RCR 09

RCR

Posted by Martin, Released on August 2, 2026

Chapter 09

After spending several days camped out in the shabby country cafe, Kwon Woo returned to Seoul for his maternal grandfather, Chairman Min Beom-do’s birthday celebration.

Instead of the earthy smell that had been so pervasive in Dongchon-ri, the subtle scent of a diffuser welcomed him. Instead of worn-out sofas, top-quality leather chairs greeted him.

But to Kwon Woo, this magnificent Cheongsongjae residence felt far more uncomfortable than that backwater cafe.

“Chairman, happy birthday.”

Arriving last, Kwon Woo greeted his grandfather Beom-do. The gazes of the family and relatives who had arrived earlier all turned toward him at once.

Beom-do’s daughter—who had long ago left the family to follow a man they opposed, only to return to Cheongsongjae after a divorce, sick and broken—had left behind only one bloodline: Kwon Woo.

To the Chairman, he was a sore thumb, but to Yun-seong, the mainstream of the group, and his son Dong-hyeon, Kwon Woo was a thorn in their eyes.

If he had just quietly accepted what he was given without any real ability, there would have been no reason to hate or keep him in check. But Kwon Woo’s abilities were exceptional.

Compared to Yun-seong, who had steadily undergone management training from a young age, and his cousin Dong-hyeon, Kwon Woo was far from inferior—he was superior.

So the relatives, worried that their shares and even management rights might be threatened, envied and schemed against him.

It had been going on for so long that he was used to it, but coming and going from Cheongsongjae still didn’t sit well with him.

As the meal began, as expected, the arrows started flying.

“Executive Director Cha, I haven’t seen you for a few days.”

His cousin Dong-hyeon sneered.

“Were you in Dongchon-ri because of the resort site acquisition?”

“You’re quite interested in me, aren’t you? Are you monitoring my every move?”

Kwon Woo retorted with an indifferent face, still moving his utensils.

At the sarcastic reply, Dong-hyeon immediately frowned. Yun-seong, glancing at Chairman Min’s reaction, subtly interjected.

“Monitoring? He was just trying to compliment you, seeing how hard you’ve been working on this resort project.”

Yun-seong smiled kindly as he looked at Kwon Woo.

It was always like this.

Dong-hyeon would provoke Kwon Woo, and when Kwon Woo fought back, Yun-seong would step in, pretending to defend him. Despite his true intentions being far from it.

But no one here believed his words were sincere.

“The resort site preparation is almost complete. We need to finish it up quickly.”

“Yes, I’m taking care of it.”

“Good, that’s the way. We have high expectations for you. This resort project—from planning to investment attraction—all came from your head. It’s a project that’s vital to the group’s survival. If anything goes wrong, it would be a huge problem, so make sure you wrap it up well.”

Yun-seong’s voice was gentle, but the meaning behind his words was a chilling threat.

If anything went wrong, the responsibility would be entirely his.

It was a reminder to everyone present.

Following Yun-seong, Dong-hyeon quickly chimed in to support his father.

“That’s right. As Father said, the planning was good, but what’s the point if construction gets delayed because you can’t solve that one stubborn piece of land? If you can’t acquire that land, this entire resort project goes down the drain. If that happens, the land you’ve already bought, the money invested—the losses would be enormous. The shareholders won’t sit still, so Executive Director Cha must be under a lot of pressure.”

The relatives’ gazes all focused on Kwon Woo.

The Taesan family had valued daughters for generations. When his mother, Beom-do’s only daughter, was diagnosed with a terminal illness, she had returned to Cheongsongjae—cutting off ties with them—to ask them to take in her son. Beom-do’s blood relatives treated mother and son like beggars coveting their rice bowl.

After his mother’s death, with no one to lean on in the Taesan family, Kwon Woo had rooted himself alone and ran forward, looking only ahead, to prove himself.

To Kwon Woo, the attacks from his uncle and cousin were nothing new.

Kwon Woo calmly wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin.

“Thank you for your concern. I will make sure to wrap it up well so I don’t disappoint you, Vice Chairman.”

Then, staring directly at Yun-seong, he declared as if issuing a challenge.

“I don’t fight battles I can’t win. If there’s no path, I’ll make one and see it through. So I’ll take your support only as far as this.”

It was a roundabout way of saying he’d handle it himself and to mind their own business.

At Kwon Woo’s counterattack, the atmosphere instantly cooled.

In the heavy silence where no one dared to speak, even Yun-seong’s expression hardened.

He had tried to corner Kwon Woo like a cat toying with a mouse, only to be outdone by Kwon Woo’s sharp tongue.

Just then, Chairman Min, who had been keeping his silence, spoke up.

“Yes, since Executive Director Cha started this, I’m sure he’ll see it through well.”

At the low but authoritative voice, Yun-seong finally relaxed his expression.

Chairman Min’s sharp eyes swept over his blood relatives before fixing on Kwon Woo.

“Kwon-woo.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“You’re right. A businessman should have that kind of tenacity.”

Beom-do nodded with satisfaction.

When Beom-do openly praised Kwon Woo, the faces of Yun-seong and Dong-hyeon twisted simultaneously.

This meant he was empowering Kwon Woo, and it was also a warning that their positions could be threatened.

“Everyone has high expectations for this project, so you must see it through well.”

“Yes. I will definitely bring back the sales contract so we can start construction before winter.”

That was an answer to Chairman Min, and also a promise to himself.

After finishing the meal and leaving Cheongsongjae, Kwon Woo immediately called his secretary, Du-hwan.

“Director Lee. There’s something I need you to look into right away.”

—

The lazy afternoon sunlight stretched long into the cafe.

Jangmi was clearing the table where a few of the ‘Dongchon-ri Youth Association’ men—though they were more than twenty years older than Jangmi—had been drinking coffee.

Just then, the door opened and President Im, who ran an interior equipment store in the town, walked in.

“Welcome.”

“Oh, where’s the madam? Jangmi’s here instead?”

“Mom went to work on the peaches.”

Since he was a neighbor she’d known since childhood, light conversation flowed easily.

“That probably pays better. Sitting here with the door open all day, you won’t even get ten customers. Must be boring for a young girl like you.”

“I manage. Can I get you some coffee?”

“Huh? In a bit. I’m supposed to meet someone here. I’ll order when they come.”

Jangmi brought a glass of cold water with ice and set it on the table.

“Who’s having house repairs done?”

President Im gulped down the water Jangmi had brought and answered.

“Don’t even get me started. Apparently someone from Seoul suddenly decided to come down and stay, and they want the house next door fixed up so it’s livable right away.”

“The house next door? That’s been empty for over three years. It’s so rumored to be haunted that even rats don’t go near it. They want to fix that place up?”

“I know. I don’t know why they’d pick that house that’s been empty for years when there are plenty of other rental properties. But hey, it’s work for me, so I’m happy.”

‘There are plenty of other rental houses besides the one next door that’s been empty for years. Who’s the person moving in next door?’

Just then, a clear *ding-dong* sounded.

Jangmi’s gaze reflexively turned toward the door.

The silhouette, blurry against the backlight, looked familiar, and soon its shape became clear.

Despite the scorching midsummer heat, the owner stubbornly dressed in a suit was a face she knew well.

‘That guy is persistent.’

Thinking that his appearance would stop after a day or two, Kwon Woo’s arrival continued today, and Jangmi let out a dry laugh.

Kwon Woo’s eyes met Jangmi’s briefly, then moved to President Im.

With no other customers in the cafe, there was no need to confirm if he was the right person he had an appointment with.

Kwon Woo immediately approached President Im.

“Are you the owner of Dongchon Interior?”

Seeing his dripping-with-class attire, President Im quickly stood up to greet him.