A Genius Speaks with Money

Chapter 75

Ryusei Amami could not say anything with his head bowed deeply.

Kenjiro also remained silent for a long time, then nodded slightly and opened his mouth in a low voice.

“…Very well. I will entrust it to Yuika.”

My eyes, Lim Hyunjun's, deepened.

“You will certainly not regret it.”

The Amami father and son quietly stood up from their seats.

“I will leave the rest to my daughter and we will head back now. I ask for your kind support.”

Kenjiro bowed at the waist.

Ryusei also bowed at the waist following his father.

After the two of them quietly left the coffee shop, the remaining people naturally moved for the future tasks.Yuika moved with my group to a meeting room inside the hotel.

Two working-level staff members she had personally brought also joined.

They were all people who had worked at the research institute for a long time.

I sat with Choi Seo-jun and Kim Byeong-kwon and adjusted the specific contract details step by step.

We meticulously pointed out necessary items and matched the conditions with each other.

The conversation flowed more smoothly than expected.

Above all, Yuika's attitude was very proactive.

It was thanks to her father's permission allowing her to spread her wings wide.

Of course, that was all something I had made happen.

“I will visit Korea before long.”

At Yuika's words, I nodded and naturally smiled.

“Yes, I will be waiting.”

The moment the seal was pressed on the contract, everyone clapped.

Who would have known that the future of the shipbuilding industry started in a small meeting room in a hotel?

“It's already this time.”

At Choi Seo-jun's words while looking at his watch, everyone in the meeting room turned their heads simultaneously.

The time had already surged past 8 PM.

Now we had to head to the airport.

I said while rising from my seat.

“It's already time to go back.”

I muttered unintentionally while organizing the documents.

“I want to eat that sea urchin rice bowl I had yesterday one more time before going…. It's a shame.”

Kim Byeong-kwon laughed and retorted.

“Eat that when you come next time.”

Choi Seo-jun also added with a smile on his face after a long time.

“I worried for nothing. It's a great relief. To be honest, I was so nervous that I don't even remember what it tasted like.”

I shook my head while packing the documents.

“I clearly told you. The one who didn't listen was Representative Choi, so don't resent me.”

Perhaps because she understood the Korean words, Yuika smiled while looking at my group.

Only the research institute employees, who knew nothing, checked the mood without knowing the reason.

Yuika looked at me quietly and bowed politely.

“Representative Lim, thank you. I will surely repay you with good results.”

I reached out my hand to her and said in Japanese.

“I will be looking forward to it, Amami-san.”

***

Inside the car heading to the airport.

Downtown Tokyo passed by quickly beyond the window.

Among the people and cars moving busily under the blue sky, I quietly closed my eyes.

‘I fitted another piece into its place.’

The things I had planned were being realized one by one.

While I was lost in thought, Kim Byeong-kwon and Choi Seo-jun did their own work.

They were busy contacting various places to deliver the news of what happened in Japan.

The airport was visible far away.

I opened my eyes.

“Once we get to Korea, we'll be busy without time to breathe again.”

“That's right. Because we've just taken one step.”

Thanks to the clear weather, the stars floating in the night sky twinkled.

After getting off the taxi, they entered the airport with their luggage.

Their footsteps were very light.

Some time later, an anecdote about HJ Partners' first successful investment in Japan would become known to the world through the media.

[Representative of HJ Partners, Lim Hyunjun. Signs strategic alliance with Japan's Amami Shipbuilding Technology Research Institute]

This was one of my success myths that would be talked about for a long time.

***

The season had already entered the beginning of winter.

The cold air of December was seeping through the gaps in the collars, making bodies shrink.

However, despite the cold weather, my movements continued steadily.

From a certain moment, I could no longer move alone.

Right at the time when school classes ended, a black sedan was always quietly keeping its place in front of the school gate.

Assistant Manager Moon Jong-beom was sitting in the driver's seat.

Now, the title of personal secretary to the representative of HJ Partners, me, suited him quite well.

At first, despite being 34 years old, he fumbled and received warnings from Choi Seo-jun several times due to frequent mistakes, but that had also become a thing of the past.

Since he had a very sincere personality, he moved faithfully to perfectly handle every single one of my schedules.

Before opening the car door, he handed me a tumbler he had prepared in advance.

“Representative, it's warm coffee.”

“Thank you.”

Assistant Manager Moon scratched his head with a good-natured smile.

While serving a representative who was vastly younger than himself, he was uniquely shy about praise.

Moreover, he was only young in age; his actions were so proper that he was a boss more adult-like than anyone.

He was polite and never spoke a word carelessly.

Moon Jong-beom had a calm personality, but he was on the slow side with his actions.

Because of that, he heard quite a bit about being frustrated, but I had never expressed such dissatisfaction.

If anything, I encouraged him.

I got into the car and drank the coffee Assistant Manager Moon gave me.

As expected, it was the sweet taste of coffee mix according to my preference.

I highly valued this delicacy of Assistant Manager Moon.

“The coffee is delicious today, too.”

“Haha. Is that so? I'm more grateful that you enjoy it.”

Moon Jong-beom drove the car slowly.

He headed toward HJ Partners while running along the now familiar road.

The sweet scent of coffee filled the inside of the car.

As soon as I arrived at the company, I couldn't even change my clothes and headed straight to the meeting room.

The time was already well past 5 PM.

According to my schedule as a student, meetings were always set for late in the afternoon.

When I opened the meeting room door and entered, the working-level staff were all already seated.

When I entered, they stood up from their seats all at once.

In the company, my existence had now become the central axis, transcending age.

After exchanging brief greetings, we went straight to the main point.

There was no fatigue in my voice.

Indeed, being young was good.

Today's core meeting agenda was one thing.

It was a check on the status of the stock collection of Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.

Choi Seo-jun had already spread the relevant report on the table.

He had recently changed his title.

He was now the Financial Director.

I asked point-blank.

“What is the amount of the volume collected as of today?”

Park Jae-woo, the team leader of the Fund Management Team, answered while pointing at the screen.

The screen was neatly organized with today's transaction status.

“Including today's additional purchase, the total stake we have secured is 9.42%.”

My gaze was fixed on the screen.

I grasped the data with a more serious expression than anyone and asked.

“How much was the cost?”

“The overall average purchase price is in the range of 18,200 won per share. Today's total input amount alone is about 11.7 billion won.”

I nodded while confirming the numbers.

11.7 billion won. 

It was by no means a small amount of money, but compared to the picture I was drawing, it was closer to an input than an investment.

“We have already well exceeded the 3% stake with voting rights and are nearing 10%. Now, submitting agenda items for the board of directors will also be possible.”

Team Leader Park Jae-woo answered.

“Yes, since we have also achieved the condition of holding for more than 6 weeks, submitting agenda items to the board is theoretically possible.”

I gave a satisfied smile.

This collection was not for simple investment purposes.

It was like laying the foundation to exercise substantial influence at the general meeting of shareholders of Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.

It was the result of moving until now for that day.

“How are the movements of the institutions?”

Team Leader Lee Hyeon-seok of the Risk Management Team answered while turning the materials.

“The National Pension Service is still maintaining a neutral attitude. However, as the raising of issues regarding the management has recently spread through the media, the atmosphere is subtly changing.”

Legal Advisor Baek Yu-jin added while pushing up her glasses.

“If a judgment on the accounting manipulation is finalized, the National Pension Service side will also change its stance. That side is particularly sensitive to ESG violations.”

Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering is an old chaebol family and a place that continues bloodline management.

In a way, it was old-fashioned, but as a member of the Taeseong family, I felt a strange sensation thinking about this part.

However, now is the time to overturn that flow.

“Secure about 1% more within this week.”

When I instructed, Team Leader Park Jae-woo answered.

“Yes, Representative.”

I raised my gaze again and looked around the meeting room.

Seeing the team members doing their best in their respective positions, I felt reassured.

“It will become busier now. Everyone, take good care of your health, and let's end it here for today.”

I rose from my seat after checking the time.

The next day too, HJ Partners quietly bought up shares of Daehan Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.

Team Leader Park Jae-woo sat in front of the monitor all day with his team members and watched the real-time transaction status.

Red and blue colors were constantly moving and changing on the screen.

They watched the screen until their eyes became bloodshot and placed orders at exquisite timing.

A prize was even set for the team member who hit the lowest price.

This was their own way of enjoying themselves while working.

Recently, as all the bad news that was to come out was revealed, the stock price flow calmed down and entered a stable range.

However, the time passed was already an ordeal.

But it was the hardship to achieve such a tremendous task so soon.

After finishing the company work, I looked out the window in the car going home.

The city lights twinkled and shone like stars.

Inside that, I was envisioning a new future.

“Assistant Manager Moon, what is tomorrow's schedule?”

“After you finish school classes, an individual meeting with the legal advisor is scheduled immediately. And at 7 PM, a dinner meeting with the Chairman is scheduled.”

“Understood.”

I nodded and closed my eyes.

No matter how young I was, fatigue rushed in after a forced march.

Perhaps it was thanks to the coziness provided by the warm air inside the car in the cold weather.

‘Tomorrow will be another busy day.’

But I was always prepared.

Just as my passion did not cool even if the cold wind of winter blew.

The next evening, around the time darkness settled on the city.

The lights were turned on in a private room at the Taeseong Hotel.

This was a private space that only direct family members or distinguished guests of the Taeseong family could use.

The luxurious lighting and subtle scent made the entire space atmospheric.

Only two people were to visit here this evening.

Chairman Lim Man-seok had arrived early and was drinking tea first.

I also tried to come early, but I arrived only when the time was almost imminent.

“Grandfather, have you been well?”

Grandfather Lim Man-seok's voice was tinged with affection.

“My puppy, you are so busy these days that it is hard to even see your face.”

“I'm sorry, Grandfather. The schedule has been a bit tight lately.”

I bowed my head properly.

My attitude was still like a well-mannered young master.

Chairman Lim Man-seok poured warm tea into my cup and said,“I am more sorry. I called a busy child to see me.”

The story of the two continued until the meal while exchanging daily lives.

While eating the now familiar luxurious yet neat food, I also enjoyed the time spent with my grandfather.

When the staff cleared the dishes and left, Chairman Lim Man-seok quietly called Chief Secretary Kang Cheol-woo.

He came inside and said as if it were already prepared.

“Chairman, the person you mentioned has arrived.”