Chapter 18
Chapter 18
There were far more photos than he had imagined, taken from various angles. And those photos were spreading rapidly across SNS and portal boards.
Rumors were snowballing, growing larger with each retelling.
The Casanova of the century, a 21st-century heartbreaker…
Countless conjectures and fake news were circulating. The only fortunate thing was that none of the photos clearly showed Jung Jin-woo or Oh Se-eun’s faces. Most of the attention was on Do Ye-rip and Choi Ji-eun, standing face-to-face in one of the shots.
He was in the middle of uploading his meeting report and browsing online when a voice called out.
“Hey! Team Leader Jung Jin-woo! Where’s Team Leader Jung?”
Executive Director Ki Dong-chan rushed into the office, looking panicked.
“Yes? I’m right here.”
“Oh, so you didn’t leave. I thought you went somewhere.”
“But… is there something wrong? Why are you like this…?”
“This guy…”
Ki Dong-chan glared at Jung Jin-woo. Could it be that he had seen the photos circulating online? But the photos weren’t clear enough to identify him. Jung Jin-woo’s unease grew as he cautiously spoke.
“D-did I do something wrong…?”
“Don’t play dumb. Follow me!”
With a sharp command, Ki Dong-chan grabbed Jung Jin-woo.
“W-wait, Director… why are you—?”
“Shouldn’t I be asking that? What on earth have you been doing?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Why are people showing up from Saengsong?”
“Saengsong?”
“Come see! Someone from Saengsong came to visit.”
Why Saengsong, all of a sudden?
“Hahaha… seems there’s been a misunderstanding. I just came to see Team Leader Jung Jin-woo and also to greet the CEO and the director.”
Jung Jin-woo’s startled expression made Jin-ho laugh heartily.
“J-just a greeting visit?”
“If it were official business, I wouldn’t have come alone. Sorry for the confusion.”
“Hmm… hmm…”
Jung Jin-woo shot a resentful look at CEO Choi Tae-min and Director Ki Dong-chan. What Jin-ho meant was that he had come to meet Jung Jin-woo, but also to pay his respects to the leaders of Korea’s first-generation IT company, Giseong IT. That’s why CEO Choi and Director Ki had been surprised.
“I may be a distant junior, but I truly respect both of you. Sorry for startling you.”
“R-respect… hahaha… what’s there to respect.”
“Anytime, please feel comfortable.”
Both CEO Choi and Director Ki were grinning widely. Naturally, a heir from Saengsong expressing respect would provoke such reactions.
“May I have a moment alone with Team Leader Jung Jin-woo? Even though it’s work hours…”
“Ah! Don’t worry, just chat freely.”
“Just go home already.”
“B-but it’s barely past 10 a.m.”
“There’s nothing urgent. If there is, Ji-jung will handle it—she’s excellent at her job.”
The two had gone from panicked to casually telling him to leave work. It was surreal. Jin-ho, merely a Saengsong heir without any formal position yet, had caused such a stir just by appearing.
“Shall we go?”
Jin-ho smiled brightly at Jung Jin-woo.
“Next time, please contact me first.”
“Apologies. I just wanted to greet both of you while visiting and then meet Team Leader Jung. If you were busy, I would’ve just passed by.”
“Let’s let this slide for now.”
Although all the commotion had been unnecessary, it resulted in a leisurely morning for Jung Jin-woo. As Director Ki had said, there was no urgent work, and if there were, Ji-jung could handle most of it.
“Thank you. I’ll be careful next time.”
“So… what brings you here, really?”
“Haha, you’re perceptive.”
Despite his lack of formal position, Jin-ho was from the Saengsong family, destined to hold significant roles soon—roles comparable to a government minister. Could he have come just to see someone casually? That was impossible.
“I need your help with something.”
“What kind of help?”
“Gold Coin.”
“Huh?”
So he had already picked up on it.
“RCF is building a system centered on Gold Coin.”
“RC… what?”
Jin-ho was using the same terminology as Go Yoon-seok. Surprised inwardly, Jung Jin-woo feigned ignorance.
“Let’s not pretend. I know RCF is building a new financial system around Gold Coin. Include Saengsong. If you have that watch, it must connect to them, right?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
How could he tell Jin-ho about meeting Jerome Musso? Even if they became close, this had to remain secret.
“Don’t pretend, Jung Jin-woo! We need to help each other.”
“Suddenly bringing up unfamiliar terms… what am I supposed to answer? I… I don’t understand.”
It was like playing a game of cards with all hands revealed. Jin-ho knew Jung Jin-woo was connected to major financial figures, and Jung Jin-woo knew Jin-ho knew—but he could not confirm it.
“Sorry, I let my imagination run wild. Let’s just consider this a courtesy visit. Visit my home sometime later.”
“Sure.”
Jin-ho smiled, scanning the nearly empty café before them.
“This is just a suggestion… don’t feel pressured. We want to be involved when setting up the Gold Coin system. Buying a few could be good, but do it in a way that isn’t traceable.”
“I’ll consider it. If someone like you mentions it, Gold Coin must be noteworthy.”
“Shall we eat? Looks like lunchtime.”
“No, I have work remaining. I’ll stay and finish it here.”
Jin-ho extended his hand.
“Wish we had more time to talk, Jung Jin-woo.”
“Next time I visit, we can eat together.”
“Got it! Sorry for dropping by unannounced. Today was enjoyable. Focus on your work; I’ll leave first.”
After shaking hands, Jin-ho left with respectful manners despite being slightly older.
Jung Jin-woo checked his phone immediately.
“Ah, Vice President! About the Gold Coin… we need to sell a bit to Saengsong. Their involvement won’t hurt—might even stabilize things. Yeah… two units, shouldn’t be two hundred million. Make sure the sale isn’t traceable. Yes, of course, conceal our identities. Wait a bit before sending a message. I’ll notify you shortly.”
After hanging up, he texted Go Yoon-seok Jin-ho’s contact. Mutual awareness, but pretending otherwise—it was entertaining.
“Why did he come?”
“He just saw me recently and thought to drop by for a quick greeting.”
“The Jin-ho from Saengsong?”
“Come on, that’s impossible. Jin-ho moves trillions in assets! He wouldn’t visit just to say hello.”
Even though Director Ki had told him to go home, it was too early, and work remained. Returning to the office, CEO Choi and Director Ki were eagerly interrogating Jung Jin-woo.
“Another reason was he respects you both and wanted to greet you personally.”
“That’s reasonable… we were famous after all.”
“The leading figures in Korea’s IT industry, after all.”
“I just came to see him casually.”
He tried to downplay it, but their suspicious gaze remained.
“So, who really are you?”
“What’s your connection to JW Group?”
“I’m the Planning Manager at Giseong IT. JW Group is a client.”
“Then why are contracts pouring in since you joined…? And Jin-ho from Saengsong visited…”
“That’s probably… like Director Ki said, I’m a lucky charm.”
“Honestly, tell us. Are you sure it’s coincidence? We’re not idiots!”
“Ah… no, that’s not it.”
“No? Then why so persistent?”
“Nothing… just curious.”
“If you keep this up, it sounds like you’re telling me to leave.”
“What?”
“No, nothing…”
“Nothing? Too many good things are happening, I’m just curious.”
“Just curiosity… wondering how someone like you appeared. Isn’t that right, CEO?”
“Director Ki said we should investigate this suspicious new employee.”
“Yes, it’s suspicious. What did I do to be suspicious?”
“Ah… nothing.”
“Don’t worry. Sometimes I babble nonsense, must be early onset dementia.”
“Dementia? I’m not even sixty yet!”
“If nothing else, I’ll finish my work.”
“Alright… proceed.”
Jung Jin-woo bowed and left the office. A comedy duo in perfect sync. Watching them was surprisingly enjoyable; he expected to witness this often in the future.