I Became the Youngest Daughter of a Chaebol Family-Chapter 47: Bubble Collapse (1)

Eastern European companies began full-scale privatization between the early to mid-1990s.

But... if I wanted to devour those companies smoothly, I had to get the money out in advance and move it to Europe. I had to acquire them in the form of a stable local company merger, not as some speculative American capital.

Unlike the past, now that Alpha Fund existed, I could launder money relatively easily through Swiss banks, but still, the money would be tied up for years.

In other words... I was going to run low on cash.

‘That’s why I’m not taking a break, even at the end of the year.’

December 25th, 1989, Christmas Day—the day Romania finally won its freedom. After visiting Grandpa’s house, I pressed my fingers to my tired eyelids, trying to pull myself together.

“...Please, Young Miss, try to take a break. Your nanny’s worried about you.”

Nnngh.

I glanced at the mirror and saw a worn-out little beauty staring back. I’d been traveling to Eastern Europe, making up missed classes, juggling all sorts of things lately, and I hadn’t slept much.

“...Maybe I should.”

Letting out a long sigh, I dragged my feet and flopped onto the bed.

“Si-hyun... tell them I can’t go to Daehwa Securities tomorrow. I’m leaving the 26th and 27th to Ha Joo-seong, so I’ll see them on the 28th....”

-Thud.

As I collapsed into bed like the dead, Si-hyun helped me out of my clothes.

“I keep telling you, don’t sleep in your clothes.... Alright, arms up... hup. There, all done.”

“Ugh... static.”

Having long hair really was a pain... but cutting it short? No way, it looked better long, and I couldn’t bring myself to chop it off.

“Why do you push yourself so hard?”

She said that as she gently brushed and smoothed out my messy hair.

“I have no choice... Japan’s bubble is about to burst. When the Ministry of Finance announces its new policy at the start of the year, the Nikkei index is going to tank.”

It was still too soon to hit Japan directly, but with the index about to crash, I’d be an idiot not to short it. There’s nothing better for quick cash.

Short selling... Japan’s bubble... the Lost Decade...

Lying blankly on the bed, I thought about Japan’s impending collapse.

‘Didn’t the Nikkei drop like 15% in January? It might fall a bit less now that I’m pushing it early. Still, I should be able to make about $100 million....’

100 million dollars.

A hundred billion won.

That’s enough to buy several companies in Eastern Europe. If I invest in Russia, I could monopolize the gas industry....

Ah.

I can’t take this anymore.

-Bolt upright.

Adrenaline surged through me. My pupils dilated, and my heart pounded.

Shit, this is no time to be tired. Sure, my mood is the most important thing in the world, but...

Right now, my wildly racing heart was calling me!

“Young Miss...? Weren’t you about to sleep?”

“Ha, no way I can sleep now. Why was I even tired? I can sleep when I’m dead!”

And I’m not dying.

-Swish.

I tore off the pajamas Si-hyun had just put on me and grabbed a dress shirt and black suit. Holding my pajamas, Si-hyun looked at me in disbelief.

“...Wait, you’re not going out now, are you? It’s 11 at night?”

I opened the fridge, grabbed her leftover sandwich, stuffed it into my pocket, and straightened my clothes.

“What are you doing? Get dressed and come on! No, don’t get dressed, just grab your clothes and run!”

I glanced back, yelling at Si-hyun, and threw on my shoes. Half in her underwear, clutching an armful of clothes, she stumbled after me, grumbling.

“Why, huff... haah.... You could’ve at least said something.... Haah.”

“Si-hyun, let’s move!”

I could already see the yen floating before my eyes. Time to scoop up Japan’s lost money!

“...Haah, I swear, Young Miss, you’re gonna take years off my life. Alright... let’s go.”

Vroom.

The black sedan blinked its lights as it tore down the road.

***

-Chomp chomp.

I was lounging around Daehwa Securities HQ, munching on that sandwich.

“...That’s mine.”

“Sss. Ugh, still tastes awful.”

I just wanted to fill my stomach, but it really wasn’t my thing. I had more refined tastes than this.

“Then give it back... that was my breakfast...”

“Huh? Why are you still in that state?”

I blinked and looked at Si-hyun. She glared at me, clearly frustrated.

“Because of you, obviously! Who do you think made me drive in the middle of the night? I’m going to get some real food. Something hot—like seolleongtang.”

“What are you talking about? You’ll get fat. Eating late at night makes you gain weight, you know. How do you not even know that?”

“....”

Si-hyun stared at the sandwich wrapper in my hand. The veins on her toned forearm stood out.

...I was about to complain about the sandwich, but I’ll stop here.

I patted her shoulder and spoke in a mock-approving tone.

“Alright, alright, you can rest now, Si-hyun. Good job. Get some sleep—you’ve got work tomorrow.”

She let out a long sigh and flopped onto the couch.

“Okay...”

“Not there, sleep in my bed. You might be fine now, but by the time you hit thirty, your back’s going to give out.”

Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.

She hesitated by the bed, then changed into pajamas. Looking a bit awkward in her sleepwear at the office, she glanced around before quietly lying down.

“Yeah, that’s good. Don’t worry, I’m staying up all night.”

“...What are you even doing at this hour?”

“Well, it’s night here, but it’s different in New York, right? Don’t forget, the stock market runs 24 hours.”

If you’re just focused on domestic markets, you only need to work during trading hours. But once you go global, night shifts aren’t optional—they’re mandatory.

This time, my target was Japan’s Tokyo Stock Exchange, but most of my money was still with Alpha Fund, so I needed to be in touch with New York anyway.

.

.

.

About an hour had passed.

Just as Si-hyun had completely passed out, sleeping soundly, one of the employees in charge of overseas operations at Daehwa Securities spotted me and greeted ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) me, looking surprised.

“Oh, Young Miss, what brings you here? Especially this late on Christmas night.”

“I had a fun idea, so I came to work.”

“....”

The employee’s face stiffened for a moment, then relaxed.

“Haha, I see. Should I call the director for you?”

“No, no, it’s fine. It’s a holiday, Uncle Joo-seong should rest too. Come to think of it... why aren’t you off? Overseas operations should be off today too since it’s Christmas.”

“Ah, I’m on duty. Lost at rock-paper-scissors...”

Aw, poor thing.

“Hmm... hang on a sec. Yap.”

I rummaged through sleeping Si-hyun’s pockets and found my wallet.

“Here, a gift. 3 million won, cash bonus.”

Too much would’ve seemed suspicious, so I kept it modest.

“Oh wow! Th-thank you, Young Miss!”

The tired look completely vanished from his face as he bowed with a wide grin.

“Haha, I had a feeling my luck was bad lately. Turns out being on duty today was actually lucky!”

“Yup, I’ve got good luck, so the people around me are lucky too. Hehe, right?”

I smiled sweetly and stood on tiptoe to pat his shoulder.

“Of course! Thanks to you, the company’s grown so much. Getting a job at Daehwa Securities is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, really.”

Bowing over and over in genuine gratitude, the employee brought me a bundle of my favorite candy and a drink, then went back to the duty room.

-Rustle.

I licked the Chupa Chups and sucked on it.

The candy was sweet enough...

But more than that, I remembered the look on that employee’s face when he got his bonus.

‘Feels good.’

Yeah, this is what makes spending money worth it.

***

-Click click.

I stood in front of the computer, staring at the screen all night. I’d only slept about six hours over the past couple of days... but in the face of this almost lustful excitement, fatigue was a minor issue.

“This one’s still underpriced... semiconductors are way worse though.”

Muttering to myself, I scribbled all over my notebook. It was filled with rough comparisons between the stock prices I remembered from the past and current prices, along with countless ideas marked with question marks.

Next to it were printouts of Japanese companies’ financial statements—just in case—but they weren’t much help.

Overvaluation and undervaluation didn’t matter. The enormous bubble crushed all indicators, sending stock prices sky-high.

And when that bubble bursts—that’s what the start of the 90s is all about.

“Futures? Or would options be better...? Maybe I’ll let Yeong-il handle the short positions and go a bit more extreme? Hoo...”

“Ugh... Young Miss, please... stop already...”

Si-hyun responded to my mumbling in her sleep, waving her arms weakly.

“....”

I glanced at the clock—4 AM. Ha Yeong-il hadn’t replied to my message yet, and there was nothing else I could do but plan.

One of the staff, thinking of me, had brought in a heater, but it couldn’t compare to the warmth of my room.

...It’s kinda cold.

In the mirror, I saw a girl stripped down to a thin oversized white shirt, having tossed her coat aside from the heat of excitement. My eyes were bloodshot from staring at the screen too long.

‘Cute, but... she looks cold.’

Oh right, it’s winter.

The heat drained from me all at once.

“Aaah... achoo!”

Ugh. So cold...

I crawled into my personal bed, snuggled up to my secretary, and tried to warm my shivering body.

‘Just five minutes... just a quick break....’

Suddenly, my consciousness started to fade.

‘Wait... no... not now....’

.

.

.

“....”

Chirp chirp.

A sparrow, clueless as ever, landed on the window and began chirping.

Chirp chirp chirp.

The soft morning light filtered through the dusty window and gently brushed my cheek.

“It’s... morning.”

Tch.

This is why having a kid’s body sucks.

Puffing up my cheeks, I shook my head and jumped up energetically.

“Early bird gets the worm!”

The early bird catches more worms.

I’ve gotta get up and hustle.

Yup yup.