The Overly Competent Junior Employee

“Center Director, Team Leader. I’m late. I apologize.”

Dokyung, having returned to the Leaders Center after finalizing the contract with Ko Eunha, bowed to Center Director Ha Min-jae and Team 3 Leader Seo Jeonghwan, who were waiting for him.

“Not at all. Come in and have a seat.”

Ha Min-jae gestured towards an empty chair, indicating it was fine, and Dokyung sat down.

“Did you successfully conclude the contract?”

As Dokyung took his seat, Team Leader Seo Jeonghwan, sitting across from him, asked, and Dokyung pulled out a document envelope from his bag.

“Here are the signed contract documents from the client.”

Dokyung placed the envelope in front of Ha Min-jae, who opened it and examined the contents.

“The initial investment is 3 billion won.”

“Yes, she mentioned considering additional investments based on performance.”

“While we manage funds for many entertainment industry professionals at our center, this amount is among the higher ones. Usually, they prioritize real estate investments.”

Ha Min-jae couldn’t take his eyes off the documents, seemingly impressed. As he said, entertainers typically had many experts around them due to their profession.

They often bought buildings directly consulted by real estate experts or purchased stocks based on insider information that even industry professionals found hard to come by, so they rarely sought asset management services.

Of course, there were also many scammers targeting their money…

“It seems Ko Eunha-ssi not only has tremendous real estate assets but also substantial liquid assets.”

As Ha Min-jae continued reading through the documents while making this comment, Dokyung spoke up.

“I finalized the contract with the same commission rate as other clients.”

“The same rate?”

Seo Jeonghwan asked in surprise, and Center Director Ha Min-jae checked the section detailing the commission.

“Yes, but the client requested a special clause.”

“I see. There is indeed a special clause written here.”

Ha Min-jae stroked his chin as he looked at the special clause.

“Party B shall not disclose any details of the contract with Party A to anyone.”

Dokyung had explained everything to Ko Eunha’s side. He told them that some people within the company viewed the asset management contract with Ko Eunha as potential promotional material.

Ko Eunha was to be Dokyung’s client going forward. He couldn’t agree with others who saw the contract with such a client as promotional fodder, and he didn’t want Ko Eunha to suddenly find herself in such a situation.

Although Dokyung had full authority over this contract, he was still a junior employee at the center. He didn’t want to create friction with team members over this issue.

So he explained everything to Ko Eunha and suggested adding the special clause.

“Given that the client has previously suffered from unfavorable articles, I agreed that this would be best and consented to the special clause.”

Moreover, special treatment for Ko Eunha could be seen as reverse discrimination against other clients.

Of course, the company had offered such an adjusted commission rate because they particularly wanted something from Ko Eunha…

Even clients who entrusted larger amounts than Ko Eunha didn’t receive such an adjusted commission rate.

That’s why Dokyung felt this contract wasn’t right.

“…I see. To be honest, we did think that securing a contract with Ko Eunha-ssi might provide some promotional benefit for us. Not because of Ko Eunha-ssi specifically, but because a celebrity chose Yuseong over Taesan and Seonjin.”

Ha Min-jae continued, looking at Dokyung.

“That’s why we offered a somewhat aggressive adjusted commission rate, though I had my doubts. But perhaps this is for the best. We haven’t lost anything, so we can accept this level of special clause.”

Not carelessly disclosing details about investments was, in a way, a given between asset managers and clients.

However, this wasn’t typically enforced contractually, and Dokyung, as the person with full authority over this contract, had included this as a special clause.

By doing so, he thought he had achieved a result satisfactory to both the company and the client.

“Anyway, I’m impressed with you, Yoon Dokyung-ssi. This is a new challenge. Wine futures investment…”

“I’ll study hard.”

“Of course, while we’ll work through specialized brokers, you’ll need to as well. That’s a good attitude. We can promote this aspect.”

Ha Min-jae smiled, seemingly pleased.

“At Yuseong Investment Securities’ Leaders Center, there’s nothing we can’t invest in.”

Seo Jeonghwan nodded at Ha Min-jae’s words. There could be no better promotional material than that.

“We’ve started investment products for startups, and now we’re officially selling wine futures products. Even if it’s not a specialized product, we can introduce it to interested clients.”

“That’s right. After hearing from Dokyung-ssi, I looked into it separately, and it seems wine is now bought for investment rather than drinking.”

“Yes, I often arrange dinners with wine for clients, and the prices of good wines have increased significantly.”

This was because wines from certain regions were already pre-purchased by someone, and only the remaining stock was released to the market.

Now, the demand for wine was so explosive that it was referred to as “alcohol for collectors.”

“It seems good that we’re expanding our investment brokerage products on this occasion.”

Ha Min-jae looked at Dokyung with a sense of pride. Since Dokyung had come to the Leaders Center, there was a feeling that the somewhat rigid atmosphere of the organization was changing.

It was true that the center’s employees’ mood had shifted thanks to an employee taking on new challenges, from startup investments to wine investments.

“Good job.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll report this separately to headquarters so that it can be reflected in Dokyung-ssi’s performance evaluation in some way.”

Dokyung looked at Ha Min-jae with a surprised expression at his words.

“I didn’t do this with such expectations.”

“I know. But our industry is tough these days. We need to retain capable employees however we can.”

Recently, a job-hopping trend had begun in the securities industry.

As fintech companies providing payment processing services entered the securities business, capable personnel from existing securities firms were being poached.

Of course, since they only provided securities services online, there wasn’t much outflow of asset managers like PBs, but if they ever decided to open physical branches, many might leave.

“You’ve brought in a client by beating Taesan and Seonjin.”

At Ha Min-jae’s words, Seo Jeonghwan nodded towards Dokyung, who bowed his head.

“Thank you for recognizing my efforts.”

“Not at all. You’ve done excellent work. Shall we wrap this up?”

Ha Min-jae stood up and patted Dokyung on the back. Dokyung and Seo Jeonghwan bowed and left the center director’s office.

“As the Center Director said, you’ve done something worthy of praise.”

Seo Jeonghwan said this as they walked towards the office.

“Thank you…”

“And your strategy for the client was good too.”

Dokyung stopped in his tracks and looked at Seo Jeonghwan, who smirked.

“The special clause, you proposed it first, didn’t you?”

“Yes. I should have consulted with you first… I’m sorry.”

“No need. I wanted to see how Yoon Dokyung would handle it. That’s why I gave you full authority.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve been going out every morning…”

“Ah, that was because I was genuinely busy.”

Seo Jeonghwan continued, looking at Dokyung.

“As I said, it was for the client’s benefit, and you also secured the contract, so I have nothing to criticize. Well done.”

Seo Jeonghwan patted Dokyung on the back and walked towards the office. Dokyung bowed to Seo Jeonghwan’s retreating figure.

“Thank you.”

⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱

“Dojin is a bit late today, isn’t he?”

“You’re the one who came home early.”

That evening.

Dokyung had left work early and was having dinner at home when he asked his mother, wondering why his brother hadn’t come home yet.

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes. Dojin usually comes home after eight, but you’ve been coming home later than that, so it seemed like Dojin was coming home early.”

Dokyung nodded at his mother’s words and continued eating.

“Will you be coming home this early from now on? It’s nice to have dinner together at home.”

“No, today was just… a special day.”

“What’s special about it?”

“Your son brought in a big client.”

“Really?”

Dokyung’s mother asked with an interested expression, and Dokyung chuckled.

His mother always showed such childlike interest in the affairs of her two sons, Dokyung and Dojin.

“Yes, your son is the company’s ace.”

At Dokyung’s playful boast, his mother smiled and looked at him.

“Still, you should always remain humble.”

“I know. I’m only talking like this because I’m in front of you, Mom.”

“Well, it’s good that you did something helpful for the company. Everyone must be fond of our Dokyung.”

“It was something that helped the company, helped me, and will help Dojin too.”

His mother looked at Dokyung quizzically at his words.

“Dojin?”

“Yes. I’ll tell you when Dojin comes home.”

Beep- Beep- Beep-beep-beep-

Speak of the devil, as soon as he said that, the sound of the door lock code being entered was heard, and the door opened as Dojin came home.

“I’m home… Oh? Hyung, you’re home early today.”

“Yoon Dojin! Did you study hard?”

“Yes, I worked hard.”

“Dojin, quickly wash up and come eat with your brother.”

“Okay, I will.”

At his mother’s words, Dojin replied and went to his room to put down his bag before heading to the bathroom.

A moment later, when Dojin came out after washing up, Dokyung got up from his seat, went to his room, and brought out a paper bag, placing it in front of Dojin.

“What’s this?”

Dojin looked back and forth between Dokyung and the paper bag with a curious expression.

“Look inside.”

Dokyung said this and sat back down, while their mother also looked at Dojin with a curious expression.

Dojin, still looking puzzled, took out the contents of the paper bag and then looked at Dokyung with a surprised expression.

Inside the paper bag were Ko Eunha’s album and merchandise (idol-related products).

“You should open the album.”

Dojin, as if hypnotized, obediently followed Dokyung’s words.

Then he gaped once again.

“How did you get this?”

“Why? Do you like it?”

“Like it? I’ve bought multiple albums trying to get into fan signing events but never made it.”

“A client I know gave it to me. I told her you were a fan.”

“Ah…”

“My goodness, I’ve never seen this expression on my son’s face before, even though I gave birth to him.”

Their mother said this, looking at Dojin with an incredulous expression, while Dokyung beamed with satisfaction at his brother’s reaction.

Anyone could see that Dojin was truly touched.

“That merchandise is supposed to come out soon. Since you got it early, don’t post it on the internet.”

“Of course not. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. I’m the one who should be thanking you, kid.”

“What do you have to thank me for?”

“There are things.”

Dokyung said this and resumed eating.

“Dojin, stop looking at that and eat your dinner!”

At their mother’s scolding, Dojin carefully put the items back in the paper bag as if handling a precious artifact and started eating.

Bzzzt-

As Dokyung was eating with a satisfied expression at the scene, his smartwatch vibrated. He picked up his rice bowl and chopsticks and headed to the sink.

“Are you done already?”

“Yes, something urgent came up suddenly.”

Dokyung said this and went to his room, picked up his phone, and launched an app labeled “Cat Photo Collection.”

[The VIP Service is always cheering for you, Member.]

Dokyung smiled brightly at the long-awaited message.