The Chairman Who Wants to Play and Eat

Episode 13. Why is it positive?

This is a big problem.

I didn’t expect such a positive reaction. I screamed internally.

‘Tell them no! Say it’s a joke!’

“It will be fine.”

But Chief Kim Inrak cruelly betrayed my expectations.

‘No, this is an absurd plan. Why would Bell Labs give us their technology so easily?’

“By the way, I’m surprised you thought of Bell Labs. That’s impressive.”

This time it was Manager Go Junhak. Assistant Jo Miyeon asked.

“Why?”

“Are you really asking because you don’t know, Ms. Miyeon?”

“I asked because I don’t know. If I knew, why would I ask? I’m not as idle as I look.”

Manager Go laughed as he answered in a sulky voice.

“Because the first researcher who invented the MOS-FET technology at Bell Labs, the world’s first, is a Korean. Dr. Cho Young-dae. So, when Employee Sang-yoon thought of Bell Labs, it means he has a grand ambition to secure the original technology directly, unlike us.”

“Oh, now that you mention it, I think I’ve heard of it too.”

“Is that lie really true?”

“It’s true. Are you ignoring me now?”

“Of course not, haha.”

President Im Doo-won, who had been quietly listening until now, finally raised his hand.

“Let me ask one thing. If that’s the case, why didn’t they contact Jeongsang and Geosan first?”

It was a sharp question.

That’s it, I cheered inwardly.

“Logically, it’s strange. If we can think of it, others can think of it too. Besides, those two companies decided to start the semiconductor business before us.”

President Im continued.

“That’s true.”

“Maybe there’s a reason?”

It was only a vague answer.

He could have been angry, but President Im’s expression remained unchanged. His eyes were warm to the point of being ominous.

“But it’s okay.”

“……”

“This matter has already been decided to be entrusted to Employee Sang-yoon. We just have to trust him, don’t we?”

“You’re absolutely right, President.”

“My motto is this. ‘If you entrust a task, trust the person. If you don’t want to trust, don’t entrust the person.’ I trust Employee Sang-yoon.”

Is it really going to turn out like this?

“I trust him too!”

“Me too.”

Everyone nodded.

After saying one unnecessary thing, I ended up not only going to America but also doing business I never intended to do.

Now, there’s no turning back.

It was when I was frowning like that.

‘That’s right. That’s exactly it. Why didn’t I think of that?’

It’s a bit bothersome, but it’s actually for the best.

I just need to fail in recruiting Dr. Cho Young-dae. The higher the expectations, the greater the betrayal, isn’t that what they say?

The higher my grandfather’s expectations, the greater his disappointment in me will be.

It’s a blessing in disguise.

I turned a crisis into an opportunity.

Thinking that way made me feel much more at ease. A smile returned to my face.

I opened my mouth.

“Then I will give it a try as well. I ask for your guidance and support, seniors. Thank you.”

*

Around that time,

In a private house on the outskirts of New Jersey, USA,

“No matter how good the conditions are, if basic semiconductor science research is not guaranteed, I cannot go to that company. I do not compromise. It was a pleasure talking to you. Let’s end it here.”

In the study, a middle-aged man with graying hair roughly put down the phone.

It was Dr. Cho Young-dae, the leader of the semiconductor team at A&T Bell Labs.

He was about to retire.

Rumors must have already spread, as love calls from electronics companies around the world were pouring in for him.

His homeland, South Korea, was no exception.

‘If you come to our company, we will guarantee you the position of head of the semiconductor division. Please, to our Jeongsang Electronics…’

‘At Geosan, we will spare no effort to provide you with the treatment you deserve. We can promise you a position above the level of president, and if we later spin off the semiconductor division, we can offer you up to 15% of Geosan Semiconductor’s shares.’

It was like this.

But it was slightly different from what he wanted.

Both companies were strangely lukewarm about supporting basic research.

He understood.

The situation was different from advanced semiconductor countries like the United States and Japan.

First, they had to focus on profitable work and build production capacity.

Still, it was a pity.

‘Since it’s something I’m doing after a long time, I want to do it right.’

The foundation is the cornerstone.

The cornerstone must be strong. Only then can you see further into the future. That was his motto.

The same goes for semiconductors.

The only entity that agreed to his demands was ENC. They promised him the position of director at the semiconductor research institute to be established in the United States.

It came with the sweet talk of providing billions of dollars in research funding every year.

It was an offer too good to refuse.

His heart leaned towards it.

The only drawback was that ENC was a Japanese company.

It had only been 40 years since liberation.

He couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

If no better offer came along, he would have no choice but to go.

He hoped that a company in Korea would present a better offer before he accepted ENC’s proposal.

But the subsequent contacts from Korean conglomerates were all similar.

They only talked about conditions, not research. They kept changing the subject.

He was getting tired.

Ring, ring, the phone rang again.

“Hello?”

It would probably be the same story again, he sighed involuntarily.

– Hello? Is this Dr. David Cho from Bell Labs?

David was his English name.

“Yes, it is.”

– Ah, nice to meet you. I apologize for calling so suddenly. My name is Sang-Yoon Hyun, and I work for the semiconductor task force at Seonghyun Electronics in Korea. The reason I’m calling is…

It was the same again.

“I’m not interested!”

He didn’t even bother to listen. His voice automatically grew louder.

He didn’t listen to the end.

He was already angry, thinking it would be another call asking him to become a director or president without caring about research funding.

But the response was a bit strange.

– Are you really not interested?

“I said I’m not.”

– Okay.

What?

Usually, they would say, “Please don’t do that, could you listen a bit more?”, “We promise you the best treatment that surpasses any offer you’ve received so far.” That’s how it always went.

Everyone did that.

But not this time. This time was different.

It was as if they knew he would refuse.

Wasn’t there even a hint of relief in the final response, as if they had been waiting for it?

– “Alright then, I’ll be off…”

They were even about to hang up the phone.

Giving up so easily?

“Excuse me. Just a moment.”

Dr. Cho, suddenly curious, called out into the receiver.

But,

Beep, beep.

It was no use. The call was disconnected.

“What kind of person does that?”

Dr. Cho muttered in disbelief.

It was the first time someone had treated him like this.

He should have been angry, but he wasn’t.

Every Korean company that had approached him so far had been overly submissive. To an excessive degree. They bowed as if they would give up their liver and gallbladder.

But that attitude was false.

It was fabricated.

Even if it seemed like they were communicating, as soon as he brought up research, they all showed reluctance as if they had planned it.

They had no money for such things.

Their exterior and interior were different.

But this person was the opposite. They were sharp.

‘Wasn’t his name Seonghyun? I need to find out more.’

He strangely liked their confident attitude.

It was surprisingly American.

Because of that, Dr. Cho somehow felt that his next path was decided.

Especially this Hyun Sang-yoon.

‘He had a youthful voice.’

At least he wouldn’t be over twenty-five.

If even such an employee could confidently face a world-renowned scholar like himself, he had a feeling that he would fit well into the company’s culture.

*

It was successful.

‘I said no!’

Dr. Jo Young-dae said no. My plan succeeded.

“What did you say?”

Manager So, who had been listening intently, asked.

“He said no?”

“I knew it. Didn’t I tell you that persuading someone like Dr. Jo with just a phone call was impossible?”

“You did.”

That’s why I made the call.

If I had really intended to succeed, I wouldn’t have just made a phone call as he said.

I would have arranged a formal meeting, gone to America, and respectfully invited him. I might have promised him good treatment. I could have showered him with all sorts of sweet talk.

But I didn’t do that.

I had no intention of doing that.

‘The young master missed out on a talent who could light the way for our semiconductor new business.’

‘What? This guy seems determined to ruin our Seong-hyun. How can we entrust the group’s leadership to such an incompetent person? Still, he’s family, so let’s give him a small building so he won’t starve and kick him out.’

I felt like I could hear the chairman’s voice having this conversation with Chief Joo.

If it’s small, maybe a building in Gangnam?

I was getting closer to the desired result.

I was satisfied.

“Even now, if you go back to America and formally greet him…”

Manager So raised his voice once more.

“Manager So!”

“Yes, Employee Sang-yoon.”

“Didn’t you say from the beginning that you would leave it to me?”

“I did say that. But this situation is not the time to…”

He trailed off.

“Then leave it to me.”

Chief So’s expression was tinged with anxiety. But there was no other choice.

“Yes. But.”

“But what?”

“Just in case, we’ll keep an eye on Dr. Cho at the group level and see where his heart is leaning. Is that acceptable?”

It didn’t seem like a bad idea upon hearing it.

If Dr. Cho seemed hesitant and unable to refuse, we could deliver the final blow to make him refuse cleanly.

“Then do so.”

As I nodded, Chief So’s face brightened a little with relief.

For a moment, I felt sorry.

‘But there’s no other choice.’

I thought to myself.

But this issue cannot be compromised at all.

Until I achieve the desired result, I must suppress my personal feelings, even if it means feeling sorry.

It’s an inevitable fate of being part of a conglomerate family.

A few days passed like that.

Gangnam Second Headquarters, Semiconductor TF Office.

That day, there were no classes, so I went to work early in the morning, finished a simple study session, and was sitting at my desk doing the remaining study.

“Young master! Young master!”

Chief So Byunghwa suddenly called me in an urgent voice.

It was after receiving a call from the United States.

“They told me to call you Employee Sangyoon at the company.”

I said in a grumbling voice,

“Sorry. I was too urgent and made a mistake.”

“Why did you call me?”

“I have good news. No, this is not the time for this. We need a TF team meeting…”

Huh?

Suddenly?

A meeting was hastily arranged like that.

“What’s the matter, Chief?”

“A sudden meeting? Do you have any news to deliver?”

In the midst of everyone’s confusion, Manager So Byunghwa looked at me and smiled brightly. Something felt ominous.

“Do you remember Dr. Jo Youngdae who called last time?”

Yes, I did.

But I thought I heard him say he wouldn’t do it.

Why does Manager So’s face look full of a successful smile rather than tears of failure to me?

Could he have gone mad?

Is he unable to accept the change in the situation?

‘If that’s the case, I’m really sorry.’

I was thinking such thoughts when Deputy Jo Miyeon spoke.

“Manager, if you have something to say, please don’t beat around the bush. I’m busy today.”

Manager So opened his mouth.

“Let me tell you.”

His tone was emotional.

“We just received information that Dr. Jo is considering a contract with our Seonghyun in a positive direction. He hasn’t completely decided yet, but anyway, it means we beat Jeongsang and Geosan. This is all…”

Following Manager So’s gaze, everyone’s eyes turned to me.

No.

This isn’t right.

Why are they suddenly looking at me at a time like this?

“Our Do… No, Employee Sangyoon achieved this feat. Please give him a round of applause. Our TF has finally produced results.”

Applause soon followed.

“Wow, congratulations.”

“I believed that Employee Sangyoon would do it!”

Is this even real?

I shouted inwardly.

‘Why is it positive? Why is everything going so well?’

No, this is not the time for this. I need to maintain my usual attitude. I barely managed to pull myself together.

“So?”

“But Dr. Jo has one condition…”

“What is it?!”

I asked.

“It’s nothing else, but if he joins Seonghyeon, he asks to establish a semiconductor research institute as a condition. But that’s a bit…”

“A bit what?”

“The condition is a bit demanding.”

Manager So’s expression was unusual.

“He asks for a research budget of more than five million dollars annually, and more than fifty million dollars over ten years. This is something we find hard to accept…”

“Alright.”

My answer came out first.

“What?”

Everyone’s eyes, except mine, widened.

‘Can he decide on something like that even if he’s the young master?’ Their eyes seemed to say.

But it didn’t matter.

“As I mentioned before, didn’t you decide to leave this matter to me? I will take full responsibility. Just say okay. We must embrace Dr. Cho in Seonghyeon’s arms.”

Even if the sky falls, there is a hole to escape through, and it was true.

Things are working out like this.

No, maybe it’s even better.

‘An enormous loss of more than fifty million dollars over ten years, I now have the opportunity to cause that.’

I cheered inwardly.