By Zephyria On the afternoon of the raid on the main family residence in Pyeongchang-dong, an article surfaced on portal sites stating that Youngkang Construction was planning to build the largest hotel in Seoul. Lee Kang-sun, Chairman Lee, must have had his reasons for showing the proposal to Lee Gyu-hyeon, but it was clear that he had no intention of considering Lee Gyu-hyeon’s opinion. In the end, Lee Gyu-hyeon had no choice but to watch Lee Do-hyeon’s Sword Dance, without even the satisfaction of landing a blow.
Lee Do-hyeon shared his review, saying he enjoyed the article, with a reporter he was close to, and also shared his future schedule. With the approval of Chairman Lee, the sole decision-maker, media groundwork was needed before establishing a full-scale construction plan. The main reason the previous redevelopment project had fallen through was the strong opposition from the residents at the time, and since a hotel, not an apartment, was being built, it was crucial to secure public opinion first.
Accordingly, Lee Do-hyeon ordered strategic planning that went beyond simple reporting. He decided to focus on revitalizing the local economy rather than improving the aging residential environment. By highlighting the job creation effects expected from the hotel construction, the ultimate goal was to transform Wolhyeon-dong into a new cultural and tourist resource for Seoul. On the surface, it seemed to satisfy the residents’ right to know, but in reality, it was a sophisticated operation to guide public opinion in a specific direction.
At the same time, a meeting schedule to gain the approval of existing residents was quickly discussed. Although there were few households currently residing there, there were quite a few building owners with addresses elsewhere, so it was important to coordinate their different interests. As quietly as possible, but certainly. As the project was also intertwined with the internal power reshuffle, Lee Do-hyeon personally oversaw every schedule with an attitude of not allowing even a single mistake.
For the first time in a long time, the Youngkang Construction headquarters was bustling with activity. At the same time, fatigue from the enormous amount of work covered the entire office. Perhaps due to anticipation, the stocks of various affiliates of the Youngkang Group began to stir, while those with skeptical views poured out attacks, mentioning the failure of the current Vice Chairman, Lee Gyu-hyeon. An interpretation was even raised that the hotel business was Lee Gyu-hyeon’s Achilles’ heel, which started with a speculative post by a netizen asking if Lee Do-hyeon was re-challenging for the throne. It was only two days after the article was published that the succession battle, which had once stirred up South Korea, began to attract attention again.
No matter what the world said about the Wolhyeon-dong redevelopment project, it was unlikely to reach Ryu Jeong’s ears, who was about to lose his job. He goes back and forth between home and work every day, connecting with the world, but since he is always with Lee Do-hyeon except when he is working, it is only natural that he becomes more ignorant of the world than before. Ryu Jeong’s only concern was finding a job to replace the chicken rib restaurant.
“Hmm…”
Ryu Jeong, who had been kidnapped by Lee Do-hyeon as soon as he got off work at the cafe and returned home, was looking at a tablet PC before going to work at the convenience store. The tablet PC was a gift from Lee Do-hyeon, and it was a new product with better specs than the one he had. He had only looked at him because he looked cool drinking coffee and reading articles, but Lee Do-hyeon, aware of his gaze, immediately asked Chief Yoon to bring it in. Although it was burdensome, it was his first time having something like this, so he couldn’t hide his feeling of wonder.
The operation, which he thought would be difficult, was surprisingly easy. Ryu Jeong manipulated the screen familiarly with just a few touches. Like a cell phone, like a computer. He manipulated the wide screen with his fingers, and connected a wireless keyboard to type awkwardly. He also searched for various things on the portal site, and the domain Ryu Jeong chose to enter was that of a job search site full of information on various jobs.
Numerous job postings were being uploaded in real time, but there were hardly any places that needed him. First of all, there were many restrictions. Region, time, industry… It was rare to find a place where he could work for a short time during weekday lunch hours.
Even if it was late, he had to start working next week to avoid problems with next month’s repayment. Anxious, Ryu Jeong chewed on his lower lip and carefully examined the job search site. He was so focused that he didn’t even hear Lee Do-hyeon coming out of the shower. Lee Do-hyeon, who came out wearing a shower gown and shaking his wet hair with a towel, looked at Ryu Jeong, who was frowning and groaning, with a puzzled expression and asked.
“What were you doing?”
“…Ah, President.”
Lee Do-hyeon, who quickly narrowed the distance, bent down and kissed Ryu Jeong on the cheek. The cute sound of a peck made him smile involuntarily. Ryu Jeong, who quickly erased his serious expression, turned his head and responded to the pecking kiss.
“…Part-time job postings?”
Then, Lee Do-hyeon’s eyes suddenly fell on the tablet screen. Ryu Jeong was flustered and tried to turn off the screen, but Lee Do-hyeon’s eyes had already read the letters.
“Ah, well… actually, the restaurant owner said he’s only open until Friday. The owner’s wife has arthritis… and their daughter recently gave birth…”
Ryu Jeong, feeling like he had done something wrong, made excuses incoherently. Lee Do-hyeon, standing tall behind Ryu Jeong, trapped Ryu Jeong between the table and his chest so that he couldn’t move easily, and lowered his gaze with a serious expression. Ryu Jeong, unable to turn around and frozen stiff, could only swallow hard at the breath brushing against his earlobe.
“Jeong-ssi.”
Lee Do-hyeon, having grasped the situation from the job search site that was clearly displayed and Ryu Jeong’s tone and expression filled with embarrassment, called Ryu Jeong in a low voice. His low voice was tinged with deep frustration.
Unlike the hotel construction project, which was progressing smoothly, there was no progress on Ryu Jeong’s private loan debt. He wanted to pay off all the remaining debt and let him experience things he hadn’t been able to do, but Kim Mi-hee being behind it was unexpected.
Although it was a somewhat crude method, the reason for rushing into the main family residence in Pyeongchang-dong was not so much to find the missing promissory note and ledger, but to confirm who the real mastermind was. Leaking the story while pretending to go secretly was a deliberately calculated move.
Kim Mi-hee, who had rushed over with fire in her eyes, was sitting there pretending not to be, but it was clear that she was anxious about whether she knew something. Lee Gyu-hyeon, who had rushed in, blinded by the new business plan, didn’t seem to care at all whether he was in Pyeongchang-dong or not, perhaps because he was consumed by inferiority.
He was convinced of his guess, but he couldn’t rashly judge and act. He wanted to become a savior and be remembered forever in Ryu Jeong’s life, but now was the time to wait. If the fact that he was concerned about Ryu Jeong got into the ears of Lee Gyu-hyeon and his mother, Ryu Jeong could become their weakness and become their target. Lee Do-hyeon could never allow this.
“Jeong-ssi, I…”
Given Ryu Jeong’s personality, he might prefer the charity of a stranger. That he knew everything about the debt, and that it seemed to be an idea that came from his stepmother’s head. As he muttered a confession that could easily be misunderstood, he suddenly had a good idea when he saw Ryu Jeong sitting in front of the tablet PC like any other 20-year-old.
“I have something I want to ask you.”
“What…”
When he hesitated without being able to continue, Ryu Jeong, who found it strange, turned around hesitantly.
“Do you remember me asking you before if you were thinking of quitting your job?”
“Ah… yes.”
“Then you remember me asking you to give me a job?”
He couldn’t forget. There was a time when Lee Do-hyeon and he had a conversation about compensation, and he had asked for a job instead of a one-time compensation. Ryu Jeong was embarrassed by the sudden dredging up of past conversations, but nodded obediently.
“I have a good idea.”
“…Yes?”
What… What idea could he possibly have that would make him smile so wonderfully? Ryu Jeong glanced back and forth, dumbfounded, at Lee Do-hyeon, who was smiling in a fancy way as if he was in a good mood.