The Return of the Ruined Chaebol's Third-Generation Heir - Chapter 124

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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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Fallen Chaebol Heir’s Return, Chapter 124
“Here it is.”
A few days later, I met Jung Tae-sung right after leaving work and headed to an office building near the company.
I followed Jung Tae-sung along the corridor after stepping out of the elevator, and he stopped at the far end, pulling out a key.
“Is it this one?”
“Yes, we signed the lease at the beginning of this month.”
The door opened to reveal a quiet office. A desk, a sofa, a monitor, and a telephone—everything was already set up.
On the desk sat both a Bloomberg Terminal and a terminal provided by a domestic telecom company. It was a spacious office large enough for twenty people to work comfortably.
“Isn’t it a bit too large?”
“It’s the smallest unit in this building. Anything smaller would make it difficult to work properly.”
I stepped inside, looking around. Through the window, I could see the lights of buildings across the way. It was only a five-minute walk from the company, so I could come here right after leaving work.
It had been two weeks since I asked Jung Tae-sung to find me an office.
As DK Capital’s staff had grown, the office had become entirely Danny’s domain, and Ribbon was also building a team through Han Jae-yi’s hiring efforts.
If I went to either place frequently, I’d inevitably draw the staff’s attention.
Working from home was difficult too. If Mother saw me poring over documents every evening after returning home, there would be endless explanations to make.
“It seems fine.”
“I’ll handle the maintenance. If you need any equipment, please let me know.”
I nodded at Jung Tae-sung’s words and sat down at the desk. It wasn’t bad.
While Jung Tae-sung and I were arranging the schedule for next week, the door opened.
“Is this it?”
It was Han Jae-yi. Before coming here, I’d had Jung Tae-sung call her, and she was peeking her head through the door as she entered.
“Yes, senior. Come in.”
“What is this, a secret hideout or something?”
Han Jae-yi’s gaze swept across the office, examining the desk and monitor, then she bowed to Jung Tae-sung.
“Director Jung, hello.”
“CEO Han, welcome.”
Jung Tae-sung returned her greeting and looked at me.
“I’ll step out now. I’ll report back after confirming the Ochang schedule.”
“Yes, thank you.”
After Jung Tae-sung left, Han Jae-yi sat on the sofa.
“Hey, it’s been forever. I’m going to forget what you look like. I hear you’ve been meeting Danny often these days?”
“Yes. We’re working on something with Danny.”
It had taken quite some time to wrap up the Seonjin Logistics matter. During that time, Han Jae-yi and I had only spoken over the phone. This was almost our first face-to-face meeting since we watched the Volta IPO together.
“How’s Ribbon doing?”
“The market’s been surprisingly good lately.”
The US market was looking favorable. Of course, the fuse was still burning in Europe, but America was entering an earnings-driven market as corporate performance improved.
“As instructed before, I’ve liquidated all the European CDS positions, and Ribbon’s current assets stand at 5.46 billion dollars.”
In Korean won, that was over 6.17 trillion. It had grown beyond what I’d left behind when I stepped back from Ribbon.
And rightfully so—we’d profited from the Greek crisis,
and Volta’s IPO had valued our equity stake at over 500 billion won in the market.
If Volta’s share price grows like Future Battery’s, that equity stake would be worth over 300 trillion won.
“You’ve done well. I know you poured quite a bit of capital into Shinhwa Welltech, Synapse Robotics, and DK, yet you’ve still managed to grow the fund.”
Han Jae-yi was developing exactly as she had in my past life. If anything, she was getting comfortable with managing large sums of money even sooner than before.
At my praise, Han Jae-yi broke into a bright smile, unable to hide her pleasure. She’d always been weak to compliments about her skills.
“Actually, I had some things to report too. Today’s a good opportunity, isn’t it?”
“What is it? Feel free to tell me.”
“I think we need to move offices too. I’ve been looking at the Yeouido area.”
Ribbon had grown considerably, yet we were still using the small office I’d first set up in front of Korea University.
“I’m sorry. I should have paid more attention.”
“No, I figured you’d be too busy to worry about something like this, so I’ve been handling it myself.”
“Good. Go ahead with that. Make it a decent-sized space when you relocate.”
“We’re already looking at a larger building in Yeouido. But the real issue is—I have too much cash. After tidying up positions, I’ve just been sitting on it for months now. It’s driving me crazy.”
It was an investor’s instinct. Idle capital was torture for Han Jae-yi.
“I need to take on a large position, but I’m unsure. I was hoping you’d give me some guidance.”
At Han Jae-yi’s words, I studied her for a moment.
“Senior, have you heard the rumors that the US Federal Reserve might implement additional Quantitative Easing?”
“QE2? There’s chatter in the market. Bernanke signaled additional stimulus at Jackson Hole this year. The timing’s the question—everyone assumes it’ll happen.”
“It’ll be announced soon. A 600 billion dollar program.”
Han Jae-yi’s eyes widened.
In Korean won, that was roughly 678 trillion—a massive additional stimulus package.
“600 billion dollars? That’s less than the first round, but still huge. Where does that money come from?”
“The important thing is where that money goes.”
Quantitative Easing is when a central bank purchases massive amounts of government bonds and floods the market with money.
It’s an emergency measure used when interest rates have already hit zero and can’t go lower. The Fed pumped out 1.7 trillion dollars the first time and will inject an additional 600 billion this time.
“The US federal funds rate is essentially zero. Even with 600 billion dollars flowing in, US bond yields are at the floor, so the money will look for returns elsewhere—emerging markets. Particularly markets like South Korea with high export ratios and solid economic fundamentals will see money pour in.”
Han Jae-yi nodded and continued.
“So when foreign investors start buying, KOSPI rises.”
“Right. Large-cap stocks on KOSPI. Mainly export-oriented blue chips.”
“What scale?”
“That’s for CEO Han to decide.”
Han Jae-yi smiled at my words. For an investor, this would be a pleasant dilemma.
“But how did you know that?”
“Through Director Jung, I’ve developed a line to someone in the US.”
Of course, it was a lie. It was a memory from my past life, and Jung Tae-sung was exactly the kind of person who was easy to use as a cover.
He was so capable and discreet—if Han Jae-yi asked, he wouldn’t answer anything related to me.
When Jung Tae-sung’s name came up, Han Jae-yi nodded in understanding.
“Then I should get started right away.”
“Yes.”
“Got it. Can I structure the portfolio myself?”
“Of course. You know your specialty better than anyone.”
“If it’s coming soon, when exactly?”
“Early November.”
“Not much time left. I’ll be busy starting tomorrow.”
Han Jae-yi pulled a notebook from her bag and started writing something down.
“It’s strange, really.”
“What is?”
“That I’m here right now. Think about it. I only met you at school, and yet my luck has been this good?”
“Even without me, you would’ve reached that position, senior. I just sped up the timeline.”
I meant it sincerely. I stated it as fact.
“Really? Do you really think so?”
“I do.”
Han Jae-yi smiled, tucked her notebook into her bag, and stood up.
“You’ve got a way with words. That’s good motivation to earn even more. Well, I’m heading out. You go home early too.”
“Yes, senior. Take care.”
As Han Jae-yi opened the door to leave, she turned back.
“This place is nice though. Quiet.”
“Feel free to visit often.”
“I’ll do that.”
Han Jae-yi smiled and closed the door behind her. I smiled and headed back to my desk to organize my tasks.

* * *
“It’s quite a large-scale operation.”
A week later, in Ochang.
I’d come to the construction site of Seonjin Logistics’ Chungcheong Fulfillment Center. I toured the site with Lim Do-hyeon, listening to explanations from the site manager, and the scale of the building with its skeleton now taking shape was larger than expected.
“Can we meet the deadline if it’s completed in a year?”
“The contractor has an incentive clause in the contract, so they’re pushing to accelerate the schedule.”
I nodded at the site manager’s explanation and did another round of the site.
It was incomparably larger than the Gunpo Hub. With automatic sorting systems installed and fulfillment-dedicated docks set up, this single center could handle all of Seonjin Logistics’ parcel and e-commerce logistics.
After confirming the site, I headed to the parking lot, where Lim Do-hyeon spoke up.
“Since it’s Friday anyway, shall we head back now? You’re heading up with us, right?”
“I have a friend here, so I made plans to meet.”
Lim Do-hyeon nodded.
“I see. Good work today. Let’s meet again Monday.”
“Yes, Director. Drive safely.”
I watched Lim Do-hyeon’s car exit the site and merge onto the road.
Once his car disappeared, I pulled out my phone from my pocket.
“I’ve arrived.”
Soon after, a black sedan pulled up in front of the site. Jung Tae-sung was in the driver’s seat.
“Should I take you directly to Shinhwa Welltech?”
“Yes.”
I got into the back seat and the car started moving.
We exited the construction site and drove into the roads within the industrial complex. The landscape visible through the window had changed from before.
When I first visited Ochang to select a site, there had been plenty of empty lots and just a few factories, but now buildings filled the area and roads were well-maintained.
“If you turn right up ahead, you’ll see it.”
As Jung Tae-sung said, when we rounded the corner, a large factory came into view, with “Shinhwa Welltech” emblazoned on the wall.
It was six times the size of the factory building Shinhwa Welltech used to operate in Ulsan.
An additional annex building was attached to one side, and beyond that I could see the name “Synapse Robotics.”
While I’d been at Seonjin Logistics, they too had been growing their operations.
As the car pulled up to the main entrance of Shinhwa Welltech, four people were waiting.
“Welcome, sir.”
Hong Sang-jin, the CEO of Shinhwa Welltech, greeted me first, and Park Jin-hyeok bowed beside him. Behind them stood Seo Min-seung and Lucas Jansen.
“It’s been a while. I know you’ve all been working hard.”
It had been quite some time since the Ochang team had gathered all together.
After exchanging handshakes, we went straight into the tour. Upon entering the factory floor in our protective suits, masks, and safety glasses, we were greeted by the impressive scale of the machinery.
Workers lined the production line, working diligently.
“This is the E line. It’s our mass production line for electrolyte additives, currently running 24/7.”
This was the line supplying domestic battery manufacturers including Kumsung Chemical and Future Battery.
“This is our fastest-growing line right now. Orders for electrolyte additives are increasing every quarter.”
After viewing the line, Park Jin-hyeok guided us to the next area, which had a different atmosphere.
It was smaller in scale, with an operating rate about half that of the E line.
“This is our proprietary semiconductor technology line—it’s running stably, but the volume isn’t high, so we’ve currently shut down some lines.”
I nodded, taking in both production lines.
There was no doubt about it—this line would become the core of Shinhwa Welltech down the road.
After finishing the Shinhwa Welltech tour, we exited the building and headed straight to the Synapse factory attached next door. Seo Min-seung took the lead and began explaining.
“This is our existing robotic arm. You’ve seen it in Ulsan, right?”
“Yes. That’s the one from back then.”
“Back then it couldn’t even properly move a small cube, but since Lucas joined, it’s come a long way.”
At Seo Min-seung’s words, Lucas opened his laptop beside me and began demonstrating.
The robotic arm paused occasionally as if thinking, but it successfully moved small objects to their designated positions.
“You didn’t input a separate algorithm for this, did you?”
“No, we simply commanded it to pick up an object and move it here.”
This was a stage we’d failed at during the Ulsan period, but the research had clearly made significant progress.
Even Park Jin-hyeok and CEO Hong from Shinhwa Welltech watched in amazement.
“Of course, as you can see, there’s still latency in processing, so commercialization is still a ways off. But there’s one more thing we’d like to show you. This way…”
Following Seo Min-seung’s guidance, we moved to another area that had been set up to recreate a small logistics warehouse.
There were shelves holding objects and a small robot that looked like a robot vacuum on the floor.
“We made a prototype of what you instructed.”
As Seo Min-seung said this, he pressed a remote control and the robot began moving. It glided smoothly across the floor, went under a shelf, lifted the entire shelf, and moved it to the designated location.
“Wow.”
Park Jin-hyeok let out an involuntary exclamation and clapped his hands. Honestly, I was surprised too.
“You already have a prototype?”
I’d only given the logistics robot development directive a few months ago.
“The structure is simpler than the robotic arm. With the arm, joint control, angles, and force regulation are complex, but this is just a single motion—picking up and moving. The simplicity made it faster.”
Seo Min-seung said this while observing the prototype.
“What’s interesting is, there was always something holding us back with the robotic arm. Working on this refreshed my thinking, and when I looked at the arm again, the problem solved itself.”
In my past life, America’s Kiva Systems had built a similar robot, which Amazon acquired for 800 million dollars.
This was exactly what Synapse was now developing.
“Is commercialization feasible?”
“We need to refine it more, and the client’s warehouse setup will need comprehensive modifications too. As you can see, the shelves themselves are different from standard logistics racks.”
“How long would it take?”
“Six months should be enough to develop it into a product.”
I nodded. It looked excellent for deployment in the Seonjin Logistics Ochang Fulfillment Center.
A fulfillment center processes enormous volumes daily—incoming and outgoing—and human labor alone has its limits.
If we use this robot to assist with outbound operations, it would be excellent.
“Prepare a demonstration and presentation. I’ll reach out to Seonjin Logistics about it.”
“Understood.”
After completing the Synapse tour, we entered the conference room. Once everyone was seated at the table, I spoke up.
“Everyone has worked very hard. Despite my lack of attention, you’ve shown excellent results.”
At my words, everyone smiled and nodded, and I immediately moved to the main agenda.
“CEO Hong, could you make a business trip to Japan? It seems like you’ll need to be there for a while.”
“A business trip?”
“Yes. Let’s expand our secondary battery supply lines to Japan. Japanese battery manufacturers including Panasonic are beginning mass production of EV cells. Since we have track records supplying electrolyte additives to domestic battery makers, we can present our credentials.”
Hong Sang-jin’s expression became ambiguous.
“But sir, we’re running a joint venture with Shinjin in Japan. If we approach other Japanese companies, wouldn’t that be awkward for both parties? Shinjin might not look upon it favorably out of courtesy, and other companies know we’re in a joint venture with them—would they even meet with us?”
“The joint venture with Shinjin covers semiconductor high-purity chemicals, so that’s fine. Electrolyte additives are our proprietary technology, not part of the joint venture area. There’s no conflict.”
Hong Sang-jin nodded as if convinced.
“Particularly, the batteries installed in Volta vehicles are currently handled by Panasonic, but there’s a separate arrangement with Volta. I’ll open that door for you, so go ahead and try to secure supply contracts.”
“Understood. I’ll start by listing up Japanese battery manufacturers.”
“You don’t necessarily have to land contracts. Just go and showcase what kind of company Shinhwa Welltech really is.”
I didn’t tell them this, but if my memory from my past life is correct, soon the supply chain in Japan’s chemical industry—and indeed across the entire industrial sector—will be shaken.
If we already have trading relationships established by then, we can immediately secure alternative supply demands.
Next was Park Jin-hyeok.
“Sir, I think we need to add one more semiconductor line in Ochang.”
Park Jin-hyeok adjusted his glasses and looked at me.
“Semiconductors? We just got electrolyte on track, and if we add semiconductors, our workforce gets divided. Is it necessary?”
“Now that electrolyte is on track, it’s time to find the next growth driver. If you depend on just one product, when that sector falters, you won’t have the corporate strength to weather it.”
Park Jin-hyeok fell silent. I understood his desire to focus as an engineer.
“And we can’t keep the Ulsan joint venture line in Ulsan forever.”
The factory building that Shinhwa Welltech used to operate is now being used by the joint venture with Japan’s Shinjin, which we co-invested in, but that line would eventually need to move to Ochang.
“That’s… true.”
Park Jin-hyeok thought for a moment, then nodded.
“I understand. I’ll work out an expansion plan.”
With Shinhwa Welltech settled, I turned to Synapse’s CEO, Seo Min-seung.
“From now on, CEO Seo will take charge of the logistics robot division as I mentioned earlier. The logistics market is going to shift rapidly, and Synapse needs to seize that market.”
I’d chosen Seonjin Logistics as my first workplace partly to facilitate Synapse’s growth as well.
From inside logistics, I could see the market changing faster and more fiercely than my memories suggested.
“Yes, understood. I’ll have Lucas take over the research lab.”
“Good.”
I looked at Lucas sitting beside me.
“How’s life treating you here in South Korea, Lucas?”
At my words, Lucas Jansen smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
“The neighborhood is quiet, which is nice. Being able to focus entirely on research, not having to worry about money—that’s all good.”
“That’s good. Keep adapting that way. You’ll be taking over the lab going forward, so how’s the learning-based conversion coming along?”
“The convergence speed has improved significantly in simulation. We’re targeting real-world implementation for the second half of next year.”
“Good. Like we said when Lucas first came, don’t think about results. Let’s get it right from the start.”
“Yes, understood.”
I nodded and stood up.
“Don’t worry about finances—that’s my job. You all just focus on how to grow the business. I’m entrusting you with this.”
“Yes, understood.”
“I’ll come by again later.”
I smiled at everyone bowing in respect and turned to leave.

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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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