Chapter 175: A Gambling Addiction?

The moment Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki saw Jin Do-jun’s face, the stories he’d heard from the financial company presidents earlier that day flooded back.

“A stock market manager?”

“Yes, that’s about the size of it. They say he has a real knack for it. Apparently, even on Yeouido’s stock market, everyone’s hanging on Jin Do-jun’s every pick.”

“You didn’t drag me here just to sing Do-jun’s praises, did you? So?”

“Ah, my apologies.”

Nursing their bruised egos, the three presidents who’d rushed to Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki recounted every humiliating detail of their encounter with Jin Do-jun.

“So, to sum it up, Do-jun thinks it’s better to sell the company and pour the money into investments rather than actually managing it. Is that right?”

“Exactly. He seemed to think stock investing is much easier, faster, and more profitable than working hard to grow a company and earn money.”

“W-what? They say people addicted to stock investing are similar to gambling addicts… Could Do-jun be like that?”

While stock investing is touted as a healthy investment, the blend of competition, imitation, obsession, and chance creates an addictive allure. You can’t deny the gambler’s edge.

And considering Jin Do-jun’s behavior so far—a college student whose life revolves around stock investing rather than enjoying his youth, whose hobby is chart analysis, and whose special skill is picking stocks—

isn’t it fair to say he’s bordering on addiction?

“Ah, we can’t rule out that possibility.”

“So, the real reason Do-jun wants to quickly sell the credit card company is to get gambling money.”

People interpret things in a way that benefits them.

The three presidents found comfort in the idea that the harsh words they’d heard from Jin Do-jun were just the ramblings of a gambling addict, something they could easily dismiss.

“If your father heard this, he’d have a fit.”

Jin Young-ki was in an awkward position, unsure whether to laugh or get angry.

Thinking it over, he should be angry with his father for not recognizing the true nature of this gambling-obsessed kid.

But what a stroke of luck this could be.

If they showered him with enough money, he might even hand over Soonyang Life Insurance and Securities, considering the substantial shares he held.

* * *

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Did Father perhaps reach out to you?”

He repeatedly bowed, studying the expressions of the two men.

His biggest fear was them storming out, but they were businessmen.

Their displeasure was evident, but they wouldn’t act impulsively with a deal on the table.

“Just got a text. Says he thinks it’s better to talk to you directly.”

“A text?”

Jin Young-ki quickly pulled out his phone to check. His face contorted again.

“If this brat’s going to contact us, he should do it sooner… Tch.”

His eldest uncle folded his phone and tucked it into his inside pocket, looking displeased as he addressed me.

“You need to maintain some decorum. Why are you raising your voice at the staff here?”

“W-well, that’s…”

As I stammered, scratching the back of my head, his eldest uncle’s voice turned sharp with irritation.

“I’ll cover that tab. Alright?”

“Ah, no, Uncle. I didn’t realize it was on your instructions…”

“Hyung, that’s enough.”

Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki said, smiling at me.

“You must be tired from rushing here. Get some dinner.”

The second son is definitely smarter.

He hides his true intentions and pretends to be caring instead of just yelling.

“Yes, Uncle. Please eat first. It doesn’t look like you’ve even started.”

“Alright, let’s eat. Brother, have some.”

For a while, everyone just ate in silence. There was no need for me to be impatient. The fact that they rushed here despite Father’s unilateral notice showed they were desperate and anxious.

Aside from the occasional refill of my glass, the atmosphere was no different from a funeral home.

Who’s the most parched?

“Do-jun.”

Of course, it’s my eldest uncle. His impatient nature hasn’t changed.

“Yes?”

“Is the rumor true? About selling the credit card company?”

“It’s still under consideration, Uncle. Oh, please don’t misunderstand. I planned to discuss it with you before making a final decision.”

Knowing it was just lip service, his scowling face didn’t soften even slightly.

“You don’t just throw away what your grandfather gave you. Hold onto it.”

Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki tried to reason with me, but I could see it wasn’t genuine. His greedy, glinting eyes gave him away.

“Actually, Grandfather just called me.”

Both men simultaneously slammed their spoons down on the table.

“What did he say?”

“He said since he’d already given it to me, he wouldn’t interfere further… He told me to do whatever I wanted with it, no matter who I sold it to.”

To whom!

This was crucial information for the two of them.

Doesn’t this mean it’s okay to take what his nephew has, or buy it for cheap?

“So? What did you tell him?”

“I said I’d make far more money by selling Soonyang Card. If I get over a trillion won, I’m confident I can earn several times the profit margin of Soonyang Securities right now. Haha.”

This was the moment to put on an arrogant smile.

But my uncles didn’t pay attention to my laughter. The number that echoed in their ears was one trillion won.

According to the data Executive Director Jang Do-hyung provided, the minimum price was 1.2 trillion won. He confidently stated that even foreign financial companies would be clamoring for it at that price.

My uncles would also have a number in mind.

The maximum value of Soonyang Card.

They’d have been warned by their staff repeatedly not to go over that number.

“You’re serious about this.”

Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki muttered, glancing sideways at me.

“Right now, the US is flooded with real estate-backed financial products. Investing in those would easily double your money within a few years. It’s incomparable to credit card fees.”

It was a bit of an exaggeration, but not entirely wrong. Not a 100% return, but 60-70% was achievable.

I spoke confidently about investments, but they just stared at me with pity.

As Francis Underwood said, “Choosing money over power is a mistake most people make. Money is like a mansion in Sarasota that starts falling apart after ten years. Power is like the old stone building that stands for centuries.”

My grandfather used the Soonyang Group to buy power with money, and after a generation, Soonyang Group itself became power.

I was the fool chasing money, and my uncles were the wise men picking up a piece of the power I discarded.

“I see. We old-timers don’t know much about stock investments or funds… We’re already the old generation. Haha.”

Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki chuckled and winked at his older brother. He was telling him to play along with the kid’s whims for now.

“Our nephew is impressive! A hundred percent return! Haha.”

Seeing him try to lowball me with insincere praise, the businessman in him was clear.

The impatient businessman revealed his hand first.

“Do-jun.”

“Yes?”

“Were you thinking of selling Soonyang Card to Daehyun Group?”

“No, nothing’s decided yet. I discussed it with Oh Se-hyun… You know him, right? The CEO of Miracle Investment.”

The two men nodded.

“He mentioned that the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation is showing interest. Considering the diverse card offerings and robust network, they believe acquiring Soonyang Card would be the quickest route.”

My uncles couldn’t hide their startled expressions. With their substantial funds, the NACF could snatch it up quickly if the conditions were right.

“Do-jun, even so, it’s not right to sell Soonyang’s name to someone else. Every part of this company carries your grandfather’s spirit… You know that.”

He knew I was soft on Grandfather, so he was trying to appeal to my emotions?

“Ah, nothing’s been decided yet. There’s no need to rush.”

They must be feeling anxious.

If they rushed, they risked it going to someone else, but if they didn’t, I might change my mind and the acquisition would fall through.

Especially the second uncle, acquiring the credit card company was crucial. Considering his cash flow situation, getting his hands on it as soon as possible was advantageous.

Now, the usually composed Jin Dong-ki fired the first shot.

“Do-jun, why don’t you just hand it over to us? We’ll give you a good price.”

“Us? What do you mean, us? A company isn’t a toy you assemble. Are you suggesting we split it?”

“Brother, I don’t mean split it, but a joint acquisition is possible.”

“Who decided that! You’re making a real spectacle of yourselves.”

Jin Young-ki’s patience had run out.

“Do-jun, stop talking nonsense and hand Soonyang Card over to your uncle. You’re finding it hard to manage anyway, and I’ll give you a good price. Let’s end this here. Agreed?”

“W-well, Uncle… that’s…”

“Enough. Even if you’re still a kid, you should know better than to trifle with the Soonyang name! Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?”

Wouldn’t it be wise to play along with his fierce outburst?

“S-sorry, Uncle.”

I quickly lowered my head. The second uncle needed to step in soon, but why was he hesitating?

“Hyung. You can’t get things done by bullying him like that. What does Do-jun know? He’s a smart kid, though, you can reason with him. Do-jun.”

“Yes?”

“You’re a responsible adult now, and a major shareholder in Soonyang’s financial sector. You know how big of a deal this is. Just promise us one thing here and now.”

“Yes. What promise should I make?”

I glanced between the two men, wearing a defeated expression.

“Even if you sell Soonyang Card, don’t erase the Soonyang name. Your grandfather loves you so much. Think of him and listen to us.”

“You mean… you want me to sell it to the two of you?”

“The two of us? What are you talking about! Sell it to me.”

“Hyung! Enough with the unreasonable demands!”

“Dong-ki! You know you can’t afford it on your own! It’s a trillion won, a trillion! The only way you could get that kind of money is by selling your subsidiaries in steel or machinery!”

Had the moment ripened enough?

“Excuse me, Uncles. I apologize for interrupting, but it’s not one trillion won.”

“What?”

“I said it’s over one trillion won…”

I sighed, as if making a huge decision, looking at the two wide-eyed men.

“Alright, then let’s do this. The minimum valuation Miracle and Soonyang Card calculated is 1.2 trillion won. I think 1.4 trillion won is reasonable. If you can offer that much, I’ll sell it to you to preserve the Soonyang name.”

The number 1.4 trillion won was enough to make Vice-chairman Jin Dong-ki despair. To get that kind of money, he’d have to take out bank loans using his company shares as collateral, unless he sold off some subsidiaries.

But the financial institutions would likely try to acquire Soonyang Card directly instead of just lending him money. No, even before that, they’d need to assess his collateral.

Confirming Jin Dong-ki’s expression, Jin Young-ki looked smug, as if victory was already his.

“Alright. I’ll still need to run the numbers, but I’ll try to meet your terms, Do-jun. We can have the staff start the negotiations, right?”

Seeing that the second uncle still couldn’t bring himself to speak even after all this meant his finances were truly strained.

But an easy victory isn’t interesting. A little blood needs to be shed.

“Then, let’s make the payment in three-year bonds. We’re family, so I should offer some convenience. It’s not like I’m desperate for the money. I’ll tell the staff to prepare the specifics.”

The moment I mentioned bonds, both their expressions changed completely.

Three-year bonds.

It was a credit transaction.

As the saying goes, ‘If it’s on credit, you’d even eat a cow.’