The Genius Grandson Of The Cash King Becomes A Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 50

#050

Jinhyuk Cha, ranked second in the world, was a talent too good to pass up.

‘You can’t fix people…’

The old saying kept bothering me.

But fixing him is a problem for later.

If left as is, he would surely end up as fish food on the beach or fertilizer in the deep mountains.

I decided to save him first.

“Can you save him?”

“It’s not difficult.”

I could feel the confidence in Kwak Hyunsoo’s short reply.

“Please.”

“Yes, don’t worry. I’ll handle it from now on.”

“Yes.”

‘Handling, huh…’

It seemed like he was saying he would take care of everything, from the cleanup to managing Chun Jinhyuk.

I felt his perceptiveness was remarkable, especially considering his size.

Seeing the clueless couple in front of me only made his abilities seem even greater.

After hanging up, Junghoon looked at Cha Youngmi.

“Then proceed with the interior design. I’ll be going.”

“Yes, goodbye.”

Cha Youngmi quickly picked up a long measuring tape and started measuring dimensions here and there.

***

The intense heat retreated, replaced by the colors of deep autumn foliage.

The last Saturday of October.

The cool autumn breeze rustled the fallen leaves, now displaying their peak autumn colors.

The securities firm merger was proceeding smoothly.

Im Cheolsoo reported the securities firm merger with lightning speed and also obtained approval from the Financial Services Commission [a government agency overseeing financial institutions].

BHC, Heaven, and Dongseo Securities were reborn as Shinhwa Securities through the merger.

Legend Company, which suddenly owned the second-largest securities firm in the industry, began to attract attention in the financial world.

Junghoon focused on studying, making a final push to prepare for the upcoming college entrance exam.

The phone rang loudly.

“Junghoon, it’s a disaster!”

“Why?”

Eunsoo’s urgent voice came through the receiver.

“I’m at a cafe downtown right now, and I got into a fight with some thugs…”

“What? You can handle that kind of thing on your own.”

“No, there are too many of them. I can’t handle it alone.”

“How many are there?”

“Two, no, five.”

“Pfft.”

I chuckled.

Thinking about Eunsoo pretending to be urgent, Junghoon replied seriously.

“Okay. I’ll head out now. Be careful.”

“Okay, come quickly, Junghoon.”

Eunsoo urgently gave his location as if his life was in danger.

After hanging up, Junghoon stretched leisurely.

He was already planning to go to the bookstore, so he figured this worked out well.

‘But how can Eunsoo be so bad at acting? And he can definitely handle five people on his own.’

Thinking it was pathetic, he shook his head and went outside.

Junghoon went downtown, stopped by the bookstore to buy some workbooks, and then went to the coffee shop Eunsoo mentioned.

‘Snowy Village of Chagall’

A common name for a cafe that could be found in almost every city in 2001.

Anticipating what kind of event Eunsoo had prepared, he entered the cafe.

***

“Eunsoo, why are there so many scars on your face? Have you been fighting lately?”

“It’s not fighting, I just get beat up every day.”

“What? Who’s hitting you?”

It was widely known that Eunsoo was famous for fighting in Jungbu Market.

There were more than a few times when bullies who easily approached him because of his pretty face couldn’t even pick up their bones afterwards.

There were even rumors that he had taken down adult gangsters.

“Who is it? Could it be Junghoon? You said Junghoon was better at fighting than you.”

“That’s true, but we don’t fight.”

“Really? So who is it? Is it your girlfriend?”

“Girlfriend? There’s this ugly old man who drives Grandma’s car. I’m learning martial arts from him.”

Eunsoo couldn’t say he was learning assassination techniques. It was a secret between Kwak Hyunsoo and himself.

“Martial arts? Is it really martial arts? But why are you suddenly learning that?”

“Just because… it’s fun.”

Eunsoo didn’t want to tell the truth. He knew that what Junghoon was doing was dangerous, so if he said he was learning to help, it would seem strange.

So he just mumbled that it was fun.

“Well, it’s good to be good at anything. It would be even better if it was studying, like me.”

Park Dahye showed off as if she was bragging, then checked her watch.

It had been over an hour since Eunsoo called Junghoon.

“Hey, are you guys really best friends? Why isn’t he here when his friend is in danger?”

Park Dahye’s voice was full of murderous intent.

“He’ll be here.”

Eunsoo replied in a hesitant voice.

Contrary to Eunsoo’s words that he would be here in 10 minutes, Junghoon didn’t come even after an hour.

Eunsoo started sweating, and Park Dahye was glaring at him.

Park Dahye’s face was full of annoyance.

She had to leave soon because of her bus schedule, and she didn’t even have an hour left.

She had taken the time with difficulty, avoiding her parents’ surveillance, and suddenly felt like crying at the thought of just going back.

She might be able to see him more often next year, but she didn’t know yet.

Junghoon was going to Seoul National University’s law school, a place where only a few hundred people from all over the country could get into.

Junghoon, whom she heard about through Eunsoo, was very busy.

Nevertheless, it was amazing that he never lost first place in school.

Junghoon was maintaining something that was difficult to achieve even if he studied all day long, while also doing other things.

She was going crazy wondering how far his abilities went.

In fact, she was more curious about him.

Park Dahye had mixed feelings of annoyance at him not coming and anticipation that he would come soon.

The sound of a bell rang softly in her ear.

The door opened, and the bell hanging above it shook and made a sound.

Park Dahye reflexively turned her head.

He was standing there.

He looked even more mature.

***

I didn’t expect it at all.

The person in front of Junghoon was Park Dahye.

She was pretty.

Even after blinking a few times and looking again, she was still pretty.

Unrealistically large eyes and plump red lips. White skin.

But her clumsy makeup still hid her beauty.

Junghoon thought for a moment that it was a relief.

“Hey, why are you only coming now when your friend is in danger?”

“Oh, right. Eunsoo said he was in danger?”

“Hello, Junghoon.”

Park Dahye mustered up the courage to express her friendliness.

“Hello, Senior [an older student].”

Junghoon was polite to Dahye to hide his slightly excited heart.

Dahye felt a sense of distance in Junghoon’s words.

“Yeah, you must be working hard studying, right?”

“Yes.”

“I stopped by after a long time and was going to see Eunsoo… Eunsoo told me to see you too.”

“Ah, yes.”

Junghoon looked slightly disappointed.

According to her words, Eunsoo was the main character and he was the supporting character.

“Haha, the exam is coming up soon. I bought yours while preparing a gift for Eunsoo to wish him luck.”

Park Dahye took out a large box that said ‘Wishing you luck’ for Junghoon with trembling hands.

It was big enough to fit a regular laptop and still have room left.

He turned his head and looked at Eunsoo’s gift.

It was about the size of a cell phone.

He was puzzled.

“Thank you, Senior.”

Junghoon once again widened the distance between Park Dahye with a polite expression.

“Haha, right. We weren’t that close.”

She felt a sense of disappointment and distance at Junghoon’s overly polite attitude.

She looked at her watch.

She had to get up soon.

It was when she was about to get up.

“Senior, let’s meet in front of the exam hall after the college entrance exam.”

Park Dahye’s heart began to pound at Junghoon’s casually thrown words.

It was too sudden of an invitation from him.

Her mind turned blank and she couldn’t say anything.

“Do you have plans?”

A careless voice.

“Ah, no. See you that day. I’ll be waiting in front of the school gate.”

Her voice was trembling.

She was so touched by Junghoon’s invitation that her face turned as red as a tomato.

Hiding her face, which was bowed deeply, she jumped up.

“I’ll go. Junghoon… good luck on the exam.”

She had to run away because she felt like her heart would explode if she didn’t leave that place.

***

The College Scholastic Ability Test [Korean SAT] for the 2002 academic year began simultaneously across the country on November 7, 2001. It was the first College Scholastic Ability Test of the 21st century.

After eating a simple breakfast, Junghoon took the car driven by Kwak Hyunsoo to the test center with his grandmother’s support.

Luckily, Eunsoo was also at the same test center, so they went together.

“Hey, how many are you going to get right?”

Junghoon asked Eunsoo.

“Um… I’ll probably get 20% right?”

“What? How can you get 20%?”

“If I just pick one number, it’s 1/5, so I can get 20% right, right? Or not?”

Junghoon was surprised that Eunsoo could even calculate that much.

Even though he said that, Eunsoo was getting a grade 1 in the language section thanks to the novels and poems he had been reading day and night.

Seeing that, he knew that his head wasn’t completely made of stone.

“How many are you going to get wrong, Junghoon?”

“Well, I don’t want to get any wrong if possible.”

“Pfft, you arrogant jerk. Anyway, do well. I don’t care, but you worked hard, so I hope you get a perfect score.”

Junghoon said it as a passing remark, but Eunsoo really thought he could get a perfect score.

Junghoon was hiding it, but Eunsoo knew. He had a natural memory.

And he watched his will and effort to do what he had to do even in the midst of his busy schedule.

He somehow felt like it was possible.

Eunsoo and Junghoon entered the test center at 8 o’clock sharp and sat in their respective seats.

Eunsoo had an indifferent expression, and Junghoon had a slightly nervous expression.

But Junghoon also knew. If he didn’t make any mistakes, a perfect score was guaranteed.

The effort he had put in, and his natural abilities.

He couldn’t afford to get a single question wrong.

But isn’t that how things don’t go as planned?

Junghoon couldn’t help but be a little nervous.

The College Scholastic Ability Test, which began at 8:40 with the broadcast, ended with the bell at 17:40 [5:40 PM].

Junghoon, who had concentrated for a long time to take the exam, clenched his fist.

There were no questions he didn’t know, and there were no mistakes. A perfect score was certain.

“Did you do well?”

Junghoon slowly nodded.

“It’s a perfect score.”

Eunsoo smirked slightly at Junghoon’s words.

“Let’s go.”

Junghoon and Eunsoo packed their bags and went outside the school.

When he stood in front of the school gate, Junghoon looked around, looking for someone.

“Junghoon, Eunsoo.”

Grandma was there. Manho was also there next to her. Of course, Hyunsoo was also there.

Eunsoo shouted ‘Grandma’ and ran to hug her.

“Grandma.”

“Oh, you worked hard, Eunsoo.”

She patted Eunsoo on the back, who had spent 2/3 of the exam time sleeping, and comforted him for his hard work.

At that time, Junghoon heard the voice he had been waiting for.

“Junghoon.”

When he turned his head to the right, she was standing there as promised.

She was wearing a long coat and had fairly natural makeup on today.

She waved her hand with a shy smile.

“Senior.”

Junghoon also waved his hand awkwardly.

The gazes of everyone who was looking at Junghoon moved.

Grandma, Manho, and Hyunsoo were all staring at Park Dahye.

***

She greeted him in a more cautious voice than usual.

“Hello. I’m Park Dahye.”

Grandma looked at her and smiled contentedly.

Manho had a slightly uncomfortable face.

Junghoon was disappointed that all his plans had gone awry.

Originally, he was planning to ditch Eunsoo and have dinner alone.

He was planning to have dinner together at the best sky lounge restaurant in Jungbu Market.

Like the grandson of the Cash King, he wanted to buy her expensive food.

But now, all Junghoon had in front of him was a blazing charcoal fire [Korean BBQ].

No one could refuse Grandma’s offer to buy beef.

He was glad that they didn’t go to Grandma’s favorite sundae soup restaurant [a Korean sausage soup restaurant].

Grandma’s eyes, looking at Park Dahye, were full of curiosity, as if she had seen a pretty fairy.

Fortunately, Eunsoo was exclusively engaging Grandma and chatting, so Hyun Jungok didn’t have much time to ask her questions.

The only thing she confirmed was the school she was currently attending.

“I’m a freshman at Seoul National University’s law school.”

Hyun Jungok’s face lit up with a bright smile at Park Dahye’s words.

She was a daughter-in-law candidate without any flaws.

She was imagining having a wedding in her head and taking care of her grandson’s child herself.

“Hmm, your father is a prosecutor, right?”

Park Dahye was startled by Manho’s question.

“Yes.”

She wanted to hide it, but it was revealed.

Hyun Jungok looked at Manho with a puzzled expression.

“How did you know that?”

“I’ll tell you later.”

Manho’s expression looked a little uncomfortable.

The table was set and the finest quality meat was prepared.

Junghoon started grilling the meat.

He distributed well-cooked meat to the people and placed the most delicious-looking piece in front of Park Dahye.

Park Dahye did the same.

The two avoided people’s eyes and placed well-cooked food on each other’s plates.

People pretended not to notice, and the two were busy taking care of each other without noticing.

After eating their fill, Hyun Jungok and Manho paid first and got up.

Eunsoo also left the seat, sensing the situation.

Junghoon turned his head and looked at her.

“Senior, you look… pretty today.”

Park Dahye’s face turned red at the unexpected compliment.

“You worked hard, Junghoon.”

Park Dahye couldn’t muster the courage to look up yet, so she spoke with difficulty while bowing her head.

“Hey, come out.”

The two were startled by Eunsoo’s voice and hurriedly got up.

When they went outside, Hyun Jungok asked her.

“Dahye, is your father’s name Park Hyuncheol?”

“Oh my, do you know my father?”

“He’s a chief prosecutor, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Park Dahye lowered her head as if she was embarrassed.

She secretly felt good.

She thought it was not a bad background, although not perfect, for the grandson of the Cash King.

“So, Prosecutor Park Hyuncheol is your father.”

Park Dahye felt a strange sense of distance in Hyun Jungok’s face that she hadn’t felt until now.

It was the first time.

***

I was enjoying a leisurely time taking school classes after a long time.

Most of the classes for seniors in high school after the college entrance exam were movie screenings.

It was when friends who had watched an action movie from the morning were imitating a scene from the movie during break time.

“Student Yoon Junghoon, please come to the chairman’s office.”

At the sound of the speaker calling for him, he got up and headed to the chairman’s office.

He thought as he walked leisurely to the chairman’s office on the first floor.

‘Grandma always uses the school speaker. She could just call me on the phone.’

“Chairman.”

“Yes, come in.”

Hyun Jungok, who was sitting on the sofa, smiled at Junghoon.

“Grandma, do you have to use the broadcast instead of the phone? I’m embarrassed. It’s not like there’s anyone who doesn’t know that the chairman is my grandma.”

“Are you embarrassed?”

“Of course. But why did you call me?”

“The college entrance exam report card is coming out tomorrow. So I checked it.”

“Of course, it’s a perfect score, right?”

Hyun Jungok was rather surprised to see Junghoon’s indifferent expression.

“Aren’t you happy, you rascal?”

“Of course I’m happy. But it’s what I expected. Still, I feel really good. I’m number one in the country.”

“Yes, you rascal. I heard there’s only one person in the country [with a perfect score].”

“Wow, then I’m really number one.”

Junghoon decided to propose the next plan he had been preparing while loafing around to his grandmother.

“Grandma, I’ve suddenly become very hungry these days.”

“What? You’re hungry?”

“Yes.”

Hyun Jungok thought hard after hearing Junghoon’s words.

She knew very well that he wasn’t saying it because he was hungry.

Junghoon showed his grandmother the newspaper on the table.

The article on the economy page caught Hyun Jungok’s eye.

‘Announcement of the sale of Korea Heavy Industries, a domestic monopoly public enterprise in the power generation facility sector’

When Hyun Jungok raised her head, Junghoon, who looked very hungry, was smiling.

A super-large heavy industry with assets of 7 trillion won was put up for sale on the market.

Junghoon thought he would be full if he ate that much.

A smile was drawn on his face.

Genius Grandson of the Cash King, Becoming a Tycoon.