Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 34

Woojin was a freshman, but his schedule was not too full. He had one less class than others.

“The stairwell leading to the second floor seems a bit weak, so I think we need to add some structural support,” Woojin said.

“Indeed, it does,” came the reply.

“Since it’s not a very visible area, we’ll add a few layers of drywall here and finish it with a sheet,” Woojin continued.

“Please do so. How much will that add to the cost?”

“It shouldn’t exceed five hundred thousand won (about $400 USD) at most,” Woojin answered.

Woojin was on-site to check everything with the design team from Chunwoong Construction before construction began. Son Junki, the design team leader, was also there. Woojin meticulously checked every finishing material with him, discussing their opinions.

“Team Leader Son, about the finishing materials on this sample board, is it possible to change some of them?” Woojin asked.

“Hmm, if it’s this… Are you referring to the art wall that extends to both sides of the entrance?” Son Junki responded.

“That’s right,” Woojin confirmed.

“I can manage it, but how are you planning to change it?”

Until now, the final design check had been going smoothly. Son Junki was impressed by Woojin’s meticulousness. He hadn’t needed to correct anything. So, Son Junki was open to Woojin’s first suggestion.

The fact that a construction company was suggesting changes could have upset the design team. However…

“This art wall essentially serves to guide customers, right?” Woojin asked.

“You could say that,” Son Junki replied.

“So, these red tiles laid diagonally…”

“Go on.”

“How about reducing the area a bit, adding a focal point, and using natural marble instead?”

“E-excuse me?” Son Junki raised his voice, not because he was unhappy, but surprised.

Woojin’s suggestion was an upgrade, and there was no reason for Chunwoong Construction to refuse. ‘He must know that the construction cost is already fixed…’ Son Junki thought.

If there were unexpected issues requiring more construction, costs would be added. However, changing the finishing materials wouldn’t increase the budget. WJ Studio had already signed the contract, and Woojin was the one suggesting the change.

Construction companies often use cheaper materials to save money in such cases. But Woojin was suggesting more expensive materials. Son Junki was puzzled but decided to hear Woojin out. He didn’t know which marble Woojin had in mind.

“Well, the intention itself is good, but the design concept shouldn’t change,” Son Junki said.

“You mean…?”

“The type of finishing material can change, but the color or tone itself shouldn’t change.”

“You’re saying we should use marble with a similar color to the existing reddish-brown tiles?”

“That’s right.”

“Of course. I’ve already thought of a marble that can preserve the existing color,” Woojin answered confidently, but Son Junki looked doubtful.

The existing tiles were a saturated reddish-brown. Natural marble with that much red was rare. ‘If it were artificial marble, maybe, but he clearly said natural marble…’ Son Junki thought.

Woojin opened his bag and took out his material book. He pointed to a red marble chip. “How about this ‘Rosso Lepanto’?”

He explained, almost unnecessarily, “Rosso, in Italian, means ‘red’.”

Rosso Lepanto was a marble with a passionate red hue. Looking at the marble with its clear, deep red color, a murmur escaped from Junki’s lips.

“Hmm…”

Son Junki didn’t know the prices of all marbles. But he could tell this one was expensive.

“It’s beautiful,” Son Junki said.

“Isn’t it?” Woojin agreed.

“If we use this, it will definitely enhance the sense of luxury,” Son Junki admitted.

“Of course.”

“But, you see…” Junki hesitated.

Son Junki liked Woojin’s idea and could have agreed immediately. But he was curious. He had to ask. “Even if the finishing material is upgraded, additional costs aren’t paid separately. You know that, right?”

“I know,” Woojin confirmed.

“But why…?”

The entrance was important. It greatly influenced the first impression. The reddish tiles were already high-end, costing almost twice as much as other tiles. But they couldn’t compare to natural marble, especially Rosso Lepanto. It would probably cost more than ten times the existing tiles.

“Well, it’ll probably cost about five million won more than the original,” Woojin admitted.

“But I judged that it would be more beneficial.”

“Why?”

“If I can significantly increase WJ Studio’s credibility and recognition with five million won, I think it’s a worthwhile investment. A very worthwhile one.”

Woojin thought his explanation was enough. But Son Junki still looked confused. ‘Just by changing this one thing, the construction company’s credibility and recognition will increase?’

Woojin made three or four more proposals after that.

“This is enough. There’s nothing else I want to change,” Woojin stated.

“I feel like the priorities have been reversed… Is it just my imagination?” Son Junki joked.

“Haha, Team Leader. It’s just your imagination,” Woojin replied.

Woojin estimated that the material costs had increased by about thirty to forty million won. That meant WJ Studio would earn less. But Woojin was confident it would bring greater benefits.

Woojin had spent an additional thirty to forty million won. But the sense of luxury would be equivalent to adding over one hundred million won to the construction cost.

Woojin would make sure of it. ‘The feeling will be completely different from the original. Now, if we just do the construction well… we can create a truly remarkable result,’ he thought.

The design changes Woojin proposed were all intended to make that model stand out even more. Therefore, Woojin considered it a very reasonable investment.

“Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?” Woojin asked.

“It’s perfect. As long as you construct it exactly as we discussed today,” Son Junki replied.

“Then, we’ll start construction early tomorrow morning,” Woojin said, extending his hand.

Team Leader Son Junki nodded and shook it. “Please take good care of us, CEO Seo.”

“We’ll do our best.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing the completed premium hall.”

“You won’t be disappointed, at least. Haha.”

After finishing with Son Junki, Woojin added notes to his notebook and left. He called someone. “I’ve finalized the design changes.”

“Okay? So I’ll place the orders as is?” Jin-tae asked.

“Please do, Hyung.”

“Well, I still don’t understand it, but I have to do what the CEO tells me to do,” Jin-tae said teasingly.

“Hehe. Then, please take care of it.”

The voice was Jin-tae’s, who had joined WJ Studio yesterday. Jin-tae had treated him to an even more lavish meat dinner than before, then signed the employment contract. Woojin had asked Jin-tae to place the material orders for him.

Later, all the quotations were sent to Woojin’s phone. Woojin chuckled and walked into the subway station. “Wow, maybe I won’t even leave three thousand, let alone five thousand?”

Even though he would earn less, Woojin smiled. The benefits were already shimmering before his eyes. Woojin picked up his phone again and started making calls. First, he checked the supply of demolition personnel. “Yes, Foreman! It’s tomorrow. You know that, right?”

“I know, you rascal. What do you take me for, an amateur…?” the foreman replied.

“They’ll open the gate at 7 a.m. Please send the demolition team by then!”

“I’ll get there right on time. I sent guys who are sure to do the job right.”

“Hehe, as expected, Foreman! Thank you!”

He also called the leaders of the other work teams. “Foreman Kim! This is Seo Woojin from WJ Studio.”

“Ah, CEO Seo. I heard about you from Foreman Kim Jin-tae,” Foreman Kim replied.

“Carpentry starts the day after tomorrow. Electrical work can start in the afternoon, so please be on-site by 1 p.m.”

“Thank you for your consideration. We’ll do that.”

Woojin was moving non-stop, not only making calls but also running around all day to get the best and cheapest materials possible.

Investing in better construction quality and bargaining to save money were different things. “Hoo, but I managed to handle all the schedules somehow,” Woojin said to himself.

After finishing, Woojin returned home and plopped down on the bed. Fatigue washed over him, but his mind was clear. ‘From tomorrow, finally… is it groundbreaking?’

Woojin’s busy day passed. And WJ Studio’s first construction began.