Chapter 154: <Design>

Woosung met with Lee Sunghyun. There was only one more game left between Coconut I and Lee Soodol. The entire nation was talking about this event. Lee Sunghyun was also interested.

He said to Woosung, “Even my father is enjoying the game. He is wondering who will win the final game.”

“My system won’t lose.”

“So Coconut will win?”

“Yes.”

“Well, if you say so.”

Lee Sunghyun looked at Woosung quietly. He licked his lips.

“I heard that you put down 15 billion dollars as your budget for the mobile carrier business. I guess it makes sense that you have that much cash available.”

The Coconut stock price was continuing to climb, which meant Woosung’s wealth was increasing fast.

Lee Sunghyun continued, “I also heard KND is worth over 80 billion dollars? With all your other businesses, you are probably the richest businessman in Korea.”

“I am flattered.”

“You are such an amazing businessman, and on top of that, you are also ethical. I am pleasantly surprised again. I can’t believe the prosecutors couldn’t find anything.”

“I believe in transparency when it comes to running a business.”

“Haha, I like it. Now, do you know the budget Daeyang submitted on their application?”

“I know it can’t be 15 billion dollars.”

Lee Sunghyun nodded. “That’s correct. If things go smoothly, XFeed will be selected, but…” Lee Sunghyun glared at Woosung and continued, “I don’t like what I am hearing about you nowadays.”

“Are you referring to me spending time with Lee Myungin? I am just being a smart businessman. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, right?”

Lee Sunghyun continued to look at Woosung in the eyes. His expression was unhappy.

Woosung continued quickly, “Haha, I think you have misunderstood the situation.”

“I understand why you did it as a company, but…”

“What does it matter at this point? What really counts is the present situation and what we do with it. I am a businessman. I give and take as needed. I think you are overthinking the situation.”

“Do you blame me? Our approval rating is dropping, the media and the public are starting to see my party negatively.”

President Lee Parksung’s approval rating was now below 40%.

Lee Sunghyun continued, “This fourth mobile carrier business can help my party. If we can drop the cellphone bills for the public…”

“I feel the same way.”

Lee Sunghyun lowered his voice and murmured, “And I thought that is how things would happen, but it feels different now. Our relationship doesn’t feel positive…”

Woosung knew how to answer.

“I have been very busy lately, so perhaps I haven’t been as attentive as I should have been. That’s why I prepared something special for you.”

Money.

Woosung was right. As soon as he mentioned the bribe, Lee Sunghyun brightened.

“Hahaha, really? You shouldn’t have!”

Woosung hated him, but this was how things worked.

He added, “And I have one more thing to tell you.”

“Haha, go ahead. You can tell me anything.”

Woosung thought darkly.

‘I need to end this relationship soon.’

Next was a meeting with Oh Hoon. He also looked unhappy.

“I saw the news. The deal you offered me is now given to Lee Myungin.”

“Technically, it’s not the same deal. I am not planning to develop any housing in Pangyo.”

“But the main thing was the space research lab! That was the most important part.”

Woosung smiled mysteriously and replied, “But I have an even better option for you.”

Oh Hoon brightened a little.

“Can I hear about it?”

“What technology is the center of attention in Korea right now?”

“AI!”

“I think it is the best option for Seoul. To be honest, a space research lab requires a huge piece of land and Yongsan was not quite big enough.”

Oh Hoon became excited and asked, “So you are offering to build the AI development complex in Yongsan?”

“And also robotic development. I think this is a better deal. What do you think?”

He couldn’t help himself, Oh Hoon grinned widely. “Hahaha, of course! It’s going to be sensational!”

“So now you believe me?”

Oh Hoon flinched. He replied quietly, “Ha…haha. I looked into the investigation, and it turns out you are indeed innocent. I am amazed at your ethics.”

“So you didn’t believe me at first.”

Oh Hoon looked at Woosung awkwardly.

Woosung continued, “Every business requires trust for it to succeed. I thought I helped you enough during your last election to gain your trust.”

“Ha…haha, I know how hard you worked for me.”

“But your recent treatment of me has been very unpleasant.”

“Haha, I believed in you, but I was just worried about the prosecutors.”

“Give and take. I told you how our relationship should be when we first met. Do you remember?”

Oh Hoon nodded.

Woosung continued, “So I think it’s your turn to show me something so you can gain my trust.”

Oh Hoon’s eyes wavered. After a few seconds of silence, Oh Hoon asked, “What can I do for you?”

“Do you know the Hyundai apartment in Apgujung?”

Oh Hoon nodded. It was where the wealthiest of Korea lived.

It was an old building built in the 70’s but inside was renovated luxuriously. It was also where Woosung currently lived.

“What about it?”

“The plan for re-building it keeps coming up, but nothing has come out of it so far.”

Oh Hoon frowned. He knew what Woosung would ask.

“You want me to get you this project?”

“It will be good for Seoul. With a new apartment, it will stabilize the housing market further. It will go hand in hand with the Yongsan project.”

“You want both the Yongsan and Apgujung project.”

Woosung smiled and replied, “I will be incorporating the latest AI technology to make it into the newest smart home. Wouldn’t that be amazing?”

Oh Hoon swallowed and asked, “But you said before that you aren’t familiar with the actual construction business…”

“I am planning to buy a construction company named Daenam Constructions.”

Woosung had answers to all of Oh Hoon’s objections.

When Woosung returned to his office, Jang Gwangchul asked, “How did it go?”

“Very well. They were both interested.”

“So after we get selected as the fourth mobile carrier, we will buy Daenam Constructions for about 3 billion dollars. With this company, we will carry out Pangyo, Yongsan, and Apgujung projects.”

“Daenam is currently undergoing bankruptcy so we should be able to buy it cheap.”

“What would happen afterwards then? Such big construction projects can fail so easily…”

“If we create solid smart homes, it should be very profitable. If it goes well, we can even start an international construction company.”

“You are thinking about going into China and America?”

“Southeast Asia too. With our NK Entertainment celebs, we can promote our businesses easily and effectively.”

Jang Gwangchul whistled, “Wow… this is getting big fast.”

“We will eventually become one of the biggest companies in the world.”

“Are things working out as you saw in your dreams?”

“Yes, and I am telling you that 2011 will be even busier for us. You better get ready.”

2010 was almost over and Woosung knew many big events that would occur next year.