Brother, Am I Cute? [EN]: Chapter 115

Hyung, Am I Cute? (1)

-Parang Mall Office.

I visited the Parang Mall office to discuss this matter.

“Hello.”

“Yes, hello.”

“Welcome.”

Even though things had happened, everyone greeted me warmly.

‘With this kind of energy, they might be able to make a comeback.’

“Let’s work together for a good resolution this time.”

“Thank you for helping us like this.”

“Hey, it’s nothing. I’m employed too, right? Alisa?”

Alisa smiled and nodded.

She seemed to have completely regained her energy since yesterday.

“Then let’s start the meeting. Everyone must have some good solutions in mind.”

Everyone nodded, indicating they had thought about it.

The man who created the logo raised his hand first.

“First, we’ve decided to take legal action regarding the severe malicious comments. We’re planning to claim damages for business obstruction.”

“Won’t the lawyer fees be quite high?”

“So, we’ve decided to give all the compensation received to the lawyer. We won’t get anything out of it. We’ve looked into filing a complaint, and we’re planning to leave a notice about that.”

That would eliminate the people leaving malicious comments.

It seemed like a good idea.

Alisa said.

“I’m not sure. Shouldn’t we hire a good lawyer?”

That was true.

It would be good to have a powerful lawyer if possible.

The man nodded.

“That part is okay. Our business initially received support from the school. We were approved as a youth startup.”

Was that so?

Then the story changes.

It seemed a lawyer from Kangin University’s law department would be hired, and the strong alumni network of senior members would be involved.

‘Wow… those malicious commenters are in big trouble….’

What if the judge assigned is also from Kangin University?

In short, they messed with the wrong people.

To dare touch a startup supported by the school.

It would be much better to just fail while trying.

This seemed like they would shed tears for writing the wrong thing.

The woman next to him raised her hand.

“The problem isn’t the malicious comments. Our shopping mall’s image is already ruined. Can we continue doing business?”

The answer came from Alisa.

“We can. We must. I think this is an opportunity.”

“An opportunity?”

Alisa’s eyes sparkled.

The man who made the logo also looked interested.

“Now that it’s come to this, we should blow it up even bigger. You know what? I’m good at lying, so I know that the more you do it, the more out of control it gets.”

Alisa’s words reminded me of that day a long time ago.

The day Alisa acted.

I remembered her saying she was so good at lying that Santa Claus wouldn’t give her presents.

Alisa was shining brighter than anyone else that day.

The image of the present and the past overlapped.

‘She’s completely back. Really.’

She was just weak yesterday.

Everyone has those days.

Days when you feel like you’ll cry if someone just pokes you.

Yesterday was just that day for Alisa.

“So?”

“I’ve lived in Korea for a while, and I’ve noticed something.”

“What is it?”

“They have a lot of sympathy. I said it before Si혁 [Si-hyuk] came, but we’re being attacked by someone right now, right?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s blow things up and get an article out. A story about overcoming difficulties with malicious forces.”

“Oh!”

“Then the effect will be significant, right?”

“Maybe.”

“Images can change at any time. I suddenly thought of it when you said you were going to sue. I thought it could be an opportunity if we weave it well.”

Everyone showed enthusiasm at those words.

It seemed there was a reason why everyone was so energetic when I came.

They must have been angry.

I don’t know who did it, but they caused this much trouble.

Reviews that cleverly incited people without being sued.

It would be difficult to punish them, but….

Anyway, it seemed those enemies made those people band together.

‘Yeah. This is it.’

Everyone underestimated the passionate power of people in their 20s.

Maybe they would have solved it well even without me.

Alisa said.

“So, the important thing is to get up once.”

“With what?”

“I’ve been thinking, and I think I need to go to the United States once. I’m going to find a client there.”

“Not Korea?”

“No. I’ve decided on the United States. Of course, I’ll think about Korea in other ways. But there’s a decisive reason why I chose the United States. Right?”

Alisa looked at me.

I nodded and straightened my chair.

“The reason why it has to be the United States is because of the buzz. Overcoming and finding a client in Korea. I don’t think that would be strong enough for an article. And since we don’t know who attacked us, there’s also the purpose of diverting attention elsewhere.”

“Do you have any methods?”

“I’m thinking of going there and poking around. I want to say that, but I need to prepare to some extent.”

“How?”

I’ve thought a lot about that too.

But in the end, what’s needed is information.

Information about people.

Or an opportunity to become close.

Just going there without a plan won’t solve everything.

Maybe that passion could lead to a meeting.

“Let’s bet on the designs you guys made. Give us exactly one week for the preparation period. We need time anyway. Alisa and I will take care of that part.”

“Can you really get enough information in just one week?”

“Well, we have to try our best. We’re going to face it head-on anyway.”

The man seemed uneasy, wondering if I was being vague.

I need to give him a little more explanation.

“I’m thinking of contacting the Chicago diplomat. If there’s no response, I’m thinking of going there directly.”

I think something will come out if we keep bumping into things and digging.

That’s when it happened.

My phone buzzed, and I got a call from Hong Jin-soo.

“I’m sorry.”

I apologized and hung up.

But the message said it was urgent and to answer quickly, so I had no choice but to ask for understanding and go outside.

“Hello.”

“Si혁 [Si-hyuk]! Good morning.”

“It’s already lunchtime.”

“Haha. Is that so? Ah! That’s right. Good news has come.”

“Is that the urgent matter?”

“Yes. It may not be urgent for Si혁 [Si-hyuk], but they want an answer quickly. They’re not staying in Korea for long.”

“Yes? Who are you talking about?”

“Do you know Steve Baek? He’s a businessman who succeeded in the clothing industry in the United States.”

“I don’t know him well. Wait. Clothing industry?”

“Yes!”

“He must be working in the field?”

“That’s right. He’s doing very well.”

I smiled inwardly.

‘I found him.’

The person who can give the best local information on the clothing industry in the United States.

Who would know better than someone working in the field?

I should work with KI Media often in the future.

I helped with the China contract, and now it’s coming back as help.

I think this is what a good win-win relationship is.

“So? Why does that person need me?”

“Haha. He wants to entrust you with his autobiography. You have good writing skills.”

“He specifically chose me? Or did Manager Hong recommend me?”

“Of course, I recommended you! Of course, Steve Baek already knew Si혁 [Si-hyuk]. Don’t be surprised. He was a friend of writer Jason. Haha. Things like this happen.”

“Wow! Really? That’s amazing.”

“So, will you take on this job?”

“Okay. I had something urgent to do anyway, so this is good.”

“Then I’ll keep that in mind. I’ll give you his contact information, so have a good meeting.”

I was so grateful to Manager Hong Jin-soo.

“Yes. We need to write a contract too, right?”

“Yes. Ah! Use our company’s reception room or conference room when you have the meeting. We need to write a contract anyway.”

“Then thank you.”

“Then we’ll coordinate the time. The sooner, the better. Just not the day after tomorrow.”

“Why the day after tomorrow?”

“Ah…. Actually, the reason Steve Baek came to Korea is to see the Guns domestic competition [likely a gaming competition].”

“Yes?”

“Haha! You have the same reaction as me. We’re so compatible…….”

“Ah, why is the signal like this? Anyway, please take care of it. I’m available anytime. I’m in a meeting right now. Then goodbye.”

“Yes? Wait a minute. Si혁 [Si-hyuk]! What kind of 새ㄲ… [saekki – a Korean swear word, often used playfully] No, what publishing company are you meeting with this time?! Yes?!”

He’s misunderstanding something.

I said I wasn’t like that and ended the call.

I went back to the office with a happy heart and said.

“Hey, I’ll get the information in two days. Exactly two days. Good information came in. Let’s quickly strike and go in.”

It seemed this would shorten a lot of time.

Steve Baek.

What kind of person is he?

The strategy might change depending on who he is.

But one good fact is that he’s looking at me positively.

‘Then let’s do it.’

I felt my heart strangely pounding.

***

Steve Baek.

Before the meeting, I looked up his information and found out he was quite an amazing person.

He gained several clients and connections while working at a US clothing shopping mall.

After that, he gathered money and started his own business, and now he’s one of the most successful shopping malls in the United States.

It wasn’t a top-tier brand with a name, but….

‘Still, that’s something.’

There was only superficial information, so I couldn’t know everything, but I knew he was a very successful person.

First of all, the market size in the United States is different from Korea.

‘It would be nice if I could be introduced to these clients or factories…. But…….’

Honestly, something was lacking to only think positively.

Yes. Even if Steve Baek has a good impression of me, he was a businessman.

I didn’t like the idea of me asking for unilateral help.

‘If this goes on, it’s unilateral help. Even if it’s in the form of a supply, it’s help.’

I thought that shouldn’t be the case.

At least, even if I came to Parang Mall as a contract worker, I had to be able to provide proper help.

Parang Mall’s start is help through connections.

That could lead to a significant dependence on the first button [relying too much on initial connections] in the future.

Of course, this might be me overreacting.

‘Maybe it’s my greed.’

At least, if he’s a businessman who has succeeded to this extent, I wanted to build a trusting relationship by forming an equal business relationship.

Yes. The job of an interpreter is to maximize the coordination between both parties and create an atmosphere if necessary.

Maybe that disposition was triggered.

‘Clothes. Clothing…….’

As I continued to worry, it felt like steam was coming out of my head.

Then a flash of inspiration struck my head.

At the same time, all the data came to mind and disappeared.

[Future Industry Model]

That, which can be said to be data from three years ago if you count now.

But wouldn’t it be possible now, three years later?

It seemed like it could be a current industry model instead of a future industry model.

‘This is something to push as a weapon?’

But I have to be careful.

This meeting is not just a matter of ending with an autobiography for me.

Then first, understanding the person.

In the end, that could only be understood by meeting him.

‘For now, I have two things in my favor.’

I packed my bag and got up from my chair.

It’s time to meet Steve Baek now.

I thought of it on the spot, but there was enough potential.

‘Let’s get started.’

I opened the door and headed straight to KI Media.

As soon as I drove up and arrived, I went straight inside.

The first person to greet me was Hong Jin-soo.

“Si혁 [Si-hyuk]! Welcome. I’ve been waiting. Let’s see. How long have I been waiting? About a month?”

“You called me yesterday and you say a month.”

“Haha. I haven’t seen your face. Your face.”

“Let’s have a video call next time.”

“Really?”

I flinched and stepped back at Hong Jin-soo’s sincere expression.

“No. I misspoke.”

“That’s too bad.”

Hong Jin-soo smacked his lips as if he was really disappointed.

I smiled awkwardly and looked around.

“Where’s Steve Baek?”

“Ah! He just arrived a little while ago.”

“That’s good. Let’s meet him quickly.”

“You like seeing him more than seeing me? This is. I’m sad.”

“There are a lot of things you’re sad about.”

“Haha. I’m joking.”

Looking at his face, I don’t think he’s joking?

I didn’t bother to say it out loud.

Let’s pretend I don’t know for now.

Hong Jin-soo grabbed the doorknob and said.

“There will be a contract inside. Si혁 [Si-hyuk] just needs to sign it. Then feel free to talk. I’ll just be eavesdropping outside the door.”

“???”

“I’m joking.”

“Are you really joking?”

“Haha. Yes.”

“If you’re going to eavesdrop, just come inside and listen.”

“Really?”

Hong Ji-soo quickly opened the door and went inside.

Maybe my face is a dumbfounded face by now?

“Are you really going to do that?”

“I’m just going to take the contract. Just the contract. And who’s going to make Si혁’s [Si-hyuk’s] coffee?”

“I can make it?”

“Haha. I can’t do that.”

Isn’t this too much of a VIP treatment?

Or is he doing this to other people too?”

No, maybe this is one of the strengths of KI Media’s sales force.

As I went inside, I saw Steve Baek.

“Hello.”

“Haha. Nice to meet you. Si혁 [Si-hyuk]. I’m Steve Baek.”

“Yes. I’m Lee Si-hyuk.”

I shook hands.

Feeling the strength in his tight grip.

‘Please take care of me today. And…. What kind of person are you?’

I looked at Steve Baek with shining eyes.