LetChat office in Zhongguancun.
Lee Dongjin, a server developer, went down the first floor for a smoke when the local developer, Zaijian, spoke to him in fluent Korean.
“You can smoke in the office. You don’t have to keep going downstairs for it.”
Lee Dongjin smiled awkwardly and replied, “Haha, it’s a habit.”
“Koreans have such good manners.”
“I find Chinese people great too.”
Zaijian continued to ask Lee Dongjin questions to keep the conversation, “The server development is progressing quickly, it is hard to keep up on the client side.”
“Well, it’s because the server development is almost completed already. The only thing left is the infra to fit the local market.”
“I guess Coconut Talk is already up and running, it’s basically the same server.”
“Pretty much. We basically are copying and pasting a lot of it, but I understand that the client side probably has much more work to do.”
Zaijian nodded at Lee Dongjin’s explanation.
Lee Dongjin asked curiously, “By the way, your Korean is amazing.”
“Thank you. I have always been interested in Korea, so I have been studying the language for a long time.”
Zaijian appeared to still have more questions he wanted to ask.
Lee Dongjin smiled and offered, “If you have more questions, please feel free to ask me anything.”
“Well, I am finding LetChat’s speed to be unusually fast. It is so much faster than the local messenger HH, and I don’t understand why.”
“It makes sense that you are curious as a developer.”
“I heard KND’s President Kang Woosung created it. Is that true?”
Lee Dongjin nodded. “That’s right. He developed the server. He also delivered a presentation at the Microsoft MVP Conference. He is famous.”
“MQTT?”
“Yes. He adjusted it slightly to fit the chat service, but of course, MQTT protocol doesn’t make up the entire server.”
Zaijian continued to ask more detailed questions and Lee Dongjin answered as best as he could.
After a long conversation, the two returned to the office.
Lee Dongjin sat down in his chair and sent a text message using the company cell phone.
“LetChat Client Part Lobby Developer Zaijian”
Lee Dongjin was following the protocol taught to him before leaving Korea. Every Korean developer was asked to report to Hong Soobum if any local developers asked about Coconut Talk’s core technology.
***
Hong Soobum read the text.
“Zaijian five times…”
This was the fifth time Zaijian was mentioned by the Korean developers.
He was suspicious.
“Sir, what should we do? Should we let him go?”
Woosung shook his head. “Even if we get rid of him, they will just send another spy. It would be easier for us to keep him. That way, we know who to monitor.”
“This is difficult. I can’t believe we have to worry about things like this on top of everything else.”
“I think we need to create a separate internal information team. I will think about it. Until then, please make sure to protect our technology as best as you can.”
“Of course.”
The Zhongguancun government officials finally arrived. The highest-ranking representative’s name was Mahwacin and he was responsible for controlling local businesses. His power was absolute in this area.
Mahwacin’s face was round with a large forehead.
He shook Woosung’s hand and introduced himself. “I’m Mahwacin.”
“My name is Kang Woosung.”
After a quick introduction, they started the meal.
Mahwacin said to Woosung, “I heard about your donation to Beijing University. I was very happy to hear that, as were my superiors.”
It was a promising start of a conversation. Woosung’s goal now was to earn Mahwacin’s trust.
“I am glad to hear it. I will try to do more in the future.”
“Haha, thank you so much.”
“China is a very important market for KND. I am well aware of its growth potential.”
Mahwacin gulped down his drink and replied, “China will definitely grow and become the center of the world.”
Mahwacin was clearly proud of his country.
Woosung also took a sip of his drink and answered, “And I hope you end up in the center of this country.”
“Haha, thank you. I think your gift will definitely help me to achieve that dream.”
Mahwacin was referring to Woosung’s bribe, which was given before the meal.
Woosung stopped himself from sneering and replied, “There are still so many more ways I can help you. I don’t know if you have heard, but I use the big data analysis to decide major decisions for my company.”
“No wonder your company is doing so well if you study such reliable data.” Mahwacin didn’t seem convinced.
Woosung continued, “There are many uses for big data analysis. It can be used to predict who will win the presidential elections, and what kind of products customers will like…”
Woosung paused, then added. “And also what will happen in China in the future.”
Mahwacin flinched.
Woosung continued quickly, “There is a saying you need to become extra cautious when things look calm.”
“Are you saying I’m in danger?”
Woosung answered, “I am telling you there is a danger coming, and no one in China is ready for it”
The room became silent. Jang Gwangchul and Hong Soobum didn’t know how to react. Mahwacin’s colleagues also remained quiet with uncertainty.
Woosung asked, “Can we talk in private?”
Woosung was a successful businessman who invested 500 million dollars in China recently. There was no reason why Mahwacin wouldn’t want to hear what Woosung had to say. When Mahwacin nodded, everyone left the room.
During an hour of private conversation, Mahwacin never shook his head once. He kept nodding to Woosung’s words earnestly.
***
On their way back to the hotel, Jang Gwangchul asked, “What did you tell him?”
“We just talked about China.”
“What about?”
2010.
Natural disaster.
The city of Yushu will experience an earthquake that ends up causing thousands of deaths. Mahwacin found it hard to believe, but he also couldn’t reject the possibility completely.
“I told him about a few of my dreams. It was the best way for me to gain his trust.”
Hong Soobum looked at Woosung in confusion, but Woosung ignored it.
Jang Gwangchul answered instead, “President Kang dreams of the future ways to make money.”
Hong Soobum still didn’t understand, but that was the end of the conversation.
When Woosung entered his room, he flinched. He saw Yoo Sona sitting on his bed wearing a sexy qipao outfit.
He asked in shock, “S…Sona, what are you doing here?”
Yoo Sona answered coldly, “Didn’t you ask for me to wait for you here?”
There was only one person Woosung knew who would plan something like this.
“That bastard…”
Her boss didn’t have access to his room. It must have been Jang Gwangchul.
Yoo Sona stood up and walked slowly towards Woosung.
She asked, “You must be feeling better?”
Woosung answered nervously, “Not yet.”
Woosung had to stop himself from ogling her.
She was a seductress.
Red qipao and lipstick.
Her skin looked so pale against such bright colors.
She asked slowly, “Then do I need to tell you about my past ordeals again?”
Her voice was so feminine. Suddenly, she touched his shoulder.
“Take your coat off. I will hang it for you.”
Woosung’s mouth felt dry. He felt himself losing his control. With the last thread of his willpower,
Woosung said quickly, “I think there must have been a misunderstanding. Please leave the room now. We can talk later.”
He then pushed Yoo Sona out to the door. He quickly went into the bathroom and took a cold shower.
