Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 250

Park Kyung-wan, a managing director at Cheonwoong Construction, rode the elevator to the top floor. It had been ages since he’d been called to meet CEO Cheon Jong-geol up here.

*Ding!*

The elevator bell was a familiar sound, but now it brought no sweat to his palms. Kyung-wan leaned back against the polished steel wall, a small smile playing on his lips. He tapped his fingers lightly, a rhythm of confidence, not the nervous drumming he remembered from his first ride to this floor.

The elevator doors slid open. A young employee stood waiting, bowing his head quickly.

“Managing Director Park, you’ve arrived.”

Kyung-wan glanced at his watch, though he knew he was on time. “Am I late?” he asked, more to be polite than from real worry.

“No, Managing Director. The CEO is in his office. He will be with you shortly.”

“Conference room then?” Kyung-wan asked, already moving towards the hallway.

“Yes, sir, right this way.”

Kyung-wan followed the employee, his mind already turning over the possible reasons for this meeting. He hadn’t been told why CEO Cheon Jong-geol had asked for him, but a few ideas were already forming. He felt a quiet confidence. He’d done good work. There was no reason to be nervous.

The only tiny shadow on his otherwise bright mood was the Seongsu project. They hadn’t won the *entire* bid, but getting nearly half, even in a group of companies, was a huge win. He pushed the thought aside. ‘I’ll find out soon enough why he wanted to see me.’

The employee led him to the conference room and quietly left. Kyung-wan settled at the large table, the polished wood reflecting the soft light from the window. He poured himself a cup of the steaming tea that was already prepared, the fragrant steam curling upwards. He took a slow sip, the warmth spreading through him. The room was silent except for the gentle hum of the building’s air conditioning.

Then, a soft *creak* from the door.

Cheon Jong-geol entered.

“Good morning, CEO Cheon,” Kyung-wan said, rising slightly as Cheon Jong-geol entered.

“Park,” Cheon Jong-geol replied, with a nod. He was, as always, impeccably dressed in a dark suit, the fabric smooth and expensive. His silver hair was perfectly styled, and his face, though lined with age, still held a striking quality, like a famous actor in his later years. He settled into the chair opposite Kyung-wan, adjusting it precisely. He looked directly at Kyung-wan, his gaze steady.

“I’ve heard about Seongsu,” Cheon Jong-geol began, his voice calm and measured.

“The construction rights?” Kyung-wan confirmed.

“Yes. Anything bigger on your plate lately?”

“No, CEO.”

Cheon Jong-geol picked up his teacup, taking a small sip. He set it down gently, a hint of a smile touching his lips. “First things first, Park, well done. You’ve worked hard.”

“Thank you.”

“This Seongsu project… it means a lot for the company. Good for everyone’s paychecks.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Kyung-wan didn’t offer any excuses about not winning the whole bid. He simply met Cheon Jong-geol’s gaze directly. He’d done his job, and done it well. No need for false modesty or regret.

Cheon Jong-geol seemed to approve of this quiet confidence. His own expression softened slightly.

“The integrated design,” Cheon Jong-geol continued, “you mentioned Seo Woo-jin was behind that?”

“Yes, CEO. Seo Woo-jin of Golden Print.”

“The bird’s-eye view… it was excellent.”

Kyung-wan blinked, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. *Excellent.* From Cheon Jong-geol, a man known for his sharp critiques and rare praise, this word felt like a thunderclap. Kyung-wan felt a surge of warmth in his chest. Woo-jin. He thought of Woo-jin, not just a colleague, but someone he felt fiercely protective of, like a younger brother he’d always looked out for. To hear Cheon Jong-geol, a legend in their world, praise Woo-jin’s work… it was a moment of pure pride.

“Yes, Seongsu… a shame we couldn’t put the Clio brand on such a striking design,” Cheon Jong-geol mused, a hint of regret in his voice.

“I agree,” Kyung-wan said, though a flicker of confusion now touched his brow. He was starting to sense this wasn’t just about praise for a job well done. Cheon Jong-geol wasn’t one for idle chatter. *What was he getting at?*

“So, Managing Director Park,” Cheon Jong-geol leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharpening.

“Yes, CEO?” Kyung-wan replied, a knot of anticipation tightening in his stomach.

“Could you arrange a meeting?”

“A meeting?” Kyung-wan echoed, momentarily thrown.

“With CEO Seo Woo-jin.”

Kyung-wan’s eyes widened. He hadn’t expected *that*.

“You are… quite close to him, aren’t you?” Cheon Jong-geol asked, a small smile playing on his lips as he watched Kyung-wan’s reaction.

“Y-yes, I am,” Kyung-wan stammered, still trying to process this sudden turn.

Cheon Jong-geol chuckled softly. “Don’t look so alarmed, Park. No pressure. I simply have… a personal matter I’d like to discuss with him.”

*A personal matter?* Kyung-wan felt a jolt of something close to alarm. He couldn’t imagine what Cheon Jong-geol, the powerful CEO, could possibly want to ask Woo-jin personally. His curiosity, and a touch of unease, spiked.

‘Sharing’ and ‘Privacy.’ These were the two words at the heart of Woo-jin’s design. He wanted to find a way to balance them, especially for wealthy people who valued their privacy.

“As you know,” Woo-jin began, gesturing to the plans spread across the table, “rich people don’t usually like sharing things, especially not their space.”

“True,” Lim Jung-woo agreed, leaning closer to examine the drawings.

“And our buyers for this project,” Woo-jin continued, “they’ll be the richest of the rich. We’re only building thirty houses on this huge piece of land. Each one needs to sell for at least four billion won just to break even.”

“So, instead of just shared spaces,” Woo-jin explained, “think of it as building a *community*. These thirty families, they become a group, a club, almost.”

Lim Jung-woo frowned slightly. “A club?”

“Exactly. Not just sharing a gym or a garden, but building something exclusive. Friendship, connections… and access to things no one else can get.”

“Hmm…” Lim Jung-woo was starting to see where Woo-jin was going.

“Imagine,” Woo-jin said, his voice gaining enthusiasm, “this community isn’t just a place to save space. It’s a *privilege*. Living here, using these facilities… it’s a symbol. Like a badge of honor. Like… remember that drama, *Sky Castle*?”

Woo-jin tapped his tablet, and the screen changed. He turned it to face Lim Jung-woo. “This is what I mean by ‘premium’.”

Lim Jung-woo took the tablet, his eyes widening slightly as he scrolled through the images and text. “A community plan…” he murmured.

“More than just a plan,” Woo-jin corrected. “It’s about creating that ‘premium’ feeling. Branding it. Marketing it. Making people *desire* to be part of this ‘Sky Castle’.”

“Is ‘Cheongdam Arco’ related to this ‘premium’ idea?” Lim Jung-woo asked, pointing to the brand name on the tablet.

Woo-jin smiled. “Exactly. ‘Arco’ has a double meaning. In ancient Greece, ‘Archon’ meant the highest ruler, the best of the best. And ‘Arcodico’ meant a grand house, a mansion. So, ‘Arco’… think of it as meaning both the most dignified home, and the people who live in it. The leaders, the elite.”