Real Man

“Do you think everything can change if you work hard?”

“Yes. I’m standing here because I worked harder than others.”

“No. You were outstanding from the start. Your record proves it.”

“No, I…”

“That’s enough.”

He cut off Yoo-hyun’s words.

It meant that he had made his judgment about Yoo-hyun and didn’t need to hear more.

With confidence, Manager Lee Jun-il repeated what Yoo-hyun had said to Shin Kyungsoo.

“You said you would change, but you have no intention of doing so.”

“Your thinking is wrong. There is no room for improvement at all.”

“…”

“To be honest, I liked you. You had some rough edges, but I thought they could be polished.”

That was probably true. Manager Lee Jun-il was sincere in his words.

-What if we combine the observation skills of Han Team Leader and my analytical skills? Wouldn’t we be able to surpass the intuition of the new president?

Manager Lee Jun-il had been interested in Yoo-hyun in the past, and he couldn’t refuse Yoo-hyun who had upgraded a lot.

As long as his interest was maintained, it would be hard for Yoo-hyun to get out of his radar completely, so Yoo-hyun had to use some tricks.

He presented a different value system for that reason.

It seemed to work, as Manager Lee Jun-il’s voice sounded disappointed.

“But it seems I was wrong.”

“I will try harder.”

Yoo-hyun showed his will, and he spoke as if teaching him.

“No. It’s not easy with just effort. You have to change your mind completely.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“People are born with their destiny. They don’t change. The ones who will be used as parts and the ones who will make them are already decided.”

“…”

Did Manager Lee Jun-il know that he would also be discarded like a part by Shin Kyungsoo?

He had been brilliant enough to reach the peak, but he met a miserable end because he knew too much.

Yoo-hyun closed his mouth and recalled his last moment and his own figure who had replaced him.

Manager Lee Jun-il misunderstood his expression as a sign of repentance and comforted him.

“I think I killed your spirit by saying unnecessary things.”

He looked impressive as he calmed down his excitement and managed his expression.

Yoo-hyun kept a low profile to catch the flow.

“No, I learned a lot.”

“You learned. Well, that’s good.”

“I will engrave your teachings in my heart.”

“I’m glad I gave you something at least.”

He smiled at Yoo-hyun’s intention to take him as a negative example.

Yoo-hyun confirmed that there was no resentment in Manager Lee Jun-il’s softened expression.

He had said harsh words, but Yoo-hyun’s value system was different from his was already in the data.

He was disappointed because he acknowledged Yoo-hyun, but he still valued Yoo-hyun’s performance highly.

Yoo-hyun used this part to finish it and dug deeper.

“Something? I received too much without giving you anything.”

“Hey, are you trying to make me look bad?”

“Of course not. I’m serious.”

“Enough. Let’s settle this cleanly. You would say it’s okay if I asked you what to give you for the success of the banquet.”

“…”

Yoo-hyun blinked his eyes, and Manager Lee Jun-il chuckled.

“Why are you surprised? Is there anything you want?”

“No. Nothing.”

“I knew it. Then I’ll keep my promise.”

“Promise?”

“Don’t you remember what I said last time? I said I would give you more rewards.”

“I received enough through the lady.”

Yoo-hyun stepped back, and Manager Lee Jun-il became more aggressive.

“I made a promise, so I have to keep it. Otherwise, you’ll remember me as a scoundrel who doesn’t keep his word.”

“It’s okay. I don’t want to burden you when I’m leaving.”

“Burden? It’s not my money, so I don’t have any reason to feel burdened.”

It was hard to give away even a rice cake that he couldn’t eat.

But Manager Lee Jun-il wanted to give him some extra money on his way out.

Was he generous?

No.

He had more intention of not making Yoo-hyun his enemy.

He evaluated Yoo-hyun’s ability coldly even in this twisted situation.

‘He’ll hit me hard in the back of the head, won’t he?’

Yoo-hyun felt a little sorry, but he had no reason to refuse what he was giving.

“Then I’ll accept it gratefully.”

Yoo-hyun accepted it humbly, and Manager Lee Jun-il made another suggestion.

“You made a good decision. And it would be better to sort out your affairs as soon as possible, right?”

“Yes. I’d like to leave quietly if possible.”

“Right. It’s only tiring for you if you get involved. I’ll take care of it for you.”

This consideration was also not for Yoo-hyun.

He had more purpose of reducing the contact between Yoo-hyun, who had a strong position, and the group strategy office executives.

Regardless of this fact, Yoo-hyun was very satisfied with his choice.

“Yes. Thank you.”

His sincere gratitude was conveyed to Manager Lee Jun-il who faced him.

Yoo-hyun left the conference room with Manager Lee Jun-il.

He walked leisurely as if he knew everything, even though he was in charge of a different office.

Maybe because he didn’t show his usual appearance, there were quite a few people who didn’t know who he was.

Deputy Shin Na-kyun didn’t even seem to grasp the situation, and he just nodded slightly.

On the other hand, Team Leader Na Doyeon recognized him first and came over to greet him.

“Manager, hello.”

“Na Team Leader, nice to see you.”

“What about the project you mentioned last time?”

“Oh, the smart control project? Just proceed with it. I’ll allocate the budget for you.”

Was Manager Lee Jun-il managing the strategy project as well?

It was a part that didn’t exist until last week, so Yoo-hyun was curious.

Ignoring Yoo-hyun, Team Leader Na Doyeon bowed his head.

“I’ll submit the approval right away. Thank you.”

“Thank you to this manager here. He’s the one who revived the dying project.”

“…”

Na Doyeon Team Leader hesitated for a moment and thanked Yoo-hyun.

“Yes. Manager Han, thank you.”

“No, I received a lot of help from you.”

Yoo-hyun returned the words he had received.

He had no reason to argue about the results when he was leaving.

Thud thud.

As Manager Lee Jun-il passed by Team Leader Na Doyeon, he uttered a meaningful word.

“Manager Han, you’ll soon be a leader too. You’ll know then.”

“What do you mean?”

Yoo-hyun asked, and Manager Lee Jun-il’s face suddenly turned cold.

“There are many people who climb up in any organization. The more incompetent the organization is, the more so. Do you know what to do then?”

“I don’t know.”

“You have to step on them gently before they sprout. Just like I did to Na Team Leader earlier.”

“…”

Yoo-hyun just listened to his cold voice.

Manager Lee Jun-il spoke as if teaching him.

“Na Team Leader has a lot of ambition as well as skill. He also has a strong pride. The problem with this kind of people is that they delude themselves into thinking that they did everything.”

“So, you mentioned me?”

“Right. I pressed him to know his place. He confirmed that I knew everything, so he won’t be able to climb up easily with his achievements in the future.”

“I see.”

Yoo-hyun nodded, and Manager Lee Jun-il said his usual theory.

It was a typical word of him who controlled every employee based on data.

“It may not seem much, but it’s important. You have to know your subordinates well. Even if they are in charge of different areas.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Oh, and…”

Yoo-hyun answered politely, and Manager Lee Jun-il was about to add something.

Creak.

The door of the strategy office opened, and Executive Song Hyun-seung came out.

Manager Lee Jun-il stopped talking and approached him, and Executive Song Hyun-seung’s face darkened.

“Executive, good morning.”

“I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“I had something to say to Manager Han.”

“I see.”

Yoo-hyun looked at Executive Song Hyun-seung who nodded slightly.

His eyes were full of dissatisfaction, but he was holding it back.

It was obvious that Executive Song Hyun-seung, who had a hot temper, was pushed by Manager Lee Jun-il.

‘Did Shin Kyungsoo gather the group strategy executives and say something?’

That would explain what Na Team Leader said earlier.

By the way, what was he trying to do by touching the strategy project?

Yoo-hyun was lost in thought, and Manager Lee Jun-il said goodbye to Executive Song Hyun-seung.

“Then I’ll go.”

“Sure. Let’s have a drink sometime.”

“Yes. Sounds good.”

Manager Lee Jun-il smiled casually and turned around.

He was walking toward the entrance when he said to Yoo-hyun.

“Do you know what the problem of incompetent bosses is?”

“What is it?”

“They mistake the achievements of their subordinates as their own. They can’t look at their own skills objectively and keep wasting their time.”

“I see.”

Yoo-hyun answered, and Manager Lee Jun-il’s voice was filled with contempt.

“It’s because of these bosses that the organization stagnates and rots. It rots from the root. What should we do then?”

“…”

He was clearly targeting Executive Song Hyun-seung.

Why did he have to say such things?

Yoo-hyun couldn’t open his mouth, and Manager Lee Jun-il answered for him.

“We have to cut them off cleanly before they make a fuss. That’s why we need power. Do you understand?”

“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Isn’t this enough to pay you back with interest?”

Manager Lee Jun-il made a playful expression at that moment.

Yoo-hyun recalled the cruel side hidden behind him.

Did he intend to cut off all the group strategy executives?

Manager Lee Jun-il, who had Shin Kyungsoo on his back, had enough power to do that.

But no matter how great he was, they were all influential people in their own right.

There would be a loud noise in the process of cutting them off.

‘What if I use this to my advantage?’

Yoo-hyun thought of a positive plan in his head and greeted him with his heart.

“You gave me too much. I sincerely thank you.”

“I’m glad it helped.”

He shrugged his shoulders and walked out of the entrance.

Then he looked at Yoo-hyun who followed him and told him his schedule.

“You can leave quietly around lunchtime. I’ll take care of the rest for you.”

“You’re doing me a favor until the end.”

“Well, it’s nothing. Come on.”

Manager Lee Jun-il reached out his hand with a relaxed expression.

He grabbed his hand and smiled at Yoo-hyun.

“I won’t see you for a while when you go to Yeouido Center.”

“Call me anytime. I’ll come.”

“I hope the day you come back to Hansung Tower will come soon.”

Would it be good if he came back?

‘When I return, many things will change.’

Yoo-hyun hid his thoughts and smiled brightly.

“Yes. I hope that day will come soon too.”

“Then I wish you good luck.”

“You too, Manager.”

The eyes of the two who held hands crossed.

They didn’t look like enemies at all.

Yoo-hyun returned to his seat and sighed with relief.

“Phew. I thought I was going to suffocate.”

He pretended to be calm on the outside, but it was not an easy situation.

He had to pay attention to his posture, breathing, and every word to deceive Manager Lee Jun-il who collected data in real time.

He had to be careful not to leave any room for doubt, as it would be a headache in the future.

Was it because of that?

He clearly confirmed that there was no suspicion in his eyes at the end.

It meant that he could avoid his radar as long as he was out of Hansung Tower.