Chapter 10
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: One Person for One Lotto Ticket
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'I need to push Jang Seongtae as the first member of that Midas Corporation.'
The future that Kangyul remembered had more people succeeding by showcasing their unique talents than by excelling in academics.
Kangyul glanced at Jang Seongtae, then shifted his gaze to Jang Deokcheol. He could see the man peeking from behind, checking on how his son was doing.
'But before that, to win over this doting dad, I need to show him something solid, right?'
As the gathering continued, Kangyul and Jang Seongtae grew closer. Accordingly, Jang Seongtae, who had started out shy and timid, gradually transformed into a confident kid brimming with self-assurance.
"Thanks to you, Young Master Kangyul, my boy's personality has brightened up. Haha!"
"Really?"
Jang Deokcheol was grateful to Kangyul as well. He knew full well that his son's change was thanks to Kangyul.
"Yes. Every time he comes home, he talks nonstop about you, Young Master Kangyul. Sometimes it even makes me jealous."
Kangyul observed Driver Jang closely. Unlike his usual stoic demeanor, the man had been wearing a constant smile on his face lately.
'Time to make my move.'
"Uncle Jang. Mind if I ask you for a favor?"
"Of course! Whatever it is, just say the word. I'd do anything for you, Young Master Kangyul!"
Kangyul's eyes gleamed as he casually dropped the idea on Jang Deokcheol.
"I'm thinking of starting an investment company."
"Sure, an investment company? I could handle that for—wait, what?!"
Jang Deokcheol blinked in shock, staring at Kangyul. He'd figured the "favor" would be something childish like candy or snacks.
"...You're starting an investment company?"
"Yeah. As big as possible, if we can swing it. Uncle Jang, could you take charge of it for me?"
Jang Deokcheol stared blankly at Kangyul, as if verifying whether he was serious. Then he snapped out of it and let out a hearty laugh.
"...You must've seen the Chairman at work and wanted to imitate him, huh, Young Master? But starting a company isn't just about willpower. You need people, and..."
"You've got people, Uncle Jang. You said you'd grant my request."
"Ahem. Fair enough, but you also need capital. Not just pocket change..."
As if he'd anticipated that response, Kangyul pulled out his phone and showed the screen.
[Current Balance: 228,491,300 KRW]
It was just shy of 230 million won.
No small sum by any means, but hardly enough capital to launch an investment firm.
"Oh, and this money? Parents have no clue about it. It's all from my personal investments. Keep it secret from them, okay?"
Kangyul dropped his usual cheeky grin and spoke with a straight face.
Jang Deokcheol nodded unconsciously.
"By my estimates, I can probably scrape together another 100 million by next month. Still not enough?"
After a moment's thought, Jang Deokcheol let out a heavy sigh.
"Sigh... Young Master, why an investment company? You'll inherit the Chairman's company someday anyway."
"Dunno. It started as a hobby to make some cash, but seeing Seongtae changed my mind."
"...Because of my Seongtae?"
Kangyul glanced maturely out the window, then nodded.
"I want to create a company that spots talented kids like Seongtae early and helps them bloom. All I've got going for me is making money... It's the one thing I can do."
"Haha, even so... an investment company?"
Jang Deokcheol scratched his head, struggling to wrap his head around it.
The balance on the phone screamed sincerity, but he couldn't just agree on the spot.
'Maybe I jumped the gun?'
Kangyul frowned at Jang Deokcheol's hesitation. He'd miscalculated, assuming the pushover dad would cave at the mere mention of Seongtae.
As Jang Deokcheol opened his mouth to refuse again, Kangyul beat him to it.
"If it's too tough to decide, how about a little bet?"
"...A bet?"
"Yeah. Buy one lotto ticket for this week's draw and leave it to fate. If the numbers I give you hit big, work for me to that tune."
Jang Deokcheol eyed Kangyul with a complicated expression.
The famous anecdote of baby Kangyul grabbing a first-prize lotto ticket during his doljanchi ceremony was legendary.
"Why lotto, of all things?"
"You hear it all the time: 'Only those chosen by the gods win the lotto.' If there's a god out there and my idea's legit, he wouldn't mind dropping another first prize, right?"
'Only those chosen by the gods win.'
The phrase struck a chord with Jang Deokcheol. It was also a polite way to decline without offending the young master.
'Odds of first prize are like 1 in 8 million, right?'
Finally, Jang Deokcheol chuckled at Kangyul.
'How bad does he want this to pin his hopes on luck? Mature or not, he's still just a kid.'
"Alright! If it hits first—or even second—I'll work for you forever, Young Master. Haha!"
"Remember you said that."
Jang Deokcheol missed the persistent glint in Kangyul's eyes.
With business concluded, Kangyul hopped out of the car.
"Oh, and keep the phone a secret from my parents. Got it?"
He sealed the deal with that reminder before shutting the door.
'This week's lotto is the 414th draw, right?'
November 6, 2010: Draw 414. First prize: 11.738 billion won. In the original timeline, a single auto-purchase ticket claimed it all.
'If I buy it, we'll split about 5.8 billion each.'
Kangyul texted the lotto numbers to Jang Deokcheol's new phone.
[Uncle Jang. Buy 2, 14, 15, 22, 23, 43, 44. Please.]
A reply buzzed in moments later.
Whirr—
[Got it. Buying right now.]
Kangyul flopped onto his bed and logged into the Mt. Gox site.
He snapped up every bitcoin in sight.
Bitcoin was trading at about 80 won each. Up from under 8 won at the start of the year.
'And next year, it'll really explode.'
Exchanges popping up worldwide would send prices skyrocketing.
In less than two months, it'd hit 1,000 won—then 30,000 a month later.
Kangyul had bought 2.1 million bitcoins—worth about 160 million won at current rates.
'Man, I hope Uncle Jang comes through like I planned.'
The dice were rolled. All that remained was Jang Deokcheol's choice.
Time passed. Saturday evening arrived.
Jang Deokcheol was grilling meat at home with his family for the first time in ages.
Watching his only son Seongtae and wife devour the pork belly filled him with joy.
'Haha, this is family bliss.'
He poured soju into an empty glass and downed it.
"Ahh."
"Honey, ease up on the drinking."
"Got it. Just enjoying some meat after so long—don't nag. Heh."
Jang Deokcheol ruffled Seongtae's hair as the boy ate heartily.
"Tasty, Seongtae?"
"Yeah, delicious!"
"Eat up."
He wasn't even tipsy, yet everything felt warmly buzzed.
Then his wife jumped up and flipped to the TV channel.
"Oh right, lotto time."
"What, you bought another one? I told you last time—the odds are 1 in 8 million."
"Just one ticket. One. Spending a week happy on a single ticket's worth more. Right, Seongtae?"
"Hehe."
Jang Deokcheol shook his head but glanced at the TV anyway.
His breast pocket held the lotto ticket Young Master Kangyul had asked him to buy.
—Now starting the 414th weekly lotto draw! First prize: 11 billion 738 million won.
The pretty announcer hosted the broadcast.
'No way it'll hit. That's all luck.'
Clink—
Jang Deokcheol poured another drink.
Gulp gulp—
"Ahh."
'Come to think of it, Young Master Kangyul's got big dreams too. Thinking of starting an investment firm over Seongtae. Wow.'
Fit for the Chairman's son. While Seongtae lit up over a single piece of meat at the same age.
—...The winning numbers for the 414th lotto are 2, 14, 15, 22, 24, 44, and bonus number 42. Congratulations!
"Ooh, 5,000 won!"
"Yeah. Might as well buy Seongtae snacks with it."
His wife pouted at her ticket.
But the numbers the announcer repeated sounded familiar.
"Tch, lemme check mine too."
Jang Deokcheol pulled the ticket from his inner breast pocket to verify.