New Employee Kim Chul-soo

Chapter 23

Around 3 PM, when Assistant Manager Park Dong-jin was out on a business trip and Jang Yoo-mi had some free time, she came looking for Kim Chul-soo.

“Want to have a cup of coffee?”

“But it’s work hours.”

Lee Jun-hak, who was sitting next to him, said while typing on his keyboard.

“Go on. Get some fresh air.”

“Yes, Assistant Manager Lee-nim.”

Kim Chul-soo immediately got up and headed to the Sky Garden with Jang Yoo-mi.

The two of them got coffee from the vending machine and sat on a bench, enjoying the breeze.

“I heard the news. Are you okay?”

“Of course. I’m perfectly fine.”

If she had been in his shoes, she would have felt so wronged that she would have considered quitting.

If the higher-ups made that decision, no matter how hard Kim Chul-soo-ssi tried, he wouldn’t be able to turn the situation around.

“Are you really okay?”

Kim Chul-soo nodded with a smile, causing a strange sense of anticipation to rise within Jang Yoo-mi.

She thought back on the events that had transpired since she joined the company.

‘If it were Chul-soo-ssi…… I don’t think he would just take it lying down.’

“Do you have a good plan?”

“Of course.”

He said it so matter-of-factly that Jang Yoo-mi became incredibly curious about what it could be.

Kim Chul-soo took a sip of his hot coffee and answered.

“What happens after the business proposal is approved?”

“We have to negotiate and sign a contract with the buyer.”

“Right. But I’m the only one who knows exactly how this business is possible.”

Embrace in your arms.

It’s summer.

Not the sweltering summer of the city, but the summer of a weekend hiking trail, filled with lush greenery and the scent of grass.

“The mountains are the best.”

Shin Byung-hoon stood on a sheer cliff, shouting ‘Yahoo’ with a cheerful voice.

He wiped the sweat off his forehead while listening to the returning echo and sat down on the bench where President Yoo Ji-hoon was sitting.

President Yoo Ji-hoon, who thought that Shin Byung-hoon’s loud voice rivaled that of Ahn Jeong-gyu, whom he heard every time he played golf with Managing Director Choi Young-joon, opened his mouth.

“You’re full of energy as always.”

“Hahaha. Life is too short to not live it with fun and energy, right? President Yoo-nim.”

“You’re right. I think so too, but it’s not easy.”

“When I was young, I used to hike quite a bit with the Chairman, but as I get older, my body definitely doesn’t keep up with my mind.”

Yoo Ji-hoon nodded with a smile at Shin Byung-hoon’s words.

“But you seem to be the same as ever.”

“I don’t know how President Yoo-nim keeps up his stamina while working so hard.”

“Haha. It’s nothing.”

Shin Byung-hoon was an elite who had been transferred to the headquarters planning team after Han-Young Construction went bankrupt during the IMF crisis and had been assisting the Chairman ever since.

Chairman Choi Kyung-hoon, who liked the new business model presented by Kim Chul-soo, sent Shin Byung-hoon, who had good connections in the construction industry, to Han-Young Corporation as Vice President.

The Chairman’s order was to create a team there to handle large-scale projects such as resource development and project organizing, and to support them as much as possible to normalize the company.

“I heard that the new project I’ll be leading came from the mind of a new employee.”

Yoo Ji-hoon nodded at Shin Byung-hoon’s words.

“Yes. Not only that, many other new employees also presented very good topics. Thanks to them, the company is buzzing with new energy.”

‘President Yoo is changing the subject?’

Shin Byung-hoon said with sparkling eyes.

“Haha. That’s great. It seems they’ve recruited the right new employees this time.”

“General Manager Park Joon-hyung of the HR team played a significant role. He has an amazing eye for people. We wouldn’t have gotten such good ideas if it weren’t for him.”

As he said that, Yoo Ji-hoon thought,

‘Whatever the case may be, facts are facts.’

Shin Byung-hoon exclaimed ‘Oh’ and thought,

‘General Manager Park Joon-hyung…… So he’s on President Yoo’s side.’

“I can see why Han-Young Corporation is at the top of the group in terms of performance.”

Yoo Ji-hoon smiled at Shin Byung-hoon’s compliment.

“Our goal is to be number one. With Vice President Shin-nim here now, I’m sure we can achieve that goal.”

“Hahaha. You’re too kind. So, about that……”

Yoo Ji-hoon glanced at Shin Byung-hoon, curious about what he was going to say.

“Regarding the business proposal submission that came down as a special order from the Chairman this time, how about giving the new employees a chance as well?”

Yoo Ji-hoon pondered Shin Byung-hoon’s suggestion to expand the project, which was initially intended only for employees with experience at the assistant manager level or higher, to the entire company.

In the case of employees like Kim Chul-soo, Hwang Dae-hoon, and Jang Yoo-mi, their presentations weren’t bad, and there were internal movements to actually implement them.

Regardless of the power struggles, if the company grew, it would be President Yoo Ji-hoon’s achievement.

“We’ll be receiving quite a few business reports. Will Vice President Shin-nim be able to handle them all?”

“My bottom is quite sturdy.”

“Hahaha. Then I’ll trust Vice President Shin-nim and push forward with it.”

Looking at Shin Byung-hoon’s satisfied expression, Yoo Ji-hoon thought,

‘He’ll be going back to headquarters once this project is over anyway. There’s no need to antagonize him and upset him.’

******

Lee Jun-hak ran into Assistant Manager Park Dong-jin on his way to work.

Park Dong-jin stretched, his whole body stiff, and said,

“How’s the newbie in your team doing?”

Lee Jun-hak nodded at Park Dong-jin’s words.

“What else can he do but be fine?”

“But, Team 3 is a bit……”

“What about them?”

“The project your newbie was working on, they gave it to the newbie in Team 3.”

At those words, Lee Jun-hak shouted in disbelief.

“What?”

Park Dong-jin shook his head and said,

“They’re trying to screw him over. Make sure to comfort him so he doesn’t get too shocked.”

“Crazy.”

Lee Jun-hak parted ways with Park Dong-jin at the entrance to the office and walked towards Sales Team 5.

“Good morning, Assistant Manager Lee-nim.”

Seeing Kim Chul-soo calmly greeting him with a bow, Lee Jun-hak felt a surge of annoyance.

“Hey, Kim Chul-soo.”

“Yes, Assistant Manager Lee-nim.”

“Don’t you have any pride? Aren’t you even upset?”

Kim Chul-soo just stared blankly, not understanding why Lee Jun-hak was suddenly yelling at him.

“They gave the project you were working on to the newbie in Team 3! Aren’t you angry? Even if it’s a company, how can they do this?”

‘Ah, he’s getting angry on my behalf.’

Lee Jun-hak shouted loud enough for everyone in the office to hear, and those who had arrived for work perked up their ears and looked at him.

Ahn Jeong-gyu, who was just entering the office, frowned upon hearing Lee Jun-hak’s voice.

“What? Is that true?”

Ahn Jeong-gyu asked Lee Jun-hak with an angry expression.

“Yes! It is!”

The reason for handing over the popcorn machine project was that a new employee couldn’t handle the workload, but giving it to the newbie in Team 3 made no sense.

This was clearly an attempt to screw Kim Chul-soo over.

Ahn Jeong-gyu placed the bag he was carrying on Kim Chul-soo’s desk, rolled up his sleeves, and started walking towards Sales Team 3. Realizing his mistake, Lee Jun-hak ran and grabbed Ahn Jeong-gyu’s arm.

“Managing Director-nim……”

“Let go of me! This is unacceptable!”

“But you can’t do this. If you go like this, you’ll just start a fight. And then you’ll be the only one who suffers.”

It was only after Section Chief Pyo Il-soo, who was entering the office, joined in that they were able to stop Ahn Jeong-gyu, whose face was red with anger. Lee Jun-hak, who managed to drag Ahn Jeong-gyu back to Sales Team 5 while holding onto both his arms, shouted at Kim Chul-soo.

“Water!”

At his words, Kim Chul-soo quickly brought the bottled water he was holding and handed it to Ahn Jeong-gyu, saying,

“Managing Director-nim. I’m fine. Please don’t worry too much.”

Ahn Jeong-gyu looked at Kim Chul-soo with bloodshot eyes and drank the water.

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes, Managing Director-nim. I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”

Looking at Kim Chul-soo’s calm response, Ahn Jeong-gyu thought,

‘This kid is a bit strange. That’s not a normal reaction.’

“Since you say so, I’ll let it go.”

“Thank you.”

“I need to get promoted quickly or I’ll go crazy.”

Ahn Jeong-gyu grumbled as he put his bag down from Kim Chul-soo’s desk and glanced at him.

Thinking back on everything Kim Chul-soo had done so far, one thought came to mind.

‘This kid is up to something. What is it?’

But with his innocent and calm expression, and his silence, he couldn’t figure it out.

How many snakes has he swallowed?

Just a newbie……

“Everyone gather around.”

At Ahn Jeong-gyu’s words, the team members sat down at the table.

“Create one special business plan each by July. The topics are resource development and project organizing.”

Section Chief Pyo Il-soo, who already knew about it from Ahn Jeong-gyu, subtly looked at Kim Chul-soo and said,

“Huh? Isn’t that what our Chul-soo presented at the 6-Sigma presentation?”

“Yes.”

“Hey, Chul-soo, cheer up. You’re the best among the newbies. Don’t be disappointed over one business plan. Okay?”

Pyo Il-soo said, looking at Chul-soo, and Kim Chul-soo calmly replied,

“Yes, Section Chief Pyo-nim. Don’t worry.”

Lee Jun-hak, who had already been preparing since he heard from Park Joon-hyung, patted Kim Chul-soo’s shoulder.

After their conversation ended, Ahn Jeong-gyu called Kim Chul-soo.

“Yes, Managing Director-nim.”

“You make one too.”

At his words, Pyo Il-soo and Lee Jun-hak looked at Ahn Jeong-gyu.

“A newbie making that kind of business plan……”

“It’s an order from above. They seem to be planning to implement it company-wide. So, even if you don’t know much, you have to make one, even if it’s just for show.”

After their conversation ended, Kim Chul-soo replied in a loud voice.

“Yes, I understand! I will definitely work hard and make up for this.”

Ahn Jeong-gyu nodded at Kim Chul-soo’s loud voice and said,

“Our team’s performance is similar to Team 2’s. Let’s take this opportunity to do well, make a name for ourselves upstairs, and improve our performance so we can get a bonus at the end of the year for being the top team. Don’t you agree?”

“Yes! Of course, Managing Director-nim.”

“Just wait till your submitted business plan gets rejected. Kim Chul-soo, I won’t go easy on you just because you’re a newbie. Work your butt off and make one. Got it?”

“Yes. I will work hard. Team Leader-nim.”

“Okay. Then let’s start the morning meeting.”

About 10 minutes had passed since the morning meeting started.

A shout erupted from Sales Team 3.

“What! You punk! The buyer’s side refused the contract?”

General Manager Yang’s voice burst out, and Ahn Jeong-gyu also heard the sound and got up to look towards Sales Team 3.

“Why was the proposal, which was already negotiated, rejected? Did you do something wrong? Confess right now! Damn it, are you going to work like this? Hey, Section Chief Jeong. You contact them and try talking again!”

Ahn Jeong-gyu tilted his head and sat down, watching General Manager Yang Chun-sik hitting the innocent new employee of Team 3, Kim Sung-ho, on the head with the bundle of documents in his hand.

Then he glanced at Kim Chul-soo, who was standing and watching Team 3 as if watching a fight.

The way to win a contract can be summarized in two simple ways.

One is to precisely match the demands of the supplier and the buyer and win the contract.

The other is to win a contract through personal connections with the buyer.

If the negotiation was brought about by the second method, there were often cases where the buyer refused the contract if the intermediary changed.

‘This guy.. could it be?’

Yang Chun-sik, who had been tormenting Kim Sung-ho, suddenly had a thought, rolled up his sleeves, and stormed towards Sales Team 5, fuming.

“Hey! Ahn Jeong-gyu!”

As Yang Chun-sik shouted and approached, Ahn Jeong-gyu also snorted and rolled up his sleeves, getting up from his seat.

“What is it!”

“What, what is it? It’s you! You interfered!”

As Yang Chun-sik shouted and grabbed Ahn Jeong-gyu by the collar, Ahn Jeong-gyu grabbed Yang Chun-sik’s collar as well.

“You stole our team’s project and ruined it, and now you’re yelling at me!”

“Huh? How dare you glare at me! Just because you’re doing well? You have no respect! You grab your superior by the collar and talk informally? You want to die!”

Yang Chun-sik headbutted Ahn Jeong-gyu in the face.