Free Web NovelI quickly lost interest in Kim Jiwon, trembling with his head bowed.
Instead, I turned to Seo Eunsam, who still looked bewildered.
“Just so you don’t end up suffering because of me—if there’s a major company you’d like to work for, feel free to tell your superior and...”
I glanced at Yoo Seongjin. But seeing him just standing there blankly, I realized he wasn’t the right person to entrust this to.
Who should I leave it with? My eyes met Im Hwasu’s.
“Chief of Security, Im Hwasu?”
“Yes.”
“You seem to be the one she’d feel most comfortable talking to. Am I right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Maybe I was meddling, but ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) it didn’t sit right that my antics might leave her harmed.
Even if I vouched for her, the other employees’ eyes would be harsh. At best, they’d call her a whistleblower.
“Make sure Seo Eunsam receives sufficient compensation. If necessary, have a few meetings with her. Once she decides where she’d like to go, contact my Manager Ma.”
I gestured toward Ma. He stepped forward and handed me a card.
A black card, no name, just a single phone number.
I passed it to Im Hwasu.
“Call here.”
He accepted it with a bow.
I had no more business in the lobby. Turning from Kim Jiwon and Seo Eunsam, I said,
“Let’s go up.”
I entered the elevator with Yoo Seongjin and Ma.
Curiously, neither Kang Junwoo nor Im Hwasu followed.
“Director Kang, Chief Im—you’re not coming up?”
“We’ll take another one.”
“...Just get in. Don’t make it troublesome.”
Learning all the wrong lessons, huh. Yoo read my face and snapped,
“Get in.”
“Yes, sir.”
At once they stepped in.
Watching the numbers rise, I spoke.
“Chairman Yoo.”
“Yes, President.”
“You’ve trained your men well, but you’ll need to pay more attention to the regular employees.”
“My apologies.”
“I don’t want apologies.”
“They’re Chunha Group people too. I’ll be more careful.”
I nodded just as the elevator reached the executive floor.
“Hold all calls. And prepare the new pu’erh.”
He instructed his secretary, then opened the office door.
We naturally took seats. I sat at the head. Im Hwasu’s eyes flickered uneasily. Even knowing the truth, it wasn’t easy to accept who the real master was.
His confusion amused me.
Yoo sat to my left, Kang and Im to the right.
“I’m sorry for dropping in without notice. I came with things to say, and something to give. I know I should’ve called, but I wanted to come once unannounced. That’s not a problem, is it?”
“Of course not.”
“Good. I even got to watch an entertaining scene. Would’ve been more entertaining if Director Kang hadn’t shown up so quickly.”
Yoo’s face shifted. Was I bold, or just fearless?
“...What if you’d been injured?”
“You worry too much. Nothing to injure me here.”
“Our boys are rough. They try to restrain themselves, but after years of fighting, it’s hard to change overnight.”
True enough—despite their efforts, their faces and mannerisms still reeked of gangsters.
But I’d seen their attempts at civility. Effort counted, even if in the end they failed.
I smiled and turned to Kang and Im.
“You’re Chief Im, right?”
“Yes.”
“You should’ve held out a bit longer.”
“....”
Had he lasted a few more minutes, Kang Junwoo would’ve arrived.
He stayed silent, watching Yoo nervously. I smiled more deeply.
“Still confused about what’s happening?”
“...Honestly, yes.”
“Keep it simple. Chairman Yoo and I are comrades on the same ship. Isn’t that right, Chairman?”
Yoo nodded.
“I called you here to praise you, not to scold. Once you finish dealing with that Kim Jiwon or Cheon Jiwon bastard, let’s all have a meal together.”
“Thank you.”
I nodded toward Yoo, who immediately caught on.
“Wrap things up cleanly. Keep the boys quiet. And make sure those who were hurt get proper compensation.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Good. Go.”
“Then please continue comfortably.” freēwebnovel.com
He bowed and left.
Once the door closed, I spoke again.
“I came today because I have something important.”
“Important?”
Yoo looked puzzled. From his expression, he clearly didn’t know about what had happened in Myeongdong.
“Chairman, the tea is ready.”
“Bring it in.”
His secretary entered with a pot and cups.
Yoo poured for me first.
“A gift. Hard to get even in China.”
I lifted the cup, savoring the aroma.
“It does seem like a fine tea.”
“Haha, a good friend in China sent it.”
After a sip, I asked, China, huh?
“Nice. Similar to one I was once gifted. But aren’t you at war with the Triads? What’s this about a friend in China?”
“Not all Triad groups are enemies. There’s one I’ve been close to for years. They don’t care about the Korean market.”
I set the cup down.
“No interest? You must be very close.”
“He was a Chinese-Korean from Busan. We grew close there. Later, his father called him back to China. Next time I saw him, he was a Triad officer. That was while I was still in school.”
“Would Brother Dongsu know him?”
Yoo and Kang poured themselves tea. After a sip, Yoo nodded. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
“Yes. He even attended the funeral. Later, he visited me in prison. That bond’s continued.”
“I see.”
“I was going to tell you something about the Triads anyway. It’s not certain, but you should know.”
I hadn’t been involved in Chunha Group’s war with them.
Yet now he had something to report.
“What is it? You know I don’t interfere in your affairs.”
“I know. But this matter’s big.”
“What is it, then?”
“The group we’re fighting here is the Black Dragon Society, based in Tianjin.”
The Triads weren’t one group but a name for China’s underworld. With their vast population, countless organizations existed, spreading worldwide through Chinese communities.
Their power was so entrenched even New York mafias avoided Chinatown.
But greedy men wouldn’t stop at Chinatowns. Expanding meant clashing with whoever was already there.
In Korea, they expanded until they clashed with Chunha Group.
“The Black Dragon Society sent a request for mediation—through my friend, Wang Wei.”
“Mediation?”
“Yes. Their vice boss will personally visit Korea. And ever since, they’ve stopped attacking us. They won’t even leave Chinatown.”
“....”
I stroked my chin.
A Triad asking for mediation? That stinks.
Chinese men didn’t bow easily. They prized face above life.
“What are the terms?”
“I don’t know yet. I thought it best to hear them first. Since you’re here, I wanted you to know.”
“I see. So when’s the meeting?”
“Next Saturday in Seoul.”
About a week. Not much, considering it was between syndicates.
“Wang Wei coming too?”
“Yes. A day early, to explain things.”
“What do you think?”
I wanted to know Yoo’s view more than the Triads’ ploy.
After a pause, he said firmly,
“Honestly, if the terms are good, I want peace.”
“Then it’s your call. Just tell me the result.”
“...Excuse me?”
Surprised, he asked again.
“No problem?”
“No orders?”
“It’s your matter. Why complicate it with me? But one thing—no foreign syndicate distributes drugs in Korea. I said it before—keep that under your hand.”
If drugs couldn’t be rooted out, better that Chunha controlled them.
Also a healthy revenue stream.
“But will they accept? For Chinese groups, drugs are the most lucrative business. Southeast Asians yielded, but China’s different.”
“If they’d accept, I wouldn’t have told you to fight them in the first place. Is it too hard? If so, just say so.”
“No. Not hard.”
I turned to Kang.
“You’re leading the war, right?”
“Yes.”
“How is it?”
“No problem.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
His eyes held no lie. I smiled gently, then looked back to Yoo.
“Then it’s settled. Tell them—no drugs in Korea. You have the advantage.”
“I will.”
“Then let’s revisit it after the meeting. As for why I came—this.”
At my signal, Ma set a bag on the table.
“You know President Noh Ikseon?”
“Yes.”
“Open it.”
Yoo opened it, staring between the contents and me.
“What is all this?”
Inside were documents seized from Noh Ikseon’s office—illegal loan papers.
“He ran illegal loans behind my back. I only just learned. Did you know?”
Though I addressed Yoo, my eyes were fixed on Kang Junwoo.
