Brother, Am I Cute? [EN]: Chapter 198

Hyung, am I cute? 198

There was something I used to overlook at the grocery store.

Things like grams that I didn’t usually pay attention to.

If there are items with the same weight of 120g, I start comparing freshness, price, and quality.

When I first bought ingredients at the grocery store, I thought anything cheap was good because I was young.

But at some point, I started noticing various things: cheaper and better quality, same quantity but slightly cheaper items.

It’s not really an eye for things, but buying things made me compare them.

I even go around to different grocery stores to find better products.

Many people don’t bother doing that, but I do.

“So, the reason the contract fell through is because of another company?” Professor Jung Yong-soo from the Chemistry Department asked with a sigh.

“Hmm, that’s right. They offered a set of shampoo, conditioner, treatment, essence, and spray all from one place. They said it’s better to buy a set from one place since the scents are all consistent and won’t clash.”

“That’s… true.”

People are drawn to better products.

If they offered a cheaper price, there’s no need to buy our product.

Of course, if it comes down to a battle of quality, we can prove our excellence.

But.

“They asked if we could lower the price further.”

“Ah…”

If we go into a price war, we’re bound to lose.

No matter what, we’ll be crushed if we compete with a factory that mass-produces.

Still, I can’t hide my disappointment.

What was with that great atmosphere during the contract signing?

Is it because Jung Yong-soo saw my serious expression?

He gently pats my shoulder.

“They said they’ll contract with us when Korean products sell well in the future.”

“Well, it can’t be helped. It’s their first time trading with Korean products.”

“Hmm hmm. That’s right. They want to reduce the risk.”

“But it’s not over yet.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Kindness is always remembered. When they think about the contract later, they might think, ‘Ah, that person did that back then.’ So they might consider us again.”

“Huh?”

Just because it didn’t work out today doesn’t mean it won’t work out tomorrow.

If the probability is one in ten, it becomes three in ten when you actively pursue it.

Sales with a promise for the future.

Anyone can think of it, but they can’t do it so easily.

There’s a difference in personality, and they’ll be busy looking for other people.

‘The burden on the mind can’t be ignored.’

Haing, who valued relationships, would be even more so.

I couldn’t stay still, so I got up from my seat.

“When they sell well in the future, they’ll expand the market. They won’t just sell the same products. We just need them to remember us then.”

“Hmm, that makes sense. Should I go with you?”

“No. I’ll contact them again and meet them. It’s easier to just talk than to translate.”

“I guess so? I’ll leave that part to you. We’ll see if we can contract with other places.”

“Yes, please do.”

Contracting with other places requires investigation and takes time.

But this can’t be helped.

I got up from my seat and contacted Haing on my phone.

Click.

“Hello.”

“Hello, Haing. This is Si-hyuk. Would you like to have a cup of tea if you have time?”

“Is that a date invitation?”

“Let’s just say it’s a request for a nice gift.”

“Haha. Actually, I’m working at a cafe right now.”

“Wow. You’re really fast with work. I also have work to do, so I was going to do it at a cafe. Let’s meet up? You wouldn’t reject me twice, would you?”

I compared the contract situation with the current situation.

Haing seemed to understand me and laughed.

“Of course. I made this choice after a lot of consideration. You’ll understand, right?”

“It’s natural to think a lot when choosing a product. You can’t do sales if you worry about every little thing.”

“But weren’t you a translator, not a salesperson?”

“I’m also involved in this project, so I’m doing sales as well. Haha.”

“Ah, I see. Okay. It’s a cafe called always_remember here.”

“Ah. I know where that is. I’ll be there soon.”

I ended the call, packed my bag, and headed to the cafe.

***

I went to the first floor, but I couldn’t see her.

I went up to the second floor and nodded as I saw her staring at her laptop.

I went back downstairs, ordered coffee, and said to the employee.

“Could you pack some chocolate madeleines [small sponge cakes] for me when I leave? Two boxes of two.”

“Yes, of course. Would you like an ice pack? It’s an extra 1,000 won.”

“Yes, please do.”

“Okay.”

Only those who know, know that the chocolate madeleines at this cafe are delicious.

They don’t make more than a certain number, so you have to buy them in advance like this.

Siha would love it, right?

I laughed just imagining her eating it.

I waited for the coffee for a while and took it upstairs.

Haing glanced at me and gave me a nod.

“I didn’t think you’d really come all the way here. But you didn’t order a croffle [a croissant-waffle hybrid] today?”

“I felt like having an Americano today.”

“Pfft. What’s that?”

“You seem very busy?”

“Yes. I have to come here to check some things. I also have to review the contract.”

“Don’t you need to hire a lawyer?”

“I’m used to this now. Most of the content is similar. I just have to be careful about certain things.”

“Ah, I see.”

Haing put the straw to her lips.

She sucked on the coffee and looked at me.

“But what are you doing at the cafe? You didn’t really come here to work, did you?”

“I really came here to work.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yes, really. Even though I look young, I have a family to feed. I can’t rest.”

“What kind of work do you do that you can do at a cafe? It doesn’t seem like a spray business.”

“Translation.”

“Ah, it’s related to interpreting. But you have a family to feed?”

“Yes. I have a very cute dog-like child at home.”

Haing’s eyes widened at my words.

“Are you married?”

“Huh? Ah! Haha. No. She’s my younger sister, but there’s a twenty-year age difference. She’s a late child. But we live together now.”

“Ah… I see. How old is she?”

“Three years old. Would you like to see her?”

When I showed Haing a picture of Siha on my phone, she laughed as if she was too cute.

Siha’s cuteness is omnipotent.

We chatted for a while and then started working.

Then Haing’s questioning voice popped out.

“Huh?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just got a sudden email from the company asking me to deposit the tax money into another account.”

“Taxes are always a problem everywhere.”

“Well, they try to avoid it if they can. It’s not tax evasion, just a legal way to reduce taxes.”

“I guess so. It’s from France, right?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve met a lot of foreigners, but in some ways, people’s thoughts are all the same.”

“Haha. I guess so.”

Haing picked up her phone and made a call.

I was about to focus again and put my hand on the keyboard when a spark went off in my head.

Flap flap.

The sound of turning pages seems to be heard in my ear.

Various pieces of knowledge swirled in my head, and one thing came out.

[Hacking Trade Payment Scam]

‘Scam?’

Rough knowledge about it comes in.

Startled, I reached out and grabbed Haing’s mouse.

Hand touches hand.

Her wide eyes reminded me of a rabbit.

She has that side too.

“Si-hyuk?”

“I’m sorry. I was too urgent.”

“What’s going on?”

I took my hand away and went to her side.

And just in case, I asked.

“Did you send the money to the account now?”

“No. Not yet. I was about to send it. Why?”

“Could you check the email again? It could be someone else.”

“No way. The email and profile were all the same.”

“Still, please check it. Every single letter. Just pretend you’re being scammed.”

“I even called earlier just in case.”

But when I showed a firm face, she had no choice but to start checking.

One letter at a time.

And she looked at me with a surprised face.

‘As expected.’

As a result of checking from the side, the email spelling was really subtly changed.

For example, like this.

[email protected]

[email protected]

If there is such a company email, the case where o is slightly changed to e.

The phone number written below was also slightly changed.

“Why is this different?”

“It’s a scam. A hacking scam. These days, they plan so meticulously. The person on the phone is also likely not an employee there.”

“Wow…”

“That was close. I almost made someone else rich.”

Haing seemed really surprised and stroked her chest.

It wasn’t just a small amount, it was the amount to be paid on behalf of this quarter.

If she saw that loss, she might have had to take out a loan for this Korean product contract.

She probably doesn’t have that much liquid cash.

I don’t know exactly, but it could have been that everything that came here could have been in vain.

Haing, who came to her senses, looked at me.

“Really. Thank you so much. Wow. If I had been caught by this… No, how can you not be fooled when they even subtly change and attach part of the contract.”

“Yes. It seems like the hacker planned it on purpose.”

“Should I call this number again?”

“No. These meticulous guys are quick to notice, so they’ll cut their tails right away [cover their tracks].”

“Can’t you catch them?”

“Ah, no. I haven’t seen them catch them in these cases. It’s hard to get the money back too.”

The knowledge in my head told Haing.

Haing grabbed her phone and trembled.

“Hoo. Should I report it?”

“No. Don’t do that.”

“Yes?”

“The moment you report it, the reputation of the trading company will be tarnished because they were hacked. Then Haing will be even more harmed.”

“Then what should I do?”

“You have no choice but to move on. Just send an email to the company saying that a hacking occurred. Then they will be grateful and the transaction will become even stronger, right? Ah! Don’t report it [to the authorities].”

“Ah, yes. Now that I hear it, I might be harmed if I report it.”

“The image is important to the company. It would be better to deal with it more wisely.”

“Thank you so much.”

She bowed her head.

She almost had a really big deal.

“You must have been very surprised, so go home and rest today. I think I should clean up now too.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you. Would you like to have dinner together?”

“I’m sorry. I have to pick up my sister.”

“Ah…”

“Get in the car. I’ll take you to the hotel.”

“Thank you.”

I went down and picked up the madeleines.

I received two boxes and gave one to Haing.

She looked at me with wide eyes.

“This is?”

“It’s a gift. The chocolate madeleines here are really delicious. I bought them before they sold out. Soothe your surprised heart with this.”

“Wow…”

Today, I was going to work indifferently at the cafe and give a gift at the end.

To make the chocolate madeleine memorable.

Isn’t it true that people’s memories are greatly left in things [associated with objects]?

But now that things have turned out like this, it seems like it has become a big gift.

“Ah, my hands are going to fall off. Are you not going to take it?”

“Ah! Yes! Thank you!”

Haing carefully received the madeleine.

“Then let’s go to the car.”

I dropped her off and went to see Siha.

Looking at the chocolate madeleine in the back seat, how will Siha react?

Today, I was more curious about Siha’s reaction than Haing’s reaction.

Maybe she’ll make a more touching expression than Haing?

Maybe Siha’s eyes will get 0.2mm bigger today.