episode_0129

-Clap clap clap!

Inside the conference room filled with applause, as the clapping gradually subsided, the only one who remained composed, Vice President Gong Jiyoung, raised her hand and asked,

“Just a moment. I have a question.”

“Yes, Vice President Gong. Please go ahead.”

Manager Yook, who was beaming with pride that her idea was well-received, confidently accepted her words.

“Well, honestly… Yes. Well, I’m not entirely sure if it will work, but I think it’s innovative.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

Manager Yook, with a sly smile at Vice President Gong’s unexpected praise.

“But isn’t the most important thing missing?”

– Gulp

“W-what do you mean?”

Looking at the flustered Manager Yook, Vice President Gong turned her head to me and asked,

“So… will Director Jung Dooyeon do it?”

“Yes, yes?”

“Well, you see. No matter how good the idea and planning are, if the person involved doesn’t agree, then it’s all for nothing.”

Then she looked back at Manager Yook.

“Isn’t that right?”

“W-well… I mean, of course, who wouldn’t take advantage of such a good opportunity…”

Even as he spoke, Manager Yook looked uncertain, with a mix of anxiety and desperation in his eyes as he looked at me.

“S-so, you’ll do it…?”

Ugh… Am I being taken advantage of… Just like Director Kim Sion before. Why can’t they showcase me to the public? It’s not like I don’t have a striking appearance.

Hmm… Above all, Manager Yook was annoying. If she was going to propose me as a model in this way, she should have asked me before making a big deal out of it. Isn’t that the proper procedure?

As I pondered, Manager Yook flipped to the next page of the PPT.

Projected advertising costs versus revenue.

“Hey! Manager Yook. Are you trying to buy me with money?”

Saying that, I shifted my gaze to the box where the model fee was listed.

10,000,000 won.

1 million won… That’s a huge sum of money. Honestly, it would be foolish to refuse such a large amount of money.

If I just endure it for a moment, that huge sum of money will come in.

But…

But.

Then what’s the difference between taking money and selling oneself? Doing something that one’s heart doesn’t desire, something one doesn’t want to do, all for the sake of money?

This is a story about my dignity before money.

Yes, it may be an enormous sum of money, but I will uphold my dignity. Rather than becoming a fat pig, I’d rather be a hungry Socrates.

That’s the conclusion I reached in my mind.

“W-what! Director Jung. Why are you taking my words so seriously? It’s just a suggestion. If it’s not you, then it’s a bit of a shame, but anyway, there’s also Actress Go Eun and Plans C, D prepared. So, honestly, you can answer without hesitation. Just know this. Our sales department is willing to negotiate with you to the best of our ability!”

It’s intense, it’s hot.

How much do they want me?

But wait. 1 million won? What’s the standard for model fees, and how is it calculated? I don’t know, but there’s no way an actress like Go Eun would be hired for just 1 million won.

What’s going on? Are they trying to lowball me because I’m an employee?

“Just a moment. Why is the model fee so low? 1 million won? Even setting aside Director Jung, would Actress Go Eun agree to that price?”

Once again, Vice President Gong pointed out while looking at the PPT screen.

“Huh? Why is this?! Oh, I’m sorry. There was a small mistake.”

He quickly manipulated the laptop where the PPT was running.

– Advertising model fee: 100,000,000 won.

“정 차장, 이번에는 정말 죄송한 일이 있었습니다.”

그 말에 나는 미소를 지었다.

“아니요, 그런 일은 없습니다. 제가 뭘 도와드릴까요?”

육 부장은 한숨을 내쉬며 말했다.

“그래서, 이번에 정 차장이 맡은 프로젝트에 대해 좀 더 상세히 이야기해주실 수 있을까요?”

나는 미소를 지으며 육 부장에게 프로젝트에 대한 설명을 시작했다. 이번 프로젝트는 회사의 미래를 좌우할 만큼 중요한 것이었고, 나는 최선을 다해 이를 성공시키겠다는 다짐으로 육 부장에게 설명을 이어갔다.

그리고는 육 부장이 만족한 표정으로 나를 보며,

“정 차장, 이번 프로젝트를 성공시키는 데에는 정말 감사드립니다. 저희도 최선을 다해 도와드리겠습니다.”

나는 미소를 지으며 육 부장에게 감사의 말을 전했다. 이번 프로젝트를 통해 회사의 성공을 이루어내겠다는 다짐으로, 나는 다시 일에 몰두하기로 했다.

“I’m sorry for what happened to you.”

“Well, why did that person act that way?”

Even though I received an unexpected sum of money, 100 million won, as advertising expenses, the feeling of resentment didn’t disappear.

After all, pushing forward with the project without the consent of the parties involved was wrong, and what if I had rejected his proposal, regardless of the amount offered? It would have been a big blow to the business.

If the failure of the ‘University Student Cafeteria Meal Kit’ product I am currently developing leads to significant damage to the company, then it will be a huge setback.

Of course, it may not happen. If everything goes as planned, securing actress Goeun and achieving good sales records could lead to the stable success of the product under development.

It could have been a mere attempt to provoke me, whether it really happens or not.

But if I miss the opportunity to reject it and possibly achieve even greater success, who will be the one to bear the blame within the company, Director Yook or me?

It’s not my decision to be in this situation, but I’ve heard rumors about continuing to work at the company after becoming a woman. Mainly in places like Blind.

Anyway, my reputation is not exactly stellar. In this situation, I almost took on a risk that I didn’t need to bear, which could be quite fatal in the long run.

So I wonder, why did he make this proposal to me? Even if I try to be a little more rational, considering all those obvious factors.

“Tell me. Why did you do that to me?”

“You made me feel… no, that’s not it!”

Oh… no matter how serious I try to make the atmosphere, it seems like I’m just an unavoidable middle-aged man.