Chapter 22: Boom (3)

My significant success brought about a change.

Having bought my own house and moved out, I had to return home for family gatherings.

Although it’s only been a month since I moved out, it’s been a year since the last family gathering. I observe the mansion with fresh eyes.

‘It’s really big, seeing it again.’

Yu Seongpil’s mansion is enormous, capable of housing his entire family.

Ironically, most family members don’t live there.

-Thump.

I enter the mansion. Servants bow as I pass.

“Miss, it’s been a while.”

An elderly servant smiles, using honorifics.

“Hey, it’s only been a month. Gardener, hello!”

Many people work at the Daeha mansion: gardeners, cooks, cleaners, and butlers…

This mansion reflects Yu Seongpil’s desire to become a ruler of people, not just money.

I greet everyone cheerfully. Entering the mansion, I spot a tall, middle-aged man in a suit.

Yu Jinha, Yu Seongpil’s second son.

Perhaps concerned about being late last year, he arrived early.

I bow politely, offering a subtle smile—neither overly innocent nor worldly.

“Hello, Uncle.”

“Hayeon. I’ve heard a lot. Everyone’s excited about their remarkable niece, haha.”

“It was just luck. I’m smart, but…”

Yu Jinha has the sharp demeanor of a scholar. He was going to get a doctorate abroad before being called by Yu Seongpil.

…09.

‘Is the scrutiny already starting?’

Yu Jinha’s words suggest that people around him are warning him about me.

But I don’t know his true intentions.

He’s warning me subtly, or perhaps trusting me to be cautious, but not to cross the line…

As I pondered this, Yu Jinha smiles warmly.

“It’s not the 1950s anymore; you’re overdoing it, child.”

“…1950s? It’s 1985…”

I flinch. Is there another regressor?

“Ah, you wouldn’t know. You’re a genius, but you lack experience, and your vocabulary is limited. It was commonly used in the 1970s, but you wouldn’t know it, being born in 1978.”

He laughs heartily. Unlike the eldest son, Jinseok, the scholarly Yu Jinha seems to enjoy explaining things.

“We called 1955 ‘the 1950s.’ I don’t remember much from that time either. But I know it was hellish in Korea.”

After counting the years, I realize he’s right, bowing my head.

“…Ah, my knowledge has increased. Thank you, Uncle.”

Seriously, they still use the Dangun era? That’s why I didn’t know.

Yu Jinha, turning 39, looks young. He projects more youth than middle-aged maturity…

He was subdued by my grandfather, but one-on-one, his height creates a sense of intimidation.

…He seems like he’ll use some manipulative tactic.

“Knowledge is power. Wisdom grows with age. You’re talented, but young; you don’t know much. Young geniuses have many rivals; be careful.”

I’ve heard this before. You’re a genius, but young, and geniuses have many enemies.

“…”

But I can’t take his words at face value. It sounds like a threat coming from this man.

It’s hard to think it’s just family talk…

It’s unsettling.

In my past life, Yu Jinha ousted his older brother to become chairman.

***

Businesses, not ordinary citizens, feel the boom most acutely.

Ordinary people are more sensitive to inflation and housing prices; exports matter less.

Conversely, chaebols are more sensitive to economic booms.

“Oh, Jinha’s here. Sit down. And our remarkable granddaughter.”

Yu Seongpil looks happier than usual. There were no major setbacks this year, and a huge boom is coming.

Wasn’t there trouble last year in November?

This year, the end-of-year gathering is relatively relaxed.

…Relatively.

“Seonjun, you’re a senior in high school? What is this attire? Gambling again?”

Yu Seongpil looks at his grandson, Yu Seonjun, disapprovingly. Yu Jinseok, biting his lip, bows.

“…I’m sorry, Father.”

“I’m not talking to you, Jinseok. He’s almost an adult; he needs to be responsible! What example does he set for the other grandchildren?”

Yu Seonjun looks unhappy, but seeing Yu Jinseok’s glare, he bows, apologizing.

“I’m sorry, Grandpa.”

“…Alright. I hear you’ve changed, so I won’t say anything more.”

Yu Seongpil answers briefly, turning away. He’s being lenient for a high school senior.

He’ll get beaten up by Yu Jinseok, but Seonjun probably expected that.

“Hayeon, don’t overexert yourself. Life is not a sprint. Running too hard now will exhaust you later.”

Yu Seongpil’s gaze is gentle. I smile, nodding.

“Yes, Grandpa. I’m tired; I need to rest for a few years.”

“Oh, you talk well, for someone who’s only lived a few years.”

Yu Seongpil doesn’t seem to believe me. My sudden announcement to rest, after obsessively studying, is understandable.

It’s a boom, and I’m a child who’s achieved immense success.

The family’s uneasy gaze towards me, a mere nine-year-old, is understandable. I’m not scary, but the money I wield is.

It’s like giving a child a gun; those who don’t see me as a genius are more wary.

They expect me to cause trouble without control.

But this time is different. My words are sincere.

I’m tired, and I’ll rest.

“Seriously…”

I pout, stretching my legs.

White socks reach my knees, my black skirt fluttering above.

Cute and elegant, yet still a child.

Who would seriously consider me a business partner? Daeha Group knows I’m exceptional and views me seriously due to succession issues, but others see me as a child.

At least until puberty…

Yes, I need to be careful.

***

Following that, I spent a year quietly reading, fulfilling my promise to rest.

It wasn’t boring. Observing history and planning the future was highly entertaining.

January 28, 1986.

[US Space Shuttle Challenger explodes… all 7 crew members dead.]

During winter break, playing games, I pause at this news.

The Challenger, carrying out a NASA mission, exploded, killing all 7 crew members.

February 13, 1986.

[Dongguk Group is fully dissolved.]

-Thud.

I put down the newspaper, smiling with satisfaction.

Dongguk Group, dissolved in 1985, is gone. Chairman Kang retained only Dongguk Mulsan, disappearing, while other chaebols devoured the remains.

Unlike my past life, the dismantling was rational, preventing a drop in Korea’s credit rating.

Chairman Kang preserved more of his company; I also profited. A win-win.

April 26, 1986.

[Soviet Chernobyl nuclear power plant explodes… the worst nuclear accident in history.]

The Chernobyl disaster is reported in Korea. A major event leading to the Soviet Union’s collapse.

Facing this disaster, costing $700 billion and causing hundreds of thousands of casualties, I feel helpless.

If it were the US, I’d have taken a massive short position…

October 26, 1986.

Having gotten used to elementary school, I go to the supermarket.

A spicy ramen, with a striking “辛” character, has appeared.

…It was incredibly spicy. I cried, clinging to Sihyeon’s trousers.

Was it always this spicy…?