NOVEL NEXT WORLD 33
“Welcome.”
Three days later, at Yuseong Investment Securities headquarters.
Vice President Sim Ju-won greeted Seongnam Branch Manager Ryu Tae-hwa with a bright smile as he entered his office.
“Vice President, how are you?”
“I’m well. Thanks to you.”
Sim Ju-won’s expression suggested he had just relieved some worry from his mind, but Ryu Tae-hwa felt more apologetic than proud seeing Sim Ju-won’s face.
“Shall we sit?”
At Sim Ju-won’s gesture, Ryu Tae-hwa took a seat on the sofa at one side of the office.
“So, it’s about 160 people as of today, right?”
This morning, a report came in adding 20 more people to the number of product sign-ups from the Seongnam branch three days ago.
“Yes. Many clients are still considering, so optimistically speaking, we might reach 200 by the end of the month.”
Sim Ju-won looked surprised at Ryu Tae-hwa’s words, then quickly broke into a bright smile.
“Seeing Ryu Tae-hwa paint an optimistic future, it seems things are progressing quite positively.”
Ryu Tae-hwa merely nodded slightly in response.
“Not just the product sign-ups, but it seems the recent trading commissions are quite good too.”
Sim Ju-won received daily reports on the previous day’s performance from branches nationwide.
The securities industry was where money circulated, and the branches were at the forefront of that circulation.
Just by looking at how money moved in a day, one could guess the recent market and customer sentiment.
Sales at all branches were gradually declining. As inflation became prolonged, more customers were withdrawing their investments to use for living expenses.
“Yes, it’s rising to a degree that surprises even me.”
However, while other branches were experiencing gradual declines, the Seongnam branch was steadily improving its performance.
Although part of it was due to hitting rock bottom in the past few months, rising performance even in this market was a good sign.
“Has the trend changed?”
“Not exactly. Recently, we’ve seen an increase in customers entrusting their asset management services to our branch.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, as the absolute number increases…”
“Hahaha.”
Sim Ju-won laughed heartily at Ryu Tae-hwa’s words.
“Right, of course commission revenue would increase if the number of customers increases…”
Ryu Tae-hwa hadn’t changed.
As he had told Sim Ju-won three months ago, Ryu Tae-hwa had been working towards a vision where the branch’s and customers’ profits grew together.
Everyone said that path would be difficult, but Ryu Tae-hwa had done it.
Personally, Sim Ju-won was pleased that Ryu Tae-hwa, a junior colleague he liked, seemed to have found a new way to implement his philosophy. As the Vice President of Yuseong Investment Securities’ WM Division, he was glad that customers were newly entrusting their assets to Yuseong Investment Securities based on Ryu Tae-hwa’s philosophy and performance.
Of course, this trend couldn’t continue indefinitely, but Sim Ju-won was satisfied just knowing that Ryu Tae-hwa hadn’t given up.
“Let’s talk in detail. You know how small this industry is, right?”
Recently, rumors had been circulating in the securities industry about a branch that had achieved significant results due to the DU incident, and everyone was talking about how the protagonist was the Seongnam branch led by Ryu Tae-hwa, who was sitting right in front of him.
“I was moved by your insight, Vice President.”
When Ryu Tae-hwa opened his mouth and gave an answer different from what he expected, Sim Ju-won’s brow furrowed.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s Yoon Dokyung, that fellow.”
Ryu Tae-hwa continued speaking with a smile towards Sim Ju-won, who looked puzzled.
“I mean, it was Yoon Dokyung who said we should take a position before the DU incident really caught fire.”
“What?”
“He said it was a way to take care of both the growth of client assets and the branch’s performance. Of course, it was easier for me to make the decision because a good product had just come out from headquarters at the right time.”
Ryu Tae-hwa seemed to think that all of this had happened because of Sim Ju-won in front of him and the junior PB he had believed in.
“Yoon Dokyung… Isn’t he not a junior anymore?”
“You know, don’t you? That his skills are no longer those of a junior.”
At Ryu Tae-hwa’s words, Sim Ju-won nodded slowly, lost in thought.
He remembered Dokyung proudly talking about his returns during the interview, and his performance at the recent in-house mock investment competition.
“That guy… he could have come up with this.”
And from those memories, he could imagine how Dokyung might have persuaded Ryu Tae-hwa.
His insight honed by extensive study, and his unique eloquence that made it sound like this was the last opportunity…
It all fit the image of PB Yoon Dokyung that Sim Ju-won had seen in their few encounters.
“So?”
“As I mentioned, with the timely release of a good product, I thought about how to recommend it to clients without resistance.”
“And that…”
“Yes, Yoon Dokyung suggested introducing this excellent product to clients who made profits from this incident, if they were going to reinvest their earnings. Many clients chose to do so.”
A smile began to form on Sim Ju-won’s face.
“Tae-hwa.”
“Yes, Vice President.”
“It’s your luck.”
Ryu Tae-hwa focused on his words, not quite understanding their meaning.
“The day you had to give up your team leader title in the WM Division.”
Ryu Tae-hwa’s eyes trembled at Sim Ju-won’s words. He still couldn’t forget that day.
“I looked for a way to keep you in our company, and at that time, a position opened up at the Seongnam branch.”
“I’m always grateful for that…”
“And there was a PB who came to me about what was happening at the Seongnam branch. Choi Woojin, I believe.”
For the first time, Ryu Tae-hwa was able to hear the behind-the-scenes story of what had happened at the Seongnam branch.
“At the time, I was so overwhelmed that I thought that guy had done everything, but a few days ago, something occurred to me. When Choi Woojin came to see me, he mentioned that an office worker had caught this corruption.”
“…No way.”
“Yes, that employee was Yoon Dokyung.”
Ryu Tae-hwa couldn’t hide his surprise at Sim Ju-won’s words.
“And is it a coincidence that he caught your eye when you took over? No, that guy just needed to wait for his time. He was ready to take off as soon as someone looked at him without prejudice.”
Sim Ju-won continued with a smile.
“That’s why I said it’s your luck. And mine too.”
It had only been twice.
When Sim Ju-won had recommended teller work to Yoon Dokyung, and when Ryu Tae-hwa had recommended the mock investment competition to him.
They had only given him two chances, but each time, Yoon Dokyung had produced results that influenced someone.
Whether it was Ryu Tae-hwa sitting in front of him or the clients who met Yoon Dokyung.
Someone had overcome a crisis thanks to Yoon Dokyung, and someone else had made a big profit.
“So, trust him a bit more and nurture him.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Ryu Tae-hwa, who had already been planning to give Dokyung opportunities, felt there was no longer any reason to hesitate with Sim Ju-won’s green light.
“You’ve worked hard. It’s been a while since the president was this pleased.”
Everything had already been reported to the upper management, and it was welcome news that came just when they were expecting poor quarterly results.
“No other appointments?”
“No, I’m free.”
“It’s been a while since I had lunch with you, Tae-hwa.”
Sim Ju-won stood up and grabbed his jacket, and Ryu Tae-hwa nodded, watching Sim Ju-won speak to him without worry for the first time in a long while.
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“I think I can visit you this Friday, client.”
-…….
“Well, I have appointments with clients tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that… I’m sorry.”
A week later, Dokyung was spending his days busier than ever.
After his existing clients made big money from the DU incident, they bragged about it to their acquaintances, and now those acquaintances wanted to sign up for PB services.
And from some unknown source, inquiries were pouring in as rumors spread.
Knock knock-
With a knock, the door opened and Choi Woojin entered the room carrying a paper bag. Dokyung greeted him with his eyes and focused on his phone call.
“Ah, yes. I’ll be at the branch tomorrow morning.”
Dokyung opened a notebook with his schedule and started making notes.
“Yes, yes. Then I’ll expect you tomorrow morning. Yes. Take care.”
“You’re living on the phone these days.”
As Choi Woojin, who was setting up lunch boxes on the table of the sofa in Dokyung’s room, spoke, Dokyung let out a long sigh.
“Whew, I’m not sure if I should be happy or cry.”
“Do both.”
“Pardon?”
“Tears of joy or something like that.”
Dokyung smiled at Choi Woojin’s words and got up from his seat to approach him.
“I’m always grateful.”
“What’s there to be grateful for? We have to eat together to talk anyway.”
Recently, Dokyung had been eating lunch an hour earlier than others.
With so many clients wanting to sign contracts, he often skipped lunch as he moved to Seoul during lunchtime to finalize contracts at cafes.
Feeling sorry for him, Choi Woojin had become his lunch companion.
“They’re coming tomorrow morning?”
“Yes. They wanted me to visit, but my schedule is packed, so their turn got pushed back.”
Most of the clients contacting him recently were office workers, and the only time available to them was their lunch break.
So Dokyung had to move around himself.
“I guess they want to sign the contract sooner, so they’re taking a half-day off in the morning to come to the branch.”
“Well, well, you’ve really become a star. How many?”
“Pardon?”
Dokyung looked at Choi Woojin while stuffing rice into his mouth with chopsticks.
“How many contracts have you signed recently?”
“Ah, forty-four people since the DU incident.”
“Whew.”
Choi Woojin whistled at Dokyung’s answer.
“That’s exactly four times mine.”
Not just Choi Woojin, but all the PBs in the branch had been increasing their new contracts recently, but compared to Dokyung, it was just a drop in the bucket.
“Anyway, thanks. Everyone’s grateful, they just can’t show it.”
“I know. And everyone’s been thanking me. You’re even buying me lunch, Assistant Manager Woojin.”
“Is lunch the issue? If I had my way, I’d set up an office and try to poach you away.”
“Hahaha.”
As Dokyung laughed loudly, Choi Woojin looked at him seriously.
“Dokyung, you’re going to go independent later, right?”
“Independent? Well… I’m still a junior, how could I go independent…”
“I mean later.”
“I’m not sure.”
It was a question he had never seriously considered.
Of course, he had thoughts of someday setting up an asset management company named after himself and growing it into a world-class private equity fund.
But he was just now in the process of transitioning to a PB role and building trust with clients.
He vaguely thought that if he kept tackling things one by one in front of him, such an opportunity might not be out of reach.
“Take me with you then.”
“Pardon?”
“Oh man, ever since I started working with Yoon Dokyung, money just seems to come easily.”
Choi Woojin looked at Dokyung as if he were dead serious.
“You can use me however you want, just take me with you.”
“Haha, alright. If such an opportunity arises, I’ll definitely work with you, Assistant Manager Woojin.”
Satisfied with Dokyung’s affirmative answer, Choi Woojin started eating, and the two chatted about non-work-related topics as they finished their lunch.
“Since you bought lunch, I’ll clean up.”
Dokyung said this as he cleared the table, and Choi Woojin nodded and stood up.
“Full fieldwork this afternoon?”
“Yes, I’ll go to Seoul, then Incheon, and head straight home after work.”
“Alright, take care and see you tomorrow then.”
“Yes, you too.”
As Choi Woojin waved and left the room, Dokyung looked at the clock after cleaning the table.
“I should brush my teeth and leave right away…”
Bzzt- Bzzt-
Just then, his phone on the desk started vibrating, and Dokyung picked it up to check the screen.
[Congratulations, member Yoon Dokyung, on perfectly completing your first mission after your position change!]
“Now they’re even congratulating me.”
[You have pleased us by completing the mission even more excellently than expected.]
“Us?”
Dokyung was puzzled as he checked the VIP service message.
Just like during the mock investment competition last time, the message was referring to itself as “us.”
It meant that the sender wasn’t singular… but plural.
[Unexpected fortune will soon find its way to you.]
[We are always with you in your dreams.]
“Unexpected fortune…”
Bzzzzt-
As Dokyung stood there with a puzzled expression at the mention of unexpected fortune coming his way, his phone vibrated, and he pressed the call button.
“Oh, Dojin.”
-…….
“What did you say?”
Hearing the words from the other end of the line, Dokyung felt he might know what unexpected fortune they were talking about.