Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Lighter Park
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Around 7 p.m., a man in his early to mid-forties, dressed in a sharp suit, pushed open the door to the real estate office. The broker uncle jumped up with a beaming smile.
"Oh, Lawyer Seo! You got here faster than I expected."
"Ah, yeah. When the seller themselves steps up like this, I've gotta hurry. So, this is the buyer?"
"Yes, exactly. Mr. Lee here is the owner."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Lee Kang-hyeok."
"Hahaha! No wonder I've felt good all morning—this must be why the house is selling. I'm Seo Jin-su."
I'd figured a lawyer might be some stuffy type, but he turned out to be surprisingly cheerful.
"Yeah, the house really caught my eye. It's beautiful, and every corner shows the care that went into building it."
"Ho ho? And you're still young—do you know a thing or two about construction?"
"Nah, not really. I've just watched a lot of sites in the past."
"Ah, I see."
After decades as the head house servant for a conglomerate family, you're said to develop a sharper eye than most local contractors. That's because there are so many small jobs on family properties.
"So, you've heard my asking price?"
"Yes, 70 million won."
"Any objections to that?"
"None at all. I think it's worth every penny."
"Hahaha! Looks like I owe you a big drink. To be honest, I priced it low hoping for a quick sale, but people kept trying to haggle it down, which soured my mood."
"I get it. But isn't haggling standard when buying property? Sellers usually inflate the price a bit expecting that."
Isn't that how it usually goes?
"Nah, I hate that game. I price it fair and square, and if it's right for you, you buy it."
"That's refreshingly straightforward."
"Yeah, I hear that a lot. That's why I take some losses as a lawyer—started out that way after public service. But hey, gotta eat, so I'm getting a bit more worldly now. Hahaha!"
"Were you in public office?"
"Yes, judge for about ten years. Been in private practice for five."
This guy's a real scholar.
Fifteen years between judge and lawyer means he passed the bar in the 1960s. Back then, it was absolute grading with no fixed quota—top years had maybe thirty passers, worst had five. Brutal pass rates.
Genuine genius. Not that it matters to me.
"Wow, impressive. Living in your house should bring me some of that good fortune."
"Haha! You're too kind. Anyway, you're definitely buying, right?"
"Yes, we can sign right now. Full payment in cash."
"Whoa, all 70 million in cash?"
"Why? Is there a problem?"
"Not a problem, but it's unusual for this amount. Not like 5 or 10 million for a lease deposit."
It's 1983 now.
No smartphones for instant transfers like in the future. Cash was common under 10 million, but 70 million? A real hassle.
Usually, it'd be a personal check. Bank transfers weren't instant across banks, and even same-bank visits for direct deposits were a pain compared to checks. No wonder Lawyer Seo looked uneasy.
"As long as it's not an issue?"
"No issue. But 70 million in cash... the bulk alone..."
"Eh, fits in one 007 briefcase."
"Mind if I ask what you do?"
Perfect timing—he was about to pry anyway.
"My identity's solid."
"??"
"I'm a college student."
"C-College student? With that face and build?"
Seo Jin-su's baffled expression was understandable.
I hadn't bulked up just for this house. Since regressing, I'd focused on serious muscle-building for the real work ahead.
Already 180cm+ in second year high school originally; now 185cm and 90kg. Pure muscle.
Average guys felt intimidated. Back then, adult male average height was 168cm, and obesity was rare.
Plus, the beard I'd grown on purpose aged me up. Some pegged me for early thirties; in my department, they called me Im Kkeok-jeong.
"..."
"Ah, sorry. I was just startled."
"No worries. I get it."
"So, you're a late bloomer student?"
"Haha, not quite."
"Which school?"
"Seoul National University. Business Administration."
"Ooh! My junior then? Hahaha!"
"Oh? Really?"
I'd guessed it when he said ex-judge. Over 60% of 60s-70s bar passers were SNU grads.
"Class of '61, Law. Great to meet you."
"Whoa, a senior alum then?"
This guy's a true gentleman?
I thought he'd drop the formalities right away, but he eased up without going full casual. Social grace calls for me to invite it first, though. '61 to my '83 is a 22-year gap.
"Please, drop the honorifics."
"Ah, cool? So, what's your class year, Lee?"
"'83."
"Ooh, '83... '83? As in this year?"
"Yeah, freshman. Hahaha!"
"Hahaha... Wait, no way! Bullshit! Where's this coming from?"
"Pardon?"
Why's that unbelievable?
"We don't have late bloomers at our school."
True, SNU doesn't. Reality makes it tough. At best, third-timers; generously, fourth.
"Senior, I said I'm not a late bloomer earlier."
"Then how do you explain your age?"
"Explain what? Graduated high school February this year, straight in—no retakes."
"Ridiculous! That'd make you twenty!"
"Yeah, I am twenty."
"..."
"..."
Not just Lawyer Seo—the broker uncle gaped too.
Am I really that bad? I'd bulked intentionally to look older, but this was starting to piss me off.
"For real?"
"Real deal! 100% true!"
Real wouldn't land.
"..."
Seo Jin-su glared for a moment, then spoke.
"You stand by that?"
"Young or not, I always own my words."
"Really in SNU Business? Answer carefully—some buddies of mine teach there."
"Why lie over a house? Check if you doubt me."
"Seriously?"
"Yes."
Lawyer Seo excused himself to the dazed broker and made a call.
"Hey, it's me. Long time! Haha! Nah, just checking if a Lee Kang-hyeok started in Business this year? Yeah, lots of students, could check at school... What? You know him? Top of the class? For real? What does he look like? What! Bandit? Im Kkeok-jeong?"
"..."
Damn.
Even profs see me as a bandit? Hate the Im Kkeok-jeong bit, though.
Seo hung up, sat with a confused look, and said,
"You're the top freshman in Business this year?"
"Eh, kinda happened."
"Over 300 admits? Right?"
"Exactly 325. Graduation quota bumped it up."
"Top of that crowd by 'kinda'? Embarrassing to say about my alma mater, but SNU isn't a 'kinda' school. Especially top spot?"
"Yeah, kinda..."
"Ha, what the..."
He sighed, then continued.
"Haven't eaten dinner, right?"
"No, not yet."
"Drink at all?"
"A bit."
"Let's head out then? Lots to talk about."
"If senior's buying, I'd be honored, heh heh heh!"
"You punk!"
We left the baffled broker and went to his college haunt.
"Whoa, this place is super old-school."
"Right?"
Old-school even by 1983 standards.
Tiny spot with five oil-drum tables, selling makgeolli and soju. Classic daepot joint.
"Wow? You come here, Lawyer Seo?"
"Haha! The lady's cooking is killer. Ate here tons in school. Pawned books when broke."
"Hahaha!"
"Hahaha!"
After some drinks, no other chit-chat.
"Hey."
"Yes, senior."
"Chaebol heir or something?"
"Chaebol second-gen? Pfft haha! Sorry."
Not chaebol—house servant second-gen.
No need to tell him.
"Why laugh so hard?"
"Complicated family stuff. Not chaebol, anyway. Just came into some money somehow."
"One thing: clean money?"
"Yes. I could swear on my loving parents and cute little sister. Spotless."
As clean as Jo Man-deok's well-hidden stash?
Better not.
"Hm, fine then. Cash is settled, but the issue is..."
"My age. Minor, so legal acts wait till next year."
"Smart. You know parental consent's needed for property too. But you hate that route?"
"Haha! Yeah, prefer to avoid if possible."
Least for now, keep parents in dark.
Hence the hassle.
"Here's the play."
"How?"
"Sign the contract. You move in."
"But I'm a minor?"
"Yeah, but Civil Code Article 5 on minors has a proviso: 'However, acts acquiring only rights or relieving only duties are not.' We use that. Registry? Optional for now—your vibe says later. I'll hold it meantime."
"That okay?"
"Legal disputes could bite. So long as we don't sue each other. Take half payment now, rest when you're adult. Deal?"
"Great for me, but you wait a year on half?"
"Hahaha! I'm a hotshot lawyer—got the liquidity. Plus, favoring you strengthens the proviso claim. Follow my lead."
"Thanks, senior."
"But tonight's tab's on you."
"Of course! Hahaha!"
"Hahaha!"
Chance senior, but good guy.
Legal advice? Him from now on.
Next day, met senior at the office, signed, got keys.
"Here's 35 million."
"Whoa, what am I supposed to do with this stack? Let's hit the bank across—my bank. Deposit direct."
"Sure, senior."
Deal done: 80-pyeong detached house mine.
Called interior guys that day, fixed what needed. Basement got a proper steel door with lock.
Five days of reno and cleaning, then moved in.
Bongo van too, of course.
Hauled all well-bags to basement, finally counted proper.
Gold bars: 330 exactly, as heard.
Dollars: 830k. Yen: 95 million. At rates? Dollars 640 million won, yen 310 million.
Total: 950 million!!
That's not all.
Korean cash left 200 million after 35M spend. National Housing Bonds: 400 million worth.
"Real treasure island. Heh heh heh!"
Now launder. Gold first.
Perfect guy for it.
Lighter Park!
Big name in Myeongdong loan shark scene—alongside Grandma Baek at 100%, Henry Jung, Gwanghwamun Bear. But for this? Park's the best I know.
Time to see young Lighter Park?
Prep first, though.