WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Potter
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Regressed Assistant Manager Kim Can Read Minds ◈
Chapter 30
──────
‘Monday?’
I’d known Song Jaepil had left Taeseong Trading in my previous life, too.
I just hadn’t realized they’d made up their mind so soon.
“Have you decided where you’re going?”
“Yes. We’ve agreed on the terms, too.”
“What will you be doing there?”
“There’s a project I’ll be handling from the start.”
[At least they won’t just dump tangled problems and paperwork on my desk.]
Apparently unwilling to say more, Song Jaepil continued up the trail in silence.
I matched their pace and changed the subject.
“You know about the Thailand deal, right?”
“You mean the Anantakul water pumps and natural rubber?”
They’d avoided my eyes while talking about resigning, but the moment I mentioned logistics, they looked straight at me.
“That’s right. The fifty pumps we sent by air have already arrived, and the remaining two hundred and fifty are scheduled to go by sea.”
“The natural rubber shipments are pretty large, too, aren’t they?”
“They’ll get even bigger. Is there a way to cut shipping costs?”
Song Jaepil slowed down and thought for a moment.
“I’d have to look at the figures to be sure. First, I’d need to check the size of each shipment and the delivery deadlines.”
“But there’s room to cut costs?”
“The situation in Thailand is unstable right now, so there are already fewer sailings. With oil prices rising as well, shipping everything separately as we’ve been doing will keep adding to the freight charges.”
They began speaking a little faster.
“Rather than shipping the Thailand orders separately, we should combine them with our existing Vietnam shipments and renegotiate with a single shipping line. A contract for regular shipments could cut costs by one percent, or even two if the conditions are right.”
Getting a business partner to pay two percent more per unit took several tense exchanges.
I looked at Song Jaepil with new respect.
“I knew you were the right person to ask.”
“Logistics costs are easy to overlook unless you examine them closely.”
“That’s why I was wondering if you’d take charge of the Thailand logistics.”
“...Me?”
“Compare everything from the start, from transport companies and routes to storage costs. If you find a better way, use your judgment and make the changes.”
Song Jaepil studied my face.
“If you cut costs, I’ll put your name on the report.”
“Would that be possible?”
“Saving money is an achievement, too.”
They couldn’t bring themselves to turn down the offer right away.
[He really has been paying attention to what I’m good at.]
But pleased as they were, they’d already finalized things with another company.
[...If only he’d said something a little sooner.]
I didn’t press them for an answer.
“You don’t have to decide right now. Think about it while we walk to the summit.”
“...Until we reach the summit?”
“Too little time?”
“Well... no.”
Song Jaepil was about to ask me something else, but closed their mouth when Oh Sangcheol’s voice came from behind us.
I turned to see him climbing toward us, panting and using a branch as a walking stick.
“Hah, hah. Manager Kim...! You’re talking about work even on a hike? Try... enjoying the scenery a little.”
His face was bright red. As soon as he reached me, he sank onto a rock.
“Let’s take a break. Why does this bag keep getting heavier?”
The Team 2 employees following him also found places to sit nearby.
Oh Sangcheol opened his backpack and pulled out the snacks inside.
“Help yourselves. Why should I carry all this to the summit?”
While handing snacks to Im Jaeho and Kang Minho, Park Soyeon held up an unopened bottle of water.
“Would you like some water too, Assistant Manager Song?”
“...Thank you.”
Song Jaepil accepted the bottle.
A little later, several Logistics Team employees passed us.
They greeted only Oh Sangcheol and continued up the trail without saying a word to Song Jaepil.
Song Jaepil’s gaze briefly followed their retreating figures.
Oh Sangcheol watched this quietly before asking,
“You’re Assistant Manager Song from the Logistics Team?”
“Yes, Department Manager.”
“It’s tough there, isn’t it? They’re a pretty closed-off bunch.”
“...It’s the same everywhere.”
“No, it isn’t. In sales, at least people know your name. Logistics doesn’t even get that. That’s the hardest part. Sales gets the credit, and logistics gets the blame.”
Song Jaepil nodded without a word.
Oh Sangcheol patted Song Jaepil’s shoulder.
“But keep working hard, and your day will come. Hang in there.”
[Keeping on good terms with logistics makes life easier for us, too.]
Something changed in the way Song Jaepil looked at him.
“All right, everyone! Let’s keep going to the summit!”
Oh Sangcheol stood with an energetic shout.
Just then, Deputy General Manager Seo Jeonguk and their group came up behind us.
Oh Sangcheol grinned at Seo Jeonguk.
“Well, Deputy General Manager Seo. Turns out you can’t hold your liquor at all. How’s your stomach?”
“Perfectly fine.”
“Really? You collapsed last night...”
“Let’s finish this conversation at the summit, Department Manager.”
Seo Jeonguk lengthened their stride and continued up the trail.
Oh Sangcheol tried to keep up, but soon slowed down.
Behind them, Kang Minho and Park Soyeon struggled not to laugh.
* * *
Once we cleared the final slope, the view opened up between the trees.
Below the layers of mountains, the city of Gyeongju spread out before us. Kang Minho and Im Jaeho were the first to approach the observation deck.
“Wow.”
“Amazing, right? Take plenty of pictures. You’d never come here if it weren’t for the workshop.”
“Department Manager, let’s get a picture of our team.”
“We took one down below. Again?”
“We didn’t take one with just our team.”
Park Soyeon also waved over Han Gyeongsu, who was sitting a little way off.
“Come over, Manager Han.”
“If it’s for a picture, take it without me.”
“We’re all on Team 2. When else will we get a chance to take one together?”
Normally, Park Soyeon would have backed down by then, but this time she kept waving.
Han Gyeongsu hesitated at her words, then finally got up and stood beside us.
“Assistant Manager Song, could you take a picture for us?”
We changed poses as Song Jaepil took several pictures of Team 2.
“Smile, everyone, unless you want to look like your employee ID photos!”
“Go, Overseas Sales Team 2!”
“Yeah! Go, Team 2!”
Even after lowering the camera, Song Jaepil spent a moment looking at the pictures they’d just taken.
[So teammates can smile together that comfortably.]
Only after checking the pictures did Park Soyeon nod in satisfaction.
“I’ll get these printed for everyone.”
Once we finished taking pictures, people began preparing to visit Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple.
Oh Sangcheol and Choi Yeongjin headed down first, but I stayed at the summit a little longer.
“What about you, Manager Kim?”
“I’ll take my time coming down.”
I stood there for a while, looking down at the scenery.
After taking a few pictures to send to Han Ara, I glanced to the side and found Song Jaepil waiting.
“Have you made up your mind?”
“About the Thailand logistics you mentioned earlier, may I start by comparing our current providers with other companies?”
“Of course. Review everything from the beginning.”
Song Jaepil nodded slowly.
“I’ll put my resignation on hold for now. Please show me the shipment figures and documents on Monday.”
“All right. Let’s go through them together on Monday.”
On the way down, I asked one more question.
“What’s the atmosphere like in the Logistics Team, anyway?”
“...The worst.”
Their words carried a heavy sigh.
* * *
When I returned to Seoul and opened my front door, the empty living room was the first thing I saw.
The only proper furniture I’d brought in so far was a bed and a small desk.
The refrigerator, however, was a different story.
When I opened it, the side-dish containers my mother had brought over filled every available space.
A Del Monte glass bottle I hadn’t seen before sat on the dining table.
I went closer and found a note underneath it in my mother’s handwriting.
[I made some green plum syrup. Mix it with water and drink it if your stomach hurts.]
My mother hadn’t forgotten how my stomach always burned the day after I drank.
And on the last line of the note:
[Thanks for the spending money. My son’s the best ♥]
I smiled without realizing it.
I mixed some syrup with water and took a sip. As the sweet, tart flavor spread through my mouth, my stomach slowly settled.
“Ah, that’s good.”
After washing up, I sat at my desk and opened my laptop.
Ever since my regression, I’d been checking domestic and international news, saving articles that might affect future business.
[North Korea’s First Nuclear Test]
[North Korea conducted its first-ever underground nuclear test in Kilju County, North Hamgyong Province. With the Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula effectively scrapped, the growing security crisis has prompted strong international condemnation and sanctions resolutions...]
[Lone Star Probe into KEB Card Stock Manipulation]
[Prosecutors investigating Lone Star have stepped up their probe after securing key emails and evidence relating to allegations of stock manipulation and the purchase of Korea Exchange Bank and KEB Card at below-market prices.]
The nuclear test article reminded me of how inter-Korean trade would freeze up, while business with China would grow rapidly.
The Lone Star investigation was also news that no trading company using Korea Exchange Bank could afford to ignore.
I saved both articles and scrolled farther down, then stopped.
[Ukraine Restricts Grain Exports]
The article said Ukraine was restricting exports of wheat, barley, and corn.
Combined with droughts in Australia and Russia, this would send grain prices soaring in less than a year.
Hando Trading was the company that turned that crisis into an opportunity.
Willing to trade in anything that made money, they bought grain ahead of everyone else and made an enormous profit.
At the time, Taeseong Trading hadn’t had a single grain trading partner.
I immediately opened my notebook.
[Look into domestic flour mills and their purchasing contacts.]
Just as I finished writing, my phone alarm went off.
[Evening café class]
It was already time to go to Mood Bean.
I hadn’t missed a single Saturday class.
Learning about coffee was fun, but getting to see Han Ara was the bigger reason.
I closed my notebook and got up.
* * *
When I opened the door to Mood Bean, Han Ara looked up from preparing for class, her eyes widening.
“I thought you’d take today off.”
“Of course I had to come. It’s our date day.”
Han Ara glanced around, then leaned lightly against my arm.
[Would anyone notice if I kissed him here?]
We’d only kissed once, but holding hands and standing close had become much more natural than before.
The other students were already seated inside.
After seeing one another every week, we now exchanged greetings naturally whenever someone came in.
“You’re here, Seongjun!”
Nayeon, a university student, waved first.
Han Ara narrowed her eyes for an instant, then returned to preparing for class as if nothing had happened.
I greeted Nayeon and went to the spot Han Ara had prepared for me.
Today’s lesson was making lattes.
Drawing patterns on the surface had looked easy when Han Ara did it, but once I picked up the pitcher, even the milk foam refused to cooperate.
Only after several attempts did I manage something that looked halfway decent.
“Ugh, why can’t I get this right? Seongjun, could you take a look?”
Nayeon leaned toward me with a cup.
Before I could even turn around, Han Ara approached and stood between us.
“What are you having trouble with?”
[How dare you flirt with him.]
Still smiling, Han Ara took Nayeon’s cup.
Despite her smile, she didn’t leave the slightest opening between Nayeon and me.
I pretended not to notice anything and picked up my pitcher again.
Toward the end of class, Han Ara looked around at everyone.
“Would anyone be able to help out at the café next Saturday? I’ll pay you well for the day. I only need two people.”
The students glanced at one another, but no one readily volunteered.
“I’ll do it.”
Han Ara’s face lit up when I raised my hand.
Then Nayeon raised a hand, too.
“In that case, I’ll help as well.”
‘I have a feeling this is going to be tiring.’
After class, Han Ara took me to the café’s storage room.
A small table and an armchair sat on one side, still in their packaging.
“I bought these for the café, but I can’t find a good spot for them. How about putting them in your place?”
“They look like just the right size.”
We loaded the furniture into the car and brought it to my apartment. Han Ara slowly looked around the empty living room.
“This spot looks good.”
I placed the table and armchair together where she pointed.
We’d only added two pieces of furniture, but the living room already looked less bare.
“Let’s go shopping for the rest together later. My mom knows a store with lots of pretty furniture.”
Han Ara immediately sat in the armchair and scooted to one side.
“Come sit down, Seongjun.”
“It’s only meant for one person.”
“Oh, come on. We’re dating. It’s fine.”
I perched sideways beside her, and our shoulders and knees naturally touched.
[He’s so handsome that women keep flocking to him. That’s the problem.]
“You’re mine now, so I’m not letting anyone else have you. You know that, right?”
Before I could answer, her lips met mine.
Beep-beep-beep.
At that moment, I heard the front door’s digital lock opening.
Startled, I tried to stand, only to slip off the armchair and land on the floor.
Suyeon came in with a bag over her shoulder and a bag of fried chicken in one hand, then stopped dead.
“...Seongjun?”
Her gaze moved between Han Ara and me before stopping on the lipstick marks on my lips.
“Suyeon, this is my sister, Ara. No, wait. This is Suyeon, and this is...”
Suyeon blinked.
“...My sister-in-law?”
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