Chapter 161 – One, Two – Part 4

Chapter 161 – One, Two – Part 4

At Woojin’s smile, Chairman Lee slowly nodded his head and scanned the study with his eyes.

“There are a lot of green plants, aren’t there?”

“I believe people should see a lot of green leaves.”

The same goes for forests.

Just by observing grand nature, awe is unconsciously instilled in people, which activates the brain’s algorithm and broadens their perspective.

It increases the likelihood of not reacting sensitively and not being swayed by momentary emotions.

Chairman Lee nodded as if agreeing with Woojin’s words.

“That’s right. People should live seeing green leaves.”

Woojin wasn’t interested in Chairman Lee’s words.

He was only thinking about Shinhwa Group’s 41 affiliates.

How much effort must he have put in to sit on the Emperor’s throne?

And how many people’s time and sweat did he steal and take? He was merely calculating these things.

Also, Chairman Lee’s learning ability was deteriorating.

Woojin turned his gaze to a small frame on the bookshelf.

Chairman Lee’s wife, Chairman Lee, and a child in the middle of them were laughing heartily.

It was a happy smile.

Woojin knew who the child smiling in the photo was, even if time stopped.

Chairman Lee’s first son, but he passed away from leukemia at a young age.

Chairman Lee, who had been looking at the photo, following Woojin’s gaze, opened his mouth.

“He’s handsome, isn’t he? If my son, Jeong Man, hadn’t died and was still alive, he would have been ranked in the world for Go. He loved Go so much, even at such a young age. It was a righteous path that even I struggled with. Ha ha ha.”

At Chairman Lee’s words, spoken as if reminiscing, the corners of Woojin’s mouth gradually turned upward.

But it was a smile Chairman Lee couldn’t notice.

It was new information that Jeong Man, Chairman Lee’s first son, liked Go.

He had noticed the connection between Jeong Man and Chairman Lee regarding Go.

That is, every time Chairman Lee plays Go, he consciously or unconsciously thinks of Jeong Man.

He’s dead, but in his heart, no, in his mind, he hasn’t been able to let him go yet.

And Chairman Lee’s brain will increasingly drift further from reality.

As more time passes, he might call his children “MomDad” out of longing.

And he might even call the deceased Jeong Man.

Unable to accept the present like this, his brain will increasingly revert to the past, searching for longing like a child.

The boundary between past and present where Chairman Lee now stands.

If he were to squeeze through that boundary.

Woojin asked.

“If they had all grown up, they would have looked down on the world like a Go Board, just like the Chairman.”

“Well, whose sons are they? The ways of the world are no different from a Go Board. Let’s call it a day.”

Woojin, having read Chairman Lee’s face, bowed his head.

“Then, I’ll see you next time.”

As Woojin left, Chairman Lee rose from his seat and approached the Small Frame.

He held the frame and spoke with a wistful expression.

“Jeongman, please wait a little longer. Your siblings are still immature, so I think I need to stay a little longer. My Jeong Man, can you wait for your father until then? When I come to see you, my Jeong Man, I will carry the Golden Go Board. Then, let’s play all the Go you and I love, my Jeong Man.”

Meanwhile, Woojin, who had stepped out into the yard, briefly looked up at the window of Chairman Lee’s Second Floor Study.

In front of powerful people, thoughts tend to stop, people become self-conscious, and their scope of thinking narrows, but Woojin was different.

Because he saw everyone as biologically the same person, it was easy for him to read others. No, he saw right through them, terrifyingly so.

Woojin smiled slightly.

“Chairman Lee, I will serve you as Jeong Man from now on. You will come to think of me as Jeong Man. You will believe it.”

Woojin, with a slight smile, adjusted his jacket and left the residence.

“This is going to get busy. But the work will decrease.”

There was no longer a need to touch each affiliate.

***

The place Woojin arrived at was none other than the University Hospital.

His neat suit and captivating face drew the attention of many people.

The confident and self-assured smile on Woojin’s face was fixed like a sculpture and did not disappear.

As Woojin walked down the Hallway, he leaned his back against the wall.

There are so many sick people like this. And there are also many who are very happy at this time.

Then, Woojin slowly pushed his back off the wall.

“Professor Park Byeongho?”

The man, who appeared to be in his late 50s, looked Woojin up and down and spoke.

He was Chairman Lee’s Attending Physician.

“Yes. But who?”

“I came to get a health check-up from the best Professor.”

Woojin pulled a check from his pocket.

“100 million.”

His brow furrowed.

He looked as if to say, ‘What kind of crazy person is this?’

When he remained silent for a moment, Woojin pulled out two more checks.

“I have too much money, and suddenly I had a thought. Can I spend all this money before I die? So, I wanted to get a health check-up, and I apologize for intruding. If you don’t like this money, I can send it to your account.”

***

Kim Daehan, sitting in the CEO’s Office, had disheveled hair.

If he spilled everything, he would truly be reduced to a pauper.

Furthermore, it meant going to jail.

He thought he had deceived SH Strategy as well, but some fearless prosecutor had stirred things up and created this mess.

Just then, the door burst open with a bang.

It was Lee Jeongmi.

Kim Daehan weakly rose from his seat.

“I’m sorry. I have something to say…”

Lee Jeongmi, who had been looking at Kim Daehan as if he were an insect, sat on the main sofa and crossed her legs.

“I didn’t come to hear excuses. Transfer the shares of SH Construction immediately.”

“Chairman won’t stand by.”

If he defied Chairman Lee’s words, he might rot in prison even longer. He would also have to endure greater disadvantages.

The shares of SH Construction would be absorbed into the holding company.

Lee Jeongmi, who was about to shout, closed her eyes as if suppressing her anger and exhaled a long breath through her nose.

“I’ll save you.”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

“Prosecutor Kim Cheolung, do you think I can’t handle a mere Deputy Division Chief Prosecutor? I’ll get you a suspended sentence. So, hand it over to me before it goes to the holding company.”

Kim Daehan’s eyes trembled as he looked around the private room.

Chairman Lee tells him to confess everything and accept his punishment, while Lee Jeongmi offers to save him if he hands over his shares.

Kim Daehan’s thoughts were simple.

What if he hands them over? Will Chairman Lee stand by idly?

What kind of retaliation would he face?

He was a heartless man.

“You said your wife and children are going to study abroad next month, right? Tell them to go first, and then you follow your family. I’ll make sure your children can grow up without worrying about others’ opinions.”

“The Chairman…”

“Chairman, Chairman, Chairman! You’re not a cuckoo. The person you should be worrying about right now isn’t the Chairman. Your wife and children are about to be out on the streets. You need to act like a head of the household!”

Kim Daehan blinked and bit his lip.

Lee Jeongmi spoke again.

“My destination is decided by your words right now. Whether I go home. Or whether I go to meet the District Chief Prosecutor.”

Silence fell for a few minutes.

Kim Daehan seemed to be still contemplating, and then Lee Jeongmi slowly nodded her head and stood up from her seat.

And she headed towards the entrance as if uninterested.

“Ma-madam!”

Lee Jeongmi stopped walking and slowly turned to look at Kim Daehan.

“It seems you’ve finally come to your senses.”

“50%, I will hand over the 50% I currently hold.”

Lee Jeongmi nodded.

“Good. I’ll receive the rest when I return with good news after meeting the District Chief Prosecutor. By then, the others holding friendly stakes should also be persuaded. You understand what I mean, right?”

“Understood.”

“Secretary Kim.”

At Lee Jeongmi’s words, a man in a suit entered.

He politely spoke to Kim Daehan.

“You can discuss the share transfer with me.”

That evening.

Lee Jeongmi found a traditional Korean restaurant nestled against a lush mountain.

She was guided by a waiter to a private room.

A middle-aged person, appearing to be in their late 50s, stood up from their seat, adjusting their clothes, and greeted Lee Jeongmi.

They looked to be about 160 centimeters tall.

“You’re here.”

Lee Jeongmi smiled.

“I’m not late, am I?”

“Hahaha! Of course not. No, I arrived early.”

Lee Jeongmi sat down and immediately got to the point.

It was a matter that needed to be handled quickly.

“Prosecutor Kim Cheolung, what kind of person is he? He doesn’t know his place. It seems like he’s causing too much trouble.”

He smiled awkwardly.

“He’s still full of youthful vigor, so his subordinate…”

Lee Jeongmi took the teacup from her lips and said,

“These days, he’s making so much noise I can’t sleep.”

The District Chief Prosecutor slowly nodded his head.

It was a meaningful gesture.

“Sleep is the best medicine, so you should rest comfortably. I’ll give him a good scolding.”

“Don’t you think the charges against Shinhwa Electric CEO Kim Daehan are too exaggerated? I certainly do.”

“I will instruct them to review it more thoroughly.”

“He should be punished for the crimes he committed, but I don’t think the charges should be exaggerated.”

“You are absolutely right.”

So, I’d like to remove a few of the exaggerated charges against President Kim Daehan, and each time one is removed, it will be a great help to our Chief Prosecutor.

The meaning of Lee Jeongmi’s smile was simple.

The more charges were excluded, the more gifts would be given.

Hahaha! Of course, the charges shouldn’t be exaggerated.

The District Chief Prosecutor, who had been laughing, corrected his expression and said,

A suspended sentence. I will make sure that happens.

Lee Jeongmi’s slender teeth were revealed clearly.

Just then, the waiter made his presence known and brought the food.

This place… The food is really delicious. Eat a lot.

At that moment.

Woojin was having a meal with Prosecutor Kim Cheolung.

Kim Cheolung seemed to really enjoy the food, moving his chopsticks around to various side dishes.

Wow… This place tastes good. Is it because it’s an expensive place? Or does it feel that way because Woojin is treating me?

Eat a lot.

But are you not feeling well? You don’t seem to be eating much?

Woojin smiled.

I’m full just watching our Prosecutor Kim eat.

Kim Cheolung poked Woojin with his chopsticks.

You seem like a changed person. You’re so straightforward.

The meal ended after another 10 minutes.

Ah, I ate so well and I’m full.

Kim Cheolung rubbed his stomach and then poked at his teeth with his fingernail, checking if any food was stuck.

Woojin raised his water glass and said,

I feel like I’ve been treated to so many meals by Prosecutor Kim. I’ll arrange meals like this occasionally.

Forget that. Let’s have some pork belly and soju sometime. There’s so much I’m curious about with you, Woojin.

“Just set a date.”

“Okay.”

Kim Cheolung got up and put on his jacket.

“Go, Prosecutor Kim Cheolung!”

He said it as if it were a joke.

“Now even I don’t know what will happen to me.”

Shaking his head and laughing, Kim Cheolung left his seat and headed to the private room two doors down.

He tidied his clothes at the door and cleared his throat.

And then he knocked on the sliding door.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Chief Prosecutor, this is Deputy Division Chief Prosecutor Kim Cheolung.”

Kim Cheolung opened the door and went inside.