Chapter 46: The End of the 80s (5)

The reunification of Germany is more difficult to predict than the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The signs of the Soviet Union’s collapse have been present for a while, and above all, the reunification of Germany happens first.

The fact that East Germany fell is sufficient evidence to predict the collapse of the Soviet Union.

There are assessments that Secretary General Gorbachev’s reform plan might have succeeded if it wasn’t for the August coup, but honestly, even the coup was a predictable future.

There were many scholars who predicted that the Soviet Union would collapse, just not that it would collapse so vainly.

But… the fall of the Berlin Wall is different. This isn’t a matter of prediction, it’s a matter of prophecy.

‘I’m not even sure if this history will follow the same flow.’

If the party spokesman had returned from vacation early enough to read the report, and if he hadn’t answered “immediately, without delay” to a reporter’s question about when departures through the Berlin Wall would begin, and if the Italian reporter who didn’t speak German well hadn’t misunderstood and reported “Berlin Wall to be immediately dismantled,” and if, at the very least, the printing worker who accidentally erased the footnote on the document the spokesman read had been a little more careful…

History would have changed.

‘…Damn, looking at it this way, it seems impossible for things to go back to the original history. There are too many variables.’

The butterfly effect I caused is very small so far, but wouldn’t history change even if just the schedules of a few people changed slightly?

I don’t particularly like the ‘restorative power of history,’ but it can’t be helped. For the suffering East German people, it’s time for the anti-communist fighter, Yu Hayeon, to step up.

“Miss, you’re not thinking anything strange, are you?”

Lee Sihyeon, who was applying oil to my back as I lay face down, asked me with a sullen expression.

“Why? No, I’m not.”

-Flap flap-

I shook my head, kicking my legs and burying my feet in the sand.

“You’re smiling slyly though…”

It can’t be helped. How can I not smile when I might be the one to tear down the Berlin Wall?

“I’m just ticklish, hehehe. Come on, apply more oil. Here too… yes.”

Still, I had to hide this fact from Sihyeon, so I just made frivolous noises and kept smiling slyly.

***

A few days later.

I went to Wall Street and met Ha Youngil.

“Hello! How have you been?”

“…Miss? Oh… you’ve grown a lot, huh. Time flies.”

Ha Youngil momentarily glanced at my chest and then, as if nothing had happened, cleared his throat and looked at my face.

‘He’s still young.’

Even though I’ve grown quickly due to my past life perks and look like a middle schooler, I’m still a child.

I playfully chided Ha Youngil with a smile.

“What are you talking about, you’re still in your twenties. You’re full of energy, huh?”

“…Hmm.”

Being here brought a sincere smile to my face for the first time in a while. In a cheerful mood, I looked around the familiar yet unfamiliar landscape of Wall Street.

Because it was my first time coming to Wall Street in this life… it brought back a different kind of feeling.

“Wow, the Charging Bull statue is cool.”

The ‘Charging Bull,’ which would later become a landmark of Wall Street, had only recently been installed, so it was still in its original, unworn state.

When I first entered Wall Street, I also touched the bull’s horns and wished to make some money… and somehow, it came true.

‘Ugh, the testicles are f*cking huge. I didn’t think much of it when I was a man… but it feels weird to touch them now.’

I should go touch the horns instead.

-Yippee-

I stood on my tiptoes, touched the horns, then dusted off my hands and smiled brightly.

“This was recently erected, right? During Black Monday.”

“…Yes, it was illegally installed, so it was supposed to be removed soon, but many people like it, so I don’t know what will happen.”

I shrugged at Ha Youngil, who was looking at me with a strange expression.

“Why are you looking at me so sullenly? We did make a profit during Black Monday, but that doesn’t mean a bull market is bad, does it?”

Anyone would think I caused Black Monday.

Shush.

Ha Youngil shook his head as if he was fed up and guided me.

“The Alpha Fund building is too famous now, so it’s a bit difficult for you to come… I’ll take you to another safe building.”

“Yes, yes, let’s do that. Did you prepare lunch?”

“I bought sandwiches from Subway for now… Do you eat fast food?”

“It’s not my taste, but since I’m in America, I should eat it at least once, right?”

I wouldn’t have eaten it if I were at home, but since I’m working now, it’s fine. It’s also my first time eating Subway in this life.

‘I wonder what it tastes like. I wonder if it tasted different in the past.’

I tilted my head for a moment and then suggested dinner.

“How about a restaurant for dinner? I don’t know, but I want to show my secretary around New York.”

“Ah, come to think of it, this is your first time in New York, Miss? I made a mistake. I have a friend who knows good restaurants here… I’ll ask him later and let you know.”

“No, I’m fine. It’s because of Sihyeon.”

“Yes, I understand.”

No, I’m really fine.

It sounds like I’m using Sihyeon as an excuse because of my pride.

***

A room slightly darkened by a blackout curtain.

“So… what should we do this time, Miss?”

Ha Youngil asked me with an eerie smile.

“It would have been more atmospheric if you didn’t have a sandwich in your mouth.”

Ha Youngil, who munched on the remaining cabbage, shook his head.

“…That’s because I’ve been working without time to eat because of you, Miss. Damn, come to think of it, it’s been a long time since I’ve had white rice… Sometimes I regret accepting your offer.”

Well, come to think of it, Ha Youngil has been working quite hard.

Consistent rest and loyalty management are necessary for Ha Youngil as well. Perhaps he needs more care than Sihyeon.

Because he has a lot of money. The amount is already comparable to the money Daeha Group manages.

“So, are you not going to do it?”

“…That’s not it. Still, this is the prime of my life, and I’m always grateful and thankful to you, Miss.”

Ha Youngil laughed heartily and bowed his head.

“Yes, be more thankful in the future. There’s still a long way to go before the peak of your life comes.”

“It’s scary when you say that, Miss. What are you planning to do this time? Alpha Fund made a huge profit from selling CDS this time, oh…”

“We made a huge profit.”

These days, there were some people who ignored the fund because he wasn’t at the forefront, but those people have all disappeared, he said.

“We’ll keep making small profits in Eastern Europe, and we’ll have to make a big splash in the Soviet Union.”

“Ah, I heard about it… Will the Soviet Union really collapse?”

“It will collapse someday. Of course, I don’t know exactly when, but I expect it to be around 2-3 years. But it doesn’t really matter if my prediction is wrong.”

Because the meat to be eaten is so, really incredibly big, I’m just 고민ing about how to eat it…

Even if I’m late for dinner, or come a little early, or share it with others, the Soviet Union is a huge piece of meat that will make you burst.

I’m just preparing it a little because there are parts I can’t eat, like the military sector or parts related to the Red Mafia.

“So it’s a relatively relaxed and low-risk business.”

“That’s right.”

You might think it’s very surprising…

But I’m a safety-oriented person.

If I don’t die from external factors, I’ll live forever, so there’s no need to take risks.

It’s said that big money comes with big risks, but knowing the future history dramatically reduces that risk, so it just seems like I’m enjoying the risk.

“How’s the fund situation?”

“It’s not bad. We’re projecting a 40% return this year.”

Hmm, that’s just right.

Even in the heyday of hedge funds, a 40% return is amazing, of course… but considering that I’m here, it’s not that dramatic of a number.

Soros’ Quantum Fund exceeded 30% annual average returns even without future knowledge, and reached a high of 68% at its peak.

“Considering there were no special issues this year, it’s good. But if you followed my instructions, you could have made more.”

Ha Youngil scratched his head and sighed.

“Ah… actually, my influence in the fund has weakened a bit. But it will be fine soon, since we made a big hit with CDS this time.”

Tsk…

This is a problem.

Because of me, Ha Youngil will have a hard time being at the forefront in the future.

‘…It’s 89 now. Hmm, let’s think.’

The reason I can’t be caught doing this is because of the checks from my family and the government.

In other words, if I have enough money and power, I can ignore that.

What’s certain is that after the IMF crisis in 1997, I can openly reveal myself… but before that, it’s a bit tricky.

I’ve prepared ways to suck the Alpha Fund’s money into Daeha Securities through various contracts, but it still takes time for the money I’m managing to become legally ‘my money’.

But…

“Youngil, but if the original plan was followed, there shouldn’t be a reason for your influence in the fund to weaken, right? You said it was made up of all your friends.”

Ha Youngil remained silent.

That’s right.

Originally, there’s no such thing as friendship in front of money.

“Ahaha, yeah. It happens. Let’s just say you had a good experience and move on.”

It’s amazing that a twenty-year-old with no experience has done this much.

I smiled brightly and patted Ha Youngil’s shoulder. Isn’t this the kind of small thing I came to America for?

The Eastern European revolution, the collapse of the Soviet Union… most financial matters can be resolved from a seated position.

The biggest problem is people.

When people are not around, it’s easy for them to change their minds.

“Still, those friends met all the conditions I mentioned, right?”

He nodded with a strangely sullen expression.

“Orientalism… you mean? Yes, well…”

People don’t usually change their bad habits.

Orientalism essentially comes from ignorance about the East. And fear also comes from ignorance.

“To those ignorant friends… it’s time to give them the whip instead of the carrot.”

I can’t forgive anything else, but I can’t forgive them for embezzling my money.

That rotten mindset should be buried at the end of the 80s.