I’d Rather Live as a Villain

I’d Rather Live as a Villain – Episode 44

(As said by a grandfather worried about his granddaughter)

“We have to be cautious, and I hope you understand that.”

“Now that I hear it, I can see how you might have misunderstood.”

Deputy Manager Im Hyung-jun came by.

The confidence he had in the business itself seemed sufficient.

However, it was apparent that he was doubtful about how consistently and stably we could provide the ETC sales coffee machines under the same conditions.

Perhaps he misunderstood that I, as a person, was pushing this business to race for performance allocations.

“But I’m not the division head who has to fill a performance allocation within the contract period, am I?”

“That’s why I’m becoming more curious about this plan.”

He’s certainly a person of high rank.

Cross the stone bridge after tapping it?

That’s the way to do it.

“No matter how we calculate the margin and Mulsan’s operating profit, well, it’s certainly an attractive proposition for us, but from Mulsan’s perspective, it seems like a business with too low a cost-performance ratio for the investment.”

Such a stubborn person.

Anyway, even though I’m the husband of Kang Moon-jung from his perspective, if it seems like it won’t be a big problem, he could just proceed with it, but he digs in until the end.

There’s a reason why such a rigid person could climb up to an executive position within a conservative organization like a conglomerate.

“Section Chief.”

“Yes.”

“Our Daeyoung Corporation is divided into two main parts.”

I didn’t want to persuade this person, who values principles and logic above all, with just logic and numbers for the project.

I don’t mind being tired.

But if I do it that way, I can’t expect explosive power in the project.

The greatest strength of Section Chief Im Hyung-jun.

His caution and meticulousness.

However, I see that as his only weakness depending on the situation, as almost all the projects he handles are safe but lack the explosive power to shoot through the ceiling and soar into the sky.

He needs everything in a project to align perfectly with cause and effect.

To be more precise, he’s someone who compulsively fears making mistakes.

That’s just too different from how we, the people of Daeyoung Corporation, conduct business.

“The Construction Division and the Trading Division. The Construction Division has a defined business model. Depending on how big a project we win, we can predict the sales volume. After all, that’s what winning a bid entails. But our Trading Division, there’s no ceiling.”

“Are you saying there’s no ceiling for this project?”

“For China, we’ve been setting the margin up to 48 percent, but for Korea, we’ve only been setting it at 40 percent. I tried to persuade them to take a 50 percent margin.”

I found this situation, persuading the stubborn Section Chief Im Hyung-jun, slightly enjoyable.

If he could just be convinced, I was sure that this project would be half successful from the start.

“And they said fine, but in return, match the minimum order quantity that the Chinese license company is providing, and then they’ll give us 50 percent.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the bold provocation from CMG, who dared to put our Daeyoung Corporation on the same level as a trading company in the outskirts of Tianjin, China.

“So I learned through our project manager that we should increase the minimum order quantity that the Chinese company is providing by 30 percent and include three conditions.”

“What conditions did you propose?”

“First, a 5 percent credit note based on the order volume.”

“That level of order volume is understandable.”

“Second, there are four domestic models that are about to be discontinued due to lack of capacity, but it would be a shame to discontinue them. I asked for those.”

“Could it be…?”

“Yes, the capsule machine and the single-unit semi-automatic I showed you in the presentation images. Anyway, Marco releases a new model every year with the same functions. So naturally, the less popular models get discontinued.”

“So, the models that we’re going to handle consignment sales for, are they exclusive contracts with Daeyoung Corporation?”

“How else could we match that price if not exclusive?”

Section Chief Im Hyung-jun’s face was beginning to show complete confidence.

“And lastly, the third condition. For the Gold Line and Black Bean, if any licensing issues arise overseas, CMG headquarters will take responsibility and cover it. I asked to include that clause in the contract.”

Upon this, Deputy Director Lim Hyung-jun opened his eyes wide and looked at me.

“The capsule machines come to us at 149 euros each. Semi-automatic ones are 255 euros. If we can just do Goldline and Black Bean Corporation, we start with 500 sales outlets nationwide, not to mention additional store rental fees, and no labor costs. How can this be a poor value for money business from our standpoint?”

But there was something bigger left.

“Think about the acceleration of Goldline’s overseas market strategy. The ceiling that the deputy director has never been able to break through cleanly, it breaks through with that one shot.”

“…”

“A business that can break through the ceiling and fly in the sky, isn’t it premature to discuss value for money just looking at the domestic market? I’m not just running my own performance race right now. Our Mulsan is currently investing in the potential of Goldline and Black Bean.”

Daeyoung is a place where businesses worth hundreds of billions, even trillions of won, are abundant.

Among those astronomical amounts, the investment-heavy businesses, the one that will shine the brightest.

That would be a business like an awl that can break through the ceiling with minimal capital, no matter what anyone says.

The giant of Daeyoung, Kang Ki-young, and the current chairman, Kang Man-ho, what I have to prove to them is not numbers but the ability to see potential.

And all the expectations now focused on me, who has become the queen maker known as Kang Mun-jung, are also curiosity about whether I have the ability to create such an awl-like business or not.

The Marco coffee machine is just the awl I’ve chosen right now.

I’ve just attached a solid handle to that awl and handed it over to Chief Director Lim Hyung-jun.

***

The next day, Mr. Mun-jung and I were called to Pyeongchang-dong and went for breakfast.

“Did Mr. Yoon come?”

“Yes.”

“When did you come? You must have come early?”

“We just arrived too.”

It was a call from last night, so I only found out upon arrival that Vice President Kang Young-jin and Director Joo Yeon-hee would also join us for breakfast this morning.

It was an astonishing seating arrangement.

The grandfather sat at the head of the table, and to his sides, in order, were my father-in-law and Mr. Mun-jung, and then me.

And on the opposite side, in order, sat Mrs. Gu Young-sook, Vice President Kang Young-jin, and Director Joo Yeon-hee.

“She’s pregnant.”

It must have been less than a minute after the meal started.

Grandfather brought up the pregnancy out of the blue, and judging by the expressions of the people on the opposite side, the protagonist was clearly Director Joo Yeon-hee.

Involuntarily, my eyes turned towards Mr. Mun-jung, and he too seemed to be hearing it for the first time, his eyes wide open looking at Director Joo Yeon-hee.

“Yes.”

An indescribable atmosphere began to flow over the table.

Of course, it was a bit embarrassing, but after all, it was a matter deserving of congratulations on the surface.

Yet, not a single person broached the subject of congratulations.

But then, unexpectedly, Moon-Jung showed a surprising reaction.

“How long has it been?”

She was asking Director Joo Yeon-Hee.

“Just 7 weeks.”

“Oh… congratulations. That’s great. When did you find out?”

“It’s been a while. Last week.”

“But why only now decide to congratulate… What happened in the meantime?”

Her sincerity was palpable.

It wasn’t just a perfunctory congratulation, but the most genuine expression of joy that Kang Moon-Jung, a woman known for her stoicism, could muster.

I found her reaction alien, but even more awkward was everyone’s discomfort at Moon-Jung’s question about what had transpired since then, as they continued their meal.

“Brother.”

It was truly exceptional for the woman named Kang Moon-Jung to address Vice President Kang Young-Jin with such a term.

Usually, they would skip the pleasantries and dive straight into the matter at hand.

“…Yes.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you. Ha ha.”

Only then, with Moon-Jung’s initiative, was I able to add my spoonful of congratulations.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“Congratulations, brother.”

“Thanks. But instead of just us receiving congratulations, shouldn’t Yun Seobang make it so that we can return the favor soon? Ha ha.”

At that, I first checked Moon-Jung’s expression, then nodded with a light smile as my response.

At that moment.

“What kind of response is that, you?”

Grandfather stared at me intently as he spoke.

“When your elder asks you something, you don’t just nod your head. You need to give a clear answer, whether you understand or not.”

For a moment, I worried I had made a mistake that displeased him, but then I saw that although his eyes were stern, his lips were smiling.

So, I quickly put on an embarrassed smile and replied.

“Yes, I understand.”

“Are you aware, Moon-jung?”

“What is it?”

“What do you mean ‘what’? You know too, don’t you?”

“Ah, if he says he knows, then that’s that. Why ask me such a thing in this setting? Grandfather, really.”

It was only then that I realized Grandfather was making one of his jokes, tailored to his own taste.

“Yeon-hee.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

I naturally expected a congratulatory remark from Grandfather.

But what’s this?

Instead of congratulations, he starts talking about the gallery out of the blue?

“You’ve heard from your father, haven’t you?”

“…Yes.”

“Do what you’re good at, not just what you want to try. If it’s that, your grandfather and I will trust and support you as much as needed.”

“Yes.”

“Keep the gallery name as it is, following your great-grandfather’s honorific, Songam Art Gallery. Listening to what the in-laws say, they’ve been considering it yours anyway, and to show our sincerity, we’ll pull in 51 percent of the shares for you, so from now on, you’ll be the CEO, not just the director. Try managing it well.”

“Thank you.”

“Being at home doesn’t make for prenatal education. Keep active until it becomes too hard to move on your own. That’s how you’ll have a resilient child. But always be careful.”

“Yes, I will do that.”

Ah, so this is how the Songam Gallery becomes entirely the responsibility of Director Yeon-hee…

It’s quite simple.

And straightforward.

I was thinking this to myself when…

“Moon-jung.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

From noble mtl dot come

“How long have you been in the distribution business?”

“Three years…”

Seeing the look on his face, as if he couldn’t quite remember, I just opened my mouth slightly and answered for Mr. Moon-jung.

“Three years and eight months.”

“That’s a long time. To be in one place for three years and eight months.”

Madam Gu Young-sook, Vice President Kang Young-jin, and Director Joo Yeon-hee.

It was the moment when all three held their breath.

“Next month, at the board meeting, you’ll be promoted to President of Distribution.”

As those words fell, Director Joo Yeon-hee’s shoulders simultaneously quivered.

The grandfather continued, “For those below, for those who work with us, there’s nothing more uncomfortable than someone who needs to rise not doing so, staying in their place. Those who should rise must do so quickly to avoid confusion in the organizational structure. That’s the destiny of the owning family, and their responsibility too.”

“…”

“It’s been 3 years and 8 months. That’s enough to prove yourself. Take the position of President. The current President of Distribution, Mr. Jeong, will soon be moved up to the group’s headquarters. Yeong-jin.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“Does it bother you that your younger brother becomes President first?”

Not at all.

In the current succession competition, who becomes President of a subsidiary first is meaningless.

Electronics, or the group’s headquarters.

That’s the crux of the matter, who enters there first. Promotions related to other subsidiaries are just for show.

In fact, Vice President Kang Yeong-jin must be sighing with relief inside.

“No. He’s fully capable, and he’s raised the performance figures so significantly, it’s only natural.”

“Natural? What’s natural?”

It was the father-in-law.

The father-in-law, who usually yields speaking to the grandfather at breakfast, looked sternly at Ms. Moon Jeong and Vice President Kang Yeong-jin before opening his mouth.

“The opportunities you were born with, clenched in your hands, are unfair from the perspective of most people, not natural.”

The grandfather chuckled through his nose, his mouth firmly closed, stepping back to let his son’s child-rearing take the stage.

“The moment you start to feel that unfairness as natural for your own benefit, soon you’ll find yourself surrounded only by people for whom unfairness is natural, rather than what’s right.”

“…”

“Such people, unable to prove their worth, will only cling to you, seeking unfair benefits. And the moment you feel surrounded only by such people, it’s already too late. There’s nothing more dangerous than that.”

It was perfect timing.

Had the father-in-law not spoken first, the grandfather would have raised his voice.

Director Joo Yeon-hee, pregnant, had no choice but to step forward.

“…Yes, I understand.”

Looking at Vice President Kang Yeong-jin, who bowed his head and pursed his lips, the grandfather said,

“Don’t be too upset about your younger brother taking the President’s seat first. When you were offered the position of Planning President, you chose that because you were interested in the chemical field.”

“Yes.”

“Alright, let’s all have a meal.”

***

After sending off his children and their spouses to work, Chairman Kang Man-ho entered the study following his father.

Chairman Kang Ki-young, already standing up from his wheelchair, was by the window.

Holding two walnuts in his hand and clasping them behind his back, rubbing them together in his palm, Chairman Kang Ki-young asked his son, Chairman Kang Man-ho.

“I’ll have someone prepare for the distribution board meeting within this week.”

“It’s about Moon-jung.”

“Yes.”

“Keep talking to your son whenever you find the time.”

Chairman Kang Man-ho swallowed his response.

“Moon-jung doesn’t have someone nagging him to have kids like Young-jin does.”

“How long have they been married now? Let’s just wait and see a little longer.”

“Ah, this man. If there was any news, it should have come out within four months.”

“Father. Regarding the succession issue, we should consider…”

“You’re being frustrating. I’m not talking about the succession of Daeyoung as Kang Ki-young. I’m speaking as a grandfather worried about his granddaughter.”

***

Chairman Kang Ki-young’s gaze was fixed on his granddaughter and her husband, who were now crossing the garden towards the garage.

Letting the executive assistant walk ahead, the couple walked side by side, maintaining a certain distance.

Moon-jung playfully poked Tae-sik’s side.

Responding nonchalantly, Tae-sik reached out his hand, and Moon-jung, taking it, lightly stepped forward.

Watching the couple from the study, Chairman Kang Ki-young remarked,

“Her looks, taste, stubbornness, even the way she judges people… How could she resemble her foolish mother so closely?”

“…”

“I’m worried she might be just like her in having trouble conceiving. That’s why I’m concerned.”