Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: The Next Venture
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[Today, KAI revealed footage of the assembly of a prototype for its domestically developed fighter jet. Rumors have been swirling for some time...]
The assembly event, now public, sent shockwaves through society.
Reactions ranged from disbelief at the specs we released to attempts to verify them using all sorts of data.
Thanks to that, CEO Yoon was busy for a while, not with his usual work, but with being summoned by various sectors to offer clarifications—or rather, explanations. I, too, was hounded by the media.
[Our military's medical staff, currently deployed, provided medical aid to Iraqi civilians today.]
Before I knew it, it was June.
Contrary to my worries, there had been no incidents threatening the safety of our deployed troops.
This included the engineering corps, the medical support team, and even the special forces deployed for regional stabilization.
It was a relief, but there was no telling how long this peace would last.
[The U.S. military is still focusing on the capture of the fugitive Saddam Hussein...]
Historically, Hussein’s capture wouldn't succeed until December.
Unfortunately, I couldn't quite recall where he was captured.
It was hard to say whether that was a pity or a blessing.
With the course of history already becoming a tangled mess, it wouldn't be right for me to stir up more trouble.
“It's time to leave, Chairman.”
Just as I was lost in thought, Secretary Kim urged me to hurry.
A quick glance at the clock showed it was 2 PM.
As she said, I had to leave immediately to catch my flight to the U.S.
“Have you contacted Ryan?”
The reason for my trip to the States today was news from Tesla.
The Roadster.
News that Tesla’s first electric vehicle, which in the original timeline shouldn't have appeared until 2008, was complete.
As it was the first major event since the company's founding, my attendance as one of the founders was expected. I had managed to make time despite my busy schedule.
“We've already contacted CEO Ryan of JW-I, but he seemed a bit puzzled by your travel itinerary.”
It was only natural for him to be curious.
After all, I had scheduled a trip of nearly ten days for what would normally take no more than three.
Well, he'd find out when we met, so there was no need to explain now.
“Have a safe trip.”
As Secretary Yang took my luggage from the trunk, he looked somewhat relieved.
I suppose it was like getting a long vacation.
Though I felt a bit wronged by that, I had my own side of the story. I had told him to take his days off, but it was his choice, not mine, to stick by my side 365 days a year.
“You get some rest too, Secretary Yang.”
“I was planning on it.”
I let out a small laugh.
With a short laugh, I turned, and the massive canopy of Incheon International Airport came into view.
It had opened in 2001, but since I had always used Gimpo Airport, this was my first time here.
Seeing it again, an uncontrollable excitement washed over me.
It felt like I had finally found a point of connection with my original timeline.
No, it felt more like I had returned to the 2020s.
‘Nostalgia for the future... How ridiculous.’
********
[Welcome!]
As planned, Ryan was at the airport to meet me.
He had prepared six vehicles, likely to accommodate the security detail.
Our schedule was tight, so we headed straight for the event venue in those cars, arriving just before the event was set to begin.
[Welcome.]
At the venue, Tesla's research complex, countless distinguished guests had already taken their seats.
The most surprising figure among them was the Governor of California.
Then again, considering the economic impact Tesla would generate in Palo Alto, it made sense.
A low whirring sound filled the air.
The event kicked off with a driving demonstration of the first Roadster.
With the high torque unique to electric vehicles, its acceleration left the comparison cars in the dust.
The car then circled the track, hitting a top speed of 200 kilometers per hour, yet it demonstrated stable handling with not even a hint of body shake.
[It can currently travel 400 kilometers on a single charge.]
I turned slightly at Eberhard's explanation from behind me.
He seemed to have aged, with noticeably more wrinkles, a sign of the hardships he'd endured.
Though his title was Vice President, he had also shouldered the role of chief engineer. He must have had days just as exhausting as mine.
[You've worked hard.]
[It's a bit embarrassing to hear that when we're just getting started. To be honest, there will be limits to how well it sells right away.]
[Of course. It's still an unfamiliar platform, and the supporting infrastructure isn't there yet. I have no illusions about making a quick profit from it.]
*Click! Click!*
[Starting with the Roadster, we will continue to develop zero-emission vehicles...]
On one side of the venue, Ryan was giving an interview to the press.
Normally, it would have been a role for me or Eberhard, but neither of us had a talent for that sort of thing.
But watching him, it seemed we had made the right decision.
Just as you'd expect from a former lobbyist, his way with words was phenomenal.
[By the way, when do you think it will be completed?]
Eberhard, who had been silently watching Ryan deal with the media, sidled up and asked.
He was undoubtedly asking about the development of the solid-state battery.
I glanced around before whispering in his ear, and his face brightened.
[Really? The year after next... Then shouldn't we start preparing to expand our production facilities in earnest?]
[I suppose we should. I'll leave that in your hands, Mr. Vice President.]
[That won't be a problem, but the automotive electronics supplier is an issue.]
I had thought about that as well.
Automotive electronics are essential for car production.
But with our current system, forget a stable supply; even developing parts tailored to our needs is a struggle.
[I plan to delegate that to CEO Ryan. We'll select a suitable company and attempt an acquisition soon, so you don't need to worry too much.]
[A full acquisition? The cost will be substantial, won't it?]
His words brought a dry laugh to my lips.
Well, it was natural for someone so engrossed in research to be unaware of Jaewoo's current financial power.
I didn't feel like giving him a lengthy explanation, so I simply patted him on the shoulder.
[Wow! Dealing with people is the hardest part.]
The after-party, held at a nearby hotel, went on late into the night.
I tried to hold out, but the jet lag got the better of me, and I eventually went up to my room. Ryan, sensing the mood, had quietly followed.
[We should at least have a quick drink, just the two of us.]
Ryan insisted on dragging me out, even though I was practically asleep.
He had a look in his eyes that said he had something to say.
I had a good idea what it was about, so I waved my hand dismissively.
[If you want to know why I scheduled such a long trip, you'll find out tomorrow. So just get some sleep. I feel like I'm about to pass out, so I don't have the energy to explain right now.]
[...]
******
[We're flying to Massachusetts right now?]
Ryan's shriek was directed at me as I rushed around early in the morning.
He looked ready to stage a protest if I didn't explain our purpose immediately.
I tossed the last of my things into my bag and said casually.
[We're going to Harvard.]
[Why are you going to Harvard?]
[There's someone I have to meet.]
[Who? Do you know a professor there?]
He blocked my path as I picked up my bag, pressing for an answer.
I gestured toward his bag with my eyes, urging him on, and he finally followed.
[If it's a professor you need to meet, shouldn't you be at MIT, not Harvard?]
[Not a professor, actually. A student.]
He froze.
Ryan stopped in his tracks, a look of utter bewilderment on his face.
I understood.
The chairman of a major corporation flying all that way just to meet a single student was certainly unconventional.
I smiled and started walking again, and he shouted after me.
[Is there some genius at Harvard you've got your eye on? No, even if there were, you should be going to MIT, not Harvard...]
[Mark Zuckerberg.]
[...]
[That's the name of the student I need to meet.]
[...Who's that?]
[Well, right now, he's just an ordinary young man?]
Ryan clicked his tongue, his expression one of complete bafflement.
But that was all I could explain at this point.
I smiled and turned, and he followed again, looking displeased.
[...I don't know who that is, but you're kidding, right? You're going to cross the entire continent just to meet some Harvard student I've never even heard of?]
[He's worth it. Anyway, just know one thing. We're on our way to meet someone who could make us tens of billions of dollars.]
[...]
******
[Being here brings back old memories.]
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Ryan and I were enjoying a rare moment of leisure at a café near Harvard.
Our alma mater, MIT, was also located in Cambridge.
Ryan's face was bright, as if he were lost in nostalgia.
[Oh, have you ever heard this story? That Jun and I used to come around here all the time because we were smitten with a woman at Harvard Law.]
[No way Jun would have done that...]
I laughed and shook my head at his words.
Back then, I was like a runaway train, focused only on my goals. A woman? Not a chance.
But maybe he wasn't joking.
Ryan continued excitedly.
[What's that supposed to mean? That I might, but Jun wouldn't?]
[Why are you taking it that way? I just meant that Jun wasn't the type to chase after women.]
[You really don't know anything, do you?]
Ryan looked at me as if I were a naive child who knew nothing of the world.
Just how different were the lives of the Jun of this era and me?
He was looking at me as if I—no, as if Jun—were the world's greatest romance expert. I couldn't understand the discrepancy.
[Anyway, putting that aside, how are we supposed to find this Mark fellow?]
Just as I was getting lost in thought, Ryan cut to the heart of the matter.
The truth was, besides knowing he founded Facebook in his dorm room, I didn't know much else about him.
I needed to figure out a way to meet him now.
[All I know is that he's a computer science student here.]
[Well, it's a relief you at least know that much.]
Ryan sighed and looked at me.
Then, as if an idea struck him, his expression shifted, and he clapped his hands together.
[Maybe he's in the department dorm? If he's from out of state, it's likely he'd be in a dorm.]
Hearing that reminded me of something.
Zuckerberg founded Facebook right in his dorm room.
I immediately asked Ryan.
[Do you happen to have any connections at Harvard? Someone in administration would be even better.]
[Let's see...]
As he spoke, he pulled a worn notebook and a short, stubby yellow pencil from his suit pocket.
He flipped through the pages for a while, then drew a circle in the notebook and slid it in front of me.
[Found one.]
The name he'd circled was Elliot Vibe.
I had no idea who that was.
As I furrowed my brow, he spoke up.
[If I remember correctly, this guy is friends with the son of Harvard's president.]
[...]
A dry laugh escaped my lips.
This was practically the same as saying you knew a second cousin's cousin-in-law.
Still, hoping for the best, I asked.
[What's his relationship to you?]
[Uh, well...]
Ryan hesitated.
Just as a bad feeling made me narrow my eyes, he scratched his head and spoke.
[Actually, he's my ex-wife's older brother.]
[...You've been divorced?]
The question slipped out before I could stop it.
Realizing my mistake, I waved my hand, and he continued, almost defensively.
[My ex-wife had quite the personality. The problem is, this Elliot guy is just like her. Still, want to give it a shot?]
[Is that even a question?]
Ryan flinched at my retort and immediately picked up his phone.
The phone seemed to be ringing, then his face suddenly registered shock, and he thrust the phone at me.
"Motherfuc..."
Ah... The guy's got a real talent.
Who knew someone could insult your mother with such... expertise?