Chaebol

I was walking slowly around the Seoul National University campus.

It would take a few days for the head professor to make up his mind.

'No need to rush.'

Besides that.

'I've been coming to Seoul National quite often these days.'

The campus is huge, and the air is fresh.

Seoul National University students must really enjoy studying here.

Since I've been reborn… maybe I should study hard and… just go for it?

'Forget it.'

It's too much trouble because of math, ahem.

I walked for a while, heading toward the library.

I was curious to see what the Seoul National University library looked like.

'Since I'm already here.'

It would be a waste to go straight home.

Yes, I might as well read some books before I leave.

I walked briskly into the reading room.

The smell of books is always pleasant!

I wondered what to read and then thought of English books.

I was always envious of people who were good at English in my past life.

Especially when fellow novelists doubled as translators… wow! That looked really cool.

Back then, I was just scraping by, barely managing to write my own novels!

'Now I have more than enough time and resources.'

Should I take this opportunity to study English?

Besides, I have a plausible excuse.

'Right, they say Dürer's artwork is in America. It wouldn't hurt to study in advance.'

Tap, tap.

The English section was quiet.

There must be plenty of English majors, but this place was strangely deserted.

'It's good for me, though.'

My English skills were stuck at the level of college entrance exams.

Barely passing with a second-grade level back then, and I must have forgotten most of what I learned by now.

'Let's see.'

They say Hemingway used simple words to write his novels, right?

'Raymond Carver should be similar.'

I looked for novels that were relatively easier to read.

But, lo and behold.

'What's this, it's difficult!'

Well… it makes sense.

Even during exams, I was barely a second-grade student.

With that level of proficiency, how could I expect to read original texts?

'Ah, I thought living a second life would make English easier.'

Still, what can you do?

If one meal isn't enough to satisfy you, you have to keep eating.

'I'll keep reading until I get it.'

I leaned back and buried my head in the book for a long time.

When I was halfway through 'The Old Man and the Sea.'

Shuffle, shuffle.

For the first time, I sensed someone approaching the English section.

I was struggling with the waves of English, so I was oddly glad to look up.

A man of average height with a shaggy haircut.

Wearing an old shirt and faded jeans.

Everything about him was ordinary, except for his distinctive red glasses.

'Oh, this guy?'

He also looked at me closely.

Seeing a child reading an English book in the library must have been unusual.

But his gaze didn't linger long.

With a slight smile as a greeting, he turned to the bookshelf.

It was a very brief eye contact.

Even so, I was sure who he was.

'Yes, the red glasses.'

The most acclaimed film critic of the 2020s.

That was Yoo Dong-jin.

***

I had met Yoo Dong-jin in my previous life.

Thanks to being invited to his literary podcast.

At that time, I was a nobody.

My only published work was a collection of short stories.

Even that failed to sell a thousand copies, causing a loss for the publisher.

I was an obscure novelist with no popularity.

Yet, Yoo Dong-jin personally invited me to his show and had me on air.

He said I was an essential presence in the Korean literary scene.

He recommended my work to the listeners, saying it wouldn't hurt to read my book.

After the recording, we even went for drinks.

He brought out a well-read copy of my book, carefully asking for my autograph, savoring each sentence.

Then he put the book into his briefcase as if it were a treasure.

Even after several years, the fact that I still clearly remember that moment…

It must have been one of the few happy memories in my life.

After that, Yoo Dong-jin steadily rose to fame with his unique diligence.

Meanwhile, I…

Ahem.

Anyway, perhaps because of the good memories.

I ended up reading almost all of Yoo Dong-jin's travelogues and critical essays.

But to meet him again in this life…

'And as a college student!'

Filled with joy, I approached him.

He thought I was leaving, so he stepped aside to make way.

But as I stood near him, he looked puzzled.

"…Need any help?"

I was excited to approach him without a plan.

It felt awkward to acknowledge our past life acquaintance.

But it felt weird to just walk away.

So I blurted out,

"Do you tutor?"

***

Yoo Dong-jin and I were sitting side by side on a bench.

He was holding a vending machine coffee, and I had an orange juice.

Considering my bank balance, I should have bought it.

But naturally, Yoo Dong-jin paid.

It would be odd for an eleven-year-old to buy drinks on a first meeting.

"Do you live nearby?"

"No. I'm from Hannam-dong."

"Then how did you come to the university?"

"I just… came to look around."

"Really?"

"..."

"You want to study English?"

"Yes, kind of."

"Sorry, but I'm not good enough to teach anyone."

"But you're a Seoul National University student. I'm just eleven."

He chuckled.

He tried to cover his laugh with his paper cup.

"Why do you want to learn English?"

"To read books in the original language."

"At that age already?"

I'm thirty-five, ahem.

But I couldn't tell the truth, so I found a suitable answer.

"There are still many untranslated books."

"So you want to learn English to read them yourself?"

"Yes."

"That's admirable."

Yoo Dong-jin took a sip of his coffee.

"Do you have a favorite author?"

"Fitzgerald."

"The Great Gatsby?"

"Yes. I also like Raymond Carver, Kurt Vonnegut, and Richard Brautigan."

"Huh?"

"What?"

"Richard Brautigan… hasn't been translated, has he?"

Ah, I didn't think that through.

"I… stuttered through the original. My dad helped me with the parts I didn't understand. Then he got tired of it, so I decided to learn it myself."

"Is that so?"

Fortunately, he didn't seem suspicious.

"You really love reading?"

"Yes, I love books."

"Why do you love them?"

"Because we can't live two lives."

Except me.

"But with books… you can live other lives. Today you're Gatsby, tomorrow you're Holden Caulfield, the day after you're Huck Finn. That's why I like them."

"Who did you enjoy being the most?"

Park Ji-hoon.

That was my honest answer.

"Of course, Gatsby."

Again, I gave a fitting answer.

We continued to talk about various things.

All related to literature, and we had a smooth conversation.

As the sun began to set, and the chill crept in, Yoo Dong-jin drank the rest of his coffee.

After a moment of contemplation.

"…Hmm."

He chose his words carefully.

"How about visiting the school occasionally?"

"What?"

"Tutoring is too much, but it'd be nice to chat about novels as friends."

"Really?"

"Yes. But only if we talk as equals, as friends."

He didn't want to exploit a fourth-grade boy's love for literature to make money.

'I used the tutoring as an excuse, too…'

It was a typical Yoo Dong-jin response.

"But, brother."

"Yes?"

"Don't you like movies?"

At my question, Yoo Dong-jin's eyes sparkled like a child's.

Thanks to that, we talked for a long time after that.

On the way home in the car.

It was purely a chance encounter.

But it clarified my vague thoughts.

'What if I sell Dürer's painting and make money? What next?'

Right.

I'm chasing the 20 billion won in front of me.

But after achieving that goal… what will I do with the money?

There are many choices, but today I had a promising thought.

'How about starting a publishing company?'

A publishing house filled with books I want to read.

Yes, if I start a good publishing house… I won't have to worry about books for life.

It seemed plausible, and my thoughts continued to grow.

'I can't run it myself at eleven.'

It would be nice to have a book-loving president.

Who could it be?

Someone who loves books as much as I do…

The first person that came to mind was, of course.

'Today's film critic Yoo Dong-jin!'

Yes, I could trust him.

Maybe not profitable, but…

A company full of good books!

I felt like I had another reason to make money.

'Starting a publishing company might take around 500 million won?'

Still, I'd have 19.5 billion won left.

What could I do with that?

Happy thoughts kept me in a good mood.

***

At the same time.

Vice-President Park Jong-in of Hyeon-gang was negotiating the acquisition with Dr. Yoo Won Kim of Yoo Won Semiconductor.

The acquisition price was within Park Jong-in's personal financial reach.

The problem was the massive investment needed afterward.

At least 1 trillion won over ten years.

And to have a meaningful result, they would need to invest three times as much as Japanese companies during the same period.

It was impossible without the support of the head office.

Perhaps due to Park Jong-in's dark expression.

Dr. Yoo Won Kim spoke heavily.

"It's a huge amount, indeed. But… if we can show some results… won't the shareholders agree to invest?"

Showing results meant getting orders from American companies for semiconductor production.

However.

It would take at least 100 billion won to build a facility that meets American standards.

Even though they're a conglomerate…

100 billion won isn't something you just find lying around.

"Not easy, right?"

Dr. Yoo Won Kim bowed his head, half giving up.

In contrast, Park Jong-in's eyes were still calm.

"I'll find a way."

"…Really?"

"So please keep contacting American companies."

"Ah, yes. I will."

"And as I promised…"

"…?"

"Even after the acquisition, I'll ensure your rights, so please continue focusing on your research."

"Thank you! I won't forget this kindness."

Dr. Yoo Won Kim stood up and bowed deeply.

Unlike him.

'100 billion won…'

Park Jong-in's mind was burning up.