Chapter 17

Chapter 17Old steel(7)

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A safety inspection team wearing green helmets with the mark Safety First climbed up onto the Han River Railroad Bridge main line.

The lead member held a walkie-talkie in his hand.

Click.

Department head, we are entering the bridge.

-For Line A, adjust the train interval to 10 minutes for the next hour. Move for 7 minutes and wait for 3 minutes.

Understood.

The railway inspection team leader shouted to everyone.

Be careful until we enter Noryangjin Station! Everyone, depart according to my signal!

Jeong-woo stepped onto the railing and climbed up to the outer part of the bridge.

The bridge stretched across the Han River along four tracks.

Does it look old? It feels like walking on an old road.

The scenery of this moment, walking in step with the rail tracks he had only ever ridden on a train before, was unfamiliar yet brought a new feeling to Jeong-woo.

In the distance, even the flowing water of the Han River appeared different than usual.

Ah-choo!

Song Boyeong sneezed loudly from behind, waking Jeong-woo from his thoughts, and he was now faced with a practical problem.

The view is nice, but its cold here.

Upon Jeong-woos words, Song Boyeong, whose nose turned red, nodded her head.

Yes, it is. It wasnt this chilly in the morning. Its getting colder as the evening approaches. Ugh.

You didnt have to follow me, though.

How could I not follow Mr. Parachute? Plus, I am a senior.

Even if you catch a cold?

Ill catch a cold.

Jeong-woo shrugged and noticed Team Leader Joo Hana climbing up behind him, fully equipped with a thick padded jacket.

She was prepared.

It was a completely different outfit compared to Song Boyeong, who wore a thin suit.

Senior.

Song Boyeong, who had just climbed up the railing, looked up at Jeong-woo when he called her.

Take this, at least.

Jeong-woo handed over the scarf around his neck to Song Boyeong.

How about Mr. Parachute?

Its cold for me too. But, Senior, you seem like youll lose your nose right now.

Taking the scarf that still had some warmth, Song Boyeong looked at Jeong-woos back, who was staring at the Han River, and smiled.

Now that I think about it, Mr. Parachute and Dr. Cheon have one big difference.

What difference?

I guess youre a bit more kind?

Jeong-woo looked at Song Boyeong, who was putting on the scarf with a bright smile.

Dont get snot on it. Its a new one.

Ha, thats funny! I wont!

Following the inspection team leader, everyone started moving.

About 7 minutes later, a subway train passed by.

Standing in the safety zone under the bridge and on the metal ladder, Jeong-woo glanced briefly at the upper structure and focused on the bolts that were being magnified.

Ah, they look good.

Feeling relieved that he didnt have to worry about the mayor inspector noticing him, Jeong-woo breathed a sigh of relief.

Team leader.

Jeong-woo spoke to Joo Hana, who was holding a high-performance camera.

Please take a picture of over there.

Where?

Over there Oh, Ill take it. Just press the shutter button, right?

Holding a DSLR camera with a telephoto lens, Jeong-woo began to search for areas where corrosion of the bolts might be suspected.

5 PM. Noryangjin Station staff waiting room.

The door opened with a creak, and a woman with a Rudolph-red nose entered.

As soon as she saw the warm electric heater, she rushed over and put her face close to it, shivering with delight.

Ah, warmth. Feels like Im alive again.

Did you just return?

Yoon Jaegil, who was waiting with her, asked Song Boyeong, who nodded in response.

Journalists, I think I have to go.

Mr. Han Jeong-woo! Just one more thing to say before you go!

Since he didnt have much to say, Jeong-woo was about to decline, but then he saw Joo Hana boasting about their companys products and raising their stock price.

Well, they paid me to help, so why not pretend to be a real expert?

Jeong-woo thought of some chemical information related to this accident. He could quickly recall several analogies.

Um Old iron is like that. Most of them have a weakness of corrosion. The metal that makes up the Han River Bridge is strong, but in fact, it is living a life that is destined to die someday. It quickly ages, weakens, and becomes an unreliable existence. Painting it wont cover up its wrinkles either.

As Jeong-woo spoke about the bridge as if it were alive, Joo Hana and the journalists who were interviewing him turned their heads in interest.

The bolt that fell off at noon today was weakened to the point where it couldnt withstand the active movement of free electrons. Storms, cold, heat. Its hard to endure the storms of the world with just our naked bodies.

Joo Hana, who was in the middle of an interview with the journalists, looked bewildered when she saw them all writing down or recording Jeong-woos words.

Song Boyeong held up her watch as she approached Jeong-woo. After looking up at her, Jeong-woo spoke.

When it comes to corrosion, we cant turn back time, but there are ways to stop the clock. Like the quasi-crystalline coating developed by KG Chemical. Now, Im really leaving. Thank you for your hard work, Team Leader.

Jeong-woo said goodbye to everyone and followed Song Boyeong, disappearing down the corridor.

The reporters whispered among themselves.

Wont what Han Jeong-woo said just now be enough to earn him a headline?

Being a chemist feels different from being a doctor or lawyer, but he sounds strangely professional.

He said hes from KG Chemical, right? He looks young, but he speaks well.

As Song Boyeong walked away, she covered her mouth with her hand and quietly asked Jeong-woo.

You even advertised the quasi-crystalline project?

The team leader suggested it too. Did I do well?

Very well.

For once, youre complimenting me a lot. Huh? Wait a minute.

Jeong-woo pointed to the scarf Song Boyeong was wearing.

Is it dirty? Youd better wash it tsk tsk. But you cant do laundry.

Oh, no!

As they were about to walk down the stairs in the station, a man approached Jeong-woo and Song Boyeong.

Are you leaving?

It was Yoon Jaegil. Jeong-woo bowed his head and pointed to Joo Hana.

Weve talked about what we found. Oh, how about the operating costs

Well process it properly after the detailed inspection is over.

There was no need to confirm it again, but Jeong-woo nodded his head. Then, he was about to say something like Do you want my bank account number? but he had to swallow his groan at Yoon Jaegils next words.

Our management support team and KG Chemicals finance team should have left for the day, and its the weekend tomorrow, so well pay you on Monday. Is that okay?

Ahthats fine.

To the company? That 15% is not my money.

Some of the consulting and operating expenses that Yoon Jaegil promised to provide was money that couldnt be received in the name of Han Jeong-woo. Looking at it, pursuing personal income during work hours is not tolerated in a company, so it is impossible to receive such money under his name.

I hit the jackpot, no, the company did.

Jeong-woo said bitterly to Yoon Jaegil.

Ill go, Director.

Mr. Han Jeong-woo.

Yes?

When your internship at KG Chemical is over, consider Yujin Chemical as well. I will strongly recommend it.

Thats

Song Boyeong, who was next to him, widened her eyes at the sudden scouting proposal.

As he said goodbye to Yoon Jaegil and walked out of the station, Song Boyeong asked Jeong-woo urgently.

Are you really going after your internship?

He might not be able to go, and he didnt want to go right away. Jeong-woo was about to answer no, but his mischievous side was activated.

A rival disappearing is something you should like, isnt it?

Wellthats true, but

Song Boyeong hesitated, touching the scarf still hanging around her neck, then decided.

I have to admit it. Right now, Mr. Parachute is a little bit ahead of me. Its frustrating, but I have to learn what I need to.

Teach you what?

Ha ha.

Song Boyeong walked away with her cheeks puffed out.

This senior is cute when shes sulking.

Song Boyeong, who was standing on the street calling a taxi, turned to Jeong-woo.

Oh, theres a company dinner, so come along.

A company dinner?