Chapter 126

SMH 126

Chapter 41 – South Korea’s First (3)

TL: Boko

Editor: Frost

Fortunately, when he contacted her the day after he drove her home, the only thing she remembered was delivering the documents regarding the Seo Guk Research Facility takeover to him.

Because she had drunk so much, she wasn’t able to formulate a plan for him to visit the Seo Guk Research Facility until two days later.

“I’ve already contacted the research facility. You can visit it tomorrow whenever you like,” Seol Ah said. She had been really drunk, but she had completely recovered from her hangover after two days.

“What are they all doing?”

“Because they weren’t tasked with anything, they’re just waiting for you. They’re still going to work like normal.”

“Aren’t they anxious?” Sung Joon asked. Since the condition of the research facility had worsened and had been just recently taken over, Sung Joon thought that the workers would be afraid that they’d be replaced.

“I’d be lying to you if I said they’re not,” Seol Ah said honestly. The workers were indeed feeling anxious. Especially now that the fate of the Seo Guk Research Facility lay in Sung Joon’s hands.

“Well, I can understand how they’re feeling.”

“When are you going to visit? It seems like it’d be best to contact the head researcher beforehand.”

“Is the head researcher the highest position?” Sung Joon asked. Seol Ah nodded her head and opened her mouth.

“Yes. The previous director was involved in the deterioration of the business, so he retired on his own accord.”

After she finished speaking, she took a sip of water. And explained in detail the circumstances surrounding the previous director’s retirement.

When she finished explaining, Sung Joon looked to have understood everything and nodded his head.

“I think I understand what happened,” Sung Joon said. Not only did the previous director falsify the reports and lie about their results, he had even embezzled funds from the facility.

“The previous director was charged, but that isn’t a matter we need to worry about.”

“I think I’ll visit them at around three in the afternoon.” Sung Joon expressed his opinion; Seol Ah briefly pondered the matter for a moment, and soon nodded her head.

“That time seems fine,” she replied. Then, she took something from her briefcase and placed it onto the table.

“What is this?”

“This is a simple, summarized report of the research facility’s executives. It should be helpful when picking a new director as well.”

It wasn’t good to leave the director position vacant for too long.

“Ah… Thank you. I keep getting helped by you.”

Seol Ah smiled, and Sung Joon could feel her sincerity.

“Then I’ll pick you up at your apartment at around two o’clock. Your first impression is really important. You should have a chauffeur drive you there. Luckily, I’m free tomorrow, so I’ll go with you.”

“I understand. I took way too much of your time today.”

“I don’t feel like the time I spend with you is a waste, so please don’t worry. Grandpa understands as well.”

Seol Ah’s grandfather, Chairman Yoon Tae Seok wouldn’t reprimand her for neglecting her work as long as it was for matters concerning Sung Joon.

“Then I’ll get going now.”

Sung Joon left her personal office. Seol Ah went all the way down to the first floor to see him off. He carried the documents she’d given him and returned to his studio apartment. And thoroughly read the information regarding the research facility’s executives with Rishubalt.

“It seems like the head researcher, Na Han Soo would be a good fit for the management position.” Rishubalt expressed his opinion.

“Yeah, it seems that way.” Sung Joon nodded his head in agreement.

There were several candidates for the management position, but the current head researcher, Na Han Soo seemed to be the best fit right now. Seol Ah had attached her own comprehensive assessment regarding the candidates and had also detailed that he was the most competent worker there.

He would soon bring workers from overseas and thought about making one of them the director, but ultimately, the head researcher was really familiar with the facility and would thus be the best fit for the job.

“And it’s perfect if I make the senior researcher, Joo Sung Eun the head researcher.”

Sung Joon told Rishubalt how he planned to organize the research facility, and Rishubalt, who had listened to his ideas to the very end, nodded his head in admiration.

“A truly wise plan!”

The next day.

As soon as it hit two o’clock, just as she had promised, Seol Ah arrived in a black sedan.

“Please get in.”

Sung Joon sat beside Seol Ah in the rear passenger seat. And the chauffeur drove the car to the research facility.

Their destination, the Seo Guk Research Facility, wasn’t in Seoul, but in the Gyeonggi-do Province[1]. Therefore, they needed to drive a certain distance, but it wasn’t very far.

“Have you decided who you’d elect as the director?’ Seol Ah asked. Because the directorial position was important, she had provided him with a lot of information so that he could make a careful decision.

“I’m going to make Na Han Soo the director.”

“A wise choice. It’s written in the documents as well, but when I looked into it, Na Han Soo was not only the most talented individual there, but also had other outstanding qualities as well,” Seol Ah praised. Sung Joon wanted to meet him in person, not just read about him in a report. He wouldn’t be curious for much longer, since they were en route to the research facility.

“Then, have you decided on a replacement for the vacant head researcher position?”

“Barring any special circumstances, I’m planning on making the senior researcher, Joo Sung Eun the head researcher.”

“Not a bad choice. Joo Sung Eun is quite young, but she’s considered quite talented.”

“Your reports were quite helpful.”

If she hadn’t given him the reports, it would’ve taken a lot longer to make a decision, and it wouldn’t have been as easy. Hearing that, Seol Ah smiled beamingly and opened her mouth.

“It’s a relief that I could be of help to you.”

She was happy that she could help him; those were her genuine feelings.

“How much farther do we have to go?”

“Not much farther. We just need to go a little bit more.”

Like she said, it didn’t take long before they saw the research facility. The main building was a six floor building and the annexed building to the side was a four story building.

The parking lot was wide, and it seemed the research facility was large compared to others as Seol Ah had explained before. When the chauffeur parked the car, someone saw them and dashed towards them.

“It’s Mr. Na Han Soo.”

The handsome glasses-wearing man was the current head researcher, Na Han Soo. Because his appearance was essentially no different from what was depicted on the profile, Sung Joon could easily recognize him.

As soon as they finished parking, Han Soo approached and opened the rear passenger door for them.

“Welcome to the Seo Guk Research Facility.” He smiled and greeted the two.

“I’ll take you inside.”

As Sung Joon and Seol Ah followed behind Han Soo, they inspected the facilities. Whenever Han Soo passed by an important facility, he added an explanation.

“But it feels like the research facility is really empty.”

Sung Joon expressed, seeing as how he had observed half of the research facility by now. Seol Ah, who had been looking at a document, raised her head.

“It seems like they sold about half their equipment as the business was failing.”

“Ms. Yoon Seol Ah is correct. We have only about half of our equipment right now compared to before.” Han Soo nodded his head and agreed.

‘How much exactly did they sell for them to only have half of their equipment remaining…’

Sung Joon couldn’t help but shake his head. Despite them selling about half of their equipment, the workers still remained. Though their ongoing research had been halted due to the takeover, they still went about their other work.

“Is there any place that’s quiet? I’d like to talk to you about something…” Sung Joon asked.

“The Director’s office is currently empty. Let’s go over there,” Han Soo replied, and lead them to the Director’s office; it wasn’t very far.

“It’s here.”

Han Soo opened the door and went in first, and Sung Joon and Seol Ah followed him inside. He didn’t know who had cleaned the room, but it was neat and tidy.

Sung Joon and Seol Ah sat on the sofa and Han Soo placed mixed coffee atop the table.

“I plan to make you the Director of the research facility, Mr. Na Han Soo, and promote Ms. Joo Sung Eun to head researcher.” After Sung Joon had drunk a sip of the warm coffee, he went straight to the point. Because he had suddenly brought it up, Han Soo seemed flustered, but he soon composed himself and nodded his head.

“I understand. I will make sure to transfer my duties to senior researcher, Joo Sung Eun.” Han Soo’s overwhelmingly confident attitude was enough to put Sung Joon at ease.

“Do you have any other orders?” Han Soo asked. He looked as he was trying to perform all his tasks diligently which pleased Sung Joon. He took out a document that had been prepared prior and passed it over to Han Soo.

“This is Dr. Reville Gubert’s paper on the RG1 treatment method.”

Befitting a talented researcher, he didn’t even read a few lines, yet he was able to figure out the contents immediately. Sung Joon nodded his head and opened his mouth.

“How much do you know about RG1?”

“I know that it’s an effective medicine for treating blood cancer. But it’s to my understanding that the only blood cancer it cannot completely cure is D-type blood cancer[2],” Han Soo said. Befitting an expert in the field, he knew a lot about it. It was also type of blood cancer that Sung Joon’s father, Soo Hyuk had.

“I believe you can roughly guess what I’m about to say,” Sung Joon said with a serious expression. He had met Han Soo for the first time today, but he had roughly figured out his personality. Sung Joon didn’t give him a lengthy explanation, but he thought Han Soo would be able to figure out why he placed the thesis on the table and asked him that question.

“Is it perhaps to research a cure for Type-D blood cancer?”

“Right answer.”

As he anticipated, Han Soo was able to figure out Sung Joon’s intent. Sung Joon nodded his head and opened his mouth with a grave expression.

“I believe nothing is impossible, but it’s close to impossible with the facilities and workers we have at hand,” Han Soo replied realistically. However, Sung Joon already had an idea.

“You’ll be equipped with the best facilities in the world. And you’ll be joined with other talented researchers soon.”

“It’ll cost a fortune.”

Like he said, if Sung Joon set them up with the best equipment and wanted to expand their research division with talented researchers, he would need to spend a lot of money. However, Sung Joon’s clear smile didn’t fade.

“You don’t need to worry about money at all. I won’t skimp on the support, so please develop a cure for D-type blood cancer. As fast as possible.”

“I understand. I can’t give you a sure answer, but I’ll do my best.”

Sung Joon was satisfied with his meeting with Han Soo. After he spoke about the research facility in depth for another hour with Han Soo, he returned to Seoul with Seol Ah.

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Seol Ah drove him right in front of his studio apartment.

“I’ll contact you later,” Seol Ah said. She wanted to talk to Sung Joon some more, even if she had to use work as a pretext. She had changed a lot since her first meeting with Sung Joon, as well as when she received the order from Tae Seok.

Sung Joon, who had returned to his studio apartment, sat on his sofa and raised his phone. Just in time, he received a call from Hyun Sung.

“This is Kang Sung Joon.”

“This is Kim Hyun Sung. Mr. Kang Sung Joon. We’ve received a certain offer; would you like to hear it?”