The Genius Grandson of the Loan King - Chapter 58 (58/840)
< This is crazy! This is insane! >
#58
This is crazy! This is insane!
Time passed quickly.
The results of the first round of the judicial examination were announced. The names of the five of us, including myself, were all on the list of successful candidates.
On the day of the announcement, we all gathered for the first time in a while.
Smiles never left our faces.
"Feeling good to pass the first round together. Everyone, raise your glasses. Let's toast."
Oh Hyun-woo raised his glass with a smile, and everyone followed suit.
"To the success in the first round! To our friendship!"
"To our friendship!"
The clinking of glasses echoed cheerfully.
We continued the celebration, basking in the joy of our success.
Oh Hyun-woo approached me and poured me a drink.
"You said you're not taking the exam anymore, right? Aren't you disappointed?"
I added ice to the drink and replied.
"Well... holding onto disappointment would just be a waste of time. You guys are about to start preparing properly."
Oh Hyun-woo nodded and glanced at the three of us chatting.
"This might be our last gathering until the second round. Those who passed the first round don't have to attend classes, so there's no penalty in terms of grades."
At Seoul National University's Law School, if you pass the judicial examination while enrolled, you don't have to attend classes, and it won't affect your grades.
"Yeah, the second round is different from the first. It's going to be tough to prepare. I think it's better not to do it half-heartedly."
"That's true."
Oh Hyun-woo, who had been nodding, suddenly remembered something.
"Oh! My grandfather wants to meet you. Find some time."
"The Chief Justice?"
"Yeah, he heard your name and wants to meet you. What's your deal? For my grandfather to want to meet you just by hearing your name..."
"......What does he want from me?"
"I don't know. How can I know what my grandfather is thinking?"
At that moment, Yun Jae-ha interjected, looking at me.
"Oh! My dad also wants to meet you."
Even Yun Jae-ha's father, the head of a famous law firm, said that.
It seems my name has spread quite a bit.
'Of course, it's impossible for the news not to spread, but it's not a good thing.'
I nodded slightly, hiding my complicated feelings.
"Even if I don't have time, I'll make some. I'll contact you separately soon."
"Okay~"
Oh Hyun-woo's expression turned amused.
"My grandfather has never shown interest in my friends. But even your family, Yun Jae-ha? That's surprising. What's your deal, Kim Mu-hyuk? Haha."
I deftly avoided answering and changed the topic.
"Are you still thinking about becoming a prosecutor? Will it be okay?"
Oh Hyun-woo's face turned wistful as he raised his glass.
He clinked his glass with mine.
"My grandfather wants me to be a judge. But even if I become a judge, I'll just be walking the same path he did..."
He downed the drink in one go.
"I want to become a prosecutor and reach the top. I don't want to be known as someone who succeeded because of my grandfather's influence. My brothers all chose to be judges, but I don't want to do that. I'll try to persuade him. If it doesn't work, I'll do it anyway. Haha."
A self-deprecating laugh revealed Oh Hyun-woo's inner turmoil.
I patted his shoulder.
"You'll do well in any position."
"Thanks."
At that moment, Myung-soo joined our conversation.
"What are you guys talking about? Let's all cheer. Here, take this. Hyun-woo, take it! Mu-hyuk, take it~"
Myung-soo, who seemed to have had quite a bit to drink, was slurring his words.
"Oh! This guy is causing trouble again. He's always like this when he drinks. He gets even more outrageous."
Oh Hyun-woo shook his head, but he didn't seem to mind, as everyone laughed and watched.
Myung-soo kept clinging to me, whining.
"Mu-hyuk~ My friend Mu-hyuk!"
"Ugh..."
I pushed his grinning face away.
Seeing him cling so persistently, something came to mind.
"Want to hear a funny story?"
Everyone looked at me with interest at my sudden question.
"Remember when Myung-soo and I went to a nightclub for the first time when we turned twenty? He got so drunk and liked a girl who came to book us..."
"Hey! Stop it. Don't tell them!"
Myung-soo tried to cover my mouth, but it was too late.
Yun Jae-ha and Oh Hyun-woo quickly held him back, urging me to continue.
By the time Myung-soo stopped struggling, everyone was looking at him as if he were crazy.
Myung-soo glared at me.
"Bad guy. I'll kill you."
Everyone burst out laughing at Myung-soo's grumbling.
"Myung-soo, you're a man, a man!"
It was nice to be able to laugh so freely with friends, even if it was just for a moment.
We can't always live in a state of tension.
While laughing and sipping my drink, Han Min-kyung tapped my arm.
"Let's go get some fresh air. My head hurts."
I followed Han Min-kyung out of the bar, stopping a manager who was about to approach me.
"Congratulations."
Han Min-kyung, who had been looking at the night street, turned to me.
Her face was slightly flushed, perhaps from the alcohol.
"Thanks to you. I'll definitely repay you if I succeed."
"Repay me? Is there any other problem?"
"No, there isn't."
"You'll pass the second round without any problems. Don't think too much and focus on your preparation."
"Thanks, really..."
Tears welled up in Han Min-kyung's eyes.
I turned my head to avoid seeing it.
"Let's go back. The others are waiting. Myung-soo will start causing trouble again."
As I turned to go, Han Min-kyung grabbed my arm.
"......Are we friends?"
"Huh?"
Surprised by her sudden question, I turned back.
"Friends... or... how about a girlfriend?"
Her face was even more flushed than before.
I tried to remain calm as I answered.
"You're attractive as both a friend and a girlfriend. But I don't have the capacity to have a girlfriend right now... I haven't even thought about it."
This isn't the time for a relationship.
Moreover, if I were to start a relationship with Han Min-kyung now, the goodwill I've shown her might be seen as a ploy to create a debt.
Han Min-kyung nodded slightly, as if she had expected this, wiped away the tears in her eyes, and said firmly.
"I must be a bit drunk. Forget what I just said."
I watched her walk back into the bar. I stood outside a bit longer, pretending to get some fresh air, before going in.
"What! What were you two doing outside?"
Sure enough, Myung-soo teased us.
I shook my head and sat next to Yun Jae-ha.
"Your dad wants to meet me, right?"
Yun Jae-ha, who had been talking to Oh Hyun-woo, turned to me.
"Yeah. Dad said he's met all the other friends but not you. He said he's managing the others because they're all entering the legal profession, but it's surprising that he wants to meet you, even though he knows you're not interested in the legal field."
In fact, this was one of the reasons for forming the group.
The families of Oh Hyun-woo and Yun Jae-ha form a cartel in the legal profession.
My grandfather has approached them many times, but he couldn't win their hearts with money.
"Then I'll meet Grandpa Oh first and let your dad know I'll contact him next."
"Okay! Hey, what are you doing? We won't be able to gather like this until after the second round, so let's drink!"
Yun Jae-ha poured drinks into everyone's empty glasses.
"Let's all have a drink! Let's all pass the second round at once! We can do it!"
Everyone raised their glasses and drank.
The party continued late into the night.
The next day.
I entered my grandfather's study as usual in the morning.
"So, how's the debt collection going?"
"Yes, I'm starting with the ones that are due."
My grandfather leaned forward, showing interest.
"They're not the kind to give up easily, right?"
"Many of the companies that took out loans don't have the money to pay. But the collateral my grandfather secured is more valuable than the loans, so I gave them the choice to pay in cash or with the collateral. Most managed to gather the money and pay, but for those who didn't, I took the collateral."
My grandfather smiled, pleased with my handling.
I smiled back and continued.
"Do you know Chief Justice Oh Jeong-seok?"
"Chief Justice Oh? I know him. That uptight guy?"
"Yes, he's my friend's grandfather. He wants to meet me. I plan to meet him soon, and it seems he knows I'm your grandson."
"He probably does."
My grandfather, who had been studying me, continued.
"Everyone knows about the exile of Su-man. What do you plan to talk about with him?"
Chief Justice Oh Jeong-sek, though retired, is still at the top of the judicial cartel.
He might not be immediately helpful, but I want to win his favor.
"I want to make a good impression."
"He's not an easy person. He doesn't trust others easily, being at the top of the judiciary."
"I understand. But I plan to meet him. Since he initiated the meeting, he must be curious about me."
My grandfather nodded.
"Don't try to win his favor with money. He has everything he needs."
"Understood."
The conversation paused. My grandfather stared at me.
"Is there anything else you want to say?"
I shook my head.
"No, I'll take my leave now."
I left the room, leaving my grandfather with a slightly melancholic expression.
I sat on the bed and made an international call.
- Hello.
Han Kyung-yeong's voice came through the phone.
"Bro, it's me."
- Oh, Mu-hyuk. It's been a while.
"How's it going there?"
- It's going well. I've hired some staff. Oh, and the people you mentioned haven't shown up on Wall Street yet.
"It's not urgent, so it's fine. Have you made friends with the financial people? Don't be stingy with money; spend it freely."
- Yeah, I'm going to parties and getting to know people. Oh, and you know about the money I paid to Anderson? There's someone named James Clark hanging around him.
James Clark.
He founded Silicon Graphics.
Originally, Anderson would have founded the company with this person, but I got there first.
Things are going smoothly, changing the future.
"Keep an eye on him. Visit him often and check if he's spending money unnecessarily."
- Okay, boss!
Han Kyung-yeong answered playfully.
Now it was time to get to the real matter.
"Bro, this is important. Is anyone around?"
- No, I'm alone. What is it?
"If the Mexican government devalues the peso against the dollar, what do you think will happen?"
- ...What? Are you crazy? Why would the Mexican government do that?
"If the Mexican government does this crazy thing?"
Han Kyung-yeong was silent for a moment.
After a while, his voice rose, as if he had sorted out his thoughts.
- If it really happens, the trust in the peso will plummet, foreign investors will pull out, and the economy will fall into a crisis.
Han Kyung-yeong immediately understood what I meant.
I thought to myself that I had made the right choice in bringing him in.
Just because I know the D-day doesn't mean I can make good investments.
"December 20th and 22nd. There will be two devaluations of the peso. Imagine betting 300 million dollars with the highest leverage. Do you think any financial institution will take that bet?"
I heard a sharp intake of breath through the phone.
- Wait. Are you suggesting we gamble? Bet 300 million dollars as collateral?
"You got it. That's why I told you to get to know the big financial institutions. Do you think anyone will take it?"
- ...How far ahead are you thinking? This is crazy! This is insane!
Han Kyung-yeong shouted, excited.
I laughed and added.
"December 20th and 22nd. Peso devaluation. Do your best to get the maximum leverage. If we lose, we'll jump into the Han River together."
- This is certain. Whether we win or lose, you're really crazy. How much time do I have?
"As soon as possible. Finish the contract by August. After the August general election, people will start to notice. By then, it will be too late."
- Got it. I need to negotiate with the financial institutions and the contract terms, so I'll contact you before signing.
"No, you handle it. You're the expert, not me. If I were going to do it myself, why would I send you there?"
- ...
"I trust you. You just need to trust me."
I hung up without waiting for a response.
Han Kyung-yeong's abilities were now being put to the test.
If he can't capitalize on the information, there's no point in keeping him in that position.
A week passed.
I headed to Chief Justice Oh Jeong-seok's house for our meeting.
The apartment he lived in, despite his respected status among judges, was rather modest.
"Hello, I'm Kim Mu-hyuk."
Chief Justice Oh Jeong-seok's eyes were scrutinizing me.