How to get a good ending
“I don’t think it’s a good time to sell the company. In at least a year, you will be able to earn twice as much as you do now.”
After flying to New York to announce her achievements and briefing hard in front of the White House mogul, Yoo Ah-ra could not hide her absurd expression when she suddenly heard that she was going to hand over the company.
It was a difficult situation for her to understand. For the past few years, Yoo Ah-ra and her husband, Lee Hyun-wook, have worked hard enough to break into sleep to pioneer the Chinese market and establish the Ivanka Trump fashion group.
Thanks to Yooara’s broad understanding of the Chinese fashion market, the ability to connect various production bases, and the outstanding designer Lee Hyun-wook’s sense, Ivanka Trump Fashion Group is now a leading fast fashion company in China along with Uniqlo and Zara. was standing tall
But suddenly, when Eugene announced that the Ivanka Trump Fashion Group was going to be acquired by a Chinese company, I couldn’t help but be surprised.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think the future of the Ivanka Trump fashion group will be very bright.”
“Of course, there are certain limitations of foreign companies in the Chinese market. However, we have been working hard on the Chinese clothing market for over 10 years. I don’t think it’s something that can’t be overcome.”
“Of course, it’s not because we ignore the efforts or capabilities of the two of us. The two will undoubtedly be able to achieve even greater achievements in the Chinese market. But the problem is not with the two of you, but with the outside.”
“Outside?”
Yoo-ra, who had been expressing her achievements in an attempt to somehow convince Eugene, pauses for a moment and asks.
“Actually, it’s a bit harsh to call it an outsider. The brand itself is the problem.”
“Ivanka Trump… … .”
“Is it because there is a possibility that there will be trouble between the US and China?”
It was her wife Yoo Ah-ra who led the business, but her husband Lee Hyun-wook noticed it first.
“That’s right. At present, there is a growing awareness of China in the United States. President Trump is based on the support of American workers. Sooner or later this issue will come up. If that happens, what action will the Chinese government take? At that point, Ivanka Trump’s popularity in China will be seriously threatened.”
“ah!”
Yuara’s face hardened. I could understand immediately what Eugene meant.
“If there is a dispute with the United States, both of you are well aware that the Chinese people are likely to come out with a boycott. There is a strong possibility that there may even be a physical collision. There is no guarantee that what happened in the last time it was coined will not happen again this time.”
In the past, disputes over sovereignty over several uninhabited islands and reef islands between Japan and China caused considerable repercussions in the peoples of both countries, and anti-Japanese protests took place in various parts of China, such as raiding shops with signs in Japanese or Japan. There was a series of radical acts, such as burning a bought car.
“However… … In fact, the Chinese people are not very interested in politics.”
Yuara shook her head and said. Perhaps because she had been in China for a long time, she used the word people instead of Chinese people.
It is not uncommon for Koreans who have been working in China for a long time to use some words differently from Koreans.
Still, it is much more natural for people who have lived in the US to use English in their Korean language.
“you’re right. For thousands of years, ordinary Chinese people have known the wisdom of life to distinguish themselves from central politics. Although it is said that the hostility of the Chinese toward Japan is considerable, practically few people refuse to purchase Japanese products. It’s quite different from how Koreans feel about Japan.”
Hyun-wook Lee continued with Yoo-ra’s words.
“Actually, the Chinese do not have much attachment to the country. The important thing for them is always to survive in the present moment and to get the most out of it. What’s more, the Chinese government basically strictly regulates rallies and demonstrations. It is virtually impossible for any private organization other than the Communist Party to be formed. So, the protest is actually the will of the government.”
Although Lee Hyun-wook spent a much shorter time in China than Yoo-ra, he also had an insight into Chinese society that was no less than his wife’s.
“Even if a dispute between the US and China arises, it is unlikely that there will be a violent incident or a visible boycott of Ivanka Trump’s fashion unless the central government permits it. I don’t think you can do anything to tarnish the name of the daughter of the President of the United States and not anyone else. Unless you’re really going to go all out with America.”
Hyunwook Lee’s opinion was very reasonable. No one could have imagined that China, no matter how fast its momentum, would be completely hostile to the United States.
Especially, Eugene’s opinion was more acceptable because he knew that the Chinese government is still lobbying the Trump family in various ways.
“I think it is quite true to say that Chinese citizens do not voluntarily manipulate protests against Japan or the United States. However, it is unreasonable to think that the Chinese government will not interfere with the Trump family’s business forever.”
“Is that so?”
“The Chinese government, or to be more precise, at the top of the regime, has no choice but to walk in the opposite direction to the United States, even if the United States does not impose sanctions first. It’s just a matter of time.”
At Eugene’s words, the two of them looked as if something like that could ever happen.
“As China’s economy develops, the gap between the rich and the poor is getting bigger and bigger. There is an increasing backlash.”
“Right. It is true that the confrontation between the world’s richest people and the workers who are satisfied with their salaries of several thousand won a day is remarkably prominent.”
“The buildup of such inherent dissatisfaction will eventually put a heavy burden on the Chinese government, and on top of the regime. Moreover, it is difficult for the Chinese economy to achieve the high level of development it has been in the past. In the end, people who are below the middle class will no longer have any hope of moving up.”
At Eugene’s words, Yuara’s expression becomes serious.
“Hmm… … It is certainly true that the energy is declining compared to the past.”
“It is something that people in power absolutely do not wish for such various complaints to be directed toward the regime. Just looking at what happened in ’89 right now, you can see how concerned I am about such a situation. So the government wants people’s dissatisfaction to be directed outward rather than upwards. For that reason, I have been using anti-Japanese feelings and anti-anti-Japanese feelings until now. However, it is difficult to sufficiently resolve the dissatisfaction that is erupting with Japan and Korea alone.”
China’s anti-Japanese protests, which have occurred several times since 2000, and dissatisfaction with South Korea, are difficult to see as a voluntary phenomenon of Chinese civil society.
Protests and the voices of the media in a country where even the messages used by individuals are strictly controlled to the extent that they are censored should be viewed as reflecting the will of the government.
Eugene is well aware that the Chinese government has so far used Japan and South Korea to divert the people’s dissatisfaction. Also, more so in the future.
“Do you think that the Chinese government will deliberately promote hostile relations with the United States?”
Even though they were two people doing business in China, it was hard to believe that the Chinese government had a different target.
“If you look at it, it’s the same everywhere. It is much easier and more effective to attribute internal dissatisfaction to the external enemy rather than to solve the cause. The Trump administration is no different. Rather than making policies that benefit workers’ lives, aren’t they driving out migrants and fostering hostility toward China?”
And such an easy policy direction is not so different in Korea and right-wing parties in many European countries, such as developed countries.
“If it was the president’s words and not anyone else, it must have been true. If so, it would be better to hand it over to where you want it now.”
Eventually, the couple seemed to understand. But it is still unavoidable to be dissatisfied.
The duo have been working tirelessly to make the Ivanka Trump brand a leading fast-fashion company in China.
In the midst of such a situation, it must have been like being struck by lightning to suddenly hear such a decision.
“Of course, you must be very sad. But sometimes it’s even more important to know when to step back. So I’m going to give you two options.”
“What if it’s an option?”
“What option?”
Now is the time to discuss the rewards for their achievements so far.
“As promised, we will immediately recognize the 14% stake in the two of you.”
Yoo-ra and Lee Hyun-wook are given stock options from the beginning and have the right to purchase a considerable amount of stock at a low price when the company’s performance reaches an appropriate level.
However, since the contractual time had not yet come, it was also a dangerous moment for the two of them to infringe on their rights.
“thank you.”
“you’re welcome. Considering the results the two of you have achieved so far, it’s only natural.”
Eugene has the principle that a fair price must be paid to any company in which he invests.
It’s not just because you think it’s right. It is because he knows well that keeping the right principles will bring much greater benefits when thinking about the future.
“And now you two have the right to sell the stake to the buyer at our equal value. Probably around $1.1 billion.”
At Eugene’s words, the two couples look at each other’s faces. It’s a look I can’t believe.
Of course, I know that if the Ivanka Trump fashion group cruised like this and succeeded in listing, it would be much more money than this.
But knowing that it had already crossed the water, I was satisfied enough with this.
“And it seems that about 10% of that amount will be set as severance pay until the time of purchase. Or you can take responsibility for the time being as the manager of the Ivanka Fashion Group as you have done before.”
“Are we continuing?”
Yuna’s eyes twinkle. No matter how much money comes in, it seems regretful to let go of the first successes you have made.
“At the same time, the two of them are recognized there. He asked me to take over the company for at least two years. You’ll probably be guaranteed more than the salary you’ve been receiving. Of course, the severance pay will increase even more.”
“Well… … .”
Again, the couple exchanged glances for a while. It seems difficult to make an easy decision.
“If you think about it, both of us were able to achieve this level of success in China because we all followed the vision the president gave us.”
After a while, Yuara opened her mouth.