The Genius Grandson Of The Cash King Becomes A Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 60

#060

The restaurant owner’s post went viral, sparking widespread discussion.

The story revolved around a person secretly performing good deeds while running for mayor.

However, the identity of this ‘angel’ remained a mystery, adding to the intrigue.

The narrative was compelling enough to capture the public’s imagination.

Various claims and speculations flooded the internet.

Some suggested it was the candidate from the conservative party,

while others pointed to the progressive party’s nominee.

Yet, no one suspected Kwon Yul, the independent candidate.

Once the post gained traction, Kwon Yul stopped frequenting the restaurant.

In truth, the couple’s child had fully recovered, and the restaurant’s newfound popularity meant he no longer needed to visit.

The other candidates in the Jungbu Market election began visiting the restaurant daily, hoping to capitalize on the ‘nameless angel’s’ positive image.

While none explicitly claimed responsibility for the good deeds, they all subtly tried to associate themselves with them.

They were willing to do anything to secure victory in the election.

After all, this was a contest to determine the leader of the city.

While browsing an online article, Cha Young-mi called her husband.

“Honey, look at this.”

“What is it?”

“Apparently, there’s an ‘angel’ among the Jungbu Market mayoral candidates.”

“What? Is she pretty?”

Lee Byeong-seok’s immediate question earned him a swift, painful response from Cha Young-mi.

– Thwack.

She sharply pressed the heel of her high heel onto Lee Byeong-seok’s slipper-clad foot.

“Ouch… I mean, is she kind?”

Lee Byeong-seok quickly corrected himself, feigning concern.

“I think that’s the person the restaurant owner is supporting.”

Lee Byeong-seok pretended to be in the know.

“What? A hidden angel?”

“Yeah, Jungbu Market candidate Kwon Yul. He’s the one who’s been secretly doing good deeds without the restaurant owner knowing.”

“How do you know all this, honey?”

“The owner was worried, saying it was a great story but a shame it couldn’t be promoted. It would be a huge hit if it were revealed now, right?”

Lee Byeong-seok feigned regret.

Cha Young-mi searched for articles about Kwon Yul, her expression intrigued.

“Now that I think about it, he is interesting. After this article came out, the other candidates are eating soybean paste stew every day, but he only eats spaghetti.”

“Seriously, this guy is relentless too, right? It’s a shame. Someone like him should be the mayor.”

“I agree, it’s a shame.”

A glint appeared in Cha Young-mi’s eyes.

“We can’t let someone like that be. We have to punish him. We have to make him mayor and make him work overtime seven days a week, right?”

“Yeah, that would be good. Are you going to use your skills?”

“Of course.”

Cha Young-mi began to strategize.

‘The hidden angel is Kwon Yul.’

Directly stating it would be less effective.

It’s better to plant seeds so that netizens discover it themselves.

If you give the internet sleuths a starting point, they’ll take it from there.

That way, you get even more exposure.

She started typing on the keyboard, crafting the perfect bait to entice the online investigators.

First, she visited a alumni website called I Love School.

It’s a bit outdated now, but it still gets some traffic.

When it launched, it grew at an incredible pace.

It exploded in popularity, amassing 5 million members in less than a year.

Cha Young-mi searched for any traces of Kwon Yul there.

As expected, he had suggested alumni reunions at the soybean paste stew restaurant several times and had actually held them there.

Next, she hacked into Kwon Yul’s Cyworld [a popular South Korean social networking site in the early 2000s].

She rummaged through his photo albums.

Most of the company dinner photos were taken at that restaurant.

She strategically released these pieces of information about Kwon Yul to the netizen investigators, one at a time.

The next day,

approximately four days before the election,

the netizen investigators confidently announced in various online communities:

‘Independent candidate Kwon Yul is the hidden angel of Jungbu Market!’

Reporters swarmed Kwon Yul.

However, he neither confirmed nor denied the claims.

Instead, he continued to promote his political beliefs and policies.

The frustrated restaurant owner eventually confirmed that Kwon Yul was indeed the ‘angel.’

And the gap between Kwon Yul and the leading candidate, which had been over 10%, rapidly narrowed.

Lee Byeong-seok, watching the monitor in the late afternoon, smiled contentedly.

He was proud of himself for planting the idea in Cha Young-mi’s head.

It was a nudge effect, a strategy to subtly prompt people into action.

As Yoon Jeong-hoon had suggested, Lee Byeong-seok had told Cha Young-mi about the nameless angel of Jungbu Market.

As soon as he appealed to her sense of justice, she enthusiastically took up the cause.

The Jungbu Market election had become a tight race.

Lee Byeong-seok looked at Cha Young-mi, who had successfully baited the netizen investigators, with affection.

He sent a text message.

[Boss, the nudge strategy you mentioned is a great success.]

While waiting for a reply, the door opened.

It was Yoon Jeong-hoon.

“It’s a great success. Team Leader Lee, you did a great job.”

“No, it’s thanks to the great suggestion you gave me, boss.”

Yoon Jeong-hoon looked at Cha Young-mi.

“Harley Quinn, you were great. Thank you for moving according to our plan.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“It’s nothing. Haha, boss, your suit is so shiny today. How much is it?”

Lee Byeong-seok quickly changed the subject.

“This? It’s not much. It’s only 5 million won [approximately $3,700 USD].”

Lee Byeong-seok’s eyes widened.

A 5 million won suit, mentioned so casually.

He was envious.

He dreamed of wearing a suit like that someday and saying ‘It’s not much’ in a nonchalant tone.

Lee Byeong-seok clenched his fist, envisioning that day.

Yoon Jeong-hoon looked around.

“I’ll introduce you to a new employee today. Come in.”

A man in his mid-20s entered the room.

“Boss, is that the new employee?”

“Yes.”

“You said he was handsome… Hmm, I don’t think so.”

“Ahem, is that so? Maybe it’s because men and women have different perspectives? Say hello. That’s Harley Quinn. This is Psycho, his Korean name is Cheon Jin-hyeok.”

Cha Young-mi’s eyes widened.

“Oh my, he doesn’t look like a psycho. He looks kind…”

“I know, you don’t look crazy either.”

Cheon Jin-hyeok retorted.

The two’s eyes met, sparks flying.

After all, they were competing for the top positions.

The rivalry between them was bound to be intense.

“Well, we have a new employee today, so we should have a company dinner.”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

“By the way, where did CEO Im Cheol-soo go?”

“He went to the bathroom. He’ll be back soon.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Im Cheol-soo walked in.

“Jeong-hoon, you’re here.”

He then noticed Cheon Jin-hyeok standing beside him.

He recognized him, and the memories weren’t pleasant.

But as Jeong-hoon had said, he was now someone they had to embrace.

“Welcome. You made a difficult decision.”

“Thank you.”

Im Cheol-soo warmly clasped Cheon Jin-hyeok’s hands.

Cheon Jin-hyeok was grateful for Im Cheol-soo’s welcoming gesture, despite his past actions.

Harley Quinn, Cha Young-mi, didn’t seem hostile either.

She didn’t despise or reject him.

It was simply the competitive spirit that arose from vying for the top spot.

Cheon Jin-hyeok thought back to his past life in the secret room at Heaven Securities.

The windowless secret room.

The stock manipulation he couldn’t be proud of.

But things were different here.

“Thank you, boss. I will work hard.”

“I look forward to working with you too.”

“Welcome.”

Lee Byeong-seok clapped his hands in welcome.

After showing Cheon Jin-hyeok to his seat, he approached Cha Young-mi.

“Are you okay, honey?”

“About what?”

“Psycho, Cheon Jin-hyeok. Isn’t it a bit much…”

“It’s okay, it’s just a little similar. I’ve forgotten about it now.”

“Okay, okay. Let’s eat something delicious tonight.”

“Okay.”

Lee Byeong-seok patted Cha Young-mi’s shoulder and returned to his seat.

Jeong-hoon began discussing American stocks with Im Cheol-soo.

“Uncle, you sold all your PayPal stock, right?”

“Yeah, I sold it all. It was a 40x profit.”

Im Cheol-soo looked proud.

“Then where should we invest next?”

“Well, good companies keep coming in, but I’m still watching.”

He was receiving investment proposals through Legend Company, which he had established in San Francisco.

But the company he was waiting for hadn’t made an investment request yet.

Jeong-hoon decided to seriously start investing in the US market.

He planned to significantly increase the profits he had made through PayPal and the 17 billion won he had received from his grandmother.

“Uncle, you should go to America.”

“America? Are you going too?”

“No. I’m too busy. Go and buy Apple stock and find some good venture companies. I’m a little worried about leaving it to those friends.”

“Okay, I was actually thinking of going and checking it out. Do you have any companies in mind? Our god of investment?”

“I’m interested in a company called WorldCom on Nasdaq.”

“Really? I heard the rumors aren’t good.”

“That’s why. I’m thinking of shorting it [betting that the stock price will fall].”

“Haha, isn’t that too risky?”

“Who knows? Maybe it’ll go bankrupt.”

“You, it’s hard to believe, but because it’s you, I think it might really go bankrupt.”

“It’s just a feeling.”

Im Cheol-soo crossed his arms and closed his eyes.

“Now that you mention it, I’ll leave this week.”

“Yes, take first class when you go.”

Im Cheol-soo grinned.

“Haha, I’m so grateful.”

“Compared to the money you make… it’s not much.”

Jeong-hoon finished his conversation with Im Cheol-soo and stood up.

He placed a USB memory stick on Cha Young-mi’s desk.

Cha Young-mi looked up at Jeong-hoon.

“Harley Quinn, I’d like you to take care of this too. Like with Kwon Yul, please control it so that the netizen investigators can find it on their own.”

“Yes.”

She plugged the memory stick into the computer and checked the contents.

It contained confessions from the people who had recently vandalized Kwon Yul’s office.

The international gang was hired by the ruling party to orchestrate the attack.

It was evidence confirming their involvement.

Cha Young-mi, while reviewing the data, asked casually.

“Isn’t your friend coming, boss?”

Lee Byeong-seok’s face stiffened slightly.

“He must be a little busy these days.”

“I was secretly hoping the new employee was him, but it’s a shame.”

“I told you it wasn’t.”

“I was looking forward to it because you said he was handsome.”

Jeong-hoon shook his head.

“Then I’ll be on my way. Have the company dinner at the best buffet in Yeouido [a major financial district in Seoul]. The limit for the company dinner is 200,000 won per person [approximately $150 USD].”

“Thank you.”

“Yay, thank you, boss.”

Everyone wore a smile.

Jeong-hoon brought happiness with his wealth.

It was the joy of sharing that the grandson of a cash king could experience.

Jeong-hoon reaffirmed his commitment to treating the best experts with the best benefits.

***

Eun-soo picked up the book of poetry she had neglected for a while.

Her claustrophobia, which had recently returned, often caused her heart to race.

Reading poetry helped calm her down.

Just moments ago, her heart had suddenly started pounding.

She focused on the small book, trying to center herself.

“Eun-soo, are you okay?”

Gwak Hyeon-soo looked concerned.

“Yes, I’m much better.”

Just then, the door opened, and Park Chang-soo and his two associates entered.

“You went out.”

“I was bored of just staying put, so I went hiking.”

Gwak Hyeon-soo thought they didn’t quite fit the gangster stereotype.

“You don’t drink, you don’t smoke, you exercise and hike… You don’t seem like gangsters.”

“I am a gangster. I’m a thug.”

Park Chang-soo’s words elicited chuckles from his two companions.

It seemed they shared a history.

“I’m curious, but I doubt you’ll tell me.”

“Yes, it’s just a shameful past.”

Park Chang-soo glanced at Eun-soo, who was calmly reading her book.

“Who is that pretty friend?”

Eun-soo looked up.

“If you don’t want to die, take back those words.”

“What? To our boss… Hey, it’s okay to say she’s pretty because she is pretty.”

The man behind Park Chang-soo smirked and approached Eun-soo.

“What kind of book is that? Pretty friend.”

Those were his last words.

Eun-soo’s fist, snapping upwards, connected with the man’s chin.

It was too fast to dodge.

“Uh, uh.”

“You bastard!”

Park Chang-soo clenched his fist, ready to fight.

“Stop it.”

Jeong-hoon walked in.

“That friend punched my brother. I can’t let that go.”

“I think you made a mistake first.”

“Even so, you shouldn’t punch someone.”

Park Chang-soo stood his ground.

Eun-soo was becoming increasingly agitated.

“Eun-soo, stop it. Don’t get worked up.”

“Fuck you, that bastard…”

Jeong-hoon looked at Eun-soo.

Unlike usual, she couldn’t control her emotions.

He had to calm her down.

He stepped in front of Eun-soo, but she pushed him, trying to get past him.

“Get out of the way, Yoon Jeong-hoon.”

“Stop it! Now.”

“Get out of the way.”

Eun-soo’s fist flew towards Jeong-hoon.

And Eun-soo fell to the floor.

She lost consciousness after being struck by Jeong-hoon’s counter punch.

Gwak Hyeon-soo and Park Chang-soo were stunned.

The speed and power of the blow surpassed even Eun-soo’s.

“Everyone, stop it now.”

Everyone lowered their heads at Jeong-hoon’s command.

Gwak Hyeon-soo moved Eun-soo to the bed.

Jeong-hoon thought, looking at Eun-soo.

‘She was almost completely cured, so why is she suddenly like this?’

The old wounds that had plagued Eun-soo were resurfacing.

“I’m sorry. I made a mistake.”

“Yes, apologize when Eun-soo wakes up. You were the one who started it.”

“My joke caused that friend pain. I understand.”

Jeong-hoon’s respect for Park Chang-soo grew at his quick apology.

Unlike others, he didn’t bring up age or try to excuse his behavior.

“Did you do martial arts or exercise?”

“……”

Park Chang-soo didn’t answer.

“You don’t abuse your body, you hike and exercise, so it seems like you’ve trained in martial arts or something similar.”

After a moment of hesitation, Park Chang-soo spoke.

“Yes, I did kendo [Japanese fencing].”

“Our boss was a national kendo player, but because of the association’s machinations…”

“Shh.”

Kendo.

It was a fitting discipline for him, like a well-honed sword.

Jeong-hoon coveted him.

He wanted him by his side.

To have him, he needed to know his secrets.

He believed that only by sharing everything could they truly be together.

“You’ll never lose if you hold a wooden sword.”

“Probably.”

“Then shall we see? Who lands the first hit.”

“Yes?”

“If I manage to hit you first, you have to tell me all your secrets. Starting with the story of the international gang.”

“Give me 100 million won [approximately $75,000 USD] if I win. Then I’ll do it.”

“It seems like you need money urgently. Good.”

Park Chang-soo looked around, grabbed a sturdy branch that could serve as a wooden sword, and assumed a stance.

A completely different aura emanated from him.

Gwak Hyeon-soo looked at Jeong-hoon with concern.

He had a feeling the young master was about to lose.

He sensed no tension from him.

“I’m going.”

With that, Yoon Jeong-hoon charged towards Park Chang-soo.

Cash King’s Genius Grandson Becomes a Billionaire.