Chapter 23: Snowflake Serenade (5)

Chapter 23: Snowflake Serenade (5)

Inside the storage room.

Jungwu was lost in thought while looking at the array of fireworks on the ground labeled H Innovation.

Are you filming yet?

He turned towards Soochan. Soochan was holding a rather expensive looking camera he somehow managed to borrow. Soochan waved back at him.

Just a sec, the angle got it.

Soochan gave a bright smile once the camera was aimed at Jungwus face.

Wow Jungwu is so~ handsome~

Ack stop it. Focus on filming mostly my hands.

Its a 4k recording, so all of it shows up, dont worry about it and start working.

Jungwu, who was kneeling over the fireworks, asked,

Where did you get that camera anyway?

I borrowed it from a professional cameraman I know. I had a lot of run-ins with him during events like these, and we got along pretty fast. Although, I did introduce him to a bunch of people whenever the opportunity arose.

Soochan then focused on the image of Jungwu disassembling the fireworks and separating the parts and then muttered as if talking to himself.

I still cant believe you did the setup for these fireworks, Jungwu. Its really amazing.

Well, I surprise myself these days as well. Have you walked on top of the Han River Railway before?

Soochan took his eyes away from the camera to look at Jungwu directly.

Hmm? What do you mean?

Never mind then.

After boldly ripping the packaging for fountain fireworks, Jungwu calmly poured out the content onto a paper set on the floor.

I said that I would teach you, but I wont be explaining the theory behind it in detail.

Wait why?

Because you wont understand even if I tell you. Just watch carefully, and memorize by repetition. Just memorize the location and the number of each and every grain of these gray firework powder.

Do you really think that would be possible for me?

Jungwu answered after arranging the powder into a T shape and rolling the paper up.

I dont know. This is going to be your source of income. If you wont give it your all and tackle it with a do or die attitude, what can I say?

Youre absolutely right. Ill do my best to memorize it. But just in case, tell me the theory anyway. As long as it wont interrupt your work.

It wont.

I am planning on rewatching this couple dozen times. But simple terms only, please. I am a Liberal Arts Major.

So all youve got is enthusiasm

Jungwu pondered for a moment before continuing.

Making letters appear in the air isnt as simple as burning a letter shaped incendiary in the air. It uses a mixture of chemicals with varying burn times and trying to have them combust just once. Some chemicals finish their reaction in the launch pad, and some last just long enough to form letters due to being delayed by about 0.1 second.

Jungwu ripped up another firework and picked up a clump of powdered copper.

Try to imagine that this here contains an element and electronno, think of it as having a star.

A star?

Use your imagination. Element star and a dust-like satellite orbiting around it. When energy is transferred in from the outside, these dust stars guys start to run amok. When that happens, one of these guys go ugh so annoying and shoot a green light.

What the

Soochan snickered.

Focus. So when you burn these grains, you get a green light. And the rate the dust stars get annoyed, that timing determines when it gives off the bright light.

Wow, Jungwu were you always so well spoken? I didnt understand all of it, but you were like a chemistry teacher just now.

Really?

Jungwu let out a fake cough and continued to speak. And along with instructions, he continued to work on the fireworks.

Once 20 or so minutes passed, the launch pad for #1 was complete.

So this is TOTs.

It didnt take too long.

It didnt?

This kind of speed was only possible because Jungwu was able to watch the mini galaxy as he made his progress, but he still asked just in case;

I know it looked simple, but the only reason why it looks so easy is because I am avoiding the condition in which it begins the combustion reaction.

Jungwu checked the dust stars that he had pushed away to the corners of the room to prevent static discharge and continued.

You cant take this lightly. This is likeYouve thrown a grenade in the army before, right? The Sergeant probably told you that if you screw up throwing it, then its over. You should treat this the same way. If something goes wrong, throw your body over a barricade immediately.

Should I be getting a dangerous material handling license or something?

Licence?

What happens if the fireworks go off by mistake?

AhIll at least visit you in the hospital.

Hey! Wait. I am going to memorize this completely and get recognition. For now, I am following around the Director and learning, but in 10 years, I will make a name for myself.

He didnt know whether his friend would actually come to realize his dream, but Jungwu wished the best for him.

Dont forget my help in this.

Of course.

Jungwu made sure to remind others who to thank. Who knows what will happen in a few years.

After about an hour and a half later, all four sets of fireworks for the stage was complete.

Good work Jungwu. Lets relocate them and have our dinner.

Soochan hoisted the camera onto his shoulder and lifted up one end of the launch pad. Jungwu picked up the other end and opened the doors to the storage room when he noticed a mob of people running through the halls.

What are they doing?

Since theyre headed towards the standby room, Id guess they are fans running to ask for autographs.

As they moved towards the exit Soochan continued to explain.

When theyre doing that, usually its after the managers have given their permission. It means that the makeup for the stage is complete and the stars are ready to receive the fans loving.

Hey, what about me? Yulhwi?

Jungwu had forgotten about the autograph and photo and looked on as if he wanted to jump into the fray and join the mob.Fôllôw new stories at novelhall.com

It would be difficult for now since there are a lot of people, so Ill ask the Director later. He already recognized your skill so it should be simple.

Dont flake out.

After firmly reminding his friend, Jungwu and Soochan put down the launchpad before the stage.

Jungwu was watching Soochan connect the ignition system when he noticed an unfamiliar man approach them. He was thinking that the man might be heading in their direction, and then finally their eyes met.

Jungwu ssi?

The Director who was controlling the volume settings then had a sudden shift in his facial expression and ran up to greet him.

Mr. Representative! What brings you to this place?

It was a completely different tone of voice from the one used to address Jungwu and his friend earlier, so Jungwu gave a quizzical look to Soochan. Soochan answered in a whisper.

Hes the sponsor of the event.

Wait, is he the Representative of the TS Mall?

Yeap. Chairman Daegil Yum. Ive heard that hes an influential man who runs major logistics company aside from the mall.

Even his clothes seemed special. Perhaps due to finally seeing a fabulously wealthy man in person, Jungwus attention was naturally drawn to him.

Director, I have something to ask. Do you have any device that can simulate snowfall?

Snow? Normally we use something called paper shower. We put a bunch of paper powder into a launch bin and shoot it up to give it the effect.

Ah. Exactly how does it look like?

Please wait a moment. Soochan! Go grab my tablet!

Soochan ran out like a bullet the moment the Director issued an order.

Excuse me sir, but why are you asking about the snow effect?

Its because of an event happening at the TS Mall.

The Representative pointed at the banner on one side of the plaza. Jungwu followed his gesture with his eyes and saw a familiar advertisement he could see during wintertime.

[If it snows in the month of December, Big sale! Lots of presents!]

As you can see, thats one of the events run by most of the malls during winter.

When the Representative muttered Vice President you idiot, the Director turned away and pretended he didnt hear anything. Most likely, the Vice President was the one to plan the event.

Im not sure if youre aware, but in the month of December, there has not been a single day of snow. Weve had that banner up for half a month and werent able to actually run the event.**

Is that so? But whats the problem with that e

He looked as if he thought it was rather a good thing for the mall that there was no need to give discounts thanks to the fine weather.

The Representative made a knowing smile as he explained.

Winter sale also serves the purpose of cheaply reducing the inventory that piled up over the course of the year. Furthermore, if we can make customers happier during their visit to the mall, then it can increase the rate of their return visit. If it ends up snowing the entire month, it could potentially lead to some losses, but thats also not a bad thing since it will lead to an increase in potential customers. But now

Here it is!

Soochan arrived out of breath and handed the tablet over to the Director. Director immediately searched for a video of a show and showed it to the Representative.

Oh, so thats what it looks like. Not bad.

It can only appear like snow thanks to the lighting. It is greatly different from how real snow actually is. Especially since the paper has a rough texture to touch whereas snow is cold and soft.

As if to confirm his suspicions the Director asked,

Were you hoping to fire paper snow to try and run the event?

That is the case.

The longest you can sustain a paper snow effect is about 30 seconds. Although it can be used for a surprise effect for the stage, it wont be easy to try and replicate snow with it. And cleanup is a whole different matter entirely.

Is there anything we can do?

After taking a glance through the Plaza, the escalator, and the stairway, the Director muttered,

Using paper shower as a basis, we could try spraying sugar powder to try and emulate snowfall, and then use styrofoam granules to simulate accumulation? And then also apply snow spray periodically

So that will work, right? Thats excellent. The event today is quite large. If we were to decorate the plaza as if it had snowed and prepared a surprise event, wouldnt it raise interest in the show? Having customers find snow on a day it didnt snow; it would be great for marketing purposes.

No sir, this would require a minimum of a day of preparation to pull it off. The event begins at 7 pm. It would be impossible to do it in just two hours.

Is that so?

Representative looked disappointed.

As a stage performance professional, at least you tried to answer me. Vice President keeps giving me meek answers like wouldnt it snow at least a day this month.

The Director was forced to make a bitter smile.

Ill keep an eye out for the weather forecast this week, and if it doesnt snow, Ill have to go ahead and launch the event. Ill cover the expenses. Please make it as realistic as possible. Ill leave it to you to alleviate my worry about the mall so I can enjoy my time with the family on the weekend.

I will make the preparations.

Secretary, please enter this into the calendar.

Yes, Mr. Representative.

The assistant standing at the back of the production office answered right away. As soon as he gave instructions, the Representative let out a large sigh.

We planned a When it Snows on Christmas event last year and it did not end up snowing. The year before that, we planned a White Christmas event and saw no snow either. This year we planned for the entire month of December. If this one goes poorly as well, the customer forums will go wild. Of course, the Vice President will

Representative Yum motioned his finger across his neck.

While listening to the dilemma of a CEO that wasnt really a dilemma, Jungwu looked out of the gigantic glass wall. It was sunset, but there was not a puff of cloud. Just as he had observed this morning, there was no chance it would snow in this weather.

Snow, huh?

Perhaps it was due to wishing to see it? He noticed that the sky through the window suddenly expanded in size as if it was being zoomed in.

What the

A single cold reaction passed before Jungwu like a hallucination.

It was a cold looking Ice Star. And around it, water molecules began to stick and freeze around it.

The Ice star grew larger and larger until it created six winglike structures and grew into a transparent crystal. And it fluttered through the air until it landed on his cheeks.

Ooh coloh wait its not cold.

After he reacted to the artificial snowflake and let out a chuckle, a chemical reaction formula suddenly passed through Jungwus mind.

Shouldshould I be telling them?

Determining that there was nothing to lose from informing them, Jungwu made up his mind.

Um, Director.

Once Jungwu opened his mouth, both the Director and the Representative turned to look at him.

Oh right, you guys were waiting, right? Since were not done with Mr. Representative here, go ahead first.

Its just. I have something to add to this conversation.

Soochan grabbed Jungwus arm with a worrying look, but Jungwu patted his friends hands to reassure him and faced the other two men.

The Director asked,

So what is it?

What do you think, if we were to spread real snow around here?

TL note

*

Learn X through Literature = All theory, no practical knowledge

**

Snow in December Claiming there was no snow is hard for me to believe in. Korea has Siberian winter, making Korean winter one of the coldest in the same latitude. I vividly recall one meter of snow accumulation in Seoul every winter in my childhood. So this is an author created situation.

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