Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Family Gathering
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‘Phew. My body feels all stiff.’
I crumpled up the newspaper after Yoo Seon-ah left and stretched. Grandpa's house had top-notch heating, which was definitely nice, but there were just too many people.
-Rustle.
I checked myself in the mirror and stretched thoroughly, my soft cheeks squishing against my arms. Ha, who would've thought my first hobby in this life would be staring at myself in the mirror.
Jet-black, glossy hair, translucent baby-soft skin, and a pretty face with sharp, distinct features.
I loved that this appearance would only get more beautiful over time, never regressing. The wish that I could've been born a boy had faded after a few years anyway.
[Daeha Group's Semiconductor Project: Madness or Foresight? Chairman Yoo Seong-pil Invests 100 Billion Won in Giheung Memory Chip Factory.]
That headline adorned the economics section of the crumpled newspaper. Even after I'd basically eaten up some of Daeha Group's money, this was their reaction—semiconductors really did seem like a crazy gamble in this era.
-Tap tap.
I drummed my fingers on the mahogany desk, lost in thought for a moment.
‘When should I start investing?’
It was ridiculous considering how blatantly I'd been showing off my genius lately, but I had plenty of opportunities to make money.
By the time I was around 40—before the 2020s hit—I was confident I could become the world's richest person.
After all, reincarnated into a chaebol family with all my future knowledge intact, I'd be an idiot not to.
‘It's a matter of efficiency. No matter how hard I try now, it won't beat the overnight fortunes in finance after the IMF crisis.’
Put another way, I could make money later. The funds I had now... it seemed better to invest them rather than manage them myself.
So my efforts should focus on things only possible in childhood, or things with consistent efficiency regardless of timing.
Like... studying. Even if I became a billionaire, my brain's capacity wouldn't improve, so studying was the most efficient use of time right now.
‘Once the 21st century hits, I'm done with all this.’
I sighed and pulled some books from the shelf.
There was still a mountain of knowledge I didn't know.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Time flew by since Yoo Ha-yeon had come to Yoo Seong-pil's mansion.
After breakfast, she'd skim the newspaper to build her current events knowledge, then spend her free time holed up in Yoo Seong-pil's study, devouring books all day.
It was a stark contrast to her naps every day at Yoo Jin-cheol's house. Naturally, Yoo Seong-pil couldn't help but adore her...
One step. One step.
Gradually, she was becoming indispensable to the Yoo family.
December 1983. One evening.
“Oh my. Ha-yeon, you're here?”
Yoo Seong-pil, beaming happily, picked me up in a hug. I kicked my legs and wiggled my fingers, whining softly in embarrassment.
“Eugh. Gr-Grandpa, put me down.”
“Alright, alright. If our Ha-yeon doesn't like it.”
-Pat pat.
After smoothing my tousled hair, I stood there brimming with confidence, just like always since coming to Yoo Seong-pil's house.
‘Yeah. Perfect. Always flawless.’
I knew that glory awaited at the end of this tightrope walk over a sharp blade.
“Ah, did the Senior Presidential Secretary for Economic Affairs say much today?”
“No. He seemed busy with year-end stuff. He joked about 1984, and mentioned the new Line 2 opening too...”
I nodded. Our regular meetings had entered the second month, a routine now. Chatting every other Saturday about the world was actually pretty fun.
This might be my first real friend in my second life... Mental age-wise from my past life, we weren't that far apart anyway.
“Hmm. I see. You got here early, so have a snack.”
I quickly unwrapped the chocolate with my tiny hands and bowed 90 degrees, munching away.
“Thank youuu.”
Phew. Good thing. With dinner timing unpredictable, calories were essential.
“I get Jin-seok, but why's Jin-ha so late? Honestly.”
Yoo Seong-pil already looked annoyed.
‘Doomed again today. Dinner at 8 p.m.’
Actually, today was a special day.
Yoo Seong-pil gathered the whole family for dinner every year-end, and even he, who rarely nagged otherwise, let loose on this day.
The reason was simple: his kids fell short of his expectations. He did praise them occasionally when they did well, but scoldings overwhelmingly outnumbered them...
With his belief in feeding them properly, he made them endure the lectures before eating, which only delayed dinner. Last year, because of Dad, it was a total...
Ugh, come to think of it, this year might be better. Him leaving early is a blessing in disguise sometimes. Who knows.
-Click.
“Father. I'm here.”
“Good. You worked hard this year too, Jin-seok.”
After I arrived, the eldest son Yoo Jin-seok showed up. His three kids trailed behind, greeting Yoo Seong-pil.
“...”
Yoo Seon-ah, Yoo Jin-seok's youngest daughter, glanced at me briefly before returning to her seat.
-Creak.
Next, second son Yoo Jin-ha entered. The moment his face appeared, Yoo Seong-pil's furious scolding rained down.
“I understand Jin-seok coming from out of town, but you live close—why are you late?”
Used to this, Yoo Jin-ha bowed calmly.
“Sorry, Father. The kid caught a cold.”
With no more to add to someone owning up, Yoo Seong-pil awkwardly nodded.
“...Fine. Sit down, Jin-ha. Seon-yeong, you too.”
“Yes, Dad.”
Finally, with Yoo Seong-pil's daughter Yoo Seon-yeong seated, the family gathering began.
Yoo Seong-pil spoke first at the bare table.
“Alright, Jin-seok, you start. What'd you do in the second half of the year?”
The mood was tense for a family start.
-Gulp.
I heard someone swallow. I closed my eyes, recalling Uncle Yoo Jin-seok's position.
‘Eldest son Yoo Jin-seok is Vice Chairman of Daeha Construction and Daeha Heavy Industries... Hmm. Heard he lost the Gangnam New Town development rights to Future Construction last time. He's in for it.’
“Why're you silent? You know what I'm talking about. Losing Seocho-dong station-area rights one after another—how do you show your face! Line 2 opened, house prices are rising—you knew that and still mess up construction?”
Gangnam New Town development started late '70s, so it was a bit late now. House prices had skyrocketed then slowed. Yoo Jin-seok hadn't paid much attention...
But Line 2's opening boosted station-area values, stirring the construction world.
Yoo Jin-seok mishandled it—or rather, skimped on bribes—and lost rights he should've kept.
Timing it in November erased his first-half successes. Yoo Jin-seok bowed apologetically.
“I'm sorry. I'll do better next time.”
“Anyone can say that. You said the same after losing the Saudi contract to Future Construction!”
As expected, he was getting reamed. Everyone probably saw it coming. Even Yoo Seon-ah sitting there must've heard.
After a long scolding, Yoo Jin-seok hesitated before speaking.
“Father, honestly, our group lags in construction. Competing with Future Group, who built the Gyeongbu Expressway, is a bit—”
-Crack!
Yoo Seong-pil glared and whacked Yoo Jin-seok's back with his cane.
“I made you Vice Chairman of construction to compete! Why whine without trying? Future Construction was like us before the Expressway.”
I stuck out my tongue, crouching in the corner and fidgeting.
‘Wow. Wow... I really got off easy back then.’
Good thing Dad didn't take after Grandpa much?
Anyway, pitting construction firms two sizes apart and demanding victory—Chairman Yoo Seong-pil's temper was fierce.
More amazingly, he'd routinely succeeded at worse. Early group days aside, he ballooned the semiconductor biz dozens-fold, making Daeha Electronics top-tier.
No kid measures up when the bar's himself. Oh, except me, of course.
Luckily, no major scoldings followed. Aside from the construction flop, he'd handled things steadily. Once beaten, he was lenient on others' slips.
‘Yoo Jin-seok's decent enough. He held the chairman spot okay later, so he's capable.’
In my past life, the group split midway due to mishaps, but Yoo Jin-seok had real talent. Just an unconventional mindset.
.
.
.
.
“Hmm. Yes, Seon-ah, I hear you're studying hard these days. In this era, start from elementary—”
Around 7 p.m.
After chatting with all the grandkids, Yoo Seong-pil smiled at me, wrinkles creasing.
“Alright, Ha-yeon last. I've heard plenty about this year, so tell us your plans for next year.”
His eyes sparkled with interest. He'd inherited me Yoo Jin-cheol's legacy plus a hefty sum.
About 100 billion won.
Probably curious what I'd do with it.
‘Too bad I'm not starting a business...’
I'd meet his expectations differently.
With a bright smile, I slowly opened my mouth.
“I'm going to... buy Daeha Electronics stock.”