TOIGC 12

Chapter 12 …

Wait, an Elementary School President? (1)

‘Wait, what?!’

Yoongi almost blurted the words out loud, but Choi Deokbae continued with a surprisingly calm tone.

<It But an anything. article at bankrupt board came completely didn’t directors go got meeting. of or out overhauled saying shareholders’ the> ‘So that thief didn’t actually have complete control over Samwoo Group?’ <That’s He The bought cement chairman. foreign guy himself his how investors it just looked. make on orders out reached status. stock their to up> ‘Even though he had the legitimacy of being the eldest in the direct bloodline?’ <You That’s a as businesses busy but chairman didn’t fifth grandfather’s ground. had he him. instead internally, into know, living lot making next of picked probably ran so son straight that the they were why you your> ‘So he cut a deal with foreign investors to stop that from happening?’ <Exactly. Getting Group In Samwoo a after. all, and basically became but chairman’s fine for foreigners from he him. into puppet reality, right seat stolen the those under was> ‘Ha… and he had the nerve to preach about talent in front of me…’

Yoongi felt a strange sense of empty relief. The man who had beaten him, mocked him, and acted so high and mighty had ended up handing over the entire Samwoo Group as a puppet for foreign investors.

<Well, But Group Samwoo air. chairman grandfather’s has him. himself into it’s legacy not of personal plenty so that the thin true under, vanished wealth, went your>

Grind!

The sound of teeth gnashing rang out, making the driver glance back at Yoongi in surprise.

“Young master?” “Oh, it’s nothing. Just… thinking about my friend running away…” “I understand how you feel. I lost a lot of my neighborhood friends back in the Korean War, too.”

Having seen plenty of the wartime generation since his regression, hearing such a vivid first-hand account helped ease Yoongi’s tension just a bit.

“Phew, let’s head back now.” “Understood.”

Glancing back one last time at the hillside slum he would never visit again, Yoongi clenched his fist tightly.

‘I won’t be seeing those two bastards here anymore. But someday, no matter how long it takes, I’m going to track them down. I can’t let my revenge end like this…!’

“I have a question.” <What is it?>

Choi Deokbae replied indifferently, lying back on the bed in the room.

“If Kim Chanyeol doesn’t become chairman in the end, doesn’t that mean the board overhaul at the shareholders’ meeting won’t happen either?” <That’s how it not works.> “Why not?” “Are you really clueless, or are you just trying to double-check?” “As you know, before my suicide, I was just an idiot bouncing between day-labor construction jobs. After my suicide, I’m only a ten-year-old kid. Even if I’ve heard rumors here and there or read a few books, I barely know how corporate operations actually work.” <Is Well now… so? that>

Choi Deokbae wore a sinister grin as he shifted from lying down to sitting up.

“…?” <Go Tear brew fingers, instant kimchi ramen. some too. up with your> “Ugh, seriously.”

As Yoongi twisted his face in complete annoyance, Choi Deokbae chuckled and spoke up.

<If This don’t for forget free, give information is it. know. out to to, too valuable want way you> “Fine. Fine!”

Yoongi got up and headed to the kitchen.

“Ma’am, could you brew a pack of ramen for me, please? And tear up some kimchi with your hands.” “Of course, young master.”

A short while later, when the housekeeper brought the bowl of ramen into the room, Choi Deokbae smacked his lips, practically drooling.

“When should I come back for the bowl?” “I’ll bring it down to the kitchen myself.”

Once the housekeeper left, Yoongi placed the tray on his desk and offered two formal bows.

<Wow, is like? looks ramen so this what> “You’ve never eaten it before?” <How I? could> “Fair point.”

Watching Choi Deokbae slurp down the noodles, Yoongi thought to himself:

‘If I had regressed back to my twenties in the 1950s, I could have founded Samyang Ramen myself.’

Instead, he had regressed back to 1968, and even now in 1977, he was still just a ten-year-old elementary schooler.

‘If only I were just a bit older…’

Being forced to sit back and watch due to his age was frustrating, but his chest hadn’t felt this tight until what happened earlier.

‘Samwoo Group is guaranteed to grow big enough to rank among the top conglomerates, even in a worst-case scenario.’

He had originally figured he just needed to lead the group better than his past self did. But based on what he just heard, that wasn’t the case. If what Choi Deokbae said was true, Samwoo Group was destined to fall into complete chaos by the time he turned 43. To stop that, he had to do everything within his power starting right now.

<Burp!> Tapping his stomach with a loud belch, Choi Deokbae turned his head toward Yoongi.

“Tell me now.” <Watermelons are aren’t in now, right season they?> “Sigh.”

When Yoongi walked out without a word of complaint, a satisfied grin spread across Choi Deokbae’s face. But the moment Yoongi walked back in carrying something, Choi Deokbae gasped.

<Ack! Hey! Not that!>

What Yoongi held in his hand was none other than dried jujubes.

“Who told you to keep playing games with me?”

Yoongi placed the dried jujubes on the desk and gave one formal bow.

<No! I no! said> “Hmph.”

He followed up with a second bow. At once, Choi Deokbae’s body began dragging toward the jujubes, agonizingly slow yet unstoppable.

<Gahh! Urgh!>

Choi Deokbae’s hands reached out toward the jujubes against his will. In the end, he had no choice but to chew on the raw jujubes, his face contorting in sheer disgust.

<Damn Ptui Ptui! a all… ancestral be deserves dried first it jujubes memorial on ptui! put quartered! table to whoever>

As Yoongi discovered a year ago, there was a binding rule that forced him to consume whatever an ancestor offered on a memorial table. That was why Yoongi used this exact method to discipline Choi Deokbae whenever he pushed the teasing too far. Dried jujubes were the thing Choi Deokbae hated most.

“So, what would happen if Kim Chanyeol didn’t step up?” <You Cheolho Choi Group Samwoo Since Then What a agree and anything, can’t central chairman chaos company control. dies do falls family figure for free-for-all happens hold in internal into is keep know like massive much no of on over probably rest severe stock strife. succession. that, that? the there’s things think this to together. too top total triggering under weak-willed you yourself.> “It plummets vertically.” <It Calling Group Samwoo That’s a actually all an and companies control corporate doesn’t empty equity funds group is it just left matters. meaningless of plummet—rival private quickly scoop shares. shell. taking that’s the top up what when why> “Sigh, I didn’t realize being young would be such a handicap. If I were a high schooler right now, I could at least get into a prestigious school and build a network…” <If a aimed are but can could’ve do. elite entrance exams for gone, middle much not school school, so still there’s thing, those times were you> “Is there anything I can actually do right now?”

Choi Deokbae offered a short, indifferent answer.

Yoongi didn’t quite catch Choi Deokbae’s drift.

<Even Korea. around committed company hundred in over presidents suicide, the there time two underage were you>

The moment the words left his mouth, Yoongi finally realized what Choi Deokbae was driving at.

“Would you like some watermelon?”

A moment later, Choi Deokbae stared pitifully at Yoongi while clutching an uncut, whole watermelon in his arms.

“You want Jeil Textiles?”

Choi Gihyeon narrowed his eyes, staring intently at his grandson. To Choi Gihyeon, who was sipping herbal tea and watching TV in the main bedroom, this request came completely out of left field.

“Yes. To be exact, instead of giving me a company president’s salary as my allowance, please give me the title of president.”

Upon acquiring Jeil Textiles, Choi Gihyeon had informed Yoongi that he would set his allowance equal to the salary of Jeil Textiles’ president. It was meant as a reward, similar to what other family members received if they submitted and successfully executed an effective business strategy.

Because of that, Yoongi’s allowance was at a level unimaginable not just for young kids, but even for most adults. Yet now he was asking for the next level up.

“Do you understand what the title of president actually means?” “Yes. It means becoming the leader who guides the company.” “Then do you believe you have the capability to be that leader?” “No, I don’t think I do.”

Realizing his grandson wasn’t just throwing a temper tantrum, Choi Gihyeon relaxed his expression slightly and began to explain.

“Right, so you do understand. You don’t have the capacity to be a president yet. A true president must be able to command an organization and inspire confidence in outsiders. But a company where a third-grade elementary student is the president? How could a company like that earn the trust of its clients, and how could a president like that lead his subordinates?” “That’s why I’d like you to appoint a separate vice president.” “Appoint a vice president? So your goal isn’t actually running Jeil Textiles, but simply needing the title itself?”

As a seasoned businessman, Choi Gihyeon saw right through what his grandson was trying to say.

“Yes, that’s right.” “Why?” “I heard that you worked incredibly hard to earn money ever since you were young, Grandfather.”

At his grandson’s words, Choi Gihyeon smiled as tough memories surfaced. Smiling back at a impoverished past was the privilege of a winner. And Choi Gihyeon had earned every right to it.

“Indeed. I started carrying an ice pop box and doing business when I was eight. Back then, to keep thugs from stealing my money, I gave free ice pops to the most popular rickshaw drivers. I still remember how those rickshaw guys laughed it off, saying how much could a little kid possibly make anyway.” “I want to be like you, Grandfather.” “You want to be like me?”

Yoongi nodded.

“Yes. You started your business at eight years old, Grandfather, but at this rate, I won’t be able to start until after I graduate from college. That puts me way too far behind you. I want to do business from a young age so I can become a great person like you.”

A broad smile spread across Choi Gihyeon’s face. To have his own grandson genuinely admire and praise his past—how could he not be thrilled?

“Hearing you say that, it seems you don’t specifically need the title of president at Jeil Textiles, but rather a title that allows you to do business?” “Ah, yes! Exactly!”

Yoongi certainly possessed plenty of past experience that he could put to use. However, when it came to management, he was practically a blank slate, which left him unable to articulate his exact wishes. Thanks to Choi Gihyeon seeing right through to what he truly wanted, Yoongi was reminded once again of the urgent need to study professional fields.

‘I have to keep studying. I’m realizing more and more that relying solely on my 43-year-old life experience isn’t going to cut it.’

As if reading his mind, Choi Gihyeon hit the nail right on the head.

“Your intentions are admirable, but the times I lived in are different from the times you’re living in now. In my day, if you had the drive and a stroke of luck, you could start a business with a single coin. But nowadays, you need an education to match.”

Choi Gihyeon continued:

“It’s not as though you’re in a desperate position where you have to start a business as a child. Wouldn’t it be better to focus on your studies until you graduate college, and then step into the business world?”

Choi Gihyeon’s logic was completely sound, but Yoongi wasn’t about to back down now.

“Please give me a chance not to waste my time.” “Give you a chance?” “Yes. Please give me a chance to put the allowance I’m currently receiving to work. Gaining real experience starting now will make a world of difference compared to just trying things out after graduating college.” “Hmm…”

Seeing his grandson stand his ground so firmly, Choi Gihyeon fell into deep thought. Moments later, he offered a compromise.

“Then how about this? I’ll let you start a company completely unrelated to Samwoo.”