I’d Rather Live as a Villain

I’d Rather Live as a Villain – Episode 21

(Just a door)

“Have you arrived at work, Director? Good morning.”

“Indeed. Good morning.”

Secretary Joo Dong-jin.

As if he had been waiting just for my arrival, he reported that about 30 minutes ago, there had been a call from the Madrid branch.

“The branch manager there wants to connect with you regarding the olive farm re-contracting matter. He asked to convey the message once you arrived.”

“Alright, I’ll call them. Dong-jin, please see to your duties.”

Entering the office, I first set down my briefcase on the desk and turned on the computer monitor.

While it was booting up, I took off my jacket, hung it up, and then took out my phone.

Sending Chief Oh Ji-won there is already showing its effects.

The branch manager hasn’t left the office yet at this hour?

I dialed the Madrid branch manager’s number and, once I heard the dial tone, switched to speakerphone.

-Yes, Director. I’ve taken your call.

“You called?”

-Yes.

“If it was urgent, why didn’t you just call me directly?”

It was proof they were wary of me.

Even if it were the branch manager’s grandfather, if it was important, he would still be stuck in the office at this hour.

But to start questioning old organizational practices means they’ve only just realized who I am, the person who sent Chief Oh Ji-won there as soon as the olive farm re-contracting issue arose.

When the issue first came up, he wasn’t someone who rigidly stuck to procedures.

He would have called me directly.

-Today, or rather, yesterday in Korean time, I met with the olive farm owners.

His voice carried a pride as if he had accomplished something significant.

-Going straight from 3.3 to 4.5 euros is too much, even considering the overall inflation rate. After maintaining a good partnership for four years of a five-year contract, suddenly doing this doesn’t seem right, so I strongly conveyed our stance.

“Yes, and?”

-We both made some concessions, and I proposed extending the contract for five years at 4 euros per liter. They said they would consider it positively.

“Yes.”

-Of course, even at 4 euros, there will be a considerable loss on our margin, but that can be covered by adjusting consumer prices, can’t it?

“Are you telling me there’s such a method, or are you asking if it’s okay to proceed that way?”

For a brief moment, a stifled groan came through the phone.

“Adjusting the consumer unit price and passing the marginal burden we should bear onto the consumers could also be a method, as the branch manager suggested. But if we were to do that, why not just give the full 4.5 euros they asked for? Why propose to lower it to 4 euros in such a petty manner by cutting 50 cents?”

-···

“How does that strongly convey our position, Daeyoung’s stance, to the farm owners? It seems to me that instead of conveying a position, you were pleading for a price reduction.”

-But Director, even if we look at the margins from the Alentejo region of Portugal, which produces a similar volume to Andalusia, the current standard is over 3.5 euros per liter. Considering the cost of living and wages are different, yet Portugal still achieves a unit price of 3.5 euros, we must agree that 4 euros is an acceptable margin for us.

“Alentejo olives. I’m not sure which farm you’re basing this on, but do they have a client who purchases the entire output like we do?”

-···

“Aren’t they all small-scale clients who take less than 10 tons each? That’s what I understand about Alentejo. Guaranteed minimum volume. We take over 700 to 800 tons annually, and we even blend all the olives from every farm to standardize the taste and perform the cold pressing ourselves. It’s not a fair comparison. If we must compare, it should be based on product quality, not margins. Don’t you agree?”

I couldn’t help but ask.

“Whose side are you on, Branch Manager? Are you working from Daeyoung’s perspective, or are you on the side of the farm owners?”

I fully understand.

The branch manager must be in a situation where he can neither do this nor that.

Right after being assigned to Madrid, he had to clean up the mess left by the previous manager, secure the necessary projects for the branch’s operation, and normalize the secured projects. He must have been overwhelmed.

He probably hasn’t even properly looked at the olive farm’s re-contracting, which is still a year away, only thinking it’s something that naturally needs to be done when the time comes.

If I didn’t like the projects the current branch manager initiated after moving there, would I have any reason to pressure him this much?

I could just replace him.

But from what I see, the current branch manager definitely knows how to work.

If we can remove the sly part, he might be just the person I need right now.

That’s why I’m showing him who I am.

I don’t want to say it twice, I don’t want to explain myself through tiresome words.

-So, what’s your bottom line, Director?

“Branch Manager.”

-Yes, Director.

“They say they’ll raise it from 3.3 to 4.5 euros per liter. That’s a loss of 1.2 euros. Is that 1.2 euros significant?”

No.

At most, it’s about 1800 Korean won.

Considering the consumer price of the finished product we’ve measured, it’s a loss within an acceptable range.

As the branch manager said, we can raise the consumer price a bit more.

After all, the extra virgin olive oil we’re currently distributing under our own brand is positioned as a high-end concept, priced at 25,900 Korean won for a 280ml bottle.

Olive oil is a category where we’re making more than ten times the profit.

No matter the category, when you attach ‘high-end’ to it, assuming that product power, promotion, and marketing are supported, the higher the price, the more the sales increase.”

“Even if I were to raise the price by 2 euros instead of 1.2, if the situation calls for it, we must continue the project without giving up, matching the price. But the problem lies in the incorrect method of renegotiating the margins.”

On the other end of the phone, the branch manager was silently listening.

“Without being able to articulate a concrete reason for the margin increase, you focused on the impact it would have on the Madrid branch if the re-contracting fails? Wasn’t it them who brought it up first, not our branch crying for understanding?”

-…Yes.

“That’s what you call an abuse of power, Mr. Branch Manager. Where in the world do you get bullied into submission when you’re the one paying for goods? The headquarters didn’t establish a branch with such a huge investment just to endure that.”

-…

“If the partner is only of that level, do we have any reason to continue the project with them?”

-But, Director…

“If it were my own business, of course, I’d have to proceed. I’d kneel and beg, appease them in any way to carry on. But we are conducting business under the name of Daeyoung. They are currently abusing their power against Daeyoung. Are we to promote those who, while receiving a salary from Daeyoung, bully Daeyoung? I cannot do that.”

After taking a breath, he continued.

“We still have a year left. There’s also the volume we need to receive. Tell the farmers that the headquarters is quite regretful of the situation, and unless they say something special first, do not contact them.”

-…Yes.

“I will personally go over and finalize the re-contracting myself.”

-The Director himself?

“Yes.”

-When might you be coming?

“After the wedding, I plan to bring the executive director and head over there immediately.”

-You don’t mean to say you’re coming here for your honeymoon?

“Yes, I’ve decided to spend my once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon there. To also see the wine-related matters in person. I trust you’ll prepare so that the decision made by me and the executive director won’t be regretted.”

***

Snap!

“Wow!”

At the home stadium of Daeyoung Monsters, in the skybox’s exclusive parking area.

Is the second inning underway by now?

Seems like there’s a lot of traffic.

It took me over an hour to get here, caught in the Friday evening rush.

I was waiting for the executive director, puffing on my e-cigarette in the car.

Tap. Tap.

At the owner’s skybox request, several front staff members had already come out to the parking space early to prepare for Executive Kang Moon-jung’s arrival.

While keeping an eye on them, I was puffing on a cigarette when, unbeknownst to me, Club Owner Kang Cheol-jin tapped on the car window.

Startled by his unexpected presence, I hadn’t realized he would come down personally.

Kang Cheol-jin, the club owner.

He’s Executive Kang Moon-jung’s cousin brother.

He’s the eldest grandchild to Chairman Kang Ki-young, a member of the Kang family who holds an executive position in the only business with Daeyoung’s name attached, an affiliate company.

I quickly pocketed the e-cigarette I was smoking and opened the driver’s side door to step out.

“It’s been a while.”

He’s someone whose eyes disappear when he smiles.

A sight that always feels heartwarming.

“How have you been?”

He’s one of the few within Daeyoung Group who overtly supports Executive Kang Moon-jung.

Even if it weren’t for that, he’s someone who has always treated me with respect since I first started serving the executive.

When I first went to work as the head of the European division of Mulsan, among the several congratulatory plants that had arrived early, there was one sent by Club Owner Kang Cheol-jin.

“I thought you’d come with Moon-jung, but you came separately?”

“It seemed faster this way. The executive will arrive soon too.”

“Yoon Sang-mu, is that how I should address you from now on?”

“Ha ha…”

“But outside of work, Yoon son-in-law, brother-in-law. We should both make an effort to get comfortable with that.”

It was quite awkward.

Was it embarrassing to put on a bold face in front of him?

“I’d appreciate it if you could make it comfortable.”

“Of course. We should, we’re family after all. But right now, I’m on duty. Let’s make time to have a drink together and talk more comfortably.”

He’s a full twelve years my senior.

A whole zodiac cycle apart.

Yet, he’s someone who has always shown me respect since I was the executive’s personal secretary, so I can’t help but feel grateful and affectionate.

Soon, I could see the executive’s car starting to enter.

At the same time, the front staff of Daeyoung Monsters began to gather in front of the parking space.

“Huh? Brother, why are you out here?”

Getting out of the car, Executive Kang Moon-jung seemed surprised to see me with Kang Cheol-jin, her cousin brother, and asked with a puzzled tilt of her head.

“The princess of Daeyoung Group herself is coming, and as a mere team owner, shouldn’t I naturally come out to meet her?”

At my cousin brother’s burdensome joke, the executive grimaced and rolled his eyes.

Team owner Kang Cheoljin found his cousin sister’s expression so cute and funny that he giggled without hiding his laughter.

We were guided by the manager and front office staff through the skybox corridor into the stadium.

The first base premium skybox of the Daeyoung Monsters’ home stadium is an exclusive space just for the Daeyoung family VIPs.

The air conditioner was turned on low to adjust the temperature.

On one wall, a large TV was broadcasting the current game between the Monsters and the Giants, and on the indoor sofa, a Giants uniform T-shirt and cap were each laid out in advance.

It was quite impressive to see Giants uniforms prepared in the skybox of the Daeyoung Monsters’ home stadium.

I thought it was just a casual remark, but it seems they really intend to dress me in that.

The glass wall, and next to it, the glass door.

It was while looking at the green diamond field, lit up by the night lights through the glass, that team owner Kang Cheoljin told the manager and front office staff that they could go up now.

After the manager and several front office staff who had come down to the parking lot to guide our group here bowed politely and left, only I, the executive, team owner Kang Cheoljin, and manager Noh Gyu-hyung remained in the skybox.

“Is the uniform a bit too much? Just wear the cap. Wearing only the cap should be enough.”

The executive gestured towards the Giants uniform prepared on the table.

Isn’t that fortunate?

A cap is nothing much…

It was when I was about to pick up the cap, agreeing to wear it.

“Hey, but Moon Jeong-ah, are you really okay with this?”

“With what?”

Team owner Kang Cheoljin asked with a look that seemed to say, isn’t this going too far?

“Wouldn’t it be better to have the group’s secretariat make the announcement like they did with Youngjin, and have your distribution PR department handle the journalists? If you’re not careful, you might end up creating what people these days call, what’s it… a meme, yeah, a meme.”

“Such worries are part of one’s fate. Can’t I even come to a baseball game to watch baseball?”

“It’s not about that right now. You know very well that grandfather despises such things…”

“How long do I have to refrain from doing what I want just because grandfather dislikes it, and only live doing what he likes? That goes for me, and for you too.”

“…”

“Do I have to be mindful of grandfather’s opinion even when coming to a baseball game with the person I’m going to marry?”

It was clear that the executive was deliberately giving an off-the-mark answer, knowing full well that wasn’t what team owner Kang Cheoljin meant.

And it seemed like I knew.

Although there were factions within the Daeyoung Group like President Min Byungjin or team owner Kang Cheoljin who supported Executive Kang Moonjeong, it seemed there would be no one to support the executive if it meant falling out of favor with Chairman Kang Kiyoung.

If there is to be such a person, it must undoubtedly be me.

I took off the jacket I was wearing and asked Director Noh Gyu-hyung to hold it for a moment, then picked up the Giants uniform tee spread out on the table, not a cap, and slipped it over my shirt right there.

“…”

Owner Kang Cheol-jin watched me with narrowed eyes and then took a deep breath.

Was it amusing to him, the sight of me wearing the rival team’s uniform over my dress shirt?

With a smirk, Executive Kang Moon-jung spoke again to Owner Kang Cheol-jin.

“Brother, you should watch too.”

“I’ve been waiting for you to join. What about dinner? We should eat something while watching. Want something to eat? Should I buy you something?”

To that, the executive glanced at Director Noh.

“Director Noh will accompany you. It wouldn’t look good for the owner to be wandering around buying food alone.”

“Yes.”

After Owner Kang and Director Noh left, Executive Kang and I were the only ones left in the skybox.

“Once I open that door, there’s no turning back?”

Looking at the stadium where the players’ movements were clearly visible through the glass walls and doors, the executive spoke.

It wasn’t concern for me.

It was clear he was hypnotizing himself.

“What’s there to turn back from, now that we’ve come this far?”

“The moment I open that door…”

“It’s just a door.”

“…”

“Just a door like any other. What’s so special about it?”

What one lacks becomes their everything. That’s what people are.

For those without money, money becomes everything. For those without health, health becomes everything. And for someone like Chairman Kang Ki-young, who lacks time, time becomes everything.

In that sense, Executive Kang Moon-jung lacks people, his people.

Someone who will stand by his side no matter what, who will unconditionally support him no matter who the opponent is.

So before I opened that door to meet another world, I made a resolution in my heart.

From now on, I will become everything to Executive Kang Moon-jung.

“Executive Yoon.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’m counting on you from now on.”

He reached out his hand to me.

A handshake here?

What could it mean?

I reached out to grasp his hand, but he said that wasn’t it.

“Let’s walk out hand in hand. We can’t go out arm in arm or linked at the elbow. That would look too staged.”

It was the first time I held the executive’s hand.

I had touched his skin by chance or by mistake before, but never had I intentionally held his hand like I did now.

It was small.

And slightly cold, yet soft.

He doesn’t wear glasses, but perhaps the stadium’s night lights were shining into his eyes, making them sparkle excessively as he looked at me.

“Wow!”

Two years ago, when I first came to the skybox with the executive, I hadn’t noticed.

The soundproofing was no joke.

The moment I opened the glass door, I felt the stadium’s heat rush in like madness.

I still held the glass door with one hand, and with the other, I held the executive’s hand, ushering him first towards the viewing balcony.

The skybox two spaces down was the home plate broadcast booth.

And so, holding the executive’s hand, I stepped through the glass door from the world I had lived in into the world of Executive Kang Moon-jung.