Golden Spoon Investment Portfolio - Chapter 92

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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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92. Me too?

Hannam-dong, Seoul.
A black Mercedes sedan glided smoothly to a halt before the grand gate of a two-story residence, encircled by towering walls.
Seok-won stepped out from the rear door, stretched luxuriously with a broad yawn, and gazed up at the main house with a contented smile.

“There’s truly no place like home.”

Hotel living had its merits, but the profound sense of security that washed over me could only come from the Hannam-dong Main House.
Seok-won’s eyes brightened with affection as he watched Kim Hyung-gi, who had picked him up from the airport, open the trunk and begin unloading the luggage inside, prompting him to step closer.

“Let me help you with that.”
“Oh, no need, young master. Please go inside and rest.”
“There are three suitcases here. Since they’re my belongings, I should lend a hand.”

As he spoke, Seok-won effortlessly grasped the handle of a large 28-inch suitcase nestled deep within the trunk and pulled it out.
Though he had only been away for two weeks, he had accumulated considerable luggage, resulting in two additional suitcases of comparable size.
Without the arrogance typical of wealthy heirs who had grown up in comfort and privilege, Seok-won had always treated the household staff with genuine warmth and respect.
Kim Hyung-gi, who had watched him grow since childhood, found himself smiling unconsciously at Seok-won’s gesture before quickly composing his expression.
Kim Hyung-gi, who had known Seok-won since childhood, unconsciously smiled at his antics before quickly straightening his expression.

“It’s nothing, really.”
“It’s nothing special. Really.”

Kim Hyung-gi promptly closed the trunk and picked up the remaining two suitcases, one in each hand, following behind.
Standing before the imposing gate, Seok-won extended one arm and pressed the doorbell button.
After the chime rang several times, the Gunsan Housekeeper’s voice emerged from the speaker.
The bell rang a few times, and shortly after, the Gunsan Housekeeper’s voice came through the speaker.

“It’s me, ma’am.”
“It’s me, ma’am.”

The Gunsan Housekeeper recognized his voice right away and opened the gate with delight.

Beep, click!
Beep, clang!

As the lock clicked open, Seok-won pulled the luggage through the gate of the Park Family Residence alongside Kim Hyung-gi.
Crossing through the garden carpeted with verdant grass.
The stray cat family, now fully integrated into the household, lounged contentedly atop the wooden deck railings and tables, basking in the sunlight.
When Seok-won paused at the sight, the mother cat whose gaze met his let out a cry as if welcoming him home.

“Meow.”

She gently swished the tip of her tail, then settled back into her leisurely sunbathing pose with unhurried grace.
Seok-won smiled softly and passed the feline family, entering through the main entrance.

“Welcome home?”

Jo Deok-rye, who stood waiting at the entrance as always alongside the Gunsan Housekeeper, greeted him with a warm smile.

“Yes. Mother, you’ve become even more radiant. Your skin is absolutely glowing.”
“Such a flatterer.”

Jo Deok-rye’s eyes narrowed, yet her expression betrayed genuine pleasure.

“Did you eat lunch?”
“They served airline food. That sufficed.”
“Is that so? For dinner tonight, since it’s summer, I’ve prepared samgyetang to nourish your body. Wash up and rest, then come down when I call.”
“Wonderful! My mouth is already watering.”

As Seok-won licked his lips, Jo Deok-rye asked as if it were nothing.

“But didn’t you just say you ate airline food?”
“Come now, can airline food compare to home cooking? Of course, nothing surpasses a meal prepared with Mother’s devotion and the Gunsan Housekeeper’s culinary touch.”
“My goodness. The further you go, the smoother your tongue becomes.”

Jo Deok-rye chuckled at her son’s impudent retort and turned her head to the side.

“Are all the ingredients for the samgyetang prepared?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Put it on the heat right now so it simmers properly. Since he’s being so demanding, we should feed him quickly.”

The Gunsan Housekeeper nodded with a smile.

“Yes.”

As the Gunsan Housekeeper headed toward the kitchen, Jo Deok-rye straightened and spoke.

“It’ll take time to finish cooking, so go upstairs and rest.”
“I will.”

After removing my shoes and entering the living room, I stopped in my tracks when I noticed my father, Park Tae-hong, sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper.

“Oh, Father’s here too.”
“Since you were coming, I didn’t even go to the office today—I’ve been waiting for you.”
“That’s not it. I just wasn’t feeling well, so I took the day off.”

Park Tae-hong lowered the newspaper in his hands and countered.
It was so typical of Park Tae-hong to pretend not to hear the conversation happening at the entrance, even though every word must have reached him.

“Is that why you had two bowls of water-based raw fish soup at lunch?”
“Ahem!”

With no excuse left, Park Tae-hong let out an embarrassed cough.
Watching my parents bicker yet maintain such obvious affection for each other, I smiled inwardly and bowed toward Park Tae-hong.

“Father, I’m back.”
“Hmph.”

Park Tae-hong looked at me with a sullen expression and clicked his tongue.

“You abandoned the company for two weeks to gallivant around—are you pleased with yourself?”
“I wasn’t gallivanting. I was working.”
“How would I know if you’re lying when I didn’t see it myself?”

Then Jo Deok-rye shot him a look and took her second son’s side.

“Why do you always have to be like that with him after he’s worked so hard on his business trip?”

Park Tae-hong folded the newspaper with evident displeasure, set it on the table, and rose to his feet.

“I have something to discuss with you. Come to the Study Room.”

With that, he strode purposefully into the Study Room ahead of me.

“Sigh. He just arrived, and yet he’s already pestering him about it. He should at least let him wash up and rest a bit first. He wasn’t like this before, but it seems the older he gets, the more stubborn he becomes.”

Jo Deok-rye’s forehead, unmarred by a single wrinkle thanks to her meticulous care, creased as she shook her head disapprovingly.

“You must have something important to discuss.”

Seok-won left the suitcase he’d brought with him and followed her toward the Study Room.
As he opened the wooden door and stepped inside, Park Tae-hong was seated at the head of the sofa, gesturing with his chin toward an empty spot.

“Sit.”
“Yes.”

Seok-won settled onto the left sofa, responding obediently.
Park Tae-hong, who had been leaning back, glanced at his second son and spoke first.

“Did you handle the business in the United States well?”
“Yes.”

Park Tae-hong’s tone was serious now, quite different from his grumbling outside.

“You understand that while managing both operations, you mustn’t neglect this side of the business, right?”
“I keep that in mind.”
“Good. I trust that you’ll understand with just one word from me. And there’s something I should inform you of in advance.”

Park Tae-hong broached the main topic while observing his second son listening attentively.

“By the end of next month, President Choi will be stepping down from his position as head of the Securities Company.”
“…!”

Seok-won’s eyes widened slightly at this unexpected news.

“Why so suddenly….”

It was all the more puzzling since the Securities Company had been operating well under his management, and more importantly, his first term as CEO still had considerable time remaining.
But as Park Tae-hong continued, everything became clear.

“He’s been offered the position of Vice Minister at the Ministry of Science and Technology by the Blue House.”
“I see.”

Though I had been providing him with favorable treatment, Choi Jin-woo, who had always harbored ambitions in public service, likely accepted the proposal without much deliberation.

‘According to my memories from before the regression, he climbed the elite track within the government and eventually rose to the position of Deputy Prime Minister. Leaving public service to work at the Daeheung Group was a detour, and now he’s simply returning to where he truly belonged.’

Seok-won was momentarily startled by the news, but knowing that this outcome was inevitable regardless of timing, he quickly composed himself.
Park Tae-hong, observing how unexpectedly swift his recovery of composure was, narrowed his eyes and studied him intently.

“You don’t seem particularly surprised.”
“No, I was surprised.”
“You certainly don’t look it.”

Park Tae-hong crossed his arms skeptically, his gaze sweeping up and down Seok-won’s figure.

“Did President Choi give you some advance notice?”
“Not at all. This is the first I’m hearing of it from Father.”
“Your reaction seems far too muted for something like this.”

As Park Tae-hong continued pressing, Seok-won shrugged and answered.

“The truth is, I anticipated something like this might happen.”

Park Tae-hong’s gaze shifted to his second son with newfound interest.

“Explain yourself in a way I can understand.”

Seok-won paused as if considering his words, then spoke with measured calm.

“Even though he works for our group, I’ve always sensed his deep attachment to public service and his sense of honor regarding it.”
“….”
“So I believed that whenever an opportunity arose, he would return to public service. Of course, that doesn’t mean President Choi neglected his duties at the company.”
“Hmph, naturally. If he’d done mediocre work, I wouldn’t have kept him in that position.”

Park Tae-hong snorted as he spoke.
True to his words, he generously supported those with talent, but conversely, Park Tae-hong was merciless toward those who fell short of expectations.
Park Tae-hong regarded his second son anew, struck by the realization that Seok-won had perceived something he himself had overlooked.

‘The boy has keen insight into people. Quite impressive.’

Park Tae-hong, discovering the discerning eye of his second son that he had previously overlooked, allowed himself an inward smile of satisfaction.
Seok-won then leaned forward slightly in his seat and asked.

“What are you thinking of doing?”

Park Tae-hong answered with an impassive expression, revealing nothing of his inner thoughts.

“He’s a capable man, which is unfortunate, but since he’s received an offer from the Blue House itself, there’s nothing to be done about it.”
“You’ve thought it through well. After all, if I didn’t want to serve as inspector, I could simply refuse.”
“That’s true.”

Seok-won spoke to Park Tae-hong in a measured tone.

“When you consider that there must be many others available, yet they specifically singled out someone who left public service to bring him back into government, it suggests there are quite a few people within the Blue House who view President Choi favorably.”
“What are you getting at?”
“From what I can see, President Choi isn’t the type to be satisfied with merely a vice minister position at the Ministry of Science and Technology.”
“If he’s as ambitious as you say, then naturally that would be the case.”

Seok-won let his words slip out casually to Park Tae-hong, who was responding with indifference.

“If he’s truly destined to climb to an even higher position, it would be wise not to sever the relationship now, but to maintain it carefully. It could prove beneficial in many ways.”

At those words, Park Tae-hong raised one eyebrow slightly.

“Are you saying I should take out insurance?”
“Yes.”
“And what if it turns out to be a waste?”
“Conversely, when the moment truly matters, he could become the lifeline that helps us weather the crisis.”

Having a strong connection with an economic vice premier who would hold the fate of corporations in his hands when the treacherous storm of a foreign exchange crisis struck would prove an immense asset.

“Preparing insurance for unforeseen circumstances is precisely what insurance is, isn’t it?”
“I suppose you’re right.”

Park Tae-hong nodded his head and paused to consider for a moment before speaking again.

“With someone of President Choi’s caliber, there’s no harm in making an investment. I’ll do as you suggest.”
“You won’t regret it. After all, I do have a keen eye for spotting quality stocks.”

Seok-won confidently assured me of his commitment.
Park Tae-hong then let out a soft chuckle, his expression noticeably gentler than when he’d first entered the study.

“Go Young-il will assume the position of representative director, succeeding Choi Jin-woo.”

Among the securities company executives, Go Young-il possessed the most exceptional capabilities, so Seok-won immediately nodded in agreement.

“And you’ll receive a promotion to department head, so keep that in mind.”
“Me as well?”

When Seok-won questioned this, Park Tae-hong responded as though it were obvious.

“How long did you think you’d remain a team leader? You’ll be taking full charge of the PI division, so there won’t be any significant changes to what you’re doing now.”

Like other second and third-generation chaebol heirs, Seok-won hadn’t expected to remain in a team leader position for long, so he readily accepted the arrangement.

“Understood.”

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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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