Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Single Mom Yoon Chaewon
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I left behind that bizarre yet perfect sight and sat down at the computer.
Thanks to Chaewon, my body, mind, and even the environment around me were in optimal condition.
'Alright, time to start printing money again today.'
Before logging into the exchange, I first organized our team's new asset status in my head.
'Total assets around 247 million won, minus Yura's withdrawal of about 43 million. Then Chaewon adds 1 million in new investment... So, our new total seed money to manage is exactly 207,513,971 won.'
Over 200 million won. If yesterday's me had heard that amount, my heart might have stopped.
But the current me wasn't crushed by the weight of that number. Instead, I was only thinking about how to roll it most efficiently.
'Dumping all this into day trades would be insane. Too much risk. Now that the stakes are higher, I need stability.'
I began dividing this massive capital into three baskets in my mind.
Then I hit the exchange's fund transfer button and started distributing the money into three separate wallets.
Now it was time to start a new game with this capital.
First, the 'Salary Account.' The highest liquidity day-trading account for daily living and fun expenses. '30 million here. This is how we make our daily bread. Just like yesterday's 'after-party market,' steadily pulling in profits.'
Second, the 'Real Estate Account.' The long-term investment account that will secure our team's future. '100 million here. Bitcoin, Ethereum. Like scooping up apartments in prime neighborhoods every time the whole market shakes, we'll stock up bit by bit on these heavy hitters. This is the real asset that'll multiply dozens of times later.'
And finally, third. The 'Secret Weapon.' 'The remaining 77 million is 'ammo.' Reserve funds held in cash, ready to deploy anytime. When another massive opportunity like yesterday hits, we can go all-in without hesitation—our ace in the hole.'
Stable cash flow through day trades. Asset growth through long-term investments. And reserve funds to seize decisive opportunities.
After finishing the allocation, I pulled up the screen for the long-term investment account.
Daily day trades were important, but to explosively grow our team's assets, riding the market's big waves with 'swing trading' was essential.
I opened the economic calendar. Amid countless indicators, my eyes locked on one single event.
[US Consumer Price Index (CPI) Announcement (13 days from now)]
This was the biggest event that would dictate the market's direction for the next two weeks.
I immediately started pulling together related news, reports, and analysts' predictions in my head.
My brain in 'Perfect Clarity' state processed tens of thousands of data points in seconds, deriving the market's dominant consensus.
'The market consensus is that CPI will come in 'above' expectations.'
The reasoning was clear.
First, the recent 'Shanghai port closure' issue. The media was screaming that logistics chaos and skyrocketing shipping costs would hit consumer prices hard.
Second, the 'US auto union wage hike' agreement. Analyses dominated by claims that massive wage increases would fuel even more inflation.
From Wall Street's sharp analysts to the retail traders in crypto communities.
Everyone was bracing for an inflation shock, dumping risky assets like Bitcoin.
But...
I spotted the fatal flaw they were all missing.
"Bunch of idiots."
I muttered under my breath as I sketched out the real data in my mind that they couldn't see.
'Shanghai port closure? Major companies rerouted shipping paths a month ago to dodge that risk. The logistics cost shock reflected in this CPI will be close to zero.'
'Auto union wage hikes? What a joke. Americans are drowning in record credit card debt right now. Will that turn into spending? No. It'll all go to paying off debt.'
The market was trembling in fear over headline news 'shells.'
But I saw the truth through the underlying 'data.'
The CPI announcement in 13 days would be a'surprise' showing inflation cooling—exactly the opposite of expectations.
And in that moment, the market would go wild buying up Bitcoin and Ethereum.
I grinned. And I began weaving a massive 'net' to exploit their fear.
I opened the Bitcoin and Ethereum charts and started layering limit buy orders densely from far below current prices.
Over the next 13 days, every time market fear pushed prices down, my net would quietly scoop up every bit they dumped.
I planned to feast on their fear, gather positions, and throw the flashiest party.
With all orders placed, I leaned back deep in my chair, a satisfied smile on my face.
A perfect portfolio. I smiled contentedly at the strategy I'd mapped out in my head.
I took it a step further and ran a simulation in my mind.
'If CPI comes in 'below' expectations as I predict? What would the Fed do seeing those numbers?'
The market was shrinking back now, worrying about 'rate freeze' due to persistent inflation pressure, or worst case, more hikes.
But my data pointed to a completely different future.
'Inflation is under control.'
If so, the Fed loses any justification to keep rates high.
On the contrary, considering the consumer debt issues and economic slowdown signs I'd analyzed, they'd face pressure to cut rates and stimulate the market.
'Yeah... If I'm right, this CPI will be the opening shot for 'rate cuts.'' I felt chills run down my spine.
In a market that would sigh in relief at just a 'rate freeze,' what if a 'rate cut' card suddenly appeared?
It wouldn't just be a price bump. It'd be like bolting an infinite liquidity 'engine' onto every risky asset market.
I double-checked my net.
This wasn't just a plan to catch a rebound.
It was perfect design to haul in the greatest fortune from the very bottom of the massive surge to come.
Imagining the future 13 days from now, a pleased smile crept across my lips.
Right then, a warm cup of coffee and a small plate of fruit were quietly set on the desk.
I turned my head to see Chaewon, who had approached without me noticing, glancing back and forth between the complex charts on my monitor and my face.
"Something good happen? You've been grinning to yourself for a while."
"Hmm... Not for sure."
I leaned back in my chair and grinned at her.
"But in 13 days, I think we might touch some money?"
"How much?"
Chaewon's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
At her question, I glanced at the ceiling for a moment, crunching numbers.
The 100 million in my 'Real Estate' account. Expected returns on the Bitcoin and Ethereum that would get caught in my net the moment market fear flipped to greed in 13 days.
My mind ran a simulation synthesizing tens of thousands of variables in an instant.
I looked back at Chaewon and answered casually, like quoting the price of groceries at the corner store.
"Low end, 20 million. If it goes well... around 50 million?"
"...20 million to 50 million won?"
Chaewon's mouth fell open slightly.
Separate from the millions made daily in day trades, just waiting 13 days could earn more than her annual salary.
She seemed to realize again that this team was a far bigger goldmine than she'd imagined.
And she fired off the most practical question right away.
"So... out of that, how much do I get?"
At her perfectly reasonable question, I smiled and explained the rules honestly and firmly.
"Ah, that's from the 'Real Estate' account, so only investors get dividends. Right now, it's just my money and Yura's 50 million re-invested... Sorry, your share's zero."
"...Fuck."
Unconcealed disappointment spilled from Chaewon's lips. I encouraged her.
"Can't be helped. But it's not impossible."
I wagged my finger and presented her with a new goal.
"Think about it. You've got a fixed 2.5 million monthly salary now. Plus day trade profits on your 2.27 million investment—at least 1.5 million a month. So you're making 4 million just breathing."
I looked straight into her eyes.
"Save aggressively from that, and when the next 'Real Estate' opportunity comes, put in your seed. Then you'll be a 'shareholder' like us. Sound good?"
At my words, Chaewon's eyes sparkled again.
Instead of simple disappointment, she'd been pondering how to get in on that game. I'd just shown her a clear path.
She stared at me intently for a moment, then nodded with a resolute expression, like she'd made up her mind.
"That 2.5... can I get it in advance?"
Her eyes burned with an investor's hunger—not just for living expenses, but to grow her capital even a penny more.
'Chaewon's salary is split between me and Yura, but I can approve this on my own.'
I liked her drive and nodded readily.
"Hmm... Yeah."
"Thanks."
Chaewon gave a short thanks, took a breath.
And then I heard the most shocking business proposal of my life from her lips.
She said it oh-so-casually, like picking tonight's dinner menu.
"Then advance me that... and."
She looked me dead in the eye.
That gaze was the eyes of a merchant with the ultimate product, haggling with the only buyer.
"I'm an anal virgin. How much to buy it?"
Her proposal shattered my common sense; my brain froze for a moment.
Even my 'Perfect Clarity' superintelligence glitched, unsure how to process this.
I barely managed a dumb question.
"...You crazy bitch?"
Chaewon didn't change expression, staring right back.
"Not joking. I'm serious. For our Haneul, there's nothing I won't do."
Her eyes were more serious than any moment I'd seen.
I realized she truly meant to sell her 'anal virginity' to me as a commodity. Stunned, I let out a hollow laugh.
"Motherly love hits different, huh?"
"Moms do anything for their kids, right?"
She said it so matter-of-factly, yet with more power than any words.
In that instant, she no longer looked like a hedonist or money-crazed slut. She was just a great 'mother' who'd do anything for her daughter.
"......"
I had no response. Chaewon looked at me and restated her true goal clearly.
"Gonna make bank this time and give Haneul everything she wants. So."
She switched back to business partner face and asked.
"My anal virginity—how much?"
Yoon Chaewon was offering her last shred of dignity as a 'product' for her daughter.
To her resolute question, I could only sigh deeply instead of answering.
"Hoo... Fucking... crazy bitch..."
I rubbed my dry face and looked at her, genuinely baffled.
"You say that, how am I supposed to pay for your asshole? That human?"
I shot up from my seat. No more agonizing—I'd decided.
"Forget it. Don't sell that shit."
I grabbed my phone and told her.
"I'll lend you 5 million from my pocket. Use it as your investment seed."
"...Huh?"
Now it was Chaewon's turn to stare in confusion. I nailed it down, meeting her eyes.
"But it's not free. When our team hits it big, pay it back. This is an investment in our team's future."
I didn't want to buy my comrade's last pride with money.
This wasn't my 'superintelligence' deciding. It was the pathetic, twisted, but still human-hearted 'Kim Cheolsu.'
At my offer, Chaewon just stared blankly, speechless.
For a split second, an emotion I'd never seen flashed in her eyes.
Moments later, she broke the awkward air with a 'Pfft,' bursting into laughter to tease me.
"Didn't expect... you're weak to this stuff? Momma's boy?"
At her playful jab, I gave a wry, bitter smile.
"Fuck if I know. Never had one to find out."
I shook my head and opened my banking app.
I canceled the savings account called 'Comradeship'—monthly army pay I'd diligently saved, swearing never to touch after discharge no matter what.
5 million transferred straight to my crypto exchange account.
Watching, Chaewon asked cautiously.
"Divorced...?"
"Nah."
I locked my phone and summed up my life flatly.
"Dumped me at the orphanage and split. Don't remember if it was Mom or Dad."
Me saying it, Chaewon hearing it—no one said a word.
An awkward, heavy silence settled in the room like dust.
At my confession, an awkward, heavy silence settled in the room like dust.
Chaewon looked lost, realizing her teasing had poked my deepest wound.
She broke the silence first.
"Uh... sorry."
Her awkward apology made me chuckle instead.
I shook my head.
"Whatever. Our lives are both fucked anyway, right?"
My words weren't begging pity or comfort.
We'd confirmed each other's deepest scars, feeling a shared humanity for the first time.
Getting it, Chaewon grinned sheepishly.
"Idiot, embarrassed much... Anyway, thanks."
Her voice full of sincerity, she approached and draped her arms around my neck.
Then planted a light kiss on my forehead. No sex in it—just pure gratitude and camaraderie.
She pulled back, her face bright and cheerful again.
"Lunch—what do you want? I'll make whatever you crave special."
At her question, I thought a moment.
And recalled a hazy food memory from way back in early childhood.
"...Miso soup?"
"Got it."
Chaewon beamed and grabbed her handbag.
"I'll run to the mart quick. Make that money, boss."
As she headed out the door, she flashed me a fist pump.
Alone in the room, I couldn't help but chuckle.
A strange warmth bloomed in one corner of my heart.