Short Selling Position
Suddenly, Baekje University was aggressively recruiting teaching assistants and master's students on a massive scale. The reason was simple. The university professors had already heard it straight from Shin Jaewoo: massive research funding support—and performance demands. These two factors were transforming the graduate programs at Baekje University.
But that wasn't all. The university was changing even more profoundly right now.
"Heh heh."
The president let out a hollow chuckle. To compete fiercely on performance, they'd massively expanded not just the master's programs but the doctoral ones too. Until now, a lack of research funding had made such announcements impossible. Now they were blasting them out everywhere—and there was something else only he, as president, knew about.
'Buying up all the surrounding land on this scale...'
He'd heard it that day when he met Shin Jaewoo. Still, the president's hands trembled. The students had no idea yet. All those empty lots where buses parked and rested—they now belonged to the school corporation's Daniel Foundation. No way the students knew that.
"Heh heh."
The empty laughter kept spilling out. Things were changing. The new chairman was uprooting the university from the ground up.
"Just how much money does he have to make all this possible...?"
The young new chairman wasn't sparing a dime. Soon, even the orchestra that had been disbanded would be revived. Of course, that fell under the corporation, so it wasn't his purview as president. But what shocked him was something else entirely. The administrative director who'd come to see him had relayed the news: money had been deposited into the university's designated account. The amount was...
"Really... 500 billion won?"
The president swallowed hard. It was beyond imagination. Baekje University's account had never held such a fortune. But what was even more absurd was the foundation's attitude toward spending it.
"Yes, that's right."
"I've been instructed to burn through this initial budget entirely during the semester."
That was why the president was freaking out. It was July now. And "during the semester" meant in the few days left...
"Spend all 500 billion won in just a few weeks?"
"I checked with the corporation... and yes, that's the directive. Once summer break starts, they'll send separate funds for the vacation period—so use it all up before then..."
"Gahk."
He'd been strapped for cash plenty of times, but money overflowing to this extent? Never dreamed of it. A whopping 500 billion won. How do you spend that in less than a month?
'And they've already handled all the big-ticket items themselves...'
Sweat beaded on the president's forehead. He and the administrative director wore matching stunned expressions. And there was a reason for all this.
"...If we don't spend it all, they'll hold it against us during reappointment reviews."
That was the message the director had passed on. The president scowled.
'They're insane.'
The Daniel Foundation was clearly out of its mind. 500 billion won—a big sum if big, small if small. But force it into a few weeks? His brain short-circuited. And there was a reason for that too. Corporate auditors were already on campus. Intimidating auras rolling off them. They'd warned flatly: try any embezzlement, and you're done.
'No embezzling—and spend it properly... but how the hell?'
But necessity breeds ingenuity.
"We're building a new library on the site of the demolished auditorium, right?"
"Yes."
"Call in the top architects. Tell them money's no object for the design. Burn cash on design fees and deposits alone."
The new library's ambitions just got upgraded. And that was just the start.
"While we're at it, replace every computer in the offices and labs. Boost TA stipends massively too."
The student cafeteria needed leveling up.
"No cheap ingredients. Only the best, and hire extra chefs!"
Buses branded with the university name? Make 'em limousine buses. The president, director, and admin staff huddled, brainstorming ways to blow the budget. A sight like nothing else on earth.
Shin Jaewoo reviewed the documents from Baekje University. Amusing. He'd ordered it himself, but he could imagine the headache it gave the president and admins.
"Heh."
A mischievous chuckle escaped him.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself, hyungnim."
Han Taeho, watching him, grinned slyly.
Han Taeho. Shin Jaewoo was hanging with him right now.
"Eh, whatever. How's company life treating you?"
"Come on, it's work you gave me. Gotta give it my all."
Han Taeho laughed. For the record, his employee reviews weren't bad. Mischievous but subtly competent and humorous boss vibe. He could've been a total bully, but he was sweet to staff and pranked the execs. As executive director backed by the owner, his power was immense—and so were his antics.
"Looks like it suits you more than I thought?"
Han Taeho looked sheepish at Shin Jaewoo's words.
"I mean... just hanging with clients now and then. Anyway, hyungnim, time to get started."
Shin Jaewoo's expression shifted at that. Time to start. Not just talk.
'Nemo Entertainment.'
Full-on assault incoming. He'd already crushed Kim Dong-su; now Nemo was next on the chopping block. With Kim down, it'd be easy.
"The Kim Dong-su scandal's cooled a bit, but everyone still remembers, right?"
This time, Han Taeho was leading the op. He brought up Kim Dong-su—and Shin Jaewoo's face changed.
"...Planning to leverage Kim Dong-su's name? Tie it to Nemo. Right?"
"Spot on, hyungnim. Like you know, that Nemo boss or Kim Min-cheol—they played dirty."
Korea was hypersensitive to sex crimes, especially the ruling party.
"So we drop another bomb. Nemo Entertainment—and especially that bastard Kim Min-cheol—taking orders from the CEO and Kim Dong-su for filthy deeds... I know it all, don't I?"
Shin Jaewoo's face hardened at Han Taeho's question. One worry nagged.
"You didn't get dragged into that mess too, did you?"
"Well..."
Han Taeho hesitated instead of answering right away. Then he steeled himself.
"Honestly, yeah, I was there."
Shin Jaewoo's eyes sharpened. But he stayed silent. Han Taeho wasn't done.
"Those bastards would call in trainees or artists, drug 'em, rape 'em, blackmail with pics... happened all the time."
He'd been there. But calling him a accomplice? No.
"I never joined in."
"Then what were you?"
"...The clown."
Han Taeho was a victim too. Acted cocky with peers, but there? Total clown. Bark if told, roll if told. That's why Kim Min-cheol despised him.
'Fucking prick.'
Han Taeho hated Kim Min-cheol. Kim Dong-su, maybe—but Kim Min-cheol? Hardly above him in the pecking order. But clown vs. participant? Worlds apart.
"...Must've been rough."
Shin Jaewoo couldn't comfort him properly. Just said it flatly.
"...Yeah."
Anyway, Nemo Entertainment. The attack was gearing up. Shin Jaewoo held back. Han Taeho elaborated. Shin Jaewoo listened.
"You've already lined up witnesses?"
"Yes. Gonna spark a second MeToo wave for sure."
The 2018 MeToo frenzy. Back then, issues galore. Might not blaze as hot now. But doable.
"...And you've got the evidence too."
Then, just testimonies—no proof, controversy. This time? Ironclad. Illegal videos overflowing. Not just Kim Dong-su—Han Taeho had copies too.
Shin Jaewoo nodded.
"...Go as far as you can."
"Yes, hyungnim. Leave it to me. I'll bury those bastards."
Han Taeho headed out like that. Shin Jaewoo watched quietly. Now he was pondering.
'Is this justice... or not?'
Not revenge on Nemo. Shin Jaewoo picked up the receiver. Called his now-personal secretary, Lee Sooyoung. Gave the order.
"...You know Nemo Entertainment?"
"Yes."
"Take a short position on their stock."
"Eh?"