Chapter 47 – Invincible Intern – Part 7

Chapter 47 – Invincible Intern – Part 7

Woojin, who was thinking about promoting Manager Lee, sat down, continuing with the thought, ‘How?’

First, he needed to know the basics.

After organizing his thoughts, Woojin headed to Haneul Park, pretending to go to the bathroom.

Haneul Park, which he was visiting for the first time, seemed really well-designed.

Trees and water flowed, and the wind was cool.

Woojin called Lee Hyerim.

She answered immediately, and though her voice was cool, it was full of welcome.

-What brings you to call at this hour?

“I have something to ask.”

At Woojin’s words, Lee Hyerim’s voice became flustered.

-You? Me?

It was because Woojin almost never asked her anything.

Above all, she was one of the few people who knew how smart Woojin was.

“Yes, how do I get promoted?”

She let out a hollow laugh at the utterly unexpected remark.

-You need to accumulate years of experience. And also have a significant contribution to the company.

“Is that all?”

-Yeah. That’s about it.

Woojin slowly nodded his head, then ended the call.

“Thanks. Have a good lunch later.”

-Woojin.

“Yes?”

-If anyone bothers you, just tell me.

“Okay.”

Woojin, who had answered without enthusiasm and ended the call, looked out at the city’s towering buildings.

He had asked just in case, but it was as he expected.

‘Company contribution, huh…’

That didn’t mean there was no Room Law.

Woojin returned to the Management Support Team, deep in thought.

And he looked at Deputy Manager Kang.

Deputy Manager Kang Cheolmin is 52 years old.

The frames of the glasses he habitually touches are luxury brand, his height is 169cm, and his weight is around 70kg.

He usually has no interest in me, but recently, due to the PR and Marketing’s Simplified Receipt incident, I’ve felt his gaze.

He pretends not to be interested but is secretly glancing over.

The things intertwined in his eyes are a mix of arrogance and anxiety.

He changes his suits, shirts, and ties more often than other staff members.

Unlike deputy managers in other departments, Deputy Manager Kang of the Management Support Team earns an annual salary of 80,000,000 won.

His actual take-home pay is approximately 5,500,000 won.

A father of two children, his hobby is golf.

I heard he sends both his children to private academies.

If we calculate that each child is taught two subjects, and assume a monthly private education expense of 1,000,000 won, then subtracting that from his salary leaves 4,500,000 won.

Easily estimating insurance, car maintenance, and various living expenses at 1,500,000 won, that leaves 3,000,000 won.

Seeing him discuss his apartment loan with his superiors, it’s unlikely his parents or in-laws have money.

He doesn’t seem to be counting on real estate leverage.

He has a strong desire for golf equipment and a great need for showing off by adorning himself.

However, his spending is too high for what he earns.

He doesn’t seem to be living the so-called YOLO life, so it’s highly likely he has other sources of income.

After the receipt incident, he observes me.

He has anxiety, but also arrogance.

The arrogance that replaces the ‘just in case’ look.

The answer will all be on the receipt.

Woojin began to look more closely at the Management Support Team’s receipts.

After an hour had passed in this manner, a voice came from behind him.

“Is it manageable?”

It was Deputy Manager Kang Cheolmin.

Woojin stood up and answered cheerfully.

“Yes!”

Deputy Manager Kang picked at his ear.

“You’re going to burst my eardrums, kid.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Take it easy. You’re doing well, so take a 10-minute break every hour and get some fresh air.”

“I’m fine.”

Deputy Manager Kang’s brow furrowed slightly, then returned to normal.

It all happened in 0.2 candles.

Deputy Manager Kang passed by Woojin without a word, and Woojin let out a small ‘Oh?’ sound.

Then, Deputy Manager Kang quickly turned around.

As he looked at the receipt, an anxious expression was stamped on the Deputy Manager’s face.

Woojin, having noticed the micro-expression, scratched his head.

“I stapled it wrong.”

Deputy Manager Kang found his composure and chuckled.

Then he said to Assistant Manager Kang,

“Why does it take so long to make one approval document? Do I have to wait longer?”

“It’s almost done. Just a moment…”

“You’re as slow as a snail… Tsk tsk tsk.”

Woojin observed him as if confirming something, and nodded slightly.

And so, lunchtime arrived.

Woojin followed Manager Lee and Assistant Manager Im to a restaurant specializing in duck stew.

A subtle blend of herbal medicine and savory aromas stimulated their appetites.

Manager Lee personally placed a duck leg on Woojin’s plate.

“Eat a lot.”

Woojin, fixing his gaze on the duck leg, said with admiration,

“Oh, this precious leg…”

“Every time Woojin eats, he shows a quirky side. Isn’t he cute? Hahaha!”

Assistant Manager Im said with a laugh,

“I also enjoy duck legs, you know.”

“Really? Then you should eat it. Here you go.”

Manager Lee handed a duck leg to Assistant Manager Im.

Assistant Manager Im then waved his hand in refusal.

“No! No! Manager Lee, you should eat. Here. Here.”

“Oh, Assistant Manager Im. Can’t you separate work from personal matters? This is an order from a superior. Eat.”

Assistant Manager Im smiled and picked up his chopsticks.

“Then, as instructed, I will eat deliciously.”

The meal, which began in a friendly atmosphere, ended with porridge.

Manager Lee put down his spoon and leaned back against the wall.

“Why do I get so sleepy every time I eat? Max-level Intern, do you know why? Is it just a food coma?”

To the playfully asked question,

“When you eat, a lot of blood goes to your stomach and intestines. At this time, the amount of blood flow that should go to the brain decreases, which reduces oxygen and causes sleepiness. As Manager Lee said, it is indeed a food coma.”

Woojin answered theoretically.

Manager Lee, who was scratching his cheek with his finger, chuckled.

“There’s nothing you don’t know. Nothing you don’t know. Let’s go. Let’s go back to work.”

***

After work, Woojin went to Mansu’s Older Brother’s Shop.

There were more people than before, and five people were lined up for takeout.

As the line dwindled, Woojin’s turn came.

“Welcome… Huh? Woojin?”

Mansu’s Older Cousin was surprised.

“Give me the most popular one.”

“You should have called first. Haven’t you had dinner yet?”

“No. Please make it delicious.”

“Alright, I’ll make it for you right away.”

Just then, Mansu, who had returned from the restroom, widened his eyes.

It was because of Woojin’s attire.

He was holding a briefcase and wearing a suit, just like.

“Where did you get a job?”

“No, I joined Shinhwa Trading as an intern.”

“Oh? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You didn’t ask.”

Mansu scratched his head.

There was no reason for Woojin to report such things to him.

But he felt like Woojin was being taken away by the company.

“How is it? Is the work manageable?”

“It’s just, it feels ordinary.”

“They say new employees are severely picked on, but it doesn’t seem to be the case?”

“Yeah. I don’t think that’s happening.”

Mansu chuckled.

Who was worrying about whom?

Because Woojin was the kind of guy who could generate electricity even if he was thrown onto an island.

At least that’s what he thought.

“Alright, here’s our best-selling Ciabatta, Colonel.”

Woojin immediately took a bite of the Ciabatta.

As he focused his mind on his taste buds, his temporomandibular joint moved on its own.

The MSG blend was meticulously calculated, like mathematics.

“It’s delicious.”

“Hahahaha! Of course, whose recipe do you think it is?”

After leaving the store, Woojin headed to the site where the LED Cultivation Method facilities were being built.

Most of the equipment seemed to have arrived, and it looked like they could move on to design planning.

The Terrestrial Broadcast filming date was a little over a month away.

There was plenty of time.

And it was destined to become brain food.

Woojin, who had been looking around inside, soon turned his steps towards home.

***

Woojin, who had returned home, was sitting in front of the PC.

Woojin, who had separately examined the receipts from the Management Support Team, even receipts from several years ago, constantly began searching, recalling them.

Woojin’s actions stopped in less than an hour.

Company B’s or Company C’s products were much cheaper than Company A’s. But the quality was the same.

However, the reason for sticking with Company A’s products for several years…

Woojin nodded his head.

‘Is it a kickback?’

Not just a few items, but A4 paper, monitors, chairs, and so on.

The printers were replaced periodically.

Though the unit price was small, when accumulated, it could amount to a very large sum.

Woojin, confident in Deputy Manager Kang’s expression and actions, thought for a moment.

If he exposed this, he would become a whistleblower, and not only would Deputy Manager Kang be investigated, but an audit would be launched for the entire Management Support Team, causing chaos.

To put it simply, it would be difficult to simply remove Deputy Manager Kang and put Manager Lee in his place.

But the Room Law is surprisingly easy.

Woojin made a call on his cellphone.

To Lee Hyerim, who was thirsty for recognition.

It was a win-win for both of them.

-You’ve got another question, haven’t you?

“No, I want to tell you something.”

-What is it?

“It seems like Deputy Manager Kang Cheolmin in the Management Support Team is receiving kickbacks.”

-What? Who told you that?

“I found out. All the other staff members are clean, but only Deputy Manager Kang Cheolmin is like that.”

-…I knew this would happen.

Her voice was filled with delight.

Woojin couldn’t see Lee Hyerim in front of him, but Woojin already read her.

And he asked, pretending not to know.

“What do you mean?”

-I knew you’d cause trouble.

She giggled and continued.

-You’re truly amazing. So like you. How did you find out?

“Just by doing this and that. The other staff members are clean.”

-I should tell Dad about this myself.

“Hyerim.”

-Yes? Tell me.

“I’d rather not have a full audit come to the Management Support Team. As I said, the others are clean.”

-What are you talking about? You never know, so…

“Hyerim, are you saying you don’t trust me now?”

-Huh? I-I trust you. Of course, I trust you, but you never know…

“I like my current life. It’s fun. I just want Deputy Manager Kang to be gone. I just don’t want to be in the same space as someone committing corruption…”

She was silent for a moment, then spoke again in a bright voice.

-Well, as for that Righteous Path, there’s no need to make a fuss about firing one person, right? For the sake of the company’s atmosphere, too.

“Then who will take Deputy Manager Kang’s place?”

-Someone else will fill it.

“There might be a personnel transfer from another department, then.”

-Yes.

“Hyerim, I’ve been watching someone closely these days, and I’m wondering what you think about them.”

-Huh? Who is it?

“It’s Manager Lee Ira from our team. She seems like a good person.”

-Manager Lee? You don’t mean someone you’ve known for a long time, do you?

“No, I first met her after I joined the company.”

-But why her of all people? Do you find her special?

“Just because she seems like a good person. And ‘because I thought she’d be a good match for you.'”

-What? Hahahaha! Hey, Shin Woojin! Hahahaha!

She laughed so hard she almost fell over.

It was completely unpredictable, something one could never imagine, truly like Woojin.