A call came in from Vietnam this morning. They said they would cancel the provisional contract with K1 Construction. They gave various excuses, but it seems the biggest reason is that Congressman Kang San Ho, who strongly recommended us to them, suddenly withdrew his support.
“Congressman Kang San Ho?”
Kang San Ho was a former leader of the ruling party and someone Jin Young Cheol had been cultivating for quite a long time. At one point, he even tried to match his daughter with Sun Woo.
Kang San Ho boasted wide-ranging friendships with key political figures in several Southeast Asian countries, and often helped when K1 Construction was bidding for construction projects in Southeast Asian countries.
In particular, this Vietnamese project was progressing relatively smoothly because Kang San Ho had strongly recommended K1 Construction to an influential Vietnamese politician.
But suddenly, Kang San Ho changed his attitude, and as a result, it seemed the Vietnamese client had also changed their words.
After pondering for a moment, Sun Woo soon called his father Jin Young Cheol.
Jin Young Cheol was still very angry with his son after Sun Woo said he wouldn’t divorce and would continue working at K1 Construction.
Naturally, his words weren’t kind even to Sun Woo’s call, which came after a long time.
“Father, is there any problem with Congressman Kang San Ho?”
“He’s avoiding your calls?”
Before he knew it, Jin Young Cheol was lamenting his situation to Sun Woo, like a kite with a broken string. He believed people were avoiding him because he lost the election, but Sun Woo thought differently.
“I think people who approached because of marriage connections are falling away now that it’s revealed I’m an illegitimate child. Since there’s no possibility of me inheriting K1 Construction, my value has decreased.”
Having not thought of it that way at all, Jin Young Cheol asked back in surprise.
All this time, he had thought that if Sun Woo was pushed out of K1 Construction, he could simply enter politics. Since there were quite a few people who coveted Sun Woo as a son-in-law, he believed that as long as Sun Woo secured a strong in-law family, establishing himself in politics would be no problem.
But as the background of ‘K1 Construction’s next heir’ disappeared, even those who had praised him as a future presidential candidate were coldly turning their backs.
Judging there was no more information to be gained from Jin Young Cheol, Sun Woo soon called In Young.
He decided a comprehensive review was needed, not only of the report on the Vietnamese contract but all projects entangled with Jin Young Cheol’s acquaintances.
“The Development Business Division has focused mainly on Europe, the US, and the Middle East, so the impact of Father’s acquaintances isn’t significant. But the Southeast Asia-focused division and domestic construction sector could be hit hard.”
In Young’s voice was serious too. She basically preferred clean business dealings, but if there was an easy path available, she didn’t particularly avoid it.
Thanks to Jin Young Cheol’s connections, several easy paths had appeared, and they had received quite a bit of help.
“Which business team will be hit the hardest?”
Sun Woo let out a big sigh. While Sun Woo himself had to deal with urgent fires, Vice Chairman In Young would be busy without a moment’s rest for the time being.
“I’ll try to clean this up as quickly as possible. Please don’t overwork yourself and take care of your health, Vice Chairman.”
After hanging up with In Young, Sun Woo turned to Yong Gi and asked.
“What’s the earliest flight to Hanoi?”
“3 PM today. I’ve secured two tickets for you and me, Director.”
Sun Woo nodded and looked at his watch. It had just passed 10 AM. At that moment, Green came out of the kitchen.
“Green, it looks like I have to go on a business trip to Vietnam today.”
“So suddenly? How long will it take?”
“Three or four days. It might take up to a week if it’s long.”
“Then, Sun Woo, you should have breakfast first. I’ll pack your suitcase. Yong Gi, you haven’t had breakfast either, right?”
“No, not yet.”
At Green’s words, Yong Gi suddenly felt hungry. He hadn’t had time to eat breakfast as he rushed over after hearing the shocking news early in the morning.
The two men cleaned their plates of the breakfast Green had carefully prepared. Thinking of the battle ahead, they instinctively felt they should eat well.
Even as he left the house carrying the suitcase Green had packed for him, Sun Woo turned back to look at Green, seeming regretful.
“I’m sorry I can’t see the completed studio with you. I’ll call when I arrive.”
“Okay, don’t skip meals in Vietnam either.”
Green stood on her tiptoes and whispered softly in Sun Woo’s ear.
“And always wear your wedding ring.”
At Green’s unexpected words as usual, Sun Woo burst into laughter.
Although he had been watching from the side for nearly 15 years, it was the first time Yong Gi heard Sun Woo’s laughing voice. He was looking at his friend’s face as if it was very unfamiliar.
*****
Left alone after Sun Woo’s departure, the house felt too wide and empty to Green.
Thinking about it, it was quite funny. For the year Sun Woo was gone, Green had lived just fine alone in this spacious apartment.
But now every space felt wide and hollow. In the end, Green went into the relatively small bathroom and sat crouched down blankly.
She thought about calling Hannah, who was the easiest to reach, but gave up, worried she might be a bother to her busy friend.
‘I should find my car and go to Mom’s.’
As if trying to shake off her sinking mood, Green got up and dusted herself off.
While rummaging through the refrigerator, thinking of eating something to cheer up, the phone rang. It was Hannah.
“What’s up? Aren’t you busy?”
Green’s voice choked up for a moment, too happy to hear from her friend. Hannah caught on to this with her usual uncanny perception.
“You, how did you know Sun Woo’s not home?”
Green choked up again at Hannah’s words. She could fully feel Sun Woo’s heart, calling a friend out of worry for her even while rushing to the airport in a hurry.
“Jenny’s coming too? Is her time okay?”
“Okay. Come slowly, quickly.”
Green hung up the phone, unknowingly acting spoiled.
The lonely feeling of being left alone in the house without Sun Woo just moments ago soon turned into slight excitement at the thought of meeting her friends.
‘Now it seems Sun Woo knows everything about me.’
She felt happy that even though he was away from home, Sun Woo’s biggest concern seemed to be Green herself.
As she was humming and taking out fresh vegetables and fruits from the refrigerator to make a salad, Jenny and Green opened the front door and came in.
“Green, we’re here!”
“How did you guys get in?”
“Your husband sent us a QR code. This is convenient.”
As Hannah sprawled out on the living room sofa as if it were her own house, Jenny pushed Hannah’s legs away with her foot and sat down next to her.
“I’ve made salad for now, what do you guys want to eat? Pizza? Chicken?”
“Wait a bit. Food will be here soon.”
As Hannah assured, delivery food arrived one after another. A set of tteokbokki and hot dogs that Green likes, chicken and draft beer, Hannah’s beloved cold jellyfish and pork hocks, and even a steak set for Jenny who’s on a diet.
“Hannah, when did you order all this?”
Green, who had been running out to receive the deliveries every time the bell rang, turned to Hannah, seemingly a bit overwhelmed by the enormous amount of food.
“Are you crazy? You think I ordered all this? Your dear husband sent it all timed perfectly.”
Then Jenny smiled cynically and scolded Hannah.
“Let’s speak properly. Hannah, didn’t you threaten Jin Sun Woo that you wouldn’t play with Green unless he ordered all that?”
“What? Hannah, did you take advantage of our Sun Woo again?”
Green glared at Hannah with fire in her eyes, but she smiled nonchalantly.
“Jin Sun Woo must really love his wife! He was practically begging me. Said he’d do anything if I’d please go and hang out with Green.”
“Oh my, Sun Woo really…”
As Green stood there not knowing what to do with her reddened cheeks, embarrassed, Hannah playfully pinched Green’s cheeks as usual, laughing mischievously.
“Should I have asked for a luxury bag instead of food?”
“Dohn yuh daye do!(Don’t you dare!)”
While Hannah was teasing Green, Jenny had already spread out the food on the table and started eating. The other two soon dug into the food as well.
Jenny, who had been closely observing Green’s hand, casually remarked.
“Green, that’s a ring I haven’t seen before?”
“Oh, it’s my wedding ring. Sun Woo gave it to me.”
As Green tried to hide her embarrassment but couldn’t conceal her pride, Hannah grabbed her left hand and started examining the ring closely.
“What’s this? I’m a bit disappointed in your husband! He spends money freely on chicken and pork hocks, but why did he skimp on the wedding ring?”
“That’s not fair. Given that it’s been revealed Green’s husband isn’t a third-generation chaebol, it’s a big decision for a salaried worker to prepare even this much.”
“Jenny, why are you suddenly taking his side? Is he an advertiser or something?”
As Hannah and Jenny bickered over unnecessary things, Green finally confessed.
“Actually, I received one more besides this. A 3-carat one.”
“No way! Diamond?”
Hannah, who had asked back in disbelief, quickly changed her attitude and started praising Sun Woo.
“As expected! The K1 Construction Division Director is different. Yes, that’s more like it.”
“Jo Hannah, isn’t 3 carats really expensive? How much does it usually cost?”
“Even for the same 3 carats, it varies greatly depending on the cutting, setting, and brand. Cheap ones are around 4 million won, expensive ones can go over 100 million won.”
“Really?”
Green’s jaw dropped at hearing the ring’s price. She had jokingly complained to Sun Woo that her finger would be too heavy to wear the ring, but she had no idea it was that expensive.
Green quickly ran to the bedroom and brought back the ring box Sun Woo had given her.
“It’s this one.”
Hannah took out a wet wipe, cleaned her hands thoroughly, and then very carefully opened the ring box Green handed her.
“Wow, the sparkle is truly ethereal!”
Unable to touch the ring directly, Hannah examined the box from various angles before passing it to Jenny.
Jenny also scrutinized the ring with eagle eyes. Green, growing anxious, urged her friends to answer.
“It’s just mid-range, right? Not super expensive?”
“Hmm… about 70 million? Ah, no, it would be around 50 million.”
Hannah, who had initially quoted a price much lower than the actual value, quickly lowered the price even more when Jenny shot her a sharp look. If Green knew it actually cost well over 100 million, that scaredy-cat would probably just keep the ring in its box and never dare to wear it.
“Whew, 50 million for just one ring is too expensive.”
Hannah and Jenny exchanged meaningful glances, but Green, oblivious to this, was firing herself up.
“This ring, we must never have to sell it.”
__________
Men In The Royal Harem All Yearn For Her (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The men (young empress, young empress dowager, crown prince) in the harem all yearn to become her consort.
Synopsis:
The female protagonist is a wildly popular heartthrob with a natural halo.
The male protagonist is a crazily obsessed and self-abasing loyal dog.
Qiu Shu, the top scholar’s daughter, is pure, elegant and incomparably enchanting, captivating countless admirers.
Being favored by the eldest prince, the most handsome man in the capital, and becoming his wife in a single move is truly the pride of a poor student.
However, what they don’t know is that the seemingly bright and splendid female protagonist lives in a battlefield of jealousy every day.
The cute and adorable young empress is unusually attached to her.
The gentlemanly and upright young empress dowager has an ambiguous relationship with her.
Even her aloof and proud eldest prince is actually a gloomy and petty jealous husband.
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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