CH123 | VOC

“Hmm.”

I looked at the shredder in our office.

“The answer is the shredder.”

It was the final step in the defective semiconductor disposal process, the point where Saseong’s surveillance ended.

My eyes gleamed. “The average chip size is 1-3 cm. If we widen the gap between the shredder blades, some of them will come out intact. We can collect those and sell them.”

There were two main types of shredders: large and small.

Large shredders were used for appliances and cars, with two rotating drums lined with small blades. Small shredders had interlocking zigzag blades, like shark teeth.

The blade gap in large shredders was fixed, but in small shredders, it could be adjusted depending on the material being shredded.

But Saseong was meticulous. They wouldn’t have overlooked such a simple detail.

The inspectors would probably check the blade gap before each operation.

“Let’s experiment.”

I had Maru bring some discarded semiconductor chips and tested the shredder with different blade gaps.

“0.5 cm gap, 100% shredded. 1 cm, 70%. 2 cm, only 50%.”

At 2 cm, it was obvious that the chips weren’t fully shredded.

“2 cm is too obvious. 1 cm is perfect.”

I thought for a moment and asked Maru, “Saseong will definitely check the blade gap, right?”

“Of course. We also adjust the blade gap depending on the material when shredding boards. We check every time, even for discarded boards. It goes without saying for semiconductors.”

“Right? They’ll definitely check, considering the value of the chips.”

Despite the seemingly impossible task, I kept staring at the shredder.

“I can’t think of any other way.”

“How about swapping them?” Maru suggested.

“How?”

“Defective and discarded chips look similar. The inspectors can’t check every single one.”

I shook my head. “It’s not that simple. The inspectors are there 24/7. We could swap a handful at a time, but how long would it take to collect enough to make a profit? It’s pointless.”

I suddenly had an idea.

“If we can’t widen the gap between the blades, how about widening the gap between the drums?”

Maru looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“The shredder blades are like shark teeth, and the gap between them determines the size of the shredded pieces.”

“That’s right.”

“So we leave the blades as they are and widen the gap between the upper and lower drums.”

Maru tilted his head. “Does the shredder have that function?”

I smiled. “No, that’s why it’ll work.”

Shredders were designed to shred things, so the gap between the blades could be adjusted. But there was no function to adjust the gap between the drums.

“Maru, bring me a cutting tool.”

“What?”

“Let’s cut the shredder and widen the gap.”

“That’s it!”

It took us almost an entire day to modify the shredder, and the result wasn’t perfect, but it worked.

“About 30% of the chips are intact!”

“Wow…”

“They wouldn’t check the gap between the drums, would they?”

We had only widened the gap by 0.3 cm, but it was as effective as widening the blade gap by 0.5 cm.

0.3 cm.

This tiny gap would turn into billions, even trillions, of won.

I said excitedly, “This is it! We have our method.”

“But hyung, we’re not doing this ourselves, are we?”

“Of course not. This is just a prop. We need to cast the main actor.”

“The main actor?”

“I told you I’m making a movie for an advertising campaign. Follow me.”

I smirked. “Let’s go to Samhyeongje Resources.”

Years ago, when we were still struggling, three former gangsters had started a junkyard business called Samhyeongje Resources near the Ansan Industrial Complex.

We had maintained a good relationship, referring clients and sharing information about the industry.

Samhyeongje Resources had grown, hiring employees, and their success story had inspired other gangsters to enter the junkyard business.

“Hey, CEO Park, it’s been a while!”

Kim Jin-ha, the CEO of Samhyeongje Resources, and his two brothers greeted us warmly, despite our unannounced visit.

“It has been a while. I’ve been busy.”

“Of course, the CEO of a large company is always busy. What brings you here today?”

I smiled. “Nothing special. I just wanted to have a drink with you.”

“A drink? I never refuse a drink. Boys, prepare some drinks and snacks.”

“It’s been a while since we had a drink together, CEO Park.”

“Yes, we used to drink together occasionally. How’s your business?”

Kim Jin-ha said proudly, “Not as big as yours, but we’re doing well. Our annual sales exceeded 2 billion won.”

I was genuinely surprised. “2 billion won?”

“That’s right. Joining the junkyard business was the best decision I ever made. And I couldn’t have done it without your help, CEO Park. You referred clients and gave us valuable advice. I’m really grateful.”

“You don’t have to thank me. It’s all thanks to your hard work.”

“No, no, I know my place. We would have been ruined without you. Remember when we first met, and you brought 20 day laborers?”

“Yes, I was intimidated by the thought of gangsters running a junkyard, so I brought some backup, just in case.”

“I was bluffing back then. I was terrified. And your managing director…”

He looked at Maru, sitting next to me.

“…he’s not an easy opponent. And you’re not small either. And with 20 day laborers… we were desperate back then. We wouldn’t have become junkyard owners if we weren’t.”

He chuckled. “We would have been working as thugs for pocket money if the junkyard business hadn’t worked out. That’s why I’m grateful.”

“You don’t have to thank me. It’s all thanks to your and your brothers’ hard work.”

“That’s kind of you to say, but…”

He narrowed his eyes and looked at me. “What’s the real reason you’re here today?”

“There’s no reason. I’m just here for a drink.”

“I’ve been a gangster for 15 years and a junkyard owner for a few years now. I’ve spent my entire life in the underworld. I’m pretty good at reading people. Your eyes… you look excited.”

I instinctively raised my hand and touched my eyes at his words.

Was it that obvious?

He was right.

The more dangerous and illegal the activity, the more profitable it had been for me. And this time was no different.

As I finalized the details of my plan, my excitement grew.

I was thrilled by the prospect of disrupting the massive semiconductor market, worth hundreds of trillions of won annually.

But I was surprised that Kim Jin-ha had seen through me. I had been too careless.

“Excited? Maybe. Making money is exciting.”

“Money?”

“Yes, I received a very lucrative offer. And for personal reasons, I have to accept it, but…”

Kim Jin-ha said quietly, seeing my hesitation, “It’s dangerous, isn’t it? That’s why you came to me.”

“You’re right, Mr. Kim. It’s very dangerous. But the potential reward is also high.”

“Hmm…”

I smirked. “How much would it cost to buy ten years of your life, Mr. Kim?”

“Hmm… defective Saseong semiconductors…”

He said with a serious expression, “So you want me to be the fall guy?”

“Yes. If you’re caught, you’ll be charged with industrial espionage. The sentence is five to ten years in prison, and the fine will be at least hundreds of millions of won, maybe even billions, depending on the amount of damage.”

He said, sweating, “This is beyond my imagination. Saseong… scamming Saseong Semiconductor…”

“It’s at least five years, but considering Saseong’s wrath, you’ll probably serve the full ten years.”

“So you’re asking me how much ten years of my life is worth. But CEO Park, what if I report you to Saseong?”

“They say you can curse the king when he’s not around. It’s just talk between friends, nothing serious. And with all due respect…”

I smiled. “Who do you think is more credible, Park Sol of Chunha Trading or a former gangster turned junkyard owner?”

This was the effect of my 500 billion won donation.

Even if Kim Jin-ha reported me, I was a model entrepreneur who had donated a fortune to society.

People would think, ‘Why would I risk everything for a few defective chips when Saseong Semiconductor’s annual sales are 10 trillion won? And if I was planning to do that, why would I donate 500 billion won?’

He said with a slightly offended expression, “I wasn’t expecting that answer. Couldn’t you at least pretend to trust me?”

“Of course, I trust you. That’s why I came to you. You’re reliable and have guts. You and your brothers were the only ones I could think of.”

He smiled again, appeased by my flattery.

“Well, let’s hear your plan.”

“Are you in?”

“Why not? What gangster hasn’t taken the fall for his boss? And I’m sure you’ll compensate me generously, CEO Park. And if we don’t get caught, it’s a jackpot, isn’t it?”

I couldn’t help but smile at his bravado.

I had chosen Kim Jin-ha because he was a four-time convict who had spent years in prison. He wouldn’t be intimidated by the threat of prison.

“Compensate you generously? It’s not just generous, it’s life-changing. You said your annual sales are 2 billion won? How much net profit do you make? 400 million? 500 million? And after paying your employees and sharing it with your brothers, how much do you get?”

He thought for a moment. “About 100 million won each.”

His answer confirmed the strong bond between the three brothers.

The younger brothers had trusted their older brother and joined the junkyard business, and the older brother shared the profits equally.

He was the perfect candidate.

“So that’s 300 million won in ten years for the three of you combined?”

“That’s right, 300 mil… wait, are you only offering us 300 million won?”

I waved my hands dismissively. “Of course not! That’s just a down payment. I’ll give you 10 billion won. And we’ll split the additional profits. You’ll each earn at least 20 billion won. But…”

He gulped. “But…?”

“You said, ‘If we don’t get caught, it’s a jackpot.'”

I shook my head. “No, we’ll definitely be caught. Or I’ll make sure we’re caught. That’s why I’m buying ten years of your life.”