Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 376

376

“Did you say 90 seats?”

“Yes, that’s correct. According to the report, Assemblyman Hyun-sung clearly stated 90 seats.”

This was completely unexpected. Of course, the company’s information team had reported a month ago that winning a majority would be difficult. But the difference was subtle.

Three seats.

That was the number needed to reach a majority. That could be solved by bringing in a few independent lawmakers. They had already started working on it and finished talking with two people. Now, only one seat remained. But even that one seat said they would decide today if paid a little more.

If that happened, it wouldn’t be easy, but there wouldn’t be any major difficulties in running the government.

But to not even get 90 seats… Does that make any sense?

Chairman Shin Chun-oh looked at Director Kim Young-woo and asked again, as if to confirm.

“So, you’re saying that in this general election, the ruling party won’t even get 90 seats in the local constituencies, let alone a majority?”

“Yes, that’s definitely what he said.”

“What’s the basis?”

“Pardon?”

“I mean the basis. Even if Assemblyman Kim is young, he wouldn’t have said something so outrageous without any basis, would he?”

“Ah, well, that’s true, but that’s…”

Director Kim Young-woo couldn’t finish his sentence.

Then Chairman Shin Chun-oh immediately asked.

“So, there’s something, isn’t there?”

“He said he did it himself.”

“What? By himself?”

“Yes, that’s right. According to the report, Assemblyman Hyun-sung analyzed it all by himself. So, he said he wanted to confirm his abilities this time.”

“So, he didn’t ask anyone else, and Assemblyman Kim analyzed it all by himself? Is that what you’re saying now?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Hmm…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh was so dumbfounded that he was speechless.

There are eight official political research institutes operating in Yeouido [the ‘Korean Wall Street’, South Korea’s main financial district] alone. If you add the private organizations that each political party operates on its own, the number exceeds twenty. But none of those many places predicted less than 100 seats.

Of course, he could ignore it. After all, it was something a young friend said, and objectivity wasn’t guaranteed. But he couldn’t do that. The reason was because of his actions.

The top priority was the launch of Ssin Ramen.

It was absolutely confidential until the advertisement was released. But he found out about the existence of Ssin Ramen even before the advertisement was released. A month before, in fact.

And what’s even more surprising is the design of the product. Even before the advertisement was released, he had already designed the image of the product on the sign exactly like the real thing.

So, he immediately started an investigation. But he couldn’t find any traces of leaks anywhere. It was so thorough that it remained an unsolved mystery within the company.

And recently, another surprising thing has been caught in his actions.

That’s the investment in Ilsan. When that friend invested in Ilsan a year ago, he couldn’t find any information. But a few days ago, he heard a strange story.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh looked at Director Kim Young-woo and asked.

“By the way, what happened to the Ilsan story we talked about a few days ago?”

“It doesn’t seem to be a simple matter.”

“Not simple? Does that mean there’s some movement?”

“I was going to report it to you today anyway…”

“What is it?”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh cut off Director Kim Young-woo’s words in his haste. Then he immediately continued.

“Explain it to me quickly!”

“Shinseong seems to be moving.”

“Shinseong?”

“Yes, according to the urgent report today, Shinseong’s funds seem to be flowing into that area. Of course, Shinseong denies it, but we’re sure it is. I’ve confirmed it myself.”

“Hmm…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh was silent for a moment, as if he was thinking about something.

After a while.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh asked briefly.

“What about the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport?”

“But that’s strange too.”

“Why?”

“We’ve already identified the movements in the Middle East, Pyeongchon, and Sanbon, but there’s no movement in Ilsan yet.”

“I see…”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh closed his mouth tightly again and seemed to be contemplating.

…………

The silence was lasting longer than expected.

Director Kim Young-woo turned his gaze elsewhere, lest he be a hindrance.

How much time had passed?

“Director Kim!”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh, who had been contemplating, called Director Kim Young-woo in a low voice.

That meant he had finished his deliberations.

It was the moment when Director Kim Young-woo’s voice gained strength.

“Yes, Chairman!”

“Invest one ‘jang’ in Ilsan.”

“Yes? Does that mean…?”

“I’m going to trust Assemblyman Kim’s insight. As a businessman, I can’t engage in land speculation, but I’m going to invest one ‘jang’ [a traditional Korean unit of currency, now archaic, but implying a large sum] just to show that I trust Assemblyman Kim. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Director Kim Young-woo immediately bowed his head.

Symbolism.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh was going to buy land in Ilsan not to make money, but as a symbol of his trust in Hyun-sung. If this happened, his choice wouldn’t end here.

As expected.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s words followed immediately.

“And from this moment on, don’t approach independent lawmakers anymore.”

“Are you saying you’re giving up?”

“If we can’t even get 90 seats anyway, what’s the point of bringing in three more seats? If that happens, it’s going to be a mess anyway. The ruling party is just a ruling party in name only, and there’s nothing they can do. In this situation, there’s no need to waste money, is there? Don’t you think so?”

“Well, that’s true, but… what if you do that…?”

“Why? Are you worried, Director Kim?”

“That’s…”

Why wouldn’t he be worried?

Of course, if the ruling party doesn’t get 90 seats as Hyun-sung said, the value of three independent lawmakers is meaningless. But if, on the contrary, there are three seats short of a majority as the company’s information team predicted, the story is completely different.

But to completely change course the day before the election, Director Kim Young-woo was naturally worried.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh’s words followed immediately.

“Trust me. No, let’s trust Assemblyman Kim.”

“But tomorrow is Election Day…”

“What kind of guys are Shinseong?”

“Pardon?”

“I said a little while ago that those guys were moving, right?”

“Yes, I confirmed that myself. But what does that have to do with the election…?”

Director Kim Young-woo couldn’t help but tilt his head. Of course, he had confirmed that Shinseong’s funds were moving, but he thought that was separate from the election.

Chairman Shin Chun-oh immediately asked.

“When did Assemblyman Kim buy the land in Ilsan?”

“A year ago.”

“Then when did Shinseong move?”

“Three days ago.”

“Still don’t understand what I’m saying?”

“Ah, so you mean…?”

“Do you understand now? Shinseong moved three days ago, but Assemblyman Kim moved a year ago. Who is Shinseong? There’s no one in Korea who can keep up with those guys when it comes to land speculation. How many guys in Yeouido do you think haven’t taken money from those guys? As far as I know, there aren’t even ten. Assemblyman Kim moved a year earlier than such Shinseong. It’s hard to understand, but that’s how good Assemblyman Kim’s information is.”

“Ah, yes…”

Director Kim Young-woo had no choice but to nod his head. When Hyun-sung bought the land in Ilsan a year ago, he was honest, but he didn’t say it out loud, but he thought it was pathetic. But the moment he confirmed that Shinseong’s funds were flowing into Ilsan a few days ago, he felt a shiver run down his spine.

Shinseong.

It is the best real estate investment company with an absolute position just by its name. The rate of return is beyond imagination, so much so that the word speculation is more appropriate than investment. As such, there are few places in the political world where their hands have not reached. Information that can move a year ahead of such a company, that is Hyun-sung, who is now only twenty years old.

But no matter how much he thought about it, what he couldn’t understand was his information. What information line is it that can be a year ahead of Shinseong?

Director Kim Young-woo looked at Chairman Shin Chun-oh and asked.

“What information line is it?”

“I don’t think there is one.”

“Pardon? What do you mean there isn’t one?”

“What did I say a little while ago?”

“A little while ago? Ah, insight…”

“Yes, I clearly said that I would trust his insight. I believe that Assemblyman Kim’s information comes not from some information line, but from his insight. No matter how good the information is, I think it’s actually impossible to be a year ahead of Shinseong. So, I thought it was his insight. The power to see through the world.”

Director Kim Young-woo nodded his head and immediately asked.

“Even this election?”

“Yes, that’s how the public sentiment looks in his eyes. That’s why I’m excited now.”

“Excited? Ah, so it’s because of the election results?”

“That’s right. I’ve already made up my mind, and now all that’s left is to confirm my decision. I might get on the wrong side of this government, so how can I not be excited? Don’t you think so?”

Director Kim Young-woo nodded his head.

That’s right. If Hyun-sung’s prediction goes wrong here, the price will be paid by Nongshim [a major Korean food and beverage company, implying Chairman Shin’s company].

“Chairman, I don’t know why you’re doing this. The risk is too great. I’d rather just do what we’ve been doing…”

“No, I don’t like that.”

Chairman Shin Chun-oh cut off Director Kim Young-woo’s words and continued his own words.

“Belief doesn’t have a half measure. Of course, Assemblyman Kim doesn’t know my heart now, but I don’t want to play around like that just because I can’t see it. So, please handle the work as I said.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll look into the land in Ilsan right away. And I’ll cut off contact with independent lawmakers from this moment on.”

“Yes, they’re just bats anyway. Don’t be attached and clean them up. I didn’t like them anyway. Oh, and if there’s any profit from the Ilsan land, it’s half for Director Kim and half for me. So, pray hard. I don’t think the amount will be small.”

“Pardon? Is that true?”

“We’ve been together for 20 years. I should do that much for you.”

“……”

Director Kim Young-woo bowed his head 90 degrees instead of speaking.

It’s not a joke, but if they announce a new city, it’s at least 100 times. If you invest 100 million won, it’s 10 billion won. Half of that is 5 billion won.

Director Kim Young-woo bowed his head deeply once more without realizing it.

***

-I wonder what the results of this election will be…

From the morning, all the attention on TV was focused on whether the Democratic Justice Party would win a majority of seats. And another concern was which party, the Reunification Democratic Party or the Peace Democratic Party, would become the first opposition party.

“Mother, what are you so busy with?”

Hyun-sung, who came home to vote, asked his mother, who was busily moving in the kitchen. Hyun-sung arrived home late last night. So, his mother was moving busily from the morning to feed him something more.

“No, I haven’t done anything special, but I’m just busy in my heart. By the way, why isn’t your father coming?”

“Father? Where did he go?”

“He didn’t go anywhere, he went to the stream to catch a chicken and prepare it, but he hasn’t come yet.”

“Chicken?”

“Yes, your father caught a chicken from the morning to give you a body tonic. He didn’t used to be like this, but these days…”

It was then.

The front door opened and his father came in.

Then his mother said immediately, as if she had been waiting.

“No, did you raise the chicken and catch it? Why are you so late?”

“No, it’s not that, I was late because I went to get some ginseng.”

“Ginseng? Where did you get it so early in the morning?”

“I went to Mr. Choi’s house in the upper village, so it took some time. Here, put this in quickly and boil it thoroughly.”

His father handed the chicken and ginseng to his mother.

It takes at least 30 minutes to walk to Mr. Choi’s house even at a fast pace. It means it took at least an hour to go back and forth.

Perhaps that’s why his father’s forehead was damp with sweat.

Hyun-sung looked at his father and said.

“Thank you, Father.”

“Don’t say such things. You won’t be able to eat properly when you go out, so you have to eat well when you come home. And let’s go eat buckwheat noodles for lunch after voting.”

“Buckwheat noodles?”

“Yes, there’s a new place that opened recently, and the taste is amazing. And the potato pancake at that place is also made by grinding potatoes directly, and the taste is…”

His father’s explanation continued after that.

Hyun-sung smiled at his father. These are emotions he had never felt before. He didn’t even know that this was happiness.

Turning around, Hyun-sung was now realizing how precious and happy that small daily life was.