Chapter 129: Resting is Also an Investment
Chapter 129: Resting is Also an Investment
Laguna Beach's ordinary daily life.
In the mornings, after waking up, he had breakfast with Jo Soo-ah.
―Kim Shin: I think it's fine to give the two chefs some time off.
―Lee Jong-yeop: Yes, sir. I'll make the arrangements.
The food wasn't quite as good as what the hotel-trained chefs made, but there was fun in cooking it themselves.
Not flashy dishes like kimchi fried rice, seafood doenjang jjigae, or dumpling soup, but meals filled with care.
"Shall we make some kimbap today?"
"Sure."
For once, he lived without checking the news.
In the end, Tesla crossed $900, and after selling all his shares, the total came to $126 billion.
'No need to invest all the time. Taking a break is important too.'
With Biden's stimulus package and ongoing quantitative easing, the stock price could still climb higher.
But no party lasts forever.
When the stock market enters a downturn, selling off large holdings becomes tricky.
Even rumors of dumping shares could tank the price.
'Too big to move lightly like I did a year ago.'
He decided to savor the luxury of parking the cash in the bank and watching from the sidelines.
Shopping for cooking ingredients at the mart with Jo Soo-ah, he didn't fuss over prices.
There might be cheaper or pricier options, but with his bank balance, it wasn't worth agonizing over.
"Want some canned coffee?"
"Yeah."
"Pork belly?"
"Let's get it."
"These veggies look fresh—salad would be tasty."
"Then we should grab them."
Maybe it was from buying billions in company stakes.
He didn't overthink everyday spending.
'I've stopped checking price tags at the mart.'
He felt as though he had leveled up.
Strange how the beggar mentality etched into his bones was fading.
At night, they shared a bed and talked for hours.
"You must've been popular in college, oppa."
"No way. Total outcast."
"Didn't you date anyone in university?"
"Nope. Worked at the PC bang and saw girls from my department all the time."
"Bet they came around because they liked you."
"Doubt it. No one asks a crush to empty the ashtray."
Looking back, it was a pathetic life.
When broke, survival came first—no energy for anything else.
Regretted wasting his twenties, but with insane money in his thirties, he felt like the winner of whatever life he had left.
'Now I get what they mean by nothing beats playing around.'
After hustling all year, he enjoyed the rest even more.
―An Myeong-guk, Senior Managing Director: A COVID variant is spreading in the UK.
―Kim Shin: COVID variant?
―An Myeong-guk, Senior Managing Director: Still investigating details, but it seems a mutation hit during transmission in the amino acids.
The day after hearing from his old boss at Biolife, An Myeong-guk, articles started popping up.
〈UK Locks Down London Area Over COVID〉
〈Massive COVID Spread in Southern England〉
〈Israel Bans Entry from UK〉
〈Variant COVID Fear Grips the World〉
〈Variant COVID Traced to South Africa〉
〈Global Markets Tumble on UK COVID Worries〉
COVID was exploding in the UK.
More info followed soon.
―An Myeong-guk, Senior Managing Director: Biolife has secured samples of the variant and is analyzing them.
―Kim Shin: Damn, you guys move fast.
―An Myeong-guk, Senior Managing Director: As soon as the UK confirmed it, MI6 delivered samples directly.
Proof that Biolife was world-recognized for its COVID work.
Still, concerns lingered.
―Kim Shin: Does the K-Vaccine work against the variant?
Over 200 million doses produced and administered worldwide.
He had skin in the game with his Biolife investment—and he'd gotten the shot himself.
So had Jo Soo-ah, Lee Jong-yeop, Oh Myeong-woo, and those close to him.
―An Myeong-guk, Senior Managing Director: UK government believes it does.
―An Myeong-guk, Senior Managing Director: Dr. Lee Ho-yeon is analyzing the virus. AI-assisted, so results should come quick.
―An Myeong-guk, Senior Managing Director: We'll check K-Vaccine efficacy too.
―Kim Shin: Got it. Thanks for the effort.
Experience helped—he could react faster now.
"What's up?"
"They're saying COVID's spreading in the UK."
"It's on the news too."
In the Laguna Beach mansion, he watched TV with Jo Soo-ah.
An Isung Electronics TV.
The world was changing fast, but he wished for a moment of peace.
* * *
Western markets retail investor forums were on fire.
―Germany, France fully block UK travelers.
―NYSE got wrecked. LMAO
―Even Bitcoin's dropping.
―WHO says variant way more transmissible.
―World's about to end or what?
―Dunno about the world, but I'm done for.
―Why?
―All-in on Tesla with everything. It's crashing.
―Should've listened to Kim Shin hyung. Get out when everyone's greedy.
―Ugh, sold when he said, then it pumped again—thought he was wrong.
―QE and zero rates believers LOL Fed ain't God. But Kim Shin hyung is.
Na Sang-guk posted comments on the Western markets retail board via his phone.
Praise for Kim Shin everywhere.
'My judgment was off, as usual.'
When he got greedy, Kim Shin must've weighed global markets, economy, even pandemics.
"As you all know, now's the time to rest."
"Yes, agreed."
Western markets retail study group.
Korea saw a boom in US stock investing that year—big gains for many.
Investors called themselves "Western markets ants," diving into overseas stocks.
Na Sang-guk addressed the 20 members.
"Wise investors don't panic with cash piles. 'Make money work for you' is great advice. But one bad bet wipes out hard-earned gains."
"Right."
"Resting is investing too. Wait quietly for Kim Shin hyung's signal."
* * *
December in Laguna Beach was mild.
Variant COVID emerged, world in chaos, but he spent sweet time with Jo Soo-ah.
―Oh Myeong-woo: Not bored there? Wanna hit up somewhere for New Year's?
Oh Myeong-woo's text.
Guy he'd lived with all year, but this was awkward.
―Kim Shin: Not bored. Dating.
―Oh Myeong-woo: Dating? Who?
―Kim Shin: Someone you met before.
I decided to be honest.
I hated remembering my wedding to Han Chae-won, but it was in the past.
―Kim Shin: Remember the coworker junior I introduced at my wedding?
―Oh Myeong-woo: That smoking hot office lady?
―Kim Shin: She's in the US staying with me.
―Oh Myeong-woo: Bullshit.
No point hiding from Oh Myeong-woo—planned to introduce her soon anyway.
―Kim Shin: (Photo of Jo Soo-ah smiling on the beach)
―Kim Shin: See?
―Oh Myeong-woo: Fuuuuck...
―Oh Myeong-woo: Congrats. But why do I wanna kill you?
I got a quick update on Earth Resource from Oh Myeong-woo.
Performance was now scaling up every week.
―Oh Myeong-woo: Games are the real deal.
―Kim Shin: Games were lagging in revenue.
―Oh Myeong-woo: True. But games always got that one-hit potential.
COVID era boosted healing and management sims.
MMORPG launches swelled logins too.
―Oh Myeong-woo: Can't match AAA giants. But we let subs enjoy variety.
―Oh Myeong-woo: Chance to prove games are true pop art. Tons of companies sharing cool culture—especially new indie devs coming to us.
―Oh Myeong-woo: We'll back new game studios hard. Dev and publishing opps for them!
―Kim Shin: Sounds good. Go for it. I trust you.
* * *
Busan's dermatologist Choi Won-seok.
After the blind date with Jo Soo-ah, she kept popping into his head.
"She's perfect girlfriend material—no complaints."
Parents wanted him married; he'd been hunting.
Jo Soo-ah would score high.
―Choi Won-seok: Nice morning. Getting ready for work?
―Choi Won-seok: Treating patients today—suddenly thought of you, Soo-ah.
Texts daily to rack up points.
'Says she works in Seoul. Fine, other angles.'
Bet she missed Busan.
―Choi Won-seok: Post-clinic, strolling Haeundae today. Might hit that dinner spot from last time.
―Choi Won-seok: Next Busan trip, let's grab a meal—I'll scout a great spot!
He tried to stir her nostalgia and gradually wear down her resistance with his messages.
She ignored his calls on the grounds that she was busy and rarely replied.
'Playing hard to get? Fuels me more.'
He had known from their first date that she had a boyfriend.
Getting through medical school and the licensing examinations had required perseverance.
The thrill of seeing his persistence pay off drove him onward.
For a catch like Jo Soo-ah, worth the grind.
'Everyone's got a crush. Make her crush on me.'
Texts to Jo Soo-ah went unanswered mostly.
Luckily, a Busan acquaintance's sister was her high school bestie.
"Oppa, Soo-ah took long leave—headed to the US."
"US why?"
"Trip, she says. No details."
"Oh."
Choi Won-seok regretted not seeing her soon, then pivoted.
Endless positivity and hustle!
That's what built him.
"Know where in the US?"
"Yeah, near LA."
"Can you get exact spot?"
"Why?"
"I'll go find her. 'Bump into you' style—romantic, right?"
"Seriously?"
Told her friend it was marriage-potential matchmaking, built rapport.
"But oppa, she'll hate if she finds out."
"Am I the bad guy? Not stalking—just visiting."
"Still..."
"I'll buy you a bag if it works."
"Expensive one?"
"Designer, designer."
Booked the US trip.
Year-end, COVID cases over 1,000—clinic slow.
Meet Jo Soo-ah, get vaccinated for safety too.
'Soo-ah, hang on. I'll be there soon.'