Chapter 33: What If We Gave Him a Bonus?

Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun, Chairman Bongard, and Chairman Hudson all actively supported the idea of establishing a joint venture. Because of that, the Endivia executives present at the meeting raised no objections. The matter of creating the joint venture had only just gotten off the ground, and many difficulties still lay ahead. Therefore, after agreeing to begin practical negotiations as soon as possible, both sides concluded the second meeting.

Having completely accomplished the objectives of the American business trip, Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun immediately returned to Korea. After hearing that I was leaving, Tracy and Isabella called me one after another, asking me to stay for a few more days, but I merely left them with farewell words and a promise to meet again next time before boarding my flight home.

Deputy Manager Woo Changhun, who had been looking through the small airplane window at the distant lights of San Francisco, turned his head toward me.

“Intern Cha, you must be feeling miserable about leaving so suddenly, right?”

I knew perfectly well what Deputy Manager Woo Changhun was implying. He was obviously referring to the fact that I had left without properly saying goodbye to Isabella. If Yun Sola hadn’t been sitting nearby, I would have answered honestly, but I simply couldn’t do that now.

“I wouldn’t deny it.”

“You’ll get sick of all the trips to America waiting for you in the future, so don’t be too upset.”

“But before that, I have to become a full-time employee.”

“If they don’t hire you as a full-time employee, Intern Cha, I’ll change my surname.”

The person who had provided the decisive idea for the joint venture between Hangang Electronics and Endivia was me. If they didn’t make me a full-time employee, then who exactly would they hire? Nevertheless, I had no intention of boasting about it to Deputy Manager Woo Changhun.

“Deputy Manager Woo, if you decide to change your surname, what would you change it to?”

“Haha, that’ll never happen, so don’t worry.”

“Hehe. You’d better think about it in advance.”

“Cut it out. You’re talking nonsense.”

“Haha. Fine, I understand. By the way, since we achieved such great results on this trip, do we get a bonus?”

“When results exceed expectations, bonuses are sometimes awarded. Naturally, according to company policy, they’re distributed unevenly depending on each participant’s contribution.”

“That seems fair. So you, Intern Yun, and I can expect a large bonus?”

“Intern Cha, you seem incredibly rich, so where does this greed for money come from?”

Though they had been gifts from Chairman Park Yeongil, I was wearing clothes from such famous luxury brands that anyone would recognize them. On top of that, I had an unlimited credit card. It was only natural for Deputy Manager Woo Changhun to wonder why someone like me cared so much about money. Even if I explained my real situation, he wouldn’t believe me, and I had no desire to talk about it.

“Deputy Manager Woo, appearances aren’t everything.”

“Should I interpret that as meaning you have unavoidable circumstances?”

‘As expected of a Seoul National University graduate, he catches on immediately.’

“I wouldn’t deny it. So when are you going to answer my question?”

“The chances of you and Intern Yun getting bonuses are fifty-fifty.”

“...Why?”

“It may sound unpleasant, but neither of you are full-time employees yet.”

“Well... that’s true.”

Seeing Cha Jiham become dejected, Woo Changhun decided to encourage him.

“I’ll fight tooth and nail in front of the team leader to make sure both you and Intern Yun get those bonuses.”

“Thank you sincerely for your kindness, Deputy Manager Woo.”

“You can thank me after you actually receive the money.”

“Alright.”

“Now let’s talk about something else. Why do you think former Vice President Addams disappeared?”

At Chairman Bongard’s request, former Vice President Addams had been laid to rest at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean by Chairman Gomez. All I could do was lament the fact that I couldn’t tell him the truth.

“It’s only been one day since he disappeared, so perhaps it’s too early to call him missing.”

“Journalists are always extremely careful with their wording to avoid misunderstandings. If they used the word ‘disappearance’ despite that, they must have solid evidence.”

“Now that you mention it, you’re probably right, Deputy Manager Woo.”

“Alright, enough gloomy topics. By the way, how’s my request coming along?”

Woo Changhun had asked me to introduce him to one of Isabella’s friends. Naturally, Isabella had rejected the idea immediately. But there was no point in telling him the truth and ruining his mood.

“I’m still working on it, so there should be some news soon.”

At that moment, Yun Sola, who seemed to understand exactly what we were talking about, suddenly cut into our cryptic conversation.

“Deputy Manager Woo, don’t get your hopes up.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Isabella won’t introduce just anyone to her friends.”

“What?! Are you saying I’m just anyone?”

Woo Changhun became genuinely irritated, but Yun Sola remained completely unfazed.

“In that case, show me your charm.”

“Khm!”

Deputy Manager Woo Changhun clearly had nothing to say and merely let out an awkward cough. After glancing at him, Yun Sola turned toward me and spoke coldly.

“You really have no shame, do you?”

I remembered what had happened at the airport before our departure for Korea. Running into Yun Sola in the duty-free shop while I was buying gifts for my family and colleagues, I had witnessed her strange behavior. She had followed me around and whined about wanting lipstick. The reason for her odd persistence was undoubtedly the pheromones contained in her herbal calming medicine. Knowing that perfectly well, I had simply ignored her.

“Intern Yun, you know perfectly well why I acted that way.”

“And what exactly do I know?”

“Do you really not understand?”

“......”

“In that case, I’m very tired and think I’ll get some rest.”

Having rendered Yun Sola speechless, I reclined my seat.

***

Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun’s private plane spent twelve and a half hours in the air and landed safely at Gimpo International Airport at around ten o’clock the following evening. Even though Friday was the next day, Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun generously rewarded everyone who had participated in the overseas trip with paid leave.

Normally, I would have taken the subway, but I currently had ten thousand dollars in cash, which I had received as a reward. Besides, I was carrying a large wheeled suitcase.

‘Since I have money, should I just take a taxi?’

Buzz.

Having made my decision, I was about to call a taxi through my phone when it suddenly rang. Looking at the screen, I saw Kang Inhan’s name.

“Hello, Secretary Kang.”

“Welcome back from your trip to the United States. You’ve worked hard.”

“Haha. Thank you.”

“I’m waiting at Exit Three to take you home, Intern Cha.”

“What? You came to pick me up?”

“I’m merely carrying out the Chairman’s orders. I’ll be waiting.”

Click.

As soon as I hung up, I headed not to Exit Three but to the gift shop. I wanted to buy something for Secretary Kang Inhan and the driver. After finishing my purchases, I headed to Exit Three, where a luxurious executive sedan was already waiting with the engine running.

But the sight that greeted me was completely unexpected.

As soon as they saw me, Secretary Kang Inhan and the driver bowed deeply in perfect unison.

“Intern Cha, welcome back to Korea.”

“......”

Unable to understand what was happening, I stood frozen. As though reading my thoughts, Kang Inhan hurriedly explained.

“The Chairman has given strict orders that you are to be treated as the second-ranking person in our organization.”

I was still undergoing Chairman Park Yeongil’s test. Two conditions remained before it would be completed. First, I had to secure a full-time position at Hangang Group. Second, I had to work there for five years without incident. In other words, until then, I had essentially nothing to do with Chairman Park Yeongil’s underworld business. Yet Kang Inhan and the driver behaved as though everything had already been decided.

Unable to understand why, I cautiously asked Kang Inhan.

“I’ll explain everything on the way to your home.”

With the driver’s help, I loaded my suitcase into the trunk. I tried to sit in the front seat beside him, but just like last time, I was made to sit in the most prestigious rear seat, and the car began moving.

“Secretary Kang, tell me what happened.”

“Chairman Yoon Jongu personally informed our Chairman about your achievements in America. The Chairman concluded that someone with your abilities would have no difficulty becoming a full-time employee.”

“And just because of that, I’m being treated as the number two person in the organization?”

Kang Inhan knew perfectly well why Chairman Park Yeongil was rushing things. Understanding that too much honesty would only complicate matters, he had initially offered a rather weak explanation. As expected, Cha Jiham immediately noticed the inconsistency and questioned him. In order to convince him, Kang Inhan brought out another prepared argument.

“The Chairman sent you to Hangang Group solely to test your abilities. I don’t believe any further explanation is necessary.”

“I suppose you’re right, but I still feel incredibly uncomfortable about this.”

“Position carries obligations. It may seem unfamiliar now, but you’ll get used to it with time.”

“Alright. Can you tell me about the company Chairman Park runs?”

“The Chairman himself will tell you about it soon. Please be patient.”

“Well, then I suppose there’s nothing to be done.”

With those words, I took two envelopes from the inside pocket of my jacket and handed them to Kang Inhan.

“What are these?”

“Small gifts from my trip for you and the driver.”

“You really didn’t have to, but thank you very much.”

Looking inside the envelopes, Kang Inhan tilted his head in confusion. There were one-hundred-dollar bills inside.

“Intern Cha, did you perhaps mix up the gift envelopes?”

I hadn’t expected Secretary Kang Inhan to come personally. That was why I hadn’t prepared souvenirs for him beforehand. But now that he had come himself, I couldn’t pretend not to notice. I also couldn’t give away gifts intended for others, so I decided to give cash instead. I had bought the envelopes at the airport and placed ten one-hundred-dollar bills in each.

“In my opinion, there’s no better souvenir from a business trip than cash.”

“I understand your reasoning, but isn’t this too much?”

“Vice Chairman Yoon gave me ten thousand dollars as a bonus.”

“In that case, thank you once again for your thoughtfulness.”

“Haha. It’s nothing.”

I merely smiled awkwardly.

***

Meanwhile, Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun and Yun Sola were riding home in the same car.

“What’s wrong with you? You’ve looked miserable all day.”

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“You can fool anyone else, but not your father. Tell me.”

“I asked Intern Cha to buy me lipstick, and he deliberately ignored me.”

At that moment, irritation rose inside Yoon Sanghun. What parent would enjoy seeing their precious only daughter ignored by some intern?

“That little bastard!”

“Dad, stop it. You know perfectly well what kind of person Intern Cha is.”

Hangang Electronics had been in an extremely disadvantageous position compared to Micron and TMSC. Yet Cha Jiham had completely reversed the situation with his brilliant idea for a joint venture. Thanks to that, Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun had been able to return home with peace of mind.

“That may be true, but it still irritates me.”

“The only reason Intern Cha treats me so coldly is because of the herbal calming medicine.”

“What do you mean?”

“He mistakenly believes that I’m chasing after him only because of the pheromones in the medicine.”

“So he’s deliberately keeping his distance because he doesn’t want you becoming attached to him?”

“Exactly.”

“My, my. That boy thinks much more deeply than he appears.”

“I’ll handle my own love life, so don’t interfere, Dad.”

“Very well. As you wish.”

Deciding it was time to change the heavy topic, Yun Sola spoke again.

“Dad, Intern Cha thinks he achieved tremendous success on this trip.”

“And I fully agree with him.”

“In that case, I have a suggestion. What if we gave him a nice bonus for his accomplishments?”

“Of course we should.”

Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun agreed with his daughter’s proposal without the slightest hesitation.