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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Stop Thinking and Follow Your Heart
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Seonghyeok knocked and entered the study.
The entire walls on both sides, with the desk positioned against a large window, were packed so tightly with books that not a single gap could be found. It was a space that clearly reflected the tastes of its owner, an avid reader.
As if to prove the saying that blood runs true, Seonghyeok also loved books deeply. So much so that he had sometimes wondered if he was addicted to reading.
He started reading less when the object of his addiction changed. The woman named Chae Yeongin was simply more interesting than books.
He gave a slight bow to the man, who possessed a dignified presence and piercing eyes.
"I'm here, Father."
Chairman Cha Hyeonung, who had been sitting at a mahogany desk, took off his silver-rimmed glasses and stood up.
"Have a seat."
Father and son sat on a black leather sofa.
"How's work?"
Last night, Ms. Han Insuk had called Seonghyeok to inform him that Chairman Cha Hyeonung wanted him to come home.
"I'm still getting acquainted with the work."
"No regrets?"
"No, none."
Chairman Cha Hyeonung was very strict about rewards and punishments. That was why he had intended to give the position of Head of Management Planning, which his eldest son Myeonggyu held, to his second son, Seonghyeok.
It was meant to hold Myeonggyu accountable for the failed acquisition of the complex shopping mall site, and to praise Seonghyeok for successfully completing the acquisition of valuable startup companies while he was at SL Motors US subsidiary.
But Seonghyeok had suddenly chosen SL Entertainment instead of the Management Planning Division. When asked for his reasons, the only answer he gave was that he had changed his mind.
Curious if it was to avoid conflict and antagonism with his older brother, or if there was another reason, Chairman Cha Hyeonung had allowed the action despite it going against his wishes. It also reminded him of the day three years ago when Seonghyeok had abruptly announced he was going to the United States.
Since he had a history of surprising everyone by suddenly leaving and then returning with satisfying achievements, it was true that Chairman Cha Hyeonung was curious to see if he would do the same this time.
"I'll be watching to see what results you produce."
It was quite enjoyable to observe the unpredictable actions of his son.
"You won't be disappointed."
Seonghyeok was determined to achieve remarkable results.
Apart from his fierce competitive spirit, it was also to avoid being criticized for merely chasing after a woman, should his true intentions ever be revealed.
It would be troublesome if Yeongin got caught in the crossfire.
He didn't want Yeongin to be disliked by his parents for no fault of her own.
***
Seonghyeok frankly stated his opinions on investment strategies to secure leadership in the future mobility market, then left the study.
Knowing that Chairman Cha Hyeonung was not someone who sought advice or counsel from just anyone, Seonghyeok felt a sense of pride and accomplishment that his past three years in the automotive industry had not been in vain.
He was secretly curious to see how aggressively his father would invest in companies with new technologies, overcoming the current limitations of profitability.
Closing the study door, he paused for a moment when he saw Yeonhong standing by the doorway.
Yeonhong, Chairman Cha Hyeonung's youngest daughter and Seonghyeok's younger sister, was twenty-two this year, ten years younger than her eldest brother and eight years younger than her second eldest brother. Although she could be quirky and audacious, she was also very charming and adored by the entire family.
It was the first time the two of them had seen each other in almost a month since Seonghyeok's return to Korea.
"What's this? Empty hands?"
Seonghyeok retorted in an indifferent tone to his sister, who was eyeing his hands with narrowed eyes.
"What am I supposed to be holding?"
"My present."
He turned away abruptly, as if it wasn't worth responding. Yeonhong clung close to his side.
"Brother, don't I look different somewhere?"
He stopped at the end of the corridor, turned to his sister, and gave an unhesitating reply.
"You gained weight."
Yeonhong glared at him with a sour expression.
"No, I didn't!"
"Then what is it?"
"I cut my hair! This is the shortest I've ever cut it!"
Seonghyeok took a step back, avoiding Yeonhong who was thrusting her short bob with a C-curl perm towards him.
He was such an indifferent brother that he immediately noticed the hair length of his ex-girlfriend whom he coincidentally saw after three years, yet couldn't even remember if his own sister's hair was long or short when she visited him in the U.S. six months ago. His attentiveness wasn't something he displayed to everyone.
"Alright, now put it away."
"What?!"
"That thing you're waving around."
"Hmph!"
Following a loud snort, an irritable male voice echoed down the corridor.
"Why does she have such a long face?"
Turning his head, he saw a slender man with a distinct frown line on his forehead, standing beside an elegant woman whose hair was neatly tied back in a 50-50 part.
They were Myeonggyu, Seonghyeok's older brother, and Jeonghye, his sister-in-law.
Myeonggyu, who took after his mother's side, had delicate features and a faint impression, whereas Seonghyeok, who took after his father's side, strongly resembled his father with bold features and distinct facial contours. Yeonhong also resembled their father more.
"Couldn't say."
As Seonghyeok tilted his head as if he didn't know either, Yeonhong, who had been pouting, stomped away.
Jeonghye stepped forward and greeted Seonghyeok politely.
"You're here, brother-in-law?"
"Yes, sister-in-law."
No sooner had the formal greetings ended than Myeonggyu twisted the corner of his mouth upwards and sneered.
"You think I'm a joke, don't you? That's why you haven't contacted me even though it's almost been a month since you came back?"
Seonghyeok responded calmly.
"Why didn't *you* contact me first, Hyung? I was a little hurt, knowing you clearly knew I was back but never called."
The brothers had a very bad relationship. Myeonggyu had been busy trying to keep his younger brother, who was superior to him in everything, in check since childhood, and Seonghyeok also saw no need to actively try to improve their relationship.
Jeonghye, too, only pretended to be a benevolent sister-in-law on the surface, while secretly viewing her brother-in-law, who threatened her husband's position, as a thorn in her side.
Myeonggyu, who had been glaring at Seonghyeok with bloodshot eyes, revealed his true feelings.
"Are you gloating now that you 'gave up' the director position?"
Due to his complacent handling, a major project that SL Group was staking its future on had been disrupted, putting him at risk of being transferred to SL Hotel as its CEO.
The hotel's standing within SL Group was not very significant. Even if the position was a promotion in title, it was effectively a demotion.
Thanks to Seonghyeok's sudden change of heart, Myeonggyu had narrowly managed to keep his director position. While it was a relief, it also wounded his pride.
"I didn't 'give it up'."
"You didn't?"
"It was a choice that had nothing to do with you, Hyung."
Seonghyeok was telling the truth, but Myeonggyu didn't believe him.
No matter how he thought about it, there was no reason for Seonghyeok to choose SL Entertainment instead of the Management Planning Division.
In Myeonggyu's eyes, Seonghyeok's actions merely looked like a pretense of generosity. This made him feel mocked and even more miserable.
"But if you keep provoking someone who's just minding his own business, Hyung, I might actually *want* to go to the Management Planning Division, you know? So, ease up."
Myeonggyu, tormented by the anxiety that he would be ousted if Seonghyeok changed his mind, clenched his fists tightly and muttered, as if spitting out the words.
"You damned jerk..."
He couldn't retort "Do whatever you want" and had to turn away.
***
On Monday afternoon, Yeongin was summoned to the CEO's office again.
She wondered if there was another person she had to greet, but today, the office's owner was alone.
"You called for me?"
Seonghyeok, who was sitting on the main sofa with his long legs crossed, gestured to the seat to his left.
"Have a seat."
Yeongin walked to the indicated seat and sat down.
"I was wondering if you'd given it some thought."
"You told me to take my time considering it, so I've been doing just that."
In truth, when Seonghyeok told her to make her decision by completely excluding personal feelings, she had already made up her mind: to accept the opportunity disguised as a request.
But personal feelings made her waver again. Remembering his mother made her hesitate once more.
"I think I've given you enough time."
"Not even two full days have passed."
How could a mere 42 hours be considered enough time?
"Did you expect me to give you a month, then?"
"I thought you'd give me a week."
"I'm a bit impatient."
"I know."
The corners of Seonghyeok's mouth curved upwards.
"Team Leader Chae knows me well. And I know Team Leader Chae well too."
"..."
Yeongin closed her mouth, thinking she had said something unnecessary.
She had been bothered ever since their awkward parting on Saturday evening, but fortunately, he didn't seem to be in a bad mood today.
"Are you aware that among the scripts submitted to the company, there are some that are only accessible to executives or higher?"
"Yes."
"I'm thinking of giving Team Leader Chae access."
"..."
Yeongin squeezed her clasped hands tightly. While others might find it difficult to understand her hesitation, it was a very difficult choice for Yeongin.
"Sometimes, it's not a bad thing to stop thinking and just follow your heart."
Seonghyeok added with a faint smile.
"I've been doing just that lately."
It was then that her cell phone, tucked inside Yeongin's jacket, vibrated.
Noticing the vibration, Seonghyeok's gaze went to her jacket pocket.
"Answer it."
"It's alright."
"What if it's urgent?"
Yeongin took out her phone and checked the caller. It was Seo Jingyo's call.
She couldn't possibly answer his call, of all people, here. So she flipped her phone over.
"I don't need to answer it. If it's urgent, they'll call back."
Seonghyeok didn't press the issue further and continued their conversation.
"I'd like you to make a decision right here, right now."
Yeongin decided to make the choice her heart desired, just as he had suggested.
"Thank you for this excellent opportunity. I'll do my best."
"A good decision."
No sooner had Seonghyeok finished speaking than the vibration, which had stopped, began again.
"Looks like it really is urgent. Go on, answer it."
Yeongin picked up the phone she had flipped over and placed on her lap. The caller was the same this time too.
What's going on?
Thinking it might truly be an urgent call, she decided to answer.
"Yes, Seonbae."
Only then did Seonghyeok realize who was calling, and his brow furrowed.
"Our company lobby? Seonbae, what brings you all the way here?"
Seonghyeok immediately sensed that Seo Jingyo was not someone who could be simply dismissed.
