TSS 21

Chapter : 21

Ha-yeon’s father, Myung-shin, was far from just an ordinary wine lover. He had even contributed columns to magazines and newspapers and was well-known for his discerning palate.

And yet in front of a man like that, to talk about being tasteless… No way he didn’t know better.

Manager Baek stole a glance at Geon-hyung. The young man was grinning broadly at Myung-shin, teeth fully bared. He looked as if he couldn’t care less about what the person next to him might feel.

…He definitely said it on purpose.

In moments like this, he was the spitting image of his mother, the former president of this company. Just remembering those days still sent a chill down Manager Baek’s spine.

“…Then, shall we bring some beer along with the soju.”

Unconsciously sighing, Baek confirmed the order. The craft beer they’d recently stocked had received rave reviews among gourmets. Hopefully, that would help ease Myung-shin’s temper.

Geon-hyung burst out laughing and looked Baek in the eye.

“As expected, Manager-nim, you and I can talk. If you want to have a heated conversation, nothing beats a bomb shot, right?”

“…The weather’s hot, after all.”

Ignoring Geon-hyung’s gaze, Baek added quietly. On a normal day, it wouldn’t matter. But when tempers were this high, jokes were not a good omen.

“And you know, bomb shots…”

Sure enough, the smile vanished instantly from Geon-hyung’s face.

“Craft beer, abbey beer, boutique beer—they taste awful in bomb shots. What you need is plain supermarket beer, the standard kind. Just like soju. You know what I mean, right?”

In other words, there was no need to cater to Myung-shin’s taste. The precision of it was striking. In that, he certainly resembled his father.

“…Please wait a moment.”

Baek gave up and stepped out.

Until the bell announcing the arrival of the drinks rang again, not a single word was exchanged inside the room.

“Here is the soju you ordered.”

Setting down the bottles, Baek cautiously glanced at the two men. Both Geon-hyung and Myung-shin smiled, lips curled unnaturally, their eyes sharp. Baek clicked his tongue inwardly. Didn’t their faces even twitch?

It seemed they had been glaring at each other like this the entire time.

“We’ll have the food ready shortly as well.”

Leaving the two bristling men behind, Baek stepped out again. He thought he’d better call Tae-sun.

“I should offer my father-in-law a drink. What will you have?”

Once Baek left, Geon-hyung pointed at the bottles. He ignored the earlier words that questioned whether or not he would ever truly become a son-in-law.

But Myung-shin, a man seasoned in politics, responded smoothly.

“You said earlier bomb shots were best for talking, didn’t you? Then make me a good one.”

Instead of raising his voice in anger as before, he spoke calmly. Geon-hyung’s brows arched. Clearly, this man wasn’t ordinary either.

As he loosened his tie, Myung-shin added as if making a firm point:

“Of course, I won’t take you as my son-in-law just because you mix a good bomb shot.”

“I assure you, that’s not the only thing I’m good at.”

“Everyone knows Choi Geon-hyung of Ise Financial is a remarkable man. Why else would I have proposed the marriage talks?”

“I’m flattered you think so highly of me. Weren’t you disappointed when you saw the other candidates you had lined up?”

“To me, your family and theirs are all the same. Just households that roll around in the mud.”

The contempt was plain, but Geon-hyung wasn’t offended. If anything, he preferred such blunt honesty.

“Even if we’re all muddy, my family is still the better one, don’t you think?”

Speaking casually, Geon-hyung cracked open a soju bottle. The sharp pop echoed loudly in the silent room.

“Better a man’s son than a dog’s pup, right?”

“So you’re saying you’re not a dog? Quite confident of you.”

“Since we’re already being honest, let’s lay things out.”

Ignoring the sarcasm, Geon-hyung poured a drink into Myung-shin’s glass. Some conversations were simply easier with alcohol.

“Honestly, you only want one thing—money. And between dogs or men, I probably have the most money, don’t I?”

“…At least you’re straightforward. I like that.”

Myung-shin downed the drink in one go and smiled. As Geon-hyung refilled the glass, he continued:

“So, how much money are we talking about?”

“Well… as you know, I haven’t been in politics that long.”

Up until now, Geon-hyung hadn’t had much direct contact with politicians, unusual for someone running a business the size of Ise Financial. His mother’s deep dislike of politicians had rubbed off on him.

“Those bastards never speak plainly. They’re so lazy you have to figure out what they mean yourself.”

His mother’s grumbling seemed to echo in his ears, and a frown creased his brow.

“So you’re saying: give you whatever amount you ask for?”

“Of course not. I still have a conscience. I wouldn’t expect that just for marrying off a daughter who isn’t particularly exceptional.”

Myung-shin shrugged and downed another glass. Distracted by the sight, Geon-hyung accidentally let the liquor overflow as he poured. It was rare for him to waste even a drop of alcohol.

A daughter who isn’t particularly exceptional…

Something unpleasant stirred in his gut. Forcing it down, he asked again:

“Then what exactly are you asking for?”

“In politics, everyone’s ultimate goal is a seat at the top, isn’t it? I just need enough support to reach that seat.”

His words were evasive, but his chest swelled with pride as he spoke. Calm tone, but not a calm attitude.

“Fortunately, I’ve consistently ranked high in approval ratings. For someone like you, Mr. Choi, the sum won’t be too burdensome. I’m only asking for help once.”

As if granting him the honor of helping.

Indeed, Myung-shin was quickly emerging as a leading candidate in the next presidential election. To say he needed help just once was to imply certain victory. His confidence was overwhelming. Geon-hyung smirked.

“Since you’re asking, as a future son-in-law I suppose I should help…”

“Now that is good to hear. Here, have another.”

Only after hearing those words did Myung-shin smile in satisfaction. A man who had just been calling him less than human was suddenly beaming—it was politics in a nutshell. Still, there was a hint of desperation behind it.

…Could it be his finances are tighter than expected?

Geon-hyung sipped from the glass Myung-shin poured. It didn’t quite match the report Tae-sun had hurriedly dug up the other day. As if confirming his suspicion, Myung-shin added boastfully:

“I may be slower with numbers than you, but my calculations are always accurate. If you help me now, you won’t regret it later.”

“Won’t regret it…?”

Geon-hyung’s brows rose. Did that mean once elected, he’d have his back?

So different from the upright image he showed on that TV debate the other day.

Narrowing his eyes, Geon-hyung watched as Myung-shin continued stiff-faced:

“Of course, I’m not asking you to trust me just because you’ll be taking in a daughter who isn’t cute in the least.”

The way he kept belittling Ha-yeon grated on Geon-hyung’s nerves. Humility was one thing, but this was too much. From the start, it was clear—Myung-shin was the type who couldn’t stand being seen as lesser.

Men like that can’t even stand the idea of a pet being looked down on. And yet he calls his own daughter worthless…

Unconsciously, Geon-hyung’s face tightened. Perhaps sensing it, Myung-shin tried again, this time cautiously.

“If you really don’t like Ha-yeon, she has an older sister. Compared to Ha-yeon, her personality and looks are much—”

That was it. Geon-hyung shot to his feet.

“I thought you’d only dulled in taste, but it seems you’ve lost your sense of judgment as well.”

“M-Misjudgment? What do you mean…?”

Staring up at him in confusion, Myung-shin froze. Calmly rolling down his sleeves, Geon-hyung continued:

“Since you aspire to politics, it’s only right I help however I can…”

“Isn’t that exactly what we’ve been discussing?”

“But as I said earlier—I may be rough, but I’m no dog. And as a man, there are duties I must uphold.”

Picking up the jacket he had tossed aside, Geon-hyung shook it out and slid his arms into the sleeves.

“One of those duties is the law. So yes, I’ll help—but only within the bounds of the law. Another is human decency. And in the decency I know, you don’t swap sisters like they’re interchangeable.”

Bowing politely toward the still-dumbfounded Myung-shin, he added:

“Then I’ll take my leave. To be frank, I don’t like you—but since you’re my elder, I’ll at least offer my respects. I haven’t learned much, but I did learn that.”

With that, Geon-hyung strode toward the exit. Just as he was about to cross the threshold, he paused, as if remembering something. Turning back, he added:

“And watch your words. Is there anyone in this world cuter than Ha-yeon?”

If she were any cuter, he’d have to lock her away to keep her from being stolen.

Muttering to himself, Geon-hyung left the room, leaving Myung-shin behind.