Description Sooho

      People had often compared life with the flowing river or the vast sea. The parts one couldn't figure out were the deep and shallow ends.

     There was a saying that said you'd know what's inside ten rivers seas but not what was inside a man's mind but this didn't apply to me.

     I knew the minds of ten people but not what was inside even a single river or sea.

     ------

     We corrected the title from "Protect...

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     Sooho

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     1

      When I was young, I lived in a house that had a stream flowing in front of it. It was perfect for a young child to play in since the water was only as deep as my knees. That might have been why all the kids in the neighborhood could be found there every summer. I was no exception. I was always the first one there and the last one to leave since I lived so close. But then one day, my close friend Kyung Ho and I noticed something half-submerged in the water.

     It flailed around like the seaweed in the soup my mom cooked for me on my birthdays. Its pale face reminded me of a mannequin, and I was uncertain what emotion was hiding behind its frowning face. That's right. That was the first time I felt afraid of another person. I felt my chest grow cold.

     What is fear?

     I started to ask myself that question.

     As a child, my mom gave me the most fear. There was a time when I stole money out of my mom's wallet to go to the arcade and got kicked out of the house naked. I could endure the embarrassment of how the adults would look at me, but I would have wanted to die if the kids at school found out.

     There was even a girl I liked, so I couldn't let any of the kids find out that I strut the neighborhood streets naked. So I ran into the stream in front of my house. It may have been getting warmer around that time, but it was still the beginning of spring. I thought it'd be freezing, but it wasn't as bad as I thought.

     There! This way, I don't look weird for being naked!

     However, that turned out to be the worst mistake my foolish brain could make.

     Even in the scorching heat, it's hard to play in the water for longer than 30 minutes. So it was especially cold on that spring day in April. Even though it was partly my fault for angering my mom, she really didn't have to strip me naked.

     I didn't understand the concept of losing body heat.

     In other words, that means you're starting to lose your life, but I wasn't very smart or wise as a child. Before I knew it, I lost sensation in my submerged body, and as my vision started to blur, my thoughts stopped with it. Maybe I'm wrong. It was my surroundings that stopped, not me. Or time had slowed down drastically. In any case, I was trapped. I couldn't move my body. It was all in my head.

     I was okay for a day.

     But after two days, three days, one week, one month, and then one year, I realized something wasn't right. Maybe I should have realized it earlier. Is Buddha punishing me for my sins? Then is this my afterlife? At least I'm not hungry or have to pee.

     But if I didn't understand the concept of losing body heat, how did I know about Buddha and the afterlife? It's because of the grandmothers. Our neighborhood is a very strange place. There were shrines and shamans as well as churches and priests. You may think the countryside is full of only elders, but our neighborhood had many young men and women as well.

     It's because of the grandmothers.

     And one of those grandmothers shouted at me for being in the water.

     "You there! You little scoundrel! Get out of there!"

     How?

     "Pray to the Heavens."

     How do I do that?

     "With all your heart."

     What kind of nonsense is that? That was no different from a top student saying his secret to getting good grades was to study very hard. God damn it! I give up.

     The grandmother clicked her tongue.

     "Tsk, tsk! Don't you want to participate in Sports Day?"

     Oh yeah! Sports day! I trained my ass off to take back the throne of the 00-meter race.

     "If you don't go, I'm going to eat all of your mother's kimbap."

     No way! Mom's oyster seaweed soup might be horrible, but her kimbaps are the best!

     "I heard you're going to confess your feelings to Joo Hee."

     Huh? How did she know that?

     "T-Tsk! There's nothing I don't know."

     She's definitely the queen of all grandmothers.

     "Come out, little boy. Open your eyes."

     When I opened my eyes to the queen grandmother's faint voice, I could see my crying mom in front of me. Why is mom crying? I wanted to yell at her not to cry, but I was unable to open my mouth.

     "Where am I?"

     I see a white ceiling. Wait, it's not just the ceiling. All the people are wearing white, too. This must be one of those big general hospitals.

     "It's a miracle!"

     My father, who was normally very serious, embraced another man in a white gown and sobbed. I can see my family, friends, people from our neighborhood, and grandmothers. Why are they always together? Did they get into a gang fight with the next neighborhood? The queen grandmother from my dream walked over, patted my head, and whispered in my ear.

     "Atta boy. I'm glad you're back. But don't confess your feelings to that Joo Hee girl."

     Wait, why? That's why I woke up.

     "I heard she's been dating Kyung Ho since last month."

     What? No! That bastard! How could my best friend stab me in the back like that? As my heart started pounding, I heard the sound of beeping, and I saw sexy nurses in white uniforms busily running around.

     "Wow, this is unreal! I've never seen anything like this. Okay, fine. I'll forgive my best friend just this once."

     But I still couldn't help but feel bitter. Does the bitter taste of betrayal make a person more mature? Maybe this is why the older kids smoke all the time.

     "If I want to become an adult, I might have to get used to this bitter taste…"

     My eyelids suddenly started to feel heavy.

     I had another dream.

     I looked down upon myself submerged in the water. I was trapped under there for a whole year. Am I wrong? I'm confused. But one thing's for sure. I talked to the queen grandmother down there. But how did the queen grandmother move within stopped time? How interesting.

     "Is it interesting?"

     Huh? Queen Grandmother?

     "There's nothing to it. That was simply our fate that was blessed upon us by the Heavens."

     Come to think of it, the shrine is the queen grandmother's house. Even though the people of our neighborhood feared her, I felt comfortable around her.

     "Protect."

     The literal translation is "Water Tiger."

     That's the name the queen grandmother gave me. She named everyone in our neighborhood. I didn't like it at first. What the hell is a water tiger? But once I learned that it was a wrong expression of "Killer Whale," I let it go. The apex predator of the sea! Wow! It's known as the king that consumes both sharks and whales.

     I managed to get up and participate in Sports Day, but I was unable to participate in the 00-meter race or anything that was straining to my body. I was just happy I could taste my mom's handmade kimbap. And then toward the end of the event, I found out the truth.

     "I died and then came back to life?"

     I was reminded of what I saw with Kyung Ho last summer.

     It wasn't the horribly pale face, but the pain and fear behind that person's frown that frightened the kids. Did my expression look like that? There's no way. I didn't die. The uneasiness made my heart pound. I ran out of the school before the event was over. I don't know why, but I felt like I had to.

     I only looked straight and ran as fast as I could.

     I was running out of breath, but I didn't stop. I saw the shrine. However, there was just as many people there as well. Is an exorcism taking place? I didn't hear any spells or sounds of swords, but I did hear shrieks and cries. As soon as I appeared, the startled adults reached out to catch me, but I managed to dodge them with my swift movements. I immediately ran inside, but my feet stopped.

     This is just like last time.

     This is just like when I thought it would be cold in the water, but it wasn't, and thought time had stopped. The only difference is that it's not my time, but the queen grandmother's time that stopped. She was wearing white, but they were formal mourning clothes, unlike what the sexy nurses were wearing earlier. Why is she lying down when there are so many people here? Is she tired?

     Something is definitely wrong here.

     "Oh!"

     That's when I realized it.

     I realized what a horrible sin I had committed. I wasn't sure of the details, but I realized that I made a big mistake, and the queen grandmother was paying the price. It appears that the water I was trapped in wasn't the stream in front of my house.

     River Styx.

     In the place between life and death, the queen grandmother in my dream urged me to get out.

     Drip—

     Tears dripped down my face.

     "Oh."

     Did she cross the river of no return in my stead?

     "Oh."

     After that day, I hated my name all over again.

     < Protect - Prologue - > The end.

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     2

      "Mr. Ahn?"

     "Yes?"

     "You have quite a unique background. Treasure hunter and wilderness survival expert?"

     The personnel manager of Daesan Group had a peculiar look on his face. Besides having a bulky and large build, the man in front of Ahn Soo Ho didn't have any special characteristics. He did have the advantage of being tall, and could therefore be considered handsome in Korea. After all, Koreans liked everything big besides a big head.

     As a personnel manager, he was strangely shocked by his interviewee.

     "I don't remember your face."

     Ahn Soo Ho felt awkward. Both him and the manager had already met each other when he submitted his documents the week before, so why did it seem that they had only met for the first time? Did he make a mistake? But how? For a personnel manager known for his good memory, it was quite astonishing.

     "You dropped out of the Naval Academy… May I ask why?"

     "I just woke up one morning and didn't like the uniform I was wearing."

     "Why not?"

     "Because most Korean men don't like the military."

     "Haha."

     The personnel manager just laughed. It was the truth, though. Most Korean men didn't like the military. There was so much distrust regarding the front-line forces that they would rather volunteer themselves as a conscripted policeman. But did that mean conscripted policemen had it easier? Well, every Korean man thought their military experience was the worst.

     "Since you dropped out when you were a senior, you only have half a year left to serve."

     "I guess I should be relieved."

     According to the Military Service Act, if a cadet dropped out of the Naval Academy, they must join the military with the rank they had before entering the academy or serve as a public service member. However, if they dropped out after a year of training, they could be appointed as an active duty officer. That meant the duration of their training in the Naval Academy would be counted to shorten their period of service. Therefore, if they were a senior cadet, the duration of their training exceeded the mandatory period of service, meaning they must only reenlist for six months.

     With a past like that, Ahn Soo Ho's background headed toward a stranger direction. The personnel manager has met many interviewees before. It might sound silly, but even if he was so competent that he could become an executive 10 or 0 years from now, he was nothing but a newbie at the very moment. To simply put, he was completely useless.

     "He's not intimidated at all."

     He was a type that was hard to come by in the Korean society where rank was very important. He wasn't even born in another country, meaning he was just another Korean on paper. But then again, ten years was a pretty long time to be abroad.

     "The vice-chairman strongly recommended you… How do you know each other?"

     Kim Dae Chan, who was a second generation executive and the only son of Kim Dae San, the founder of Daesan Group, was set to become the heir. With a connection like that, it was no surprise that the personnel manager was called upon to conduct this special interview.

     "I met him in Buenos Aires three years ago for matters regarding Daesan Group."

     "Three years ago in Buenos Aires?"

     "I'm sure a man of your rank would know."

     "Are you referring to the hostage incident?"

     "Is that what you call it here?"

     "Then what do they call it there?"

     "They consider it a terrorist attack."

     The personnel manager was startled. That wasn't the answer he expected to a formal question.

     "What did you do there?"

     Ahn Soo Ho knitted his brows. With all that has happened in the last three years, it was hard to remember anything in detail. He might be the interviewee, but this was not something to chat about with a stranger. So he kept it short.

     "I resolved an issue."

     "What issue? The hostage incident?"

     "Yes."

     The personnel manager muttered to himself.

     "Mr. Guardian?"

     While managing a large corporation, setbacks and a number of issues were bound to appear. And if one was influential enough to lead the Korean economy like Daesan Group, those issues would not be restricted to within the country—having an alliance with foreign forces was a necessity.

     Ahn Soo Ho giggled.

     "That's actually not what my name means."

     It was clear that many differences existed between the alphabet and hanja. However, he didn't correct him because he hated his real name. Thanks to the stupefied personnel manager, the interview ended just like that. As soon as he walked out, Kim Dae Chan welcomed him with a big smile on the face.

     Seeing Kim Dae Chan accompanied by staff reminded Ahn Soo Ho of his general in the military.

     "How did it go?"

     "This is a lot of work just to be a villa caretaker… I don't feel like doing this anymore."

     "I might be the vice-chairman, but we still have to follow the procedure."

     Kim Dae Chan dismissed his staff. The top floor of the head office had restricted access, so it wasn't that crowded, but that meant more eyes were on him.

     "How's the old man?

     "As good as ever."

     "Is he going to remarry?"

     "Who'd put up with his horrible personality?"

     "Why not? Young women these days are all about the money."

     "Don't even bring that up unless you want a cane chucked at you. Oh yeah! My father said he wants to see you. Can you make time?"

     "This is why I didn't want to come back to Korea. What does he want to bother me about this time?"

     Kim Dae Chan showed a bitter smile. How many people would be able to treat the great Kim Dae San like any old man? Even the mayor of Seoul and the members of the National Assembly treated him with care.

     Ahn Soo Ho sighed.

     "Fine, Dae Chan. Don't give me that pitiful face."

     "You're probably the only person who could see me as pitiful, Soo Ho."

     "I don't know. Don't you think people like me make life more interesting? It's not fun to bow your head down all the time."

     "That takes skill."

     "Maybe you're right. Haha. Does that mean I'm skilled?"

     Kim Dae Chan, the only son of the great executive, Kim Dae San, was known to be just as malicious as his father. For that reason, not even his aides had seen him smile so brightly until then.

     "Vice-Chairman."

     If the chief secretary hadn't jumped in, they would have chatted and laughed all day long. Kim Dae Chan glanced at his watch, smiled, and said, "You're not going anywhere far, right?"

     "I'll stay around Seoul today."

     "Okay. I'll give my father a call."

     Ahn Soo Ho, who saw off the waving Kim Dae Chan and his staff members, ran into a slim and beautiful woman.

     "Hello, Mr. Ahn. My name is Oh Joo Kyung."

     "Did they force you into this?"

     "Pardon?"

     Oh Joo Kyung widened her eyes to the random response.

     "Did they make you escort me against your will just because you have the lowest rank?"

     "Hm, it's true that I'm the youngest in the office, but it wasn't against my will."

     "I'm relieved to hear that. Let's go. I don't need an escort, but it'll probably be good for the both of us to quickly get it over with."

     They took the elevator down to the first floor. Seeing how it didn't stop a single time from the fortieth floor, it must be an exclusive elevator for private use. Since she was the vice-chairman's secretary, all eyes were fixed on her as soon as she entered the lobby.

     "Have a nice day."

     "You too."

     Ahn Soo Ho strongly declined the company car Oh Joo Kyung offered him and hailed a taxi. As soon as the taxi disappeared and she finished her bow, the executive from the information desk approached.

     "Who was that, Deputy Oh?"

     "He was the vice-chairman's guest. He'll be joining our team very soon."

     "Oh, the one I've heard rumors about?"

     "Rumors?"

     After the executive looked around for any eavesdroppers, she whispered, "The chairman's love child."

     "That's absurd."

     "Isn't it true? That's what everyone else thinks."

     "Tell them to get their act together if they don't want to be scolded."

     The rumor was bound to be misinterpreted.

     "He's… not a lovechild."

     If that was the case, he couldn't have been so close to the vice-chairman.

     The taxi that picked up Ahn Soo Ho from Daesan Group stopped at a charnel house near Seoul. With Korea's changed funeral culture and lack of land, burials were no longer feasible. He didn't buy any flowers. He believed she would rather have a glass of rice wine over any kind of flowers.

     "It's been a long time, Queen Grandmother."

     Jung Mi Ja

     1905. 3. 5. ~ 1989. 5. 1.

     Ahn Soo Ho only found out the queen grandmother's real name after she passed away. To be honest, he wasn't interested before then. Who would go around to ask about the neighborhood grandmothers' names? If she lived until past eighty years old, he would say she had a long and fulfilling life. Did that mean she passed away without any regrets? He was not sure about that. He wasn't curious about anything else, but if he could meet her again, he would ask her this one question.

     "Why did you save my life, Granny?"

     The memories were way too vivid to call dreams, so he wanted to ask her. Why did she sacrifice her life to save his? Thanks to her, he got to live an enjoyable life, but another part of him always felt indebted to her.

     "I wish you had a family of your own…"

     Then he wouldn't have felt such a heavy burden. However, she had no one else. As Ahn Soo Ho blankly stared at the urn, someone approached him.

     "Mr. Ahn?"

     Ahn Soo Ho observed the man before him. He looked oriental on the outside, but his pronunciation made it obvious that he had lived abroad.

     "Can we talk for a moment?"

     Ahn Soo Ho gestured for him to clarify.

     "Empire Konzern would very much like to recruit you."

     "A broker?"

     The man passed him his business card.

     "Brian Yoon? I'm sorry, but I've never heard of that name."

     "I'm sure you haven't. It hasn't been long since I started. To be honest, they only sent me because I'm of Korean origin."

     "Did you do a background check on me?"

     "I did."

     "Then you must know that what you're asking is impossible."

     "But didn't you just sign with Daesan Group?"

     "You've been misinformed. It's not a long-term contract. It's just a temporary position for one year."

     "Then if I offer you better conditions..."

     "No."

     Ahn Soo Ho cut Brian off before he could finish.

     "That won't happen."

     "You're very firm."

     "I tend to stick to my word."

     He had returned to Korea on a sabbatical trip. It was only a verbal agreement made over a few drinks, but his promise with Kim Dae Chan was important.

     "I'll be sure to return with better conditions, Mr. Ahn."

     "You're persistent."

     After exchanging nods, Ahn Soo Ho glanced at the distancing man before he picked up his phone.

     "It's me. Look into Empire Konzern. Yeah. Don't go in too deep, though."

     He only said what he wanted to say and then hung up. Then, he looked at the urn one more time.

     "I'll remember to bring you rice wine next time. Don't be mad, Granny."

     < Protect – Episode 1 – Kim Dae Chan [1] >

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     3

      Seoul seemed like it changed a lot, but it hasn t. As a man who had seen many chaotic cities around the world, Ahn Soo Ho felt that Seoul didn t have any unique characteristics. Seoul wasn t a very attractive tourist attraction. One could say the Han River made up for many of the city s downfalls. It was not common to see such a big river penetrating a capital city. Not even the Seine River, the Rhine River, or the River Thames seemed as big in comparison.

     After he left the charnel house, he arrived at an alley in Itaewon. As he pointed out earlier, Seoul was a chaotic city with lots of people everywhere, unless one was in some remote alley. The fact that he missed that scene and felt bitter about it proved that he had gotten a lot older.

     Ding-

     As soon as he opened the door, a bell rang.

     Hello… Huh?

     The woman who was ready to serve a customer saw Ahn Soo Ho and opened her eyes widely.

     Soo Ho? Soo Ho!

     Who?

     Someone popped out of the kitchen in response to the loud noise.

     Hey!

     Hey, man!

     Despite the fact that their meeting looked as violent as a dropkick, the two men smiled and embraced each other. The other man also had a healthy frame just like Ahn Soo Ho. The woman wiped her tears before she started clapping.

     Sit down.

     Hye Jung, let s close for the day.

     Okay, fine. Sit down.

     Jung Hye Jung flipped the OPEN sign to CLOSE.

     Oh yeah! I worked on a new recipe for you!

     Do Kyung Ho put on his apron, sat Ahn Joo Ho in front of the table, and started preparing the food. Meanwhile, Jung Hye Jung set up a few bottles of soju and beer. Seeing how they had great teamwork, they were obviously a couple. Ahn Soo Ho just sat there and watched them with a smile.

     Delicious sounds could be heard from the boiling pot and the sizzling fry pan. From the smell of it, one would think they were at a five-star restaurant, but it had only been less than three years since Do Kyung Ho got his Korean cooking certificate. Did three years sound like a long time? It wasn t. If one wanted to be treated like a professional cook, one must have at least 10 years under their belt.

     Not everyone was a genius.

     Is your business doing well?

     As soon as Jung Hye Jung sat down with some side dishes, Ahn Soo Ho asked her the most basic question.

     It s alright. Oh yeah! Were you the one who talked to Donald?

     Yeah.

     I knew it.

     The reason why they opened the shop near Itaewon was because it would be easier for Ahn Soo Ho to help them out. Even though location didn t matter too much, since foreigners were more trustworthy than Koreans, it was less likely that they had suddenly violated the agreement. Do Kyung Ho and Jung Hye Jung got married seven years ago. The groom was 0 years old, and the bride was 27 years old, which were the ideal ages to get married in Korea.

     The problem was that their parents were very against it.

     Are you still avoiding your family?

     Yes.

     Jung Hye Jung had an awkward look on her face.

     Luckily, Kyung Ho s parents gave in and forgave them as soon as grandchildren came into the picture. Sure, both of them made an effort, but it was largely due to Ahn Soo Ho s long efforts to convince them. As soon as Ahn Soo Ho started to take care of the queen grandmother s death anniversary, he became the most influential man of the entire town.

     Ahn Soo Ho glanced side to side, and then put a white envelope in Jung Hye Jung s hands. Before she could raise her voice, he shook his head telling her not to. Jung Hye Jung knew Do Kyung Ho would tell her to give it back, so she had no choice but to be careful. Ahn Soo Ho used a small voice to whisper,

     That s not for you. That s for my niece and nephew. Okay?

     Thank you, Soo Ho.

     Don t cry, or Kyung Ho will get suspicious.

     What do you mean? Will it look like we re having an affair?

     Hey! I have higher standards than that.

     Jung Hye Jung wiped her tears away and snorted.

     I was pretty popular in Gangnam back in the day, you know.

     What s the use in talking about the past? You re just a mother now.

     The reason why Kyung Ho s parents were against her was because she used to work in the red-light district. Most of them hid their pasts, just as any woman with an unfavorable past would. However, Jung Hye Jung didn t hide any of it. That was how much she loved Do Kyung Ho.

     To be honest, Jung Hye Jung was still pretty.

     She was probably not lying when she said she was popular back in the day. According to Donald, whenever she went out by herself, a lot of guys asked for her number. If Do Kyung Ho knew that, he would be startled. They say a man s behavior depends on how the woman treats him. Seeing how she made that ill-tempered pig into a sheep, they must be a match made in heaven.

     So you are you not visiting them this year?

     I don t care if I get cursed at… but I can t stand to watch Kyung Ho get trash dumped on him.

     The reason why Jung Hye Jung s parents were against Do Kyung Ho was because he used to be in a violent gang. It was true, though. Kyung Ho didn t try to hide any of it.

     You live a difficult life.

     What was true love anyway?

     Ahn Soo Ho thought these two were living difficult lives. If they had hidden their pasts from each other s parents, they could have been just fine. Was it really that bad to lie out of good will? He felt like it was wise to keep quiet about things other people didn t want to know. Still, being able to sincerely love someone was a very beautiful thing.

     Ta-da! This is the recipe I made for you!

     Do Kyung Ho enthusiastically presented the food.

     This is spicy seafood noodle soup.

     Where s the excitement? This isn t just any old spicy seafood noodle soup. I poured my heart into it!

     I bet you just wanted to eat it with some drinks.

     Haha!

     Do Kyung Ho laughed half-heartedly as he glanced over at Jung Hye Jung.

     Sit down, you immature child. I ll let it go just this once.

     You re so lenient today!

     Whatever.

     Even though they looked nothing alike, they did have one thing in common.

     You both drink too much.

     They had amazing tolerances, but the mother of two decided to stay out of it and left the room.

     There s no woman like her. Be good to her, Kyung Ho.

     I know, you punk. I know she s too good for me.

     How are the kids?

     The older one goes to kindergarten, and Hye Jung looks after the younger one.

     What about Mr. Do?

     Don t worry. I m getting along with my father just fine.

     Even though they made up because of the grandchildren, that didn t mean they could stop fighting overnight.

     Are you not going home either?

     I don t know. There s no buffer zone there.

     In contrast to the Do family that reconciled for the sake of the grandchildren, there was no room for any flexibility in the Ahn family. After he dropped out of the Naval Academy, he had never had a normal conversation with his father.

     Be good to them. Mr. Ahn probably doesn t have much time left.

     I don t know. He ll probably live until he s in diapers. He s not the type to pass away easily.

     Do Kyung Soo sighed in response to what Ahn Soo Ho said. The Do family may not be very normal, but the Ahn family was much worse.

     Why did Mrs. Ahn have to have an affair?

     Soo Ho s mother got a divorce when he entered middle school and married another man. Since she remarried only six months after the divorce, there was no question about it. Her neighborhood treated her as if she was a slut. Even though they didn t live in the same neighborhood, it still left his childhood friend with a big trauma.

     How are your parents?

     Do Kyung Ho giggled at his quiet question.

     You sound pretty curious.

     I m just asking. So how are they?

     My mother s been complaining that her and my father just go around drinking all the time.

     It sounds like they re doing well.

     Yeah. They might actually live until they re in diapers just like you said.

     As soon as it grew quiet, they clinked glasses.

     Kya! That s what I m talking about!

     A glass of soju and a spoonful of spicy seafood noodle soup was the most perfect combination.

     Any hardships these days?

     No, not really…

     Do Kyung Ho had something to say, but he failed to spit it out and hesitated instead. Ahn Soo Ho, however, knew what his friend was trying to say.

     That s enough talking. Cheers!

     Whenever they clinked glasses, they were able to forget about all of their worries. After quite a few drinks, Do Kyung Ho found the courage to finish what he was saying.

     Thanks, man.

     For what?

     For everything.

     Was he drunk already? It looked like even a crazy pig like Do Kyung Ho became weak after becoming a father and the head of a household. He was no longer the drunkard that drank for three to four days straight.

     Thanks, Soo Ho. I owe you one.

     Just drink.

     *****

     Thanks, Soo Ho.

     Jung Hye Jung looked after the drunk Do Kyung Ho as she saw off Ahn Soo Ho, who was surprisingly sober.

     Hey! I told you not to thank me.

     It s not right to forget a person s kindness.

     Don t follow me out, okay?

     He pushed her back into the shop to stop her from following him out.

     Mr. Ahn.

     As soon as he turned to the corner of the alley, he was stopped by a high-end sedan and a familiar face. She was one of Kim Dae Chan s secretaries. Her name?

     Ms. Oh Joo Kyung?

     The vice-chairman sent me here.

     Let s go.

     He didn t ask how she found him. He knew she wouldn t answer, and sitting in the throne of Korea s business world mustn t have come for free. As soon as the car took off, he saw escort cars in front of him and behind him.

     Empire Konzern asked for our cooperation.

     Oh Joo Kyung acted like she was his secretary as if she was ordered to do so from above.

     And?

     They wanted us to send you over.

     And how did the vice-chairman react?

     He turned them down without any hesitation.

     If you re telling me this after he had already turned them down, the brains beneath him must think differently. What conditions did Empire Konzern offer?

     She hesitated before opening her mouth.

     They offered to increase Daesan Group s import of rare earth elements by five percent.

     Wow! They came on strong.

     The resource team leader of the business strategy division requested for your background check.

     A team leader is trying to change the decision that the vice-chairman has already made?

     His actual rank is executive director.

     Then the director of the business strategy division…

     Yes. It s Vice-Chairman Kim Dae Gil.

     Daesan Group had three vice-chairmen. The power structure may seem weird, but they used the system of checks and balances to function in a smooth matter.

     Kim Dae Gil—the founder, Kim Dae San s younger brother.

     Daesan Group wasn t like a crazy drama where family members fight over the inheritance. From what he remembered, Kim Dae Gil was just as cheerful as Kim Dae San and Kim Dae Chan. Even though he was known as a player, he has exhibited great performance with his sociability ever since he entered the field.

     He can t be eyeing the throne after all this time… What s going on?

     Daesan Group s transfer of power has already taken place, and Kim Dae Chan was expected to become the chairman within the next few years. While Ahn Soo Ho thought about it, the car arrived in a residential area of Seoul. The grand residence was in the middle of the most well-known neighborhood of the rich. An elder with a cane could be seen as soon as they passed through the gates.

     You punk!

     Even though his mouth was scolding, his face was smiling.

     You must have gotten a lot of insults in your life to live so long.

     You little punk! I m not even eighty yet. What are you talking about?

     I guess dying isn t easy these days with how much medicine has advanced.

     Haha.

     Kim Dae San laughed like crazy in response to Ahn Soo Ho s jokes regarding death. He hasn t laughed like that in a long time.

     You crazy punk.

     Kim Dae San had known Ahn Soo Ho for longer than Ahn Soo Ho thought.

     I wonder what she saw in you.

     Ahn Soo Ho wasn t the only one who had been saved by the queen grandmother. He had also been graced by Jung Mi Ja s kindness a long time ago. The young and old strolled shoulder to shoulder through the garden.

     I m guessing you just used my promise with Dae Chan as an excuse… Why did you call me here? Is there a problem?

     Hm. I guess there is.

     What is it?

     They stopped at a small gazebo. Kim Dae San sat on the guardrail.

     What do you think a businessman needs the most?

     Luck?

     Even though that was a random answer to a random question, he seemed pleased.

     That s right. Luck is the most important thing when it comes to business.

     Even if one used big data to market their product, the trend would change day by day, and it had become difficult for one person s authority and responsibility to decide on a company s future when such a wide variety of companies were thriving.

     That s what I need right now.

     What do you mean by that?

     I mean I need your luck.

     My luck?

      Does he think I m a lucky rabbit s foot or something? Unless he s become senile, he means what he says.

     You re too young to make a rotten face like that, you punk. You don t have to do anything in particular.

     Then?

     One year. Just stay in this country for one year.

     Since he was on sabbatical, that wasn t a problem, but he still felt suspicious. Why does it feel like I m being tricked?

     Hey! I told you not to make that rotten face.

     Let s just be honest, old man.

     His name meant water tiger, but people think it meant to protect. That was because when he made up his mind to protect something, he would always see it through. Many white employers he has worked with referred to him as a guardian angel by calling him Mr. Guardian.

     What kind of trouble did you get into?

     Trouble?

     Come on now! You know what I m talking about.

     Ahn Soo Ho imitated Kim Dae San s way of speaking and swung his hips back and forth.

     I m talking about a premarital pregnancy!

     A cane came flying in.

     You punk!

     < Protect – Episode 2 – Kim Dae Chan [2] > The end.

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     4

      One might think the chairman of Daesan Group would have fancy French food all the time, but Kim Dae San actually had cheap taste. What appeared on the table was fish cake soup and Japanese sake. It wasn't because he loved Japanese food, but because the food he ate as a child was from Japan before the liberation.

     Are you ever going to get married?

     Why do you ask? Do you want to set me up?

     If you want.

     Come on, old man. You only know rich businessmen and politicians. I'm not suited for that kind of suffocating lifestyle. Oh, I'm not talking about you or Dae Chan though. You may be rich, but you have cheap taste.

     Ahn Soo Ho picked up a fish cake skewer and laughed.

     You boring punk. Okay, fine. What are you going to do for a year?

     What do you think? I'm going to have a lot of fun.

     That's only fun for a little while.

     Only for workaholics like you, old man. I'm a pro at having fun.

     Isn't having fun tiring too?

     Haha. What are you talking about?

     His outspoken remark made the butler flinch, but not Kim Dae San.

     Why don't you join me, old man? Shouldn't you be retired by now?

     Even though the grandfather's generation deserved to be respected for their devotion and efforts in the miracle on the Han River, they had the Korean chronic disease of not being able to enjoy their retirement. It was true that beautiful people are beautiful even as they leave this world. Since retirement and old age come for everyone like death, it was an inevitable fate.

     You don't really think of yourself as the country's king just because people call you the king of Korea's business world, do you?

     I can't say that's completely untrue.

     I knew it. That's a disease, you know.

     Ever since the old man said he needed luck, Ahn Soo Ho saw what was coming. Koreans and Japanese have an overly strong sense of responsibility, and it was a custom or fixed idea that most Koreans fail to realize. Some people might say a strong sense of responsibility was good, but from Ahn Soo Ho's perspective as a man who had lived abroad, foreigners often see strong sense of responsibility as arrogance. That was because a strong sense of responsibility would cause one to stick their nose into everything.

     In contrast to Asians who value responsibility, Westerners liked to draw a clear line. Taking responsibility for everything by yourself was simply impossible. The West had a hard time understanding why the East saw the future of a company as an individual's responsibility.

     Old man, it's not like you're the king of Korea. You don't have to take responsibility for this country's future. You're just an old man with a lot of money. If you're that worried, make a donation or start a charity. Or why don't you run for president?

     Kim Dae San giggled. No one else around him had been so frank with him. They all just said he was right and bowed down to him.

     Father, I'm home.

     Kim Dae Chan came in and greeted Kim Dae San, and Ahn Soo Ho responded with a wave.

     Sit down.

     I see you've already had a drink, Father.

     Haha. I'd like a drink poured by my son for a change.

     The rich liked alcohol, but they tend to avoid it for the sake of their health. The three men sat quietly and drank. Perhaps being in good company and having good alcohol made words unnecessary. As soon as the drunk Kim Dae San was escorted to his bedroom, Kim Dae Chan loosened his tie and sighed.

     That old man is still a good drinker. I don't know what to do.

     Wow! Are you saying the great Kim Dae Chan can't even handle a few bottles of sake? You must be getting old too.

     Hey! I'm forty-five years old, man!

     Doesn't real life start at sixty?

     That's bullsh*t. Just wait until you're forty. You'll be looking for Viagra.

     Good thing I'm still in my thirties.

     Time will pass faster than you think.

     Kim Dae Chan swapped out the food and drinks with the flick of a finger.

     Did you hear from Father?

     Hear what? That he needs luck?

     Is that all he said?

     Yeah.

     Ha! He didn't say the most important thing.

     Ahn Soo Ho shrugged to his friend's dumbfounded response. After Kim Dae Chan swirled his glass of whisky, he showed a bitter smile and opened his mouth.

     You know how unique our country is, right?

     After Japan, China, and Russia knocked us down, our country is divided with a dictator on the other side… You could say we have quite the history.

     From the outside perspective, Korea isn't the best place for an investment.

     Yeah, yeah. Get to the point already. Ahn Soo Ho butted in as soon as it seemed like the conversation was going to drag on.

     You cold bastard!

     We can't let our personal relationship get in the way of business. So what's your point?

     It's become a custom to get rid of one or two large corporations in order to gain popularity every time the government changed.

     Oh yeah. The presidential election took place last year. Did they threaten to ruin our old man's business?

     We're just staying alert.

     You make it sound like it's going to happen. Hm. This isn't something the president can do himself… Is the States involved?

     It's possible.

     Why?

     The question wasn't for Kim Dae San, but for himself.

     Why?

     Has Daesan Group interfered with the States gain? It has. Since Daesan Group wasn't an American corporation. Daesan Group's gains benefited the Korean economy, which meant they put the American economy at a loss. One could say that it was the truth, but assuming a foreign country's gain meant the local country's loss was a one-dimensional way of thinking. If Daesan Group's stock prices rose, American investors would be happy, so any hidden losses could stay hidden.

     Did your lab develop something useful?

     Something useful… I can't really say.

     Has your company been in good terms with China?

     No. We're actually frustrated because of a Chinese corporation.

     Then what could it be? You must have gotten on a white man's bad side.

     Even if the States looked like the were being stubborn, it has always been thoroughly calculated. If Daesan Group brought them profits, they would do everything they could to protect them and maintain a good relationship.

     I'll look into it.

     Thanks.

     You know I can't give you a discount though, right?

     I don't need it.

     Deal?

     Deal.

     The two men smiled and clinked glasses.

     Where's the wife and kids?

     With my wife's family.

     Who were they again? Jinsung Group?

     Yeah. You remember.

     The Ahn Soo Ho Kim Dae Chan knows didn't give special treatment to rich people. But then again, rich families of Korea were nothing compared to the royal family abroad.

     You were always smart.

     To know the direct numbers of each country's influential people was a very big deal.

     Did Jinsung's side catch on?

     I don't think so. It was even hard for us to find out.

     If they weren't number one in Korea's business world, they wouldn't already have a traitor on the president's side.

     I don't know. If the States is really involved, they probably know that you found out the truth. If not, they'll find out soon.

     Will they use an intelligence agency?

     Of course. The company has always made good use of economic assassins.

     Company was code for the CIA.

     If you look at Iran and Central and South America, economic assassins are much more effective than the military if you want to turn the government around. I guarantee there's a spy within your staff, too.

     Seriously?

     Yeah. Hold on.

     He excused himself to answer his vibrating phone.

     It's me. Yeah. Yeah. Really? Okay. Yeah, put a stop to it. Okay.

     After hanging up, Ahn Soo Ho neither smiled nor frowned and looked at Kim Dae Chan.

     I think we're in trouble.

     What do you mean?

     It looks like Empire Konzern is involved too.

     What?

     He sighed like Kim Dae Chan did a little earlier.

     Apparently, a hedge fund has made their first move. You probably know them too. They're called Prause.

     Prause International?

     Ahn Soo Ho shrugged, and Kim Dae Chan slapped himself in the cheeks with both hands to sober up.

     Sorry, but I have to go.

     Don't strain yourself.

     Thanks.

     Ahn Soo Ho made a toast for Kim Dae Chan as he hurried away.

     I'm sure he can handle it.

     In contrast to the Ahn family, Kim Dae San and Kim Dae Chan of the Kim family were not to be underestimated.

     *****

     The next day, Ahn Soo Ho went to Jejudo.

     As the only Korean island with exotic flavor, it has been getting more and more Korean and foreign tourists every year. Someone was waiting for him as soon as he got to the airport.

     It was a familiar face that he had seen two times before.

     Ms. Oh?

     Welcome to Jejudo, Director Ahn.

     Director?

     Would you like to check?

     After looking through the files Oh Joo Kyung handed over, he clicked his tongue.

     That old man is very meticulous… Tsk.

     Right this way.

     Okay, I'm coming.

     Ahn Soo Ho followed her to the parking lot as if he had given up. It was the same driver, and he had seen the security team before as well.

     This is really excessive for someone like me.

     It was the chairman's orders. You're getting a lot of attention these days, Director Ahn.

     You sound unhappy about that, Ms. Oh.

     You can call me by my name or position from now on.

     I can't do that. I'll be out of here in a year.

     Is that so? Then please call me whatever you like.

     When he said about being out of here in a year, Oh Joo Kyung made a very peculiar face. Was she doubting him? Well, it didn't really matter if she believed him or not.

     Would you like to go to your residence?

     Sure.

     Daesan Group had built pensions and resorts all of over the country for their employees, but it expanded so much that it became its own operation division. Daesan Group's hotel franchise opened seven branches in Korea, three braches in Japan, and two branches in China, with a total of 35 branches all over the world. That meant the Daesan brand could be found in almost every tourist destination.

     The Daesan Hotel Resort in Jejudo had the biggest facilities, and therefore had many guests as well. But that didn't mean it crowded like a flea market. The recreational facilities were for stress relief, not for getting pushed around by mobs of people. Beside the hotel resort was a vacation home just for the chairman's family.

     He's just swimming in money, isn't he?

     In contrast to the unique and castle-like exterior, the interior was very practical. Wasn't this more like a banquet hall? Well, they did say they hold parties from time to time.

     Please don't mind me and tend to your own matters.

     But the chairman requested that I…

     So a grown woman is going to follow a man everywhere he goes? Do you like me, Ms. Oh?

     Pardon?

     Oh Joo Kyung was taken aback by the random remark.

     Do you like me?

     Well…

     Has it been a day since they've met? It was too short of a time to discuss such feelings. And above all, as an employee of the company, she didn't have the courage to turn down her superior.

     It's a simple question. What are you thinking about?

     I… I do.

     Did everyone hear that? Ms. Oh likes me.

     The housekeeper and employees were taken aback by Ahn Soo Ho's ridiculous announcement. Oh Joo Kyung found out that he was teasing her only after she saw his grinning lips.

     She took a deep breath.

     I can leave you alone as long as I'm able to contact you.

     Great! Is there anything else I should know, my beloved Ms. Oh?

     Director! Oh, I apologize.

     Oh Joo Kyung yelled, and then immediately apologized.

     I must have crossed the line with my joke. I'm sorry.

     That's alright. There will be a welcoming ceremony tomorrow afternoon.

     She accepted Ahn Soo Ho's quick apology and continued to speak with a calm face.

     A welcoming ceremony? For me?

     Yes.

     Cancel it.

     But whenever an executive comes down…

     Ugh, that's such an eyesore. Don't you think we should stop these customs that are only meant for the people on top? You must all be tired. It looks like you even cleaned this place extra well because of me.

     He rubbed the window with his index finger. There wasn't a single trace of dust just as he expected.

     I'm not your superior or a guest you have to serve. I'm just an employee of Daesan Group. So please don't make this tiring.

     His self introduction and expression of his stance ended there. Even if they continued to bow down to him, it was no longer Ahn Soo Ho's responsibility. As soon as he was left alone, he skipped unpacking his bags and went out onto the terrace. Jejudo was in Korea, but it didn't look like it. Ahn Soo Ho noticed his vibrating phone and answered it.

     What is it?

     The kiosk is ready. What's the budget?

     Start with five million.

     Is that in won?

     In US dollars.

     Great!

     The call ended there, and the most urgent matters were wrapped up.

     Okay, then.

     It's time for an eating adventure.

     The saying that eating was the most important thing was an eternal truth.

     < Protect – Episode 3 – Kim Dae Chan [3] >

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     5

      Jejudo wasn't a small island.

     Assuming one was following the traffic rules, it would take at least two hours to get from one side of the island to the other. Daemado wasn't a small island, either. Most people thought it was all useless land since it was so mountainous, but no land was ever useless. Besides the time when Russia sold Alaska for dirt cheap, the international society did all sorts of things to try to get one more inch of land.

     Ahn Soo Ho only went to Daemado because someone even sent a helicopter to pick him up.

     "Shiba!"

     It may sound like a curse word, but it was actually a name. Shiba Yaos smirked.

     "Didn't you say my name sounds like a curse word in Korean?"

     "No."

     "It does, doesn't it?"

     Ahn Soo Ho answered confidently, but he didn't believe him. Daemado was full of mountains and beaches, making it very scenic, but it wasn't very suitable for young people with ambition. Even though Yaos' family, the Shiba family, was community leaders of Daemado, they were weak compared to those of the mainland. But that didn't stop him from winning the general election nine years ago when he was only 32 years old.

     "What's this about?"

     "I heard you signed a contract with Daesan Group."

     "I've been bothered by everyone on this so-called vacation. But why do you ask? Is this a white man's doing?"

     "The States isn't the only country involved with Daesan Group. Japan is in on it too."

     The CIA had been keeping up with what Kim Dae San and Kim Dae Chan had been doing. Since it was uncomfortable to contact him, they were using Japan to keep an eye on them. Shiba Yaos was simply unlucky.

     "If China gets involved too, things will get really complicated… How involved is Japan?"

     "The States promised to support our diplomatic relations."

     "What? Is this about Dokdo and comfort women problem?"

     "That wouldn't be bad, either…"

     "A revision of the peace constitution?"

     Yaos shrugged his shoulders.

     "Japan and the States will always be alliances as long as it's against China and Russia."

     "What do you get out of it? Chief Cabinet Secretary? Or Minister of Foreign Affairs?"

     "It's a little too early for me to become a minister."

     "Then it must be the Chief Cabinet Secretary."

     Instead of opening his mouth, he just smiled.

     "Chief Cabinet Secretary in your early forties… You might become the prime minister by fifty at this rate."

     "That'd be nice, but you never know."

     Japan was a strange country that despised change.

     Even though they liked sincerity and diligence, they didn't like innovation. The Japanese DNA, which pursued stability by nature, distrusted the thinking processes of the outside world. The Japanese strongly believed that the ones born and raised in Japan were the best. People often call that the artisan spirit, but Ahn Soo Ho thought they just lacked flexibility.

     "As you already know, I'm not a patriot."

     "I know."

     "But that doesn't mean I'm a traitor either."

     Even though it would be sad if Daesan Group went down, associating that with Korea's future was a dangerous way of thinking. Despite liking Kim Dae San and Kim Dae Chan as people, he couldn't live their lives for them.

     "Shiba."

     Yaos gulped in response to Ahn Soo Ho's grave tone. Even though he was able to disguise his smiling face, he couldn't put off his nervousness.

     "Whether this is about economical logic or something else, I have no interest in getting involved in your struggle for rights."

     Because that matter had nothing to do with him.

     "But remember one thing, Shiba."

     Yaos tensed up to the sound of his name.

     "Don't cross my line."

     ******

     His trip to Daemado interfered with his initial plans to go on an eating adventure.

     Jejudo at night showed off a different vibe from the day, and the quiet country roads outside of the city center was filled with complete darkness. One could call it two faces of Jejudo. The underdeveloped parts didn't look comforting, but rather frightening. If one watched 'Korean Ghost Stories', picking up a hitchhiker in Jejudo at night was simply a stupid thing to do.

     "Because they're ghosts from the underworld. Boo!"

     Emily and Rachel were at a loss for words.

     "That's ridiculous."

     Ahn Soo Ho smacked his lips at the lukewarm response as he drove in the driver's seat. No matter how long he has lived abroad, he was still Korean by nature. The night drive was quite pleasant, and finding two lost sheep in the middle of the roads brought him enjoyment. Emily and Rachel were Australian high school students who were visiting Korea during their vacation..

     Two underage girls traveling on their own in foreign countries might sound fine in other people's perspective, but that wasn't true at all. Emily's uncle ran an orchard on Jejudo, but it was still wrong for two young girls to go around late at night. Even though Korea was relatively safe, wandering around remote alleyways and entering quiet forest trails would simply be asking for a crime to happen.

     "Anyway, thank you, Soo Ho."

     "If that's hard to pronounce, you can call me Jason."

     "Your English is great, Jason."

     "I'm fluent in English, French, and German. Just like Jason Bourne."

     "Wow! Are you bragging?"

     "I can't help being so great."

     The two high school girls enjoyed his non-Korean response.

     "Here we are."

     The grim face of a middle-aged white man could be seen in front of them. His long beard made him look even rougher. However, his expression turned into a smile as soon as he looked toward Ahn Soo Ho.

     "I can't thank you enough."

     "Don't worry about it. It was no problem."

     He was surprised by the white man's fluent Korean.

     "You seem surprised."

     "I didn't expect you to be so fluent. You must have lived here for a while."

     "It's been over twenty years."

     Ahn Soo Ho nodded. If he has been in Korea for over twenty years, he must be more unfamiliar with English instead. David Cox. His Korean name was Lee Chul. He was naturalized in Korea because of a woman. His wife, who was scolding the two troublemakers, looked like she was quite popular among men when she was younger.

     "I'll be going now."

     "Just like that? Why don't you stay for dinner?"

     He was definitely different from a Korean. Ahn Soo Ho didn't decline his offer. As soon as Emily and Rachel went inside with drooped shoulders, Lee Mi Hyun expressed her gratitude.

     "I'm sorry for the trouble they caused you. My name is Lee Mi Hyun."

     "I'm Ahn Soo Ho. And it was no trouble at all. They actually saved me from a very lonely drive home."

     "You don't look like you live in Jejudo."

     "I'm here on a business trip vacation."

     Seeing how Lee Mi Hyun took a census as soon as they met, she was undoubtedly a Korean. The house on the orchard was more spacious than it seemed. The living room window was connected to a well-decorated terrace where a barbecue grill, cooking utensils, and ingredients wee set up.

     Ahn Soo Ho quickly started to help.

     "You're our guest…"

     "This is the least I can do for a free meal. Please let me help."

     Lee Mi Hyun didn't seem to hate it, and Lee Chul just smiled brightly. They must have liked his initiative. They started eating as soon as Emily and Rachel arrived after washing up and getting changed. He had no idea that he would enjoy a Western barbecue in Jejudo, so he felt lucky and fascinated.

     They used a combination of Korean and English, and had a great time.

     People might think they were old friends, but they only met for the first time today. That was what made it that much more incredible. It had been like that since he was little. He was able to see through people whom no one else could read. He would just see it. He could see what they were thinking, how they felt, and how they would respond.

     "What kind of work do you do?"

     "Oh, didn't I tell you?"

     Toward the end of the meal, he became friends with Lee Chul, and Emily and Rachel called him by his name. Besides Lee Mi Hyun, who kept her guard up, no one else felt suspicious of him.

     "I work at Daesan Hotel Resort."

     "Wow! You're an elite!"

     "No, I'm not. I'm just a villa caretaker. Oh, Emily and Rachel. You two should come visit before I go back."

     "What about me?"

     "You and your wife are always welcome."

     "Wow! Do you mean that?"

     "Do I look like the type to say empty words?"

     "No, of course not."

     The tipsy Lee Chul laughed loudly to everything he said. There was usually a special connection among middle-aged men. While Ahn Soo Ho was enjoying dessert and tea time, he felt his phone vibrating. He excused himself and answered it in a quiet corner.

     "It's me."

     "The winning bid is twelve million dollars. Are we doing it?"

     "Pay via bank transfer, and don't leave any records this time."

     "Deputy Director Eaton was looking for you."

     Jeremy Eaton O'Hare was an influential man leading the CIA.

     "Why?"

     "Things have gotten really complicated after Empire Konzern. Africa's side is looking suspicious, and the embargo is delaying the announcement regarding the many people that have been kidnapped. Sealy and Delta have been dispatched, but I heard they might have failed. Anyway, it's complicated."

     "It looks like only the brokers will strike it rich."

     "I don't know. I heard the catch is so big that all the brokers are cautious about gulping the whole thing down."

     Powerful nations like England and France preferred to use external contractors for delicate matters. The reason was because they could pass on the responsibility to someone else as long as they paid well enough. The Pentagon and the CIA, for instance, paid astronomical amounts of money to countless external contractors and brokers.

     "Use the Deep Breath guys."

     "Henry won't like that."

     "I don't care. Just bring me what I want by noon tomorrow even if it means you have to sweet-talk a bunch of the Chinese."

     "Yeah, I got it."

     After he ended his call, Ahn Soo Ho said farewell to Lee Chul and his family. Was it possible to become like family in just a few hours? He believed that all relationships depend on how much effort one put into it. There were people who were just uncomfortable to be with even after 10 or 20 years, and there were also people who would become part of the family after just a few hours.

     When Ahn Soo Ho returned to his residence, he was greeted by someone he didn't really want to see. To him, he was someone who would make him feel uncomfortable even after 10 or 20 years later. He was his Naval Academy classmate who caused Ahn Soo Ho to drop out.

     "Lee Kyung Joon?"

     "Long time no see, Ahn Soo Ho."

     "Is it appropriate for us to be this friendly with each other?"

     He noticed a lieutenant colonel badge on his naval uniform. Lieutenant Colonel at 37 years old? He was promoted very early. Lee Kyung Joon didn't seem happy about the poor treatment as if he didn't want to come either. He got straight to the point.

     "I want you to back out of Daesan Group. I think you've misunderstood. We're not trying to bring Daesan down. We're just trying to eradicate corruption and restore a healthy corporate culture."

     "I don't know which part to laugh at."

     He laughed due to the absurdity.

     "Soo Ho. Haven't you experienced how scary real power can be?"

     "Are you talking about when I got kicked out of school? Yeah, I have."

     Everyone thought Ahn Soo Ho dropped out, but the truth was, he was kicked out. After that day, he didn't think he could ever become a patriot.

     "Piss of while your legs are still intact."

     "Ahn Soo Ho!"

     "Security!"

     As soon as Ahn Soo Ho called security, Lee Kyung Joon backed off with a mixed expression on his face, but he didn't stop his nonsense.

     "You've always been too reckless."

     "I don't want to see you ever again."

     Lee Kyoong Jun left after that, but the unpleasant feeling lingered for quite a while. After blankly staring out the window, Ahn Soo Ho suddenly took out his phone.

     "Dae Chan. It's me."

     "I heard Lee Kyung Joo went to find you."

     "Was it their doing?"

     "Yeah."

     Lee of Jeonju.

     Even though Korea became a country after the fall of Joseon and the Japanese colonial era, the elite class that ruled the society still served the clans that descended from the days of aristocrats. Even though there were many collateral lines of Lee, they believed they were the only true successors of the name. They dwelled on past glory without anyone knowing.

     "The president is of that clan, right? This is getting interesting."

     "No, it's not. It's getting annoying."

     Ahn Soo Ho just smiled. Actually, he might have thought he was smiling, but other people would have been startled by his twitching lips and sharply raised eyes.

     "I'm going to rewrite the contract, Dae Chan."

     "What?"

     He's going to relieve his sh*tty mood and repay an old debt all in one go.

     "You're not having any fun, are you? I'll make it fun for you."

     But, it would surely have the opposite effect on someone else.

     < Protect – Episode 4 – Kim Dae Chan [4] >

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     6

      Kim Dae Chan's body boiled up at Ahn Soo Ho's request to rewrite the contract and caused him to fly down to Jejudo using an inspection as an excuse. The Jejudo affiliates of Daesan Group stiffened up upon the vice-chairman's arrival.

     "That was really quick, Dae Chan."

     "I have to stamp the contract as soon as possible so you won't go back on your word."

     "Don't you trust me?"

     "It's not that, tsk. I'm sorry. I haven't been in the right mind these days."

     Kim Dae Chan, who was sitting on the sofa, leaned his head back.

     "I keep getting anxious."

     "What about the old man?"

     "He's not worried at all."

     "Then it must be okay."

     If a man like Kim Dae San was relaxed, that meant things were okay at the moment. In comparison to his father, not only was Kim Dae Chan lacking in experience, but he also needed to adapt the winning attitude hidden beneath his father's cold rationality.

     Kim Dae San was confident that no external threats could bring him down, and above all, Daesan Group's status as number one in the business world was strong enough to sway the public opinion.

     With the staff, subcontractors, and their families put together, Daesan Group's family was comprised of five million people. In Korea, almost all business men were somewhat connected to Daesan Group. When people called Korea "Daesan Empire", there was actually some truth to it.

     "I doubt they're trying to destroy Daesan. It's not realistic.".

     "That's true… But I heard the National Tax Service already wants to conduct a tax investigation."

     "That'll probably just end with a small fine. The Financial Supervisory Service is what we need to worry about. Once they start looking for slush funds and look through your overseas funds, your stock prices will plummet. It'll probably affect the patent litigation too."

     "Because of that, our legal department is hectic these days."

     Even though a major corporation like Daesan Group was used to dealing with all sorts of lawsuits, they were currently on a fierce battlefield.

     "I'm hungry."

     Kim Dae Chan, who leaned his head back, said something completely irrelevant.

     "Me too."

     Ahn Soo Ho, who played along, wasn't very normal either.

     "Should we eat something?"

     "Where should we go?"

     "I have a good place in mind."

     The security team leader wasn't sure about Kim Dae Chan and Ahn Soo Ho heading out on their own, so they agreed to go with two security guards. It might sound unbelievable, but the team leader seemed to trust Ahn Soo Ho. The two security guards in their everyday outfits looked like any old tourists. Ahn Soo Ho scanned them with an unsatisfied expression.

     "What is this? Do you consider looks when you hire security guards too?"

     They were tall and good-lookin, and they could almost be mistaken for models. In any case, the four of them got into one car. With a director of Daesan Group in the driver's seat, the vice-chairman in shotgun, and the two security guards in the comfy back seats, it was a sight hard to imagine. As one would predict, the security guards were restless.

     "We… we're…"

     "Just get in."

     After Ahn Soo Ho dominated the good-looking guys' defiance, he started the car.

     "Where are we going?"

     "Wherever this car takes us."

     "What? I thought you had somewhere in mind."

     "That place is only open for dinner."

     Kim Dae Chan smirked at his watch, which indicated that it was only ten in the morning. That meant he wanted to be together until dinner time. For the vice-chairman who spent every minute wisely, hanging out was catastrophic.

     "Chief Kim grits his teeth every time he sees you, you know."

     "Why?"

     "Because you ruin schedules."

     "Really? Haha. I wish I could have seen that old maid's contorted face. Too bad."

     The vice-chairman's chief of secretary, Kim Jung In, was a capable woman, and people were predicting that she would join the board of directors when Kim Dae Chan became the chairman. Since she valued time very much, she hated Ahn Soo Ho, who did whatever he wanted.

     "Let's eat that."

     The car stopped in front of a kiosk on the side of the road. They didn't even have time to get out of the car because they someone had already come to the window as soon as they rolled it down.

     "How many?"

     "Four, please."

     The grandmother spoke informally with a distinct dialect.

     "Have a good day."

     "You too."

     After exchanging blessings, the car took off. Kim Dae Chan took turns glancing at Ahn Soo Ho and the object in his hands with a confused face.

     "What's this?"

     "Can't you see? It's fruit juice."

     "I can see that. But why did you buy food like this?"

     "Haha! You're such a newbie! Street food is the most delicious food there is."

     He cut off the grumbling Kim Dae Chan and lectured him.

     "Let me tell you about this fruit juice."

     The frozen juice made with Jejudo's oranges was a staple in any traveler's itinerary. Actually, it was delicious for just about anyone.

     "Wow! Wind power generators! How?"

     Kim Dae Chan, who was at awe at the dozen wind power generators, received a pitiful look and a head shake from Ahn Soo Ho.

     "Your company made those."

     "What? Really?"

     "Yeah."

     The vice-chairman couldn't really know every business that their group was managing. Ahn Soo Ho stopped the car in the middle of the wilderness. There were no high-rise buildings. The house with a blue, orange, and green rooftop was no higher than three stories high. It was not the most beautiful view in the world, but it had the power of giving the viewers comfort.

     "This is nice."

     Even though enjoying the ocean winds with three other men was not his preferred activity of choice, Kim Dae Chan was just happy to have escaped his cutthroat work life. The pressure he has to bear as someone who must take responsibility for the business his father established and the countless families under it was unimaginable for most.

     Rich people didn't have as much freedom as people thought. As the head of a household and a company, as well as the leader of Korea's economy, Kim Dae Chan was always full of worries. Was he happy? He probably was. But his standard of happiness was at a whole different level. At times, he dreamed of abandoning everything, but that was all in his imagination.

     "But wouldn't it be okay for just a day?"

     'If it was me, I wouldn't have been able to do it.'

     "Let's go!"

     Kim Dae Chan couldn't help but laugh at Ahn Soo Ho who was indifferent to the security guards and the group's vice-chairman. The best escapes would be with people one mashed well. The son had a cheap taste just like his father. The way he snatched other people's kimbap looked all too natural. The two security guards, however, looked blank. Seeing the vice-chairman of Daesan Group eating 3000 won kimbap on the streets made them very confused.

     "Where are we going next?"

     "Since we had lunch, let's get some coffee. What was it called again? Sunrise Peak. Have you been there before, Dae Chan?"

     "No."

     "What's the point in making lots of money? You should go on more vacations with your wife and kids."

     "We've been to Europe a lot."

     "Yeah right! I bet you were just there for business."

     "Hm, I can't say that's not true."

     He did go abroad with his family quite often. The problem was that it was mainly for business. And Kim Dae Chan was well aware that such visits didn't count as a real vacation.

     Jejudo Sunrise Peak

     It was a legendary scenic spot that every tourist must visit when they go to Jejudo. Maybe that was why it was so crowded. Statistics said over 13 million tourists visited Jejudo last year, so the destinations have already been predetermined. After Ahn Soo Ho sipped his iced coffee and looked around, he clicked his tongue.

     "I don't think Jejudo has as many rocks, wind, and women as they say. Well, I guess there are a lot of rocks and wind, but as for women… What do you think? You probably see beautiful women everywhere you go."

     "Watch your mouth. I'm married."

     "Don't rich people sleep around like they do in movies and dramas?"

     "Those damn movies and dramas. That's not true, but you probably don't believe me. Where the hell do the writers get these ideas? I've never met another rich person with secrets behind their birth."

     "The viewers love it, though."

     He had heard about affairs from time to time, but they were nothing in comparison to the stories in movies. Most of the Asians roaming about in Jejudo were Chinese. The Chinese were imitating what Japan did in Europe and the States during the rapid growth period. The funny thing was that Korea thought China was more disgraceful than Japan.

     "When it comes to group tours, Korean men and women are horrible too."

     One should never point a foul finger, but when it does occur, people tend to look at their own side with great bias. After Ahn Soo Ho stirred his ice around in his empty plastic cup, he talked to the security guard, who still had his guard up.

     "How old are you?"

     "I'm 29 years old?"

     "That's a great age. Do you have a girlfriend?"

     "No."

     His response was a slightly delayed. Ahn Soo Ho smiled brightly and looked at the other security guard.

     "What about you?"

     "I'm 28 years old… and I don't have a girlfriend."

     "Haha."

     He laughed loudly.

     "Don't misunderstand. I wasn't making fun of you."

     "Yeah right. You were."

     Kim Dae Chan, who was also stirring his ice around in his plastic cup, jumped into the conversation.

     "I think you're the one misunderstanding. These two aren't single because they can't find anyone. My security guards aren't allowed to date."

     "No, I'm not. That's total bullsh*t. What kind of rule is that? Do you want them to die single?"

     "It's a safety regulation."

     As soon as Ahn Soo Ho got angry at the absurd regulation, the security guard explained further.

     "If I do date someone, I have to report it just in case."

     "Hm. Just in case of a honey trap?"

     "Yes. It has happened before."

     He wasn't wrong. If they can't get to the target directly, the next ones to approach would be the security guards.

     "Dae Chan, do you trust these two?"

     "With my life."

     "That must mean you're really picky when you hire them."

     "Yeah."

     The security team leader stood closest to the vice-chairman, and they conducted thorough interviews in hiring the other security guards. Frankly speaking, they were loyal to Kim Dae Chan, not the group. Along with the secretary's office, the security service had to be a trustworthy army.

     "From this point forward, let everything I say enter one ear and exit through the other."

     After chewing on the remaining ice, Ahn Soo Ho threw his empty cup into the garbage can. Kim Dae Chan also returned to his serious self.

     "Did you find anything?"

     "It's pretty expensive, though. Are you okay with that?"

     "I don't care about money. Tell me."

     12 million US dollars would be 15 billion won. With the brokerage rate and fees, it would be over 20 billion won. No matter how much money Daesan Group had, 20 billion won was still a lot of money.

     "You established a corporation in Venezuela three years ago, right?"

     "Venezuela? Yeah, we did. We established a corporation in almost every South American country back then."

     Three years ago, Daesan Group announced a South American investment plan, and with the cooperation of many leaders, they proceeded with their projects. At that time, however, the hostage incident took place. The gang, Charate, which dominated Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, kidnapped Daesan Group's inspectors and asked for money in return for their safety.

     "Is the States involved?"

     "I considered that possibility too. No matter how strong that gang was, it mustn't have been easy to kidnap inspectors surrounded by security guards. There must have been an insider."

     "That must mean Aragon knew about it from the beginning."

     "Aragon? You're right. They must have known."

     Aragon, which was a paramilitary group that dominated South America, was in charge of guarding the group's inspectors as a multinational company based in the States.

     "The CIA probably led the kidnapping. They were probably black ops who had formally denied any connections with it."

     "Why would the CIA do all of that?"

     "Why? The reason is important. Take a deep breath and listen to me carefully."

     The States' South America strategy was simple—torment them or let them fight among themselves. They made sure to give them enough hope while making sure they would never become an advanced country. The wider the gap between the rich and poor, the better. They instigated crimes such as drug trade, prostitution, human trafficking, and the sale of weapons and human organs while protecting the American corporation's economic predators.

     "The States probably didn't like Daesan Group's investment plan."

     Kim Dae Chan sighed deeply. He remembered being advised by the Korean government to defer any investments on economically unstable countries.

     "From what I remember… the media labor union sh*t on them for draining national wealth."

     Even though the hostage incident was resolved without any sacrifices, Daesan Group was met with a headwind by the media.

     "How did you resolve something that the CIA was involved in?"

     "It's a company secret… so I can't tell you."

     "Then why did you ask about Venezuela?"

     "When you go back to Seoul, you should report the person in charge of South America."

     "Why?"

     "He's a spy."

     "Of the CIA?"

     Ahn Soo Ho shook his head.

     "No, Russia."

     "Oh my god!"

     "Do you see what's going on here?"

     "Sorry, but I have to go!"

     Their enjoyable time ended there. Ahn Soo Ho, who watched Kim Dae Chan vanish with his security guards, frowned at what came to mind.

     "Damn it!"

     How was he supposed to get back?

     < Protect – Episode 5- Park Ok Nam [1] >

     You are reading

     Sooho

      ebook which is a free download at

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     7

      Ahn Soo Ho didn't come down to Jejudo only for its fame as a popular tourist destination in Korea.

     Eunhye Snacks.

     One may ask why there was a snack shop in a tourist destination, but not all businesses in Jejudo were for the tourists alone. In contrast to the visitors, the residents live their everyday lives on the island. The beautiful sunset upon the ocean unfazed who lives here. Being moved by its magnificence of the view vanishes once they get used to it.

     Ding-

     As soon as the door opened, the wind made the bell rang harder.

     "Hello. How many?"

     The lady who started her formal greeting stopped midway.

     "Hey."

     Ahn Soo Ho wondered what sort of expression he's making.

     "Mom."

     They both had a lot they wanted to say to each other, but it had been over 20 years since they last spoke. The mother he remembered was full of energy, so why does she look so old in front of him now? Time is cruel. Kyung Ho knew he would hate her before he even went there. But he had never hated the woman by the name of Park Ok Nam for a single second.

     Why? Because he understood.

     "Father crossed the line."

     When he died and came back to life with the queen grandmother's help, his father blamed his mom for it all. Since arranged marriages were common back then, they were never affectionate with each other, to begin with. If anyone's at fault for his parents' divorce, it would be his foolish behavior. The people in their neighborhood called her a slut.

     "Koreans are so nosy…" Why were they so interested in other families' affairs? If one crossed the line, it would harm them.

     "How have you been?"

     "Good. What about you, Mom?"

     "I've been good too."

     His mom sacrificed her custody of him because of his father's threats. He felt sad even though it wasn't because she didn't love him. It's because a child without a mother is much more noticeable than a child without a father.

     "Sob."

     "Why are you crying? Mom, I didn't come here to talk about the past. People will think I'm a loan shark that came here to collect."

     "Who are you? What are you doing in our store?"

     A girl in a school uniform glared at Ahn Soo Ho with a mop in her hand. She had a few friends with brooms and dustpans in their hands. She felt her forehead with her hand. Why does he have a sad feeling about this?

     "Hey, come on. Calm down."

     "Who are you?"

     "Mom?"

     "Mom?"

     If Ahn Soo Ho called for his mom because he wanted help while the confused girl wearing a school uniform called for her mom. Park Ok Nam, who was in the center of it all, tore up. The other female students backed off thinking it was none of their business.

     "Did you call her mom?"

     Ahn Soo Ho realized something when he heard that. The little sister he only knew through papers reminds him of when Mrs. Park was younger.

     "Did you call her mom?"

     It surprised Lee So Hye for a different reason. She remembered a photo hidden in her mom's wallet.

     "Ahn Soo Ho?"

     "Hey! How dare you call your older brother by his name? Were you always this cheeky?"

     "Oh, I'm sorry."

     She put down her mom and bowed to apologize.

     "Come here and comfort your mother, little sis."

     "Mom, why are you crying?"

     She went to Mrs. Park and comforted her. Whether it's a man or a woman, that one drop of tear weighed a great amount of power. Even though it's awkward, it got rid of the cold vibe and made the other person curious. As the girl observed her older brother whom she had never met before, she proclaimed an explicit statement.

     "We have no money!"

     It was obvious she was attacking him with her gaze.

     "Wait, are you calling me the creditor? At least debtors can stand dignified."

     This is not a great start.

     "I'm not here to collect anything…"

     "You're not?"

     "No."

     "Oh yeah? I recorded that." Lee So Hye took out her phone from under the table and cheered. "I recorded it, so you better not go back on your word!"

     "It's illegal to record without the other person's consent, little one."

     "I don't care. What do you want? Agh!"

     She crouched down after getting hit over the back of his head by Mrs. Park.

     "Don't treat your big brother that way."

     "Agh! That's hurt!"

     "I don't care. Did you have dinner?"

     "Ugh."

     As she pulled Lee So Hye's cheeks, she looked back at Ahn Soo Ho. It was no longer awkward with the son she hadn't seen in a long time. Ahn Soo Ho just smiled.

     "No, I'm hungry."

     "Wait here. You girls wait too."

     The female students in the corner sat down in response to what Mrs. Park said posthaste.

     "Are you really So Hye's big brother?"

     "I know, right? She never had such a tall brother."

     "Hey! Your surnames are different!"

     "What is this? Is there a secret behind your births? Oh, my god!"

     Damn it! He had a secret behind his birth when not even rich people had those in real life.

     "It's nice to meet you. I'm Ahn Soo Ho."

     "His voice is so deep! He's a real grownup."

     "Tall guys are so good-looking! You're so tall!"

     "He is! Forget all the guys under 180 centimeters!"

     It was madness.

     "Be quiet! Do you want free food or not?"

     The female students quieted down in response to Lee So Hye's authoritative voice. Ahn Soo Ho gave her a thumbs up without even realizing it. That was the best threat one could make in a capitalist society.

     "Capitalism for the win!"

     Nothing is impossible when you have money. Lee So Hye, who made the uniformed sisters quiet down, went right into a census.

     "How old are you?"

     "3 this year."

     "Wow! You look young for your age."

     "I thought you were in your twenties.

     The female students noticed their financial backer's glare and quieted down again.

     "Are you married?"

     "No."

     "Then are you divorced?"

     "I've never been married."

     Lee So Hye rested her chin and asked the last and most important question. Just like the discussion of Hamlet's life and death, she thought every other question was meaningless in comparison.

     "What's your salary?"

     "Hm, in the one hundred millions?"

     "Soo Ho..."

     Ahn Soo Ho smirked at the way Lee So Hye rolled her tongue.

     "What a cheeky little sister."

     But he's not sad about it.

     ******

     Ahn Soo Ho had known Mrs. Park Ok Nam moved to Jejudo after her remarriage for quite some time. The reason isn't anything special. He found her while he looked into what could become his weakness. It's true. A family was something that could become a person's biggest weakness. He had to bribe Lee So Hye and her friends to get away from them to finish talking with his mom.

     "Aw, you must have no luck with men. Are you Mrs. Park because you're unlucky?"

     She laughed out of absurdity in response to his joke.

     "I can't change my fate."

     His mom's new husband was a good person. That was probably why she could rely on him even though she had a lot of painful baggage. But like how too much affection is bad between neighbors, great people had a clear flaw. They can't turn people down. In the end, he was unable to refuse his relative's request and got himself into trouble.

     "How much is it?"

     "Why? Are you going to pay it off for me?"

     Mrs. Park became daring after having a glass of soju for old time's sake.

     "How much is it?"

     "Three hundred million won."

     Ahn Soo Ho took out his phone and called Oh Joo Kyung.

     "Ms. Oh, you know where I am now, right? Then bring me five hundred million won in cash. Yes. Oh, the welcoming ceremony? Hm, okay. You have yourself a deal."

     As soon as he hung up, his mom urged him with a sobered face.

     "What did you do? Are you a loan shark?"

     "A loan shark? What do you take me for? You know you can't deposit the cash right away, right?"

     "Yeah, I know. What on earth are you doing these days?"She didn't forget to ask her hearts out while answering each question well.

     Meanwhile, the store closed early, and a knock came from the locked door. Oh Joo Kyung came in as soon as Ahn Soo Ho unlocked the door. She nodded at him and bowed down to his mother.

     "The five hundred million won is in fifty thousand won bills."

     "You didn't get it from the bank, did you?"

     "No."

     "Good."

     Ahn Soo Ho gave the bag to Mrs. Park.

     "Here! This is your birthday present for the last twenty years I missed."

     She stumbled while receiving the bag. Five hundred million won in cash was heavier than she expected.

     "Oh yeah! And just in case you misunderstand…"

     Ahn Soo Ho signaled Oh Joo Kyung with a nod to pull out a business card from her handbag and hand it over to Mrs. Park. It was the card Daesan Group made for him.

     "Director of Daesan Group? You?"

     "I'll be back tomorrow."

     "What? Okay…"

     What mother wouldn't feel shocked after knowing the son whom she hadn't seen for over 20 years gave her five hundred million won in cash? He loved his mom, but he neglected her during her hardship. Even though he could have lectured her about her new husband's foolish behavior, he remained a spectator. A high-end sedan, a driver, and a few bodyguards line up before him as soon as he got out of the store. Ahn Soo Ho entered through the door the driver opened for him and sat in the back seat.

     His mom still had a twinge of doubt in her eyes.

     "Go inside, Mom. Tell So Hye I said sorry for leaving without saying goodbye."

     "You must be busy. Get going. Are you really coming tomorrow?"

     "Yeah. I'll drop by in the afternoon."

     She stared until the car left and was no longer visible. She sighed.

     ***

     "I guess I have to attend the bothersome welcoming ceremony since I received the five hundred million won."

     "It may be bothersome for you, but it's an opportunity for me."

     Oh Joo Kyung and Ahn Soo Ho showed faces of joy and sorrow.

     "Why didn't you go through the bank? Then you wouldn't have had to contact me."

     "Have you played a real-time strategy game before?"

     Ahn Soo Ho said something unrelated in response to Oh Joo Kyung's question.

     "Yes, I have."

     "Oh!"

     "Was that unexpected?"

     "Yeah. You look like the type to look through fashion magazines."

     She had such an outstanding beauty and figure for a secretary.

     "Anyway, in real-time strategy games, sometimes you can see your opponent's weakness. What do you do when that happens?"

     "I attack it."

     "Right? That's what most people do."

     "But what does that have to do with my question?"

     Ahn Soo Ho stroked his beard that grew out within half a day.

     "Family is a weakness for just about anyone."

     "Yes, that's true."

     "So we… Hm, 'we' sounded weird. So on this side, there's one unspoken rule. Do you know what that is?"

     "To not mess with anyone's family?"

     "Yeah. I know it sounds corny, but that's the rule."

     Not even the most reckless psychos messed with family. However, since the world is overflowing with crazy people, someone could sacrifice family for another person's motive even today.

     "Are you thinking someone messed with your family?"

     "No, there's no way."

     "Then?"

     "It's not my family they messed with." He hadn't thought about Mrs. Park's new husband as his family even once. It's a shame his parents got divorced. However, that didn't mean he had to treat Mrs. Park and her new husband as his parents. "But the problem is…"

     Could it be a coincidence?

     "That man's surname is Lee too."

     < Protect – Episode 6 – Park Ok Nam [2] > The end.

     You are reading

     Sooho

      ebook which is a free download at

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     Download more ebooks for free at

     EbookUpdates(dot)Net

     .

     8

      When Ahn Soo Ho looked into it, he realized how unfortunate his mom's life was. The men she met after divorcing his father were sweet at first, but they turned out to be nothing but loud yet empty vessels.

     "Lee Hyo Geun."

     He may have been a "Lee" of Jeonju, but he was far from a capable man considering his impressive background. Mrs. Park Ok Nam, who remarried Lee Hyo Geun, gave birth to a son named Lee Jung Hoon and a daughter named Lee So Hye five years later when she was 40 years old. It was a pregnancy at a later age. He doesn't know why she made that risky choice, but the little sister he met today was one cheerful girl.

     "Something's going on here."

     His brain had never betrayed him ever since it fully matured.

     "Do you have to do this?"

     "A promise is a promise, Director."

     Daesan Hotel Resort was more crowded at night. Since it was a business in the service industry, the hours were always uncertain, but today their workload was full in particular because of a welcoming ceremony held for an executive who got in through his connection with the vice-chairman. The hotel had no connection or association with anyone in the banquet hall.

     An ocean development company, a wind power generation team, Daesan Channel Broadcast Station, a newspaper company, and a Security Service were there, as well as a giveaway event and an entertainment agency. Large corporations sure had a lot of connections. It would be faster to look for what field they haven't entered yet.

     "Welcome, Director Ahn. I apologize for my late introduction."

     "This is General Manager Jang Geun Young of Daesan Hotel Resort in Jejudo."

     If Oh Joo Kyung hadn't whispered in his ear, he would have made a mistake during their first meeting.

     "Are you the general manager?"

     "I am, Director." The man shifted towards him in an awkward composure. "I actually have a favor to ask you…"

     "Please go ahead."

     "I'll tell you a little later."

     "Sure."

     It wasn't him, but Oh Joo Kyung who dragged him around to introduce him to the Daesan family. People might think she's his wife. They said they got a famous comedian to host the event, but as someone who doesn't watch Korean TV much, he does not understand what's so funny about the entire thing.

     "I feel like I'm the only stupid one here."

     He decided to just laugh along.

     The event dedicated the middle of the ceremony to make way for people to give their speeches. Ahn Soo Ho, who stepped up onto the platform, had countless gazes directed upon him. There were curious leers and immature ones. There were few familiar gazes, with most of them being ambiguous. They have deferred their judgment of him.

     "What a beautiful evening."

     "Haha."

     As soon as he did a parody of a famous line from an actress, his peers left out a quiet chuckle.

     "I got this position through my connection with the chairman. But as some of you know, I'm not a permanent employee, so I have little power. There's no need to be tense around me. If you want to make a good impression, I suggest you go to Deputy Oh over there."

     Ahn Soo Ho whispered into the mic.

     "She's the actual person of influence."

     "Haha." This time, they laughed a little louder.

     "To the bright future of the Daesan family!"

     "To our bright future!"

     "Cheers!"

     As soon as he chanted followed by a burst of laughter, everyone raised their glasses. Oh Joo Kyung, who met Ahn Soo Ho as he got down from the podium, had a mysterious look on her face.

     "You were better than I expected, Director."

     "Really? Is that a compliment?"

     "Yes. One moment." She must have received important news from her earphone.

     "Director… your mother is here. What would you like to do?"

     "Direct her to the guest room."

     Even though Oh Joo Kyung was taken aback, Ahn Soo Ho wasn't very surprised. He headed toward the guest room. The guard opened the door as soon as he greeted him with his eyes. Ahn Soo Ho stopped Oh Joo Kyung from following him in.

     "Wait out here."

     "Sure."

     She gave in and backed off. It had been two hours since they parted, but his mom was in a horrible state. Even though she had no visible wounds, her clothes told him she was in a scuffle.

     "Did he take it from you?"

     The mom couldn't speak in response to his straightforward question.

     "Just divorce him."

     "Soo Ho, I'm…"

     "This is your life no matter what other people think."

     Mrs. Park Ok Nam may not have wanted a second divorce, but Ahn Soo Ho wanted that for her. Handing over five hundred million in cash was all planned out. But he didn't know he would take the bait so soon.

     "Is he only pretending to be a good person?"

     Lee Hyo Geun, whom they thought was a good person, wasn't a good person after all.

     "Where's So Hye?"

     "She went to the library."

     Ahn Soo Ho called Oh Joo Kyung over from afar.

     "Yes, Director?"

     "Bring So Hye here. Actually, let's go to her. Get ready."

     "Yes, Sir." Seeing how she didn't ask where she was, Daesan Group kept a close eye on my mom.

     "What about Kyung Hoon?"

     "He's in the States."

     He already knew that too.

     "Stay here and rest. I'll take care of it."

     "Soo Ho, I'm fine."

     When she grabbed his shirt as he turned to leave, he felt her hands shaking. She couldn't help being startled by the sudden shock. Even though her mouth said she was okay, something scared her instincts. Ahn Soo Ho clicked his tongue in his head.

     "Ahn Soo Ho, do you really love me?"

     It'd be a lie if he said he didn't see this coming. He hugged Mrs. Park Ok Nam tight. Her shaking got even worse. His mom's embrace, which felt big when he was little, felt tiny today.

     "Don't worry, Mom. It'll be okay."

     He would do everything to make this happen.

     ******

     "Dad! How could you do this?"

     Young Lee So Hye wasn't crazy about money because she had a weak mentality. Ahn Soo Ho knew that too. She became cheeky because of her father, Lee Hyo Geun's nosiness. Lee So Hye, who lied to her mom about going to the library, was in the middle of a part-time shift when she got a call from a friend saying there was a fight at Eunhye Snacks.

     She knew what was going on. Her older brother didn't come to borrow money, but he came to lend it instead. Her naïve mom probably told her dad about it, and it bound her dad who hadn't gotten his act together to do something foolish.

     "Wow! Look at you!"

     Lee Hyo Geun looked at Lee So Hye who was worked up with anger like a madman.

     "So Hye, let's talk about this at home."

     "No way! I'm not going anywhere until you hand over the money! I won't!"

     "Let's call the police, Mom. That girl needs to learn how the world really works."

     The former wife and her son scoffed at Lee Hyo Geun and Lee So Hye's scuffle.

     "Look here! If you had a conscience, you wouldn't be able to do this! Wasn't tricking my dad and making him your surety enough? What makes you think you can take the money my mom got? That money was to pay off our debt!"

     "Wow, you sure have a lot to say for a little wench. You should know when not to butt in. Tsk, tsk. How badly do you have to raise someone to get a wench like that in our Lee family? What happened, Father?"

     "Don't talk like that to your little sister."

     "She's not my little sister. We have different moms."

     The dad who was trying to comfort the jerk looked very pathetic. Lee So Hye hated the current situation. If one remarried, stay loyal to that new family, but Lee Hyo Geun kept seeing his former wife and son behind her mom's back. At first, she liked his warm nature, but as time went by, she frowned at his excessive kindness.

     "You can't trick me."

     The surety incident involved his former wife and his side of the family. Her mom was the only one who knew nothing. The only reason she couldn't expose her father's betrayal was because her past hasn't freed her mother yet either. The photo hidden inside her mother's wallet made her pity her father.

     But this isn't right.

     He can't take the money her former husband's child gave her and spend it on his former wife and son. There was no way her mom would have consented to that, so she became sick and tired of Lee Hyo Geun, who tried to seem like a good person.

     "Take care of your own family first, Dad!"

     What a crazy son of a bitch. She suddenly tore up. She wanted to complain about how ridiculous it was, but there was no one around to listen.

     "What's with all the noise?"

     "I'm glad you're here, uncles."

     Even though the son called them uncles, they were not related. Lee Hyo Geun's former wife, who opened a shop here just like Park Ok Nam, had a talent for leaching off of men. Even though she lost her enchanting touch due to old age, she was still popular among the seniors.

     "Madam Kim, what's the matter?"

     "This little wench is causing a scene."

     "Really? My son is a police officer. Do you want me to call him?"

     "Oh, that famous Superintendent Oh? I know him well."

     "Haha. My son is pretty famous in Jejudo."

     That was their indirect way of saying piss off before they call the police.

     "Let's go."

     "Let go of me!"

     Lee Hyo Geun grabbed Lee So Hye's arm, but she shook it off.

     "Tsk, tsk! You should listen to your elders."

     "Kids these days don't listen. Those commies ruined our kids' education. Back in our day, no one dared to talk back to their teachers!"

     "At least our governor isn't a commie."

     "That governor is really educated. Didn't he graduate from Harbard?"

     "It's not Harbard. It's Harvard."

     "Whatever!"

     While the old men chatted, they lost interest in Lee So Hye. The former wife's son approached her and whispered, "Just get out of here. We'll pay off your debt, okay?"

     "Why would you pay off a debt you passed on to us?"

     "Ugh, seriously. You really need to learn how to shut up."

     He picked his ear as if it had an insufferable itch. Lee So Hye panted with an angry look on her face.

     "Fuck, you're just asking for it now."

     "Ha! Let me teach you a lesson…"

     "That's enough."

     The son was about to raise his hand when he heard the loud and clear voice making his heart sink. He felt like he could die if he didn't stop what he was doing.

     "It looks like your hand habits took after your father."

     Even though he wasn't yelling, Ahn Soo Ho's voice filled the room and quieted everyone down.

     "Come here."

     "Soo Ho!"

     Lee So Hye ran into Ahn Soo Ho's arms as soon as he opened it.

     "Sob!"

     Even though they just met, her crying makes his heartache. Does this mean step-siblings are family too? After he scanned his surroundings with his cold gaze, he met eyes with Lee Hyo Geun.

     "It's nice to meet you, Lee Hyo Geun."

     "Who are you?"

     "I'm Ahn Soo Ho. My mother inconvenienced you greatly."

     "Ahn Soo Ho? Ahem."

     He shifted his expression with an uncomfortable groan. That's because it reminded him of the scuffle that took place a few hours ago. Park Ok Nam, who was obedient, rebelled against him today. Everyone had already hurt Lee Hyo Geun's pride because of the surety incident, so he lost control of his temper and smacked her.

     "Who are you?"

     The jerk son found the courage to butt in. But, there was no such thing as a home advantage here.

     "My name is Ahn Soo Ho."

     "Ahn Soo Ho?"

     "I'm So Hye's older brother."

     "Older brother?"

     He tilted his head. The Lee Hyo Geun's son he remembered didn't look like him. Or is he a cousin? He couldn't remember if they had relatives with the surname Ahn living in Jejudo.

     "So? Are you here to fight too?"

     "You should watch your manners."

     "Not to bastards like you."

     "Wow! I guess I can't win with words. You win." Ahn Soo Ho shook his head as if he had given up.

     "That's no way for a young person to behave in front of elders."

     "I know, right? The mainland people have no manners."

     "Yeah. Look how mannerly Madam Kim and his son are."

     The customers, pimps, or whatever the elders were, smirked at them.

     "Sirs."

     Ahn Soo Ho tended the elders with respect because of the queen grandmother. Kim Dae San is an exception. But today, these elders got on his nerves.

     "If you don't want to smell what's behind the folding screen, shut your trap. Or just leave while you're at it."

     "This son of a bitch."

     "This bastard."

     The elders reeked of the foul odor of their mouth panted and cussed. The former wife's jerk son joined in.

     "If you don't get lost, I'll call the police. One of these uncles has a son who's a police officer."

     That's like saying his in-laws' third cousin is the top of his class. Ahn Soo Ho smirked again.

     "Don't worry, everyone. I already called the police myself."

     "What?"

     It surprised them as if they were a Chihuahua facing an Alaskan Malamute. As soon as the door opened, police officers filed in, one of which was Superintendent Oh Jin Hwan, they mentioned earlier.

     "Jin Hwan. That punk…"

     The underling did not finish cursing at Ahn Soo Ho. That's because the officer went to Ahn Soo Ho and sucked up to him.

     "You know the charge, right?"

     "Yes. We'll arrest everyone. What are you doing? Handcuff them immediately!"

     "Yes, Sir!"

     The police moved in an orderly fashion to handcuff the former wife, her jerk son, and Lee Hyo Geun as an add-on.

     "You're arrested for tax evasion, fraud, blackmail, theft, and assault! You have the right to remain…"

     To them, the Miranda warning probably sounded like a scream from hell, but to him, it sounded sweeter than a love song.

     "What is this? Jin Hwan?"

     "Jin Hwan? You punk! What do you think you're doing to Madam Kim?"

     "Stay out of this, Father! What are you doing? Get everyone else out of here!"

     The strong affection that exists among neighbors of the same community was useless this time. The police had swept the place clean. Ahn Soo Ho left the exhausted Lee So Hye with Oh Joo Kyung and approached Superintendent Oh Jin Hwan.

     "That must have been difficult."

     "I apologize."

     "This is nothing for you to apologize for, and I'm not the one who should hear an apology either."

     Oh Jin Hwan's head ached. Why did they have to mess with an executive of Daesan Group of all people? If it was a subsidiary company, he could have tried something, but executives of the head office were more powerful than the CEO of any subsidiary company. On top of that, he was someone the chairman and the vice-chairman valued, so he got his act together. This isn't something even the chief of police can handle.

     "Sir!"

     He saluted to Ahn Soo Ho without even realizing it. Oh Joo Kyung, who was waiting with Lee So Hye in the car, passed him the phone from which Kim Dae Chan's voice could be heard.

     "Hey! Is this why you went to Jejudo? You used the sabbatical and me as an excuse."

     "The first step to any big deed is controlling the household. What about you? How did it go?"

     "We got him. I got a call from a Russian ambassador as soon as we caught him."

     "By Russian ambassador, do you mean… Vitali?

     "Why? Do you know him?

     Even though they knew each other from shooting each other in the buttocks that still counts as knowing each other.

     "He's from KGB."

     "Really?"

     "If Russia comes off strong…"

     "Then?"

     Ahn Soo Ho smiled brighter than he had all day long.

     "This will be fun."

     < Protect – Episode 7 – Park Ok Nam [3] > The end.

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     Sooho

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     9

      The high school students of the 20th century were crazy about a real-time strategy game an American developer released. As a result, their academic performance had a rapid decline and the educational authorities argued that the white people were plotting to bring Korea down.

     The truth is much beyond that.

     Ahn Soo Ho also fell for the white peoples spell and skipped school every day to spend his time in front of the PC. He even formed a team like The Fellowship of the Ring and went backpacking through all the PC rooms. Its fascinating how he got into the Naval Academy.

     "I hate the lake and I hate the ocean too."

     He hated water, but he couldnt live without it, which made him conflicted. When did his hate for water start? He thinks it started when he died and came back to life. When he submerged in Styx and time stopped. A glimpse of a dead person blanketed his old memories.

     He had memories inside his head.

     "Very old memories…"

     Inside the museum of those memories, he was the Australopithecus, the Homo Sapien, and the ape-man discovered in eastern Ethiopia, and another primitive person outside of his collection is now in front of him

     "Wow!"

     Lee So Hye couldnt close her jaw after looking around the vacation home.

     "Close your mouth, or a fly will get in."

     "Hey!"

     She listened to Ahn Soo Ho and closed her mouth, but it opened again in less than 10 seconds.

     "Can I really use any room I want?"

     "Do what you want, younger sister."

     "Wow!"

     The shouting primitive girl stomped upstairs. The employees showed straight faces, but his senses told him it all bothered them.

     "Thats my little sister. So please treat her as you treat me. Do you understand?"

     The employees realized something when Ahn Soo Ho emphasized that request. However, there was no problem with their response. If she disappears, the employees will have to get a scolding from Oh Joo Kyung.

     "You can achieve perfection without a little rough treatment."

     Thats how it is in the service industry. Japan is a well-recognized country all around the world for how well they bow down. It feels like youve become a king. Japans hotels, hot springs, and lodgings elevated their national brands. Then what about Korea? Even though Daesan Group tried their best, they didnt stand a chance against Japan and China.

     "Wheres Mrs. Park?"

     "Shes asleep."

     Oh Joo Kyung brought out a whiskey instead of coffee. How did she know he was craving alcohol? Can she look through people too? Ahn Soo Ho held his glass and smirked.

     "Theres no way."

     If his abilities were that common, he wouldnt be here right now.

     "Was she hurt anywhere?"

     "She has a few bruises, but its nothing serious. Should I book her for a thorough examination?"

     "Id appreciate that. Oh yeah! Book one for So Hye too."

     "Sure. I already contacted her school."

     "Im sorry for the trouble."

     "Not at all. I gave them a reasonable excuse."

     "Youre quick on your feet. Your future boyfriend will definitely love you."

     She was immune to Ahn Soo Hos jokes, so she just nodded and dismissed herself.

     "Vitali Andropov."

     As a Russian ambassador and former KGB agent, he was a key member in the countrys revolution. Even though he opposed Gorbachev and the reform by forming a revolution and got arrested for treason, they reinstated him after many rotations of those in power.

     "This will be fun."

     Vitalis personality was like a strong vodka. Even though he was a former KGB agent, he didnt like plots and conspiracies. People thought his big stature meant he was foolish like a bear, but bears were actually the smartest and the most agile predators on land.

     "An honest bear."

     The next day, after Ahn Soo Ho sent his mom and So Hye to the hospital, the Russian ambassador visited him. It was an honor for the hotel to have such a guest, and in the business world, entertaining a man of his level was a good way to earn extra points. Regardless of why he was visiting Ahn Soo Ho, the employees responded with a warm reception.

     "Long time no see, Mr. Guardian."

     "Stop calling me by that embarrassing nickname."

     "At least Im not calling you a guardian angel."

     "Ugh!"

     He didnt want to be the potbellied white mans guardian angel. As Vitali Andropov got older, he fell from a sharp man to a neighborhood man who anyone could find at a bar in Moscow.

     "I heard you signed with Daesan Group."

     "I keep telling everyone its not a formal contract, but no one will listen."

     "People doubt by nature."

     "So what are you going to do?"

     "What do you mean?"

     "Oh! Are you testing me?"

     Vitali, who drank his vodka as if it was coffee, either smiled or frowned.

     "I dont know what youre talking about. Too bad we cant formally confirm anything with you."

     "What about informally?"

     "Hm."

     "I dont talk easily, my friend."

     "Ill tell you if you promise not to tell Mr. Kim."

     "Which Mr. Kim? The old one or the young one?"

     "Both."

     What was there that Kim Dae San and Kim Dae Chan mustnt know about? Ahn Soo Ho stroked his chin and shook his head.

     "Hm. Even though its not a formal contract… I think itd be better if I didnt hear it."

     "Dont be like that. Just hear me out."

     Was his response unexpected? Vitali asked to compromise and talked before Ahn Soo Ho could answer.

     "Have you heard about the kidnapping incident? Why am I even asking? You probably know all about it."

     "If youre talking about Empire, Ive heard about it."

     "Its not just them. It involved the United States, Japan, China, France, England, Germany, and pretty much all major countries right now. Do you remember? Three years ago, the Amnesty International made an announcement regarding abuse of power and a survey report on human rights in third world countries including Central and South America."

     "The Orion Report?"

     "Thats right. The president of Venezuela insisted the Amnesty International and the International Human Rights Watch, and countless non-government organizations had severe prejudices. So the UN and NATO criticized them for favoring the whites."

     "And?"

     "From another perspective, the International Criminal Court wanted funding to maintain prosecutorial power over mass crimes caused by the country… but they didnt get it."

     The International Criminal Court might sound powerful, but they had no substance. The reason is that the country with the most charges last year was the States. In contrast to the International Criminal Court, which was like a civil court, there wasnt a single government official or civilian in the States compliant with a criminal summon. The States, which was active on the international stage, opposed the ICC, and no matter how impressive the court of justice and Interpol seems, the number of wanted criminals they caught is low.

     The tycoons could do nothing either.

     "Ironically, if we apply ICCs standards, they could assume all high-ranking officials of each country are criminals."

     If an American government official imposed sanctions on a company supplying AIDS medicine, does that made him a mass murderer? Would Iraq and Africa have to arrest that American for making that mistake? The reason the States was against the ICC was that they know they were not perfect. However, the States justice had to be perfect.

     "Its not just the States that wants perfection. Us, China, and France want no errors taking place either."

     "But… its bound for people to make mistakes."

     If there were no mistakes, then they were dealing a machine.

     "To be honest, I want no one finding out about our weaknesses."

     "You want global profits but you also want to handle losses individually? Thats a load of bullshit."

     "Yeah, I know."

     Whats scary was that he knew it was bullshit, but he had to say it, anyway."

     "Why are they pressuring Daesan Group?"

     "So they can use the property they spread all over Central and South America and Africa."

     "Now that the person in charge of South America is gone, the under the table stuff must be finished."

     "Yeah."

     Was it too late? All thats left was for this to spread all over the media.

     "Thats what the headlines will say in the media all around the world."

     The leaders of powerful nations were only in office for a limited time, but in Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East, and South-East Asia, dictators called the shots. How should they deal with this? Since the States started multiple wars and pressured their opponents with their leading economy, they had sent assassins over numerous times. The problem was that when one died, another appeared on the throne and ridiculed the leader of the powerful nation.

     So the powerful nations agreed to change their method.

     "A Korean corporations unreasonable business expansion? Daesan Groups astronomical bribe to the president of Venezuela or a group executive who provided illegal prostitution to the president of Tanzania? Throw in smuggling, illegal weapons trafficking, and money laundering in there too."

     The president of Venezuela and the president of Tanzania committed a tremendous amount of crimes, but there was nothing decisive enough to take them to the International Criminal Court.

     "Why Daesan of all companies?"

     "Because theyre well-recognized around the world while being easy to manipulate…"

     Ahn Soo Ho got angry as soon as Vitali trailed off.

     "Easy to manipulate?"

     "Theres no country more useful than Korea these days."

     As mentioned earlier, Ahn Soo Ho could not become a patriot ever since he dropped out of the Naval Academy. But such mockery ignited a wave of anger in him nonetheless.

     "Vitali."

     He still had no interest in becoming a patriot.

     "I want in."

     "Hm. Arent you on break?"

     He looked at his watch. Has it been around four days since he planned his break? It hasnt even been 100 hours. But this was the longest break he had since he started this job. Ahn Soo Ho showed a bitter smile.

     "Unfortunately, my break just ended."

     The proposition annoyed him yet it amused at the same time.

     < Protect – Episode 8 – Kim Dae Gil [1] > The end.

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     10

      There were many conspiracy theories in this world.

     Some of the most popular ones were about aliens, freemasonry, and secret organizations taking over the world, none of which could be confirmed. If you divide the world's population by skin color, pure white people take up around 5%. But one could not deny that they had power over the entire world.

     "Let me make this clear. The states aren't our enemy. England, France, and Russia aren't our enemies either."

     Ahn Soo Ho, who visited Kim Dae Chan at the head office, stood in front of a large whiteboard. He drew black and red lines on the world map.

     "What about Japan?"

     "Once the States backs out, so will Japan. Where else…"

     There's only one area they haven't marked yet.

     "China."

     "China."

     The two men mumbled at the same time. Ahn Soo Ho didn't tell him about what he talked about with Vitali of Russia. In this field, trust was everything.

     "If we move China, we can change the public opinion."

     "But we don't know who has the power to decide."

     "We don't. But… like any game, we have to attack the head to end the whole thing."

     Looking back, there was no way of finding evidence of a president or a head of state's involvement. The ones that targeted Korea and Daesan Group were the middlemen and had no power in policies. The so-called think tanks or brain groups always sought efficiency and rationality. The head does not control corporate groups. The head just sorted things out and decided what they must do. The rest were up to the people below, and management of state worked the same way.

     "The process of achieving national matters might seem complicated, but it's really not."

     Someone had to either stamp or sign the papers.

     "How do you plan to find them?"

     "I told you. We just have to attack the head to end the game."

     Ahn Soo Hoo smiled brightly and picked up his phone. He then spoke fluent Chinese.

     "Long time no see, Premier Wei."

     Kim Dae Chan held his breath as he watched in awe.

     "I knew you were smart and all… but I underestimated you."

     This happened three years ago in Argentina as well. When his father brought him there, he took care of the hostage negotiation when the elites of the task forces couldn't even do it. Since he could speak Korean well, he must be Korean. But he also did unbelievable things, which made him seem far from normal

     "Dae Chan?"

     "Oh, sorry."

     Ahn Soo Ho was staring at Kim Dae Chan.

     "Someone from the Chinese Embassy will come tomorrow. Accept whatever they give you. Only let someone you trust accept it, okay?"

     "Okay."

     "I'll be going now."

     "Is that it?"

     Kim Dae Chan stopped Ahn Soo Ho from getting up.

     "Why are you in such a rush? This isn't something you can do overnight. Since we dealt with it, it'll be okay for ten days or so."

     "Is there anything I can help with?"

     "Hm."

     He was afraid saying no would hurt him. Ahn Soo Ho pointed his finger.

     "Arrange a meeting with Dae Gil. How about tomorrow at lunch?"

     "Is that all?"

     "I told you not to rush things. Being anxious won't solve anything."

     Who else could warn Daesan Group's vice-chairman like this? In hostile situations, acting in a hasty manner could make things worse. The tit-for-tat approach didn't guarantee a resolution. As the fearless vice-chairman of Daesan Kingdom or the Kim Dynasty, he didn't know how to back down.

     "I'm sure that worked in Korea though."

     Jejudo could feel Daesan Group's power. If the police's authority was from the States, it would have been unimaginable. No matter how much wealth and power may be, for the States where they value social justice, governmental authority came first. That means if one disobeys a patrol officer, they would arrest them on the spot.

     Oh Joo Kyung was waiting as soon as he got out.

     "Are you ready to go?"

     "Did you find him?"

     "Yes."

     Ahn Soo Ho nodded and walked forward.

     "Lee Jung Hoon… that punk."

     Even though his mother believed her son was studying in the States, Jung Hoon had been living in Seoul for the last year. After all the hardship she went through to send him off, he had returned in secrecy.

     "This society's obsession with studying abroad is the problem."

     In Korean society, studying abroad was a necessity if you wanted to become an elite. And attending one of the few prestigious universities locked it down. The problem was enduring studying abroad was harder than going in the first place. Language barriers and culture shock were an existing problem. Having your lifestyle changed in a snap was harder than one could imagine. No matter what country you're from, half of all foreign students quit midway.

     Ahn Soo Ho's car stopped in front of the Gangnam Office Station, which had the highest soaring population in Seoul. It was too much of a hassle to bring a line of security guards along. So only Oh Joo Kyung and one security guard accompanied him.

     "What brings you here?"

     "I have an appointment with the CEO."

     "Oh! Are you from Daesan Group? Right this way."

     The tenant of the large building was one of the top advertising agencies in Korea. The advertisement scene was the only business Daesan Group did not involve themselves in, and the reason was simple. When Kim Dae San's younger sister, Kim Na Hee got married, she took the company with her. As soon as Ahn Soo Ho walked into the CEO's office, Kim Na Hee gave him a hug.

     "Long time no see Soo Ho. You should have called me as soon as you returned to Korea. I'm a little sad."

     Her firm skin made her look like she was in her forties, but she was actually fifty-one this year. She was 23 years younger than her older brother, Kim Dae San, and only six years older than Kim Dae Chan. Kim Na Hee, who received a lot of love as a late child, was the topic of conversation when she got married to an average man.

     "Sorry, Na Hee. I didn't want to bother you though."

     "What a sorry excuse."

     Kim Na Hee and Ahn Soo Ho had known each other for longer than Ahn Soo Ho had known Kim Dae Chan. The two of them had known each other for years after Kim Na Hee heard about a so-called guardian angel while meeting well-known people all around the world in the fashion, beauty, and show business.

     The field of advertisement and fashion had a stiff competition, and whether the methods were legal or illegal, didn't matter. All that mattered was bringing the competition down. There were many strange ideas, but it was possible for anyone to come up with the key points. The ones who kept their imagination to themselves would make it to the end.

     "You wouldn't have come here for no reason… What's it about?"

     "Do you know Shinhwa Entertainment?"

     "The entertainment agency? Yeah, I do. Why? Do you want to sleep with one of them?"

     Ahn Soo Ho waved his hand at Kim Na Hee's explicit comment. "It's not that…"

     "Wow! I've never heard you trail off before. Who's the girl?"

     "It's not a girl."

     "Huh? Then…"

     "Na Hee!"

     Kim Na Hee stopped teasing him as soon as he lost his temper. "I'm just kidding."

     "If you kept going, you would have turned me gay."

     "Sorry. But why do you ask?"

     "I need you to include someone in one of your advertisements."

     "Is this… a special favor?"

     Kim Na Hee frowned out of surprise rather than discomfort. Ahn Soo Ho asking for a special favor? That wasn't something possible in her mind. Ahn Soo Ho didn't have much to say, so he shrugged and handed her the profile.

     "Lee Jung Hoon? Who's this?"

     "You know my mom?"

     "Oh! The divorced… Ahem. So what about her? I thought she didn't really meddle in your life."

     Kim Na Hee wasn't the type to butt into other families' affairs, but her curiosity won over her.

     "It just turned out that way."

     "So you're planning to take care of them yourself."

     "Well… we are half-related."

     "Does that matter to you now? I guess you're getting old. Oh yeah! Seol Hyun will go crazy when she finds out you're back. You haven't called her yet, right?"

     "Why would I?"

     "Tsk, tsk! You won't be young for long. Enjoy it while you still can."

     Jang Seol Hyun is a top star acknowledged by everyone in Korea. She and Ahn Soo Ho met after she conquered Asia and went to challenge Hollywood two years ago. The result? She gave the States a try, but it didn't end so well. There was as much prejudice against Asians as there were for black people.

     "Don't even. Seol Hyun, that wench bothered the hell out of me after you disappeared."

     Kim Na Hee was a good drinker even by male standards, but Jang Seul Hyun was a heavy drinker who blew her out of the water. According to the bar owner, they order a whole box of alcohol for themselves.

     "Okay, fine. I'll call her."

     Ahn Soo Ho surrendered, and Kim Na Hee looked satisfied.

     "Great. Then I'll set up a date."

     "I haven't even called her yet."

     "They're two different meetings."

     "Okay, fine." He couldn't beat her with words. She picked up the profile Ahn Soo Ho handed her.

     "I can't get him in if he's completely underqualified."

     "Well, it was his choice to quit school… so do whatever you need to."

     "Wow! If we went to Columbia, he must have done really well in school! And you were at the Naval Academy!"

     "It's probably no comparison. I bet he's much smarter than me."

     "No way! That's not possible."

     Columbia University was an Ivey league university in New York. Kim Na Hee shook her head. Lee Jung Hoon was brilliant, but why did she have to compare him to Ahn Soo Ho? There were countless smart people in this world, but only a few could make history.

     "The younger can never be equal to the older." An example would be how Kim Dae Gil is no match for Kim Dae San. "I can't trust photos. I have to see him myself."

     "Don't tell him about me. I haven't met him in person yet either."

     "Why not?"

     "That's how it is between guys."

     "Really?"

     Kim Na Hee doesn't seem to understand.

     A brotherhood differed from a sisterhood. He won Lee So Hye over, but it won't be as easy with Lee Jung Hoon. It was possible their relationship would get even worse. The Lee Jung Hoon he knew was much more calculating than his father. A calculation wasn't always bad. He also thought about the result before doing anything.

     "But… the boundary between stranger and family needs to be clear."

     Ahn Soo Ho wasn't the type to be lenient to family. He wasn't a pushover when it came to those. As Ahn Soo Ho left Kim Na Hee's office, he had to stop. The familiar monitoring form called the diamond flip was a monitoring technique they teach in the CIA. The Daesan Group security guards must have noticed because they look nervous.

     Ahn Soo Ho smirked at the white man waving at him. He was swinging with both hands, so it was hard to miss. He signaled his men to dismiss and stood in front of the white man.

     "Eaton."

     "Soo Ho."

     Jeremy Eaton O'Hare, the deputy director of the CIA, called Ahn Soo Ho's name in Korean, even though his accent sounded awkward.

     "I couldn't reach you, so I had no choice but to come here myself."

     "I wasn't avoiding you on purpose though."

     "I know. I'm sure you've been busy."

     Daesan Group and the CIA observed them.

     "Shall we walk?"

     Jeremy, who accepted Ahn Soo Ho's suggestion walked beside him through Seolleungno. The crowd today was exceptional than ever. Is there some kind of event going on? In the end, they had to escape to an alleyway.

     "Every time I come to South Korea… I find Seoul suffocating. It's not relaxing at all."

     Jeremy hates high-rise buildings. So even though he's American, he didn't like New York City.

     "Democracy? Equality? Freedom? There are many problems underlying pleasant words such as world peace and integration, but it's just a matter of time before mankind sees the Tower of Babel collapse."

     "How poetic."

     It sounded very emotional for something a CIA deputy director to say.

     "I'll get straight to the point. I'm against this mission."

     "Why?"

     "Because South Korea is one of the few allies we can trust."

     "But everyone else thought differently?"

     "Those dimwits like Japan better. Such dirty bastards. Those fools need to see Pearl Harbor happen again to wake the hell up."

     "I heard Japan is on the sidelines."

     "That's not true. The Okinawa branch was where the proposal was made. Have you heard of Karl Raider?"

     "Cranky?"

     After the 21st century came around, IT technicians were the most important external contractors the CIA had. They had always prepared for a Cyberwar by recruiting skilled crackers and hackers. Cranky was one of the world's top 3 hackers and a pro-Japanese within the Cyber strategy headquarters.

     "I found a lot of interesting things in his proposal."

     With his belief that East Asia was more threatening to the States' national interest and security than the Middle East, he gave rise to a new line of tension while stressing the importance of differentiating our side and their side.

     "The States, which is being tormented by the Middle East and Central and South America alone, needs a new line? Did I understand you wrong?"

     "No, that's right. You heard me correctly."

     "What on earth are you talking about?"

     Jeremy let out a bitter laugh.

     "That's what the men at the top want."

     "They want a war?"

     "Not exactly. They don't want an intense battle. They want an opposition they can destroy with no effort."

     He had no choice but to give up the top cop position, so he plans to step on all the punks he hates before he leaves.

     "Why are you going so far?"

     "You probably can't understand since you're not American…"

     Jeremy minded Ahn Soo Ho, which was unlike him.

     "To us, China, Japan, South Korea, and North Korea are all full of yellow-cheeked gibbons. Oh, but not you. You're special."

     That makes him even angrier.

     Even though there was this unrealistic hope that everyone in the world could become friends, beneath it was deception and hypocrisy. What Ahn Soo Ho learned during his time abroad was that white people and Asians were on two different teams. Rather than waiting for racism to go away, it could be faster to wait until everyone on earth becomes of mixed blood.

     "How entertaining."

     "Is it?"

     Ahn Soo Ho ignored Jeremy's confused face and continued talking.

     "Deliver this message to Cranky for me."

     He needs to see the face of this white man who loves sushi, samurais, and cosplay events.

     "Tell him we'll meet very soon."

     < Protect – Episode 9 – Kim Dae Gil [2] > The end.

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     Sooho

      ebook which is a free download at

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     11

      Kim Dae Gil, the other vice-chairman of Daesan Group, seemed to change a lot, but he was still a playboy. Since before Ahn Soo Ho returned to Korea, he went around stirring up Japan, China, Russia, and the States. Kim Dae Gil, who had returned to Korea after his business trip, visited Ahn Soo Ho in his big brother's stead.

     "I knew this day would come." Kim Dae Gil talked as if he was sneering at himself. "I'm sure my big brother knew too. He just didn't want to admit it."

     Kim Dae San is a detached person. Since the chairman of Daesan Group was the star responsible for the miracle on Han River, no one could say anything if he looked down on the supporting roles.

     That was the case until yesterday.

     "I'm sure you know already, but my father is a man of national merit who's acknowledged for the Korean independence movement. Many people hate us because they think we used money to be here, but that's not true. My father was an impressive man with a platform."

     His father, Kim Dae Myung went in and out of prison for opposing the name changing program and forced labor. The liberated him soon thereafter, but because of an illness he contracted in jail, he passed away before he could see his youngest come into the world. He was only forty at the time.

     "I'm not as capable or personable as my father or big brother."

     Kim Dae Gil could not be like an elegant crane. However, even crows have special talents they hid within themselves.

     Korea was a strange country from the start. They didn't win their independence. It looked as if the world spoon-fed it-fed to them. As a result, the Korean Peninsula suffered humiliation after feeling victorious for defeating Japan.

     "I was young at the time too, but you can't imagine the chaos after Korea's liberation. The Korean war was even worse. And what about the military coup? That's not something people these days can understand."

     The young ones couldn't understand the hardships our grandmothers and grandfathers faced while searching for hope from the horrible ruins. They went to school then, but books couldn't teach you about how the world functions.

     Ahn Soo Ho, who listened in silence, opened his mouth.

     "What did your friends say?"

     "They said they can't help me."

     Kim Dae Gil didn't go traveling to have fun. He asked all of his former lovers for help, but they turned him down. Unfortunately, that was his way of finding out what the world had reduced his capabilities into. Kim Dae Gil, who chugged soju out of frustration, looked at Ahn Soo Ho.

     "What are you going to do?"

     "Since I already signed the contract… I must prevent damage."

     "Can you resolve the entire thing?"

     "Don't you know me?"

     "Yeah, yeah. You never liked to make guarantees."

     Ahn Soo Ho didn't like the terms "100%" or "perfection."

     "Thank you for the meal."

     "I need to have another drink. Go ahead without me."

     "You shouldn't drink too much at your age. Please take it easy."

     "You punk. I'm two years younger than my big brother, you know."

     "You're both getting old."

     "This punk!"

     "I'll be going."

     Ahn Soo Ho vanished in response to Kim Dae Gil's rage. He dropped his raised hand and smirked. The other door opened and a few men came in.

     "Is that man really Mr. Guardian?"

     "Yeah. What do you think?"

     "He doesn't look like he can keep secrets."

     "He doesn't have manners either."

     "Yes. He was rude to you too."

     They went along with everything the vice-chairman said. Kim Dae Gil smirked again.

     "It's all an act."

     "Pardon?"

     He didn't care to explain further, so he continued to murmur to himself while sipping his drink.

     "He's a cute-looking killer whale…"

     It was best he didn't assume he'd be weaker than a shark.

     ******

     "I came back from talking to Dae Gil."

     "Oh, sorry. I should have gone with you."

     Ahn Soo Ho exited the high-class restaurant and got into the car.

     "Don't say what you don't mean. Did you receive it?"

     "Yeah. But what is it?"

     "Just keep it for now."

     The guest from the Chinese Embassy handed over something which fascinated Kim Dae Chan. Ahn Soo Ho ended the call and looked at Oh Joo Kyung.

     "What happened with the divorce?"

     "It's going smoothly. The lawyer is in the middle of the consensual divorce procedure, so they would resolve the hearing by the end of this month."

     "This month… Can you make it any faster?"

     "I'll ask."

     Mrs. Park Ok Nam and Lee Hyo Geun's divorce was processed by Daesan Group's legal team. Even though it could cause issues within the group, it's better to be safe than sorry.

     "What about the test results?"

     "They're both in good condition."

     "That's a relief."

     Mrs. Park and Lee So Hye had no illnesses needed tending to. After Ahn Soo Ho sighed, he fell deep into thought of the promise he made with Kim Na Hee. Things would get bothersome once he called Jang Seol Hyun. He was afraid ignoring her would cause future problems, and though there was a big age difference, it was clear Kim Dae San and Kim Na Hee were siblings because of how stubborn they both were.

     "I hate the prejudice against women."

     Don't Korean men still look for a good wife and a wise mother in women? To be honest, most men thought intelligent women were tiring. It's not the military talk or the women-only subways and housing that's important. The problem was people deluded the gender equality movement into thinking discriminating against discrimination was the way to establish equality.

     "Ms. Oh, aren't you ever going to date?"

     Oh Joo Kyung sighed at Ahn Soo Ho's question. "Why are you asking about my personal life again?"

     "I'm sorry. But I can't help asking. It's weird that a young and beautiful woman just works all the time."

     His serious comment made her speechless, but she talked with a composed manner

     "Work and love is a difficult topic. Especially for a woman who wants a career for herself. How many female executives do you think Daesan Group has?"

     "You mean the top executives?"

     "Yes."

     "Hm, five? Or six?"

     "There are two. Among the thirty-five affiliates, there are only two." The glass ceiling was too high and sturdy in Korean society. "It's not just here. There is a lot of short-term female politicians, but few made it for the long haul."

     "Is your goal to become a CEO?"

     "For now."

     "So you've given up on love?"

     "Meeting the one isn't something you can force."

     "The one? I didn't take you for a romantic. Thank you for sharing. I won't ask you again."

     Treating a subordinate however you want does not differ from sexual harassment. By talking to Oh Joo Kyung, Ahn Soo Ho could determine where he had to draw the line.

     "Women are complicated…"

     Entertainment was now a legit industry.

     "In all honesty, is Jung Hoon so talented that no one else can replace him?"

     "I wouldn't say so."

     There are plenty of other trainees who were just as good-looking with comparable acting ability.

     "Then this won't affect the upcoming drama. If a problem arises, please don't hesitate to call me."

     Since Ahn Soo Ho didn't seem like he would explain himself, Lee Seon Mi could no longer persist. He's an executive from Daesan Group, and they can fire anyone no matter how well Shinhwa Entertainment was doing. However, she was still curious.

     "Why are you doing this?"

     Ahn Soo Ho swirled his cup of cold coffee. Why was he doing this? To be honest, he was jealous. Unlike himself, Jung Hoon received his mom's support and got into an Ivey league school, but he refused to study hard and dreamt of becoming a celebrity instead.

     "I guess we all have a right to dream."

     He didn't care about him having a dream, but he didn't agree with his ways. He tricked Mrs. Park. He fooled her into thinking her son was studying hard in a foreign country and did everything she could to wire him money. Her husband was a crazy pushover, and her son was an unrealistic dreamer. Park Ok Nam's life sure was unfortunate.

     "Why am I doing this?"

     If the agency canceled Lee Jung Hoon's contract, he would get desperate. But what if a top Korean advertisement agency contacted him right at that moment? How he would respond was obvious.

     Ahn Soo Ho smirked.

     "Whether it's in entertainment or any other field, there's nothing scarier than a difficult client."

     That's why he signed no contract without thinking it through.

     "I want to know what that punk is thinking. Without proper determination… you can't achieve anything no matter what field it is."

     He was curious if Lee Jung Hoon loved this job so much it was worth quitting school his mom worked so hard for. Lee Seon Mi nodded at his seriousness but continued to resist.

     "What if the board of directors or our CEO refuses? Then what?"

     Since this was too difficult for a team leader to accomplish, she would perhaps report this to her superiors, but if the CEO refuses, there isn't much else he can do.

     "His permission… doesn't really matter."

     "It doesn't?"

     "I don't want to go this far… but if your boss refuses…" Ahn Soo Ho shrugged his shoulders. "I'll just have to buy your company."

     All it takes was a different CEO and board of directors.

     < Protect – Episode 10 – Kim Dae Gil [3] > The end.

     You are reading

     Sooho

      ebook which is a free download at

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     .

     12

      Lee Seon Mi left and Ahn Soo Ho remained.

     Since they had rented the entire 2nd floor of the café, he could contemplate in peace.

     As a secretary, Oh Joo Kyung's capabilities were like no other, and she had very quick wits. She was so skilled that she didn't lose to his ability to look through people.

     "She's here."

     After Oh Joo Kyung notified him, she went off into a corner. He could see someone's head soon thereafter. How is going around fully clothed from head to toe help conceal the fact she is indeed a famous person? Jang Seol Hyun sped up as soon as she spotted Soo Ho.

     "Mister!"

     "Hey."

     If he hadn't gotten up to receive her hug, he would have gotten stuck. If one of her fans saw the way she hugged him, their mouths would foam. After pushing himself out of her grasp, she observed her refreshingly beautiful appearance.

     As a twenty-six-year-old this year, she's living through the best years of her life.

     Jang Seol Hyun, who debuted as a high-teen star, was active as a Korean actress since she was a teenager. Once she his adulthood, her fame spread across Asia. If she hadn't failed in Hollywood, her filmography would have been perfect. In contrast to what the rumors said, Jang Jeol Hyun thought she was very fortunate to have had that experience in the States.

     "If I hadn't gone to the States, we never would have met."

     That's what she said when Ahn Soo Ho asked her if she didn't regret attempting to work in Hollywood. If a man said they don't love Jang Seol Hyun, there's something wrong with their head. Ahn Soo Ho didn't care if rumors were to spread about her or if she retired from the entertainment industry altogether, that's why he isn't fond of a lovable girl like her.

     The fact that that's how he sincerely felt left him more perplexed.

     "You will stay for ramen today, right?"

     "Hm."

     Even though Ahn Soo Ho was behind on Korean humor because of his time abroad, he wasn't clueless. Jung Seol Hyun, whose seductions became more explicit over time, shared a few parodies and comedic repertories every time they met, which made him sigh. He noticed his sighing was increasing these days.

     "Be honest, Seol Hyun. I'm not that good-looking."

     "But you have a good physique."

     "There are tons of celebrities with good physique and handsome faces though. Pick any of them of them instead."

     "I don't like kids."

     "I wasn't referring to kids… Ugh, I don't know. Do what you want."

     "I will."

     The reason Jang Seol Hyun adored Ahn Soo Ho so was not at all special nor was it triggered by a chart-topping phenomenon. It was because he turned a cocky, white Hollywood celebrity into a half eunuch… No, more like Van Gogh.

     "Why do you think I failed?"

     "It's just how I feel."

     "How you feel?"

     "Yeah. Western people don't like women just because they're young and pretty."

     In Asian countries such as Korea and Japan, being young was the ultimate weapon, but not in the States. The States had stricter standards for the under-aged, and it was a little harsher towards those who just became of age.

     "There's a stereotype that young ones aren't good at anything."

     They often looked down upon young adults in their early to mid-20s, but that doesn't mean they didn't like child geniuses.

     "Critiques told me my problem is the fact that I'm Asian."

     "I don't know. There are lots of Asian actors in Hollywood. The difference between you and them… might be the nationality."

     "Are you saying it's because I'm Korean?"

     "Our country isn't as acknowledged as China or Japan. That's the sad truth."

     If you stop random Americans on the streets and ask them if they know Korea, one or two out of a hundred might say yes. Americans didn't have much interest in international affairs. Why else would an educated professional speak on live television how Disney Channel and MTV were ruining the younger generation? Same goes for adults. Not all Americans had pride and passion for American democracy.

     "What we think is discrimination doesn't register as discrimination in their minds. What would you call it? Tradition? Custom? On the contrary, what they think is discrimination rarely registers as discrimination in our minds either."

     As a result, the chaos in multiracial countries was indescribable. This is the sole reason why the States wanted their government to achieve dominance over their citizenry. It was to nip riots in the bud. The States had extreme violent incidents the Koreans wouldn't be able to imagine.

     "It's not just the States though."

     Ahn Soo Ho, who has traveled all around the world, felt there was a big difference in opinion. Would a twenty-six-year-old understand even if he tried to explain it? He let out a bitter laugh.

     "I'm no different from white men."

     She's twenty-six, a respectable young woman whom the world shouldn't treat like a little child. Jang Seol Hyun tilted her head at Ahn Soo Ho's strange expression.

     "What's wrong?"

     "It's nothing. What are you up to these days? Filming commercials?"

     He changed the topic.

     "A lot of projects are coming in, but I don't like any of them."

     "It sounds like you're running out of fuel."

     "Maybe."

     No one can work hard for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. People who worked hard needed breaks. It's not her body that's tired, but her mind.

     "But don't rest for too long. You might never get back to work."

     "That's what Manager Kim said too."

     "How's he doing?"

     "What do you mean?"

     "Did he take responsibility for your failure in Hollywood?"

     Ahn Soo Ho gestured his fingers cutting his throat.

     "No, that won't happen. If the company fires Manager Kim… I told them I'd leave with him."

     "Wow. You're so loyal."

     He saw Team Leader Kim Woo Jung come up the stairs right at that moment. He frowned as soon as he saw Ahn Soo Ho. It looked as if he was her father who saw a man trying to steal her precious daughter away. He understood what was happening, but that didn't he mean it didn't ruin his mood.

     "Let's go, Seol Hyun."

     "I don't want to… Can we cancel my interview?"

     "You made a promise. If you keep acting like this, I'll quit."

     "… Fine."

     Jang Seol Hyun got up with a pout on her face. She turned around to look at Ahn Soo Ho now without a pout, but with a heartwarming smile. Kim Woo Jung noticed her incredible skill in changing her expressions and shook his head thinking there was no use raising a child like this.

     "I'll call you later. You'd better not disappear on me again. Okay, Mister?"

     "Yeah, yeah."

     "Promise me! You'd better not ignore my calls again!"

     Jang Seol Hyun looked back 3 times while going down the stairs. She left without covering her entire body the way she did when she came in, so the chaos outside ensued. He can hear their yelling from where he stood. Oh Joo Kyung, who was hiding, approached him.

     "We're not in that kind of relationship."

     "Pardon? What relationship are you talking about?"

     "I'm talking about what you're imagining."

     She shrugged as if she felt wronged.

     "But if the world found out, it'd get very chaotic."

     "They won't find out."

     "How do you say so?"

     "Because I won't let them."

     Oh Joo Kyung couldn't help but smirk at his overconfidence, but she could not make fun of his bluff. That was enough private talk. Her face turned serious again.

     "The chairman wants you at his house."

     ******

     "The tile-roofed house called."

     A tile-roofed house is, as the name implies, a house with a tile roof. Common houses had dark tiles as their roof while houses of high-flown people had blue tiles. During the Joseon era, only noblemen lived in tile-roofed houses. Sure, it was pricey, but it was also a way to differentiate people of various ranks. It's ironic how the Korean President, who's a symbol of democracy, was living in a house called the Blue House.

     "They expect me to make a sacrifice for the good of this country and the future of the people."

     "Sacrifice? Did you actually use that word?"

     Kim Dae Chan, who was listening for his father's next words frowned in anger.

     "This son of a bitch!"

     "Watch yourself! How dare you use such words to the chief executive?"

     "How can you say that right now? Father! You have to show them we're not that easy!"

     "Calm down, Dae Chan. So what are they offering?"

     Ahn Soo Ho asked Kim Dae San as he tried calming Kim Dae Chan down.

     "They're offering to give my father an Order of Merit for National Foundation."

     "The late Kim Dae Myung?"

     "That's right."

     People considered Kim Dae Myung a man of national merit, but his achievements aren't great enough for historians to note his name in textbooks. All he did was to go against the name changing program and forced labor. Even though he was more of an example than any of them, it wasn't enough for the Korean people to sing his name.

     "What are your thoughts, Soo Ho?"

     "I got a response as soon as I contacted Russia and China."

     "Does that mean they are on our side now?"

     "They've always been on the side that'd bring them profits."

     Ahn Soo Ho stroked his chin and lips while contemplating, the rich young man shut his mouth to prevent being a disturbance. Soon, Ahn Soo Ho smiled and opened his mouth.

     "Can I spend some money, old man?"

     "How much?"

     "More the better."

     "Only up to a billion dollars."

     "I don't need that much. I just need one hundred million."

     100 million US dollars is equivalent to 5 billion won, but Kim Dae San frowned. In such a capitalist society, money can be scarier than a nuclear bomb if given to the right user.

     "Would that be enough?"

     "It's more than enough in a small country like this. I'd probably even have leftovers."

     If it was the entire world he was facing, it wouldn't be enough, but if they have to restrict the fight had to Korea alone then it's more than enough.

     "What do you think is the easiest way to turn the tables around?"

     "Hm. Bringing in more competition?"

     "That's a good method too."

     "Attacking the boss?"

     "That's good too, but it's difficult."

     "Then?"

     "Causing a commotion."

     Winning might be hard, but tying is easier than expected.

     "As the situation becomes more uncertain, more people will try to pull out. Once one person pulls out, the rest will scramble around to do the same. So you have to accept the medal from the president."

     "Why?"

     "Because we need to pull the president needs to out of the chaos."

     It wasn't advisable to corner someone in power.

     "Won't he get played by those punks in the national council or whatever it's called?"

     "Do you even know why the group got into this situation today?"

     Ahn Soo Ho sighed and Kim Dae Chan stared at the other two with a nervous gaze.

     "Are you saying it was my fault?"

     "If you don't know this, I'll be very disappointed."

     Kim Dae San let out a bitter laugh.

     "Dae Gil said this a long time ago. He asked me if I was living in this world alone… But I didn't want to acknowledge it at the time. I didn't like how they compare my achievements on paving the way in establishing this country to foreign informants."

     During the establishment of Korea, the victorious country set up scarecrows, and it didn't matter if they were national traitors. All that mattered was whether they were useful puppets or not. He, who was a Japanese informant back then, tried to guess who'd get the power between the States, China, and the Soviet Union. Is it true no fish live in clean water? Kim Dae San thought nonsense like that were excuses he made up to make himself feel better.

     "Now that I think about it, Dae Gil was right. We don't live in this world alone. The thing is, I didn't want to accept it. I'd rather destroy everything myself before I let the disloyal bastards get at it."

     "Father?"

     Kim Dae Chan was shocked by his father's violent language.

     "That's what I want to do… but if I let my greed get the best of me, it will hurt many people."

     The fall of Daesan was at a whole different scale than other companies who filed for bankruptcy.

     "Daesan is no longer just my company."

     "Wow! Dae Chan. You'd better brace yourself."

     Even though Kim Dae Chan glared at Ahn Soo Ho to stop the nonsense, Kim Dae San just nodded.

     "He's right, Dae Chan. If you're not capable enough, I won't hesitate to find another executive to take my place."

     "Father!"

     Kim Dae San, who ignored his son's defiance, stared at Ahn Soo Ho.

     "I don't care if you need one hundred million or a billion. You do what you need to do, Soo Ho."

     "Okay! There's no turning back now, old man."

     Kim Dae San is a detached man.

     And Kim Dae Chan inherited that same character.

     "However, I'm not a Kim or a patriot."

     < Protect – Episode 11 – Do Kyung Ho [1] > The end.

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     13

      "It's good to see you again."

     "I didn't expect you to contact me first, Mr. Ahn."

     Brian Yoon, Yoon Kyung Min looked puzzled by Ahn Soo Ho's hospitality.

     "Since we're both busy, let's get straight to the point… Who from the Empire is connected?

     "Director Navarros."

     "Daniel Navarros?"

     "Yes."

     It's clear from the name of Empire Konzern that they're a corporation on a similar level to the major players in the country. In contrast to Korea where the head has half of the influence over the company, they carried out most decisions with the board of directors. Empire Konzern operated in a similar fashion wherein the board of directors determined the future of the corporation.

     Daniel Navarros is the CEO of Instack Chemical.

     "Arrange for a meeting."

     "I can call him right now if you want."

     "No. I'd like to be polite and arrange a formal meeting."

     Yoon Kyung Min tried to figure out Ahn Soo Ho's real intention.

     "Are you talking about a meeting in Korea?"

     "Mr. Navarros isn't someone we can call over just like that."

     That's what he said, but it sounded like he still expected him to come here.

     "Give me ten minutes."

     "Sure."

     As soon as Yoon Kyung Min took his phone and went outside, Oh Joo Kyung, who was listening until now, spoke out what's on his mind.

     "Are you testing the States?"

     "No. I'm testing Japan."

     "Japan? But Empire Konzern is… Oh."

     She exclaimed in the middle of her sentence.

     "They don't use the word "konzern" in the States."

     "It must be true that a Japanese financial company has a good grasp of the stockholders."

     "Empire Konzern is a puppet company modeled after the Empire of Japan."

     In the 1980s, Japan went through an economic revival, threatening the States as the entire nation experienced an economic boom. They needed a few years of grace period before the Plaza Accord influenced the market, but Germany and Japan plunged as drastically as they rose.

     The Yankees are scary bastards.

     As soon as Japan and Germany revived, one side knocked down a wall and implemented unification costs while the other side burst a bubble and started a recession. What about Korea where the miracle of the Han River took place? In the 90s when Southeast Asia rose, Korea went through a currency crisis.

     "That couldn't have been a coincidence."

     There's no way that was a coincidence. As long as the US currency is the key currency, the States will never go down.

     "Do you think the States started it?"

     "It's not just you who misunderstands that the States has multiple faces."

     Those faces would preach about peace and justice for a minute, and declare war the next, and at times, they would wear dark masks to hide their real identity. The States has multiple personalities one could not categorize under just one.

     "They call Washington D.C. as the center of world politics because that's what the Yankees want to hear."

     China and Russia always pretended like they didn't see or hear anything while staying alert for Washington D.C.'s movements.

     "The Congress uses other methods aside from lobbyists to win over regions and popular sentiment with money."

     "So you're saying foreign countries should also use lobbyists when they're in the States?"

     "That's right. Even though it's the donations that determine the results, the Congress of the States is like the Congress of the world."

     Whether it's the lower or upper chamber, meeting the Congress of the States became as difficult as paying a visit to the leader of a foreign country.

     "Then what about this case?"

     "It might seem like the States is leading it, but that's not the case. All they did was lent out their lobbyists and set up the playing field. They're just there to sit back and enjoy the ride, really."

     "How scary."

     "It is."

     The States has always been like that since the 20th century. Whether it was a positive or a negative issue, they always expected the conclusion to take place in the States. The door opened a little before 10 minutes after Yoon Kyung Min made the proposal.

     "Is tomorrow afternoon okay with you?"

     "Tomorrow afternoon? Sure."

     "Great."

     He said a bunch of words in English into the phone. Yoon Kyung Min ended the call with a satisfied look on his face.

     "The meeting will take place the day after tomorrow at Daesan Hotel."

     "Sounds good."

     "Thank you."

     "I wish you the best, Mr. Yoon."

     Ahn Soo Ho got up and shook hands with Yoon Kyung Min.

     Oh Joo Kyung, who saw him off with a blank face, took out her phone.

     "It's me. Look into Daniel Navarros."

     "Navarros? Daniel Navarros of Instack Chemical?"

     "Yeah. Why?"

     "Hm. There are quite a few rewards attached to that head of his."

     Ahn Soo Ho was startled. Rewards?

     "Who?

     "Agnes."

     "MS-?"

     MS-, which they refer to as Mara Salvatrucha, is an American criminal organization from El Salvador. It was a rising criminal organization that had hostile relations with major organizations including traditional mafias, drug cartels, and the yakuza.

     "After Navarros took office, rumors went around regarding a Mexican drug cartel. Since there was talk about how they produced the drugs at an Instack factory, Agnes has been looking for an opportunity."

     "I don't know about yakuza, but cartels? Are you sure?"

     "Since it came from the FBI, it's credible."

     "Do they know such rumors are going around about them?"

     "Probably not."

     Ahn Soo Ho weighed his own interests.

     "There's a new chief of police at the Ministry of Justice, right? Esmeralda O'Dell? I heard they're expanding into a national department that will transcend jurisdiction."

     "A joint investigation headquarters."

     The many judicial authorities of the States fought over jurisdiction, and they wasted too much time and effort on it. Chief Officer Esmeralda O'Dell revealed they'd become an organization that would eradicate the crimes undermining the States.

     "It's the ambitious chief officer that's ransacking the company, right?"

     "Did you meet with Deputy Director Eaton?"

     Ahn Soo Ho didn't answer, but he knew what the answer was.

     "You did."

     "Anyway, look into Navarros."

     Oh Joo Kyung came back as soon as the call ended.

     "Director. Do Kyung Ho is here."

     "Really? Send him in."

     A heavy-bodied gentleman came in and welcomed Ahn Soo Ho into his arms.

     "Why didn't you call beforehand?"

     "I'm just stopping by."

     "You're really dressed up to be just stopping by."

     The black suit and the white shirt he was wearing was funeral clothes. Seeing how he was trying his hardest to conceal this suggests something must have happened. Ahn Soo Ho is reminded of something.

     "Did you visit Hye Jung's family without telling her?"

     "Sigh. What do I have to do to be forgiven?"

     In response to Do Kyung Ho's sigh, which was a combination of sneering and complaining, Ahn Soo Ho frowned.

     "It's not like you did anything wrong. What did you do wrong?"

     "I did."

     "Hey! Get a hold of yourself, you punk. They're looking down on you because you're bowing down as if you're a sinner."

     "Then what am I supposed to do? Should I use my fists? Should I threaten someone?"

     Do Kyung Ho spit out words out of frustration, but after thinking about it, he wanted to take it back.

     "Sorry, man. Pretend like you didn't hear that."

     "You're foolish too, but I don't know why that family thinks they're so much better than you. Are they royalty or something?"

     Ahn Soo Ho took his side. He didn't look like the type, but he wanted to hear slander about his wife's family. Do Kyung Ho allowed such blasphemy as long as he didn't direct them to his wife or children.

     "Do you feel better?

     "A bit… Nice office."

     Do Kyung Ho rubbed the back of his neck out of embarrassment and proceeded to a different subject.

     "No one would believe my friend is a director of Daesan Group."

     "Are you going to run around and brag like a kid?"

     "No way."

     They were both troublemakers when they were in school. However, Ahn Soo Ho got good grades, so he got away with it, while Do Kyung Ho didn't.

     "How are your brothers?"

     "I was waiting for you to ask."

     Contrast to him who was an only child, his friend had three brothers. The Do family has four sons. Ahn Soo Ho saw how brothers fight and thought that was the worst environment to live in. Four dirty boys in one room? The odor must be suffocating. Do Kyung Ho, Do Dae Ho, Do Min Ho, and Do In Ho. Since there's a three-year, six-year, nine-year, and twelve-year difference respectively, the oldest is thirty-seven and the youngest is twenty-five.

     "That Domino punk was the funniest."

     "Haha."

     The third oldest, who was a prodigy since his youth became a comedian, and they regarded him as the most successful within the Do family.

     "What's Mast doing?"

     "It's like my field. He's running a food cart."

     Mast, Do Dae Ho's nickname, was the second oldest.

     "How's his business going?"

     "Not bad."

     That means it's neither well nor was it terrible. The only unmarried brother in the Do family is the third oldest, Do Min Ho. The youngest got married a year earlier than the oldest, but he had no choice but to rush because of a certain incident.

     They would have had to have the baby before the marriage otherwise.

     "There will be so many kids during the holidays."

     "That's actually good. Take this opportunity to meet a woman and get married. My mom is determined."

     "Mrs. Han?"

     Ahn Soo Ho looked troubled.

     The person who took care of him the most after his parents' divorce was Mrs. Han Hye Ja. She had a warm and plentiful impression among her connections, and she even got her real estate license while raising four sons. The only reason the head of the household could go around having fun was that Mrs. Han was very diligent and hardworking.

     She's a respectable Korean woman.

     "Is the youngest still in school?"

     "They discharged him last year and went back to school this year."

     "Seoul National University, right?"

     "Yeah. He'll really succeed one day."

     Even though the pregnancy was an accident, both families weren't against their marriage. Being at Seoul National University's law school was like a blank check for the adults.

     "This must be the last round of the judicial examination."

     "That's why he's really worried."

     "Since he got his wife pregnant in one go, I'm sure he'll pass the exam in one go too."

     "Are you dissing my brother right now?"

     "No, I'm dissing you. You should have taught your little brother better."

     No one talked about it, but Do Kyung Ho was the first one to commit a premarital pregnancy.

     "Come to think of it, Mast is a honeymoon baby, isn't he?" Was he really conceived on their honeymoon?"

     "Ahem!"

     Do Dae Ho also had a daughter in the same year they got married.

     "Look at you. You cheeky little things. This won't do. You need a beating."

     "No, thanks."

     "Hey! Who are you to refuse your big brother? How arrogant."

     "Hey! I'm not below you!"

     "Yeah, you are! I was born a month and ten days before you!"

     As Ahn Soo Ho counted the days on his fingers, Do Kyung Ho looked as if he thought it was unfair.

     "Kyung Ho, when you were born, I had already consumed a few liters of breast milk."

     "Stop being arrogant about being born only a month before me!"

     "What is this man saying? Only a month? And what happened to the ten days?"

     "Hye Jung is having a hard time because I've been out the whole day."

     "Hey, shut up! Whether you respect or offend your wife has nothing to do with me."

     Ahn Soo Ho stopped Do Kyung Ho's whining in one go.

     "You're below me."

     No exceptions.

     < Protect – Episode 12 – Do Kyung Ho [2] >

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     14

      The things a group of men can do in Korea is limited. Men couldn't walk down the streets holding hands, and it didn't look favorable to hang out at a café. What about the movie theatre? It's better to go alone than with a bunch of guys. The only thing men can do comfortably is go out for food and drinks.

     "Big Bro!"

     "Yo! Bro."

     The brothers resembled each other, but they were different too. If you only look at the outer appearance the four Do brothers look nothing alike. But once you start talking to them, there's no doubt that they share the same blood.

     "What's with your clothes? Did you rejoin a gang?"

     "You punk! Watch your mouth."

     "I saw you in the newspaper. Why did you have to mess with the popular ones? You probably have thousands of anti-fans."

     "Mino's always a had a problem with his mouth. Men need to be careful with their dicks and mouths."

     "Why? What comes out of our mouth is what comedians live off of."

     "I'm just saying you're crossing the line. And hey! Stop making fun of your family."

     "Yeah, you're going too far. Only the oldest and the youngest had premarital pregnancies."

     "Huh? Didn't the second oldest have one too?"

     "Yeah. Honeymoon baby, my ass! Don't lie, you bastard! You'll get yourself in danger."

     The three married brothers formed an alliance without the single Do Min Ho, but they divided once the sensitive topic of premarital pregnancies came up. There's no such thing as loyalty within families. If only Soo Ho wasn't an Ahn, they would have been known as five brothers since he had a similar name.

     "Soo Ho, if you lived abroad for so long, you must have dated white people and black people too."

     "Domino, shut your mouth before I make you into a pizza."

     "Shit! You're such a middle-aged man!"

     "The pizza was too much, Big Bro."

     "Cheers!"

     As soon as Ahn Soo Ho raised his glass, so did everyone else.

     "Since Mast succeeded too, Domino, if you get it done, we'll have the all crown!"

     "Come on! I said mine was a honeymoon baby!"

     "Haha! Cheers!"

     "Haha!"

     Ahn Soo Ho who stopped Do Dae Ho's defiance in Do Min Ho's stead and started the toast again.

     "Cheers to an all crown!"

     "Cheers!"

     Since it was already rowdy inside, it didn't matter if they cheered or beat each other up. Do Min Ho's fans who went up to him for autographs and pictures gave them more enjoyment. Once there's enough alcohol in their system, everything becomes fun. The alcohol they consumed with good people were not only sweet but good for the body too.

     Once the brothers finished the first round, they headed to a nice bar with expensive alcohol for the second round. It wasn't an unfamiliar place for Do Kyung Ho who went around with stiff shoulders and Do Min Ho who was a successful comedian, but Do Dae Ho who had only tried soju and beer or Do In Ho who had only sold books with his wife looked around like country bumpkins.

     "You bumpkins. Stop looking around like that."

     "Wow. Isn't this place crazy expensive?"

     "It is."

     "Is this okay, Soo Ho?"

     Do Dae Ho gave Ahn Soo Ho a side glance and asked.

     "Don't worry. I'm a director of Daesan Group."

     "Yeah, yeah."

     "You don't believe me? It's true."

     "That's ridiculous. Daesan Group is huge."

     "Ha! Soo Ho. Show him your business card."

     Do Kyung Ho asked his friend for help out of frustration, but Ahn Soo Ho ignored him and talked to the bartender.

     "Recommend these guys some drinks that suit their looks."

     "Sure. The regular for you?"

     "Of course."

     "What?"

     "Huh?"

     The white man's fluent Korean accent surprised the four brothers. Among them, Do In Ho was the only one who could speak foreign languages.

     "Wow! You're very fluent for a foreigner."

     "My name is Soo Chan. Ahn Soo Chan."

     "Ahn Soo Chan?"

     As soon as Do Kyung Ho took turns looking at him and the bartender, Ahn Soo Ho smirked.

     "He can pick whatever name he wants."

     "Oh. I thought he was super global."

     "Him? His foreign face would make anyone freeze up."

     Cocktails had a different flavor than soju and beer, which people only drink to get wasted.

     "How do you know about a place like this when you're not even in Korea that often?"

     "Because it's my bar."

     "Pfft!"

     "Hey, that's dirty."

     "Your bar?"

     "Well, it's registered under someone else's name, but it's still mine."

     The second oldest bumpkin and the youngest bumpkin thought the same thing.

     "Tax evasion."

     "Tax evasion."

     It's possible that Mast might report it to the National Tax Service in order to get a reward. It's not easy raising a child these days. You mustn't say you understand the feeling of being the head of a family if you've never been one before.

     Ahn Soo Chan opened his mouth to help.

     "He donates all of his net profits."

     "How much is it?"

     "Around eight billion a year?"

     "Pfft!"

     "Ugh, you dirty bastard! Cover your mouth!"

     "N… not eight hundred million, but eight billion?"

     Do Kyung Ho took the disregard he received from Ahn Soo Ho and returned it to him while staring at Ahn Soo Chan.

     "We carry a lot of expensive alcohol for our many wealthy customers."

     "Still, how much do you have to sell to get a profit like that?"

     Do Kyung Ho leaned his ear to Ahn Soo Chan's finger gesture. After a bit of whispering, Do Kyung Ho looked at Ahn Soo Ho with loving eyes.

     "Piss off, you gross bastard!"

     "Soo Ho…"

     As soon as the grown man clung onto him, a fist swung his way. It seemed as though the brothers had the least class in the bar. Luckily, thanks to the soft lighting and alcohol, not many customers are looking this way. The youngest got startled and hit the third oldest with his elbow.

     "Big Bro! Isn't that Mi Na? Kang Mi Na."

     "You're embarrassing me. Is this your first time seeing a celebrity?"

     There were quite a few famous people at the bar. It was similar to a social gathering of the elite.

     "I see the bumpkins are enjoying themselves… but why did you call us here?"

     Do Kyung Ho, who was throwing a fuss, calmed down and looked at his friend. He's not a total roundworm, but he's not a good friend either. He didn't believe that this meeting was an impulsive decision. Ahn Soo Ho finished his cocktail and smirked.

     "Take a good look. You might have to deal with them from now on."

     "Are you planning to set us up with bars like this?"

     "If you want."

     "Hey!"

     Do Kyung Ho showed a straight face. The other brothers also frowned instead of smiling, which made Ahn Soo Ho feel sad. Is this why they can never become five brothers?

     "Do you think of this as charity? If you really thought of me as family, you wouldn't have interpreted my kindness as cheap. Aren't you being more careful because we're not family?"

     "No, that's not what I meant."

     "Hey, I'm not mad. I'm saying that's a given. In any case, we're not a real family."

     "Who says we're not a family? You?"

     "Hey, why are you pointing at me? I think of Soo Ho as my real brother!"

     "Then you?"

     "What are you talking about? I love Soo Ho."

     Do Kyung Ho made shameless remarks out of embarrassment, and the three brothers showed a fussy response. In contrast to Do Kyung Ho, who seemed to want to apologize, Ahn Soo Ho looked serious.

     "Think about it carefully, Kyung Ho. Your past will catch up with you one day."

     "Ahn Soo Ho! Don't cross the line."

     The uneasy atmosphere made the brothers uncertain if the alcohol was going in through their mouths or nostrils. Ahn Soo Ho and Do Kyung Ho was as close as real brothers. However, Do Kyung Ho had a secret inferiority complex about Ahn Soo Ho. Actually, only Do Kyung Ho thinks his inferiority complex is a secret.

     "I'll take care of my own matters."

     "I'm not worrying about you. I'm worrying about Hye Jung and the kids. I know you'll be fine… but what about your family?"

     "Hey!"

     Do Kyung Ho's frown turned evil. Regardless, Ahn Soo Ho has no interest in stopping.

     "Do really believe your past can be erased? If that's what you think, you'll be disappointed."

     "It's been seven years. Nothing has happened for seven years, and it never will."

     "I heard Park Sang Goo is the boss now."

     "Hm."

     Do Kyung Ho took a deep breath.

     "When it comes to people, kindness can be forgotten easily, but resentment goes on for ten to twenty years."

     Ahn Soo Ho knew of Do Kyung Ho's inferiority complex. He could be more than half responsible for why he started using his fists. That's why he did everything he could to get him out of there.

     "He'll come looking for you. I guarantee it."

     Do Kyung Ho clenched his fists to what Ahn Soo Ho said. His shoulders are moving up and down from his harsh breathing. Who is he mad at? Ahn Soo Ho? Or Park Sang Goo? It's neither. He's mad at himself. Do Dae Ho and Do In Ho followed Do Kyung Ho as he turned around without a word.

     "Aren't you going?"

     "I'm going to stay and comfort you."

     Ahn Soo Ho smirked at Do Min Ho's cheeky response.

     "Do you think I went overboard?"

     "No."

     Do Min Ho had heard things too.

     Even though he's nine years younger, he ends up hearing the name, Do Kyung Ho quite often when he does shows. He was pretty legendary in that field. He wasn't like a lynx and took on 40 on his own, but he was able to take around fifteen or so. There was no such thing as a good mob. Everything they do is painful for everyone else.

     "But who's Park Sang Goo?"

     "Have you heard of Chilsungpa?"

     "Oh, what was it again? Oh yeah! Lob Ears. Was that Kyung Ho?"

     Do Min Ho frowned and then clapped his hands.

     "Do you know what Kyung Ho's nickname was over ten years ago?"

     "Hm. One-Punch Three?"

     "That's only what he said it was."

     Ahn Soo Ho and Do Kyung Ho were avid lovers of art.

     "Ear Tray."

     "Ear Tray? They didn't get that from 'ashtray', did they?"

     "You're right."

     "Wow! Crazy middle-aged men."

     Do Min Ho shook his head as if he didn't want to believe it. Van Gogh should really thank them. Thanks to their passion for art, even the worst pieces of trash will remember him.

     "When he was in his twenties, he went around collecting ears instead of fingers."

     "I've heard."

     The entertainment world and gangsters are still inseparable. There isn't as much exploitation or repression involved, but reality hit the many Class C's, who are not Class B's, let alone Class A's and went into prostitution which paid well. This worked the other way, and a fair number advanced into the major leagues.

     "I know all about it. I know quite a few celebrities who used to be in prostitution."

     "What about Dae Ho or In Ho?"

     "Dae Ho knows too, but no good will come out of In Ho finding out."

     For Do In Ho, who'd work in law one day, his big brother's past could have gotten in the way. The Do brothers knew that. Do Min Ho understood what Ahn Soo Ho meant when he said their pasts would catch up with them one day."

     "Kyung Ho's a new man now, but that doesn't mean he erased his past completely, but Kyung Ho really did his best. That's for sure."

     But it doesn't look like Do Kyung Ho's past has any interest in letting him go.

     "Soo Ho, you have to help him."

     "Of course."

     Ahn Soo Ho messed up Do Min Ho's hair.

     "Ugh, seriously! I'm going to be thirty the day after tomorrow!"

     "You son of a bitch. You'll always be a crybaby to Kyung Ho and me."

     "Damn it!"

     Do Min Ho mumbled to himself, but still raised his glass as soon as Ahn Soo Ho did so.

     "To Kyung Ho."

     "To Kyung Ho."

     That was their last glass. Ahn Soo Ho, who sent Do Min Ho home with a manager, was left alone. Actually, there was a doll beside him that made him scared to be alone.

     "Why are you playing the victim, Mister?"

     Jang Seol Hyun sat down, and the bartender gave her her favorite without a word. Ahn Soo Ho twirled the empty glass. When Ahn Soo Chan asked if he wanted more with his eyes, he showed him his hand.

     "What's your secret to being loved by everyone?"

     "Pardon? Come on. There's no way to be loved by everyone."

     Jang Seol Hyun showed a bland face to Ahn Soo Ho's question.

     "Not even God can be loved by everyone."

     "Not even God, huh?"

     But he only wanted to be loved by the people around him. He didn't have interest in being loved by everyone. When his phone started to vibrate, he excused himself and answered the phone.

     "Soo Ho?"

     "Watch the news."

     Ahn Soo Chan immediately brought out a laptop as soon as Ahn Soo Ho gestured for one with his hand. They were reporting the breaking news on public TV.

     - The prosecution has started a sudden seize and search of Jinsung Group.

     Jinsung Group was Kim Dae Chan's in-laws.

     "The international press has already started to report on the seize and search of Jinsung Group."

     Even though they're both groups, their statuses are on the opposite sides of the spectrum. Their status was so low that people would wonder what company that was when they saw it on the news. Until just now, that is.

     "How interesting."

     The other side behaved the way he expected. Ahn Soo Ho made it hard to attack Daesan Group, so Jinsung Group went down instead.

     "In what way?"

     "Just wait."

     "Jinsung might go down at this rate!"

     Kim Dae Chan impatiently talked back. Ahn Soo Ho didn't have a contract with Jinsung Group, so he didn't have much interest, but there was no need to ruin his mood by saying anything unnecessary.

     "It's fine."

     "Are you sure?"

     "Just trust me."

     It's time to wait.

     < Protect – Episode 13 – Do Kyung Ho [3] > The end.

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     .

     15

      "You look busy."

     "That's a good thing."

     Listening to Kim Dae Chan's whining required his utmost attention. Jang Seol Hyun sat next to him without a complaint. It was past midnight, but the customers kept on coming. It seemed like there were plenty of them coming in now than earlier. Some who passed by to greet her looked at Ahn Soo Ho carefully.

     "How was the interview?"

     "They asked so many unnecessary questions… They were just asking random questions that the producers probably didn't agree upon. I wanted to get up, but I endured it at the thought of Manager Kim's frown."

     "He's not the type to overlook things like that."

     "He made a big scene afterward."

     "That manager is a fighting dog."

     "Why? I like it."

     Rumor has it Kim Woo Jung's hysteria got worse after coming back from Hollywood, but seeing how he's not getting fired, he must have great abilities. One couldn't count the number of stars he trained with all ten fingers. The most successful one was Seol Hyun, but the others also brought in a lot of profits, so the CEO and shareholders worried Seol Hyun would go off on her own.

     The star's manager gets just as much attention.

     "Is he outside?"

     "Yes. I told him to go back, but he wouldn't listen."

     At Kim Woo Jung's level, he was more of an overall manager than someone who trained celebrities. No one likes intensive situations, but the ones who knew how to enjoy it stood out whether it's at the scene or at a desk.

     "What a good manager. People like that don't easily betray you."

     "I know. That's why I will stay with him until I retire."

     "He'll be over eighty by the time you retire."

     "Who knows? I could retire tomorrow."

     As soon as Jang Seol Hyun showed a subtle smile and leaned on him, Ahn Soo Ho gave her a bitter smile but didn't push her away. Is he the bad one for not accepting her feelings? He had always thought about that ever since he matured.

     "Is anyone capable of being passionately in love?"

     This differs from loving your family.

     "There are tons of guys who like you. Choose one."

     "Not this again. Do you hate me, Mister?"

     "It's not that… I feel like your fans would kill me."

     He didn't hate women at all. He didn't want love to give him a weakness. The reason he needs a troop is that he has many enemies. Do Kyung Ho wasn't the only one whose past was catching up to him.

     "I'm not any different."

     Jang Seol Hyun became talkative after drinking. No matter how high her tolerance is that doesn't mean she can't feel it.

     "Jang Seol Hyun?"

     She turned around toward them and looked delighted.

     "Oh, my! Director Jang? Long time no see."

     "I didn't expect to see you here, Seol Hyun."

     In contrast to a middle-aged man's stiff expression and sharp face, his gaze and voice were soft. It wasn't just his directing skills that got Jang Ik Hyun to where he was, but his acting skills too. They both had the surname, Jang, and she starred in both movies that surpassed ten million at the box office, so they were like lucky charms to each other.

     "We should work together again. I'm willing to work on any movie or drama as long as it's with you."

     "I'd be happy to, Director Jang."

     "Really? Oh no. I should have recorded that."

     Jang Ik Hyun expressed his regret with his exaggerated gestures before he gave Ahn Soo Ho a side glance.

     "Who's this?"

     "My boyfriend."

     Jang Ik Hyun's pupils dilated to Jang Seol Hyun's bombshell.

     "Re… really?"

     "I'm just kidding."

     "Oh. Come on, Seol Hyun! You almost gave me a heart attack."

     She responded by naturally making a joke. No matter how famous she is, business is cold-hearted, and the advertisers who invested a lot of money into Jang Seol Hyun wouldn't want romance rumors to get out.

     "He's the boss here."

     "Oh!"

     Even though he's not Jang Seol Hyun's boyfriend, Bar Lafargue was a famous place for celebrities who enjoy drinking. That's because no one knew the identity of the bar's owner despite its popularity.

     "It's nice to meet you. I'm Ahn Soo Ho."

     "I'm Jang Ik Hyun."

     If they were in business, they would have exchanged business cards, but neither of them was that kind of people. Jang Ik Hyun thought he was so famous that any Korean would be happy to see him. Wasn't it true? All the Korean actresses and movie directors gathered around them like flies.

     Ahn Soo Ho got out of his seat.

     Jang Seol Hyun looked at him as if she was asking where he was going, but once people rounded up, she had to maintain her image. Manager Kim noticed and got rid of the swarming flies. She had one good manager. As soon as they escaped into the kitchen, the employees greeted them with smiles.

     They were sincere smiles.

     "This is the power of capital."

     The reason he's managing a high-end bar in the middle of Seoul is to have a safe house. Even though the somewhat famous bar had a light image, as soon as it's labeled as high-end, it became more complicated. The word 'bar' also contains the meaning, 'hideout'. Even though it recently became a leisurely place where people gathered to have a drink and a meal, back in the day, it reminded people of spies.

     The break room followed the kitchen, and at the end of the changing room was an office that only the manager used. There was someone inside.

     "Hey, Soo Ho."

     "You look good."

     Ahn Soo Ho shook hands with his old friend.

     Yoon Chul

     He wasn't the only one who dropped out of the Naval Academy at the time. A few others who sympathized with Ahn Soo Ho had to leave too.

     "Did you end up getting involved with Kim Dae Chan?"

     "What are you talking about?"

     "The Korean National Association is talking about dealing with Daesan."

     "Have the higher-ups of the police known about it too?"

     "It's weird if they haven't."

     After Yoon Chul dropped out of the Naval Academy, he became a police officer, where was now working as a chief superintendent. People might wonder why his promotion only came twice since his inception, but being the chief superintendent in his 30s means he dedicated the entirety of his life to his job, and since Yoon Chul had wasted time in the Naval Academy, he focused even more on his work.

     "Jinsung Group is just the beginning. They will go after all the companies related to Daesan."

     "Why are they going so far?"

     "How would I know? But there are rumors going around about Chairman Kim getting on the Federation of Korean Industries' bad side and secretly donated funds to a pro-Japanese biographical dictionary. People called him an anti-Japanese CEO."

     "No way."

     In 1965, the diplomatic trades with Japan resulted in losses for Korea. In the 60s and 70s when Korea was overcoming the wave of the economic boost, they had to rely on Japan for their materials and parts industry. They may now belong to China, but the Korean economy was still unstable.

     Even Daesan Group had no special capabilities.

     "Daesan orders a lot from Japan. If you combine the affiliated companies too, it's a very large amount."

     "Hm. But no one should do business with emotions."

     "That's what makes no sense about it."

     Kim Dae San had never said he hated Japan. The ones he hated were the Koreans that looked up to the Japanese.

     "In other words, people can hate Koreans who look up to the Chinese or Koreans who look up to the Americans. But does that make them anti-Chinese or anti-American? It doesn't. That's not possible. It's all an excuse."

     "Even if it is…"

     Yoon Chul shrugged his shoulders.

     "People don't want to know, Soo Ho. What they want to know is how luxurious the Kim family's lifestyle was, how much slash funds they hid in a Swiss bank, what the heads' relationships are like, and if there are any extramarital children."

     "How cynical."

     "The world made me this way. What about you?"

     This time, Ahn Soo Ho was the one shrugging his shoulders. Yoon Chul threw away his hopes and dreams just like how he couldn't become a patriot.

     "Lee Kyung Joon came to find me a few days ago."

     "Lee Kyung Joon? What for?"

     "I wanted to make him into a cripple, but I stopped myself."

     "Ahn Soo Ho can't fear a mere lieutenant colonel…"

     "Making one mistake was enough."

     "Yeah. We were young back then. We didn't know the ways. What do you think would have happened if we behaved more objectively? Would we have ended up differently? What do you think, Soo Ho?"

     "That's all useless."

     "You're right. It is. I got too sentimental there."

     Yoon Chul smoothed his face.

     "I became the chief superintendent, but no one could achieve this by working hard alone once you're past senior superintendent."

     "Was it a screening instead of an examination?"

     "Yeah. They call it a performance assessment, but it's all about what cliques you're in."

     The police were more political than the district office. They had way more numbers, and in terms of systematic organizational power, it could not follow them.

     "Then I'd better help out."

     "Is that possible?"

     "Sure, blood, connections, and education dominates the Korean society, but there's something that has power over all of that. The rich."

     The rich families of Korean had to be overthrown for the Korea to develop, but that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

     "You're thinking of using Daesan Group."

     "Before I do that, I have to prolong Daesan's length of life. So I need your help."

     "I can't refuse that."

     Yoon Chul showed a bitter smile. It's hard to refuse an offer that will lead to a promotion. The feeling of revenge he kept buried inside was too big to swallow down. What filled the void after his hopes and dreams disappeared was a feeling of rage and hatred.

     Knock, knock-

     They heard a knock.

     "Come in."

     "Sir, you have to come out here."

     An employee peeked in with a troubled face.

     "What's the matter?"

     "Wow, this son of a bitch… Tell that… Who I am…"

     He caught on to what was happening after hearing the distorted yelling. The hall wasn't in complete chaos, but it was a troublesome sight.

     "You peasant bastards! Do you know who I am? Do you know who my father is?"

     The drunk man shook his finger all around him. Seeing how people were careful in trying to calm him down, they must be his subordinates, not his friends.

     "Let go of me, you sons of b*tches! Jang Seol Hyun! Do you have gold rims around your vagina? Why are you playing hard to get all the time? Shit! I said I'd get you whatever you wanted!"

     Jang Seol Hyun tried to step in with a frown, but Kim Woo Jung stopped her. It wasn't advisable to go against a man of such stature. The bystanders watched the entertaining spectacle.

     Clap, clap, clap-

     A sudden clapping refreshed the room.

     "Wow! Who knew this kind of stuff happened in real life?"

     Ahn Soo Ho clapped like a seal. He had never seen a rich person power tripping like that outside of a movie or a drama. Reality is a fantasy after all.

     "Who are you, you son of a bitch?"

     "Me? I'm the boss here."

     "What? You're the boss here?"

     His tongue wasn't that twisted. That meant he was half acting.

     "Sir, you're drunk. Please go home and sleep. I know you won't agree, but if you don't make it to work tomorrow, your dad might beat you."

     "Haha."

     The man could hear small laughter around Ahn Soo Ho, who talked to him as if he was in kindergarten. His face reddened in shame.

     "You. Do you know who I am?"

     "No."

     "I'm the second son of the vice-president of Sungil Electronics."

     The one who answered was Oh Joo Kyung.

     "Isn't Sungil Group run by an Oh family?"

     "Yes. Vice-President Park Chan Young isn't family."

     "What? Then you're not even an heir. This is ridiculous."

     The comical talk made the laughter grew louder.

     "You. You!"

     "Chief Superintendent Yoon, can I report this as obstruction of business?"

     "You can."

     "Isn't this an exclusive? Does anyone work in media or broadcasting? Newspapers are fine too!"

     As soon as Yoon Chul replied with a smirk, Ahn Soo Ho waved and out a job ad. The unnamed man and his group ran away.

     Clap, clap-

     He clapped once more at the messy bar.

     "I guess anything can happen in life. All snacks are free tonight."

     "Boo!"

     "Not enough? Ugh, seriously! You like free stuff with as people of high rank. Fine. Everyone's on me tonight!"

     "Woo!"

     He normally wouldn't have responded in such a gentle manner, but a combination of alcohol and mob psychology gave him a strange feeling. The quiet bar turned into a loud club. The boss of Bar Lafargue, who treated the famous people of influential families, will hopefully leave a strong impression.

     "I'm off."

     "See you."

     Ahn Soo Ho saw Yoon Chul off. After staring at his back as he walked off, he took out his phone.

     "It's me. Release it."

     The headlines spreading all across the Korean peninsula the next day was all about Korea National Association, and no Korean has ever heard of them.

     "Exclusive! What kind of organization is Bohemian Club–Korean National Association?"

     "In-depth coverage! 70 percent of the rich in their 30s are descendants of anti-national agents!"

     "Inside scoop! The vestiges of Joseon that surrendered to Tenno!"

     < Protect – Episode 14 – Lee Hyo Geun [1] > The end.

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     Sooho

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     .

     16

      Daniel Navarros arrived at Daesan Hotel in Seoul at the prearranged time. Seeing how he came with a group of security guards, he must know there's a reward for him.

     "It's nice to meet you."

     "Really?

     Ahn Soo Ho responded with a sharp remark instead of a greeting.

     "I know… my situation isn't that great."

     "If we don't want a war with Agnes, it'd be better to put you out as our scapegoat."

     "Ahem!"

     Navarros responded to Ahn Soo Ho's forthright statement with an uncomfortable sound. As soon as a sensitive topic arose, he made his security guards step back. His initial posture died out, and he loosened his necktie while ordering a strong vodka.

     They could see Seoul Plaza from outside of Daesan Hotel, and they covered it in red candles at the moment. The foreign news had spread all over Korea in a matter of seconds, and the evil deeds of the rich flooded out like a dam as if they didn't know about it before. If there was only one victim, they would have given up to the reality of the situation, but with so many sympathizers, they all gathered at Gwanghwamun Square.

     "Reform of the rich… Mr. Guardian, did you cause this mess?"

     Ahn Soo Ho shrugged without an answer. Navarros continued to talk as if that didn't matter.

     "Was spreading it in the foreign news just a skill of God? Now, the people would doubt the media neutrality of all countries."

     Not all American journalists believed in journalism. People assume the media is impartial, but since they're just salaried employees, they had no choice but to listen to the higher-ups. However, there are journalists who feel a sense of duty and principle, but just one journalist's voice wasn't loud enough.

     "But Koreans have unbelievable acting power."

     It was two days ago when the foreign news came out, but there were at least 100,000 people outside the window. That's not all. The numbers keep growing as time goes on.

     "When will we stop being just spectators of absolute power?"

     "One law for the rich, and another for the poor! Is Korea really a democratic country?"

     "The rich in their 30s earn more than half of the GDP!"

     Who knows which rich person would the investigation authorities pick and attack? That would end up as a targeting controversy.

     "Mr. Navarros, I'm a busy man. Let's get to the point."

     In response to Ahn Soo Ho's straightforward remark, Daniel Navarros let out a dry chuckle while playing with a glass in his hand.

     "You're as firm as I've heard you are."

     "To the point?"

     After he finished the rest of his drink, he talked with a stern expression.

     "I'm a triple… no, quadruple spy."

     Daniel Navarros was born in Guatemala to an American father and a Mestizo mother. Even though his nationality was American, he was Mestizo due to his upbringing. The problem started when his parents divorced and he followed his father to the States.

     "My uncle is from El Salvador. He's a cruel man. My mother avoided him by going to Guatemala, and that's where she met my father. But… their relationship ended."

     Even though he followed his father to the States, he loved his mother.

     "My uncle held my mother hostage and threated me."

     As the surname "Navarros" suggests, his father wasn't a pure white man. He has an American father and a Japanese mother. It excellently combined the East and the West.

     "I don't know what they have on him, but my father has something to do with a yakuza. And ironically, I'm a part of MS-13, which is their rival. The ones who butted in are…"

     "CIA?"

     The world Daniel knew came crashing down overnight.

     "They wanted to team up with a criminal organization from the west part of the States. They wanted to reach a cartel after a yakuza and Agnes. I've found a lot of information for the last twenty years, but I couldn't keep it a secret just because I was a part of the CIA."

     Not even the CIA could avoid the congressional information law.

     "Empire Konzern might look like a normal company, but there are countless organizations involved. They're like a grey area."

     If the yakuza, Mexican cartel, and MS-13 were criminal organizations, the CIA and FBI were a state-certified gang.

     "So?"

     "Ten days ago, they kidnapped one of the national cooperation agencies in Sao Paulo. They think it was the PCC's doing… but it's just a struggle for power within the Empire. The problem is that it involves many organizations in Central and South America. That means there's absolutely no system. The yakuza, cartel, and Agnes, and this took the CIA aback."

     "Then why did Agnes put a price to your head?"

     "Because my uncle started all of this. They probably don't want that embarrassing truth to get out."

     Ahn Soo Ho looked at Danel Navarros with a strange gaze.

     "Wouldn't it be better to ask the CIA for help?"

     "They can't protect me."

     "Why not?"

     "Because one of the kidnapped is the president of the United States' nephew."

     It wasn't surprising. From what Deputy Director Eaton shared, the kidnapped victims are undoubtedly high-flown people. The point is the real intention of the actors dancing on the game board that the States set up.

     "What do you want from me?"

     "Guaranteed protection."

     "For what price?"

     Daniel Navarros pulled out a USB and put it on the table.

     "This is all of me. There's no other copy."

     "Hm."

     Ahn Soo Ho stroked his chin.

     "Sounds good. Let's sign."

     "Th… thank you!"

     He, who was nervously looking at him, sprung up from his seat and shook both hands. As soon as Daniel Navarros stopped his fuss and left, Ahn Soo Ho took the USB and reached out his phone.

     "Start on David Navarros."

     "What? Did you sign? Agnes won't like this."

     "He won't go around telling anyone. Take my word for it."

     "Well, then… But it'll cost a lot of money to get rid of the reward, you know."

     "That doesn't matter."

     "Good."

     Oh Joo Kyung approached as soon as he ended the call.

     "The vice-chairman is looking for you."

     "Let's go."

     There was a special VVIP room in Daesan Hotel unavailable for commoners and the like. As soon as Ahn Soo Ho came in, Kim Dae Chan greeted him with a flushed face.

     "Soo Ho!"

     "Why does it look like you already finished drinking?"

     "Haha."

     Kim Dae Chan laughed aloud to Ahn Soo Ho's criticism. His face was a lot brighter than when he was whining. That was because the demand for the reform of the rich weakened the seize and search of Jinsung Group. The authorities could no longer kick out Jinsung Group alone. If they used Jinsung as their scapegoat, a backlash could have hit them back

     "Bringing everyone down! How did I not think of that, but how did you control the foreign press?"

     It wasn't just any foreign press. As soon as England, France, Germany, as well as China, and Japan made their move, Korean media had no choice but to follow their lead.

     "All I did was collect the seeds I've spread until now."

     "I don't know what you're talking about, but I'm impressed."

     Kim Dae Chan patted Ahn Soo Ho on the shoulder in a good mood. No matter how powerful Daesan Group is, it's tough to influence the foreign press. Public confidence has nothing to do with money.

     "If we let time go on, the stock prices will plummet. Then wouldn't they step back?"

     "Maybe… But that's not a solution. That's just a temporary fix. They bound the wound to split it open again."

     "Then?"

     "Oh! We have to show them we could all die at this rate."

     "How?"

     "Where's the item from China?"

     "Hold on. Secretary Kim!"

     When Kim Dae Chan cried out, the secretary came in with a locked bag. Inside the bag was another small bag. The bag unlocked to an electronic passcode.

     "USB?"

     Ahn Soo Ho gestured for Oh Joo Kyung to bring the laptop.

     "This is a chance for you to know how scary the Chinese really are."

     The Koreans and Japanese often look down upon the Chinese, but his long experience abroad taught him that none should undermine the power China holds. They never hesitated to sacrifice one for the entire group. That's different from patriotism.

     "Oh, my god!"

     There was no state secret or trade secret within the USB, but it had records of the daily lives of the employees that worked for important sectors of the government. It included who and where they met, what they talked about, as well as parking tickets and small crimes, accompanied by video clips or pictures.

     Extravagant treatment, taking secret payments, and evidence of affairs followed. The drunk acts they have been doing looked cute in comparison. They often did illegal businesses then got out of it with money and used internal information to ask for more cash. However, there were no state secret or trade secret within it. They were just embarrassing pasts of unsightly people.

     "People wrongly think conspiracies come from the top."

     Betrayal always starts from the bottom. Daesan Group isn't that clean either. They also have an information team, and they had an investigation team that looked into people's weaknesses, but a finding this extensive was impossible for even large corporations.

     "China might have made more of an effort, but they weren't the only ones that investigated us. The States, Japan, Russia, and even Korea looks into its own country."

     "But still. They look into every single employee?"

     "As I said, China's kind of an exception. They have incredible manpower we can't beat."

     Is there any country without a Chinese living abroad? The Chinese had infiltrated every place on earth.

     "Are you going to reveal this to the media?"

     "No."

     Ahn Soo Ho shook his head. That's the worst plan possible.

     "I have to send it to the Korean National Association, or whatever they're called."

     "Why? If they know, they'll prepare themselves."

     "Prepare? That doesn't matter."

     At a time like this, the small land space Korean had was very helpful. It was fascinating how 50 million people could live on such small land. It's hard to beat China in overall manpower, but the speed of implementing manpower was the fastest in Korea.

     "With a hundred million dollars… I can get a million people."

     Public sentiment followed the prize that's in front of them.

     "Once they think we could actually all die together, they're bound to become traitors."

     < Protect – Episode 15 – Lee Hyo Geun [2] > The end.

     You are reading

     Sooho

      ebook which is a free download at

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     .

     17

      Ahn Soo Ho returned to Jejudo.

     "There's a problem?"

     "Yes, Director. There's a problem with the division of property."

     In the middle of Mrs. Park Ok Nam's divorce process, they ran into an unexpected obstacle. Lee Hyo Geun's former wife's son, Lee Jung Hoon, and Lee So Hye's half-brothers had submitted an objection to the division of property. Ahn Soo Hofelt nothing but disgust.

     "I'm not sure who's the worst one."

     They were being very dirty. After it prosecuted them for miscellaneous charges, they tried to contact Daesan Hotel Resort in Jejudo through their lawyer, but he didn't want to deal with them. Since he told his mom not to answer their calls either, they targeted Lee So Hye, who just went back to school. Is blood really thicker than water? Even though Lee So Hye hated Lee Hyo Geun, she went to visit him, anyway.

     Ahn Soo Ho knew beforehand but didn't talk her out of it.

     "You can't forcefully cut ties between people of blood relation."

     Even though Ahn Soo Ho hated his father too that didn't mean he no longer had a father.

     "Does she have to give up everything?"

     "That would make things a lot easier."

     The problem would be over if she gave up on the division of property.

     "Then let's do that. I'll tell my mother myself."

     "Okay."

     "Oh, yeah!"

     Ahn Soo Ho stopped the secretary from leaving.

     "What happened with Shinhwa Entertainment?"

     "They still haven't responded."

     "Hm."

     It's likely that they're keeping an eye out with all the noise about the reformation of the rich. But it was still strange. Are they antagonizing a director of Daesan Group just because of a newbie actor with potential? Or did they think they'd be better off holding onto Lee Jung Hoon for now? If not, they're just being bold.

     "Bring me the CEO's profile."

     "Sure, Director."

     The documents came in no time.

     "Kim Yoo Seon."

     It might sound like a woman's name, but he's a man in his fifties. In the photo, he looked hardworking? There wasn't anything special. Even though he didn't start from the bottom, the fact that he's managing a reputable entertainment agency is proof of his capabilities. Besides a few summary indictments, he committed no crimes, and the biggest flaw was that he had divorced twice.

     "Maybe he has high standards because all he sees are celebrities."

     Few CEO's of entertainment agencies have married one of their celebrities. No shareholder of a corporation would ever be happy about the marriage between a CEO and one of his celebrities. A manager dating one of these celebrities? That's very taboo. Even in Hollywood, people despise relationships between managers and their celebrities.

     "Business should always just stay business."

     Blind love makes all of it very messy.

     "How's his reputation?"

     "It's not bad."

     "It's not bad? Tell me in more detail."

     "Many agencies fool around with the contract. Compared to places like that, the contract duration and distribution ratio is fair. They don't exploit their celebrities as far as I know."

     "Any sexual favors?"

     "If you're referring to sponsors, I confirmed that the company doesn't provide that."

     "Does that mean they do that themselves?"

     "It's not like it can monitor them 24 hours a day."

     In the entertainment world, the amount invested determined the results. Finding a star with outstanding talent was like finding a needle in a sandbox. Management did not differ from gambling. Shameful conduct such as sexual favors or prostitution were like not being able to leave the gambling casino at the thought of the principal.

     "I need to meet him."

     The rational thing to do was to meet at least once before bringing the coercive. No matter how big, one should avoid causing resentment.

     "Director, David Cox is here to see you."

     "Send him in."

     David Cox, also known as Lee Chul, didn't come in alone.

     "Wow!"

     "Amazing!"

     Emily and Rachel's eyes shot out hearts as soon as they saw the vacation home. Ahn Soo Ho shook Lee Chul's hand.

     "Whoa… you weren't just a regular employee, Soo Ho."

     As soon as he escorted them to the vacation home next to the main building, he heard he was a director which surprised him quite a bit. Even though he didn't look too young, how could he be a director in his 30s? At first, he thought he could be an heir, but Lee Chul knows the Kim family owns Daesan Group despite his naturalized foreigner status.

     "I knew it from the start. You're an elite."

     "Haha."

     Lee Chul's pleasant character didn't change no matter what his position was.

     "Let's play, Soo Ho."

     "Yeah!"

     The girls changed into their bikinis and t-shirts and urged Ahn Soo Ho. Even though they're underage, if Jang Seol Hyun finds out about this, things will get out of hand.

     So he talked about something else.

     "What about your wife?"

     "She went to pick up a guest from her side of the family."

     "Oh. When will Emily and Rachel return home?"

     Despite Lee Chul's efforts, he couldn't hide his sadness. He must have some kind of family matters that even he can't talk about. So he tried to change the subject, but Lee Chul talked first.

     "Don't worry about it, Soo Ho. I'm not in that bad of a mood. It's not like there's no racism in Australia."

     Even though Australia and Canada were the top countries to live in for Koreans, racism still existed. It hadn't come to the surface, but there was an aspect more violent than the Bible Belt. The governments of Australia and Canada even advised tourists of color to not visit certain areas.

     "Did her side of the family oppose your marriage?"

     "Yeah. It's been twenty years, and it still hadn't changed."

     Lee Chul's situation was like Do Kyung Ho's while being different at the same time. Ahn Soo Ho suddenly had a question. Whose problem is it they still don't have children after 20 years? He tried to see through him.

     "It wasn't anyone's fault. It was just… fate."

     Do you believe in the teachings? Lee Chul might be a white ascetic. Ahn Soo Ho put down his work and spent time with his guest. As soon as they walked out of the vacation home into the main building, the atmosphere changed to a glamorous one. How can the atmosphere be so different? The architect of this building was very impressive.

     Emily and Rachel ran into the pool.

     Even though he was older, Lee Chul's body was solid from farming fruit, and Ahn Soo Ho didn't fall behind. Lee Chul could only relax after he saw his nieces having fun, at which he laid on the sunbed with his sunglasses on. In every country, men pretty much only went to pools to see exposed women.

     "Seventy points."

     "Fifty points."

     "Fifty? You're so stingy."

     "She ruined it with the rash guard."

     "That's true. Is she even a surfer?"

     "I heard that's the trend these days."

     Since everyone worn rash guards, the trend changed to not wearing them. As soon as Emily and Rachel took off their t-shirts to expose their bodies, all eyes were on them. If they were adults, it wouldn't matter if they did a one-night stand or not, but until they returned to Australia, Lee Chul was their only guardian.

     "Isn't it cheating to be a Westerner?"

     "Really? I'm not sure."

     The difference of aesthetics between the East and the West came into view. A few of the more confident Korean men approached them. When Lee Chul sighed and got up from the sunbed, they backed down to to the big Western man. Emily and Rachel pouted as they walked toward Ahn Soo Ho.

     "Ugh, seriously! That won't happen, Uncle."

     "All men are animals, you know."

     "Yeah right. They all look weak."

     "They do. They'll probably fall over after one hit."

     Despite how they looked, they were both masters of Jiu-Jitsu. Is that why they want to roam around at night?

     "This isn't our first time here. We know what it's like."

     "Korea may be pretty safe, but don't let your guard down."

     When they were little, they visited Jejudo with their parents, and after they turned 15, they traveled on their own. The two girls sat on the sunbed applying sunscreen on each other as they grumbled.

     "Dictator!"

     "Old man!"

     Ahn Soo Ho smirked.

     "Cute kids."

     These days, the number of children joining gangs are increasing. It connected the kids who wandered through the slums to the area's criminal organizations one way or another, and the average age at which they joined was twelve. That's kids in grade 5 and 7 joining a mob. Compared to kids like that, Emily and Rachel are innocent.

     "Another type of child soldiers."

     The reality of the average age going down did not differ from underdeveloped countries of Africa drafting child soldiers. The elites of the criminal world were like human shields that survived.

     "Director, you have a guest."

     Oh Joo Kyung approached and whispered in his ear.

     "A guest?"

     If it was Kim Dae San or Kim Dae Chan, she wouldn't have referred to them as guests. Same with Mrs. Park Ok Nam and Lee So Hye. Is it Kyung Ho? However, what she said after that surpassed Ahn Soo Ho's expectations.

     "It's Lee Hyo Geun's representative."

     ******

     "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Ahn. I'm Lawyer Jeon Sung Joo."

     Oh Joo Kyung was the one to accept the business card Jeon Sung Joo handed over. He continued to smile despite how it would have looked.

     "He's from the law firm, The NC. They're within the top ten large-scale law firms of Korea… but they're a bunch of hyenas."

     Ahn Soo Ho nodded at Oh Joo Kyung and looked at Jeon Sung Joo.

     "Did Lee Kyung Joon send you?"

     "Who? Lee Kyung Joon? I've never heard of that name before. We considered all the unfair treatment given to Lee Hyo Geun."

     "Unfair?"

     "Yes. Unreasonable use of public power mentally harmed him. The world is noisy these days with the demand for a reformation of the rich. Daesan probably doesn't want their name to be in the media because of your personal matters."

     "So?"

     "We're willing to cooperate at a fair price."

     "Haha! Hahaha!"

     Ahn Soo Ho laughed while smacking his forehead. He laughed so hard, everyone in the café turned to look at him. If Oh Joo Kyung wasn't there, the café manager would have told him to quiet down. Ahn Soo Ho wiped his tears away and looked at his cold gaze.

     "That guy is such an incompetent fool."

     "Please watch your words."

     "No."

     It's taboo to be a hundred percent certain, but Lee Kyung Joon is an exception. It's unlikely he dealt with this situation in such a sloppy manner. Even in the States, it was common for lawyers to sit around at a prison, look for clients, and advice a lawsuit. That lawyer wouldn't have had any interest in suing Daesan Group if it wasn't for the national uproar for a reformation of the rich. He could have well collected a lot of settlement money from those who fell for it.

     "The law…"

     He thought the judicial system existed for the rich rather than the poor. That's because, under the current constitution, it's hard for them to acknowledge a private prosecution. Back in the day, when revenge prevailed, all people were equal in front of death. But today? There's a gap between the rich and the poor even regarding death.

     "They call it legal justice and whatnot, but they're stingy when it come to catching the big criminals."

     Even as the law gets more complicated, there's always a hole to escape from. If a rich and a poor fought in a legal battle, who'd win? You may think the law is clear, but it's actually very ambiguous. He would cooperate if the consensual divorce went forward smoothly. He expected just the slightest bit of conscience from those who shamelessly tricked Mrs. Park.

     "I guess I kind of saw this coming."

     He slicked his face. This was a scenario he hated the most.

     "See you in court."

     "Wa… wait!"

     As soon as Ahn Soo Ho stood up, his actions took Jeon Sung Joo aback. Huh? This isn't right. He believed he wouldn't want to taint the company's reputation with his personal matters. The executives of other companies got nervous and made a settlement. Now that the lit candles in the center of Seoul have made the CEOs sensitive, even the smallest mistakes can get you on their bad side.

     "Do you have more to say?"

     "Haha. When it comes to settlements, it's all about the push and pulls. Please listen to my proposal."

     Ahn Soo Ho stuck out his middle finger. His smile was so big that Jeon Sung Joo thought he was seeing things.

     "F*ck you."

      The end.

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     18

      "You don't seem to be in a superb mood."

     "Let's have a drink, Chul."

     "Yeah?"

     Ahn Soo Ho returned to the outdoor pool and ordered two cocktails from the server. Even though it's common for Koreans to drink at pools and water parks, it's prohibited by the law for safety measures. However, in foreign countries, alcoholic beverages are more often seen than water, so they didn't understand why Koreans would say things taste like water. It's because they don't always have clean water available to them.

     "They're the same price, anyway."

     Actually, alcohol is often cheaper than water.

     "Korea's drinking culture's weird. Everyone drinks like crazy at company dinners, but drinking by yourself makes you a freak. It's as if everyone has to associate our work and hobbies with our peers. It's funny how this country finds it bizarre to see someone doing anything alone."

     "That's probably because the country's so small."

     It's hard to do anything by yourself in Korea because the country's too densely populated for one to enjoy a leisurely time alone. Citizens do most vacations through group tours, and wherever they might go, they must expect a huge number of other vacation-goers to crowd the place. If you picked a place with no people, that wasn't a time for healing as what most vacations are for, but survival.

     "Really? I don't think it's that small."

     "Do you really think so?"

     "Well, it's definitely smaller than Australia."

     "By a lot."

     There's a saying about a frog in a well. The real world is bigger than we can imagine. Many Koreans go abroad for work, school, or vacation, but few experienced the real world. Most people just went to all the tourist attractions in major cities. That's not where the real world was. In places that showed its true beauty, there was no such thing as a souvenir shop.

     "Do you hate your hometown?"

     "I love Korea, but I don't like the government."

     "Haha. None of us do."

     Lee Chul laughed about it, but Ahn Soo Ho made a crooked smile in his head. The two troublemakers who were sunbathing disappeared as soon as the monitors got distracted. Lee Chul and Ahn Soo Ho knew but pretended they didn't. They're probably dreaming of meeting someone great as a sort of plot twist like they were in a drama, but that kind of thing doesn't happen in real life.

     As soon as the phone on top of the table vibrated, Lee Chul checked the caller and became serious. After he excused himself and went to a corner, he tried to smile, but Ahn Soo Ho saw it as a forced smile. Everyone's living hard lives. Or is he the weird one? Lee Chul, who finished his call and came back, put his hands together with an apologetic face.

     "Sorry. Can I leave the kids with you?"

     "Sure."

     "Sorry."

     After seeing off Lee Chul, Ahn Soo Ho called his manager.

     "You know who I'm looking for, right?"

     "Yes. I've secured their location."

     He gestured for him to lead the way.

     Daesan Hotel Resort in Jejudo was divided into 3 divisions: the main building, the water park family resort, and other separate buildings. The separate buildings are very expensive and always overbooked. That's because many celebrities came to Jejudo for their photo shoots. They had to differentiate themselves to lead the trend. The view from a building that looks like a famous vacation spot in the South Pacific was beautiful in anyone's eyes.

     "Kya!"

     There they saw a building, inside they saw a humongous amount of cheering people.

     "That's the star marketing the hotel's PR team planned."

     The manager who was minding Ahn Soo Ho quickly responded.

     "Is it effective?"

     "As soon as the building became known as a photo shoot location, many related companies have been calling, and more fans have been coming to see the stars."

     "That's a common commercial spirit."

     "The family resort isn't that expensive. If you book as a group, there are good discount options, and there are many event giveaways, so there won't be a big increase in profit. This is all for the betterment of Daesan brand's image."

     The manager rushed to explain himself. Did it sound like a rebuke? It appeared as if the wave of the reformation of the rich had reached Jejudo. He could spot Emily and Rachel with ease. Is it a modeling agency? A few men in suits got into a heated argument over the two white girls. As soon as Ahn Soo Ho frowned, the manager sent employees to resolve it.

     "What's going on here?"

     "You mustn't do this here."