CH40

For a few days in a row, the meetings continued. This time, the meeting partner was a Chinese startup. Over the past 10 years, the Chinese economy has grown terrifyingly. China had suddenly surpassed Japan and taken the position of the world's second-largest economy, alongside the United States, leading the world economy as the G2.

With rapid economic development, young people entered entrepreneurship, and successful individuals quickly joined the ranks of the newly rich. The joke that one could become a millionaire overnight in China was no longer a joke.

While the pace of economic growth was slowing down, China was still seen as a land of opportunity. Xiaomin from Hangzhou, who worked at an IT company, and Yao, who worked at a logistics company, left their jobs to start a startup to seize new opportunities.

China is a vast continent. Despite extensive railway development inland after economic development, a significant portion of logistics still relied on road transport. The problem was that it was being run crudely by shippers and drivers.

For instance, a truck carrying goods from Shanghai would arrive in Xi'an to unload and return empty, while in Xi'an, people would be scrambling to find someone to transport goods back to Shanghai. Moreover, some rural cities had poor transportation conditions, leading to frequent delays in goods arriving on time, causing losses for both shippers and drivers.

Xiaomin spoke in English, explaining the potential savings of over 30% in logistics costs if goods were efficiently transported according to the route. Hyunjoo asked several questions after listening to the explanation, to which Xiaomin responded diligently.

While Xiaomin was passionate and actively engaging, Yao, sitting next to him with folded arms, appeared uncomfortable throughout.

As we reviewed the proposal, Xiaomin and Yao quietly conversed in Chinese, which I couldn't understand. Nonetheless, the atmosphere didn't seem pleasant.

"What are they talking about?" I thought, just as Ellie said, "Don't worry. We're not trying to con you." This surprised them – it seemed they didn't expect a white-looking woman to understand Chinese.

Ellie said, "I am Hongkong Chinese."

Hong Kong people consider themselves as Hongkongers, but mainlanders see Hong Kong as part of China. That's why Ellie purposely referred to herself as 'Chinese'.

After that, the conversation became more comfortable.

Yao, who had been displaying discomfort throughout the meeting, became more proactive than Xiaomin, and the investment was decided after the equity negotiations.

Even after that, we were able to meet entrepreneurs of various nationalities, such as from India, Vietnam, the Philippines, etc.

They were full of ideas and passion, ready to bring about new changes.

In a way, my role ended when the selection of these companies was made. Deciding on the investment amount and equity acquisition was Hyunjoo's job.

Hyunjoo skillfully led the negotiations, and I learned a lot by observing her.

Time flew by quickly.

It feels like just yesterday when I left home and came to the hotel, but I'm gradually getting used to this lifestyle.

Ring, ring!

I woke Taekgyu, who was sleeping next to me, in time with the alarm.

"Hey, wake up."

Taekgyu, pulling the blanket over his head, said, "Let me sleep a bit more. There are no meetings today."

"Still, we need to go for breakfast."

As I kept trying to wake him, Taekgyu grumbled, "Since when do you care about breakfast!"

"… "

"It's not a wrong statement.

Normally, I tend to skip breakfast. However, with the room rate exceeding 400,000 won, a breakfast buffet is included.

If I were alone, I might not have gone there often, but it became a routine to gather and have breakfast with Hyunjoo, Ellie, and Taekgyu every morning before starting work.

Dragging Taekgyu, who wanted to sleep more, I headed down to the restaurant on the first floor. About half of the people dining were foreigners.

Perhaps a bit late, most of the good seats were already taken.

"Over here."

Turning my head at the voice, I saw Hyunjoo and Ellie sitting by the window.

We walked over and joined them.

"You're here early."

Ellie greeted warmly.

"Did you sleep well, Jinhoo?"

"Yes."

After spending a few days together, we naturally grew closer. Ellie now called me and Taekgyu comfortably by our names.

Well, practically apart from sleeping or resting, we were together all day.

Once reluctant Taekgyu sat down, he got himself food. Seems like he gets hungry once he's up, even if he didn't want to get up.

Hyunjoo leisurely sipped her coffee.

"It feels like a holiday after so long."

I asked her.

"What are you up to today?"

"I have to work in the room. There are a few things I need to take care of."

Although Hyunjoo was dispatched to help us with our work, it was difficult for her to completely detach from her existing responsibilities. So whenever she had time, she would conduct meetings through video calls or handle tasks via email."

It is the same for Ellie as well. However, since their work domains differ, Ellie wasn't as busy as Hyunjoo noona.

Ellie spent most of their break time exercising. They mainly played squash and swam, and it seems that such a great physique doesn't come easily.

Luckily, there are various exercise facilities such as a gym, squash court, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a screen golf course inside the building.

Ellie asked me, "Do you have any plans, Jinhoo?"

"No, I don't."

Unlike the always busy two individuals, Taekgyu and I had some free time when we didn't have meetings. That's the difference between being an employer and an employee.

Ellie reacted to my words, "That's good. I want to do some sightseeing in Seoul. Can you guide me?"

The hotel is connected to a resort, where you can enjoy shopping, dining, movies, and cultural activities without going outside. There's even a casino for foreign tourists (although it's exclusive to foreigners, so only Ellie can enter).

Even so, it might feel suffocating to stay only inside the hotel while in Korea.

Hyunjoo noona asked with a passing tone while drinking coffee, "Is it a date proposal, Ellie?"

"Eh?"

While I was embarrassed, Ellie smiled, "Is that so? How about it, Jinhoo?"

I nodded, "Oh, sure."

"Then, I'll go up to prepare for the date. See you in the lobby in an hour."

Ellie got up from the seat and went up to the room first.

I observed that appearance and asked Hyunjoo noona, "Is that Hong Kong-style humor?" Hyunjoo noona replied as she set down her coffee cup, "Think for yourself."

Isn't it better to think positively when she says that?

Unlike Taekgyu leisurely eating breakfast, I grabbed a few pieces of bread and headed to the room, getting ready to go out after washing up.

What should I wear? Wearing a suit might be a bit odd, right?

I took out a pair of jeans from my suitcase and put on a clean shirt. I wished I had brought more clothes from home if I had known this would happen.

But where should I go sightseeing?

I thought about tourist spots foreigners might like, but nothing specific came to mind. I usually don't know much about local tourist attractions.

With time running out, I hurriedly left the room.

Ellie was already in the lobby.

"You came down early."

She was wearing skinny jeans, a white knit sweater, and a beige coat. Her face had light makeup, along with small earrings and a necklace.

Seeing her in something different from her usual formal wear, she seemed more like a university student studying abroad in Korea than a lawyer. I silently felt relieved that I didn't wear a suit.

Ellie asked me, "How do I look? Does it look weird?"

I quickly nodded, "Yes, it suits you well."

The styles that suit you go beyond being dazzling. Surrounding men glanced at her coyly.

"Shall we go then?"

The hotel was quite far from the airport railway station, so they operated a shuttle bus back and forth.

As they stepped out of the main entrance, they saw the shuttle bus leaving.

The next departure was in 20 minutes, a time not quite worth waiting.

"I think we should take a taxi."

Just then, a taxi pulled up nearby.

As I tried to flag down the taxi, a small car stopped in front of us. Onlookers, including the hotel staff at the entrance, looked at the car with surprise.

The driver got out confidently, ignoring the surrounding stares. It was none other than Taekgyu.

He handed me the car keys while I was still in shock.

"Take these, buddy."

"Huh?"

What was he up to? Was he really going to lend me his car?

Seeing my confusion, Taekgyu grinned.

"I'm lending it to you, just you."

"Why just me…?"

What did I do wrong?

Taekgyu's car was a red compact car, specifically a sport coupe made by the Korean GM branch that took over Daewoo.

It being a compact car didn't matter. Nowadays, compact cars are stylish and well-equipped. The issue was the large stickers on both sides.

They depicted a female character from a game, turning Taekgyu's car from an ordinary compact car to an "Ota-kar," or rather, an "Otaku car."

Seeing me standing there dumbfounded, he patted my shoulder and said, "Don't worry, just take it already."

"······."

It's too much pressure.

I've somewhat adapted to it, but I still feel embarrassed every time I get off. And now they're asking me to drive.

It's one thing if it's just me, but I can't let Ellie feel this shame too. It might be better to rent a different car.

But Ellie opened the passenger door and got into the car first.

"Thank you, Taekgyu. I'll behave."

I missed the chance to refuse while hesitating!

I reluctantly accepted the car keys. As I tried to get into the driver's seat, Taekgyu said something.

"Drive carefully so that precious Lucy won't get hurt."

"Who's Lucy? The car's name?"

"No. The character's name stuck on the door. Didn't you notice it even though you see it every day?"

"······."

I didn't want to know.

***

The compact car sped across the extended Yeongjong Bridge.

I do have a driver's license, but it's been a while since I last drove. Fortunately, I quickly adjusted. Anyway, it's an automatic transmission, so I just need to alternate between the accelerator and brake.

Once we pass the airport expressway onto the Gangbyeonbuk-ro or Olympic Boulevard, we'll reach the city quickly.

As I drove, I pondered.

Which tourist spot would be good to take the foreign tourists?

Although I live in Seoul, I can't remember visiting places like Gyeongbokgung Palace or Namsan Tower. I should probably ask them directly, right?

"Is there somewhere you'd like to go?"

"Yes, there is."

"Where?"

In response to my question, Ellie replied with a smile,

"Korea University."