I’d Rather Live as a Villain

I’d Rather Live as a Villain – Part 7

(That’s something we’ll only know when we get there)

“So, it’s not just in a professional sense, but you mean to say you share those feelings personally too?”

Unable to immediately answer the question of whether the two people liked each other, my mother asked the same question again.

I’ve always been a son who lies well to my mother.

The strange lie that my superiors at the company are smitten with me.

The lie that I’ve never been particularly intimidating, yet my juniors seem to fear me, causing them to make mistakes in front of me that they shouldn’t.

What was I trying to gain with all those lies?

Did I want to show my mother that her son is loved by everyone, anywhere, and that at work, he has a sharp charisma?

Or… did I just want to leave behind an image of myself as I wished to be…

I wet my lips once more.

“So, you mean you want to introduce her to mom.”

After taking a deep breath, my mother began her silence.

“Were you surprised?”

“No, what’s there to be surprised about? It’s good news that you’ve found someone nice.”

“But why do you look like that?”

“Because I’m worried.”

Knowing full well the nature of the worries my mother had just begun to have, I asked nonchalantly as if I didn’t know.

“What worries?”

“Do they know at that house?”

I looked at my mother quite confidently and nodded.

“What do they say at that house?”

Throughout this time, I never thought I was sinning against my mother with these lies, but this time the lie… it didn’t go as planned, as I had prepared.

Yet, I try to pull myself together again.

“At first, they both laughed. The chairman and the senior chairman.”

“Laughed? Why?”

“The senior chairman, given his age, must have been delighted by the story of his grown granddaughter’s marriage.”

“…”

“But the chairman, at first, seemed somewhat displeased.”

“Why? What’s displeasing about it? What’s wrong with my son? How dare they look down on my wonderful son?”

“No, listen. Why are you getting so worked up without even hearing the full answer? Their son has been married for less than a year.”

I quickly calmed my mother’s excitement with a witty response and continued the conversation.

“They were shocked when the remaining daughter came out so soon. And frankly, if I were the chairman, I’d be worried too. It would be nonsensical not to worry.”

“What worry?”

“What are you worried about, Mom? Isn’t it similar to the worries you have?”

“…”

“They’re not much different from us, you know? It’s not like the outrageous dramas you enjoy every morning, but there are certainly realistic concerns.”

Not wanting to hurt my mother deeply, I had to unravel the story with a dose of reality, as if administering an anesthetic.

“But the chairman has always liked me. That’s why he had his daughter’s executive assistant stick with his son for over three years, right?”

“He originally… thought well of me?”

“Would my son ever be disliked anywhere? Would he endure such treatment? The chairman really adores me. Sometimes to the point of being overwhelming. At first, he was quite surprised, but now he seems to like me even more.”

“He likes you?”

“That’s the case with the promotion too. No matter how well his son works, a promotion from manager to executive in a major corporation like Daeyoung is unheard of. Who do you think made that impossible promotion happen? It’s the senior chairman, the chairman. They trust me enough to place me next to the director.”

My mother gulped down her beer can.

“Even famous celebrities who marry into chaebol families are ostracized, speaking foreign languages among themselves, and blatantly disregarded under the guise of ‘chaebol education.’ I wonder if that family is any different?”

“Goodness, Mom. Your son graduated from the foreign studies university. On a four-year scholarship. Spanish, English, and a fair bit of French. Who in that house could compete with your son in languages?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“You didn’t raise me to be bullied or openly disregarded.”

The memory of being discarded by the corporation surfaced.

I remembered being coldly abandoned, hearing that someone like me was useless, that a being like me could easily be replaced.

Despite being ostracized and thoroughly ignored by a powerful few, I pictured myself pleading and clinging on, not to be cast out, even though I hadn’t seen it myself.

“I didn’t grow up like that either. They’re good people, Mom. Really, you don’t have to worry about that part. When have I ever lied to you? I’m always honest with you, whether it’s right or wrong.”

I tossed and turned in bed, deciding to send a message to the executive director.

It was the first time I initiated a non-work-related chat with the director at this hour.

– Director, I apologize for messaging late at night. Are you asleep?

Fortunately, the ‘1’ indicating an unread message disappeared immediately, and a reply came swiftly.

– No. My schedule ended very late today. I just got home, showered, and lay down. But what’s up at this hour?

– Director. There’s one thing I overlooked when drafting the contract.

– What??

I hesitated, typing and erasing my words repeatedly.

– My mother is quite worried about our marriage.

– You didn’t tell her the truth, did you?

– No.

– I was momentarily startled.

– That seems to make her worry even more.

The ‘1’ had long disappeared, but there was no reply.

So, I decided to be frank.

– During the contract period, except in special cases, you won’t have to meet my mother in person.

There was no reply, but the ‘1’ vanished immediately every time I sent a message.

– When we are together, could you help ensure that my mother doesn’t worry about this marriage?

Then, a reply came.

– I understand what you mean. Of course, I’ll do that.

– Thank you.

After my word of thanks, there was a long silence again.

I thought the conversation was over… but then a message arrived.

It was an image file.

“What’s this?”

Opening the file sent by the director, it was the last page of the marriage contract we had authenticated two days ago.

On that last page was a new clause, clearly handwritten by the director just moments ago.

“During the contract period, Party A shall fulfill the role specified in the contract to the best of their ability towards Party B’s family.”

And then, the following message from Director Sang:

-Is this enough?

-Yes, thank you.

-Now, delete all the records of this chat conversation. Just in case.

I was about to reply that I would do so when another message came in.

-No, let’s just blow up this room. There’s been too much talk about the contract these past few days. Delete this room and add me again.

-Yes, I understand.

-And let’s not talk about the contract marriage over chat anymore. We need to be careful with records.

-Yes.

-After all, it’s an act we have to perform, going method might be a good idea too, haha.

Director Sang just typed… haha.

Did he know how to use such expressions?

-Method?

-I think that would be more comfortable for me. Anyway, I’m going to sleep. I’m tired.

-Yes. Have a good night.

-Goodnight.

***

The morning dawned in Pyeongchang-dong.

In the study of Chairman Kang Ki-young.

With his hands respectfully clasped in front, Team Leader Son Jeong-hyun continued his report.

The background check on Deputy Head Yoon Tae-sik.

“Was the expansion of the Madrid overseas branch in Spain by Mulsan originally Deputy Head Yoon Tae-sik’s planning?”

After adjusting his reading glasses once more, Chairman Kang Ki-young focused on the documents.

The olive oil business related to Mulsan’s European division had been the only one to produce results befitting of Mulsan, regardless of sales size, over the past several years.

Thanks to the success of this business, which started with establishing a small office concept in Granada and successfully exporting top-grade oil made from olives from large farms in Andalusia to the world, the branch had now expanded to Madrid.

“Due to that performance, Deputy Head Jeong Chang-ho, who was a manager at the time, was promoted to deputy head. And now, Executive Director Park Je-dong, who is currently in charge of the European division, was promoted from deputy head to director and last year to executive director.”

It was the moment Chairman Kang Ki-young’s eyes fiercely lit up.

“Tell me more in detail.”

For Team Leader Son Jeong-hyun, it was as if he had already finished his report in the style of Chairman Kang.

He was not one to ask lengthy questions.

Especially not the kind of chairman who would show interest in such trivial internal personnel issues.

Team leader Son Jeong-hyun could guess how curious the chairman was about Deputy Chief Yoon Tae-sik.

“According to the investigation, Deputy Chief Yoon Tae-sik submitted that proposal right after his promotion to assistant manager in the trading company. So, it seems that the proposal first came out five years ago.”

“Five years ago? Wasn’t the Madrid overseas branch established two years ago?”

“Yes.”

Chairman Kang Ki-young began to calculate the years in his head.

“He argued that we should set up a task force in Granada and persuade the olive estate owners in Andalusia.”

“Yoon Tae-sik did?”

“Yes. He foresaw that persuading the estate owners wouldn’t be easy and made such a claim.”

“On what basis did he make that claim?”

“It seems that the demand for olive oil was exploding in China at the time, and not only Spain, Italy, and Greece, but also Portuguese companies were desperate to secure olive farms. Since we couldn’t beat the Chinese companies in margin competition, it’s said that he formed a long-term negotiation team as a task force, using the Daeyoung Group’s brand and its global logistics system as weapons to secure the olive farm project.”

For a brief moment, Chairman Kang Ki-young’s eyes narrowed, then he began to smile broadly.

“It seems too grand to be a plan created by just an assistant.”

To that question, Team Leader Son firmly shut his mouth as an answer.

Looking straight at Team Leader Son, the chairman asked.

“Did Moon Jung let it slide, knowing about it?”

“Everything must have been set up before Executive Kang Moon-jung joined the trading company. He joined in the middle of the project.”

“Moon Jung didn’t know? And Yoon Tae-sik has been with him for three years and still doesn’t know?”

Team Leader Son Jeong-hyun was curious too.

But considering Deputy Chief Yoon Tae-sik’s personality…

A huge mistake made by the strategic planning team against Executive Kang Moon-jung and Deputy Chief Yoon Tae-sik.

It was basic that the chairman’s trust in his own job performance as a team leader would drop significantly, and Director Chu, who had been rude to Deputy Chief Yoon, was due for a demotion at the very least.

Deputy Chief Yoon Tae-sik had covered for him.

Even keeping Executive Kang Moon-jung’s mouth tightly shut.

Team Leader Son, who had been the eyes and ears of the chairman and had never incorporated personal opinions into his reports, felt different this time.

“Deputy Chief Yoon… is tight-lipped.”

“Is he really tight-lipped, or just a fool?”

Team Leader Son knew that the chairman’s assessment of Deputy Chief Yoon was ironic.

“It seems like Moon Jung has lied to me.”

“What kind of…”

“Yoon Tae-sik asked to be sent to that guy’s company, claiming it was his own idea, but after hearing the whole story, it turns out it was indeed Yoon Tae-sik’s idea.”

“…”

“Anything else? No other issues with his private life or family relations?”

“No, there’s nothing. He’s clean.”

“Park Je-dong, who’s currently sitting in the director’s seat, send that guy to the electric chair. Even food would be a waste on him.”

***

“Tae-sik, wake up. Get up and have breakfast. Yoon Tae-sik.”

Last night, as always, the conversation with his mother ended with the not-so-educated mother deciding to just trust her smart son’s choices.

Yet, despite her usual assurances, the lack of conviction in her promise weighed heavily on his heart as he went to bed.

“It’s been a while since you’ve come down. Before you go back up, you should at least have a home-cooked meal from your mom. Get up quickly. You need to have breakfast, and I need to go run the store.”

He shook off the bed and went out to the living room.

It’s always like this, always.

Why can’t she wake me up after everything is ready?

Looking at the rice cooker, the rice wasn’t even done yet, as if she always wakes me up after everything is set…

“When are you going back up?”

While crushing garlic with the handle of the knife for the bean sprout soup, his mother asked.

“I’m not sure?”

“If you can take your time going back, come for lunch. Have lunch with mom before you go.”

That’s when it happened.

A call came from Son Jung-hyun, the head of the Planning Strategy Team.

I turned away from the dining table and walked to the living room sofa to answer the call.

“Yes, Team Leader. I’ve taken the call.”

-Thank you, Deputy Chief.

The respectful address from the team leader.

It’s definitely uncomfortable.

Quite awkward and burdensome, but I have to get used to it, so I continued the conversation.

-Mr. Min Byung-jin, the president of the company, would like to meet you in person before the official announcement is made.

“The president?”

I glanced towards the kitchen.

Sure enough, my mother had stopped watching the pot and was secretly observing me making the call.

“Yes.”

Mulsan…

Right, I should go.

Since I said I would go there.

“I’m currently visiting my mother in Daejeon for a short while. It seems difficult to do so in the morning, how about I visit around 3 PM after lunchtime?”

“I will pass on the message accordingly.”

“Thank you, Team Manager.”

“And Deputy Manager.”

“Yes.”

“This is just a personal curiosity of mine.”

“Yes.”

Personal curiosity?

“About the incident you faced with Director Park Je-dong and Deputy Manager Jung Chang-ho during your time as an assistant at Mulsan.”

For a moment, my heart seemed to stop.

I was about to ask how the Team Manager knew about that when I remembered his position as the head of the Strategic Planning Team, the control tower of Daeyoung. A hollow laugh escaped me.

“Why have you kept silent about it all this time?”

Why haven’t I spoken to anyone?

“It’s something most people are aware of. Yet, it never became a public discussion.”

“Does that mean the Executive Director is also aware of it?”

“The Executive Director wasn’t just anybody at Mulsan back then.”

“So, you’re saying he doesn’t know?”

“That’s what I believe.”

“You’ve never spoken to him directly about it?”

What exactly do you want to know?

“I haven’t, no.”

“Then, is your reason for going back to Mulsan…”

“I’m going there to work. A job I can do as well as any task the Executive Director performs. Mulsan is where I belong, isn’t it?”

“I see. I understand. I have reported this matter to the Chairman.”

Wait a minute.

What report? What matter?

Could it be related to the stolen performance report on the Andalusia project?

“Why would…”

-As the eyes and ears of the Chairman, it’s my duty to monitor incidents within the group and report them to him. Director Park Je-dong has been demoted to the archives. It was a direct order from the Chairman after he learned of the situation.

The archives.

In Daeyoung, it’s considered the most idle position, a place of exile among the executives.

-Today will be the first and last time I ask about personal curiosities and inform you of the Chairman’s directives separately.

That’s something I’ll have to see when the time comes.

I stepped out onto the balcony.

To ensure the conversation wouldn’t reach the kitchen where my mother was, I slid the balcony door shut tightly and spoke to Manager Son.

“Returning to Mulsan would mean facing even more mentally taxing times than before.”

-…

“That’s why I couldn’t tell you about the things I suffered at Mulsan. They had already taken complete control over the positions of department head and deputy head, the very places I had wanted to be.”

-…I see.

“Manager Son.”

-Yes.

“The position of Mulsan’s head of the European division. Is my appointment still confidential?”

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a moment.

-All decisions regarding Director Park’s future have already been finalized by the Chairman’s directive. What value would there be in keeping it confidential? The financial tabloids are already being developed in the most effective direction by our team.

His tone suggested he had some idea of what I was planning to do in Mulsan as soon as I got to Seoul.

Ironically, Manager Son had given me a hint about what I needed to do in Mulsan.

Considering he let slip that the Chairman was aware of the mistreatment I suffered at the hands of Director Park Je-dong and Deputy Director Jung Chang-ho during my time as an agent at Mulsan, and that Director Park had been demoted to the archives.

They say three years at a village school will have you reciting poetry.

And I’ve been right by the Executive Director’s side for the past three years and three months, commuting to Pyeongchang-dong without weekends or holidays.

The Chairman, the Executive Chairman, even Vice President Park Young-jin…

I couldn’t possibly be ignorant of the individual styles of the people of Pyeongchang-dong.

Especially concerning Chairman Kang Ki-young, who dominates nine-tenths of the conversations at the Pyeongchang-dong breakfast table.

A position where the owner can analyze VIPs from a more objective perspective than they can themselves.

That’s where I’ve been for three years and three months.

What I need to do when I meet President Min Byung-jin of Mulsan isn’t what I want to do, but what the Chairman wants to see and hear.

Regardless, it’s unthinkable to go all the way to Mulsan and only see President Min without even glimpsing the faces of Director Park Je-dong and Deputy Director Jung Chang-ho.

Before my first day at work, Mr. Park Je-dong had already been transferred to the electric department.

In this situation, I should at least say goodbye in person.

“Thank you for your help, Team Leader.”

“Me? What help did I provide? I merely conveyed the instructions from the Chairman regarding Mr. Park Je-dong’s transfer to President Min, and passed along your request to meet with the Assistant Manager before your first day.”

“Yes, I understand. I think so too. Could you please tell President Min Byung-jin that I will visit his office by 3 PM? If possible, I would like to review the personnel documents for the European division before I officially start.”

“Sure, I will pass along the message.”