The installation of the Goliath crane proceeded smoothly.

Part of it was that the modification and installation methods had all been worked out before it ever arrived — but with the company's full backing behind it as well, the work moved faster still.

When reports came in that the installation, budgeted at a month, looked likely to finish sooner than that, Tak-hyeon began setting the date for his visit.

"When are you projecting?"

"We plan to begin formal operation a month after the trial run, so…"

Seong-ho turned his head toward the calendar.

"We'll enter formal operation from the twentieth of next month."

"The twentieth of next month…"

Tak-hyeon looked at the calendar as well.

"Then I'll go down to Ulsan for the twentieth."

"Father!"

Jeong-eun raised her voice.

Tak-hyeon frowned at the sharpness of it.

"Why are you shrieking all of a sudden? You'll hurt my ears."

He fiddled with his ear, displeased.

But Jeong-eun's voice did not come down.

"Why on earth would you go all the way to Ulsan?"

"Because I promised I would. And it's the opening of a new horizon in shipbuilding — am I not allowed to go and see it?"

"Isn't it… isn't it too much, the way you look after Kim seobang and no one else?"

"Jeong-eun has a point there. What's so remarkable about it that Father should travel all the way to Ulsan himself?"

"If it weighs on you that much, I'll go in your place. It doesn't look well for you to make the trip personally."

Sang-jong and Mun-jong chimed in behind Jeong-eun, as though they'd been waiting for the opening.

Tak-hyeon watched the three of them, then curled up the corner of his mouth.

"Are the three of you trying to check President Kim?"

"Ch-check? Why would we be checking President Kim?"

"Then mind your own business about whether I go or not. It's my company's business and I'm the one going — I've no idea what all the fuss is about."

Tak-hyeon spoke as though he genuinely couldn't understand it, and rose.

"So no more argument. If…