We Do Business In Full Auto [EN]: Chapter 17

017

Moving (1)

Around 1 PM.

Finally, everything was wrapped up.

Today’s task was simple: repetitive labor. Just going into the strong currents and tightening screws.

As the work concluded, Lee Seo-kyung, looking much brighter than she had in the morning, clapped her hands enthusiastically.

Clap, clap, clap, clap!

“You’ve worked hard!”

“Hahaha! Hard work? I just went in, tightened the screws, and came out.”

“It was still difficult, and I was worried. That’s how our work goes. Simple tasks are handled directly by the company, but difficult ones are outsourced. Can we refuse? Absolutely not.”

Lee Seo-kyung seemed to have a lot of pent-up frustration from being a subcontractor for large corporations.

It’s often said that subcontracting is a major problem in Korea. The main contractor gets an order, takes a cut, and subcontracts it. The intermediate company also takes a cut and subcontracts it again. This can lead to mismanagement or poor construction.

Of course, it has nothing to do with me.

If it puts food on my table, I’d take on work that comes down through numerous subcontractors, not just one.

I was just listening to her vent, so I offered simple interjections and empathy. That’s what women usually want.

“Ah, really? You must have a lot on your mind.”

“Of course. Cleaning high-rise buildings or underwater work, it’s all the same. None of it is easy. It’s always like this. If we refuse, there won’t be a next order, and even the management subcontractors, all tangled up like a spider web, will be terminated. Catering to their whims, handling the work, entertaining them – it’s awful.”

Is it that time of the month again?

After the limousine that had been parked earlier left, she seemed more relaxed, but apparently not.

While half-listening to her story, I checked the time through the eyes of the Undead.

‘How long is she going to go on like this? I need to move today.’

I was getting a little impatient after finishing work.

“Hahaha! That’s life. Well, the company will understand Team Leader Lee’s hard work. What’s the remaining process now?”

“Ah! I’m sorry. I had so much bottled up. The remaining process is a simple inspection. It was fine earlier, so it should be over soon.”

Lee Seo-kyung called over the employees who were squatting and smoking on the bridge railing.

“Inspect the entire bridge. It has to be flawless. The chairman is paying special attention.”

“Yes!”

The employees snapped to attention.

Yes, that’s the real Lee Seo-kyung.

Shall we slowly get ready to head back?

“Hehe, Team Leader Lee. The payment……?”

I became even more humble.

The work isn’t a problem, but getting paid is always tricky. Lee Seo-kyung said it would be paid the same day, but things don’t always go as planned. I’ve seen plenty of cases where they promise that and then conveniently forget.

But a fairly solid company seems different.

“Ah! It will be deposited as soon as it’s confirmed.”

“Thank you.”

“What are you thanking me for? We were able to handle the work easily because we met someone like you, Mr. President. I thank you on behalf of our employees.”

“I’m very grateful.”

This wasn’t just a customary expression; I was truly grateful.

I was able to proceed with this project because of her. Who would give a large project worth 100 million [Korean Won, approximately $75,000 USD] to a new company?

No matter how good the new technology is, it would be absolutely impossible given the general perception of society.

I’m gaining experience and earning money because of her.

Thinking about it, I feel grateful for no reason.

After finishing organizing the equipment, I subtly hinted to her before getting into the car.

“I’d like to treat you to a meal sometime. My wife is a foreigner, but she’s quite good at Korean food.”

“Ah! Are you inviting me? And that cute little girl too!?”

Lee Seo-kyung suddenly got excited.

Ah, wait a minute. If you’re breathing so heavily, it’s going to be a little difficult for me. Is that the epitome of cold-heartedness, Lee Seo-kyung?

I think I should put this on hold. I can’t leave my daughter vulnerable to such an aunt.

H Group Headquarters.

Chairman Lee Kang-no was immersed in a sea of documents for a long time before briefly looking up at the report from Head of Department Han Cheol-soo.

“Chairman. The bridge repair work is complete.”

“Oh, already?”

“Yes. It seems they handled the work quite quickly, probably because of their technology.”

In fact, Han Cheol-soo was also surprised by Da Dakka’s technology.

He watched the video, and it felt like it wasn’t from this world.

“Would you like to see it?”

“Hahaha! An interesting businessman has appeared after a long time, so I have to see it.”

Chairman Lee Kang-no was also impressed by the advanced technology.

He is still in the curiosity stage.

If Chairman Lee Kang-no really makes up his mind, there will be a rush of material support and technical assistance. It was certain that Da Dakka’s CEO, Lee Yoo-sung, was on Chairman Lee Kang-no’s list of candidates.

Lee Kang-no clicked his tongue while watching the screen.

“I heard the currents are strong here?”

“In fact, that’s why we subcontracted it to Moa Construction. A submarine has to go in, but most of them come out broken.”

“How did they withstand the currents? And for so long. If a person goes in, wouldn’t they just be swept away?”

“That’s why it’s amazing. If you look at the rash guard, there’s no oxygen tank. It’s designed to allow them to breathe on their own in the water.”

“Hahahahaha. It’s amazing.”

Lee Kang-no felt like his eyes were being treated after a long time. And he felt a strong curiosity.

How will that businessman run such an advanced company with such good technology?

“What did that friend do before?”

“He ran a Korean restaurant. Have you heard of Gold Hand?”

“No, isn’t that where we often go for company dinners?”

“He was the CEO there.”

“It’s a mystery. He didn’t major in it, but he developed such technology… Is he a genius?”

“Maybe. His daughter is also rumored to be a genius in the neighborhood.”

As the chairman’s attention was focused, the director and head of department conducted a simple investigation. And he found out that his daughter was a genius.

“……Moreover, his wife is a member of the British royal family. She was first in line to inherit the title of Countess of Cotton. She was stripped of her inheritance because she insisted on marrying CEO Lee Yoo-sung. However, if the current heir dies, the inheritance will naturally return to her. It’s a famous story in England. However, it seems the British royal family took care to prevent the rumors from spreading to Korea.”

“……What is that friend’s identity? What happens if his wife inherits the title later? He’s a lucky guy.”

“He’s a businessman now.”

“Hmph. Anyway, he treated my eyes, so I have to give him a suitable gift. If I give him too much, he might become complacent.”

Lee Kang-no simply wrote down 200 million.

Seeing the amount, Han Cheol-soo sweated and dissuaded him.

“Chairman. Take off a zero? It’s enough to make him complacent.”

“Hahaha, is that so? I was too excited and overdid it. My hands are shaking these days.”

The 20 million won [approximately $15,000 USD] that the chairman wrote on the blank check was immediately converted into cash and deposited into CEO Lee Yoo-sung’s account.

His steps were light as he returned home. However, there was one concern, and that was the deposit.

It was guaranteed by H Group, and Moa Construction, which had been paying for the building cleaning, was paying, but having lived without much, he was worried about whether a large sum of 100 million would really come in with such simple work.

Beep, beep.

Stopping the car every 10 minutes and looking at his phone for an hour.
A text message came in the name of Nonghyup [National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, a common Korean bank].

[Web발신] [Web발신 – meaning ‘sent from web’ and is used to indicate the message is not from a personal phone number]
Nonghyup Deposit ₩120,000,000. 11/14 14:20 094-01****81 Moa Construction Balance ₩122,421,291

“It’s here!”

A thrilling sensation washed over him.

First of all, having 8 digits in the account meant that it was at least over 100 million.

But what is the additional 20 million that was transferred?

“Huh?”

And I check my eyes.

How difficult is the world these days that they give you more money?

The contract also stated 100 million, and Lee Seo-kyung confirmed it several times.

“Is this a new type of voice phishing?”

I suspected that, but looking at the depositor, it wasn’t. Clearly, the name that always came in was there. More than anything, there are even phishing scams that directly send you money, right?

Since more money came in, all sorts of suspicions arose.

I immediately called Lee Seo-kyung.

“Team Leader Lee?”

-I was about to contact you. Were you surprised that 20 million more came in?

“Of course. Who wouldn’t be surprised when 20 million comes in for free? Of course, I’m surprised. I almost fell over in surprise.”

-That’s the bonus from H Group.

“What bonus?”

-It seems they gave a bonus because the inspection results were good. What’s certain is that the money came directly from H Group, so you can use it with confidence.”

“Oh! Thank you.”

-You’ve worked hard. I hope you keep your promise to invite me next time.”

“Ah, that’s.”

The call is immediately cut off.

She’s a woman with an amazing sense.

I feel like she’s making it a *fait accompli* because I’m feeling uncomfortable. Our Su-jeong does have that charm…….

I shook my head.

Is there no other way to keep getting help from her?

I’ll have to ask my wife sometime.

Now that I’ve received the money, shall I move energetically?

I climb the shantytown with 8 Undead.

Of course, the Undead were wearing Da Dakka work clothes.

Whirr.

Still a desolate street, with fallen leaves rolling on the ground.

Coming here and reflecting on the past, I sometimes feel the horror of money anew. Doesn’t money kill and save people?

Thinking about when I only had 300,000 won [approximately $225 USD] left still makes my skin crawl.

The appearance of a completely different world, separated by a main road. The mountains surround it, so how much more wind blows, and the wind chill drops even further.

I reached the mountainside.

The wind blew even more fiercely, and even a sense of desolation was felt. Perhaps it felt that way even more because the communal cemetery behind it allowed negative energy to flow in.

I spent the last year here.

We lived in a dilapidated shack with a broken boiler and even a public toilet. It’s unbelievable that four family members lived in such a place.

Have my standards suddenly risen?

Just because I moved into a new building doesn’t mean I should neglect the memories of the past. Rather, it should be taken as a lesson.

I look around at the traces of business failures one by one and wake up from my thoughts.

“But it’s not good to be too tied to the past. I am moving forward now. I can go up if I work hard.”

I immediately gave the order to the Undead.

I also called a waste disposal truck down the mountain. I was planning to throw away most of the things here and only take clothes and a few household items to move.

When I packed my bags, there was nothing but things to throw away.

All worn-out clothes and furniture.

“Today, I’m starting anew in a new home.”