I Became the Lousy Side Top - Chap 74
It was done. Eunjoon covered his mouth with his hand, trying to hide his smile. When he’d first arrived here, he’d thought it would take a long time to achieve his goals, but everything was wrapping up faster than he’d expected.
Now that he had Jaewoo’s promise, the next step wouldn’t be hard. No matter how powerful Mujin was, he was still just a gangster that handled blood money for a company that was little more than a glorified loan shark. Jiheon, a third-generation business leader, was on an entirely different level.
‘I’ll just offer him more money than he can refuse in exchange for Hyunjin.’
Even Mujin wouldn’t be able to turn down that deal. Of course, rescuing Hyunjin wouldn’t resolve everything. It wasn’t clear whether Mujin would accept his loss or not, and there was still the matter of Hyunjin’s father. He was so addicted to gambling that he’d throw his children right back into debt without a second thought.
If those problems weren’t solved, then one day Hyunjin would wind up right back in Mujin’s hands again. Mujin probably knew that too. But why should Eunjoon care?
By then, Jaewoo would be gone. He’d always been someone who kept his promises to his friends, so Eunjoon was certain he wouldn’t try to weasel out of it.
Once Eunjoon had successfully fought back his smile, he lowered his hand and called his assistant on the phone.
“Please make an appointment with Director Choi of Isak Finance, as soon as possible.”
─ Yes sir, I’ll schedule it.
When he heard those words, Jaewoo’s expression improved a little.
“Eunjoon.”
“Yes, Jaewoo?”
“If all goes well, can we add one more condition?”
“What is it?”
“Don’t let anyone lend money to Hyunjin’s father anymore. Please include that in the terms as well.”
He’d remembered? That was a bit unfortunate, but Eunjoon couldn’t refuse without Jaewoo suspecting him. Instead, he answered willingly.
“Sure. I won’t forget it.”
Jaewoo hesitated before he opened his mouth again. Even though Eunjoon wasn’t doing this out of the kindness of his heart, it seemed as though he was grateful for even this much. That was one of the things Eunjoon liked about Jaewoo, and why he’d watched over him as a friend until now.
“Thank you.”
“No need for thanks. After all, we’re friends.”
Eunjoon said, waving his hand.
“Hm. So, since your real name isn’t Jiheon…”
“Yeah?”
“…What’s my real name?”
“I don’t know, my memory isn’t perfect either. We’ll figure it out once we’re back in the real world.”
“Is that so?”
Jaewoo looked at Eunjoon suspiciously, but didn’t question him any further. After all, Eunjoon was someone whose help he needed. It seemed as if that knowledge was enough to restrain himself.
Just then, Eunjoon’s phone rang.
─ I’ve made an appointment with Director Choi of Isak Finance. Since you asked for it to be as soon as possible, I was able to arrange it for this evening.
“Nice work, that’s perfect.”
Then the assistant told them the time and location of the appointment.
“Can I come with you?”
Jaewoo asked with a nervous expression.
“You know Mujin has a crush on you, right Jaewoo? Bringing you there might be trouble.”
“How do you know that?”
“I could tell at first glance. Why do you think he’s harassing Hyunjin now?”
Eunjoon had recognized Mujin’s feeling that first night at the bar. Anyone would notice when their host couldn’t take their eyes off the ‘entertainment’, especially when his partner was supposed to be Hyunjin.
One of Eunjoon’s eyebrows rose slightly. He wasn’t happy about Hyunjin, but he couldn’t disregard Mujin either. Why did people always have to covet what wasn’t theirs? It was enough to make him want to eliminate them all. But if he did that, things would get messy. All he could do was endure it, for now. Jaewoo continued speaking.
“So you think it’d be better for you to go on your own?”
Jaewoo cradled his forehead in his hands.
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything. Trust me.”
“I believe you.”
“Good. Do you want to wait here while I meet with him?”
“No, I’ll go home. I’m worried about the kids.”
“Alright. Then I’ll call you once everything is settled.”
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Jaewoo thanked him once more, then began slowly shuffling towards the front door. Each step he took was agony. It was true that he was worried about the children, but his anxiety over the upcoming meeting was even worse.
“Don’t worry, just hurry home. You said the kids were waiting for you.”
Jaewoo nodded at Eunjoon’s outwardly-kind words and left. As soon as he heard the door close, Eunjoon flopped down onto the sofa.
‘It’s so nice to meet him again after such a long time.’
He couldn’t keep a smile from his face.
‘It’s not time to celebrate yet. Let’s solve the Hyunjin problem first.’
Eunjoon calculated how much money he could get his hands on quickly. Jiheon was a third-generation heir to a business conglomerate, so he had access to a truly enormous sum. The money shouldn’t be a problem.
The problem was Mujin.
The day passed quickly, and evening soon came. The place where Eunjoon and Mujin had their meeting was a private room in a members-only club.
“Director Choi, it’s been a while!”
Eunjoon opened with an energetic greeting, which Mujin returned.
“It’s been a while, Director Yoon.”
“How long has it been since we last met? Ah, please have a seat.”
Eunjoon sat down on the sofa, and Mujin followed his lead.
“I called you today to ask you for a favor.”
“What sort of favor?”
“I’ll be blunt: I want you to turn over Yoo Hyunjin to me.”
At those words, Mujin met Eunjoon’s gaze directly. Maybe it was because of the dark circles beneath his eyes, but he looked grimmer than usual.
“I didn’t realize he’d taken your fancy?”
Eunjoon leaned back on the sofa and crossed his legs.
“Whether he has or not, what does it matter as long as the price is right?”
“That all depends on what you’re offering.”
“I understand that young man, Hyunjin, owes quite a debt. How about I pay you double that? Including the interest, of course.”
“He’s not worth that much. I advise you to reconsider.”
As expected, Mujin didn’t want to let him go. Eunjoon rubbed his thumb against the leather sofa. The fact was, Mujin wasn’t keeping Hyunjin because of the money. Still, Eunjoon decided to raise the amount a bit more, just in case.
“How about three times. Three times what he owes.”
“I refuse. I don’t need the money.”
Eunjoon rolled his eyes and smiled.
“Director Choi. Do you know who I am?”
“… … You’re Director Yoon of Yoram Construction.”
“No, not that. Do you know who my family is? Yoram Construction is just one part of it.”
If money wasn’t enough, then it was time to use power.
“My father is the eldest son, and my grandfather has had his eyes on me since I was young. Do you think a construction company is as high as I’ll go? No.”
‘Can you really refuse a request coming from a conglomerate like ours?’ Eunjoon was implying. Mujin’s jaw tightened as he understood the message.
“I hope we can come to an amicable arrangement.”
“In the end, he’s just one brat. Do you really need to go to such lengths for him?”
“Yeah, but I like that brat.”
“No other reason?”
Mujin glared at Eunjoon, his gaze piercing.
“What other reason do you mean?”
“Seo Jaewoo.”
Mujin said a familiar name.
“I know that he visited you recently.”
It seemed like he’d had Jaewoo followed.
“And?”
“Did Jaewoo ask you to free Hyunjin?”
“So what?”
“I can’t let him go.”
Mujin spoke firmly.
“Even though I’m asking nicely?”
“Yes.”
Eunjoon had thought this might happen, but having Mujin defy him this way was even more annoying than he’d thought. Eunjoon clenched his hand unconsciously.
“Was that all you wanted to talk about today?”
“That’s all.”
“Then I should be heading out. I have a lot of work to do.”
Mujin stood up from his seat. He seemed to have no regrets whatsoever.
‘He’s just going to leave like this?’
It was absurd. Eunjoon gritted his teeth and said.
“Please sit back down.”
“Our talk is over.”
Mujin ignored Eunjoon, walking back out the door. His subordinate, who’d been standing next to him unobtrusively the whole time, followed suit.
“Director, can we really do this?”
Dongsoo asked with a worried expression.
“Why not?”
“Our opponent is a third-generation conglomerate. The number of companies that can rival them can be counted on one hand.”
“But Jiheon is still just a minnow. The old man is still in charge of the company – that’s why his oldest son hasn’t taken over yet.”
“Even so, we shouldn’t underestimate him.”
What Dongsoo said was right. It wasn’t a wise idea to leave like that.
‘I know that, but…’
He couldn’t let Hyunjin go. He’d worked so hard to get Jaewoo for himself, he couldn’t give up now. It was absolutely unthinkable. He knew that Jiheon had some hidden intentions behind his offer, and he refused to let him do whatever he wanted.
What had Jaewoo promised him? What was it that had caused Yoon Jiheon to act this way? He needed to figure it out, fast.
“Keep a closer eye on Jaewoo. Director Yoon, too.”
“Seo Jaewoo shouldn’t be a problem, but Director Yoon will be more challenging. He keeps many experienced guards around him.”
“Do as much as you can.”
After saying that, Mujin entered the car. Dongsoo took his usual place behind the wheel as they continued talking.
“They might try to retaliate.”
“I’d bet on it.”
Because Yoon Jiheon had gotten bolder recently. He was different from the person he’d seemed to be before.
“There’s no telling what form it will take.”
“I’m shaking in my boots.”
“You?”
A charging rhinoceros feared nothing, but Mujin wasn’t above pretending.
He snorted and took out a cigarette. He’d quit for a while, but as he lit up the cigarette, the taste of it was surprisingly good. Even as they spoke, Hyunjin was getting closer and closer to breaking, and once he did, Jaewoo would break as well.
Even though he knew that, Mujin had no intention of stopping. Jaewoo would be his, no matter what.
‘In the end, this is who I am.’
A person that was incapable of normal love – that was Mujin. No matter what else changed, that fact would remain the same.
