Chapter 005: Force Majeure (2)
After hearing what Hee-soo had said, the rescue team captain clicked his tongue in disbelief.
Then he let out a long sigh.
Haah...
Listen, everyone.
First of all, don't let yourselves get dragged into that bastard's pace. Just follow my instructions properly and focus on conducting rescue operations safely.
If we get caught up in whatever he's doing, we'll end up putting ourselves in danger too.
You saw him rush straight into that third-floor fire, didn't you? That place was already fully engulfed!
He turned toward two particular firefighters.
Especially you two, Eun-hyuk and Jae-sik! Were you seriously planning to follow him inside?!
Jae-sik, who had been singled out, awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
Well, he's still a rookie. We couldn't just let him go into such a dangerous place alone and die, could we?
Captain Gu placed a hand on Jae-sik's shoulder.
Why? Are you trying to get on his good side so you can quit being a firefighter and get yourself a job at Suseong?
Jae-sik immediately looked flustered.
Of course not! Being a firefighter is my calling. Besides, what kind of job could someone like me possibly get at Suseong? They probably wouldn't even let me through the front door.
Does that bastard even listen to anything you say?
Of course not. He acts like he's the greatest person in the world.
Jae-sik continued.
But I have no idea where he learned everything.
His theoretical knowledge is absolutely solid. And as you've seen for yourself, there's nothing to complain about when it comes to his practical skills either.
That's true. But if his theoretical knowledge is so good, why the hell does he keep acting however he pleases? Seriously.
Did he study everything except team tactics?
Jae-sik let out a small chuckle.
Captain, haven't you noticed something?
Noticed what?
Doesn't it feel like he already knows how our team is going to move and takes action before we do?
What the hell are you talking about?!
Captain Gu immediately rejected the suggestion.
However, when he thought back on their previous operations, he realized that Hee-soo's timing had indeed been unbelievably precise.
His eyes widened slightly as a chill ran down his spine.
Then he quickly shook his head.
No way. It must be a coincidence. He's just been lucky. But do you really think that kind of luck will last forever?
I'm not sure. But personally, I just can't believe that what happened on the third floor this time was simply luck.
Jae-sik continued.
It's always the same, isn't it? He somehow manages to rescue people from places we never even thought to check.
So what? Are you saying we should just let him keep doing crazy things like that?
Ah, n-no! That's not what I mean. I'm just saying it's strange.
The deputy captain, who had been listening beside them, joined the conversation with a dissatisfied expression.
And because he's some rich family's precious young master, that Chief Jang or whatever his name is keeps following him around, even to accident scenes.
Tell me about it. And there's always a twenty-five-ton truck following behind them too. What the hell is that thing supposed to be?
At that moment, Hee-soo entered the office.
The entire room immediately fell silent.
The firefighters carefully watched his expression.
After a short while, their ordinary conversations gradually resumed.
Hee-soo paid them no attention.
He simply walked over to his desk and sat down.
As usual, he wore the expression of someone deeply lost in thought.
He didn't seem to have any time to concern himself with what the others were doing.
Hannam-dong.
The residence of Choi Ji-yong, the founding chairman of Suseong Group.
Although Honorary Chairman Choi Ji-yong was still alive, he was now over ninety years old and had begun showing symptoms of dementia.
He had stepped down from his position as chairman and taken the title of honorary chairman.
His son, Choi Seung-wook, Hee-soo's father, had become the current chairman of Suseong Group.
Chairman Choi Seung-wook wasn't Honorary Chairman Choi's eldest son.
However, after a fierce struggle for control of the group among his siblings, he had ultimately emerged victorious.
He became the owner of Suseong Corporation, the holding company that effectively controlled the entire group.
Choi Seung-wook had one older brother, one younger brother, and one younger sister.
His older brother took control of Suseong DEV.
His younger brother took Suseong Bio & Chemical.
And his younger sister became the owner of Suseong Resort & Tourism.
Choi Seung-wook, the final victor of the family's succession battle, gained control of Suseong Corporation and Suseong Electronics.
As soon as he became chairman, he attempted to divide Suseong Group into completely separate companies.
He had grown tired of fighting with his siblings and wanted to separate their businesses.
However, things didn't go according to plan.
Suseong Corporation's control over the rest of the group was simply too powerful.
Selling all its shares in the other companies would have created an enormous shock in the stock market.
Even political figures had urged him not to proceed with the plan.
In the end, Choi Seung-wook, as chairman of Suseong Corporation, had no choice but to remain the head of the entire Suseong Group.
Of course, conflicts between the siblings continued even after that.
Chairman Choi had one hidden card that could help him maintain control.
Choi Hee-soo.
From childhood, Hee-soo had been recognized by everyone, including himself, as a genius.
Chairman Choi desperately needed his son's help.
Unfortunately, Hee-soo refused to behave according to his father's wishes.
And that was becoming a major source of disappointment for the chairman.
After finishing his shift at the fire station, Hee-soo returned home.
As soon as he entered, Chairman Choi called out to him.
Hee-soo. Come here and sit down.
Yes, Father. I'm home.
Hee-soo approached his father and sat down.
His attitude was completely different from the way he behaved at the fire station.
In front of his father, he was extremely respectful.
What exactly do you think you're doing?
Chairman Choi asked the question without even looking at his son.
He continued examining the documents he had brought home from work.
However, the anger in his deep voice was unmistakable.
Hee-soo immediately became nervous.
His mind began working rapidly as he tried to understand the situation.
Has something gone wrong at the company? I've been doing my best to take care of everything...
He hadn't neglected his responsibilities at the company.
After returning from the fire station each day, he carefully reviewed all the company's documents and completed every approval that required his attention.
He even handled urgent matters while waiting for dispatch orders at the fire station.
There shouldn't have been any problems.
Nevertheless, he couldn't help feeling worried.
However, his father's next words revealed the real reason for his anger.
No! How much longer are you planning to run around playing firefighter?! HUH?! Wasn't this supposed to be nothing more than a publicity stunt?
Just like when you joined the special forces!
Hee-soo felt slightly relieved after hearing his father's question.
This is something important to me, Father.
Chairman Choi finally looked up from his documents.
His sharp gaze landed directly on Hee-soo.
It was almost as though his eyes could pierce straight through his son.
Hee-soo instinctively flinched.
His father suppressed his anger and began lecturing him again.
Instead of wasting your time on other things, you should be concentrating more on the company. That's the only way you'll be able to take over the business in the future.
Your grandfather doesn't seem particularly pleased with what you're doing either.
What did Grandfather say?
Since when has your grandfather been the kind of man who needs to say everything out loud?
Hee-soo had studied Confucianism since childhood.
Starting with The Elementary Learning, he had progressed through the classical Confucian texts.
He had already studied the Analects, the works of Mencius, and even the Neo-Confucian philosophy of the Joseon Dynasty.
His knowledge of classical Chinese literature and Confucian scholarship was exceptional.
The Confucian principle that the sovereign, teacher, and father should receive the same respect had become one of the most important rules of his life.
His grandfather's words were practically the law.
To Hee-soo, they represented an unquestionable truth.
The same was true of his father's words.
Chairman Choi knew his son's personality extremely well.
That was precisely why he had deliberately brought up Hee-soo's grandfather.
He wanted to put pressure on him.
Of course, the reality was somewhat different.
Hee-soo's grandfather, Honorary Chairman Choi, was suffering from dementia.
His condition had progressed to the point where he could barely express his thoughts properly.
Nevertheless, Chairman Choi continued speaking in a dissatisfied voice.
Did studying abroad make you admire the ways of those Western barbarians that much? Or were you simply unhappy when I told you to move back into the family home?
No, Father. I was planning to move back home anyway.
Then why haven't you sold that apartment yet?
Because I still need a workshop. That's why I'm keeping it.
And because you own properties like that, the media keeps attacking us and accusing chaebols of property speculation!
It's just a small apartment. It isn't even that expensive. It's not like I bought the entire building.
After his experiences with death, Hee-soo had moved back into the family residence.
He couldn't afford to live alone anymore.
If something terrible happened to him again while he was by himself, there might be nobody around to help.
Of course, he hadn't sold his apartment.
He had kept it available so that he could use it whenever he needed some time alone.
However, his fear was still stronger than his desire for independence.
For the time being, he had chosen to remain at the family residence.
After all, having only three days left to live was an incredibly stressful situation.
And the only reason he currently had three days was that he had rescued two people the previous day.
Otherwise, he would have had only one or two days remaining.
With his life constantly hanging by a thread, he never knew exactly when he might die.
Naturally, the situation made him extremely anxious.
How could I possibly tell Father that I'm going to die before him?
More importantly, how am I supposed to tell him that I only have three days left to live?
Besides, Grandfather is still alive and doing reasonably well despite his condition...
Of course, even if I told Father the truth, he probably wouldn't believe me.
He couldn't ask anyone for help.
Therefore, he needed to come up with an excuse that his father could understand.
Father, there's a reason I'm working as a firefighter. I want to personally develop the equipment needed for firefighting and rescue operations.
Why would you waste your time developing something that doesn't make any money? Besides, isn't that the kind of thing you should handle after receiving an ROC?
Why do you need to experience everything yourself?
Chairman Choi was referring to an ROC, or Required Operational Capability, a document defining the operational requirements that equipment must satisfy.
Hee-soo immediately began explaining.
Father, my goal isn't simply to work in the firefighting industry. You're right that firefighting equipment isn't particularly profitable.
However, modern battlefields in the twenty-first century have become extremely complicated. They require many different kinds of advanced technology.
And in everyday life, it's almost impossible to experience environments that resemble real battlefields.
His father immediately questioned him.
But does that mean you have to experience those environments personally? You could outsource the work or collaborate with other companies.
There are even specialized organizations that conduct this kind of research. Why can't you just let them handle it?
Hee-soo had already prepared an answer.
Father, one of the most important things I learned in America was that the leaders of today's unicorn companies built their businesses themselves.
They created products because they personally understood the problems and recognized the need for solutions. And those products are now becoming mainstream.
If I don't gain that kind of experience myself, how can I create the driving force that will take Suseong into the next generation?
His father looked at him with obvious dissatisfaction.
His son was still refusing to listen.
So you're saying you're going to keep doing this?
Yes.
How long do you intend to continue?
Until I produce results.
Chairman Choi let out a long sigh.
He remained silent for quite some time.
Finally, he spoke again.
But what are you going to do if you get seriously injured?
Through Chief Jang, Chairman Choi had been receiving detailed information about Hee-soo's injuries during rescue operations.
Naturally, he was worried.
After all, his precious son was constantly putting himself in danger.
However, Hee-soo had an answer for that too.
The fact that I'm personally putting my own body on the line is exactly why I'll be able to produce better results.
And when people see a third-generation chaebol heir who isn't afraid to risk his life, they'll develop an even better impression of Suseong.
It'll also be extremely beneficial for Suseong's brand image and marketing.
WHO TOLD YOU TO WORRY ABOUT MARKETING TOO?!
Chairman Choi raised his voice angrily.
However, he couldn't deny that his son's argument made sense.
Ever since Hee-soo had begun dedicating himself to his work as a firefighter, the public's opinion of Suseong Group had improved considerably.
That positive image had even begun affecting the company's stock price.
Nevertheless, Chairman Choi wasn't happy about his precious son risking his life just to achieve those results.
He was preparing to give Hee-soo another stern lecture.
However, before he could begin, a young woman's voice suddenly came from behind them.
She was clearly struggling to hold back her laughter.
You must have about ten lives, Oppa. What are you, a cat? Actually, doesn't our Hee-soo Oppa hate cats?
Chairman Choi immediately broke into a bright smile as he welcomed her.
Min-jeong! Are you here?
Yes, Father.
A young woman wearing sportswear approached Chairman Choi and greeted him naturally.
Her appearance was so youthful that, at first glance, she looked like an ordinary high school student.
Her clothing was simple and casual.
Nevertheless, she carried herself with an unmistakable air of wealth and refinement.
Anyone who saw her would immediately realize that she had grown up in a privileged household.
However, her voice was remarkably composed and polite.
She spoke with the refined manners expected of a young lady from a distinguished family.
Chairman Choi smiled and spoke to her.
Good. Have a talk with Hee-soo. I'm tired, so I think I'll head inside first. Haah...
Yes, Father. Don't worry. I'll make sure to give him a very stern lecture.
Please do. Hee-soo, you should head inside too. You must be tired.
Hee-soo immediately recognized his opportunity.
He quickly stood up from the sofa.
Yes, Father.
Then he looked at Min-jeong.
Let's go.
Where?
Upstairs. The second floor.
Are we going to your room, Oppa?
