Chapter 8

x 8

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Monday morning. Jihoon dragged his heavy body to the office. Monday always had a particularly gloomy atmosphere, just like in any other office.

"Good morning."

Everyone quietly greeted him. Then someone turned and glanced at him.

"Intern."

"Yes, Assistant Manager."

Once again, Assistant Manager Kim Jae-hwan called Jihoon with a stern look.

"Did you cause any trouble again?"

"Trouble? Nothing special. I only went to the warehouse with Assistant Manager Yun on Friday to reapply some barcodes. There hasn't been any other work since then."

"Then why is the Editor-in-Chief looking for you?"

Jihoon was taken aback by those words.

"What do you mean? The Editor-in-Chief is looking for me?"

Assistant Manager Kim Jae-hwan, with his arms crossed, tilted his head. Then he glared at Jihoon suspiciously.

"The Editor-in-Chief said to come to him as soon as you arrive. I thought you must have caused some trouble again. Maybe you're getting a forced resignation."

Can this guy just casually mention a forced resignation like that?

"Go see him. The Editor-in-Chief is waiting."

"Yes."

Jihoon bowed and put down his bag. At that moment, Assistant Manager Yun Eun-yeol smiled at him. Only then did Jihoon feel his tension ease.

'It's probably not a big deal. Still, better to go quickly just in case.'

Jihoon quickly headed to the Editor-in-Chief's office. He knocked on the door, and a deep voice from inside told him to come in.

Editor-in-Chief Jang Tae-yeon was sitting comfortably, puffing on an e-cigarette.

"Hey, intern. You're here?"

"Hello, Editor-in-Chief. I heard you were looking for me."

Editor-in-Chief Jang Tae-yeon put down his e-cigarette and beckoned with his hand. Jihoon quickly approached him.

"I heard you met author Seo Mi-ju over the weekend?"

"Yes, I met her on Saturday and greeted her. I happened to be in that area."

"Did you tell Assistant Manager Yun before you went?"

For a moment, Jihoon had to consider a few options. If he told the truth, he would definitely be criticized for not following the proper procedure.

But Jihoon didn't hesitate to make his decision. He followed one principle: at least don't lie to others.

"I didn't report to Assistant Manager Yun. I contacted the author first, visited her, and then reported afterward."

"Huh, you met the author without reporting?"

"I'm sorry. I was shortsighted."

"An intern thinking about meeting an author? Are you out of your mind?"

But it didn't seem like he was really scolding him. The words were clearly a reprimand, but the tone was soft, and his expression wasn't bad.

"I'll make sure to report properly from now on."

"Assistant Manager Yun must be having a hard time. But it seems that this matter was resolved well thanks to Author Seo Mi-ju. Focus on your work from now on."

"Yes, Editor-in-Chief."

"And I've ordered business cards for you, so carry them with you from now on."

Jihoon's mind was filled with exclamation marks.

'Business cards?'

Suhlim Publishing had never given business cards to interns before. The fact that the Editor-in-Chief ordered them himself was unbelievable.

Does this mean they're considering converting me to a regular employee?

"Don't misunderstand! Converting to a regular employee is a separate issue. The author mentioned that an employee didn't even have a business card, so I ordered them."

"Oh, I see."

"If you hadn't acted so boldly, it wouldn't have cost us anything."

"I'm sorry."

How much could it cost to print a few business cards? Jihoon inwardly rolled his eyes, but as a thorough subordinate, he had to follow his words.

"By the way, how was meeting the author separately? It must have been difficult for your first time."

"It was tense, but not that difficult. Actually, I often meet authors."

"For what?"

"I write web novels as a hobby. I sometimes hang out with web novel authors, so I thought of it that way and relaxed."

"You write web novels?"

Editor-in-Chief Jang Tae-yeon looked surprised. His small eyes, buried in wrinkles, widened. Jihoon awkwardly smiled and waved his hand.

"It's nothing. I'm not that popular."

"So you work during the day and write at night?"

Jihoon thought he needed to answer carefully. If he didn't, they might think he wasn't focused on his job.

"Yes, but I don't write much. I'm focusing on my work at the company now. It's just a hobby. I work on it when I have time on weekends."

"Hmm. I see. How long have you been writing?"

"About 10 years."

"Really? That long?"

"I've been reading genre novels since middle school. I started writing as a hobby around that time."

Suddenly, Editor-in-Chief Jang Tae-yeon fell into thought. Could writing as a hobby have such an impact? Jihoon was curious.

But then, he noticed a document on the Editor-in-Chief's desk that caught his attention.

— Proposal for Web Novel (Genre Novel) Serial and E-Book Business

Jihoon was startled when he saw the title.

'Is our company getting into the web novel business?'

It was unexpected. Suhlim Publishing mainly published general books and focused on paper books, so he didn't think they would venture into web content.

On the other hand, he felt a bit excited.

Jihoon knew the history of genre novels, the precursor to web novels, and had a lot of knowledge in that field.

But the proposal for this business was on the Editor-in-Chief's desk.

'Maybe this is an opportunity?'

If the business is approved, a new department is created, and he can transfer to that department, he might have a chance to showcase his abilities.

Who drafted the proposal?

Jihoon tried to see the author's name but couldn't because it was blocked by the Editor-in-Chief's arm.

'Well, it makes sense. It's a golden period for web novels. It wouldn't be strange for someone to submit a proposal.'

Now would be the perfect time to start a business. Web novels had only recently established a paid model, and the market was expanding.

Then, Editor-in-Chief Jang Tae-yeon finished his thoughts.

"Alright, go back to work."

Jihoon bowed and left the Editor-in-Chief's office.

He thought he should ask Assistant Manager Yun Eun-yeol about the proposal over lunch.

'But it's strange. If there was such internal movement, Senior Eun-yeol would have hinted at it.'

Jihoon sat down, shaking his head, and started to handle his work, overcoming his Monday blues.

**

Jihoon had a simple lunch with bread and waited for Assistant Manager Yun Eun-yeol to have some free time. She usually brought a lunch box, but today she went out to eat with other team members.

A while later, the employees returned with a noisy commotion. Assistant Manager Yun Eun-yeol was among them.

He was choosing the right moment to approach her, but fortunately, she noticed him first and came over.

"Did you hear you're getting business cards?"

"How did you know?"

"I was talking to President Park earlier, and he mentioned the business card order. It's the first time our publishing company is giving business cards to an intern. We've been using the same cards for 10 years."

Assistant Manager Yun Eun-yeol spoke loudly, aware of the surroundings.

The effect was clear. The other employees were surprised to hear this.

Some might think it's just business cards.

But it was an order from Editor-in-Chief Jang Tae-yeon, and the fact that an intern was getting business cards had many implications. The biggest one was that it meant he could meet other authors.

If it were a private setting, he might have acted smugly, but not now. Jihoon humbly smiled and bowed.

"It seems the Editor-in-Chief is looking out for me. I might need them if I have to meet authors in the future."

"Right. Then I'll go with you. We can go out for a good meal with four of us. We can invite Author Kang Seong-hyun too."

"I'll find a good place. Assistant Manager."

Seeing the warm atmosphere, Assistant Manager Kim Jae-hwan butted in.

"Is that true? About the business cards?"

"Assistant Manager Kim, what are you saying? Are you accusing me of lying?"

"No, that's not what I meant..."

Assistant Manager Kim Jae-hwan backed down under Assistant Manager Yun Eun-yeol's criticism. Although they were of the same rank, her reputation in the company was overwhelming, and her abilities were on par.

Assistant Manager Yun Eun-yeol smiled and said,

"In situations like this, it's better to encourage and support. That way, subordinates can learn from their superiors and work harder."

"Hmm. You're right."

Assistant Manager Kim Jae-hwan, who couldn't even get his point across, reluctantly added,

"Don't get too cocky just because you got business cards. You never know what might happen. Got it?"

"Yes, please teach me more, Assistant Manager."

Assistant Manager Kim Jae-hwan cleared his throat and fled to the break room. The two of them smiled at his retreating figure.

"Assistant Manager Yun, I have a question."

"Let's go up."

The two of them went up to the roof. A few employees were smoking, but they didn't pay much attention, keeping a proper distance.

"I saw it in the Editor-in-Chief's office earlier. Is our company getting into the web novel business?"

"Oh, that? It's been mentioned a few times before. We don't know how it will turn out since it hasn't been approved yet."

"I see."

"Why? Are you interested?"

"It would be a lie to say I'm not. It's related to my field of expertise."

Assistant Manager Yun Eun-yeol smiled brightly.

"It would be great if the opportunity comes. You only have a few works left to complete. You could go all in on that field after you finish."

"How did you know I was close to finishing?"

"Huh? Didn't you tell me? The day you caused trouble. On the roof."

Before speaking, Assistant Manager Yun Eun-yeol hesitated for a moment, which was strange, but he did mention it then. He said he had a few works left and would finish them the following week.

Jihoon let it go.

"I remember. It's a coincidence that it aligns with the timing of the project."

"We don't know yet. It could be cut before the CEO approves it."

"Did you draft the proposal?"

"Maybe?"

Assistant Manager Yun Eun-yeol smiled mysteriously and turned her head. The weather was clear and blue as always.

**

That evening, Jihoon left the office alone. Assistant Manager Yun Eun-yeol, who usually left with him, had to go to the printing shop to check samples and was out of the office.

'I should go to the used bookstore. I need to start planning a new work.'

Even if the web novel business is approved, there's no guarantee he'll get the opportunity. Given his intern status and the recent mistake, the chances were slim. It was more likely that they would hire an external expert for the new business, assuming they would invest heavily.

'So it's better to prepare a new work in advance. To contribute to the household even a little.'

The current work, "The Dignity of a Lord," was performing poorly, but it was selling on multiple platforms, earning enough for pocket money. Stopping writing in this situation would not be a good choice.

'I need to try hard, even if I'm a bit tired!'

Jihoon entered the used bookstore and sat at the desk. He turned on the computer and started planning.

But then he heard the door open from outside.

'A customer?'

He hadn't opened the door for a while, but it seemed that leaving it open recently had brought in a customer. Jihoon stood up and peeked toward the entrance.

Jihoon was slightly surprised to see the customer.

"Senior."

The customer was someone he knew well. Yun Eun-yeol entered with something in her hand.

"Weren't you supposed to go home after your field work?"

"I stopped by the printing shop to check on President Park. They said the printing was just finished."

"What is it?"

"This."

Yun Eun-yeol shook a plastic box. Inside were countless business cards, all of which were Jihoon's.

"They came out faster than I expected."

"I brought them right away. They're fresh, right?"

"They might burn my hands."

He felt a thrill. It was the first time he had business cards. A smile appeared on Jihoon's face as he looked down at the cards.

"What are you doing? Give me one first."

"Ah, yes."

Jihoon took a card from the box and awkwardly handed it to Eun-yeol. Instead of taking it, Eun-yeol grabbed his hand.

"That's not how you do it. Turn the card toward me and hold it with both hands politely."

This time, Jihoon handed the card with both hands. Then Eun-yeol continued her instructions.

"You should introduce yourself too."

"Please take care of me. Assistant Manager Yun Eun-yeol. I'm Jihoon from the Planning and Editing Department."

"Good job."

Only then did Eun-yeol smile satisfactorily and take the card.