Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: The Boss's Investment
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If it had been the usual Jeong Hee-ju, she would have scoffed at Lee Dae-hyuk's proposal.
She hadn't fully solidified her position yet, but she was still the boss of a loan shark organization.
Money was no worry for her....
‘There is none.’
Jeong Hee-ju puffed out her cheeks.
The organization's funds weren't her personal assets.
Sure, as the boss, she received a salary comparable to that of a major corporate executive, but the insecurity was real.
Who knew what might happen in the future, and especially in this line of work, money was power.
‘...Who knew I'd become so obsessed with money....’
Ever since becoming the organization's boss, Jeong Hee-ju had come to truly appreciate the power of money.
Famous politicians and celebrities she'd only seen on TV were now groveling before her.
All because of mere ‘money.’
On top of that, she needed it for proper revenge and to lead her subordinates.
Jeong Hee-ju furrowed her brow slightly, her eyes gleaming fiercely.
Money was important, but one thing needed to be made crystal clear.
"You're really planning to invest, right?"
"Yes. This time, no theft—just a legitimate investment."
At Lee Dae-hyuk's cryptic response, Jeong Hee-ju let out a sigh of relief.
Money mattered, but she didn't want to commit crimes.
"Still, I figured you wouldn't commit any more crimes, Mr. Lee."
"......"
"Why no answer?"
"Hearing that from someone who makes a living off loan sharking and information brokerage... it caught me off guard."
Lee Dae-hyuk hit the nail on the head, and Jeong Hee-ju flushed red.
"It feels like I should be mad... but since you've brought in quite a profit thanks to you, I'll let it slide."
"Sorry. Sometimes my thoughts slip right out of my mouth."
"......"
Jeong Hee-ju showed no particular reaction.
It was a joke, but there was some bite to it.
Still, since she'd fired the first shot, she didn't want to escalate into a war of words.
As she declared a truce with her silence, Lee Dae-hyuk continued.
"No matter how much you invest, I'll guarantee the principal from my end. In return, our company takes 50 percent of the profits."
Jeong Hee-ju's mouth fell open slightly at Lee Dae-hyuk's terms.
Investment firms never guaranteed principal.
Half the profits going to his side was a sticking point, but... she felt an odd trust.
This man would deliver returns beyond her expectations.
"Alright. But I have one condition."
"Go ahead."
"Simple. Draft a contract guaranteeing the principal. And..."
"And?"
"I'll visit that investment firm you mentioned. I need to see who's handling my money. Not too much to ask, right?"
Lee Dae-hyuk nodded at Jeong Hee-ju's question.
This was barely a condition at all.
"We'll be waiting at the office."
***
One week later, in the evening.
Kim Jae-woon checked Punch's corporate account and doubted his own eyes.
‘2.9 billion? Wait—29.79 billion won?!!’
Just as Lee Dae-hyuk had said, the deposit was there, but the number was staggering.
‘Am I seeing this wrong?’
As Kim Jae-woon incredulously recounted the zeros, Lee Dae-hyuk's concerned voice came from behind.
"Something in your eye?"
"No, it's not that. But... how did this happen?"
"Is money coming into the investment firm really that shocking?"
Lee Dae-hyuk countered instead, making Kim Jae-woon flush.
Embarrassingly, he'd gotten too excited.
"Sorry. An unexpected amount threw me off."
"You're going to be handling hundreds of billions, even trillions, by my side. You can't get rattled by this. Build up your capacity."
Kim Jae-woon nodded gravely at Lee Dae-hyuk's words.
He was right.
To become an investor like Warren Buffett or George Soros, whom he admired...
He had to master the overwhelming ‘fear’ that numbers brought with his own hands.
And wield money with ‘cool-headed reason’ instead.
"I won't disappoint you, sir."
Lee Dae-hyuk nodded in satisfaction.
"I'm expecting great things. Now, shall we map out the investment plan?"
Kim Mi-jin, who had been listening to their conversation, chimed in.
She too had been dumbfounded by the massive sum.
"Young Mas—, I mean, President. Have you spoken to the Chairman...?"
"Think I'd ask my father for help?"
"Then how did you secure this much money?"
Kim Mi-jin trailed off at Lee Dae-hyuk's response.
Truth be told, 29.79 billion wasn't easy to come by, even for a chaebol heir.
Plus, Lee Dae-hyuk wasn't particularly in business or well-connected.
From her perspective, she couldn't just rejoice.
Perhaps sensing her concern, Lee Dae-hyuk lied in a softer tone than usual.
"Someone who recognizes my abilities. It's safe money from a trustworthy source, so no worries."
"Just recognition...? Well, we should repay that trust too."
Was it faith in Lee Dae-hyuk?
Instead of doubting, Kim Mi-jin burned with determination.
Not only had she returned to work after so long, but with this huge investment.
Her motivation was bound to surge.
Like Kim Mi-jin, Kim Jae-woon also focused intently, awaiting Lee Dae-hyuk's words.
Lee Dae-hyuk smiled awkwardly at the two overeager souls and explained his plan.
"Truth is, you won't need to rack your brains much. The investments are set at exactly three places. We just park the money there safely."
"Three places?!!"
Kim Mi-jin felt both puzzled and astonished.
Investing 29.79 billion across three spots?
"100 billion per sector?"
"Too small, right?"
Lee Dae-hyuk, arms crossed, stroked his chin.
He knew the future.
Not a pro investor, so he didn't know minute stock flows.
But he'd witnessed Yoo Jae-man's investments up close as Kim Geon-woo.
And knowing the future ‘trends,’ failure was impossible.
He wanted to invest more, but what could he do?
‘Can't help it for now.’
"First, 10 billion into Apple."
"Apple? It's already risen a lot..."
Kim Mi-jin widened her eyes.
Even Kim Jae-woon, who knew bits of Lee Dae-hyuk's plans, was shocked.
"10 billion is too much. No major short-term catalysts for a big spike."
Apple was a global giant that wouldn't waver much even if their anticipated ‘crisis’ hit.
But no fear of drops meant hard to rise too.
Still, Lee Dae-hyuk calmly stated his intent.
"I'm not after short-term gains. And money isn't my absolute goal."
Lee Dae-hyuk needed money as ‘ammunition,’ not to get rich.
Plus, he dreamed bigger than immediate profits.
"We need money, but I'll view this as an entrepreneur, not just an investor. Even a small tie to Apple benefits Daehan Group hugely."
Kim Jae-woon and Kim Mi-jin half-believed, half-doubted.
Truthfully, 10 billion wouldn't forge special ties with Apple.
Lee Dae-hyuk knew that well.
But saving ‘that man’ would change everything.
‘I’ll save Steve Jobs.’
Steve Jobs.
This genius survived pancreatic cancer surgery in 2004, then revolutionized the world with the ‘iPhone.’
But recurrence killed him in 2011.
After the era-defining genius's tragic death, experts agreed:
Without relying on meditation or acupuncture post-recurrence, modern medicine could have given him years more.
‘No—maybe even a full cure.’
Saving Steve Jobs alone could alter Apple and Daehan Group's futures.
‘I have to make the surgery happen.’
Apple would wobble briefly from the subprime crisis.
But Lee Dae-hyuk would endure that loss to meet Jobs as an ‘investor.’
Without 10 billion, would Jobs even see a nobody like him?
If all went as planned, after charming (?) Jobs, he'd invest in a Marvel Studios film.
‘Right. That movie shooting now changed the world.’
Around this time, Marvel was producing a world-changing film.
The so-called ‘Iron Man.’
A millionaire in steel armor becomes a hero... but back then, it was a low-budget flick to sell toys.
Marvel, cast, and director had low expectations.
The mid-40s actor playing the villain, Jeff Bridges, called it ‘like shooting a student film.’ Minimal investment from Marvel.
But.
This one film birthed the ‘Marvel Cinematic Universe,’ a vast ‘world.’
‘Raking in tens of trillions.’
Smiling at the thought of the world post-Iron Man, Lee Dae-hyuk's lips curved.
.
.
.
"So, to sum up... 10 billion in Apple, 9.7 billion in a Hollywood movie, and 10 billion in Credit Default Swaps?"
As Kim Jae-woon neatly summarized, Lee Dae-hyuk gave a light bow.
"Nicely wrapped up. Thanks."
"Wow... it's beyond words."
Kim Mi-jin, who'd been listening, felt dizzy.
Credit Default Swaps made sense.
The current situation echoed the IMF crisis 10 years ago.
That ‘hell’ was just a decade back.
Learning from it, some firms bought CDS like insurance even in booms.
But dumping 10 billion at once? Even big players hesitated.
Everyone knew the money party would end, but not when.
‘No way. Does the young master know when?’
Kim Mi-jin was amazed.
Committing this much meant more than conviction.
"How can you be so certain?"
At Kim Mi-jin's question, Lee Dae-hyuk pondered.
Because I know the future.
But he couldn't say he was a regressor from the future.
Lee Dae-hyuk found a fitting answer.
"Conviction doesn't come from knowledge or info—it comes from calculations. If they're wrong, I'll take responsibility. So you two don't worry."
Easing their concerns, Lee Dae-hyuk shared another calculation.
"Oh, and the Marvel investment might increase."
"More?"
Kim Jae-woon queried.
"Reducing Apple or CDS?"
As Kim Mi-jin followed up, Lee Dae-hyuk shook his head.
"There's a short-term flip for profit. About tenfold?"
"Tenfold?" Their mouths dropped open simultaneously.
Ten times in the short term—1,000% returns? Impossible.
Even for investment ‘geniuses.’
Kim Jae-woon asked cautiously.
"Not theme stocks, right? How to get 1,000%..."
"Buying land."
"......?!"
Kim Mi-jin and Kim Jae-woon's eyes—mixed doubt and shock—turned to him.
"Land this time?"
Suddenly land?
Dumbfounded, Kim Mi-jin raised her voice.
Kim Jae-woon was equally stunned.
Embarrassed by their reactions, Lee Dae-hyuk scratched his cheek.
"Believe it or not, I'm a construction firm employee. Time to do some land deals."
With a light jest, Lee Dae-hyuk detailed the land.
"There's a neighborhood in Busan called Jaesong-dong. Planning to buy houses and land there."
At the name, Kim Mi-jin and Kim Jae-woon’s eyes lit up.
"Got some info?"
"...Info solid enough for 9 billion?"
Excited Kim Mi-jin and wary Kim Jae-woon asked together.
Alternating glances with a smile, Lee Dae-hyuk said.
"Seojin Construction and Haenam Civil Works in Busan are jointly taking on a massive redevelopment project."
"Taking on... you mean planned?"
Kim Mi-jin echoed.
Betting 9 billion on a plan? Hoarding for compensation.
But too risky.
As Kim Mi-jin worried, Kim Jae-woon spoke.
"Too risky on info alone."
"No worries. Solid intel—from an insider."
"Insider? Acquaintance at Seojin Construction?"
At Kim Mi-jin's follow-up, Lee Dae-hyuk smiled bitterly.
"Very reliable acquaintance."
Not a lie.
He wanted him dead, but Yoo Jae-man was still an acquaintance.
And not just him—another's help too.
***
Half a day earlier.
"Dae-hyuk, Uncle got solid info this time."
"Got it? A bit curt..."
"......"
"Joking. Be casual when it's just us."
"......"
In Daehan Construction's Park Joo-seung's office.
Park Joo-seung stood, briefing Lee Dae-hyuk, seated in his chair, on the intel gathered.