Early in the morning, after sleeping in for the first time in ages, I drew the living-room curtains and soaked my whole body in the morning sunlight.
Nice.
From today, I have three whole days off.
Warm spring is here; maybe I should take a train trip.
I will look at flowers, eat good food, and freed from work, spend money without worry while wandering wherever my feet lead.
And I will play games. — that is the most important.
A game I love.
If I eat fried chicken while playing it will be even more fun!
Taeyeon put thought straight into action.
After resting well for three days his body and mind felt refreshed.
“Good morning.”
“Morning.”
On the way to his seat, he greeted many people with a smile and quickly checked his e-mail.
His expression hardened.
Salary negotiation, five-percent freeze…
Negotiation season had arrived.
Because Universe Studio was new, Taeyeon could have skipped it himself, but elsewhere the story was different.
If the limit is four percent, some people will not even get a one-million-won raise.
This will blow up.
Salary-talk season is also called transfer season because many who dislike their raise leave.
Clicking his tongue, Taeyeon opened the next mail.
Though it was not his own matter, as someone in the same company he could not help but feel heavy.
Just before lunch several producers from other studios asked him to eat.
Three of them gathered and, reaching the restaurant, sighed at once.
“The chairman is too harsh. I remember total sales were close to three trillion.”
“At five percent most staff will only match inflation; it is practically frozen.”
“We have to negotiate soon, and I do not know how I should handle it.”
While sympathizing, Taeyeon wondered, Why are they telling me this?
In the café after the meal they finally spoke their real intent.
“Producer Yoo, you are on friendly terms with the chairman, right?”
“Could you say something to him?”
“A five-percent cap is too stingy. Vital staff may leave.”
Taeyeon sighed.
“The chairman is hard even for me to talk to, and I doubt he will change his mind just because I ask.”
“We are not forcing him, only asking you to mention it.”
“As it stands, I feel ashamed to face my team; we want to try everything. We producers decided to visit him together.”
So they wanted Taeyeon to join the persuasion.
After thinking a moment Taeyeon nodded.
“Going in a crowd looks bad. I will sound him out alone.”
“Thank you!”
“Truly grateful!”
“I will repay you!”
Their genuine concern for colleagues pleased Taeyeon.
He texted:
Chairman, may I treat you to a meal?
Anxious that it sound presumptuous, he waited.
The reply came quickly.
Come to my office after work, I’ll buy beef.
Such kindness baffled him.
Does he really favor me that much?
Yet raising the limit already set was another problem.
A large HR manager approached with a grim face.
“Producer Yoo, could I buy you a coffee?”
“Why the face? Something wrong?”
“You know—the huge thing.”
Sighing, Taeyeon rose.
In the café, the manager poured out complaints: calls and visits all morning, abuse raining on HR.
“If we push this through, resignations start and I’ll die of curses.”
Taeyeon smiled wryly.
“So, what are you asking?”
“Please speak to the chairman!”
Taeyeon explained he had already arranged dinner.
“You are the negotiator we need! Please save us!”
“Do not load pressure on me.”
“I believe in you!”
The giant manager’s pleading drew odd looks.
“If you succeed, I’ll set you up on a date with Deputy Cho—”
“No thanks!”
That evening Taeyeon grilled beef with a grim face until Chairman Yoo laughed.
“Watching you, I’ll get indigestion. Speak first.”
“Sir?”
“You came to ask for something. What is it?”
Putting a nicely cooked slice on the chairman’s plate, Taeyeon spoke.
“Please raise the salary cap.”
“You are not even negotiating; who asked you?”
“Well, partly someone did, but mainly I feel five percent is too little. Some staff will not see even a million-won raise.”
The chairman’s smile vanished.
Taeyeon pressed on.
“Could you show a bit more generosity? With ten percent people will feel Nexple cares.”
“Who asked you?”
“If I tell, will you scold them?”
The chairman glared; Taeyeon stared back.
“Do you think I’m petty?”
“Then please, sir. Five percent sounds like CEO Kang Geon’s company. Staff will curse us forever.”
Pouring drink while scolding, Taeyeon’s boldness stunned the chairman.
He drained his glass irritably.
“I’ve never met someone like you.”
He typed a message, showed his phone:
HR chief, raise cap to ten percent and re-announce.
“Happy?”
“I love you! Cheers!”
“You ridiculous fellow…”
Glasses clinked.
“But why five percent in the first place?”
“Do not leak this,” the chairman warned.
Taeyeon nodded.
“You know Unique Creative?”
“The global engine company dabbling in publishing?”
“We are moving to buy it.”
Taeyeon’s eyes widened.
“Tencent wants it. If we lose, the industry looks foolish. Their publishing wing is weak; we strike now.”
Taeyeon admired.
“It’s visionary.”
“Unique’s engine is gold; take them and we get their whole infrastructure.”
“You think on another level, sir.”
“Flattery gains nothing.”
“It is honest admiration.”
Ignoring the protest, the chairman continued.
“Few in the group know. Keep it secret.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll fly to the States with Director Lee soon. Come with us; watching you gave me an idea.”
“What idea?”
“You’ll see. I’ll send the schedule tomorrow.”
It was unilateral, yet a precious opportunity.
Whatever awaited would not be ordinary work.
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