NOVEL NEXT Chapter 161
Hyeonwoo was able to meet various connections while scouting investment opportunities and signing contracts, accompanied by his father and a guide in China.
‘Strangely, since I died and came back to life, learning foreign languages has become incredibly easy.’
Of course, it was thanks to the intense studying of English he did in college for job hunting, but even the Chinese and Japanese he’d never learned before felt more like absorbing what he’d forgotten rather than learning anew.
Thus, Hyeonwoo benefited greatly from the foreign languages he acquired during his time as a ‘genius investment boy’ saving up a sizable sum. Even though it was only a few months, he realized how language can break down significant barriers between people.
‘So many things I wouldn’t have known if I couldn’t communicate.’
Knowing that the Chinese cultural market would grow rapidly after the Olympics, Hyeonwoo had already invested in it beforehand. He started to get acquainted with people in the entertainment business in China, who were looking for investments to help traditional musicians go on overseas tours.
– “For things like that, it’s better to ask big corporations or experts…”
– “The people I brought are not that grand; they’re just small-town musicians trying to make a living. It’s tough to find investment opportunities for those without connections in the country.”
In other words, they were looking for overseas investors because they had no guanxi.
However, among the picky foreign capitalists, there were no takers willing to willingly dip into their pockets for small-scale musical groups without any official activity records in their own country, and the few who listened made ridiculous requests that put them in difficult positions.
– “Did they confuse us with a circus troupe and ask us to join the performance group they are investing in, or worse, ask for a date with their daughters…?”
– “A date request?!”
– “Heh… Ha ha.”
The entertainment company president seemed uncomfortable explaining in detail to middle schooler Hyeonwoo, awkwardly handing over pocket money or mumbling about personal performances, but Hyeonwoo could guess what kind of requests were being tossed around.
– “After that incident, they started requesting only female investors… But finding someone interested in the arts among them was not easy.”
Eventually, they chose to lean on the boy carrying the title of ‘genius investment boy.’ Unlike previous investors, this boy labeled as a genius might just see their true worth with hope.
So, the meeting was set.
While talking with the responsible orchestra leader, Hyeonwoo grew more and more inclined to invest.
Love for his family
Responsibility for those who believe in him
A desire to heal people through music
The craftsmanship he possessed somehow reminded him of his father, and the noble intention of wanting to heal people’s hearts through music connected back to his father’s advice from his past life.
[Be someone who walks the great path, Hyeonwoo.]
“……”
Hyeonwoo still held onto his father’s words from the lost time.
Perhaps that great path would lead Hyeonwoo to even greater happiness.
Hyeonwoo shook hands with the orchestra leader.
“I want to walk along with those who seek the great path.”
“Th-thank you!”
It seemed that the orchestra leader felt a strong favor towards the young investor who respected their craftsmanship. He even arranged for Hyeonwoo to meet his daughter, who he considered his successor.
Hyeonwoo met a girl named Lee Meirin, who had become the youngest musician of the orchestra.
Long black hair
White complexion
Well-proportioned body
Without a doubt, if this girl enters the international film industry, she would be cast as an Asian beauty without question.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Ni-nice to meet you.”
Hyeonwoo was overwhelmed by Meirin, who exuded an unapproachable aura like a model on TV, even though she was his age. With memories of his late 20s, he found the girls his age even cuter, but…
‘This girl is on a whole different level.’
Meirin’s allure was enough to sweep away the typical impression of cuteness.
Every time their eyes met, his face flushed.
His heart had been causing trouble lately, particularly when he saw his childhood friend, Sayoung, dressed casually in the early morning. It felt like only yesterday she was running around in military gear and suggesting they play army, but now she was growing her hair out and wearing outfits known as girlfriend styles. Naturally, he found himself sneaking glances.
‘Sayoung seems to have suddenly taken an interest in fashion lately…’
With his heart racing unnecessarily, his mind was a whirlpool of thoughts.
Hyeonwoo pinched his leg, trying to focus his straying thoughts.
‘Get it together, Hyeonwoo… She’s practically a niece to you. She’s here for an investment consultation.’
Well, they were the same age, technically.
Anyway, what’s not allowed is not allowed.
But that didn’t last long.
Hyeonwoo was once again taken aback by Meirin’s actions.
Five-Body Techniques
She knelt on the floor, rubbing her palms together.
“Waaaah… Pl-please! I beg you for your investment!! My father is looking for a safe investor for my sake…! I can’t cause any more trouble!!”
“Pl-please lift your head!! I’ve already decided to invest!!”
“Ah, really?”
Hehe
Meirin pulled back her tears and sat down, sipping tea while scratching her head.
“You’re really skilled at managing your emotions.”
“Bwhahaha! It’s one of the tactics to survive with this beautiful face.”
With a wink, Meirin made a gesture as if poking the air with her fingers.
Her playful hand movements seemed to scream, ‘What’s wrong? You know it!’
“……”
While it was true that she was beautiful, admitting it felt somehow like losing.
“…I see.”
“Cheh, that’s boring.”
After a brief awkward moment, Hyeonwoo and Meirin discussed briefly about the reasons for accepting the orchestra’s investment and their future plans.
“By the way, since you’re an overseas investor, I imagined an old man, but… you are respectful and also have the audacity to travel abroad…”
“Is that so?”
“Hmm, you said you were the same age as me?”
“Y-yes.”
“Hmm, hmm.”
Meirin giggled, looking Hyeonwoo up and down with a smirk on her face.
Since he was in town for overseas business, Hyeonwoo was dressed neatly in a tailored suit he had splurged on. Although the outfit was not about showing off wealth, its elegance was undeniable.
His cleanly maintained hair and nails hinted at his tidy and disciplined lifestyle while he also exuded enough tolerance not to force formality on others.
Like most young geniuses, he lacked the immature tendency to shout and flaunt an inflated ego.
Calm,
Neat,
Luxurious,
Even more so since he was the same age as Meirin.
“Hehheh.”
Poke
Meirin slightly pressed Hyeonwoo’s tie with her slender fingers.
Huh!
Hyeonwoo was startled when she touched the tie Sayoung had chosen for him.
“This was picked by a girl, right?”
“Y-yes? A, how did you know?”
“Most men tend to prefer solid colors for formal occasions, but you chose such a bold pattern over a subdued suit, considering the type and skin tone…”
It seemed like a choice different from Hyeonwoo’s usual calm demeanor.
‘If he chose it himself, he would have probably hidden it with dull colors.’
The unexpected boldness of the tie seemed to reveal a pure humanity beneath the suit that Meirin couldn’t see.
Knowing this man’s true identity, knowing that she had been around him for a while, she felt as if she were declaring that she would define this person’s personal color.
Meirin felt as if some woman was glaring at her.
Just knowing that someone had their eye on him was the best guarantee of all.
“How interesting. Any romantic interests?”
“N-no. She’s my childhood friend.”
“Hm-hm, hmm.”
While nodding repeatedly, Meirin looked at Hyeonwoo with an expression full of curiosity and finally wrapped up by whispering into Hyeonwoo’s ear.
“Let’s definitely meet again during the performance. You can bring that friend with you too.”
“……”
“We’ll absolutely have the first performance in Korea.”
“R-really?”
“Of course, if you personally invite me, we can open it even sooner!”
“Uh… that seems a bit…”
“Hehe, then.”
Let’s meet again.
Us.
Clink
For some reason, Hyeonwoo felt like he heard the sound of a shell casing falling to the ground.
Why did an image of a target sign rising up at the shooting range float in his mind?
Why indeed?
Click
He also heard the sound of changing from single fire to automatic fire in the control.
Carrying an unidentifiable chill in his heart, Hyeonwoo headed towards Britain.