Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 15

4th. First Harvest (1)

Adding Sun Hae-cheol’s advice to my memory, I spent my last semester buying up as many shares of Korea Mobile Telecom as cheaply as possible. Before I knew it, November arrived without me even noticing the fall season.

After finishing breakfast, I sat on the sofa, reading the newspaper with a smile.

[Re-bidding for the 2nd Mobile Communication Carrier Begins. Who Will Take the Lead in the Emerging Mobile Communication Market?]

[Korea Mobile Telecom’s Public Bidding Officialized. Who Will Become the Owner of the 23 Percent Stake in Management Rights?]

The privatization of Korea Mobile Telecom, which had been dragging on since the end of March, was finally announced. From now on, the stock price would jump every single day.

“Although the Chairman mentioned it, I didn’t expect Young Master’s predictions to come true.”

Park Tae-jin, who was sitting on the sofa with me, reading the newspaper, put it down and looked at me with a surprised expression.

“It’s nothing much. If you think about the life the current president has lived and what he wants in the future, it’s not difficult, haha.”

I gave Park Tae-jin a faint smile. With this, Park Tae-jin in front of me would trust and support me even more firmly.

I had something to say to him, who still couldn’t hide his admiration.

“Use the stocks we’ve secured as collateral to get loans, and pull in as much credit purchases and margin trading as possible. I’ll talk to my sister about it too.”

“Understood, Young Master.”

The Korea Mobile Telecom stocks that Jang Ha-yeon and I invested 20 billion and 5 billion each to gather were about 200,000 shares and 50,000 shares, respectively. Just selling the stocks we’ve gathered now would be enough to buy 50 units of Taehyun Apartment in Apgujeong [a wealthy district in Seoul], but I couldn’t be satisfied with just that.

After exchanging signals with Park Tae-jin, I called Jang Ha-yeon.

“Sis, did you sleep well?”

[Yeah, thanks to you. But… I heard Korea Mobile Telecom is being privatized?]

“You looked into my account, didn’t you? To see what stocks I’m buying.”

[It’s something I’m doing with Dad’s money, what else could I do? But I kept it a secret, right?]

If Jang Ha-yeon had reported the investment in Korea Mobile Telecom after seeing the stock trading details, I would have had to receive calls from Jang Ho-geon almost every day. Wasn’t it a matter involving the money of Jang Ha-yeon, whom he cherished the most?

Since she prevented that daughter-fool Jang Ho-geon from badgering me, Jang Ha-yeon had shown her trust in her own way.

“I know. Anyway… from today, I’m going to get stock-secured loans and start credit purchases [buying stocks on margin], what are you going to do?”

[Are you really going to do it?]

Stock-secured loans, credit trading… these are things that people who are taking their last shot in life usually do, but if the trend is certain, you have to go all-in. Korea Mobile Telecom, which would leave more than double the profit by January next year, couldn’t be left untouched.

“I wouldn’t have done it if I was just going to make money by rolling the principal. Even if I sell it when it’s tripled, after taxes and paying back the money borrowed from Uncle with interest, it won’t even be 5 billion, right? I need to show Uncle something, don’t I?”

It was a golden opportunity to overcome the handicap of being younger, so when I confidently pushed forward, Jang Ha-yeon’s question came back.

[What are you going to do?]

“All-in. I’m going to put all the stocks I bought as collateral and go for it.”

[What?]

Jang Ha-yeon’s voice, shouting at words that you would never say unless you were crazy about gambling, was filled with bewilderment.

But now is the time to shout ‘go’ unconditionally. If you borrow money and gather as much volume as possible, then sell it at a high point, you can increase the money to at least three times the principal. Even if you sell only half of the credit volume, you can repay the stock-secured loan and the principal and interest of the credit purchase, so full betting is the answer.

“From today, I’m going to place buy orders and sweep them up. Are you going with me? Or are you going to stop?”

[If I don’t go… will you never see me again?]

Jang Ha-yeon asked in a confused voice. Was it because of me, who was throwing everything as if the world was going to end tomorrow?

I, who had come back up the river of death, had nothing to fear, but it seemed like it would be a big burden for her. I took a breath and said into the receiver.

“No. I’m saying let’s trust me and go together. Even if it goes wrong, I can sell my real estate, right? The building in Myeongdong [a bustling shopping district in Seoul].”

[I also invested by selling my credit to my father. Don’t talk so easily.]

I could hear Jang Ha-yeon’s sulky voice, but there was a secret in that building.

“That’s the building our grandfather used in the early days of Haedong Merchant Bank.”

[Was that what it was?]

I smiled as I heard Jang Ha-yeon’s surprised voice.

Even the heads of conglomerates have their own romance and cherish their memories. Since my grandfather, who was granted permission to establish a merchant bank as compensation from the government for the losses incurred by the August 3rd Private Loan Freeze [a financial reform in South Korea], used it as the first office building of Haedong Merchant Bank, its value could not be measured in money.

“If I wasn’t confident, I wouldn’t have entrusted that building. What are you going to do?”

After a moment of silence, Jang Ha-yeon’s firm voice was heard.

[…Okay. But I’m telling my father about the credit trading, okay?]

“Just don’t reveal me. You know?”

[It’s a secret only we know, right? Hehe.]

A strange nuance was felt in her laughter. Is this the sense of bonding that comes from sharing a secret?

After finishing the call, I saw Park Tae-jin watching with a pleased expression, and my face turned red.

“Oh, how long have you been there?”

“It’s been a while, Young Master. It seems like you’ve earned quite a few points with Miss Ha-yeon with this. Haha.”

“Hyung [older brother/friend], really… I’m going to school.”

***

After finishing the call, Jang Ha-yeon went into the bathroom in her light pajamas and came out after about 20 minutes, wiping her damp hair.

After getting dressed and putting on makeup, her appearance reflected in the mirror had changed to Jang Ha-yeon, the third generation of Shinseong Group, as seen by people outside.

Perhaps because of Lee Seong-min’s feelings for her, Jang Ha-yeon had a bright smile and even hummed as she left the room.

However, her smile and humming disappeared as soon as she met Jang Su-yeon’s eyes, who were looking at her with a disapproving expression.

“What’s got you so happy from the morning?”

Jang Ha-yeon ignored Jang Su-yeon, who was sharply shooting at her, and headed to the dining room. Even though they had different mothers, there was no point in getting into a fight with a younger sister who was a year younger, so ignoring her was the answer.

“Y-you…!”

Jang Su-yeon’s face turned red as she waved her hand, but Jang Ha-yeon lightly dodged it as if it was nothing.

Thanks to that, Jang Su-yeon lost her balance and staggered. Right in front of her staggering was a steep staircase leading down to the first floor.

“Oh, oh…!”

Jang Ha-yeon quickly grabbed Jang Su-yeon’s nape, who was flailing her arms, and pulled her back.

When Jang Ha-yeon was in her first year at the company, she didn’t hesitate to mingle with the employees and push carts and roll tables at every reception. To Jang Ha-yeon, who worked out at the company’s fitness center every day, Jang Su-yeon was nothing.

Thud!

Jang Ha-yeon said indifferently as she looked at Jang Su-yeon, who had fallen backwards.

“Be careful.”

Jang Su-yeon was even more angry at the indifferent voice, as if she didn’t care about someone like her.

“…Hey-!”

Jang Su-yeon couldn’t hold back her anger and shouted. Wasn’t it because of that bitch that she couldn’t get Lee Seong-min and couldn’t stand Shinseong Planning and moved to Shinseong Textile?

Jang Ha-yeon also glared sharply without backing down, but a thunderous shout stopped the two women’s fight.

“Where did you learn such bad manners? Who told you to make a loud noise from the morning!”

“D-Dad…”

Jang Su-yeon stuttered at Jang Ho-geon’s frosty expression, and Jang Ha-yeon also released the strength in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Father. I accidentally avoided Su-yeon’s hand…”

“What are you doing from the morning without being careful with each other? Tsk.”

Jang Ho-geon clicked his tongue as he looked at the two half-sisters alternately, then approached Jang Su-yeon and held out his hand.

“Get up.”

“Yes… Dad.”

Jang Su-yeon, who got up holding Jang Ho-geon’s hand, glared at Jang Ha-yeon’s back as she headed to the dining room as if she would kill her.

###

After finishing the meal, Jang Ho-geon put down the bowl of scorched rice water [숭늉, a traditional Korean drink] he was drinking as a palate cleanser.

“As you may know from today’s newspaper, we will not be participating in the mobile communication business. Do you know why?”

From the moment the business story came out, this place was a place to evaluate the successor of Shinseong Group and a place to serve the group chairman. Even if you don’t use honorifics, you can’t tolerate absurd stories.

While everyone was looking at each other’s faces at Jang Ho-geon’s question, Jang Ha-yeon raised her hand low.

“Tell me.”

“We need to consider the Blue House’s [South Korean presidential residence] tendencies, but Shinseong Group’s future is semiconductors. Rather than acquiring Korea Mobile Telecom, which only looks at the domestic market, I think it’s better to focus on semiconductors that will go to the world market.”

Jang Ho-geon had a pleased smile as he listened to his daughter’s opinion, as if she had seen through his thoughts.

“Ha-yeon is right. Our Shinseong needs to see big and move big. To move big, we need to put our efforts into businesses with big markets.”

It’s not that Jang Ho-geon doesn’t know the value of Korea Mobile Telecom, which is a cash cow. But he couldn’t save face by saying that Lee Dae-soo, who is a big shot in the business world, pushed Segyeong Group at the Federation of Korean Industries meeting, so he gave up.

While Jang Ho-geon was trying not to show it and speaking, Jang Yong-jae, Jang Su-yeon, and Jang Min-jae glared at Jang Ha-yeon without showing it. A bitch who came from outside dares!

Jang Ha-yeon also looked back at the jealous eyes of the three half-siblings without backing down, while Jang Ho-geon pretended not to know and opened his mouth again.

“Still, we need to grow other affiliates as well, so I want to hear your thoughts. Talk comfortably.”

While everyone was looking at each other’s faces at the question that could never be answered comfortably, Jang Ha-yeon started first this time as well.

“It’s a long-term plan, but I hope we can expand the duty-free shop business of Korea Hotel to airports like foreign companies.”

“You mean airport duty-free shops?”

“Yes. I think it would be good to accumulate know-how by operating a pilot project at Gimpo Airport and then open stores at the later Incheon International Airport or foreign airports.”

It is the reality of the Korean business world to imitate foreign companies not only in airport duty-free shops but also in all fields. Still, Jang Ho-geon nodded with a satisfied expression at Jang Ha-yeon’s regret that domestic companies should be ahead.

“Next, Yong-jae, would you like to try?”

Jang Yong-jae also puffed out his chest as if he had been waiting for it.

“I hope Shinseong Corporation’s second automobile factory will be built in Busan.”

“Busan, huh…”

“The current president’s political base is Busan, Father. Since the automobile market is saturated, quid pro quo is essential to increase the scale. We need to show our Shinseong’s will, not just the cost.”

“Hoo…”

Jang Ho-geon couldn’t help but exclaim as Jang Yong-jae, who had been working at Shinseong Corporation for a year, showed a heavy blow in his own way. He felt the fighting spirit of the eldest son in the word ‘will,’ and he was pleased that he understood his desire for automobiles.

Following the two, it was Jang Su-yeon’s turn.

“I hope we can expand the clothing business. As national income increases in the future, the money spent on eating, drinking, and decorating will increase. It would be good to hire young models, whether male or female, as models.”

Unlike Jang Su-yeon, who spoke confidently, Jang Ho-geon nodded silently with a stiff face.

It’s not once or twice that the employees of the secretarial office and public relations office have suffered because of the second daughter, who has messy relationships with men. He was worried about what kind of accident the second daughter would cause if he entrusted her with the clothing business.

“What’s good for our youngest?”

“I hope we can grow finance. To compete in the era of globalization, we need to increase our asset size through more aggressive sales and enter overseas financial markets, Father.”

As the youngest Jang Min-jae always did, Jang Ho-geon emptied the scorched rice water with the last of the theoretical opinions he cautiously put out. The four siblings only looked at their father’s mouth.

“Everyone worked hard. Go and see your work.”

As the sighs of the children who left the dining room disappeared, Jang Ho-geon also headed to the main room to prepare for work. Behind him, his wife Hwang Na-yeon followed with a frown.

“Honey, do you have to do that from the morning?”

“What?”

“The business story. Aren’t you being too harsh on the kids, like during the financial real name system [a policy enforcing transparency in financial transactions]?”

Jang Ho-geon, who entered the main room, stared at Hwang Na-yeon’s dissatisfied expression as she handed him his coat.

“Those kids are the ones who have to reunite and grow Shinseong again. If they don’t like it, tell them to clear their desks and receive dividends.”

“Honey?”

Jang Ho-geon’s words pierced Hwang Na-yeon’s heart like a dagger. Even considering that her parents, the Choguk Ilbo [a major newspaper], helped during the inheritance war, he had never thrown a dagger until now…

Jang Ho-geon threw another knife at Hwang Na-yeon, who had her eyes wide open.

“Until now, Yong-jae, Su-yeon, and Min-jae have received hundreds of millions each. Ha-yeon doesn’t have a single share. If they don’t have the ability, I’ll switch to a professional management system.”

Hwang Na-yeon bit her lip. It wasn’t wrong, but she hated her husband for speaking so coldly to the children she had given birth to… She wanted to ask if he even thought of the children as his own.

Jang Ho-geon went down to the underground garage, leaving behind Hwang Na-yeon’s resentful gaze, and got into the car. He cherished his children, but he couldn’t bear to see the company collapse because of personal affection, so he himself was troubled.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Jang Ho-geon, who was heading to Seonguiwon [a political district in Seoul] in a Mercedes-Benz large sedan, heard the ringtone and took out his cell phone.

“Shinseong Group Jang Ho… What’s going on?”

Jang Ho-geon, who was exclaiming in a low voice, closed the glass window between the passenger seat and the back seat and said.

“…I don’t know who it is, but they have a good eye. You shouldn’t miss the chance to make money. Do it that way.”

The corners of Jang Ho-geon’s mouth went up after finishing the call. He was worried, but he was relieved to know that Jang Ha-yeon had invested in Korea Mobile Telecom.

“Hehe, they say the first daughter is the foundation of the family.”

He thought that the Federation of Korean Industries meeting was a problem, but he thought that Jang Ha-yeon’s volume would not have a big impact on the stock price, so it would not be a big problem. Rather, he was impressed by his daughter, who was creating something on her own.

Jang Ho-geon, who was laughing heartily, pressed the cell phone number. The desire not to lose to his daughter, who was running hard, was revealed on his face.

“Oh, Director Lee. When will the Gangnam Terminal construction permit be issued? December 21st? Tell my sister and Ho-min when the construction permit is issued. If it doesn’t seem like it will work, the Korea Hotel lease will be canceled.”

Jang Ho-geon, who hung up the phone, looked up at the sky with a sinister smile, as if he was a different person from just now.

***

“The bullets have arrived.”

I whistled as I confirmed that additional funds had been deposited into Jang Ha-yeon’s account.

“It’s Shinseong Group, Young Master. They can easily raise about 5 billion.”

“I guess so. We have 20 billion ready, so let’s start.”

***

As we sucked up Korea Mobile Telecom’s stock with credit purchases like a hippopotamus drinking water, the stock price, which had been moving in the 100,000 won range, repeatedly soared like an airplane taking off from a runway. We were busy attracting additional loans as much as the rising stock price and buying stocks.

Thanks to that, around the end of December, it far exceeded 200,000 won. Now that we have invested all our funds and secured enough volume, we have stopped buying stocks and were leisurely exchanging calls with Jang Ha-yeon.

“How is it going?”

[What else? I’m in the best mood. I’m going to earn 20 billion for free.]

It may be strange for a conglomerate’s daughter to be excited about 20 billion, but it’s the 1990s now. Isn’t 20 billion in today’s money the price of 40 Taehyun apartments? I was also proud because I had become a source of strength for Jang Ha-yeon, who was lonely in that family without a place to lean on.

I smiled as I recalled her happy face.

“The average price is about 110,000 won. We’ve gathered as much volume as we invested in the principal. I’ll dispose of what I bought with my sister’s account when it exceeds 330,000 won.”

[Contact me when you’re done. Good work.]

As I finished the call and hummed, Park Tae-jin, who was next to me, smiled brightly.

“It seems like it was just the other day that you opened your eyes at the hospital… I’m glad that your personal life and work are all going well.”

Even if he didn’t show it, Park Tae-jin seemed to be very worried. Seeing that my protector was relieved, my heart also felt at ease, and that comfort was revealed on my face.

“That’s right. To settle the money we borrowed, we only need to sell about 100,000 shares from when it’s 280,000 won, right?”

“At that level, even after paying off all the loans, 320,000 shares will remain as Young Master’s net worth. What are you going to do with the remaining shares?”

“The stock price will rise further when the government settles the remaining volume later. Let’s dispose of it then.”

Even if I can get more than 50 billion in cash right away, if I can’t stand what’s in front of me, I have to give up even bigger profits.

I’ll wait and see.

Compared to my revenge, which I want to do and have to do no matter how long it takes, waiting for the time to take even bigger profits will be just a moment.