An Investor Who Sees Future

I saw the news at the company.

On the TV screen, there was footage of Chairman Hong Woosung and Director Lee Seyeop being taken into custody.

Director Lee Seyeop bowed his head deeply, but Chairman Hong Woosung stared defiantly at the camera with his head held high.

He had a self-assured expression, as if questioning what he had done wrong. Even if he went to prison, it seemed unlikely that his thoughts would change.

The labor union at Woosung Enterprise safely returned to work. The issue of overnight work was abolished, and they immediately decided to implement a two-shift system.

Taekgyu said, "Why did this simple issue escalate to this point?"

"You're right."

There were no new pieces of evidence presented, and no change in the law in the meantime. It seemed like the prosecution and the media hadn't done their roles properly.

While Woosung Enterprise and Changju Consulting were punished, Eunsung Cha managed to escape unscathed. Both Woosung Enterprise and Eunsung Cha denied any involvement or instructions from the company's side.

The prosecution also did not investigate Eunsung Cha.

Taekgyu lay on the sofa and said, "Well, it seems to have been resolved."

Despite this, there was still a lingering uneasy feeling.

While Seokbeom was fortunate, thinking of Jongsoo made a heavy burden weigh in one's heart. Even if they compensated the families now, the dead would not come back to life.

"If only we had known a little sooner, we could have prevented it…"

"But isn't the intensity of overnight work highest in the financial sector? Just look at our noona; she went into Golden Gate and didn't get a proper night's sleep for years."

Indeed, the labor intensity in the financial sector is brutal. Yet, the compensation is significant, which is why there is little complaint.

After enduring such hardships for a few years, a salary of 100 million won would seem trivial.

"Isn't it common for labor intensity to correspond with wages? Don't people know the military is tough for nothing?"

Receiving only tens of thousands of won a month and having to do that work is tough. If they paid around 5 million won each, one could serve happily.

"If they offer 1,000 per month, would you consider re-enlisting?"

"Are you crazy? I wouldn't go even if they offered 5,000 per month."

"But you still have to attend the reserve forces, right?"

"…"

Ah, the reserve forces…

Is there no way to pay and skip this?

***

I had a phone conversation with Yuri after a long time.

"What are you up to, senior? We haven't been in touch for a while."

I sensed a hint of displeasure in her voice.

"Sorry. I was going to contact you after the X-Cop bidding ended, but something came up unexpectedly."

"It's about Woosung Enterprises, right? I saw it on the news. Why did you go there?"

"Well, that's…"

I explained the recent events to her. Upon hearing my story, Yuri was taken aback.

"Really? How did that happen? Is that person okay now?"

"He's doing much better now."

"That's a relief."

Yuri changed the subject.

"Tomorrow is Christmas, what are your plans? Do you have any appointments?"

"Yes, I do have plans."

Yuri was surprised by my response.

"What plans? Could it be…?"

"I'm going to have dinner with my mother."

"Ah, I see. Right. Christmas is traditionally spent with family. It's a very wholesome and good idea."

Her voice seemed a bit deflated. Was it because of her mood?

Feeling apologetic, I said, "Come visit the office later. I'll treat you to something delicious and show you around the company."

"Really? That's a promise, senior."

"Yes."

As I was about to hang up and get back to work, I saw Taekgyu lying on the sofa playing games.

"Why do you always play games here? Go downstairs."

"I get bored when I'm alone."

"You have to endure that boredom to be a good manager."

Shouldn't he really take some management classes under Hyun-joo's noona?

"Did you buy everything?"

While I was working, Taekgyu went shopping for appliances and furniture for the house.

"Yep. I went to Seosung Digital Plaza and a furniture store, picked out the most expensive ones from here to there, and had them delivered."

"...."

Did you do that again?

Taekgyu put down the gamepad and said.

"I'm hungry. What do you want for lunch? Jajangmyeon?"

"Go to the cafeteria at ...."

True to his word, CHO Michael Lee had created a cafeteria for the staff in the building. The food is all organic and of the highest quality, and cooked by chefs from the hotel.

It was almost lunchtime when Ellie came over.

"What are you doing, Jin Hoo?"

"I'm going for lunch."

Ellie turned to me.

"So what are your Christmas plans?"

I gave the same answer I had given to Yuri earlier.

"I'm going to have lunch with my mom, and we're going to take a tour of the new house, even though we haven't moved in yet."

"Oh, I see."

"What about you?"

Ellie gave me a wistful look.

"I don't have any plans, it's just so depressing to spend Christmas alone in a foreign country."

"Ah...."

I momentarily forgot that Ellie's hometown is Hong Kong.

Originally working in Hong Kong, Ellie volunteered to follow when Hyunjoo was appointed as the director of the Korean branch.

As she has no family or friends in Korea, she must feel very lonely.

"Why don't you spend time with Hyunjoo noona?"

Ellie let out a long sigh.

"Yeah, that's right. I'll spend this Christmas with Jessica. I'll be called to work by Jessica anyway if I'm alone in the hotel room."

"…"

Christmas is the biggest festival in Christianity. Ellie, a Catholic, must have mixed feelings.

But why work even on such a day!

"I'll be in a good mood, smelling of cigarettes, working on a happy Christmas. I'll be going now."

I grabbed Ellie, who turned around with drooping shoulders.

"Wait a minute."

She immediately stopped in her tracks.

"Why?"

"If it's okay, let's have a meal together on Christmas."

She slightly lowered her head.

"No. It's a gathering of families, so it wouldn't be right to intrude without noticing."

"What are you talking about? You coming will make my mother happy. You met her once before, remember?"

"Is it really okay?"

"Of course. Besides, Taekgyu will go with us."

With her eyes sparkling, Ellie grabbed my hand tightly.

"Thank you. Thanks to you, I feel like I can have a warm Christmas."

"Oh, sure."

Seeing that you like it this much, it seems like you've been quite lonely by yourself all this time.

Taekgyu, who was lying on the sofa, got up and said.

"Then I should ask Noona to come with us too. Otherwise, she will be working alone, right?"

"Good idea."

Come to think of it…

Henry is in a foreign country as well. Senior Sangyeop will probably go down to his hometown during new year as well.

It would be nice to invite everyone, right?

***

When it was mentioned that many people were coming, Mother seemed to actually like it. X Corp's security guards were deployed at the house, and a new housekeeper was also hired.

After parking, we took the elevator and went up to the first floor.

Mother had arrived early and finished preparing to welcome the guests.

"Come on in."

Various dishes, including a cake, were prepared on the long dining table in the main kitchen.

I was surprised and asked, "Did you really prepare all this by yourself?"

Mother smiled and said, "I prepared it with the working ladies. I told them to spend Christmas with their families, so everyone left after setting up."

"You did well."

We sat around the table.

I poured wine I had prepared into each glass.

"You've all worked hard throughout the year with Jinhoo. There's not much, but please enjoy the meal."

"We will enjoy it!"

Mother asked Ellie and Henry, "It must have been tough coming from abroad. Is the food to your liking?"

Henry awkwardly replied in Korean, "It's delicious. We are enjoying it."

Ellie smiled brightly. "It's really delicious. Feel free to speak comfortably, Mother."

"Should I?"

After finishing the meal, we moved to the living room. The firewood was burning in the fireplace.

With everyone gathered like this, it feels like Christmas.

Taek-gyu sat on the sofa and said,

"As expected, home is nice. No matter how good hotels are, they just don't feel like home."

"That's true."

Mother remarked as if impressed,

"Home is really nice. I couldn't have imagined our son living in a house like this."

By the way, the former owner of this house, Chaeyoung, is currently in custody awaiting trial at the first instance.

"Have you seen the whole house?"

Mother nodded.

"I looked around here and there earlier."

"How about living here together?"

I asked, but Mother shook her head.

"I like our previous house. Sleeping in such a big place, I might not even be able to fall asleep."

"But you must feel lonely by yourself."

"It's okay. Rather than feeling lonely, I talked with the ladies who were working while cooking earlier, they are all nice people. Don't take them for granted just because they get paid. When you go home, they are all precious mothers and family members. Got it?"

"I understand."

"Don't behave irritably or get angry with your mother like you did earlier."

"When did I do that?"

Ellie chuckled beside them.

"Mom, did Jinhoo really do that?"

"Yes. How much trouble he used to cause when he was younger."

Taek-gyu nodded with a smile.

"Our Jinhoo did get into a lot of accidents. I should have taken better care of him."

"..."

Don't laugh. Half of those accidents were caused with you.

Sang-yeop senior said, "Oh, it's snowing."

We all turned our heads. The pure white snow was falling heavily.

Ellie looked out the window and said, "It's so beautiful."

Perhaps it was because of the wine, or maybe the warmth of the fireplace, Ellie's cheeks were turning red. She was wearing a checkered skirt with a sweater, which suited her very well unlike usual.

Hyunjoo got up. "Wait. I'll be back in a moment."

"Where are you going, noona?"

"To smoke a cigarette."

Ellie twinkled her eyes and said, "Let's go together."

In the end, we all went out to the garden together. The garden had turned pure white in the meantime.

Hyunjoo smoked on one side, and Ellie joyfully played with the snow, like a child.

"Hong Kong doesn't get much snow. So when I see snow, it feels so fascinating. Jinhoo, what do you think when you see snow falling?"

"I…," I paused for a moment, then said, "I remember clearing snow till I was about to die, carrying a shovel in the army."

"…"

***

After Christmas, the company became extremely busy with year-end accounting.

In the midst of it all, I received a phone call. The caller was none other than Team Leader Seo Sang-won, who led the M&A team at Eunsung Group.

"I have considered the proposal you mentioned."

"Have you made a decision?"

Although we had met for a recruitment offer, I didn't have high expectations. He was already labeled as a traitor for leaking bid prices. If he came to our side, we would face severe criticism.

After a moment, Team Leader Seo Sang-won spoke.

"I trust the promise made by the CEO."

"Really?"

"Yes. Can my team also accept the offer together? Since they are colleagues I have worked with since the Redstone Group, I can guarantee their skills."

Not only did he come, but he also wanted to bring his team members along!

It was truly like a pumpkin rolling in like a tumbleweed.

I happily replied, "Of course. We will ensure that you can work independently as before."

"Thank you. I will visit as soon as the arrangements are completed."

After ending the call, I raised both arms in triumph.

"Great!"

Recruiting such talent in the financial industry requires a lot of effort. However, thanks to Chae-young's blunder, we unintentionally caught a big fish.

***

The year-end party was held at the OTK Company building.

For some reason, word of the party spread, and requests to attend flooded in from all over. Particularly, there was a surge of contact from opposition and ruling party politicians.

The logic was that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Since my relationship with President Park Si-hyeong and the ruling party, the Korean National Party, wasn't good, they believed I would cater to their side.

Some prominent politicians openly expressed their expectations for sponsorship.

When doing business in Korea, it's impossible to completely ignore political issues.

We may join hands when needed in the future, but not now. If I start mingling with politicians, the media will surely make a fuss.

As the year-end event was a modest ceremony, I declined all external requests to attend.

However, on the day of the party, an unexpected guest arrived. Chase Southwell, the Asia CEO of Golden Gate, had come to look around Korea.

We greeted each other warmly after a long time.

The appearance of the legendary Asian investor was a delight for Golden Gate, as well as the employees of OTK Company and K Company.

And so, as the tumultuous year came to an end, a new year finally began.