» The Youngest Son of Sunyang
Reborn Rich - Chapter 242
[242]The Sky is Falling 3
Grandmother glanced around the hospital room and frowned.
"It seems you didn't come at the right time. To think I have to see such things again...."
Everyone knew that "such things" Grandmother was referring to were none other than me, my brother Jin Sangjun, and my mother.
"What exactly do you think you're doing right now? How can you say such a thing?"
Father's face, stained with tears, contorted miserably as he cried out.
The only reason he didn't raise his voice any louder in front of Grandfather's death was surely his last shred of patience.
"These ones, those ones... all teeming with useless fools. As if they weren't of the same blood, how pathetic they are."
Grandmother clicked her tongue, tsk-tsk, and cast a cold gaze upon her children and grandchildren.
"Hold the funeral at home. Screen the mourners strictly, and be especially careful to avoid any commotion."
As if she had nothing more to say, Grandmother left the hospital room.
"Oh, and Younggi, Donggi, give your necessary instructions and come home. I have something important to discuss with you."
Grandmother winked at Jin Hyekyeong, Jin Younggi's eldest daughter, and then left. Jin Hyekyeong bowed her head to everyone and quickly followed her out.
Watching this, Father's patience finally ran out, and with a face turned crimson, he tried to chase after Grandmother.
But Mother grabbed his arm, and his second eldest uncle also stepped in front of Father, blocking him.
"Yoonki. Bear with it today. Just for today, please...."
Father, whose clenched fists had been trembling, finally relaxed his grip.
"Elder Brother!"
Father shouted towards Vice Chairman Jin Younggi.
"You must ensure Mother sees Father being laid to rest with her own eyes. If she doesn't, drag her here, no matter what! You're responsible, Elder Brother."
Laying someone to rest isn't just the simple act of placing the body in a coffin. It signifies paying one's last respects to the deceased before the lid is closed. It seemed as though he was telling them not to abandon the courtesy due to a husband with whom one had shared a lifetime, for better or worse.
His eldest uncle nodded weakly.
Though anger flared at Grandmother's absurd behavior, he suppressed it, looking at Grandfather's face, quietly closed in death.
Grandfather's words, telling me to forgive Grandmother, still echoed vividly in my ears.
* * *
A considerable number of people had gathered in the special ward's conference room. They were there to prepare for the relentless five days ahead.
"Everyone agrees to hold the funeral as a family funeral, don't they?"
Jin Younggi, as the chief mourner, led the meeting.
All the siblings nodded, but the expressions on the faces of the key affiliate presidents, who had rushed over, were not good.
"Vice Chairman. The Federation of Korean Industries suggests a business-leader's funeral. Of course, the Chairman's funeral should entirely follow the wishes of his children, but please also consider the opinions of various sectors."
"That's right. Frankly, a public funeral wouldn't be difficult either. Isn't the Chairman's life practically the history of the Korean economy? It wouldn't be unreasonable at all."
Jin Younggi listened to the two presidents' words, observing Jin Donggi's expression.
Though he sat expressionless, Jin Younggi was certain that *that fellow* had orchestrated this suggestion. It was a trick to minimize his own exposure as the eldest son.
A public funeral is held with the highest respect, following a state funeral and national funeral. Although the government does not directly intervene in the funeral procedures and methods, it may posthumously award medals, considering the deceased's achievements.
Furthermore, for a public funeral, prominent figures from various social organizations gather to assign departments, elect members, form a funeral committee, and plan and execute the funeral.
In such cases, the funeral committee chairman is typically not the eldest son of the deceased, but rather a venerable elder with considerable influence. For the Chairman of Sunyang Group, at least a former Prime Minister would be considered.
The media spotlight would be on the committee members, not himself, the eldest son. His younger brother, who had nodded his head when he suggested holding a quiet funeral and using the opportunity to strategize, had merely been putting on an act.
Jin Younggi showed no particular reaction.
In any case, this attempt would be a failure.
Mother had firmly decreed a family funeral, and the other siblings also wanted a family funeral. More importantly, it was the wish of the deceased, Chairman Jin.
Sure enough, Jin Yoonki, the youngest, stepped forward on his own.
"I appreciate the presidents' intentions. However, this is not what Father wished for. He always said he wanted to quietly conclude his life. We will proceed with a family funeral."
At Jin Yoonki's resolute words, no one uttered another sound.
Jin Donggi's cheek twitched slightly, but that was all.
Jin Younggi scanned the room and drew his conclusion.
"Then we will proceed with a family funeral. The media announcement will be made tomorrow, so...."
Jin Younggi glanced at Chief Lee Hakjae, then looked at Chief of Staff Hyeok Baek, who was standing right behind him, and spoke.
"Chief Baek, ensure everything is prepared without a hitch. And, please prevent reporters from camping out in front of the house and covering the event. It will inconvenience the mourners."
"Yes, Vice Chairman."
Lee Hakjae had to suppress a laugh.
Blatant exclusion.... It was a signal for him to step back from group affairs, and also an order for him to relinquish his title as Chief of Staff for the group.
"And, mobilize all staff from the Strategic Planning team to ensure mourners experience no inconvenience during the funeral period."
"Yes."
Jin Younggi felt a little better when no one questioned his instructions. Didn't he sound just like the Chairman of the Group?
"Ah, it would also be good to prepare memorial altars in the main building's lobby, affiliate offices, and regional business sites, wouldn't it?"
When Jin Donggi, who had been quiet, spoke to the affiliate presidents, they all nodded as if it were obvious.
"And, presidents, please compile a list of those we absolutely cannot fail to send obituaries to. We should double-check, just in case, shouldn't we?"
Jin Donggi, as if a thought had suddenly occurred to him, turned to his youngest brother.
"Yoonki. I have one request for you. You know many famous celebrities, and they're people who can't very well skip paying their respects, are they?"
For Jin Yoonki, a big shot in media entertainment, it was obvious that the house in mourning could instantly turn into a film festival, with a string of top actors of the era appearing, lacking only a red carpet.
"I understand what you mean. I'll arrange for only the production company and agency presidents to come pay their respects. Actors will just send wreaths."
"Good. Thanks for understanding."
"No, it's fine. I was thinking the same thing. We can't have Father's funeral end up in the entertainment section of the newspapers instead of the business and social pages."
As they were deeply engrossed in discussing the funeral arrangements, the hospital director entered and cautiously spoke.
"The Chairman's body... preparations for transfer to the residence are complete."
Jin Younggi was the first to stand.
"Then let's conclude this here and meet at the house."
* * *
This morning, Sunyang Group officially announced that Chairman Jin Yangcheol of Sunyang Group passed away last night due to old age.
Chairman Jin Yangcheol's demise undoubtedly comes as a great shock to all Sunyang executives and employees.
International media, including CNN and The New York Times, have already reported Chairman Jin Yangcheol's death as breaking news, and other major overseas outlets have also covered the news of Chairman Jin's passing with significant emphasis.
Economic organizations and even the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea—the domestic and international business communities—are deeply mourning Chairman Jin Yangcheol's passing.
Furthermore, around the Sunyang headquarters, which has lost its founder, a wave of black suits was seen today.
Next news. The National Assembly is once again heated today with discussions for and against the presidential impeachment....
The first news story of the morning was Grandfather's death. However, unlike when Daehyun Group Chairman Joo Youngil passed away, the news wasn't reported all day long.
Grandfather's death was merely a piece of news, but the presidential impeachment was a reality. As the long-rumored presidential impeachment became an imminent reality, all media cameras turned toward the National Assembly and Cheongwadae, with only a few remaining to focus on Sunyang Group.
I turned off the TV and changed into mourning clothes.
Though I was overwhelmed, there was something I absolutely had to do, so I returned home briefly. With the sound of the doorbell, Assistant Manager Kim Yoonseok, dressed in a black suit, carefully entered.
"How great your sorrow must be, Chief. I don't know what to say to comfort you...."
"It's alright. More importantly, I feel awkward having to discuss business at a time like this."
"Oh, no, not at all. Please say whatever you need to."
"You mobilized all the staff from the Strategic Planning team, right?"
"Yes. Even the female staff who used to support the Chairman's family have all rushed to Chairman Jin's Residence."
"Assistant Manager Kim, you've maintained contact with those employees, haven't you?"
"Of course. As per your instructions, Chief, I bought them meals, drinks, and even gave them travel expenses whenever needed, so as not to lose their goodwill."
Seeing Kim Yoonseok's confident demeanor, I felt relieved.
"Then instruct those employees to identify everyone who meets whom during the funeral. Simple condolences aren't what we're after. There will undoubtedly be people engaging in secret conversations. Make sure to compile a list, especially of those who have private meetings with the two Vice Chairmen."
"Should I also confirm how long these secret conversations lasted?"
"If you can confirm that too, it would be the icing on the cake."
Talking for a long time implies it's more than just a simple greeting.
At that moment, Assistant Manager Kim Yoonseok, eyeing me, brought up something unexpected.
"Chief, uh, if you don't mind me saying...."
"Don't beat around the bush. Just say it, it's fine."
"What if we just plant listening devices in every room? Wouldn't that be more certain?"
On the surface, it seemed like an excellent idea, but he spoke like that because he didn't know Grandfather. Grandfather's meticulousness was beyond anyone's imagination.
"That won't work. Security personnel sweep the house twice a day. Eavesdropping is impossible."
Countless people had conversations with Grandfather in his study and the living room. Most of those conversations contained information that should neither leak outside nor be known by anyone else.
Any attempt to hide listening devices by giving large sums of money to household staff was completely blocked from the source.
"Ah, I see. I shouldn't have said anything...."
"Not at all. If you have ideas in the future, speak freely. Don't second-guess yourself."
"Yes. Then I'll go out and start making calls."
"Alright. Good work."
Assistant Manager Kim left, and I took a short break, drinking a cup of coffee. More important tasks lay ahead.
Managing Director Woo Byungjun also stepped inside, wearing a black tie.
"I apologize. I'm late."
"No, you're not. Did you visit the memorial altar at the main building?"
"Yes."
"You really didn't have to.... You could have visited Grandfather with me."
"Does the location matter? All that matters is conveying my feelings to the Chairman. Please don't concern yourself."
He was always expressionless and rigid, but today he looked different. His eyes, bloodshot as if he'd been crying, blinked.
"Let's go to the gravesite together later. I promised Grandfather I would visit him every day."
"Yes. Let's do that."
Only then did he show a faint smile.
"Oh, right. Please tell me what instructions you have. Shouldn't you also be returning to the wake soon, Chief?"
I took a deep breath and spoke.
"Investigate Grandmother. Specifically, dig into her art purchases and sales, thoroughly. Isn't it a widely known fact that that field is rotten?"
I remembered Grandfather's words, telling me to forgive Grandmother.
In accordance with those words, I will forgive her attempt to kill me.
I also remember his dying wish for me to live as a villain.
I cannot forgive anyone who brings even the slightest harm to me or my family. After all, what better suits a villain than a brutal revenge?
Even if the target of my revenge is my own grandmother.
It is only when one treats even one's own bloodline with cold ruthlessness that one truly becomes a villain.