Chaebol

The next morning.

I fell asleep so deeply that I didn't even know how I slept.

I remember dragging my exhausted body into the hotel room.

After that, I just blacked out…

'Sigh.'

It was to be expected.

Not getting a wink of sleep on the plane and heading straight to Baker's house upon arriving in the U.S., well.

I had been barely holding on, pushing through the fatigue that was up to my neck.

"Yawn."

But maybe because I was young, just yawning and stretching made my head feel clear, haha.

I immediately called Jo Soo-deok.

"Did you have breakfast?"

(Oh, come on, could I eat alone when the boss is here?)

"You must have waited a long time."

(No, no. I was busy communicating with the British appraisal team and looking into the German team to verify Dürer's work.)

"Is everything sorted out now?"

(Of course! As of today, this land of America has become your vacation spot. You don't have to think about work at all.)

As expected, Jo Soo-deok is the best at handling matters.

"Shall we meet at the restaurant?"

(Sounds great!)

"I'll freshen up and be right down."

It was an ordinary hotel, so the breakfast wasn't anything special.

Toast with jam, bacon, scrambled eggs, and so on.

The usual business hotel fare.

"Boss, how is it? Does it suit your taste?"

"Yes, it's good."

"Hmm, it's not easy to match your taste."

"Why? Did you think I'd want lobster for breakfast because I'm rich?"

"Why not? In a democracy, if you want lobster or even caviar, it's possible."

"Not for me."

"Me neither. Haha."

I quickly cleared my plate.

Then Jo Soo-deok quickly watched my reactions.

"Shall I go get more?"

"No, let's talk business now."

"Business, sure!"

"First, I'd like to sell Dürer's work. What are the sales routes?"

"The easiest way is to put it up for auction. There are art auctions held in New York every month. As you mentioned… if it's confirmed to be Dürer's final work, German-Americans will be very interested."

It's certainly genuine.

It was already verified in my past life.

"Is there any other way besides auctions?"

"Of course. Some people dislike their works being exposed to the world. Such people often hire art dealers for one-on-one transactions."

"Art dealers?"

"Yes, think of them as brokers. If you commission Dürer's work, they find the wealthiest person who needs it and make the deal."

"So the price of the work depends on the dealer's ability."

"Exactly. Skilled dealers can fetch several times the fair price. But the commission is steep, up to ten times that of an auction."

Several times the fair price.

Hearing this, I was immediately inclined to hire an art dealer.

Though there were some concerns.

'Ten times the auction commission?'

If they bring in a lot of money, they deserve to be paid accordingly, but…

'Ten times seems excessive.'

As my thoughts reached that point, my gaze naturally turned to Jo Soo-deok.

"Boss? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Um, I'm not forcing you or anything."

"Yes?"

"You have outstanding business acumen, professor."

"I did show some skill this time. Haha."

"So I was thinking."

"...?"

"How about debuting as an art dealer?"

***

At the same time, in Park Yong-hak's office.

"A Dürer expert from Germany and a Leonardo da Vinci appraisal team from England are moving at Professor Jo Soo-deok's request."

Park Yong-hak's eyebrows twitched at his secretary's words.

"Da Vinci? You mean Leonardo da Vinci?"

"That's correct."

"They brought in a Da Vinci expert?"

"They secured two paintings in Boston, and it seems they need appraisals."

"One of them is suspected to be a Da Vinci?"

"Yes, that appears to be your grandson's judgment."

"…Ha!"

Park Yong-hak had collected fine art all his life.

His desire for art was immense, and his growing aesthetic sense with each piece made him a near-obsessive collector.

As a result, he amassed a significant number of artifacts worthy of textbooks.

Exaggerating a bit, it was almost at the level of a national museum.

But even Park Yong-hak had never imagined owning a Da Vinci painting.

There were so few of his works, and all were state-owned, making them impossible to buy, regardless of wealth.

But… his grandson called a Da Vinci appraisal team?

Park Yong-hak had seen and experienced a lot in his life.

He prided himself on being unflappable by most things.

"Hmmm."

But the name Da Vinci clearly shook his composure.

"What's the chance it's genuine?"

"Close to zero."

"Are there no unpublished works at all?"

"There's talk of a portrait called 'Salvator Mundi,' but it has never been confirmed."

"Any others?"

"There were instances where he accepted commissions but fled before completion…"

"So the odds it's Ji-hoon's painting are almost none?"

"Experts say the chance of discovering an unpublished Da Vinci is lower than winning the lottery twice in a row."

"Then let me ask one more thing."

"Yes, Chairman."

"Since we're on the topic of probabilities."

"...?"

"What's the probability of an eleven-year-old winning four literary contests?"

"What?"

"Why? Didn't you ask that?"

"Oh… well."

Unlike the fumbling secretary, Chairman Park continued.

"Ji-hoon made a lot of money in a few days and flew to the U.S. on his own."

"...."

"If he secured paintings and called appraisal teams as soon as he arrived, he must have something to back it up."

"Y-you're right."

"Did I say anything wrong?"

"No, sir."

The secretary's face was full of discomfort.

Chairman Park waved him off as if to say that was enough.

"You've done well. You can go."

Whew.

He had spoken firmly, but Chairman Park himself didn't believe the painting was a Da Vinci.

But why?

Could it be that he felt offended at the thought of underestimating his grandson?

What a thing.

'I'm experiencing all sorts of things in my old age.'

Left alone, Park Yong-hak could only muster an awkward smile.

***

Meanwhile, in Boston, USA.

The rationale for Jo Soo-deok's debut as an art dealer was simple.

"I'd do it myself, but I'm very young."

"Th-that's true."

"And my English is too poor. If we can't communicate, it's hopeless."

"That… is true."

"So if someone has to do it, I think you'd be the best fit, professor."

"Oh, well… I always follow your opinions, boss."

Jo Soo-deok looked like he had returned to his graduate school days.

Especially during his PhD years.

"Still, boss, I must mention, this is a very specialized field. I wonder if I can deliver satisfactory results, or if I might fail to get a fair price…"

"The fair price is set."

"Pardon?"

"200 billion won. We won't sell it for less."

"Wha… what!"

It was natural to be surprised.

Even though it was Dürer's final work, it was just a drawing.

If it were an oil painting, the amount would be reasonable, but to ask for 200 billion won for a sketch!

'But it worked before…'

Having seen the future, anything less was unacceptable.

Perhaps my resolute determination was evident.

With his usual knack for reading the room, Jo Soo-deok didn't object to the price.

"If you're firm on this, boss, I'll follow. Yes, 200 billion won it is! I'll think of nothing else."

"You don't have to worry alone."

"Do you have a plan, like with the uniforms?"

Nothing special.

"What are some famous German companies?"

"First that comes to mind is Allianz."

Ah, an insurance company.

I didn't know that, hmm.

"Adidas too."

Right, there's Adidas.

But… isn't Germany known more for its cars?

Hmm.

Maybe things were different in the 1980s.

Anyway.

"Are you thinking of selling to a German company?"

"Dürer is a German pride. They'd likely be more interested."

"True, interest and affection translate to money."

After nodding in agreement, Jo Soo-deok continued.

"Allianz and Adidas are good, but I'd prefer to have competition within the same industry."

"You want to stir competition to raise the price."

"Yes."

"To create proper rivalry, it must be the same industry, fierce competitors."

Bingo. Now we're on the same page.

"Contact the German Big Three: Schultz, B&W, and Gaudi. Tell them we've discovered Dürer's final work and invite them to participate in the auction."

"Auction? Didn't you say one-on-one sales…"

"Just a prelude. They'll soon contact us, asking the price and urging us not to hold an auction."

"Um… boss, I'm not doubting you, but…"

"You can doubt me."

"It's more curiosity than doubt. I mean, even if it's Dürer's final work… why would a car company spend so much money?"

"You just need to give them a reason."

"Pardon?"

"I'll create a story explaining why they need this painting."

Not fully understanding, he simply nodded.

"Oh, I see."

An hour later, at Boston Airport.

Jo Soo-deok seemed unable to believe the situation.

"Boss? The appraisal team is coming, is it okay if I'm not there?"

"They'll handle the appraisal."

"Well, that's true."

"Your students will help."

"Yes, they think similarly. Haha."

Awkward laughter.

"You've worked hard in America. Think of this as a breather."

"A breather… in Germany?"

"Should I go if you don't want to?"

"N-no. Just thinking of helping you makes my heart race."

"Thank you for saying so."

Jo Soo-deok tightly gripped the plane ticket.

It might not feel real yet.

Soon, it was time for him to head inside… hmm.

"I wrote down your story in my notebook. I'll review it thoroughly during the flight."

"If it feels lacking, add your touch."

"No, no. I'll stick exactly to your words, not missing a single comma."

Seeing him speak like this.

'He must be worried about the 200 billion won.'

Usually, people say something like, don't worry about the money, take it easy, even if it's just polite.

But I'm different.

I said with my usual serious face.

"You must succeed."

When hundreds of billions are at stake.

Let's make money under pressure!

'And if we make a lot, I'll share a bit with you.'

With a promise of financial treatment in mind, I saw Jo Soo-deok off.

TL/n -

Now you can read on p@treon

The Investor Who Sees The Future up to Chapter 50+ 

Chaebol up to Chapter 52+

Perfect Hero up to Chapter 52+

Hollywood Actor up to Chapter 50+

Devil's Idol up to Chapter 15+

Soar to Stardom up to Chapter 15+

I was hoping you could support me at [email protected]/inkbound

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