Chapter 68

“So, have you given it any thought?” Hwang Kyusik looked at Kang Jin before responding.

“Actually, I’ve been waiting quite some time in this elevator.”

“Why? Were you waiting for me?”

“I knew Lee Kang-jin leaves work promptly at the end of your shift. So, I came out ten minutes early and waited here to catch you.”

“Hmm… You want my vote, don’t you?”

“If Lee Kang-jin gives me his vote, then I’ll give him mine.”

Kang Jin chuckled at Hwang Kyusik’s proposition.

“My vote is alive, but the one you’d give me would be dead… There’s no reason for me to want your vote, right?”

Hwang Kyusik wanted to become a full-time employee, but Kang Jin had no intention of doing so. Regardless of how many votes he received, Kang Jin wasn’t interested in becoming a regular staff member, making his vote essentially useless.

“Moreover, even if I don’t aim for a full-time position, there’s Choi Donghae working alongside me in our department. Why should I give my vote to someone from another team like you?”

Hwang Kyusik appeared puzzled by Kang Jin’s response.

“Well…”

“Why? Is there some rumor that we don’t get along?” Kang Jin chuckled at Hwang Kyusik’s hesitant reply.

‘So rumors spread quickly. Or has Donghae been talking about it himself?’

Spreading rumors about others was beneath him, and there wasn’t anything scandalous between them either. It seemed Choi Donghae mentioned Hwang Kyusik to interns as casual conversation starters. Thus, it appeared that Hwang Kyusik had come here first to secure Kang Jin’s favor.

Since he doesn’t have any connections with the interns, does he think whoever stakes their claim first wins? How cute.

Kang Jin watched amusedly as Hwang Kyusik took a sip of his coffee.

Psychology is indeed fascinating.

Although drinking coffee was an unconscious action for Hwang Kyusik at this moment, it held multiple meanings. He used it to buy time while pondering how to respond to Kang Jin’s statement.

At least while drinking coffee, he didn’t have to open his mouth and answer her question. Kang Jin also sipped her coffee as she watched Hwang Kyusik. After a brief silence, Hwang Kyusik opened his mouth again.

“Are you planning to give your ticket to Choi Donghae?”

“Have you spoken with Mr. Choi before?”

“I’ve met him several times at intern gatherings.”

“Do you think Choi Donghae can receive someone else’s vote besides mine?” In response to Kang Jin’s question, Hwang Kyusik shook his head.

“Truthfully, it would be difficult for Donghae to get any votes.” With that, Kang Jin rose from her seat without further discussion.

“My ticket will go to the most deserving person based on the situation at hand.”

Her ambiguous statement left Hwang Kyusik uncertain whether she intended to give the ticket to Choi Donghae or not.

Hwang Kyusik hastily added as Kang Jin turned to leave without another word, “Um, could we talk just a little more…? I have something else to discuss besides the ticket.”

“I need to open my food stall for dinner soon. So then…”

Kang Jin walked out of the café after bidding farewell. As he headed home, he pursed his lips thoughtfully.

Did I inadvertently end up giving Choi Donghae a ticket?

It wasn’t meant for him personally; it was intended for someone deserving based on the situation—preferably someone who could benefit Taekwang Trading. After all, Taekwang Trading had been good to Kang Jin, and their employees would likely be valuable customers for his food stall.

However, Hwang Kyusik ended up being the one to give the ticket to Choi Donghae instead.

During their conversation, Kang Jin brought up Choi Donghae’s name. Initially, he started by saying that since Choi Donghae was unlikely to receive any votes, it would be better to give his vote to someone within their department. However, this inadvertently led him to emphasize why Choi Donghae wouldn’t get any votes from other interns.

Hwang Kyusik recognized this sentiment and responded accordingly. His strategy for the intern popularity contest was simple: cast his own vote strategically while ensuring that the vote he gave away became invalid. If the vote he handed out turned out valid, there was a high chance of someone surpassing the majority threshold. Therefore, he needed to give his vote to the person least likely to receive others’, effectively rendering it null. In other words… Hwang Kyusik planned to neutralize his vote by casting it for the most unpopular candidate—Choi Donghae.

If I mess this up, won’t Choi Donghae end up with the most votes?

Kang Jin shook his head as he pondered that thought. It would be impossible for Choi Donghae to get lucky unless he used all his luck on winning the lottery. There were people like Hwang Kyusik trying to secure votes. Thanks to Kang Jin planting psychological seeds, it was uncertain whether those votes might go to Choi Donghae, but others wouldn’t easily follow suit. The competition among interns was fierce, making it unlikely they’d rely solely on luck to become full-time employees.

Hwang Kyusik and his ilk would attempt to influence each other’s voting choices.

“I don’t know who came up with this idea…but they’ve turned the sports meet into a battleground for the interns.”

During the popularity contest, Taekwang Trading’s interns would engage in intense rivalry, striving to seize the golden ticket of becoming a full-time employee fastest.

Kang Jin was making coffee in the break room. No one had asked him to do it; he just happened to be the most idle employee at that moment and decided to make some for everyone, including himself. As he poured hot water over instant coffee granules in paper cups, Choi Donghae entered the room.

“Hyung, did you hear?”

Kang Jin glanced sideways at Choi Donghae’s question.

“We’re alone here.”

“That we are. What’s up?”

“They say the most popular intern during the sports meet will get hired as a full-time employee.”

So that’s what this was about.

“I heard it from Hwang Kyusik yesterday.” Kang Jin’s revelation caught Choi Donghae off guard.

“You knew about this?”

“But why didn’t you tell me?”

Kang Jin gave Choi Donghae a sidelong look.

“Do the interns like you?”

“That…uhm…no.”

“Then what’s the point? You need at least nine votes to win… Do you think you can get that many?”

“But still…I can try my best.”

At Choi Donghae’s words, Kang Jin wiggled his fingers.

“Pour coffee.”

Following Kang Jin’s instruction, Choi Donghae put down the shopping bags he was carrying and poured hot water into a paper cup.

“You changed your clothes?”

“Yeah, I overheard them talking while changing in the restroom. Those jerks, they should’ve shared it on our group chat instead of keeping it to themselves.”

Kang Jin chuckled at Choi Donghae’s remark.

“There’s only one ticket available, yet there are seventeen people who want it. It would be wise to keep its existence hidden. Why broadcast it to everyone?”

“Right…you’re right.”

Kang Jin stirred his coffee as Choi Donghae spoke.

“The powder smells nice.”

“Really?”

“It’s much better.”

Choi Donghae scratched his head bashfully at Kang Jin’s compliment. After their team dinner, he had been changing his undershirt every two hours and applying baby powder diligently. Choi Donghae was making efforts to improve himself.

Glug-glug!

As Choi Donghae poured hot water, Kang Jin advised him, “I think losing weight should be your priority before becoming a full-time employee here.”

“But…”

Seeing Choi Donghae hesitate, Kang Jin shook his head, placed the coffee mug on a small tray, and exited the break room.

“Coffee is ready.”

“Thanks!”

“Thank you.”

Kang Jin smiled as he placed cups of coffee on each team member’s desk while greeting them warmly. After distributing all the drinks, Kang Jin returned to his seat and spoke up.

“Excuse me, sir.”

“Huh? What is it?”

“Do you have a moment?”

At Kang Jin’s request, Lee Sangsub turned his chair closer to him.

Whrrr!

As the wheels rolled towards Kang Jin, Lee Sangsub asked, “What’s up?”

“You know about the popularity contest for interns during the sports meet?”

“Oh!”

Lee Sangsub nodded at Kang Jin’s question and gestured Choi Donghae over.

“Donghae, join us. This is something interns should be aware of.”

Choi Donghae promptly moved next to them. Just as Lee Sangsub was about to speak, he paused with a smile and nodded appreciatively.

“The baby powder scent smells nice.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem. Actually, I hesitated to mention this sensitive issue before, but now that it’s resolved so easily…I wish I had brought it up earlier.”

“Alright then, it’s a win-win situation for both of us. I’ll give you some baby powder.”

“Thank you.”

As Choi Donghae chuckled and scratched his head, Lee Sangsub nodded.

“I’m not sure where you heard this from, but there really is a popularity contest among interns.”

“So during the sports meet, will the intern with the majority vote become a full-time employee?”

“Not exactly, once your internship ends… Unless you cause any major incidents, everyone gets hired as a regular employee.”

“Wow…”

In response to Choi Donghae’s impressed exclamation, Lee Sangsub shared:

“In fact, Assistant Manager Jang Dae-sung, currently working at our US branch, became a full-time employee through that process.”

“He must be truly exceptional,” Kang Jin remarked, slightly surprised by this revelation.

“As expected, Kang Jin understands how monumental this is,” Lee Sangsub replied, prompting Kang Jin to glance at Choi Donghae as if emphasizing his point.

“All interns… No, except me, everyone else’s lives revolve around becoming full-time employees here. And I doubt any of them would willingly give up their chance for that ticket.”

Clap!

Lee Sangsub snapped his fingers and agreed. “That’s right.”

“But to become a popular intern, you need nine votes. It feels like an impossible mission.” Choi Donghae chimed in after Kang Jin’s remark.

“Yet one person managed it.”

“That’s why Assistant Manager Jang Dae-sung is truly remarkable—he accomplished something extraordinary.” Kang Jin looked at Lee Sangsub expectantly, seeking confirmation, and received a nod from him.

“That’s true. Since I joined the company, no intern has ever become popular like this.”

Lee Sangsub then turned to Choi Mina.

“Assistant Manager Choi?”

“Yes?”

“After you started working here, have any interns gained popularity during sports events?”

In response, Choi Mina smiled and formed a zero with her fingers.

“I’ve never heard of anyone achieving that feat besides Assistant Manager Jang Dae-sung. And none since my time either.”

Hearing Choi Mina’s words, Lee Sangsub glanced at Kang Jin and Choi Donghae.

“It’s incredibly challenging. Don’t stress too much about becoming the popular intern; just enjoy it moderately.”

“Enjoy it?” Choi Donghae looked puzzled.

Kang Jin chuckled, understanding his confusion. “I did manage to get a free coffee from him yesterday.”

Lee Sangsub laughed at Kang Jin’s remark. “Indeed…that’s quite impressive. Your observational skills are remarkable.”

“Thank you.” Lee Sangsub nodded and then turned to Choi Donghae.

“The interns will likely invite you out for some good food just to get on your good side. Enjoy yourself, eat well, and have a few drinks.”

“Oh…sounds nice.” Choi Donghae finally seemed to grasp what they were saying and nodded.

“That’s great—free booze and free food…” Lee Sangsub glanced at Kang Jin mid-sentence.

“But remember…there’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

Kang Jin looked puzzled by Lee Sangsub’s words.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch? Remember that?

It felt like there was more to his statement than met the ear. Kang Jin studied Lee Sangsub’s face, which wore a curious mix of mischief and intrigue.

Could it be…the popular intern is being targeted…for elimination?