The Return of the Ruined Chaebol's Third-Generation Heir - Chapter 13

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Regression of a Fallen Chaebol Heir — Episode 13
A single sheet of A4 paper lying beneath the desk lamp felt unusually heavy.
[Balance: 20,000,000,000 won]
Ten zeros. Two billion won.
It was money an ordinary high school student would never see in their lifetime, and even for a third-generation chaebol heir, it was a substantial sum to move with personal funds.
I sank deep into my chair and turned over the conversation I’d had with Kim Seok-jun earlier.
—Your grandfather appointed me as trustee and left it for you.
It was shocking. A trust.
—During his lifetime, he divided the company among all his children. And then he called me. He said there was money he’d secretly hidden away.
My grandfather had trusted Kim Seok-jun—not one of his own children, but a retainer.
And that judgment had been accurate.
Kim Seok-jun neither embezzled the money nor harbored any ulterior motive, but kept it faithfully all these years before handing it over to me.
—The only instruction he gave when entrusting it to me was this: give it to whoever shows promise when you meet them.
I was genuinely surprised. How much did my grandfather trust Kim Seok-jun?
He entrusted the authority to choose his successor to a stranger, someone whose blood didn’t mix with his own.
—If none of the successors satisfied him, he said you could just keep it. He threw that out there, but it was always a burden—a weight on my shoulders. He entrusted me with about 12 billion won back then, and it’s grown through management.
Eighty billion of the two hundred billion was money Kim Seok-jun had grown.
Suddenly, a memory from my past life flashed across my mind.
In my previous life, when I was struggling to manage Seonjin Group, Kim Seok-jun was alive, and we’d met several times.
But he never gave me this money.
Which meant the Kang Seon-woo of my past life had been nothing but an ordinary fellow in Kim Seok-jun’s eyes.
—Then, did I meet your standard, Executive Director?
—For now.
—For now, then…….
—I’m prepared to take it back whenever you go astray. And rather than giving the money to you personally, I’ll deposit it as investment capital for the newly established SJ Holdings.
He didn’t clarify what “going astray” meant. And he hadn’t explicitly explained the criteria for choosing me in the first place either.
‘So the standard exists only in Kim Seok-jun’s head.’
That was what frightened me most.
Kim Seok-jun had chosen me, but in doing so, he’d also seized my leash. It meant he would continue testing me going forward.
—The position of a manager is always followed by evaluation. I’ll provide that evaluation until you take the owner’s seat at Seonjin Group.
I could accept it coming from Kim Seok-jun.
He had the credentials for it. I agreed without complaint.
“Hah, it’s nice to have seed money, but it’s giving me a headache.”
I tucked the bank balance certificate deep into a drawer.
It wasn’t money to take lightly.
But the headache could wait—for now, I needed to figure out how to wield this sword.
“Anyway, let me set aside the complicated thoughts and focus on how to use this money.”
If my previous life played out the same way, a wave of attacks from relatives would begin next year.
It would start with my uncle Kang Byeong-chul. I needed to build up my strength.
Two billion won is a large sum, but in a war between conglomerates, it’s nothing more than a single bullet.
“I’ll need to run a two-track strategy. One track is investment.”
Investment was obviously essential.
Flying the SJ Holdings banner, I’d tap into the market and grow my assets exponentially.
And the other track…….
“Securing talent.”
I opened the SJ Holdings corporate documents on my desk again.
[Number of Employees: 3]
The staff Kim Seok-jun had hastily assembled were nothing more than administrative workers handling paperwork—no players who could be my hands and feet.
“Too few. And they’re not my people, either.”
By the time I inherited the management of Seonjin Group, I’d need completely trained personnel.
In my previous life, I’d been stabbed in the back more than once by people I’d trusted as my own employees.
My naiveté in believing they wouldn’t betray me for a slightly higher salary was my sin.
“I can’t repeat that mistake.”
This time, I’d nurture them from the start.
Not the kind of relationship where you show them money and tie them down, but people who can’t easily betray because they’re invested in the same game I’m watching.
“Then I need to run a charitable scholarship program in parallel.”
Under the SJ Holdings name.
Find diamonds in the rough—talented but impoverished—sponsor them, and pull them into my circle.
After ten, twenty years of nurturing, they’ll become the roots spread throughout key positions of Seonjin Group.
“First of all…….”
One person came to mind.
The closest at hand, and the most certain talent I’d seen demonstrated.
“Should I try securing Han Jae-yi first?”

* * *
A few days later, at the Seonjin High School Auditorium.
The entire student body had gathered for morning assembly.
The indoor space was as chaotic as a market bazaar, full of heat and murmuring from hundreds of students.
The Principal stepped onto the podium, grabbed the microphone, and cleared his throat.
“Ahem, ahem. Quiet! Everyone, please be quiet.”
The Student Affairs Director walked about, and once the hall had settled somewhat, the Principal spoke with a flushed face.
“This morning’s assembly is a bit special—we have an award to present. Our school has received some wonderful news today.”
The Principal looked down from the podium with a proud expression.
“At the National High School Mock Investment Competition held by Mirae Securities, one of the country’s leading securities firms, our students won first place. We beat out some hundred teams from across the nation to claim the top spot!”
Wooooo—
The students, understanding little of it, offered polite applause. The Principal called out names in a raised voice.
“Those whose names I call, please come up to the stage. Third-year Class 2, Han Jae-yi.”
Han Jae-yi, neatly dressed in her school uniform, walked out confidently.
“Second-year Class 3, Lee Min-jae.”
Min-jae shuffled forward with a nervous expression.
And then.
“Second-year Class 3…… Kang Seon-woo.”
The moment my name was called.
The students’ hands, which had been clapping mechanically, froze, and murmuring began.
The atmosphere in the auditorium shifted instantly.
“Kang Seon-woo? That guy?”
“Isn’t he the director’s nephew? He was in the stock club?”
“Wow, a third-generation chaebol heir winning first place in a stock competition. I guess blood doesn’t lie?”
Whispers erupted from all corners.
No one at this school was unaware of my existence. But that was because of my background as the founder’s grandson, not out of genuine interest in me as a person.
I, who’d always drifted like a ghost, being called to the stage was news to them.
‘How noisy.’
I ignored the flood of gazes and rose from my seat.
Min-jae stuck to my side as if he’d been waiting.
“Seon-woo, everyone’s staring.”
“Don’t mind it.”
We walked up to the stage together.
Han Jae-yi, who was already up there, smiled slightly at us.
It was a silent signal: “You did well.” I responded with a light nod.
“Congratulations. I’m truly proud of you.”
The Principal handed me the certificate of commendation and bowed deeper than usual, extending his hand for a handshake.
As the prize, a large panel was presented.
[Award: 3 Million Won Scholarship and Latest Computer Equipment]
The Principal took the microphone and led another round of applause.
“Let’s give these students, who’ve brought honor to our school, another round of applause!”
Wooooo—!
This applause sounded different from before.
It wasn’t mere formality, but genuine cheers mixed with admiration.
Holding the certificate, I turned slowly and looked down at the hundreds of students filling the auditorium.
Hundreds of eyes fixed on me.
In my past life, these gazes had only felt burdensome—something to avoid.
But now it was different.
Recognition earned not through my background, but through my own ability and merit.
‘Not bad.’
A faint smile spread across my lips.
It was quite a respectable first report card of my new life.

* * *
After all classes had ended.
I shouldered my bag and headed toward the Annex Building with familiar steps.
Click, I opened the door and entered the Club Room.
As always, Han Jae-yi was sitting at the old computer, staring intently at the monitor.
“When’s the computer coming?”
“Goodness!”
Han Jae-yi started and spun around in her chair.
“Ugh, you scared me. I keep telling you to knock before coming in!”
“You didn’t even notice when I opened the door and pulled out a chair to sit down. What were you concentrating so hard on?”
“Ah…… I have to check the market every day. Can’t lose my touch. Where’s Min-jae?”
Han Jae-yi cleared her throat, pretending to be unaffected, and turned off the monitor.
“He said he was going to cram school and left right away. When’s the computer coming? I hate hearing that humming sound.”
“About a month, they said. But the prize money should come in within this week.”
“Oh, that’s fast. So you’ll start real-world investing right after you get it?”
At my question, Han Jae-yi smiled and nodded.
“Yeah. Gotta do it right away. The market looks good ahead.”
“Good timing. You’ve been wanting to do this for a while, haven’t you?”
“When did I! I just needed the money…….”
Han Jae-yi started to snap but stopped herself, closing her mouth.
A moment of silence passed. She gazed out the window blankly, then suddenly let it out.
“Actually…… I hated stocks.”
“Sorry?”
What was this now?
She’d acted like she was crazy about stocks, and now she hated them?
“My father ruined our family with stocks.”
“Ah…….”
“It wasn’t just a failure—we were hunted down by debt collectors, completely and thoroughly wiped out. And he irresponsibly never came back. He just ran away.”
Han Jae-yi’s voice was dry. It was a dryness that suggested she’d already exhausted all emotion, and that very dryness struck painfully.
“Because of him, my mother works at a restaurant and takes care of my little brother and me alone. So I hated stocks. I couldn’t understand what made them turn a perfectly normal person into a gambler and destroy an entire family.”
“……That’s like me.”
“Huh?”
“I don’t have a father either.”
Han Jae-yi looked at me with surprised eyes.
“Hey! How can you say something like that so casually?”
“There’s nothing shameful about it, is there? I’m just saying what’s true.”
At my matter-of-fact response, Han Jae-yi let out a small, bitter laugh.
“Ha, yeah. You’re right. There’s nothing shameful about it…….”
Han Jae-yi tapped her fingers on the desk.
“Anyway, that’s why I studied. I wanted to understand what stocks could possibly be that they made my father abandon even his wife and children. I dug into it half out of revenge, half out of spite.”
“So you don’t understand it now?”
“No. Understand? How could I. I still don’t find stocks fun. It’s just survival for me. I only see it as the one ladder for someone like me to get back up.”
‘That’s why you’re so ruthless in the market.’
I nodded. That explained her obsession with Risk Management and her anxiety over every single won.
“But since meeting you, my thoughts have been changing a little.”
“How so?”
“Stocks…… they’re actually quite fun. Working together, building logic, proving it out. It felt like real investing, not just gambling.”
“I enjoyed it too. Thanks to you, senior.”
“Really?”
“Yes. The way you approach things—I don’t know how else to put it. I want to learn from you? You inspire trust? Those were the feelings.”
Han Jae-yi’s face brightened at my praise.
I needed to steer the conversation before things got too heavy.
“But doesn’t focusing only on investment mean you’re neglecting your studies? Two months until the college entrance exam.”
“Oh, I actually got into a school through early admission.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell me? We could’ve thrown you a celebration party.”
“……The tuition is expensive.”
Han Jae-yi smiled bitterly.
“The registration fees were too much to handle, so I was planning to give it up and go for a national university with regular admission instead. But now that I’ve got 1 million won in prize money, I’m getting greedy. If I grow it well, maybe I can cover the tuition, right?”
It was a very Han Jae-yi answer.
“You seem confident you won’t lose it.”
“I’m not confident, no. But like I said, it’s survival. I’m just trying to survive any way I can.”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a business card, handing it to her.
“Take this.”
“What is this? SJ Holdings Representative Kim Seok-jun?”
Han Jae-yi turned the business card with an unfamiliar name back and forth.
“I know this person. He runs a charitable scholarship program.”
“A charitable scholarship program?”
“Yes. Try calling him. He’ll cover all your tuition and living expenses.”
“……Pardon?”
Han Jae-yi’s hand went still.
“I asked him for a favor. I told him our school has this talented person who’s about to give up her dreams because of money. He found it interesting. I guess winning a stock competition really does become a credential.”
Of course, it was my company, but there was no need to reveal that now.
Han Jae-yi stared blankly at the business card.
Tears glistened in her large eyes.
“Why, what’s the matter? Why are you getting teary?”
“Me, cry? Why would I cry? I’m not crying.”
Han Jae-yi hurriedly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. But her reddened nose couldn’t be hidden.
She held the business card for a long time, fingering it gently, before speaking in a small voice.
“……Thank you.”
“If you’re thankful, then repay it.”
“How? With money?”
“No.”
I pulled a chair forward and sat down, meeting Han Jae-yi’s eyes.
“Study hard. And help me later.”
“Help you?”
“I need people. As you know, my family is…… a corrupt one.”
“What do you…… .”
She’d heard through rumors that the chaebol family was a mess, but hearing it from the person involved himself seemed to catch her off guard.
I smiled wryly and continued.
“So I have to survive too. To survive, I need reliable allies I can trust.”
“…….”
“Senior, would you help me?”
At my words, Han Jae-yi looked at me with surprise.
“What about me makes you ask for my help?”
“I need someone I can trust with my back. Like in this competition.”
“…….”
“When you help me, I feel like I can win anything.”
I met Han Jae-yi’s gaze directly, not turning away.
“Family matters are complicated. Too complicated to explain. It might sound spoiled, but for me, each day is about survival too.”
“……But I’m powerless.”
“That’s why I’m asking you to gain that power and become my person. What I need is a reliable ally I can trust at my back.”
“…….”
“It’ll be scary. Getting involved in a chaebol family’s conflicts. You probably won’t understand. And you might wonder if high school students should even be having this conversation.”
I paused for a moment to collect myself, then spoke again.
“But I really do need you, senior.”
Han Jae-yi looked into my eyes as if to confirm my sincerity. I didn’t look away.
After gazing into my eyes for a long time, Han Jae-yi’s expression grew firm.
And slowly, but decisively, she nodded.
“……Okay. I promise.”
“If you run away later, I’ll come catch you.”
“That won’t happen.”
I smiled at Han Jae-yi.
And I was certain: I’d just acquired my first true ally—worth more than anything else.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————