I emptied out the bankbooks that had been inside the paper bag.
With the bankbook my grandfather gave me as an allowance and the one my parents left for me, the total amounted to approximately 22 billion won.
In my previous life, I hadn't even known that my parents had left me money.
Since I had never been in need, I had never bothered to check my assets.
And because my parents passed away suddenly in an accident, they never had the chance to tell me about the inheritance.
The existence of that money only became known because of the tax investigation.
The National Tax Service thoroughly examined all my assets.
They were the ones who discovered the bankbook my parents had left for me and seized the funds for tax purposes.
A tax official was even kind enough to inform me that the bankbook's password was my birthday.
"22 billion won should be a decent initial investment, right?"
"It's a larger scale than expected. But the amount is so big that I'm worried. If we invest 22 billion won through a Korean corporation, the media or the government might start bothering us."
"Can't we just set up an overseas corporation?"
"Th-that's true."
It seemed Assistant Manager Hwang Jung-han hadn't expected me to bring up the idea of an overseas corporation. He took a moment to collect himself before continuing.
"There are a few Hong Kong-based corporations that Tae-woo Securities used. They're on the verge of closing, so we should be able to use them for a few months."
"I'll talk to my grandfather about it. Ah, and keep it a secret that I'm investing 22 billion won."
"Understood. Even if the chairman asks, I won't disclose the size of the investment."
"Then let's draft the contract. It will include a confidentiality clause as well."
Because of my past life, I don't trust people easily.
I know how fragile verbal promises can be, so I made sure to prepare a contract.
The four securities firm employees began reading through the contract with startled expressions. Then, all at once, their eyes widened.
"There's a clause stating that a portion of the investment profits will be distributed as a bonus. How much exactly?"
"One percent. If we make 10 billion won, the bonus will be 100 million won. If we make 100 billion won, the bonus will be 1 billion won. Ah, and it's not one percent per person—it's one percent split among the entire team."
No one responded.
I had carefully considered including the bonus clause, but their real interest wasn't in the bonus—it was in the consolation payment clause.
"I've never heard of a consolation payment clause in case of investment failure."
"If there are no profits, I'll pay 20 million won as compensation. However, the penalty for breaching the confidentiality clause is quite high. Will you sign?"
The securities firm employees hesitated for a moment.
After exchanging glances, they all signed the contract without further hesitation.
They must have thought that keeping the third-generation chaebol's investment play a secret was worth at least 20 million won.
But will they even have a chance to claim the consolation payment?
As long as I analyze and invest based on the future knowledge I possess, that will never happen.
* * *
Chairman Kim Tae-jung's Office at Taewoo Group
Chairman Kim Tae-jung summoned Assistant Manager Hwang Jung-han of Tae-woo Securities to his office.
It was Hwang Jung-han's first time entering the chairman's office, and he was visibly tense.
In contrast, Kim Tae-jung looked like a parent listening to a kindergarten teacher talk about their child's antics.
"So, my grandson is even using a Hong Kong corporation for his investments?"
"There was a Hong Kong corporation scheduled for closure this year."
"There won't be any troublesome issues, will there?"
"It's a corporation with no ties to Tae-woo Securities. We've acquired all related documents and the corporate account. Since even Tae-woo Securities can no longer trace its details, neither the media nor the government will be able to uncover anything."
Only then did Chairman Kim Tae-jung nod in satisfaction.
He had no desire for his grandson's investment activities to become public knowledge.
"So, where is he planning to invest?"
"I'm afraid I can't disclose that due to the confidentiality agreement."
"My grandson even prepared a contract?"
"What I can tell you is that the young master is vastly different from his peers. He already possesses extensive knowledge and a broad perspective on the world. Of course..."
"The person I dislike most is someone who stops talking mid-sentence."
"...That doesn't necessarily mean he'll be good at investing."
"Well, that's what you and the other employees are there for, isn't it?"
Chairman Kim Tae-jung smiled.
Just hearing that his grandson was ahead of his peers was enough to satisfy him.
Whether the investment succeeded or failed didn't matter in the slightest.
Even if he lost all his money, as long as he gained something from the experience, it would be worthwhile.
This was partly because he hadn't even considered that the investment fund amounted to 22 billion won.
Had he known the exact amount, he would have looked into it more carefully. But thanks to Hwang Jung-han's discretion, that never happened.
"I'll do my best to assist the young master."
"Starting next month, you're free to return to Tae-woo Securities whenever you like. Educating my grandson is important, but ensuring the company runs smoothly is even more critical. I'll arrange a special bonus for you and the others."
"Thank you. I'll consider returning after we complete the first round of investments."
"Don't bow and scrape too much just because he's my grandson. It'll be at least ten years before he inherits the company—twenty, even. Now, off you go."
* * *
Assistant Manager Hwang Jung-han returned to the office after his private meeting with the chairman
However, the office he entered was not his usual workspace.
The president of Tae-woo Securities had allocated a separate, small office specifically for the team dedicated to the young master.
"You're back, Team Leader! I've put together a portfolio—take a look."
"Don't call me 'Team Leader.' People will laugh if they hear that. Just call me Assistant Manager Hwang."
"But you're the head of our team, so you're our team leader. Anyway, check out this report first."
Kim Deok-hwan excitedly handed over the documents.
He had exceptional research skills and had discovered a new investment opportunity.
"An insurance product?"
"Apparently, quite a few people in the U.S. and Hong Kong financial sectors believe that the Japanese economy is a bubble. That's why insurance products linked to the Nikkei Index have been introduced."
"A policy that pays out five times the principal if the Nikkei drops by 30%?"
"If it gets cut in half, the payout is ten times the investment. But since it's an insurance product, there's a limit to how much we can invest at once."
The capabilities of the dedicated team were indeed impressive.
They had identified a wide range of investment products through various channels.
From real estate to short-selling stocks, Hwang Jung-han compiled their ideas into a structured portfolio.
After assembling the portfolio in no time, he let out a short chuckle.
"I never thought I'd be making a portfolio like this. There's not a trace of stability in it."
"But isn't it exciting? When else would we get a chance to make investments like this?"
"True. After only dealing with safe investments, looking at these kinds of options does make things interesting."
The four-member team was starting to enjoy their work.
It was nothing like the monotonous, repetitive routines of corporate life.
If they could, they would have loved to keep working like this for years, not just a month.
Their faces were filled with excitement and smiles.
* * *
A few days later
I invited the dedicated team to my house.
As the team leader, Hwang Jung-han presented various portfolio options.
"All the portfolios have extremely low stability. Among them, Plan 1 is highly defensive, while Plan 3 is highly aggressive."
"What's the maximum potential return for Plan 3?"
"It's a model that only yields returns if the Nikkei Index is cut in half. But if that happens, we could see profits of over ten times the initial investment."
"Then there's no need to discuss further—we're going with Plan 3."
"If we proceed with Plan 3 and things go wrong, we could lose everything. The entire 22 billion won could turn to dust."
Hwang Jung-han's hands trembled as he spoke.
But I remained calm.
After all, the collapse of the Japanese economy was already a predetermined event.
"Proceed as planned. Besides, no one outside of this room knows about the 22 billion won investment. Make sure to keep it that way."
"U-understood."
A third-generation chaebol wouldn't truly be one unless they experienced losing investment capital at least once.
However, for the employees of Tae-woo Securities, such a failure could label them as incompetent and even get them kicked out of the company.
"Alright then, I'll go see my grandfather. Start the investment immediately. I'll expect a report on its completion next week."
The dedicated team was in utter despair.
Would they still have those same expressions a month from now when the bubble bursts?
Leaving them behind, I cheerfully skipped up to my grandfather's study.
* * *
"My little pup is here! Come give me a hug."
"You're home early today."
I hugged my grandfather tightly, pouring all my affection into the embrace.
To others, I tried my best to appear mature, but my grandfather was an exception.
I wanted to make up for all the love I couldn't give him in my past life.
"Finished studying investments?"
"Yes! I just wrapped it up and came up."
"Judging by your face, you have something to say."
As expected, my grandfather saw right through me.
I hesitated for a moment, pretending to think, then finally spoke with difficulty.
"Grandfather, I want to take the GED."
"Hmm? What do you mean? Are you saying you don't want to go to school anymore?"
"I just don't want to waste time. I don't see the point of spending three years in high school. If I take the GED, I can go to university next year—I'll be saving two whole years."
"Haha, I know you're smart, Min-jae, but school isn't just about studying. It's also a place where you build friendships and gain various experiences."
Grandfather was absolutely right.
But the time I had was too short.
If I wanted to prepare properly, I needed to start working at the company as soon as possible.
"I can learn social skills once I enter the workforce."
"Haha, you really are in a hurry, aren't you?"
Grandfather chuckled as he gently patted my head, completely unaware of the reason behind my urgency.
"Grandfather, I'm not joking. I want to graduate early so I can help you sooner."
"You did well in middle school, but do you really think you can pull this off?"
My grandfather had always been deeply invested in my education.
Since kindergarten, I had been taught by more than ten private tutors.
Even in my past life, I had never lost my position as the top student from elementary to high school.
And eventually, I had made it into Korea University.
I could still remember how proud my grandfather had been at that time.
Given that I had already reached university before, there was no reason for me to go through high school again.
If I couldn't convince him with words, I had to prove my abilities directly.
Luckily, my grandfather's study was filled with stacks of international newspapers.
[Signs of the Soviet Union's collapse are appearing everywhere. With funding cut off, the Soviet government is unable to pay wages to its miners…]
I read through the English newspaper fluently.
Then, without hesitation, I picked up newspapers in Japanese and Chinese and read them just as smoothly.
This was all thanks to my grandfather.
Because of his strong belief in globalization, I had been forced to study multiple languages relentlessly—and those memories remained intact in my mind.
"Haha, my Min-jae has studied very hard."
"I want to show you the results of my studies now."
"How could I possibly outargue my own grandson? Alright, I'll inform the chief secretary, go ahead and prepare for the GED."
"Thank you! I promise I won't disappoint you!"
My grandfather pulled me into a warm hug, but after a moment, his expression turned serious.
"You will attend university properly, right?"
"Of course. Not just any university—the best in the world."
"Not Korea University?"
"I'm aiming for Harvard or Stanford. Since you're pursuing globalization, I can't just settle for staying in Korea, can I?"
"Haha, when did my little pup grow up this much? You make me so proud."
After showering my grandfather with affection, I left the study.
For the first time in a while, I wore a solemn expression as I reviewed my plan.
I am 17 years old now.
If I passed the GED within a year, I'd be 18.
Then, four years of university would mean graduating at 22.
By 1995—five years from now—I could join Tae-woo Group.
That would be three years before the financial crisis hit.
With the funds I was managing now, I could protect the group from the outside, while simultaneously working from the inside to prevent its collapse.
…But what if I failed the GED?
I had boasted so confidently in front of my grandfather—I couldn't afford to fail.
Without wasting any time, I rushed back to my room and grabbed a book.
Of course, it wasn't a GED prep book.
It was an SAT study guide—for my admission to an American university.