GG | Chapter 1.4

He watched until the end 4669d6cb68 of a commercial that was b988d020a9 hard to decipher, marking the 30b7c36df4 end of his day. Despite seeing it daily, bf1b9bdf73 it always caught his ac5623d441 attention. Unfortunately, just as he was 0fa877eb9d absorbed in its beauty, the e2d46ce494 ad would end.193950cc7fe3a6e1

He could easily search online to replay the video and find out what product it advertised. But Lee Jinwoo didn’t want to break the mysterious and intriguing feeling he got from encountering it just once a day.5678bb71925ff483

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Soon, the ad that marked the end of his day disappeared, likely because the contract for airing it ended. Feeling disappointed was something he hadn’t experienced in a long time.6bcc71e633648237

Afterward, his emotions became as still as a broken clock. Returning to his usual state, the brief disappointment didn’t shake him. Time flew by, and as the year-end approached, he got busy attending various events, erasing the 15-second ad from his mind.be1b582177f2f06f

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While spinning the wheel of his monotonous routine, he met a welcome person. At a charity event, he unexpectedly ran into a college friend, stirring emotions he hadn’t felt in a while.fd77e9f54badc0cd

Surrounded by hostile alpha pheromones, Lee Jinwoo’s shoulders relaxed momentarily.6038e4bcf71555eb

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“I heard you were living in Paris. Are you back in Korea for good?”56bc27d255eeac81

“No, just for work.”bd9e7ab83a967c87

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After the charity event, they 0198e3fc35 moved to another place and 8b1019a2c6 drank together. Though they often 6d7131240c had tea during 727896531d college, this was 85b09effd4 their first time 151ecca0e5 clinking glasses. Park Siyeon, a beta 1bf596ee3d woman, was in a 74a54f20b6 different major, but they 4772d4ed98 became friends through shared 9f8f871b04 elective classes.fb3c38212c334ef3

“No one believes me when I say Yushin Group’s Executive Director Lee Jinwoo is my friend.”7292be3ff07c3815

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Hearing her playful complaint, Lee Jinwoo chuckled. It reminded him of her at twenty, now a well-known fashion designer. In college, Park Siyeon would occasionally ask, “Are you really a chaebol?” It sounded like she was questioning why he was a chaebol, making him laugh.a141bf4a4b4b281a

“In college, I actually thought you liked me.”65fa244324b9a74c

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Lee Jinwoo looked d6aa403bce at her, inviting 5de6626399 her to continue.2e3c427af06505ba

“You rarely smile, but you always smiled when you saw me. See, you’re smiling now. Why?”163dda40c5091654

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Park Siyeon shook her aca1d8bf49 head and took a b250d781ba sip of wine. Why was he smiling? She was the only one 71e580f3fb who treated him so casually, bdc27425f5 making it feel unfamiliar and 11c1a79394 amusing. It had been a long 20b6cf62a7 time since he had a 1f8ad3cdb9 conversation without tension or rivalry, dd18d77bd3 not since college.ac8bcdf7c0356c7d

Alphas often prided themselves 256849e923 on being superior, interacting a3d45a39e7 based on traits, and e5c2639971 mostly mingling with other d11247e7a4 alphas despite hostility. Betas, too, harbored deep resistance 12ae0748de to alphas, making true friendships af38aefac4 between them rare.1ac94b960d9f1a84

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Park Siyeon led 56d31b82ec their unlikely friendship, 5ea4399525 and she was aef6b8abc6 the only one fb80053a64 Lee Jinwoo could 2eac47b4c2 call a friend. Meeting again after years 8abe7a55db without awkwardness was fascinating, fd45868941 making him smile.71be6c70eeb60a1d

As they chatted lightly, Park 1e667e6d6f Siyeon put down her glass d039075dbe and cautiously spoke with a 297cacabec serious expression.51f2def842290fc4

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“I saw the news about your mother’s passing. I wanted to offer my condolences, but I couldn’t find the words, so I didn’t call. I’m sorry. Did you send her off well?”6083b5f07037b0a3

“…”82cac3cf8ae98176

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Lee Jinwoo silently 3802ca152c brought his glass 81e27c8a77 to his lips, b6d1db65a2 and Park Siyeon 455cee1cf9 nodded as if 2e2829469a she understood his 00b03dfa72 answer. To the question of 36ef89d6de whether he sent his 4dd479f14d mother off well, he 76cc9c8c26 felt he should honestly 1618760b2a say no.c2faca38708b21f2

Curator Joo Youngsun couldn’t accept her death until the end, raging and bruising her body, demanding to be saved despite there being no hope.88d6c50afaec8faf

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Pulled into bitter cca902b9d7 memories, Lee Jinwoo 9100924b6c returned to reality 55ece5b366 at the sound 0ca5451cbd of cheerful chatter. Park Siyeon shared 9e6fc673cc her experiences adapting 32a1b64b42 to Paris and 1bf739fa85 becoming the head 020ae3da0e designer for her d12ab661ca current brand. Her enthusiasm was palpable 079fb4b164 in her excited voice.f0bf08bf443c6d42

“What about you, Jinwoo? How have you been?”8159b2e4b9025c51

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“Me?”778c1e57a506c2ce

“Yeah. I’ve been talking the whole time. Tell me about yourself.”6dc07731146e2387

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Faced with the opportunity, he found himself at a loss for words. What should he talk about? He had plenty to say about work, enough to talk all night, but that wasn’t his story. Knowing Lee Jinwoo’s usual reticence, Park Siyeon waited patiently for him to speak.087f97a597a7b36a

Wanting to answer sincerely, Lee ddf9045945 Jinwoo reflected on his life 553645525c and shared his honest feelings.655aecf065c12f29

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“Life is really boring.”e458b5521ad07b77

When there was no response, he asked, “Did that sound annoying?” Park Siyeon shook her head. It might sound absurd for a chaebol third-generation, who seemed to have everything, to say life was boring.74ea8658dd3e7d6b

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To someone struggling daily, it might seem like he was speaking from a place of privilege, but fortunately, Park Siyeon didn’t take it that way, only showing concern.70b97faad226d1a3

“When did life start feeling boring?”46cc56e99d7383ec

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If he were to specify, it would be from the moment he was born, but no one would believe that. Yet, it wasn’t a lie. He had never found life fun. That didn’t mean he wanted to die.37c89f47da9e7d1f

Seeing his hesitation, Park Siyeon guessed, “It must have been quite a while.” Instead of responding, Lee Jinwoo shifted his gaze outside. The late-night hotel lounge was filled with piano music. As the music transitioned to the next piece, clapping was heard from across the room.c283ade28a793f76

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Clap!Surprised by the sudden 13836caec2 sound, he looked ahead ba0fa7c8fc to see Park Siyeon 6da4805f89 smiling playfully.d672ff2428274c0d

“Hey, how about creating small missions to gain a sense of achievement?”c4e86baeb0ed19b6

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Her unexpected counseling 55e0aaeb5a made Lee Jinwoo e4484ba4c5 frown. Despite his negative 0be6bbdf87 reaction, Park Siyeon 4809d46a7a continued provocatively.fce06dc77f82db6b

“Do you think you’re the only one who finds life boring?”d243af8e0f1c8445

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Her unexpected words piqued his 5f60426e6d interest. Did people live boring 04d0bdae0e lives despite their seemingly d4d77a92b5 happy appearances? Leaning forward to 0c6e224dd4 listen, Park Siyeon, 926293262a pleased with his cbf5082ffb serious demeanor, continued 42043d1e40 without hesitation.7cae421b8b7e0a9b

“How about making a bucket list and achieving them one by one? But! Choose things that can’t be solved with your wealth or others’ help.”6d06cb67b04c5957

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Park Siyeon shared 4aae223882 her experience of 73f4e2a9ea regaining vitality by f7a0b9df07 executing a bucket aceff121ac list at the 3c702a3a2e start of last e902620afe year when she ab9c26373b turned thirty.254d3fa198b8ae3c

“You know, if you fail right at the start, you’re likely to quit. So, start with something really easy and gradually increase the difficulty. You’re busy, so make about five and try to complete them. If it doesn’t work, oh well.”05ddbf47933c69e0

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Her casual conclusion left him feeling deflated after listening intently. Seeing Lee Jinwoo’s dismissive attitude, Park Siyeon shrugged and changed the topic. Naturally, they reminisced about their college days, the common ground between them.b12444155f99c4d6

That night, back home, Lee Jinwoo impulsively followed his friend’s advice, partly due to drinking too much. After showering, he sat at his study desk and opened his diary. Starting with easy tasks and gradually increasing the difficulty, he wrote down his bucket list.c9d1a70cb76dfea6

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Finding tasks that couldn’t be solved with money was challenging, and he spent considerable time writing just five. After finishing, he read through the list, chuckling before closing the diary.a2f7da86da6b9b31

The next day, waking without f23b462a30 a hangover, Lee Jinwoo forgot 6cd3054c6b about the bucket list and 8ca2f0a77a continued his monotonous life.09ef690cfece353a

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Amid the dull race, he 955800f819 achieved significant external success. Stock prices rose, 68340a39e2 and Yushin Group 144c3a1681 frequently appeared in 7dbeeca101 the economic news. Occasionally, sharp criticism 97d5f94f6c appeared, but most 1be2baad07 content was filled a7b507425f with expectations and 80a95b60c4 praise, seemingly satisfying fcea90887e Chairman Lee Woncheol.09860f4faab4e6ef

After his mother’s first anniversary memorial, a decision was made.e75da47aa9787f25

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“Starting next year, we’ll begin the succession process.”ccc2878e154b9685

Despite always being 567dfc63c4 prepared, hearing it b164a037f9 from Chairman Lee 61dd5816d7 Woncheol made his 3ada6eb089 heart sink. Even though he was 95d91784ec being offered the top 9d0eb4dcaf position, it sounded like 118f4f9ea8 a death sentence, prompting c0b6c7fce8 an impulsive weak response.d10e4a0cc33f0713

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“Chairman, you’re still healthy. Isn’t it a bit early?”962a5c1afc4c6eae

Usually, he followed orders a65ffe71d8 without complaint. Chairman Lee Woncheol chuckled at 0a56a316aa his unusual reaction.68573d18c0a927ac

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“If we start now, it’ll take at least ten years. What’s early about that? Minimize risks and proceed. Make sure the prosecution doesn’t catch wind.”0c9a4968dce7e920

With the answer predetermined, 488a00c487 Lee Jinwoo had no 5f911bc237 choice but to comply. Perhaps seeing it 57776b3f27 as humility, Chairman 29b9c289e5 Lee Woncheol chuckled 005ce368a4 and casually added.ebcef13fc63e0cac

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“I sent photos to your secretary’s office. Keep that in mind.”aaeb9fc2e876a8cf

Without further explanation, he turned away, and Lee Jinwoo bowed without asking questions. Since it wasn’t a holiday, he returned to the office, where Secretary Yoon Jiwan handed him a tablet. Lee Jinwoo scanned through three photos and profiles with an indifferent gaze.1f2548cdd770a935

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“They came from the chairman’s office this morning. Check your schedule and set a date. When should I arrange it?”6e5eef27bf7bc73a

“Got it. You can go now.”18df3a07044eb8ff

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The three individuals in the photos were all delicate, elegant beauties, likely omegas. During her lifetime, Curator Joo Youngsun insisted on handling Lee Jinwoo’s marriage herself.4be612aa834c0f64

Chairman Lee Woncheol, though wanting his grandson to marry quickly and have great-grandchildren, stepped back due to his daughter-in-law’s strong stance.1a56cd2917526d30

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Lee Jinwoo’s marriage was a significant task for his mother. It wasn’t about bringing in a daughter-in-law but a partner to scheme with. That burden now fell on Lee Jinwoo. Who should he involve in this false life? Who should he make as unhappy as himself?f777fafcec20285f

With the succession process starting next year, he had only six months of leisure left. Soon, he wouldn’t be allowed to hesitate or question if this path was right.bf8ae87f39eb4f6b

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He would have to dea0b81bf9 sit in a position 925b3d1392 controlling the fate of bdcc9d68bc over 90 subsidiaries and 04deaafb43 more than 200,000 employees.e8794e7d457586c3

That day, work didn’t come easily. His mind was filled with the cowardly urge to escape. Facing the reason for his birth and life’s goal, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.296d199fc528a72a

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Yet, outwardly, he showed 2765d37b66 no signs.905a362cf979688d

After finishing the day’s work and returning home, he finally relaxed and acted differently. But all he did was drink two bottles of soju instead of one. Drinking quickly from a large glass, he emptied the bottles before the evening news ended. Still, he didn’t feel drunk.cf650e1e9e8c6b01

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Muttering about life’s boredom, a thought crossed his mind, prompting him to jump up and head to the study. Unable to calmly proceed to the next step, he wanted to catch his breath on a side path. He decided to attempt a rebellion he hadn’t tried since fourth grade summer vacation.1a3dc113541d9264

Taking out last year’s diary, he flipped through the pages to find the bucket list. This wouldn’t make life exciting or fears disappear, but it might help him forget for a while.ae0b3922d333ed7f

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