unfasten our seatbelts.

As the plane came to a complete stop, a well-built male flight attendant approached me.

"Hello, I'm Hyunwoo Kim from Korean Air."

"…?"

"You're Park Ji-hoon of Hyungang Group, correct?"

Before I could even process what he was saying,

"I'll escort you to the gate."

The flight attendant bowed politely to me.

Hmm.

This seems less about my convenience and more about someone important waiting for me, huh?

"What about customs?"

"We can skip that."

"I spent quite a bit of money abroad."

"We'll arrange for that to be handled later."

Special treatment as soon as I arrive!

'I guess I really am back in Korea.'

Feeling the reality of my return, I slowly stood up.