A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 162

The Newcomer in the Baseball Team is Too Good – Episode 162

The Newcomer in the Baseball Team is Too Good 162

Chapter 42: How to Choose a Trading Partner (4)

“Understood, Manager Seo.”

Ji-seop picked up a soju [Korean distilled spirit] bottle.

And as Director Seo Chang-gi instructed, he poured a drink for reporter Hwang Young-ju, who was sitting in the farthest corner.

“Please accept this, Reporter Hwang.”

“Ah, thank you.”

After filling Reporter Hwang’s glass, he immediately moved on to another reporter sitting next to her.

Meanwhile, Director Seo Chang-gi and the PR team leader across the table were also diligently pouring drinks.

“Please accept this, Reporter! Haha!”

“Oh my, it’s overflowing, overflowing!”

While the Cannons people were busily moving between tables with soju bottles, Ji-seop could hear the reporters’ inner thoughts.

[What’s going on here?]

[He poured Reporter Hwang first? Does that mean the Cannons are pushing Hwang Young-ju?]

[Does this make sense? The Cannons should be grinding their teeth at Hwang Young-ju, shouldn’t they?]

The reporters were outwardly laughing and joking, but inwardly they couldn’t hide their bewilderment.

Of course, some of the quicker thinkers seemed to be coming up with their own interpretations.

[Well, the Cannons’ Director Seo is a very courteous person.]

[It seems he’s giving preferential treatment to the former secretary first, and then he’ll reveal his intentions.]

The Cannons front office will never let this go.

They will use this opportunity to replace Hwang Young-ju.

And that position will surely come to our company.

Amidst such expectations, speculations, and hopes swirling around, Director Seo Chang-gi returned to his seat.

Holding the glass he had filled in advance for a toast, Director Seo looked around the room.

The words that came out of his mouth the next moment were slightly different from what the reporters had expected.

“We often call it ‘rapport,’ right? The intimacy or trust between the source and the reporter. I believe that the ‘rapport’ between our Cannons and the press corps is very well established.”

What is he talking about?

The reporters tilted their heads slightly, but Director Seo continued, pretending not to notice.

“Of course, I’m only human, so there are times when I feel disappointed with the reporters. There are times when I wonder if they have to point out even these things, and sometimes I think they’re being too harsh. But when I look back, it’s all helpful in the end.”

This time, too, that’s the case.

Director Seo’s words flowed smoothly.

“Regarding Lee Yong-gi’s case… To be honest, it hurt. I was called in by the higher-ups and got a lot of flak [criticism]. But thanks to that, we at the Cannons were able to improve the overall operation of the minor league team. We reinforced manpower and expanded facilities.”

Other things might have been a bit of ‘lip service,’ but this was true.

Director Seo had instructed the head of the development team to reinforce manpower and expand facilities through an interview.

Normally, the finance team or the management support team would have objected, citing budget issues, but since the article had already exploded and caused a commotion, what could they do?

The head of the development team came to the director’s office like a cow being dragged to the slaughterhouse, but was able to return to Yeosu with an unexpected gift.

“That’s why I’m saying this.”

Director Seo raised his glass.

“I hope you will continue to do as you have been doing. I will not refuse the compliments you give, but I will not hesitate to give you harsh criticism. I will work really hard to make every article you reporters write… a foundation for our Cannons’ victory.”

Director Seo was wearing the softest expression in the world, but the atmosphere at the dinner was quite awkward.

The faces of the reporters who were aiming for the secretary position were hardening, and the expressions of the PR team employees looking at those reporters were extremely troubled.

However, one fortunate thing was that there was exactly one person in the Cannons front office who knew exactly what to do in this situation.

“Alright, alright, the delicious Royal Hot Pot is boiling! Let’s have a refreshing drink and chat while we eat!”

It was Ji-seop.

Ji-seop, who had received Director Seo’s eye signal, quickly jumped up from his seat.

“Since our director is not good at drinking, I would like to propose the first toast! How about ‘Today, too, the Cannons win,’ so ‘Okay’?”

“W, well, okay, I guess…”

As the reporters reluctantly nodded, Ji-seop raised his glass high with a sly expression.

“Thank you! Then let’s go together. Today, too! The Cannons! Win!!”

“Okay!!!”

Gulp.

It was a moment when the uncomfortable atmosphere lightened just a little.

* * *

That day’s dinner ended much earlier than originally planned.

The Cannons PR team had planned to provide a separate place for discussing the press corps issue, but the reporters waved their hands and left first.

“Oh, it’s okay. We can discuss the press corps issue in the press room.”

“Actually, there’s no need to meet separately. These days, we can talk about most things in group chats.”

That’s what they said, but Ji-seop was looking right through their inner thoughts.

[The Cannons front office wants to maintain the status quo… It’s ambiguous to even bring up replacing the secretary.]

[Damn it! It was a good opportunity to write a lot of exclusive articles this season, but it’s all ruined.]

[Hwang Young-ju must have done something again? Damn it, that woman… I don’t like her.]

The reporters smacked their lips repeatedly and left for the subway station, the bus stop, and some took taxis.

Just as Ji-seop, who had sent the reporters back, was about to start preparing to leave work.

“Mr. Kim Special Assistant?”

A voice calling Ji-seop from behind was heard.

This time, Ji-seop could immediately sense who was calling him.

“Yes, Reporter Hwang!”

Ji-seop knew why Hwang Young-ju had called him, but he tried to play dumb for now.

“Ah, did you come by car? Shall I call a designated driver for you?”

At Ji-seop’s words, Reporter Hwang gave a strange smile, saying, ‘Oh my, really.’

“Our Ji-seop is now part of the baseball team’s front office? You had a bit of a fresh taste last season.”

“Oh, what are you talking about? I’m still a second-year who doesn’t know anything. I need a lot of guidance from you, Reporter.”

“Don’t say things you don’t mean…”

What’s the situation now?

Reporter Hwang Young-ju asked Ji-seop.

“Why did the Cannons take my side? I thought they were going to kick me out of the secretary position this time.”

Ji-seop smiled faintly.

“If I said it was for the same reason Director Seo mentioned… would that be a little unconvincing?”

“I’m okay with it, but the Cannons might be a little worried. It means that someone who should be an ethics teacher is sitting in the director’s seat.”

“What if I said I’m a second-year chick and don’t know the details?”

“You won’t be getting any more Telegram messages, will you, Ji-seop? Because chicks can’t understand that kind of information?”

Watching Hwang Young-ju, who didn’t change her expression at all, Ji-seop scratched the back of his head.

“Hehe, I still can’t beat Reporter Hwang.”

“Yeah, you’ll need a few more months. So tell me, what are you really thinking?”

“Well, there’s no special reason…”

Ji-seop said with a calm expression.

“There was just an internal decision. If we have to bring one of the reporters close to the team, if we can’t avoid it… it’s better to choose someone with high reporting skills.”

“Someone with high reporting skills?”

“Yes.”

Ji-seop nodded.

“Having a reporter with high reporting skills as the secretary is certainly scary. You can get hit with a big one at any time. But I heard that there’s an advantage that they don’t touch relatively minor issues.”

For reporters who mainly deal with major issues, dealing with minor issues is a waste of energy.

Since they have their own information network, there’s also the advantage that they don’t have to snoop around the team’s front office.

However, if a reporter with ambiguous reporting skills takes the secretary position, the situation can only unfold a little differently.

“I heard that those people use the title of ‘Press Corps Secretary’ to frequently visit various places in the team. Because that’s how they can write exclusive articles.”

“…”

“But the team people aren’t stupid, and they wouldn’t readily give out important information, would they? They keep their mouths shut on most things. Then…”

“Does that mean garbage articles come out with the ‘exclusive’ title?”

Hwang Young-ju, who couldn’t possibly not know how the industry works, said.

“Rumors from unknown sources, or minor arguments between players or coaching staff… something like that?”

“Yes, I’ve heard a lot of stories from reporters since I became the director’s special assistant. There are quite a few such cases.”

Ji-seop continued.

“It’s helpful to the team to get a big hit even if we get cursed at. Like with Lee Yong-gi’s case this time. But if such a trivial matter is reported in a big way, we only get cursed at and nothing gets better.”

“Okay, I understand that much.”

Hwang Young-ju narrowed her eyes.

“You chose a reporter with good reporting skills… I appreciate you evaluating me that way, but isn’t that explanation a little lacking? There are quite a few people in the press corps besides me who are good at reporting.”

“Ah, that part is…”

Ji-seop reacted as if it were nothing.

“If there’s no big difference in reporting skills, the intention was to save the face of Reporter Hwang, who has been leading the Cannons press corps for a long time.”

“Face?”

“Yes, if we save your face this time, we were hoping that you would help us out sometime.”

Hwang Young-ju chuckled at this timing.

“Hey, you were doing so well, but you swung and missed at the end.”

“Yes?”

“Ji-seop, think about it. Do you think I’m the kind of person who cares about face? Would someone like that live with the nickname ‘Jomi’ [a derogatory term for a tenacious reporter]?”

Hwang Young-ju shook her head.

“Tell Director Seo Chang-gi. Don’t think about taking credit for this later. If you want to block my articles, it’s much faster to leak the source of an article that will get more views.”

“Reporter, are you serious?”

It was at this moment that Ji-seop stared ‘intently’ into Hwang Young-ju’s eyes.

“Were you really not bothered at all? While watching the expressions of the other reporters today?”

“…”

“While watching the reporters who were aiming for the secretary position become speechless and leave, grumbling, ‘Ah, Hwang Young-ju did something again,’ ‘I really can’t beat Hwang Young-ju’… you didn’t feel anything at all?”

“W, well, I said I didn’t? Do you think I was secretly saying, ‘It’s like sprinkling sesame salt’ [taking secret pleasure in someone else’s misfortune]? I’m not that childish, Special Assistant Kim.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Ji-seop didn’t press further.

“I will accurately convey your words to our director. Then please go in carefully. I’ll be leaving now…”

After bowing ‘deeply’ to Hwang Young-ju, Ji-seop turned around and started walking.

In a way, it was a situation where the Cannons front office’s ‘move’ seemed to have missed the target, but Ji-seop’s face was not so dark as he turned and walked.

‘Our Hwang Young-ju… is secretly a very reliable person when it comes to give and take.’

That’s how it had been as far as he had experienced.

A person who is sure to return what she has received.

A person who never closes her mouth and turns away after getting something.

So, contrary to popular opinion, she is quite a great person to trade with.

As expected-

“Okay, okay! I got it, Ji-seop! I lost this time. I admit it!”

Before he had even taken a few steps, Hwang Young-ju’s urgent voice reached Ji-seop’s ears.

“Yes? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“Hey, you know everything, so why are you acting like that! It’s a lie that I wasn’t bothered at all. To be honest, it was a bit like sprinkling sesame salt.”

Hwang Young-ju continued.

“Especially, I was grateful that you didn’t appoint Kwak Dae-ju of [Korea Sports] as the secretary. He’s been a thorn in my side lately.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“Yes, I’m grateful, but… don’t ask me to give you favors in the future. I can’t stand it if that happens.”

She must write articles about stories that will get views.

And the completed article must be uploaded unconditionally.

This is the motto of ‘Jomi’ Hwang Young-ju.

“So let’s… just call it even this time. It won’t be a loss for the Cannons either.”

With that, Hwang Young-ju took out her phone and started fiddling with it.

She put her phone back in her pocket and looked at Ji-seop.

“Check it out.”

Hwang Young-ju said.

“Originally, it was an exclusive article that I was going to upload tomorrow afternoon… but I’ll tell the desk to postpone it for exactly three days. Try to do something about it within that time.”

“You’re postponing the article for three days? No, what kind of content is it…”

The next moment, Ji-seop swallowed hard without realizing it.

“You know Ma Kang-sik, the UB Guardians’ left-handed pitcher, right, Ji-seop?”

And then, one more word.

“It’s the news that Ma Kang-sik has requested to be released from the team.”