December 11-12, 2005
Days 56-57 of Ascension
Title: Data Over Miracles
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December 11 (Sunday)
07:30 AM, The Clinic Day
Winter sunlight streamed through the clinic windows, dust motes dancing in antiseptic air. Je-hoon arrived early, medical kit in hand. Today would test Formula H-1's first proper results.
Dr. Lee was already there, examining Patient #1's ulcer documentation photos. "Look."
The before-and-after images told the story: 72 hours post-application, inflammation reduced by approximately 40%, wound edges beginning to epithelialize. Not miraculous, but statistically significant.
"Good," Je-hoon said, donning gloves. "Consistent with projections?"
"Better. Standard care would show maybe 15-20% improvement in this timeframe."
Patient #1 arrived, walking easier. "Less pain," he reported. "Itchy though."
"Itching indicates healing," Dr. Lee explained, unwrapping the dressing.
The wound looked cleaner, healthier. Je-hoon applied fresh Formula H-1, his movements precise. ZEO monitored vitals: ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ #1: ๐๐ค๐ช๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ง๐๐ฉ๐: 2.3๐ญ ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ง๐. ๐๐ค ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ. ๐๐๐๐ฃ ๐ง๐๐๐ช๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ: 60%.
Patient #2 arrivedโnew enrollment, diabetic foot ulcer similar profile. Control group: standard silver sulfadiazine.
Je-hoon documented everything meticulously. This wasn't just healing; it was science.
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10:00 AM, The Pharmacy Visit
Between patients, Je-hoon visited Mrs. Kang's pharmacy. "Need to prepare more Formula H-1."
She measured ingredients with pharmacist precision. "The first batch worked?"
"Early data promising."
"You realize if this is real..." She didn't finish the thought, but her meaning hung between them. A ten-year-old developing a medical breakthrough.
"It's just optimized ratios of existing ingredients," he said, the prepared explanation. "Anyone could have done it with enough analysis."
"Anyone didn't," she pointed out.
They prepared 1kg of Formula H-1. Cost: approximately โฉ8,000. Potential value if patented: millions.
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14:00 PM, The Unexpected Visitor
During clinic lull, Park Joon-ho appeared at the door. No warning. Just there in his tailored coat, surveying the modest clinic with distaste.
Dr. Lee stood. "Can I help you?"
"I'm here for the boy."
Je-hoon finished bandaging a patient before approaching. "Mr. Park."
"Outside." Curt.
They stepped into the alley beside the pharmacy. Cold wind whipped between buildings.
"My sister is enthusiastic about your... foundation," Joon-ho began, not looking at Je-hoon. "The board was impressed. This creates... complications."
"Complications for you?"
"For family dynamics. Soo-jae is not in the succession line. Her gaining influence disrupts... arrangements."
Arrangements between brothers, Je-hoon understood. The sick father, the fighting sons, the daughter suddenly showing competence.
"Her success shouldn't threaten you if your own position is secure."
Joon-ho's eyes narrowed. "You're clever. Too clever. But understand this: HJ Group is a family business. Outsiders don't interfere."
"I'm not interfering. I'm providing services."
"Services that elevate my sister. Which interferes." He leaned closer. "There will be an offer. From one of my brothers probably. To buy your little foundation. Or fund it separately from Soo-jae."
"A test?"
"An opportunity. To choose sides."
"And if I refuse to choose?"
"Then you choose against everyone." He straightened. "The offer will come this week. Consider carefully."
He left, footsteps echoing in the alley.
Je-hoon processed: Family politics escalating. He was becoming a pawn. Or perhaps... a kingmaker?
Dangerous position.
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18:00 PM, The Data Compilation
Back at the orphanage, Je-hoon compiled Formula H-1 data on his laptop:
Formula H-1 Pilot Study - Preliminary Results (72 hours)
ยท Patient #1 (H-1): 40% inflammation reduction, epithelialization beginning
ยท Patient #2 (Control): 18% inflammation reduction
ยท Patient #3 (H-1, new): Baseline established
ยท Patient #4 (Control, new): Baseline established
Projected healing time reduction: 35-45%.
Clinically significant. Patent-worthy.
He drafted the patent application, careful to list:
ยท Inventors: Kim Je-hoon, Dr. Lee Min-soo
ยท Assignee: Blue Bird Foundation
ยท Composition: Exact percentages, preparation method
ยท Claims: Specific ratios creating synergistic effect
Once filed, they could seek licensing deals. Medical supply companies, pharmaceutical firms.
But timing was tricky. File too early without enough data, patent might be weak. File too late, someone might anticipate.
Dr. Lee's voice in his memory: "Miracles attract attention."
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December 12 (Monday)
08:00 AM, The SNU Decision Deadline
The accelerated program required response by December 15th. Je-hoon analyzed pros and cons:
Pros:
ยท Elite education
ยท Early university access
ยท Credential value
ยท Escape orphanage limitations
Cons:
ยท Disrupts growing operations
ยท Boarding means less time for businesses
ยท Possibly too visible
ยท Loses local network advantages
He needed a hybrid solution. Perhaps negotiate: attend classes but not board? Commute?
He drafted an email to Professor Kang:
"Respected Professor,
Thank you for the opportunity. I'm interested but have existing social enterprise commitments at Blue Bird Foundation. Is flexible attendance possibleโperhaps attending core classes while maintaining some off-campus work?
Sincerely,
Kim Je-hoon"
A test. Would they accommodate exceptional circumstances for an exceptional student?
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10:00 AM, The Brother's Offer
As predicted, a different black car arrived at the orphanage. A man in his early 40sโPark Min-ho, the youngest of the three brothers, HJ Group's overseas operations head.
Director Kim ushered him into the office, wide-eyed at another Park visiting.
"Kim Je-hoon," Min-ho said, smiling warmlyโtoo warmly. "I hear impressive things."
"Thank you."
"My brother Joon-ho can be... direct. I prefer collaboration." He placed a folder on the table. "Proposal: HJ Group Overseas Division will fund Blue Bird Foundation expansion. โฉ100,000,000 over three years. In exchange: exclusive partnership, and... distance from Soo-jae's initiatives."
The number hung in the air. โฉ100 million. Enough to transform everything.
"And why would you want distance from your sister's work?"
"Family harmony," he said smoothly. "Separate spheres prevent conflict."
Translation: isolate Soo-jae, limit her influence.
"The foundation maintains independence?"
"Within HJ Group framework, yes."
Je-hoon opened the folder. Detailed terms: board seats for HJ representatives, reporting requirements, non-compete clauses. Subtle control mechanisms.
"May I review with our legal advisor?"
"Of course. But time matters. The offer expires Friday."
Pressure tactic.
After Min-ho left, Director Kim whispered, "โฉ100 million!"
"With strings," Je-hoon said. "And it pits us against Soo-jae."
"Young Park seems reasonable..."
"Reasonable people in unreasonable families don't survive." Je-hoon had read enough chaebol histories. The nice brother was often the most dangerous.
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14:00 PM, The Manufacturing Crisis
Mr. Han called, agitated. "Supply issue. The microcontrollers for the timersโsupplier doubled price."
"Why?"
"Said demand increased. But I think someone pressured them."
Joon-ho's doing? Or Min-ho making the existing path harder to push Je-hoon toward their offer?
"Alternative suppliers?"
"Two weeks lead time. We'll miss December deliveries."
Revenue at risk. Credibility at risk.
Je-hoon calculated. "Offer current supplier bonus for honoring original price. If refusal, pay the increase but note for future replacement."
"Costs go up..."
"Short-term loss to maintain customer trust. We'll absorb it."
He transferred additional funds to Mr. Han. Capital dipped, but business continuity mattered more.
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16:00 PM, The Strategic Meeting
Je-hoon convened his core team: Director Kim, Mrs. Shin, Mr. Han (via phone), Dr. Lee.
"Situation summary," Je-hoon began. "Three pressures: HJ family politics, SNU decision, manufacturing disruption."
Dr. Lee spoke first. "The formula data is strong enough for provisional patent. File now, establish priority."
Mr. Han: "I found alternative microcontroller supplier in China. Cheaper actually. But need import paperwork."
Mrs. Shin: "The โฉ100 million offer... tempting but dangerous. Family feud entanglement."
Director Kim: "SNU would be good for you personally."
Je-hoon synthesized: "Decisions:
1. Formula H-1: File provisional patent Wednesday.
2. Manufacturing: Switch to Chinese supplier long-term. Absorb short-term cost.
3. HJ Offer: Decline politely. Cite foundation independence.
4. SNU: Negotiate flexible attendance.
5. Soo-jae: Inform her of brother's offer. Transparency."
Mrs. Shin looked concerned. "Declining โฉ100 million... risky."
"Accepting is riskier. Becomes their asset, not ours."
They agreed. Action plans assigned.
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18:00 PM, The Transparency
Je-hoon messaged Soo-jae:
To: SJ
Message: Your brother Min-ho offered โฉ100m for foundation, condition: distance from your initiatives. Declining. Transparency matters. - KJH
The reply took twenty minutes:
From: SJ
Message: Expected. He approached two other social enterprises I championed. Pattern. Thank you for transparency. Warning: They may try other pressure tactics. - SJ
To: SJ
Message: Already experiencing. Microcontroller supplier price doubled. Coincidence? - KJH
From: SJ
Message: Unlikely. I'll see what I can do. The board partnership proposal still proceeding despite them. - SJ
Alliance strengthening through shared adversity.
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20:00 PM, The Patent Draft
Je-hoon finalized the provisional patent application. 15 pages of precise language, chemical compositions, method claims.
He included the preliminary clinical data. Strong enough for "reduction to practice" requirement.
Dr. Lee would file Wednesday morning. Twelve-month window to file full patent, during which they could seek investors, licensees.
Value potential: If even modestly successful in diabetic wound market... substantial.
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22:00 PM, The Calculus of Power
Je-hoon lay awake, analyzing the power dynamics:
HJ Family Players:
ยท Chairman Park: Ill, fading
ยท Joon-ho (2nd son): Operations, aggressive, sees Je-hoon as threat
ยท Min-ho (3rd son): Overseas, manipulative, offering "friendly" control
ยท Oldest son (not yet appeared): Likely successor, unknown position
ยท Soo-jae: Outsider trying to create power base through innovation
Je-hoon's position: Pawn potentially, but pawns can become queens if they reach the other side.
His assets:
1. Growing foundation
2. Patentable medical formula
3. Manufacturing business
4. Soo-jae alliance
5. Board interest (Mr. Lee, others)
6. Capital and systems
His vulnerabilities:
1. Age and legal status
2. Orphanage dependence
3. Family politics entanglement
4. Limited scale
Strategy: Use family conflict to advance while avoiding direct confrontation. Build independent value until too valuable to crush.
The game was chess at corporate scale. He needed to think multiple moves ahead.
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Day 57 Summary
๐๐ค๐ง๐ข๐ช๐ก๐ ๐-1: ๐๐ง๐ค๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ, ๐ฅ๐๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐ง๐๐๐๐ฎ
๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ฎ ๐ฅ๐ค๐ก๐๐ฉ๐๐๐จ: ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐จ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ฃ๐
โฉ100 ๐ข๐๐ก๐ก๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐ค๐๐๐๐ง: ๐ฟ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐
๐๐๐: ๐๐๐๐ค๐ฉ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐
๐พ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฉ๐๐ก: โฉ550,000 (๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ช๐๐๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ง๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐จ๐๐จ)
๐๐๐ญ๐ฉ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐จ:
1. ๐๐๐: ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐
2. ๐๐๐ช๐ง: ๐๐๐ ๐ง๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ค๐ฃ๐จ๐
3. ๐๐ง๐: ๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐๐ง ๐ง๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ค๐ฃ๐จ๐
4. ๐๐๐ฉ: ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐๐๐ง๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ง๐๐ฅ
The week of decisions.
The formula was proving.
The pressures were mounting.
The boy was calculating.
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๐ฟ๐๐ฎ 56-57: ๐๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ง๐ข๐ช๐ก๐ ๐ฅ๐ง๐ค๐ซ๐๐จ
1 ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ค๐ช๐๐: 40% ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐
1 ๐๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ฎ ๐๐๐ช๐: 2 ๐๐ง๐ค๐ฉ๐๐๐ง๐จ ๐ฅ๐ก๐๐ฎ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐จ
1 ๐๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ก ๐ฌ๐๐๐ : 4 ๐๐๐๐๐จ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐จ ๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ฉ
๐๐ค๐ฉ ๐๐ช๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐ช๐๐ก๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐จ๐ฎ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ข๐จ ๐๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ข๐ค๐ง๐. ๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐ฃ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฅ๐ค๐ฌ๐๐ง ๐จ๐ฉ๐ง๐ช๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ง๐๐จ. ๐๐ค๐ฉ ๐๐ช๐จ๐ฉ ๐จ๐ค๐ก๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฅ๐ง๐ค๐๐ก๐๐ข๐จ. ๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ค๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฅ๐ค๐ก๐๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐๐ฃ๐๐ข๐๐ฃ๐๐จ. ๐๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ง๐ข๐ช๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐ค๐ง๐ ๐จ ๐ค๐ฃ ๐ฌ๐ค๐ช๐ฃ๐๐จ. ๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐๐ค๐ช๐ฉ ๐ค๐ฃ ๐ฅ๐ค๐ฌ๐๐ง ๐จ๐ฉ๐ง๐ช๐๐ฉ๐ช๐ง๐๐จ?
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End Episode 20