Second Sis, Bon Voyage to Rock Bottom
Construction of the world's most famous rodent-led mega theme park in downtown Seoul. Attracting long-term tourists to Korea had been a pressing issue for ages. Not just basic tourism infrastructure, but ambitious blueprints to leap into a cutting-edge city or turn it into Asia's financial hub. In the end, though, it all fizzled out, getting squeezed by neighboring countries and achieving neither.
For a Korea steadily losing its edge and advantages amid rapid growth, this famous theme park project was one Seoul City was pushing hard. That's why Hwaryeong Construction—we—had our eyes on this massive venture that had collapsed midway.
"It's better to look into it more before deciding impulsively..."
"Right, there must be a reason it stopped after just ground prep—no investment."
"The costs are hefty, but if we finish it, we could snag steady royalties..."
"No, with rumors swirling that our finances aren't great, we don't need to take this risk—"
"Hey, if not Hwaryeong Construction, who will?!"
A meeting to gauge bid prices ahead of the official contract bidding. It was pure chaos, opinions clashing left and right. Six against taking it on at all costs, four dead set on winning it—split right down the middle, fists practically flying.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
But as voices rose around me amid the debate, I slammed the desk. The execs, sensing my temper, cleared their throats and fell silent like dust settling.
"Phew... Opinions are all over the place, so listen up from now on."
"Yes, ma'am..."
"This bid isn't about whether to take it or not—it's 'we must nail it.'"
Sighs erupted immediately. The nuance was clear: she's stubbornly charging ahead without knowing shit. I bam! kicked under the desk with my high heel tip this time. After nearly shattering it, I laid down the law.
"Haven't you heard about Cha Do-yeon?!"
"Th-that..."
"Some punk who knows jack about construction suddenly teams up with a few companies to muscle in! Relying on luck and dirty tricks for cash! You gonna let that slide? Not on edge?!"
"......"
Grumbles died instantly. With manpower and investment already shrinking in construction, losing this rice bowl stung—but pride was on the line too. This bid was about upholding Hwaryeong Construction's top-dog rep in the industry.
Still uneasy, a middle-aged exec with a sour face raised his hand. "Even so, it's a joint venture—period and costs are no joke. Can we handle it...?"
"...How much for our share of the estimated construction costs?"
"Well... Need more site surveys, but with strikes and bankruptcy leaving it abandoned so long, redoing foundations from scratch could balloon costs massively..."
"So, how much!"
"At least 3.2 trillion won over three years..."
3.2 trillion. For a long-term investment, you could call it big or small. Back in the day, no sweat for our firm. But current finances...
"Pad it generously—10%... 20% higher."
"Pardon?!"
"Annoying flies sparked a bidding war. To win, no choice—jack up the bid so high Hwaryeong Construction is untouchable."
"But that makes it too huge... Can we manage?"
"......"
Silence hit. Numbers climbing out of control, I chewed my lip, spinning some plausible happy-circuit BS to avoid looking pathetic.
"Just hold till completion... Then it's solved. Joint dev means Seoul City support, sell shares if needed—win the contract, and it's our breakthrough."
I soothed them as industry leader. But
"......"
Execs showed zero trust. Rumors about me had spread; faith in me was dust. Just awkward distrust.
Grind!
No choice. Pushed to the cliff by short-selling and that U Mi-ae bitch's backstabs, survival came first.
Cling on somehow... Win this, succeed, rebuild position—keep that bastard Cha Do-yeon out!
My life hung on it. Cha Hwa-ryeon wouldn't lose to that wastrel.
* * *
"Alright, shall we head out?"
"Yes, young master."
Bid announcement day. At the destination my driver dropped me, I strode in confidently. The long-awaited reveal at city hall. Bids were submitted ages ago, but review took time. How bad did they want it rushed? Just two days later, today was the day.
Trend was electronic, but for this mega theme park—not apartments—amounts were insane, so offline event too. Spotting second sis and presumed execs seated rigidly right-side, I approached to loosen the tension.
"Sis, heading to war? Why so grim?"
"......"
Cha Hwa-ryeon rolled her eyes up at my voice, annoyed. Still seated, lips moving made her bun bob.
"Don't get cocky."
"Cocky?"
"You seem different lately, but that wastrel core ain't changing. Bitcoin, stocks, whatever cash you made—pure luck."
"Oh yeah?"
I dug my ear lazily. Knowing the future made it easy; I played chill. She took it as arrogance—narrow shoulders quivered. Hot-tempered as ever, one spark and flames roared. I patted her cute blaze to calm.
"Chill. Got a surprise gift you'll love today."
"...Gift?"
"This month's your birthday, right? Thought long—giving what you want most now."
"Spit it out, punk!"
No shock at boss's curse; underlings knew her temper, ignored it. Gazing down at formerly smug-now-fidgety sis, I smirked.
"You'll see soon."
"You!"
"Then."
"Excuse us."
Teased to the end, sat opposite with U Mi-ae. Shared awkward air waiting; reps from my allied constructors swarmed. Creeeak! Doors shut to control entry, mood solemnized. Soon, mayor entered via staff door to podium.
"Yes... We'll announce the public bid results for the Seoul City co-hosted theme park project."
Scanning below, "Confirmed attendance of both participating reps. Note: prior firm had shaky finances and reckless delays, so we shifted to joint project sharing site equity for responsibility—strictly selected firms able to handle this giant."
Bureaucrat through and through, dotting i's. Wiping brow sweat, he advanced steadily in the heavy air.
"Now, announcing the winner of the open competitive bid."
Swallowed after glancing papers, "Hwaryeong Construction bid 230 billion 21 million won contract deposit with solid three-year-plus plan—thus selected for the project."
At mayor's declaration, Cha Hwa-ryeon's face flushed faintly. Joy at winning? Fist clenched briefly.
Phew... It's over♪
I grinned too. Hearing the oversized deposit, she thought game over. Her win.
Cha Hwa-ryeon's win—but I wasn't pissed at all.
"......!?"
Spotting my smile, she furrowed brows late. Defeated in strategy, seeing me grin eye-to-eye must've burned; she yelled at mayor.
"Hold on! Mayor, what'd Cha Do-yeon bid?!"
"Pardon? Ah, that's... adopted agenda's secret—"
"It's public bid! Tell us the amount!"
Mayor glanced my way. I shrugged okay; he cleared throat, flipped papers.
"Hwaryeong Card... now renamed HR, their bid was..."
HR—my renamed firm. Hwaryeong initials. Cheesy, but temp till I swallow real Group—no biggie.
Focus here.
"Contract deposit... 10 billion won."
"What?!"
10 billion. Pathetic next to theirs.
"Plus HR's alliance couldn't shoulder much per plan... Seoul had no choice but Hwaryeong Construction."
As wide-eyed glaring Cha Hwa-ryeon fumed, I just smiled. Head down, hand over face, laughed like a maniac.
Yep. All a show. I bid the bare minimum for this behemoth. Auction-qualifying lowest entry.