CH66 | MCT

A Toast with a New Colleague (4)

Tae-soo raised his glass.

“Shall we call it a night with this final drink?”

Jang Jun-yong stood up from his seat.

Tae-soo had no choice but to follow suit.

“Final drink? Nonsense. We go all the way. On a night like this, it’d be disappointing if the younger one tapped out first.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m Jang Jun-yong of Geumsan. This is nothing. I can’t stand weak talk at a moment like this.”

“Alright then.”

Tae-soo steeled himself.

“While Han Cheong-ho of Cheong-il is throwing everything into the Jubail industrial port, Geumsan should seize the Bahrain shipyard.”

“Good. Winning the Bahrain shipyard contract will give us even more leverage for Jubail.”

Clink.

Tae-soo and Jang Jun-yong downed their drinks together.

Once again, it was straight whiskey, no ice.

‘Now, it’s time to return to Saudi. Everything I needed to do in Korea is done.’

Once back, his first stop would be Rahman.

‘Rahman, I have a gift for you—an alliance.’

A way to firmly plant his roots within the Saudi royal court, unshakable.

In return, Rahman would have to introduce him to his father.

‘Khalid. There’s much we need to discuss.’

His heart pounded.

The thought of trapping Han Cheong-ho excited him.

‘One step at a time. I’ll set the nets all around him, then pull them tight all at once.’

Tae-soo was preparing for the hunt—Cheong-il Refinery would be his prey.

The bed was soft. The blanket was warm.

His head, however, felt like it was splitting apart.

Too much straight whiskey on an empty stomach.

‘In the end, I got dragged into an all-out drinking battle. I am never drinking with Jang Jun-yong again.’

That man was relentless, pouring round after round of straight whiskey.

Every glass filled to the brim.

‘Not just Jang Jun-yong. Even Secretary Kim could drink like a beast. I don’t even remember how the night ended.’

At some point, a drunken Jang Jun-yong had excitedly started handing out his prized golden business cards like confetti.

“Tae-soo, take them all! They’re yours! Use them however you like! We’re in this together—let’s go all the way!”

Secretary Kim gasped and hurriedly picked up the golden business cards, one by one.

“These are so rare, you don’t even hand them out once a year! Please, stop throwing them everywhere!”

While scolding Jang Jun-yong, he slyly slipped another card into Tae-soo’s pocket.

“I’m not giving you this just to ask about the chairman’s schedule.”

Kim Hwan made it clear—this was to be used for something truly important.

Everyone seemed desperate to give Tae-soo their business cards.

His eyes refused to open.

His throat was parched.

“Ugh…”

“Are you thirsty? Would you like some water?”

A young woman’s voice.

With great effort, Tae-soo forced his heavy eyelids open.

She had short hair and skin so pale it was almost translucent.

And she was breathtakingly beautiful.

“What… happened…?”

“Don’t you remember?”

Vague memories surfaced.

By the end of the night, his drinking comrades had fallen gloriously in battle.

As they staggered under the weight of their intoxication, women had appeared—one for each of them.

This woman had supported Tae-soo and led him to a hotel room downstairs.

“Drink some water first.”

Tae-soo pushed himself up into a half-seated position on the bed.

Thankfully, he was still fully clothed.

‘Whew. That was almost a disaster.’

It had been a long time since he’d drunk this much.

And waking up next to a woman was even more unfamiliar.

“Here.”

“Thank you.”

He took the glass of water she offered and drained it in one gulp.

His head pounded relentlessly.

Tae-soo pressed his fingers against his temple.

“Is your headache bad?”

“Who are you?”

She pouted slightly.

“I told you my name last night. Did you forget that too?”

She smiled brightly.

"I'm Jung Yoon-ah."

"Jung Yoon-ah?"

Tae-soo flinched.

‘No way… The actress Jung Yoon-ah? The movie star Jung Yoon-ah?’

A woman known as the most beautiful actress of the 1970s.

Set to debut in films in 1975.

A celebrity constantly plagued by rumors of having once worked in bars.

‘Seeing her up close… she really is stunning.’

Even on a second look, there was no doubt—it was her.

As her nickname, “The most beautiful woman since Dangun,” suggested, she was flawless.

“Now you’ll remember my name, won’t you? Tae-soo oppa.”

“Tae-soo oppa?”

“You told me to call you that, remember? Or did you forget that too?”

The memory surfaced.

He had thanked her for helping him to the hotel and had even given her cab fare.

He had sent her off… or so he thought.

"Why are you still here?"

She hesitated before answering.

"I didn’t think I should just leave. I sat over there, waiting for you to wake up… and before I knew it, I’d stayed the whole night."

She gestured toward the sofa.

There was clear evidence that someone had been sitting there.

"What exactly are you worried about?"

Her voice softened.

"I wasn’t sure if I should leave without… anything happening."

Tae-soo suddenly recalled how she had trembled as she helped him upstairs.

That was why he had given her the money and sent her off.

“The director told me that if I did well this time, he’d let me be in his movie.”

Tae-soo closed his eyes.

Now he understood everything.

"Which director is using this kind of tactic to force you into something like this?"

"Please don’t be angry. It’s my fault. I regretted it all night."

She lowered her head, shoulders slumping.

"I just… I just wanted to be an actress. I wanted to seize an opportunity. I must have lost my way for a moment. I’m sorry."

Tae-soo took a moment to recall what he knew about her.

‘She was known as the most beautiful actress of her time, but also constantly criticized for her poor acting. I remember hearing how she fought desperately to shake off that reputation. Five years after her debut, she finally did—earning the title of a box-office star instead.’

With that in mind, Tae-soo spoke to her carefully.

"Taking an opportunity before you're ready isn't always a good thing. If you get labeled as a bad actress once, it’s incredibly hard to shake off."

"But… this is such a good opportunity. If I let it go—"

"Opportunities come again. And only those who are prepared can truly seize them."

Jung Yoon-ah blinked at him, eyes round with surprise.

She looked like a startled squirrel—oddly endearing.

"Instead of rushing into this, why not study acting properly and then make a bold debut? If you do that, you won’t have to go through something like this. Directors will be the ones chasing after you."

"Study acting properly?"

She had never considered that before.

"I know an excellent acting coach."

Having worked at Cheong-il Group for a long time, Tae-soo was familiar with the entertainment industry—he’d dealt with hiring models for advertisements, coordinating with newspapers, and more.

He also knew of veteran theater actors who had honed their craft for years without any scandal.

"A pretty face alone won’t keep you in this industry for long. Actresses without a solid foundation in acting get treated like dolls—used and discarded. Is that what you want?"

"No… I don’t want that."

"Then start from the ground up. Master the basics. Are you ready for that?"

"I will be."

"Good. I’ll trust that resolve."

Tae-soo picked up a pen and scribbled something onto a memo pad.

He didn’t remember the exact phone number, but he did recall the names of suitable acting coaches and theater companies.

"Thank you."

Jung Yoon-ah beamed as she took the note.

Again, she reminded him of a squirrel.

Seeing her like that, Tae-soo firmly added,

"From now on, if any director dangles a film role in front of you as a condition for something shady, don’t ever agree. That kind of reputation will stick with you for life. Are you okay with that?"

"No, I don’t want that."

Jung Yoon-ah shook her head.

"This was my first time… I spent all night regretting it, and even coming here—I regretted that too. But after listening to you…"

She suddenly smiled.

"Now, I think coming here and meeting you was the best decision. Maybe you were the opportunity I was meant to find."

Tae-soo quickly waved his hands in protest.

"Let’s not say things that could cause misunderstandings. Get up now—people might get the wrong idea."

"Misunderstand? Wait… are you married?"

"No."

"Good."

Jung Yoon-ah grinned mischievously.

"Tae-soo oppa, I’ll become the greatest actress. Just like you said, I’ll focus on improving my acting first. I won’t let myself be shaken by these so-called ‘opportunities’ anymore."

"I support your dream. I hope you truly become the best actress."

Tae-soo stood up.

Just then, Jung Yoon-ah gently grabbed his arm.

"But, oppa… can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"You’re not married, and we were both drunk, so… why did you just send me away? You even gave me money for the taxi."

She fiddled with the cash he had given her the night before.

"Was it because you didn’t like me?"

"I do like you."

Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Really? So… it wasn’t because I’m not pretty or attractive enough?"

"You’re very beautiful. And charming, too. But I don’t make a habit of taking advantage of women who came here unwillingly."

Jung Yoon-ah smiled shyly.

"I really like you, oppa."

She persistently asked Tae-soo for his contact information.

Then, slipping the taxi fare back into his pocket, she grinned.

"I won’t take the money. So don’t use it as an excuse to send me away."

What was he supposed to do with this woman?

"Are you asking me to be your sponsor?"

"No. I told you—I won’t look for sponsors or accept these ‘favors’ anymore. And since you won’t even give me your number, I won’t beg you to meet me again."

She laughed softly and then, without hesitation, pressed her lips against his.

"So, just this once… can’t you just accept my feelings?"

Her eyes curved beautifully as she gazed at him.

"You refused the taxi fare yourself."

Tae-soo did not reject her affection.

***

May 11, 1973 | Cheongwadae Luncheon

Prominent figures from the political and business worlds were invited to a luncheon at the Blue House.

Among them were Jang Joon-yong of Geumsan and Han Cheong-ho of Cheongil.

While dining with Park Jeong-hwan, the conversation inevitably drifted toward the “Rescue Operation of the Kidnapped Koreans.”

"This has greatly improved Your Excellency’s image."

"The public’s reaction has been overwhelmingly positive."

"It’s all thanks to Your Excellency’s bold and decisive leadership."

Several attendees took turns offering flattery, eager to win the president’s favor.

"Hahaha! Why make such a fuss? A country must protect its people when they’re in danger. I simply did what was necessary."

Despite his modest words, Park Jeong-hwan was clearly pleased.

Just as Kang Tae-soo had predicted, this incident had indeed helped revamp his public image, and he was enjoying the results.

His gaze then shifted toward Jang Joon-yong, who was merely sipping tea instead of eating.

"Chairman Jang, you don’t seem to have much of an appetite today. Are you feeling unwell?"

"No, not at all. I just had drinks all night with an old friend who came from far away. I suppose I’m getting older… this hangover is quite something."

In truth, he had recklessly poured whiskey straight down his throat.

He refused to lose to a younger man’s drinking stamina, so he had pushed himself to the limit.

Of course, Jang Joon-yong couldn’t admit that outright.

Seeing his disheveled appearance, Park Jeong-hwan smirked playfully.

"Well, this is unexpected. Just how much did you drink for the great Chairman Jang of Geumsan to complain about a hangover?"

He knew very well that Jang Joon-yong could hold his liquor.

"Shall I have them bring you some honey water?"

"I appreciate Your Excellency’s concern, but I’ll be fine."

There was a reason why Park Jeong-hwan was showing goodwill toward Jang Joon-yong.

"The Saudi royal family sent a letter last night."

An official letter had arrived from the Saudi royal court.

"They spoke quite highly of you, Chairman Jang. Thanks to you, I saved face."

Jang Joon-yong had helped restore the reputation tarnished by Samwon Construction.

All because of the water from the oil tanker.

"I hardly did anything. But if it helped Your Excellency, then I’m truly glad."

The letter detailed how Jang Joon-yong had contributed to overcoming the drought.

Most of it, however, was praise for Park Jeong-hwan’s swift actions.

The Saudi royal family expressed their gratitude for his efforts and hoped for an even stronger alliance in the future.

That put Park Jeong-hwan in an excellent mood.

"Chairman Jang, I hear you’ve decided to keep the oil tanker docked in the Saudi port for a few more months and secured a pretty decent construction deal?"

"Nothing has been finalized yet. We’re still in discussions."

"You should go for it. I hear it’s a massive project—close to $1 billion."

"I’ll do my best."

The room fell silent.

"$1 billion?"

"That’s nearly half of South Korea’s annual government budget!"

Yet, there was no way for outsiders to interfere.

The Saudi royal family’s barriers to entry were simply too high.

Most of the attendees resigned themselves to the reality.

But Han Cheong-ho clenched his fist tightly.

'Idiots! They have no idea what’s really happening. Acting as if the deal is already sealed. They don’t even know what kind of message the Saudi royal family sent me.'

Jang Joon-yong glanced at Han Cheong-ho.

'Han Cheong-ho… he looks so full of himself. So, he thinks he’s found a solid lifeline, does he?'

So, Jang Joon-yong delivered his masterstroke.

"Your Excellency, we intend to proceed with a joint bid for the Jubail Industrial Port project."

A joint bid?

Everyone’s eyes widened.

Even Han Cheong-ho, caught off guard, momentarily showed his surprise.

Park Jeong-hwan smirked, intrigued.

"Chairman Jang, who do you plan to partner with? Surely not a Japanese company?"

That would make sense.

Japan had immense capital, advanced technology, and a strong global influence.

Partnering with them would give a significant advantage in the bidding war.

But Jang Joon-yong shook his head.

"No, not Japan."

"Then who? Greece? Britain? Germany? France? Italy?"

"None of them. Why should we drain our national wealth overseas?"

"Exactly! I like the sound of that!"

Park Jeong-hwan was visibly pleased.

Han Cheong-ho’s mind raced.

'Is he suggesting a joint bid with me?'

If not him, then who else?

Among those present, only Han Cheong-ho had deep, established connections within the Saudi royal family.

Yet, he inwardly scoffed.

'Why the hell would I partner with you? If you think you can steal my prize, you’re dead wrong.'

Then, Jang Joon-yong looked straight at Han Cheong-ho and declared:

"I intend to partner with Kang Tae-soo of Taeyang Construction."

Kang Tae-soo?

Han Cheong-ho’s expression darkened instantly.

'Why the hell is that bastard’s name coming up here?'

If not for Cha Ki-beom, Kang Tae-soo should have long been eliminated in the Middle East.

Jang Joon-yong smirked meaningfully, his gaze locked on Han Cheong-ho.

"Geumsan and Taeyang Construction will join hands to make history in Saudi Arabia’s construction sector."

It was an unmistakable provocation.

A declaration of war—bold and undisguised.