Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Meetings continued for several days.
The meeting partner is a Chinese startup.
In the past decade, China’s economy has grown tremendously. China, which has already overtaken Japan to become the world’s second-largest economy, was called the G2 leading the global economy along with the United States.
With the rapid economic development, young people started their own businesses, and successful people joined the ranks of the newly wealthy one after another.
It’s no joke in China to say you’re a billionaire when you wake up.
Although the pace of economic growth is slowing, China is still a land of opportunity. Xiaomin, who was born in Hangzhou, who worked for an IT company, and Yao, who worked for a logistics company, quit the company and started a startup to seize new opportunities.
China is a huge continent. After the economic development, railroads were laid deep inland, but a significant part of logistics still relied on road transport.
The problem is that this is being operated by the company and the shipper in a fist-fighting manner.
For example, a truck that departs from Shanghai with cargo arrives in Xi’an, unloads the cargo, and returns to an empty car, but in Xi’an they are searching for someone to transport the cargo to Shanghai. In addition, the traffic conditions in some provincial cities were poor, which often prevented cargo from arriving on time. This resulted in damage to both the shipper and the driver.
The two set out to develop an application that could reduce transportation time by connecting shippers and drivers and guiding the optimal route.
Xiaomin spoke in English.
“If we can efficiently load cargo along the route, we can cut logistics costs by more than 30 percent,” he said. And if unnecessary operation is reduced, traffic conditions will improve and environmental problems will be dramatically improved.”
After hearing the explanation, Hyunjoo noona asked a few questions, and Xiaomin eagerly answered them.
Unlike Xiaomin, who was enthusiastic, Yao, who was sitting next to him, looked uncomfortable with his arms crossed the whole time.
While we were reviewing the proposal, Xiaomin and Yao talked in low voices. It was in Chinese, so I couldn’t understand it. Anyway, it didn’t look good.
What are you talking about?
I think so, said Ellie.
“Don’t worry. We’re not trying to con you.”
Then they were astonished. I guess he didn’t know that a woman who looked like a white man could understand Chinese.
said Ellie.
“I am Hongkong Chinese.”
Hong Kong people think of themselves as Hong Kongers. However, the Continental considers Hong Kong as part of China.
So, Ellie deliberately referred to herself as ‘Chinese’.
From then on, the conversation became easier.
Yao, who was uncomfortable throughout the meeting, became more active than Xiaomin, and the investment was decided after negotiating the stake.
After that, we were able to meet founders of various nationalities such as India, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
They were full of ideas and enthusiasm, and they were ready to make a difference.
In a way, my role is almost over when these companies are selected. It was Hyun-joo’s sister’s job to decide the amount of investment and the purchase of shares.
Hyun-joo’s older sister led the negotiations with her skillful skills, and I learned a lot from watching her.
* * *
Time passed quickly.
It feels like it’s only been yesterday since I left home and came to the hotel, but I feel like I’m slowly adjusting to this life.
Tiling Tiling!
I woke up to the sound of the alarm and woke up Taek-gyu, who was sleeping in the bed next to me.
“Hey, wake up.”
Taek-gyu said as he rolled over the blanket.
“Let’s sleep some more. There is no meeting today.”
“I still have to go eat breakfast.”
As I kept waking up, Taek-gyu screamed.
“Since when did you eat breakfast?”
“·················ogue.”
It’s not wrong.
I usually skip breakfast. However, a room price over 400,000 won includes a breakfast buffet.
If I was alone, I wouldn’t go there a few times, but Hyunjoo’s sister and Ellie also had breakfast, so it became a daily routine for the four of us to get together and start work every morning.
I forced Taek-gyu to sleep more and went down to the restaurant on the first floor. About half of the diners are foreigners.
It was a little late, but most of the good seats were full.
“It’s here.”
When I turned my head to the voice I heard, Hyunjoo’s sister and Ellie were seated by the window.
We went over there and sat down.
“You came first.”
Ellie greeted him warmly.
“Did you sleep well, Jinhoo?”
“Yes.”
After spending a few days together, we naturally became closer. Ellie came out with ease now and called Taek-gyu’s name.
In fact, except for sleeping or resting time, we were together all day.
Taek-gyu, who didn’t want to come, brought his own food as soon as he sat down. He doesn’t want to get up, but when he wakes up he’s hungry.
Hyunjoo noona drank her coffee leisurely.
“It’s a holiday after a while.”
I asked my sister.
“What are you doing today?”
“I have to work in my room. I have some work to do.”
Hyunjoo noona was sent to help us, but it was difficult to completely quit her job. So whenever I had free time, I had a meeting by video call or got things done by e-mail.
It’s the same with Ellie. However, since my work area is different, I wasn’t as busy as Hyunjoo’s sister.
Ellie spent most of her break time exercising.
It is said that he mainly swims with squash, but it seems that such a body is not just created.
Fortunately, there are a variety of exercise facilities inside, including a gym, squash court, indoor pool, outdoor pool, and screen golf course.
Ellie asked me.
“Does Jinhoo have a schedule?”
“No.”
Unlike the two of us who are always busy, me and Taek-gyu had no time for meetings. This is the difference between an employee and an employee.
Ellie was pleased with my words.
“Good for you. I want to see Seoul for a bit, can you guide me?”
The hotel is also connected to the resort, so you can enjoy cultural life such as shopping, eating out, and movies without going out.
There is even a casino for foreign tourists. (Although only Ellie can enter because it is for foreigners only)
Even so, since I came to Korea and stayed in the hotel all the time, it can feel cramped.
Hyun-joo’s older sister asked as she passed by while drinking her coffee.
“Are you asking for a date, Ellie?”
“Yes?”
Contrary to my embarrassment, Ellie smiled.
“Is that so? How are you, Jinhoo?”
I nodded.
“Oh, yes. Of course.”
“Then I’ll go up and get ready for a date, see you in the lobby in an hour.”
Eli first got up from her seat and went up to her room.
Seeing this, I asked Hyunjoo noona.
“Is that Hong Kong-style humor?”
Then Hyunjoo noona put down her coffee cup and said,
“Think about it.”
“·················ogue.”
Doesn’t that make you think in a good way?
* * *
Unlike Taek-gyu, who has a leisurely breakfast, I picked up a few slices of bread and went up to the room. Then I washed up and got ready to go out.
What kind of clothes would you like to wear? Would it be weird to wear a suit?
I took out the jeans I had thrown into the suitcase and put on a shirt that was as clean as possible. Had I known this would happen, I would have brought some more clothes when I came home.
But where do you want to visit?
I thought about tourist spots that foreigners would like, but nothing came to mind. They usually don’t know much about their local tourist destinations.
Since there was not much time left, I hurriedly left the room.
Ellie was the first to come down to the lobby.
“You came down early,” she said.
She wore skinny jeans, a white knitwear, and a beige coat over it. Her face had small earrings and necklaces along with pale makeup.
Every day I see him wearing a suit, but seeing him like this is different. She feels more like a college student who came to Korea to study rather than a lawyer.
I felt relieved, thinking that I was lucky that I wasn’t wearing a suit.
Ellie looked at me and asked.
“how is it? Isn’t it strange?”
I nodded quickly.
“Yes. Fit well.”
It’s more than just a good fit, it’s dazzling. The men around her glanced at her and glanced at her.
“Then shall we go?”
It was a long way from the hotel to the airport railroad station. So, the hotel operates a shuttle bus to and from the station.
As I went out the front door, I saw the shuttle bus leaving.
The next departure is in 20 minutes. It’s an awkward time to wait.
“I should take a taxi.”
Just then, a taxi came in.
We were about to catch the taxi, but a small car stopped in front of us. People who were nearby, as well as the hotel staff standing at the front door, looked at the car with a surprised expression.
The driver opened the car door and stepped out proudly, not paying attention to the surroundings. He is none other than Oh Taek-gyu.
To my surprise, he held out the car key.
“Take this, my friend.”
“Huh?”
What are you doing? Would you like to rent a car?
Taek-gyu squinted his eyes at me in embarrassment.(Read more @ wuxiax.com)
“I’m only lending it specifically to you.”
“Ah, no, why the hell is it special to me?”
What did I do wrong?
Taek-gyu’s car is a red light car. To be precise, the spokes made by GM Korea, which acquired Daehoo Motors.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a light car. These days, compact cars have a pretty shape and are well equipped with convenience devices. The problem is the stickers on both sides of the door.
It is said that she is a female character from a certain game, and thanks to this, Taek-gyu’s car was reborn as an otakuka from an ordinary compact car.
As I stood blankly without taking the key, he patted me on the shoulder and said.
“Don’t be afraid to take it.”
“·················ogue.”
too burdensome
I’ve gotten used to it to some extent, but I still feel embarrassed every time I get on and off. But now I’m driving.
I don’t know if I’m alone, so I can’t make Ellie feel this disgrace. I’d rather rent another car.
But Ellie first opened the passenger door and got into the car.
“Thank you, Taek-gyu. I will ride well.”
While hesitating, I missed the timing of rejection!
I had no choice but to accept the car key. As I was about to get into the driver’s seat, Taek-gyu said something.
“Drive carefully so that precious Lucy doesn’t get hurt.”
“What is Lucy? What is the name of the car?”
“no. Character name on the door. Didn’t you know that you looked at it every day?”
“·················ogue.”
I didn’t even want to know.
* * *
The light car drove vigorously across the stretched Yeongjong Bridge.
I have a license, but it’s been a while since I’ve driven a car. Fortunately, I quickly got used to it. It’s an automatic transmission anyway, so you only have to step on the accelerator and brake alternately.
Passing the Airport Expressway and taking the Gangbyeonbuk-ro or Olympic-daero, you can get to the city center in no time.
I thought while driving.
Where would you like to go as a tourist destination for foreign tourists?
I don’t remember visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace or Namsan Tower several times while living in Seoul. Wouldn’t it be better to ask yourself about this?
“Is there somewhere you want to go?”
“Yes. I have it.”
“Where are you?”
Ellie smiled at my question.
“Korea University.”
