Chapter 14

Chapter 14Old steel(4)

Yoon Jaegil turned his gaze to Jeong-woo and gestured for him to speak.

Is the responsibility for managing the Han River Railroad Bridge with the city or with the railway construction company?

Why do you ask?

That picture over there.

Jeong-woo pointed to a slide where a close-up image of a section of the Han River Bridge was shown.

Im curious about who would clean up if there was pigeon droppings. Is it the responsibility of the city or the railway company?

Perhaps because the conversation was too non-technical, people in the conference room began to snicker.

Song Boyeong was startled and turned her head towards Jeong-woo. Jeong-woo raised his hand to signal for her to calm down.

Yoon Jaegil stared at the picture for a long time before lowering his head.

Well I dont see any pigeon droppings.

Theyre there.

Where?

Jeong-woo watched as the imaginary orbits of various elements floating in the air converged to form a constellation that looked like a pigeon, and spoke.

The molecules fluttering around Ah, if you look at the part that has been scratched by a strong acidic substance, you can easily infer it. Its pigeon droppings that have even penetrated the paint of Yujin Chemicals.

Jeong-woo walked towards the screen and pointed to a specific spot. Finally, Yoon Jaegil, who had found a tiny trace the size of a fingernail in the corner of the screen, looked at Jeong-woo with a puzzled expression.

How did you find that?

Its chemical reasoning. Im a chemist.

In any case, Yang Jumugwan, who judged that Jeongwoos words were true, answered the initial question.

Its a part where the railroad passes through, so its managed by the railroad construction company. There are also many wires above that the general public cannot touch. The Seoul city only provides budget assistance. But why are you asking about this?

Well, unless it rains, the pigeon droppings over there cannot be cleaned up. Even if a strong protective coating is applied with paint, it cannot suppress the inherent nature of iron.

Inherent nature?

It has a passionate desire to combine with oxygen. Even zinc paint cant separate it.

Some people laughed at the fairy tale-like logic that spoke of elements as if they were living beings. Yoon Jaegil was among them.

This young man has a good sense of humor.

When Jeong-woo made a remark, subtly glancing at the Yujin Chemical paint, Yoon Jaegil couldnt resist and took the microphone right away.

Pigeon droppings? Cant they just cover it up? And we paint three layers even anticipating the scratches that appear on the screen.

There are places where even three layers of paint are missing.

How can you be so sure?

Because I saw it.

Recalling the yellow-green ground he had seen on his way to work on the subway, Jeong-woo continued his statement.

The part where the bolt is tightened. The place where the screw and the iron frame are joined. There is no paint at all.

Isnt that a part that cannot be painted?

Thats right. Thats why there must be a hole in Yujin Chemicals total management. Arent bolts part of the bridge structure?

Yoon Jaegil snickered.

We only investigated the rivets and bolts for two weeks. How can you know that when you havent even looked closely at the connection points?

I saw it passing by.

Liar.

Jeong-woo felt frustrated looking at the opponent he couldnt convince.

How can I explain this?

Lost in thought, Jeong-woos gaze fell on Yoon Jaegils chin.

Is it because compounds that look like reality and constellations are mixed together that Jeong-woo was able to read what was written on Yoon Jaegils chin intuitively.

You must have had a hangover yesterday.

What?

Jeong-woo immediately responded to Yoon Jaegils gaze, which asked how he knew he had been drinking.

Theres a little vomit on your chin.

Yoon Jaegil, who was reflexively wiping his chin at the mention of being vomited on, looked incredulous.

What are you talking about?

There are ethyl alcohol and non-sabinene compounds, so I figured it out. The scent feels quite luxurious. Did you drink expensive liquor?

Yoon Jaegil glared at Jeong-woo, as if to tell him not to joke around.

Are you kidding me?

Its not a joke. Wait theres also citric acid and ascorbic acid mixed in. Oh, its bitter. Is the appetizer oranges? Lime? Its a strong liquor with a fruit appetizer. Its upsetting, really.

Yoon Jaegil looked puzzled. Even if he had accidentally guessed that he had been drinking, it was impossible to accurately describe the ingredients.

It was a statement that could only be made because of his confidence in his chemical knowledge, which had a nuance of looking at molecules.

Are you looking down on me?

I want to see him too.

Song Boyeong hesitated for a moment, then looked away as if she was looking at a distant mountain.

Ill take note that you helped maintain KG Chemicals status.

Jeong-woo smiled at her ambivalent compliment.

Damn it, embarrasing.

Yoon Jaegil sighed deeply as he looked at the two people across from him who were laughing and chatting away.

KG Chemicals, the top domestic company that was like a thorn in the side of Yujin Chemicals, who was always ranked second by a very small margin. However, they were particularly unwilling to lose to any other company.

However, he showed a poor performance at todays seminar. Moreover, it was in the area that can be regarded as the mainstay of Yujin Chemicals compensation.

Sigh.

Yoon Jaegil, who was trying to calm his boiling insides, took out his cellphone from his pocket as it rang. It was his secretary calling.

Whats up?

-Theres been a fire, sir.

What? Where?

In response to Yoon Jaegils irritated question, the cautious voice of his secretary continued.

-Um 20 minutes ago, there was another structure collapse accident at the Han River Bridge.

What did you say?

Yoon Jaegil was startled and stood up abruptly.

-There were no casualties, but two cars passing under the bridge were damaged and the drivers are injured.

Damn it. We were so prepared for this

It was an incident that marred the Total Care System, Yujin Chemicals pride and joy.

If this continues, we wont have any room to talk about railway construction. We just received notice that they will be using our newly developed coating instead of our paint next year. Gather the safety inspection team right away!

-We also received a strange message. A passenger who warned the Seoul Metro customer center about this situation this morning had the exact predicted location of the collapse.

What does that mean? Predicting the location?

-We have their contact information, but

Get their number right away and have the mobile research vehicle on standby.

Yoon Jaegil immediately entered the number and pressed the call button.

The signal beeped and the other person answered the phone.

-Whos this?

Oh, excuse me. Im Yoon Jaegil, the center director of Yujin Chemical.

-What? Why?

What? What do you mean why?

Jeong-woo approached Yoon Jaegil, who was holding his cellphone.

So why did you call me?

Because you reported it this morning while crossing the Hangang Iron Bridge

Yoon Jaegil froze as he spoke into his cellphone.

You!

Your personality is quite unique, Director Yoon. Youre right in front of me, but you didnt come and talk to me directly. Although we may have had an awkward relationship at the seminar, this is a bit

At this moment, Yoon Jaegil felt like he was going crazy, thinking that everything that Jeong-woo, an intern from a rival company, had said at the seminar might be true.

Whats going on? Why did you call me?

With no sense of understanding, an accumulated resentment, and an unbelievable situation, Yoon Jaegil half-opened his mouth and looked at Jeong-woo.

By the way, how did you get my number?

Jeong-woo became puzzled by Yoon Jaegils silence.

Mr. Parachute.

Song Boyeong followed Jeong-woo.

Why are you just standing there instead of leaving?

Director Yoon called me.

Song Boyeong lowered her voice and asked.

Phone call? To fight? Shall we fight together?

Thats not it, I dont think What? Why would you hit someone?

Well, it just seems he has a bad temper.

He can hear you.

Yoon Jaegil, who had barely regained his composure, spoke to Jeong-woo.

You said your name was Han Jeong-woo, right?

Yes.

Lets talk for a moment.