Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 296

The cold winter air of the new year arrived.

And from the first week of the new year, Woojin visited the university, a place he rarely frequented during the semester.

Not for a class, of course.

Unless it was a summer or winter session, no university held classes in January.

The reason Woojin came to the university today was because of a promise he had made with Professor Jo Woonchan.

“Professor, it’s been a while.”

“Woojin, you’ve arrived. Have a seat over here.”

The reason Woojin had come to see Professor Jo Woonchan was to apologize.

It was an apology for not participating in the graduation exhibition.

Woojin was in his final year in 2013 and took Professor Jo Woonchan’s class as a graduation major course, but he was unable to properly participate in the graduation exhibition because the period overlapped with the preparation period for the Magok Convention Center project.

His classmates didn’t complain at all.

Rather, most of Woojin’s graduating classmates thought it was fortunate.

“Hey, Woojin isn’t doing the graduation show!”

“Really? Why not?”

“He’s super busy with that big Magok project, remember?”

“Will he fail then?”

“Nah, he’s Woojin. He’ll figure out a way to graduate. What’s the point of him staying another year anyway?”

“True… Actually, it’s kind of lucky for us.”

“Lucky? How?”

“Imagine our projects next to Woojin’s! We’d look terrible!”

“Oh, yeah! Good point. Lucky us!”

But regardless of such public opinion, as an advising professor, he couldn’t simply overlook the fact that Woojin was graduating without even submitting a graduation exhibition piece.

So, Woonchan made an appointment with Woojin before the final grades for the second semester were released.

“How’s work these days? Is it going well?”

“Well, I’m working hard.”

“This year, you should graduate, right?”

“Well, yes…”

“Haha. Are you going to be the first student in our department to graduate without a graduation project?”

“I’m sorry…”

“No, well. There’s nothing to be sorry about. Thanks to you landing the Magok project, the advising professors were very happy and proud last year.”

When a graduate from the department does well, it makes the department look good.

Woojin’s achievement was amazing, even for famous architects. So, the professors were very proud.

Professor Woonchan grinned and asked.

“So. How should I grade you?”

“Pardon?”

“Either way, I have to give you a grade for you to graduate, right?”

“Ah, how could I shamelessly ask you for a good grade?”

At Woojin’s words, Woonchan chuckled and replied.

“You’re a funny one. There are only two options to begin with. D or F. Choose one.”

“Ha, haha.”

Woojin, with an awkward expression at Woonchan’s joke, had to scratch the back of his head instead of answering.

Woonchan said there were two options, but in reality, it was as good as one.

Woonchan said again.

“Even if you get a D, you still want to graduate this year, right?”

“Of course, Professor.”

“Can’t you attend for another year?”

“Please have mercy…”

“Hahaha.”

Woonchan, bursting into laughter at Woojin’s jest, nodded and continued.

“Alright, good. Then, at my discretion, I’ll spare you the F.”

Woojin quickly bowed his head at that.

“Thank you.”

But Woonchan’s words didn’t end there.

“However, there’s one condition.”

At Woonchan’s unexpected words, Woojin’s voice became a little flustered…

“Yes? A condition?”

At that, Woonchan, with a playful expression, handed Woojin a file.

“Read this.”

Thud-

“Hmm…”

The following phrase was written on the cover of the file.

“What… is this?”

At Woojin’s question, Woonchan began to explain in a nonchalant voice.

“What else could it be? It’s exactly what it looks like.”

“Hmm, Fine Arts Building B…”

“It’s the exhibition hall where the graduation exhibition is held every year.”

“Ah, are you remodeling that?”

“Yes. The building is a bit old, after all. It seems the chairman is planning to spend some money this time.”

Woojin, sensing something ominous, cautiously asked Woonchan again.

“But why are you giving me this project plan…?”

Woonchan, whose eyes met Woojin’s, tapped the file with his finger, wearing a sly smile.

“If you’re not doing a graduation project… you should leave something behind for the school before you leave, CEO Seo?”

“Don’t tell me…”

“Submit a design proposal by the graduation ceremony.”

And at Jo Woonchan’s words, Woojin couldn’t help but be horrified.

He had never imagined such a development.

“Professor! This is a different scale! How can you replace a graduation project with an exhibition hall remodeling…?”

“What’s different? Do you want to attend school for another year?”

“No, it’s not that, but… still…”

“I’ll give the construction to your company as well.”

“Krooh…”

“So, do it. I’m telling you I’ll increase your sales?”

“……”

In the end, Woojin, who came to school from the beginning of the year to get rid of a burden, ended up returning with an even bigger burden.

‘Ugh… Well, I guess it’s meaningful to leave one of my designs at the school and graduate… I should think of it in a good way.’

Thus, although his workload unexpectedly increased, Woojin still had a pleasant lunch with Woonchan, whom he had met after a long time.

“I’ll visit you again soon, Professor!”

“Well, I don’t expect you to come often. I’ll probably see you at the graduation ceremony.”

“……”

“Don’t forget the proposal. Got it?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“If Seo Woojin is in charge of the design, the chairman will be pleased.”

“Yes, sir…”

Woojin, who had driven his car out of the school parking lot, started driving back on the road.

Since he had set aside the entire day for outside work, there was no need to return to the company.

‘Busy, busy.’

The place Woojin was heading to now was several sites that needed final inspection.

And after visiting all the sites, he had a dinner appointment, which was at Jonggak Station, where the headquarters of Chunwoong Construction was located.

After a pleasant lunch, Woojin left the university with a new project on his mind. Meanwhile, across town at Chunwoong Construction…

The end of the workday was approaching.

Kyungwan’s expression, as he looked at the clock, was even brighter than usual.

‘Shall I start wrapping things up?’

In fact, Kyungwan couldn’t help but be in a good mood these days.

Due to a recent internal personnel order, he was able to escape the stress caused by performance pressure for a while.

He, who had become the youngest managing director of Chunwoong Construction, was being promoted to executive director this time, having been recognized for his performance and contributions.

In the fierce personnel competition among executives, where it was common to be fired if not promoted, Kyungwan had emerged victorious once again.

“Oof.”

Of course, the official personnel order would be issued in March.

However, in the case of executives, the decision was usually already made beforehand.

So, in March, Kyungwan was scheduled to become ‘Executive Director Designate’.

And for this reason, Kyungwan was planning to treat someone today.

“I’ll be leaving first. Everyone, good work!”

“Yes, Managing Director. You’ve worked hard today!”

“Yes, Managing Director! See you tomorrow!”

Kyungwan, who had boarded the elevator, hummed a tune and got off on the first floor.

He didn’t bring his car.

He had already obtained permission from his wife a few days ago, so he was planning to drink until he was completely plastered today, for the first time in a long while.

Today’s appointment was with the only person his wife, who didn’t particularly like Kyungwan meeting people for drinks, was uniquely favorable towards.

[You know I’ll be a bit late today, right?]

[That’s right, you’re meeting CEO Seo Woojin, right?]

[That’s right.]

[Don’t drink too much. Just come home before sunrise. Give him my regards too.]

[Don’t you think you’re being too discriminatory? Last time I said I was drinking with Kyungshik, you told me to be prepared to die if I came home after 12…]

[Of course.]

[Huh?]

[How much do you think Cheongdam Clio, which I bought thanks to CEO Seo, is worth now.]

[…]

[Go and treat the CEO with the utmost respect, and be sure to ask if there are any good investment opportunities.]

[…]

[Got it? Why aren’t you answering?]

[I got it. I’ll treat him with the utmost respect and bring him back.]

Kyungwan, recalling his conversation with his wife in the morning, shook his head and chuckled.

It was half a joke, but his wife’s words, who thought of Woojin almost as a benefactor, made him feel strange.

‘Tch, it’s nice to be able to have a drink comfortably… but it feels like I’m losing.’

Anyway, in order to carry out his wife’s orders, Kyungwan had reserved the most delicious and expensive Korean beef restaurant in the vicinity today.

If two men ate to their heart’s content, it would cost hundreds of thousands of won, but Kyungwan wouldn’t begrudge that much for Woojin as a promotion treat.

Ding-

“Welcome. Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes. I have a reservation under the name Park Kyungwan.”

“Two people. Please come this way.”

Kyungwan, who had slightly loosened his tie, sat down at the reserved seat and waited for Woojin.

And after a while.

“Managing Director!”

A welcoming face came into Kyungwan’s view.

Kyungwan had come to meet Woojin with a very relaxed mind today, but Woojin was a bit different.

‘Hmm… Kyungwan ajussi is already an executive director… As I remember, this ajussi retired without becoming an executive director…’

It had turned out to be Kyungwan’s promotion treat today, but in fact, Woojin had made the appointment because he had something else to talk about besides that.

“Wow, Managing Director, it’s been a long time. Congratulations on another promotion.”

“Another promotion, you rascal. Don’t you know that in our company, you get fired if you don’t get promoted?”

“Well, there are always exceptions everywhere.”

“Still being cheeky… You haven’t changed even after seeing you after a long time, CEO Seo.”

“People don’t change easily. They say that if a person suddenly changes, it’s time for them to die.”

“Stop talking nonsense and sit down first. Let’s order some meat.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What should we order?”

“Let’s start with ribeye.”

“Sounds good.”

And the story that Woojin was going to tell Kyungwan was quite important.

Woojin had pondered for quite a long time before deciding to bring up this story.

Sizzle-

So, even while flipping the meat that was browning nicely on the grill, and even while sitting across from Kyungwan and exchanging meaningless small talk, Woojin kept worrying inwardly.

What would be the best way to start this story that he was going to tell today.

“Hey, what are you doing in front of the meat right now? Eat it quickly, you rascal.”

“I’m eating it. You have to savor Korean beef slowly.”

“Wasn’t it you who emptied a whole plate while I went to the bathroom last time?”

“Hmm… Did I do that?”

“Look at this guy. He’s become even more sly while I haven’t seen him.”

So, when he had eaten some meat and started to feel a bit full, Woojin slowly began to broach the subject to Kyungwan.

“But Managing Director.”

“Yeah?”

“How’s work at the company these days? Is it manageable?”

“It’s the same for me every day. But why are you suddenly asking that?”

And as if to make all the previous worries seem insignificant, he tossed out a word to Kyungwan as if it were nothing.

“I was wondering if you had any thoughts of transferring companies.”

“What…? What did you say?”

“How about our company? I’ll match your salary.”

“……”

“Hoo. I should have snatched him up cheaply when he didn’t get promoted. Why did Chunwoong promote this ajussi again this time…”

Kyungwan, who was listening to Woojin’s words, could only become speechless.