After listening to Chairman Yoon Jongu, I finally understood why I had been accepted as an intern. I had even returned Chairman Park Yeongil's expensive watch, so there was no reason for me to stay any longer. However, Chairman Yoon Jongu insisted so strongly on keeping me that I simply couldn't tear myself away from the sofa.
“Cha Jiham, stay and have dinner with us.”
“I'd be delighted, but this is the busiest time for deliveries, so I really can't.”
“You've already been accepted into our company as an intern. Can't you stop doing deliveries?”
Actually, even after joining Hangang Group as an intern, I had planned to continue doing delivery work in my spare time. Chairman Park Yeongil had promised to make up the difference between an intern's salary and my delivery income. But if a person had even the slightest sense of conscience, how could he shamelessly accept such generosity? At the same time, I didn't want to spoil the mood by talking about my plans.
“Allow me to answer this way: formally speaking, I haven't joined Hangang Group yet.”
“Then what are we to do? How about one hundred thousand won in exchange for having dinner with me?”
“I'll head to the kitchen right now and help set the table.”
“Hahaha!”
Apparently my answer amused Chairman Yoon Jongu, and he burst into hearty laughter. Once his laughter subsided, I continued.
“In that case, I'll go help prepare dinner.”
“The hundred thousand won also includes having a conversation with me.”
“I see. If you have questions for me, please ask. I'm listening.”
“Cha Jiham, have you noticed that compared to other young people, you use rather old-fashioned expressions?”
“That's right! I was curious about that too!” Chairman Park Yeongil eagerly chimed in.
After thinking for a moment, I answered Chairman Yoon Jongu.
“My father died early, so I was raised by my grandfather and grandmother. I suppose I picked up their way of speaking. And studying Korean literature probably left its mark as well.”
“Well, that makes sense. By the way, Cha Jiham, do you have a girlfriend?”
“Why the sudden question?”
“Because of my financial situation and how busy I always was, I simply never had the opportunity to date.”
“Then why did you lie?”
“...I'm sorry, but I don't quite understand what you're talking about.”
There was no way Chairman Yoon Jongu could admit that he had heard it from Yun Sola.
“I already told you that the waiting hall where the applicants sat had surveillance cameras.”
“You mean you were listening to our conversations?”
“Not listening—evaluating the candidates from different angles. Waiting is also part of the examination...”
Chairman Yoon Jongu understood that his excuse sounded weak, but it was too late to back out now.
“Ahem. Anyway, when are you going to answer my question?”
“The girl sitting next to me was so beautiful that I just wanted to show off a little, so I lied.”
“Of course. You're a young man in the prime of life, after all.”
At that moment, Chairman Park Yeongil, whose curiosity had been piqued, joined in.
“Jiham, was the girl sitting next to you really that beautiful?”
“Among all the women I've met in my life, she ranks second.”
“And who's the most beautiful, if it's not a secret?”
Without question, the most beautiful was Tracy Bongard. But if I answered honestly, things might become awkward.
“...My mother.”
“Hahaha!”
The situation took an unexpected turn. Chairman Yoon Jongu was the first to laugh sincerely and heartily. Chairman Park and I stared at him, unable to understand the reason for such a reaction. Feeling our gazes on him, he stopped laughing and coughed.
“Ahem, I was just thinking what a devoted and loving son Cha Jiham is.”
“Ah, I see.”
As I nodded, the housemaid approached and announced that dinner was ready. We moved to the dining room and took our seats. Just as we were about to begin eating, Chairman Yoon Jongu spoke with dissatisfaction.
“Chairman Park, how can we have dinner without a drop of alcohol?”
“That's true enough. Kang, bring the herbal liquor.”
Chief Secretary Kang Inhan rose from his seat and went down to the basement. When he returned carrying a bottle containing a massive root as large as a child's head, Chairman Yoon Jongu's eyes widened.
“Where on earth did you get such a magnificent liquor?”
“It was a birthday present from Jiham.”
Ignoring Chairman Park's answer, Yoon Jongu turned to me.
“Where did you obtain such a rare item?”
“It was a gift from my grandfather.”
“I doubt your grandfather simply gave it away. Surely there was a special reason?”
Grandfather had actually given it to me in advance for my future wedding, so that I could drink it and have a son. But there was no way I could reveal the whole truth.
“He told me to use it wisely when the proper time came.”
At that moment, Chief Secretary Song Dosok quietly whispered something into Chairman Yoon Jongu's ear. After nodding in understanding, Yoon Jongu turned to Park Yeongil.
“Listen, give this liquor back to Cha Jiham. We'll just drink soju instead.”
“On what grounds?”
“Jiham's grandfather could have made a fortune by selling that root. Instead, he made liquor out of it and gave it to his grandson. That means there's a personal story behind it that we don't know.”
“Jiham, what do you think about Chairman Yoon's suggestion?”
Since it had come to this, I had no choice but to tell the truth.
“My grandfather believes that if I drink this liquor, I'll definitely have a son.”
“Well, then we absolutely have no right to drink it. I'll keep it here, and when Jiham gets married, I'll present it to him as a gift.”
Thus, in a completely unexpected turn of events, the liquor became mine again.
After dinner, we moved back to the study to continue our interrupted conversation. Chairman Yoon Jongu noticed the paper bag on the desk and asked Park Yeongil,
“What's in that bag?”
“An expensive watch I prepared as a gift for Jiham for passing the interview. But he's refusing to accept it.”
“Why?”
“Jiham mistakenly believes he got accepted only because of my influence.”
“Cha Jiham, you've already heard how you were selected, haven't you?”
“Yes, that's right.”
After hearing my answer, Chairman Yoon Jongu continued talking to Park Yeongil.
“Now I'll tell you the real reason I came here.”
“Well then, spit it out already.”
“You gave Cha Jiham that herbal calming medicine before the interview, didn't you?”
“Yes, I did. But how did you know he took medicine?”
Yoon Jongu had learned it from his granddaughter, but he had no intention of telling the truth.
“I received several reports saying that Cha Jiham carried a pleasant scent of oriental herbs.”
“Perhaps the other applicants also took calming medicine.”
“Of course. But the smell of their medicine was completely different from Cha Jiham's.”
“Hm... That's possible.”
“What I'm getting at is, could you give me some of that medicine as well?”
“I'd gladly do it, but I don't have a single pill left.”
Chairman Yoon Jongu was disappointed, but decided not to insist. Park Yeongil wasn't the type to lie over something trivial.
“Can more be obtained?”
“The person who made it is already very old, so I don't know whether he can make it again.”
“If you manage to get any, please let me have even one pill.”
“I'll ask around, but first tell me why you want it so badly.”
“Don't tell me you don't know what effects it has?”
“If I knew, would I be asking?”
At those words, Chairman Yoon Jongu's gaze shifted to me. I immediately understood the meaning behind his look and spoke without delay.
“It seems the medicine I took really is special. Not only does it provide incredible confidence, but it also appears to improve brain function. And, embarrassing as it is to admit, it tremendously increases male vitality.”
“......!!”
Everyone in the study was left speechless.
Confidence and mental clarity were one thing. But when it came to the most symbolic aspect of manhood, and one that had apparently risen to unbelievable levels, who could remain indifferent?
While I sat there awkwardly with a stiff expression, Chairman Yoon Jongu looked at me in astonishment.
“Cha Jiham, could this effect simply be temporary?”
“Ten days have passed since I took the medicine, but nothing has changed. My vitality remains at the same level. Of course, once the medicine completely leaves my system, everything might return to normal.”
“Yes, that's possible. Have there been any other effects?”
“Well... Women seem to show an abnormally high level of interest in me compared to before.”
At that moment, Chairman Yoon Jongu thought he finally understood why his granddaughter had shown such obvious interest in Cha Jiham. Apparently, the herbal medicine contained something akin to pheromones. Of course, the young man's excellent physique and handsome face had also played their part.
“So you believe there are pheromones in it?”
“In that regard, I think your opinion is probably correct.”
“Ah, Cha Jiham, I truly envy you.”
“Listen to yourself! Have you looked at your age?” Chairman Park Yeongil immediately cut him off.
“So what if I'm old? I'm still a man.”
“Well, if you put it that way, I can't argue.”
“Cha Jiham, may I offer you some advice?”
“Of course. I'm listening carefully.”
“Throughout my life, I've seen countless people ruin their reputations and disgrace themselves because they failed to control their desires. I don't think I need to elaborate.”
“Of course. I'll remember your advice.”
Satisfied, Chairman Yoon Jongu turned toward Park Yeongil.
“Well, the alcohol has worn off a bit. I should be going home.”
***
The next morning, Chairman Yoon Jongu leisurely drank tea while chatting with Chief Secretary Song Dosok.
“What do you think about this Cha Jiham?”
“I don't know whether it's because of the medicine, but the boy is definitely extraordinary.”
“In what sense?”
“During his conversation with you, he wasn't nervous in the slightest and answered every question with complete confidence. He also seems to possess excellent judgment and the ability to adapt to situations on the fly.”
“Do you think he'll amount to something if properly polished?”
“I think the fact that Chairman Park singled him out from the crowd is already answer enough.”
“That's true. Though I wonder whether he'll return to being an ordinary person once the effects of the medicine wear off.”
“That's highly possible, but we should observe him regardless.”
“Let's do that. By the way, how much longer do you need to finish gathering information on him?”
“Chairman Park probably already has most of the material. I'll ask Chief Secretary Kang.”
“Yes, that's the sensible approach.”
Knock, knock, knock.
At that moment, after a polite knock, the office door opened and a secretary entered, handing Chairman Yoon Jongu a note. After reading it, he nodded and gave an order.
“Send her in. And bring the coffee Sola likes.”
A moment later, Yun Sola opened the door and entered. Following proper etiquette, she politely greeted Chairman Yoon Jongu and sat on the empty sofa. Looking at this unfamiliar behavior from his granddaughter, he spoke in surprise.
“Did the sun rise in the west today?”
“Oh, Grandpa. Until yesterday I was an ordinary person, but starting today I'm an intern at Hangang Group. Showing proper respect to the chairman of the conglomerate is only natural.”
“Hahaha!”
Her answer delighted Chairman Yoon Jongu, and he laughed warmly again. Once he had calmed down, she continued.
“Actually, after today, I don't plan to come to the chairman's office anymore.”
“Why not?”
“I'm just an intern. If I keep hanging around the chairman's office, what will the secretariat staff think?”
“You have a point. It could create unnecessary rumors. Then we'll just see each other at home.”
“Agreed. So, why did you call me?”
“Last night, I happened to run into Cha Jiham. I wanted to tell you what we talked about.”
“Really? Hurry and tell me!”
“Haha, you're so impatient. We confirmed that he doesn't have a girlfriend. And he said that among all the women he's met, you're the second most beautiful.”
“Do you know who came first?”
“He said it was his mother.”
At that moment, as though wanting to add an important detail, Chief Secretary Song Dosok joined the conversation.
“Chairman, Mr. Cha Jiham answered both your questions and Chairman Park's without the slightest hesitation. However, when he was asked about the most beautiful woman, he paused for a moment before answering.”
“You mean he lied just to avoid spoiling the mood?”
“That's the conclusion I lean toward.”
“Hm, then who could this woman be, the one even more beautiful than our Sola...?”