Chapter 31 – Doing Homework.. – 2

Chapter 31 – Doing Homework.. – 2

“Oh? Let’s use yours. Let’s do that.”

“Why?”

Woojin asked that, but he was genuinely curious.

Why he chose his own.

Mansu made a big smile.

“Shouldn’t we use the Perfect CSAT Scorer’s? Hahaha!”

Woojin thought for a moment and then nodded, and Mansu said,

“Woojin, honestly, it seems too tough for us to start from scratch. Should we just reference Report World a little?”

“Report World?”

“You didn’t know? There’s a site where people upload their assignments. There are tons of them. You might even find something similar to the assignment the professor gave us.”

“A cheat sheet… Is it something like that?”

Choi Gaeul had once mentioned that she could get a cheat sheet from a senior.

But she didn’t have such a cheat sheet at Candle.

“Yeah, if you want to be technical, it’s like a cheat sheet.”

“Wouldn’t that be a bit much?”

Because it was something out of the ordinary.

Conversely, Mansu, who interpreted Woojin’s words differently, smiled bitterly.

Woojin was right.

If he had hoped for a shortcut, he wouldn’t even have set foot in S University now.

It went against the past days when he had studied so hard he bled from his nose.

“Yes, you’re right. Alright. So, the company is decided. What should we start with?”

“Everyone knows about ethical management, but to understand the mindset of an ethical manager, meeting them directly is the easiest method. What do you think, Mansu?”

“You want to meet a manager? Would a manager meet people like us? They’re not idle people.”

“I’ll go meet them.”

At the absurd statement, Mansu scratched his eyebrows.

“Perhaps… What does your father do? No, no, does your father run a business? Or among your relatives…?”

“No, the CEO of the place I researched is giving a lecture tomorrow, so I’m going to go.”

Mansu’s face was dumbfounded.

It was as if gears were meshing, turning with a well-oiled sound.

“You didn’t, by any chance, research this company because they’re holding a lecture, did you?”

“Yes. Why?”

“You thought you had to meet the manager from the beginning?”

“Yes.”

Mansu shook his head back and forth.

He thought the plan was meticulous. No, what kind of assignment makes you think of meeting executives…

Mansu soon made up his mind.

Even in a long-distance race, if you only chase the first-place runner, you can at least reach the middle, if not a ranking position.

‘Follow the mindset of a perfect CSAT scorer, of whom only three exist nationwide.’

“Let’s go together. But the seats aren’t all taken, are they?”

I had a reservation for four, but it seems Mina and Gaeul won’t be able to make it, so I canceled two spots.

Mansu’s eyes, surprised by the unimaginable preparedness, sparkled.

“Oh! So I have a spot then?”

“Yes.”

“When is it?”

“Tomorrow. 3 o’clock.”

“Let’s go! I want to listen to a CEO lecture too!”

“Then let’s meet at the station by 2 tomorrow.”

***

The next day, the day of the appointment.

Kim Mansu, who arrived in front of the station, was looking at the contents of the chat room on his cellphone.

[I’m going to meet Woojin today because I have something to investigate.]

[Let me know right away if there’s anything I need to do. I’m really sorry.]

[If you send it by email, I’ll check it right away! I’ll buy you a drink!]

[Then I want something delicious!]

He only apologized, giving this and that excuse, but not a single word about attending.

Well, he might genuinely have something to do.

But shouldn’t he make time even if he doesn’t have any?

As Mansu was thinking that.

“You have such a good impression.”

A man and a woman had approached Mansu from behind without him noticing.

Mansu grinned without realizing it.

But that expression quickly vanished, and Mansu turned to them and said,

“Ahem~ So, am I destined to be king?”

“Ah…”

“Mansu, you’re early? What are you doing?”

The man and woman who were about to speak to Mansu were startled by Woojin’s appearance. Then, they quickly disappeared without looking back.

Mansu pointed at them with his finger and laughed, holding his stomach.

“Look at that. Look at them running away. Hahahahaha!”

“Who are they?”

“Do you know the Way? It’s fun to hang out with them.”

“Are you a hermit?”

Mansu, who was momentarily dumbfounded, chuckled, thinking Woojin was joking.

“It’s really fun to hang out with them,”

Mansu didn’t know who the man and woman were running from.

Woojin and Mansu found seats in the middle of the spacious auditorium.

There were more than enough people to fill all 50 seats, and there were also reporters with cameras and people preparing to film the event.

Most of them were in their late 20s, 30s, and 40s.

“Wow… I read in a book that you should always meet people who are higher than yourself. I’m even seeing a CEO of a mid-sized company in person. Thanks to you. Thank you.”

At that moment, a staff organizer finished the microphone test and announced the start of the lecture.

“We would like to welcome CEO Kang Seokmin!”

Amidst applause, a middle-aged person in their late 50s stood on the stage.

“Hello, everyone. I am Kang Seokmin, CEO of S&C.”

Kang Seokmin walked across the stage, left and right, and began with an introduction to the company.

Woojin listened to his voice and observed his gestures and face.

-Each time he turned his face towards the camera, his fake smile deepened.

-He used many gestures.

-He occasionally lowered his voice to capture people’s attention.

After the company introduction and its founding story, CEO Kang Seokmin’s voice grew louder.

“As you know, our S&C is leading the way in energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction through packaging reduction and improvement…”

Mansu, who had even recorded it on his cellphone, quickly began taking notes on his notebook.

This was because the discussion was about ethical management.

“Not only that, by introducing flexo printing equipment, we achieved the remarkable feat of reducing annual ink consumption by 40% and protecting the environment……”

Woojin nodded his head.

As the lecture time was almost over, he was explaining the role of a manager.

Simply put, it meant that our company was contributing to the world and the environment.

However, every time he emphasized something, his gestures and face told a lie.

As a CEO with many people under his responsibility, he changed his expression more skillfully than an ordinary person, but Woojin could not be deceived.

‘Is something negative happening in that area…?’

Like tax evasion, for example.

Most of his lies had the opposite meaning.

Woojin thought that could be the case.

He thought that there was no company, not even a small cafeteria, that didn’t evade taxes, even if it was just 100 won.

In other words, is it an ordinary matter…?

Soon after the lecture, which was neither short nor long, ended, the staff organizer put the microphone to their mouth and said,

“Due to time constraints, the Q&A session will be short.”

Woojin thought.

Considering the lecture time, the implied time for “short” was about 15 minutes, give or take.

There were 50 people gathered.

Woojin quickly scanned his surroundings.

Approximately 19 people would definitely raise their hands, calculating this…

“Yes. The person in the red hat, please ask your question.”

He received the microphone and asked his question.

“I imagine establishing a company wasn’t easy. I’m curious how you overcame difficulties when they arose.”

The CEO nodded his head vigorously and replied.

“Yes, of course there was. At the time…”

While the CEO was answering the questioner as if to motivate them, Woojin made a big decision.

Calculated by probability, the chance of his question being chosen was significantly low.

No, it might even be nonexistent.

But opportunities can be created.

He had the experience of attending a lecture that everyone else was listening to, but there was an unexpected, unusual part.

Woojin became curious about that unusual thing.

“Next question, please.”

At that moment, Woojin stood up and raised his hand.

At the sight, the staff organizer glanced at the CEO.

As the CEO nodded with a gentle face, the staff organizer said,

“Yes. The person standing over there. Please hand them the microphone.”

Woojin, who received the microphone, opened his mouth.

“Do you usually pre-select the questioners and hand them the microphone like this?”

Silence fell at the truly unexpected question.

Only Woojin’s voice, output through the microphone, echoed faintly.

Then the CEO chuckled lightly.

“Hahaha! Pre-selecting questioners? That’s impossible.”

“Next person, please.”

At the staff organizer’s words, Woojin handed over the microphone.

“The future that the CEO envisions is…”

Woojin, who had been watching the questioner, nodded his head.

His eyes repeatedly moved upwards, and though he was smiling, his cheek muscles were stiff, and he repeatedly licked his lips.

He was a prepared questioner.

Woojin turned his gaze to the CEO who was answering the question.

Is this what an ordinary businessman is like?

He’s even instigating.

Woojin thought it was good he came, as he could confirm it with his own eyes.

He gained experience, and it seemed like it would be very helpful for his assignment.

On the other hand, Mansu blinked at Woojin’s behavior, and someone else was thinking something different.

‘Did he come from a rival company to stir up trouble?’

***

Woojin and Mansu, who had left the Lecture Hall, were heading to the Toast Stand run by Mansu’s Older Cousin nearby.

“Wow… now that I think about it, it makes sense, doesn’t it? Setting up a Questioner and holding a lecture as an event. Packaging it well, then publishing articles to spread it. How did you know?

“Just, I saw it. Some people were mumbling as if memorizing, and some looked like they were part of the Candle group.”

“Why didn’t I see it?”

“You were taking notes.”

“Ah-ha… there it is.”

The place Mansu led them to was a small toast shop next to a Convenience Store.

Upon entering, seeing only three tables, it seemed like a shop specializing in takeout.

“Mansu, you’re here?”

His cousin and sister-in-law greeted Mansu.

“Hey, why are you only showing your face now? So, you’ve become a precious person now that you’re an S-University Student, huh?”

“Give me a break. I’m on my way back from a lecture for an assignment even now. This is my friend. His name is Shin Woojin, and he’s an amazing guy who got a Perfect CSAT Score to get in.”

“Oh my, a perfect score? He’s so handsome and he got a perfect CSAT score too?”

“Wow… he reminds me of my face when I was young. Your name is Woojin, right?”

“Yes, hello. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Hahahaha! Yes, nice to meet you. A Perfect CSAT Score, huh? So this idiot Mansu really did get into S-University. Sit down, sit down. You haven’t eaten, have you?”

“No. I’m starving. Give me a double portion.”

Woojin sat down and looked around.

Recalling the big data analysis, the electricity bill in this area was quite high.

That means it has been stably commercialized.

“Brother, is it still not going well these days?”

“Oh, don’t even get me started. There are a few schools and a new city development formed here. Two large fast-food chains came in, and sales plummeted. It’s a deficit, a deficit.”

“Then what are you going to do? Have you tried handing out flyers again?”

“Of course I have. I also do deliveries. I’m thinking of closing the toast shop and doing something else.”

“Something else?”

“I’m thinking of making hot dogs with baguettes and selling them. There’s nothing like that in this neighborhood. You guys like hot dogs too, right? Kids eat them well too.”

“Have you decided on a name?”

“Well… you, who got into S University, tell me. Is there a catchy name that just pops out?”

“Hmm… Bomb Hot Dog?”

“Why don’t you just call it Drug Hot Dog?”

Mansu smiled bitterly and asked Woojin.

“Our perfect CSAT scorer! Woojin, isn’t there a good name?”

The path Woojin had taken rewound in his mind like a tape.

Cafeteria, chicken restaurant, convenience store, hospital, academy, apartment, school. Also, cigarette butts and candles rolling on the floor, and so on.

He was recalling it as meticulously as someone on a site visit, no, even more so.

Just like that, Woojin’s mouth opened in less than ten seconds.

“It’s not a name problem.”