Chapter 15: Chief Kim Jang-bung, so did you come up with a solution?

Manager Kim raised his glass at the bustling pork belly restaurant.

“I’m paying for the company dinner today, so everyone don’t worry about the money and eat as much as you want.”

The team cheered.

“Yes, Manager!”

Manager Park grinned.

“How can you be so full at an all-you-can-eat pork belly place~”

Manager Choi nodded.

“Of course, Manager.”

Manager Park waved at the server.

“Auntie~! Here, three bottles of soju and four bottles of beer first…”

Manager Kim turned to Jangbung.

“Manager Kim Jangbung.”

“Yes, Manager.”

“The alcohol isn’t all-you-can-eat.”

Jangbung blinked.

“Yes. Auntie, give me one bottle of soju and two bottles of beer first.”

Manager Kim clapped.

“Okay, let’s all drink a little bit because we might make mistakes when we’re drunk. Just a little bit.”

The team echoed.

“Okay!”

Manager Kim smiled.

“I’ll pour you all a drink.”

He turned to Manager Park.

“Okay, Manager Kim. Manager Park next to you, pour Manager Kim’s drink.”

Manager Park smirked.

“Yes~, Mr. Jangbung, you know women don’t pour drinks carelessly, right? I’m pouring it especially for you because I’m Mr. Jangbung.”

Manager Choi laughed.

“Hoho, a pretty Manager Park is pouring drinks for you, and Manager Kim Jangbung is so blessed~”

Jangbung nodded.

“Yes. Thank you.”

Manager Kim raised his glass again.

“Everyone’s had a hard time since our competitors came in. Enjoy your meal.”

The team responded.

“Yes, Manager.”

Manager Choi nodded.

“Manager Kim Jangbung’s idea was quite useful. I hope we can keep it this way.”

Manager Park pouted.

“Manager~ I’ll follow along. It’s a bit disappointing though.”

Manager Kim raised an eyebrow.

“What’s wrong, Assistant Manager Park?”

Manager Park pointed at Jangbung.

“Mr. Jangbung, you spend a lot of time on the internet. If you had gathered information about competitors in advance and responded accordingly, there wouldn’t have been as many customer losses.”

Manager Choi agreed.

“That’s true~.”

Manager Kim added.

“That’s right. Manager Kim, try not to look at humor sites so much and try to get that kind of information.”

Jangbung hesitated.

“Huh???? Oh, yes. If I get that kind of information, I’ll put it on the agenda.”

A few months ago, in a meeting room.

Jangbung spoke up.

“Manager Kim, I heard a new subscription-based web novel platform similar to ours has opened.”

Manager Kim leaned back.

“So what’s the plan?”

Jangbung blinked.

“Huh?”

Manager Kim pressed.

“If you brought it up, you should have come up with a plan.”

Manager Park laughed.

“Haha, Manager Kim Jangbung seems to be worrying unnecessarily. Manager Kim Jangbung, even if that platform had opened, we would have won.”

Jangbung frowned.

“But I heard that the company that just entered the market has a pretty large parent company.”

Manager Park waved a hand.

“Hey. Mr. Jangbung, you don’t have to worry about that in advance. If you worry about useless things like that, you’ll lose your hair~”

Manager Kim frowned.

“Manager Kim! If you have time to worry about such useless things during the meeting, why don’t you help Manager Park come up with a draft for the Bell Novel event!”

Jangbung nodded.

“Yes, I understand.”

Back at the dinner, Manager Kim pointed at Jangbung.

“Manager Kim Jangbung, please do your best. Do you know what I mean? Okay?”

Jangbung sighed.

“Yes, Manager.”

Manager Park stood up, waving her phone.

“Manager, Manager. My boyfriend is coming to pick me up, so I’m going to get up now.”

Manager Kim frowned.

“No, how long has it been since the first round started?”

Manager Park pouted.

“I’m sorry~ Bu-joongnim”

Manager Kim chuckled.

“Oh, I’m just letting Manager Park pass because he’s cute~”

Manager Choi stood up too.

“Manager, I also have a child who needs to come in quickly, so I’ll go with you.”

Manager Kim blinked.

“Huh, is Manager Choi doing the same?”

Manager Choi smiled.

“You know, Manager, because you raised a child yourself.”

Manager Kim sighed.

“Ugh, when you guys grow up, your brains will harden and you’ll think you’re worthless. You guys are really meaningless. Meaningless. Okay, go in.”

Manager Park waved.

“Go in! I’ll see you next week.”

Manager Kim nodded.

“Yeah, okay. Manager Kim Jangbung, please take care of Manager Kim.”

Manager Park smirked.

“Mr. Jangbung doesn’t have a girlfriend, so he’s free even on weekends. Can you ask him for me?”

Manager Kim waved her off.

“Okay. Manager Park, you should go in too.”

Manager Kim’s phone rang. He answered, his voice rising.

“Hey honey, I’m having a company dinner. …, What? Your brother-in-law? Your brother-in-law should take care of his brother-in-law’s debt. Why are you asking me for money? Stop it, you piece of shit, hang up!”

He turned to Jangbung.

“I’ll buy you a drink.”

Jangbung nodded.

“Okay. Ugh. My wife is my colleague, and women really only care about themselves, don’t you?”

Jangbung forced a laugh.

“Haha.”

Manager Kim leaned closer.

“Don’t you have plans tomorrow?”

Jangbung shook his head.

“No.”

Manager Kim grinned.

“Okay. I’m not one of those old farts who holds onto people who want to go. I have no intention of going to a second round with that little brat. Since it’s the coronavirus situation, let’s just drink together until the restaurant closes. Got it?”

Jangbung sighed.

“All right.”