Famous celebrities and beautiful escorts sat around Choi Gitae, Choi Gichul, and Jung Jinsup.
They looked like kings surrounded by their own harem.
Choi Gitae raised his glass.
“I am happy to be drinking with such good friends. Cheers!”
Within 30 minutes, Woosung could tell Choi Gichul was helpless around Choi Gitae. He was like a mouse constricted by a snake’s body.
Choi Gitae turned to Woosung and asked, “I heard KND phone is very popular in the US. You also took over Tel Tech, so I assume the phone will be released in Korea soon?”
“I am hoping to have it launched before September this year.”
“So you will be our competition from now on.”
“I am flattered. I am nowhere near Daeyang’s scale.”
Choi Gitae grinned unpleasantly. “Now that I have met you, I feel like you will become big very soon. Oh! Gichul told me you were concerned about some manufacturing parts.”
Jung Jinsup winked at Woosung, who replied, “Yes. The demand is increasing, so we need more of everything including memory chip, audio, camera, and display. We are using foreign parts now, but I thought it would be better to use Korean products.”
Choi Gitae answered like a pride pack-leader, “Of course. Koreans should use Korean products. I will make it happen for you, so let me know.”
Everyone knew Choi Gitae was the head of DS department.
Woosung thoughts ran wild.
‘Is he hoping to outperform Choi Taemin by using me?’
Woosung answered without hesitation, “Thank you. I appreciate your help.”
They continued to drink. Choi Gichul kept giving Choi Gitae nervous glances. Woosung watched silently.
Choi Gitae kept smiling as he asked Woosung various questions.
“How did you make your money?”
“What is your business plan for the future?”
“I heard you are involved in many different businesses. Which is your main focus?”
“Do you have any new interest lately?”
“I heard you predicted the exchange rate. How did you do that?”
He wouldn’t stop asking questions. Woosung answered vaguely.
“I was lucky.”
“I will have to assess the market to see what I should do.”
“I am planning to focus on the smartphone business.”
“I am working on the Coconut PC version launch.”
“I used the data analysis.”
Woosung answered thoughtfully. He didn’t want to lose to Choi Gitae in anyway.
“Haha, you are amazing. No wonder you are considered the up and coming businessman of the year.”
“I am flattered.”
It was already 2AM. Time flew by while they talked.
Choi Gitae said to everyone, “I didn’t realize how late it is. You may go whenever you want. I’m leaving, so I will see you all later.”
Each man stood up and went into separate rooms with different women. Woosung did the same.
Woosung turned to two women that followed him into the room.
“I am actually not feeling that great right now, so I won’t need you tonight.” The women’s eyes widened. Woosung continued quickly, “It’s embarrassing. I hope you won’t tell anyone.”
Both women nodded. One of them was a very young, aspiring idol. She looked relieved. It was clear she was forced into this situation.
The bed was big enough for more than three people.
“I will sleep on one side, so you guys can rest on the other side.”
Woosung took off his jacket and laid down.
‘Who knows if there is a camera hidden in this room?’
Just like Woosung did to Jung Jinsup only a few days ago.
The next day.
Breakfast was delivered to the room. It was bean sprout soup, which was great for hangovers.
After the meal, Woosung walked out to the living room where Choi Gichul was sitting on the sofa. Woosung looked at him sharply.
“Good morning.”
“Oh, yes.”
Choi Gichul said indifferently. Woosung laughed awkwardly and continued, “Haha, I heard a lot about you from Jinsup.”
“Really? I’m surprised.”
“It was mostly about you taking over the CE department.”
“Oh…”
“I asked him for you in hopes that I will be able to get a good deal on the smartphone parts.”
“I see.”
Choi Gichul continued to provide only short answers.
This was a different person than what Woosung remembered from 2018.
Why?
Woosung tried to figure it out but couldn’t. He said to Choi Gichul coolly, “I hope to see you often.”
“Choi Gitae did ask me to take care of your situation, so we should talk about it.”
“I see.”
“Firstly, please provide me a list of products you need and the unit prices you are currently paying for each. We will go from there. I will send you the email address by text.”
Unit prices were usually a trade secret. Unit prices of different parts decided the retail price of a product. Woosung couldn’t believe Choi Gichul was asking for such a sensitive information so casually.
Woosung didn’t lose his smile as he asked. “Are you asking me for the current supply cost we pay for our parts such as memory, camera, and display?”
Choi Gichul nodded. Woosung tried very hard not to laugh at his audacity. “I’m afraid that’s not possible.”
Choi Gichul frowned harshly.
Woosung continued. “That is a confidential information.”
Choi Gichul raised his voice slightly.
“But it’s how we do things at Daeyang.”
“Not for my company. I have solid confidential contracts with the companies that provide me with parts.”
“Are you saying you don’t want to work with us?”
“Not this way. I would love to use Daeyang’s parts, but you need to be reasonable.”
Choi Gichul murmured, “Why can’t you just do what I say…”
Choi Gichul was definitely very different from the way he was in 2018. In Woosung’s previous life, Choi Gichul was a smooth talker and a savvy businessman.
‘What happened in that 10 years?’
Woosung couldn’t remember any major events in Choi Gichul’s life, which meant it was probably something very personal.
Woosung continued, “And by the way, shouldn’t Daeyang be the one providing me with the unit prices? I am the buyer in this case after all.”
Choi Gichul’s frown became even worse. He scowled at Woosung with a quiet frown.
Woosung continued, “How about this? I will give you the average price of all the parts, but you need to guarantee 10% discount. If you can do that, I will buy in bulks.”
Choi Gichul finally answered, “I don’t think we’ll come to an agreement right now, so we’ll talk later.”
“Alright.”
Choi Gichul stood up.
“I’m very busy, so goodbye.”
He looked angry. Woosung grinned after he left.
Woosung arranged a meeting for his managers at work. Jang Gwangchul and Park Byungki also showed up.
“So Vice president Park, I need you to lead the deal with Daeyang. I know you have much more experience than me in dealing with that company.”
Park Byungki nodded. “That’s true. Daeyang is the worst. Even though they are the seller, they expect the buyers to feel grateful. They also raise their prices frequently and make mistakes on purpose. I went through a lot of issues with them. In the end, we tried to purchase from other companies as much as possible. I would advise you to do the same.”
“I agree. I will be purchasing only minimal orders at the lowest cost.”
Jang Gwangchul asked, “Then why bother dealing with them at all?”
That was true, but it was personal for Kang Woosung.
“I just would like to be acquainted with Daeyang for the future. It’s smart to know your competition and what parts they use for their own phone.”
Jang Gwangchul couldn’t quite understand, but he nodded anyway.
