“Myungsoo, go wait by the car.”
I tossed him the car keys.
He hesitated, then slowly walked off toward the parking lot.
“Where are we going?”
“Let’s take my car.”
“Lead the way.”
I followed behind Cheon Jisoo.
She got into the driver’s seat first, and I opened the passenger door and climbed in.
“Didn’t expect you to act all familiar at school.”
“We’re family, aren’t we?”
What bullshit.
You're the worst of all.
I kept my true feelings hidden and continued the conversation.
“So, what do you want? I’ve got a friend waiting.”
“What’s the rush?”
She glared at . There was curiosity in her eyes.
“Why so prickly? I’m still your older cousin, you know. Don’t talk to like that.”
“Sure, noona. So what’s the point?”
My tone drew a sigh from her—as if my coldness was absurd.
“There’s no need for us to be at odds, is there? I don’t care about Grandfather’s business. Whether you work under him or not, it has nothing to do with .”
“Right. I also don’t care if you’re interested in his business or not. What I do care about is why you called out like this. What is it you want to say?”
“......”
She looked like she was debating whether to speak or not.
She’d probably suggest an alliance.
She had done it before too.
And then stabbed in the back.
“I’m interested in Ilseong Group.”
“Good for you. You’re more than capable of getting a spot. I support you. That’s all?”
“Hey!”
She shouted at , probably irritated by my sarcasm.
“What?!”
I raised my voice in response.
If she proposed an alliance, I was planning to accept.
This ti, I’d be the one to use her thoroughly—then stab her back.
No matter how much money I had, in the post–Real Na Financial System era, I knew I wouldn’t win against the conglorates. I’d learned that the hard way in my past life.
To win, I needed the power of Ilseong Group.
“I told you, I’m not interested in Grandfather’s inheritance. You take over his business. I want Ilseong Group. So help . Let’s form an alliance.”
“An alliance?”
“Let’s be honest—it’s obvious that this will all co down to a fight between you and my brother eventually. And from where I’m sitting, your odds are better. If I give you inside information on my dad and my brother, your odds go up even more. So? What do you think?”
I let out a soft laugh through my nose.
“Are you actually worried about that delinquent Cheon Jiwon? You're not overestimating your brother, are you?”
“...Don’t dismiss him. He’s still the firstborn son. You’re from the maternal line—Jiwon’s the direct heir. And if he gets Ilseong Group’s backing, you might be in trouble. Don’t be too confident.”
“Ha! Cheon Jiwon? That guy?”
“Hey! Are you even listening to ?”
Sure, I’d always mocked her whenever I saw her, but there was no benefit in needlessly provoking her now.
“Fine. Let’s say you’ll give info. What do you want in return? If it’s an alliance, you must want sothing too. What is it?”
“Get Grandfather to support . And... not right now, but maybe a few years—or even decades—from now. When he’s gone and you take his place, support then.”
I pretended to think it over.
Cheon Jisoo stayed silent as I closed my eyes and appeared deep in thought.
“...I don’t get it. If Cheon Jiwon becos the successor, wouldn’t it be easier for you to ask him for help? He’s your brother. He’d help, wouldn’t he?”
“Hah... Cheon Jiwon? If he becos the heir, he’ll try to swallow Ilseong Group whole. He’s that greedy and shaless. Don’t underestimate him. I know exactly what kind of person he is.”
“But even if I support you, can you even take over Ilseong Group? It seems more likely the company will unify under soone else.”
No matter how smart and competent she was, Ilseong Group was her maternal family.
The chairman already had a succession plan. He had no reason to alter it.
The only real variable was the fact that he cherished Cheon Jisoo’s mother, his eldest daughter.
But the Ilseong Group’s chairman...
He was a cold man with neither blood nor tears.
If her presence beca a threat to succession, he would discard his own daughter without hesitation. That was the man—Chairman Seo Yonggeon.
“I don’t want the whole thing. I’m not that delusional. But I’ll take at least half. It’s my mother’s rightful share.”
“...You dream big, don’t you?”
“Anyway. What do you think? Are you in?”
“Hm... doesn’t it feel like you’re getting the short end of the deal? That makes uneasy. Right now, I get sothing, and you’re just getting a promise.”
That probably hit her.
After the Ilseong Group chairman collapsed from a heart attack, that’s when she truly made her move. She turned on her uncle, the designated heir, and launched a shareholder battle.
And in the end, I sided with her, inheriting Grandfather’s power and granting her control of one-third of the Ilseong Group subsidiaries.
That’s when she dropped my hand.
She joined forces with Cheon Sooman and Cheon Suhan to destroy .
That was Cheon Jisoo.
“You’re not losing anything here, right? We’re family—can’t you trust ?”
“Pfft. Hahaha.”
The words “Can’t you trust your cousin?” made laugh instinctively.
Wow. She actually said that?
“Why are you laughing?”
Cheon Jisoo frowned.
“No, it’s just—‘can’t you trust ’ was funny. I’ll think about it. It’s not sothing I can decide lightly.”
“What’s there to think about? Why pass up such a good opportunity? You even said yourself—I’m getting the worse deal here.”
“True. You are getting the worse deal. But this is our first real conversation. You suddenly pop up and make this offer—how could I trust you just like that?”
Honestly, part of just wanted to ss with her.
“I’ll think about it. I’ll give you an answer as soon as I can. Oh, and don’t worry—I’m not telling anyone about this. I’m not that stupid.”
Maybe she hadn’t expected to say I’d think it over. She stared at for a long ti.
Then she sighed.
“Sigh... Fine. Just answer as soon as you can. I won’t wait forever. If you take too long, I’ll have no choice but to find another way. Got it?”
“Sure. We’re done talking, right? I’ll contact you later.”
I reached for the door, but she spoke up behind .
“Wait. I’ll still give you a gift.”
I let go of the door handle and looked at her.
“What?”
“My dad’s been moving the Myeongdong presidents. He’s planning sothing. I don’t know the details, but... just be careful when dealing with them.”
Talk about too little, too late.
I stared at her without answering.
“What? Don’t believe ?”
“No... I was just wondering if you might actually be useful.”
Cheon Jisoo scowled.
“What’s that supposed to an?”
“I’ve already t all the Myeongdong presidents. Everything’s sorted. I’ve retrieved all of Grandfather’s nominee accounts and set monthly reporting.”
“What?”
Cheon Jisoo stared at in disbelief.
So she can make that face. I'm learning so much today.
“Now I really do need to think long and hard about this alliance.”
“You... took control of the Myeongdong presidents?”
“Yup. Wasn’t that hard.”
“...You’re not an ordinary guy, are you?”
A curious smile spread across her face.
She was probably calculating my value right then.
Hey, back in the day, I ate with you, drank with you, went to saunas with you, okay? You hear ?
...Well, maybe not saunas.
I know you better than you know yourself. Get ready. This ti...
I got out of her car and walked toward mine.
Seeing Myungsoo reading a law book inside made smile.
I opened the driver’s side door and got in.
“You’re studying even in the car?”
“Oh? Hey, Muhyuk! Who was that girl earlier? She was crazy pretty. Hook up. Why are ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) you eting girls without , huh? You bastard, you tell to focus on the bar exam and then you’re out dating? You petty son of a—”
As soon as I sat down, Myungsoo unleashed a barrage of complaints that hurt my ears.
I replied with a disinterested look.
“She’s my cousin.”
“Oh? Really? Sorry.”
Quick apology.
“Don’t be fooled by the face. She’s a gumiho with a hundred snakes coiled inside. She and I... we’re not on the sa path.”
Hearing that, Myungsoo silently turned back to his law book.
“I’m starving. Let’s get so food! Drive, Chauffeur Kim!”
I shook my head and started the engine.
The car pulled away slowly.
After eating with Myungsoo and returning ho, I headed straight to Grandfather’s study.
Standing outside the door, I said,
“Grandfather. It’s Muhyuk.”
From inside, his voice replied.
“Co in.”
“Yes, sir.”
I entered. Manager Ha wasn’t there—just Grandfather, leaning back in his chair.
“How was your first class? Enjoy it?”
“Yes. I got to greet so of my classmates.”
“That so?”
“I t Jisoo noona.”
“Jisoo? Oh right, she’s at the sa university.”
“Yes. We’re having lunch together soon.”
“Good. Stay close with your cousins, alright?”
“Yes.”
Grandfather nodded in satisfaction.
“So, what’s the reason you ca straight to after school? Speak.”
I carefully brought up the matter.
“Um... you told to manage the slush fund account.”
“I did.”
“I was wondering if we could move it overseas.”
“Overseas?”
“Yes. If you’re not planning to use the money imdiately, I’d like to invest it abroad.”
Grandfather sat forward from his reclined position.
“Investnt, huh. Are you confident? Do you rember what I said when I gave you that account?”
“Yes. You said if I fail, that money might be the last I ever get.”
“Even just maintaining it would be enough—so why go through the trouble of moving it overseas?”
Even now, moving money abroad wasn’t easy. After the Real Na Financial System took effect, it would beco even harder.
But with Grandfather’s current influence, moving the funds now would be easy.
“I think this administration will increasingly push policies that hurt you. Even if you’re not the direct target, as soone who forms a pillar of the underground economy, you’ll be hit the hardest. That’s why I think it’s necessary to move the funds now.”
“Hm...”
“If we use the overseas branches of the conglorates you’ve lent money to, we can clean the funds and move them to the U.S. without issue.”
Grandfather looked intrigued.
“That’s doable. But your reasoning is still weak. Moving money abroad over a policy that hasn’t even been implented yet? Is that justified?”
I answered calmly.
“You entrusted that account to . That ans you need to trust my decisions and support . Right?”
It was a bold statent, but sotis charging forward was the best strategy.
“Hahaha! Fascinating. Your uncles still cower and can’t speak properly in front of , but you—Muhyuk—you’re either fearless or full of guts. I like it.”
Indeed.
In the past, I’d always shrunk in front of him.
He might have considered an heir, but he was never satisfied with .
“Alright. What do you need to do?”
“Please transfer 400 billion won to an Arican account.”
“And?”
“Until the year 2000, don’t ask about that money. I’ll handle it.”
“Huh? You want not to even ask about the 400 billion?”
“Yes.”
After a long pause, Grandfather eventually nodded.
“Very well. Let’s try it your way. But there’s no second chance. Whether you grow it or lose it, all I ask is that you return the 400 billion. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll tell Manager Ha to handle the transfer and make it perfectly clean.”
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
I never imagined I’d have a conversation like this in his study.
But my transformation had changed him, too.
Now...
I needed to find soone to manage my accounts.
‘If I rember right... around this ti, that person should be running from loan sharks, right?’
Grandfather said nothing more about the slush fund.
Instead, he asked about my university life.
After our conversation ended and I left the study, Manager Ha returned ho.
“Manager Ha.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“There’s soone I’d like you to find.”
“Soone?”
He paused, looking curious.
“Please tell . It might take ti, but the more details you give , the faster I can find them.”
I tried to recall everything I could and described the person.
Manager Ha took out a notebook and wrote everything down.
A few days later—
He gave the address of the inn where the man was staying.
He looked confused as he said,
“Han Kyungyeong? This man’s buried in debt. It wasn’t hard to find him. But... why him?”
“Haha. He’s a useful man. Thank you, Manager Ha.”
He asked no further questions.
Han Kyungyeong.
One day, he would be known as a “super ant”—a legendary retail investor.
But right now, he was just a debt-ridden stock addict.
Soon, he would be my man—the one who would grow my fortune.
< Help . Let’s Form an Alliance. > End.
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