While Joo Dae-sik was venting his rage on his car and cursing Eun-woo's name, the object of his hatred was already sitting comfortably in Chairman Jeong's private office, sipping tea with Senior Appraiser Kim.
"Please, have some tea, young man. This is a first-flush Ujeon grade green tea from Hadong. I had to call in a few favors to get it. The flavor is truly exceptional."
Eun-woo looked at the small celadon cup filled with pale golden liquid. While he appreciated the gesture, his mind was firmly occupied with the prospect of turning the porcelain cup in his backpack into a very large bank transfer. His father could spend an hour on the perfect brew, but Eun-woo lacked that particular patience. If he wanted tea, he'd toss leaves in a mug. Still, growing up in a household that valued such rituals meant he could recognize quality.
He lifted the cup, mimicked his father's deliberate tasting posture, took a small sip, and let the flavor bloom on his tongue. The aroma was delicate yet complex, far superior to the supermarket-brand tea bags at home. "Truly excellent," he remarked.
"Oho! You have a discerning palate for one so young!" Appraiser Kim chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "It's rare to see someone your age appreciate the subtleties."
Eun-woo's practiced demeanor further elevated him in the old man's estimation.
"You flatter me, Abeonim. I'm merely performing in front of the masters," Eun-woo replied with a modest smile. "But Jeong Seonsaengnim's tea is indeed remarkable—a clean, sweet finish that lingers. Once you're accustomed to this, anything else feels like a poor substitute."
The conversation flowed easily. Eun-woo, having been coached since childhood by his father—a mid-level manager adept at corporate socializing—held his own on topics ranging from tea and ceramics to broader cultural history.
Unnoticed by him, Chairman Jeong and Senior Appraiser Kim exchanged a subtle, approving glance. Young, handsome, poised, knowledgeable, and with remarkable composure. He had been in the office for half an hour and hadn't once anxiously steered the conversation back to the porcelain cup or money. This was not the bearing of an ordinary teenager.
After a silent signal, Chairman Jeong set his teacup down with a soft clink.
"You have classes to attend this afternoon, Eun-woo-ssi, so let's not waste your valuable time. We can have a proper celebration after your Suneung. Let's discuss the matter at hand. If you trust us, why don't we let Seonsaengnim here give us a fair valuation?"
He turned to Appraiser Kim. "Seonsaengnim, I have a good feeling about this young man. Let's skip the usual back-and-forth. Just give us the honest, market-based appraisal. If Eun-woo-ssi agrees, we can transfer the funds immediately."
In the delicate dance of antique negotiation, this was an unorthodox, even risky move—showing your cards before the seller names their price. But Chairman Jeong's wealth wasn't solely tied to Myeongbo, and his instincts told him to treat this young man differently.
Appraiser Kim gave a slight, knowing smile. He'd seen his boss do this before. How the man remained so successful in this cutthroat business was sometimes a mystery.
"Very well, I'll be direct," the old man began. "Two years ago, a very similar late-Joseon blue and white Paranggul—though with a chrysanthemum motif, and in slightly less pristine condition—sold at the Seoul Auction House for 271 million won. I was present for the bidding."
"Three months ago, I heard through the grapevine that the buyer privately resold it to a collector associated with the National Museum for approximately 430 million won." He gestured to the cup, now resting on a velvet pad on the desk. "Young man, your piece is superior. The preservation is… miraculous. At a major international auction, with the right marketing, I would expect a final hammer price in the range of 480 million won. With competitive bidding, breaking 500 million is a strong possibility."
Eun-woo nodded thoughtfully. His own research had shown the 271 million won figure. After two years of inflation and market growth, appreciation was logical. His mental calculation had landed around 400 million after auction house fees and taxes. A direct sale would net less, but be immediate.
With the system at his disposal, waiting months for an auction was unnecessary.
Chairman Jeong nodded decisively. "Then let's make it 500 million won. If you agree, the money can be in your account within the hour."
Eun-woo was momentarily taken aback. He hadn't expected the man to offer the absolute top-end estimate.
Then he understood. This was a strategic investment. Chairman Jeong was 'casting a wide net' based on Eun-woo's earlier hint about having "other pieces." He was buying not just a cup, but potential future access.
Still, Eun-woo thought, he's taking a significant leap of faith on the word of a teenager.
"Since Jeong Seonsaengnim is being so remarkably straightforward, I accept," Eun-woo said, his tone matching the businessman's own decisiveness. "However, would it be possible to receive 5 million won in cash? You can wire the remainder."
"Of course." Chairman Jeong took down Eun-woo's bank details and, from his office computer, initiated a transfer for 495 million won.
"Four hundred ninety-five million won is on its way. You should receive a notification shortly," he said, sliding a sealed envelope stuffed with neat bundles of 50,000-won notes across the desk. "And here is the 5 million in cash."
Eun-woo pocketed the thick envelope with a casual nod. "After today's experience, I have no reason to doubt your word. I should get going—I have class soon. And," he added with a slight smile, "I believe your Director Joo might still require a final word downstairs."
Trust? Not exactly. He simply didn't have his phone on him to check, and he'd watched the transfer being initiated. The nonchalant act was pure performance.
The performance, however, worked perfectly. The respect in the eyes of the two older men deepened another notch.
Hefting the satisfying weight of the cash in his pocket, Eun-woo smiled inwardly. Step one complete. Now for a little follow-up with Director Joo.
[To be continued…]