Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 17

Woojin’s head kept dropping. The warm, stuffy air of the lecture hall and Professor Park’s calm, droning voice were a terrible combination. His eyelids felt like they were filled with sand. If Soyeon, sitting beside him, hadn’t jabbed him sharply in the ribs, he was sure he would have been snoring loud enough for the whole class to hear.

“Woojin!” Soyeon hissed, her voice low but sharp. “The professor will not like it if you keep sleeping.”

“Ugh, thanks,” Woojin mumbled, rubbing his eyes. “Damn it, why am I so sleepy?” He blinked hard, trying to focus on the whiteboard at the front, but the letters seemed to swim before his eyes. *It’s said that even the strongest person can’t keep their eyes open when they are really tired,* he thought miserably. He really didn’t want to fall asleep in the very first class of the new semester, but it felt impossible to fight it.

First, he was incredibly tired from staying up all night preparing for the studio’s grand opening yesterday.

Second, the lecture was simply too boring.

Professor Park Junmin wasn’t a boring teacher. But Woojin already knew everything he was teaching.

‘I’ve been drawing blueprints for over ten years… It would be stranger if I didn’t know basic drafting principles.’

He was confident about any assignment or exam, but if the professor thought he had a bad attitude, his grades might be lower.

He came to school wanting to get all A+s in his major classes, but some things were unavoidable.

Woojin consoled himself, shaking his head. He knew he needed to focus. Getting good grades was important for his future plans, whatever those might be exactly. But right now, staying awake was the biggest challenge.

‘I don’t know how long I’ve been dozing, but I need to stay awake for the rest of the time…’

As Woojin shook his head to wake himself up, Sunbin gave him a dumbfounded look and told him off.

“What are you trying to wake up for now? Class is over, Woojin.”

“Already?”

Hyejin, who was sitting across from him, chimed in.

“Already? It’s been almost three hours.”

“…”

Woojin, speechless, scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

As his classmates said, Professor Park Junmin was already packing up his things and leaving the lecture hall, and the clock was already pointing to 4 o’clock.

‘Ugh. I need to pull myself together from the next class onwards.’

While Woojin was having that brief moment of reflection, Sunbin, who had packed his bags first, jumped up and said,

“Then I’ll head out first. See you all tomorrow.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow, Sunbin.”

“Bye.”

Watching Sunbin happily pack his bag and leave, Woojin looked puzzled. It was the first time he had seen Sunbin, who was usually quiet and timid, so energetic. He got some praise during class today, and it seemed to have completely changed his mood.

“Why is he in such a good mood?”

At Woojin’s question, Hyejin shook her head and replied,

“He got some praise during class today.”

“Praise?”

“Besides, Professor Junmin called him out just now.”

“Why?”

“Who knows? But judging from the atmosphere, it seems like something good.”

Soyeon just shrugged, her shoulders lifting and falling slightly, her expression still a little pouty, and Woojin didn’t think much of it either. He had too many busy schedules today to worry about Sunbin.

“Do you have more classes today?” Hyejin asked Woojin.

Soyeon rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Hyejin, you know he only takes the main classes. No fun electives for *this* serious student.” She nudged Woojin playfully.

“I’ll try to add it later. Don’t worry.”

“Are you kidding me? Do you think a spot will open up easily?”

“If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just take your class with you. Isn’t that one empty next week too?”

“…”

In the end, Soyeon’s lower lip stuck out, her eyes looking a little watery. She really wanted to take that class with Woojin. The three of them, who had finished tidying up, slowly left the lecture hall while bickering.

“Then see you tomorrow, Soyeon and Woojin.”

“Okay. Have a good class.”

“If you don’t like the class, you can pass it on to me.”

“That won’t happen. Don’t worry.”

Hyejin’s expression as she went to that honey-like class, where there was nothing to do but read books, was no different from Sunbin’s as he followed Professor Park. It was one of the best elective classes recommended by the seniors.

“Hey, philosopher. Looks like you don’t have class today?”

“Yeah. Class is over for today.”

Soyeon, now with a sad expression, sighed deeply. She glanced at Woojin and opened her mouth again.

“Woojin, now that class is over… are you going home?”

“No, not home.”

“Then?”

“I have an appointment, so I have to go out towards Jongno.”

“Ah, I see.”

Perhaps because the boisterous Hyejin had disappeared, a moment of silence flowed between them.

Then, Woojin, who was walking along the campus path, the afternoon sun warm on their faces, suddenly asked Soyeon,

“Soyeon, if you’re going straight home, we can take the bus together. It’s the same direction.”

But Soyeon shook her head.

“No, I’m going to sit in a cafe for a bit, then I have a dinner appointment.”

“Dinner appointment?”

“Yeah. The second-year seniors asked me to have dinner with them.”

“Ah. That Yuntaek senior we saw at the orientation?”

“Well, there’s Yuntaek senior, and Huiyeong senior, and…”

“Oh, looks like a lot of people are coming.”

“I guess so.”

“Have fun. We have morning class tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

As they were talking, Woojin saw a bus approaching the bus stop.

Then, after checking the bus number, Woojin quickly said goodbye to Soyeon and dashed off.

“Hey, the bus is here, so I’m going ahead! See you tomorrow!”

Woojin ran towards the bus without giving Soyeon a chance to answer. Woojin knew he couldn’t be late. Tonight’s dinner appointment could change everything.

* * *

“Cheers!”

“Everyone, you’ve worked hard!”

“Krooooh, we finally got the air quality right, and the construction is complete… We can drink a little on a day like today!”

, a Korean BBQ restaurant boasting a fairly large scale near Jonggak Station, was filled with noise and the delicious smell of grilling meat. Smoke curled up from the tables, and the sounds of happy chatter and clinking glasses filled the air. This place was usually crowded with customers during dinner time, but tonight it was packed with even more people from earlier in the evening.

The ‘Cheonwoong Construction’ employees, who had a large company dinner scheduled, had rented out the entire from the early evening.

And among the Cheonwoong Construction employees, who were in high spirits, Park Kyungwan was the happiest today. In fact, thanks to his efforts, he had prevented the company from suffering a considerable loss. Thanks to that, he received a pleasant summons from the executives this morning.

“Director Park, you’ve worked very hard,” the Executive Director said.

“Thank you, sir. Just doing my job,” Director Park replied.

“Everyone knows how much you’ve done,” the Executive Director continued. “The directors, the president… everyone.”

Director Park chuckled softly. “Thank you.”

“Good news might be coming,” the Executive Director said, lowering his voice a little. “If Executive Director Kim gets promoted, there will be a chance for someone to move up.”

Director Park was surprised. “…!”

For someone working in an office, a promotion is the best news. It means more money, more respect, and a better future.

It wasn’t certain, but the leaders were talking about it, so he had hope.

He was already a Director, a high position.

A promotion now would make him an executive, which was much harder to achieve than other promotions. It was a big step up.

Director Park Kyung-wan was very happy about this possibility.

“‘So, this is how bad luck becomes good luck?'” Director Park wondered. He had been ready to quit his job after the trouble happened. Now, he smiled and drank his beer.

Because he had felt so bad before, this success felt extra sweet. It was like going from a very bad place to a very good place.

“Four-thirty and already at dinner! This is the best kind of work day!” someone at the table shouted happily.

“Lim, how can you eat more meat? You ate so much at lunch!” another person joked.

“Don’t say that about meat, Manager!” Lim replied, making everyone laugh.

“Director, drink up!”

Director Park smiled and took a sip of his beer. It was only five, but the company dinner was loud and fun.

Director Park didn’t eat much. He only had a little beer. He was thinking about another dinner he had planned with a ‘young friend’. He could have changed the plan because of the company dinner, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to see this young friend. He felt this friend was important to his good news today.

‘I can rejoin the company dinner for the second or third round… The executive directors said they would come then…’

Checking the time, Park Kyung-wan quietly got up from his seat.

And without anyone noticing, he slipped out of and headed to Jonggak Station.

Director Park could have finished the project on time even without Woo-jin.

The Suseo Station office was finished on time even before Woo-jin was involved.

Director Park was very good at his job, and the schedule was his plan. Woo-jin was just helping on site.

But Woo-jin still made a big difference, like a small thing that changes everything.

Without Woo-jin, the schedule might have been delayed.

This delay could have caused problems for Director Park with his superiors.

Because Woo-jin was there, things went well, and Director Park got his promotion sooner.

Sitting in the sushi restaurant, they didn’t know about this past that could have been.

“So, how is college?” Director Park asked. They were in a nice sushi restaurant, quiet and calm compared to the noisy barbecue place earlier.

“It’s only been a week,” Woo-jin said, picking up sushi. “Not much to say yet. Haha.”

“You sound old,” Director Park laughed a little.

Director Park was grateful to Woo-jin, even if he didn’t show it much. He was treating him to this nice dinner to say thank you.

“I thought you wouldn’t call until summer,” Director Park said. “You said no to the job last time.”

“But I said I’d call you soon, right?” Woo-jin replied.

“Yes, but I thought you were just being polite,” Director Park admitted.

Director Park had actually called Woo-jin first after the last project. He had another job and asked Woo-jin if he was interested, even though he thought Woo-jin would say no. But Woo-jin had said he would contact him again soon.

“I don’t think you asked me here just to say congrats,” Woo-jin said, smiling slightly.

“Oh, is it announced? Congrats,” Woo-jin said, pretending to just hear about it.

“Stop joking,” Director Park said. “Why did you want to meet?”

“The sushi is here,” Woo-jin said, pointing to the food. “Why are you in such a hurry?”

“I’m curious,” Director Park said.

Director Park watched Woo-jin pick up sushi with a small smile. Director Park felt a little confused. Woo-jin was young, but talking to him was easy, like talking to someone he worked with every day.

‘Who is this guy?’ Director Park thought.

Woo-jin was comfortable because he remembered working with Director Park before, but Director Park didn’t know that.

“I want a different job, Director,” Woo-jin said.

Director Park was confused. “Didn’t you say no to the job last time?”

“Not that job,” Woo-jin replied.

Director Park was even more confused. “…?”

Then, Woo-jin said something surprising.

“Chunwoong Construction is opening a model house in Ahyeon-dong, right?”

“Huh? How do you know?” Director Park asked, shocked.

“Ahyeon 3-2 area, before the contract was decided. Chunwoong must have won,” Woo-jin said.

Director Park was speechless. “…!” He was very surprised. ‘Did I tell him? I don’t think so.’

He had offered Woo-jin a job in Ahyeon-dong, but he didn’t say where it was. And the contract result with KC Construction was secret. But Woo-jin knew. Director Park was puzzled.

“How did you know?” Director Park asked.

“Didn’t KC Construction win in Dongjak-gu?” Woo-jin asked back.

“Yes,” Director Park said.

“I thought they would focus there, so Chunwoong would win in Ahyeon-dong,” Woo-jin explained.

Director Park was surprised again. “….” Woo-jin’s thinking made sense, for someone in the business. But Woo-jin was just a college student.

“You, be honest,” Director Park said.

“What?” Woo-jin asked.

“You lied about your age, didn’t you?” Director Park asked seriously.

“… Do I look that old?” Woo-jin smiled, and took a sip of tea. He put the cup down and looked at Director Park.

“Anyway, Director,” Woo-jin said. “So…”

It was time to talk about the real reason for meeting.