The Genius Grandson Of The Cash King Becomes A Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 45

#045

I started digging through my memories, chasing that scent.

And finally, I found that day. It was the day I counted 100 million won in cash. I had received 100 million won in ten-thousand-won bills when I worked at a debt collection company. They had reduced the principal of 1 billion won, so I received it in cash. The scent tickled my nose every time I counted it by hand that day.

The smell of money.

Jeong-hoon was expectant.

‘How much money is in front of him that the smell of money is so strong?’

He asked his grandmother.

“Grandmother, can I turn on the light?”

“Yes, but don’t be surprised.”

Her excited voice was heard.

“Grandmother, you’re making me too curious by saying that.”

Jeong-hoon thought as he looked at the large, dark object vaguely visible in front of him.

‘Surely, that’s not all money, is it?’

As he flipped the switch, the fluorescent light flickered, and the black mass gradually revealed itself.

A huge mountain of dark green unfolded before his eyes.

A mountain of money?

The mountain of money?

It was a sight he had never seen before in his life.

He didn’t even know what to call it. He wanted to run and touch the money right away.

He wanted to confirm with his sense of touch whether the money in front of him was real.

But Jeong-hoon expressed his gratitude in a calm and dry voice.

“Thank you, Grandmother.”

Hyeon Jeong-ok, who thought he would be dancing with joy, was taken aback by her grandson’s unexpected reaction.

“Don’t you like it?”

“No, it’s just that.”

Jeong-hoon stopped speaking, and Hyeon Jeong-ok looked at him with curiosity.

“It’s just that I’ve decided not to become a slave to money.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was too happy. When I thought that all this huge amount of money in front of me was mine, I was so happy that I couldn’t think of anything else. For a moment, I could only think about spending money.”

“And…?”

“I almost forgot what I was living for.”

Hyeon Jeong-ok nodded as she looked at Jeong-hoon.

“Yes, you mustn’t forget. What are you living for?”

“I have to take it back. All the money and power they have.”

She looked at her grandson’s face again.

A strong will was in his eyes.

‘How could he be so strong?’

He was so strong that she was worried, but on the other hand, she felt reassured.

‘Could Jeong-hoon succeed?’

She had a feeling that he would lead the war that had failed so far to victory.

He was a grandson with the ability and boldness to do so.

“Genetics are scary, Jeong-hoon.”

“Yes?”

“You look just like your father. That will and the beliefs that no one could shake.”

Jeong-hoon couldn’t answer.

He just felt choked up at the thought that the blood of someone he had never even seen was in him.

He missed the man whose hand he had never held.

Hyeon Jeong-ok smiled brightly as she looked at her grandson.

“Jeong-hoon, you can indulge in money for today. Your grandma knows very well that you’re not the type to be swayed by money. Go and touch it.”

Jeong-hoon stepped forward. The smell of money that tickled his nose in his past life now filled every part of his lungs. With every breath, he felt like the smell of money was flowing through his blood throughout his body.

“How is it?”

“To think that all of this is mine, it’s ecstatic. I didn’t know money was such a good thing.”

His grandmother, who had already approached, threw a wad of money up.

Ten-thousand-won bills rained down, soaking the floor.

“Grandmother.”

“You do it too. Now you have to become the Cash King too. It will be difficult to feel the same emotion as today again.”

“Yes?”

“You have to have so much money that this money is insignificant. Go ahead and do it.”

Jeong-hoon also grabbed wads of money in both hands. And he threw it as high as he could towards the ceiling.

A rain of money began to pour around Jeong-hoon.

How much money would it take for the money in front of him to be insignificant? He thought about it, but he couldn’t quite grasp it.

100 billion? [Approximately $75 million USD]

1 trillion? [Approximately $750 million USD]

***

A heatwave with a feels like temperature exceeding 40 degrees Celsius [104 degrees Fahrenheit] was raging.

People cooling off the heat with refreshing shaved ice were making vacation plans and dreaming of a good time at the beach.

But Hong Young-ho, director of BHC Securities, had to make calls everywhere to get funding. Making a funding plan was more urgent for him.

He thought that the acquisition of Giant LLC would ease the financial strain.

But CEO Yoon Jeong-hoon’s words from last time were still lingering in his mind.

‘There will be no financial support from Giant. You have to solve it on your own. First, borrow money from here and there. Issue corporate bonds too.’

Giant, the acquirer of BHC Securities, which was supposed to accelerate normalization, was not paying a single penny.

Most of the employees thought that the company had plenty of money due to this acquisition, but the reality was the opposite.

They were barely surviving, struggling every day.

The cell phone vibrated, and several text messages came in.

Director Hong Young-ho checked the phone screen with a nervous heart.

‘We are sorry. Your company…’

‘The loan has been rejected.’

‘We are also having financial difficulties, sorry.’

‘It seems difficult to issue corporate bonds due to the company’s credit rating.’

He tried to find funds with his financial connections, but they were all blocked.

In this situation, he wondered if CEO Yoon Jeong-hoon was even working.

At that time, the intercom rang.

“Director, Dongsang Securities called about the funding issue.”

“…Tell them I’m not here.”

“That’s… I’m sorry.”

“Okay. Connect me.”

“Hahaha, Director Hong. I was just about to contact you. I will definitely deposit it next week. Don’t you know the person who acquired our company? He’s the Cash King. The Cash King.”

Director Hong laughed loudly, trying to get through the crisis.

“So why isn’t that Cash King giving us money, causing this mess? The rumors are spreading like wildfire in the securities industry. That the Cash King has abandoned BHC Securities.”

“Who’s saying that? It hasn’t been long since he acquired it.”

Director Hong desperately made excuses. He knew the rumors well himself. And it was a rumor that anyone who knew this situation would believe.

“He must think it’s a waste to put in 100 billion won. If he cuts his losses here, he’ll save 100 billion won.”

“It’s just a rumor. I’ll deposit it next week, so don’t worry too much.”

“Next week is difficult, deposit it by this week. Otherwise, we will have no choice but to take legal action.”

“Please give us until next week. We’ve been very considerate of your situation until now, haven’t we?”

“That’s not possible. I’m sorry, but deposit it by the end of this week.”

Hong Young-ho wanted to swear at that moment, but he held back.

“…Okay. I won’t forget what happened today. Director Jeong of Dongshin Securities.”

Hong, who slammed the receiver down roughly, went out of the office and went to the president’s office.

“Is the president here?”

“Yes, but he said not to let anyone in…”

Director Hong ignored the secretary’s words and burst into the president’s office.

“President!”

He called him in a loud voice.

Hong Young-ho’s voice echoed through the office.

CEO Yoon Jeong-hoon did not react at all to his angry voice.

He was concentrating on something else, looking intently.

“Just a moment.”

Yoon Jeong-hoon bowed his head and raised one hand slightly, gesturing for him to wait.

After an awkward silence between the two, Yoon Jeong-hoon slowly raised his head.

His eyes, looking at Hong Young-ho, were filled with displeasure.

“I clearly told the directors to be respectful.”

Director Hong was startled by Jeong-hoon’s cold voice. He quickly apologized to Jeong-hoon.

“I’m sorry. It was such an important matter that I was rude.”

“Be careful in the future.”

“Yes.”

“Sit down. Let’s hear the reason why you barged in so rudely.”

Jeong-hoon got up from his desk and moved to the sofa.

“President. The funding problem is serious. The money has dried up.”

“Is that so? Then try borrowing from other companies.”

It was a bystander’s remark. Hong Young-ho was slowly getting angry at his attitude.

“I’ve contacted everyone. But they won’t lend me money.”

“Then issue corporate bonds.”

“That’s not possible either.”

“Then the rumors will be spreading like wildfire in the securities industry. That BHC Securities has no money.”

CEO Yoon Jeong-hoon spoke as if he were watching a fire across the river.

“Don’t you know that too, President? If the credit rating drops and the rumors get worse, the outflow of funds will become more serious.”

“Hmm, do you think I don’t know that? Anyway, you’ve made sure to spread the rumor that we don’t have money in the Yeouido [South Korea’s equivalent of Wall Street] securities industry.”

“Yes. Most people know. And it’s not a rumor, it’s the truth.”

“Good job. Keep pretending we don’t have any money in the future too. It’s top secret.”

Hong Young-ho looked at Yoon Jeong-hoon. His eyes were sparkling.

“President, do you perhaps have money…?”

“Follow me.”

Yoon Jeong-hoon got up and went outside.

Hong Director stood up without knowing why and followed him.

***

“It’s about time they came.”

“What are you talking about?”

As he was about to answer Hong Young-ho’s question, a truck was coming in from afar.

“They’re here.”

When Yoon Jeong-hoon gestured, the truck stopped in front of them.

Surprisingly, it was Vice President Kwon Young-soo, no, employee Kwon Young-soo, who got out of there.

“Thank you for your hard work. It must have been difficult because there was a lot of quantity.”

“No. Sweating after a long time has refreshed my mind.”

Kwon Young-soo handed Yoon Jeong-hoon the car key.

Hong Young-ho, who saw the scene, couldn’t close his mouth. A person who was once a vice president drove a truck.

Listening to the conversation, it seemed like he had been asked to bring something.

‘Doesn’t he have any pride?’

But he soon realized. Like he said, he realized that it was Kwon Young-soo’s effort not to miss the opportunity given by CEO Yoon Jeong-hoon and the company. He realized that he was doing all the dirty work for the company while serving as a common soldier in a low position.

“Shall we take a look?”

“Yes. Just a moment.”

Kwon Young-soo went to the back of the truck and opened the door.

A familiar smell rushed into Hong Young-ho’s nose.

‘The smell of money?’

He was in charge of funds, so he often smelled money in the safe.

It was clear that there was a huge amount if it smelled this much.

He looked at the slowly opening door.

His mouth dropped open.

Ten-thousand-won bills filled the cargo hold of the delivery vehicle in front of his eyes.

“This, this is…”

“It’s 10 billion won [approximately $7.5 million USD]. Is this enough?”

Hong Young-ho could only stammer and couldn’t answer.

After a while, he finally came to his senses and opened his mouth.

“Yes, yes, this is enough. If you had done this earlier. If you think about how anxious I’ve been all this time.”

“Ahem, this is top secret. BHC Securities’ funds must continue to be insufficient. Do you understand?”

He couldn’t understand, but it wasn’t difficult.

He readily nodded his head at the president’s words.

“President, can I know the reason? Usually, rumors that there is no money are not good, but why are you deliberately creating that situation?”

Kwon Young-soo just smiled at Hong Young-ho’s question. CEO Yoon Jeong-hoon thought for a moment and then opened his mouth.

“If there’s no money, they’ll make unreasonable moves.”

“Unreasonable moves…”

Hong Young-ho still had to rack his brains to find a reason he couldn’t understand.

***

Jeong Madam, the hostess of Daewongak [a high-end traditional Korean restaurant] in Seongbuk-dong, poured alcohol into the glass of Cheon Sang-soo, chairman of Heaven Group. Only a chaebol [family-owned conglomerate] leader would have her pour alcohol directly.

Cheon Sang-soo drank Madam Jeong’s alcohol with pleasure.

As he took a bite of the side dish, he heard a voice calling him from outside.

“Chairman, it’s Young-soo.”

Cheon Sang-soo opened his mouth to Kwon Young-soo, who opened the door and came in.

“Yes, you’re working hard. It must be hard to endure at the bottom, right?”

“No. It’s okay.”

Kwon Young-soo came to the table full of food and sat down.

“Yoon Jeong-hoon, no matter how much, how can he demote a vice president to an employee? Anyway, young people don’t know how to use people. They think it’s okay to use them and throw them away? Take a glass from me.”

“Thank you. President.”

Kwon Young-soo bowed his head and received Cheon Sang-soo’s alcohol.

“Yes, is there anything special?”

“No, there isn’t. However, I think it will go bankrupt soon.”

Cheon Sang-soo’s eyes widened.

“Is the rumor true? There was a rumor that Hyeon Jeong-ok would let go, so he’s borrowing money here and there because he doesn’t have any money.”

“Yes, it’s true. Even Hyeon Jeong-ok doesn’t come to the company. She left everything to a young man who doesn’t know anything. Later, she can blame it on her grandson, who will be a problem.”

“What? She’s using her grandson, whom she found with difficulty, as her shield?”

“He’s the grandson she wanted to find when she didn’t have him. But when he’s in front of her, he’s no different from someone who’s after her property.”

“Really? He’s her only blood relative.”

“That’s why. There’s a rumor in the company… that the relationship between Hyeon Jeong-ok and Yoon Jeong-hoon is unusual.”

“Yes, that could be. It’s hard for me to believe, but when I see what rich chaebols do, there have been many worse things.”

If a beloved grandson covets his power, he has no choice but to be wary of him.

That is the nature of money and power, which once grasped, can never be let go.

“So BHC Securities has no money and Hyeon Jeong-ok is not interested, so it will soon wither and die.”

“Yes, it’s withering now. I think it will go bankrupt soon.”

“Really? That’s good. You work a little harder. I promise you your position.”

“Thank you. Elder. Then I’ll go.”

“Yes, yes, be careful because there are many eyes watching.”

As Kwon Young-soo got up and left the room, the partition next to him opened and Cheon Jin-hyeok sat down.

“I don’t think we should trust Kwon Young-soo anymore. I think he’s lying.”

“Why?”

“It doesn’t make sense that Hyeon Jeong-ok is distancing herself from her 친 [close/blood-related] grandson Yoon Jeong-hoon.”

“Heh heh, do you think so?”

Cheon Sang-soo had an expression that he seemed to know but didn’t know.

“Money and power even divide bloodlines.”

Cheon Jin-hyeok couldn’t believe his father’s words. But he didn’t want to argue with his opinion.

“I understand. Father. But are you really going to give Kwon Young-soo a position?”

“Of course, I have to give it to him. Shouldn’t I prepare a place in prison for him? Who else would be a better person to clean up than him?”

Cheon Jin-hyeok felt an indescribable fear towards his father, who was smiling kindly and talking about a cruel plan.

“By the way, BHC Securities is in a drought. What would happen if we set a fire at this time?”

Cheon Jin-hyeok recognized his father’s intentions and just smiled.

“You’ve grown a lot. Take a drink.”

Cheon Jin-hyeok emptied the glass of alcohol given by his father in one go. The hot alcohol rose up his throat. He felt a burning sensation that was different from usual.

***

A tense atmosphere was swirling in the secret room that existed separately inside the Heaven Securities computer room.

Everyone was extremely sensitive ahead of the attack that was about to begin.

“We’re ready.”

“Really?”

“Are you going to start today?”

“Of course. Today is the expiration date for the August futures options, so it’s a day when we can pull it off properly. How much is the expected profit?”

“It’s 500 billion won [approximately $375 million USD].”

“If it’s 500 billion won, isn’t that BHC Securities’ bankruptcy?”

“Yes, they’re struggling because they don’t have tens of billions of won, so they’ll probably fall right away.”

“Then we can just pick it up as it is.”

“Yes. That’s right. We’re going to get it for free according to 도련님 [young master]’s plan.”

“Then shall we start?”

Cheon Jin-hyeok’s eyes, who was tapping on the monitor, were filled with great anticipation.

He will soon be able to put BHC Securities into Heaven Securities’ stomach.

Then he thought he would become the president of the securities company as promised by his father.

It was when he was so full of hope.

“도련님 [young master], it’s strange. The program is already running.”

“What? Why did it start when I haven’t pressed it yet?”

“…….”

Cheon Jin-hyeok looked at the computer monitor with questions.

Instead of the familiar screen, an unfamiliar screen unfolded on his screen.

He thought something was wrong. He hurriedly tapped on the keyboard, but it didn’t respond.

His face was already as white as a blank sheet of paper.

The Genius Grandson of the Cash King Becomes a Chaebol.