Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Little Sister's Homecoming
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One month ago.
Jin Seol-hwa had left for the United States to bring her younger sister back to Korea. In this harsh world, how could she leave her frail sister behind without a second thought?
So, without hesitation, she headed straight to Johns Hopkins Hospital where Jin Seol-young was staying.
She was due to return soon.
Until she rejoined the team, he began tidying up the plans he'd already laid out.
The plans for the DJ Group that would soon reveal itself to the world.
Scribble! Scribble!
A massive whiteboard stood in the living room, covered with large photos and the names of all the companies he owned.
Selig U.S. Headquarters.
Selig Korea.
DJ Investment.
Mirae Distribution.
Starlight.
Handong Medical Center.
The total asset value was probably around 120 trillion won?
If ranked among Korea's conglomerates, it might place around sixth. Of course, sixth wasn't that high. Like a frog in a well, the market cap of the top dog, Ilseong Group, was over 700 trillion—more than five times larger.
Compared to that, it was still just a child.
'Forming a group... this won't be easy.'
It wasn't like chanting "Open sesame!" and poof—a simple group pops out, instantly recognized by the business world. Forming a proper conglomerate required three major conditions.
First, the legal aspect.
Second, the financial aspect.
Third, the operational aspect.
For starters, the group's owner had to be identified—legally speaking. And that name would be his: Kim Do-jun.
Each affiliate would have shares, and he needed a majority stake in them. To avoid remote control by outside forces, at least 30% ownership was essential for true dominance.
Beyond shares, business purposes and consistency had to be defined.
'What I aim to achieve.'
As the group's owner, he had no choice but to set the direction himself.
Thus, the ultimate goal of the DJ Group naturally became becoming a respected corporation.
The whiteboard filled up with writing.
His fingers moved tirelessly, jotting down the beliefs he'd long held.
As he wrote diligently, he paused at one issue.
'What about the Korean Businessmen's Association?'
At first glance, it seemed like a group brimming with noble causes.
The Korean Federation of Businesses included every major conglomerate you'd likely recognize. When massive external forces encroached, they banded together to protect their turf.
The official reasons sounded impressive, but simply put, it was a club to safeguard their own rice bowls.
'Should I join? Or...'
This needed discussion with Jin Seol-hwa. Hearing from Olivia and Im Yun-ah wouldn't hurt either. He didn't yet have the power to confront such a behemoth alone.
"Haa... my head's gonna split."
A guy who'd spent his days jerking off in his room was now dreaming of building a massive corporate group. His head already throbbed. Wouldn't it be nice to just flop on a soft bed, stroke away, and get vicarious thrills from internet broadcasts?
"Sir, a call from Seol-hwa."
"Yeah? When's her flight?"
"Day after tomorrow. She should land in Korea around 4:45 p.m."
"Faster than I thought."
"Yes. She has a lot on her plate."
If there was a workaholic in this world, it was Jin Seol-hwa.
Work outside, work at home, work in the bathroom—even during bathroom breaks, her laptop was in hand.
He appreciated her diligence, but nonstop work like that could ruin her health.
No, as the future head of the company, how could she be busier than him...?
"Seeing Seol-young in person has me excited."
She looked incredibly cute on video calls. Didn't all guys harbor that fantasy? Wishing for an adorable little sister.
Though brothers with actual sisters felt the opposite.
But.
He was looking forward to it.
Seol-young was different from other sisters.
Even if he was an uncle in age, she'd gained a confidant and was thrilled. Just a few days ago, their bedtime call brought bubbly laughter.
Ah, how it warmed his heart.
An only child, he'd begged his parents for a sister as a kid. The inevitable response: impossible.
They weren't in a position for it, and babies don't just appear on demand.
That's the mystery of life.
"Yun-ah, have you met Seol-young before?"
Come to think of it, weren't the two acquaintances originally?
Im Yun-ah smirked at his words.
"She's an incredibly cute princess."
Good lord!
He'd never imagined Im Yun-ah smiling so innocently.
Slurp!
Whoops—drool escaped his mouth without thinking.
Was he turning into that infamous doting dad... no, 'little sister fanatic'?
"......"
Im Yun-ah looked at him with utter disbelief.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ This time, Jin Seol-hwa used the U.S. Air Force base in Pyeongtaek.
No reason to use a civilian airport when she had a private jet. With the blackmailer still at large, nowhere was riskier than a crowded airport.
Even North Korea's number two had met his end at one.
"Uncleeeee!"
Pat pat pat!
A small shadow suddenly entered his view. On her long-awaited outing, a pink ribbon fluttered in the wind alongside the girl's sparkling hair. Jin Seol-young scampered over and flung her arms wide.
"Whoa!"
"Hehehe~"
Ah, this must be why they call it fatherly love.
The tiny body snuggled into his arms, filling him with indescribable joy. A brother's urge to protect her forever welled up.
"Tired from the trip?"
"Hehe, not at all. Everyone treated me so well."
Of course—who's sister is she!
"Glad to hear it. I was worried you might feel uncomfortable."
"Hehe~ I'm fineee."
Moments later, a woman appeared behind the girl.
Jin Seol-hwa, lugging suitcases in both hands.
"Long time no see."
"Glad you arrived safely, Seol-hwa."
They moved to a nearby restaurant. Seol-young stuck to him like a cicada the whole way, her smile never fading.
"That happy, huh?"
Olivia shook her head knowingly.
"Heh heh, a cute little sister is every guy's dream."
"......"
He'd really wanted one, nagging his mom over 300 times until he stopped counting. Seol-young nestled in his arms, eyes gently closed. Her nostrils flared occasionally—did she miss his uncle scent that much?
"Even fully recovered, we should watch her diet."
Jin Seol-hwa said she'd already planned for that.
"I've selected the top chef in the country. Immunity maintenance is key, so..."
"Never skimp on food."
Immunity-boosting foods like eggs, fish, tofu, beans. Fruits and veggies for vitamins and minerals, as everyone says.
"How about a tofu specialty spot? Heard there's a great one nearby. Tofu’s a classic wellness food with tons of recipes."
Search "tofu" on YouTube, and videos galore. Even Baek Teacher's famous recipes number dozens.
Tofu was a traditional Korean staple, well-known folk remedy.
"To the tofu house!"
"Leeeet's gooo!"
Seol-young, in high spirits, basked in happiness like any kid.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ To objectively judge a restaurant, customer reviews beat all metrics.
★★★★★ (4.9/5.0)
A place boasting a stellar 4.9 out of 5.
Run by a kindly grandma, every dish on the menu was tofu-based.
Don't be shocked.
The priciest item? Just 18,000 won.
Others charge 40,000 without batting an eye.
The grandma owner found joy in feeding her "grandsons" till they burst.
"Tasty?"
"Yes!"
Her little mouth chomping away—pure toddler vibes.
He wiped her mouth with a clean napkin.
"Eat slowly. Plenty more."
"Hehe~ Uncle, have a bite!"
Gasp!
And there she went, the angel-pure Seol-young, feeding him tofu!
"Ah~"
"Uh, yeah?"
"Ah~"
She insisted, no refusing now.
Ugh, sweat—or tears?—from his eyes?
He could die happy right then.
"Aah~"
The food was simple home-style braised tofu.
But as one piece hit his tongue, warm, moist flavors exploded. The meltingly soft tofu absorbed soy sauce, chili powder, and sesame oil's subtle aroma. Umami danced on his taste buds, salty-sweet sauce blending with the silkiness, caressing his tongue...
Gasp!
Must've drifted to a cosmic realm for a sec.
He glanced sideways—Seol-young staring intently.
"D-delicious!"
"Wooow! Tasty?"
"Yeah. So tasty!"
The three women watching twisted their faces grotesquely, as if witnessing horror.
Im Yun-ah drooled openly.
That bizarre?
"What?"
"N-nothing. Seeing you enjoy it is... touching."
What?
The women seemed off from usual.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After the delicious meal, they hit a massive department store at Apgujeong Station.
Beds for sound sleep, desks for Seol-young's studies like other kids—essentials.
"1,780,000 won. Installments?"
The clerk suggested financing for the hefty sum.
He flashed his unlimited-limit card.
"Full payment. And that, that, that one too—hmm, that as well. Those, those, and that. Actually, just everything here. The best ones, of course."
"...Pardon?"
"Too much hassle. Take it all."
Total: 82 million won.
All ergonomically acclaimed furniture.
"......"
The clerk's eyes stretched predatorily at the sucker customer, plotting more upsells.
But his wealth was in trillions, not mere billions.
Furniture like that? He could fill Seoul and still have leftovers.
He requested careful delivery and moved to leave.
Seol-young stared at one spot.
"Kyaa!"
"Watch out, kid!"
"Ji-hoon, be careful!"
A child laughed happily, hand in parent's.
She'd soon be middle-school age, but surely felt her parents' absence keenly.
He scooped her up.
"Eek!"
"Anything else you wanna try, Seol-young?"
She pointed.
Th-that's a bit...
Moments later.
He stood with Seol-young in the middle, flanked by Jin Seol-hwa.
Like mom and dad.
"Oh, your daughter is just precious! This is the latest style—try it on~"
His face burned.