Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Seol-young's Little Notebook
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The meeting, which I'd thought would wrap up in no time, dragged on for a full hour.
"Good work, everyone!"
"You too."
Whew...
This is just how it goes.
True to form for a massive corporation, there were countless agenda items.
'Oh man, what do I do? I've kept our Seol-young waiting.'
I bolted into the elevator and shot down to the first floor.
And there, surrounded by a crowd of people, was one little girl.
It was Jin Seol-young.
"Seol-young!"
"Uncle!"
She threw herself into my arms like lovers reuniting after a decade apart.
Heh heh heh.
All my fatigue just melted away.
"The meeting ran longer than I expected. Sorry I'm late."
"Hee hee, no worries. Yogi unnie and the others gave me snacks, so I wasn't bored."
Come to think of it.
All those eyes in the first-floor lobby.
The convenience store owner, the lady running the cafe, even the staff logging visitors.
Everyone was staring at Seol-young.
'What's with this oddly warm vibe...?'
I finally noticed: Jin Seol-young, cradled in my arms, was stuffed to the brim with cookies, snacks, and drinks—like a walking warehouse.
A closer look revealed her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk's.
I snapped photos on my smartphone of everyone who'd been looking after her.
Time to send them to CEO Im Seok-hyun.
And of course, I didn't forget the message.
[I've got one request. Give bonuses in my name to everyone on the list I just sent. They've elevated the company's prestige.]
The reply came quick.
[Could you tell me what this is about?]
[Ahem, circumstances arose. Think of it as boosting our external image.]
[Understood. I'll make it generous.]
Suddenly, a small warmth enveloped my hand.
It was Seol-young's.
"Uncle!"
"Yeah?"
"Here, take this."
"What's this?"
Jin Seol-young handed me a little notebook.
Inside, it was filled with writing—down to the casual chats we'd had a few days ago.
Stuff like "Be careful around strangers."
"Don't follow anyone who offers you food."
"Everyone but Uncle is a wolf—watch out."
Someone might call me an overprotective dotard, but she's someone I want to shield like this no matter what. Besides, with Jin Seol-hwa out there sweating bullets, this was the least I could do.
"Jang Hee-jin? The tall one with the bob cut?"
"Yes! That's her!"
"Why her?"
"She was super nice to me."
"Oh yeah?"
Good person.
It's an age-old truth: anyone who loves kids can't be bad.
Another name went down in the notebook under the good list.
But the next one was full of bad notes.
"Choi Sung-rae? The guy with the big mole next to his nostril?"
"Yeah. That uncle's a bad guy."
"...Huh? Why?"
"He yelled and cursed! In front of everyone!"
"R-Really?"
I recalled that anime that swept the world once. What was it called? Something like 'Death Note'.
Seol-young was basically telling me right now.
Don't hang with bad people.
Fair enough. If someone's poisoning the company vibe, no matter how skilled, they're not worth keeping. They can drag down even the hardest workers.
What matters most for soldiers heading into battle?
Weapons?
Numbers?
Intel?
Of course, those are crucial.
But something's even more vital.
Morale.
Just look at Russia invading Ukraine three years ago—you see how much morale sways soldiers.
Think a company is any different?
It hits even harder in business than war.
Time to take action.
I fired off another text to Im Seok-hyun.
Let's remove that mudfish before it muddies the water.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A man hurled the report onto his office desk.
Deputy Manager Choi Sung-rae was still fuming, unable to hide his agitation.
'After all I've done, they exclude me from this promotion review?'
And a junior from finance—two years his junior—made the list.
Does that even make sense?
Finance and HR are rivals, after all.
Their work overlapped plenty, and they had to collaborate often.
That manager from finance had smirked in the elevator, snorting derisively. "Next year, we'll be peers. Let's get along."
'Son of a bitch!'
"Deputy Manager Choi. Executive Director said there's an update to this staffing plan and assignment..."
"Hey, Kang."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Choi Sung-rae was infamous for his foul temper.
Kang, his subordinate, had impeccable instincts.
He dropped his gaze like a whipped puppy.
"My performance sucks?"
"No, sir. You're the best."
"Then did I screw up somehow?"
"Absolutely not!"
"So what's this? A caring, top-notch boss like me gets skipped for promotion... Is this for real?"
"..."
"Ha, this is ridiculous. I can't even..."
Bzzzzt!
That's when he spotted the newbie fiddling with the copier.
Hong I-on, fresh hire—just a week in.
Choi stomped over, yanking the paper from her fumbling hands.
And bellowed.
"What the hell is this?!"
"P-Pardon?"
"A week in, and you still can't work the copier?"
"S-Sorry!"
Other staffers jumped up from their desks, watching like recruits facing punishment.
"D-Deputy Manager, I'm sorry!"
Looks like Hong I-on was under Kang.
His head was already a mess from the promotion fiasco, and that damn copier noise grated on his nerves.
"Can't manage your junior? Can't even handle a copier? How you gonna work in HR? Think this is a playground?!"
"N-No, sir!"
"Then why? You know I'm on edge! I fall short on promotion, and now I look like an idiot?!"
Hong I-on finally teared up.
She was the breadwinner.
Her parents were ill, and she had a high school brother—tuition, all on her.
All she could do was apologize.
"I'll do better, sir. Sorry!"
"I'm heading to see the Executive Director. By the time I get back, drill the copier and manual into her. Got it?"
"...Yes, sir."
As Choi stormed out, Kang patted her shoulder.
"Sorry about that. Been swamped lately..."
"No, I should've studied up."
"Come on, when do you touch a multi-million-won copier at home? The senior's gotta teach you. Let's learn now—ten minutes, you'll master it."
"Yes!"
"Yeah. That guy's got a bad rep anyway."
"Um, Mr. Kang?"
"Yeah?"
"Is the rumor about him true?"
"Oh, that?"
Kang sighed deeply.
"Can't help wandering hands. That's just office life."
"Right..."
"Anyway, grab a notebook. I'll teach you copying, faxing—everything. This model's new, tons of handy features."
"Yes!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Meanwhile, Deputy Manager Choi, in the Executive Director's office, was utterly flustered.
He'd assumed it was about staffing plans.
But no.
With Yu Kyung-su ousted and Im Seok-hyun taking CEO, this spot-filler.
Executive Director Ko Kang-sik scowled.
"Hey, Choi."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
He ruled sales like a king, but here? Powerless.
Ko flung the approval docs at him.
Thwack!
"What the hell are you?"
"Gasp!"
"I back you, and you stab me in the back?"
"W-What do you..."
"You idiot!"
Not content with a red face, even his ears flushed—Ko grabbed his neck and slumped into his chair.
"You... what the fuck are you blabbing around the office?"
"Pardon?"
"You... wanna jump ship?"
"What are you talking about?"
Choi denied vehemently.
But Ko scoffed.
"Spouting nonsense in front of the majority shareholder? Im Seok-hyun CEO blew up at me—you didn't know?"
"!"
"Excluding you from promotions? Just giving you time to cool off. Even if this year slips, next I'd make you manager."
"E-Executive Director!"
"But badmouthing like that... to the majority shareholder!"
Gears turned audibly.
Culprit: Choi.
He recalled hours ago.
Who'd blab like that with ears everywhere?
'No way...'
There was one person nearby.
A girl, middle-school age at most.
Finally grasping it, Choi dropped to his knees.
"S-Sorry. I'll be careful..."
"Sung-rae."
"Yes?"
"Too late. You're fired."
"W-What..."
Fired? For that?
After twelve years?
Incomprehensible.
He opened his mouth to argue.
But those eyes stared like he was trash.
Ko's gaze was razor-sharp, icy cold—like molten lava boiling in his pupils, zeroing in on Choi. Lips sealed tight, silent fury piling up heavy.
"You... been messing with female staff?"
"!"
"Complaints from the secretary pool. What kind of creep are you, Choi Sung-rae?"
"No, I was just encouraging..."
"Then use words, idiot. Why touch shoulders, hair on women who hate it?"
"..."
"Sung-rae, this ain't the '80s. What the hell? And you're married."
"Executive Director!"
Ko lit a cigarette in frustration, exhaling smoke.
Though Im Seok-hyun stole CEO, he wasn't done. Still young.
His old subordinate slumped in despair.
Im Seok-hyun was one thing, but the majority shareholder? Untouchable.
Mess up, and he'd go down too.
Im had said: Even as CEO, the real power's the shareholder.
Who ousted Yu Kyung-su?
The shareholder.
Rumors: Brought dozens of bodyguards to the shareholders' meeting. A stark reminder of true power.
Couldn't risk his position for one deputy manager.
"Sung-rae, this is it. I'll ask around, find you a spot. Can't fix this myself."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "I see. Good work."
Word from CEO Im Seok-hyun.
Choi Sung-rae out at month's end.
Nice to have nixed that mudfish.
'No more meddling...'
I'd sworn off ops interference.
Yet here I was, meddling in HR.
I know what happens if you don't cut out the rot.
Mirae Distribution's key for our Korea push.
Front and center when DJ Group launches.
"Uncle!"
Jin Seol-young's pure eyes welled up.
"Hng, the pancakes are all burnt."
I'd agonized plenty.
Over Jin Seol-hwa's birthday gift.
After talks with Seol-young, we settled: no pricey stuff—cook her a birthday spread ourselves.
"Anything our Seol-young makes is delicious!"
"Really?"
"Yep! She'll love it!"
Burnt? Who cares.
It's from the universe's cutest sister, made with love.
Undercooked, tough, bad seasoning? Doesn't matter.
"Mmm, yummy!"
"Hee hee, more?"
"Yeah!"
Work done smooth—time for the surprise party.
"Ready to kick off the birthday bash?"
"Yes!"