Inside a private jet, a voice broke the silence.
"Sir, everything is ready."
The words came from Hyun-Woo, a man with slicked-back black hair, dressed neatly in a business suit, glasses perched on his face. He sat beside a table between two seats, shuffling through documents spread out in front of him.
Across from him, in the seat opposite, was Mikoto. A massive figure, he had ruffled red hair with two strands hanging down his face, dressed in a long-sleeved dress shirt that highlighted his broad, muscular frame, with the top two buttons open, revealing part of his chiseled chest. He wore black trousers and boots, his seat tilted back, his arms resting on each armrest, a sleep mask over his eyes.
Hyun-Woo's voice directed toward Mikoto. "The only thing left is to get the signature of Zu Pengguan, and then everything will proceed smoothly." He said, setting the documents in his suitcase.
"The signature is easy to get." Mikoto replied, his position unchanged. "The old man won't have an option but to agree with the offer we're presenting him. And given his non-biological son, who's crucial for this plan, the outcome's already decided." Mikoto was heading to China to meet Zu Pengguan. The goal? To launch a plan that would bring the Tian Wai Tian group under his control. While he could take over by force, that would come at too high a cost, and that is time. Taking the group by force would likely destabilize it, so Mikoto would then have to spend considerable time restoring it. Instead, he created a simple yet effective plan that would allow him to assume control without damaging the group's position. He even looked forward to seeing the pathetic old man he'd met two years ago.
"Exactly, sir." Hyun-Woo agreed. As Mikoto's strategist and head of a team responsible for information gathering and planning, Hyun-Woo often spoke on Mikoto's behalf.
"Excuse me, gentlemen. Would you care for a drink?" A female flight attendant in the private jet's service uniform had approached, offering a smile to both men.
"No, thank you." Hyun-Woo replied.
"And you, sir?" She turned her gaze to Mikoto, her eyes lingering over his body.
"A cold Munbaeju. The whole bottle." Mikoto answered. The flight attendant nodded, moving away to fulfill his request.
After a short moment, she returned with a tray, placing it in front of Mikoto. On the tray sat a bottle labeled "Munbaeju" and a whiskey glass next to it.
"Thank you." Mikoto said, pulling his sleep mask up as he met her gaze, prompting a blush from her.
"Anytime, sir." she responded with a flustered smile before heading back to the front of the cabin.
"Sir, there's something I want to report." Hyun-Woo said, a hint of hesitation in his tone. "This was brought to my attention a week ago. While conducting background research across multiple hospital records, my team found something. I didn't report it earlier, as I wasn't confident in the findings. But now that we have confirmation, I think it's time."
"What is it?" Mikoto asked, pausing to look at Hyun-Woo, his hand on the bottle's lid, ready to drink.
"It appears… sir, you have a child." The words made Mikoto stop, the bottle lingering just shy of his mouth.
"A child?" Mikoto's frown deepened as he lowered the bottle. "You're saying I have a child I know nothing about?"
"Yes, sir." Hyun-Woo opened his suitcase, taking out a document, which he extended to Mikoto. "These results were personally verified by our medical teams. It's a 100% match with your DNA."
"I see." Mikoto replied, reviewing the document's contents. The confirmation didn't seem to faze him. With no change in expression, he set the paper back on the table, lifted the bottle, and took a deep drink, savoring the alcoholic warmth spreading through him.
"Is the mother still with the child?" Mikoto asked after a moment, his curiosity piqued about the identity of the woman.
"Yes, sir. They're in Korea, and she's currently taking care of him." Hyun-Woo said, pulling out his phone and handing it to Mikoto. "This is her profile."
'Yeonwoo Kim, huh?' Mikoto took the phone, reading the name and looking at her photograph.
After a minute.
"Unexpected." Mikoto spoke as he recognized the woman.
"What is, sir?" Hyun-Woo asked.
"I didn't expect I would have gotten her pregnant." Mikoto returned the phone to the table. "And it's unexpected that she chose to deliver the child rather than.... Well…" He paused, downing the remainder of the bottle in one swift gulp, exhaling as he felt the alcohol burn in his throat, then added. "Considering I didn't give her much of a choice."
Hyun-Woo nodded in understanding, taking in his boss's recognition of the woman.
"Well, enough about that. Today, we have a job to do." Mikoto reclined into his seat, his gaze fixed on the ceiling as he waited to arrive at their destination.
After thirty minutes, they arrived in China.
"Let's go." Mikoto said, standing up straight from his seat. The customized jet's high ceiling allowed him to rise without crouching, a unique feature designed with his stature in mind. He made his way to the exit, with Hyun-Woo close behind. Together, they descended the small staircase attached to the jet and entered the airport.
Meanwhile, inside the airport.
"Sir, who exactly are we waiting for?"
A man in business attire directed his question to the figure standing beside him, a middle-aged man in his sixties with a bald head, a white chin beard that emphasized his age, and small shades covering his eyes. He wore a purple dress shirt, black pants, and shoes. This man was Zu Pengguan. But he wasn't alone. Numerous others in business attire stood around him, all on the lookout, drawing curious glances from passersby.
"You'll see when he arrives." Zu chuckled, leaving the man beside him even more curious about who could warrant Zu Pengguan, owner of the Tian Wai Tian group, to personally await his arrival.
"Ah, there he is." Zu smiled, catching sight of a familiar figure as the doors to the airport's arrival area opened.
They watched as a towering young man approached, his muscular frame outlined through the fabric of his long-sleeved dress shirt, black trousers, and boots. His striking red hair, ruffled and wild, and his amber eyes drew attention. Walking beside him was another man in a formal business suit, holding a suitcase. The two approached, and the red-haired man came to a stop in front of Zu.
"Haha, kid, it's been about two years since I last saw you. You're as tall as ever." Zu laughed, looking up at Mikoto.
"Yeah, it's been a while, Zu." Mikoto replied, expressionless, looking down at Zu. "And you're as weak as ever."
Zu's men were stunned to hear someone address Zu so bluntly. Not even high-ranking officials dared to speak to him that way, and yet here was this young man, seemingly insulting him. Some were visibly angered, but before anyone could act…
(A/N: Mikoto is 24 years old.)
"Hahaha, well, young people tend to surpass us old folks." Zu laughed, his grin widening, unfazed by Mikoto's words. "But it's not like you're just any ordinary young man." Zu's men were once again left wondering about this young man who spoke so freely to Zu. But those who knew the reason understood, Mikoto held considerable value in Zu's eyes. Zu had experienced Mikoto's power firsthand, a strength, even by the monsters of South Korea can't match.
"Let's not stand here any longer." Zu announced, heading toward the exit, with Mikoto walking alongside him and Hyun-Woo following behind.
Once outside the airport, they made their way to a large limousine, surrounded by several cars that were ready to follow. Zu, Mikoto, and Hyun-Woo entered, and they set off for their destination.
"So, aren't you going to introduce your friend here?" Inside the limousine, Zu turned to Hyun-Woo who had remained silent since the beginning, sat stoically beside Mikoto.
"He's my right hand, Hyun-Woo." Mikoto replied, reclining on the futon-like seat in the limousine.
"Your right hand, huh?" Zu looked over at Hyun-Woo, intrigued. "Then he must be quite the rare talent to hold such a position." Although Hyun-Woo seemed ordinary, Zu didn't believe he was, anyone trusted as Mikoto's right hand had to be exceptional.
"You could say that," Mikoto commented, acknowledging Zu's remark. He relied heavily on Hyun-Woo, not only was Hyun-Woo efficient, but he always got the job done.
"Still, I'm curious." Zu said with a hint of humor. "Why did you suddenly decide to visit me? It's not for the food, is it?"
"I came to discuss something important involving the Tian Wai Tian group, but that can wait." Mikoto replied, brushing off Zu's attempt at humor.
"Hmm." Zu's smile faded, a slight frown forming. Mikoto's interest in the Tian Wai Tian group was puzzling, as there was no apparent reason linking them. Still, he decided he would hear him out.
"Well, fine. But let's grab some food. I'm getting hungry." Zu said, his frown replaced with a wide smile.
They arrived at a grand five-star Chinese restaurant. Zu, Mikoto, and Hyun-Woo entered first, instantly drawing attention, followed by Zu's men. Zu secured a VIP room for the three of them, leaving his men outside.
After finishing their meal.
"That was delicious." Zu said with a satisfied laugh, surrounded by a stack of empty plates. He looked at Mikoto, who had only two plates stacked neatly in front of him, accompanied by a drained bottle of whiskey, while Hyun-Woo had just one empty plate.
"So, how does it compare?" Zu asked, leaning back with his whiskey glass in hand. "Compared to Korean dishes, what's your rating?"
"Not bad, I guess, but I prefer a cup of ramen noodles." Mikoto answered without hesitation.
"Ramen noodles?" Zu was stunned for a second before he burst into laughter, slamming his glass onto the table. "Haha! That's unexpected! Ramen noodles, of all things?" He'd anticipated a refined answer, maybe a specific dish, not instant noodles.
Mikoto simply nodded. Ramen noodles, cheap and simple, were his preference, regardless of how surprising it sounded.
Just then, a group of waiters entered with a cart, clearing away the empty plates, bottles, and glasses, leaving the table bare.
"Now then…" Zu's demeanor shifted, his back straightening as a serious look took over. It was as if the lighthearted elder had become a business professional. "Let's get down to the main reason for your visit. Let's hear it."
"The next successor for the Tian Wai Tian group." Mikoto's gaze remained fixed on Zu, whose eyes narrowed at the mention. "Is the position still pending?"
"It's not official yet, but I already have someone in mind to take over." Zu replied, his tone serious. "But Mikoto…" Zu's expression hardened as he looked at Mikoto. "Why do you want to know?" Zu couldn't understand why Mikoto had traveled all the way to China to discuss something that wouldn't benefit him personally. There had to be more to it.
Mikoto glanced at Hyun-Woo, who nodded in silent understanding, opening his suitcase and pulling out a single stapled stack of documents. He extended it to Zu, who accepted it, immediately scanning the contents.
"Mikoto, what is this?" Zu's expression grew darker as he continued reading.
"A contract." Mikoto replied.
"I see that it's a contract." Zu looked up from the document, his gaze icy. "But what's the meaning of this?" The terms in the contract were outrageous and confusing, almost as if Mikoto was demanding ownership. Why would he assume Zu would ever agree?
"It's simple, old man." Mikoto's voice and demeanor remained unflinching. "As you've read, I'm offering to protect the successor on the day of appointment. In return, Zu Pengguan, meaning you, will transfer 50% ownership of the Tian Wai Tian conglomerate."
"You… what makes you think I'd ever agree to this?" Zu's hands clenched the document tightly, his face reddening in anger. This kid was out of his mind, half ownership of one of the largest conglomerates, just like that?
"Old man, have you gone senile?" Mikoto's gaze toward Zu was as if he were looking at a fool. "You're the one most aware of what will happen the day the successor is announced. Those waiting to betray you will jump at the opportunity, hiring criminals to target the successor. And don't think you'll be able to stop it, even if you're alive."
"You-" Zu started to reply, but suddenly he coughed up blood, splattering it across the table.
"So, it's true." Mikoto watched with detached calm as Zu's face contorted in pain. "You're terminally ill. Unfortunate, don't you think?"
Zu groaned as the pain coursed through him, sharp and unrelenting as if a thousand knives stabbed him all at once. He writhed for several minutes, finally slumping back, panting heavily.
"And by the way." Mikoto continued, causing Zu to look up, exhausted, yet attentive. "Among those who might target your successor… I may be one of them."
Zu's gaze remained locked on Mikoto, weighing his options. If this young man was serious about attacking the successor, his own son, could he even stop it? The answer was clear, no. He knew well enough what Mikoto was capable of, and making an enemy of him now would be a gamble with no chance of winning. There was no choice, the hardest decisions demanded the strongest wills. Zu looked at the contract in his hand, then glanced at Hyun-Woo, who extended a pen.
Zu hesitated for a few minutes, wiping the blood from his mouth, then took the pen from Hyun-Woo. He paused, staring at the signature line, his mind racing. Finally, with a reluctant but resolute hand, he signed his name. Hyun-Woo retrieved the document and placed it back in his suitcase.
"Well, it was nice doing business with you, Zu." Mikoto stood up, his expression as unreadable as ever. "See you later." he said, heading for the door, Hyun-Woo following close behind. "If you're still alive by then." he added as he stepped out.
Now, aboard the private jet taking the route back to Korea.
"Everything is set." Mikoto murmured, reclining in his seat. "Now, I just need to wait for the succession war." He knew that Zu had chosen his biological son to inherit the Tian Wai Tian group, a choice bound to provoke a brutal conflict between the two heirs, the other being non-biological.
"Yes, sir." Hyun-Woo replied, holding a small, scanner-like electronic device. A thin beam scanned over Zu's signature on the contract. "Obtaining Zu's authentic signature was a valuable feat. Considering the Tian Wai Tian group's strict secrecy, there's nothing on record. This allows us to take control without compromising any assets." He held the device over a blank signature line on another document, which immediately filled with an exact replica of Zu's signature.
"And it seems the poison took effect on Zu." Hyun-Woo added, recalling how Zu had coughed up blood.
"Right. The poison is designed to slowly and completely integrate with the body, making even the best doctors conclude it's a terminal illness." Mikoto said. They had anticipated alternatives in their plan, if Zu's stepson, driven by the belief that he'd been betrayed, didn't kill Zu first, the poison that he tasked to plant two years ago would finish the job.
All in all, from the moment Mikoto met Zu, the fate of the Tian Wai Tian group was already sealed.