Chapter 23: The Problem

Kang Jin was drinking beer with Lim Sang-ok and students who had come to the research lab.

Lim Sang-ok, Choi Kwang-hyun, and two other students who showed up during their break were the only ones present at the lab.

Lim Sang-ok sat on a makeshift bed within the lab, peeling dried squid.

Snap! Snap!

Peeling dry squid can be quite cumbersome, especially since it leaves behind tiny pieces after all the effort. Nonetheless, Lim Sang-ok continued peeling as if enjoying the process. Choi Kwang-hyun and the others occasionally picked up the peeled squid bits to eat.

After peeling some more, Lim Sang-ok took a sip of beer and spoke:

“The issue…”

The mention of an “issue” caught the attention of the students. They were accustomed to Lim Sang-ok posing psychological questions from everyday life now and then.

“Who would dislike Kang Jin the most if he gets an internship?”

Lim Sang-ok watched his students while taking another sip of beer. Choi Kwang-hyun cautiously answered:

“The other interns.”

“Correct. Why is that?”

“When companies hire interns, supervisors often tell them that those who perform well and receive good evaluations may be offered full-time positions. In fact, one or two interns usually do get hired as regular employees. Therefore, despite being fellow interns, they inevitably become rivals.” Choi Kwang-hyun paused briefly and glanced at Kang Jin.

“In Kang Jin’s case, he is studying psychology, unrelated to trade, yet interning at a trading company. Typically, internships at such companies attract students from trade or business administration backgrounds. From their perspective, Kang Jin becomes a common enemy among the interns due to her different field of study.”

Lim Sang-ok looked at Choi Kwang-hyun and nodded approvingly.

“I thought you just played around all day, but I see you’ve been studying after all.”

“As someone pursuing graduate studies, it’s essential to have this knowledge.”

Lim Sang-ok glanced at Kang Jin based on Choi Kwang-hyun’s words.

“he’ll find it fascinating.”

“I suspect it will be more challenging than fun.”

“Psychology thrives amidst human interactions.”

Lim Sang-ok picked up a psychology book lying on his hospital bed.

“After reading dozens of such books, my mouth feels parched rather than enlightened.”

“That particular book was written by Professor Lim himself,” Choi Kwang-hyun pointed out.

Lim Sang-ok let out a small tut before responding, “My profession is being a psychology professor. Naturally, my mouth should feel dry from constant lecturing.” With confidence, he turned to Kang Jin.

“Work diligently. If you excel, it could open up additional employment opportunities for future interns.”

“It’s not easy to become a full-time employee from an intern position, right?”

“That’s why I’m telling you to do well.”

“What…what if they ask me to work overtime?”

“If there’s extra pay, then do it; otherwise, don’t bother.”

“You mean, ‘don’t bother’?”

“I despise this whole concept of passion without compensation. If someone wants passionate work, they should pay accordingly. Companies that demand passion while not compensating fairly are not my cup of tea. Just focus on doing your best during paid hours.”

Kang Jin nodded at Lim Sang-ok’s words and glanced at the time before saying:

“I have something else to attend to, so I’ll be taking my leave now.”

“Go ahead.”

As Kang Jin stood up, Choi Kwang-hyun raised his hand.

“Hyung, I’ll drop by your store soon.”

“Sure thing.”

Kang Jin bowed towards Lim Sang-ok.

“Thank you for this opportunity.”

“You’re welcome. The company will contact you sometime tomorrow.” Lim Sang-ok’s words prompted Kang Jin to bow again before opening the door and leaving.

As he watched Kang Jin depart, Lim Sang-ok started mindlessly chewing on squid rings. Chewing helped clear his thoughts as per Kang Jin’s suggestion.

I should buy some more squid rings for home.

Due to studying psychology, Lim Sang-ok found himself unconsciously analyzing people all the time. This mental exercise often left him feeling drained and heavy-headed, but munching on squid rings seemed to lighten his burden somewhat.

Kang Jin was drinking with ghosts.

It seems like we’re drinking every day now.

Even though they could drink alone, the ghosts insisted on having a toast together. As Kang Jin planned to conduct business with them, it became crucial to understand their ways, leading to these frequent drinking sessions.

“So that’s what happened. I ripped out his teeth and made them into a necklace for myself! Although I’m more docile now, back then, I was quite ruthless.”

“Reminds me of when I was in America. In South Korea, after a car accident, you exchange insurance details. But over there, people pull out guns instead!”

The ghosts continued talking about themselves without listening to others, making it a one-sided conversation.

It was one-way communication as usual. Among these ghosts, Kang Jin sat with Bae Yongsoo and Choi Ho-cheol. The two men were also absorbed in their own conversation.

“Mrs. Suk’s kimchi is truly delicious. I want some now! Yunam Restaurant’s kimchi!”

“I spent ten days undercover on the subway while capturing pickpocket gangs, remember?”

Kang Jin observed them before opening his mouth.

“By any chance, do you know anything about trade-related work?”

The store instantly quietened down at Kang Jin’s question. Although the ghosts were engrossed in their own conversations, they responded to Kang Jin’s inquiry by sharing what they knew.

“Ninth District Trade,” replied Bae Yongsoo.

Kang Jin nodded.

“I’ve landed an internship at a trading company.”

“Then what about this store?”

“This place is only open from 11 pm to 1 am. It opens after I finish my internship.”

“As an intern, you don’t necessarily need to know about trade, right? At Yunam Restaurant, beginner chefs spend their first year cleaning and preparing ingredients without touching any cooking.”

“Don’t you still need some knowledge of trade?”

One ghost approached Kang Jin at his words. It was a middle-aged man with a potbelly.

“I’m knowledgeable about trade.”

Kang Jin looked at the middle-aged man’s words.

“Do you know something about trade?”

“Of course! I was one of the founding members of Kang International.”

“Really?” Naturally, Kang Jin had no idea what company ‘Kang International’ referred to. However, he feigned surprise.

Ghosts liked to talk about themselves. I thought if I showed interest in their stories, they would continue talking on their own accord.

“Okay! Then what is trade…?”

The middle-aged man placed two shot glasses on the table and poured soju into them.

Glug-glug!

He filled one glass almost overflowing while barely filling the other.

“When there’s an abundance of goods, prices fall; when there’s scarcity, prices rise. Trade involves taking goods from where there’s plenty and selling them where there’s less.”

The middle-aged man then poured some of the overfilled glass into the nearly empty one.

Glug-glug!

After pouring approximately half, both glasses contained an equal amount of soju.

The middle-aged man handed one glass to Kang Jin and kept another for himself.

“Buying cheaply from places with abundant goods and selling them not too expensively where they’re scarce! That’s what trade is all about.”

“So buying cheap and not selling high? Instead of buying low and selling high?”

“That’s a good question, President Kang.”

“Really?”

“Small merchants buy low and sell high. But big businessmen like us buy low and don’t overcharge. Business isn’t a one-time affair, you see.”

“I see.”

“Just remember this when it comes to trading: Move goods from areas with plenty to those lacking, always buying cheap and avoiding excessive markup. This is the essence of trade!”

As Kang Jin listened to the emphasis on “essence,” he asked,

“I understand that…but do you have any practical tips?”

The middle-aged man’s explanation was too broad for Kang Jin.

“You must carefully select your items.”

“Items?”

“In South Korea, there are many cars, but does it mean they’re cheap?”

“No, not really.”

“Just because something is abundant doesn’t make it cheaper. Conversely, scarcity doesn’t always equate to high prices. An item can be scarce due to its value or simply because people don’t use it and production is low. In essence, you should sell items that are rare yet highly demanded by people. Trade involves connecting those who need goods with those who can utilize them.”

“What kind of items fit that description?”

“If I knew specific items, they wouldn’t remain valuable secrets anymore.”

“Why’s that?”

“When I was alive, flip phones were considered modern. You’re not thinking of selling used South Korean flip phones in India, are you?”

“Ah…”

The middle-aged man’s words implied that items he knew from his time were outdated now.

“Excuse me, sir, but what is your name?”

“I’m Park Chung-man.”

“If you have any questions later, feel free to ask.”

“Certainly.”

Park Chung-man then pulled up a chair and began sharing his story.

“In my past life, while I was in Thailand…”

As Park Chung-man recounted his experiences, other ghosts started narrating their own tales once more. Observing the increasing chatter, Kang Jin stood up and scanned the tables.

“Anyone need more food?”

One of the ghosts raised their hand at Kang Jin’s question.

“I’d like fried eggs.”

“Sure thing.”

Kang Jin proceeded to the stove, heating it for the ghost’s order.

Sizzle!

After frying about ten eggs, Kang Jin placed them on a dish.

“Who wants fried eggs?” At Kang Jin’s question, several ghosts raised their hands besides the one who had initially requested them.

Kang Jin placed some eggs on those plates and then brought the remaining eggs towards Sung Yong’s group.

“Fried eggs…”

As Kang Jin spoke, he glanced at the door as it opened with a click. Four figures stood there - no, four ghosts. Kang Jin immediately realized they were ghosts due to their ghostly appearance. They seemed faintly translucent.

Click!

Without realizing it, Kang Jin dropped the plate of fried eggs onto the table, his mouth agape.

They’re actual ghosts.

He had grown accustomed to seeing ghosts resembling humans, but now genuine-looking ghosts appeared before him.