Chapter 30: Chapter 30 (1/2)

”...Me?”asked Yongggu.

Hyunwoo nodded his head and said,

”Yes, you're the core member of the purchasing team. I would appreciate it very much if you could help me because I am an inexperienced new hire.”

Yonggu was frozen. He could never figure out Hyunwoo's intentions. What would he want to do with him once he arrived in Vietnam?

Yet, he could not reject Hyunwoo's request. Though it hurt his pride, he could not throw away this great opportunity.

”Okay, then.”

The team manager approached Yonggu and grabbed his shoulder firmly, saying,

”To be honest, I hoped you could go with him. Set up your schedule so that you can leave as soon as possible.”

”Yes, sir.”

Yonggu was still absent-minded.

'Why did Hyunwoo choose me?'

On the other hand, Hyunwoo refreshed his determination.

Let me hash it out with him this time.

Incheon International Airport one week later.

Hyunwoo was looking around the departure area for some time.

Looking at him with an annoyed expression, Yonggu asked him,

”What's the reason?”

”What reason?”

”I know you hate me as much as I hate you. Then, you must have a reason why you picked me.”

Reason? Of course Hyunwoo had one. It was none other that 'Yonggu' himself.

Unless one of them left Aurum, they would have to work at the same team at the same company. In addition, Yonggu got hired much earlier and had a higher rank than Hyunwoo. Instead of making him an enemy, it would be better for Hyunwoo to make him his ally even if that meant more sacrifice on his end.

However, wasn't the process and the method as important as the outcome?

Hyunwoo had no intention of kneeling down to Yonggu for reconciliation. Rather than asking Yonggu for his generosity, Hyunwoo would leave Aurum.

Hyunwoo wanted to make Yonggu reach out to him for reconciliation first. The simplest way was to push him to the brink of the precipice, where he badly needed Hyunwoo's help. Then, he would hold out his hand to Hyunwoo willingly, and Hyunwoo already had such a situation in his mind.

Grinning at him, Hyunwoo replied,

”I told you already, didn't I? I asked you to guide me because I'm inexperienced. That was my sincere request.”

Yonggu didn't believe him, though. However, he didn't ask any more because he knew Hyunwoo would not reveal his real motivation.

Whatever the reason, Yonggu got a free ride on a project that guaranteed huge outcomes thanks to Hyunwoo. Though there was no way he could find out what kind of conspiracy Hyunwoo had in mind, Yonggu had to be thankful to him.

Yonggu said smugly as if he was helping Hyunwoo, ”You don't have to use honorifics just between you and me.”

If Yonggu would allow it, Hyunwoo had no reason to stick to using honorifics for him. Hyunwoo found it more comfortable to treat him as a friend, not as a superior at a company.

”Okay, shall we talk like this until we come back from the Vietnam trip? Oh, they have just arrived.”

Hyunwoo waved his hand gladly at them. They were Kwon Sangtaek's family, including his son Jungsu and his wife.

Yonggu opened his eyes wide at them.

”Why are they bringing so many bags? Are they moving?” Yonggu asked.

”Yea.”

Replying briefly, Hyunwoo rushed to Kwon's family.

”Let me hold the bags.”

”Thanks. There are lots of things for me to take care of.”

Kwon Sangtaek still wore a rigid expression. He seemed to think his departure for Vietnam would be taken as his escape there because of his failure in life. Kwon's wife didn't look happy like Kwon. She wore a wide-brimmed hat and dark sungla.s.ses, and she also covered her face with a mask.

On the other hand, Kwon Jungsu had a bright expression. Though it might be forced smile, he shook hands with Hyunwoo's team members one by one.

”When I visit Vietnam this time, I'll stay there until I get my visa renewed. That's why I have so many bags.”

”I see. Give that to me.”

Hyunwoo helped them with Yonggu, and they took them to the departure area.

Though Kwon Jungsu tried to cheer up his parents, their looks were dark.

Watching them, Hyunwoo renewed his determination.

Don't worry. You'll smile even though you don't want to. Then, I can heartily laugh, too.

Na Sungji, the president, came out to welcome them at the airport, holding a big piece of paper that said, 'Kim Yonggu Manager.'

”Mr. Na!”

When Hyunwoo shouted at him, Na rushed toward him with a very happy expression.

However, he was looking at Kwon Sangtaek, not Hyunwoo.

Looking Kwon up and down, Na said cautiously,

”Are you president Kwon by any chance?”

”Except for the t.i.tle 'president,' I'm just Kwon Sangtaek.”

This time he asked, looking at Hyunwoo, ”Is this the person you mentioned…?”

Hyunwoo nodded his head, saying, ”You're right. He's the expert in Korea who can make your products more perfect. Also, this is his wife and son. His son is also a veteran in the field. He'll be a big help to you.”

Hyunwoo introduced Kwon's family members to Na in detail, with some exaggeration. Kwon tried to interrupt because Hyunwoo's introduction was exaggerated, but Na said first,

”Oh, I see. Thanks for coming this far. You made a really difficult decision. I'll do my best to make you comfortable here.”

When Hyunwoo took a glance at Yonggu, he had an unpleasant look on his face. Though he was the core member of Aurum's purchasing team Na had to pay attention to, he felt offended when Na showed interest in Kwon Sangtaek only.

Hyunwoo quickly stepped in, though, saying,

”This is a.s.sistant manager Kim Yonggu, the core member of our purchasing team. He is responsible for concluding the contract with you.”