New Employee Kim Chul-soo

Chapter 33

Finding buyers is quite a difficult task.

And even if you find them, meeting proper buyers is even more difficult.

This is because buyers with purchasing power already have established business partners.

Using the Korea International Trade Association, KOTRA, and KOMPASS, they first identified all potential buyers.

They meticulously crafted and sent emails to each of them, then waited for replies.

Because Han-Young Corporation was a relatively reputable company, interested buyers inquired about detailed product specifications and prices.

Kim Chul-soo was tasked with responding to their emails and diligently carried out his duties.

As a result, four companies expressed interest in consultations and requested to see the actual goods.

“We’ll need to set a date and go to the Philippines, right?”

Ahn Jeong-gyu asked after receiving the work report, and Lee Jun-hak nodded.

“Yes. We’ll need to take the samples and sample reports and visit the buyers.”

“Okay. How many projects is Assistant Manager Lee currently handling?”

“Nine.”

“Will this be feasible?”

Lee Jun-hak quickly understood the underlying meaning of Ahn Jeong-gyu’s question about the feasibility of the tasks already assigned to him.

For some time now, Ahn Jeong-gyu had been subtly pushing Kim Chul-soo forward.

“I think it would be good for Chul-soo to take this on. It hasn’t been many months, but as you know, his learning speed is exceptional. Seeing him get confirmations every weekend, I think we can now confidently entrust him with projects. It was his idea, too.”

Ahn Jeong-gyu nodded in agreement with Lee Jun-hak’s words.

“Alright. Let Chul-soo handle it. However, take him to the Philippines this time and teach him a lot.”

“Then, wouldn’t it be a problem with two people missing?”

“I’ll cover for you, so don’t worry. Want to have a cigarette?”

Lee Jun-hak nodded at Ahn Jeong-gyu’s suggestion and replied,

“Yes, Team Leader-nim.”

The two ascended to the deserted rooftop and lit up a cigarette each.

Ahn Jeong-gyu looked down below as he exhaled a puff of smoke.

“Jun-hak-ah.”

Lee Jun-hak blinked momentarily, hearing the familiar address used when he was close to Ahn Jeong-gyu, a term he hadn’t heard in a while.

“Yes, Team Leader-nim.”

“You know, I don’t want to give up on you. What should I do?”

“……”

“It would be really reassuring to have you under me. Do you really have to go under Park Joon-hyung?”

“You know how it is. It’s difficult to become an executive without overseas experience.”

When Lee Jun-hak responded with a frustrated voice, Ahn Jeong-gyu sighed.

“It’s because of that bastard Park Joon-hyung that you couldn’t go overseas. Don’t you feel wronged? Aren’t you angry?”

“Now that I understand the reality, I have to adapt.”

“Is it because of Manager Pyo?”

At Ahn Jeong-gyu’s words, Lee Jun-hak chuckled and shook his head.

“No. If you, Team Leader-nim, block my path from above, there would be no place for me to go. It would be better to nurture Chul-soo instead. Don’t you think so, Team Leader-nim?”

Ahn Jeong-gyu coughed awkwardly, seeing Lee Jun-hak reading his mind.

“Ahem……”

Lee Jun-hak continued, observing Ahn Jeong-gyu’s awkward cough.

“Honestly, Chul-soo is a bit frightening. But I can’t hate him because he works so hard.”

“Is that why you’re deliberately keeping your distance?”

“Yes. I think towards the end of my career in this company, I’ll be competing with Chul-soo for a position.”

“This guy! What about me?”

“Who knows, maybe you’ll be successful and move to another part of the group, Team Leader-nim?”

“This rascal! You’re sending me to a place I don’t even want to go?”

Lee Jun-hak giggled at those words, and Ahn Jeong-gyu also chuckled.

They were two individuals with unwavering goals.

They both knew that when they eventually clashed, the memories of their enjoyable times together would turn sour.

“So, once you return from your overseas assignment, we’re enemies?”

Ahn Jeong-gyu stopped laughing and took a long drag of his cigarette.

“You’ll have to give me some time.”

“Why?”

“Shouldn’t I give Park Joon-hyung, who blocked my path, a good kick in the ass? I’ll get rid of the roadblock in front of me, and then I’ll face you properly.”

Ahn Jeong-gyu burst into laughter at those words.

He laughed so hard that he even drooled, and he wiped it away with the back of his hand.

“I see Park Joon-hyung’s ass is less intimidating than mine?”

“Yes, Team Leader-nim.”

Ahn Jeong-gyu wore a truly regretful expression and said,

“You’re such a waste. Such a waste! Such a waste!”

******

Kim Chul-soo opened the email from Kennedy.

Instead of the thesis or report he had expected, it was a mess of rumors that seemed to have been picked up from who-knows-where.

‘Oops!’

He stared at it for a while, and then noticed pictures attached at the bottom.

Looking closely, this report was a living testament to how Kennedy’s computer skills had improved.

‘He’s quite the hard worker.’

The photos showed ore samples, and next to them were the names and locations where they were taken.

Usually, when he requested information from branch offices or resident representatives, they would send him theses or reports from the relevant authorities. It was refreshing to see photos taken and reported directly.

Moreover, seeing the dates on the photos added credibility.

Rumors of rare ore being found in the Kwale region, a southeastern coastal area of Kenya bordering the Indian Ocean, rumors of finding gold ore in the Kilimambogo region, and even photos of iron ore from the Kitui region.

Kim Chul-soo used internet searches to carefully investigate whether mines had been developed in the regions Kennedy had mentioned.

The gold ore in Kilimambogo had already been developed by a British company, and the iron ore in Kitui had been developed by an Indian company.

However, there were no mining companies operating in the Kwale region.

It was said to be rare ore, but what exactly was it?

Kim Chul-soo checked his watch and contacted Kennedy.

━ Kim! What’s up?

━ I saw the report you sent. Your skills are getting better and better!

━ Hahaha. Thanks. I never get tired of hearing such compliments.

━ Yeah. About the rare ore found in the Kwale region you mentioned, could you investigate exactly what it is?

━ I was just working on the report. What was it called…… Oh, rare earth elements, they call it…… nio…… nio……

━ Niobium?

━ Oh! Right. That’s it. Niobium. What a difficult name.

Niobium (Nb) is used as an alloy in steel, increasing its strength, making it quite an expensive mineral.

━ Okay. Could you send me some related theses or reports?

━ Sure. Theses and reports, you say. Don’t worry. I’ll send them as soon as I find them.

After hanging up, he was about to search for a map of the Kwale region when Ahn Jeong-gyu and Lee Jun-hak entered.

“Chul-soo.”

At Lee Jun-hak’s words, Kim Chul-soo stood up, and Lee Jun-hak handed him the file folder he was holding.

“This is.”

“It’s yours now, so take good care of it.”

“Yes, Assistant Manager-nim.”

“We need to go on a business trip to the Philippines, so discuss with the buyer and set a schedule.”

“Am I going alone?”

“No. You’re coming with me.”

“Then what about our project……?”

“Team Leader-nim will take care of it, so don’t worry. You’ll have to be glued to your phone there anyway.”

Kim Chul-soo, without saying a word, looked at Ahn Jeong-gyu, who was staring blankly at the trash can with slumped shoulders.

It was an unconscious habit he had when he lost or missed something due to the regret he felt.

Assistant Manager Lee Jun-hak didn’t look too happy either.

Ahn Jeong-gyu stayed like that for a while, then got up and left the office. Their gazes followed Ahn Jeong-gyu’s stiff movements and stopped at the doorway.

‘Looks like he’s reached the end with Assistant Manager Lee Jun-hak.’

However, the members of Sales Team 5 were just the right fit to stay together until the end.

If this team broke up and new members came in, it would be difficult to achieve this kind of harmony.

Could anything be done?

“Why aren’t you answering?”

“I understand, Assistant Manager-nim. But what am I supposed to do if you keep giving me work like this?”

Lee Jun-hak’s eyes widened at his words.

“What do you mean?”

“Shouldn’t you buy me a meal?”

At that, Lee Jun-hak chuckled and patted Kim Chul-soo on the shoulder.

“Well, I have been treated by you before. How about dinner?”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

“Alright. First, set a schedule with the buyer immediately. Let’s have a drink tonight.”

“Yes! Assistant Manager-nim!”

We have to go together.

“Let’s have a drink.”

Kim Chul-soo stopped grilling the samgyeopsal and quickly raised his glass.

This was the first time he was having a drink with Lee Jun-hak alone, excluding company dinners.

Even in the past, Lee Jun-hak was a person who managed himself thoroughly and didn’t create unnecessary drinking occasions, but after that incident, he frequently called Kim Chul-soo out for drinks.

Also, Lee Jun-hak’s ambition had died after that incident.

That’s why he couldn’t shake off Park Joon-hyung and ended up stuck in his position.

Lee Jun-hak, after emptying his glass, watched Kim Chul-soo refill it with soju.

He thought that with this guy’s perceptiveness, he must have suspected the recent relationship between Team Leader Ahn and himself.

The reason he suddenly asked for a meal must have been because of that.

“The atmosphere has been strange these past few days, hasn’t it?”

“Yes, Assistant Manager-nim.”

“Drop the Assistant Manager-nim title in settings like this.”

Kim Chul-soo grinned and nodded.

Lee Jun-hak wrapped a well-grilled piece of samgyeopsal in lettuce and said,

“In our company, it’s rare for an employee without experience as a resident representative to rise to an executive position. It’s best to go out as a resident representative after becoming an assistant manager, but I messed up a bit, so this is my last chance. So I might not be on the team next year.”

“Ah. So that’s why Team Leader-nim doesn’t like it.”

“I fill half of Team Leader-nim’s performance quota. He’s worried whether a new person will be able to properly perform after I leave as a resident representative.”

“I see. Both of you have your reasons.”

“Fortunately, with you, Chul-soo, coming in, the tension between Team Leader-nim and me has lessened.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re good at your job. By the end of the year, you might have to take over half of my work. It’ll be a good opportunity for you too.”

Kim Chul-soo nodded meaninglessly and thought,

‘The resident representative who left to do well will be the one holding him back.’

At their last drink together before returning to the past, Lee Jun-hak had said, “I understand how you feel.”

It was because he had experienced it before Kim Chul-soo.

After becoming a manager, Lee Jun-hak had helped him a lot, and this time, Kim Chul-soo wanted to be of help to Lee Jun-hak.

But how could he boil down that ambition to make it tender?

Then an idea came to mind.

After putting a lettuce wrap in their mouths and clinking their soju glasses, Kim Chul-soo drank about half of his glass and set it down.

“There’s that special business plan we’re making, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I heard it’s going to be used for the project that the new Vice President-nim is pushing.”

Lee Jun-hak nodded, as if he already knew.

“Currently, there’s no team in the sales department that’s pushing for such a large-scale project. Wouldn’t a new team be formed?”

Lee Jun-hak nodded at Kim Chul-soo’s words, as if they made sense.

“Indeed. With the reorganization, a new team might be created.”

“Right. Resource development and project organizing are huge businesses, wouldn’t someone like Assistant Manager-nim be needed?”

“Me?”

“Looking at performance, aren’t you the best in the sales department? If I were the Vice President, I would definitely choose Assistant Manager Lee Jun-hak.”

“Nonsense. What would someone like me, who only deals with insignificant grains, do……”

“I know roughly from presenting that. Each project is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. If you ask the company for just 5% of the margin as an incentive when negotiating your salary, imagine how much money would flow into your account. Also, wouldn’t that amount be a huge achievement? The company would definitely take notice.”

At Kim Chul-soo’s words, Lee Jun-hak poured the remaining soju in his glass into his mouth and widened his eyes in disbelief.

‘Is this kid really a newbie? How does he know so much?’

Kim Chul-soo filled Lee Jun-hak’s empty glass with soju and said,

“If Assistant Manager-nim leaves as a resident representative, aren’t you giving up such an opportunity? It would be a shame if others seized that opportunity and soared to success.”

Lee Jun-hak’s eyes wavered greatly at those words.

It wasn’t Team Leader Ahn or Manager Park that was the problem if someone else got that opportunity and rose while he was living a comfortable life as a resident representative.

After a long silence, Lee Jun-hak, who had organized his thoughts while looking at Kim Chul-soo, opened his mouth.

“What’s the reason you’re saying this?”

“I want to have Assistant Manager-nim as my mentor for a long time.”

“What?”

Lee Jun-hak burst into a hearty laugh, his expression incredulous.

Then he raised his glass, and Kim Chul-soo quickly clinked his glass against it.

“You know about my reputation for being a tough boss, right?”

“I have no idea.”

“You little rascal. It’s because you’re good at your job that I don’t lose my temper.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Lee Jun-hak couldn’t help but find Kim Chul-soo’s shyly bowing head endearing.

“What’s your goal for joining the company?”

“I want to climb up the ladder with good superiors.”

“What if someone from above obstructs you?”

Kim Chul-soo answered without hesitation.

“I’ll have to quickly promote them. That’s the only way I can climb up too. If Assistant Manager-nim becomes a Senior Managing Director, I’ll help you become a Managing Director, and if you become a Managing Director, I’ll help you become a President. Hey! Would it be enough to just become a President? You should try to become a Vice Chairman of the group. Even if you can’t become a Vice Chairman, how many affiliates does the Han-Young Group have?”

At Kim Chul-soo’s words, Lee Jun-hak’s head rang as if he had been hit in the back of the head with a hammer.

‘Ah. My vision was really narrow.’

However, he had already drawn a line with Team Leader Ahn, and a bitter sigh escaped his lips at the realization of his mistake in not handling the situation wisely.

Then, looking at Kim Chul-soo, who was spitting out such audacious words as if it were nothing, he shook his head slightly.

Kim Chul-soo quickly filled Lee Jun-hak’s empty glass with alcohol.

There was a story that Lee Jun-hak, drunk after being passed over for a promotion to Managing Director, had told Kim Chul-soo in the past.

If there’s no one above you, you can rise rapidly, but you become isolated.

Since internal politics all start with human relationships, there’s a clear limit to how far you can climb alone.

If there’s no one around to support you, it’s no different from standing on top of a sandcastle.

You have to climb together. That’s the only way to reach the top.

And Kim Chul-soo wanted to tell Lee Jun-hak the story he had heard back then.

“Assistant Manager-nim.”

Looking at Lee Jun-hak lost in complex thoughts, Kim Chul-soo raised his glass.

‘I think our team, we have to go together.’

“Let’s make a toast.”