The Art of Spending Money with Style (2)
With only one day left until the wedding of Yoon-gi and Merrill in the United States, something truly extraordinary was unfolding across the country. It was a massive mobilization of troops. It wasn't even an order issued directly by President Ronald Reagan; it was entirely a personal movement by the soldiers themselves. Active-duty personnel, and even veterans, were swarming into Manhattan, the heart of New York City.
The reason was none other than Yoon-gi and Merrill's wedding. Since Guster was not only a veteran of the World War and a recipient of the Medal of Honor but also a general who had been at the forefront of advocating for veterans' welfare, the number of American soldiers who respected him was immense. Add to that the soldiers who followed Brigadier General Colson—though the gap in stature was significant—and the result was a bizarre phenomenon where a significant portion of the U.S. military was gathering in New York, the largest city in the country.
"1.5 billion dollars. I never imagined that the Microsoft stock you bought when you were young would rise that high."
The day before the wedding, Yoon-gi and Merrill were meeting with Colson and Guster. It was a remark Colson made during their conversation. Although he had been the one to arrange their initial meeting, Colson was clicking his tongue at the fact that the snowball effect of that day had turned into 1.5 billion dollars.
"It's all thanks to you, Grandfather. If you hadn't set up that meeting back then, I wouldn't have been able to achieve this."
"I only arranged the meeting. Isn't it you who had the foresight?"
Even as he said this, Colson smiled broadly.
"1.5 billion dollars... how much is that in Korean currency?"
At Guster's question, Yoon-gi thought for a moment before nodding.
"Roughly 1.3 trillion won."
"Ho-ho..."
1.3 trillion won was already a figure that surpassed the value of the oil fields they already owned. Furthermore, since Microsoft's stock was still on an upward trend, no one knew how high it would go. In actual history, the market capitalization of Microsoft in 2020 was approximately 1,000 trillion won. Colson and Guster were already shocked by 1.3 trillion won, but they would likely continue to be shocked for the rest of their lives.
"In that case, the stock market will be in great turmoil. Because there is a finite total amount of money in the stock market, after all."
At Guster's sharp judgment, Yoon-gi nodded.
"That's right. That's why I have a lot of work to do. Right now, I'm in a situation where I have to intentionally buy stocks of other companies to prevent Microsoft from violating antitrust laws."
The reason Yoon-gi didn't buy an excessively diverse range of stocks was partly due to his lack of knowledge, but also because there was a limit to the money flowing in the stock market. In particular, the fact that Microsoft had expanded several times more than in original history meant that the growth of other companies had been delayed by that much. Therefore, if Yoon-gi had diversified his investments, he would have actually made less money than he had now.
"Hmm, can you work at the same time as you get married?"
At Colson's concern, Yoon-gi smiled.
"I have to make it possible."
At his confident words, both Guster and Colson nodded. The grandson and the grandson-in-law had always kept their word in everything they had shown so far.
"Anyway, 1.3 trillion won... It's truly incredible. It feels even less real than the oil fields."
At Guster's muttering, Yoon-gi smiled again.
"Now we can afford to use our family's own private jet."
"Oh, are you going to buy one?"
"I should buy one this time. Don't you think?"
"Finally... one of the last wishes of my life is being fulfilled."
Back when he was a four-star general, Guster could travel around on a private jet provided by the U.S. military. But now, he smiled at the thought of being able to travel on a private jet out of pure personal desire.
"It's still a long way off. You should enjoy even more wealth and glory."
"Is there any more wealth and glory to enjoy here?"
At Guster's words, Yoon-gi nodded.
"I still have a long way to climb. So, both of you, live long and enjoy the good life."
"I've already lived as long as I should. Perhaps this fellow will be able to enjoy a bit more."
At Guster's words, Colson was startled.
"No, why are you saying such things? You should live longer. You're from a long-lived family, aren't you?"
"Among those long-lived families, I've lived quite a bit. Don't you think?"
As Yoon-gi and Merrill got married, the formality between Guster and Colson had faded slightly. Of course, basic politeness remained because Colson fundamentally respected Guster.
'I can really feel myself getting older.'
Like when he talked to his grandfather last time, Yoon-gi felt a slight bitterness this time as well. It was because he realized that as time passed, precious people were leaving one by one.
"Now, you're the only one left who says things like that to me, Colson. Because all my other friends are dead."
Guster's laughter was certainly funny to a third party, but it was also something that felt sad to a relative.
"You shouldn't say such things on such a good day..."
At Colson's slightly subdued words, Guster nodded with a bitter smile.
"Yes, I should be careful. Anyway, you said there's still a long way to go. How much is left?"
At Guster's question, Yoon-gi had a slightly ambiguous expression.
"I don't really know that either. Because I don't know how much money other chaebols have. But one thing is certain: there is a long way to go."
In the 80s, it wasn't easy to know the assets of chaebols like today. Because there were insufficient real-name financial laws, and there was no internet for ordinary people to easily find out. However, if one were to simply compare it to 2019, Yoon-gi could be considered the 1,000th richest person in the world at present.
'I have to gather more money than all the chaebols in front of me combined.'
Of course, given the era, there were certainly fewer people richer than Yoon-gi than 1,000, but Yoon-gi had no intention of letting go just because he had earned this much money.
"That side of you is the reason I have no choice but to help you."
Following the grinning Guster, Colson laughed, and Yoon-gi laughed along. And Merrill did the same. And so, time passed and the day of the wedding arrived.
* * *
"Sob, sob, Merrill. You're getting married before me."
Eleano, a designer at Hermes who was approaching her 40s. Sadly, Eleano had not yet been able to get married. Therefore, she couldn't help but have a sorrowful expression as she looked at Merrill, who was dressed in a wedding dress.
"That's why you should have done it when you could..."
At Merrill's words, Eleano sighed.
"I thought I could get married anytime back then. But reality wasn't like that. Since it's come to this, I must catch the bouquet today."
Merrill smiled as she watched Eleano burning with the will to get married. Visitors continued to come to see Merrill afterward. Most of them were people related to her modeling activities, and the number of people outside of that was few enough to count on one hand. Because in the past, Merrill had suffered from problems including social phobia, so she hadn't had much interpersonal exchange.
On the other hand, there were many people coming to see Yoon-gi. The sponsor of the heroes who prevented the meteor destruction. Furthermore, he was known globally once again through the listing of Microsoft. In addition, because the news that he would be the world's first civilian space traveler through the Soviet Union had spread, the number of reporters trying to cover Yoon-gi was no joke. There were also countless businessmen trying to tell him their business plans and receive support. However, the peak of the people who came to see Yoon-gi today was none other than Ronald Reagan.
"We're meeting for the first time, but congratulations on your wedding."
Yoon-gi also reached out his hand toward Ronald Reagan, who was extending his.
"Thank you, Mr. President."
"I've only heard about this, but you have more guts than I thought. Have a pleasant honeymoon."
Ronald Reagan, who smiled broadly, didn't say anything more, patted Yoon-gi on the shoulder, and left toward Guster. However, this alone was enough to cause a commotion among the reporters. Yoon-gi's 'honeymoon' was a trip to a space station via the Soviet Union. Since the U.S. President had said this himself, it was a really good subject for writing a novel. Furthermore, people who attended the ceremony began to make countless guesses about what kind of relationship the U.S. President and Yoon-gi had.
However, contrary to the guesses of these people, Yoon-gi purely enjoyed the current situation.
'Ah, it's so good. Being the center of attention like this.'
As a natural attention-seeker, Yoon-gi was enjoying the present rather than worrying about the future, and the peak was when he put the ring on Merrill's finger.
"Take your pick."
The numerous rings embedded in the large case Yoon-gi took out. Each ring, centered on numerous gemstones including diamonds, rubies, topazes, and sapphires, was showing off its appearance.
"Whichever ring you choose, I will make you live a life that matches the gemstone embedded in that ring."
On this day, the bouquet Merrill threw had the highest competition rate in history.
* * *
"..."
The person who was grabbing Yoon-gi's shoulders on both sides and looking at him with eyes filled with a great deal of emotion. It was none other than Won-hee.
Snap-!
And the person who ended that was, of course, Jin-soo.
"What's the point of being envious, why do you keep holding onto such regrets?"
"Ah, come on!"
In any case, Yoon-gi was a high school senior in Korea. Therefore, most of the people who came to see Yoon-gi were his classmates. The situation had a clear difference in density compared to the wedding in the U.S. Of course, there were also executives from YK, but the reason Yoon-gi could have a peaceful wedding on this day was simple. JD and JSD. Because the two of them attended Yoon-gi's wedding, reporters didn't dare to enter the venue, and they didn't act in any noticeable way either.
'It's fine as long as Merrill is happy.'
Actually, Yoon-gi preferred being in the spotlight, but he decided to be satisfied because he had confirmed earlier that Merrill had a quite peaceful expression, unlike in the U.S.
Therefore, the beneficiaries were Won-hee and Jin-soo. The two were able to see off Yoon-gi's groom path for the longest time without being disturbed by others.
"Kids, do you have a moment?"
At JSD's words, Won-hee and Jin-soo nodded hurriedly and left the groom's preparation room.
"Thank you for coming."
At Yoon-gi's action of bowing his head, JSD smiled.
"Of course I had to come, whose wedding is it? By the way, Yoon-gi is truly amazing. No matter the circumstances, not many people would think of getting married as soon as they come of age. No, now that you're getting married, should I call you 'Little Chairman Choi' starting tomorrow?"
As JSD didn't yet know that Yoon-gi was the main body of YK, he used the expression 'Little Chairman Choi'.
"You can call me whatever you're comfortable with. It's between me and the Chief of the Presidential Security Service."
"Hahaha! Still, I can't lower the title of someone who got married. Little Chairman Choi, is that okay?"
"Yes, I think it's a fine title."
"Yes, have a safe trip. I'm a little anxious that it's the Soviet Union, but if anything happens, I'll mobilize the entire ANSP to rescue you, so don't worry."
Since it was clear that Yoon-gi would never be kidnapped, Yoon-gi and JSD looked at each other and laughed. And then followed JD's visit. Since JD knew even less about Yoon-gi's abilities than JSD, he went to meet Choi Ki-hyun after finishing with a moderate congratulatory remark.
And as a little more time passed, it was finally time to stand before the officiant with Merrill again.
"Uh... my son hasn't even gotten married yet, so I never imagined I'd be officiating like this."
For a moment, the guests burst into laughter. The first words of the officiant were so pleasant that it was hard to imagine it was the 80s. Therefore, the atmosphere of the venue changed to a pleasant one in an instant.
"No, everyone is laughing even though someone else's son hasn't gotten married?"
The person who stood as the officiant was none other than Cha Beom-jin. He was the Chief of the Security Office and Chief of Staff for Samwoo Heavy Industries, and also the father of Cha Pil-gyu, Yoon-gi's Chief of Security. Cha Beom-jin was the one who officiated.
"Father! I told you I'd be getting married soon!"
Cha Pil-gyu, who had a muscular build like his father Cha Beom-jin, burst out with a complaint from the guest seats.
"Oh my, if you had just gotten married, I would have officiated with a smile today, you're such an unfilial son, an unfilial son."
It could have been a great nuisance in some ways, but Yoon-gi, Merrill, and both of their families were all laughing. There was no reason for the guests not to laugh when the parties involved were laughing. And so, the atmosphere of the venue heated up more and more.
"Yoon-gi is a filial son. My son is approaching his 30s and still hasn't gotten married, but Yoon-gi is getting married at 19. In that sense, could the parents here who have unfilial children raise their hands?"
Naturally, all the parents raised their hands high, and laughter burst out once again.
"To think there are so many unfilial children in the world, it's truly the end of the world. Now, then, I will ask one question to Choi Yoon-gi, the most filial son in Korea. Does Choi Yoon-gi swear to love Merrill until his black hair turns bald?"
"What if I go bald in my 30s?"
At Yoon-gi's retort, Cha Beom-jin had a blank expression for a moment before bursting into laughter. The guests were the same.
"Ah, my goodness. I made a big mistake. That's right. Everyone in the world is born with hair, but not everyone in the world has hair forever. I will ask again. Does Choi Yoon-gi swear to love Merrill until he lies in his coffin?"
"Yes!"
"I see. Then, I will ask the bride. Does Merrill swear to love Choi Yoon-gi even if he goes bald?"
Clear Korean. Therefore, the guests burst into laughter once again.
"Yes!"
Merrill shouted loudly because she could now understand Korean to some extent. It was truly a wedding that looked like watching a comedy program. If they had held the same wedding in Korea as in the U.S., the impression would have been diminished. Therefore, despite the two weddings, Yoon-gi and Merrill finished the wedding happily.
And finally, when Yoon-gi headed to the airport with Merrill. Yoon-gi stuck his head out the window toward his classmates, especially the male students, and shouted.
"Are you envious?!"
As expected, Yoon-gi was a natural attention-seeker. And so, Yoon-gi headed to the Soviet Union via a private jet, and immediately boarded the Soyuz spacecraft with Merrill. Yoon-gi said to Choi Deok-bae, who was full of anticipation at the thought of peeking into the honeymoon room.
'If you want me to say it nicely, leave only the fool behind and get out.'