Past Life Returner - Chapter 28

There were no words to describe how much my father influenced my decision to major in finance. By the time I entered university, he still couldn’t return to work in the financial field. However, my family’s life had not been that hard because my mother had rented a small store in the apartment with father’s severance pay. Thanks to my parents’ efforts, my middle school memories were comfortable despite the era. I had good memories of bringing my friends to my parents’ supermarket and offering them an armful of snacks.

When I came back from school I organized the store with my father. He not only taught me financial common sense but also took me to the bank. He even opened up a stock account for me which was amazing. He was such a great teacher and helped me to find my dream when I didn’t know what to do. So I had always respected him and my mother who had become tough from managing the supermarket business. Support us at bit.ly/442AmPS.

Thanks to both of them I was accepted by a prestigious university with the major I wanted. I was also able to survive the Trial Tests thanks to them.

It had been like that.

***

Park Chung-Sik’s eldest son also known as Prosecutor Park opened his mouth after looking for a chance to talk.

“I heard a strange noise yesterday” the prosecutor said.

Park Chung-Sik asked “What?”

“Do you know about Jeon-il Investments?” The prosecutor questioned.

“Yes of course. You should also pay attention to them Prosecutor Park” Park Chung-Sik replied.

The prosecutor asked again “Are you going to be the director of that firm?”

“Who told you that?” Park Chung-Sik was surprised.

“Who would it be? I heard it from the District Director Cho” the prosecutor responded.

“Ugh he should shut his mouth and mind his own business. Why did he have to tell my son not anyone else?” Park Chung-Sik frowned.

“Is that true?” The prosecutor asked.

Park Chung-Sik answered dismissively “That’s my decision. Don’t worry if it’s because of your future. I have already paved your path wherever you want to pursue.”

“Father!” The prosecutor yelled at his dad.

“What!” Park Chung-Sik yelled back.

“How…How could you make decisions without telling me? You were mentioned as the next cabinet member and this is such an important time for you” The prosecutor said.

Snap!

Park Chung-Sik slammed his spoon down and everyone in his family besides his eldest son quietly left the table.

“Prosecutor Park” Park Chung-Sik called his son.

“Yes” the prosecutor answered.

Park Chung-Sik stared fiercely at his son and sighed deeply “Can’t you see what’s going on?”

“I’m just worried. You don’t even know the owner of Jeon-il Investments. It’ll be a blemish on you. I’ve done my research father” his son said.

“Sigh. You think you’re the only one with brains right? You won’t be able to succeed in life. Hey” Park Chung-Sik called his son.

“Yes” the prosecutor replied.

“As you said Jeon-il Investments is a shady foreign firm. Who knows if it’s drug or oil money? It’s none of our business. But do you know what money without a clear origin is called? Blind money” Park Chung-Sik said.

His son responded in disbelief “Money? You did all this for money? You already have enough.”

“You’re putting on a one-man show so what more do I need to tell you?” Park Chung-Sik taunted.

The prosecutor raised his voice “You’re risking your honor. What should I do for you? Should I just pretend I didn’t notice anything and let you go? And congratulate you on earning money by pleasing the Yankees?”

“Be insolent one more time. You know my temper” Park Chung-Sik glowered at his son.

“…I’m sorry but you are not alone father. You taught us that your actions reflect on the family and vice versa. I’m teaching my kids about that too” the prosecutor said.

Park Chung-Sik wanted to lose his temper but stopped himself because there was nothing wrong with what his son said. A man’s reputation and power will go to his children and theirs will return to him. The family had to support each other because the family’s success also meant his own. That was how he had been teaching his kids.

“Prosecutor Park open your eyes and look at the world. The power has changed” Park Chung-Sik’s words became softer than before.

The prosecutor replied “Yes he has finally been elected as the President.”

“No he’s such a poor guy. He won’t be able to touch power” Park Chung-Sik clicked his tongue.

“Then who else is there?” The prosecutor asked.

“Someone else” Park Chung-Sik replied.

“Who is it?” The prosecutor frowned.

“The dollar” Park Chung-Sik answered as he picked up his spoon.

“…”

“Don’t you get it? Your father will become the eyes of the blind dollars” Park Chung-Sik continued.

By becoming an Executive Director of Jeon-il Investments.

***

Bastards with authority always existed in society at any time anywhere. They pretended to care about the peace of human beings and sharing responsibility during a crisis and justified themselves as model citizens. However they were busy enriching themselves. In that respect the Eight Evils and the Eight Virtues were innocent since they had their own beliefs and didn’t trick others.

The first floor of Daemin Bank was filled with people who brought the gold jewelry they had kept in the closet and even their gold teeth.

「Let’s overcome the financial crisis! Gold Collection Campaign」

The banner hanging at the entrance was blowing in the cold winter wind. The bank employees who were welcoming their customers with big smiles didn’t know that Daemin Bank’s major shareholders and CEO were using people’s patriotism for their own gain. Even now they would be drooling to think about how to make money from the gold they bought at such a bargain price.

I headed towards the lobby after setting a stony expression on my face. They recently reduced the number of lobby guards from three to one and I hadn’t seen Daemin Bank’s Foreign Exchange Management Team lately. Only the first floor was crowded with people who tried to join the campaign. The building had been emptying out starting from a few days ago. Many businesses left because they either went bankrupt or couldn’t afford the rents. Therefore the lobby had to be quiet but strangely there were so many people.

I saw the building manager’s deputy among guys with suits. He had such a domineering manner and looks. However he had an awkward smile today.

“He is there” the deputy told the men in suits and everyone focused their attention on me.

“Excuse me but could you please help me?” The deputy was trying to be as gentle as he could.

I asked “What is it?”

“Our owner put this building up for sale. They are interested in it and would like to ask a few questions to the current tenant” then the deputy quickly added more “I’m sorry to bother you in your busy time. I tried asking other companies but they’re working now.”

“Okay. The owner has accommodated me before so I can help him this time” I said as I turned my head towards the men in suits.

I couldn’t stop smiling because of the badges they had on their jackets. The name of their firm was written in the logo and the two letters “JI” twinkled under the lobby light.

“You guys are from Jeon-il Investments right?” I asked.

“You know them?” The deputy questioned back in surprise.

If my father was one of them I would have made the same expression as the deputy.

“Come to my office since it’s so cold here” I said.

According to history the real estate market was supposed to be open in June 1998 but it had opened just recently due to my intervention. Foreigners were now allowed to acquire real estate in Korea. Jeon-il was underway and I had been waiting for Jamie to contact me.

Then I faced them my employee’s employee’s employee. But regardless of the position each of them was of the same age as my father. Some of these people could have been acquainted with Father. I liked their confidence and passionate faces as my father had the same expression these days.

I served hot coffee to five of them and they asked me ordinary questions such as whether I had any inconveniences as a resident would I continue renting the office here and if so did I want lower rent. It felt strange that I treated them with respect the way I would treat my father.

I was definitely getting used to this time and I was becoming less sharp. It was not time for me to just draw monsters and that was why I had been waiting for Jamie’s report on Hwaseon’s hill and the sealed dungeon there.

“Thanks for the coffee. The situation is difficult but I hope this crisis becomes an opportunity for you. I wish you all the best.”

Employees from Jeon-il left and their business cards were in my hands.

I couldn’t call Jamie because she was never alone. She was constantly in meetings with political and business figures.

Instead of phone calls she sent me one email last night and another one this morning. Yesterday’s email contained information that the inspection team of the headquarters would visit the building I resided in and the subject of today’s email made my heart beat faster even before I read the content.

Thump! Thump!

「Subject: First item purchased.」

The first purchase was the hill in Hwaseong and I had waited for this for a long time.