CMT Ch1

1.

Seoyoon stood at the edge of the sidewalk waiting for a taxi. The app showed that the reserved vehicle was 8 minutes away, diligently making its way through the alleyways to Seoyoon’s location.

He could cancel the reservation and hail a closer taxi, but there was no reason to rush. As he was about to close the taxi reservation app and put his phone in his pocket, a heavy vibration rang in his palm. Checking the caller ID, Seoyoon brought the phone to his ear with a slightly gloomy expression.

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“Yes, Father.”

The voice of a middle-aged man came through the receiver, polite but barely concealing an undercurrent of expectation.

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“So. Have you left?”

In contrast to the clearly excited voice, Seoyoon’s heart sank. But he answered as usual, pretending nothing was wrong.

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“Yes. Just now.”

“Did you finish the resignation process without any problems?”

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“Yes. My retirement is complete as of today.”

As he answered, Seoyoon turned around. There was the company office he had just left. He had worked quite diligently for two years, but with the head office’s decision to disband the art planning team, the team members were scattered.

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Seoyoon, the second-year junior, was the only one visibly disappointed. In an industry where project-based work was common, the seasoned employees were used to team dissolutions and transfers. The seniors patted Seoyoon’s shoulder, saying they’d meet again somewhere in this small industry and would contact him first if a good position opened up. Would he become as accustomed to such farewells as they were over time?

On the day he quit his job, he was going to a new meeting. It seemed like a good omen, and also an ominous one.

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“It’s for the best. Quit that job that was just hard work for a few pennies of salary, and continue studying at home. That will look better to others too.”

Seoyoon laughed it off softly. Even though those few pennies of salary might soon be missed, his uncle from childhood, now his adoptive father, still acted as if he hadn’t changed at all from the old days.

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It couldn’t be helped. He had lived longer as the son of a solid small business owner, and then as the owner who inherited that company. The rapidly declining fortunes of the past few years might still seem unfamiliar to him.

“When you arrive at the meeting place, don’t be nervous and be confident. What do you lack compared to Director Kwon?”

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No, maybe not. If things were still as prosperous as they were then, his adoptive father wouldn’t have called directly on a day like this to give advice on Seoyoon’s attitude. Not wanting to be serious, Seoyoon responded jokingly.

“Father, honestly, I’m lacking in many ways.”

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“If we’re talking about money-making, sure. But Cheongkwang approached us first about having a matchmaking meeting with you, so that means they’re putting financial issues on the back burner. Chairman Kwon must have highly valued other aspects. So you need to do well and not disappoint them.”

Seoyoon’s lips, which had been forcing a smile, finally set into a hard line. He had been trying to encourage himself that this was just an ordinary matchmaking meeting that everyone goes through, telling himself not to be nervous and to go comfortably, but such leisurely thoughts didn’t apply.

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His adoptive father had called to remind him of this fact, pretending to tell him not to be nervous while actually wanting him to be tense. Seoyoon responded without smiling anymore.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

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“It’s such a shame. If your grandfather were still alive, he would have been so happy…”

At those words, Seoyoon’s heart wavered as well.

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Cheongkwang Group, one of Korea’s leading conglomerates, and Daeryung Trading, a small business that had been declining for years and was now struggling to raise funds this year.

If someone unaware of the circumstances heard that a matchmaking meeting with marriage in mind was taking place between these two families, and at Cheongkwang Group’s suggestion no less, they would scoff in disbelief.

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“I’ve been thinking a lot about grandfather today too.”

“Yes. If it weren’t for your grandfather, how could we have dared to grasp such an opportunity? But don’t think this is simply due to good luck. Your grandfather created the opportunity, but the whole family has been working hard in every way to make this matchmaking happen.”

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“I know.”

“I think I’ve done no less for you than for your brother. In fact, I’ve been more attentive and caring, worried about rumors of favoritism. Trying not to be an embarrassing brother to your departed parents… Even though things have gotten this bad due to my shortcomings.”

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“No, Father. It’s not anyone’s fault that the situation has become like this.”

Seoyoon’s family had simply made slightly wrong choices at each crossroads. There hadn’t been any particularly disastrous events.

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After losing the great rudder that was his grandfather, his adoptive father retiring from management to pursue politics. His adoptive father’s biological son taking over management. Losing considerable assets and industry standing in the process and aftermath.

Everyone makes what they believe to be the best choice to get what they want. Just because the results that follow don’t meet expectations doesn’t mean we can blame only the person who made the choice.

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“Think of it as the inheritance your grandfather left you.”

His adoptive father’s tone, which had sounded like a lament, suddenly became solemn. Seoyoon, who had been briefly reflecting on past events, adjusted his grip on the phone.

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“Think of it as the biggest inheritance grandfather left you, and try your best today to somehow capture Director Kwon’s heart.”

“…Yes.”

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“If we can just become in-laws with Cheongkwang, we should be able to renew contracts, and then we can overcome the current management crisis. Chairman Kwon is not the type to abandon people who become family. Your brother is working hard every day too, so you need to do your best in what you can do as a member of our family. It’s something only you, born as an omega, can do. As a father, I really want to see the brothers working together to revive our Daeryung Trading.”

“I understand.”

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“The family has set the stage, so the rest is all up to you now. I believe in you, Seoyoon. I’ll be waiting for you to return successful.”

A taxi with a green reservation light came into view. “Yes.” Seoyoon ended the call with that brief response.

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As he got into the taxi, the driver half-turned and asked, “Is it okay if I follow the navigation unless you know a shortcut?”

“Yes. Please do.”

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Seoyoon sat pressed against one side of the back seat and looked out the window with a troubled mind. The family’s downfall would surely drag him down to ruin as well.

Even knowing this, was it an unavoidable instinct to fear failure in the unfamiliar situation right in front of him more than the relatively distant looming downfall? His heart was already racing. Trying to calm his anxious mind, Seoyoon took out his phone and searched for three characters in the portal site’s search bar.

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〈Kwon Kijung〉

It was the name of the man he was meeting today. Soon, the profile and photo of the most famous person among those with the same name appeared at the top of the screen.

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A man in a dark suit was looking straight ahead with a faint smile. Was it because it was a photo, or because he was really that kind of person? It was a face that felt devoid of warmth despite the smile.

Kwon Kijung. The third generation of Cheongkwang Group. Currently serving as a director at Cheongkwang Construction as part of his successor training, but likely to take over management of the electronics or automotive business division in a few years. The grandson of founding chairman Kwon Muntaek, most widely speculated to be the group’s future successor.

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They had met directly once before. Or rather, passed by each other would be more accurate. But it was when he was too young, so the boy from then and the man in the screen didn’t seem like the same person. The other probably wouldn’t even remember him.

Seoyoon stared at the photo for a while, then sighed and put down his phone.

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***

The taxi, having left the bustling downtown area, was now slowly moving along a remote road that had become nearly deserted at some point.

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All along the narrow road, a long stone wall stretched on the right side of the taxi. It was so large in scale that it felt like driving along an alley next to a decent-sized palace, rather than a wall protecting a private residence.

The taxi finally stopped in front of an old-fashioned wooden gate after a long drive. The driver openly craned his neck in admiration at the sight of a proper hanok, complete with a signboard written in Chinese characters, which is rare to see these days.

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“I’ve been driving taxis around Seoul for years, but this is the first time I’ve come to a place like this.”

It wasn’t a strange statement. This was a private property with strictly controlled access, and people who usually frequent such places use their own cars rather than taxis.

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Seoyoon also looked out the window before turning his gaze forward. Now the driver was glancing at Seoyoon through the rearview mirror. It was probably because Seoyoon’s modest appearance didn’t match the grand hanok at all.

It wasn’t unpleasant. Seoyoon himself thought he didn’t fit in. In any case, perhaps due to the imposing atmosphere of the place, the taxi driver’s tone, which had thrown a few casual remarks at Seoyoon mixing informal and formal speech on the way, had become strangely polite.

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“Do you have an umbrella?”

“No.”

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“Oh my, you’d better get out quickly before the rain gets heavier.”

The sky, which had been bright before getting into the taxi, had become gloomy 10 minutes before arrival and finally started dropping raindrops.

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There was no way to prepare for unexpected rain without a forecast. Seoyoon nodded in greeting and got out of the car. Perhaps because it had started raining, the mild early spring weather also felt noticeably chillier.

Fine raindrops settled hazily on his shoulders. Of all times. He clicked his tongue at the feeling of things going wrong from the start, but there was nothing he could do. However, after taking a few steps past the main gate, he stopped at an unexpected sight. There was someone standing with an umbrella.

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“Welcome. You must be Mr. Han Seoyoon?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

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It seemed the hosts had also been concerned about the untimely rain, as someone who appeared to be an employee approached with an umbrella. It was too late to politely decline, so Seoyoon silently accepted the offered umbrella.

“Thank you.”

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Although his family’s fortunes had declined significantly now, Seoyoon was once the son of a quite wealthy household, and due to the nature of his work, he was accustomed to lavish or luxurious places. However, he rarely had the opportunity to set foot in such a solemn place.

Under the elegantly curved tile roof, the wooden porch, pillars, and rafters were all made of well-maintained, glossy timber. The color, neither too dark nor too light, had naturally deepened with age, making it easy on the eyes.

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The garden, centered around a large tree like a zelkova, was so quiet that only the soft sound of water could be heard, making it feel even more serene. It was astonishing that this was a privately owned ancient house, not a public institution or temple.

A quiet and beautiful place stops time. The company that no longer existed, the family’s expectations that were unlikely to be realized, and worldly affairs suddenly felt like they belonged to a different world. He wanted to forget about the uncomfortable purpose and just sit on the porch, endlessly gazing at the rain-soaked garden.

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“This way, please.”

But Seoyoon was not afforded such leisure.

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Seoyoon was guided to a separate building located deep within the already large hanok. As he sat adjusting his posture on the floor chair in the spacious room, warm tea, some side snacks, and a dry towel were placed in front of him. Although he wasn’t very wet, Seoyoon used it to dab at his hair ends and shoulders. The employee added:

“The director has contacted us to say he will be a little late due to traffic conditions. Please wait for a moment.”

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“Alright.”

As Seoyoon nodded, the employee left the room without making a sound. Being alone actually eased the tension. Seoyoon took a sip of the tea in the porcelain cup. He couldn’t identify the type, but it was a strong tea with a deep aroma.

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Director. Seoyoon muttered, following the employee’s words. That’s probably how he should address him too. Although it’s a matchmaking meeting, calling him “Kijung-ssi” or something similar feels too forward.