The Chairman Who Wants to Play and Eat

Chapter 56. Let me make one promise.

As it turned out, Barry Omaba and I were born in the same year.

What a strange coincidence.

Thanks to that, we quickly became close.

After class, it became a routine to play a game of basketball with his friends and enjoy a refreshing drink together.

Then one day,

“Isn’t it amazing?”

It was that day when I was resting at Starfox in front of the law school to cool off from the heat. Barry had a genuinely admiring expression on his face.

“What is?”

“You don’t seem like you were born in America, yet you study well and excel in sports. I just can’t compete with you.”

“You’re pretty good at sports too.”

I thought to myself, though I didn’t say it out loud.

“That’s different for me. I was an athlete until high school.”

He was a down-to-earth guy.

The more I saw him, the more I liked him as a friend.

Above all, I still hadn’t found anything particularly special about him.

We talked a lot.

Questions about which university he attended, why he was taking law classes at Stanford during the summer break instead of focusing on sports, and so on.

“The summer session is a great opportunity for a poor student like me. I can earn credits at a low price. Even if I have to keep working part-time, I’m determined to get my law degree and go to law school.”

He had an honest personality.

I could tell.

He didn’t seem skilled enough to be a basketball player, and he didn’t give the impression of someone who would excel in law studies either.

Wasn’t he exactly the kind of talent I was looking for?

“Which law school?”

“Harvard.”

“Harvard?”

He scratched his head awkwardly at my surprised voice.

“Maybe my dreams are a bit too big?”

But he said he had even bigger dreams for himself, wanting to become a politician and eventually be called the first Black president of the United States.

An absurd dream, but he added that it was a dream anyone Black would have.

It was an unexpected statement.

I had thought he was an ordinary friend, but his dreams were anything but ordinary.

But that’s not a bad thing.

No, it’s good.

The fact that an ordinary person dreams of something extraordinary means that the chances of success are that much lower.

“I don’t think it’s completely impossible.”

As if he could read my innermost thoughts, Barry added,

“Do you know about Arkansas?”

“Of course I know Arkansas. It’s a state in the southern part of the U.S. with a population of 2.29 million…”

“No, not that. I’m talking about the governor there. His name is Bill Clinton, and he started his first term as governor at just thirty-two years old, and he was re-elected in the last election. He’s not even forty yet.”

Young and with high approval ratings,

He explained that he could serve as governor a few more times, and if that happened, becoming president wouldn’t just be a dream.

He wore a proud expression, even though it had nothing to do with him.

“If someone like that can do it, what’s stopping me?”

But what does that have to do with me?

I questioned inwardly. Yet, I didn’t voice it.

Was there really a need to shatter that fanciful dream?

If anything, someone like him made it even more believable.

So, I finally spoke the words I had wanted to say several times but hadn’t been able to.

“Yeah, that’s it. I want to support your dream too.”

“Thanks.”

“I’m not just saying it for show. If you go to law school, I want to cover all your tuition. Especially if it’s Harvard.”

He was taken aback.

“What?”

I understood. It was unexpected. If my friend suddenly offered me a scholarship, I would be surprised too.

I added,

“Just so you know, you don’t have to worry about money. It’s a bit awkward to say, but I’m quite well-off back in Korea, you know.”

“I figured as much. You can tell just by looking at you.”

Even as he said that, he shook his head.

He appreciated the offer of a scholarship, but if it wasn’t a joke, he cautiously expressed that it would be better for him to handle his own affairs.

No.

Refusal wasn’t part of the plan.

“It’s all in the future anyway. In times like this, you just say you understand.”

I changed my tone as if it were a joke.

And then,

“True. Haha.”

He smiled sheepishly.

“Haha, well, if that’s the case, I can’t help it. Alright. I’ll accept that proposal. Just don’t back out when you go to Harvard later.”

As if he could back out!

He had finally fallen into my trap.

‘So, I’m finally repaying the debt I owe to Durham to Barry Obama.’

I felt a bit guilty, but there was no helping it.

The moment it was spoken, it became a contract.

From now on, when he goes to law school, he will receive a notice that he must receive a substantial scholarship from me.

There’s no way out.

It’s a perfect trap.

I had been studying American law diligently for this day. I was almost grateful to Durham for providing me with this opportunity.

This is how I should waste the scholarship funds.

That was the plan for this summer break.

‘He won’t be able to stand this.’

Even if the scholarship program is good, if such a large sum of money starts to be wasted overseas continuously, even my grandfather would surely be fed up with it.

It was time to bear fruit.

I must prepare thoroughly so that he no longer has any expectations of me.

I should tell everyone I meet about this.

Barry is the first sacrificial lamb.

‘I hope to meet that person named Clinton and get his support, but for now, there’s no way, so I hope a connection will form since Obama likes him so much.’

I thought to myself.

A few days passed like that.

“Sayun!”

It was a day with classes. Barry burst into the classroom, holding a newspaper.

“What?”

“Is this really true?”

He handed me the newspaper.

The first thing that caught my eye was a large photo of Durham. The article contained his interview about acquiring the LA Dunners.

It went like this.

— ······ Ronald Durham boldly declared that his role in the consortium, participating with a 40% stake in the acquisition of the MLB prestigious team LA Dunners, was significant, and he raised his voice to say that it was largely due to the strategy of the young negotiator Hyun Sang-yoon, who, pretending to be incompetent, cleverly took advantage of the situation. ······

— ······To reach the World Series, he declared that he would spare no expense, even stating that if necessary, he would recruit players from Japan and Korea to bolster the team. “We have plenty of bullets.” Ronald’s eyes sparkled as if he were already gazing at the championship ring on his hand. ······

“Is this you?”

“······.”

“Just as I thought.”

Barry grinned, revealing his white teeth.

“I thought it was a joke, but you really are something else. I’m starting to believe that you’re serious about the scholarship.”

He asked me again as I nodded silently.

“By the way, can I ask you for a favor?”

“You can ask for two. What is it?”

“If you’re really considering this scholarship seriously, I know a few people who could use that money even more. How about helping them out a bit more?”

Huh?

Suddenly?

Is this what they call a positive influence?

Letting go of the desire to strike it rich and meeting an ordinary friend has led to such a wonderful opportunity coming my way.

“Who are they?”

I asked, trying to hide my excitement.

“There was a time when I took part-time classes at a college in Manhattan. I met a friend playing street basketball, and I think he has incredible talent and grit. He could make it to the NBA. But he’s in a situation where he can’t practice because he doesn’t have money and is stuck playing street basketball.”

Just hearing about it made my mouth water.

“Just give me the basics. I’ll take care of the rest.”

If he’s truly worth it?

I can find him with that little information.

No matter how much Seong-hyun says that Korea is not as good as America, there’s nothing in this world that can’t be solved with money.

“David? It must have been David.”

He racked his memory.

“Oh, right. Rodman. It was David Rodman. Among everyone I’ve seen, he was definitely the most talented in basketball.”

*

Months passed.

The scholarship program progressed smoothly.

Before the end of the break, I began to sponsor Barry’s ordinary friends, David Rodman and a few others, under the name of Seong-hyun Electronics.

Real talent?

You don’t need to know about that.

After all, it was something started to expand the scholarship program.

Everyone was grateful.

“Thank you. Thank you.”

“I really thought about giving up basketball if it didn’t work out this time, but thanks to you, I’ve found the strength to try harder.”

At our first meeting,

When the burly Rodman spoke so submissively, I honestly felt a bit intimidated. His face was anything but ordinary. Not at all.

And then,

On the last day of class,

Omaba declared that he would definitely get into Harvard Law School and secure that scholarship.

“At first, I thought it was just a rich kid’s pastime.”

He confessed with a smile.

“But I can’t tell you how surprised I was to see him actually follow through. To meet such a good friend, I thought I must have used up all my luck in this lifetime.”

“That’s kind of you to say.”

“In that sense, let me make a promise.”

He was sincere.

“If I really become president in the future, I will do everything in my power to ensure that your country, Korea, and our America become the most friendly and close partners in any situation.”

Omaba never let go of his grandiose words.

Well, it didn’t matter.

I had only one wish.

Hurry up and go to Harvard to take my money, so that all of this could be for nothing; that’s all I thought.

Time passed like that.

Finally, the day to leave America arrived.

The evening before,

“Sir, do you have a moment?”

As I was making the final arrangements to leave America, Deputy Director Oh Hyun-sik from the finance department approached me.

It was a bit sudden.

“I have time. What’s the matter?”

“I have something to discuss quietly. Could you come to my office for a moment?”

“It’s no trouble at all.”

I headed to the manager’s office.

“It’s not that, but the revenue distribution for Future Killer’s second and third markets has all come in. The money you’ve earned so far has all gone into acquiring LA Darnus, and now the only money you can use is this $5.7 million.”

What was I supposed to say?

I thought it was something significant, but it was just a settlement report.

“So?”

“About $700,000 is expected to go out for the scholarship program, so now the remainder is just $5 million.”

“······I see.”

“I’ve thought a bit about where to invest this.”

I leaned in, curious if there was a good idea.

Seeing my interest, Manager Oh’s expression brightened.

“This is it.”

He handed me a sheet of paper.

I took it and read the title first.

[Investment in Promising U.S. Video Game Company ‘ATERI’]

‘ATERI?’

I lowered my gaze to the content.

It read as follows:

From noble mtl dot com

The total revenue of the gaming industry represented by ATERI reached $2 billion two years ago, and last year it surpassed an astonishing $4 billion, doubling in just one year.

A record-breaking growth,

The basis for investment.

It was a rising market that doubled every year, and not only ATERI but also competing platforms like Commander would be launched starting this year, indicating limitless potential for future development.

‘That’s true.’

I nodded.

I already knew this.

As I developed an interest in programming, I naturally became interested in games as well.

In particular, ATERI’s killer software, “PacMad,” was enjoying immense popularity, selling millions of copies in North America.

It was a business that shouldn’t fail.

So, it shouldn’t be invested in. That was my conclusion.

‘What should I say as a reason?’

I can’t say I’m not doing it just because it seems like it could make money; I need to come up with another reason.

“This won’t do.”

I started with those words.

“May I ask why?”

I couldn’t just say it wasn’t possible. I began to explain.

“The gaming industry is bound to collapse in the future.”

No, it’s going to thrive.

“As you know, with the Artery and Commander systems competing from this year onward, the market is overheating due to the exponentially increased number of game cartridges. If you go to a store, you’ll see that the prices of cartridges have been nearly dumped.”

“…But if popular software keeps coming out…”

“That’s just wishful thinking, isn’t it?”

I explained that even if a business appears to be growing on the surface, it will inevitably topple if it lacks substance.

‘Of course, I don’t believe it either.’

Numbers don’t lie.

The gaming business already has its high beams on. It will continue to sail smoothly without issues.

Cheaply released software?

It’s just market selection. It will be resolved soon.

Surely, there won’t be a scenario where dumping cartridges leads to a wave of retail bankruptcies, causing Artery’s stock to plummet and the entire industry to collapse, right?

That’s absurd.

So,

“And the gaming industry deals with children’s dreams and hopes. Rather than recklessly diving in just because it’s profitable right now, I believe it’s better to take a long-term perspective and review things slowly. For now, I cannot grant permission, Manager Oh.”

I firmly rejected Manager Oh’s proposal.

“But…”

“Please don’t repeat the same thing twice. I’m leaving.”

But still, what’s not possible is not possible.

I closed the door and stepped out.

Phew,

A sigh escaped me.

I almost fell for Manager Oh’s persuasion. This is the funding I’ve managed to cut down. It can’t grow like this.

Meanwhile, at Jeongsang Electronics,

Park Jae-il, the third generation of Jeongsang, was struggling to keep the strategy office running during the vacation.

There was nothing to do.

‘When on earth will this end?’

As he was killing time, his eyes caught an article in the morning newspaper.

[ Domestic home PC market, Seonghyeon surpasses the competition. ······ SH-16, with powerful Korean features and convenient built-in software, achieves sales of 100,000 units in just one month. ]

[ The key to Seonghyeon’s SH-16 success. ······ Who is ‘Hyun Sang-yoon,’ the third-generation manager who became a key figure in software development? ]

“Ugh. So boring.”

The newspaper crumpled. It flew into the corner trash can.

Memories of what had happened in the chairman’s office resurfaced.

‘That friend Hyun Sang-yoon, who’s your age, is making achievements like that almost every day, and what are you doing, Jaeil?!’

It was a trauma.

Gritting his teeth,

He thought, ‘I have to show something.’

Then another article caught his eye.

[ The upcoming era of advanced robotics, explosive popularity in the U.S. electronic entertainment market! ······ Artery Corp. leads the market with $400 million in sales. ]

‘Artery?’

Upon reading, he learned that the North American gaming console market was growing rapidly.

So then?

‘What if I import that gaming console and sell it in Korea? Wouldn’t it help a bit with the sluggish sales we’ve been experiencing?’

Finally, he had found something for himself. Filled with pride, he immediately began planning the business. His target was Hyun Sang-yoon.

*

Meanwhile,

Late evening, the Blue House office.

“······ I believe that the proposed liberalization of overseas travel seems a bit premature at this point.”

“Does the secretariat really think so?”

“Yes.”

The president nodded at the report from the chief of civil affairs.

“I thought so too.”

“······.”

“However, seeing the results that companies are showing these days has changed my mind a bit. Observing how free overseas expansion creates synergy for national development, I believe there are indeed benefits to liberalizing overseas travel.”

The chief bowed his head silently.

It is an era where the president’s words are regarded as law. There was no reason to add words and invite anger.

“Especially Seong-hyun.”

The president continued.

Not long ago, I had a hotline call with the White House.

It may have been mere flattery, but I even received congratulations from the American president on the emergence of the first Korean owner of the LA Danners.

The pride I felt was something I wanted to experience again and again, it was exhilarating.

Feeling gratitude towards Seong-hyun was not a stretch for him.

He suddenly spoke.

“Let’s call him.”

The chief quickly responded.

“Are you referring to Chairman Hyun Byeong-geon? Should I call him in right now?”

“No, not that person.”

The president’s lips parted.

“I’m talking about his grandson. Was it Hyun Sang-yoon? I really want to see him, but I heard he’s in America right now? Have him come to the Blue House as soon as he arrives. Got it?”