How a Salaryman Became an Underworld Boss

Monday morning.

Director Jeong Sunho, who headed the Future Strategy Promotion Department of Hangang Group, summoned Support Team Leader Heo Yeongjin to his office for a discussion.

“Team Leader Heo, you’re aware that two interns have been assigned to our department, right?”

“Yes, I know, but I have no idea what’s going on.”

The Future Strategy Promotion Department was a key division responsible for promising new business directions for Hangang Group. Therefore, employees could only work there after spending at least three years at the company and proving their abilities. Naturally, transfers required passing an extremely rigorous selection process.

Because of this, there had always been an unshakable rule in the Future Strategy Department: never accept rookies or interns.

Nevertheless, Human Resources had assigned two interns here.

And Team Leader Heo Yeongjin was voicing his bewilderment over precisely that.

Director Jeong Sunho meaningfully pointed upward with his finger and continued,

“You understand what I’m implying, don’t you?”

That meant both interns had entered through connections, through a call from above.

Still, Heo Yeongjin had questions.

“Director, even so, Cha Jiham’s resume is absolutely terrible. How did he even make it through document screening?”

The question clearly implied how the boy had managed to survive the first round.

Director Jeong Sunho instinctively looked around before replying,

“There’s a very high probability that Cha Jiham is a close relative of Chief Secretary Song Dosok.”

“No way!”

Director Jeong Sunho needed to dispel his subordinate’s skepticism.

“Last Friday, Chief Secretary Song summoned me personally and asked me to take good care of Cha Jiham. Why do you think a man with such a firm and principled character would make such a request?”

“Could it be...”

Heo Yeongjin suddenly stopped, as though a thought had struck him.

“What do you mean, ‘could it be’?”

“If your guess is correct, Director, then Cha Jiham was the one who brought down President Kim Jinho, Executive Director Lee Myeongjeong, and Director Seo Insok.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“There are persistent rumors going around the company that during the intern interviews, Executive Director Lee and Director Seo cruelly humiliated one of the candidates.”

“You mean that humiliated candidate was Cha Jiham?”

“I think the probability is one hundred percent.”

Only then did Director Jeong Sunho begin to understand the whole picture.

Cha Jiham must have gone straight to Chief Secretary Song Dosok after the interview and reported how Executive Director Lee Myeongjeong and Director Seo Insok had humiliated him.

Enraged, Song Dosok mercilessly chopped off their heads, while forcing President Kim Jinho to resign for failing to maintain control.

Not only that, he had initiated a sweeping audit of all personnel departments within Hangang Group.

Director Jeong Sunho looked at Heo Yeongjin to confirm whether they were thinking along the same lines.

“I think exactly the same, Director.”

“Yes, if we handle Cha Jiham carelessly, our heads will roll too.”

“Exactly.”

“Under no circumstances should you assign Cha Jiham work that could be considered unfair or degrading.”

“I’ll remember your words, Director.”

Knock, knock, knock.

At that moment, the secretary entered and handed Director Jeong Sunho a note.

After reading it, he nodded in understanding and ordered,

“Tell them to come in, and bring coffee.”

***

As soon as we entered the office, I immediately sensed subtle tension in the air.

After all, Director Jeong Sunho and Team Leader Heo Yeongjin had personally stood up from the sofa and greeted us very courteously.

As we hesitated, unsure how to react, Director Jeong spoke first.

“Cha Jiham, Yun Sola, I sincerely welcome you to the Future Strategy Promotion Department. I am Jeong Sunho, the department director. Since we’re destined to work together, let’s seal it with a handshake.”

“Yes! Nice to meet you!”

Answering loudly and energetically, we shook hands with Director Jeong one by one.

As he shook hands with Cha Jiham and Yun Sola, Director Jeong felt something strange.

Cha Jiham was understandable. If he really was related to Chief Secretary Song Dosok, then his confidence and dignity made perfect sense.

But Yun Sola, although she was a genius, came from what was believed to be an ordinary family.

Yet she carried herself with no less confidence and grace than Cha Jiham.

Deciding to investigate the source of her overflowing confidence later, Director Jeong turned to his subordinate.

“Team Leader Heo, you should greet our new employees too.”

“Yes, of course. Cha Jiham, Yun Sola, welcome to our team...”

In the slightly awkward atmosphere, introductions concluded and we sat down.

At that moment, the secretary brought steaming hot coffee.

After taking a sip, Director Jeong Sunho turned to me.

“Cha Jiham, when was the last time you met Chief Secretary Song?”

“I’m sorry, but which Secretary Song are you referring to?”

“Chief Secretary Song Dosok, the chairman’s trusted right-hand man.”

“Why is he so interested in that?”

“He summoned me last Friday afternoon.”

“As I expected. And what did Chief Secretary Song tell you?”

“He informed me which department I had been assigned to and told me to carry out my duties diligently.”

At that moment, Director Jeong Sunho became completely convinced that Cha Jiham was Song Dosok’s blood relative.

Simultaneously, a wave of hope and fear washed over him.

If he pleased Cha Jiham, his career could soar to unimaginable heights.

But if he offended the young man in any way, he could instantly lose his position and be thrown out of the company in disgrace.

Swearing to himself that he would never suffer such a fate, he continued,

“As you understand, important projects cannot be entrusted to interns right away. I ask for your understanding.”

“I understand perfectly. I’m ready for anything, from photocopying documents to running coffee errands.”

“Hahaha! I really like your positive attitude, Cha Jiham.”

Director Jeong smiled gently and looked at Yun Sola.

“And what kind of work would you like to do?”

“Whatever task I’m given, I’ll do my utmost and complete it to the best of my ability.”

“Haha, excellent. I sincerely hope both of you receive outstanding evaluations and become full-time employees.”

“Thank you.”

“Team Leader Heo, introduce the interns to everyone in the Future Strategy Department.”

“Yes, sir. Follow me.”

After Heo Yeongjin led Cha Jiham and Yun Sola out, Director Jeong Sunho immediately grabbed his phone.

[Director Jeong, what is it?]

“Chief Secretary Song, I’ve just personally met Cha Jiham and Yun Sola.”

[Really? What are your first impressions?]

“I now understand clearly why you assigned them to me.”

Director Jeong Sunho thoroughly described his impressions after speaking with the two interns.

“...Furthermore, both display exceptionally proper and positive attitudes.”

[I understand. Those two are the future of our company, the leaders who will guide it forward. I trust I don’t need to explain further?]

“Of course, I understand completely.”

[Can I rely on you?]

“Since you’ve shown me such trust, I’ll do my utmost to pass on all my experience and know-how.”

[Good. That’s all.]

“Chief Secretary Song, one question.”

Director Jeong managed to stop Song Dosok before he hung up.

[Speak quickly.]

“Was Cha Jiham connected to President Kim Jinho’s resignation and the purge currently sweeping through Human Resources?”

[You’re perceptive. That’s all.]

Click.

At that moment, Director Jeong Sunho’s misunderstanding became firmly rooted.

***

As soon as Song Dosok hung up, Chairman Yoon Jongu asked displeased,

“Why did Director Jeong call?”

“I told him to report his impressions after meeting Sola and Cha Jiham.”

“And?”

“He says Cha Jiham carries himself with extraordinary confidence and character. And Sola isn’t inferior to him.”

“First impressions are extremely important. It seems we started off on the right foot.”

“Incidentally, Director Jeong knows about what happened during Cha Jiham’s interview.”

“We don’t need the company’s dirty laundry hanging out in the open. Keep Director Jeong under control and make sure he keeps quiet.”

Song Dosok immediately called Jeong Sunho again, gave brief instructions, and ended the call.

Watching this, Chairman Yoon Jongu thoughtfully said,

“Still, how should we cultivate Cha Jiham into a first-rate specialist?”

Knock, knock, knock.

The office door suddenly opened without warning, and Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun entered.

Chairman Yoon Jongu instantly realized something was wrong.

The dark circles under his son’s eyes practically reached his chin.

“Vice Chairman Yoon, has some emergency occurred?”

“Sigh... Sola is giving me a splitting headache.”

“What has Sola done now?”

“She jumped out of bed at five in the morning and turned the whole house upside down. My wife and I barely slept and came to work on autopilot.”

“Did you ask her why she got up so early?”

“She said she was so excited about her first day at work that she couldn’t sleep.”

“Hahahaha!”

Chairman Yoon Jongu suddenly burst into booming laughter.

Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun stared at his father in confusion.

After the chairman finished laughing, Song Dosok spoke.

“Vice Chairman Yoon, would you like to know the real reason Sola was in such a hurry to go to work?”

“Tell me already.”

“Because she’s fallen in love.”

“In love? Wait... don’t tell me it’s that Cha Jiham!”

“Exactly.”

“That little punk—!”

“Quiet! What kind of childish behavior is that?”

Chairman Yoon Jongu sharply scolded him.

Having been reprimanded, Yoon Sanghun silently sat back down.

After glaring at him for a while, Chairman Yoon continued.

“Sola is already an adult woman. And while you see Cha Jiham as some empty-headed delivery rider, Chief Secretary Song and I see him differently.”

“What do you mean?”

“Cha Jiham took that herbal calming medicine Chairman Park gave him. And the effects...”

Vice Chairman Yoon Sanghun could hardly believe his ears.

The properties of that traditional medicine were simply astonishing.

“Father, is this really true?”

“Cho Sonil, the director of Hangang Medical Center, personally examined Cha Jiham’s blood twice, and both results matched.”

“Unbelievable. This is practically supernatural.”

“Sola merely inhaled the scent and already experienced improved brain function and increased confidence. Imagine the potential of Cha Jiham, who consumed the entire thing.”

“If that boy sharpens his abilities and gains experience, he’ll become a monster capable of overturning the world,” Song Dosok added.

Chairman Yoon Jongu concluded,

“Personally, I see nothing wrong with Sola staying close to Cha Jiham. There’s no need to force them together, but heaven forbid anyone gets in their way. So you should also stay out of it and simply observe them from afar.”

***

At that same moment, we obediently followed Team Leader Heo Yeongjin as he introduced us to the employees of the Future Strategy Promotion Department.

“Team Leader Jeong, these are the new members of our team—interns Cha Jiham and Yun Sola.”

“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Jeong Doyeon, head of Team One in the Future Strategy Department. Let’s work well together.”

“Yes, absolutely!”

Apparently, my energetic answer pleased Team Leader Jeong Doyeon.

He smirked and asked Heo Yeongjin,

“And what should we call them officially?”

“The director instructed us to simply call them ‘interns.’”

“Understood. Intern Cha, tell me, what did you learn from our brief conversation with Team Leader Heo?”

It was obvious that Jeong Doyeon intended to test the rookie and catch him off guard.

But naturally, I knew exactly what to answer.

“As far as I know, in Hangang Group all regular employees, except team leaders and directors, are addressed as ‘Specialist.’”

Hearing my answer, Jeong Doyeon and Heo Yeongjin exchanged surprised glances.

The latter merely shook his head, indicating that he hadn’t told the boy anything.

“Intern Cha, who taught you about our system of titles?”

“Senior Specialist Lee Jinwon from Human Resources, who handles intern recruitment.”

“Sigh, if I were you, Intern Cha, I’d have answered that I’d known about it long before joining as an intern.”

“And why should I have answered that way?”

“Because you need to flatter us as much as possible if you want to become a full-time employee.”

A joke deserved a joke in return.

“Ah! It completely slipped my mind. May I correct my answer?”

“Hahaha!”

Jeong Doyeon and Heo Yeongjin burst into laughter together, appreciating my quick wit.