Chapter 20: Manager Kim Jang-bung, you’ve been busy lately since you left the company, right?
Jangbung’s phone rang as he sat on his couch.
“Yes, this is Manager Kim Jangbung.”
[Manager Kim…]
“Manager Lee? What’s up?”
[You quit your job and are busy these days, right?]
“No. I’m just enjoying a game.”
[I’m sorry, but I still have a lot of shortcomings, but can I keep in touch about work-related matters for a little while?]
“Yes. Go ahead. I’ll be free for the time being. I can’t respond in real time, but if you send me a KakaoTalk message or something, I’ll respond.”
[Thank you so much.]
“Fighting!”
[Yes…]
Another call.
“Yes, this is Manager Kim Jangbung.”
[Mr. Jangbung, this is Manager Park.]
“Yes. What’s up?”
[Do you know where I kept the sales data for the women’s clothing line from two years ago?]
“I’m a retiree. Why are you asking me about that?”
[Because…]
“I’ve already relayed everything to Manager Lee, so please ask him. I’m hanging up.”
[Wait! Wait a minute! Don’t hang up!!]
Tutututu
Jangbung muttered.
“I’ve already relayed everything, so why are you calling and making a fuss?”
Another call.
“Yes, this is Manager Kim Jangbung.”
[Manager Kim Jangbung over there.]
“Yes, Manager Choi. What brings you here all of a sudden?”
[Are you busy these days?]
“Huh?”
[I don’t know if you heard, but your successor…]
“You mean Manager Lee?”
[He quit after two weeks.]
“What?”
[Said the workload was too much or something. Just left irresponsibly without even doing a proper handover.]
“Oh, I see.”
[So, I was wondering if you’re free, could you help with the handover for the new hire?]
“No.”
[Thank—huh?]
“I’m not doing it. I left the documents, so they can use those.”
[Those documents were a mess. How can anyone do a handover with that?]
“I managed just fine with those when I started. The team can help with the rest.”
[But it’s better if an experienced person does it.]
“The experienced people now are you and Manager Park. I’m done with this, so don’t call me about it. Hanging up.”
[Kim! Kim Jangbung!]
Tutututu
Jangbung scoffed.
“Am I crazy?”
Another call.
“Yes, this is Kim Jangbung.”
[Hey, Jangbung-ssi.]
“Oh, come on, Manager Park. I told you not to call.”
[Yelling at me the second you pick up? That’s a bit much, isn’t it?]
“What’s too much is you keep calling a retiree.”
[You think I want to call you?!]
“Since neither of us wants this, I’m hanging up.”
[Wait, wait!]
“What.”
[Jangbung-ssi~… You know I was always really grateful to you, right?]
“Save that sweet talk for the director. Gives me chills.”
[Come on, seriously! Are you gonna be like this?]
“What.”
[You left, and all the new hires keep running away! Now I’m stuck doing my work and yours!]
“That was my daily life—doing your work too. And you’re complaining?”
[Exactly! The director’s chewing me out for not knowing your job! The manager wants me to handle the handover for new hires! My workload’s not doubled—it’s four, five times now!]
“Sounds like you got what you deserved.”
[Yeah, I got what I deserved.]
“Oh?”
[I’m a terrible person, and I was wrong to you. I know you quit in a huff. If you come back, I’ll treat you right. I won’t dump work on you, I’ll even cover some of yours. I’ll defend you if anyone talks behind your back. So, please, Jangbung-ssi~]
“Nice.”
[Huh? Really? You mean it? I’ll tell the director right now!]
“No, I mean your attitude’s nice. Treat the new hires like that. I’m not coming back. Don’t call me again.”
[Wait, Jangbung-ssi! Jangbung-ssi!!]
Tutututu
Another call.
“Yes, this is Kim Jangbung.”
[Hey! Kim!]
“Yes, Director.”
[Why aren’t you picking up lately? Park and Choi said they couldn’t get through.]
“I’ve been a bit busy.”
[Busy? Didn’t you say you were resting?]
“Resting’s a busy job too. What’s up?”
[You heard Lee quit, right?]
“Yeah.”
[A few more came after him, but they couldn’t handle the handover or adapt to the work and just ran off.]
“Oh, really?”
[These kids nowadays, no grit. Probably because they were coddled growing up.]
“It’s not about the people. The job’s just tough.”
[That’s why the men’s genre work isn’t moving forward. When you were here, we didn’t have these worries.]
“Haha, calling me ‘ours’ won’t get me to come back.”
[Come on, Kim, don’t be like that between men.]
“Since when did you start emphasizing male-dominated relationships?”
[Even when all the female employees ran off to company dinners, we’d still drink together and chat about life. The affection between male employees that transcended generations in an all-female workplace. Was I the only one who felt that way?]
“Well? Don’t you think the female employees felt the manager’s affection more?”
[Did you quit because you felt I was treating you poorly?! If that was the case, you should have said something. Men talk~ Tsk. When you come back now, I’ll remember all the times I’ve neglected you and make sure to put Manager Kim in my line. Huh?]
“I don’t care.”
[Tsk, is money an issue? Manager Kim only has a year left until he becomes assistant manager, right? When you come back now, I’ll make sure to give you the highest possible salary increase when you become assistant manager.]
“Money isn’t an issue.”
[Are you embarrassed by the situation when you come back? I’ll tell everyone you went on a long vacation and handle it well!]
“Manager.”
[What? Come on?]
“I’m going to work at a different company tomorrow.”
[What kind of different company is this! Manager Kim Jangbung, I didn’t see you like that, but you seem to have a dark side. There aren’t many companies better than us in this industry. Just come back!]
“I’m going to a better company with better conditions. Please don’t contact that team again. I’m hanging up.”
[Hey! Kim Jangbung! Kim Jangbooooooo!!!]
Tutututu
Jangbung smiled.
“I’m finally going to work tomorrow.”