I Will Raise This Family to Greatness - Chapter 52

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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 52
Jason Lee drank his cold coffee.
Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t have touched such bitter brew, but in this situation, he needed to buy himself time.
Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung looked genuinely startled. If South Korea disappeared, the Samjeon Group would be dismantled as well.
“What I mean is… the South Korea of the past will cease to exist.”
Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung leaned forward, listening intently to every word.
“Please, continue.”
“South Korea’s economy, in a word, has been trapped in the rut created under authoritarian rule. But with this foreign exchange crisis as a catalyst, the South Korea of the past will fade into history. Lifetime employment will disappear, and corporations will enter an era of unlimited competition through restructuring. And this means…”
Jason Lee hesitated, wrestling with whether to say what came next.
“This means what?”
Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung asked.
“A week ago, a child named Jeon Sung-guk from Samjeon Kindergarten said something like this.”
Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung’s brow furrowed.
Jason Lee continued.
“He also added that it would accelerate the transparency of South Korea’s economy. The real-name financial system already implemented by the Civilian Government serves as the foundation, and I too have been paying close attention to this aspect.”
Though it wasn’t a prediction laden with technical jargon or specific figures, it was certainly noteworthy.
Jeon Jae-hyung straightened in his chair.
“The old forms of corporate management and employment will vanish, marking the beginning of a new South Korean economic system. That’s what he meant, isn’t it?”
“That’s how I understood it as well.”
Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung pressed his palms together.
The various restructuring measures demanded by the IMF were truly shaking the foundations of South Korea’s economic system. The Samjeon Group too had no choice but to divest its automotive division and implement restructuring. In this process, they had to introduce a salary system based on ability and merit, pursuing new forms of employment.
“In truth, this is something I’ve also considered, but I wasn’t sure how to articulate it properly in Korean.”
Jason Lee was lying.
He had predicted that South Korea’s economy would sink into prolonged stagnation, struggling helplessly.
“But after hearing what that boy Jeon Sung-guk said, I found myself able to express what I wanted to say.”
Jeon Jae-hyung’s lips curved slightly upward. He knew better than anyone what kind of man Jason Lee was, and he had witnessed Sung-guk’s talents on multiple occasions.
Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung stood and looked down at Jason Lee.
Jason Lee felt a sudden tension grip him.
“You’ve worked hard all this time. Samjeon Investment Securities also needs restructuring. I hadn’t intended to deliver this message myself, but do we really need an expert who relies on a seven-year-old child for predictions about the future?”
“That’s… my opinion, Chairman.”
Jason Lee answered urgently.
“Your track record speaks for itself, Mr. Lee. South Korea’s economy will now break free from a society bound by regional and educational ties. In an era of unlimited competition, we’ve determined that you lack the competitive edge we need. Please clear out your office within a week. Secretary Yang will handle the rest.”
Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung turned away.
An era of unlimited competition.
If that was the case, then the Samjeon Group too needed to adjust its weight class accordingly.
Secretary Yang followed Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung out.
“How are Jeon Tae-guk and Mi-jin doing?”
“Yes, madam is devoting herself to watching over them closely.”
“I’d like to see Sung-guk separately.”
“I’ll arrange it right away.”
Secretary Yang looked at Jeon Jae-hyung with a puzzled expression.
Ever since Sung-guk had rejected all of Samjeon Group’s support, the chairman seemed to have erased him from his heart.
* * *
Kim Mi-young bought a Christmas cake on her way home from work.
She was heading to Sung-guk’s place in the same apartment complex.
Even at the bakery, which should have been bustling as usual, the owner wore a gloomy expression, lamenting that cakes weren’t selling well this year. That was the state of South Korea right now.
When Kim Mi-young rang the doorbell, Sung-guk’s mother quickly opened the door.
“Welcome, sister.”
“Here.”
“You shouldn’t have brought anything.”
“It’s Christmas, after all.”
Sung-guk’s mother quickly took the cake from Kim Mi-young’s hands.
Kim Mi-young glanced around the home. In the seven years she’d been watching this place, nothing had changed except the house itself.
Even though Sung-guk was earning quite a bit of money and Min-guk was making modest income through modeling work, the home remained humble. There wasn’t a single trendy piece of furniture.
“Where are Sung-guk and Min-guk?”
“Their father took them ice skating. They should be back soon.”
“Those boys must be thrilled.”
“Sister, I made braised short ribs. That’s alright, isn’t it?”
“I love wraps too.”
“You eat that all the time. Sister, just sit down. Let me finish preparing dinner.”
“Is there anything I can help with?”
“Nothing at all. Today, don’t lift a finger.”
Sung-guk’s mother tied on her apron and busied herself preparing dinner in the kitchen.
Kim Mi-young glanced into Sung-guk’s room. The laptop that Lim Sun-mi had given as a birthday gift lay open.
“By the way, Sung-guk’s mother.”
“Yes, sister?”
“Sung-guk mentioned Pangyo, remember? He said he wanted to buy land there. I looked into it, and there’s an incredible amount of positive momentum in that area.”
“Positive momentum? What’s that?”
“It’s what we call good news that would cause real estate or stocks to rise in value.”
“I see.”
Sung-guk’s mother was momentarily taken aback.
“So Sung-guk researches things like that on his laptop.”
“He never misses economic news and things like that. Sister, just a moment.”
Sung-guk’s mother removed her apron and sat at the dining table. Kim Mi-young sat across from her.
“There’s something I wanted to discuss with you.”
Kim Mi-young sensed what was troubling Sung-guk’s mother.
“Go ahead.”
“My husband honestly only knows how to cook. When we signed the contract for the commercial space, I really wanted to give him peace of mind so he could run his business comfortably. But Sung-guk is always talking about economics and various things like that… and he’s right about it surprisingly often.”
“What has he gotten right?”
“Even when the foreign exchange crisis hit, Sung-guk said we’d popped the champagne too early. And the very next day, that exact phrase appeared in the news editorial. Sister, could Sung-guk possibly be…”
“Could it be?”
“What if he’s possessed by a ghost?”
“Surely not….”
But Kim Mi-young wasn’t confident either.
Click.
The front door opened. And just as the saying goes—speak of the devil—Sung-guk walked in holding Min-guk’s hand, Father beside them.
“Mom!”
* * *
[On this sacred Christmas, they’re calling me possessed?]
I sat on the sofa with a bewildered expression, studying my family and Kim Mi-young gathered around me.
“Mom. Cake.”
I pointed as naturally as possible at the cake Kim Mi-young had brought.
Father quickly patted Mother’s back.
“So-young, you were just thinking strange things, weren’t you?”
“But everything Sung-guk says happens exactly the next day….”
Mother trailed off.
I crossed my arms.
Knowing the future and acting on it could certainly look like possession to ordinary parents.
Kim Mi-young smiled apologetically.
“Sung-guk’s mother, I only said that because Sung-guk mentioned the Pangyo land has many positive indicators. Please don’t be upset with him.”
[Time to prove myself.]
I rose quietly from my seat.
“Mom, Dad. Just a moment.”
I quickly retrieved the laptop from my desk and returned to the living room. Min-guk circled around me, being bothersome, but when I frowned, he sat down quietly.
“Mom, Dad. This.”
I opened the laptop and showed it to Mother, Father, and Kim Mi-young.
Internet access in those days required a phone line connection.
What I had gathered were insights and various indicators from economic experts I’d encountered in the online world.
“Sung-guk, you read all of this?”
Father stroked my head.
“Yes, Dad. See here—the experts all say it. If you separate and compare what they said by common themes and points, the conclusion becomes clear.”
“Oh my… Sung-guk, I’m sorry.”
Mother embraced me tightly.
[Sorry indeed. I would’ve doubted too, Mom.]
Kim Mi-young also patted me apologetically.
“I keep forgetting how smart Sung-guk is.”
[Now you know, Representative Kim.]
I lifted my chin proudly.
Father quickly picked me up and headed toward the dining table.
“Now, let’s cut our Christmas cake.”
“Yay!”
Min-guk sprang up and ran toward us.
Mother quickly scooped him into her arms.
“So-young, be careful.”
“Got it.”
Father pulled out the Christmas cake Kim Mi-young had brought. A gaudy plastic Christmas tree was stuck atop the whipped cream confection.
“Sung-guk, when I was young, Christmas was both my favorite holiday and my least favorite.”
[What are you talking about, Father? No child dislikes Christmas.]
“When Christmas came around, donations poured in from everywhere. That part was nice, but then they’d always insist on taking pictures with us. ‘I’m an orphan.’ It felt like advertising to the whole world, and I hated it.”
[Father….]
I covered my mouth with my fist. This family’s tragic backstory truly never ended.
Mother, cradling Min-guk, approached and smacked Father’s back.
“Honey, don’t go peddling your sob stories to Sung-guk.”
[Mother, I agree with you.]
“It’s not peddling—it’s the truth.”
“Truth or not, we’re raising Sung-guk and Min-guk so well. There’s no benefit to them knowing about our past.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.”
Father, looking sheepish, gave my bottom a gentle pat.
“By the way, Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung said he’d like to have a meal with Sung-guk before the year ends.”
Kim Mi-young interjected.
[Hmm… Samjeon Hotel Chinese Restaurant?]
I licked my lips.
“Sister, just the two of them?”
“Yes. Secretary Yang called today. He said the chairman wants to buy Sung-guk a bowl of jjajangmyeon. I think he’s been lonely since all the kids went to the United States.”
“I can see that. I feel so secure having our Sung-guk and Min-guk here with us.”
Mother felt sympathetic toward Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung.
[Mother, the most unnecessary thing to worry about in South Korea is the chairman of the Samjeon Group. He’s surrounded by people, and there are even more women.]
“Then I’ll set up a date.”
“Yes, sister.”
Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung was not a man who gave his time lightly. He definitely had something to discuss with me.
Father quickly placed candles on the cake and lit them.
“Dad! Min-guk wants to! Min-guk wants to do it!”
“Alright. You’ll do it together with your brother.”
“Okay!”
Min-guk gazed at the flickering flames and squeezed my hand tightly.
“Brother, let’s go.”
“Alright.”
Min-guk and I blew out the candles with all our might.
[Here’s to you, 1998!]
* * *
December 31st, 1997.
For the first time in South Korean history, the Samjeon Hotel Chinese Restaurant had unfilled reservations.
Yet Samjeon Group’s misfortune was no longer my misfortune. They would overcome all of this and grow once more into South Korea’s greatest conglomerate.
I held Mother and Father’s hands.
Chairman Jeon Jae-hyung wanted a private meeting with me, but that wasn’t something I desired.
They were my parents—born from nothing, rising from the depths of poverty.
I clung to Mother and Father’s arms.
Father chuckled and gently scolded me.
“Sung-guk, you’re going to break Dad’s arm.”
[Dad, there’s no way you could break it like this.]
I smiled contentedly.
In my past life, this would have been unimaginable.

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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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