Chapter 9 : Save Your Colleague (2)
Save Your Colleague (2)
"Ugh... I can't sleep."
It was 3 a.m.
Choi Hyena was tossing and turning in her studio apartment.
"No... Hyena, you really can't."
She muttered to herself.
Because of what happened today with Lee Hyunmin, her mind was in turmoil, making it impossible to fall asleep.
No matter how much she tried to calculate it, she just couldn't picture a work life at the company next to Lee Hyunmin.
There wasn't a single positive aspect she could find.
'By the time I turn thirty, I'll be tearing my hair out, saying: I shouldn't have accepted that offer. Now I'm an unemployed woman in my 30s!'
But the heart never goes the way you want. Unwanted desires surge inside.
'But I still want to try.'
She thought she had already let go of her regrets about not being able to do what she wanted here.
But that wasn't the case. Thanks to Lee Hyunmin's proposal, her desire sprang back to life—no, it was growing bigger and bigger.
"Partial combustion..."
She repeated the words over and over.
[At that time, let's look for a new job together.]
[We'll share both success and failure.]
They were obviously empty words. Phrases to lure her in. As sweet as candy but bad for you, like junk food.
'So why does it feel so reassuring...?'
She barely slept and dragged herself to work.
As a result, her rough skin and quickly applied makeup bothered her, but there was nothing she could do.
While pretending to work, she was actually doing menial side tasks as usual.
Her mentor, Park Miran, approached and threw a comment.
"Oh my! Hyena-nim, why is your face so worn out today? Seriously, you do all the work in the company yourself. Take it easy. After all, you're quitting soon, right?"
Park Miran's clique started snickering.
A rush of emotion surged up.
'I wanted a beautiful ending. Are they trying to ruin even that?'
Lee Siwon, team leader of the Business Planning Team, rolled his chair back and said:
"What, Hyena-nim. Are you going to return to the company like our new division director, parachuted in? Gotta be careful. That sharp look in your eyes, it's like you're after my job."
At that, Park Miran and several others burst out laughing out loud.
Normally, being the object of ridicule like this was something she could ignore. But not today.
A fire burned inside her.
'They're the ones at fault, so why am I the one who has to quit?'
It was a useless story, so she hadn't told Lee Hyunmin.
Lee Siwon and Park Miran were in that sort of relationship.
The team leader kicked her out of tasks openly because Park Miran asked him to.
'I honestly wanted to work hard. I came all this way because I liked this. I can't stand it anymore.'
Before she knew it, her fists were clenched tight and she found herself running to Lee Hyunmin's office. A combo born of desire and anger.
She flung open the door.
"Division director, I'll join you. But I have one request."
***
She startled me.
Choi Hyena came bursting into my office with watery, flushed eyes.
Then she said something unbelievable.
"Please kick out that business planning team leader jerk and that Park Miran woman, my mentor."
It was such an unexpected request that I couldn't answer right away.
- Thud!
She slammed both hands on the table and shouted.
"I'll burn myself out for real. I'll pour myself in if that's what it takes to revive the theme park, so please grant my request."
My brain started spinning quickly.
The business planning team leader is already someone I've clashed with. He's not someone I could work with anyway.
Park Miran is an elite employee, consistently getting S or A grades in evaluations, a leading candidate for the next team leader. Firing someone like her is a lot of burden.
But according to what Choi Hyena said, she's been shifting her own work onto others.
Besides, if the team leader both supports her and pushes out Choi Hyena, then it's highly probable that they're in a special relationship.
In that case, he would end up being my enemy anyway.
So if I gain Choi Hyena in return for firing those two, that's a win.
Still, I couldn't easily decide.
That's just what's immediately visible. What about what isn't obvious?
If I fire two key members of the team who have worked at the company for a long time just for one troublesome employee, who would trust me?
As I was weighing the seen and unseen, the chairman's words popped into my mind.
[Find people who trust you.]
She is someone I recruited, someone who came to me out of trust.
If I can't grant the request of such a person, then I'll never be anything more than a middle manager.
I will take on the risk. But I have to prepare a solution in advance.
I spoke, my voice strengthened.
"If, on the condition that those two harm the theme park, I'll handle it for sure."
She reached out her hand.
"Looking forward to working with you."
"As of today, Hyena-nim, you belong to the Reform Division. There are some procedural matters, so please submit your application through the HR team."
"I'll do it right away."
"I'm also looking forward to working with you."
She wiped her eyes with her other hand and said,
"By the way, aren't you going to ask why I suddenly decided to join you, division director?"
"I figured you'd tell me on your own, so I kept quiet."
"You're so perceptive."
She pulled her hand from mine and spun around. Then she tried to leave the office right away.
"Where are you going?"
"I need to make a call."
"At this timing?"
"I need to plead with the real estate office to see if I can delay moving out of my studio. If not, I'll have to find another place."
She was like a hurricane. Well, good. That would mean she has lots of energy, and she'll use that energy to work with me from now on.
I was reading materials about the company when the HR team contacted me. They said an applicant just filed for transfer, and of course, it was Choi Hyena.
A single applicant.
There probably won't be any other applicants for a while. I could somewhat empathize with the chairman's feelings.
An HR team staff sent me a message.
[Kim Haewon: Division director, the chairman approved Choi Hyena-nim's withdrawal of resignation. And since she was going to leave anyway, she can be transferred to Reform Division without Business Strategy Division's approval.]
[Me: Thank you for letting me know.]
[Kim Haewon: Will you accept Hyena-nim to the Reform Division?]
[Me: Yes.]
[Kim Haewon: Hm...]
What did that mean?
[Kim Haewon: You might have seen, but Hyena-nim's personnel reviews and reputation are really not good. It's not really my place to say, but are you really okay with this?]
[Me: I'm fine.]
Is this out of concern for me? Or did she just dislike Choi Hyena and want to slander her?
[Kim Haewon: I was at yesterday's meeting too. What you said then made sense. Next Planet really does need change.]
[Me: Thank you.]
[Kim Haewon: And about Hyena-nim. She joined around the same time as me, so we exchange greetings at least. She does have some attitude issues, but... I think the reviews and reputation are unfair.]
Ah... That's what she wanted to say.
[Kim Haewon: I'm probably overstepping, sorry. Let me know when Hyena-nim's position and salary are decided.]
So, at least Hyena has someone on her side. That's a relief.
Suddenly, I felt weird.
I was now in the position to decide someone else's status and salary. Until a little while ago, I was the one just being notified of my salary, pretending it was a negotiation.
How much should I compensate Hyena?
It's true that joining me is a big gamble for her.
When she turns thirty, she could be an unemployed woman with no real career and only scars from the workplace.
She deserves some reward for taking that risk.
But I also have to consider fairness with other employees. That's just how organizations work—give one person special treatment and it makes everything creak.
I myself am someone surrounded by suspicions of having received special favors. Ah, not suspicions, facts.
Hyena has four years' experience, so she should be at least deputy level, and maybe a 20% salary raise is fair... Will this be enough?
I decided to leave my office to clear my head.
One great thing about managing a theme park is that I can always walk around inside whenever I want.
While walking in the gentle spring sunlight and cool breeze...
"Did you hear? Choi Hyena canceled her resignation."
"What? Why? I was so relieved that she was leaving."
"She acted all uptight, but turns out she's crafty. She clung to the new division director."
"Oh my, seriously. What is she thinking? Out for revenge, maybe? But what power does the new division director even have..."
"Right. She reached for a rotten lifeline out of greed. She has a rough road ahead. If she'd just behaved nicely, we might have treated her better."
"No way, right?"
"What?"
"She changed her mind too quickly. Maybe she seduced the new division director with her body."
"Hey, Hyena isn't even the type to be popular with guys. She's pretty plain. Still, it's a reasonable suspicion."
Park Miran, Hyena's mentor, and a group of men and women were gossiping next to the vending machines.
No, it was slander.
Usually, a little trash talk can add a bit of fun to work life, but this was too much.
And it made me angry.
Badmouthing me is fine—I could laugh it off. If someone like me suddenly appeared as a new superior, I'd probably criticize too.
But...
I turned back, making sure they didn't see me.
I had just decided Hyena's position and salary. Even if it was an emotional decision, let's call it compensation for the filth she'd have to endure.
Back in my office, I remembered the group gossiping about Hyena.
I decided to stage a childish performance. I figured it would make me feel better.
I went to the business planning team's office.
Team leader Lee Siwon frowned.
"Division Director, what brings you here?"
I greeted him politely.
"Sorry to interrupt your work. I have some business with Hyena-nim."
He seemed about to say something, but without waiting, I went straight to Hyena.
She looked startled.
I ignored everything and said,
"Hyena-nim, you are now officially with the Reform Division. To now on, you'll enjoy manager-level treatment and your salary will be adjusted accordingly."
I turned my gaze to Park Miran and gave her a smile.
The meaning was clear. Hyena, with four years of experience, was now placed at the same level as Park Miran, with ten years' experience.
The office murmured. Everyone seemed shocked at this bold treatment.
I don't care if they later accuse me of abusing power. I'm the division director. I have this much authority. And if I justify my actions with results, that's enough.
That much, I must deliver.
"Hyena-nim, let's pack your things right now. I'll help you."
Everyone stared at us. Some with anger, some bewildered, others envious.
I picked up Hyena's PC and monitor.
Out in the hallway, Hyena said,
"Di... Division director... This is too much for me."
"What is?"
"The treatment is too generous."
"I'll give you three years."
"Three years for what?"
"Become business planning team leader within three years by your own merit."
"Wa... wait a minute. The team leader is at least a deputy general manager level."
"You must do it."
"That's impossible."
"I'll keep my promise by getting rid of Lee Siwon and Park Miran within one year. So by the time you're thirty, you're not unemployed, but a team leader. That's the minimum to show proper respect to me, right?"
As we walked, I looked back. She was staring at me blankly.
"What are you doing? Move quickly. We have lots to do."
"I'll try to become team leader within three years, just as you said."
"That's the spirit. You need at least that much resolve to survive under a parachute hire."
"Even if the road ahead is a muddy swamp, I'll follow you."
A smile appeared on my lips.
There's something Hyena doesn't know: we're already walking through a swamp. No need to point it out.
For the first time, someone besides me entered the Reform Division office.
I requested another PC and desk. I judged it would be hard to work with Hyena if I only worked out of my personal office. I set up my seat right across from her.
A message came.
[Kang Yeon-ah: Division director, I'm Kang Yeon-ah from the business planning team. I'm interested in Reform Division and wanted to reach out. Helping Hyena-nim with her things was so cool. It made me want to rely on you. Other women in the office also praised you a lot.]
What is this?
Why would helping carry boxes be cool?
Their focus is strange.
I just left a reply to apply through HR and closed the chat window.
Hyena spoke to me.
"Division director."
"Yes."
"There are lots of obstacles before we can put a new theme on Next Planet."
"That's true."
"I've prepared a simple PPT summarizing what I think you should do. Would you like to see it?"
"Yes, let's do that."
She turned on the screen attached to the office wall.
[A Three-faction Strategy to Seize Power in the Theme Park]
What the heck, what is this topic?
I turned to her desk. The books on it:
[The Art of War]
[The Prince]
[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]
[The 48 Laws of Power]
Do young women in their twenties these days like these kinds of books? No way, right?
Her eyes sparkled.
"To now on, I'll explain my ideas for how you can successfully reform the theme park and seize power as division director."
Could it be that she's dreamed of becoming a kingmaker all along?