Gathering Investment Funds
-2003 March 31, Monday 06:00-
It was Monday. When he woke up in the morning, he saw Lee Eun-joo sleeping while hugging him. It was an adorable sight.
Eun-joo drove, and they headed to school together in the car. To avoid drawing attention from others, he got out a short distance from the school and walked the rest of the way.
Before entering the lecture hall, he stopped by the PC bang to buy stocks, then went into the classroom. He naturally sat down next to Kim Ye-rin.
The professor's gaze sharpened.
"Ahem. Hyun-su, is there a reason you're always late like this?"
"Sorry, sir. Actually, I was trading stocks at the PC bang in the morning and got delayed."
"Stocks??? You're late to my lecture because of that?"
As a business professor, he didn't spout the old-fashioned nonsense about stocks being gambling.
"The market opens at 9, so I'm always running a bit late."
"So, how much capital are you working with?"
"Right now, I'm rolling about 160 million won."
A murmur rippled through the classmates. They were shocked that his capital was bigger than expected.
That scamming bastard! He said it was only 30 million just a little while ago, and now he's bullshitting. Woo-jin was cursing Hyun-su inwardly.
"Oh... so you're pretty serious about it. Alright, I'll let your morning tardiness slide from now on."
Even to the old professor's eyes, it didn't look like he was dabbling lightly. Just a week or two ago, he would've gotten an earful.
As soon as he sat down, Ye-rin immediately asked,
"Hyun-su, 160 million? What are you talking about? Wasn't it only 12 million last Monday?"
"Yeah. But in one week, it became 160 million."
Ye-rin zipped her lips shut. Her already big eyes grew even wider.
"How... how is that possible?"
"Ye-rin, it's me."
He flashed a grin.
What's this? Why does he look so cool?
Ye-rin's heart suddenly started thumping.
"Hyun-su, wanna grab dinner tonight...?"
Her eyes sparkled as she leaned in close.
"Huh? Sure, I'm down. Hehe."
"Just dinner?"
"Pfft haha. Since when were you this bold, Ye-rin?"
"Only with you...?"
She seemed even cuter than her usual haughty self.
"Haha! Why are you so damn cute... argh~"
Hyun-su patted her head. Watching from behind was Joo Hee-rin.
Look at him, playing all sides~
She looked displeased for some reason. Even though she wasn't that close to him, seeing the two flirting made her feel oddly off.
The morning lectures ended. Joo Hee-rin approached them.
"We're all taking the same elective. Wanna grab lunch together?"
In the past, Ye-rin might have shied away from Hee-rin approaching, but not now. She could feel how much he liked her, and she knew he'd love her no matter who else he saw.
"Sure, let's eat together."
The four of them went to the Cabollo restaurant. As expected, the topic was his stock gains.
"Hyun-su, are you some hidden rich kid? How do you have that much money?"
"What rich kid? I'm building it up gradually through investments."
Gradually? Is that the right word?
Ye-rin felt a twinge of doubt at his words, but Yoo Young-hoon and Joo Hee-rin brushed it off.
"I'm thinking of starting an investment company. Wanna invest?"
"Investment company???"
Hee-rin jumped in eagerly.
"Yeah. My capital's still small, so I'm gathering funds."
"How would the investments work?"
"I've got a few ideas, but basically, hand me the money and I'll grow it for you."
"Oh, got it. What's the return rate???"
"For regular stock investments, it's usually 5% a year, or up to 10% for aggressive ones, right?"
"Yeah?"
"I'll do 30% in 9 months with short-term trades!"
"Th-that's impossible... 30% returns? How?"
Hee-rin knew stocks well, so 30% sounded like a scam.
"How I make the profits is my problem. You just collect the gains, right?"
"Well... true, but..."
Hee-rin and Young-hoon hesitated to commit. It sounded too pie-in-the-sky.
"I'll invest."
Ye-rin stepped up. From her perspective, 30% was nothing to Hyun-su. Back when they first traded together, 500% in a week wasn't a stretch. 30% over 9 months was peanuts to her. Sure, staying by his side without investing would yield more, but she wanted to do this her way.
"Ye-rin wants to invest too?"
He was puzzled why she'd bother. She could just stick with him.
"Wouldn't it be better for you to team up with me?"
Feeling his sincerity, Ye-rin looked deeply touched.
"I also want to try it on my own... so just a portion."
Sticking with me is better? Is he giving Ye-rin special treatment?
Hee-rin felt a pang of jealousy seeing how close they were.
"Alright. How much?"
"20 million won."
"Whoa!! Ye-rin, 20 million?"
"Ye-rin, isn't that too rash?"
Hee-rin and Young-hoon gawked.
"If you knew Hyun-su's skills, 20 million would be chump change."
Hee-rin and Young-hoon's eyes met. What the hell was going on?
"Uh... maybe I'll try 5 million?"
Hee-rin caved. If Ye-rin trusted him that much, there must be something to it.
"Hee-rin!"
Young-hoon yelped as even Hee-rin committed.
"We're young, so 5 million's fine..."
I can't lose to Ye-rin.
"Thanks, Hee-rin. I'll return 6.5 million in 9 months."
"Whoa, 30% profit feels real now."
Young-hoon was tempted but didn't commit.
It was time for Professor Lee Eun-joo's "Understanding Stocks" lecture. Eun-joo entered the classroom and bowed in greeting. The direction matched where he was sitting, but it looked so natural that others just thought it was a standard hello.
She wore revealing office attire that accentuated her breasts and hips.
Knowing what's underneath makes her even hotter. I want to do it today too... but I have plans with Ye-rin first.
The class ended smoothly. Afterward, he sent a text.
He'd texted Eun-joo ahead since he had dinner plans with Ye-rin. Then Hee-rin spoke up.
"Wanna grab drinks tonight?"
He glanced at Ye-rin. She looked conflicted but couldn't think of a good excuse to refuse.
"Ah, we have plans already. Sorry."
He stepped in to turn her down.
"Just the two of you? Can't we all hang?"
Hee-rin pushed aggressively, not backing off. Finally, Ye-rin intervened.
"Yeah, let's all go."
Ye-rin seemed disappointed about not getting alone time but couldn't keep refusing.
They found a spot near school. Everyone had a decent buzz going.
"Ye-rin~ you... why'd you... invest like that?"
Hee-rin's tolerance wasn't great. Her tongue was already slurring.
"Mm. The first time I met Hyun-su, he taught me stocks... that's when I knew. He's not ordinary..."
Ye-rin loosened up with the booze too, talking more.
"Ha~ Hyun-su... when'd you... bewitch our Ye-rin...?"
She was already claiming Ye-rin.
"Haha, bewitch? Nah."
He chuckled it off.
"Ah, Hyun-su... such a tease..."
Young-hoon seemed annoyed that the convo kept circling him, though he didn't show it. After 20 years, Hyun-su could tell. But Young-hoon played nice with his friendly smile. He was the patient type.
"Hyun-su, mind if I invest like 2 million?"
"Oh, you too, Young-hoon?"
"Wanna follow my gut for once."
"Cool. I'm only taking investments this week anyway, so anytime."
"This week? Short window... Got others besides us? Gonna pitch to classmates?"
"Nah, not classmates. I became president of the Hanju-man stock club. Probably raise from there."
"Huh? Stock club president? As a freshman?"
He explained how he'd become Hanju-man's president, covering Korea Airlines' downfall and LK Chemicals' moonshot.
"Whoa... you're a genius, Hyun-su."
Now Hee-rin was looking at him differently.
"Nah, not that much... haha."
"No denying it... yeah, impressed~"
"What'd you think before that you need to be 're-impressed'? Kukuk."
To Hee-rin, he was an undiscovered gem like Ye-rin said. She figured she had a shot too.
The mood heated up. Especially Hee-rin's energy.
"Come on~ drink up. What, excluding Ye-rin?"
"I'm done. Gonna get wasted."
"Aww~ Ye-rin's tipsy~"
Hee-rin teased her.
"You're more drunk, Hee-rin."
"Whaa~ This is nuthin' for me~~~"
She started shotgunning alone.
As time passed, Hee-rin was blackout drunk, out of it. Ye-rin had caved to the pressure and teasing, getting a bit tipsy too.
"Let's wrap up."
Young-hoon stood, seeing the girls were hammered.
"Yeah, getting late."
"Hyun-su, where's home?"
"Sindorim."
"I'm dropping Hee-rin; same direction. You handle Ye-rin."
"Got it."
Young-hoon hoisted the wasted Hee-rin.
"Aah~ not you... Hyun-su... Hyun-su take me hooome~~"
Drunk and whiny, Hee-rin fussed.
Young-hoon's face stiffened a bit.
"Hee-rin, you're wasted... let's go."
"Hyun-su... yaaaa~~~~~"
"Young-hoon, take care of her."
"Yeah, you too with Ye-rin."
Young-hoon hauled her away.
"Ye-rin, let's go."
"Ung... dizzy."
He gently held her waist to support her.
"Hyun-su's hands feel so gooood..."
"Haha, so cute..."
The bill was already paid—probably Young-hoon on the way out.
Outside, the chilly air sobered them a bit. Walking to the subway, Ye-rin said,
"Hyun-su, wanna rest a bit?"
"Huh? Where?"
"Th-there."
Blushing, she looked down. She'd pointed at a motel.