Chapter 59: Chapter 59

The gift I gave Grandfather had been a resounding success.

From his reaction alone, it was clear—and considering my current situation, there was no doubt about it.

But sometimes, doing too well isn’t all that great, either.

By that, I mean...

"Everyone, look! This is the gift my grandson gave me! Our Muyeol went all over the country to find it just for me."

My quiet plan to slip away without drawing any attention from the family was suddenly in shambles.

"This isn’t just any Go board, you know. For fifty years—yes, half a century—no one has been able to find Master Korea-young’s Go board. I examined it myself, and right here, you can see the blood—his blood!"

September 30th, Chuseok Day.

In a grand banquet hall filled with the extended Go family—core family, extended members, and then some—my grandfather held up the Go board I’d given him, his booming voice filling the room.@@novelbin@@

Unfortunately, our core family (direct line) was seated on the upper floor, a mezzanine overlooking the main hall where dozens of extended family members were gathered. Grandfather, standing on the balcony, held the board high so everyone on the first floor could see.

And thanks to that, I was now the center of attention. I couldn’t feel the stares from those on the lower level, but everyone on the second floor—those who could impact my future the most—was focused solely on me.

My stomach churned.

It was like eating just the skin of a greasy fried chicken—nothing but heavy queasiness.

Ugh…

"Father, why don’t you sit down now? Everyone must be hungry, and Muyeol’s face is already turning red."

The one who finally intervened was my aunt, Go Min-young.

Just as she appeared two days ago, she looked elegant yet imposing, sighing with a hint of exasperation.

"Oh, you’re right."

Grandfather finally composed himself, shifting to casual remarks about the holiday. This went on for another ten minutes.

"Phew… all this talking feels like work."

After he finished speaking, Grandfather carefully handed the Go board over to his secretary and returned to his seat.

"Well, I suppose being in such a good mood makes me go on and on, haha!"

"Are you really that happy? It’s been ages since I’ve seen you laugh like that, Dad."

The one who said this was Go Ha-young, Go Ha-yeon’s mother, who looked as stunning as someone in her twenties.

"Of course I’m happy! My grandson came back to us—how could I just sit quietly? That wouldn’t make any sense!"

"It’s always the prodigal who gets more love. We have to understand that, I suppose."

This time, the one speaking was Go Seon-a, my other cousin Seon-yul’s mother.

By now, you may have realized…

there were only two men here: my grandfather and me.

As for my aunts' husbands?

They were all downstairs, with the extended family.

In other words, the people gathered here were strictly the immediate bloodline.

It’s the kind of family that separates the sons-in-law and doesn’t bat an eye about it—an entirely unquestioned tradition by both wives and daughters.

"How utterly inhuman."

Even Grandfather’s other wives were on the first floor, along with their children…

It was an incredibly thorough form of discrimination.

But that’s where the real problem begins.

As I looked around at the faces gathered here, fragmented memories of this "problematic grandson" started to come together. Go Muyeol’s father was Grandfather’s only legitimate son (from his now-deceased first wife), and Muyeol was his only son.

In other words, Go Muyeol is the sole male descendant in the direct line of the Go family.

And now that his father is dead…

"I’m the only male heir in the Go family’s main line… This is a literal power struggle trigger."

Grandfather’s delight with my gift and the attention I received were concerning enough, but this issue was far bigger.

To my aunts and cousins, Muyeol had been a non-issue for years—a drug-addled disgrace to the family, out of sight, out of mind. As Minji had put it, they were happy to keep him locked away while they competed among themselves.

But now, out of nowhere, this addict has suddenly cleaned up and is making waves?

On top of that, he presented a gift to Grandfather, who loved it so much he’s raving about it to everyone?

"Just thinking about it gives me cold sweats."

Thanks to Grandfather, they wouldn’t confront me openly, but subtle moves to curb my influence were bound to follow.

And, needless to say, I had no power to resist the Go family’s inner circle’s influence.

I mean, I’ve barely managed to get my hands on a couple billion dollars' worth of stock, and yet these people have tens—if not hundreds—of billions in cash assets alone. And that’s just their disclosed assets; the real figures could be astronomical—like the tip of an iceberg.

"Each of them probably has a private militia, too…."

It wasn’t by chance that I’d tried to keep a low profile and planned to leave for Incheon as soon as the gathering ended.

"What am I supposed to do now?"

"Muyeol."

"...Yes??"

"Why are you sweating like that? Are you hot?"

Lost in my thoughts, I saw Min-young pull out a handkerchief, reaching over.

Swoosh.

"Ah."

With a gentle touch, she wiped my sweat, her movements oddly sincere.

Perhaps it’s her upbringing, but every gesture exuded elegance.

“Hmm? Are you feeling warm, my grandson?!”

"Oh, no. No, Grandfather. I’m fine. Thank you, Aunt."

"Chief Cha! Lower the temperature here; the boy says he’s hot."

"Yes, Chairman."

I’m really not hot…

“Maybe he’s just nervous? Look at his cute, wide eyes darting around.”

"Nervous? Our Muyeol doesn’t seem the type."

“Well, it’s been a long time since we’ve all been together like this. And with all these strong-willed women around, he might be a bit on edge. How adorable."

Go Ha-young and Go Seon-a laughed, sharing their apparent affection (?) for their nephew.

At least on the surface, that’s how it looked.

This wasn’t the stifling family dinner atmosphere I had imagined for a conglomerate family.

By now, weren’t they supposed to be laughing while delivering backhanded compliments that doubled as insults? Maybe I’d watched too many dramas.

“You’re all staring so intently; no wonder the boy is nervous. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Treating him like a zoo animal.”

"Father, do you realize you’re the worst offender?"

“Wow, I’m actually hearing that from my own child.”

“You’re the biggest fuss-maker here, so why are you calling us out?”

The women didn’t hesitate to talk back to the Chairman of Go-Ryeo Group.

“It’s not the same as a grandfather doting on his grandson versus you doting on your nephew. The weight of those things is different, don’t you agree, Muyeol?”

“Oh? Is that a biased statement?”

"You know we all have no sons, right, Dad?"

"Who was it that threw him out with barely any pocket money just because he lost his way? And now you talk about weight?"

That last comment hit home, and the legendary chairman of Go-Ryeo Group stiffened, clearing his throat a few times.

He then cautiously glanced in my direction…

“So… there’s nothing you’d like? I’m not just saying this—you know, when you receive, you should also give in return. That’s the mindset of a businessman. Without that mindset, you can’t succeed."

“Muyeol, just ask for about five trillion won. He has more than enough saved up to spare that much.”

"Excuse me?"

"Do you think that’s enough? To really get something out of him, you’d need to ask for a state. Maybe Pyeongyang?"

"Or he could get his own kingdom, set up a rice cake empire. Our nephew loves rice cakes, after all. He’d be right at home."

"…Are you all mad?"

"Hey! What’s with this chatter at the dinner table? Can’t the vice presidents show a bit of dignity? Try being quiet like your daughters here.”

"Look, Dad’s slipping into dialect. How rustic."

“What do you mean ‘quiet’? They’re just fidgeting because they have nothing else to say.”

“Quiet! Tsk.”

The table grew louder and louder.

What had started as a somewhat dignified atmosphere at this impressive conglomerate family gathering had morphed into a joyful cacophony, reminiscent of any happy family’s dinner table.

"…Could this actually be… just a harmonious family?"

It almost made me wonder…

But no, that couldn’t be right, could it?

With this much money and power at stake, could they really get along? Is that even possible?

“It’s a bit noisy, isn’t it? Don’t mind it and go ahead with your meal.”

In the midst of the commotion, Min-young looked after me.

Though her demeanor remained cold and reserved, there was a warmth to it.

"Everyone’s just in high spirits because of you, you know."

“Because of me?”

“Yes. Thanks to you coming back, there’s this renewed energy.”

Could that… really be?

It didn’t align with anything I’d learned.

Or… was there another secret between Go Muyeol and this family that I didn’t yet know?