The Return of the Ruined Chaebol's Third-Generation Heir - Chapter 20

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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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Regression of a Fallen Chaebol’s Third Generation — Episode 020
Morning, two weeks later.
Only the clink of dishes filled the quiet dining table.
Mother broke the silence first.
“How’s Seon-ah’s studying going? You’re in high school now.”
At Mother’s question, Seon-ah swallowed the rice she’d been pushing around and nodded.
“It’s going well.”
“That’s good. Our Seon-ah always does fine on her own, so I don’t worry about you.”
At the end of that remark, the air around the table shifted subtly.
Mother’s and Seon-ah’s gazes both fixed on me at once.
Here it comes.
“Before the break, you told the driver to go home first, and then you’d disappear somewhere. And lately, you’ve been going out alone without the driver quite often.”
“Yeah. Oppa’s been looking really busy these days. You’re always sitting in front of the computer at home.”
Ah, she meant the days I’d drop off the driver after school and go meet Kim Seok-jun.
Even now, when I go out, I deliberately avoid using the car for fear of leaving a trail, but it seems that’s only raised suspicion instead.
I set down my spoon calmly and replied.
“Oh, it’s because of club activities. I felt bad making the driver wait, and I often hang out with friends afterward.”
“Really?”
Mother narrowed her eyes and stared at me.
“Of course. You saw the trophy from the mock investment competition I won last time, didn’t you? You know how busy I was preparing for that.”
The moment the word “championship” left my lips, Mother’s face lit up.
I flashed back to how delighted she’d been when I showed her the certificate last time — she’d looked ready to frame it.
I drove the wedge in deeper.
“And lately I’ve been busy meeting with a senior from club who’s going to college next year. She got into Yeonhui University’s business school. I’m picking up entrance exam tips and study methods from her.”
“Yeonhui University’s business school?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that’s reassuring.”
Indeed, for Korean parents, studying with a senior from a prestigious university is the perfect alibi.
Mother nodded, visibly relieved.
“Oh, and I’ve been doing some stock investing lately.”
I steered the conversation smoothly forward.
“With your own money?”
“Yes. It’s going quite well. I’ll show you the results when they come in.”
“But your priorities should be…….”
“I know, I know. I’m managing my time carefully so it doesn’t interfere with studying. Think of it as part of learning economics. Don’t worry.”
Having preempted her concerns with my defense, Mother didn’t push back any further.
“How are you doing, Mother? Work?”
At my question, Mother paused her chopsticks for a moment, lost in thought, then spoke.
“It’s fine. I’ve adjusted to the company atmosphere by now.”
“That’s good. I saw the news a while ago that the company bought a ship.”
“You follow that kind of news?”
“Well, I’m investing in stocks. I need to keep an eye on the shipping industry too. But Mother, what kind of ship is it? I’m curious.”
Mother had the look of someone thinking it was odd to ask about such things, but she didn’t seem to mind her son’s interest.
“Hmm. It’s a container ship. You know, the kind that carries rectangular containers on deck.”
“Ah. That’s a relief.”
A sigh of relief escaped me before I could stop it.
A container ship. This was around the time the Baltic Dry Index was about to start dancing. The raw materials collapse would bring volatility and unsettled market flows, but if the company had secured a container ship rather than a bulk carrier, the direction wasn’t bad.
Container ships would see rising freight rates thanks to China’s steady demand.
“A relief?”
“Oh, no. I just meant it’s good that you’re adapting well at work.”
“Right. You stop worrying about your mother now and focus on studying. As for university…….”
“Yes, yes, I understand.”
I finished eating with some banter, saw Mother off to work, and returned to my room.
Just then, my mobile phone vibrated on the desk. The name on the screen was Jeong Tae-sung.
“Yes, Director Jeong.”
—I’ve appointed the business management expert that the chairman recommended as the new CEO of Shinwha Welltech as of today.
A few days ago, Jeong Tae-sung had sent me a list of candidates to recommend, and I’d chosen the one I thought would work best with Park Jin-hyuk.
Moreover, the candidate seemed like someone who would manage finances carefully.
“Well done. How’s the atmosphere at Shinwha Welltech?”
—It’s still a bit unsettled right after the acquisition, but now that a professional manager has arrived, it should settle down quickly. Everyone’s in an adjustment phase.
“I see. Tell the new president that the goal for this year is to maintain the status quo. Don’t rush into restructuring. Instead, aggressively grow the research institute’s personnel and scale.”
Technology is the lifeblood of this company. We need to keep people and grow technology.
“Tell him major investments will come in the second half of next year. And give Park Jin-hyuk a separate heads-up.”
—Understood. I’ll keep that in mind. I’ll report again later then.
“Thank you for your work.”
I ended the call and sank deep into my chair. The Shinwha Welltech acquisition was wrapped up, and the management setup was complete.
“Now it’s time to pay attention to the stock market.”
I needed to start moving both my personal assets and SJ Holdings’ investment portfolio in earnest. I turned on my computer and launched the Home Trading System. Red numbers filled the screen.
“Steel, automobiles, shipbuilding…… All three are just skyrocketing.”
My portfolio, riding the Super Cycle driven by China, was seeing returns climb day after day.
The 9 million won seed money had already swelled to 15 million won.
‘But now I need to change positions. I should liquidate these.’
I was in the middle of selling off my held stocks when my mobile phone vibrated softly on the desk.
When I checked the screen, a smile leaked out of the corner of my mouth.
[I finished all the homework you gave me. Let’s meet today.]
It was Han Jae-yi.
The timing was perfect. I had things I wanted to discuss with her anyway.
“Let me go see her.”
I sent a brief reply and got up to start preparing to go out.

* * *
‘Ah, year-end is year-end indeed.’
At the Cafe near Han Jae-yi’s House, I sat gazing out the window at the steaming coffee in front of me.
The window displayed a strong sense of year-end atmosphere.
Shortly after, a familiar face appeared with the chime of the door bell.
Thunk—
Han Jae-yi dropped a thick Binder onto the table as a greeting, then plopped down in the chair across from me.
“Senior, it’s been a while.”
“A while? You’ve been nagging me with texts every day.”
Han Jae-yi let out a scoff of disbelief.
Her flushed cheeks testified to just how cold it was outside.
I pointed at the Binder on the table with my chin.
“Is that it?”
“Yes! The homework you gave me.”
“Can I read it?”
I picked up the Binder before Han Jae-yi could even answer. I felt the substantial weight of it.
This was the assignment I’d given her. When she pestered me to teach her how to do stocks well, I’d told her to start with Corporate Analysis.
Han Jae-yi’s strength was her relentless instinct to recover her principal, but what she lacked now was the ability to analyze companies and the discernment to pick sectors that would dominate the market going forward.
“But what’s this telecom equipment?”
I looked up from the documents at Han Jae-yi’s question.
She still looked confused.
“You told me to research it, so I did. But this sector is completely dead right now, isn’t it? It still hasn’t recovered since the IT bubble burst.”
“But in your notes here, you wrote ‘has strong potential to rise in the future’?”
“Yes, I said there’s strong potential, but you’re right that it’s dead at the moment. Anyway, I heard through the market that telecom companies will be increasing equipment investments next year. Actually, in Hanseong Telecom’s case, the CEO has even publicly stated his investment intentions.”
Accurate.
Han Jae-yi had a pretty good sense for reading the market. I nodded and closed the Binder, then opened my mouth.
“Soon you’ll be able to watch TV on your mobile phone. Same with car navigation.”
“What?”
Han Jae-yi’s brow furrowed.
“Why are you so surprised?”
“Is someone really going to watch TV on a tiny phone? And if you download something on a mobile phone and watch it, how much data do you burn through? Haven’t you heard about people who accidentally hit the internet button and got hit with massive charges?”
At this time, the mobile phone was nothing more than a device for calls and messages, so Han Jae-yi’s reaction was entirely natural.
“Oh, that’s because it uses that kind of data transmission. In the future, mobile phones will have broadcast reception modules built in. Whether satellite or terrestrial, you’ll be able to watch for free without paying anything.”
“……Is that really true? So that’s why you had me research this sector?”
“Exactly. Who am I, after all?”
I leaned forward, glancing around as if being careful, and lowered my voice to Han Jae-yi.
“I’m the son of a chaebol family. Information only circulates among the top tier.”
Of course, my information didn’t come from a chaebol dining table but from memories of the future, though the title of third-generation chaebol heir was the perfect cover for this kind of moment.
“You’re really serious?”
“I don’t share this with just anyone. I’m telling you because you’re my senior.”
At my conspiratorial whisper, Han Jae-yi gulped quietly and nodded silently.
“Anyway, if we’re lucky, the government will move early next year. They’ll be busy setting standards and selecting service providers. So we have about four days left in 2003.”
“That soon?”
“Yes. I’ve already reorganized my Portfolio today.”
“You reorganized it while steel and shipbuilding are flying like that?”
Han Jae-yi’s eyes widened. We’d been sharing portions of our portfolios, and the companies she’d chosen were also concentrated in Chinese beneficiaries like mine.
“Yes. We’re at the peak now.”
“The peak? It keeps going up.”
“China’s economy is overheating.”
I said it firmly.
In truth, during this period, China’s economic growth rate was steep — too steep. Double-digit annual growth was accepted as a given, but it was actually becoming toxic for the Chinese economy. Rising raw material prices were pushing up prices, and signals of instability in ordinary people’s lives were showing up everywhere.
“Look at the Chinese local news. It’s chaos. People are saying they can’t make a living on their salaries. Prices have gone up so much.”
“…….”
“Soon the Chinese government will apply the brakes to this insane growth.”
“So growth will stop?”
“No. Growth will continue. But they’ll slow the pace. They’ll shift to Austerity Fiscal Policy.”
“Austerity…….”
“Then which sector gets hit first? Industries like steel and cement — stimulus infrastructure projects — will become the first targets.”
From memories of my previous life, the domestic stock market in 2004 would face the China Shock.
When China, once called the raw materials black hole, announced its austerity policy, the Korean stock market, which had been riding the Super Cycle of Chinese demand and surging ahead, would be reduced to rubble in an instant.
“So think of now as around the shoulder of the peak. Exit gradually and shift into that telecom sector I mentioned.”
“Are you sure?”
“Do you still doubt my skills?”
“It’s not that…… Sometimes when I see you, I get chills. It’s like you’re solving the problem while looking at the answer sheet.”
Han Jae-yi clicked her tongue and muttered. I felt a prickle of embarrassment but laughed it off casually.
“Anyway, the homework passes. Pick just one company from the ones you researched and send it to me by text.”
“You want me to choose?”
“I can’t spoon-feed you forever, can I?”
“Hey, you…….”
“We started this to develop your eye for talent. I’ll evaluate your choice. If you fail, think of it as tuition.”
As I spoke mischievously, Han Jae-yi clutched the Binder again with a troubled expression.
Her puckered lips looked just like a student facing an exam.
Watching her, I got to my feet.
“Where are you going?”
“Let’s go. Get some food.”
“Food?”
“It’s year-end anyway. I’m sorry for dragging you out. Let me buy you something delicious.”
I moved ahead, leaving Han Jae-yi sitting there dumbfounded.
“Hey, wait! I’ll buy. It’s information payment.”
“You? Then let’s go somewhere expensive.”
“……You little brat.”
2003 was fading away like that.

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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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