Soon, it will be my mother’s birthday.
I headed to the Gallery Departnt Store with Taek-gyu.
Neither of us is particularly interested in shopping, except for electronics or gas.
Worse than the wealthy spending extravagantly is when they don’t spend at all.
For the economy to function well, rich people need to consu actively and pay taxes diligently. Considering this, it’s true that we don’t consu enough compared to what we earn (although we do invest a lot).
Even on a weekday afternoon, the departnt store was bustling with people. There were long lines in front of famous luxury brand stores.
Fortunately, since we were there to pick up pre-ordered items, we could go straight in.
Once we entered the store, Taek-gyu mumbled,
“Why is there a line when it’s so empty?”
“They say it’s to ensure the best service, with a one-to-one interaction between staff and custors.”
“Maybe they just want to show it’s a high-end store that only a few can enter?”
“Maybe that’s part of it.”
I accepted the bag and made the paynt.
Hearing the price, Taek-gyu was taken aback.
“What’s so expensive? Is it really okay for a bag to cost over 10 million won?”
“Is it fine for a TV to cost over 50 million won?”
“With TVs, the more expensive they are, the better the performance.”
“A bag has the sa logic.”
“Does the performance get better?”
“The perception around you improves.”
The greater the gap between price and value, the more expensive it feels; this is one of the characteristics of what are called luxury items.
No matter how much money I spend, my mother’s personality ans she wouldn’t buy such luxury items herself.
“So, my son should give it to you as a gift. You might be a bit shocked if you know the price, but deep down, you’ll like it.”
Taek-gyu stuffed his hands into his pockets and looked around.
“Since we’re here, should we buy sothing for my noona? Like a bag or shoes?”
“That’s a good idea.”
Should I also buy a gift for Ellie?
“By the way, it should be around the ti for them to arrive.”
“Huh? Who is coming?”
“A person of high status should be here to et you right about now.”
“Really…?”
Before I could finish my words, a woman walked into the store.
She was tall and slender, a beauty. She wore an H-line skirt and a silk blouse, topped with a light beige coat.
With each step, the sound of her high heels echoed in the air.
It was easy to tell that she was the ‘person of high status’ ntioned by Taek-gyu. She walked straight into the store without waiting in line, and the staff startledly stepped aside, bowing their heads in unison towards her.
Why are they so tense?
The woman before smiled warmly and extended her hand.
“Hello, Representative Kang Jin-hoo.”
“Who are you?”
She introduced herself.
“I’m Hwang Joo-yeon, Executive Director of Gallery Departnt Store.”
“Oh, yes. Nice to et you.”
So who exactly is Hwang Joo-yeon?
It’s easy to assu she’s highly capable for becoming an executive at such a young age, but…
“I’ve heard a lot about you from my father.”
“Father?”
“Ah! My father’s na is Hwang Hyun-jung, and he is the manager of this departnt store.”
“I see.”
Well, as soone once said, having wealthy parents is its own kind of talent.
Even with everyone having their own aspirations, most choose to inherit the family business. This is how our country’s chaebols exhibit such dedication to craftsmanship.
She has done her makeup a bit heavily, but she is quite beautiful.
Although she seems young, she looks to be in her late twenties, possibly early thirties.
Executive Hwang Joo-yeon brushed her hair back and said,
“I’ve t Representative Park Sang-yeop before.”
“Really?”
Since OTK Company’s subsidiaries mainly operate abroad, they have little connection with dostic conglorates.
However, this is not the case for K Company’s subsidiaries. Companies that started as small startups have grown and increasingly collaborated with large enterprises.
Most of the ti, the managent of the subsidiaries takes care of things, but sotis senior Sang-yeop handles matters personally. Perhaps that’s why he has built various connections in the business world.
“I had always wanted to et CEO Kang Jin-hoo, and it’s surprising we et here. I assu you were shopping with a friend.”
“Yes. My mother’s birthday is coming up.”
Executive Hwang Joo-yeon smiled.
“Oh, I was wondering why you were buying a woman’s bag; it’s a gift for your mother.”
“Yes. Also, I plan to buy a present for my girlfriend while I’m here.”
At my words, she looked slightly taken aback.
“Oh, you have a girlfriend.”
People in line began to murmur while watching us.
“What? Is that Kang Jin-hoo?”
“It’s really you after the accident. I saw you on TV before.”
“Really? Wow, that’s amazing.”
“To be the richest person in Korea at that age.”
“But who is the man in the tracksuit next to you?”
Looks like we can’t continue shopping.
Executive Hwang Joo-yeon seed completely unconcerned about the gazes around us and kept talking to .
“It just happens to be lunchti; if you’re okay with it, how about having a al together? I personally have many things I’d like to hear from you, representative.”
I couldn’t tell if this was a business purpose or sothing else. Either way, it was tiring.
I picked up my shopping bag.
“Thank you for the offer, but I have so work to do today.”
Hwang Joo-yeon handed her business card, looking a bit disappointed.
“Is that so? Here’s my business card. If you ever co back, feel free to contact . I’ll make sure you can shop in the VIP lounge.”
I handed her my business card too.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”
“Drive safely.”
We left the store and got into the car.
Taek-gyu said while driving, “That woman seems to be interested in you.”
“It’s probably for work.”
“No way. My years of experience in dating sims tell she definitely had a state window indicating her interest.”
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
But even before the car left the departnt store parking lot, I received a text.
[Thank you so much for visiting our departnt store today. I’d love to treat you to a al soti, so please feel free to contact whenever it’s convenient for you. -Hwang Joo-yeon]
Taek-gyu said excitedly,
“See! I told you I was right!”
“…….”
I silently blocked the number.
***
The ergence of chaebols in our country began after the Korean War, during a period of rapid economic developnt.
The number of first-generation chaebols was not that large. However, by the second generation, their numbers had more than doubled, and by the third and fourth generations, they beca too nurous to count.
With so many people and limited positions, the only way to accommodate them is to expand subsidiaries like octopus tentacles. This is why large corporations broaden their business scope into fields like restaurants and bakeries.
In Arican terms, it’s akin to an NFL subsidiary selling hot dogs and pizzas.
Go Jun-hyung is one of those many fourth-generation chaebols.
As a result, his wedding wasn’t widely reported; only a few brief articles were published. Nevertheless, the ceremony was quite lavish.
Several dignitaries from politics and business were in attendance, including forr Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, and professors like Kim Myoung-jun from the Business Administration departnt. It seems many close classmates, including Yuri, also attended.
As I ntioned before, I only sent a congratulatory gift.
Did Seon-ah realize her dream?
“What are you thinking about?”
I shook my head at Ellie’s question.
“Nothing.”
“Really? Were you daydreaming again?”
“Sorry.”
Every ti I see Ye-ji, I get lost in thought, so now I consider occasional daydreaming a habit.
Ellie pouted slightly, looking upset.
“Are you listening? I just got promoted.”
“Of course. I’m paying attention.”
Typically, one becos a team leader around their 40s, so for Ellie to be a team leader at her age is quite impressive.
Her rapid promotion is also due to the lack of personnel at the Korean branch. The Legal Team Leader is a temporary position dispatched from the Asia branch. Now that he’s returning and leaving a vacancy, Ellie has been promoted.
But the most important reason must be that Ellie’s abilities are outstanding.
People might gossip that it’s due to her close relationship with the branch manager, but given Hyun-Joo’s personality, who clearly distinguishes between public and private matters, that’s nonsense.
Ellie smiled brightly and said, “My salary has also gone up a bit. To celebrate, I’ll treat everyone to lunch today.”
I pretended to be surprised. “You got promoted and your salary increased, and you’re only treating us to lunch?”
At my words, Ellie rolled her eyes. “What does a bourgeois capitalist expect from a proletarian salaried worker?”
Even with such words, Ellie’s salary easily surpasses $300,000. Including various bonuses, it must exceed $500,000.
“We should have a gathering to celebrate.”
“Oh, that’s a great idea.”
I took a sip of coffee while looking out the window.
Before I knew it, the season had fully turned to sumr.
The sun was shining brightly outside. Just a little bit of outdoor activity would make sweat pour down.
Both Taek-gyu and I are weak against the heat. So these days, we’ve been lounging under the air conditioning every day.
On the other hand, Ellie seed to beco more beautiful as the days went by. The sight of her sipping coffee with her legs crossed was nothing short of a photoshoot.
Given how people kept glancing our way, it seed it wasn’t just in my eyes.
“How are you going to spend your sumr vacation?”
“Vacation?”
“When you think of sumr, you think of vacation. And when you think of vacation, it’s sumr.”
“Isn’t Golden Gate still busy these days?”
Korea’s financial regulations are among the strongest globally. Therefore, the legal team is always busy reviewing Korean laws and regulations ahead of launching new investnt products.
Ellie spoke decisively.
“Still, we must go on vacation. What’s the point of working at the company otherwise?”
I nodded.
“That’s true.”
Her words seed so right that every office worker could relate.
“Do you have a place in mind?”
Ellie’s eyes sparkled.
“How about the Maldives? I’ve wanted to go there for a long ti.”
“The Maldives?”
“You haven’t been, right?”
“I’ve only heard the na.”
The Maldives, located in the Indian Ocean, consists of over a thousand islands, each developed into luxury resorts.
With its pristine natural environnt, it is renowned as a vacation and honeymoon destination.
I said without much thought, “It would be fun if we all went together.”
“All together?”
Even as I said it, I wondered if it made sense. Was it really necessary to go on sumr vacation as a group?
While pondering this, Ellie clapped her hands and exclaid.
“Ah! How about we take your mom with us? She ntioned she hasn’t traveled much abroad. When we took her to San Francisco last ti, she was so happy.”
I subtly inquired, “Wouldn’t that be uncomfortable for you?”
“Of course not. We had so much fun last ti.”
In any case, if it’s a vacation, you’ll just eat and sleep at the resort and occasionally go to the beach… but would it really be that comfortable?
“Is Hyun-joo unni available?”
Ellie showed strong enthusiasm.
“I’ll try to persuade Jessica. If the branch manager goes on vacation, other employees can take ti off comfortably too.”
That’s true again.
In that sense, I should take the initiative and go on vacation too. I’ve worked too much lately, so this is a good opportunity to relax and enjoy.
The Maldives…
Just thinking about it made the blue ocean seem to ripple right before my eyes.
I can’t help but feel excited.
“I need to go buy a bikini.”
“Pfft.”
For a mont, I almost spat out my coffee.
Ellie looked at my face and asked, “What’s wrong? Wearing a bikini at the beach is a given, right?”
“Y-yeah, that’s true.”
Ellie stared intently into my eyes.
“Don’t tell you’re thinking sothing strange?”
I quickly averted my gaze.
“Of course not.”
“Get up.”
“Where are we going?”
“Since we’re talking about it, let’s go buy a bikini.”
“Oh, should we?”
I definitely need to go on this vacation.
***
After work.
I headed to a room-style izakaya with Taek-gyu. Soon after we ordered snacks and drinks, Henry arrived.
The reason we gathered like this was that Henry had sothing important to say quietly.
As soon as he sat down, he asked pointedly, “What’s going on?”
“What do you an?”
“You said you’d help ! But why is there no news?”
Taek-gyu looked confused and asked, “Help with what?”
At that, Henry was flustered. “Didn’t you say you’d help with Jessica?”
Taek-gyu and I exchanged glances.
“Did we say that?”
Henry beca agitated. “You definitely did! I heard it with my own two ears!”
“……”
I guess we must have.
Taek-gyu crossed his arms and said, “Usually, don’t Westerners handle their own relationships?”
Henry shouted back angrily, “That’s exactly the kind of racial prejudice I’m talking about! Why do you think white people can date coolly and freely? We’re also just as clumsy and stupid in front of the girl we like!”
I nodded.
“That’s true.”
“Anyone who hears it would think it’s a big boast.”
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