Series: The All-Rounder Employee Becomes a Legend
Chapter: 46
Title: The Chairman's Bitter Smile
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The next day, Taeseok got help from a moving company.
He received a 10% discount for being an affiliate employee, but the price was still 1.08 million won.
It was a tear-jerking price, but the man paid without hesitation, smiling.
A newly built apartment. Two bedrooms, one living room.
A brand-name apartment in Cheonan with a state-of-the-art security system. El Sung City.
The man said.
“Taeseok, why don't you stay the night?”
“No, it's okay. I should head back up and sleep at my place.”
“Alright. Go and work hard. I'll take good care of your mother, so don't worry.”
The man placed a hand on his mother's shoulder and pulled her into an embrace.
His mother, embarrassed, tried to push him away, but the man just smiled and waved.
On the way back up to Seoul.
Taeseok smiled, seeing his mother's happy face.
Once on the bus, Taeseok checked the item in his bag.
Slosh, slosh.
A shimmering, rainbow-colored liquid.
The elixir, still maintaining its hue. The mysterious healing water, with only one-fifth remaining, was in his hands.
He closed the bag again and sat down, and just then, a notification from the chat room, silent for a long time, chimed.
A group chat with five members.
Kim Hyeonsu: Ah, it's the day after tomorrow. Is everyone doing okay?
Kim Taeseok: lol. Right. Guess we'll see the Director again. Company dinner O.K. then?
Kim Hyeonsu: No company dinner. I wanted to stay in the HR team but got rejected. Got rejected from HR because of that bastard Kim Taeseok.
Kim Taeseok: The chaebol? Did he cause trouble again?
Kim Hyeonsu: No, you! ㅡ.ㅡ;; What did you do in the HR team? Why is your performance review so good? I worked my ass off, but the Team Leader and the manager kept chewing me out, telling me to be as sharp as my colleague, that bastard Kim Taeseok.
Kim Taeseok: ^^; Hyeonsu. Could you not add 'bastard' at the end?
Kim Hyeonsu: 凸(-_- )z
Kim Taeseok: You wanna die!?
Kim Hyeonsu: lolololol.
10 minutes later.
The read count increased by one.
Choi Jinyoung: Ugh... I feel like I'm gonna puke.
Kim Hyeonsu: Why?
Choi Jinyoung: I caught a lot of bugs at El Sung-SCOM, so they told me to stay. They gave me an A for being good at it.
Kim Taeseok: lol. If you got an A, you've found your calling. Did you decide to stay?
Choi Jinyoung: No, absolutely not. Catching cockroaches is the worst. Climbing into ceilings, sticking magnifying scopes into dark corners... Ugh, just thinking about it is horrible.
Kim Hyeonsu: lol. But you still got an A. I couldn't get an A because of that bastard Kim Taeseok. The bastard manager gave me a C.
Kim Taeseok: Kim Hyeonsu! That's not my fault. I got an A when I went to the sales department where you were, didn't I?
Kim Hyeonsu: You got an A there?
Just then, someone else chimed in.
Jang Donghoon: Hyeonsu. It's true you're not as good as Taeseok.
Kim Hyeonsu: Donghoon! You're supposed to be on my side!
Jang Donghoon: But I got a C because of Kim Taeseok too. lol. So I agree with the 'bastard Kim Taeseok' part.
Kim Taeseok: ㅡㅡ^ Donghoon! You too? What's with you?
Choi Jinyoung: lololol. But why is Yoonji ghosting again?
Kim Hyeonsu: lol. Jinyoung, why are you always looking for Yoonji? Do you like her?
Choi Jinyoung: No, I don't!
Taeseok smiled at the messages popping up in the group chat.
But then, a private message arrived from Jang Donghoon.
Jang Donghoon: What? Does Jinyoung like Yoonji?
Kim Taeseok: No. I don't think so.
Jang Donghoon: Hey, be my wingman.
Kim Taeseok: Man, you're being a little too blunt.
Jang Donghoon: lol. I've had a crush on Yoonji since I first saw her.^^
Kim Taeseok: I'll try to set up a dinner when we meet up this time. The rest is up to you.
Jang Donghoon: Ok ok.
He felt good. An honest conversation with close colleagues. They could curse at each other, knowing there was no real malice.
Because they shared the same dream. Because they were all striving as members of El Sung Group with the same goal, he felt incredibly happy.
Taeseok arrived home. The room was cramped even for one person.
But it was okay.
Because he had a goal: the Strategic Planning Office.
* * *
Monday.
The second floor of the group's main office building.
It was already their third meeting. Four people were gathered there.
Kim Taeseok, Seo Yoonji, Kim Hyeonsu, and Choi Jinyoung.
Come to think of it, the chaebol guy wasn't there.
As they all greeted each other with happy faces, the Director spoke to the candidates.
“A third of the time has already passed. Is everyone working hard?”
“Yes!”
“Ms. Yoonji. What’s your reason for wanting to drop out?”
“I’m sorry, Director. The Strategic Planning Office is wonderful, but I feel there are limits for a woman. I’d like to remain in the Secretary’s Office. You also made the offer, sir.”
“Hmm… I see. But limits because you’re a woman? I don’t quite agree. I thought of you as a key talent who would lead El Sung.”
“Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Director.”
“Alright. Then you may head up to the Secretary’s Office.”
“Yes.”
Seo Yoonji had dropped out mid-way. She left.
And so, only three people remained. The Director continued.
“Mr. Kim Taeseok.”
“Yes.”
“You seem to have a knack for sales?”
“I was lucky.”
“It’s not about being lucky or not. I heard you became the Rookie King.”
At that, Kim Hyeonsu, looking surprised, stared at Taeseok, his mouth agape.
‘Rookie King? Taeseok was number one among the new employees?’
But Taeseok was unfazed. He bowed his head at the Director's praise and answered as if it were nothing.
“The Team Leader of that department had already set the table; I just put a spoon on it. I was lucky, Director.”
In his mind, this was the truth. Honestly, it was his senior's role to secure the meeting opportunities through his connections.
That's why he answered humbly.
But the Director praised him, mentioning specific details.
“No. I got a call from Assistant Manager Kim Minseong. He said you worked really hard, Mr. Kim Taeseok. That your PowerPoint skills are no joke. He even called to ask me to pick you for the Strategic Planning Office.”
“……”
Taeseok was at a loss for words.
‘My senior…’
Even from the Director's objective analysis, Taeseok's performance was clearly outstanding.
It wasn't just based on the words of Kim Minseong, a candidate he had managed three years ago.
The improvement report Taeseok submitted after working in the HR team for two months.
It contained two key points.
1. A proposal to provide transportation fees for the aptitude test, not just the interview, to improve the corporate image.
2. A proposal to improve the application program.
The analysis that investing in these would lead to direct and indirect social cost savings had made the Director nod in agreement.
Those two items were, of course, approved, and internal discussions to implement the improvements within the year had already concluded.
However, the Director had no intention of accepting Taeseok into the Strategic Planning Office.
There was a critical issue.
His educational background.
Even a provincial national university would be a tough sell, but he was from the credit bank system.
Accept someone from the credit bank system into the Strategic Planning Office?
Other conglomerates would probably scoff if they found out.
The Strategic Planning Office.
A place where only the group's best brains gathered.
The kid was absolutely not a fit for it. So he had made his decision.
‘No. I can’t accept someone like him. His destiny is to grind it out in the field!’
Having made his decision, the Director called Kim Taeseok's name.
“Mr. Kim Taeseok!”
“Yes.”
“El Sung Electronics, Home Appliances Division.”
“Understood.”
“Mr. Kim Hyeonsu!”
“Yes!”
“The Secretary’s Office.”
“What?”
“The Secretary’s Office. You’ll be working there. As the Vice Chairman’s exclusive secretary. The most junior one, of course.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Mr. Choi Jinyoung!”
“Yes.”
“El Sung Life! The one Mr. Kim Taeseok did.”
“Understood.”
A rotation of positions. This time, none of the colleagues were assigned to a new place.
The three of them received their assignments and looked at each other with calm expressions. After announcing all the results, the Director asked the three of them.
“That’s all. Any questions?”
Just then, Choi Jinyoung asked the Director.
“Um, what about the other Mr. Taeseok...”
“Ah, that fellow was assigned to the HR team. He had a tough time overseas, you know. He couldn’t make it today because he’s flying back.”
“Yes. Understood.”
Kim Taeseok thought.
The HR team… Jang Donghoon is going to have a hard time.
* * *
Back to the chat room.
Taeseok, who was with Kim Hyeonsu in front of the group headquarters, posted in the chat room.
Kim Taeseok: We met up today after a long time, we should have a get-together, right? Yoonji. Can you come too?
Seo Yoonji: OK. Got it. I'm not done with work yet, so I'll join you guys later this evening.
Choi Jinyoung: Yep. Let's meet at Gangnam Station, Exit 1. I'm gonna go home first and then head over.
Kim Hyeonsu: This is our first get-together, just us.
Jang Donghoon: I'm coming too!
Kim Taeseok: Yep. lol. You come too.
Jang Donghoon: Ok ok.
And Jang Donghoon, harboring ulterior motives, sent a private message instead of posting in the group chat.
Jang Donghoon: Taeseok, thanks! Just let me sit next to Yoonji today. Help me out a bit.
Kim Taeseok: Alright. You've got a good build, so I think Yoonji will like you.
Jang Donghoon: lol. I hope so.
* * *
At the same time.
Seo Yoonji was waiting to be called in front of the Chairman's and Vice Chairman's offices.
The Chief of the Secretary's Office, Song Changsik, spoke to Yoonji.
“Ms. Yoonji, I heard you decided to stay.”
“Yes, Chief.”
“Good. I was worried about what to do after Ms. Jo Mi-jeong suddenly resigned, but it’s a huge relief to have someone as competent as you joining us.”
“I’m also happy to be working with you, Chief. I’ll do my best from now on.”
“Alright, Ms. Yoonji. I’m just going to the restroom for a moment, so if the Chairman or Vice Chairman calls for me, could you please take the call for me?”
“Yes. Understood.”
It was almost time to go home.
With the Chief of Staff away for a moment, Seo Yoonji took out a hand mirror at her desk and touched up her makeup.
Appearance was also a basic requirement for a secretary.
Seo Yoonji had now become the face representing El Sung Group.
Seo Yoonji thought.
'I was lucky. I'm really going to succeed now. I'll succeed no matter what.'
After fixing her makeup, which was smudging from the sweat, she sat at the desk in front of the doors leading to the Chairman's and Vice Chairman's offices.
Just then, her new boyfriend sent Yoonji a message.
GangnamHottie: What are you up to?
Seo Yoonji: I'm working. When will you be here?
GangnamHottie: On my way. So you decided to stay in the secretary's office?
Seo Yoonji: Yeah. I got lucky. Did you get everything sorted out?
GangnamHottie: Yep. I guess I was a bit hasty. It's all resolved now.
Seo Yoonji: If something makes you angry, ask me first. I'll tell you why those people act the way they do.
GangnamHottie: Okay. Got it. I'll be there soon. It'll take about 2 hours.
Seo Yoonji: Okay. See you later.
GangnamHottie: Yep!
She smiled as the message exchange ended.
Just then, the phone rang.
It was a call for the Chief of Staff.
Seo Yoonji pressed the * and 1 button on the phone to take the call.
“El Sung Group, Secretary Seo speaking. I've taken the call.”
- Ah, Secretary Seo? It's the Chairman.
“Yes, Chairman!”
- Where has our Chief of Staff gone?
“He stepped away for a moment, sir. May I take a message?”
- Ah, I'm about to head home, so Secretary Seo, come to my office for a moment.
“Yes, sir.”
At the Chairman's summons, Seo Yoonji rose from her seat.
And headed for the Chairman's office.
The Chairman was there.
Countless documents were piled up in front of him. A tired face, but there was something in his hand.
She saw what the Chairman was handing her and wore a puzzled expression.
'A photo?'
The Chairman handed her a blurry black-and-white photograph and spoke to Seo Yoonji.
“Secretary Seo.”
“Yes.”
“Give this to the Chief of Staff.”
“Yes. Should I just give it to him?”
“Yes. He'll know.”
“Understood.”
The Chairman gave a bitter smile, but Yoonji didn't know the reason why.
"Chairman. You look very tired."
"No, I'm fine. Secretary Seo, I'm counting on you from now on."
"Yes, sir."
Now, what will become of the fate of those surrounding Kim Taeseok?
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