I’d Rather Live as a Villain

I’d Rather Live as a Villain – Episode 29

(It’s Called Consideration)

“If we go again today, Cinderella lost her parents when she was young, and she was mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters. Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo… She’ll probably do that.”

Inside the car heading to Pyeongchang-dong.

Joo Yeon-hee, sitting in the back seat of the luxury limousine with her husband Kang Young-jin, already seemed tired and frowned as she spoke.

“You’re always the same, miss. Your repertoire never changes.”

“Where are the sisters to Moon-jeong? There’s only one brother.”

“Why did grandfather have to invite people from Hansung Newspaper of all places?”

Hansung Newspaper, a formidable opponent if turned into an enemy.

Joo Yeon-hee was uncomfortable with the fact that the owner’s side of Hansung Newspaper was attending.

“It’s a natural invitation. It’s rather the part where even the presidents of the affiliated companies were invited that’s a bit too much. You might not know, but until a few years ago, people would come to the main house with baskets of fruit to greet us during the holidays.”

Why wouldn’t Yeon-hee know?

It’s been a decade since she became connected with Kang Young-jin and Kang Moon-jung, the half-siblings from Daeyoung Group.

During a brief return to Korea in her Paris study-abroad days, she reluctantly attended a gathering of chaebol heirs due to her parents’ insistence.

Back then, her now-husband was still an unseen figure within Daeyoung Group, and as an American student, her connection with Daeyoung’s princess, Kang Moon-jung, came first.

She thought to herself, “This is what they call someone who has it all…”

Background, charisma, looks, figure, style, and even concept—Moon-jung was the complete package, lacking nothing.

As a woman, Yeon-hee felt no envy or jealousy towards her.

Perhaps envy and jealousy are reserved for those who are somewhat on par with you.

To Yeon-hee, Kang Moon-jung was in a completely different league.

More precisely, it was the league of Daeyoung and VR.

Just like there are idols among entertainers, Kang Moon-jung, whom Yeon-hee met for the first time, shone the brightest even among the gathered heirs of the chaebol, monopolizing the spotlight.

The impression from their first meeting was so strong that it still lingered.

Other heirs, always followed by their entourage, vied to be even a background presence to her.

Men, who had lived in self-importance, would stutter or blush in front of Moon-jung, and if they were lucky enough to share a table or clink champagne glasses with her, they would don a mask of humility in an attempt to curry favor.

Yeon-hee’s complex towards Kang Moon-jung paradoxically began after she became part of the Daeyoung family.

A subject of comparison.

Not a superior, but an inferior one.

Ever since joining the Daeyoung family, Yeon-hee had been constantly compared to Moon-jung, the so-called “sole legitimate successor” of Daeyoung—a comparison she loathed.

Even at her own wedding, where she should have been the protagonist, it was not the ceremony but Moon-jung’s guest outfit, shoes, handbag, and jewelry accessories that became the issue.

Kang Moon-jung, who shattered the self-esteem Yeon-hee believed to be the center of the world.

Now, marrying the son of a local kimbap shop owner with no name or background, she was dragging down the image of VR Group to the level of a neighborhood hole-in-the-wall.

Their marriage was the romance of the century.

In contrast, her own marriage was based on a business partnership, a strategic alliance.

Even if Kang Moon-jung hadn’t intentionally created this frame, Yeon-hee, as the victim of it, couldn’t feel good about the situation.

“Why is Director Yoon making such a fuss? To an outsider, it would seem like he’s developing a revolutionary phone that will turn the electronics world upside down, not just renewing a contract for an olive oil brand. Why all the noise over such a trivial matter…”

“Dear, mind your titles. And don’t make a careless mistake in front of grandfather again.”

“Ah, he’s not here right now. Do I have to mind his title even in front of you?”

“Why are you so sharp?”

Would Kang Young-jin not know the reason for his wife’s sharpness?

He’s just pretending not to.

“The ugliest thing in the world is the underlings’ jealousy of others’ success.”

“Underlings?”

“Of course, underlings. Is Yoon a superior to me? Inside or outside. And to anyone’s eyes, it’s clear that Yoon… has handled the matter quite cleanly. It wasn’t as easy as it sounds to wrap things up so neatly.”

“…”

“Anyway, I did what needed to be done. No matter how much Moonjeong struggles, she’s just a flower that looks good on the surface.”

Juyeonhee squinted her eyes at her husband, who let out a snicker.

“A flower blooming on the tree called Daeyeong, flowing with the blood of the Kang family from root to stem, trunk to branch. A flower that must fall off when the time comes.”

Only then did Juyeonhee understand her husband’s metaphor, comparing her half-sister to a mere decorative flower.

“No matter how hard they try, some things can never change. They can’t turn grandfather’s or father’s hearts. And since I have that, they’re naturally underlings.”

“…”

“Look at the aunts. They’re grateful to grandfather, an old-fashioned man sensitive about titles, who gives his daughters a large inheritance but no management rights, and they’re careful not to make mistakes in front of him.”

Juyeonhee, who hated being taught or corrected more than anything, found her husband’s criticism as sweet as fluffy cotton candy at this moment.

“Today, we’re just the supporting cast, here only to offer congratulations, maintaining the dignity of those above us.”

“Have I ever not done that? I only act that way in front of you, but I face off when the situation calls for it.”

“Hardly. Please, just don’t clash with Moonjeong today.”

“Clash? Who’s clashing? Am I someone who plays games with the young lady?”

“That’s why I’m telling you not to clash.”

“What?”

***

Chairman Kang Kiyoung was in a good mood for once.

He kept a smile on his face in front of his children.

His son-in-law.

He was very pleased.

“Yoon, when did you arrive?”

“We’ve just arrived.”

Chairman Kang Kiyoung watched his grandson and his wife greeting the son-in-law who had just arrived.

Where did such a person come from?

And where did that scoundrel Moonjeong pick up someone like that, to polish and refine so well?

Chairman Kang Kiyoung thought.

How could the handling of matters feel so much like it came from within me, more than my own blood-related children, fitting so perfectly to my liking…

Where in Spain was it?

Andalusia?

The olive farm’s contract renewal.

It must have been no easy matter.

Yet, not only did he renegotiate the terms favorably for Daeyoung, but he also managed to do so unilaterally to his advantage.

And he used his honeymoon, of all things, which the young ones fuss over so much these days.

But that wasn’t the end of it.

He uncovered embezzlement within Baekmajin.

Finding the exact circumstances and evidence before the group’s headquarters audit division could.

By using the president of Mulsan, Min Byung-jin, he not only saved him but also solidified his position within the entire group.

It was a masterstroke to have Min Byung-jin request a targeted audit from the audit division, thereby dispelling any doubts about the president’s organizational management skills.

At the same time, by calling for the audit on the misconduct, he forced all the subsidiary presidents to meticulously re-examine their own household affairs.

It was by no means an easy feat.

Yet, he handled this difficult task in such a way that to the uninformed, it seemed effortless, a testament to his skill reaching new heights.

That’s precisely why he invited all the subsidiary presidents and their spouses to today’s party.

Once today’s event concludes, Kang Ki-young, the grand chairman, was curious about what changes would occur within the group.

Whether it would still be meaningful to receive reports on his grandson-in-law’s life in Mulsan through Min Byung-jin.

After all, with that one move, Min Byung-jin had already decided to pledge his loyalty to his grandson-in-law…

Min Byung-jin.

A capable friend indeed.

How could he have given the president’s position at Mulsan, a pillar of Daeyoung, just because of a personal favor to a relative’s bachelor?

Yet, he thoroughly ‘cooked’ Min Byung-jin in just two months.

The product is solid.

Now, how should he use this ‘product’?

To what extent should he allow it…

“You’ve done a great job.”

Kang Ki-young, the grand chairman, is a man who clearly rewards and punishes.

Before the guests arrived home,

He had his son, Chairman Kang Man-ho, and his family, along with the grandchildren and their spouses, all seated.

And he did not hold back in his praise for his grandson-in-law, who had created an opportunity for not just Mulsan but the entire Daeyoung Group to take a good look inside during his brief honeymoon.

“No, it’s not that.”

“I’m the one who evaluates. You’ve done a great job. It’s true, you’ve accomplished something significant. Since you’ve achieved such a feat, you deserve a reward… Will you decline it this time as well?”

Is an expression forming on his face?

Does this mean he’s finally adapted to the atmosphere of this household?

Well, it’s been three years, coming and going as if it were his own home, so what’s there to adapt to?

Chairman Kang Ki-young, with his lips tightly sealed, tried not to reveal his rising cheeks, watching his grandson-in-law, who was awkwardly trying to hide his smile.

“No, I’m not sure if I’ve done enough to deserve a reward, but I’ll gratefully accept whatever you give me.”

“I won’t just give you anything.”

Chairman Kang Ki-young, embedding a sting in his brief words, scrutinized his grandson-in-law’s face once more.

“If there’s something you want, just name one thing. I’ll grant you whatever it is.”

“Then… Grandfather, I’d like to receive the cash gift you’d offer.”

“Cash gift?”

The cash gift.

No one had anticipated that someone would choose a mere cash gift in such a golden opportunity.

Not even Chairman Kang Ki-young himself.

“Yes. Aren’t you offering me a reward for my work in the company?”

“Hmm… Yes, that’s right.”

“Then, the greatest gift I could receive from you, not as my grandfather or father-in-law but as the Chairman, would be the cash gift.”

“The cash gift is the greatest gift you can receive?”

“Employees of Mulsan are motivated simply by the fact that they are recognized for their performance by the company, regardless of the amount of the cash bonus given by the executive director.”

“…”

“Moreover, could there be any greater acknowledgment than receiving a cash gift directly from you, the Chairman of the group?”

Kang Moon-jung, the one person who knew the man named Yoon Tae-sik all too well.

Everyone else in the room, except for her, looked at Yoon Tae-sik with a slightly deflated, yet taken aback expression.

“That’s true. It’s certainly possible. Alright, then how much should I put in?”

A bit embarrassed, Yoon Tae-sik adjusted his posture before speaking.

“The more you give, the more grateful I’ll be.”

“So how much?”

“Enough for the employees of the Madrid branch, who have accomplished this great task, and the European division staff at the headquarters, who spared no support, to have a company dinner together.”

Laughter leaked from both sides at that remark.

On one side was Kang Moon-jung.

On the other, Joo Yeon-hee.

Of course, the color of their laughter was entirely different.

Kang Moon-jung’s laughter carried a sense of, “That’s so like you, so characteristic of you…”

Joo Yeon-hee, realizing the laughter she accidentally let slip was out of place, quickly composed herself, but not before Kang Ki-young, the senior chairman, had already cast a sharp glance her way.

Turning his gaze back to his grandson-in-law, Senior Chairman Kang Ki-young asked,

“Are you saying the recognition isn’t for you, but for the employees at Mulsan, those you work with?”

“…Yes.”

“You want to give that recognition as a budget for the employees’ dinner? Isn’t it something you could provide directly?”

“The menu for the dinner might be the same, but the mood of the employees enjoying it would be entirely different. To know that the group chairman cares about us, that the senior chairman himself sponsored the dinner… It would surely create a motivation I could never generate, a red envelope of appreciation from you, my grandfather, and father-in-law.”

Hearing the response from his grandson-in-law just moments ago, Senior Chairman Kang Ki-young was convinced that receiving reports on his grandson-in-law’s life at Mulsan through President Min Byung-jin was no longer meaningful.

His grandson-in-law, who knew exactly what he wanted.

From now on, it was time to attach not surveillance to his grandson-in-law, but trust and strength, he thought, and said to his son, Chairman Kang Man-ho,

“Do we have some cash at home? I need it for something.”

“I’ll prepare it.”

Shortly after, Chairman Kang Man-ho placed two thick red envelope packets, swollen with their contents, along with a brush pen in front of Senior Chairman Kang Ki-young.

In the presence of his son and daughter-in-law, grandchildren and their spouses, Senior Chairman Kang Ki-young used the brush pen to write ‘red envelope’ in Chinese characters, along with his name on both sides, before handing over his share of the red envelope to his grandson-in-law first.

And Chairman Kang Man-ho did the same, writing ‘red envelope’ in Chinese characters and his name on the envelope before passing it to his son-in-law.

***

The garden of the Pyeongchang-dong family home.

Employees from Daeyoung Hotel, who had come out for a business trip service, had already completed the ambiance of the outdoor party venue.

And one by one, the guests invited to the party began to gather.

Under a low pine tree, Joo Yeon-hee stood with her arms crossed in front of her, looking over the space decorated for the party.

Behind and beside her were a few women who were usually friendly with her.

It was irritating.

On one side, her husband was exchanging greetings with acquaintances he knew well, and on the other, Yoon Tae-sik was seen following Daeyoung Monsters’ owner, Kang Cheol-jin, exchanging greetings with Daeyoung’s connections.

Joo Yeon-hee watched Yoon Tae-sik, not her husband, with a sour taste in her mouth.

No matter how much one’s status may have risen with a single marriage, a former executive secretary is always just that.

A mere executive secretary, acting far too above his station.

A cash gift? You want recognition?

Surely, the lowly ones are so blatantly obvious in their thoughts.

Would anyone want to live like that?

I wanted to ignore her, but strangely, she kept getting on my nerves, and everything she did seemed hateful, that Yeon-hee.

“Director Yoon, that person over there.”

Yeon-hee asked, as if seeking agreement from the women she was friendly with.

Her gaze couldn’t seem to leave Yoon Tae-sik, who was following the team owner Kang Cheol-jin, networking with this person and that.

“Don’t you think he’s too conscious of others?”

“Director Yoon Tae-sik?”

Someone was ready to back her up and took Yeon-hee’s question.

“Do you really need to shake hands with both hands and bow so deeply just to say hello?”

“…”

“What is that, seriously. It lowers the dignity of the owner’s family. They’re not even that great, at best they’re just presidents of group affiliates. If anyone should bow deeply, it should be the affiliate presidents, not him acting like he’s beneath them.”

“…”

“It’s embarrassing even for me to watch.”

Just then.

“Isn’t being conscious of others something that people who fear being looked down upon worry about?”

“Well…”

Yeon-hee sensed something odd at that moment.

The voice…

With a feeling of dread, she turned her head slightly and saw that the women she had been with for a while had already moved several steps back, ready to clear the space, and Kang Moon-jung was approaching from where they had been.

“Sister, oh, I mean, miss.”

“What miss. Which of the women attending this party today are misses? They’re all married women.”

“…”

“Hey, Yeon-hee.”

Caught in her own words, Yeon-hee tried to bluff her way out of the awkwardness.

“There are eyes watching, so mind your titles, miss. What’s with ‘Yeon-hee’? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Titles? What titles? You call my husband Director Yoon in front of others, proving our family’s disarray, and you expect me to respect you? What kind of logic is that?”

“So, what, in such a formal setting, am I not supposed to call Director Yoon, Director Yoon?”

“Do you work at Daeyoung?”

“…”

“Why do you call my husband Director Yoon? Since your husband is a vice president, you’re practically a vice president too, aren’t you?”

“…”

“Yeon-hee, do you see my husband there, bowing more deeply than the others, clasping hands with both of his? Does it look to you like he’s groveling and gauging the mood?”

“It looks like he’s making an effort.”

“Effort? Of course, he should. Why don’t you try it sometime?”

“Speak properly, Miss. We’re not alone here…”

“Watch closely, Yeon-hee. What my husband is doing isn’t sizing up the situation; he’s showing consideration.”

“…Consideration?”

Taking a step closer to Yeon-hee, Kang Moon-jung said,

“It’s consideration for the guests who’ve come all this way to celebrate, despite not being able to rest on the weekend because of Grandfather’s invitation. That’s what you call consideration, Yeon-hee.”