The Return of the Ruined Chaebol's Third-Generation Heir - Chapter 48

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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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The Fall of the Chaebol Dynasty: Return — Episode 48
Late December 2004.
I stepped out through the arrivals gate at Gimpo Airport and settled into the waiting limousine van.
As the automatic doors closed and the car pulled smoothly away, I leaned back in my seat and spoke.
“You’ve all worked very hard.”
Once I’d reached broad agreement with Nakamura Kenji, the practical negotiations proceeded with remarkable efficiency. Since both sides understood what the other wanted and where compromise was possible, there was no excess baggage. Thanks to that, I was able to conclude the Memorandum of Understanding and return within the originally scheduled period.
All that remained was for the large law firms both companies had retained to draft the legally binding Final Contract, and for the executives to sign off on it.
If all went according to plan, construction on the joint venture’s production line would begin at the Sinhwa Welltech site in Ulsan by the second half of 2005 at the latest.
“Not at all. You’re the one who worked hardest, President. We simply laid our spoon on a table already set.”
“You’re too modest, Director Jung.”
At Jung Tae-sung’s words, I smiled and glanced toward Park Jin-hyuk beside me.
“Director Park.”
“Yes, President.”
“Will you be heading down right away?”
“Of course. I need to check on the research institute while I’ve been away, and once the joint venture with Shinei is established, our research team will need to map out what preparations we should start immediately. It’s going to be very busy.”
Park Jin-hyuk’s voice was full of excitement and drive rather than fatigue.
Yet something heavy settled in my chest. Seon-ui’s first future hinged on domesticizing materials, and the success or failure of that rested squarely on Park Jin-hyuk’s shoulders.
“I’m sorry to be placing such a heavy burden on you, Director Park.”
“Ah, President, don’t say such things. If anything, these days are nothing but a series of wonders for me.”
Park Jin-hyuk waved his hand with a laugh.
“Wonderful wonders at that. Just standing beside a genius like you, knowing that my technology can finally see the light of day—it makes me feel like I’ve become truly useful. It’s overwhelming.”
“Thank you for saying so, Director Jung.”
“Yes, President.”
I looked at Jung Tae-sung with serious eyes.
“Please provide full support for Sinhwa Welltech from SJ Holdings’ perspective. In particular, give our existing employees and researchers a substantial salary increase next year—something they won’t regret.”
“Understood.”
“Soon, technical personnel dispatched from Shinei’s head office in Japan will arrive. They’ll be paid in yen and treated well, naturally. Make sure our employees don’t feel relatively deprived compared to them, or better yet, ensure they can walk around with their heads held high.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. I’ll prepare a revised compensation table immediately.”
Watching Jung Tae-sung jot notes in his pad, I turned to look at Choi Seong-hun, who was gripping the steering wheel.
“Manager Choi.”
“Yes, President.”
“How about we have your team become independent and start a company of your own?”
My words caught Choi Seong-hun’s surprised expression in the rearview mirror.
He’d been gathering intelligence from the streets and reporting it to me, as well as handling my personal security. Officially, his team was part of SJ Holdings’ Security department, but the scale of the informal intelligence network he managed had already far exceeded team-level operations.
“Right now, since your team is essentially subletting a corner of the SJ Holdings office, you probably feel hesitant about expanding the personnel.”
“Not at all. Director Jung has been providing generous support, so there’s no inconvenience.”
“Still, I think it would be better to clearly divide roles and specialize now.”
“……Do you have a particular field in mind?”
Tension threaded through Choi Seong-hun’s voice.
“Start as a comprehensive security firm. Go beyond simple bodyguard work to include corporate security, information asset protection, and ultimately cybersecurity as well.”
Physical security dominates now, but as smartphones proliferate and networks develop, the importance of information security will grow exponentially.
To prepare for the future, you need to sharpen your blade now.
Besides, it was good cover for attracting talent under the pretext of intelligence gathering.
“Recruit capable white-hat hackers and build the infrastructure. I want to grow it big enough to handle not just our group, but external contracts as well. Can you manage that?”
Choi Seong-hun fell silent for a moment. It was a far more significant task than expected. He was being asked to move beyond managing security and become a company president instead.
But soon he seemed to have made his decision, nodding with a firm expression.
“I’ll do it. I’ll build something proper enough to be your eyes and ears, and your shield.”
“That’s the answer I was waiting for. Coordinate with Director Jung on the capital and corporate establishment procedures and push them through properly.”
“Understood.”
I gazed out at Seoul’s landscape passing by the window.
“Good. I’ll be stepping back from operational matters for a while. Starting next year, I’ll have school life to attend to as well, and things will get busy on a personal level. Can I trust you all with these matters?”
“Of course.”
All three responded in unison, as if they’d made a pact.
I smiled with satisfaction.
In my previous life, I had no one I could trust. They were all hyenas, either after my money or waiting for a chance to stab me in the back.
It’s different now. I have people I can entrust my back to.
“Excellent. Before we head home, let’s grab something good to eat. Since I’ve just returned to Korea, shouldn’t I have a bowl of kimchi stew?”
At my words, Choi Seong-hun smiled and changed lanes.
Even the cold winter wind felt warm on this journey home.

* * *
Late December 2004.
Seoul’s streets flashed past the car windows, thrumming with year-end energy. Christmas trees glittered here and there, and carols drifted softly into the car.
“Ujin Pharmatech’s return on investment has reached 1,200%.”
At Jung Tae-sung’s matter-of-fact report, I whistled.
Wow, I never imagined making money could be this easy in my previous life.
Having information about the future was like having a cheat code.
The 90 billion won SJ Holdings had invested in Ujin Pharmatech swelled to well over a trillion won at 1,200% returns, and Ribbon Capital’s 21 billion won ballooned into over 270 billion. In just a few months, I’d generated trillions in cash.
“Time to cash out.”
Soon, an exposé on an investigative news program would reveal the stem cell boom to be a massive fraud against the nation. From that point on, related stock prices would plummet vertically like a roller coaster, becoming worthless.
“Understood. And based on reports, it seems we’ll need approximately 300 billion won for initial capital and equipment investment once the joint venture with Shinei is established. We need to prepare for SJ Holdings to inject funds into Sinhwa Welltech. Do you have a method in mind?”
At Jung Tae-sung’s question, I paused to think before speaking.
“Let’s do a Third-party Paid-in Capital Increase. Have SJ Holdings acquire 100% of the newly issued shares.”
A Third-party Paid-in Capital Increase.
Rather than giving existing shareholders the right to purchase new shares, new shares are issued to a specific third party—in this case, SJ Holdings—to raise capital.
Through this method, we could inject large-scale funds into Sinhwa Welltech quickly while simultaneously solidifying SJ Holdings’ shareholding ratio and securing complete management control.
“I’ll prepare it.”
“Yes. Please quietly but as quickly as possible liquidate and dispose of the Ujin Pharmatech stake in incremental sales.”
“Understood.”
Shortly after, the car arrived at a quiet café alley in Apgujeong.
“I can make my way home from here. Please handle the things I’ve instructed first. I’ll call you again later.”
I stepped out of the car, adjusted my collar, and walked into the café.
Ding—
As the cheerful chime sounded and I stepped inside, a familiar face seated by the window waved at me.
“Why did you come so early?”
I asked as I approached. The person I’d arranged to meet was Han Jae-yi.
“You’re always the one who comes first and waits. That really gets to my pride.”
At her pouty response, I let out a small laugh and sat across from her.
“That’s a good attitude. There aren’t many people who show up right on time for appointments.”
“You criticize me whether I’m early or late. Honestly, talking to you is like talking to some picky boss, not a junior.”
As she grumbled with pursed lips, I gave a slight shrug.
“How’s university life been treating you?”
As I changed the subject, Han Jae-yi slumped into the table with an exhausted expression.
“It’s killing me. I’ve only been there a year, and I don’t know how I’ll survive the remaining three. And the assignments—why are there so many?”
“It’s because you work so hard.”
From text messages we’d exchanged now and then, I’d learned that she was standing at the very top of Yonhei University’s business school.
“Senior, just do 80%.”
“What?”
“There aren’t many people who pour in 100% or more when going through university.”
I looked at her seriously and spoke.
“Even at your level, 80% would probably make you top of your class. What’s the rush?”
“Still……I’m receiving a scholarship. I should earn my keep.”
Han Jae-yi was receiving full tuition and living expenses from SJ Holdings under the auspices of the SJ Scholarship Foundation.
“Does SJ Holdings ask for your grades?”
“No, not like that…… but still, wouldn’t they investigate separately? They’re the ones giving money, after all.”
“That won’t happen. I can promise you that.”
“How would you know?”
I looked at her for a moment, stroking my chin thoughtfully.
It seemed time to reveal my identity to Han Jae-yi.
She was already proven talent, and she would become an indispensable partner in my future plans.
“Do you remember what you said to me after we won that competition?”
“What are you suddenly talking about…?”
“You said you wanted to become someone I could trust and entrust work to. Is that promise still good with you?”
At my serious question, Han Jae-yi looked flustered at the sudden weight of the conversation, but soon nodded.
“Of course. That’s why I’m killing myself working so hard. So I don’t fall behind a genius like you.”
“SJ Holdings is mine.”
“……What?”
Han Jae-yi shot up from her seat in shock. Her chair scraped backward loudly.
At her exclamation, every eye in the café turned toward us.
I exhaled quietly and gestured.
“Sit down. Why are you bouncing up like a spring?”
At my words, Han Jae-yi glanced around nervously and sat back down, though her eyes remained wide as saucers.
“What……what are you saying? Yours?”
“Exactly what I said. SJ Holdings is my personal company, and your scholarship comes out of my pocket, so you don’t need to worry about your grades.”
“So when you connected me to that scholarship back then…… it wasn’t an introduction but something you gave directly?”
Han Jae-yi looked at me as though all the puzzle pieces were finally falling into place.
A high school junior who happened to be a chaebol suddenly connecting her with a scholarship, or gracious support without conditions—all the questions that had accumulated in Han Jae-yi’s mind came flooding clear at once.
And complex emotions flickered across her proud face.
“Don’t feel hurt about it. As I said, I need people I can trust and entrust work to, and this is a legitimate investment in the future.”
“…….”
“I’m sure you have a lot of questions. But I can’t answer them all right now. If I start explaining everything, I’d have to tell you stories from when I was in diapers. I just wanted to ask whether you still intended to be my person, and since I have your answer, I’m telling you this.”
Han Jae-yi stared at me blankly for a moment, then let out a hollow laugh.
“That……is pretty sudden.”
“I’m taking a risk revealing my identity too. If anyone else found out, I’d be finished.”
Her expression shifted subtly. She was probably reconciling why I had to hide my identity, having seen the news of the Management Rights Disputes in my family.
Along with the matter of my age.
“I wouldn’t trust anyone else, but with you…… I think you might be reliable. You’re honestly the smartest person I’ve ever met.”
“The reason I’m telling you to study only 80% is because there’s something else you need to gain from university.”
“Something to gain?”
“Yes. Networks.”
I spoke to Han Jae-yi, recalling my previous life.
“University is the starting point of your life’s network. Especially Yonhei—it’s a place where the inner circle that moves Korea has been formed over decades and centuries.”
“…….”
“You go to university to gain that. If you just bury yourself in the library, you’re throwing away that ticket.”
“You didn’t even go to university, and you’re saying that. Oh wait, you’re going to Korea University now.”
She nodded, recalling my perfect College Entrance Examination score.
Ugh, this person. I lived through it thoroughly in my past life. Though it seems I’m going to have to experience university life again, something I never had to do.
“Anyway, you need to enter that network. Whether it’s a professor, a senior, a classmate, or even a sharp junior—make the name Han Jae-yi known to all the smart people there.”
“Make my name known……”
“Yes. When you help me in the future, all those people will become assets. And if you find someone you need, let me know so SJ Holdings can provide them with a scholarship.”
At my words, she rolled the word “network” around in her mouth.
Since she was smart, she’d understand its importance without further explanation.
“And you said you had something to discuss about stocks?”
As I shifted the mood, she gave an “oh right” expression and pulled a Document Folder from her bag, handing it over.
It was her personal investment portfolio.
“I hit 2,200% returns.”
As I reviewed the documents, my eyes widened. 2,200%.
I’d used a cheat code myself and hit ridiculous returns, but here was a real monster that outdid even me.
“Do you know Dongbang Textile?”
“Of course.”
Dongbang Textile.
It was a small textile company listed on KOSDAQ. The penny stocks that had once traded in 500-won units had recently surged madly and were now pushing past 10,000 won—if you’d been watching the market carefully, it was impossible not to know.
“You invested in it. That’s a fairly risky stock.”
“Right. When rumors were going around about an American biotech venture called VGX seeking a reverse listing target, and Dongbang Textile looked like it would be it, I got in early. I caught it right at the bottom.”
People remember only stem cells as the theme’s leading stock from this period, but truthfully, it was an era of madness where anything with “biotech” attached became gold. That’s why a random textile company could ride the biotech theme and fly higher than the market leaders themselves.
“Will you keep holding?”
“No, I sold everything and cashed out yesterday.”
“Why? It looks like it could keep going up.”
“It seemed like manipulation to me. There’s no reason an American biotech venture would suddenly target a textile company here…… and most critically, they were attaching an AIDS vaccine theme to it. That just didn’t make sense.”
I let out a small laugh. By now, she could instinctively sense when to buy and when to sell without any coaching.
Clearly, her talent as a future master of investment hadn’t gone anywhere.
“You did well. It’s the perfect moment to have stopped before greed got the better of you.”
As we’d been discussing investments for a while, the café door opened and a welcome voice rang out.
“Seon-woo! Han Jae-yi senior!”
Both Han Jae-yi and I turned our heads toward the door. Lee Min-jae was walking in with a bright expression.
In fact, today had been scheduled as a gathering of the three of us from the Mock Investment Competition to mark the year’s end.
I’d called Han Jae-yi a bit early to reveal my identity.
“Min-jae!”
Han Jae-yi waved and stood up as if delighted.
“Sorry I’m the last one. My apologies.”
“No worries, I just got here too. The timing’s perfect.”
I stood and gathered my things.
“Now that Min-jae’s here, let’s go. I’ll treat you all to dinner today.”
We walked out of the café with smiles.
The winter wind brushing my nose was cold, but somehow it didn’t feel cold at all.
And so, at nineteen, my intense second life and the year 2004 were drawing to a close.

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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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