CH20 | MCT

A Father and Son’s Dream

His son bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle, showing deep respect.

"It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Park Cheol-wan, the construction manager at Taeyang Construction."

"Huh—"

Cheol-wan handed something to his father, Park Tae-jong.

When he looked down, he realized it was a business card.

"Vice President of Taeyang Construction? You, Cheol-wan?"

Reading the card, Park Tae-jong’s mouth fell open.

For the first time in his life, Cheol-wan saw his always-composed, military-like father looking completely stunned.

Cheol-wan scratched his head awkwardly.

"It seems the President of Pohang Steel is quite surprised."

"President of Pohang Steel? Are you talking about your own father?"

"This is a professional setting, isn’t it? Right now, we’re not father and son—we are a client and a subcontractor."

"Hah…"

Park Tae-jong sharply turned his head to Tae-soo.

He had expected a playful smirk, but to his surprise, Tae-soo’s face was completely serious.

"President Kang, explain this situation properly."

"It’s exactly as you see it. Your talented son has joined our company. He will be leading the construction sites you commissioned."

"That boy has never worked in construction before. And you expect him to be in charge of an entire site? Do you really think that’s possible?"

Tae-soo met Park Tae-jong’s gaze head-on.

"Why are you so certain it’s impossible? Just because he lacks experience? Then tell me, President Park, did you have experience when you built Pohang Steel?"

Of course not.

There were no experts in Korea capable of building a steel mill, so they had to search the world for one.

How difficult it had been to persuade the Japanese government to send a technical advisor.

For three whole years, he had to endure those arrogant, self-important Japanese engineers.

"Did lack of experience stop you from building a steel mill? No, it didn’t."

"That’s because we had a technical advisor…"

"And you promised to provide one for us as well, didn’t you?"

"Hmm."

Park Tae-jong fell silent.

"My son is a different case."

"Of course, he is. Completely different."

Tae-soo unexpectedly nodded, making both Park Tae-jong and Park Cheol-wan stare at him in confusion.

Then, Tae-soo grinned.

"You lacked capital to build the steel mill, your technical advisor was being difficult, and you had to build not only the mill but also a port, roads, and even a village for your workers. It was a total disaster. But our Vice President Park Cheol-wan?"

"Me? What about me?"

Park Cheol-wan pointed at himself, eyes widening in disbelief.

"We’ve already received the contract deposit and initial payment from Pohang Steel, and we’re set to receive additional funds as the project progresses. President Park, you personally assured us that you’d handle any financial concerns."

"No, that’s not what I..."

"Not only that, but the top technical advisor from Japan will willingly and wholeheartedly assist with the school’s construction. Honestly, compared to a steel mill, building a school is a piece of cake, isn’t it?"

"......"

That... wasn’t wrong.

Park Tae-jong found himself at a loss for words.

Tae-soo grinned.

"And that’s not all. We’ll be using pre-existing roads and completed lodging facilities."

"Hah..."

"Simply put, we’re in a far better position than you were when you started from scratch. Are you still going to oppose this? Just because he’s your son?"

"Hmm."

Park Tae-jong closed his eyes.

But the stubborn curve of his lips said everything—he had no counterargument, but he wasn’t ready to concede just yet.

Tae-soo gestured to Cheol-wan.

Cheol-wan unrolled the large sheet he had been carrying under his arm.

It was a massive blueprint, about the size of a double-page newspaper spread.

As he laid it on the table, intricate designs and detailed notes were revealed.

"What is this?"

"This is the school construction plan our Vice President has been working on. He spent four days refining, supplementing, and annotating it, highlighting key structural considerations and critical points for the construction process."

"You... you made this, Cheol-wan?"

Park Tae-jong looked at his son with newfound scrutiny.

Cheol-wan examined the blueprint intently, his eyes sharp and focused.

"I spent three sleepless nights preparing for this briefing. This is my one and only chance. I have to prove myself. With skill, not words."

He had spent hours in the library combing through technical books, personally visiting construction sites to ask workers for insight, and—most painfully—seeking advice from Technical Advisor Ushiroda, whom he usually avoided at all costs.

As a result, the past few days had been absolute hell for Ushiroda.

After exhausting himself overseeing the steel mill’s construction all day, he would finally return to rest—only for Cheol-wan to show up at his door every single night.

By the third day, a sleep-deprived, frantic Ushiroda had thrown his door open and cried out, "I ALREADY KNOW I’M A TERRIBLE PERSON! PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, LET ME SLEEP! YOU’RE GOING TO KILL ME!" before fleeing into the night.

"The materials for the water supply and classroom interiors are directly linked to the children’s health. That’s why Taeyang Construction believes special attention must be given to these areas..."

For a long while, Park Tae-jong listened to his son’s explanation in silence.

Then, he slowly closed his eyes.

"He prepared all of this in just three days? Is that even possible?"

Park Tae-jong realized something—he wouldn’t have been able to do what his son had just done.

"I always believed no one in Korea could match my passion... and yet..."

Unconsciously, a smile crept onto his lips.

"So my son takes after me, after all."

It was a satisfied smile.

Not just as the president of Pohang Steel, but as Park Cheol-wan’s father.

"That concludes my presentation."

Cheol-wan’s briefing had lasted over thirty minutes.

Park Tae-jong nodded, his expression noticeably softer than when they had first started.

"I’ve heard the Vice President of Taeyang Construction’s briefing. The adjustments made with the children in mind were particularly impressive. You’ve prepared thoroughly, despite the limited time."

Cheol-wan’s head snapped up.

"Did... did Father just speak formally to me? And call me the Vice President of Taeyang Construction?"

He was momentarily stunned.

As if he had completely forgotten that he himself had addressed his father as President of Pohang Steel earlier.

"My expectations for Taeyang Construction remain the same. Build according to the plans. As promised, I will provide some of the materials, blueprints, and a technical advisor."

"Of course."

Tae-soo nodded.

Then, Park Tae-jong extended his hand toward his son.

"I look forward to working with you, Vice President Park."

It was an offer for a handshake.

"This school will be where the children of Pohang Steel will learn and grow. A place where the future talents of this country will be nurtured. We cannot afford even the slightest negligence. We will offer our full cooperation as well."

Park Cheol-wan grasped his father’s—no, his contractor and partner’s—hand firmly.

"Thank you, President Park. I will make up for my lack of experience with diligence and meticulousness."

"The process is important, but the result is even more so."

Park Tae-jong’s voice was resolute.

"It must be a school that won’t collapse even in an earthquake. A place that remains safe even in the face of natural disasters. Our children deserve nothing less."

"I understand. I’ve already studied Japan’s earthquake-resistant architecture. I will make sure to prioritize structural integrity."

"Good. Then I’ll put my trust in you, Vice President Park of Taeyang Construction."

"Thank you for entrusting us, President Park of Pohang Steel."

The two men shook hands.

As contractor and subcontractor, just as they had discussed.

"I never realized Cheol-wan was this dependable."

His son's gaze was sharp and determined.

The energy radiating from him was unmistakable.

"To think it wasn’t me, his father, who recognized his true worth first... but that young man instead. He’s surprised me yet again."

Park Tae-jong glanced at Tae-soo, who was watching their handshake with a satisfied smile.

"That cunning rascal. Of all things, he went and lured my son away! Looks like the two of us have both gotten ourselves tangled up with this bold troublemaker."

But there was warmth in his gaze as he looked at Tae-soo.

"So, he wants to raise my son under his wing? I can see right through him. But even knowing that, I have no choice but to play along. He’s got me cornered. And yet… I like it. Hah!"

Perhaps that was why.

For once, Park Tae-jong turned to Tae-soo with a mischievous expression.

Tae-soo flinched.

"What’s with that look? Why do I feel like I smell money? And a lot of it!"

Every time this man walked into his office, he seemed to bring along an air of wealth and opportunity.

Enough to make one’s heart race.

Then, Park Tae-jong raised a single finger.

"A university, too."

"Pardon?"

"Pohang Steel’s affiliated engineering university. I’m entrusting my dream to Taeyang Construction."

Pohang Steel’s affiliated engineering university.

Better known as POSTECH.

A prestigious institution that would later become Korea’s top engineering university, established by Pohang Steel to provide its employees' children with the best facilities and faculty.

"Wait... He’s giving us the contract to build that? Not Pohang Construction?"

"The university won’t be built right away, of course. We need to secure enough land and raise funds. If everything goes as planned, construction should begin in earnest about ten years from now."

That made sense.

Originally, the university wasn’t scheduled to begin construction until several years after Pohang Steel’s smelting plant was completed.

That university, which would officially open its doors on December 3, 1986, and go on to produce generations of brilliant engineers.

"Korea is a small land with few natural resources. The only way for us to advance is by cultivating outstanding talent. To do that, we must build a world-class university to nurture the best minds. For the future of this country."

It was clear that Park Tae-jong had made up his mind about this long ago.

He had been planning it for over a decade, already working to secure land and funding.

"I will dedicate myself to steel, for the progress of this nation. And you—light the path to Korea’s future through construction. Can you do it?"

Tae-soo grinned.

"One should never refuse goodwill!"

If that was the case, he should accept it without hesitation!

“Of course. Taeyang Construction will gladly join Pohang Steel in fulfilling this dream.”

At his father’s words, Park Cheol-wan clenched his fist tightly.

“You through steel, and I through construction... I used to think our dreams were entirely different, but it turns out we can accomplish them together.”

“Hahaha! To think my dream will continue through you—there's no greater joy for a father.”

Park Cheol-wan and Park Tae-jong exchanged smiles.

Tae-soo, standing beside them, also beamed.

Thud.

At that moment, Park Cheol-wan slumped back against the sofa.

Now that the tension had lifted, he couldn't stop himself from smiling.

Rubbing his dry eyes, he quietly closed them and muttered,

“I did it.”

“Well done, Vice President Park.”

“To be able to share this dream with my father…”

His voice trailed off.

Everyone waited for him to continue, but that was the last thing he said.

Snore… Kuuhhh—

The familiar sound of steady breathing filled the room, and the people around him chuckled in unison.

He had fallen asleep.

“He must have stayed up for days.”

“I’m sure he did. Judging by what he prepared, there's no way this was done in just three or four days.”

Park Tae-jong watched his son sleep for a long while, his gaze filled with pride.

Then, turning to Tae-soo, he gave a small nod.

“POSTECH. Consider your son’s debt repaid.”

“Let’s settle it that way.”

Tae-soo had unexpectedly landed another major project.

And not just any project—this was a jackpot beyond his wildest imagination!

Feeling pleased, Park Tae-jong chuckled.

“Hahaha! I happen to have a fine bottle of whiskey. Why don’t we all sit and enjoy a drink?”

“No, thank you for the offer, but we’ll have to decline.”

Unlike before, the skinny man standing rigidly behind Tae-soo shook his head firmly.

Park Tae-jong was surprised.

“I thought you, of all people, would be delighted.”

“Of course, if it’s whiskey from the president of Pohang Steel, I’d jump out of bed even in the middle of the night. But right now, I can’t.”

“Is there a reason?”

“As you can see, I’m on duty.”

The skinny man puffed out his scrawny chest with pride.

“Ahem! I can’t afford to be negligent in my security duties. Loyalty, loyalty!”

“Security? You’re his bodyguard? Hahaha! Now that’s a surprising role reversal.”

“Speaking of which... Since you’re already offering the whiskey, would you mind if I took it with me? I’ll save it for after my shift. The aroma was absolutely divine. Smack.”

“Hahaha! By all means! I’ll gladly let you have it. Hahaha!”

Unable to hold back, Park Tae-jong burst into hearty laughter.

Meanwhile, Tae-soo, his face slightly flushed, covered his eyes with one hand.

‘Why am I the one embarrassed? Damn it.’

That bastard was definitely doing it on purpose.

"I've gained everything I could from Pohang—far beyond my expectations."

Now, it was time to head to Seoul.

He needed to check in with Han-soo and see what news had come in.

‘Has he found a decent mine?’

Digging through the depths to unearth valuable intel—that was Han-soo’s specialty!

Tae-soo was already eager to see what kind of gem he had uncovered this time.