Chapter 80 – Reaction – Part 8

Chapter 80 – Reaction – Part 8

At Woojin’s greeting, Department Head Shim stood up from his seat a little quickly.

Although he didn’t show it on his face, he had been waiting for Woojin with bated breath.

If Woojin was even a little late, it could negatively affect the contract.

If the contract terms change by even 1%, tens of billions will evaporate and more.

“Let’s discuss our story in the car.”

“Yes.”

He and Woojin immediately left the Department Head’s Office.

***

Lee Hyerim, outside the CEO’s Office door, checked her wristwatch.

Was time always this fast?

The meeting time with the buyer was moved up by 3 hours.

“He said to come in.”

The secretary knocked and the door gently opened.

Lee Hyerim walked straight inside.

Click.

As the secretary closed the door, Lee Hyerim looked at her father in front of her.

With a body type close to normal weight due to consistent exercise, and always an indifferent expression, her father’s slender jawline always looked cold.

Perhaps that’s why she always felt like a candle whenever she stood before her father.

“I’m here.”

He, with his gaze fixed on documents, replied.

“You were involved in this Middle East contract, weren’t you?”

At her father’s indifferent tone, Lee Hyerim put force into her words.

“My direct involvement was…”

“I heard from Department Head Shim. You ended up talking to the buyer and managed to raise the margin by 1%. That’s probably why the buyer wants to see you today.”

The moment she heard that, Lee Hyerim felt as if Woojin was shimmering before her eyes.

Woojin, looking at her with an innocent expression.

She had never even dreamed of such a situation.

‘Shin Woojin. You really…’

Lee Hyerim felt her eyes welling up, but she bit her lip and held back the tears.

Father, who had been signing documents, looked up at Lee Hyerim.

“I heard you also recommended a movie investment. Was the reason you didn’t want to study abroad because you wanted to get into business quickly?”

“No. I wanted a gift from Father. A tricycle.”

She was always scorned and ostracized because she was from a different mother and because she had to share the inheritance.

It had been that way since she was born.

It wasn’t something she wanted either.

She heard her mother passed away from cancer when she was three years old.

Ever since she was little, her older sisters had puppies and musical instruments in their hands.

They had everything they wanted in their hands.

But there was nothing in her hands.

When she cautiously asked for something, the only answer she got was “later.”

Or just “go with the housekeeper.”

As the sad memories of the past resurfaced, Lee Hyerim clenched her mouth and shook off the thoughts.

Nothing would change by recalling such a past.

It would only make things miserable.

“It would be more beneficial to sign for our Shinhwa Trading staff members during that time.”

“If you don’t promise, I won’t attend this meeting.”

Even if she didn’t attend, Woojin would be there, and the meeting would conclude successfully.

And this was not childishness.

It was the starting point for her to gradually find her place.

Meanwhile, Father’s eyebrows twitched.

But he quickly regained a relaxed expression. No, he even seemed to be smiling slightly.

“That’s right. Value must be proven by oneself. Negotiation is the same. If you finish the meeting well, that tricycle you asked for when you were seven. Let’s think about it then.”

Lee Hyerim’s eyes widened slightly.

This was because she accurately remembered the age she was when her father asked her to buy a bicycle.

It seemed she also understood the meaning of the gift.

Lee Hyerim slowly nodded her head.

“I’ll be back.”

As Lee Hyerim turned around, her father asked,

“If everything goes well with your endeavors, someone won’t stand idly by. Your relatives will harass you every time you make a move.”

Lee Hyerim, who had turned back to her father, let out a small laugh.

“It can’t get any worse. I’m used to it.”

***

As Lee Hyerim exited the CEO’s office, the Secretary glanced at her.

This was because Lee Hyerim’s expression had always been stiff whenever she entered and exited the CEO’s office, but now she was smiling.

In all her years of working there, she had truly never seen such a sight.

“Keep up the good work.”

Lee Hyerim muttered, recalling herself, no, Woojin, reflected in the elevator.

“Shin Woojin, you really are…”

Her smile grew even brighter.

At that moment.

Woojin, who had casually closed the documents and contracts he was reading in the passenger seat, looked at the passing scenery outside the car window.

To Department Head Shim, Woojin’s demeanor seemed unsettling.

After all, he was meeting a buyer, but he felt more like a student going on a picnic to a historical site than someone who should be nervous.

There was one more thing that worried him.

When he was told he would be paid to attend the meeting, his audacity in agreeing only if he received 35 million won.

He worried that such boldness might offend the buyer.

Moreover, there was his young age, which was vastly different from his own.

However, remembering the old Woojin, he could feel his negative emotions subside.

Assistant Manager Kang, who was next to Department Head Shim, spoke on behalf of Department Head Shim.

“Mr. Woojin, it’s good not to be nervous. But wouldn’t it be better to read the documents and contract one more time to familiarize yourself?”

“I don’t think there’s a need to read it again, but since Assistant Manager Kang said so, I’ll read it again.”

Woojin picked up what he had put down on his thigh and started flipping through it quickly.

Assistant Manager Kang almost swore.

Common sense says he’s not reading it, but just skimming it.

If someone were to do that in front of him, he wouldn’t have been able to tolerate it.

Even though the Department Head wasn’t saying anything, his face seemed to be turning red and then blue.

“You are reading it, right?”

“Yes. You seem anxious, so I’ll memorize it once.”

As English flowed from Woojin’s mouth after he put down the documents,

Assistant Manager Kang quickly flipped through the documents, following Woojin’s words with his eyes.

He then furrowed his brows.

Just when he wondered if he had really memorized everything in such a short time, he was already turning the last page.

Assistant Manager Kang looked at Department Head Shim and said,

“He’s memorized everything.”

Department Head Shim smiled, as if to say, “I knew it.”

Assistant Manager Kang opened his mouth to Woojin again.

“Mr. Woojin. You know this is a very important meeting, right? If things go according to the contract, we’re ready to grant the buyer everything they want, you know? You just need to keep them happy.”

Woojin’s answer came simply, like a futile righteous path.

“Yes.”

“Oh… right.”

The car drove on and finally arrived at the luxury hotel.

Upon entering the pre-booked business room, Assistant Manager Kang discussed with Department Head Shim how to arrange the seating.

Woojin walked around, checking the layout.

Assistant Manager Kang laughed at Woojin, who was even opening the bathroom door.

It was because he looked like someone who had come to view the room.

“Hahaha! It’s nice, isn’t it? Don’t you want to live in a place like this? Me too.”

“No. It’s too big and not efficient for me, so I don’t want to live here.”

Just then, Assistant Manager Kang received a call.

It was a call saying that the buyer had arrived.

After the call, Assistant Manager Kang nervously gulped, and the relaxed expression on Department Head Shim’s face also faded a little.

Assistant Manager Kang said,

“Department Head Shim, they want to have a meal first. What should we do?”

“See if you can move up the reservation.”

“Yes.”

Suddenly, a unique light flickered in Woojin’s eyes.

Soon, Assistant Manager Kang, who had confirmed the reservation, delivered good news.

“We can change the time. The buyer will arrive in about an hour, so I’ve rebooked for that time.”

As Department Head Shim nodded, the doorbell rang.

Assistant Manager Kang, who opened the door, flinched and stepped back.

None other than Lee Hyerim was entering.

Department Head Shim greeted her with a fawning voice.

“You’re here?”

“Yes. You must be working hard.”

Lee Hyerim, passing by Department Head Shim, went straight to Woojin.

“Where’s Jessica?”

“She’ll be here in about an hour.”

“I feel a bit nervous for some reason.”

“I haven’t really seen you nervous before.”

“Not like me?”

“Yeah.”

Lee Hyerim let out a small laugh.

Woojin’s words seemed to empower her.

Lee Hyerim looked at Woojin, recalling the situation when she confronted Father, and then suddenly spoke as if something had just occurred to her.

“Speaking of Bora, she’s memorized a thousand KOSPI and KOSDAQ companies. Aren’t you giving her too much homework?”

Hyerim, who had appointed Bora as Director, had once asked her when she saw her muttering like she was studying.

‘Are you even memorizing the multiplication tables?’

‘No. I’m memorizing Korean companies related to the promising industries.’

She had memorized a whopping thousand companies by heart.

Woojin replied,

“I told her to memorize as much as she could. Considering Bora’s level, she seems to be memorizing an appropriate amount.”

“Memorizing a thousand is appropriate?”

“Yes. She’s a smart child. Since companies are connected like a spiderweb, she’s probably finding pure enjoyment in seeing them cooperate and coexist.”

Woojin thought he should go see Bora again soon.

And then he returned to the most important main point.

“But I wonder if the taste of the Korean food here will be good. It’s my first time having a Korean course meal, so I’m a little nervous.”

“I’ve been here a few times and it’s good. I think you’ll like it too, Woojin.”

Woojin shook his head slightly.

“That’s a relief then. I hope Jessica comes soon.”

“Are you hungry?”

“Yes.”

Department Head Shim and Assistant Manager Kang couldn’t help but gasp at their conversation.

Such carefree attitudes in this setting made them seem like immature children.

As the time for Jessica’s arrival approached, Woojin’s group went down to the lobby to greet her.

Soon, a luxury car arrived, and a foreign woman got out of the back door.

The blonde woman looked about 167cm tall and was a slender beauty.

It was Jessica.

The man who followed was also Caucasian with thick eyebrows.

Department Head Shim greeted her first.

“Welcome. Thank you for making such a long journey.”

Jessica smiled and took Department Head Shim’s hand.

It was an energetic smile.

“Nice to meet you.”

Her gaze, after letting go of Department Head Shim’s hand, fixed on Woojin.

“Woojin?”

Woojin smiled subtly and took her hand.

“Welcome. Come on in. You have no idea how much I’ve been waiting for Jessica to arrive.”

“You’re not lying, are you?”

“Of course not. I was very hungry.”

Jessica, thinking it was a joke, smiled even more broadly.

“I didn’t even eat the in-flight meal because I was thinking of eating Korean food.”

Woojin nodded slightly.

As expected, she’s the adventurous type.

Her face and eyes were full of curiosity.

“Shall we go?”

At Woojin’s words, she exchanged glances with those around her and began to walk.

Department Head Shim and Assistant Manager Kang’s bodies briefly froze like statues.

This was because Jessica was walking side by side with Woojin.

They had a strong feeling that something was amiss, but they moved immediately.

* * *

After unpacking and taking a short break, they found their reserved spot and had a light tea time.

They strictly avoided business talk, sharing only brief introductions and light everyday conversations.

Subtle glances of unconscious mutual probing were exchanged, but they professionally brushed them off.

Soon after, the course meal began to arrive.

It started with a light champagne.

Jessica smiled brightly after tasting the champagne.

It was truly a refreshing and carefree smile.

Next came a dish containing abalone, squid, and a few grains of steamed barley.

The sauce, served with a candle chili pepper paste, was unique.

Jessica’s eyes widened slightly as she put the food in her mouth, nodding as if it was something new.

“Mmm~.”

Following that, a dish of thick-sliced croaker made into a pancake arrived.

Woojin said,

“Try dipping it in soy sauce.”

“Like this?”

As Woojin nodded, Jessica brought the croaker pancake to her mouth.

“Mmm~ Mmm~! Oh, the taste is just…”

Feeling the taste, Jessica spoke honestly, as if to further liven the mood.

“It’s really delicious. Is this a fish dish? In Korean, when it’s like this… ‘Is it delicious?’ ‘Delicious?'”

Woojin replied,

“‘Delicious’ is correct, but if you feel the need to express the taste you’re experiencing more strongly, there’s another phrase.”

“What’s that?”

“Damn Delicious.”

At that moment.

Department Head Shim and Assistant Manager Kang’s gazes pierced Woojin like arrows.

Lee Hyerim was no different.

As their gazes trembled like aspen leaves.

Woojin opened his mouth.

“Would you like to try repeating it? ‘Damn Delicious.'”