Come Back

“No, Mr. Cho. What are all these? Are these the ones you sent?”

“Huh? Where… I got the same thing?”

“Sir, Vice Minister. I… I can explain everything!”

“Hey, when did you prepare all this stuff?”

“……”

Park Yong-hoon, who was looking down at his phone screen, looked back at Jo Seong-hyeon and smiled brightly. Jo Seong-hyeon, who was almost about to run towards them, stopped walking and checked their expressions. He thought he had definitely received the same video that had been sent to him, but when he saw President Park Yong-hoon’s face, it seemed like it wasn’t.

“I did say that winter rounds are also attractive, but I think golf skills really show off when the weather is mild.”

“Yes, Mr. Park. Our Mr. Cho is a man of scale. You know very well that the North African business is not something that can be decided by visiting a few domestic golf courses. And it’s not even Southeast Asia, it’s Hawaii. That’s right, Mr. Cho.”

President Park Yong-hoon nodded with a pleased face at the response from the Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

“That’s right. I have to admit, Mr. Cho has a great sales sense.”

It seemed that only then did Jo Seong-hyeon begin to understand the content of the message that had been sent to Park Yong-hoon’s group. It seemed to be related to a golf trip to Hawaii.

“Yes, of course, sir. If you can arrange the date with the vice minister, I will set it up right away.”

Jo Seong-hyeon smiled, moving his stiff facial muscles that had not yet fully recovered. He had overcome the crisis, but the fact that he was in a shitty situation remained unchanged. Lee Hae-seong must have gotten his hands on the video. The message he had included in his Hawaii golf trip to his inspirations was just like an example. He sent a warning that he could release the video at any time.

I couldn’t check the video properly, but the source of the video wasn’t important right now. One of the dogs and cats I was playing with became a stray, so I decided to bite the previous owner. I can’t repay the favor of the warm indoor comfort that I once had…

He wanted to go back right away and come up with a plan to prevent an unexpected accident, but he couldn’t throw away this hospitality. Jo Seong-hyeon’s hands were shaking with anger as he forced a half-rotten smile at the old men who were excitedly getting on the carts for their Hawaiian golf trip.

“Mr. Cho?”

As he was about to get on the cart for the last time behind the inspirations, someone called Jo Seong-hyeon’s name from behind. The tone of voice raised as if trying to confirm that it was really Jo Seong-hyeon.

F*ck.

I didn’t even know who was the owner of the voice.

The old men who had gotten on the cart first were leaning over to see who was approaching behind Jo Seong-hyeon. Seeing the wonder rising in their oily faces, Jo Seong-hyeon couldn’t help but feel more certain about his prediction about the person behind him.

“No… who is this… Vice President. I see you here at this hour… yes.”

Jo Seong-hyeon’s voice, which had been pretending to be happy as he looked back, became increasingly muffled as he went on. He knew that the owner of the voice was Lee Hae-seong, but he had no idea that Yoon Hye-an would be standing right next to him, brazenly, and proudly.

“That’s right. I saw a familiar back and was wondering if you could help it, and it was President Cho.”

Listening to the unique husky voice that spoke calmly, Jo Sung-hyun felt his insides twist. Even though he came here on purpose, he didn’t even bat an eyelash and acted like a fox. He said he would like to see that face distorted in humiliation just once. This wasn’t easy.

“I’m honored that you recognized me just by looking at my back. Haha…”

“You’re not alone, are you? You came out to exercise for work, so I guess I was rude.”

“No, no!”

Park Yong-hoon’s gang, as if they had been waiting, actively joined the conversation and waved their hands. Park Yong-hoon, with a particularly stern expression, poked Jo Seong-hyeon in the back.

“What are you doing, Mr. Cho? At a time like this, it would be polite to introduce your group to me.”

“Ah, yes… As you know, this is ARA’s Vice President Lee Hae-seong. And this is…”

It seemed wrong to pass over Park Yong-hoon’s back rice without introducing him. Jo Seong-hyeon got off the cart and introduced the old men one by one to Lee Hae-seong.

“Hello. This is Lee Hae-seong.”

“Oh my, I had such a good dream last night. I guess I wanted to meet someone special. This is GX’s CEO Yonghoon Park. I’m just out working out, so I don’t have a business card. I’m really rude.”

“I don’t have a business card either.”

“Don’t worry. The Vice President is someone who doesn’t need a business card in Korea.”

Yes, yes, yes. That’s right. Where is it only in Korea? ARA is now a global company! Everyone in the group chimed in to Park Yong-hoon’s words. Some even went a step further.

Just a moment ago, it was Jo Seong-hyeon who was flattering and trying to please them, but now Park Yong-hoon and his group were wagging their tails at Lee Hae-seong. If they keep doing that, they’ll flip over and lie down and show off their skills. Jo Seong-hyeon was grumbling inside, but he was also forcing a smile on his face and taking a step back from their conversation.

“I’ve heard a lot about how tall you are, and you really are a handsome man. The King himself was quite handsome, but I don’t know if I should say this… But when I see you in person, I think you’re even more impressive, Vice President.”

The others burst into laughter at CEO Park Yong-hoon’s praise, which was laced with a joke, while Lee Hae-seong awkwardly smiled and quietly changed the subject.

“When Mr. Park was the Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the then Minister, Nam Kyung-ik, was a close friend of my grandfather. Thanks to that, I met former Minister Nam a few times in private, but I never had the chance to meet Mr. Park.”

“Yes, yes. When I was working for Minister Nam, the Chairman helped me a lot. I am deeply moved that the Vice President remembers that someone like me served as Vice Minister.”

President Park Yong-hoon was so moved that he almost shed tears. It seemed that golf was no longer on his mind, as he thought he might build a relationship with ARA’s Hae-seong Lee.

Just a moment ago, you were acting so stiffly in front of me. But now, in front of Lee Hae-seong, who is the same age as your son, you are bowing down as if you were wearing a silver spoon. You bastards who don’t even have a bell. Yes, even if the owner of power changes several times, the status of Hanseo Group and ARA Group will remain the same. That power is ultimately run by ARA’s money.

Jo Sung-hyun clicked his tongue so as not to be noticed while looking at the faces of Park Yong-hoon’s group, who seemed to be dreaming like enthusiastic fans who had met their favorite idol. For now, the priority was to separate them from each other as quickly as possible.

“Well then, we exchanged brief greetings and… I’ll send the Vice President off…”

“Oh, I’m sorry for the late introduction as we were exchanging greetings. This is my companion, actress Yoon Hye-an.”

Jo Seong-hyeon’s attempt was frustrated. Lee Hae-seong pushed Yoon Hye-an, who was standing next to him, forward and formally introduced her to the inspirations.

“Ah… yes…”

The elders were busy racking their brains over how to accept and treat this young man who still had traces of blue around his mouth and eyes.

In simple terms, it was calculating whether he should treat her with respect as ARA’s mistress or whether it would be better to be moderately polite to her as a concubine but not show much interest. It was obvious to Jo Seong-hyeon that he was being cautious and not reacting rashly until he was sure about that.

“I’m a small film investor as a hobby. I met someone while working on a new film and we’re getting along well. Since we have quite an age difference, it might seem strange for us to hang out together.”

“Oh my, Vice President, what are you talking about! It’s nice to see you hanging out so casually with young people who are so much older than you!”

“Thank you for saying so. He is a very talented actor. I look forward to working with him in the future.”

“People like us may not have much power, but since the Vice President is supporting the actor, we should naturally lend him our little strength.”

President Park Yong-hoon and Vice Minister Kang Min-wook were prepared to use their bodies to stop even the slightest problem that arose between Lee Hae-seong and Yoon Hye-an.

“I feel reassured when I hear your words, Vice Minister. Now, I’ll introduce Hyean as well.”

“Hello, I am actress Yoon Hye-an. Nice to meet you.”

Yoon Hye-an, dressed in neat golf wear, bowed her head and greeted me.

That day, she was completely different from the Yoon Hye-an who had been sweating profusely and looking scared in the restaurant at the Knox Hotel. She was also different from the Yoon Hye-an of the past, who Jo Seong-hyeon knew well and whose venom had turned blue and looked venomous.

Yeah, so now that you have the footage, you don’t have to worry about my threats anymore?

It was significant that Lee Hae-seong appeared here with Yoon Hye-an and boldly introduced Yoon Hye-an to these old men who were practically holding Jo Seong-hyeon’s leash.

It meant that he would not hide Yoon Hye-an in the back room, and it was also a warning that if things went wrong, the power would protect Yoon Hye-an. Now, the cards that Jo Seong-hyeon had were infinitely more shabby than the cards that Yoon Hye-an had.

Not only is it not enough to bring around a young gay lover and brazenly introduce him to her, but you are putting all your effort into taking care of that kid you are just playing with? After my grandfather and father died, I don’t see any sense of understanding. ARA is also going downhill now. I’m going to sell all my ARA stocks.