Chapter 86
Chapter 86: <Becoming a mid-sized company>
Woosung entered Park Byungki’s room. Jang Gwangchul was still chatting with the Tel-Tech’s CEO. Park Byungki looked up at Woosung.
“You are younger than I thought.”
Woosung sat down. “I am 27. I am a year older than Mark Zuckerberg.”
“So confident! It’s like seeing my younger self.”
Jang Gwangchul laughed. “Hahaha, were you like him when you were young? Then you must’ve been told that you’re crazy!”
“Haha, it’s true.”
They were joking like they became good friends. Woosung looked at them in silence.
Park Byungki looked Woosung and said, “I already told Jang Gwangchul that you need to make sure my company grows strong. My worst fear is that my entire life’s work will disappear and be forgotten.”
Woosung bowed. “Don’t worry about that. I have good intentions for Tel-Tech.”
Park Byungki continued. “I read over your offer. It was perfect and generous. If I reject it, my employees will hate me and call me senile.”
Woosung knew Park Byungki was sold on the idea. “Thank you for your decision.”
“Haha, it is me who should be thanking you.”
“As I promised, I will make our companies into the world’s best.”
“Good. I just wanted to see your face before I sign the contract, so thank you for respecting my wishes.”
Woosung bowed. “We will make a great team. Please feel free to advise me in the future. I will always be happy to listen.”
They shook each other’s hands.
A few days later at a press conference.
In front of hundreds of cameras, Woosung and Park Byungki held hands and posed. After the photo shoot, the reporters started to ask questions.
“Tel-Tech was bought for about 600 million dollars. How will the fund be delivered?”
“It is already paid in full.”
“It was reported that KND took care of Tel-Tech’s debt as well as purchasing all of the shares with cash. Is this true?”
“Yes, that’s true.”
The effect of the recent financial crisis was still ongoing, so for a company to pay 600 million dollars in cash was considered sensational. Woosung said to the reporters.
“Part of the 600 million dollars was from Google’s investment in KND.”
KND was the only Korean company Google ever invested in. It was also the first Korean company to release an Android phone. The reporters murmured with excitement.
Woosung continued. “In addition, KND has decided to hire Google’s ex-employees for smartphone development and Coconut service management. I strongly believe that Google and Tel Tech’s contribution to our company will create an incredible synergy.”
Hiring Google’s ex-employees meant that KND was hiring the bests in the world.
Reporters continued to ask. “How many of Google’s ex-employees are you hiring?”
“Is it true that you are keeping all of Tel-Tech’s current employees?”
“What will happen to President Park Byungki?”
“When will Blue S be released in Korea?”
“There is a rumor that KND’s significant fund comes from illegal sources. What do you say to that?”
“KND is dabbling in many different businesses. There are many who believe this is a bad idea in this economy. What do you think?”
Woosung answered each question carefully. It took a long time to answer all of them.
After 20 minutes of answering, Woosung said finally, “I will take one last question.
When many reporters raised their hands, Woosung picked one of them.
“My name is Lee Hangu from Korean Financial Newspaper. Please tell us about your big picture of your company.”
“I said something to my partners when I first created this company.” Woosung paused.
That was a year ago.
He had nothing but confidence, and after only a year, he was the CEO of a mid-sized company.
He wondered where he would be in a year or two.
He was excited about the future.
“I bet my life on it. I will work like my life depends on it. I will make my company the best in the world.”
After returning home, Woosung sighed.
“Phew.”
It was a long day.
After resting for a few minutes, Woosung groaned and stood up. “I need to get back to work!”
He turned the computer screen on and checked his bitcoin status. This was his nightly routine.
“1,001,501.0145 BTC”
He now had a little over a million bitcoins. Mining process was slowing down, but a million bitcoins could translate into a billion dollars even if he sold everything at only ten thousand dollars per coin.
With this many bitcoin, Woosung knew he could control its trend in the future, but he wasn’t done.
His plan was to be able to monopolize every big cryptocurrency including Ethereum and Eos.
This was the only way to accomplish his revenge against Choi Gichul and Jung Jinsup.
While Woosung seethed, his cell phone vibrated.
It was from Lee Sunghyun. He had to answer. “Hello, sir.”
“I heard the news. You are taking over Tel-Tech?”
“Haha, yes. Blue S is selling much faster than expected in overseas, so I had to do something about it.”
“Tel-Tech is in the middle of a corporate workout, so I am surprised at your decision.”
“Well, I am confident in my ability.”
“Haha, of course. I was just thinking that if you let me know in advance, I could have helped you out to make the process easier. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about the mobile carrier situation.”
Woosung held his breath expectantly, but Lee Sunghyun’s words were disappointing.
“It won’t be possible this year, but next year may work. Even that would be a huge stretch. I’m afraid it’s going to cost a lot.”
Woosung understood. Lee Sunghyun was asking for a bribe. Woosung needed to pay him if he wanted this deal.
Woosung replied slowly, “I am sorry for troubling you.”
Woosung thought quickly.
What could he do?
If he offered Lee Sunghyun a bribe, then it would be only the beginning. He would ask for more and more.
In 2018.
President Lee Parksung will be caught accepting briberies. If Woosung gave Lee Sunghyun a bribe, it could turn very tricky in the future.
Woosung needed to do it in a way that was untraceable.
The best method was to pay him in cryptocurrency, but bitcoin dealers did not exist yet.
When Woosung remained silent, Lee Sunghyun said it more obviously. “I know it’s a lot of work but that’s the way it is. You need to understand, the cost of things like this is unavoidable.” He sounded like he was getting annoyed.
Woosung answered quickly. “You are working so hard for me, so of course I should take care of the cost. I will prepare the same hotel room from last time.”
Lee Sunghyun laughed in satisfaction.
“Haha, then I will work even harder to make it happen ASAP.”
He hung up finally.
“Bastard…” Woosung swore.
He knew something like this would happen, so he already hired a private company that took care of things like this in complete discretion. However, there never could be a 100% guarantee that this will not catch up to him in the future. Woosung hesitated, but he had no choice. He prepared a cheque and sent it to the hotel room.
The next day.
KND’s take over of Tel-Tech was the front-page news. The newspapers also included the information on Blue S. Nuri Enterprise’s Chairman read the paper and called for Shin Semi.
“Thanks to you, we were able to take care of our bond situation. Is this what you meant by earning my trust?”
“Yes.” She answered abruptly. He knew she was upset about something.
“Is there something you are unhappy about?”
“No.”
“Earning someone’s trust is a long process. You need to continue to show me good results.”
“I understand.”
“Good. Now, what about your marriage?”
Shin Semi looked flustered.
“Sir, I…”
“I have been patient with you so far, but it’s time.”
“Dad!”
“Both of my children aren’t married yet. I am very disappointed.”
“You promised not to talk to me about personal stuff at work!”
Shin Yongwon grabbed his chest. “I am so frustrated! I want grandchildren!”
“I will get married when I meet a great man with bigger success than I have.”
“There are many men like that in Daeyang and LK.”
“You mean the sons of those CEOs? They aren’t smart or great. They were just born rich.”
“Your surroundings and your family define who you are. You are so naïve, Semi.”
Shin Semi answered firmly. “I won’t disappoint you.”
“I can’t be patient about this anymore. I have already hired a matchmaker and there are a few blind dates arranged for you.”
Shin Semi bit her lips. She could think of only one person who could help her in this situation.