Goblin Library - Chapter 221
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 221.
Lee Gang-hun surveyed his surroundings while eating the food on his plate.
“It’s turned out even better than I expected.”
Mehmet nodded at Lee Gang-hun’s words.
“The scenery alone lifts one’s spirits just by looking at it.”
Then he spoke, turning to Lee Gang-hun.
“By the way, it seems the land sales here will go well too.”
“They’d better. That’s how our property values will rise.”
“Do you think land values will increase significantly thanks to the school?”
“Of course. Land values are always high wherever there’s a good school.”
Lee Gang-hun spoke while looking around.
“This Imperial Town will become known as the place where those who couldn’t get into our Village go.”
Lee Gang-hun smiled.
“It would be perfect if a meat restaurant opened here. Grilling meat while looking at the forest tastes wonderful. Or a camping ground would be nice too.”
Lee Gang-hun, mid-conversation, suddenly looked at Mahmoud.
“Camping grounds are a good idea. Mahmoud, let’s build a few camping grounds around the Lake.”
“Camping grounds?”
“It’s not difficult. We build frames out of wood and set up a few electrical cords nearby so people can use electricity. Then we take applications from residents and let them use it. We can charge a usage fee too.”
“But their homes are right next door—would they really use a camping ground?”
“A tent has a different atmosphere than a house. Grilling meat inside your home feels different from doing it in a place like that.”
Lee Gang-hun pulled out a notebook and sketched a simple drawing for him.
“Make them about this size, and waterproof the electrical cords so water doesn’t get in on rainy days, and install covers too.”
“Understood.”
“And… we need to build our Mart quickly.”
The shops currently in the Village were tiny hole-in-the-wall stores you’d find in remote Rural Areas.
They didn’t match the Village’s level.
“I’ve already contacted some Marts in the City, but they’re reluctant to come because our Village population isn’t that large.”
“That figures. Marts lose money easily with small populations. Then let’s look into a Convenience Store instead.”
“A Convenience Store? But their prices are higher than regular Marts…”
“Doesn’t matter. Even if it’s a bit pricey, people in our Village will buy from it.”
Then Lee Gang-hun paused to think for a moment before nodding.
“Check if anyone among the Management Office staff families would be interested in running a Convenience Store.”
“You mean operate it directly?”
“Profits grow larger when shared. And it’s better to share profits with people close to you.”
Lee Gang-hun spoke while looking at Mahmoud.
“Look into getting Mart permits, and let’s set up a Convenience Store in an appropriate location. Unlike regular Convenience Stores, we’ll sell a diverse range of items in small quantities.”
“Understood.”
Lee Gang-hun, who had just given instructions to Mahmoud, suddenly sensed a presence and turned his head.
Kim Ki-chun, having exchanged greetings with the other guests, was approaching.
“How is it?”
“You’ve done an excellent job.”
“It turned out well.”
“It must have cost you quite a bit.”
“The results justify the investment.”
Kim Ki-chun spoke with a pleased smile.
“We’ve already closed sales on a hundred units.”
“How many homes are you planning to build here in total?”
“We’re projecting around eight hundred units as a baseline.”
Lee Gang-hun nodded at Kim Ki-chun’s words, then smiled and spoke.
“Between you and me, Kim Ki-chun…”
“What?”
“Since I’ve left the Company, calling you Director would be odd, wouldn’t it? So, Kim Ki-chun.”
Lee Gang-hun looked at Kim Ki-chun with a subtle smile.
“In any case, sell well. Our fellow countrymen’s business should prosper.”
Kim Ki-chun squinted his eyes. Undeterred, Lee Gang-hun continued.
“That way, we’ll have students too.”
“Students?”
As Kim Ki-chun raised his eyebrows in confusion, Lee Gang-hun laughed.
“We have extra land, so we’re planning to build a school.”
“A school? Where?”
“In our Village… Ah! The D District you’ve been looking at with interest.”
“You’re building a school there?”
Kim Ki-chun looked at him with skepticism before speaking.
“How many people live there that you’d build a school? There won’t be enough students.”
“If there are fewer students, the teachers can focus better on instruction. And if word spreads that we teach well with that focus, more students will come.”
Lee Gang-hun dipped the meat from his plate in sauce and ate it, then nodded.
“Tomorrow is the day we raise the school. Come by tomorrow. We’re planning a small celebration with the Village residents.”
“You’re raising a school?”
“Since the Village is made of prefabricated buildings, the school is prefabricated too.”
Lee Gang-hun placed his finished plate in the disposal bin as he spoke.
“When more children come here, please send them to our school. Our school is excellent.”
Lee Gang-hun smiled warmly, then left the area with Mahmoud.
Walking through Imperial Town, Lee Gang-hun examined the pamphlet.
“If Kim Ki-chun didn’t have personality issues… his work ability is actually quite solid.”
At Lee Gang-hun’s words, Mahmoud looked at him.
“What do you mean, sir?”
“Look here… it seems like they just landscaped the forest well, but they’ve divided it into zones. Each zone has different characteristic landscaping. One area has many flowers, another has lots of grass. One place is covered with gravel with trees planted around it. And in another spot, they even created a small pond… Instead of a lake, they’ve created multiple options.”
“I see.”
“And on top of that… we’ve constructed the walking paths beautifully. If you simply walk along these paths, you can see the views of all the districts.”
Lee Gang-hun continued speaking while looking at photographs of the Village.
“For someone who doesn’t care for lakes, the landscaping here might actually be more appealing than our Village.”
“Our landscaping is also well done.”
“That’s true. But we’ve only landscaped around the lake. It’s not as systematic as this.”
Lee Gang-hun shook his head and let out a soft chuckle.
“Director Kim certainly has a knack for business.”
Lee Gang-hun approached the car at the Village entrance as he spoke.
“Let’s head to the Warehouse.”
At Lee Gang-hun’s words, Mahmoud nodded and climbed into the car.
Once in the vehicle, Lee Gang-hun pulled out a tablet to check the order quantities and today’s incoming inventory.
While I had devoted myself to building the Village, I hadn’t neglected the parts-selling business I’d been running before.
Moreover, now that I’d cultivated favorable relations with the Chinese, I didn’t need to be cautious anymore, so I was bringing in and selling far greater quantities of goods.
Of course, the merchandise came in quantities that wouldn’t cause significant harm to others—only amounts they could accept.
In small quantities across diverse product categories.
In any case… profits were being made. Profits beyond what Il-un Trading Company could have ever imagined.
***
A lunch gathering for the Village residents was taking place in the Village.
Hundreds of Village residents were dining in the open space of D District.
Whereas previously only those who could be called resident representatives had gathered for meals, today residents and their families had all been invited.
Watching the people eating, Lee Gang-hun picked up a microphone and opened his mouth.
“Are those of you gathered here today enjoying the meal?”
The people lightly raised their glasses, showing their approval that the food was delicious.
Lee Gang-hun smiled and spoke in response.
“Yesterday I attended a sales event for a newly developed town over there, and the food was quite delicious. They said they’d entrusted the cooking to people with excellent culinary skills, so we brought those same people here to prepare our meal.”
“Haha! So that’s why yesterday’s food tasted so good.”
“Yesterday’s food was excellent.”
As people laughed and spoke, Lee Gang-hun said:
“In our Village, we have some residents living alone and others who’ve moved in with their families. Today, I apologize to those living alone or with colleagues, but we’ve prepared a small gift for those who’ve moved in with their families.”
Lee Gang-hun gestured to the employees.
The employees brought boxes that looked like cake boxes to some of the tables.
“This gift has been prepared by all the adults living in this Village for the children who live in our Village. Please open the boxes.”
At Lee Gang-hun’s words, an adult man at a table that received a box winked at the children.
The children then untied the ribbons and opened the boxes.
And exclamations came from the table.
“Wow! How amazing!”
“Miniatures. Wow…”
“How impressive.”
Inside the box was a miniature model of a building. The miniature included toy students wearing school uniforms, bicycles, and trees.
“Darrasa School? Mom, I think this is a school.”
As the child read the English written on top of the building, smiles bloomed across the mothers’ faces.
“The school’s name is wonderful.”
Darrasa meant “teaching with focus” in the local language. A school that taught with focus—the name was indeed fitting.
“Everyone, do you like the miniature?”
“Yes!”
“It’s amazing!”
At the children’s words, Lee Gang-hun smiled and accepted the miniature that Mahmoud had brought, holding it up slightly for all to see.
Using the blueprints created at the modular construction factory, I had invested considerable funds to create this miniature.
While it lacked fine detail, it was still something the children would find entertaining.
Watching the delighted children, Lee Gang-hun spoke.
“That miniature is a gift from the adults of our Village to the children. It is the school you will all attend. Our Village will construct a school for the children here in D District.”
“A school is being built here?”
“A school?”
As the mothers with children asked in surprise, their husbands took hold of their hands.
“Some of you may already know about this, while others may not. I asked those who do know to keep it as secret as possible. That way, it can be a surprise gift for all of you today.”
Lee Gang-hun continued with a smile.
“Please don’t go home and get angry at your husbands for not telling you.”
Then Lee Gang-hun pointed to the site.
“Darrasa School is a unified school combining Elementary and Middle School. Building A that you see in the miniature is the Elementary School, and Building B is the Middle School. Between the two buildings, Building C in the center houses the administrative office, computer lab, music room, cafeteria, and other auxiliary facilities. Darrasa School will implement a cutting-edge education system and become the nation’s finest prestigious school.”
Lee Gang-hun held up the miniature as he spoke.
“Admission eligibility is automatically granted to students residing in this Village, while students from other areas must pass the school’s entrance examination to gain admission.”
At Lee Gang-hun’s words, a woman in front raised her hand.
“Please go ahead.”
“Looking at the miniature, there’s a small building in front here. What is that?”
At the woman’s question, Lee Gang-hun smiled and pointed to the small building.
“That is a Kindergarten.”
“A Kindergarten? You’re building a Kindergarten at the school too?”
“Yes, we are.”
At the news of a Kindergarten coming to the Village, the women’s eyes sparkled. Sending their children to a Kindergarten would greatly reduce their own workload.
Seeing the delighted women, Lee Gang-hun spoke.
“Going forward, the Management Office staff and I will do our utmost to ensure the happiness and comfortable living of our residents. Now, please enjoy your meal. Oh, and if you have any questions, please contact the Management Office.”
As Lee Gang-hun descended from the platform, the crowd began to applaud.
Clap clap clap!
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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