Yang Ha-na rarely visited pubs like this, usually frequenting party venues or wine bars. However, she tried her best not to show it and blend into the atmosphere.
After a few drinks, Yang Ha-na asked Taek-gyu, "You seem like close friends."
Taek-gyu shook his head. "I'm close with Ha-young, but not really with him. He was just getting angry and serious with me moments ago."
"Oh my, really?"
Kwak Do-hoon forced an awkward laugh. "Haha, don't joke around."
"I'm not joking. Were we ever close?"
"..."
'What the hell is wrong with this guy?'
Taek-gyu refilled Yang Ha-na's soju glass and said, "What do you think of kids who tease and bully their friends in school? I went through a lot of that."
Yang Ha-na put on a feigned look of surprise. "Did that really happen?"
"Those guys think bullying others makes them look cool to girls. Does it really look cool from a woman's perspective?"
"Of course not. I hate people like that the most in the world."
"Aha! Did you hear that, Do-hoon?"
Kwak Do-hoon seethed internally but couldn't show his anger. Losing his temper here would only make him look foolish.
Kwak Do-hoon smiled and asked, "Ms. Ha-na, what do you do for work? Model? Flight attendant?"
"I just work."
"Just work? What kind of work? Don't tell me you're a celebrity? An idol?"
"I'll tell you later."
This time, Taek-gyu asked, "Do you like games?"
Yang Ha-na immediately nodded. "Ah! I like them and I'm interested, but I haven't had many chances to play. I've heard a lot about how good you are at games, Taek-gyu."
"Shall I recommend a game? There's this awesome new RPG that just came out. I barely beat it after staying up for three days straight, almost cried at the ending."
Yang Ha-na clapped her hands delightedly. "Really? I definitely want to try it."
Kwak Do-hoon couldn't believe what he was seeing.
He was tall and reasonably handsome. He had been popular with girls in high school and university, and several female colleagues had shown interest after he joined the company. But here, he was practically invisible. What was even more baffling was Yang Ha-na actively showing interest in Taek-gyu.
'Why on earth would this woman bother with Oh Taek-gyu?'
Whatever was happening, this couldn't continue. He needed a dramatic turn of events to grab attention.
Kwak Do-hoon pretended to go to the restroom for a moment, then sat back down, pulling out his phone and car key from his pocket together and placing them on the table.
'Nice. That was natural.'
His car was a C-Class. The key fob sported the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star logo. He had bought it on a 36-month installment plan right after joining the company. Everyone around him had told him it was crazy, but he hadn't listened.
If you don't drive a foreign car when you're young, when will you? He sometimes felt regret seeing the hefty lease payments disappear from his salary the moment it arrived, but at this moment, he felt it was a brilliant move.
In reality, the items Yang Ha-na was wearing probably cost more than a Mercedes. But since they were luxury brands hard to find even in Korean stores, they weren't easily recognizable.
Thinking her gaze lingered on the car key for a moment, he smiled inwardly. Just then, the valet parking employee came in and spoke to Yang Ha-na.
"You're the owner of the Bentley, correct? We need to move the car behind yours, could I borrow the key for a moment?"
"My driver should be outside. Please speak to him."
"Understood."
After the employee left, Kwak Do-hoon was flustered. 'Bentley? Driver?'
Compared to a Bentley, a Mercedes C-Class was practically a compact car. Suddenly, his prized vehicle felt shabby.
He subtly tried to slip the key back into his pocket, but Taek-gyu spoke loudly. "Wow! Looks like you drive a Benz. Even put the key out on display like you're showing off."
"Ah, no. I wasn't trying to show off..."
"It's okay. A Benz is worth showing off. I drove here today too."
Taek-gyu took out his car key and placed it on the table. Surprisingly, the logo was a golden bull.
'What? Fake?'
There are people in the world who carry around fake foreign car keys to impress women, even if they don't own the car. He himself had done that in university. But faking a BMW or Benz was one thing; a Lamborghini showed a real lack of conscience.
An average office worker could afford an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes if they set their mind to it. If they were determined to become a "car poor" (someone spending excessively on their car), even a Porsche or Maserati might be possible. But not a Lamborghini. Unless you were considerably wealthy, even the maintenance costs were unbearable.
Kwak Do-hoon deliberately scoffed loudly. "Puha! If you're going to lie, at least make it believable. What Lamborghini? Where'd you get that fake key? Find it on the street?"
"It's not fake, it's real."
"What are you talking about? There's no Lamborghini parked in front of the pub."
"Parked nearby and walked over."
"Hahaha! Who would believe that? Why not just say you have a Ferrari and a Porsche parked side-by-side at home and just picked one to drive?"
Taek-gyu looked genuinely surprised. "Huh! How did you know about the cars in my home garage? Seriously, I struggle to decide which one to drive every time I go out."
"Not funny, stop it now." Kwak Do-hoon immediately turned to Yang Ha-na. "Ms. Ha-na, what do you think about this? Isn't showing off with a fake key pathetic?"
At his words, she replied sternly, "Pathetic? How can you talk to your friend like that? Are you really Taek-gyu's friend?"
"Ah, no. I mean..."
Min Ha-young chimed in. "I saw Taek-gyu driving a Lamborghini."
"Wh-what? Really? What model was it?"
Taek-gyu told him. "Hmm, was it an Aventador?"
"..."
Yang Ha-na smiled and said to Taek-gyu, "You seem to like Lamborghinis, Taek-gyu."
"I just drive it because it's there. My sister doesn't drive that car much these days. She says sedans are more comfortable."
"Then you must be a good driver too. Please teach me how to drive sometime. I always have my driver drive, but I want to try driving myself."
"Self-driving cars will be coming to Korea eventually anyway. Then you won't even need to learn how to drive."
"Ah, right! That makes sense. I hope CarOS cars come to Korea soon. As soon as they're available, I definitely want to drive one."
Kwak Do-hoon felt a crushing sense of defeat.
He had studied hard through elementary, middle, and high school to get into a good university. In university, he meticulously managed his grades and succeeded in passing the difficult entrance barrier to a major corporation. But the guy who was just an otaku during their school days drives a Lamborghini? Was he supposed to believe this?
'Could it be they're all in on this, playing a prank on me?'
Just then, Yang Ha-na's phone rang.
"Don't you need to reply?"
"It's from my father."
"Ah! Right. You said you were supposed to have dinner with him today?"
Yang Ha-na smiled. "Yes. He's complaining about having to eat alone."
Taek-gyu glanced at Kwak Do-hoon. His face was flushed red, whether from the alcohol or something else. "If it's alright, please ask him to come here. It'd be nice to see him and say hello after a long time."
***
20 minutes later.
President Yang Ho-young arrived at the pub.
Taek-gyu stood up and greeted him. "It's been a while. Please just call me Taek-gyu comfortably today."
He had already been briefed before arriving.
President Yang Ho-young greeted him warmly. "I've always wanted to have a drink with you sometime, and the opportunity finally arose today. I'm truly glad."
"Will you be alright in a pub like this?"
President Yang Ho-young smiled. "Haha! Of course. When I first started working at the company, I often drank at places like this with the staff. Isn't who you drink with more important than where you drink?"
In some ways, Oh Taek-gyu was harder to meet than Kang Jin-hoo. This was a great chance to build rapport, so what did the location matter?
Taek-gyu looked at Kwak Do-hoon and asked, "By any chance, do you not know who this is?"
"What?"
"Think carefully. You've definitely seen him before."
Come to think of it, he did look vaguely familiar.
Taek-gyu grinned slyly. "For example, during your job interview, or during new employee training."
In that instant, he remembered where he had seen him. Kwak Do-hoon shot up reflexively, bowing 90 degrees at the waist. "G-good evening, President!"
Taek-gyu explained. "He's my friend, joined CL Chemical recently."
President Yang Ho-young asked Kwak Do-hoon, "Which department do you work in?"
Kwak Do-hoon replied respectfully, "Research and Development Team, sir."
President Yang Ho-young smiled. "A friend joining our company. This must be fate too."
Then Taek-gyu interjected, "We're not close enough to be called friends. More like acquaintances who went to the same high school?"
"Hmm, I see."
President Yang Ho-young sat down.
Kwak Do-hoon didn't know what to do. Although currently overshadowed by Seosung SB, CL Chemical was a leading global player in the battery industry. How often would a mere new employee at such a company get to meet the president? Especially in a pub like this.
Ignoring Kwak Do-hoon, who sat frozen without making a peep, President Yang Ho-young clinked glasses with Taek-gyu, exchanging jokes and laughter. Moreover, President Yang Ho-young consistently used formal language and showed respect towards Taek-gyu.
Watching this unfold, Kwak Do-hoon felt his mind reel.
'Does he have hidden camera footage of an affair or something?'
Otherwise, this situation was utterly inexplicable.
President Yang Ho-young sipped his drink and observed Taek-gyu. Outwardly, there seemed to be nothing special about him. However, having met many people through years in business, he had learned that appearances aren't very important. What matters is the person themselves.
According to rumors, Oh Taek-gyu was the only person Kang Jin-hoo trusted and consulted with on business matters. His competence was practically proven. Yet, the fact that he usually wore tracksuits and avoided public appearances...
'Is it to hide himself and make Kang Jin-hoo stand out more?'
Thinking about it this way, the man seemed entirely different.
Most importantly, he felt confident Oh Taek-gyu wouldn't make Ha-na cry or anything like that. Many men from chaebol families used drugs or frequented adult entertainment establishments. But Kang Jin-hoo and Oh Taek-gyu were clean in that regard. You can know a person by their friends, and Kang Jin-hoo hadn't looked elsewhere, consistently dating one woman.
While marriage in chaebol circles couldn't ignore practical conditions, every parent wished for their child's happiness.
'Seeing them together, they somehow seem like a good match.'
After a few more drinks, President Yang Ho-young said, "I think I should get going now."
"Huh? Leaving already?"
"Haha! What would I do crashing the young folks' party? I have to head to Hungary early tomorrow, so I'll go home first and get some rest."
Taek-gyu and Kwak Do-hoon stood up to see him off.
A Mercedes S-Class Maybach was waiting in front of the pub. Before getting into the car, President Yang Ho-young said, "I really enjoyed tonight. I hope we have another chance to drink comfortably like this again soon."
"I'll visit the company sometime with my friend."
The friend here obviously referred to Kang Jin-hoo.
President Yang Ho-young beamed. "You are welcome anytime."
As he settled into the back seat, the driver started the car.
Unlike Taek-gyu, who waved casually, Kwak Do-hoon bowed deeply. A moment later, after the car completely disappeared from view, Kwak Do-hoon asked Taek-gyu demandingly, "Who, who are you exactly? How do you know our president?"
Taek-gyu wagged his finger. "That's not important, Do-hoon."
"Then what is important?"
"That I'm on such familiar terms with the president of CL Chemical. Considering you teased me in high school, calling me 'pimple-faced otaku pig' and 'fat nerd' and made me run errands for snacks, how about getting dispatched to the cobalt mines in Congo instead of R&D? I can recommend you."
At those words, Kwak Do-hoon's face turned deathly pale. "Wh-what? What does that have to do with cobalt mines?"
"Just like you made me do snack runs, you can do cobalt runs for the miners there. Seems like it would suit your aptitude, don't you think?"
"..."
'It does not seem like it would suit my aptitude.'
He barely knew where Congo was and had no desire to go. Wasn't there a civil war going on there now?
He had no idea what was happening, but the classmate he used to look down on in high school had become someone even the president of a major corporation couldn't speak to casually. His career was now effectively in Oh Taek-gyu's hands.
"Y-you're not really going to do that, are you?"
Taek-gyu patted Kwak Do-hoon's shoulder. "Depends on how you behave."
"..."
***
After President Yang Ho-young left and Oh Taek-gyu and Kwak Do-hoon went to see him off, only Yang Ha-na and Min Ha-young remained at the table. An awkward atmosphere hung between them.
Min Ha-young asked cautiously, "How do you know Taek-gyu?"
"We met at a party."
"Ah, okay."
Silence fell again.
"You said you were classmates, Ms. Ha-young?"
"Yes. High school classmates."
"Ah... classmates."
'So they've known each other much longer?' The atmosphere suggested they had met more than once or twice.
'Why did he avoid meeting me but meet this woman so often? Are they really just friends?'
Min Ha-young also thought, 'Her father is the president of CL Chemical? What exactly is her relationship with Taek-gyu? No wonder I thought I'd seen her photo somewhere, she really was a celebrity!'
To break the awkwardness, Min Ha-young picked up the soju bottle. "W-would you like a drink?"
"Sure."
Min Ha-young filled Yang Ha-na's glass.
Yang Ha-na usually drank wine and rarely touched soju. And Min Ha-young couldn't hold her liquor well to begin with. But when Yang Ha-na emptied her glass first, Min Ha-young followed suit.
"This time, let me pour for you."
"Thank you."
Again, they emptied their glasses simultaneously.
Just as they were drinking as if competing, Taek-gyu returned with Kwak Do-hoon.
Taek-gyu smiled and said, "Oh! Looks like you two have gotten close already."