Chapter 108: <Sudden decline>

After the event, Woosung and Park Jonghyun got together and went to an expensive Japanese restaurant.

Park Jonghyun asked nervously, “A…are you sure this place is ok?”

“Of course. Haven’t you heard how well I’m doing?”

“Oh.”

Park Jonghyun did hear about Woosung’s success.

The CEO of KND.

Woosung asked, “So how’s it going with you?”

Park Jonghyun couldn’t answer. He hesitated in embarrassment.

Woosung said to him understandingly, “Well, I know things are tough for everyone nowadays.” Woosung then ate a piece of fresh sushi.

Park Jonghyun looked at him curiously and asked, “So how did this happen? KND’s CEO! I heard you quit your job, but what happened after that?” Park Jonghyun couldn’t hide his surprise.

Woosung replied, “Lots of things happened. I don’t think we have enough time for the entire story.”

“I…I guess.”

“I would rather hear about you. Maybe I can help you!”

Park Jonghyun’s eyes widened at Woosung’s offer.

“R…really?”

“Well, I AM the CEO of KND and Coconut Talk. For example, I will be speaking at the Job Fair at Songwon University and I can let people know about you.”

Park Jonghyun answered quickly, “W…well, I have been applying to many different companies for the past year but none of them called me back for an interview. I even applied to KND but I didn’t hear back.”

“Hmm…”

“My GPA is over 3.0 and my TOEIC score is 800. I just don’t know what else I can do. Currently, I’m just working part-time at a convenience store.”

Woosung thought carefully as he ate another piece of sushi.

Park Jonghyun looked at him expectantly and continued, “I have been studying programming really hard. I don’t know what else I can do. I know I can do an amazing job if I am given a chance.”

“Hmm…”

Woosung pretended to think again. He actually had a use for Park Jonghyun.

Woosung said slowly, “What did you say you did the best when you were in the military?”

“In the military? I did programming very well of course!”

“Not that. Something in the quarters.”

“Umm…disciplining? Establishing seniority and applying clear rules?”

Park Jonghyun understood quickly.

Woosung grinned, “Yup, that’s it. I need someone to play good cop and bad cop for me.”

“I see.”

Woosung nodded and continued, “I am planning to create another company soon. The problem is I am not good at being a strong disciplinary figure. It also looks bad if the boss acts too bossy nowadays.

“T…that’s true.”

“If you can do that for me, I am willing to hire you. As a director.”

Park Jonghyun exclaimed, “Director? That would make me one of the executives!”

“Haha, we are friends, so of course! The only thing I’m worried about is if you will be able to do it…”

“Of course! You know how mean I can be!”

“I do know that.”

“Just hire me for a year and if I’m no good, you can fire me.” Park Jonghyun looked determined.

Woosung emphasized. “I would like the company to run VERY tightly. Like in the military.”

“I was nicknamed the best Drill Sargent when I was in the military. Don’t worry about a thing. I will run it with a whip.”

“Great. I already have an office ready, so I will call you later with more details.”

Park Jonghyun’s eyes widened again, “T…then I’m hired?”

“Yup. It’s almost ready. I am looking to hire developers, so ask Chanjong if he is interested. I will let you know more details once you sign the disclosure agreement.”

“R…really?”

“The name of the company is Bitmain. Go to this address. This is the office. Go there and they will make you a business card.”

Park Jonghyun stared in shock.

Woosung emphasized one more time. “Run it tight. You get it, right?”

Park Jonghyun nodded vigorously.

Daeyang headquarters, Choi Gitae’s office.

Choi Gitae said to Choi Gichul, “Hahaha, awesome.”

Choi Gichul remained quiet. Choi Taewon asked, “What do you think? Do you think The One will be a hit?”

“I’m sure Taemin will find a way.”

“You’re so stupid. He needs to fail for us to survive. Remember that.”

Choi Gichul nodded gravely.

Choi Gitae laughed evilly. “Hahaha. The stock price went down 5% yesterday! Do you know what this means? The market thinks The One is going to fail!”

Choi Gitae took a sip of his drink and continued, “There is now a good chance that I will be the next heir to this company. Don’t worry. I will take care of you.”

Choi Gichul nodded rigidly.

“Choi Taemin needs to fail for us to succeed. Make sure you don’t help him out in any way, got it?”

Choi Gichul nodded again.

He had no choice.

Choi Taemin’s office was tense.

“TK is doing its best to market Blue S2. They let us know that they already lost iPhone so they can’t lose Blue S too.”

Choi Taemin sighed deeply. “Blue S2 was released a week before The One’s launch date. Do you think this was a coincidence?”

“I think KND is treating us as its rival.”

“…And how is parts supply going?”

“I asked that department, but Choi Gitae made sure Daeyang continues to provide electronic supplies to KND.”

Choi Taemin hit the desk loudly.

His assistant stood nervously.

Choi Taemin screamed in anger. “How could he supply our competitor!? That bastard!”

“They are also supplying semiconductors to iPhone.”

Choi Taemin sighed. He asked his assistant, “How do you think The One will do?”

“Daeyang placed everything it has into this phone. It will be a success.”

Choi Taemin leaned back. “I’m so stressed. You know what to do.”

“Yes, sir.”

The assistant left the room.

Daeyang System Laboratory in Soowon.

Go Sangjun was busy with the hard test for The One to be released soon.

Beep!

On the screen, which was connected to the phone, the temperature appeared.

34.5 oC.

Go Sangjun looked at it in confusion. “That’s strange.”

He tried on a few more apps.

Beep!

The real-time temperature went up even more.

35 oC.

“Sir, this is strange.”

“Wait a minute. It might be just a temporary blip.”

Everyone nodded and continued to monitor, but the temperature wouldn’t go down.

Suddenly, the phone exploded!

“Chief!”

“Huh?!”

After a small spark, the phone continued to smoke.

Go Sangjun yelled at the workers, “Why are you guys standing around? Get to work! We need to log this incident and figure out what’s wrong!”

Go Sangjun called the development team director immediately. “Sir, The One’s battery exploded during a test.”

“What’s the cause?”

“It is still unclear. I just wanted to report to you right away first.”

“Did it happen at every test?”

“No. This was the first and only time so far.”

The director sighed in relief. “Well, at least that’s good news.”

“Do you think it will be ok to release the phone to the public like this?”

“We only have a week till the launch, and The One has been marketed as the phone with the best battery…” The chief didn’t give a clear answer. He continued, “Try to find out what the problem is, but we need to keep the launch date. If we delay it, we will all lose our jobs.”

Go Sangjun swallowed nervously. He was well aware of how important this phone was to Daeyang.

Jang Gwangchul smiled and asked Woosung, “Do you know how long it took Apple to sell one million iPhones?”

Woosung answered without interest, “About a week?”

“Only three days!”

“Then how about our phone?”

Jang Gwangchul grinned.

Woosung could guess. “2 days?”

“Exactly! We are a huge success! Blue S2 beat iPhone in sales!”

Woosung replied, “I told you so.”

Jung Jinsup kissed Woosung’s cheek.

“I love you, man!”

“So this means there must be a big increase in the number of Coconut users.”

“Over 20 million globally.”

Woosung nodded.

Jang Gwangchul continued, “The mobile carrier business is also going according to plan. We created a corporation already and are in the process of hiring the developers.” Jang Gwangchul calmed down and asked Woosung. “Did you get permission from the government yet?”

“We will once we are ready.”

“Perfect. We are going to be beyond rich!”

Woosung nodded and turned to Hong Soobum, “I think it’s time we go ahead with the Chinese launch. How’s it going there?”

Hong Soobum gave his report nervously.