The Former Chaebol Heir Excels as President

Chapter 22: Turning Point (2)

The new semester had begun.

Because I moved to Daebang-dong, I couldn’t ride the bus with Ji Jeongseok and Yang Seok‑gu. Also, since we ended up in different classes, it wasn’t easy to see their faces.

After supplemental classes ended and before self-study began.

The bench in front of the schoolyard was shaded.

Four of us gathered there, including Ahn Jin‑su.

“So, are we the Four Musketeers now?”

Just like Yang Seok‑gu said, we became the Four Musketeers.

Since I got close with Ahn Jin‑su, he naturally entered our circle.

“Four is better than three. We can even pair up in twos.”

“Welcome. I felt left out because I suck at studying. Jin‑su, you’re bad at studying too, right?”

“I’m in the top five in our class.”

“Huh?”

Yang Seok‑gu was shocked by what I said.

“Jin‑su’s good at studying too.”

“Wow! I’m the only outcast then.”

“There’s gotta be something you’re better at than us. Remember when I told you to learn tiling?”

“Of course I remember. I believe you, but for now I’ll stick with delivery.”

When the topic of studying came up, Ji Jeongseok looked at me with pity.

“What are you gonna do now that your grades have dropped? Money’s good and all, but getting into a good school is important too.”

“If I try hard from now on, it’ll be fine. I’m a comeback warrior, remember?”

“Cheonmyeong, your homeroom teacher’s famous. I heard they sent the most students to college again this year.”

My homeroom teacher, who taught math, sent thirty students to college.

Considering the college admission rate was around 30%, sending half the class meant they were a real talent.

I remembered what the teacher had said.

‘I decide what school you go to. If you follow my advice, you can get in. Of course, if you want to go to a good university, you’ll have to study hard.’

Since they were a math teacher, I thought maybe they had the data.

I looked at Yang Seok‑gu and asked.

“You’re not thinking of going to a junior college?”

“Money’s more important to me. I’ll start a business later.”

“What kind of business?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Tiling?”

“That’s for later.”

Yang Seok‑gu had no interest in studying, but he had other talents.

Persistence, patience, drive, dexterity.

He liked talking, so if he just improved his speaking skills, he’d probably succeed in business.

“Hey, Cheonmyeong.”

Ji Jeongseok asked.

“Yeah?”

“My dad’s retiring soon. Since you’ve got sharp insight, what do you think he should do? I honestly have no idea.”

“So, he didn’t make general after all.”

“He got passed over twice. It’s time to leave.”

“If he has some extra cash, tell him to buy land.”

“Land?”

“Last year, Yangcheon-gu split off from Gangseo-gu. Since Mok-dong will be at the center of development, it’s a good opportunity.”

Ji Jeongseok stared at me intently.

“Trust me. Around Omokgyo should be good.”

“Omokgyo?”

“Whether it’s buying a shopping center or land nearby, either is good.”

“Why?”

“Real estate prices are skyrocketing now. And they’ll keep going. Mok-dong will become the next Gangnam.”

“What are you, really?”

Yang Seok‑gu blinked at me and stared.

“What?”

“How did you know our country would rank fourth in the Olympics? Did you come from the future or something?”

“Right. There was that movie. The one where they go back in time in a car.”

Ahn Jin‑su also looked at me with suspicious eyes.

“I just heard things here and there while doing business. Since the big players are moving, there’s a high chance the area will be developed.”

“Figures. You really live in a different world than us.”

“Jeongseok, people who’ve lived their whole lives in the military are easy targets once they enter society. But land won’t betray you. Especially in Seoul.”

“I’ll talk to my dad. Thanks.”

I got up.

“Where are you going?”

“I’ve got a meeting with Seo Du‑hyeop. I’ll be back before self-study ends.”

“Where?”

“Yeongdeungpo. I’ll be back.”

I got up and headed to the meeting spot.

* * *

Seo Du‑hyeop.

The company had been converted into a corporation, and Mom took on the role of director.

He smiled brightly when we met at a coffee shop in Yeongdeungpo.

“Welcome.”

“Sorry I’m a bit late.”

“I just got here early. Hanam will open tomorrow.”

“Great work.”

I handed Seo Du‑hyeop a binder containing the business plan.

“Take a look.”

“What’s this?”

“It’s the shopping proxy service I mentioned before, and details about how we’ll expand the business. Take your time.”

I ordered an orange juice and waited for him to finish reading.

One sip, two sips, three sips.

By the fourth sip of orange juice, he looked at me, utterly dazed.

“President Kang, isn’t this something out of a movie? How can someone order with a computer? And you’re not talking about a phone call either—are you saying a computer will be inside a mobile phone? Isn’t that something that might happen in a hundred years?”

“Twenty years ago, could you have imagined mobile phones existing, sir? Back then, only the wealthy could afford landline phones. In twenty years, computers will be inside mobile phones. You’ll be able to buy products and order food delivery just by touching the screen.”

“Phew.”

Seo Du‑hyeop couldn’t close his gaping mouth in disbelief.

“During the Asian Games and the Olympics held in Korea, Korean IBN supported information processing using computers. In the future, computers will usher in the age of information, and Korea will be at the center of it.”

Within ten years, high-speed internet would be installed nationwide.

Since Seo Du‑hyeop couldn’t see the future, his blank expression was only natural.

I continued speaking, full of confidence.

“The convenience of delivery has already been proven. If we prepare in line with technological development, we’ll make a fortune by being first.”

“If things go according to this plan, we’ll be the best. So for now, you’re saying we expand delivery proxy services nationwide and begin shopping delivery in Seoul and the capital area?”

“Yes. We’ll need to wait for the technology to catch up.”

“Alright! There’s nothing wrong with being prepared. So you want me to secure tech personnel?”

“Yes. Until I finish my military service and graduate from college, you’ll need to lead. That’s why I gave you the roadmap.”

Seo Du‑hyeop nodded.

“I’ve got a wide network. The branch managers across the regions are all doing a good job.”

“That’s why I respect you, sir.”

Seo Du‑hyeop seemed pleased with the compliment and shrugged his shoulders.

It was true.

Seo Du‑hyeop had an eye for things. That’s probably why he had approached me and invested.

“I just lack ideas. But I know how to handle people. I can smell money from a mile away.”

“I agree.”

“If things go according to this data, we’ll be up there with the big corporations.”

“This isn’t the end. I’ll tell you the rest after graduation.”

“What is it? Now I’m curious.”

“I have to keep at least one card up my sleeve.”

Seo Du‑hyeop furrowed his brow and bit his lower lip.

He looked upset.

“Don’t you trust me?”

“I do. That’s why I’m sharing this with you now.”

“It stings because you’re hiding something.”

“If I told you, you’d abandon me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Because we’ll make money beyond your wildest imagination.”

I trusted Seo Du‑hyeop, but if he ever went completely mad over money, he could betray me.

That’s why I couldn’t tell him everything.

Seo Du‑hyeop laughed heartily.

“Hahaha. This is why I like you, President Kang. When a money-mad man loses it, he ends up slicing open the goose that lays golden eggs. Thanks for keeping me in check.”

“We’ve got to stick together.”

I smiled slyly.

Seo Du‑hyeop filled in what I lacked—connections and capital.

Though we were running the delivery proxy business together, my goal lay elsewhere.

When the time came, I would leave Seo Du‑hyeop behind.

If we stayed together, I was bound to witness the frenzy of a man possessed by money.

Until April, I had no choice but to juggle the delivery proxy business.

I moved busily to gather data nationwide, and from May onward, I focused on studying.

As I took more mock exams, my scores improved, but I still failed to get into the top tier.

My homeroom teacher recommended Yeonje University or Gorim University, but I had bad memories of Yeonje University, so I applied to the Department of Economics at Gorim University.

On the day of the acceptance announcement.

From early morning, heavy snow began to fall.

Mom had prepared breakfast on the table and left for work.

The competition rate was 2.5 to 1.

Being in the second grade tier, I was nervous.

“Oppa!”

Before I knew it, Yeonhwa came out of her room.

“Today’s the day the results come out, right?”

“How did you know?”

“I saw it on the news. What do you think will happen?”

“I have to go see for myself.”

“Did you have a good dream?”

“I don’t believe in that stuff. Whatever the result is, I’ll accept it.”

I sat down on the chair and picked up my spoon.

Yeonhwa also sat across from me and started eating.

“Oppa, Mom’s soybean paste soup really is the best.”

“Does Mom know today’s the announcement day?”

“Of course. We watched the news together.”

Mom had left everything to me.

After the exam, all she said was that I had done well. She didn’t ask about my scores.

She probably didn’t want to burden me, but I was sure she, too, was anxiously waiting for the results.

Yeonhwa smiled bashfully and said,

“I really hope you pass. I think it’ll feel like flying in the sky.”

“Me too.”

“If you don’t, you can always take the exam again. You started school at seven, so you’re not really losing anything.”

“Right.”

I finished eating and stood up.

“I’m heading out.”

“Make sure you call.”

“Yeah.”

As I stepped outside, heavy snow fell like flower petals.

I took the subway and arrived at Gorim University.

Many students were walking through the front gate, and occasionally, I saw students with their parents.

Snow quietly piling up.

The path to the main building felt unusually long.

“Wow! I passed!”

“Phew.”

Cheers and sighs grew louder in my ears.

The list of accepted students was posted on a board in front of the main building.

My heart started pounding.

Step by step.

And just as I reached the point where I could see the announcement.

There was a commotion around me.

“Number one on the waitlist.”

“If you’re number one, you’ll get in.”

“Who’s going to give up their spot? Gosh. How could they mess that up...”

“If you’re number one, don’t worry.”

Regret and consolation filled the air, and I looked around for the Department of Economics.

The printed exam numbers and names were posted.

In the center, written in marker, was “Department of Economics.”

I pushed through the crowd and scanned from the top.

My name wasn’t on the first page.

“No way.”

I slowly checked the next page and confirmed my name wasn’t there either.

“Did I fail?”

The last page.

I slowly traced the announcement with my finger, line by line.

“Wow! I passed!”

“Congratulations!”

“Wow wow! Waaah!”

Right next to me, people were tossing someone in the air, cheering.

“No way.”

There were only a few names left now.

My pulse quickened, and my knees felt weak.

A nervousness as if the snow falling from the sky might turn into tears.

My finger moved farther down, and just as I was about to give up.

Right above the additional accepted list.

[32953. Kang Cheonmyeong]

I just barely made it.

It felt like I had come back from hell.

After checking multiple times, I collapsed to the ground.

All this, for something like this.

I jumped to my feet, thinking I had to tell Mom immediately.

My legs were still trembling.

Leaving behind the cheers of those who passed and the despair of those who didn’t, I walked out of the school gate.

It was a massive relief.

I entered a phone booth and called the office where Mom worked.

— Cheonmyeong?

She must have been waiting, too.

“Mom, your son! I passed!”

“Well done, my son...”

It seemed the emotions she had held in all this time had finally burst.

I didn’t hear her voice for a while, and in the silence, I watched the snow pile up on the street.

What a beautiful day.