Chapter 36

Company people. When I traveled to Western Europe, I mostly traveled alone. There are many pickpockets and thieves, but London, Paris, and Amsterdam are not dangerous enough to be robbed in broad daylight. While traveling, I used a hostel rather than a luxury hotel. “Hello.” “Howdy. I am Korean.” It’s because I thought that even the people I met while traveling were part of the trip. There were a lot of Koreans in most of the big cities I visited in Europe. Hang out with Korean people, cook, and eat together. What was your impression of seeing London for the first time? ‘A city is nice. I heard England is the world’s thug country.’ If there is a conflict anywhere in the world, if you take Britain as the cause, it’s roughly correct. Big Ben, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, etc., we walked and looked at the cultural and historical heritage achieved over the past 400 years. ‘It’s England that opened an empire on which the sun never sets.’ City of London. In London, I enjoyed a free trip to see the European financial center, where financial and insurance companies from all over the world are gathered. ‘It’s a bit lonely.’ Over a month, I felt a deep sense of loneliness as I traveled to England, France, and Italy. Since I was young, loneliness has been my strength to live on. Loneliness when you had nothing was freedom. There’s nothing to be ashamed of when you’re alone; just get through each day. I think I felt the loneliness more deeply when I was an office worker who could make a decent living. After the divorce, it was rather a new passion or feeling of inspiration. I can move around, see, and feel more because I am lonely. ‘To go out into the wider world, I have to become a big ship.’ ―Kim Shin: London. It’s a cool city. See you later ―Kim Shin: I’ll find all the good hotels and tourist spots in Paris in advance. ―Ellie: Thank you! Even though I keep in touch with Ellie from time to time, my feelings have faded little by little as time goes by, compared to when we traveled together and saw each other in Korea. Even after 2 or 3 days, it was rare for her to contact me first. Living and working in New York. The feeling of living a new life. ‘Let it be natural. It’s going to be decided somehow.’ Let go without clinging. And while traveling around Eastern Europe, the tourist spots were okay, but there was a bit of a dangerous atmosphere at night. With 1.5 billion dollars in it, I don’t want to get stabbed for 100 euros stolen by local thugs. So, through Oh Myung-woo’s connections, he hired a team of reliable bodyguards, including Jason from the SAS. ―Kim Shin: But the last time the doctor at Johns Hopkins University hospital was the same, how can you save them all right away? ―Oh Myeong-woo: Foolish friend. The world of the Internet is wider than the Earth. ―Myungwoo Oh: The Internet is like an ever-expanding universe. Together with the bodyguards, he toured Egypt, India, and even South America. When I was traveling, at some point, there was nothing to see, or it became boring. I thought of myself in the past, traveled around various countries, and thought about the future I would live in the future. The day after finding a new house, I went to the department store and bought furniture and household items. In the past, buying something at a department store was considered a great luxury, but now it’s nice to be able to spend less time shopping. “Tania. Let’s buy the necessities of life.” “Yes. boss.” While some of the bodyguards bought supplies, I sat on a chair in the coffee shop and looked at my phone list. I didn’t leave the group chat room I used to use when I was in Arcor’s sales team, so it was still there. Since you came to Korea, you should meet at least once. [Sooah Jo] After leaving the company, I didn’t keep in touch often. [Team Manager Ahn Myeong-guk] The one who protects Arkor. He was like a benefactor who informed me of my social life, but I haven’t called him once in the past year and a half. ‘It’s been a while since I’ve had to meet the company people.’ Arcor. Team leader Ahn put six employees in the hallway and said. “Lee Cheol-ho. How long have you been with the company?” “A year is almost over.” “One year. 1 year. But are you still not familiar with the job?” Since it is a structure that handles the orders and requests of the hospital in charge of the salesperson, the ability of the staff is more important than anything else. Sales go up and down, claims from hospitals come in, etc. “Ugh. Your ancestors didn’t do that. Do you know how fast things went when Assistant Manager Kim was there?” Team leader Ahn thought of Kim Shin. I had a stupid side since I just joined the company, but aside from being ignorant, I did a really good job. Enough to keep my eyes on you, not to work hard. There was never a time when I had to teach the same content twice, and even after leaving the company, I handled important matters neatly. “Sungryeol.” “Yes. manager.” “How are the preparations for the conference going?” “Yes? There are still two months left… … .” “University Hospital! General Hospital! When visiting high-level hospitals, you don’t have to check which doctor will present on what topic at an academic conference!” “Aha.” How come the new employees from last year are like this? “It’s Joe.” I don’t know who said it, but the moment the word came out, all the male employees turned their heads at once. Jo Soo-ah, who was promoted as assistant manager this time. Male office workers couldn’t help but flutter at the sight of her with short, bobbed hair. “Chief Seo. I have placed all orders for items ordered by Bright Eyes Hospital.” “Okay. Good work.” Team leader Seo only believed in Jo Soo-ah. Whatever the case, it was easily solved by putting her in it. The problem is that when dealing with other male employees, coldness emanates. “Everyone works straight… … .” KakaoTalk! “Who is it?” I turn off the alarm for most group chat rooms and one-on-one conversations. I checked my text messages. ―Kim Shin: Team leader. If you don’t have an appointment today, how about a drink after work? It was Kim Shin who quit the company a year and 10 months ago. ―Ahn Myeong-guk: It’s been a while. But I was thinking of having soju with oden soup with the staff. You’re messing around ―Kim Shin: You can come with your staff. It would be nice to see Team Leader Seo after a long time. ―Ahn Myeong-guk: Is that so? Where can I go ―Kim Shin: Is there anything you want to eat? ―Myeong-guk Ahn: I don’t mind, but can I eat the expensive ones? -Kim Shin: Yes. Would you like to have Japanese food? ―Myeong-guk Ahn: I can’t eat because I don’t have it. ―Kim Shin: I will make a reservation with Herod. After Ahn finished the text message, he told the staff. Tonight is the sales team dinner. Be sure to attend.” “Uh… … .” The staff made a noise. According to the tradition of Arcor, there was no compulsory attendance at the dinner party. “We will eat at Herod.” “Are you Herod?” The staff shook their heads. Herod. It was a top-notch Japanese restaurant that cost 420,000 won per person. “Is this the meeting place?” “Because it is.” Team leaders Ahn and Seo brought 20 employees to Herod. “Long time no see. Chiefs.” I was able to see Kim Shin, who had come first and was sitting at the table waiting for me. “Wow.” “Chief Kim. It has become cool.” Even when he attended Arkor, he had a good appearance, but the clothes he wore changed, and the atmosphere changed dramatically. “Are these people that Assistant Manager Kim doesn’t know? The new employees who joined Arcor.” “Nice to meet you.” Kim Shin shook hands with the staff one by one. Three, four. The more I passed, the more there was one approaching. Jo Soo-ah, with her hair cut short above her shoulders, was looking at him. Kim Shin cautiously said that he was sorry that he hadn’t been in touch. “Mr. Sua, how have you been doing?” “Yes. How have you been, Manager Kim?” “I traveled, and I moved around a lot.” Hearing Jo Soo-ah’s warm voice made me feel at ease. Of course, the new employees who joined Arcor had a completely different feeling. ‘Did you know that senior Joe could speak in such a friendly voice?’ ‘Mr Joshua. pretty.’ Before attending the dinner, it was Jo Soo-ah who put on makeup and became prettier beyond recognition. “Chief Kim. I don’t think I can call you Assistant Manager Kim anymore.” “Just call me whatever you feel comfortable with.” “Let’s just call him Assistant Manager Kim until today. How have you been?” “I toured America and many other countries.” Team leader Ahn, team leader Seo, and Jo Soo-ah were at the table where I was. At the next table, Kim Sang-gi, Na Sang-guk, and Lee Jong-yeop sat together. ‘It’s nice to see you after a long time.’ The people I met at work are called business relationships, but they are close friends. Because company life occupied most of my life. “Would you like a drink?” “Yes. OK.” While Ahn and Seo were drinking, they secretly turned their eyes to the bodyguards at the table opposite. “Who are they?” “These are my bodyguards.” “A bodyguard?” “I need it for safety when traveling abroad. You never know when you will go to another country.” “I see. It’s like someone who lives in a completely different world from us.” Team leader Ahn tilted his head. It can be a bit incomprehensible that they even have foreign bodyguards, earning more than tens of billions of won. It would make sense if there were an article in Forbes soon. Since Forbes compiles the ranking of the rich every year, it is difficult to avoid it without distributing all wealth anonymously. No one goes around memorizing the ranking of the rich in Korea, but I thought it would be a different feeling to see someone I knew go up. “How is the company?” “It’s always the same, okay? Something special happened.” Team leader Ahn glanced at Jo Soo-ah. Doo you have something to say “Rather than that, tell me about a trip abroad. You also ride a yacht, but?” “I went to hostels mostly cheaply. Traveling is fun without spending money.” “But. If I had a lot of money like Assistant Manager Kim, it would be fun to stay still.” KakaoTalk! KakaoTalk! KakaoTalk! I was having a meal with my former co-workers, and text messages kept coming. ―Lee Ho-yeon: I heard that the number of patients with pneumonia of unknown cause continues to increase in Wuhan. ―Lee Ho-yeon: The current number of patients is 59, and 11 patients are said to be in serious condition. ―Lee Ho-yeon: There was also a patient in Korea, a Chinese woman who arrived from Wuhan 8 days ago. It is said that coughing, sore throat, and symptoms of pneumonia are coming out. ―Lee Ho-yeon: Currently, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is conducting pathogen tests. ―Lee Ho-yeon: The Chinese health authorities say there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission yet. It seems that the possibility of infection should be kept in mind. ―Lee Ho-yeon: Considering that people who have been to Wuhan are infected in Korea, the number of patients may be much higher. While reading the text, Jo Soo-ah said in a small voice. “Are you serious?” “Yes? You saw it.” “Yes. It seems like the company you contracted with at the time? I’m sorry if I shouldn’t have seen it.” “It’s not okay. This time, an infectious disease broke out in China, and that’s why I was contacted.” “I see.” Bio life. A company that studies influenza and coronavirus. ‘Anyway, I was worried about the spread of the infectious disease, but I didn’t think it would spread.’ It felt a bit complicated somehow.