Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 133

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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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133. A transaction is an exchange—both parties give and receive.

“Thank you for making time to meet with me despite your busy schedule.”

In a private room of Dongyeong, an upscale Japanese restaurant located in Gangbuk, Seok-won sat across from Choi Bok-rak, a section chief at the Securities Supervisory Board’s Investigation Division 1.
Chief Choi Bok-rak, of medium height with a lean build and gold-rimmed glasses, studied him with a wary gaze and asked a question.

“How do you know Professor Woo?”

Seok-won responded with an easy smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

“When I was studying abroad at Harvard University, I had the opportunity to meet Professor Woo when he attended an academic conference. I happened to learn that you were one of Professor Woo’s students, so I asked him to arrange this meeting.”
“A coincidence, you say.”

Chief Choi Bok-rak was far too shrewd to take that at face value.

“If I’ve overstepped, I apologize.”
“No, not at all.”

Chief Choi Bok-rak replied in a dry tone.
Even as Seok-won recognized that his counterpart had raised his defenses, he remained unhurried, methodically wiping his hands with a warm towel before speaking.

“I hear they’ve just received some fresh bluefin tuna today. Would that suit your taste?”
“Before that, why don’t you tell me why you wanted to see me? Get straight to the point.”
“I thought it would be better to share a meal first and then discuss matters step by step.”
“No. I’d prefer to hear your business first. To be honest, this meeting isn’t exactly comfortable for me.”

Chief Choi Bok-rak made his discomfort plain with an expressionless face.
Rather than taking offense at his formidable demeanor, Seok-won found himself smiling inwardly.

‘Just as his nickname suggests—quite prickly indeed.’

The nickname had been earned for his relentless pursuit of cases and the harsh penalties he imposed, but it was also a derisive epithet used within the Securities Supervisory Board—an organization dominated by graduates of Seoul’s prestigious universities—to belittle Chief Choi Bok-rak, an outsider who had graduated from an obscure provincial university.

“Very well, I understand.”

Seok-won turned his head and gave a subtle gesture, which the Female Server standing by the door immediately recognized and acknowledged.

“Once you’ve finished your discussion, please call for me.”

The door closed with a soft click, leaving only the two of us in the private room.
Seok-won lifted a ceramic bottle and spoke with a subtle smile.

“You don’t mind having a drink, do you?”

Instead of answering, Choi Bok-rak reached for the glass in front of him.
As I poured, he took the bottle and filled my glass in return.
We clinked glasses lightly and drained them in one gulp.

“The reason I asked to meet like this is because I have a favor to ask.”
“As expected.”

As I poured again and spoke, he gave me a look that said he’d seen this coming, then set his glass down with a sharp clink.

“Let’s stop right there. Out of respect for Professor Woo, I’ll pretend I heard nothing.”

Seeing him about to rise from his seat, I spoke.

“You certainly live up to your reputation—quite the impatient type.”
“What did you say?”

Choi Bok-rak’s brow furrowed in displeasure, and I gestured for him to sit with an unhurried wave.

“I didn’t come here to make some improper request. You can relax.”

Choi Bok-rak snorted derisively and spoke curtly.

“Didn’t you just say you had a favor to ask? Are my ears deceiving me?”

I accepted his piercing gaze with ease and took a sip of my drink.

“Let’s call it a proposal rather than a favor.”
“I’m not idle enough to play word games with you.”

At his sarcastic retort, I let the smile fade from my face.

“I feel the same way. You’re free to leave, but you’ll come to deeply regret it.”
“What do you mean by that….”

Choi Bok-rak stared at Seok-won for a long moment, as if engaged in a silent battle of wills, before finally slumping back into his chair.

“So what exactly is this proposal you’re talking about?”

Seok-won picked up the thick envelope of documents he’d set beside him and placed it on the table.

“Evidence materials regarding the trading syndicate manipulating a specific company’s stock price to profit from the price differential.”
“!”

Choi Bok-rak, who had been standing with his arms crossed as if to hear what scheme was being proposed, widened his eyes at this unexpected revelation.

“Most of it is circumstantial evidence, but even a cursory glance will make it immediately clear that stock price manipulation is occurring.”

Seok-won spoke leisurely while tilting his glass.

“Once an investigation begins and we start digging even slightly, evidence will pour out, so proving the criminal activity won’t be particularly difficult.”

He then raised his eyebrows toward Choi Bok-rak as if to say, see?

“Catching stock price manipulation is one of the Securities Supervisory Board’s important duties, so this can’t be called a favor, can it?”
“…If that’s the case, you should just file a formal report. Why go through all this trouble?”

Choi Bok-rak asked, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.
He still hadn’t even touched the envelope, clearly unwilling to trust easily.

“Because I want the Securities Supervisory Board investigation to happen on my timeline.”

The moment Choi Bok-rak heard the answer, his brow furrowed.
Just as he’d suspected, there was definitely some ulterior motive at play.
Choi Bok-rak, having no desire to get entangled in a troublesome matter, decided to pretend he hadn’t heard anything.
But the words that followed immediately changed his mind.

“I heard that you were passed over for promotion again in the recent personnel reshuffle.”
“!”
“I understand that among this promotion’s candidates, there’s a junior colleague with less seniority than you. That must be frustrating.”

Seok-won shrugged as he observed Manager Choi Bok-rak’s hardened expression.

“Performance matters, of course, but the reality is that connections and networks play a crucial role in promotions. It’s truly unfortunate.”

The words struck at Manager Choi Bok-rak’s deepest wound—a man whose exceptional performance had repeatedly been overshadowed by educational pedigree and personal connections, leaving him perpetually passed over for advancement and treated as an outsider.

“You must be familiar with Vice Minister Choi Jin-woo, who currently serves at the Ministry of Science and Technology.”

Unlike myself, Choi Jin-woo was an elite bureaucrat from Seoul National University who had served as Vice Minister of Finance, enjoyed deep trust from the Blue House, and was being discussed as a potential candidate for the next Minister of Finance or Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs—someone impossible not to know.

“Now that I think about it, you two share the same surname, Choi.”
“….”

Seok-won continued speaking in a subtle tone.

“If someone of Vice Minister Choi’s caliber were to support you, you would no longer face the discrimination and disadvantages you experience now in your public service career.”

At that, a flicker of agitation crossed Manager Choi Bok-rak’s face.

“If you wish, I could help you establish a favorable connection with Vice Minister Choi.”

Manager Choi Bok-rak, who had been clenching his jaw, shifted his gaze toward the document envelope resting on the table.

“So you’re asking me to handle this according to your wishes.”
“A transaction is about mutual exchange, after all.”

Manager Choi Bok-rak’s pupils dilated noticeably, yet he still appeared hesitant.

“It’s not even an illegal act—it’s simply asking the Securities Supervisory Board to do what it’s supposed to do. I’m merely asking you to adjust the timing.”

Faced with such gentle persuasion, Manager Choi Bok-rak recalled the resentment he had accumulated from years of being overlooked due to his lack of educational and social connections.
He wasn’t being asked to turn a blind eye to wrongdoing; rather, he was being asked to catch criminal activity—there was no reason to refuse.

“What’s the name of the company engaged in stock price manipulation?”

Sensing that Seok-won had accepted the proposal, a smile played at the corners of his lips as he answered.

“Boseong Communications.”

* * *

The next day, the 5th Floor Trading Center at Yeouido Daeheung Securities Headquarters hummed with relentless phone rings and the booming shouts of traders barking orders, the machinery of finance grinding on without pause.
Amid this chaos, Jung Hwan-yeop, who had rushed from last night’s company dinner until dawn before coming to work, lay slumped across his desk, cradling a skull-splitting headache and a churning stomach.

“Ugh…”

Lifting his gaunt face, Jung Hwan-yeop reached for his mug and took a sip of coffee, desperately trying to pull himself together.

“Blegh.”

But the moment the bitter liquid touched his tongue, his nausea intensified, and he collapsed back onto his desk with a pathetic groan.

“I’m dying here.”

Just then, Choi Ho-geun, the team leader who had stepped away briefly, returned to find Jung Hwan-yeop shambling about like a zombie and clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

“Still at it?”
“My stomach’s killing me. Please, have mercy.”
“Who told you to pound those bomb shots like that? You were having the time of your life, and now look at you.”

Jung Hwan-yeop’s shoulders sagged as he muttered in a voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m already regretting it, so please don’t scold me too much.”
“Sigh.”

The guy was always fooling around and causing trouble, but seeing him wilted like this was equally unpleasant to witness.
Choi Ho-geun wanted to give him more grief, but pity tugged at his heart, so he softened his tone slightly.

“If your stomach’s that bad, go to the bathroom and get it out of your system.”
“I’ve already thrown up four times. Now only water’s coming up—there’s nothing left.”

Jung Hwan-yeop groaned pitifully, his expression one of pure suffering.

“Damn it. After all that premium beef and whiskey, I hate seeing it go to waste.”
“Your mouth’s still working, so I’d say you’re not quite dead yet.”
“You can say that after looking at this face?”

As Jung Hwan-yeop whimpered pathetically, Choi Ho-geun smacked him hard on the back.

“Ugh, you idiot! I told you to drink in moderation!”
“Blech!”
“Everyone else is fine, but look at you—a complete mess. Honestly, you’re aging me faster than time itself!”

Choi Ho-geun rummaged roughly through the plastic bag in his hand, pulled out a brown bottle of hangover cure, and set it down on the desk with a decisive thunk.

“Found this. Drink it and get your head straight!”
“Oh!”

Jung Hwan-yeop accepted the hangover cure with both hands as though it were the Holy Grail itself, his voice trembling with genuine gratitude.

“Ahh! There’s no one like you, Team Lead!”
“Stop being so creepy. Get away from me!”

Choi Ho-geun pushed the clingy man away by force, then distributed hangover cures to Hong Jae-hee and Yu Seok-hyun as well.

“Everyone drink up.”
“My stomach’s been bothering me anyway. Thank you.”
“Me too, Team Lead.”

Following Yu Seok-hyun’s gratitude, Hong Jae-hee also bowed her head in thanks.
Choi Ho-geun returned to his seat and surveyed his team members, all of whom looked gaunt and pallid.
Jung Hwan-yeop appeared to be in the worst condition, but Yu Seok-hyun and Hong Jae-hee weren’t faring much better either.

“Let’s go eat bean sprout soup and rice for lunch—a good cure for a hangover. What do you all say?”

At that, Jung Hwan-yeop swiveled in his chair and asked hopefully.

“You’re treating us, Team Lead?”
“Hey, you punk!”

Choi Ho-geun furrowed his brow deeply and pointed his finger in mock reproach.

“Haven’t you heard that obsessing over free meals makes you go bald?”
“Don’t worry. I may not know much, but I inherited plenty of thick, luscious hair.”

Jung Hwan-yeop swept his hair back proudly as if showing it off.
Faced with his relentless and quick-witted comebacks, Choi Ho-geun let out a groan of exasperation and conceded defeat.

“That’s right! I’ll pay. Let’s go!”
“Hehe. You know that Jeonju restaurant behind ST Securities makes the best bean sprout soup and rice, right?”
“Yeah, yeah. Just pick whatever you want and eat, you bastard.”

Watching him continue to pick restaurants even now, Choi Ho-geun gritted his teeth involuntarily.

“Ahem. Well then, shall we get back to work?”

Jung Hwan-yeop sensed the atmosphere was about to explode if he kept fooling around, so he quickly spun his chair around and buried his head in his desk with practiced discretion.
Hong Jae-hee and Yu Seok-hyun watched the two bicker, and though they couldn’t laugh outright, they barely suppressed their snickering laughter.

“You two really…”

Yu Seok-hyun shook his head and was sipping the hangover drink Choi Ho-geun had brought when he happened to glance at the monitor and suddenly widened his eyes.

“Oh!”

He quickly set down the drink in his hand and checked the stock chart displayed on the monitor, then called out to Choi Ho-geun in an alarmed voice.

“T-Team Lead! Take a look at this!”
“What? What’s going on?”
“Cheonho Steel’s stock price is plummeting.”

Choi Ho-geun shot up from his chair and asked in disbelief.

“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”

Upon hearing the confirmation, Choi Ho-geun rushed over to Yu Seok-hyun’s desk in a panic.
Jung Hwan-yeop, who had been slouching from his hangover, quickly approached and stood beside him as if he’d never been drowsy at all.
Looking at the monitor, Cheonho Steel’s stock price, which had been climbing steadily though not dramatically just moments before, was now plummeting as if all the gains had been a lie.

Cheonho Steel 310,000
.
.
Cheonho Steel 299,950

“It’s really happening!”
“Massive sell orders are pouring in—why is this happening?”

Rather than answer Yu Seok-hyun’s bewildered question, Choi Ho-geun turned his head to the side and spoke in a firm voice.

“Check how the other stocks are performing!”
“Yes, sir.”

Jung Hwan-yeop quickly returned to his station and tapped away at the keyboard, pulling up the indices and major stock prices.

“The other stocks show no significant movement.”

Jung Hwan-yeop kept his eyes fixed on the monitor as he reported.
Choi Ho-geun then exhaled a low breath and spoke.

“It looks like profit-taking selling has begun.”

If that weren’t the case, there would be no reason for selling volume to suddenly explode and the stock price to plummet when there was no bad news whatsoever.
Jung Hwan-yeop nodded in agreement and added his thoughts.

“True enough—the stock has surged tremendously, so it’s about time investors took their profits and exited.”
“That may be, but to suddenly dump such massive quantities without any warning signs?”

Yu Seok-hyun couldn’t hide his bewilderment, given that Cheonho Steel had skyrocketed more than tenfold and seemed destined to climb endlessly.

“That’s just how stocks work.”

Jung Hwan-yeop shrugged in response, then a sudden thought struck him and he glanced at Choi Ho-geun.

“But it’s remarkable—you sold all your holdings, and just one day later this kind of crash happens. Do you perhaps have some kind of sixth sense, Department Head?”

Jung Hwan-yeop shook his head in amazement at the truly astounding timing of the sale.

“It’s really impressive when you think about it.”
“You must have predicted something like this would happen. How on earth is that even possible…?”

Yu Seok-hyun and Hong Jae-hee gasped in admiration.
Choi Ho-geun himself couldn’t conceal his astonishment as he watched the selling volume surge like a dam bursting, while Cheonho Steel’s stock price plummeted steeply.
The thought of what would have happened if he’d held on greedily instead of selling at the right moment sent a chill down his spine.

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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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