Chapter 37. Heading to America

The acquisition of Dongwoo Precision by Yuseong Electronics was a hot topic in the news for a while.

With the possibility of receiving the principal and interest, the junk bonds quickly turned into prime bonds. Although the rating is still BB-, the trading price of the subordinated bonds rose above the issue price.

At the time of issuance, the bonds had a low rating, which meant a high interest rate and even came with stock subscription rights. However, due to Yuseong Electronics' acquisition, Dongwoo Precision's corporate bonds are now on par with Yuseong Electronics' corporate bonds.

With the company's credit rating rising, it's unlikely that corporate bonds will be issued under the same conditions as before. As a result, the price of the previously issued bonds will rise.

The warrants, which are stock subscription rights, were sold separately from the corporate bonds and still managed to fetch prices above the issue price. After all, how often do you find corporate bonds with a 7.6% interest rate?

The 13 billion won we invested has now turned into 124.3 billion won.

Seonwoo, who confirmed the amount, couldn't speak properly and just shouted.

"Wow! Wow! Is this for real?"

To be honest, I can hardly believe it myself.

The amount has grown so large that it doesn't even feel like money anymore; it just looks like numbers.

It's still not enough, but at least now it's a substantial amount to work with.

I thought for a moment about my future plans.

Should I let it grow more, or should I set up an investment company at this point? Setting up a company means a lot more work, and I'll have to hire people.

After shouting for a while, Seonwoo seemed to tire out and lay down on the sofa.

"I'm hungry. Let's eat something."

"What do you want to eat?"

"Should we have chicken?"

"......"

What kind of dramatic turn is this?

"Let's have tteokbokki today."

"Ah! That sounds good too."

Seonwoo ordered through an app.

While we were eating, the phone rang.

"Hello, Yuna."

[What are you doing?]

"I'm eating with a friend."

[What are you eating?]

"Tteokbokki."

[Is it the place you mentioned last time?]

"Yes."

[Shouldn't you be eating something more expensive? You've made so much money.]

"It's all thanks to you, Yuna."

I really owe her a lot. Without Yuna, I wouldn't have met Chairman Yoo Jae-ho, and it would have been much harder to resolve things so well.

No matter how many times I say thank you, it's never enough.

[What are you doing on Friday?]

"I don't have any specific plans."

[Do you have any appointments?]

"Appointments?"

[It's a birthday.]

"Ah! Is it your birthday on that day?"

[No, it's Mi-ru's.]

"Ah......"

It's my birthday.

I was so busy making money that I forgot it was just a few days away.

"But how did you know it was my birthday?"

At my question, Yuna seemed flustered.

[Oh! W-well,......]

"Did I mention it when we introduced ourselves at the training institute?"

[Oh! Y-yes, that's right. I remembered.]

It's been so long, yet she still remembers. She has a good memory.

What did I do on my birthday in the first round?

I must have gone to work during the day......

"Ah!"

At that moment, I remembered something important.

An event will happen in America on my birthday this year. It could be a significant event that might change the future of America.

So, instead of staying here......

Since I didn't say anything, Yuna asked.

[What's wrong?]

"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can make it that day."

[Why not? Do you have an appointment?]

"I realized I need to go to America for a while."

[To America?]

"Yes."

[Why?]

"I have some things to do."

There was a moment of silence.

I feel bad for disappointing her, especially since she suggested meeting for my birthday.

"I'm really sorry. I'll treat you to something delicious when I get back."

[Not tteokbokki, I hope.]

"......Of course not."

I'm not that heartless.

[It's a promise.]

"Sure. I'll call you as soon as I get back."

[Okay.]

I hung up and told Seonwoo.

"I need to go to America for a while."

"Huh? What are you talking about while we're eating?"

Ideally, I'd like to make a few more investments in Korea to grow our assets, but there's no time for that. There's something I need to do right now.

"Anyway, I was thinking of setting up a company. The amount has grown too large for one person to handle. Let's start with an investment firm."

Actually, I don't need to go to America to set up a company. I could do it by sending documents.

However, I plan to recruit people and make investments while I'm there.

"Set it up in America, not Korea?"

"Yeah."

There are a few reasons for this.

If I set it up in Korea, the source of the funds could become an issue. Considering future plans, being in America will give us more freedom to operate.

If we're going to do this, we might as well do it in a bigger market.

The bigger market in the financial world is obviously America.

"I've already decided on a name."

"What is it?"

I said as if I had been waiting for this moment.

"Continue Capital."

"What kind of name is that?"

In games, when you die and start over, it's called "continue."

Since this is my second life, it's a fitting name.

"I'll give you 20% of the shares. Are you okay with that?"

Seonwoo nodded readily.

"Sure."

The typical process for setting up an investment firm is as follows:

First, you build a reputation in the market as an investor. Then, you raise funds to set up a company and use your reputation to attract more capital. With the money raised, you make successful investments, which allows you to attract even more capital.

I decided to skip all of these steps.

I don't have the time to build a reputation, and I don't plan to raise funds. Raising external capital comes with various obligations.

Therefore, I plan to set up a family office that operates solely with our own capital.

This way, we can avoid various disclosures and regulations. However, not raising external capital means we need a substantial amount of our own capital.

Time is limited, so we need to act quickly.

Fortunately, the world is vast, and there are many ways to make money.

I don't remember everything, but I remember the major events. Using this knowledge, we can certainly grow our wealth.

"When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow."

"Have a good trip."

Seonwoo continued eating and asked.

"But what was that about the birthday earlier?"

"It's my birthday on Friday. Did you know?"

"No. Then, do you know when my birthday is?"

"......"

Of course not.

True friends don't keep track of each other's birthdays.

* * *

I immediately booked a ticket to America.

Just before departure, I was waiting at the Incheon Airport terminal when my sister called.

"Why are you calling?"

Sena spoke curtly.

[Mom is coming home on Friday.]

"Huh?"

[It's your birthday, right? Let's have dinner together.]

Only family members remember my birthday.

Ah! There is one more person.

"I'm busy. Tell her I'll come later."

[What does a jobless person have to be busy with?]

"......"

I almost felt hurt by the "jobless" comment. In times like these, you need the warm concern and love of your family.

"I have to catch a flight, so I'll call you later."

Sena was surprised.

[What? A flight? Where are you going?]

"Atlanta, USA."

[Atlanta! I've always wanted to go there.]

"Can you speak English?"

[Do you need to speak English to go to America? There's a Koreatown there.]

"......"

Well, there is a Koreatown, but I hope she's not confusing it with LA.

[Why are you going to America?]

"I have some things to do."

[Can I come with you?]

"Aren't you in school?"

[It's vacation. How long are you going? Should I go to the airport now?]

I pretended not to hear and said.

"I'll call you when I get back."

[What!? Oppa. Then, when you come back, at the duty-free shop......]

"I'm hanging up."

I quickly ended the call before she could say anything more and boarded the plane.

If I had heard one more word, it would have been a disaster.

* * *

The flight from Incheon Airport took 14 hours to reach Atlanta.

Sitting in economy class left my whole body aching. I thought I should make more money to fly business class.

I should even get a private jet. For that, I need to make a lot of money.

After completing the immigration process, I set foot on American soil.

"It's been a while since I've been to America."

When was the last time I came here in the first round?

I've been to America a few times, but this is my first time in Atlanta.

Atlanta is the largest city and capital of Georgia, home to the headquarters of global companies like CNN and Coca-Cola.

My purpose for coming here is officially tourism.

It's not a particularly famous tourist destination, but it's a place I've always wanted to visit.

Specifically, the nearby small town of Watkinsville, the hometown of Aaron Baker and the headquarters of White Road.

The annual shareholders' meeting is held here, and shareholders from around the world gather.

When the meeting takes place, the small town transforms into a festival-like atmosphere. Aaron Baker personally appears to discuss the company's achievements and future vision with the shareholders.

I once dreamed of buying White Road stock and attending the shareholders' meeting. I didn't achieve that dream in the first round, but this time will be different.

After checking into a budget-friendly city business hotel, I first headed to the CNN headquarters. I've seen it on TV countless times, but this was my first time visiting the headquarters.

I had high expectations, but there wasn't much to see.

Next, I went to the Coca-Cola headquarters.

I've been drinking Coca-Cola all my life and even used it in my chicken restaurant, but this was my first time visiting the headquarters.

There wasn't much to see, but I drank as much Coca-Cola as I could to make the entrance fee worth it.

On the second morning, I took a cable car to Stone Mountain.

Despite the cold weather, there were many tourists and people out for fun. I also saw people hiking.

Being alone made it a bit boring. This is a place you should visit with a partner.

I took selfies in a place filled with couples.

Still, it felt good to be on a trip.

Thinking about it, how long has it been since I last traveled?

When I worked at the securities firm, I was too busy to travel. When I was jobless, I didn't have the money. After opening the chicken restaurant, I worked without a break.

In this life, I should travel more.

I looked at the vast and beautiful nature of America and organized my future plans.

If asked to name 100 companies that will rise in the next 10 years, I could do it. If I had enough money, I could buy them all, but I don't have that much.

Ultimately, the key is selection and focus.

Next, I visited the University of Georgia.

It's the first public university in America and the top university in Georgia.

It has produced many famous people, but the most famous is Aaron Baker, known as the greatest investor alive.

Thinking about visiting the alma mater of Aaron Baker, the chairman, gave me a new sense of purpose. He is known for his love for his alma mater, making many donations and frequently visiting to give speeches.

Will I ever give a speech at a Korean university?

After a brief tour, I returned to the hotel early and went to bed.

Tomorrow, I plan to fly to Orlando.