Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 366

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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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366. I thought the peak was when it was selling off my shoulders, but now I realize that was the actual high.

As the sun rose through the window and dawn broke dimly, Seok-won, who had been awake all night, sat at a desk lined with multiple monitors.

[HKD : 7.80 (▼0.12)]

After pouring astronomical sums throughout the night, the fierce battle over the Hong Kong dollar exchange rate, with neither side yielding an inch, had finally come to an end.
The relentless assault by the currency speculators led by the Quantum Fund had created several perilous moments where the exchange rate band was breached.
But each time, the Hong Kong Government responded as if it had unlimited reserves, literally pouring massive amounts of foreign currency to defend the Hong Kong dollar.
Seok-won picked up his rocks glass, the ice clinking softly, took a sip of whiskey, and muttered to himself while keeping his eyes fixed on the monitors.

“The Hong Kong Government was able to fight back so boldly, even prepared to deplete its foreign exchange reserves, because it had a powerful backer.”

Without China, which held a massive 126 billion dollars in foreign currency reserves, even Hong Kong would have found it difficult to face the currency speculators head-on without concern for its back.

“And the four-day time limit also worked in the Hong Kong Government’s favor.”

With a time constraint, the attacking hedge funds had no choice but to feel anxious and impatient.
Conversely, the Hong Kong Government, thinking it only needed to hold out for four more days, gritted its teeth and defended the exchange rate band without giving up.

“It’s a fine line, but that kind of small difference becomes the crucial factor that determines victory or defeat.”

Indeed, as the New York Foreign Exchange Market’s closing time approached, cracks began to appear among the hedge funds that had been attacking the Hong Kong dollar in unified formation.
Large investment banks and hedge funds like the Eldorado Fund, which possessed the intelligence to uncover the secret agreement between the White House and George Hamilton, began withdrawing first as the time limit drew closer, switching from short to long positions to minimize losses.
Seok-won set down his rocks glass and spoke softly.

“The moment the attacking formation crumbles and defectors emerge, the battle is essentially decided.”

Since they had formed a united front from the beginning with the goal of reaping massive profits by bringing down Hong Kong, one couldn’t fault them for quickly changing positions.

“Rather, it’s smart to quickly realize that winning is difficult and immediately cut losses to minimize damage.”

I was certain that the moment the time limit expired and the Hong Kong offensive ended in failure, the Quantum Fund would be the first to buy back the Hong Kong dollars it had sold short.
As if to prove it, Hong Kong dollar purchase orders exploded in the foreign exchange market, and the exchange rate was falling rapidly even at this very moment.

[HKD : 7.78 (▼0.14)]

“If this continues, the Hong Kong Government might have to sell off the Hong Kong dollars it accumulated over the years just to maintain the exchange rate band.”

Seok-won let out a bitter laugh at the situation that had completely reversed in an instant.
Then, as I contemplated what lay ahead, my face hardened.

“The hedge funds that suffered massive losses in Hong Kong will become ravenous, desperately seeking the next prey to recoup their losses.”

Japan, with its second-largest foreign exchange reserves in the world and the yen as a quasi-reserve currency, would be difficult to target. That left only Korea.

“Moreover, Wall Street investment banks are continuously releasing negative reports highlighting Korea’s precarious economic situation. The greedy hedge funds’ attention will inevitably turn toward Korea.”

If the three major credit rating agencies—Moody’s and S&P—downgraded Korea’s sovereign credit rating in this situation, it would serve as a signal flare for the hedge funds to descend like a pack of starving wolves.

“Of course, as long as I’m here, the hedge funds will never carve up Korea like a piece of meat on a chopping block, as they did in the pre-regression timeline.”

My voice, now sunken with resolve, echoed through the quiet room.

* * *

“Manager, here’s the summary of the Hang Seng futures trading records.”
“Good work.”

Manager Choi Ho-geun, sitting at his desk with a cigarette in his mouth, accepted the file folder that Noh Hee-won handed over.

“You’ll grab breakfast before heading out, right?”

Jung Hwan-yeop, sprawled lazily in his chair like he owned the place now that all positions had been liquidated, checked his wristwatch and turned to ask.
Manager Choi Ho-geun flipped through the file folder, skimming its contents before answering casually.

“Of course. If I work the night shift and come home in the morning asking my wife to make breakfast, who knows what I’ll hear.”
“Then how about some bean sprout soup at that Jeonju place nearby? It’s been a while.”

Having barely eaten properly over the past few days, the mention of soup suddenly awakened my appetite.
Seok-won had thoughtfully arranged expensive bento boxes for us in between, but eating a steaming hot meal fresh from a restaurant always felt different.

“Actually, I’ve been craving hot broth. That sounds perfect.”

Ho-geun smiled with a snort as he looked at his team members.

“My treat. Everyone grab a bowl of bean sprout rice soup and let’s head home with peace of mind.”
“Since you’re treating us, of course we’ll join you.”

Seok-hyun, whose large frame matched his considerable appetite, nodded eagerly.

“It’s been ages since I’ve had rice soup. And their pickled radish there is really delicious.”
“Yes, sir.”

Hong Jae-hee and Noh Hee-won responded with equal enthusiasm.

“Alright, it’s getting bright out now. Let’s wrap things up and get ready to leave.”

Jung Hwan-yeop stretched his arms wide while still seated in his chair.

“Ah, finally. No more tedious overtime and all-nighters.”
“You’re happy about that?”

Ho-geun asked as he closed his file folder.

“I haven’t been home properly in over a month. How could I not be thrilled?”
“You’re single with no wife, yet you complain so much.”
“That’s exactly why I’m desperate for early dismissal. I need time to see my girlfriend, go on dates, and do all sorts of things.”
“What? You’re still dating that girl Bella?”

I’d heard he’d successfully asked her out on a date when he returned from the United States, but I’d assumed they’d met once or twice before she dumped him. Yet his tone suggested otherwise.
As Ho-geun’s eyes widened in surprise, Jung Hwan-yeop stared back with a sullen expression and grumbled.

“It sounds like you’re hoping we’d break up?”
“You weren’t the type to be so serious before. You said the world is wide and there are plenty of women, that you’d play freely until you got bored before settling down!”
“The carefree lifestyle has lost its appeal. I think it’s time to settle down.”

Ho-geun was startled by this confession and asked in disbelief.

“Are you seriously thinking about marriage?”
“Yes.”

His expression seemed quite serious, making it all the more unexpected.

“Don’t decide so hastily. Think it through carefully. Are you sincere?”
“At first, I’ll admit I was swayed by her appearance… but once we started spending time together, I realized we’re incredibly compatible. That’s why I’m planning to propose soon.”
“Hmph.”

Manager Choi Ho-geun exhaled dismissively as he watched Jung Hwan-yeop’s embarrassed expression.

“What did that young lady ever do to deserve getting tangled up with someone like you?”
“Come now, surely you don’t mean that.”
“If you’re truly serious about marriage, don’t treat it like a joke. Buy a diamond ring and propose properly. You know what women love—bouquets of flowers, a restaurant with a stunning night view, expensive wine, that sort of thing.”
“I’ve already given all of that considerable thought, so please don’t worry.”
“I’m sure you have.”

The team members preparing to leave for the day chuckled as they watched the two banter like children, as they always did.
Then, glancing casually at the large market ticker mounted on the opposite wall, Hong Jae-hee’s eyes suddenly widened as she noticed something.

“Huh?”

Startled, Hong Jae-hee quickly turned her head and called out to Manager Choi Ho-geun.

“Manager! Look at that!”
“What? What is it?”

Manager Choi Ho-geun turned around, interrupting his banter.

“The Hang Seng futures are surging!”

Hong Jae-hee raised one arm, pointing at the large market ticker, and shouted loudly. Immediately, Manager Choi Ho-geun and all the team members lifted their heads to stare at the Hang Seng futures index displayed on the screen.
Then Manager Choi Ho-geun and all the team members lifted their heads and looked at the Hang Seng futures index displayed on the large market board.

+100.33)]
100.33)]

“Why is it doing that?”
“…!”
“Could the system be malfunctioning?”
“It’s not broken, is it?”

Jung Hwan-yeop, straightening in his seat as if shaking off his lethargy, quickly moved his mouse to check the trading window.
Manager Jung Hwan-yeop quickly straightened his posture as if asking when he had been slouching, and rapidly moved his mouse to check the transaction window.

“Insane! All the selling orders have vanished—the screen is completely flooded with buy orders!”
“What?”

Manager Ho-geun’s eyes widened as a sudden realization struck him, and he exclaimed aloud.

“What’s the Hong Kong exchange rate right now?”

Yu Seok-hyun immediately glanced at the rate displayed on the monitor and answered.

“It’s dropped to 7.75 per dollar!”

Jung Hwan-yeop let out a long breath and murmured in disbelief.

“7.75 is the lower band of the exchange rate corridor.”

Manager Ho-geun walked over to Yu Seok-hyun’s station and examined the monitor, then let out a low hum of acknowledgment.

“Indeed it is.”
“How on earth did this happen?”

Jung Hwan-yeop rose from his seat with a dazed expression, running his hand through his hair as he posed the question.

“Given how sharply the rate has fallen, it seems the hedge funds that were attacking didn’t surrender—rather, Hong Kong went on the offensive and forced them to back down.”
“You mean Hong Kong won the battle?”

As Yu Seok-hyun spoke with disbelief, Hong Jae-hee also brought her hand to her mouth in astonishment.

“That would certainly make sense.”

Jung Hwan-yeop scratched the back of his head with one hand and responded.

“Hong Kong managed to stop the hedge funds that ravaged Southeast Asia like a swarm of locusts. I can scarcely believe it even seeing it with my own eyes.”
“Exactly. No one could have predicted things would turn out this way.”

Manager Ho-geun gazed at the large market board displaying the Hang Seng Futures Index with eyes full of admiration, contradicting Yu Seok-hyun’s words.

“There’s exactly one person who did.”
“Pardon?”
“The person who predicted Hong Kong would emerge victorious.”

Yu Seok-hyun blinked, then suddenly recalled something.

“Ah! You’re talking about President Min’s trade.”
“Right. I thought he sold at the shoulder, but looking back, it was the absolute peak.”

Manager Choi Ho-geun nodded with his hands on his hips.

“The timing of that short sale was truly an art form, wasn’t it?”

Jung Hwan-yeop shook his head in disbelief.

“Exactly. Everyone thought the Hong Kong Government would soon throw in the towel and devalue the Hong Kong dollar… but to short the Hang Seng Index and then liquidate the position right when profits peaked? I can’t even fathom how many moves ahead he was seeing.”

Jung Hwan-yeop spoke with genuine admiration etched across his face.

“If we hadn’t bought futures and closed out that position back then, we wouldn’t be standing here like this now, would we?”
“We’d probably be watching our profits shrink in real-time, desperately trying to buy futures to salvage at least something, our hearts about to burst.”

Manager Choi Ho-geun chuckled softly at Hong Jae-hee’s question.

“Ugh. Just thinking about it makes me shudder.”

Jung Hwan-yeop groaned, visibly wincing at the thought.
The other team members wore similarly pained expressions.
The mere thought of losing all the profits they’d painstakingly earned over the past month through countless all-nighters and overtime in a single catastrophic collapse was something they didn’t even want to imagine.
Jung Hwan-yeop rubbed his chest and stared at the Hang Seng futures index, which continued to surge upward relentlessly even at this moment.

“Still, with things turning out this way, the hedge funds that attacked Hong Kong must be suffering massive losses.”

Manager Choi Ho-geun nodded slightly.

“No doubt about it. I’d wager more than a few hedge funds will go bankrupt from this.”

Even as he spoke, he couldn’t help but marvel once more at Seok-won’s foresight and skill—the precision with which he’d shorted at exactly the right moment and liquidated his position to maximize profits in this high-stakes game.

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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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