I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 465

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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 465
Representative Son Jung-hoon had summoned me to an unexpected location.
As I parked my car in a lot near Namsan, Representative Son Jung-hoon, who was already waiting, waved his hand.
“You’re wearing sneakers?”
“I always wear sneakers.”
“Right. When people think of Representative Jeon Sung-guk, they picture a gray hoodie, jeans, and sneakers, don’t they? Even after becoming a representative, you haven’t changed much.”
“This outfit is comfortable.”
Representative Son Jung-hoon handed me a water bottle he had prepared in advance.
“Drink this if you work up a sweat.”
“Thank you. There’s a famous bibimbap restaurant down this way. We can eat after our walk.”
“Sounds good.”
Of course, the bibimbap restaurant on Namsan was a place Secretary Kim Mi-so had researched beforehand.
Representative Son Jung-hoon knew that Jeon Tae-guk and I had met with Adam Neumann yesterday.
Wanting to hear about what had transpired between us, he had called me last night and arranged today’s meeting.
He probably wanted to hear my thoughts on iWork as well.
“Cooped up in cafes and conference rooms all day gets suffocating, doesn’t it? Let’s talk comfortably while we walk. Did I sound too much like an old man?”
“Not at all, Representative. I’ve often wanted to come out here and take walks like this when I’m stuck in conference rooms all day.”
Representative Son Jung-hoon smiled faintly, and we began walking slowly along Namsan’s circular path.
Namsan in March was still quite chilly.
But Representative Son Jung-hoon’s expression didn’t change at all. He seemed to exercise regularly.
“Representative Jeon, you’ve already guessed why I wanted to meet, haven’t you?”
“….”
Instead of answering, I gave a small nod.
“So, what are your impressions of meeting Adam Neumann yesterday?”
“Before that, it seems Adam Neumann must have told you about yesterday’s meeting. Wouldn’t it be better if you told me about that first?”
“You’re not easy to deal with, are you? Honestly, since I’m the one at a disadvantage here, I’ll speak freely.”
Representative Son Jung-hoon took a breath.
“Adam called me late last night as soon as he came in. His voice was thick with alcohol, and he kept boasting about how yesterday’s meeting was incredibly successful, saying we should meet at breakfast today. That’s why I called you and set up today’s appointment.”
I nodded.
“But this morning, he had a completely different expression. Adam Neumann, that is.”
What could have happened overnight?
Or had Samjeon already moved quickly?
All sorts of thoughts crossed my mind.
In fact, last night, when Jeon Tae-guk’s intoxication had set in, he had shared his analysis that iWork might succeed, and he had trusted my words.
But then he had insisted that precisely because Jeon Mi-jin might succeed in securing investment, we couldn’t allow the investment to happen at all, and he had gone back to his own home.
“If something changed overnight… did something happen that you don’t know about?”
“Looking at your face, it seems you don’t know either.”
Representative Son Jung-hoon was a veteran with extensive investment experience. He was adept at reading people’s true intentions.
But in my previous life, I had been the heir to Samjeon.
I was confident I wouldn’t be swayed by Representative Son Jung-hoon’s casual probing remarks.
“Hmm… he didn’t go into details, but it seemed like something wasn’t going according to plan. I heard that Jeon Tae-guk’s younger sister also attended yesterday’s gathering. Is that right?”
Representative Son Jung-hoon, true to his veteran status, was subtly verifying Adam Neumann’s words.
“Yes. She seemed to have come along since she had experience using an office at iWork in the United States.”
“Hmm… Last night, that person was quite friendly, so Adam Neumann was almost certain about Samjeon’s investment. But then…”
Representative Son Jung-hoon paused for a moment. Then he shook his head.
“You’ll find out soon enough anyway… I won’t say more. But apparently, Jeon Mi-jin—yes, that’s her name—she’s been completely blocked from making any investments.”
“Blocked from making investments?”
“Ha ha. Indeed. I heard the Samjeon Family froze all of Jeon Mi-jin’s accounts to prevent her from investing.”
[There’s nothing Samjeon can’t do…]
I simply nodded.
Jeon Tae-guk had moved faster than expected.
Jeon Tae-guk couldn’t invest himself, so instead he blocked Jeon Mi-jin’s investment. But in a few years, he would deeply regret this decision.
Avoiding investment losses was fortunate, but Jeon Tae-guk had squandered a golden opportunity to eliminate Jeon Mi-jin.
[The dog at the village school still needs more training.]
Representative Son Jung-hoon carefully studied my expression.
“Did you anticipate this?”
“Somewhat.”
“May I ask why?”
[Now it’s time to repay the favor. Representative Son, listen carefully to what I’m about to say. If you listen well to my words, you’ll be able to shoulder less responsibility for the failed investment in a few years.]
I began speaking as I walked slowly.
“Since Representative Son was overseeing the company, I initially reviewed iWork positively as well. However, iWork gave me the impression of expanding its business based on assets that were far too unstable.”
“Unstable assets?”
“Real estate. You experienced Japan’s bubble economy era, didn’t you, Representative? You know better than anyone how unstable real estate is as an asset.”
“That may be true, but… the locations where iWork opens branches are places where each country’s most expensive rental fees must be paid. By leasing these buildings long-term instead of paying high rental costs, and simultaneously collecting rental fees from many entrepreneurs without offices, I judged the survival rate to be quite high.”
“During this period of real estate recession, the total rental fees iWork must pay aren’t that high, so I’m not particularly worried. However, the lease renewal season will come, and we can’t expect rental rates to remain as low as they are now.”
“Couldn’t they simply raise the rental costs individuals must pay accordingly?”
“Then the purpose of the shared office—to reduce the high rental costs individuals must pay—would disappear.”
“But iWork is open not just to individuals but also to small companies, so there will certainly be sufficient demand.”
Representative Son Jung-hoon seemed eager to believe in iWork’s potential.
When I offered no response, he quickly continued.
“Japan’s real estate hasn’t recovered since the bubble economy burst. Other countries can’t expect real estate prices to rise indefinitely either.”
Since Representative Son Jung-hoon still harbored confidence in iWork’s success, I subtly shifted my approach.
“Representative, to be honest, I personally prefer not to invest in tangible assets.”
“Tangible assets?”
“Ultimately, iWork is nothing but a real estate investment company. They’ve simply dressed it up with an appealing concept to eliminate the image of being a real estate investor. While a business like iWork might generate profits in the short term, it clearly has visible limitations.”
“Are you saying it’s better to invest in companies with IT or technology, like you do?”
“Rather than better, that’s simply my preference. There are many companies with intangible assets waiting for investment. I believe changing the world with a single idea is more valuable than multiplying money through real estate ventures.”
Representative Son Jung-hoon seemed quite surprised by my firm tone.
“So… you’re also saying you won’t invest in iWork, just like Samjeon? Or rather, you don’t see iWork as a promising business?”
“Yes, Representative.”
I had no desire to entangle myself further in business with Adam Neumann.
Adam Neumann was nothing more than a con artist with a well-crafted concept.
[Representative Son, please come to your senses!]
I could sense Representative Son Jung-hoon’s gaze wavering.
“Representative, how much were you planning to invest in iWork? Or have you already decided?”
“Well, that is….”
Representative Son Jung-hoon was clearly flustered, unlike his usual self.
It seemed he had already promised to invest a certain portion before coming to Korea.
“I wish I had met you earlier. The truth is, I’ve already acquired a 47% stake in the United States.”
Representative Son Jung-hoon let out a sigh.
“Representative, to be honest, it’s difficult to determine right now whether this investment is right or wrong. I don’t even have confidence that I’m correct….”
“No, I think I made the decision too hastily. Perhaps it’s a result of arrogance brought on by my investment successes. In any case, thank you. If someone as aggressive in investment as you holds a negative view of iWork… there must be merit to that analysis. I’ll take it into consideration.”
[Representative Son, perhaps the best course is to avoid further investment here.]
The investment contract had already been signed, so there was nothing to be done about it.
Representative Son Jung-hoon, who had achieved numerous investment successes including Alibaba, would experience a major failure with iWork, but would soon recover.
I already knew this.
* * *
That evening, Representative Son Jung-hoon contacted me to express that he would not invest further in iWork.
He said it was a conclusion based on Samjeon’s analysis materials and my opinion.
And late that night, I received a very strange message from Adam Neumann.
– CEO Jeon Sung-guk, you’re just one of many people who envy me after all. Just wait and see how much I succeed and how far I go! You’ll merely play king in a virtual world, but I will become the king of the real world—one you can touch with your hands and see with your eyes!
It seemed Representative Son Jung-hoon had told Adam Neumann that further investment would be difficult.
I shrugged and sent Adam Neumann a message.
– Adam, as you say, I’ll become the king of the virtual world. I hope you become the king of the real world too. Though from my perspective, it looks extremely difficult.
Whether he bristled at this message or not, Adam Neumann sent me a message filled with profanities.
I would keep this message carefully.
When Adam Neumann falls one day, I will release this message into the virtual world where I reign as king.
With that thought, I smiled faintly.
* * *
– Hardbank’s Representative Son Jung-hoon acquires 47% stake in iWork! The investment genius Representative Son Jung-hoon’s choice—iWork soaring to success!
Articles of this nature appeared daily in economic newspapers after Representative Son Jung-hoon and Adam Neumann departed.
Once I and Samjeon gave definitive answers that we would not invest in iWork, Adam Neumann apparently began a media campaign out of desperation.
Of course, iWork would flourish for a while.
Adam Neumann would even be mentioned as the protagonist who built a legend with his bare hands.
But just as housing prices rise and fall sharply, Adam Neumann’s downfall would come just as swiftly….
Secretary Kim Mi-so approached from the side.
“CEO, what’s making you so delighted?”
[Imagining Adam Neumann’s downfall brings me joy.]
But I kept this thought to myself.
“I’m delighted thinking about eating chicken tonight. Secretary Kim, what’s the matter?”
“Representative, since Alpha is an IT company, our employees have suggested that we either establish or sponsor an e-sports team. I’ve prepared a proposal and compiled a list of promising players worth watching. Would you like to take a look?”
“Please show me.”
Secretary Kim Mi-so handed over a list of professional gamers. And I immediately recognized one name.
The player I wanted to sponsor!
I pointed to the player’s name with my finger.
“I’d like to meet this player.”
“Fate? He’s a rookie who debuted this year.”
“He’s a player I’ve been keeping an eye on.”
Fate, the legend of League of Legends.
If soccer has Messi, then League of Legends has Fate!

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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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