The Overly Competent Junior Employee

“What are you going to do?”

That evening, in the car heading home, Ko Eunha, lost in thought, turned her head at the voice coming from the driver’s seat.

“About what?”

“I’ve brought the Big 3 securities firms of our country—Taesan, Seonjin, and Yuseong—before you, just as you wanted. Now it’s your turn to choose.”

The agency CEO, who was driving, glanced at Ko Eunha through the rearview mirror. She still wore an expression of deep contemplation.

“You didn’t seem like you’d have any concerns, but are you wavering a bit?”

The CEO had been Ko Eunha’s manager since her rookie days. Even though Ko Eunha had set up her own one-person agency and he was now its CEO, he was still her managing agent.

Having observed her for the longest time, he could now even catch the subtle changes in Ko Eunha’s psychological state.

“Taesan recommended real estate, Seonjin also real estate, and Yuseong, well… they were a bit unique, but they also said they’d manage your assets through real estate experts if that’s what you want.”

Long ago, an article had surfaced criticizing Ko Eunha’s real estate investments as speculation. The article had been picked up by politicians, turning it into a hot-button issue for a while.

Perhaps due to the influence of that article, there was still a perception of Ko Eunha as someone obsessively fixated on real estate. Both Taesan and Seonjin had come prepared with briefings on how to professionally proceed with real estate investments.

“If that’s what I wanted, I would have invested in real estate from the start.”

The CEO furrowed his brow at Ko Eunha’s words.

“Why? You said you wanted to just invest in real estate after hearing Taesan’s pitch.”

“But then someone came along with a different story.”

Ko Eunha spoke curtly and looked out the window, while the CEO chuckled.

It had been the CEO himself who, because of the aforementioned article, had advised against real estate this time and suggested meeting with securities firms.

Of course, it was true that Ko Eunha was obsessively focused on real estate, but it wasn’t speculation as the article had claimed.

No matter how they tried to explain their side of the story, everyone would still call it speculation, so they hadn’t bothered to publish a rebuttal.

“Where? Yuseong?”

“……”

“It was quite interesting. The other securities firms all sent out center directors or branch managers, but Yuseong sent a young kid. I was a bit skeptical at first.”

Though Ko Eunha showed no reaction, the CEO continued speaking as if used to it.

“I thought Yuseong had given up, afraid of losing to the other two firms, but the briefing was interesting. Wine, of all things……”

The CEO trailed off, seemingly recalling the time spent in the office earlier.

“I’ve only ever drunk wine, but it seems the professionals think differently. Coming up with investment ideas, I mean. What did you think, Eunha?”

“……It was interesting.”

“Just interesting? Didn’t you have any other thoughts?”

“Other thoughts?”

“Yeah, remember what that person said? That there are things in this world like wine, and just as wine becomes better with age, he believes people can become that way too.”

The employee from Yuseong Securities seemed to know Ko Eunha very well.

Ko Eunha’s interest in the unchanging nature of real estate and paintings stemmed from her intense fear of change.

Though it was hard to pinpoint exactly when, at some point, Ko Eunha had begun to fear change.

She would irritably watch newly debuting idols each year, suffering from anxiety, and was regularly seeing a psychiatrist.

“……What does that person know?”

“He seemed to know quite well. He believes that rather than fearing change, embracing it and enjoying new things is what investment and life are about.”

“……”

“I was moved by that. I always say this, but I believe that ten years from now, you’ll have developed your unique self even further.”

Of course, he didn’t expect something to change with just one person’s words.

But he thought that by investing in wine, which increases in value as it ages, Ko Eunha might be able to let go of some of her current fears, even if just a little.

“I don’t have a say in the choice, but honestly, I liked Yuseong. I just liked them. They seemed to know you well.”

At the CEO’s words, Ko Eunha said nothing and looked out the window.

After staring out the window for a while, Ko Eunha let out a small sigh and spoke.

“He said there were big risks.”

“As if buildings don’t have risks? And he said the risks could be reduced if you study, remember?”

“Won’t it be difficult?”

“That’s what asset managers are for, aren’t they? You study while getting help. Don’t you think it would be good for you to shake off some of that anxiety and find something to focus on?”

After hesitating for a moment at the CEO’s words, Ko Eunha took out her phone and logged into her social media.

Bzzzt-

As the phone vibrated, the CEO, who was driving, looked at the mount and furrowed his brow.

“Did you just post an Instagram story?”

“Yeah, why?”

“What are you doing suddenly posting while talking to me? What did you post? I can’t see it while driving.”

“Nothing much. Just asked the fans about their favorite wines.”

“Have you made a decision?”

Ko Eunha didn’t answer the CEO’s question and focused on her phone. The CEO, watching her through the rearview mirror, smirked as if to say, “There’s no stopping her.”

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“No contact from Ko Eunha’s side, right?”

The next day, as soon as Dokyung arrived at work, he was summoned by Team Leader Seo Jeonghwan.

“No, not yet.”

“Any movement from the other securities firms?”

“I’m not sure.”

Seo Jeonghwan nodded at Dokyung’s answer. Even if there were movements from the others, neither Dokyung nor he would know about it.

The question had slipped out due to his impatience.

“I should have gone with you yesterday.”

As Dokyung remained silent at his words, Seo Jeonghwan raised his hand as if to say not to misunderstand.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Dokyung-ssi. It’s just that I heard the other companies sent center director-level personnel, so I’m worried the client might have felt slighted.”

“They didn’t show any signs of that. They listened attentively to my briefing.”

“You mentioned real estate too, right?”

“Yes, I told them that besides wine, if the client wished, we could also assist with real estate investments through experts. They seemed satisfied.”

“Is that so? That’s a relief then. Did you explain our terms well?”

“The briefing ran long, so there wasn’t an opportunity. The client also wanted more time to think. I believe it won’t be too late to discuss it when we enter into the main contract.”

“If we’re chosen, that is.”

Seo Jeonghwan looked at Dokyung, nodding with a hint of disappointment.

“I’m sorry. It’s just such a valuable client……”

Words rose to the tip of Dokyung’s tongue, but he swallowed them and nodded.

“I think it’s best to wait a little. They said they’d contact us regardless of their decision.”

“Right. Let’s do that……”

Bzzzt-

Just then, Dokyung’s phone started vibrating, and all eyes in the office turned to him.

“Could it be?”

“Yes, it’s from the client’s side.”

“Answer it quickly.”

At Seo Jeonghwan’s words, Dokyung pressed the answer button.

“This is Yoon Dokyung from Yuseong Investment Securities. Yes, yes. Thank you. I’ll come to see you right away. Yes. Then I’ll see you shortly.”

After ending the call, Dokyung smiled and nodded towards Seo Jeonghwan, who clenched his fist.

“Good job.”

“I’ll accept your praise after I come back with the signed contract. The client said they want to sign the contract this morning.”

“Ah, hurry and go then. And make sure to explain our contract terms well.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Dokyung bowed and left the office, grabbing his bag and jacket.

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“If I had known it would be like this, I should have just signed the contract yesterday.”

In the CEO’s office of Ko Eunha’s agency, Dokyung, Ko Eunha, and the agency CEO were seated.

The CEO spoke to Dokyung with a satisfied smile that wouldn’t leave his face.

“Not at all. You needed time to make your decision.”

Dokyung looked at Ko Eunha, who, unlike her tense expression yesterday, was now looking at him with a friendly demeanor.

“Manager, do you know where I should buy wine?”

“Wine?”

Dokyung asked back, seemingly surprised by Ko Eunha’s question.

“You said yesterday that studying about wine would reduce investment risks.”

“Ah, yes, that’s right.”

“I got some wine recommendations from fans on social media yesterday. I want to start enjoying it from today.”

At Ko Eunha’s words, Dokyung briefly showed a surprised expression before rummaging through his bag.

He then pulled out a thick book and placed it on the table.

“This is a book I read while studying for this. It’s great for beginners to learn about wine history, types, and how to enjoy them.”

“Oh, may I have it?”

“Of course. We’ll be discussing wine together from now on.”

“Then I’ll gratefully accept it.”

As Ko Eunha bowed her head and hugged the book to her chest, Dokyung took out a notepad and began writing something.

“These are the three places known as Korea’s wine holy lands. Two are in Seoul, and one is in Chuncheon. They should have most wines you’d want. If there’s a wine you can’t find there, just let me know.”

“Can you get it then?”

“Yes, as I mentioned, we’ll be brokering this futures investment through a specialized wine trading company. We can source it through them.”

“Thank you.”

Ko Eunha looked at the notepad Dokyung had handed her and smiled as she spoke.

“To be honest, I’m very anxious.”

As Ko Eunha began speaking, the CEO was about to stop her but closed his mouth after seeing her expression.

Dokyung focused on her words.

“It’s hard to watch talented singers debut every year, only to disappear when they don’t capture the public’s attention. Seeing friends who are even better than me vanish like that, I’m overwhelmed with anxiety about what would happen if the public’s interest in me fades.”

“……”

“So I became terrified of change. I started obsessing over things that don’t change. Gold, buildings, paintings……”

Looking at Ko Eunha, Dokyung nodded as if he understood.

Or rather, to be honest, he couldn’t truly understand without being in her position, but he could empathize with her words.

Everyone has anxieties in their hearts, after all.

“But what you said, Manager-nim, kept echoing in my mind all night. I even started to feel hopeful that maybe I too could become a more mature person 20 years from now.”

“I believe that’s possible. While I can’t speak to everything without having been in your situation, someone who’s been your long-time fan told me this: that you’ll become an even more amazing person in the future.”

“Who is that someone? I was curious yesterday too. Perhaps you, Manager……”

“Ah, it’s my younger brother. He calls himself a master’s degree holder in Ko Eunha studies.”

“Why just a master’s? He should aim for a doctorate……”

“I said the same thing, but he said he still has a long way to go.”

As Dokyung spoke with a laugh, Ko Eunha smiled along.

“Then, for the master’s degree holder, could I give you a signed copy of my latest album?”

At Ko Eunha’s words, Dokyung waved his hands as if surprised.

“No, you don’t have to……”

“I want to do it. It seems like I heard some good words from a good person thanks to him.”

“If you’re willing to do that……. I guess I’ll get to act like a good older brother for once. I was wondering how to repay him.”

At those words, the CEO brought an album from the side of the office and handed it to Ko Eunha, who began signing it.

“His name is……”

“Yoon Dojin.”

“Here you go. Please tell the master’s degree holder that I’m grateful for his support.”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

“We have a schedule in the afternoon, so let’s quickly sign the contract and wrap this up.”

As the CEO said this, Ko Eunha nodded and began reading the contract.

“The terms aren’t as good as the others.”

“I’m not sure about the terms offered by others, but we do offer commission reductions based on the investment amount.”

“The others were quite aggressive with that. They even asked to use me for promotion, which I didn’t like.”

When those words came out of Ko Eunha’s mouth, Dokyung hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“We can add a special clause for you.”

“A special clause?”

At Dokyung’s words, Ko Eunha and the agency CEO looked at him with puzzled expressions.