The Return of the Ruined Chaebol's Third-Generation Heir - Chapter 54

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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 Regression of a Fallen Chaebol Third Son, Episode 54
“Seon-woo, how’s school?”
Our day always begins the same way: my mother, my sister, and I sitting at the dining table for lunch. When Father was alive, it wasn’t an obligation—we’d usually eat separately, each busy with our own schedules. But after he passed, it became the one rule my mother created for our household.
“It’s good.”
It was good. Actually, it was spectacular.
Even after entering university, I’d been living a double life with feverish intensity.
Seo Min-seung had gone down to Ulsan as we’d discussed.
After settling in, he’d begun recruiting talent in earnest, but Ulsan’s geographic isolation meant researchers weren’t eager to relocate from Seoul.
The answer lay in higher salaries and better research funding.
Once he dangled attractive conditions, people started arriving one by one, and as the research team reached critical mass, serious work began.
Each report from Seo Min-seung filled me with anticipation. He moved fast—as expected of someone destined to become the world’s best in the future.
“How are you doing, Mother? The company seems quite stable these days.”
At my question, Mother nodded.
Her face was far more relaxed than before.
Even last year, weariness had clung to her features, but lately, smiles came easily.
“The company has stabilized, and that restructuring I mentioned before is progressing well.”
Seonjin Group was reshuffling its equity structure to solidify uncertain management rights.
Choi Dong-su had spearheaded the restructuring, and Kim Seok-jun, retired until recently, had returned to help, working to break circular investment patterns and build a firm corporate governance structure.
For now, there seemed to be nothing to worry about regarding the company.
“I’m doing well too. I’m attending school regularly.”
My sister Seon-ah answered before the question even reached her.
Unlike me, she was a born model student, so there was no need to worry.
She was the same age I’d been at the point of regression, yet she was far more composed than I had been.
“Good. Break’s coming up soon. What will you do?”
“Our school has autonomous study sessions during the break, so I’ll need to go.”
As Seon-ah answered, both their eyes turned to me simultaneously.
Naturally, the next question would come my way.
I set down my chopsticks and looked at them both.
“After the semester ends, I’m……”
I spoke the words I’d been wrestling with for some time.
The moment my break plans left my mouth, Mother’s chopsticks stilled, and Seon-ah’s eyes widened.
I could see surprise bloom across both their faces.

* * *
“How are things in Ulsan?”
At my question, Jung Tae-sung set down papers before me and began his report.
“Shinhwa Welltech has established a joint venture with Japan’s Shinei, as I reported before, and we’ve completed site selection and are currently expanding the factory.”
Shinhwa Welltech had invested a massive 300 billion won into the joint venture, acquiring management rights with a 51% equity stake. When Shinei’s technology combined with Shinhwa Welltech’s domestic production capacity and sales capabilities, the synergy would be extraordinary.
“And Synapse Robotics is currently based in the Shinhwa Welltech headquarters building, conducting research.”
Synapse Robotics.
The company Seo Min-seung had founded.
He’d even kept the same name from the company he’d created in my previous life, which made me wonder if fate really was predetermined.
“When will the building be completed?”
“CEO Seo Min-seung has specific requirements for the environment. Even after the office building is erected, interior work will likely take about five more months.”
“Speak with the contractors and accelerate the timeline. We can spend more on construction costs.”
I set down the documents as I spoke.
“The robotics staff won’t be comfortable operating from another company’s office.”
“Yes, I’ll see if we can shorten the timeline.”
I nodded and moved to the next item.
“You’ve settled the Ribbon Capital accounts, correct?”
“Yes, as instructed, I’ve liquidated all investments. After repaying the debt to Chairman Kim Jong-su and investing in Shinhwa Welltech, our remaining cash is 113.3 billion won.”
“Convert the entire amount to dollars.”
“To dollars?”
Jung Tae-sung’s expression shifted to surprise at my words.
Converting over a hundred billion won entirely to dollars—it was understandable to be flustered.
“I’ll explain when someone arrives shortly. Is there anything else?”
“That completes the report.”
“Is that so? There’s quite a lot to handle.”
Jung Tae-sung was watching me with a face full of doubt.
He seemed to be wrestling with whether to speak or not.
“Is there something you’d like to say?”
“……No, nothing.”
“It’s fine. Director Jung is someone I trust. I’d actually prefer it if you didn’t hold back like this.”
Jung Tae-sung was a truly loyal secretary.
Anyone else might have asked questions at some point, but he carried out my instructions without objection.
While I was grateful for that, sometimes it felt limiting.
“……You seem rushed lately, sir.”
“Do I?”
“Yes. You’ve been batching tasks more often, and most of your directives involve requests to expedite timelines.”
“Ah, that……”
Just as I was about to offer some explanation to Jung Tae-sung—
Knock, knock.
A familiar face entered as the office door opened to the sound of knocking.
“So this is……the right place.”
The person who walked through the office door was Han Jae-yi.
As our eyes met, she approached with a bright expression.
“Why does a college student have an office like this? Right in front of school, no less.”
Han Jae-yi, speaking to me in that easygoing way, seemed to notice Jung Tae-sung standing beside me, and her expression turned formal as she bowed slightly.
“Ah, this is Director Jung Tae-sung, who’s been assisting me with my work. He’s an executive at SJ Holdings.”
“Oh! Hello. I’ve received a lot of help from you. The……scholarship, that is.”
“How do you do? I’ve heard much about you from the CEO. As for the scholarship, it’s not from me—it’s from the CEO.”
At Jung Tae-sung’s words, Han Jae-yi turned to look at me.
Ah, so he’d doubted whether SJ Holdings was actually mine.
“In any case, exchange phone numbers with Director Jung.”
At my words, Jung Tae-sung immediately produced a business card and handed it to Han Jae-yi.
“If you need anything going forward, just call Director Jung and ask. He’ll provide support.”
“What?”
“Director Jung will look after you the same way I do for Seo Min-seung and Park Jin-hyuk.”
“Understood.”
“Come this way, then.”
I led Han Jae-yi, who stood looking confused, to a desk set up in one corner of the office.
“This will be your workspace.”
On the desk sat several computer monitors, and on one side, specialized equipment had been installed.
“What is this? That’s a Bloomberg Terminal, isn’t it?”
Han Jae-yi’s eyes widened.
Bloomberg Terminal.
A specialized terminal providing real-time data from global financial markets.
Stock prices, bonds, exchange rates, commodity prices—as well as corporate financial statements, analyst reports, and news—all financial information was contained within.
It was essential equipment for Wall Street traders, with annual subscription fees reaching tens of millions of won.
Of course, as Han Jae-yi suspected, in 2005 it was indeed difficult to find outside of securities firms.
“Isn’t this hard to get? From what I know……”
“It is difficult, but if you have the money, you can get it. You pay the subscription fee and they install it right away.”
“So this is my workspace?”
“Yes. From now on, come here and do stock trading. What would be appropriate monthly pay? How many part-time jobs are you working now?”
“Um……Two.”
“How much are you making combined from those two?”
“About 700,000 won……”
“Then let’s make it double that. And if your trading performance is good, I’ll give you performance incentives. Bonus concept……”
“Hey, don’t just talk about your plan—explain what this is all about.”
I realized I’d been getting ahead of myself, talking only about my intentions.
“I have a company.”
“SJ Holdings?”
“No, not that one. I have an investment firm called Ribbon Capital, and I need someone to manage it for a while.”
SJ Holdings’ assets had a dedicated team that would manage them well.
Ribbon Capital was my personal asset, so I could forgive Han Jae-yi if she failed, but SJ Holdings’ assets were funds meant for growing Shinhwa Welltech and Synapse Robotics—I couldn’t afford to lose them easily.
“I’d like you to manage Ribbon’s assets, Director.”
At my call, Jung Tae-sung handed Han Jae-yi a document envelope.
“There’s information about the company inside—review it. Either way, this is something you’ll be doing after graduation, so it might be good to get a feel for it starting now.”
“Really……? I mean, if I think of it as replacing my part-time jobs, it’s not a bad deal.”
Stock trading was something she enjoyed, after all.
“But it will be different. Your favorite stocks might start to feel burdensome. The stress of managing other people’s money on a salary will be enormous. Think of this as early adaptation.”
“Understood. Thank you. For giving me this opportunity. So how much capital will I be managing?”
“Around 110 billion won, and we’ll be converting all of it to dollars.”
“What, what? How much?”
“110 billion won.”
Han Jae-yi’s expression turned blank.
Her mouth fell open, unable to form words.
“Going forward, you’ll need to trade in overseas markets rather than the domestic market, especially the US stock market. That’s why I prepared the terminal.”
“No……such a large amount……”
“Senior, opportunities like this don’t come around. You said after graduation you’d work in stocks, but where can a college student find an opportunity like this?”
“……”
“Work hard at it. But if it becomes too difficult, you can quit whenever you want.”
“……If I quit?”
Worry crossed her face.
“If you quit, I won’t claw back the scholarship or anything like that. Don’t worry about it. That’s separate from this.”
It could be harsh training for Han Jae-yi.
But in the future, she becomes a fund manager who commands Yeouido.
She had the caliber to endure this level of adversity.
“Will you do it?”
At my confirming question, Han Jae-yi hesitated for a moment, then nodded with a determined expression.
“I’ll give it a try.”
“Good. As I said, you’ll need to study the US market starting today. You can use this office whenever you want. Director Jung.”
“Yes, sir.”
“The US market often requires late-night management, so assign one driver to Jae-yi.”
“Hey, no. These days the late-night subway……”
When I gave her a look, Han Jae-yi fell silent.
“Please arrange it.”
“Very well.”
I led both of them to the sofa in the middle of the office.
“Shall we sit?”
Once they were seated, I opened my mouth with a serious expression.
“Director mentioned earlier that I’ve seemed rushed these past few days, didn’t you? I think I owe you an explanation. Choosing Jae-yi as my stock manager is connected to that reason as well.”
Jung Tae-sung and Han Jae-yi listened intently to my words in silence.
Their gazes were fixed on me.
I paused a moment to collect myself, then spoke.
“After this semester ends, I’m planning to enlist.”
Jung Tae-sung’s eyes widened.
Han Jae-yi’s mouth fell open and she went rigid.

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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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