Chapter 332: The Beginning
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 332: The Beginning
“Onhyang?”
A sudden dinner meeting for the members of the Bamboo Forest had been scheduled for tonight.
Since it was their first time meeting in person, it was a bit awkward, but Kim Woo-jin’s aura was so unusual that they couldn't decline.
For now, Min Ju-hee and Yoo Ah-rin had met up separately and were heading to the venue together.
“I’ve never heard of Onhyang before. Have you?”
Min Ju-hee, despite being a third-year student who knew almost every restaurant near the university, had never heard of the place.
“That’s only natural,” Ah-rin replied.
It wasn't that Min Ju-hee was out of the loop.
“It’s an Omakase restaurant.”
The prices there were far too steep for the average college student. Especially for someone like Min Ju-hee, who never even glanced at places like Omakase.
“Omakase? Isn’t that incredibly expensive?”
“Exactly. I’ve only ever been to one once myself.”
“Wow, I guess Woo-jin wants to treat us for all the hard work we’ve been doing.”
Though they weren't always in the spotlight, the two of them had been working hard to keep the Bamboo Forest clean—filtering out filthy memes, excessive spam, religious solicitations, product advertisements, and the like.
Knowing that the Gahyeon University Bamboo Forest was exceptionally active for a college community, there were plenty of people trying to exploit it. Without their management, the board would have long ago been buried under a mountain of useless posts.
In a way, they felt a renewed sense of respect for Kim Woo-jin, who had managed it all by himself for so long.
“I’m actually a little scared,” Yoo Ah-rin admitted.
She didn't see the Omakase treat as a positive sign.
“He’s from a rich family, but he refuses to take their money. Did you know he’s living entirely off his own savings right now?”
“He is?”
“He doesn’t even take an allowance. He’s practically self-made at this point. And now, a guy like that is buying us Omakase.”
“……”
“On top of that, he summoned the University President, who turned out to be Bamboo Forest Moderator No. 3.”
“Urgh.”
“I’m less excited about the food and more terrified of what that idiot Kim Woo-jin is planning to do today.”
“Now that you put it that way, I see your point.”
Min Ju-hee, who had been looking forward to the meal, began to feel a sense of dread. But there was no turning back now.
The two of them stepped into the Omakase restaurant, Onhyang.
“You’re here?”
Kim Woo-jin was already waiting. A brief silence fell over the room, as if they had interrupted a conversation he was having with the chef.
“Yeah. So, what’s going on?”
“You don’t look so good, Woo-jin.”
“Haha, you two just enjoy the food today. I don’t really have anything planned for you guys.”
For you guys.
The phrase felt heavy with implication, and seeing the sheer spite etched onto Woo-jin’s face, they knew this was no ordinary matter.
Ah-rin and Ju-hee decided to play along and just enjoy the Omakase. After all, he told them they just had to eat.
A few minutes later.
“Ahem.”
The door opened, and the President walked in.
Yoo Ah-rin and Min Ju-hee stood up and bowed deeply. They had only ever seen him from a distance; this was their first time meeting him face-to-face.
Woo-jin personally offered the seat next to him, ushering the President to sit down. Shortly after, the courses began to arrive.
“Wow, this is delicious.”
“I know. I’ve never tasted anything like this.”
While the sight of the two girls chatting and enjoying their meal was heartwarming, Woo-jin didn't have the luxury to care about that right now.
“Chef.”
“Yes, here it is.”
The chef brought out a bottle of sake that Woo-jin had prepared in advance and poured a glass.
As the President watched his glass fill up, he felt a cold sweat trickling down his spine.
“Ahem, Woo-jin? Can you tell me why you called me here now?”
“Let’s have a drink first.”
After a light clink of their glasses, Woo-jin downed the sake in one go. It was a high-proof spirit, but his expression didn't change as he sat there, gritting his teeth.
“President, how is life as the head of this university?”
“E-excuse me?”
“Are you enjoying it?”
“Ah, well… since you’ve been looking out for me, Woo-jin… and thanks to being a manager, I’ve been able to block the criticisms against the school and such…”
“I’m glad to hear that. Because I feel like absolute shit.”
“……”
A chilling silence filled the room.
Normally, an Omakase chef explains each dish as it’s served, but sensing that now was not the time to speak, he silently placed the sushi down.
“This course usually takes about an hour and a half to two hours.”
“……”
“Let’s take this time to think very carefully about the situation I’m in… and what you can do about it, President. I think it’s a very appropriate amount of time.”
* * *
The next morning.
“Professor Jeong.”
Professor Jung Myeong-chan, who had been suddenly summoned to the President’s office, was bewildered. The President usually prioritized the autonomy of the faculty and kept interference to a minimum.
He had no idea why he had been called in so abruptly, nor why the atmosphere inside the office was so much more hostile than he had expected.
“I suppose you don’t know why I called you here?”
A smile played on the President’s lips.
However, Professor Jung wasn't stupid enough to be reassured by it. If anything, the smile made the President look even more terrifying, causing the professor to tense up.
“I-if I have made a mistake somewhere, please tell me… I will fix it immediately.”
“What mistake could you have possibly made toward me, Professor?”
The President took a slow sip of his tea, his eyes turning cold.
“Your mistake was toward the students.”
“Pardon?”
“Professor Jung, are you familiar with the Bamboo Forest?”
“Ah, yes! I am!”
“Are you aware that it is currently overflowing with complaints about you?”
“What?!”
Naturally, the professor had zero interest in student communities. Why would he care about what students gossiped about among themselves?
“I happen to know the managers of the Bamboo Forest personally, so I asked them to delete the more extreme posts… but regardless, those are the students' opinions.”
“N-no, that’s—”
“The semester has barely started, and you’ve already assigned a collaborative group project?”
“Well, yes…”
“And the project is barely worth any points?”
“Th-that’s because it’s the start of the new semester, and I wanted them to find and supplement basic knowledge about the subject through mutual cooperation—”
“Professor Jung, do you know what the students have been saying consistently since last semester?”
The President tapped the table.
Professor Jung stood there, sweating as he racked his brain for an answer. But nothing came to mind. He was never the type of person to care about such things in the first place.
“They say there are too many group projects. Modern college students absolutely loathe them. It’s different from our day.”
“Yes, I see…”
“There are even memes out there about how group projects only cause stress. Go watch some Neutube. Do you have any idea how much talk there is about ‘group project villains’ and whatnot?!”
Having scoured the Bamboo Forest relentlessly, the President was able to speak with absolute conviction.
“Didn't I clearly state at the end of last semester? Professors must be cautious when giving exams and assignments. It is vital that students do not feel an excessive amount of fatigue.”
“Y-yes, that’s true.”
“Do you know why they criticize the school? It’s because of things like this! You give them assignments that cause extreme exhaustion, yet the points allocated to them are a pittance.”
“……”
“Don’t you think the reward is a bit stingy compared to the effort for students who are literally risking their lives for a few GPA points?”
“H-hearing you say it, I realize I may have made a mistake.”
“I know group projects make things easier for professors. I’m not saying you shouldn't give them at all. You should. If they’re necessary, you definitely should. Harmony, integration, teamwork—these are necessary everywhere.”
“Yes, yes.”
“But shouldn't you give students a reason to work hard even if they clash and struggle? If they suffer through all that work only to get a low score, they won’t try; they’ll just give up.”
“You’re right.”
“Sigh, it’s because you still don’t understand these basics that your course evaluations are always so low!”
“……”
“I’ll be watching. Give the students rewards that match their effort and results. That is the least bit of consideration we can show them.”
“I-I understand.”
“You may leave.”
Professor Jung bowed deeply and hurried out of the office.
Thud.
The door closed, and the President took another sip of his tea, feeling refreshed.
Ah, that felt good.
It was essentially a case of getting slapped by Kim Woo-jin and taking it out on Professor Jung, but hey, he needed an outlet too.
* * *
Humanities Writing.
A notice that felt like a bolt from the blue was posted for the students taking the course.
“……”
I stared at the message on my phone, lost in thought.
It could be interpreted in many ways, but the most important takeaway was: If the team cooperates well, I’ll give you the points.
In other words, they were practically free points.
It seemed like a win for everyone, but of course, there are always idiots who can't even take what's handed to them on a silver platter.
If they still try to act tough and slack off after this, I’m done.
If someone decides to throw away their own grade, what can I do? It’s their life.
However.
There aren't many people who can afford to act tough after paying full tuition, whether it’s their parents’ money or a student loan.
Bang Da-ye’s messages had been coming in since morning. I didn't reply until evening.
I’ll say it again.
Whether it’s parents’ money or student loans, no one wants to waste that expensive tuition by giving up.
Except for someone like me, who has a ridiculous amount of money at home.
That’s why no one is complaining even though the weight of the group project suddenly increased. If anything, they probably think it’s a relief. Their grades are going up because they’re working with good teammates.
Because I took all the trash for myself!
Which obviously means the final grade is toast.
[Humanities Group F Project]
“Ah, this is great. It’s so much better when they just do what they’re told.”
But what should I do?
You bastards, it’s no fun if it ends this easily.