The Youngest Son of Sunyang

"Aunt, did you not have anyone by Uncle Choi's side?"

"Huh? What do you mean, someone?"

She was too dismissive of her husband. She would assign people one by one to her brothers, monitoring what they were doing—of course, she would also be monitored in return—but she hadn't assigned anyone to her husband.

"I thought you had at least one of your people among the market secretary or assistants. Weren't they the ones he's been with since his days as a prosecutor?"

"Oh..."

Aunt was certain that her husband was not a threat to her. And now she was paying the price for her complacency. Including me, damn it.

"Ms. Jin, it seems there might be changes around Mayor Choi. Seoul's annual budget has exceeded 10 trillion won for the first time this year. Won't such a huge amount of money attract trouble?"

In twenty years, it would probably triple, wouldn't it? Whether it's now or twenty years from now, it feels like all we do is pay more taxes.

"So, does that mean there's someone trying to meddle with our guy?"

"The possibility is high."

Aunt found it hard to agree with Oh Se-hyun's opinion. Of course.

Unless you're a crazy fly, who would want to instigate a fight with the prosecution? Her husband's current actions were undoubtedly his own choice.

As Aunt and Oh Sehyun exchanged opinions, their conversation flowed into my ears.

Who could it be?

If they're ignoring even their essential wife, who's also a money source and necessary for the presidential election, it's not just a fly, but an eagle that's sticking around.

Until we know who he is, it's useless to nag them.

"Aunt."

"Yes."

The two of them stopped their conversation and turned their gaze to me.

"Is there anyone among Uncle Choi's close associates who Aunt could order around? Can you think of anyone?"

"Well, I haven't paid much attention..."

"Talk to people and find out. Uncle Choi values academic background and connections with the prosecution, so look for someone who fit into that circle."

Aunt nodded. She was a quick-witted woman who could instantly grasp my meaning.

"And now, stop nagging. It seems like everything that's been bottled up is about to explode. No one can stop it."

"Hold back? What have you been holding back?"

"Wives, whether they are daughters of conglomerates or ordinary people, have one thing in common. In a marriage, they often believe that wives are much more patient and tolerant than husbands."

Just as I was about to speak, the impatient Oh Sehyun began to talk. "Ms. Jin, men living in their in-laws' homes often lead a stifled life. Mayor Choi was a lawyer, but didn't he live as an unemployed person without taking any cases? Thanks to the Sunyang Group, he was able to make a living. No matter what you say, didn't he live while nodding his head in agreement with everything? He lived hiding his pride."

He said it as if he was talking about his own affairs, but it didn't seem to resonate. Since talking further would be useless, Oh Sehyun sighed.

I had to end the discussion with Aunt here. Isn't it clear that it's beyond control?

"Why is this happening? How can such a thing occur overnight?"

When Oh Sehyun expressed disbelief, I couldn't believe my eyes either.

Even if I spread the major daily newspapers on the table and compared them, my eyes were not deceiving me.

Starting with the Hanseong Ilbo, all newspapers were praising Mayor Choi Seo-bang's courage.

The courage of someone who is both the son-in-law of a conglomerate and revealed the speculative activities of a household member required tremendous determination that an ordinary person could not muster. The compliments being showered were enough to make anyone feel embarrassed.

And cautiously, there were calls for the prosecution to investigate.

Even without any illegal activities, the newspapers were firmly on the side of the Seoul mayor, to the extent of provoking the prosecution.

"Hey, could your grandfather have played a role in this?"

"There's absolutely no way."

Once words are spoken, they are not easily changed.

But even the Hanseong Ilbo is defending Uncle Choi! This doesn't make sense.

If yesterday's attack was a taste, isn't today the perfect time for a full-scale offensive?

"Uncle, it seems like our Uncle Choi has found quite the sponsor, doesn't it?"

The media bowing down to politicians only happens when they are either pressured by power or lured by money.

The Seoul mayor is not a position that major media companies would fear, so it's undoubtedly due to money.

"A sponsor?"

"Yes, a sponsor who can promise extensive advertising in all major newspapers."

"Let's wait and see..."

With such substantial financial backing, there are only two categories.

Either a conglomerate or a construction company.

Real estate sales occupy most of the newspaper advertisements. The new products of major conglomerates fill the front pages with advertisements, while real estate advertisements fill every empty space.

"Changing the land's purpose for the Seoul mayor should be a piece of cake, right?"

"That's right. With a reliable backer in hand, he won't even listen to his wife's words. This gentleman has successfully escaped from his in-law's control."

I tossed all the newspapers aside.

I wasn't angry at Uncle Choi's audacity. I was angry at my own narrow perspective, which had thought of making such a person the president as a strong partner.

How long has it been since he took office as mayor, and he's already running around looking for sponsors?

Oh Sehyun watched me without saying a word while I was in a combative mood. He must have felt that we had already reached a point of no return.

"I'm sorry, Uncle. For showing this side of me."

"No, it's the same for both of us, misjudging people."

"We should be satisfied with what we gained from DMC. We don't know what kind of trouble we might get into if we stay with Uncle Choi."

"I think the same. A guy who only chases after people who suit his taste is hopeless. We don't know who the sponsor is, but it's certain that we'll end up being used by that person."