The Genius Grandson Of The Cash King Becomes A Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 38

#038

The two of them jumped, startled by Cha Youngmi’s loud voice.

Even with everyone staring, she didn’t seem to care.

“Please, I want to come with you.”

“Ahem, well, like they say, ‘where the needle goes, the thread follows’ [meaning she’ll be loyal and follow wherever you lead]. It’s a good thing.”

Lee Byeongseok’s face darkened for a moment at her words.

“Assistant Manager Cha, your tone has become remarkably polite.”

The harsh words she’d spat out just an hour ago flashed vividly through her mind.

“I’m sorry. I have a… fiery personality.”

She blushed crimson with embarrassment as she apologized.

“It’s alright. It happens. But there won’t be a second time.”

Cha Youngmi, who had found a new job just an hour after being fired, asked with a bright smile.

“Hehet, should I call you ‘President’ from now on?”

Jeonghun was taken aback by Cha Youngmi’s audacity, but Team Leader Lee Byeongseok took it in stride.

“Yes, you can call me that.”

“Youngmi, wait a minute, you don’t even know what the job is…”

“Oppa [term for older brother or close male friend], is this really the time to be picky?”

“Still, what if you end up committing a crime?”

“Surely not…”

Lee Byeongseok’s suspicion of Jeonghun didn’t fade.

He addressed him directly.

“If you’ve been wronged, you have to pay it back. That’s how I was taught to live.”

“Does that mean…?”

“That’s right. I have to get revenge. Team Leader Lee gets his revenge, and I get my own benefits.”

“What kind of benefits are you talking about?”

Lee Byeongseok asked, genuinely curious.

It didn’t sound like he was just talking about money.

“I hired Team Leader Lee at a high price. I need to make a lot of money and get something good out of it. Money and something bigger than that. Revenge and benefits. Killing two birds with one stone.”

“Ah, I see. So, what kind of work will I be doing?”

It felt like he had a specific plan in mind.

“Instead of server management at BHC Securities, you’ll be working in your original major.”

“Do you know my major?”

“Of course. Did you think I would have hired you without doing that much research? With Team Leader Lee’s skills, please create a program. The same kind of program that was used against us this time. But a stronger one.”

“What? That’s… illegal.”

“I’ll take responsibility. We need to get revenge on those who commit illegal acts in the same way they wronged us.”

“I understand.”

BHC Securities had been hit by a malicious file that induced abnormal trading in futures options.

The malware released a large volume of spread sell orders at prices far below the market price one day before the futures expiration date.

The trading party that absorbed most of this volume enjoyed huge profits as the market normalized afterward.

It was hard to believe that a loss of 100 billion won [approximately $80 million USD] could occur in just 10 minutes.

What was even more amazing was that they hadn’t hedged it.

This kind of thing rarely happens in the stock market.

A fat finger, an accident caused by an employee’s mistake, is rare.

In most cases, they reach an amicable agreement.

However, the foreign hedge fund that aggressively bought this time was ruthless.

Rumor had it that it was a foreign fund but owned by a Korean.

Cha Youngmi, who had been listening intently, chimed in.

“President, what will I be doing?”

She seemed slightly excited by the word ‘revenge’.

“Cha Youngmi, you’ll be working as Harley Quinn.”

“So… hacking?”

“Yes, we need to take care of the company that screwed over BHC Securities.”

“I see. Just let me catch them. I’ll smash everything from the firewall to the files on the server so that they can’t be recovered for 100 years. Heh heh.”

Her eyes seemed to burn with a crazy competitive spirit.

“Then use this credit card to buy equipment and anything else you need. The office is here.”

Jeonghun handed them a memo with the company name and address.

“Legend Company?”

“Weren’t you affiliated with Giant LLC?”

“Ah, I am affiliated with them. But that’s not my company, it’s my grandmother’s company.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Then we’ll prepare and set things up right away.”

Lee Byeongseok, who received the card, headed to Yongsan [district in Seoul known for electronics] with an excited feeling for the first time in a while.

Team Leader Lee fought off the Yongpalis [slang for shady electronics vendors] and bought the highest-spec computer at the lowest price.

He was grateful to Jeonghun for letting him rediscover the joy of shopping after so long.

The entrance was equipped with state-of-the-art security facilities, so no one could enter without permission.

After asking the management office, they barely managed to get in, and an empty space greeted them.

Lee Byeongseok and Cha Youngmi were puzzled by the excessively large and empty space.

“Are we the only ones using this place?”

“No way.”

“Then are all the people coming in here?”

“Uh, maybe that’s right…”

“Then are monstrous people like us coming into this wide space?”

Cha Youngmi’s eyes widened.

“Well, shouldn’t it be at least that level?”

Lee Byeongseok answered, looking around the empty space.

Experts in each field will fill this space.

If they are recognized as the best in Korea…

He wondered how big Legend Company would become.

At first, he thought that the giant of Giant LLC referred to Hyun Jeongok, the owner.

But now, he wondered if it meant that young giant, Jeonghun.

***

“Giant LLC is Hyun Jeongok’s company?”

“Yes, that’s what happened.”

“Giant… What giant is that short old woman? A dwarf hobbit-like old hag…”

Heaven Group Chairman Cheon Sangsu sneered.

“Pfft.”

Kwon Youngsu, Vice President of BHC Securities, found the chairman’s analogy funny and laughed without realizing it.

However, no one else laughed.

Rather, the atmosphere became even colder because of him.

“Ahem, Youngsu, that’s your problem. You have no tact. Huh? All the money we sent to the US through BHC and the stock manipulation are recorded on the company server, and you’re laughing?”

He scolded him in a calm voice.

“I’m sorry, Chairman. I’ve committed a sin worthy of death.”

Kwon Youngsu got up and bowed repeatedly.

“Yes, you’ve committed a sin worthy of death, haven’t you?”

Chairman Cheon Sangsu asked.

“Yes, I’ve committed a sin worthy of death.”

He bowed repeatedly and begged for forgiveness.

“Then, you should die.”

“Chairman, please spare me.”

He bowed deeply once again and begged for forgiveness.

Chairman Cheon Sangsu maintained a smiling face.

Then, he hit him on the back of the head with a crystal-clear, round ashtray.

– Pow!

Kwon Youngsu, who collapsed from the strong impact, only twitched faintly.

After a while, the door opened, and the unconscious Kwon Youngsu was dragged out on the floor.

“Ha, you… You thought it was a laughing matter because I was joking… Hooo.”

Chairman Cheon Sangsu, who had exerted himself after a long time, relaxed his stiff face and smiled kindly again.

“Is it possible?”

“Yes. There’s still some time before the acquisition contract is signed. I’ll erase as much evidence as possible during that time.”

“Jinhyuk, can I trust you?”

Cheon Jinhyuk said urgently in a nervous voice.

“No, that will never happen, Father.”

“Okay, I’ll trust you.”

“But how did they hit that spot?”

“I’m wondering about that too. I’m wondering if BHC Securities can afford the 100 billion won they have to pay.”

“Hyun Jeongok would be able to do it. But that old woman doesn’t spend money like water.”

“Then is there another reason?”

“Maybe… She hates losing more than anyone else, so there must be a reason. She’s definitely not someone who would just throw away 100 billion won.”

“I’ll try to find out the reason.”

“No. What are you going to do with the reason? Focus on our work first. We have to erase the traces, that’s how we live.”

“I understand.”

Cheon Jinhyuk felt a faint fear in his father, Chairman Cheon’s eyes.

The 20th largest conglomerate in the industry. Heaven Group.

Chairman Cheon Sangsu, the head of a huge company with total assets of nearly 10 trillion won [approximately $8 billion USD].

The person who instilled fear in his eyes, who had come this far with his bare hands.

Cheon Jinhyuk thought of only one person.

The only man who could instill fear in his father.

Song Cheolho of Ilsong Group.

A respected businessman with a kind face, always relaxed and kind.

His father was always wary of him.

“Jinhyuk.”

“Yes, Father.”

“What is that guy doing?”

“He is currently conducting due diligence on BHC Securities.”

“Won’t he review the server too?”

“Fortunately, Vice President Kwon Youngsu was entrusted with the hacking incident.”

“What? That stupid bastard… Hehehe. That’s the most important thing, but he’s just doing other things. It’s fortunate for us.”

“I’ll remove all traces through Kwon Youngsu.”

“Okay, I sleep comfortably thanks to Jinhyuk. Who would I trust to sleep with my legs stretched out if it weren’t for you?”

Chairman Cheon looked at his son with a loving expression.

“Don’t worry and rest comfortably.”

“Okay. But this is the last chance.”

Chairman Cheon Sangsu pointed out the failure of the last reconstruction project.

“…I understand, Father.”

Cheon Jinhyuk’s face hardened as he recalled that day’s defeat.

The day he was struck by Yoon Jeonghun.

The wound that had not yet healed came to mind again.

“If you fail this time… This father has nothing to give you. You have to bet everything you have.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Cheon Jinhyuk clenched his fist.

He can’t lose this time.

He vowed to prepare a great gift for him.

***

Daewongak, a high-end Japanese restaurant located in Seongbuk-dong [affluent neighborhood in Seoul].

It was a members-only establishment that anyone could not enter.

It was a place where only the upper-class elites from the political and business circles could join, and it was made up of detached houses, making it a good place to have secret conversations.

Hyun Jeongok visited Daewongak with her grandson after a long time.

She was waiting for today’s protagonist.

“Grandmother, what’s going on here?”

“Son, if Giant acquires BHC Securities, it has to go through a suitability review for major shareholders.”

“That’s right.”

“But that’s a case of ‘it depends’ [meaning the outcome is uncertain and subject to influence].”

“Hmm, so in the end, the regime is manipulating it under the pretext of ambiguous regulations.”

“That’s right. How do you understand so well?”

She loved her grandson, who accurately grasped her inner thoughts, unlike his age.

“Then, in the end, someone with that much power will come to this place.”

“Um… There will be someone who has the skills now but will soon have the power.”

Jeonghun was very curious about the protagonist of the empty seat in front of him.

While he was thinking about the talented person his grandmother had mentioned, the door opened.

“Have you been well, Elder?”

As soon as he entered the room, he bowed deeply.

“It’s been a while. How many years has it been?”

“It’s been quite a while since we saw each other. We’ve only been corresponding by letter in the meantime, haven’t we?”

“Analog communication in the digital age. Thanks to that, I hid it well.”

Hyun Jeongok smiled.

“Yes, Elder. I wouldn’t have been able to come this far without that.”

“Yes, congratulations on your promotion this time.”

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to you, Elder.”

“What do you mean by my thanks? You worked hard.”

Hyun Jeongok, who was exchanging greetings, looked at Jeonghun and said.

“Ah, look at this. Jeonghun, say hello. This is Director Choi Younghun from the Financial Supervisory Service [South Korea’s financial regulatory body].”

When Jeonghun stood up and greeted him, he also stood up and greeted him politely.

He treated him as Hyun Jeongok’s grandson.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Yoon Jeonghun.”

“Hello. I’m Choi Younghun. I’m one of Hyun Jeongok’s scholarship students.”

“Scholarship student?”

“You didn’t know yet? The Elder has placed scholarship students everywhere.”

“Hmm, stop talking about that.”

Hyun Jeongok cut him off.

“Elder, but you’ve revealed yourself like this… Are you starting again now?”

“That’s right. That’s why I’m seeing you like this from the outside.”

“I understand. Then I will start moving now too.”

“You have to. By the way, what’s the atmosphere like for the BHC acquisition suitability review?”

“It’s strange. At first, they were in favor, but after knowing that you were there, they were unconditionally opposed. But then suddenly, they turned back in favor.”

“We have to be careful.”

Jeonghun, who was listening to Choi Younghun’s words, opened his mouth.

“Yes, if the atmosphere has changed, we have to be careful, like our grandson said.”

“Yes, it seems like they’re setting a trap.”

“If they set a trap, we have to set a snare too.”

Jeonghun opened his mouth.

“Yes?”

Choi Younghun had a curious expression.

Hyun Jeongok also had a curious expression.

“A snare… Are you already preparing it?”

“Yes, Grandmother.”

“Okay, then set a big snare. I’m curious to see who will get caught.”

“Yes.”

“Well, shall we eat something now?”

Not long after those words were finished, the door opened.

Colorful and neat dishes filled the table.

***

There were only two computers in the empty office.

One was occupied by Cha Youngmi, and the other by Lee Byeongseok.

Cha Youngmi had nothing to do, so she was shopping online, and Lee Byeongseok was frowning and writing a program.

“Hey, stop buying so much. You’re a shopaholic.”

“Okay. I’ll just buy this one thing. It’s the last one.”

“Tsk. Did you install what I made well?”

“Of course. I installed it on Vice President Kwon’s and Director Ahn’s computers.”

“But will it really move [work]?”

“Well. Is there really a need to do that?”

“I think so too, but our president says otherwise…”

“Well, Vice President Kwon is already deleting the data. He doesn’t even know that I’ve already backed it up.”

“Yeah. So, I think it’s really going to move.”

“Really? I hope so. I can plant a lot of bombs on those guys.”

Fire quickly blazed in Cha Youngi’s eyes.

“Whoa, whoa, don’t get excited.”

At that time, Yoon Jeonghun opened the door and came in.

“Fortunately, it’s not cold. I was worried it would be cold because it’s an empty office.”

“Yes, it’s okay. Everything is good. The computer is really… I’m so happy that you bought such a tearfully good one.”

“If the performance is good, you can upgrade to better performance.”

“Thank you, President.”

At that time, an alarm sounded from Lee Byeongseok’s computer.

They hurriedly returned to their seats.

“President, it’s moving.”

As soon as Jeonghun asked, Cha Youngmi answered.

“Call [start the program].”

Her fingers began to tap the keyboard faster than a world-class pianist.

The Genius Grandson of the Cash King Becomes a Tycoon.