Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 442

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

442. 150 Yen?

“This is the Nasan Department Store Nonhyeon Branch.”

At Son Jae-gyu’s words, the Midopa Department Store director, Seok-won lifted his face—shaded by Ray-Ban sunglasses—and gazed upward.
The eight-story department store building standing directly ahead cut an imposing figure.
Yet the ivory-colored exterior walls that had recently displayed massive advertisements for luxury brands now stood bare and empty, while the glass entrance doors that once bustled with shoppers were sealed shut behind lowered metal shutters.

“The safety inspection classified it as a hazard zone, didn’t it?”

Son Jae-gyu, now addressed, responded promptly.

“Yes. The detailed inspection revealed that reinforcing bars of different gauges than the design specifications were used, and even fewer of them were installed than required.”

The practice of cutting corners by removing one or two reinforcing bars and substituting cheaper alternatives—colloquially known as “skimping on rebar”—was a common form of shoddy construction at job sites, reducing costs without adhering to design specifications.
It was a trick born from the combination of low-bid contracts and deeply ingrained indifference to safety.

‘The problem is that this flat-slab structure, which creates ceilings without beams and requires far more reinforcing bars to strengthen the ceiling’s thickness and load-bearing capacity, makes such shortcuts catastrophic.’

When weaker reinforcing bars were used or fewer were installed than designed, the structure couldn’t bear the load, and the ceiling would collapse.

“During the safety inspection, cracks were discovered in several basement parking garage columns on the second level. Investigation revealed they were caused by the adjacent Subway Line 7 Section 18 construction work.”
“Even if the subway construction contributed to it, the building was constructed so poorly that problems were inevitable at any time.”
“That’s correct.”
“You took immediate safety measures, then?”
“Of course. We reinforced the cracked parking garage columns with multiple steel safety beams and completely prohibited access.”

Hearing the response, Seok-won nodded slightly.

“Good work. We can’t afford any safety accidents before demolition, so stay meticulous about it.”
“Understood.”
“When does demolition begin?”
“Once the specialized team arrives from abroad next month, we’ll commence operations immediately.”

Initially, I had intended to demolish the building using conventional methods, but following my insistent demands, we decided to implode the structure and bring it down in one catastrophic collapse.

‘Even before my regression, there was an accident during demolition work where the ceiling collapsed and several workers were buried along with a excavator. I can’t allow the same tragedy to repeat itself.’

Because the collapse had resulted in fatalities, we decided to use the controlled demolition method despite the increased cost.

“You mentioned the team that demolished the Sampoong Department Store before.”
“That’s correct.”

Recalling how they had cleanly dismantled the massive Sampoong Department Store in a single operation without incident, confidence surged within me.

“We can trust them.”

I turned to Director Son Jae-gyu and added my thoughts.

“A separate company will be established soon to exclusively manage real estate. Until then, I’d appreciate your efforts despite the inconvenience.”
“I’ll pay closer attention to ensure no issues arise, so please don’t worry.”

After acquiring the Nasan Department Store, I had separated only the Nonhyeon Branch and sold it to Seok Won-han for 20 billion won, so technically, the subsequent matters were no longer Midopa Department Store’s responsibility.
However, since it was difficult for Daeheung Venture Capital or the securities firm I owned to manage it, Midopa Department Store was temporarily handling the assistance.
As I gestured, Han Ji-sung, who had been standing behind me, pulled a thick envelope from his pocket and handed it to Director Son Jae-gyu.

“It’s not much, but have the hardworking staff use it for a company dinner.”
“Thank you.”

Director Son Jae-gyu accepted the envelope without hesitation.
I lifted my gaze toward the Nasan Department Store Nonhyeon Branch building that would soon disappear, contemplating in my mind how best to utilize this space.

***

Gangnam, Seoul—Daeheung Venture Capital Headquarters.
Manager Choi Ho-geun, who had just entered the office, tapped the approval document in his hand lightly as he spoke.

“Everyone, pay attention!”

Section Chief Jung Hwan-yeop and his team members, who had been sprawled across their desks the moment the market closed after intensely focused trading, groggily lifted their heads to look at Manager Choi Ho-geun.

“Did something happen? You mentioned you were going to the president’s office.”

Section Chief Jung Hwan-yeop pushed his chair back with a creaking sound as he spoke.

“You all have bought stocks with almost no cash reserves left, right?”

Manager Choi Ho-geun looked around at his team members and asked.

“Yes.”
“Just to be safe, we held back about 5% and invested everything else in stocks.”
“Same here.”

Even though everyone was drained and exhausted, they answered promptly and faithfully.

“Then starting tomorrow, unwind the main positions and sell everything by next week. For your individual portfolios, trade with a market downturn in mind.”

The market had weakened since the beginning of the year but was still trending upward. The sudden mention of a stock market decline left everyone puzzled.
At that moment, Jung Hwan-yeop, who had been wearing a drowsy expression, suddenly gasped and straightened up.

“The president said something to you, didn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”

The other team members, who had been slumped over their desks as if dying, suddenly looked up at Manager Choi Ho-geun with curious eyes.
Manager Choi Ho-geun wore a slightly stiffened expression before opening his mouth.

“He said the yen could plummet to around 150 yen per dollar, so we should prepare in advance.”

The moment they heard this, the office erupted in commotion.

“150 yen?”

Jung Hwan-yeop was the first to react.

“How much is the yen worth right now? Does that even make sense?”
“If someone else had said this to me, I would have called it nonsense. But these words came from the president himself.”
“Ah….”

Jung Hwan-yeop immediately fell silent.
Seok-won was the man Wall Street called the Midas Touch.
Moreover, having witnessed firsthand how he repeatedly predicted market movements with stunning accuracy and generated enormous profits, no one dared speak carelessly.
At that moment, Yu Seok-hyun, who had rolled up his shirt sleeves to reveal his toned forearms, glanced cautiously at Jung Hwan-yeop and spoke.

“Considering the yen depreciation has been ongoing since last year, it doesn’t seem entirely impossible.”
“I agree. Goldman Sachs even projected earlier this year that the yen exchange rate could reach 150 yen.”

Hong Jae-hee, who always stuck to Yu Seok-hyun’s side like needle and thread, chimed in as well.
Then Noh Hee-won cautiously added her opinion.

“Oh, I saw that article too.”

As the atmosphere shifted to everyone except himself agreeing on the yen’s decline, Jung Hwan-yeop scratched his head vigorously.

“Sigh… 150 yen? If the yen really crashes that hard, not only the Nikkei but the Korean stock market will take shrapnel damage and be decimated.”
“That’s exactly why you need to liquidate all positions.”
“Damn it.”

Jung Hwan-yeop’s face twisted in irritation.

“Just when we were starting to recover from the terrible shock of the IMF crisis and the market was coming back to life. Really, what an unhelpful neighbor.”
“Tell me about it.”

Yu Seok-hyun sighed in agreement.
Choi Ho-geun listened to their conversation, then cleared the air with a dismissive gesture.

“If we liquidate early and then the market crashes, we can sweep up the best stocks at rock bottom and make substantial profits. There’s no need to look at this negatively.”
“Well, that’s true.”
“There’s a saying: if you can’t avoid it, enjoy it. Since the yen’s fall and the market’s collapse are beyond our control, let’s make sure we secure solid returns this time. You all understand what I’m saying, right?”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”

Choi Ho-geun rolled up his sleeve and checked the watch on his wrist before continuing.

“We need to revise the existing trading strategy to fit the changed circumstances. Finish organizing all the documents within thirty minutes and gather in the conference room.”
“Looks like I’m stuck working late again.”

Choi Ho-geun shot a sharp look at the grumbling voice.

“Everyone else is quiet, but you’re the only one complaining, Manager?”
“It’s not just me—everyone wants to leave early, they’re just not saying it.”
“What did you say?”

When Choi Ho-geun glanced at his team members, they all awkwardly averted their eyes.
Not a single person protested, even half-heartedly, which made it clear they wanted to go home.

“See? I was right!”
“Ugh.”

Choi Ho-geun let out a groan and glared at Jung Hwan-yeop.

“That’s enough—let’s finish organizing those receipts quickly!”

But Jung Hwan-yeop wasn’t the type to be discouraged by such mild reproach.
Since overtime was already decided, he seemed determined to extract some benefit from it, grinning as he spoke.

“They say even Diamond Mountain tastes better on a full stomach—why not fill our bellies before the meeting?”
“You want to have dinner?”
“Yes. We need to be well-fed for our minds to work properly, don’t you think?”

As Jung Hwan-yeop signaled with his eyes, Hong Jae-hee chimed in with a sweet voice.

“That’s right, sir.”
“Even if we finish organizing the receipts as quickly as possible, it’ll be past five o’clock—let’s eat first.”
“I… I agree too.”

Choi Ho-geun had to admit the timing was a bit awkward.

“Hmm. If we go out to eat and come back, it’ll be too late.”
“Why waste time going out? Let’s just order something to the office.”
“But we already had jjajangmyeon and sweet and sour pork for lunch. Eating something that greasy twice in a row doesn’t sound appealing.”

Then Jung Hwan-yeop quickly offered a suggestion.

“What about braised pork trotters?”
“Pork trotters, all of a sudden?”
“There’s a new pork trotter place next to Namwon House in Food Alley. It’s supposed to be an amazing restaurant these days.”
“Oh, really?”

Just then, Hong Jae-hee jumped in with sparkling eyes.

“I know that place too! They say it has plenty of meat and is incredibly chewy and delicious.”
“Right, Miss Hong knows her stuff! Their buckwheat noodles are sweet and tangy—absolutely divine. If you dip the sauce generously in garlic and wrap it all together, it’s pure heaven! And if you throw back a shot of soju with it, mmm. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.”
“Listen to him talking about wrapping meat in sauce. Where the hell is soju coming from here!”
“Hehe, I’m just speaking hypothetically.”

Manager Choi Ho-geun shot a glare at Jung Hwan-yeop, who was grinning mischievously, and pulled his wallet from his back pocket with one hand.

“Miss Noh.”
“Yes, Manager.”
“Go order six servings of braised pork feet—make it generous—and have it delivered. Use this for payment.”

Manager Choi Ho-geun produced his corporate card and held it out.
Jung Hwan-yeop seized the moment and interjected without hesitation.

“And don’t forget the bindaetteok—it’s delicious! Order some of that too!”
“Pardon? Oh. Yes.”

Seeing Noh Hee-won’s bewilderment, Manager Choi Ho-geun shook his head slowly.

“That guy is going to be the death of me. The death of me, I tell you. Fine, bring the bindaetteok too. Let’s see just how delicious it is.”
“I’ll be right back.”

As Noh Hee-won took the card and left the office to place the order, Jung Hwan-yeop chuckled and immediately sidled up next to Manager Choi Ho-geun.

“There’s no one quite like you, Manager.”
“That’s enough. Now hurry up and finish organizing those receipts.”
“Yes, sir!”

Watching Jung Hwan-yeop flutter back to his desk, Manager Choi Ho-geun clicked his tongue behind him.

“Sigh. When will that guy ever grow up.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————