Real Man - Chapter 434:

Creak.

The door opened and the person who forced Yoo-hyun to step up in the past appeared.

The civil servants, including Shin Kwang-se, stood up and greeted him.

“Director Jung, welcome.”

“Sit down. There’s nothing to fuss over for someone who’s late.”

“Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule.”

Shin Kwang-se bowed his head and pulled out a chair. The man sat down and smirked.

“I wouldn’t have come if it wasn’t for Shin’s request.”

“Director Jung, you have a tight grip on the projects that are linked with the companies. Please help us.”

“Heh, this guy. Really.”

The man waved his hand and chuckled.

He was a man that Yoo-hyun knew well.

Jung Woo-hyuk, the director of the Ministry of Industry, Resources and Trade.

A few years ago, Yoo-hyun saw him at a European exhibition. He was also the one who dealt a bitter blow to Hansung Electronics at this point in the past.

At that time, Hansung Electronics was being investigated for leaking technology to China. They were ruined by his one word.

Yoo-hyun witnessed that scene clearly.

That’s why he knew his strength better than anyone else.

Director Jung exchanged glances with Director Ma Kyung-min and opened his mouth.

“How is the progress?”

“It seems that they are under pressure because of the exhibition schedule.”

Shin Kwang-se answered and he nodded.

“I was surprised by the schedule too. It’s not right to exploit the big companies that contribute to the national economy like that.”

“You’re right.”

Shin Kwang-se rubbed his hands together.

The atmosphere suddenly turned weird. Jeong Da-hye stepped forward from the podium and drew attention.

“I know it’s a tight schedule. That’s why we’re trying to coordinate as much as possible through this meeting.”

“Hmm, what do you think, Director Ma?”

Director Jung ignored Yoo-hyun completely and called Director Ma.

They didn’t even exchange greetings, but Director Jung called his name naturally.

“We want to support the national project as well. But this won’t do. We’ll take care of the exhibition style ourselves. We’re the experts.”

“That makes sense. And it would be nice if you could also put some Ilsung PR logos on it.”

“Yes. That would make me feel better too.”

“Haha. We have to help each other out.”

Director Jung smiled as if he had planned it with Director Ma.

Yoo-hyun saw their scheme to turn the G20 exhibition into Ilsung’s promotion clearly.

Of course, he didn’t know anything about it in the past.

“What about the presenter?”

Director Jung gestured with his chin and Jeong Da-hye cautiously answered.

“This exhibition is not just a simple exhibition. It’s a place to persuade the judges. We need to focus on storytelling rather than showing off technology.”

“It’s not like we’re just saying it’s hard. It’s a valuable offer. If you don’t like it, it would be better for both of us to end it.”

“Director Jung, no. Team Leader Jung, what are you doing? Hurry up and say you’ll do it.”

Shin Kwang-se was startled by Director Jung’s push and pull and urged him.

But Jeong Da-hye lowered her posture more and asked firmly.

“I know it’s hard and I appreciate your generous support. But I hope we can coordinate in a way that works for both of us. Please understand.”

“Are you saying that we’re pushing you in a wrong direction?”

Director Ma snapped at her for not going along with his plan.

Director Jung intervened again to mediate the situation.

“Hey, presenter, I agree with you too. I’d love to support you if there was a company that could do it. But it’s not realistic, is it?”

At that moment, Yoo-hyun recalled his past self who raised his hand desperately to catch his eye.

-We’ll do it at Hansung. We’re already prepared.

He had bluffed with an absurd lie at this point.

The reason was simple.

He just wanted to impress Director Jung.

He thought that clinging to him was the best way to get recognition in the company.

It was a childish idea even now, but this one word worked as a trick to pull the tight line.

Jeong Da-hye, who had another option, went strong and managed to get most of her wishes through.

That was why she thanked Yoo-hyun for being her red thread and was grateful to him.

‘I really got lucky.’

Yoo-hyun smiled bitterly at the ironic situation.

Whatever the reason, he needed to wrap up the situation soon like he did back then.

As Yoo-hyun was timing it, Jeong Da-hye’s eyes sparkled.

“Come to think of it, Director Jung is right. If it doesn’t work out as planned, let’s end this exhibition in a way that’s comfortable for both of us.”

“Team Leader Jung.”

“As I said, the exhibition will lose its purpose if we don’t stick to the concept. It will take too much time to change it. It’s better not to do it at all.”

Shin Kwang-se was shocked by her counterattack.

She pushed harder even though she was in a disadvantageous position.

Her personality that wanted to take responsibility for every word she said was clearly shown.

“Huh, really.”

Director Jung and Director Ma looked embarrassed by her sincerity.

Yoo-hyun smiled inwardly at their sight.

‘I didn’t have to step up.’

She just needed a wake-up call. Yoo-hyun’s support was not important.

There was no reason for her to be grateful to Yoo-hyun.

He laughed at the ironic situation and raised his hand.

“Then we’ll support you at Hansung.”

“……”

Yoo-hyun’s words caused a ripple in the tense atmosphere.

Everyone looked at him as he nailed it down.

“Of course, in the direction that matches the original plan.”

“What? How is that possible?”

Yoo-hyun ignored Director Ma who was surprised and scanned the people in the room.

They were all flustered by the unexpected development.

That included Jeong Da-hye who was standing in front of the podium.

Yoo-hyun spoke firmly again.

“Of course. We can exhibit everything that’s on the screen.”

Splash splash.

The ripple that Yoo-hyun created quickly eroded the room.

There was no reason for the requesting department to refuse when he said he would do it.

When everyone was hesitating, Director Ma Kyung-min tackled me.

“What a joke. How are you going to do the flexible OLED display? Hansung doesn’t have it, right?”

“Why wouldn’t we? Didn’t Apple invest in an additional factory a while ago?”

“Let’s say you have it. Do you have enough time to prepare for the exhibition?”

“What do you mean? It’s just displaying an existing product. I don’t see why it would take so long.”

I shrugged my shoulders, and Director Ma Kyung-min flared up.

“What did you say?”

“Do you really need a month to prepare for an exhibition at Ilsung Electronics?”

I asked back with a puzzled look, and Director Ma Kyung-min sneered.

He looked like he was my boss, with arrogance written all over his face.

“Wow. You’re so ignorant and arrogant. Let me tell you something. Do you think an exhibition is just putting up a panel?”

“Then what?”

“You have to secure a booth, remodel the space, and do everything yourself. Do you think you can do all that in five days?”

“That’s strange. Didn’t the preparation committee say they would take care of the exhibition space support and related construction work?”

“How can you trust people who have no experience in exhibitions? What if something goes wrong? Who’s going to take the blame?”

It was a reasonable question, and a doubt.

If I decided to do something, I had to take responsibility for it. It was right to check this part.

But there’s a difference between saying something similar and saying something different.

I twisted his words skillfully.

“If you can’t even trust the government officials who are dedicated to the success of G20, how are you going to cooperate with them?”

“What? That’s not what I meant.”

“Then let me ask you again. Can Ilsung do the exhibition as planned or not?”

I forced him to choose.

Ilsung Electronics, who had already refused the joint exhibition, had no choice but to back off from this provocation.

“Really reckless. Are you saying Hansung can do it alone?”

“Yes. We only need three days.”

“What? Do you think Hansung can do this by themselves?”

“Yes. We can. There’s no reason why Hansung can’t.”

I scratched his wound with a sharp tone, and finally Director Ma Kyung-min exploded.

He stood up from his seat and raised his voice at me.

“What did you say? Who the hell is your team leader?”

“Why are you looking for our team leader here? Do you think it will make any difference?”

I countered him with a steady gaze.

He lost his temper and shouted at me.

“You bastard. Go ahead and try it without Ilsung’s help. Go ahead.”

That’s how Ilsung became the first side to reject the joint exhibition.

It was the situation I wanted, so I accepted his offer.

“It’s unfortunate, but we have no choice. Hansung has to do it alone.”

“Hey.”

Director Ma Kyung-min’s face turned red and blue, and Manager Jung Woo-hyuk frowned.

Manager Shin Kwang-se, who had been watching the situation, came out strongly.

“Hey. How dare you talk so rudely as a mere assistant manager?”

His disdainful tone was met by my firm posture.

My strong eyes and solid voice tone changed the atmosphere that had been somewhat scattered.

“Who said that? I came here as a person in charge. My decision is Hansung’s decision.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Do you want to check it right now?”

I shook my phone confidently, and Manager Shin Kwang-se flinched.

Manager Jung Woo-hyuk, who had been listening with a stern expression, opened his mouth.

“What if the exhibition support doesn’t go well?”

“Of course I have to take responsibility. If I can’t do this much, how can I call myself a national representative company?”

“Are you disrespecting us Ilsung?”

Manager Jung Woo-hyuk stopped Director Ma Kyung-min who was growling at me.

“Director, please wait.”

“…”

Manager Jung Woo-hyuk blocked his mouth and gave me a sharp look.

“You said clearly that Hansung can do it alone without Ilsung’s support, right?”

“Yes. Of course. There’s no need to split this kind of work.”

“You should know for sure that there’s no benefit for Hansung even if we support you.”

He pressed me with his stern tone, and I smiled sarcastically.

Ilsung Electronics had received a lot of government benefits along with a successful exhibition in the past.

I didn’t know it then, but now I could see that he had arranged everything behind the scenes.

I announced loudly to everyone.

“It’s ridiculous to expect any benefits from helping the national cause. We’ll support you with patriotism. That’s Hansung’s will.”

“…”

Everyone was speechless at my confidence.

Even after the meeting was over, there were still unfriendly eyes on me.

It was a rather unpleasant atmosphere, but I didn’t care.

My only concern right now was Jeong Da-hye.

I got up with my stuff, and Director Ma Kyung-min approached me and smirked.

“Hey, what are you trying to do?”

“What do you mean?”

I pretended not to know, and he pushed his nonsense at me.

“How dare you insult Ilsung?”

“I just said yes to your request, and you call that an insult? Don’t you have some kind of delusion?”

“What? Delusion? Where did you learn that attitude?”

Where did you learn to scold someone else’s company employee?

I politely pushed away his finger that was poking my chest and answered.

“Director, there are a lot of eyes here. Please keep your dignity.”

“What did you say? Do you know how many connections I have in Hansung?”

“No. I don’t.”

“Huh. Well, you’re in trouble. Let’s see how it goes.”

He threatened me with some nonsense.

I didn’t need to bother with him, so I ignored him and walked away.