I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 222

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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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Chapter 222
Daddy King blinked behind his glasses.
His eyes conveyed a clear message: had he really just encountered someone this insane, or was he actually conducting an interview with such a lunatic right now?
That unmistakable skepticism was written all over his face.
Dennis also seemed a bit taken aback.
That’s when I flashed a bright smile and shrugged my shoulders.
“See, this video’s thumbnail practically captured itself, didn’t it?”
At my words, Dennis burst out laughing.
“Sung-guk, you really got me there!”
Daddy King, still looking utterly bewildered, turned to Dennis and asked.
“Dennis, what on earth did Sung-guk just say? ‘Captured a thumbnail’?”
“It’s like a small preview image you display to draw attention to a video. Sung-guk is turning what he just said into the main thumbnail to promote it. That way, people will think Sung-guk is either completely insane or some kind of prophet, and they’ll click on our video.”
“That’s what that was?!”
Daddy King slapped his knee in realization.
“I was seriously thinking the moment I heard that, I should pack my bags and head back to LA. I came here to meet the genius who founded FaceNote, who endorses presidential candidates, and who predicted America’s economic situation. I certainly didn’t come here to meet some charlatan cult leader spouting prophecies.”
Dennis was still recording the scene on his phone.
Seeing this, Daddy King shrugged his shoulders.
“Damn it. I can see now that everyone gathered here is genuinely insane!”
I quickly signaled Dennis with my hand.
Understanding my signal, Dennis grinned.
Daddy King’s comment was perfect thumbnail material too.
This place really was a gathering of lunatics!
* * *
Finally, the actual interview about the current American economic situation began.
We’d decided to film this interview in the properly set-up location.
Daddy King now began the interview in earnest, showcasing his true expertise.
“Sung-guk… didn’t you predict the American economy with remarkable accuracy this time? Some people are saying you either actually traveled here in a time machine from the future, or…”
[Well, that’s not entirely wrong, Daddy.]
“…or you received divine revelation.”
“When I was in Los Angeles, there were actually people thanking me because they sold their stocks before the crash thanks to my article.”
“At this rate, won’t we end up with an actual Sung-guk religion?”
“Because of my simple analysis, all sorts of speculation has emerged. I wanted to use this opportunity to clarify the various theories circulating online these days.”
“Then let me ask you directly. Sung-guk, did you receive divine revelation?”
“Of course not.”
I denied it firmly.
“Then how did you predict the exact dates so accurately? To be honest, I didn’t write it on FaceNote, but you were also predicting the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, weren’t you?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Among the many investment banks, I believed Lehman Brothers had the highest probability of bankruptcy because of their high ratio of mortgage-backed securities.”
I nodded.
“How on earth did you predict that?”
“It’s simple. All you have to do is look at the American economy coldly and objectively, Daddy.”
“Coldly? Then are you saying that many American economic experts so far have failed to view America’s economic problems with a cold, objective eye? That’s quite a provocative statement.”
Daddy King leaned forward.
“Daddy, as you know, I live in America but I’m Korean. What that means is that, knowingly or unknowingly, I can observe America’s economic situation through the eyes of a third party. And in this prediction, that third-party perspective played the most crucial role.”
“A third-party perspective. How intriguing.”
I continued explaining how I had foreseen the collapse of the American economy.
“Starting last year, the real estate market was deteriorating, but due to the continued real estate growth, mortgage loans were becoming far too easy to obtain, even for vulnerable populations.”
“How did you discover that?”
“I found out while searching for homes. People who weren’t even employed owned houses and spoke as if property values would continue rising indefinitely, completely disregarding the loan interest rates.”
I added a small lie, claiming I had done the legwork myself.
“Ah, so by visiting homes, you could see the current state of the real estate market?”
“Yes. And I came to realize this situation wasn’t happening in just one or two houses—it was prevalent across a significant portion of the market. From that point on, I began studying mortgage loans in depth. I discovered that lending barriers were extremely low, regardless of income.”
“Hmm… that’s certainly an interesting story. But surely you couldn’t have predicted Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy down to the exact date, could you? Unless you actually heard from God himself.”
“Getting the date right was partly luck. I expected to be off by a day or two myself.”
I feigned humility.
The truth—that I had revealed the date because of Mark’s stubborn refusal to sell his Nokia stock—remained a secret.
“Even being off by a day or two is remarkable. How did you even roughly estimate the date? Come on, Sung-guk, lay out this secret for us.”
“It’s simple, really. Lehman Brothers held far too many of the most vulnerable mortgage-backed securities, and on top of that, rumors of an overseas sale had been circulating since the first half of the year. Most critically, the moment I heard that a foreign national bank considering the acquisition had rejected the takeover, I thought they would file for bankruptcy within ten days.”
“Hmm… that’s a very logical argument.”
“My analysis wasn’t divine revelation or mystical ability. I simply approached it scientifically and analytically.”
Daddy King nodded with a satisfied expression.
* * *
“Actually, I came from the future.”
Exclusive interview with Jeon Sung-guk, the man who predicted Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy!
Dennis grinned and looked at me.
“How’s that for a thumbnail?”
“It’ll definitely grab attention.”
“Sung-guk, you really do know how to capture people’s eyes.”
“I’m a genius, after all.”
“I can’t believe you say things like that so casually…”
Dennis shook his head.
“Dennis, how long do you think it’ll take to edit and upload?”
“The content is so extensive, I think we’ll need to split it across three parts…”
“Dennis, in my opinion, we should divide it into Part 1 and Part 2 no matter what. People don’t have the patience to watch a three-part interview—it’s not even a drama.”
“I see your point, but that means cutting out too much good material. We have Charlie Jobs appearing, and Barack Obama showing up to appeal about how America’s economy will move forward…”
“Those two have to be included, even if we have to cut my segments.”
“Understood, boss!”
Dennis was teasing me.
Just then, the front door opened and Mark walked in. He was holding a script for “The Intern.”
“Sung-guk, you know we’re shooting ‘The Intern’ next week, right?”
Next week, the episode would finally begin where the mission was to find an office for FaceNote.
“I know. But what’s the problem?”
“There’s no real problem… but financially, are we really okay? Because we’re not accepting those investors who betrayed us like you said, the atmosphere has been pretty tense lately. The employees feel it too.”
“Mark, don’t worry. Next week when I do that interview with Daddy King, investors will be lining up to invest.”
“That confidence of yours, I swear.”
Mark shook his head in disbelief.
“Oh, Mark. When we film The Intern next week, what if we give Jeon Tae-guk some kind of difficult mission?”
“What kind?”
“Whoever gains the most FaceNote followers in a single day gets bonus points.”
“Can’t you just have all the Samjeon employees follow him?”
“Hmm… I have an even better idea than that.”
I quickly sent this idea to Elizabeth Brown, the head writer of The Intern.
Elizabeth Brown’s response came back shortly.
– Sung-guk, you devil!
– So you like it?
– Of course!
Television really does thrive on chaos.
I smiled to myself.
Mark and Dennis asked curiously.
“Sung-guk, what’s this idea you’re talking about?”
“You’ll see on filming day.”
* * *
“Dennis, aren’t you going to Los Angeles?”
“Sung-guk, don’t worry. I’m just going to watch this and then head out.”
Dennis had finished editing and insisted on staying at our dormitory to watch The Intern filming as well.
This episode’s mission was for the surviving contestants to find a new headquarters for FaceNote.
Mark and I were scheduled to appear and deliver the mission ourselves.
Mark seemed nervous, constantly running his hands through his hair.
“Sung-guk, am I okay? Should I have bought a suit instead of wearing this plaid shirt?”
“Mark, I’m wearing a hoodie.”
“Sung-guk, you’re handsome!”
“Mark, you’re already taken. I’m still a minor and a lonely single guy.”
“You really know how to get under my skin.”
Just then, the Assistant Director from The Intern rushed in and announced that filming was about to start.
I placed my hand on Mark’s shoulder.
“Mark, don’t be so nervous.”
“Sung-guk, be honest—aren’t you nervous too?”
[I’ve been in front of cameras since I was one year old. Why would I be nervous?]
I shrugged and stepped in front of the camera.
* * *
There were six surviving contestants, including Jeon Tae-guk.
Donald Trumpet explained the mission to the participants.
“This time, we finally have an individual mission. Today’s clients are none other than Jeon Sung-guk and Mark Zuckerberg, who lead FaceNote, America’s hottest SNS!”
Following Donald Trumpet’s introduction, we stepped onto the stage.
“So, tell us why these two people came to The Intern today.”
“Our FaceNote has grown into America’s most beloved SNS, and we continue to expand the company. As our employee count has grown, our current headquarters has become too small. We’ve come here today to ask the Intern team to help us find a new headquarters.”
At my words, Donald Trump pointed to Mark.
“Mark, don’t be shy—tell us what conditions you want in a new headquarters.”
“I… well… um. Something more environmentally friendly, and… I’d like it to be a space where individuals and the whole harmonize together.”
“Harmony between individuals and the whole? That sounds as absurd as eating a hamburger while fine dining simultaneously, but unfortunately, that’s this mission! You’ll need to find a new headquarters that satisfies these young and peculiar clients’ tastes within three days and present it flawlessly!”
“Yes!”
Donald Trumpet spouted crude remarks true to his nature.
And the Intern candidates, as always, responded with answers brimming with determination.
At that moment, I raised my hand slightly.
“Sung-guk, do you have something to say?”
“Yes. This mission has a bonus point system.”
The participants began to stir at my words.
“Whoever gains the most FaceNote personal account followers within 24 hours during this mission will receive an elimination immunity pass.”
The participants cheered, looking at each other.
An elimination immunity pass! In a survival show like The Intern, it was the greatest reward.
Jeon Tae-guk also cheered.
“Now, don’t get too excited, everyone.”
Donald Trumpet poured cold water on the enthusiastic atmosphere.
“Whoever gains the fewest followers will likely receive penalty points instead of bonus points.”
Concern settled across the participants’ faces.
Then Donald Trumpet continued with a vicious smile.
“If I were you, I’d try to stir up some controversy.”
Controversy?
The participants’ attention focused back on Donald Trumpet.
At the same moment, a nude photo of Jeon Tae-guk appeared on the screen.
“Wouldn’t one photo like this be just right to increase FaceNote followers in a day? Hmm… though with a body like that, it might actually backfire.”
Donald Trumpet mocked Jeon Tae-guk.
The participants held their breath, stifling laughter as they looked at Jeon Tae-guk’s photo.
Flustered, Jeon Tae-guk took several ragged breaths before charging forward as if to punch Donald Trumpet!

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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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