Chapter 54 – Playground – Part 5

Chapter 54 – Playground – Part 5

“Yes. It will be a pretty good business.”

Woojin memorized Jessica’s phone number after their first call.

And without others knowing, he called her and found out a few facts.

She, an American national, was an Overseas Representative in Indonesia, and her company position was high.

Woojin dropped hints to make her feel like he was an Industrial Spy.

Because it would be difficult to attract her attention if he said he was doing the LED Cultivation Method business alone.

The nuance was that it was a project being pursued by a Large Corporation, not an individual.

Woojin was using a very simple psychological tactic.

And he never said it was a project being pursued by Shinhwa Trading.

He just spoke secretly and said it needed to be pushed forward faster.

He laid the groundwork and let her think whatever she wanted.

And he just had to go along with it.

-How can you grow them without considering the environment of the soil and earth?

“It’s a method using light bulbs. All other conditions are handled by machines.”

-Ah…

As she immediately understood, Woojin continued.

We’ll start by distributing to high-end hotels and restaurants in the Middle East. It’s a type of marketing. High-quality, well-managed vegetables that are free of pesticides and pests. We’ll make it known through luxury first…

Woojin emphasized the need to quickly enter and preempt the Middle East market.

Jessica’s voice, full of concern, came through.

“But you, will this be alright?”

It was a question as if asking if he’d be fine even if he engaged in industrial espionage.

“Yes. It doesn’t matter.”

“Can I see samples or photos?”

“It’s difficult right now. I’ll let you see them with your own eyes when you come to Korea.”

Jessica was planning to visit Korea for the final meeting.

By then, it would be completely finished.

“Wow, I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“Are we partners now?”

“I think there’s a high probability of that.”

“If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at this number.”

“I will. It’s night there, isn’t it? Have a good night.”

After the call, Woojin slowly nodded his head.

The ultimate goal of the business was prosperity.

He was following that procedure, and it seemed like a very natural reaction and flow.

If this business did well, the government would also support it.

This was because it was an export business, and the larger the company grew, the more taxes could be collected.

A new fast food would be created.

*

The blue gate rattled, spitting out rust powder.

“Who is it?”

At Han Bora’s words, the delivery person said,

“Milk delivery.”

As soon as he was out of earshot, Han Bora opened the front door and took out the milk from her pocket.

Then she trotted over to Grandmother in the kitchen.

“Grandmother, how much does this cost?”

This was her way of keeping Woojin’s instruction to write in the household ledger like a diary.

“Huh? That? It’s supported by the Community Service Center.”

“Supported?”

Grandmother smiled warmly and stroked Han Bora’s head.

“They give it to our good Bora for free to drink.”

Han Bora looked at the milk she was holding in her small, delicate hands with wide, innocent eyes.

She got the milk without using money.

Should she call this income?

Han Bora decided against it.

Since she got it without using numbers, she couldn’t write it in either the income or expenditure column.

Suddenly, Woojin came to Han Bora’s mind.

‘As for income…’

*

“I’ll be back from PR and Marketing.”

At Woojin’s words, Manager Lee nodded like a familiar uncle.

“Yeah, go on.”

As soon as Woojin disappeared, Assistant Manager Im said,

“The more I see him, the more I feel like his way of thinking is different from others. Sometimes he seems quirky, sometimes like a machine, and sometimes…”

Manager Lee took a sip of coffee and cut him off.

“Do you think he got a perfect CSAT score for nothing? It’s the same with how he made my son study on his own. I once met someone who had read a thousand books in the past. We couldn’t communicate. He was brilliant. You know that saying? Geniuses act strangely.”

Then the Assistant Manager behind Im Siwon spoke up.

“Then am I a genius?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Because he is a person who strives to find the perfect ratio of soju and beer every day. It’s an unusual action.

Assistant Manager Im nodded.

That could be true. He’s a guy who researches how to destroy his body faster than others every day.

Just then, a phone call came in.

Yes. This is Im Siwon, assistant manager of the Management Support Team.

This is Kang, assistant manager from Sales Team 4. Is Intern Shin Woojin there?

No. He went to deliver supplies, why do you ask?

Ah… that is, I…

Assistant Manager Im, who was listening to his story, chuckled without realizing it.

Understood.

Assistant Manager Im, who put down the handset, looked at Manager Lee.

Manager Lee, Sales Team 4 is calling Woojin again?

Why? Is a buyer looking for Woojin again?

No. It’s a call from the Sales Team 4 Department Head.

Manager Lee laughed heartily as if he found it absurd.

It was like that with him, and he keeps getting involved with superiors.

Can this really be called an intern?

Not long after, when Woojin returned, Assistant Manager Im said.

Woojin, Department Head Shim from Sales Team 4 is looking for you. Go up there.

What? I have a mountain of things to do!

Everyone let out a hollow laugh at Woojin’s words.

Is that something an intern would say?

If it were any other intern, they would have frowned and been extremely nervous or trembling.

While thinking about what mistake they might have made.

But Woojin was the exact opposite.

That look is exactly like, ‘I have so much to do, why are you calling me and bothering me?’

Even though the Department Head is calling.

“I’ll handle what’s urgent, so go ahead.”

“Understood.”

Upon arriving at Sales Team 4, Woojin could read the faces and eyes of the staff members looking at him.

There were various emotions, but if he were to make an overall judgment, they were being cautious.

“Woojin, you’re here?”

“Would you like something to drink?”

“Hello. I’m fine. I heard Department Head Shim was looking for me.”

Assistant Manager Kang, who is in charge of Intern Baek Jihyeon, nodded his head.

“Yes. Go ahead.”

Woojin bowed slightly in greeting and immediately headed to the Department Head’s Office.

Then, after knocking, he went inside.

The Department Head’s Office was simple.

The sofa, bookshelf, and windows gave a sense of openness, making one feel refreshed.

Woojin bowed to Department Head Shim, who was sitting behind the nameplate.

“Hello. I am Shin Woojin, an intern in the Management Support Team.”

When he looked up again, Woojin quickly read Department Head Shim’s face.

His eyes showed curiosity about me, but the corners of his closed lips were slightly turned down.

He offered Woojin a seat in a light voice.

“Sit there.”

When the Department Head stood up from behind the PC, Woojin sat on the sofa.

Department Head Shim, walking towards the sofa, smiled amusingly.

‘The Buyer liked this rookie who can’t even handle social life?’

This was because it was usually customary for a subordinate to stand until their superior sat down first.

However, Woojin’s position was different.

He needed to feign innocence and create an unexpected twist to break free from Department Head Shim’s perception of him.

As Department Head Shim sat on the sofa, Woojin spoke.

“Department Head Shim, the orchids are truly beautiful. I’ve heard that people with peace of mind often cultivate them, but it’s a shame that most people can’t. They’re too busy making a living.”

If he framed it in a way that resonated with reality, deflecting any impression of flattery…

Department Head Shim’s lips, which had been slightly downturned, now curved upwards.

Even the muscles in his cheeks.

“Everyone has their own place, you know.”

He elevated himself.

“That seems to be true.”

Department Head Shim asked with a curious look.

“It makes no sense that you and Jessica knew each other from before, so what happened between you two?”

“Nothing. I just called her to assist with work.”

Department Head Shim intertwined his fingers and leaned slightly towards Woojin.

This posture drew the other person’s attention even more, making them focus on his words.

In other words, it was an unconscious action that someone attracted to the opposite sex would make.

For Department Head Shim, it was an action born of curiosity.

“It’s rare, but there are buyers who are pushy. When you received the call from the sales team, did you ever have a private conversation? Something must have happened for Jessica to specifically choose you.”

“Yes. She said I had a good voice.”

“Is that all?”

Woojin judged that he could even ensnare the Department Head.

“Yes. The emotional lines between women and men are completely different, and compliments at the right time can have a powerful effect.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve been getting skin care lately. Your wife always picks out your suits and ties, but you wear your tie pins according to your mood, Department Head Shim. You seem to regard your shoes as a good luck charm, Department Head Shim. Have you been wearing them since you joined Shinhwa Trading?”

Department Head Shim’s pupils widened rapidly.

This is a reflexive reaction to brighten a dark field of vision, and it often appears when one is surprised.

Not only that, but Department Head Shim felt goosebumps as the cotton swab hairs stood on end.

He couldn’t help it, because the shoes he was wearing now were the ones he had bought when he first joined the company and had been repairing and wearing ever since.

Like a talisman of success that allowed him to rise to this position.

At Department Head Shim’s expression, which looked like he was seeing a skilled shaman, Woojin opened his mouth.

“I merely thought of the other room first and responded accordingly.”

“Oh, perhaps a Shamanic Gift… Is it something like that?”

“No.”

“Is there a shaman in your family…?”

“Department Head Shim, no. I merely told you what I saw from you.”

Department Head Shim subtly checked his body, contrary to his intention to maintain his dignity.

Soon, he smiled, as if hiding his surprised expression, and said,

“It seems you have a special talent.”

“No, thank you for your kind words.”

Department Head Shim thought that Woojin absolutely had to attend the meeting.

He now understood why the buyer had specifically requested Woojin.

So he spoke directly.

The greater the possibility of reading the opponent’s hand first, the better.

“Could you attend the meeting?”

Woojin made a troubled expression.

“You might have heard, but at that time, I am a student. I consider it the most important period in my life, so…”

“Is there anything you want?”

“No…”

Department Head Shim cut Woojin off before he could make a decision.

“No, not now, tell me later. There’s plenty of time. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Department Head Shim stared quietly at the door Woojin had exited.

He was now freely displaying the expression of surprise he had suppressed for the sake of appearances.

He has a knack for knowing what the buyer wants, pleasing the buyer, and perhaps even reading the buyer’s hand.

Department Head Shim returned to his seat and picked up the handset.

“It’s me. How much is our budget for this quarter? Find out the maximum we can spend on negotiation expenses.”