Chapter 71
Chapter 71
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: VIP Lounge Encounters
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Huh?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ An orchestra performance for VIPs at the New Era Department Store.
I'd only gone to cool off my head, but it turned out more enjoyable than expected.
It was nostalgic hearing songs from music class back in school.
Even unfamiliar pieces felt wondrous performed live right in front of me.
Well, Yeon-a looked pretty bored.
'Actually, boredom's the norm for this stuff.'
It was novel for me since it was my first time, but it might get tedious with repetition.
Still, I enjoyed it this time, so I was satisfied.
The short performance ended amid applause, wrapping up the first event.
Next, an emcee-looking person announced we'd be guided to the in-house art gallery.
The word "gallery" sparked an immediate association for me, so I chuckled inwardly and followed the crowd.
The venue had swiftly transformed from orchestra hall to expansive art museum.
They were directly connected, apparently.
"Hello. For the New Era Department Store's 60th anniversary, themed 'Toward New Era, Looking Back at New Era,' I'm Curator Kim Yu-hwa, here to explain the exhibited works."
And so the second event began seamlessly.
Time and flow managed without waste—it felt like a packaged tour from TV.
'Those broadcast tours always had this vibe.'
With that thought, I tuned into Curator Kim Yu-hwa's talk up front.
I knew nothing, so I had to listen intently.
"Our New Era Department Store established the New Era Art Foundation to nurture and sponsor numerous artists and figures. Last year alone, we provided art development funds to 5,000 artists and overseas study opportunities to 300..."
Hmm...
No need to listen that closely.
"All works here are available for purchase; please inquire at the info desk. Now, I'll explain each piece starting from this one nearby."
After the lengthy intro, the curator finally began on the adjacent works.
But my focus was already scraping bottom.
The foundation boasting had drained me completely.
'Too much fluff.'
Wondering if I was alone, I glanced around—Yeon-a wore a bored expression too.
Other VIPs nearby didn't seem all that riveted either.
'People are all the same.'
Money couldn't buy immunity to tedium, it seemed.
A sense of camaraderie bloomed.
Scanning other VIPs, my eyes met someone vaguely familiar.
'Who was that...'
Racking my fuzzy memory, she smiled brightly first and bowed her head.
I nodded back lightly in kind.
Yeon-a tilted her head, whispering,
"Someone you know?"
"Uh... no."
She eyed me like I'd grown a second head.
"I seriously can't remember."
She nodded with a small laugh at my clarification.
The explanations dragged on, and interested VIPs peeled off to the info desk.
But sparing the few couldn't bore the majority, so the curator briskly wrapped up and herded us to the next spot.
The long, dull gallery tour ended at the VIP lounge.
The curator had vanished upon arrival, replaced by a guide.
He explained we could rest, shop, or leave until dinner—and leaving early was fine too.
'Who'd skip dinner before it starts?'
Yet defying my thought, a few VIPs arranged artwork deliveries and departed.
Passing up the lavish feast? That must be real rich-people behavior.
'Worse than tossing yogurt lids without scraping them clean.'
Couldn't do that myself.
Chefs from New Era Hotel were cooking—how could anyone pass that up?
Even if they ate gourmet daily, skipping delicious food was unthinkable.
Maybe they had private chefs at home.
Anyway, Yeon-a seemed eager for the gala dinner too.
"Wonder what'll be for dinner?"
I chuckled and tilted my head at her question.
Someone like her must've attended plenty.
"Never had one yourself, sis?"
"Nope, first time for New Era's gala dinner too."
Fair enough.
She'd said it was her first such event, so it tracked.
Chatting idly with Yeon-a in the lounge while flipping catalogs, a familiar-faced man approached.
The one from the gallery whose eyes I'd met.
With my okay, Su-bin stepped aside.
He extended a hand for a formal greeting.
"Hello, Ms. Choi Yeon-bi. Didn't expect to see you here. I'm Kim Tae-jin, branch manager at Sehan Securities."
Securities?
'Oh, right.'
The branch manager from when I'd signed up for funds.
It clicked—faces and memories flooded back.
'Makes sense; I was too spooked to look at the papers properly then.'
I saw my accountant often after, but this was only my second time with him, so the recall was hazy.
"Nice to meet you."
To play it cool, I stood stone-faced, shook his hand lightly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Lee Hwang-dae, CEO of L&S Development Co.
"Hm..."
Lounging in a corner, surveying the vibe, he caught an intriguing scene.
'Even he's initiating a handshake.'
Sehan Securities branch manager Kim Tae-jin approaching Choi Yeon-bi first.
High rank?
Obviously.
Branch managers had hierarchies by location; his was top-ten caliber.
Considering major firms like the Big 5 had 50-60 branches, he was elite.
Yet here he was, extending a hand to a young woman.
Rare sight for sure.
'Everyone's eyes sharpened.'
Other VIPs subtly watched her and Kim too.
Unable to ignore it, Lee Hwang-dae spun theories on her identity.
First, why dodge job questions awkwardly.
'Not some crypto bro fumbling an excuse.'
Nouveau riche he knew hated broadcasting origins.
Maybe she was similar? But no recent windfalls fit.
Crypto steady, stocks calm.
Old holdings cashed out for billions?
'...No such chatter.'
Dumping that volume would've made waves.
Aggressive investments possible, sure.
'Too far-fetched.'
Top 0.1% territory.
Lotto win seemed likelier.
High returns meant high risk; sustained wins improbable.
'Not impossible.'
Overseas broadened odds.
Still gaps.
'Foreign stocks... Booms happened, but cashing big required prior wealth.'
Fees, taxes, FX hurdles made sudden fortunes tough sans huge base.
Or years stacking small.
Crime syndicate ties?
No way, he was certain.
Scam coins? Perpetrators too exposed, no recent busts.
Other crimes? Jeff fraud maybe.
But laundered funds don't splash fast.
Probably circling offshore banks now.
So, not sudden rich via coins/stocks/crime—that settled first.
'No scammer or lotto kid. No Choi with a daughter like her.'
Not obvious chaebol spawn either—face unknown.
Some conglomerates hid kin, though.
'Tricky.'
The deeper he pondered, the more enigmatic she grew.
Then a old article and rumor flickered by.
'Hm...'
About 10 years back.
Pre-new city plans, someone bought up barren land there.
Rumor: an elementary kid.
Industry folklore.
Paper companies snag dev land, flip post-zoning.
Complex, timely, enemy-making—big corp territory.
New city buzz accepted as such.
Except one desperate upstart dug.
Uncovered kid owner, then vanished quietly.
That student now mid-20s.
'...What if not nominal, but actual buy?'
Dismissed as front then; now viable?
'Ridiculous.'
Chortling, he eyed her intently anyway.
'Easier to peg as hidden chaebol heir.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "See you later then."
Wrapped small talk and well-wishes with Kim Tae-jin.
Indirect hints my entrusted assets were growing steadily lifted my mood.
"Mm..."
Yeon-a, who'd listened quietly, let out a puppyish whine.
"What's up?"
She slowly shook her head at my ask.
"Just... you're swimming in different waters, huh~"
"You know the sea's all connected, right? How could the play water differ?"
"...Such a smooth talker."
Words grumpy, but mood brightened—she flashed a grin.
Still, the misunderstanding irked a bit.
High hopes bred big letdowns, as they say.
Yeon-a saw me as...
Hidden chaebol daughter wielding vast wealth, puppeteering securities firms.
mastermind incarnate.
'Can't live up to that.'
Trouble.
Glancing around per her words worsened it.
'Why's everyone staring at me?'
They chatted among themselves, but glances flicked my way.
Far off, Lee Hwang-dae stared openly.
'Uh... huh?'
Eyes met; he rose suddenly.
Please don't come over, I prayed.
No dice—he sauntered here with leisurely smile.
'...Gotta say I'm busy?'
Too late to block after earlier chats.
Made space beside me.
Thankfully, no weirdness.
"Enjoy the performance and gallery?"
Maybe just pals with Yeon-a, wanting to buddy up.
"Yeah. Fun enough."
"Oh, big classical and art fan, eh?"
"Nah... Just nostalgic hearing school tunes live."
He nodded smiling—clear emotions made chatting easy.
"I see. Man, I barely remember school."
His hearty laugh was likable; I smiled back softly.
"By the way, Yeon-a, where'd you meet such a gem? Spill?"
She glanced; I nodded okay.
"Oh, old muscle car club."
"Muscle cars... Like that American beast you drive?"
"Roughly."
He nodded, seemingly convinced solo.
For some reason, that nod felt ominous.
"Guess I should join a club. Might meet more like Yeon-bi."
Chuckling heartily again.
'Maybe overthinking.'
Self-consciousness, probably.
Subsequent chat with Lee Hwang-dae stayed light.
VIP perks, Yeon-a's biz updates, real estate dev trends.
I mostly nodded or gave short replies.
Occasionally he'd probe,
"I see. Mind sharing thoughts on that near-canceled redevelopment due to protests?"
Caught off-guard, but couldn't dodge—squeezed out answers.
Not pretending expertise.
Just my honest take.
"Hm... Area's dreary, but interiors clean. Maybe rebrand vibe over full redev?"
"Haha, dreary vibe? Agreed—nearly jumped outta my skin at night."
No faking know-how before pros.
He knew real estate better; I kept to gut feelings, brief.
"Thanks for the fun break. Been ages since I yapped like this. Call anytime you're bored, both of ya. Dev work leaves surprising free time, y'know."
He rose grinning.
We stood too.
Quick bows, shakes—he bounced from lounge.
'Skipping dinner too.'
Casual talk masked it, but he was loaded.
"Yeon-bi."
Daydreaming idly, Yeon-a whispered to me alone.
"Yeah?"
"Lee Hwang-dae. Seems smitten."
"...Huh?"
"Never asks outsiders work stuff."
"......Huh?"
Her words piled mysteries.
'Feels ominous.'
Anxiety stacked with questions.