Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 486

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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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486. A soft sigh escaped me. Yes, I suppose that’s what I need to do.

The snow squalls that had raged yesterday seemed like a distant memory as gentle waves lapped against the shore, and the sky stretched overhead in perfect clarity, unmarred by a single cloud.
Above Mosulpo in Jeju Island, a Bell 430 medium-sized helicopter banked in a wide arc through the pristine air.
Wearing Ray-Ban sunglasses and a headset, I sat behind the cockpit and gazed down through the windscreen at the picturesque azure sea and the dark basalt coastline spreading below like a painting.

“The Mosulpo harbor area you’re viewing now is the region we’ve selected as the optimal site for a space launch facility!”

As expected, at Dr. Choi Tae-ho’s words through the headset, I raised the binoculars to examine the surrounding terrain in detail.
Dr. Choi Tae-ho, a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from NASA, had taken the position of CEO at Blue Space, the company I’d newly established, and was pushing forward with private space development initiatives with considerable enthusiasm.

“To construct a space launch facility, we must comprehensively review not only annual rainfall and snowfall, but also wind direction, wind speed, temperature, altitude, and the condition of the surrounding bedrock—there are countless factors to consider carefully.”

I lowered the binoculars from my eyes, turned my head, and responded to Dr. Choi Tae-ho.

“While substantial capital investment is required, the location where we establish the launch facility will significantly impact the rocket’s launch success rate, so we certainly need to be cautious.”

Seeing that I wasn’t rushing into space development recklessly but possessed fundamental knowledge of the field, Dr. Choi Tae-ho smiled slightly and continued.

“Exactly. Moreover, the Mosulpo region is located in the southern tip of our country, close to equatorial latitudes, which offers the advantage of avoiding Japanese territory when launching north-south orbital satellites. Beyond that, unlike other candidate sites in the southern coastal archipelago region, there’s less maritime traffic, which means lower risk of ship damage from multi-stage rocket separation debris during launches.”
“Mosulpo certainly seems to be the best launch site option.”
“Considering the satellite launch pad, rocket assembly building, control center, and other necessary facilities, plus securing safety zones, we’ll need a minimum of approximately 200,000 pyeong of land area.”

Two hundred thousand pyeong was an enormous area, but something about it didn’t sit right with me, so I paused to consider before speaking.

“When I think about the projects we’ll pursue after completing space launch vehicle development, it would be advantageous to have multiple launch pads like Vandenberg Air Force Base in the United States. So let’s secure a more generous land area from the start.”

At my suggestion to expand the land area beyond what he’d proposed, Dr. Choi Tae-ho’s expression shifted to one of surprise as he asked.

“Then how much….”
“When constructing the launch facility, you’ll be reclaiming land not just on shore but also from the sea, correct?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then let’s acquire a generous 400,000 pyeong.”

At a size double the existing plan, Dr. Choi Tae-ho’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“You’re talking about quite a substantial amount, aren’t you?”

Even accounting for Jeju Island’s status as a tourist destination, the land prices weren’t cheap enough to dismiss the acquisition costs—we were looking at hundreds of billions of won just for the property.
Yet Seok-won spoke with casual indifference.

“As I mentioned before, we’re not simply constructing a single launch facility. We’re establishing the primary hub for the space projects we’ll be advancing in the future. So rather than fixating on budgets, we need to plan everything around the vision we’re building for tomorrow.”

Dr. Choi Tae-ho’s expression grew complicated, as though he couldn’t quite find the words.

“I’ve participated in several projects across the United States and Korea, but this is the first time I’ve heard someone controlling the purse strings tell me to proceed without worrying about expenses.”
“Is that so?”

Seok-won chuckled in response.

“While it’s admittedly disorienting, working without budget constraints and focusing purely on project execution is something not just I, but every engineer dreams of. In that case, I’ll have the launch facility specifications completely reassessed to match the expanded land area.”

The mental limiter that had been restraining Dr. Choi Tae-ho seemed to shatter, and a wild gleam ignited in his eyes.

‘…Did I just make a mistake?’

I had the unsettling sensation of pressing a button I shouldn’t have, but I dismissed it as nothing serious.

“However, there is one issue we need to resolve regarding the launch facility construction in Mosulpo.”
“What’s that?”
“The designated area in Mosulpo includes a considerable amount of land owned by the Ministry of National Defense. Government cooperation is essential to move forward with the plan.”

Seok-won answered immediately, his tone reassuring.

“When acquiring land, multiple owners can create complications. But if the Ministry of National Defense controls a significant portion, it actually simplifies matters considerably. Don’t worry—I’ll handle that issue myself.”

Dr. Choi Tae-ho’s expression visibly relaxed at my confident tone.

“That would be a tremendous relief.”

After continuing our conversation for some time, I glanced at Han Ji-sung, who had accompanied me.

“Let’s take one final look around before we head back.”
“Understood.”

Han Deputy brought the headset microphone close to his mouth and relayed instructions, prompting the pilot in front to nod in acknowledgment.
The Bell 430 helicopter carrying the group then banked sharply, circling once over Mosulpo before turning its nose toward Jeju Airport, where the private jet awaited.

* * *

The next day.
Snow had fallen since the previous evening, transforming the entire city into a pristine white landscape, and I made my way to the Hannam-dong Main House to attend the monthly family gathering.
As I crossed the garden and entered the main residence, Jo Deok-rye greeted me in her usual manner, dressed in a home dress.

“Welcome, dear.”

Yet there was one difference from the ordinary—my mother was cradling a small nephew in her arms.

“Jun-woo came to greet his uncle too.”

I broke into a broad smile, gazing at my first nephew—barely seven months old—with eyes dripping with affection.

“Say hello to Uncle. Jun-woo.”
“Ha ha ha. It’s only been a month, and he’s grown so much already.”
“Children grow by leaps and bounds, as they say.”

Just then, Choi Bo-kyung appeared from behind and poked her face forward.

“Young Master, you’ve arrived?”
“Yes. Sister-in-law, I hope you’ve been well.”
“I’m always the same, as you know.”

My sister-in-law smiled as she spoke, having apparently undergone special care to nearly reclaim her pre-pregnancy figure.

“Your father and your brother are in the Study Room, so go on in.”
“Of course.”

I grasped my nephew’s tiny hand and gave it a gentle shake before crossing the spacious Living Room toward the Study Room.

Knock, knock.

I knocked lightly and opened the solid wood door to find Chairman Park Tae-hong in casual attire seated on a plush leather sofa alongside his older brother, President Park Jin-hyung.

“I’m here.”

Seeing Seok-won enter, Chairman Park Tae-hong gestured with his chin toward the empty seat.

“Don’t just stand there gawking. Sit down over there.”
“Yes, sir.”

Seok-won settled onto the sofa across from President Park Jin-hyung.
He then noticed the crystal ashtray on the table was spotlessly clean without a single cigarette butt and asked as if wondering what was going on.

“It looks like you didn’t smoke today?”

Chairman Park Tae-hong, receiving his gaze, smacked his lips and grumbled.

“My grandson said it’s bad for me, so I got my entire pack of cigarettes confiscated—told not to touch them for the whole day.”

President Park Jin-hyung barely suppressed a laugh bursting out and added from the side.

“That’s why he’s already eaten four pieces of candy.”

Now that he mentioned it, unwrapped candy wrappers were visible on the table.

“Back in the day, he grew up fine without all this fussing, but apparently he’s being difficult about it. At this rate, I’ll be the one getting diabetes first.”

Only then did Seok-won, understanding the situation, let a slight smile play at his lips.

“It’s just for today, not every day. Please bear with it a little longer.”
“Tsk!”

Chairman Park Tae-hong clicked his tongue with a dissatisfied expression but said nothing more.
In truth, if he really didn’t want to, he would have smoked regardless of what his wife said, but since his grandson said it was bad for him, he was forcing himself to endure.
Chairman Park Tae-hong lifted his teacup, took a sip of green tea, and asked him.

“Anyway, how are the four newly acquired Hansan Group subsidiaries coming along?”
“Well. We’ve assembled new management and are rapidly normalizing operations.”
“I heard Chairman Lim is planning to file a lawsuit against the Creditor Consortium and you. Is that going to be a problem?”

At the worried question, Seok-won replied with a cold smile.

“He tried to cut a backroom deal with the Rothschild Fund to preserve his stake, but when that fell through, he got upset. The potato sale and the company divestiture both followed proper legal procedures, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Chairman Shim is something else. I understand his regret at losing the company, but if he’s decided to step down, he should do it cleanly and be done with it. To keep dragging things out like this until the very end—it’s truly disappointing.”
“Indeed.”

Park Jin-hyung chimed in from beside him.

“Still, if he keeps clinging to this, it could become troublesome. Make sure to wrap things up neatly so there are no lingering concerns.”
“Yes, I will.”

Seok-won glanced sideways at Chairman Park Tae-hong’s face before carefully opening his mouth.

“And there’s something I wanted to discuss with you.”
“Go ahead.”

Chairman Park Tae-hong spoke while sinking deeper into the plush sofa.

“Now that I’ve finished reorganizing the equity, I don’t think it makes sense to keep using the name Dae-heung anymore. I’m planning to change the company name.”
“…!”

Chairman Park Tae-hong, who had worn a slightly surprised expression, soon gave a small nod.

“Yes, it’s about time for that.”

Park Jin-hyung also widened his eyes at the sudden announcement, but quickly showed a look of understanding.

“Have you decided what to change it to?”
“Like the blue hole in the sea—deep and containing everything within it—I’ve decided to call it Blue Hole.”
“Blue Hole, is it? It’s a bit unfamiliar since it’s in English, but the meaning is good and it doesn’t sound bad at all.”

Chairman Park Tae-hong pronounced the name several times before showing his approval.

“Exactly. I think it looks refined and is well-chosen too.”
“Thank you.”

Chairman Park Tae-hong asked with curiosity.

“Then when will you replace the company signage?”
“As the saying goes, strike while the iron is hot—now that I’ve made up my mind, I’m planning to change the name starting next year without dragging things out any further.”
“True, there’s no point in hesitating.”

Chairman Park Tae-hong spoke those words while carefully concealing his reluctance.
I had always known this day would come, yet hearing myself say that I was abandoning the name Dae-heung left me feeling oddly unsettled.
Chairman Park Tae-hong alternated his gaze between his two sons seated on either side of him, then spoke in a solemn voice.

“Even though we’re changing the sign and achieving complete separation of subsidiaries, never forget that you are both brothers born from the same root. Always support each other and maintain harmony.”
“Yes. I will keep that in mind.”
“Of course.”

Their successive responses drew a deeply satisfied smile from him.
Chairman Park Tae-hong nodded his head and regarded his two sons with eyes full of confidence.

“A day with such profound meaning—I can’t let it pass without ceremony. I should open that fine whiskey Seok-won bought for me last time.”
“Let’s have lunch first. Otherwise, Mother will have something to say about it.”

Chairman Park Tae-hong, who had been about to unveil his prized whiskey collection, quietly settled back into his seat at Seok-won’s words.

“Hmm… I suppose that would be wise.”

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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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