After Carl left as if he were being chased, I approached Tennessee.
"You should hurry up with the acquisition."
"Why? Got an urgent expense coming up?"
When I spoke in a playful tone, Tennessee replied in a similarly half-joking manner.
After that, we moved locations.
Somehow, class ended up being… well, ahem.
An empty ground.
The scent of grass carried by the wind.
I used to be obsessed with rugby, but now it feels like I'm about to be buried in work, as if none of that ever happened.
"You're acquiring the main branch?"
Nod, nod.
"Need help?"
Yeah, right.
If the Grosvenor family steps in, things will be sorted out in no time.
'But then… I'd have to split shares with your father!'
He must have read my expression.
"Generous, huh?"
"It's in my blood."
"Hearing you say that makes it hard to argue."
Hehehe.
"Are you free for dinner?"
At my question, Tennessee tilted his head slightly.
"You said you needed an ally. Thought it'd be good to have a meal together and get acquainted."
"Hmm."
"What? You busy?"
"Not really."
"...?"
"It's just… burgers for a first meeting feels a bit off."
***
After School, at McDonald's
"Do you like burgers?"
"Of course. I can never get enough of them."
At Tennessee's question, Jo So-deok immediately flashed a bright smile.
"What would you like to order?"
"A cheeseburger…."
"A milkshake and a Coke, one each. Large fries with extra salt. How does that sound?"
"Uh, sure."
Pass!
Did he get a tip from Park Ji-hoon or something?
How could a food order be this perfect?
"I'll bring it over, you can take a seat."
"No, I can—"
"You should grab a good spot while you can. Preferably somewhere out of sight—I feel more comfortable in places like that."
"If that's the case, I'll go ahead and—"
"Yes, yes, I'll be right there."
A little while later, Jo So-deok returned with the food.
"Let's eat first."
Jo So-deok took a big bite of his burger, eating with gusto.
Then gulped down his Coke.
When he heard he was a professor, he thought he'd be all stiff and formal, but he was surprisingly easygoing and approachable.
"How do you know Ji-hoon?"
"You're asking about the beginning of our connection?"
Nod, nod.
"It's a loooong story. But to summarize, it was a bond formed through art."
"Art?"
"We went through a hell of a lot together trying to track down a single painting in the U.S. By the end of it, we were practically family."
Family, huh.
For Tennessee, who didn't have the best memories of family, it was a response that made him tilt his head.
Anyway.
"You must be familiar with Ji-hoon's business style, then?"
"He's a difficult man to predict. But yes, I've had some experience."
"Then what do you think about this?"
"...?"
"Energy drinks. It's not like there's some special technology involved. Honestly, Ji-hoon could just start his own company."
"So you're wondering why he's bothering to acquire an existing one instead of just starting fresh?"
"Exactly."
"I can't say for sure, but… if I had to guess, maybe he's after the people."
"The people?"
"Yes. Imagine there's someone so talented that Ji-hoon is willing to go through all this effort just to get them."
He was about to ask why not just scout them directly—
"Ah! Employees can be poached, sure, but…"
"If the target is the founder?"
"Then an acquisition is the only way."
So that's why.
He was putting so much effort into acquiring this small beverage company.
"Was that helpful?"
"More than enough."
"Then shall we move somewhere else to discuss business properly?"
Unlike when he used to learn from his private tutor, this was something completely different.
With a grin, Tennessee stood up with a bright expression.
***
Meanwhile
I was touring a food factory run by Steve's father.
They said it was the biggest in the UK, and it definitely felt enormous.
"At our scale, we can more than handle the domestic demand."
"That's true, but…"
"...?"
"If people start buying not to eat, but to collect, things will get out of hand quickly."
"Collecting… bread?"
At first, he looked like he couldn't believe it.
But that reaction didn't last long.
After checking out a Forbes article, he seemed to decide that even if something sounded strange, it was worth nodding along to.
"If they say make it, we make it. Simple as that."
"There will be stickers included. That means adding an extra step to the process—any issues with that?"
"Eh, that's nothing."
Looks like the UK's supply situation is pretty much sorted.
Now the problem is, if orders start flooding in from neighboring countries, how will we keep up with demand?
"There are factories in Greece and Portugal. Combined, they can produce as much as this one."
"So at max capacity, we're talking a million units a day?"
"Easily."
He looked thrilled just thinking about it.
"Oh, by the way, I tried developing some new bread based on what you mentioned last time. Want to try?"
Nothing too fancy.
A chocolate roll, a cheesecake, and a strawberry cream bun.
My preference was the rich, dense chocolate roll.
"Oh, actually, I came here to give you this."
"Huh?"
I pulled a comic book out of my bag.
"It's called Capsulemon. The print edition just came out."
"What's this?"
"We're going to make bread featuring the characters from this comic."
"Oh, so people who read this will want to buy the bread?"
Nod, nod.
"Then I'd better read it!"
"The show's already scheduled for broadcast, and a game is coming out soon."
"As expected from one of Forbes' 'Greatest Leaders of the Future'…."
"I should get going now."
Instead of engaging in any unnecessary conversation, I quickly made my exit.
I usually preferred taking the Bentley.
The Bugatti was just too flashy.
I liked the Bentley's signature silence, so I rarely switched cars.
But today was an exception.
VROOOOM!
On my grandfather's recommendation, I took out a Honda sports car.
'Why… in the world…?'
Was this some kind of beat Honda challenge?
'Grandfather, I'm sorry, but I have no intention of accepting anything with the Hyungang name on it, okay?'
The unfilial—no, the disrespectful grandson weeps.
Tsk.
Since the topic came up, maybe I should have a meal with him before heading home.
Yeah, this is the perfect chance to catch up on some overdue filial duties!
"Grandfather, you're home, right?"
"Yes. My meeting ended early, so I'm resting."
"Have you eaten?"
"If Professor Jo comes, I should eat with him."
Oh my!
Since when did they get so close?
"The professor has dinner plans."
"What?"
"You know my friend."
"The one I met that time?"
"Yes. He wants to start a business but doesn't have someone he can trust, so…"
"You sent Professor Jo?"
"Yes."
Ah, talking is great, but let's eat first.
"Would you like to go out for a meal?"
"If we go out, all we'll get is fried food."
"You could have a course meal…."
"Taking forever just to eat? That's frustrating as hell."
"Then…"
"Just make some ramen."
"Ramen?"
"I knew this would happen, so I brought some."
Huh?
Looking over at the sink, I saw five red packets stacked up.
"Do you even know how to cook ramen?"
Of course! Do you know how old I am?
"There are instructions on the back, right?"
Even though I didn't ask, my grandfather started sharing his ramen philosophy.
"The best minds in the industry spent years perfecting this recipe. Just follow it, and you'll get at least the basics right."
"Now that you put it that way, I see it in a new light."
"...?"
"Just a few lines of this recipe must have cost a fortune to develop."
"They say they spent months just perfecting the ingredient ratio. Imagine that."
Two businessmen were sharing a meal.
Maybe that's why even ramen led to a discussion about business.
Bubble, bubble.
"Ah, if only we had some kimchi."
Just as I was bringing the pot to the table…
"Why isn't there any kimchi?"
My grandfather opened the fridge.
"You brought kimchi too?"
"Of course! If I brought ramen, do you think I'd forget the kimchi?"
Wow.
"I also brought doenjang. Make some stew later."
Sniff.
The disrespectful grandson weeps again!
We each scooped ramen into our bowls.
Every time he blew on his noodles, steam fogged up his glasses, so my grandfather took them off.
"What happened with the meeting yesterday?"
"It's still under review. It's not easy."
"Why?"
"The competition is fierce. Every brand is top-tier, so it's hard to choose just one."
"Are you bragging to your grandfather?"
Nod, nod.
"Well, for someone who's been in the fashion industry for less than a year and already has brands lining up… I suppose you should brag."
He took my joke seriously. Ahem.
Still, the conversation shifted to everyday topics.
Just the kind of casual talk between a grandfather and grandson that you'd hear in any normal household.
Of course, it didn't last long.
"So, Professor Jo is meeting your friend?"
"Yes. They'll probably be talking business late into the night."
"Then you and your friend are going into business together?"
"Looks like it."
"How's the ownership split?"
"Fifty-fifty."
"You? Giving up half?"
"He's putting up all the money."
As expected, my grandfather gave a knowing look.
"You never know what might happen between you two. Make sure your paperwork is airtight."
I thought it was just his usual caution.
But then, he took it a step further.
"You never know what could happen in life. Let's say, worst case scenario, I get into a fight with that kid's father. What happens to you two then?"
"...?"
"Tell me. If I go head-to-head with his father, whose side will you take?"
"Yours, of course."
"And he'll say the same."
"What?"
"No matter how close you two are, when family gets involved, the hands always bend towards home."
It might have sounded like nagging.
But it was sincere advice, spoken out of concern for his grandson's future.
"Yeah. I'll make sure everything is clear."
That's why I nodded.
***
Meanwhile…
At the same time, Jo So-deok was blinking in disbelief.
He thought today was just a casual meet-and-greet.
But what was this?
As soon as the conversation started flowing, they rushed straight to the airport.
At first, he thought they were just taking a domestic flight somewhere.
But, uh…?
Here he was, boarding a private jet with the Grosvenor family crest plastered on it.
When he asked where they were going, the answer was… Austria.
Was this some kind of loyalty test?
He tried to stay calm and go with the flow.
Even showed his passport when asked. Did everything he was supposed to.
But still.
'There's no way the plane will actually take off, right? And even if it does, they wouldn't really go all the way to Austria… right?'
That's what he thought.
But now, two hours into the flight…
"...."
Jo So-deok had no choice but to accept reality.
"Aren't you supposed to go to school tomorrow?"
"Ji-hoon asked me to hurry with the acquisition."
"But he didn't tell you to skip class, did he?"
"As if missing a few days will get me held back."
"A… a few days?"
"At best, if I sign the contract right away, we'll be back by dawn tomorrow."
"And if it doesn't work out?"
"Then we stay until the contract is signed."
Ugh.
'Am I… being kidnapped?'
The only good news was that he had done some research on the founder of Red Bull, just in case.
But—
'Good news my ass!'
Jo So-deok stared blankly out the window.
Maybe he was born with wanderlust.
His life was basically one big spontaneous trip.
Unlike his turbulent emotions…
"...."
The night view of Austria was breathtakingly beautiful.