Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 378

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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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378. It seems he’s scheming to save only himself. I can’t let that slide.

Friday, September 12, 1997.
With Chuseok just a day away, this would normally be a time when people buzzed with excitement at the prospect of returning home to visit family and relatives for the first time in ages. But this year was different.
The cascading defaults of large and small enterprises that had begun in early spring had left countless workers suddenly jobless, and the stock market collapse had wiped out investors’ capital entirely—there were more than enough people walking around with empty pockets to explain the gloomy mood.
Jung Hwan-yeop, sitting in his chair, checked the KOSPI index on the monitor mounted on his desk, shook his head, and addressed Manager Choi Ho-geun, who was in the middle of giving instructions to Deputy Yu Seok-hyun.

“The KOSPI’s getting demolished again today.”

Manager Choi Ho-geun handed the documents he was holding to Deputy Yu Seok-hyun and replied.

“With the exchange rate like this, it’d be stranger if it weren’t.”

Then Deputy Hong Jae-hee, who had been sitting at the common table with Noh Hee-won organizing printouts, looked up and spoke.

“If the dollar gets expensive, domestic companies struggle, but export companies do well, don’t they?”
“Only to a point. When it gets this expensive, import raw material prices spike too, which creates problems. And the bigger issue is that the economy’s so terrible companies go under every time you sleep and wake up—who’s going to buy stocks when they’re terrified?”
“When you put it that way, I see your point.”

Deputy Yu Seok-hyun, his large frame looming, interjected into the conversation.

“From what I hear from classmates still in Yeouido, the atmosphere’s so bad people don’t even want to come to work.”
“With the KOSPI like this, profit margins must’ve already tanked, and on the trading floor investors who’ve lost everything are probably screaming for their money back. If I were them, every single day would feel like hell.”

Manager Choi Ho-geun, seasoned from years in the Yeouido Securities District, wore a bitter expression as he pictured the funeral-like atmosphere at securities firms.

“Sigh. With things like this, we can forget about holiday bonuses.”
“After the break ends, we might lose our heads—why worry about bonuses?”
“That’s true enough.”

Jung Hwan-yeop clicked his tongue.
On the surface it looked like an enviable profession that made good money, but he knew better than anyone that being a securities trader meant bleeding over daily performance targets and never knowing when you’d get fired if you didn’t deliver results—it was a precarious existence.

“When I think about it, I’m so grateful I followed the President.”
“You’re only realizing that now?”

Manager Choi Ho-geun let out a derisive chuckle, offering a pointed remark.
I shuddered at the thought of what would have happened had I remained at Daehung Securities—I would have been battered mercilessly by this catastrophic market collapse.

“By the way, did you see the Chuseok bonus that came into your account yesterday?”

When Yu Seok-hyun asked, Manager Jung Hwan-yeop’s lips curled upward as he responded.

“Of course. Hehehehe. Our president really is generous, isn’t he? Wouldn’t you agree, Manager?”
“He certainly has a generous spirit.”

Manager Choi Ho-geun, recalling the figures displayed in his passbook, wore a warm smile as well.

“I had high expectations given our strong performance, but I never imagined he’d give us a larger bonus than Hyunwoo Construction receives.”

Noh Hee-won, standing alongside Hong Jae-hee, made no attempt to conceal her joy as she spoke.

“I haven’t accomplished anything particularly noteworthy, so I was genuinely shocked to receive an additional bonus.”

Under Seok-won’s directive, Daehung Venture Capital distributed bonuses to all employees at 150% of their base salary—exceeding what Hyunwoo Construction and Sasung Electronics offered.
On top of this, the Fund Management Department, which had achieved the highest performance, received an additional 150% bonus, allowing everyone to celebrate the holiday in exceptional spirits.
Manager Choi Ho-geun regarded Noh Hee-won, impeccably dressed in a neat two-piece skirt suit, and spoke.

“Miss Noh is part of our team, so it’s only natural.”

Manager Jung Hwan-yeop grinned widely and chimed in agreement.

“The manager’s right. And thanks to you handling the back-office work so well, we were able to focus entirely on trading without worry.”
“For once, you’re talking sense.”

Hong Jae-hee and Yu Seok-hyun also spoke gently.

“We couldn’t have succeeded without Hee-won. Have more confidence in yourself!”
“Yes, sir.”

As all her teammates acknowledged her efforts, Noh Hee-won was deeply moved, her expression suggesting she might burst into tears at any moment.

“Thank you so much.”

Manager Jung Hwan-yeop, who had been smiling broadly, found this suddenly sentimental atmosphere somewhat awkward, so he abruptly shifted the conversation while glancing at Hong Jae-hee.

“Jae-hee, you mentioned your hometown is Daegu, same as Manager Choi, right?”
“Yes.”
“Did you manage to get a train ticket?”
“I was worried because holiday tickets are so hard to come by, but fortunately I managed to get a Saemaul train ticket heading down tomorrow evening.”
“During the holidays, getting train tickets is harder than picking stars from the sky. Lucky you.”

Jung Hwan-yeop turned his gaze toward Yu Seok-hyun and Noh Hee-won and asked.

“You two are both from Seoul, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Yes.”

Watching the two respond simultaneously, Jung Hwan-yeop’s expression turned envious.

“Must be nice to avoid the holiday hassle and just stay in Seoul.”
“Then when are you heading down to your hometown in Daejeon?”

At Choi Ho-geun’s words, Jung Hwan-yeop scratched the back of his head and replied.

“Since tomorrow starts the holidays, I’m planning to leave right after work today and head down tonight before the expressway gets congested.”

Though Saturday was originally a workday, thanks to Seok-won granting a temporary holiday, the Daheung Venture Capital Fund employees could now enjoy five days of Chuseok break, combining Saturday and Sunday.

“Even if I’m a bit tired, it’s far better than suffering for hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the expressway.”

Jung Hwan-yeop leaned back in his chair with his hands behind his head and asked with a hint of regret.

“By the way, is the company not giving out holiday gifts this time?”

Hong Jae-hee then answered as if she had just remembered.

“I heard from someone in the General Affairs team that they’re distributing them today.”
“That’s right! It wouldn’t feel like a holiday without a gift set from the company.”

Jung Hwan-yeop’s face brightened instantly, and he muttered with eager anticipation.

“I wonder what we’ll get this time.”
“Are you new to company life? It’s probably spam or canned tuna again.”

When Manager Choi Ho-geun wore an unenthusiastic expression and dealt the cards, Section Chief Jung Hwan-yeop suddenly thrust his palm forward.

“If you don’t like it, curse the holiday gifts.”
“Who said I didn’t like it?”

Just as they were in the midst of their banter, two employees from the General Affairs Department wheeled in a collapsible cart.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Seeing this, Section Chief Jung Hwan-yeop rose from his chair and spoke.

“They say tigers come when you talk about them—and here they are right on cue.”
“Pardon?”

At the bewildered expressions of the General Affairs Department employees, Manager Choi Ho-geun placed a hand to his forehead and sighed.

“It’s nothing to worry about.”
“Yes, well…”

The Female Secretary from General Affairs, unsure what was happening, raised the clipboard in her hand and checked the headcount.

“We’ve brought the holiday gifts. The Fund Management Department has five people total, correct?”
“That’s right.”

While Manager Choi Ho-geun dealt with the employee, Section Chief Jung Hwan-yeop, his expression gleeful, quietly peered at the items loaded on the cart.
Then, spotting shopping bags emblazoned with the Gucci logo, his eyes widened in surprise.

“Wait, this doesn’t look like a canned goods set.”

The other team members, curious about the holiday gifts, soon gathered around with astonished expressions.

“You’re right.”
“Is that Gucci? No way.”

Among them, Hong Jae-hee, her eyes alight with excitement, grabbed the Female Secretary and asked.

“These aren’t real, are they? It’s just the shopping bag that’s Gucci, right?”
“Of course they are.”

The Female Secretary from the General Affairs Department responded with an incredulous expression, as if to say there was no way the company would provide such a thing.

“It’s Gucci.”
“Whoa!”

Hong Jae-hee drew in the largest breath, and the rest of the team members gasped in genuine astonishment.
The Female Secretary from the General Affairs Department, as if she had anticipated such a reaction, smiled lightly and lowered her gaze to the clipboard in her hand.

“Each shopping bag contains a necktie and scarf that match perfectly. Since there are five of you, I’ve arranged them according to the quantities.”

With that, the Female Secretary from the General Affairs Department placed five shopping bags on the communal table and extended the clipboard toward Manager Choi Ho-geun.

“Could I trouble you for a signature here?”
“Yes, of course.”

Manager Choi Ho-geun accepted the clipboard with a bewildered expression and signed the receipt confirmation line.
Director Jung Hwan-yeop continued gazing at the shopping bags piled high in the cart, his mouth opening in wonder.

“Surely you’re not distributing Gucci holiday gifts to all employees?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”

The Female Secretary received the clipboard back and bowed her head.

“Well then, we’re busy, so we’ll be on our way. Have a wonderful holiday.”

The Female Secretary from the General Affairs Department, speaking in a bright voice, left the office at a brisk pace alongside another employee, pulling the cart behind her.

“Heh.”

Manager Choi Ho-geun let out a hollow laugh as he gazed at the Gucci shopping bags lined up on the communal table.
The shopping bags were certainly elegant and eye-catching, befitting a luxury brand.
Then Director Jung Hwan-yeop, who had stepped beside him, spoke in an excited voice.

“Even though the number of employees isn’t that large, there must be close to a hundred. Truly, a third-generation chaebol heir operates on a different level.”
“Indeed.”

The other team members also stirred about with expressions of barely contained joy.
Especially Hong Jae-hee, who loved fashion, seemed on the verge of tears at the touching gesture.

“I’m going to dedicate myself to this company.”
“What? All of a sudden?”
“Our president provides the best benefits. Wherever you go, I intend to follow you to the end.”

Hong Jae-hee clenched her small fist tightly and made her resolve with unwavering determination.

* * *

While employees erupted in cheers upon receiving luxury goods they never expected as holiday gifts, Seok-won sat before the expansive desk in his president’s office, his expression grave as he reviewed an article from yesterday’s Wall Street Journal.

“The Korean government spent twenty billion dollars to defend the exchange rate, but the rate remains unsettled, and concerns in the foreign exchange market are growing that Korea’s foreign exchange reserves have reached dangerous levels.”

Setting down the Wall Street Journal, Seok-won lifted his gaze toward the won futures chart displayed on his monitor, lost in thought.

“With futures prices for one year ahead down more than thirty percent, and now this article surfaces. It’s basically screaming to short the won.”

Despite the government and Bank of Korea’s aggressive defense pushing the exchange rate back below 1,000 won, as the Wall Street Journal pointed out, Korea had expended far too many dollars in the process.

“The government and Bank of Korea aren’t disclosing their remaining foreign reserves precisely, but by working backward from the won purchases in the foreign exchange market, it’s not difficult to estimate.”

Currency speculators, including the Quantum Fund, knew this as well, and they were tightening their grip, attacking the won with even greater ferocity.

“Normally, Korea wouldn’t surrender by requesting IMF bailout until mid-November, but this time they might throw in the towel even sooner.”

As Seok-won stared at the monitor with a bitter expression, his mobile phone rang with a deep buzz.
Seok-won picked up the phone from his desk and answered the call.

[This is Lee Chul-gyun.]

At the deep voice, Seok-won leaned back in his chair and spoke.

“What is it?”
[Didn’t I mention last time that Donghae Group seems likely to request a settlement soon?]
“Yes, you did.”
[There’s been a suspicious movement, so I’m calling to inform you.]
“What is it?”
[It appears Woo Ho-geun is trying to leave for the United States.]

Holding the phone to his ear, Seok-won narrowed his brows and spoke.

“Conditional release doesn’t necessarily prohibit overseas travel.”
[That’s true, but with proper justification, one can obtain approval from the Ministry of Justice to travel abroad.]

Lee Chul-gyun continued, his voice dropping to a grave tone.

[The Donghae Group is on the brink of insolvency, and the owner’s son—Chairman Woo Yong-gap’s boy—suddenly departs for the United States while still under conditional release. Doesn’t that strike you as deeply suspicious?]
“You’re right.”

A thought flashed across my mind, and my eyes gleamed with sudden clarity.
I tightened my grip on my phone and asked.

“When does Woo Ho-geun leave for the United States?”
[This coming Sunday.]
“Understood. I’ll handle this matter myself—just keep watching.”
[Yes.]

I set down my phone, my expression hardening with cold resolve.

“Employees are about to lose their livelihoods overnight and become unemployed, yet he’s scheming to save himself alone. I can’t let that happen.”

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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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