CH43

At the same time.

In the office of Chairman Park Yong-hak at Hyungang Group's headquarters.

Chairman Park was on a call with the director of the Czartoryski Museum in Poland.

Normally, he would use a translator for such conversations, but Park Yong-hak disliked speaking through intermediaries. So, the conversation was conducted in English.

"Hyungang needs a crack sample from the Da Vinci painting."

(We're not the only ones who own a Da Vinci painting, so why did you specifically contact us?)

"It's been suggested that your piece was created during the same period as ours."

(I see. So, only we can help you, is that it?)

Park Yong-hak did not respond immediately. He could sense the smugness in the museum director's voice. It was as if he was thinking, 'A famous Korean company? Alright, let's hear what they're offering.'

Feeling the overtly self-satisfied tone from the other side, Park Yong-hak couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth in amusement.

"Are you proposing a deal?"

(Well, you're essentially asking us to hand over part of our national treasure. I need a justification to report to my superiors, don't you think?)

"A justification."

A museum director suggesting a deal to a businessman? The absurdity of the situation made Park Yong-hak's smile widen even more.

"Of course, you should get something in return. Hmm, let's see. What could we offer? Poland's most famous university is…"

(Jagiellonian University.)

"Ah, yes, Jagiellonian."

(It's a prestigious university founded in 1364. It even produced Copernicus.)

"Quite impressive."

(If you're thinking of establishing a scholarship in Hyungang's name…)

"I want an honorary doctorate from that university."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. The director was likely processing what he had just heard, questioning whether he had understood correctly.

Without dropping his smile, Park Yong-hak continued,

"I'm asking for an honorary doctorate in business administration. How does that sound?"

(What exactly do you mean?)

"Or perhaps there's another option."

(…?)

"I could offer Poland the opportunity to invest in Hyungang."

(Are you saying you'd build a manufacturing plant in Poland…?)

"Hmm, quite the opposite. I'm offering you the chance to partner with us."

Another pause, as the director pondered whether he was missing something, trying to understand the source of Hyungang's confidence.

But Park Yong-hak was quicker.

"If you accept my proposal, we could become good friends for a long time."

(…)

"On the other hand, if you try to extract more from this deal, we might end up as lifelong enemies."

Anyone looking to gain must also be prepared to make enemies. Will you take a risk and make a name for yourself, or will you avoid the hassle altogether? The decision for an elected official is usually obvious.

"I'll be waiting for your call."

With that, Park Yong-hak hung up.

A bookish type daring to negotiate with the head of a major corporation?

'Ambitious indeed.'

He was certain of one thing.

In a couple of hours, his phone would be ringing off the hook.

There would be a frenzy as they tried to reach him through the Polish embassy.

Now, all that was left was to wait.

But then,

Ring, ring, ring!

The phone rang sooner than expected.

Surprised, he picked up the receiver, and a familiar voice came through.

It was his chief secretary.

(Chairman, may I report something concerning the young master?)

"Ji-hoon?"

Though he had two grandsons, only the second one warranted a report.

(Yes, the second young master has left with a driver.)

"He held out for quite a while."

(Pardon?)

"After earning a lot of money and getting a taste for business, he lasted over two weeks. That's a long time. So, where did he go?"

(Yonsei University.)

There's no way a kid would be hanging around a university just because he wants to go there. It must be another money-making scheme.

(Shall I continue to keep an eye on him and report back?)

"No need. Let him enjoy himself since he's out for the first time in a while."

Park Yong-hak put down the receiver.

His grandson had been quiet for a few days, making things dull.

Now it seemed he was about to make a move.

Hehe.

With a peculiar smile, he stood up from his seat.

***

I have a lot of memories in Sinchon.

During my college days,

There weren't many places to hang out near our campus.

Fortunately, just across the street was Sinchon, where I mingled with Yonsei students and drank quite a bit.

After a while, the bar owner would come over and ask,

"Are you from Yonsei?"

"No."

Then they'd ask for the name of the next most common university, which happened to be mine.

Anyway.

Perhaps because Yonsei felt so familiar, I ended up going to graduate school there.

As a result, I spent eight years in Sinchon for my studies.

Even after becoming a published author, the connection continued.

I was selected as a resident writer at the Yeonhui Creative Village, where I lived for another two years, spending almost my entire twenties in Sinchon.

So maybe that's why,

Just seeing the streets of Sinchon again gave me a strange feeling.

First, the theater.

Back in my day, it was called ArtReon, but now it's called Shin Young Theater.

The McDonald's where I'd indulge myself when I was in the mood for something fancy was, of course, gone.

The bustling dakgalbi restaurant I frequented with my first girlfriend was gone too.

The bossam place I once walked into boldly, only to be chased out because it was too expensive, was no longer there.

Even the 2,000 won anchovy noodle place I occasionally visited when I wanted something warm was nowhere to be seen.

Sigh.

At least Hongik Bookstore still looks the same as it always did.

Lost in nostalgia, I walked through the main gate of Yonsei University.

Perhaps because it was the winter break and the weather was cold, the campus seemed deserted.

'This could be a problem.'

My first stop was the Academic Affairs Office.

When I was in school, everything was handled by computers, but…

'Hmm.'

Now, it seemed like they were doing everything by hand.

Maybe because the new semester was approaching, everyone looked busy.

"Hello."

I greeted the female supervisor, who peeked over the partition.

"What brings you here?"

"I have something to ask. I want to create and post a flyer…"

"A flyer?"

The supervisor looked at me closely.

At best, I looked like a sixth grader.

So, naturally,

"A fire prevention flyer, something like 'Check even the embers before you leave'?"

"No. I want to hold a literature contest."

"A contest? Who's hosting it?"

"I am."

"So, you want to post a flyer about a literature contest at our school?"

"Yes. I figured the security guard might take it down if it doesn't have the Academic Affairs Office's stamp on it."

"Where did you hear that?"

"Am I wrong?"

"No, it's just that you know the procedure so well. How do you know all this?"

Even though I might look like an elementary student, I actually graduated from Yonsei's graduate school…

"I just asked around."

Maybe my answer wasn't enough.

The supervisor tilted her head for a moment, then got up from her seat.

She looked me over from head to toe.

Maybe it was the well-ironed clothes or the obviously expensive shoes, but her tone became more polite.

"Do you have the contest flyer ready?"

"No, I was planning to ask the Yonsei Publishing House to make it once I got permission."

"You know the publishing house too?"

"Yes, sort of."

"But tell me, by any chance…"

"…?"

"Have you visited Seoul National University recently?"

News travels fast.

Considering how often I've been in and out of Seoul National University, it would be strange if word didn't spread.

There was no harm in letting the rumors fly.

If anything, it would save me from having to explain everything, which was more convenient.

That was the case now.

Once it became clear that I was the third generation of Hyungang, people started moving quickly.

The supervisor rushed off to call the team leader.

"A VIP is here. You think I can handle this alone?"

The team leader took the initiative to bring the Academic Affairs Office director.

Panting, the director greeted me with a bow.

"It would have been great if the president could have welcomed you himself, but he's on sick leave. May I assist you?"

"There's no need for that. I just want to get a flyer made and put it up."

"I understand. You're hosting a literature contest. As expected of the artistic heir of Hyungang."

As if he were searching for more compliments, the director quickly changed his expression and asked,

"I heard you wanted to request the publishing house to create the flyer, is that correct?"

"Yes, if possible."

"Not if possible—it will definitely be done. When would you like it finished?"

"The sooner, the better."

As soon as I finished speaking,

"Let's go. We'll have it ready right away."

The Academic Affairs Office director took the lead, walking ahead.

Like most people who walk with me, he paid close attention to keeping his steps in sync with mine.

After about five minutes, we arrived.

"This is the place."

Yonsei University Publishing House.

I often came here to run errands for professors.

It looks just the same as it did in the 80s.

When the director entered, the staff quickly stood up to greet him.

With a professional smile, the director responded and then quietly spoke.

"We have a distinguished guest here. He wants to create a flyer, you know, something that really stands out. Something that grabs attention from 50 meters away. Can you make something like that?"

"I'll do my best."

"Doing your best isn't enough. It has to be done well."

"Yes, of course."

The staff asked me what information needed to be included on the flyer.

The answer was simple.

"The contest is for literature. The deadline is one month from now. Submissions should be sent to the Academic Affairs Office… Director, is that alright?"

"Of course. We'd be honored to contribute, even in a small way."

He said that without batting an eye.

"The prize will be 10 million won."

"Ten… 10 million won?"

The director's shock was understandable.

Winning four categories in the New Year's Literary Contest only netted me 15 million won.

Offering 10 million won as a prize for college students?

I knew it was a lot, but still.

'It's the only way to get him to participate.'

Besides, that amount could easily be recouped through book sales later.

"Are you sure there's no mistake?"

"None at all. Please make it 10 million won."

The design was quickly completed.

Now it was time to print and post the flyers around the campus.

But then,

"Please leave it to us."

The director's words made me tilt my head in confusion.

"From printing to posting, we'll take care of everything."

"It's my project, so I should…"

"I'd be disappointed if you did."

"…?"

"You've done such a great service by offering a generous prize to help our students. The least we can do is show some sincerity. Don't you think?"

There was something subtly calculating in his eyes.

He seemed eager to establish a connection with Hyungang.

But the greater the expectation, the bigger the disappointment.

"Trust us."

What could I do?

"Thank you."

I bowed my head, pretending to give in.

TL/n - 

Guys can you leave some reviews for the novel as so many people are reading it but there are hardly any reviews.