The Genius Grandson Of The Cash King Becomes A Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 25

#025

“Cheol-su, over here!”

Lim Cheol-su, who had gotten out of the car and was looking around, saw Man-ho calling him from in front of the school gate.

“Hyung-nim [older brother or respected male acquaintance],”

He raised his hand in greeting, then approached and offered a handshake.

“Have you been well?”

“I’ve been well. How about you?”

“I’m deliberately trying to stay busy. It makes things a little better.”

Man-ho looked at him with a pitiful expression.

“Hmm, I’m sorry. I couldn’t be of more help.”

“It’s alright, Hyung-nim. By the way, you said you were bored last time we met… Not anymore these days, right?”

“That’s how it is. I’m swamped. Suddenly, I’m dealing with the school foundation acquisition, buying a house, and all sorts of things. I’m as busy as Madam’s heyday. Even ten bodies wouldn’t be enough.”

“Because it’s Hyung-nim doing it all alone. Someone else would need several people to do what you handle so efficiently.”

“Hehehe, you still know how to flatter me.”

“By the way, Hyung-nim, how is that person everyone’s talking about?”

“Our young master is kind, smart, and handsome. I think that’s what Madam likes most about him.”

“I thought Madam wasn’t like that, but she really cares about looks. Still, that guy is so lucky. He suddenly became the only grandson of the Cash King. Plus, Hyun-ju’s son…”

“Keuk, are you still hung up on her?”

“No, it’s just that she was a fresh and dear friend. Since I can’t see her… Our little young master looks exactly like Hyun-jung, not Hyun-ju.”

A wistful longing was evident on Lim Cheol-su’s face.

“Yeah, they’re like two peas in a pod.”

“Hehe, still, I’m envious. His status skyrocketed overnight.”

“Well, that might be good or not.”

Man-ho didn’t say that Jung-hoon and Madam Hyun Jung-ok were exposed to serious threats.

“By the way, that young master, the family reunion was really touching. Really. Did you know the news agency’s server crashed that day? The traffic exploded… How did he come up with such a brilliant idea? But is there a reason? Why go to such lengths?”

Man-ho had to make something up.

“Madam just likes being on TV, that’s all.”

“Let’s go, the young master is waiting. Treat him with respect. Don’t look down on him just because he’s a high school student. If you do well, who knows, you might be able to manage Madam’s money again.”

“Hyung-nim, do you think I’d come here for a high school student’s allowance? I came to make up for my mistakes.”

“I don’t know how much that high school student’s allowance is, but it won’t be small.”

“Come on, no way.”

Lim Cheol-su looked disbelieving.

“By the way, are you going to tell him that you were friends with Hyun-jung?”

“…No. It’s better not to say anything yet, right?”

“Sure, do as you please.”

“Young Master.”

Man-ho waved his hand when he saw Jung-hoon standing in front of the library.

He approached with a lively gait.

Always in a good mood, he always had a smile on his face.

Jung-hoon always felt there was much to learn from him, who was both strong and gentle.

The man following behind Man-ho caught his eye.

A neat appearance with kind-looking eyes.

A smiling face full of playfulness made him seem lighthearted.

“Hello. I’m Lim Cheol-su.”

“Yes, hello. I’m Yoon Jung-hoon.”

Jung-hoon’s expression wasn’t very good.

He had wanted someone serious, but this face seemed frivolous.

Plus, there was a slightly cocky vibe.

Man-ho noticed Jung-hoon’s displeased expression.

“Young Master, this friend may seem lighthearted, but he’s very skilled and trustworthy. He’s a very kind person.”

“Ah, yes, I understand.”

Jung-hoon thought Man-ho’s perceptiveness in recognizing his inner thoughts was remarkable.

He resolved to be more careful not to reveal his feelings so easily.

The ability to maintain a poker face was the most important basic quality for his future life.

He wanted to verify Man-ho’s claim that he was skilled, but Jung-hoon wasn’t knowledgeable about finance.

He only knew a few things.

But that information was absolutely advantageous.

“So, how much capital does our young master plan to manage?”

Right now, Jung-hoon had only 100,000 won [approximately $75 USD] in his possession.

What was left from the 500,000 won scholarship he received.

Moreover, the scholarship from Choi Jae-won had naturally been discontinued.

But he couldn’t say it was only 100,000 won.

He had to commit first.

“I’m thinking of starting with about 1 billion won [approximately $750,000 USD].”

Lim Cheol-su’s eyes twitched slightly at the larger-than-expected amount, but he quickly regained a natural expression.

He was skilled at controlling his expressions.

“That’s a decent amount. So, where do you want to invest?”

“Stocks, of course. Bond yields are too low, and it’s not easy to profit from exchange rates. I especially want to invest in the U.S. stock market. Korea is too small and the volatility is too low.”

The U.S. stock market.

In the old days, the American Dream was about success in manufacturing, but now it’s all about finance.

The U.S. stock, futures, and options markets are where returns of dozens or hundreds of times can explode.

A place where talent and capital gather.

He had to make a fortune in a land flowing with milk and honey rather than in narrow Korea.

The more ammunition, the better.

“You have an aggressive tendency. You know what it means for volatility to be low, right? You can lose it all in an instant.”

It was a tone as if he was teaching the young Jung-hoon.

“You can also make a fortune at once, right?”

Jung-hoon deliberately bristled at the teaching tone.

He didn’t want to be seen as just a high school student.

He, who would become the owner of an investment firm, had to be accepted as an investor.

Cheol-su was taken aback by Jung-hoon’s reaction.

And soon realized his mistake.

He hadn’t come to meet a high school student.

He had come to see an investor.

“That’s, right.”

He saw the image of his father and his friend, Hyun-jung, in Jung-hoon’s face.

The confidence shining on his face, the aura that could not be challenged.

He had the majesty of a tiger.

Jung-hoon, with the same face as Hyun-jung.

He felt an unapproachable spirit.

Lim Cheol-su was startled, but it felt like seeing his friend’s face after a long time.

He was glad.

***

Jung-hoon was slightly embarrassed by Lim Cheol-su’s pleased smile.

“I made a mistake. I’m glad you don’t seem to know nothing. I’ll create a portfolio with an aggressive investment style.”

“Yes, please prepare it that way. I’ll decide whether to invest after seeing it.”

Jung-hoon deliberately delayed giving a definite answer.

He thought it wasn’t good to trust people easily.

He had to carefully test the waters before crossing the bridge.

If he didn’t decide today, he would go back and do his best to create a portfolio.

He thought that was the order of things.

Man-ho’s expression was anxious when Jung-hoon delayed his decision.

His trust in Lim Cheol-su seemed immense.

“Young Master, that friend may seem a bit lighthearted, but he’s a big deal in the U.S….”

Lim Cheol-su looked at Man-ho’s face and showed discomfort.

“Hyung-nim, I’m sorry, but what happened in the U.S….”

“Oh, oh, I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m the one who’s sorry.”

Jung-hoon became curious about his situation.

He thought that something in the U.S. might be interfering.

But he decided to pretend not to know for now.

“I don’t know what happened in the U.S., but it doesn’t matter. As long as the investment performance is good.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“But you’re not not going to the U.S., are you?”

“Of course. How can someone in the financial world work without the U.S.? Hehehe, don’t worry.”

“I understand.”

“Then, I’ll prepare and come back soon.”

“Yes, I’ll be waiting.”

Lim Cheol-su and Man-ho said their goodbyes and disappeared.

Jung-hoon returned to the library and sat down.

He only had 100,000 won.

He had to make 1 billion won.

He had to get the money his grandmother had given him quickly.

Jung-hoon began to wonder how much was in the Macau Piggy Bank.

***

“Here, have a drink. Thank you for coming today.”

“No, I’m grateful for the opportunity, Hyung-nim.”

“I’m sorry about this. I thought too easily. Our young master is more meticulous than I thought, hehe.”

He smiled quietly, looking apologetic.

“If you’re going to handle big money in the future, you have to be meticulous. It’s better this way. To be honest, I would have been disappointed if he had decided on the spot today.”

“Really? Then that’s a relief.”

Man-ho quickly emptied his glass and continued.

“Actually, I didn’t expect it. With your experience… I thought it might be a bit lacking.”

“I may have been like that in the U.S., but I’m still a rookie in Korea. It’s a good thing. Thanks to Hyung-nim, I can fill up my performance a bit.”

“Is that so? Then it’s a win-win for each other, so that’s a relief. But why did you suddenly come in from the U.S.?”

“That’s a bit difficult to say, but I was surgically removed.”

“What? Why did you get surgery in the U.S.?”

“A lot of money came into our company from Korea.”

“Then isn’t that a good thing?”

“But they asked me to launder the money a bit. So I said I didn’t want to, and they told me to leave.”

“Really? No, the U.S. has severe penalties for financial crimes, but they still asked you to launder money?”

“Yes, they said that if this went well, 10 billion dollars would come in.”

“That’s why you risked it.”

“Yes. But Hyung-nim, from what I heard, they were definitely not chaebols [large family-owned conglomerates]. Are there mafia, yakuza [Japanese organized crime syndicates], or Triad [Chinese organized crime syndicates] funds in our country? Or are there gangsters who can handle 10 billion dollars?”

“There won’t be… No, there’s definitely not. But there are other guys (there).”

“Yes? What kind of guys?”

“It’s better not to know. You might find out later when the time comes.”

“Hyung-nim, you’re making me curious…”

“Here, have a drink. Please take good care of our young master in the future.”

“The young master is… Hyun-ju’s son, so I have to help him well so that I won’t be sorry to Hyun-ju later.”

“Yes, thank you.”

The two men’s glasses clinked.

They emptied their glasses at once.

Lim Cheol-su vaguely recalled his youthful memories and friendship with his friend.

And he thought of the son who looked exactly like his friend today.

And he resolved to help him in every way possible so that he could shed the guilt that had been weighing on his heart.

Man-ho’s eyes sparkled because of the forces that had tried to launder money.

There was definitely a reason why their money was moving.

He had to find out the reason.

Man-ho’s eyes sparkled.

***

Jung-hoon had to raise 1 billion won immediately.

He would come back as early as next week, or at the latest by December.

There was nothing he could do with 100,000 won.

In the end, he had to borrow money from his grandmother, but he didn’t really want to.

His pride was hurt.

He pondered for days, but no answer came.

In the end, he had to ask his grandmother for help.

He couldn’t just borrow it.

Jung-hoon had no choice but to create a bet that he wouldn’t lose.

He knocked on the door of his grandmother’s study.

“Come in.”

“Grandmother, what are you doing?”

“Oh, I was looking at documents because I’ve been so busy with school work that I haven’t had time to make money. Sigh, I need to take a break.”

She got up from her seat and stretched.

“Isn’t Jung-hoon working too hard?”

“Yes? I have to get first place this time. I have a bet with Grandmother, too.”

“Keueung. The losses aren’t the only thing because of the IT bubble burst. Plus, the guys who borrowed money are severely overdue… And I bought land for our handsome grandson…”

Hyun Jung-ok opened a drawer and took out a thick document.

“Jung-hoon, sit over there.”

“Yes.”

She placed a thick bundle of documents on the coffee table.

The words “Land Title” were printed on the first page.

“Hmm, I bought the land as you said, but I don’t like it. I wish I could sell it now.

Well, it wouldn’t sell even if I put it up for sale now.”

“But the scenery is good. And who knows? A city might be built there. Maybe an administrative capital will be built, just like that president said in the old days.”

“Hehehe, you have big dreams.”

She only smiled absently at Jung-hoon’s words, with a dumbfounded expression.

“Here’s the land register for the land in the Yeongi County area. Take good care of it.”

“Yes, thank you. Grandmother, how many pyeong [a Korean unit of area, approximately 3.3 square meters] is this in total…?”

“Are you curious? It’s about 100,000 pyeong in total.”

“Yes?”

He was startled.

He had thought it would be about 10,000 pyeong. But 100,000 pyeong.

A 1 billion won house and 100,000 pyeong of prime land.

Jung-hoon realized that there were still 100,000 pyeong left.

His fist clenched.

100,000 pyeong of prime land in Sejong City was in his hands.

Our grandmother, her scale was extraordinary.

Plus, she promised to buy him that much more if he got first place in the entire school.

He was skilled enough to get first place in the entire school even if he solved it with his feet.

100,000 pyeong more was coming.

He could earn dozens of times more just by selling it.

He wondered how much he would earn if he started a construction company and built apartments himself.

His heart was pounding.

He tried his best not to show it, but he couldn’t help but raise the corners of his mouth.

“Are you that happy?”

“Yes, thank you. Grandmother. Thanks to Grandmother, I’m a landowner. Hehet.”

“What good is it if you only have land? It has to be money…”

“Grandmother, you remember our promise, right.”

“Keueung, of course, I remember. If you get first place this time, I’ll buy you that much more.”

Hyun Jung-ok’s face frowned.

Suddenly, countless wrinkles appeared on her forehead.

Hyun Jung-ok became uncomfortable at the thought of the money going out.

It wasn’t that she regretted giving her grandson money to buy land.

It was because buying land was like throwing money into that beautiful river.

‘Sigh, I can’t help it, I have to keep my promise.’

She heard Jung-hoon’s grades while drinking tea with the principal.

He said that he was in 5th place in the entire school, which was ridiculous. And that he would probably get 1st place in the entire school this time.

Hyun Jung-ok… clenched her teeth.

“Grandmother, can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“Is this the only property in my name? Is there anything else?”

“The house and land I bought this time. Let’s see… There’s some gold I received when I had my first birthday party. Other than that… I don’t think there’s anything…”

Hyun Jung-ok glanced at Jung-hoon and said there wasn’t.

‘Should I tell him about the Piggy Bank that Hyun-jung left behind…’

She hesitated, but decided not to say anything for now.

‘She’s not talking about the Macau Piggy Bank…’

Jung-hoon was disappointed that the Piggy Bank didn’t come out of her mouth.

But he couldn’t talk about it first.

“Oh, really? I saw on the news that they often give a lot of gifts to their grandchildren. I was wondering if there was any.”

“Why? Do you need money?”

“Yes.”

“How much do you need? Instead of cash, I’ll make you a card. Unlimited.”

“Yes? No. I’m not going to waste it, I have to save it.”

“What are you saving? Money? Even if you only use this grandmother’s money, you won’t be able to use it all up before you die.”

Jung-hoon didn’t answer.

Hyun Jung-ok looked into his eyes.

‘Hmm, I wonder what he’s thinking?’

She felt a firm determination in his eyes.

“Tell me, if the reason is valid, I can give you as much as you want.”