Chapter 10. The Little Boss

A restaurant in Taiwan.

Six people from Young Sung Industries, who had come to Taiwan on a business trip, were enjoying a meal together. Although this was their first time participating in an international fair, they had attended several domestic fairs before, and they were particularly confident about their products this time, so they weren't feeling intimidated.

"Team Leader, objectively speaking, we did quite well, right? We sold all the samples we brought."

The atmosphere at the dinner was not bad. Everyone was laughing and chatting, and food and drinks were being passed around.

As the mood began to heat up, an employee from the development team cautiously approached Team Leader Yi Wookgi.

"Team Leader... when we get back, we're going to get a lot of flak, right?"

"Get flak?! Why would we?"

"Well, we did tell Intel that we didn't make it, didn't we?"

Realizing what the employee was talking about, Team Leader Yi Wookgi put a hand on the employee's shoulder. Despite the good mood, he hadn't drunk enough to get completely drunk, at least in his own opinion.

"Don't worry. We might hear a few words, but there won't be any problems. After all, it's true that we didn't make it, right?"

"But if our CEO finds out, he'll definitely..."

"Come on, the other party is Intel. Do you really think they wouldn't know if we tried to hide it? Trying to half-heartedly cover it up would have been worse."

Still looking somewhat disappointed, the employee received a few more words from Team Leader Yi Wookgi.

"But it's good for Young Sung too, so there's no need to worry. Our CEO will definitely understand."

"What's good for us?"

"Think about it. How could a person in their mid-20s, who has never studied anything related, suddenly create such a product? Especially someone who was in the hospital until recently."

"Hmm, now that you mention it, he really is quite impressive."

Team Leader Yi Wookgi lowered his voice as if sharing a secret.

"Have you heard those stories? People who were in a coma and suddenly woke up as geniuses. They can fluently speak languages of countries they've never been to, or solve complex formulas that even university professors can't figure out."

"I've heard of such stories... but you don't mean...?!"

"Of course, it might not be true. But can you explain this situation any other way?"

"Ah... I guess that could be possible."

Team Leader Yi Wookgi felt quite proud. Although it was the first time he was sharing his hypothesis, he thought it fit quite well.

"Just wait and see. CEO Im Sun-woo will make another big move soon."

"Then will he work with us again?"

"Of course. If this deal with Intel goes well, he'll probably be secretly grateful to us."

"Team Leader, you really had a plan all along."

The two men, their faces flushed from the alcohol, were having a serious conversation, which the others watched in silence for a while. Of course, the two men were so drunk that they didn't notice the situation at all.

"An Da-ri, those two aren't really serious, right?"

"Of course not. Haha..."

"No, look at their faces. They're being serious."

Seeing the two men whispering and talking, the other employees quickly started packing up.

If they drank any more, they might end up doing something regrettable on the streets of Taiwan.

"This won't do. Let's take those two to the hotel quickly. An Da-ri, take away Team Leader Yi Wookgi's drink. Hey, you're drinking again. Hurry up!"

***

A five-star hotel, some distance from the small hotel where the Young Sung Industries people were staying.

A top-tier hotel where many companies attending the Taiwan International Fair were staying. Among them were people from Intel's headquarters in the United States.

In front of them were small pieces of metal, completely disassembled and scattered.

"This is strange. No matter how I look at it, I can't see how it could perform like this."

"Is there a possibility that they found a new alloy?"

The woman, who seemed to be the boss, asked, and the blonde man shook his head firmly.

"We've already confirmed the composition. This is just ordinary aluminum. There are copper wires inside, but that alone can't produce such performance. It's physically impossible."

"Then how do you explain what we're seeing right now?"

An So-young, the representative of Intel Korea, asked with a cold expression.

'This Eastern woman thinks she's so important just because she's a branch manager.'

Intel, with tens of thousands of employees in dozens of countries around the world, has a few countries that are a bit special. CPUs, the core components of computers, are quite expensive. Places that need such high-end products are countries where the entire industry is controlled by computers, which are Intel's main markets. Korea, with its widespread use of both industrial and personal computers, is considered quite important by Intel headquarters.

No matter how important the researcher from headquarters is, they can't treat the branch manager of such a place casually.

Regardless of their true feelings.

"We can figure it out quickly once we get back to headquarters. As you know, we didn't come prepared for this kind of situation."

"That's good. But I've been curious... this logo? What is this mark?"

An So-young pointed to a unique pattern engraved on the inside of the disassembled cooler, hidden from view.

"It's made of thin silver. It looks like a traditional Korean pattern, doesn't it?"

"Made of silver?"

'What's the reason?'

If it was that thin, it wouldn't cost much, but why spend money on something that can't be seen?

This was what An So-young was curious about.

'Engraving a company logo on a product isn't that rare...'

But no one uses silver for logos, especially in places that users can't see.

If it was a limited edition for a few customers, it might make sense, but a product showcased at an international fair could be exported anywhere in the world, and that was the goal.

'Could they really attach this to all those coolers? That would be a significant cost.'

Intel Korea is not just a branch of Intel but a bit different. It was established to play a key role in Intel's 'strategic innovation.'

The reason the representative of such a place came here in a hurry was for this.

"Is the company that made this from Korea?"

"Yeong Song? ...Ah, it's called Young Sung Industries."

Young Sung? Young Sung...

The name faintly came to mind when she rolled it around in her mouth. It wasn't a big company, but it manufactured and sold a few components, including coolers, domestically.

"I need to meet the CEO of Young Sung Industries in person when I go to Korea."

"But, this isn't made by Young Sung Industries."

"What do you mean? Are you saying they brought a product from another company to the fair?"

"No, they said it's an OEM product."

OEM means a company that produces components for other companies' products. In other words, Young Sung Industries had the heat sink made by another company.

"So, you're saying the subcontractor developed this?"

"If they're not lying, that's what it means."

A hollow laugh escaped An So-young's lips. Lying about something that would be revealed soon was a way to seek profit.

'There's no reason to lie and cause a loss.'

Honesty is good, but it's a bit hard to understand why they would give up potential benefits so easily by acting as a middleman.

"Whatever. Then, who made this?"

"Let me check... Ah, Yeongil Industry?"

"Yeongil Industry..."

Yeongil Industry...

...Yeongil Workshop.

An So-young rolled the name around in her mouth a few times, but it didn't ring a bell.

She didn't like owing anyone, but she had to ask.

"Do you have their contact information?"

***

Over 300 million won from the payment received by Young Sung Industries went to pay for aluminum and copper. If it had been the original supply contract price, most of it would have gone to employee salaries and machinery installment payments, but this time, the situation was different.

"Everyone, thank you for your hard work. This issue is resolved, so you don't need to worry anymore!"

"Boss, does that mean our company is really okay now?"

"Of course. It's all resolved."

At his words, all the employees turned to look at me. With so many ears and eyes, it's impossible not to know.

Still, it's a bit embarrassing.

'That's why I didn't want to come...'

I was dragged here because my dad insisted I come with him.

"Everyone knows that the one who resolved this issue was actually my son. Sun-woo, say hello?"

"My name is Im Sun-woo. I really didn't do much..."

"You didn't do much?! We all know you did!"

Someone's shout was met with cheers from all around.

Among them was a rather old team leader.

"Right. I was worried about losing my job and being too old for other factories to hire me. Thanks to you, I can earn a living for a while. Thank you, Sun-woo."

"Team Leader, why would you lose your job? With your skills, other companies would fight to hire you. So, please stay and help my dad more."

"Kid... even your words are appreciated."

It's not just words. Most of the people here are those I've seen coming and going at the factory since I was a child. They helped my dad and uncles build the current Yeongil Workshop through hard work.

"If you ever think of leaving, I'll do my best to keep you here."

Especially a few of them are objectively outstanding. The team leaders who can operate and maintain machines and fix most problems are the pillars of Yeongil Workshop.

"Alright, enough with the flattery."

Dad paused for a moment.

"I agree with Sun-woo. This result is thanks to everyone's efforts. So... this time, I've added a bit more to the performance bonus on top of the salary."

There was a brief commotion among the employees. Performance bonuses were occasionally given when deliveries went well, but this was the first time they were announced separately.

"Performance bonus?"

"Everyone must have felt anxious during this time. You can also see this as a thank you for believing in our management and waiting quietly in your positions."

Dad has been running the workshop for over 20 years and has been called 'boss,' but our family rarely thought of ourselves as 'the boss's family.' Most of the profits were reinvested in buying new machines or expanding the factory.

I understand that everything was for the growth of the workshop, but it was a bit frustrating.

'Now I understand Dad a bit more.'

Seeing the bright faces of the employees in their dusty, oil-stained work clothes, I felt a strange sense of happiness.

Those who checked their accounts on their smartphones looked at each other.

The amount was more than they expected.

"Boss, thank you!"

"Our boss is the best! Cheers!"

"Boss, you're the best!"

Seeing the bright faces of the team leaders, who still think some outdated phrases are the latest, is also satisfying.

After all, this issue was resolved well because everyone here made good products. If the quality had been poor, even with the magic array, it would have been difficult.

Yes, I mustn't forget.

Without these people, Yeongil Workshop might not have survived this long.

"Cheers for the little boss!"

"Excuse me?"

"You're going to start learning management soon, right? So, you're the little boss now."

"Me? No, I never said..."

"Please do your best, little boss."

The employees returned to their seats, chatting loudly as if they were going to have soju together in the evening.

"I never said..."

No one seems to be listening to me.

Little boss...

Can you ignore the boss like this?

'What should I do... I'm starting to get used to being called boss.'

This feels a bit unsettling.