Chapter 13: Chapter 13 (1/2)

The team leader encouraged his team members.

”Mr. Kim, give it a good try. You're like an idea bank, so this is the golden chance you can use to soundly beat your rival, Mr. Koh, from the sales department.”

”Yes, boss.”

As if he wanted to show strong determination, he clenched his fist.

Actually, he was ready to offer his own idea already.

The team leader mentioned the award idea in the morning, but Yonggu presented his own in the afternoon without any hesitation.

”Boss, I've got an idea about cutting costs.”

”Really? Just tell me about it.”

The team leader was delighted at that.

”We pay more than 4 million won per year for the commission fee for the customs broker, and I think we can cut down on it.”

”Oh, 4 million won!”

At that moment, Hyunwoo could see the team leader rejoicing at his idea. Then, he suddenly thought about the fee cost.

”The commission fee for the customs broker? How can we cut down on that? Do you think they can lower the fee?”

”We don't have to ask for a lower fee. We can cut it entirely.”

”Entirely? How?”

”As far as I know, there are many companies that are handling imports and exports on their own without relying on customs brokers. Why don't we try to deal with it without a customs broker?”

”Hummmmm, we would be doing it directly?”

With his chin on his hand, the team leader seemed to think it over.

Everybody in the office looked at the team leader and Yonggu with serious expressions, including Min Suji and Oh Sangho.

However, Hyunwoo showed no interest. Because he knew nothing about imports and exports, let alone how customs brokers worked, he wouldn't understand it anyway.

After some hard thinking, the team leader nodded his head.

”Okay. Let's give it a try. Then, somebody has to take care of the import and export a.s.signment…”

The team leader looked around his team members, who had agonized expressions on their faces.

Suddenly, they all avoided his glance.

Yonggu volunteered to do it.

”Let me take care of that, sir.”

Only then did the other members let out a sigh of relief, but the team leader shook his head.

”You aren't allowed. Don't you know how important your current a.s.signment is? It's already hard for you to do it by yourself.”

”No, I can handle it with a little bit of support from other team members,” Yonggu said confidently.

Then, the team leader rekindled his interest in him.

”Support?”

”Please let two new hires help me. Then, I could show you in about two months how I can save 4 million won every year.”

”Two new hires. Do you have someone in mind?”

At this question, Min and Oh's expressions were tense. They were well suited to take it on because they majored in trade.

However, Yonggu looked at Hyunwoo suddenly and pointed his finger at him.

”Mr Hyunwoo Jang…”

Stunned, Hyunwoo opened his eyes widely. How could he point at me, someone who knows nothing about trade? However, Yonggu was done with selecting him.

He then pointed at Min Suji and said, ”Next is Min Suji.”

His choice was really something the team leader hadn't expected at all.

Of course, the team leader thought Min could be selected because of her trade background, but his selection of Hyunwoo, not Oh Sangho, was beyond understanding.

”You want Hyunwoo?”

”Yes, I have a reason for that.”

”What is it?”

Of course, Yonggu wanted to a.s.sign him more than he could handle so that he would have no other choice than to quit. Maybe Hyunwoo could manage to do it, but this would be only the beginning of a much bigger challenge for him. Yonggu was determined to add even more work to Hyunwoo to the point that he would go crazy.

Then, Hyunwoo would be able to realize that this company wasn't the kind of workplace for a high-school graduate.

Yonggu replied with a hopeful note, ”Mr Hyunwoo Jang is ready for work, given his performance with the profit and loss statement. However, he needs to be familiar with trade-related work if he really wants to carry out his job at the purchasing department.”

”Of course he should.”

”If Mr. Jang takes on this job, he will learn about trade naturally.”

”Hummm.. You have such a plan on him. However, I wonder if he can manage his main job while taking care of material management.”

”I don't think you should give up on him even without giving him an a.s.signment. I think we can lessen his overburdened work if he says he really can't stick it out anymore.”

The team leader nodded his head as if he felt that Yonggu's idea was great.

”I have to admit that you're very considerate.”

Hyunwoo also sympathized with Yonggu's s explanation, but at the same time, he felt sort of uneasy because he knew that Yonggu didn't like him.

I wonder if he has a wicked design for me.

While thinking it over, Yonggu looked at Min this time.

”Though Min know a lot about trade, she is lacking in accounting. So, I think they can make up for their weaknesses if they form a partners.h.i.+p.”

As soon as Yonggu said that, the team leader praised him with applause.

”Oh, that's wonderful. You're better than me. Just go ahead.”

”Thanks, boss. Can I see you guys at the conference room for a moment,” said Yonggu to Min and Hyunwoo.

Yonggu walked ahead with Min and Hyunwoo following him with confused expressions.