Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Boom (3)
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There was one big change after my massive success.
I'd bought my own place and moved out, so now I had to return home for family gatherings.
It had only been a little over a month since I left, but this was the first family gathering in a year, so I found myself taking in the sight of the house with fresh eyes.
'Seeing it again, this place is really huge.'
Chairman Yoo Seong-pil's residence was enormous enough to house the entire family.
Ironic, though, since most of the family didn't actually live there.
-Tap.
I stepped inside the mansion. The household staff passing by bowed their heads in greeting.
"It's been a while, young miss."
An older man chuckled warmly, addressing me with respect.
"Aw, it's only been a month. How've you been, gardener uncle!"
The Daeha mansion was full of people. Gardeners, cooks, cleaners, butlers... you name it.
This place perfectly embodied Chairman Yoo Seong-pil's desire to transcend mere moneyed merchants and become nobility that ruled over people.
I smiled brightly and greeted each person I met along the way. As I slowly made my way deeper into the mansion, I spotted a tall, middle-aged man in a suit.
It was Yoo Jin-ha, Chairman Yoo Seong-pil's second son.
Maybe because I'd arrived late last year, the second son had shown up early this time.
I gave him a slight bow and a subtle smile—not too innocent, not too worldly.
"Hello, Uncle."
"Hey, Ha-yeon. I've heard all about it. Everyone's been making such a fuss about what an amazing niece I have. Haha."
"Aw, just luck. Though I am pretty smart, too."
Yoo Jin-ha had the sharp, scholarly look of a man wearing glasses. Rumor had it he'd been pursuing a PhD overseas until Grandfather summoned him back.
...Hmm.
'Already throwing shade?'
Chewing over his words, it seemed true that people around him were saying I needed watching.
But what was his real intent?
I'll let it slide generously, but watch yourself... or I trust you'll be careful, but don't cross the line...
As I stood there pondering his words, Yoo Jin-ha flashed a friendly smile.
"It's not the '80s yet, and aren't you pushing yourself too hard for a kid?"
"...'80s? It's still '85...?"
I flinched for a second. Was there someone else besides me who'd returned from the future?
"Ah, you wouldn't know. See, even a genius like you lacks experience, so there are words you just haven't picked up. It was common slang back in the '70s, but makes sense you wouldn't know, being born in '78."
He let out a hearty laugh as he explained. Unlike his older brother Yoo Jin-seok, this scholarly type seemed to enjoy elucidating things.
"They called the year Dangun 4288 the '80s—1955 in the Gregorian calendar... I was just a kid then myself, so I don't remember much. But I do know it was hell for our country."
I fidgeted with my fingers, counting back the years mentally, then nodded once I confirmed it was true.
"...Ah, I've learned something new. Thanks, Uncle."
No way—they still used the Dangun calendar? No wonder I didn't know.
At 38, turning 39 soon, Yoo Jin-ha looked quite young. More sharp youth than middle-aged gravitas... that kind of vibe.
He got overshadowed by Grandfather's presence, but one-on-one like this, the height difference gave him real intimidation.
...He looks like he could pull off some ice-hearted composure.
"That's right, knowledge is power. Wisdom and learning come with age. You're talented, sure, but you're still young and have a lot to learn. Young geniuses attract a lot of envy, so be careful."
Words I'd heard a million times. We know you're a genius, but don't get cocky—you're still a kid. Geniuses make enemies, so watch out.
"..."
But coming from this guy, it didn't land right. A bespectacled, squinting middle-aged scholar spouting that sounded like a death threat.
Maybe I was overthinking, maybe it was just family talk, but...
It felt off.
And for good reason—according to my past life memories, Yoo Jin-ha would later oust his older brother Yoo Jin-seok and take the chairman's seat.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Corporations feel economic booms most viscerally—not the average citizen.
Regular folks are far more sensitive to inflation or housing prices than to export surges.
Put another way... chaebol families like ours are hypersensitive to booms.
"Oh, Jin-ha's here too. Take a seat. Our brilliant granddaughter's already arrived."
Chairman Yoo Seong-pil looked happier than ever. No major business flops this year, and next year promised a massive boom.
Last year, I'd screwed up in November and gotten chewed out, right?
This time, good news at year-end made for a relatively relaxed family gathering.
...Relatively.
"Seon-jun, you're in your senior year now? What's with that look? Did you go gambling again?"
Chairman Yoo Seong-pil eyed his eldest grandson Yoo Seon-jun with displeasure. Yoo Jin-seok, biting his lip beside him, bowed instead.
"...I'm sorry, Father."
"I'm not talking to you, Jin-seok. He's almost an adult—he needs to stand on his own two feet! And if the eldest grandson acts like that, what are the others supposed to learn?"
Yoo Seon-jun looked resentful but bowed reluctantly under his father's murderous glare and apologized.
"I'm sorry, Grandfather."
"...Fine. I hear you've straightened up, so I won't say more."
Chairman Yoo Seong-pil gave a curt reply and turned away. Pretty lenient, considering he was a high school senior.
Still, he'd probably get smacked around by Yoo Jin-seok later—that's on Yoo Seon-jun for knowing better.
"Ha-yeon, don't push yourself too hard. Life's a marathon, not a sprint. Burn out early, and you won't make it to the finish."
Grandfather's gaze on me was incredibly gentle. I smiled faintly and nodded back.
"Got it, Grandfather. I'm feeling a bit worn out myself. I need a break for the next few years."
"Heavens. You talk a good game for someone who's only lived those few years."
He clearly didn't buy it. A granddaughter who'd devoured books obsessively like it was an obsession wouldn't suddenly chill out.
Especially now, in a boom, and to outsiders, I'd been a runaway success from the start—a genius.
No wonder the family eyed a mere 9-year-old warily. I wasn't scary, but the money I controlled was.
It was like handing a gun to a child. People like Yoo Jin-seok, who didn't buy the "genius" label, feared me even more.
They figured I'd lose control and cause a disaster.
But this time, I meant it. Pure truth—no lies.
I was a little tired, and I really did plan to rest for a while.
"It's true..."
I pouted, stretching out my little legs.
My white knee-high socks climbed up to just below my knees, black skirt hem fluttering above.
Cute and somewhat elegant, but still unmistakably a child's look.
Who'd take a kid like this seriously in business? Daeha folks knew I was exceptional and eyed me as a potential heir, but outsiders would just see a little girl.
At least until puberty hit...
Yeah, gotta be careful.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ True to my word, I spent the next year doing nothing but quietly reading books.
Not boring at all. Just observing history's flow and plotting the future kept me plenty entertained.
January 28, 1986.
[U.S. NASA Space Shuttle Challenger Explodes... All 7 Crew Members Killed.]
On winter break, playing games at home, I glanced at the news and paused.
America's NASA shuttle Challenger exploded mid-mission, killing all seven aboard.
February 13, 1986.
[Dongguk Group Dismantled, Acquisition Complete—Vanishes into History.]
-Thud.
I set down the crisp newspaper with a satisfied smile.
Dongguk Group, slated for dissolution in '85, was finally gone. Chairman Kang salvaged only the predecessor Dongguk Trading amid the wreckage, fading quietly as chaebols like Daeha picked at the bones like hyenas.
Unlike my past life, this breakup was handled reasonably, sparing Korea's international credit a hit.
Chairman Kang preserved some assets this time around, and I got my share too—a win-win.
April 26, 1986.
[USSR Chernobyl Nuclear Plant Explodes... Set to Be Worst Power Plant Disaster in History.]
The Chernobyl nuclear meltdown made headlines in Korea too. The massive disaster that helped doom the Soviet Union, inflicting $700 billion in damages over 30 years and irradiating hundreds of thousands.
Before such a catastrophe, I could only lament there was nothing I could do.
If it'd been in America, I'd have shorted massively...
October 26, 1986.
By the time school felt routine, I finally went to a mart in person to pick stuff out after ages.
The ramen with the striking spicy "sin" character had finally hit shelves.
...It was brutally hot. I ended up bawling, clutching Lee Si-hyeon's pant leg and wiping tears.
Was it always this spicy...?