Woosung glanced at Jung Jinsup who was working frantically. This reminded Woosung of his previous life.
“Chief Kang! What do you think you’re doing? You’re still not done?”
“You! I told you this is wrong!”
When he used to work at Bitmain, Jung Jinsup used to treat him poorly. It was before the cryptocurrency frenzy, so the company was not making much profit. They couldn’t hire enough people, so Woosung had to do the work of ten people.
Woosung was responsible for everything. Every time he thought of quitting, Choi Gichul used to entice him with false hope.
“If this becomes a success, I will give you a piece of it.”
“I am guaranteeing you the stock options.”
“There will come a day when you become rich.”
Woosung was being fooled. Even after the cryptocurrency became popular, Woosung was still abused.
“What? Another maintenance is needed? Just how bad are you at coding?”
“A dog could do a better job than you.”
“Why do I bother keeping you?”
It was a common occurrence for Choi Gichul and Jung Jinsup to verbally abuse Woosung in a daily basis. The other employees probably didn’t know this. It was odd how badly the two bullied Woosung.
Park Jonghyun ordered Jung Jinsup, “Woosung and I will go for coffee, so make sure to finish this and have a report ready for me before I return. Don’t make others do it. Do your own work.”
Park Jonghyun asked Woosung, “Are you sure it’s ok to offer free cash exchange without charging the customers fee? It seems like we are losing money.”
“It’s alright. Bitmain’s main source of income isn’t going to be the exchange service.”
“You said it will be the cryptocurrency trading?”
“That’s right, and it won’t be long.”
Park Jonghyun took a sip of coffee and murmured, “So it will open on July first…”
“Yeah, but the actual transactions won’t happen for a while longer. Not many people know about it yet.”
“Should I buy some too?”
“Well, it’s basically gambling, so if you think you can handle the risk, go for it.”
“R…really?”
“Yes. Make sure the employees understand the rules. Anyone working at Bitmain cannot create a trading ID and cryptocurrency wallet in our domain. We need to maintain a highest priority on our code of ethics.”
“Of course. I’m already on it. You know I’m good at enforcing rules.”
“Haha, yeah I know. You are doing amazing.”
“I am starting to wonder though if I’m going too far. One of the employees told me he is now going to a therapist.”
“He has never experienced a normal salaryman’s life. He was born rich.”
“What if he quits?”
“Don’t worry. He can’t.”
Park Jonghyun nodded.
“Alright. I will continue, and…”
“And?”
“I hear Chanjong is getting married and is giving out the invitations. I said I will tell you about it, and he said you are probably too busy. He doesn’t want to bother you.”
“Oh…”
He remembered.
Similar thing happened in his previous life. Woosung received an invite, but he didn’t go. He was so tired and stressed at the time.
But this time…
“I heard he is having a party this weekend in Gangnam. Don’t you think you should show up?”
Yoon Chanjong.
He was a good friend in college. Woosung had to do something for him.
“Of course. I’m going. Chanjong still has the same phone number, right?”
***
Saturday.
People gathered at a pork belly bistro near Gangnam station.
“Long time no see.”
Woosung shook Chanjong’s hand. Yoon Chanjong felt awkward at seeing Woosung. It has been a long time, and Woosung was no longer just an average man.
He was now a CEO of a big company. It felt strange.
“Yeah. It has already been 2 years.”
Woosung was greeted by his old friends who looked at him like he was a celebrity. It felt uncomfortable.
Park Jonghyun tried to lift the mood.
“Let’s order the most expensive food here!”
Yoon Chanjong tried to stop him, but Park Jonghyun continued, “Why? Woosung said it will be his treat today. We should have gone to a more expensive restaurant.”
“B…but this is a party for my wedding…”
“Hey, do you know how much Woosung makes in a day? This is nothing. He can afford it.”
Yoon Chanjong was still the same. He didn’t like to owe anyone. Woosung explained.
“I’m buying today. You are my friend, and you have helped me a lot in the past, so this is nothing.”
Yoon Chanjong swallowed. He was happy for Woosung’s success, but he also couldn’t help but feel envious. Yoon Chanjong felt bitter at his own pettiness.
“I was surprised when I heard you’re coming. A lot has changed since our college years.”
Woosung called Yoon Chanjong in person to let him know he was coming.
Park Jonghyun opened a bottle of soju and announced, “Woosung is buying today so get ready! We need to eat as much as possible.”
Park Jonghyun started filling the glasses.
They partied like they used to in the old days. They drank heavily.
Park Jonghyun asked Yoon Chanjong, “So when is your fiancé coming? I heard she will bring some of her single friends?”
The single men looked at Yoon Chanjong with interest. Yoon Chanjong took out his phone and made a call. Woosung emptied his glass and stood up.
“Haha, have a nice time. I’ve gotta go now.”
Park Jonghyun grabbed Woosung’s arm.
“Where do you think you’re going? We need you to stay to keep women interested. You’re rich and they will like that.”
Woosung grinned and murmured, “So you’re saying women like me only for my money?”
“Haha, isn’t it obvious? I am better looking, better built, funnier, and had higher GPA.”
“Oh, come on! GPA?”
Park Jonghyun grinned and joked.
“Mine was 0.2 higher than yours. You have to admit it’s true, right?”
“…”
After his call, Yoon Chanjong asked, “They want to meet us at another place. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to, Woosung.”
Park Jonghyun grabbed onto both of Woosung’s arms and replied.
“Of course he’ll go. You can’t run away from this. If you don’t want to be called a traitor, you better follow me.”
Woosung didn’t dislike how Park Jonghyun acted like they used to in college. Woosung finally agreed.
“Maybe just for a little while.”
***
As they walked, they joked.
“What the…! Are you now a star? It looks like people are starting at you.”
“Haha, I am pretty popular.”
“No, I think people are starting at me because I’m so gorgeous.”
They laughed together. Yoon Chanjong bragged.
“Haha, you two need to admit I was the most popular among all of us. I am also the first one to get married!”
Park Jonghyun moaned, “It’s true…”
In Woosung’s previous life, Yoon Chanjong had a normal life. He got a good job, married a girl he loved, and had kids. Woosung was envious.
Most young people didn’t watch the news. They didn’t know the faces of the big businessmen, but Woosung was a different case. When Yoon Chanjong’s fiancé first saw Woosung, she looked surprised. Yoon Chanjong quickly introduced everyone.
“These are my friends Park Jonghyun, Kang Woosung, Kim Hojin, and Ha Taemin.”
Woosung bowed and greeted, “Hello. My name is Kang Woosung.”
“Haha, you look like someone I know.”
The other women agreed.
“Wow, you look just like the Coconut’s CEO. The name is even the same!”
“I think that guy also owns KND.”
While the women talked, Park Jonghyun announced, “This IS that guy!”
“P…pardon?”
“This is THAT Kang Woosung!”
The four women gasped. Yoon Chanjong’s fiancé looked at Yoon Chanjong for confirmation.
“Is this true?”
“Yup.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, we were actually pretty close when we went to school together.”
Woosung explained, “Haha, I am that Kang Woosung. Chanjong and I were close friends. I heard he was getting married, so I came right away. Chanjong has always been very popular, and now I see that he found a beautiful woman to marry.”
It was true. She wasn’t a shocking beauty, but still very pretty. All her friends were good looking too.
“O…oh. I see…You really are that Kang Woosung.”
Suddenly, one of the women stood up.
“Sujung, I need to go to the washroom for a second.”
Another woman stood up too.
“Me too!”
The two women left, and the rest of the people sat with awkward smiles. Chanjong’s fiancé, Lee Sujung, introduced her friend.
“Haha, well…This is Seo Eunsol and she works at Daeyang Electronics.”
“Hello. I’m Kang Woosung.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Seo Eunsol. I need to thank you for increasing the amount of work for me at the office.”
“Pardon?”
“I work at Daeyang Electronics’ strategic information department. I would say my team deals with your information the most in the country.”
They stared at each other.
