Chapter 44
Chapter 44
I called President Yoon Jeongmin of Samjin Semichem.
When I asked if I could meet him, he immediately told me to come over.
I got into the car Yuri was driving, and we headed to Samjin Semichem.
Samjin Semichem.
It was the company that benefited the most from Japan’s export restrictions on semiconductor materials.
Japan had imposed export restrictions because they believed it would be impossible to produce high purity hydrogen fluoride, photoresist, and polyimide domestically.
But Samjin Semichem had already localized most semiconductor materials.
At first, they could not sell them due to prejudice against domestic products and other unclear reasons.
However, Japan’s voluntary export restrictions opened the door for them.
Once their materials were used, their performance was proven.
Samjin Semichem then grew rapidly.
I had also made a huge profit through Samjin Semichem convertible bonds.
While I was recalling the past, Yuri spoke.
“We’re here.”
We got out of the car and headed straight to the president’s office.
“Welcome, Mr. Kim Deoksu.”
“President, Kim Deoksu isn’t a regular employee anymore. He’s been promoted to team leader.”
Yuri corrected my title.
“Team leader? Already? I thought he was too talented to just be an employee back then, but this is fast. Still, becoming a team leader this quickly is surprising. Isn’t that a super fast promotion?”
“Yes. It’s the fastest promotion in the history of Mirae Securities. And if you hear about Team Leader Kim Deoksu’s profits so far, you’ll be even more surprised.”
“As expected, Team Leader Kim Deoksu must be the ace of Mirae Securities. I knew it from the first time I met him.”
“Thank you.”
“Please, have a seat.”
A secretary came in, placed tea on the table, and left.
After chatting briefly while drinking tea, we moved to the main topic.
“So what brings you here today?”
“I came to talk about the management dispute at Goguryeo Ayeon.”
“Goguryeo Ayeon? What does that have to do with us?”
“I would like to meet the executives from the large corporations that Samjin Semichem supplies to.”
“What?”
The president looked completely surprised by my request.
To be honest, that had not been my original idea either.
When I first sensed the scent from Samjin Semichem, I naturally assumed it meant financial support.
Money was what we needed most right now.
But after thinking it over carefully, I realized Samjin Semichem could not support us on that scale.
Samjin Semichem was a mid sized company.
Goguryeo Ayeon was a global giant in the nonferrous metal refining industry.
Even if Samjin Semichem provided funding, it would not make a meaningful difference.
If that was the case, the benefit for me must not be money.
It had to be something else.
What could it be?
After thinking it over repeatedly, I came to one conclusion.
People.
Samjin Semichem supplied various materials needed for semiconductor and secondary battery manufacturing processes.
Its clients included global giants such as Samhyeon Electronics, KS Semiconductor, Taehyeon Motors, GL Chemical, and Samhyeon SDI.
At the same time, those companies were also clients of Goguryeo Ayeon, receiving rare minerals from them.
If I could meet executives from those companies through President Yoon Jeongmin, we could explain the situation and possibly find a breakthrough.
“I know it’s difficult, but I sincerely ask for your help. If possible, could you ask them to come here this afternoon?”
“This afternoon? Here? Hmm. I’m the one in the weaker position, and they’re the powerful ones. It’s not like I can just summon them. Still, Team Leader Kim Deoksu saved my company’s life. I should help. Just a moment.”
“Please tell them it’s about the stable supply of rare minerals. That might draw more interest.”
“Okay.”
He took out his phone and began sending messages.
After a few minutes he looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“This is strange.”
“Did it not work?”
“No, they all said they’d come. Maybe they just want an excuse to get out of work and get some fresh air.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Indeed. I’m glad I can help.”
“Thank you, President.”
“Well then, the big problem is solved for now. Let’s go have lunch. There’s a good restaurant nearby.”
“Yes.”
We went to a nearby restaurant for lunch and then returned.
When we came back from the restaurant, an unexpected guest was waiting.
“President, Deputy Director Han Kiho from Aton Partners is here.”
“Ah, that’s right. He was supposed to visit the factory today. Tell him to come in.”
“Yes.”
Aton Partners.
That was where I had sensed a woody scent, like the scent from a massive tree that could serve as a solid pillar of support.
Someone who could help me.
I was curious what kind of help he might provide.
A moment later Deputy Director Han Kiho of Aton Partners entered.
We greeted each other warmly and exchanged a few words about how things had been.
“I’ve heard a lot about you lately, Team Leader Kim. Your investment returns are incredible.”
“It’s nothing. I’ve just been lucky a few times.”
“No one gets lucky that many times. That’s skill. Our CEO is also very interested in you.”
“Thank you.”
“But what brings you here today?”
I explained the current situation to him.
“I doubt those large corporations would want to get involved in a management dispute.”
“If it were just a simple dispute, I wouldn’t ask them either. But I believe there is another intention behind it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Soft Investment is behind Goguryeo Ayeon.”
“That alone isn’t a problem. They could simply be participating as a financial investor.”
“But they are hiding their identity. They’re not investing openly. They’re doing it secretly.”
I explained everything I knew.
“Hmm. That is strange. Why would they try to hide it?”
“This is just my speculation, but I think it may be related to Japan’s export restrictions.”
I shared a thought that I had not told anyone before.
Honestly, I hesitated to say it.
The consequences of such a claim could be enormous.
“Export restrictions?”
“Yes. If the financial investor KYG Capital pushes out Chairman Choi Beomsu, they could take control of Goguryeo Ayeon. Considering how much money Goguryeo Ayeon has borrowed from them, it’s not impossible. And if that happens, nothing could stop them from relocating the company or shutting it down. Maybe… they wouldn’t go that far, but if Goguryeo Ayeon were relocated to Japan or Southeast Asia, it could pose a serious threat to the security of our country’s advanced industries.”
Han Kiho’s face hardened after hearing that.
“This is serious.”
“It’s just a worst case scenario.”
“It may be the worst case scenario, but if it happens even once, the damage would be catastrophic. Security can’t afford even a small crack. And after hearing you, I think that possibility is quite real. We need to prepare.”
“Yes.”
“Could I participate in the meeting later as well? I want to help if I can.”
Just as the scent had suggested, Aton Partners seemed ready to become a solid supporter.
He offered help even though I had not asked.
“Thank you for offering.”
As the time for the afternoon meeting approached, executives from major corporations began arriving one by one.
When everyone had gathered, I explained the current situation and asked them to support Youngpo rather than Goguryeo Ayeon.
In other words, I asked them to buy shares in the market and act as a white knight.
But none of them stepped forward immediately.
The stock price was already excessively high.
More importantly, they were worried about the consequences of getting involved in a management dispute.
If they supported us and Chairman Choi Beomsu ended up winning, the stable supply of rare minerals could be disrupted in the future.
That was their biggest concern.
Everyone said they would think about it.
Not a single person gave a definite answer before leaving the meeting room.
“Not easy, is it?”
Han Kiho, who had been watching the meeting, spoke to me.
“No. But we have to keep hoping. I’ll call them again tomorrow.”
“That’s right. If you don’t give up, things will work out.”
“Thank you.”
“Well then, I should get going too.”
Han Kiho also left.
We achieved nothing today.
But strangely, I still felt like things would work out.
Just like the scent had suggested, Aton Partners felt like a solid pillar supporting me.
Today was the day of Goguryeo Ayeon’s shareholders meeting.
As usual, I woke up early and ran to the company for my morning jog.
After showering and refreshing my mind, I went up to the office.
“Good morning.”
After greeting everyone and sitting at my desk, I noticed a memo on the table.
Come to my office.
It was from Yuri.
When I turned my head, I saw the light on in her office.
I walked over, knocked, and opened the door.
“Yuri, why are you here so early?”
“I had something to do… How are you feeling? Are you okay?”
“I’m a little nervous, but things will work out.”
“Yes. They will.”
She stood up from behind her desk.
Her outfit was different from usual.
Instead of a skirt, she was wearing a pants suit.
It gave her less of her usual feminine image and more of a strong, professional presence.
The navy color was softer than black but conveyed reliability.
It suited her perfectly.
Noticing my gaze, she asked carefully.
“Do I look strange? I put some effort in since I’m going to the shareholders meeting.”
“No. You look great. You look strong, like you did when you were a company commander. The Smiling Wolf.”
“The Smiling Wolf? What? I’ve never heard that before.”
“Don’t you remember? Back during the KCTC training…”
“Stop right there!”
She clenched her teeth and spoke in a low voice.
“Anyway… why did you call me?”
“Try this on.”
She handed me a suit.
“A suit? I already have one.”
“Today is an important day, so I bought it. It’s not that expensive, so don’t feel pressured. Try it on.”
“Okay.”
I took the suit from her and looked at her.
She looked back at me.
We held eye contact for a moment.
I smiled slightly and said,
“Yuri, did you want to watch me change clothes? If that’s what you want, I can show you.”
“W… what are you talking about? Why would I watch that? There’s nothing to see.”
“Nothing to see? I have muscles…”
Well, not that many.
“I thought you’d go to the restroom to change.”
“Oh. Right. I’ll go.”
“No, it’s fine. Just change here.”
She suddenly became flustered and left the room.
I looked at the suit she had given me.
She said it wasn’t expensive, but the brand was Hermès.
Wow.
It was a luxury suit that cost at least seven million won.
This was the first time anyone had given me such an expensive gift.
Maybe it was because it was Hermès.
Or maybe because Yuri gave it to me.
Either way, I felt happy.
I changed clothes.
The fabric felt softer than silk as it wrapped around my body.
“Yuri, I’m done.”
Kim Yuri opened the door.
For a moment she had to squint.
It felt as if light was shining from Deoksu.
They said clothes made the man.
He was already handsome normally, but today he looked dangerously good.
This was not good.
If he attracted too much attention, it could be a problem.
Even now powerful families were already targeting him because of his abilities.
Kim Yuri suddenly realized she had made a big mistake.
From now on she wanted to make him wear nothing but training hoodies.
But that wish would never come true.
Yuri’s expression seemed slightly stiff.
Did the suit not suit me?
“Does it look bad?”
“No. It suits you well.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“Then I’ll go to the morning meeting.”
“Okay. See you later.”
“Yes.”
I turned toward the door, then stopped and looked back at her.
“Yuri.”
“What?”
“You look… beautiful today.”
I felt a little embarrassed.
“What are you talking about? I’m always beautiful.”
I smiled and left the room.
After checking the market trends at my desk, I quickly finished the morning meeting.
9:30.
I knocked on the director’s door and opened it.
“Director, shall we go?”
“Yes.”
On the way to the shareholders meeting in Yuri’s car, neither of us spoke.
Maybe it was because we were nervous.
I stared out the window.
At first I only intended to sell the shares from Beomhan Resources.
But things kept growing bigger.
After choosing Youngpo, I wanted to win.
To do that, we had to win the shareholders meeting.
But the situation was not good.
We were still one percent behind.
At this rate, we would lose.
We had done our best.
But doing your best does not guarantee results.
The opponent had done their best too.
All we could do now was hope for a miracle.
While staring out the window, I suddenly felt warmth in my cold hand.
I turned my head.
Yuri was smiling silently.
Her eyes were filled with trust and encouragement.
I was grateful.
I gently squeezed her hand to thank her.
We arrived at Goguryeo Ayeon and parked the car.
As we walked toward the main building, I watched Yuri walking ahead of me.
Her confident steps.
Her strong and elegant presence in the navy pants suit.
Looking at her, I decided not to give up.
As long as the scent existed, I would not lose.
In the end, a miracle would happen.
Goguryeo Ayeon shareholders meeting hall.
“I will now announce the voting results. Chairman Jang Sugi has been elected as the new CEO of Goguryeo Ayeon. Bang! Bang! Bang!”