Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
The next day. Gang-hyeon met Jeong Sang-woo at the Seongsu-dong building.
How does a person become like that in just a week?
Only one week. Jeong Sang-woo, whom he met again, was not normal. As if he hadn't shaved for a few days, his face was dirty and his hair was greasy. His bloodshot eyes made the viewer frown. Although he was quite far away, it seemed like there was a smell coming from his body too.
It's like wrapping luxury goods on a beggar.
The luxury goods wrapped around his body were the same, but they didn't seem to match. It was a look where the proverb 'pearls before swine' fit perfectly.
I saw people with faces like this often when working at the company.
Among traders, there were people trading high-risk groups like overseas futures and options. Their faces, who had to do dangerous trading where positions could be liquidated if things went wrong, looked exactly like that. Especially when events like Witching Day or Corona broke out, it was similar to a devastated face.
"Ahem."
At that moment, Jeong Sang-woo cleared his throat to refresh the atmosphere. When Gang-hyeon stopped thinking and stared at him, he opened his mouth.
"I will hand over the building if the price is right."
He got straight to the point in the first meeting too, but the nature was different from now.
He is definitely feeling urgency. There is no reason for me to bite immediately.
Gang-hyeon took a sip of coffee leisurely and answered.
"I came out because your voice sounded too urgent, but currently, I am also proceeding with negotiations for purchasing a building in Gyeonggi-do."
"Does that mean it's difficult?"
"I think I need to hear the price first and judge."
The momentum completely passed over. The urgent side was him, but Jeong Sang-woo didn't want to hand over the building at a giveaway price.
You're urgent anyway.
Seeing Gang-hyeon come out even for an urgent appointment, he thought he was also full of greed for the building. So he called the price he initially thought of.
"Let's trade cleanly at 15 billion won. This is giving it cheaper than other buildings nearby. As you know, isn't Seongsu here extremely hot? Global companies keep coming in, pop-up stores and whatnot, the floating population is enormous."
He explained the merit of the neighborhood called Seongsu-dong itself until his mouth went dry. There was nothing wrong with his words, but he couldn't shake Gang-hyeon's mind.
"The price difference we are thinking of is large."
At Gang-hyeon's firm words, Jeong Sang-woo's eyebrows twitched. Without hiding the uncomfortable sign, he asked.
"Then what is the price you want?"
"The price I want is 10 billion won."
"Does that make sense? That price is the price from 2 years ago. It's the price I paid when I bought it. Even a building smaller than this was recently traded at 13 billion!"
Jeong Sang-woo's mind became urgent. It wasn't difficult to catch that. Because he talked more compared to the first meeting. Furthermore.
The blue light became deeper.
The light visible only to Gang-hyeon's eyes. It was telling the current state of Jeong Sang-woo. Gathering several clues, Jeong Sang-woo faced a situation where he had to sell the building. Whatever the reason was, it worked advantageously for Gang-hyeon himself. It was a moment that required action.
"Understood. Since the difference in position between me and CEO Jeong is large, let's take some time and think."
At the words to take time, Jeong Sang-woo's face turned pale. It became certain. Now time was on his side, not Jeong Sang-woo's.
"I will get up first. Please contact me if your thoughts get organized."
Gang-hyeon, who got up from his seat, turned his body.
One step.
Two steps. His steps headed towards the entrance of the cafe. He didn't look back, but Jeong Sang-woo's expression was imagined. The expression crumpling in real-time flickered.
The moment he opened and pushed the door.
"12.5 billion!"
Jeong Sang-woo lowered his tail.
Jeong Sang-woo was annoyed.
"How about 10.5 billion?"
The young guy in front of his eyes kept haggling. He wanted to kick the seat and stand up right now. But he couldn't.
Fck... if only I hadn't played Baccarat...*
3 billion died in Baccarat. It wasn't like that from the beginning. He deposited 10 million won and grew it to 450 million. He should have stood up there.
Because I insisted on filling 500 million...
Greed called for disaster. From then on, only the opposite came out, and the balance that was positive eventually became negative. After getting heated properly, he released the betting limit and continued the game. As a result, 3 billion disappeared in a week.
I didn't know those bastards would send organization members in Korea immediately.
The problem is that the 3 billion is not his money. It's money borrowed from those introduced by the agent. In short, it was a loan shark. The interest was enormous, but it was meaningless in a situation where he was already blinded. As a result, the interest on 3 billion swelled to 1 billion. It happened in just a few days.
If I ignore them, I don't know what those guys who visited yesterday will do.
At first, he intended to ignore them. But seeing the appearance of men who visited his house, the thought disappeared. That was the reason he decided to sell the building.
"12 billion! Anything below this is not possible. You know this price is attractive enough too, right?"
Similar properties nearby were also sold at this price. He thought Gang-hyeon, who turned his body, would nod. However.
"The offer I can make is 10.5 billion."
At his unwavering words, Jeong Sang-woo eventually had no choice but to lower his tail.
"...Please match it to 11 billion."
Gang-hyeon smiled at the sight of Jeong Sang-woo speaking with his head dropped.
The contract was decided. But it wasn't like they could contract right on the spot. The two moved to Hanbit Bank Gangnam Branch.
Hm, since it's my first building purchase, I didn't know contracting at a bank.
The bank wasn't the only one included in this contract.
"CEO Choi, hello?"
"Ah, Manager Jeong. I'm sorry for contacting you urgently."
"Haha! No! If it's a request from CEO Choi, a business trip is possible anywhere on the day!"
Manager Jeong Min-jun of Samil PwC also participated. That's how big a deal a building purchase was.
"But a building purchase all of a sudden. What kind of building are you purchasing?"
"I ended up purchasing a 5-story building in Seongsu-dong."
"Ooh... if it's Seongsu-dong, it's a hot place these days."
"Detailed information is here."
Jeong Min-jun's eyes widened examining the documents Gang-hyeon handed over.
He bought this place at this price?
Seongsu-dong real estate was still an area with high demand. If demand is high, naturally the price rises. In the central commercial area, properties exceeding 15 billion won were often seen. Although this place was a bit on the outskirts, it had a value of 12 to 13 billion. But the amount written on the document was 11 billion.
How well did he negotiate?
It was Jeong Min-jun who was surprised anew by the ability of the man named Choi Gang-hyeon. After a while, the full-scale contract proceeded after Broker Kim Mi-ju arrived. Actually, there was almost nothing for the broker to do in this seat. It was over once the accounting firm reviewed the documents and the bank processed the funds. Legal advice might be needed, but this contract was a clean contract that didn't need that far.
"There are no abnormalities in the documents."
When Jeong Min-jun finished all reviews, Jeong Sang-woo picked up a pen.
"Shall I sign right away?"
"Do so."
When Gang-hyeon's permission fell, Jeong Sang-woo almost snatched the documents in front of the branch manager and signed.
"Here it is."
Gang-hyeon, who received the documents, proceeded with the signature and handed them to the branch manager.
"The contract is concluded. We will transfer the remaining amount excluding the remaining loan principal from the amount transferred to escrow to customer Jeong Sang-woo's account."
The transaction was concluded. Jeong Sang-woo looked at his smartphone anxiously, then soon his expression relaxed. It seemed the amount went in. Gang-hyeon extended his hand to such Jeong Sang-woo.
"Thank you for the transaction."
"...Good work."
Jeong Sang-woo, rude until the last moment, kicked the office door open and left. Gang-hyeon, watching that appearance, made an indifferent expression. Kim Mi-ju approached such Gang-hyeon.
"CEO, congratulations on becoming a landlord."
"Thanks to the broker, I could see a good property. Thank you."
"Hoho, I did almost nothing this time? May I contact you if a good property comes out next time too?"
"Yes, please contact me if a property comes out. And I want to purchase an apartment too..."
Before his words ended, Kim Mi-ju reacted with shining eyes.
"Oh my! Okay. I'll select only Grade A! No, Grade S properties and show you!"
It was also important to build connections one by one like this. Because one never knows when it will be beneficial to oneself. When Kim Mi-ju left the room after exchanging simple greetings, Gang-hyeon also tried to get up from his seat. At that moment, the branch manager approached.
"CEO Choi, were you satisfied with today's transaction?"
"Thanks to you, I finished it pleasantly."
"Haha, that's a relief. If you have time, I would like to introduce our VIP service. How about it?"
Im Hyun-seong, branch manager of Hanbit Bank Gangnam Branch, coveted the man in front of him.
To buy a building of that size all in cash. If I miss such a customer, I should be called a fool.
At Im Hyun-seong's words, Gang-hyeon thought for a moment and said looking at Jeong Min-jun.
"Manager Jeong, if you are busy, you can go first. I will talk with the branch manager for a moment before leaving."
"Haha, no. Since I met you after a long time, I should treat you to a meal. I will wait."
Manager Jeong chose to wait to assist Gang-hyeon until the end.
I didn't receive this kind of treatment in the past.
Gang-hyeon thought money is good indeed.
Gang-hyeon met Gwang-ho after a long time.
"How are things these days?"
"Busy... insanely busy..."
Gwang-ho, met after a long time, was soaked in fatigue. It was like seeing himself when he worked at the company.
"Is it that busy?"
"Since I decided to resign. I have to do the handover, and finish what I can among the projects in progress. Work is pouring in like a tsunami."
"True... the system there barely runs without you."
There were many types in Quants. Among them, Gwang-ho's positioning was the core constructing the system the company runs on as a developer. Since such Gwang-ho decided to resign, it was no different from a bolt out of the blue for the company. Thanks to that, overload occurred and his face became like that.
"So why did you ask to meet today?"
"Ah, nothing else, our office is decided."
"Finally decided? Where?"
"Seongsu-dong. It's here."
He took out his smartphone and showed a photo.
"It's a bit old? Still, if it's Seongsu-dong, commuting won't be bad. How much is it?"
"I bought it for 11 billion."
"Huh?"
"Hm?"
"11 billion? Bought? Don't tell me you bought the building?"
"Yeah. That's mine now."
Gwang-ho looked at Gang-hyeon with a dumbfounded face and handed over the phone.
"This bastard talks about buying a building like buying a game item."
"Haha, did I? Anyway, interior construction will start there. If there's anything you want to reflect, I'm meeting the interior company next week, let's go together."
"Ooh, reflecting my taste too?"
"I should at least make your office according to your taste. So you can work for a long time, right?"
Time passed quickly sharing this and that story. Indeed, he felt most comfortable when with his friend.
"By the way, do you still trade these days?"
"Doing it. That's the only thing I can do."
"How are you trading? There won't be any place doing research for you now?"
"Just doing manual labor. Trading every day, recording it, like that."
"What era is it. You can just show your old skills and make a program."
"I haven't done it for over ten years. Would that work properly?"
"That's true. Then I'll send you a program, use that for now."
At the word program, Gang-hyeon's eyes shone.
"Not the one used at your company?"
"Do you want to get sued? I'm making one to use at your company. Although it's still a prototype, it won't be bad to use urgently."
"Oh, thank you."
"If you're grateful, buy meat."
"Okay, Hanwoo?"
"No, today I crave Pork Belly and Soju."
"True, on a day like this with drizzling rain, Pork Belly and Soju is the best."
There were things that didn't change even with lots of money. A glass of Soju with a friend was one of those things.
The next day. Gang-hyeon, waking up from sleep, finished his hangover relief and morning routine, sat on the sofa, and turned on the tablet PC. And entered his email to check the program Gwang-ho sent.
Looking at the number behind, it seemed to be the third version.
"Rascal, company work must be busy too. He's working hard for our side too."
Thinking he should give Gwang-ho a thick salary, he executed the program. Thanks to the intuitive UI, he could understand how to use it at once.
"Oh... just loading my journal ends it."
When he loaded the journal in the assistant program, his journal appeared after a short time.
"Visibility is good. To say such a program is a prototype. Anyway, his perfectionism is still the same."
Thinking so, he clicked the menus one by one. It was when he entered stock recommendation.
"Hm?"
Dozens of stocks appeared one by one like files. Clicking a stock allowed checking the explanation and recent analysis data about that stock. He thought this detailed part was also like Gwang-ho, but that wasn't the important thing.
"What is this..."
Lights were connected like a web in the stocks. As if saying these were all connected.
"Black color..."
And that light was black, seen for the first time in his life.
(End of Chapter)
— Translated by Prime Works —