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CH182 | GSI
🕑 Added 2025-03-03 06:26:23 +0000 UTCChirp, chirp, chirp!
Early in the morning, three or four sparrows perched noisily on the parasol table in the garden.
A mackerel-tabby cat, now fully grown and nearly the size of its mother, crouched low in the grass, eyes locked on the unsuspecting birds.
With intense focus, the cat wiggled its hindquarters, calculating the perfect moment to strike.
Should I go now? Or wait just a second more?
Finally, it made up its mind. Claws extended, the tabby sprang upward with all its might—
Flap, flap!
Chirp! Chirp!!
But the sparrows had sensed the danger first. They took off in a flurry of wings, disappearing into the distance.
“Meow!”
The tabby, having missed its prey right before its eyes, slammed a paw against the ground in frustration.
Chirp, chirp!
Perched on a tree branch far out of reach, the sparrows chattered away, almost as if mocking the cat.
“Meeeow…”
Shoulders slumped, the defeated tabby let out a long, weary cry and scratched at the ground in frustration.
Yawn.
Up on the terrace railing, basking in the warm morning sun, its mother sat loafing in a perfect "bread" position. Watching the whole scene unfold, she let out a huge, unimpressed yawn.
As the morning passed peacefully, Chairman Park finished his breakfast and stood in the master bedroom, adjusting his tie in front of the mirror.
Just then, Cho Deok-rye entered the room. Chairman Park glanced away from his reflection and asked,
"Is the luggage ready?"
“I gave it to Driver Kim, so it should already be loaded in the trunk. The trip is for three nights and four days, right?”
“That’s right. There’s no direct flight to Shenyang, so I have to go through Beijing first. And there are only three or four flights a week from Beijing to Seoul. If I miss the Thursday evening flight, I’ll have to take a detour back.”
Since South Korea had established diplomatic relations with China in 1992, an increasing number of domestic companies had expanded into the Chinese market, boosting economic exchanges between the two countries.
However, with limited tourism and civilian travel at the time, there weren’t many regular flights available. The only cities with direct routes were major hubs like Beijing and Shanghai.
“That sounds inconvenient.”
“It’ll get better as exchanges between the two countries grow.”
A direct flight would have taken just over two hours, but having to transfer through Beijing meant wasting almost half a day. That frustrated Chairman Park, but it was the fastest way to reach Daeheung Textile’s factory in Shenyang. There was no other choice.
As he reached for his jacket, Cho Deok-rye held up a hand to stop him.
“Wait a moment.”
She stepped forward and carefully adjusted his slightly crooked tie.
“The blue tie looks good with a silver pin.”
With meticulous precision, she clipped the tie pin in place. Watching her, Chairman Park grumbled,
“I find this thing so annoying.”
“On a business trip, you’ll be meeting all sorts of people, not just company employees. It’s better to look presentable than to appear sloppy.”
“Ugh, fine.”
Though he grumbled, Chairman Park’s gaze was warm as he looked at his wife, who had been meticulously taking care of such details for him since their younger days.
“I should get going.”
After checking his watch, he quickly slipped on the jacket his wife handed him and stepped out of the bedroom.
Waiting in the living room, Seok-won stood up from the sofa and asked, “Are you heading straight to the airport?”
“Yes.”
“Have a safe trip.”
“I will.”
Replying in his usual calm manner, Chairman Park then turned to look at his wife.
“I’ll be back.”
“The water in China isn’t great, so be careful not to get an upset stomach.”
“You don’t have to worry. If there’s one thing I can count on, it’s my strong stomach.”
He chuckled, but Cho Deok-rye shot him a sharp look.
“There you go again. Do you still think you’re in your prime? At your age, you need to start taking better care of yourself.”
“Alright, alright.”
Sensing that the scolding was about to drag on, Chairman Park quickly bent down to put on his shoes.
Watching his parents’ lighthearted bickering, Seok-won smiled to himself before following his father.
“I should get going to work as well.”
“Alright, take care.”
As they stepped outside, the mother cat and her kittens, gathered around the parasol table grooming themselves, meowed in unison upon seeing them.
“Haha, look at these little ones. It’s like they’re sending me off.”
Unconsciously breaking into a fatherly smile, Chairman Park quickly composed himself, straightened his expression, and walked across the garden with his son.
When they reached the front gate, their chauffeur, Kim Hyung-ki, was already standing beside a large black Mercedes sedan. Upon seeing them, he bowed respectfully.
“You’re here, Chairman.”
Chairman Park gave a small nod before turning to his son.
“I won’t be back until Thursday. Try to come home early if you can.”
Though he acted nonchalant, it was obvious he was thinking about his wife. Holding back a grin, Seok-won replied, “Alright, I’ll do my best.”
“Ahem.”
Clearing his throat unnecessarily, Chairman Park opened the car door and looked over at his chauffeur.
“Let’s go.”
As Chairman Park settled into the back seat of the Benz, Kim Hyung-ki carefully closed the car door.
“I’ll be off now, young master.”
“Alright. Drive safely.”
Kim Hyung-ki gave him a respectful bow before quickly getting into the driver’s seat.
As the engine hummed to life, the Benz sedan smoothly pulled away. Watching it disappear into the distance, Seok-won muttered to himself.
“He really has a bit of a tsundere side.”
In many wealthy families, it wasn’t uncommon for couples to maintain a façade of a good relationship for the sake of appearances, especially when considering their social standing.
But seeing his parents, who were still close and genuinely cared for each other despite their age, made Seok-won smile.
He turned around, already looking forward to his father’s reaction when he saw the surprise waiting for him at the airport.
* * *
Gimpo Airport Passenger Terminal.
“There, I think he’s arriving now.”
Secretary General Gil Seong-ho, who had arrived early to accompany the chairman on his business trip to China, turned his head at the words of Manager Chu Se-young.
A familiar black Benz sedan was slowly approaching, gradually reducing its speed.
As soon as it came to a stop, Manager Chu Se-young hurried to open the rear door.
“Welcome, Chairman.”
Gil Seong-ho bowed respectfully.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“Not at all.”
Stepping out of the car, Chairman Park glanced around before speaking.
“The flight is at 10, correct?”
“Yes, sir. We still have plenty of time, so there’s no need to rush.”
“Hmm, alright.”
As he watched Kim Hyung-ki and Manager Chu Se-young unload the luggage from the trunk, Chairman Park nodded.
“I’ll see you on Thursday.”
“Yes, sir. Have a safe trip.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
Chairman Park strode forward alongside Secretary General Gil Seong-ho.
Manager Chu Se-young quickly followed, pulling the two travel suitcases he had retrieved from the trunk.
Upon entering the airport terminal, the group headed straight for the VIP lounge on the third floor.
Since he frequently used the airport’s VIP lounge to avoid the crowds and inconveniences of the departure area, it was a familiar place to Chairman Park.
Guided by an airport staff member, they pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside a room with thick carpeting, two tables, and a set of sofas.
While not particularly extravagant, the simple fact that they could relax in a private space rather than waiting among the general passengers in the crowded departure hall was a significant privilege.
Of course, not just anyone could use the VIP lounge—entry was generally reserved for the nation's top government officials, members of the National Assembly, or business leaders ranked within the top 50 in the industry.
Chairman Park unfastened his jacket buttons and sat down comfortably. As was his habit, he took out a cigarette and placed it between his lips. Manager Chu Se-young quickly lit a lighter and brought the flame to the cigarette.
Taking a deep drag and exhaling a cloud of white smoke, Chairman Park spoke.
“It’s always a hassle not being able to smoke freely on flights. At least this time, the flight is short.”
“Indeed,” Gil Seong-ho agreed.
Listening to their conversation, Manager Chu Se-young hesitated for a moment before carefully interjecting.
“Uh, excuse me, sir, but we’ll need your passport for the departure process…”
“Oh, right.”
Chairman Park reached into his inner jacket pocket and retrieved the passport that his wife had prepared for him.
“Here it is.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Taking the passport with both hands, Manager Chu Se-young immediately stepped out to handle the departure formalities.
Leaning back with the cigarette between his fingers, Chairman Park turned his gaze toward Secretary General Gil Seong-ho, who was seated on the sofa to his left.
“The governor of Liaoning Province is supposed to attend the Shenyang factory expansion ceremony, isn’t he?”
“Yes, sir. He has already confirmed his attendance, along with the Public Security Bureau chief and other high-ranking officials.”
As Chairman Park tapped his cigarette against the crystal ashtray on the table, Gil Seong-ho continued.
“Since this is one of the largest foreign investments in Liaoning Province, he intends to highlight it as a major political achievement.”
“Well, that’s typical of politicians.”
Chairman Park’s indifferent tone prompted Gil Seong-ho to lean forward slightly and elaborate.
“Right now, his position as the governor of Liaoning Province is considered a minor role. However, given that he’s the son of a veteran revolutionary who participated in the Long March, there’s a strong possibility that he’ll advance to the central government.”
“So, he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.”
“If you build a good relationship with him now, it could be highly beneficial for business in China moving forward.”
Having witnessed firsthand how political connections played a crucial role in business, especially in authoritarian states like China, Chairman Park nodded slightly.
“What was the governor’s name again?”
"Wei Jizhong."
Wei Jizhong.
Muttering the name under his breath to memorize it, Chairman Park spoke with a hint of regret.
"It’s our first meeting. I should’ve brought a gift."
At that, Secretary General Gil Seong-ho responded as if he had been waiting for the remark.
"Anticipating that, I’ve prepared a pair of gold Rolex watches as a gift for Governor Wei Jizhong and his wife."
Impressed by his aide’s quick thinking, Chairman Park smiled in satisfaction.
"When did you manage that? As expected of you."
Receiving the compliment, Gil Seong-ho offered a small smile and bowed his head slightly.
At that moment, Manager Chu Se-young returned to the room.
"The departure process is complete, sir."
"Good work."
Chairman Park took back his passport and tucked it into his inner pocket.
Gil Seong-ho then glanced at his watch and spoke.
"Shall we head for boarding now?"
"Already? There’s still some time left, isn’t there?"
Chairman Park looked at his half-smoked cigarette with reluctance.
Caught off guard, Chu Se-young instinctively shot a quick sideways glance at Gil Seong-ho.
However, Gil Seong-ho maintained a composed expression, putting on an almost actor-like performance as he smoothly explained,
"It would be inconvenient to board with the other passengers, so I’ve arranged for you to board first. I’ve already coordinated with the airline."
Something felt slightly unusual, but Chairman Park didn’t dwell on it.
"Alright, then. Let me just finish this cigarette."
"Of course, sir."
A moment later…
Feeling that just one cigarette wasn’t enough, Chairman Park lit another one. Only after finishing it did he finally step out of the VIP lounge and take the elevator down to the first floor.
“This way, sir.”
Following Secretary General Gil Seong-ho’s lead, Park walked ahead. However, instead of heading toward the departure gate, they exited the building entirely, prompting a puzzled expression from him.
“Where exactly are we going?”
At this, Gil Seong-ho turned back to face him, a faint smile on his lips.
“We’re heading to the plane you’ll be flying on, sir.”
“Then we should be going to the departure gate. Why are we coming out here?”
Park’s voice took on an irritated edge, his brows furrowing in suspicion.
Sensing the shift in his mood, Gil Seong-ho calmly raised an arm and pointed toward a wide tarmac area where a sleek business jet was parked.
“That is the aircraft you’ll be boarding today, sir.”
“What?”
Chairman Park followed his gaze and frowned even deeper.
Thinking he must have misheard, he asked again, his voice laced with disbelief.
“You’re saying I’m taking that?”
“Yes, sir.”
Flashing a bright smile, Gil Seong-ho nodded confidently.
