The CEO’s office at Shinhwa Department Store.
“Sister!”
CEO Hwang Hye-gyeong’s eyes stopped moving as she scanned the documents.
“…… Sigh.”
A sigh escaped from between her teeth. Judging by the way he burst in first thing in the morning, she already had a bad feeling.
‘Where did this fool hear that from now?’
Surprisingly, today’s topic of conversation was quite novel.
“Chairman Han Seung-ho!”
“?”
A look of great confusion immediately appeared on CEO Hwang Hye-gyeong’s face.
“CEO Han Yu-jin! Eoreumgol Farm!”
“……”
“Money! Pulling in a lot of it! The contract!”
Slowly, the veins on Hwang Hye-gyeong’s forehead began to bulge.
“You really are a simpleton.”
“Huh?”
“Can’t you even speak properly? Use your words. Don’t just flap your mouth while dropping the subjects and predicates. Do you think that’s an appropriate attitude to show your superior at work?”
“Well, it’s because it’s that urgent.”
Assistant Manager Hwang Young-sik, looking awkward, finally explained what he had seen.
“…… Get ready immediately.”
After hearing the full explanation, CEO Hwang Hye-gyeong immediately grabbed her jacket.
“Call Department Manager Jang Hak-soo, too. We’re going on a business trip to Goseong.”
“Oh? You’re going too, Sister?”
“I already had something I was interested in over there anyway.”
CEO Hwang Hye-gyeong carelessly tossed the documents she had been holding.
[ Future Schedule.
…… (omitted)
September 8. Scene 13) Business trip to the south coast (Tongyeong) to film the scene where the body floats to the surface.
…… (omitted) ]
“……!”
Assistant Manager Hwang Young-sik’s eyes widened as he quickly checked the contents.
“This is the filming schedule for the movie we were the main investors in, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Why is this still in your hands? If the contract was terminated, isn’t it the rule to destroy all related information and data?”
CEO Hwang Hye-gyeong gave a smirk.
“You’re being quite naive. Among businesspeople, how many actually follow those kinds of rules?”
“……”
Only then did Assistant Manager Hwang Young-sik shut his mouth. Indeed, technology theft often happens because people break those very rules.
‘Wait!’
Thinking about it, the siblings really did think alike.
“I’m planning to propose an upgrade to the Eoreumgol Farm contract terms. Sister……”
“CEO.”
“…… Yes, CEO, I need your approval.”
“How much are you planning to give them?”
“I was thinking of an advance payment before, but I’m going to change that into the down payment itself.”
The amount, which was practically a bonus, was 1 billion won. At this point, calling it a “massive upgrade” wasn’t enough.
“Did you injure your head too, by any chance?”
“Of course! There are additional conditions! I plan to have them pass on their know-how!”
“……”
Only then did CEO Hwang Hye-gyeong show an interested expression.
“Why? Did you find something there when you went?”
“I really think there’s some special secret there. But I haven’t been able to figure it out yet.”
“Is that so?”
“I’m certain! Honestly, if we can just steal that know-how, 1 billion won won’t be a waste at all. Sister, you’ve heard about Sekyung Department Store’s recent sales, haven’t you?”
“CEO.”
“…… Haven’t you heard, CEO?”
“Hmm……”
Hearing that, it made quite a bit of sense.
‘Well, I suppose that’s why Chairman Han Seung-ho graced the place with his presence.’
After pondering for a moment, CEO Hwang Hye-gyeong eventually nodded.
“Okay. A 1 billion won down payment.”
The siblings were making all these plans and counting their chickens before they hatched, while the person they were dealing with hadn’t even thought about it yet.
***
There was one long-term guest at our house. No, one more guest.
“Chairman. Aren’t you going home……?”
“Why? Is it uncomfortable?”
“It’s not that, but aren’t you very busy with various affairs?”
“I’m retired, so I have nothing but time.”
“Won’t your wife worry?”
“My wife? Ah, I’m glad you mentioned her. Sell me some green tea and cucumbers when I leave. She’ll be very happy if I take them as a gift.”
For reference, CEO Han Yu-jin had already returned to work long ago.
“I’ll come back when the filming team arrives!”
She left with that meaningful farewell.
“Chairman! How about a game of Go today as well?”
“Oh! That sounds wonderful!”
At my father’s words as he came out to the yard, the Chairman’s face immediately brightened. Objectively speaking, my father was good at Go. I heard he was quite a big name on the internet Go boards too. What was important was that after watching for a few days, the Chairman’s skills were also quite formidable. Out of five games, the Chairman managed to win at least one.
“Let’s head to the pavilion over there, just like always.”
“The breeze is cool and quite pleasant. Secretary Han! Hurry and set things up.”
“Leave it to me, Chairman!”
Secretary Han immediately rushed off, carrying the Go board.
‘They look like Taoist immortals.’
The Chairman, who had been quietly watching that scene from beside me, spoke up.
“Representative Baek.”
“Yes?”
“Is your goal by any chance to become filthy rich?”
“……?”
It was a rather sudden question.
“I just happened to think that after hearing the unit price of the Edelweiss.”
For a moment, Chairman Han Seung-ho wore a meaningful expression.
“It’s a wise decision. If you have a lot of money, it becomes much easier to protect your people.”
Then, he walked away from me with his hands behind his back like a true immortal.
“In that sense, I’ll properly pay the price for my stay here.”
Setting everything else aside, since he decided to stay for a while, I hoped he would stay until the people from Shinhwa Department Store showed up again.
***
Finally, that day came.
“I’m going to Tongyeong with Hye-seo and Seol-i for a bit.”
“Hmm? Seol-i too?”
“Yes. I felt like Seol-i’s been staying home too much lately, so I wanted to show her the filming set in the next neighborhood. There are things for kids to do in Tongyeong, like the luge.”
I wasn’t just saying that.
“Uncle!”
“Yeah?”
“Seol-i wants to go click, click too!”
Ever since she saw Shin Hye-seo’s cosmetic commercial on TV one day, Seol-i had been showing a lot of interest in that field.
‘My heart hopes it ends at just being curious.’
But if our Seol-i said she wanted to do it, what could I do? As her uncle, I would have to actively push and support her. Of course, if she were to encounter unfair contracts or any strange things in the process……
‘Then, another mad dog will be unleashed from the house.’
Being able to fully support what our child wanted to do — this was also a great blessing and happiness.
“Wow!”
“Look at her! She’s so cute!”
“She could outshine most child models. Her skin is like white jade.”
“The skin is one thing, but how are her double eyelids already so pretty?”
More than that, our Seol-i became an instant star as soon as we arrived at the filming set. My shoulders were about to swell with pride.
“Ahem.”
At that moment, I quickly composed myself. Having heard the news, Shin Hye-seo was approaching with some quite familiar faces.
‘Looking at celebrities I’ve only seen on TV is quite fascinating.’
The two lead actors of . Along with them, a man who appeared to be the director bowed his head to me.
“Hello. It’s an honor to meet you. We were going to visit you ourselves……”
“Hello. I’m actress Jeong Do-hee. I’ve heard a lot about you. Thank you deeply for your help.”
“I’m actor Lee Do-hyun. Thanks to you, I’m alive.”
However, all three of them had similarly surprised expressions. The reason was quickly revealed.
“I heard you were the prosecutor in charge of Ji-hoon’s case.”
The director of spoke cautiously.
“I’m sorry, Prosecutor. While explaining why we were staying here, I inevitably had to mention it……”
I shook my head toward Shin Hye-seo, who looked apologetic.
“There’s no need to be sorry.”
Actually, I didn’t really care. After all, the people who needed to know already knew. What I was worried about was the movement of the police, the prosecution, or the Shinhwa Group, not the people in the entertainment industry.
“How could they? You were demoted to the countryside because of that case, weren’t you?”
“I sincerely respect you. If all of South Korea’s prosecutors were like you, I think we actors would be very happy.”
“If you ever need our help, please let us know! For a prosecutor like you, even someone as lacking as me would want to become a supporter!”
It felt like the actors’ misunderstanding was deepening, but thinking about it, it reminded me of my last call with Lee-rae.
“The police investigator in charge of Lee Ji-hoon’s case is really stubborn. I called him for the first round of investigation the day before yesterday, and he’s acting as if he’ll do anything to get a conviction.”
Just wait a little longer, Lee-rae. Once the flowers bloom properly, there will be significant progress in that matter as well. Anyway, shortly after our brief greetings.
“Oh dear. It’s already time. As soon as we finish filming this scene, we’ll head over to give you a formal greeting.”
The three of them hurried back to the filming set. But as I stood there watching them.
“Things seem a bit disorganized, don’t they?”
“Ah……”
Shin Hye-seo, who was looking in the same direction, gave a bitter smile.
“Could you tell, Prosecutor?”
“Is there a problem?”
“The thing is, one of the actors has been very unstable lately. Now everyone is walking on eggshells around that person, so the atmosphere seems like they can’t focus at all.”
Hmm. Perhaps I could help with this.
“Will that person be coming to our house too?”
“Of course! There isn’t a single actor here who doesn’t feel grateful to you.”
Then it was fine. I could just meet and talk to them then.
***
When I returned home after playing with Seol-i all day.
“Why are you so late?”
My father, who had been pacing in front of the gate, immediately greeted us.
“Why are you out here?”
“There are several guests waiting for you. Come inside for now.”
“……?”
I handed the sleeping Seol-i over to my mother and went straight to the main house.
“Oh?”
Three people were sitting in the room. Two were Department Manager Jang Hak-soo and Assistant Manager Hwang Young-sik, whom I had met before. And the last person was……
“It’s the first time we’ve met in person.”
I didn’t recognize her face, but her voice was quite familiar.
“Hello. I’m CEO Hwang Hye-gyeong of Shinhwa Department Store.”
“Ah.”
Only then did I give a light bow.
“Hello. I’m Baek Seo-jun.”
“The reason I’ve come to see you again is regarding the contract I proposed before. Of course, this time I’ve significantly upgraded the terms.”
Seeing is believing. After the brief introductions, I quickly took the contract and scanned the contents.
‘A 1 billion won down payment?’
Certainly, she had reason to be confident. Just looking at the numbers, it was an amount that surpassed Sekyung. However,
[ Article 9 (Standardization of Cultivation Technology and Operational Support)
1. For mutual cooperation, Party A (Shinhwa Department Store) and Party B (Eoreumgol Farm) shall organize and submit the cultivation processes and management techniques held by Party B in the form of a standard operating manual designated by Party A. This may be used for quality control and educational purposes at future cooperative business sites.
2. Party A may conduct regular inspections and consultations on Party B’s cultivation process based on the aforementioned manual. If necessary, Party B must receive guidance and consulting from external experts recommended by Party A.
3. Intellectual property rights for the manual and improved operational materials produced under this article shall be jointly held by both parties. Party A may provide them to group affiliates and partners even without Party B’s prior consent. ]
Look at them, typical of a black company. They call it “manual organization,” but it’s actually “let us share your technology,” isn’t it?
“About Article 9 here.”
“Ah! That clause was created purely to support Eoreumgol Farm. As long as you provide the manual to our partners, Shinhwa will bear all additional costs, distribution, promotions, and other essential overhead costs incurred in the process.”
As if she were bothered by the contract that had originally contained toxic clauses, she brought it up as if she were doing me a favor. If you’re going to be like this,
“To be honest, a manual and all that is a bit troublesome.”
“!”
Before Assistant Manager Hwang Young-sik could react, I quickly continued. It was quite exhausting to keep listening to nonsense.
“How about we go with a ‘Full Cooperation’ feel? You send people to provide labor support for our farm, and they can create the necessary manual themselves while they’re at it.”
“!!!”
Not to mention Assistant Manager Hwang Young-sik and Department Manager Jang Hak-soo, even CEO Hwang Hye-gyeong flinched.
“Would that really be okay?”
As if afraid I might change my mind, Assistant Manager Hwang Young-sik’s eyes were practically sparkling.
“In exchange, you must send as many people as possible. It’s almost autumn, so there’s a lot of work to do.”
“Of course! If you do that, we’ll even cover all the labor costs! This is all an investment, after all, hahahaha!”
My, how spirited you are.
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