Professor Han called out to Yu-jin while she was reviewing experimental data.
"Yes, Professor?"
"Are you free this Saturday?"
Yu-jin’s fingers froze over the keyboard. It was never a good sign when Professor Han asked about her personal time.
"...Is something the matter?"
"My mother runs a traditional Korean restaurant. One of her staff members suddenly fell ill, and she needs some help serving this Saturday evening." His voice was casual, but it was a command disguised as a request. "If you have the time, I’d like you to go and help her out."
Yu-jin hesitated for a moment before answering. "...Yes, Professor."
"Good. I’ll text you the address. Be there by 5:00 PM."
He turned back to his paperwork. Yu-jin could only stare at his back, a cold feeling settling in her stomach.
[February 7, 2004, Saturday, 5:00 PM / Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam]
Hidden deep in the back alleys of Gangnam was 'Song-won,' a traditional Korean restaurant. While the sign was modest, the license plates in the parking lot spoke of the establishment's true status—exclusive plates known only to the old money of Seoul.
When Yu-jin entered, a woman in her 60s was waiting.
"You’re the student from Do-yoon’s lab, right?"
It was Professor Han’s mother. Dressed in an elegant Hanbok, her voice was soft, but her eyes were like ice. "Yes, I’m Yu-jin."
"I appreciate you coming. We have very important guests today, so please, no mistakes."
She led Yu-jin to the kitchen. Two chefs were already busy preparing a multi-course meal. "We have four VIPs in the private room. Serving the alcohol is the most important part, so pay attention."
Yu-jin tied her apron and watched the hall from the corner of the kitchen. The VIP room was at the end of the hallway, a structure that allowed a clear view inside whenever the door opened.
[7:00 PM]
The entrance bell chimed, and three men walked in. All were in their 50s or 60s, dressed in expensive suits.
"Welcome," the mother greeted them with a formal bow. The guests removed their shoes with practiced ease.
"You must be Professor Han’s mother. It’s a pleasure to meet you." The eldest man handed over a business card: Choi In-seok, Professor of Chemistry, Korea University.
"Oh, Professor Choi! Do-yoon has told me so much about you."
"I’m Park Jong-cheol. I run an orthopedic clinic in Nonhyeon-dong."
"Lee Myung-soo. I run a pharmaceutical company."
After the exchange of greetings, a fourth man entered tentatively. "Hello. I’m Yoon Seong-min, CEO of Bio-Guardian." He was clutching a luxury briefcase as if his life depended on it. Inside was the business plan.
"I’ll show you to the VIP room," the mother said. Yu-jin followed behind with a tray of cold water and towels, acting like an invisible ghost.
[VIP Room, 7:10 PM]
As the investors took their seats, Yu-jin moved like a shadow, placing towels on the table.
"Do-yoon said he’d be a little late. He told you to start without him." At the mother’s signal, the first course—abalone porridge—was served. While clearing empty dishes, Yu-jin kept her ears open.
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"So, CEO Yoon, when did you establish the company?" Dr. Park asked.
Yoon Seong-min hesitated. "I... I completed the incorporation last month."
"You’re new to the bio-tech industry, aren't you?"
"...Yes. However, with Professor Han as our technical advisor..."
"Ah, if Do-yoon is involved, it’s trustworthy," Professor Choi said with a chuckle.
Thirty minutes later, the door slid open and Professor Han stepped in, looking sharp in a tailored suit. "I’m sorry I’m late. Brothers, have you been waiting long?"
He paused for a fraction of a second when his eyes met Yu-jin’s in the corner. He had forgotten he asked her to be here. A brief silence followed. Yu-jin lowered her head, and Han quickly looked away.
"My apologies, everyone. Let's begin."
[7:30 PM]
The second course—Korean beef tartare and assorted pancakes—was served.
"Brothers, I invited you today just for a relaxed meal," Han said, raising a glass.
"Do-yoon, don't give us that," Professor Choi laughed. "We all came here to hear what you have to say."
"That’s right, Professor. Let's hear about Bio-Guardian," Dr. Park added.
Han pretended to hesitate before reaching into his bag. He pulled out a beautifully bound business plan titled: Bio-Guardian: Anti-Cancer Drug Development.
Yu-jin brought in the next course, her ears straining to catch every word.
"Brothers, this is the culmination of my twenty years of research." Han flipped open the first page to a colorful graph. "HY-001 Anti-Cancer Efficacy Test. Cancer cell fatality rate of 87%. Animal testing success rate of 92%."
The investors' eyes began to sparkle with greed.
[8:00 PM]
The third course: braised short ribs and soybean paste stew. The alcohol was flowing, and the mood was ripe.
"Professor, can we trust this data?" CEO Lee asked cautiously. As the head of a pharmaceutical company, he was the most skeptical.
"CEO Lee, these are preliminary results," Han explained smoothly. "Data in the early stages of research naturally fluctuates. But these figures are more than enough to be significant. Even companies like Samsung Biologics started with data like this."
"That is true," Lee nodded.
"Brothers." Han raised his glass again. "I didn't make this meeting lightly. Look, I invited you here, to my own mother’s restaurant." He gestured toward the kitchen where his mother was checking the food.
"My mother has run this place with sincerity for thirty years... I could never lie to you in front of her."
It was the ultimate shield—using his own family as collateral for his lies.
Professor Choi let out a loud laugh. "Do-yoon, we know you’re not that kind of man. We’ve known you since college."
"Exactly," Dr. Park added. "We have to trust the word of a Seoul National University professor."
Yu-jin memorized their faces as she cleared the empty bottles. Han turned the page. "The investment will be used for clinical trial preparation and securing additional research personnel. Our initial goal is 1 billion won, but if you brothers provide the seed investment today..."
"What’s the equity for the seed round?" Choi asked.
"0.5% for every 100 million won. These are preferential terms for early investors. Once we get VC funding, the value of your shares will skyrocket," Yoon Seong-min explained, his voice trembling.
[8:30 PM]
The fourth course: seafood stew and glass noodles. They were on their third bottle of liquor.
"Do-yoon," Professor Choi said, emptying his glass. "I’m retiring next year. I have my severance pay coming... I’ll put in 100 million. For you and your mother."
"Brother!" Han stood up and bowed deeply. "You won't regret it."
Dr. Park tapped numbers into his phone's calculator. "Professor, my clinic did well last year. I’ll do 150 million. That's 0.75%, right? How much will that be worth after we go public?"
"At least several billion won," Yoon Seong-min answered quickly.
Finally, the cautious CEO Lee spoke. "Professor... my company is struggling with new product development. We lack the technology. But if it's yours..." He took a deep breath. "I’ll invest 300 million. On one condition."
"Anything."
"Give my company the right of first refusal for technology transfer later."
"Of course! You're investing in us, after all!" Han beamed. "1.5% equity and first refusal rights. We’ll put it in the contract."
Glasses clinked. 550 million won (approx. $420,000 USD) committed in a single night.
[9:40 PM]
The investors stumbled out, their faces flushed from the alcohol.
"Mother, the food was exquisite."
"Please come again," she replied with a graceful bow. Han helped them into their cars.
Yoon Seong-min was the last to leave, clutching the investment agreements worth 550 million won. "Professor... can I really do this?"
"Brother, don't start that now. We already have over 500 million," Han’s voice turned cold. "I’ll give you the account info tomorrow. Once the wire is confirmed, we’ll register the shares."
[10:00 PM]
After everyone left, Yu-jin cleaned the VIP room. Han walked in.
"Yu-jin. You did good today. Go say goodbye to my mother."
"...Yes, Professor."
Their eyes met for a fleeting second. Han looked uneasy, calculating just how much of the conversation she might have overheard. But he quickly looked away. "Take tomorrow off. See you in the lab on Monday."
Yu-jin walked toward the kitchen. Inside her pocket was a notebook containing everything from tonight.
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Investor List: Prof. Choi, Dr. Park, CEO Lee.
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Amounts: 100m, 150m, 300m.
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Key Phrases: "Can't lie in front of my mother," "Preliminary results," "SNU Professor."
The cold February air hit her face as she stepped outside, but her hand was hot, gripped tightly around her notebook.
What do you think? Should Yu-jin take this to Min-ah immediately, or should she wait for more evidence? Professor Han is already suspicious...
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