Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 256

The end of the year is always busy.

This is true for most groups, no matter what they do.

A year is a long time.

When the year ends, groups look back at what they did. This often means checking how people worked together and fixing any problems.

For groups like the Architects Association, where meeting people is important, there are even more events than usual.

So, Kwon Ju-yeol, the head of the Architects Association, was meeting someone important today.

“Haha, look who’s here! It’s my junior colleague!”

“How have you been, senior? I hope everything is okay?”

“What could be wrong with me? Have a seat.”

The person Kwon Ju-yeol was meeting was Kim Ji-hwan. He was a junior colleague who worked in the Support and Operations Division of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, which is like the government department for buildings and roads.

Ji-hwan was the one who had brought him the big Seongsu District Integrated Design project, even though it didn’t go as planned.

Kim Ji-hwan was a key person in his network. That’s why he made sure to meet him, even though he was busy at the end of the year.

The two men met at their usual bar in Samcheong-dong. They smiled and lightly tapped their glasses together.

“Thank you for meeting me, even though you’re busy with the end of the year,” Ju-yeol said.

Ji-hwan looked a little awkward and replied, “Not at all, senior. I’m grateful that you always remember me and take care of me.”

“Haha, I had to take care of you this year, even if I felt bad about it,” Ju-yeol said.

“Yes? What do you mean…?” Ji-hwan asked.

“I’m talking about the Seongsu District design project,” Ju-yeol replied.

“Ah, that…”

“You worked so hard on it, but it was ruined because I trusted a fool,” Ju-yeol said.

Some time had passed, but the mistake with the Seongsu District design project still hurt them both.

They had quickly ended their relationship with Leeho Design Office, which had looked helpless during the presentation, to avoid the worst outcome.

But, they had spent almost half a year setting up the project, and all that effort was now wasted.

And that waste wasn’t just about money.

Networking and power are not unlimited.

Power is like money. If you use it too much or waste it, you will have less of it.

“Hehe. It’s not your fault, senior,” Ji-hwan said.

“Even so, I still feel sorry,” Ju-yeol replied.

“We’re having a good time, so let’s talk about that later,” Ji-hwan said.

“Haha. Okay. Have another drink then,” Ju-yeol said.

“Actually, I have something to tell you about that,” Ji-hwan said.

“Oh ho. Can I look forward to it?” Ju-yeol asked.

“Of course,” Ji-hwan replied.

The two men tapped their glasses again and shared stories.

Even without the Seongsu District project, they had worked together on several projects.

Most of the other projects were going well.

But, as they drank and talked, the Seongsu District project, which had been their biggest failure of the year, came up again.

Kwon Ju-yeol was especially bothered by Seo Woo-jin, who had taken the project they had worked so hard to get.

Since the person who had lost the most because of Woo-jin was right in front of him, he couldn’t help but talk about him.

The ‘story’ that Kim Ji-hwan had prepared was also about Woo-jin.

“There will probably be changes in staff early next year, right?” Ji-hwan asked.

“That’s right, senior,” Ju-yeol replied.

“Don’t be too sad. Some mud might have stuck, but they won’t push you down,” Ju-yeol said.

“Hoo. I only trust you, senior,” Ji-hwan said.

Kim Ji-hwan had passed the audit from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, but he hadn’t come out completely clean.

Some unfair things he had done with construction companies had been discovered.

Because of this, his job review wasn’t good.

But, it was only based on what seemed to be true, without real proof.

The fact that big construction companies often asked for favors was considered. But for Ji-hwan, it was a dangerous situation that could have ruined his career as a government worker.

“In that case, junior,” Ju-yeol said.

“Yes, senior,” Ji-hwan replied.

“Could it be that the story you have is about Seo Woo-jin?” Ju-yeol asked.

Kim Ji-hwan lowered his voice slightly. Even though no one was around, he did it without thinking.

“You’re as sharp as ever, senior,” Ji-hwan said.

“I was going to wait for you to bring it up, but I was too curious,” Ju-yeol replied.

“That guy is doing well these days. Don’t you want to stop that, senior?” Ji-hwan asked.

“Of course. Tell me the story,” Ju-yeol said.

Ju-yeol and Ji-hwan didn’t think that Woo-jin knew people in the Ministry of Economy and Finance or the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

But, they realized that the audit was related to Woo-jin.

So, they thought that Woo-jin had written a report to the Board of Audit and Inspection to get chosen in the competition.

Everyone in the industry knew that the Architects Association and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport were working together.

They thought that even with a little cleverness, they could try to hurt him.

The only company that didn’t need to worry about the Architects Association was WJ Studio, so it seemed likely.

‘Is he trying to mess with me?’ Ju-yeol thought.

Since then, Ji-hwan had been angry at Woo-jin. He had recently found something he could use against him.

“Senior, do you know the drama that’s on TV now?” Ji-hwan asked.

Ju-yeol nodded and replied, “I know it. Isn’t that the drama that Seo Woo-jin is working on?”

“That’s right,” Ji-hwan said.

“Why that drama?” Ju-yeol asked.

“If you know that, you must also know that Seo Woo-jin designed and built the set,” Ji-hwan said.

Ju-yeol nodded again.

“I know. The media is making a big deal out of the trash designed by a young punk who doesn’t even know the basics of traditional architecture,” Ju-yeol said.

Ju-yeol’s face showed clear dislike.

He thought that the set of designed by Woo-jin was just a copy of traditional architecture.

Ji-hwan saw his expression and continued, “Then, do you know this too?”

“What is it?” Ju-yeol asked.

“The area near the set is now planned to be developed by Icheon City,” Ji-hwan said.

“Hmm…?”

“And the land from the set to several thousand square feet nearby is in Seo Woo-jin’s name,” Ji-hwan added.

“……!”

Ju-yeol’s eyes widened, and Ji-hwan smiled.

“Do you get a feeling…?” Ji-hwan asked.

Ji-hwan and Ju-yeol looked at each other.

Ju-yeol smiled slightly.

“Hehe, really. Is that young guy already doing such dirty things?” Ju-yeol asked.

“That’s what I’m saying,” Ji-hwan replied.

“Seo Woo-jin’s land, is that confirmed?” Ju-yeol asked.

“Of course,” Ji-hwan said.

At that moment, they were both convinced.

They believed that there was some unfair deal between Woo-jin and Icheon City.

Of course, that wasn’t true at all. But people usually see the world in their own way.

“I should call the Board of Audit and Inspection for the first time in a while,” Ju-yeol said.

“Do you know people there?” Ji-hwan asked.

“That’s why I asked you to come out, isn’t it?” Ju-yeol replied.

“Haa… I see. You’re amazing as always,” Ji-hwan said.

Feeling much better, the two began to plan.

“You didn’t bring this up just to have an audit, right?” Ju-yeol asked.

“Of course not, senior,” Ji-hwan replied.

“Then tell me the plan you’ve been thinking about,” Ju-yeol said.

Kim Ji-hwan smiled slightly.

“Last time, they took away what we had set up. Shouldn’t we take it back this time?” Ji-hwan asked.

Ju-yeol smiled.

His plan was exactly what Ju-yeol had in mind.

“You’re the best. Haha,” Ju-yeol said.

Ju-yeol laughed, showing his white teeth.

New Year’s Day.

Woo-jin received an ‘unexpected phone call’ as soon as he started working on the first day of the new year. It was from Jo Yong-hyun, the director of the Culture Department of Icheon City.

[I’m sorry to bother you with work calls so early in the new year, haha,]

“Well, I don’t really separate work from fun… But Director, you’re working hard from the start of the year,” Woo-jin said.

[Haha, I’m the same,]

“Anyway, Happy New Year, Director,” Woo-jin said.

[Ah, I forgot to say Happy New Year. Happy New Year to you too, CEO Seo!]

They had a good working relationship.

Director Jo Yong-hyun and Woo-jin got along well in business.

But, Woo-jin thought the call was ‘unexpected’ because of what it was about.

“By the way, Director, you said you had a question about work…” Woo-jin asked.

[Ah. That’s right. I need to ask you. That’s why I called,]

“Yes, please tell me,” Woo-jin said.

[This morning, an auditor came to our Culture Department,]

“An auditor… as in?” Woo-jin asked.

[I mean the audit officer in charge of our Icheon City,]

The call was about this.

Someone had reported that unfair gains had been made when planning the tourist area.

“Hmm… Unfair gains?” Woo-jin asked.

[That’s right. This is a difficult situation,]

“If we haven’t done anything wrong, why is it difficult?” Woo-jin asked.

[That’s how audits are, right? It’s hard to avoid finding something, but… even if there’s nothing, it’s still annoying,]

“Well, that’s true. The project will also slow down…” Woo-jin said.

Woo-jin tilted his head.

He had never taken money from anyone, and Icheon City Hall had suggested the development plan.

It didn’t make sense that they had found something illegal.

‘An audit… It will be okay, but it’s going to be annoying,’ Woo-jin thought.

Then, as he listened to Jo Yong-hyun, Woo-jin noticed something strange.

[CEO Seo. I’m sorry to ask, but… have you contacted our Culture Department staff, or Icheon City officials, or… have you been doing something I don’t know about?]

“Of course not. Why would I do that…?” Woo-jin asked.

[I think so too. But why from the Board of Audit and Inspection…?]

“The Board of Audit and Inspection?” Woo-jin asked.

[Yes. It seems like they’re putting pressure on us. But the person who called our officer is an employee of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport. I don’t know what’s going on…]

When he heard ‘Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport employee,’ Woo-jin felt something was wrong.