Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 121

Kwak Hong-shik felt a sadness so deep, it was almost painful.

And today, Kwak Hong-shik was experiencing that feeling firsthand.

“So… Jung In-joon, the Assemblyman… he’s really related to the emergency committee chairman?”

“Yes, Union Leader. Look at these call records.”

Hong-shik just stared at the records, speechless.

“It’s exactly as you said, Union Leader! How did you figure this out?”

“Haha, is that so?” Woo-jin chuckled, his voice sounding calm and sure of himself.

“About the clean order…”

“[That was quick.]”

“So, now… can you tell me the plan?”

“[Of course. A promise is a promise.]”

Yesterday, people from Cheonwoong Construction, a big construction company known for building modern homes, came to the union office. After they left, Kwak Hong-shik and his team worked very hard and fast.

They had to check the information that had been left in the yellow envelope as quickly as possible.

‘To think that those stories that seemed made up were actually true…’

The information in the envelope was hard to believe, but it couldn’t be ignored.

If those stories were even a little bit true, the union would lose a lot.

And it turned out that everything Seo Woo-jin said was true, without a single mistake.

As the union leader, Kwak Hong-shik felt a shiver run down his back, and tiny bumps rose on his arms as he realized how much Woo-jin knew.

‘How could he know the union’s internal affairs better than I do?’

It might be too much to say Woo-jin knew everything about the union.

Woo-jin didn’t know the internal affairs; he simply knew about the accident that would happen in the future.

But the important thing wasn’t the details, but the fact that everything Woo-jin said was true.

The young man who had offered him a deal yesterday had said this:

“[If you call me after you’ve finished all the preparations… I’ll tell you how to get rid of the emergency committee, as I said at the beginning.]”

‘If I could just get rid of those trash-like guys this time…’

Thinking about the awful members of the emergency committee, Kwak Hong-shik’s hand tightened into a fist, his knuckles white with anger.

They were like tumors, watching for any weakness in the union and working hard to stop the project.

Also, because of Woo-jin’s information, he found out that one of the union leaders was secretly working for the emergency committee.

It was a chilling thing, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Even if a union member was related to the chairman of the emergency committee, it wasn’t legally a problem.

However, the fact that they had been carrying out the project with a ticking time bomb inside them was simply unbelievable.

‘I’m really glad I found out about it now.’

But Woo-jin’s offer was to tell him how to not only deal with this ticking time bomb, but also completely stop the emergency committee’s headquarters.

If he really told him such a method, it wouldn’t be hard to do what Cheonwoong Construction asked.

It wasn’t like the union would lose much just because they received a little help.

In fact, he thought he had already been paid enough just for being told that there were cancer cells inside the union.

“Mr. Yoon-shik, have you finished the official document I told you to prepare?”

“Yes, Union Leader. I’ve finished all the preparations.”

“Send it all out by email this afternoon.”

“Yes, sir!”

“We’re going to hold a press conference separately, so call a few of the reporters we contacted last time.”

“I will.”

So, Kwak Hong-shik first did what Cheonwoong Construction asked and announced publicly that the union wanted a ‘clean order’ process, free from bribes. As soon as the official document was sent out, he took out the business card he had received from Woo-jin and picked up the phone.

Then, he spoke in a calm voice to Woo-jin, who answered the phone.

“In the end, it turned out as CEO Seo said it would.”

“[Haha, is that so?]”

“I don’t know how you knew… but it was really just as you said.”

Perhaps because he felt he owed Woo-jin, Kwak Hong-shik’s voice was quite polite.

“[Then, the clean order….]”

“I’ve already sent out all the official documents and called you.”

“[That was quick.]”

Kwak Hong-shik paused for a moment, then slowly spoke again.

“So, now… can you tell me the plan?”

He then listened carefully to Woo-jin’s voice.

“[Of course. A promise is a promise.]”

As Woo-jin began to explain, Hong-shik picked up a pen that had been chewed on at the end, and carefully wrote down the stories.

A week passed, and it was Friday, November 26th.

The deadline for bids to rebuild Cheongdam Seonyeong Apartment had passed. The heavy doors of the bidding room were finally closed, sealing in the hopes and plans of many companies.

In the end, four companies bid for the project: Jeun Construction, the top construction company; SH Corporation, which was close behind; Myungsung Construction, which was also big and had a premium brand called Sukyung; and Cheonwoong Construction, a rising star with its new Clio brand.

People who knew the construction business were surprised that Cheonwoong Construction was bidding for this project.

Most people thought that even Myungsung would have trouble if Jeun and SH Corporation really tried hard.

So, people who didn’t know the details were surprised that Cheonwoong, which was only half the size of those companies, had applied.

Some experts who liked the Clio brand supported them, but most people in the industry were negative.

They said that Cheonwoong was underestimating Gangnam just because they had a good premium brand.

Such stories were spreading everywhere.

Of course, Cheonwoong didn’t care about those reactions.

Instead, they used those stories to create buzz, and more actively promoted the fact that Cheonwoong and the Clio brand were trying to win the Cheongdam Seonyeong project.

So, when December came, the media outlets that covered the industry were publishing exciting articles almost every day.

[Cheonwoong Construction’s challenge? Or recklessness?]

[Not a three-way battle, but a four-way battle… Who will be the last one laughing?]

[Cheonwoong Construction. Presents the best premium apartment ever!]

[Experts, it’s not good to tempt union members with unrealistic designs….]

Because of the ‘Clean Order’ slogan put forward by the union, the Cheongdam Seonyeong reconstruction project became an even bigger deal.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government or the government had often recommended clean order, but it was the first time the union had taken the lead and completely blocked all bribes.

Each construction company bidding for the project was interviewed about this, and their reactions seemed good to the public.

[Jeun Construction – All construction companies welcome a bidding process without bribes.]

[SH Corporation – Actively supports the decision of the Cheongdam Seonyeong union members.]

[Myungsung Construction – Wasteful lobbying competition. It’s time to stop now.]

No matter what they thought inside, everyone agreed that clean order was a good thing.

However, even though things were heating up like this, WJ Studio became much quieter than in November.

WJ Studio, which had finished coordinating all the designs with Cheonwoong, didn’t have much to do until the general meeting of construction companies (joint briefing session of construction companies) was held.

Of course, there were many other projects besides the one with Cheonwoong Construction, but being busy was relative.

Woo-jin, who had some free time after the biggest project was settled, was able to avoid weekend work for the first time in months.

It had been a while since Jayden called, and this time, I gladly answered.

“Hey, Woojin! You must be busy, right?”

“Actually, I’m not that busy?”

“What?! You’re not busy?”

“Nope.”

“You’re not Woojin! Who is this? Who stole Woojin’s phone?”

“Don’t make such a fuss, Jayden. Just because I’m me doesn’t mean I have to be busy every day, does it?”

“Of course, it does!”

“Why?”

“Because you’re Woojin.”

“……?”

Early December is a happy time for university students. Final exams are over, and vacation has just begun, meaning there are still three whole months of vacation ahead—a very exciting prospect.

Of course, this didn’t apply to Woojin, who had comfortably set aside assignments and exams, but it was different for Jayden, a ‘normal’ student. No matter how the grades turned out, vacation is always exciting.

Even if they’d been having fun all semester, most university students were generally in a good mood, planning to have even more fun during the vacation.

“So, why did you call?”

“(Jayden laughed) Hehe. Woojin was actually waiting for Jayden’s call, wasn’t he?”

“……. I’m hanging up?”

“Wait! I always think this, but Woojin, you seem to have a very short temper.”

“Could you be any more impatient than you?”

“Impossible. I’m Jayden, after all.”

“Hooo…….”

Jayden, thrilled that Woojin wasn’t busy, started talking very quickly.

“So, anyway, Woojin.”

“Speak.”

“How about having a home party at my place this Sunday? This time, my home party is going to be even better!”

“That party where we eat chicken and pizza and play games all night?”

“(Jayden laughed) Hehe. Not quite, Woojin. Jayden’s home party has been reborn.”

“How has it been reborn?”

“That’s a secret.”

Woojin silently listened to Jayden’s chatter, finding it enjoyable after a long time.

After a while, Jayden brought up a good idea. He suggested celebrating Seokhyun’s birthday.

“So, if Woojin comes to the home party on Sunday, that’ll be four people total, including Soyeon and Seokhyun, right?”

“And?”

“How about we throw Seokhyun a birthday party that day?”

“What? A birthday party?”

“Woojin, don’t tell me you didn’t know that December 7th is Seokhyun’s birthday?”

“Sunday is the 5th. Seokhyun’s birthday is on Tuesday.”

“Ah, right. His birthday is on Tuesday, but I just thought we could do it while we’re having the party on Sunday. So, you did know Seokhyun’s birthday after all.”

“No, I didn’t?”

“Bloody Hell, Woojin! Are you serious? You never know anyone’s birthday, do you?”

Woojin, feeling as if he could feel Jayden’s spit flying from the other end of the line, shook his head and spoke again. He was enjoying his leisure time for the first time in a while and was willing to play along with Jayden a little longer today.

“Jayden. Do you know my birthday?”

“Holy! Wait, that’s…….”

“My birthday is October 19th. It’s already been over a month.”

“Why didn’t anyone know Woojin’s birthday?”

“Because I didn’t even realize it myself.”

“…….”

“I realized it when my mom made me seaweed soup in the morning. Oh, it’s my birthday today.”

Jayden, who had been momentarily speechless, spoke again.

“Woojin is really something else.”

“More than Jayden?”

“You’re the only person who’s more unique than Jayden.”

“That doesn’t sound like a compliment, Jayden.”

“That’s right. It’s not a compliment.”

“Damn it.”

Woojin chuckled softly, the phone warm against his ear. Jayden’s silly energy was actually quite enjoyable today. As they chatted, Woojin suddenly remembered his own birthday, a faint smile touching his lips. He let out a silent laugh, shaking his head slightly. *A whole month ago,* he thought, *and it just passed by like any other day.*

Come to think of it, his birthday, which had passed a little over a month ago, was his first birthday since the regression, but it seemed to have passed by in a blur because he was so busy.

In the first place, it had been so long since Woojin had attached any meaning to birthdays, so he didn’t really care.

‘I guess next year’s birthday will be the same.’

In fact, Woojin was more surprised that Jayden knew Seokhyun’s birthday. He had never celebrated anyone’s birthday except for his parents and girlfriend.

A birthday is just the day you were born, and it’s not a particularly special day—that was Woojin’s usual stance.

‘But it’s commendable that Jayden is taking care of Seokhyun’s birthday…….’

So, Woojin, who eventually agreed to attend the party on Sunday, chatted a little more with Jayden and hung up the phone.

Then, sitting in front of the office computer, Woojin searched the internet, thinking about Seokhyun’s gift. A small smile touched Woojin’s lips as he thought about giving Seokhyun a good gift.

‘Seokhyun really worked hard this year……. Thanks to him, the model part has grown a lot. Should I get him a pretty decent gift?’

But that thought didn’t last very long.

A banner on the main portal site screen immediately caught Woojin’s attention.

‘Yeah. This is good.’

The advertisement banner that caught Woojin’s eye was for a smartphone. To be exact, it was the iPhone 4, which had been released in Korea not long ago.

“Yeah, it’s about time I started using a smartphone. I’ve already adapted to the flip phone, but……. Still, smartphones will be irreplaceable in the future.”

Woojin was saying this to himself. He was planning to buy an iPhone as a birthday present for Seokhyun and buy one for himself as well.

The iPhone 4’s release price was around 900,000 won, which was not cheap to give as a friend’s birthday present.

But Seokhyun was more than just a friend to Woojin, so he didn’t particularly regret it. This was both a birthday present for a friend and an investment as an owner to improve the loyalty of a talented individual.

“Alright. So, I’ve decided on the birthday present……!”

There were still about two hours left until quitting time, but Woojin got up from his desk early. He also had a dinner appointment with Seokjung after a long time and was thinking of activating his smartphone while he was at it. He thought he should move a little faster.

Woojin sat at his desk in the quiet office. The computer screen was bright in front of him, and outside the window, the city was getting dark.