Chapter 89

Chapter 89Dust Defenders(7)

On Monday morning, Jeong-woo left his house since dawn for a business trip to China. As the first meeting point was the airport, he boarded the subway line heading to the airport railway and checked the weather report for Beijing.

[It is expected that fine dust levels in Beijing will reach their maximum this month. Anticipating levels close to the recorded 500/ during the large-scale fireworks event for the Spring Festival, the Beijing authorities are urging caution for going outside ]

I need to be well-prepared, dont I?

Based on information received from the equipment team, who left early yesterday for equipment setup, it was anticipated that the values would be much lower than usual due to holes in various makeshift buildings where the tests would be conducted.

Considering Meis condition, making it difficult for her to go outside, the probability of a challenging business trip was high.

Ding!

A message arrived, and Jeong-woo quickly checked. It was from Song Boyeong.

[I just finished working on the polymer. Jun Chai hasnt anwsered me. Someone needs to take this.]

Since Jeong-woo had not yet boarded the airport railway, he promptly replied.

[Okay, Ill stop by and pick it up.]

To win in the competition, especially against Dusf, every little effort counts.

Jeong-woo opened the door to the research building of the Basic Materials Center and was taken aback when he saw Song Boyeong lying motionless on the lab table like a corpse.

He approached and gently shook her shoulder.

Hey, senior. Are you alive?

Uh

Jeong-woo, releasing his hand as only the tied-back hair swayed, spoke.

Dont get up, just tell me what I need to take.

Song Boyeong, who seemed unable to open her eyes properly after working through the night, struggled to point to a compound box in the corner with her left hand, adorned with protective gloves. Then, she sprawled out on the table.

So, you forced yourself until I arrived.

Jeong-woo noticed a blanket near the equipment storage and brought it over, hoping Song Boyeong could get some rest before the morning brief. He covered her with the blanket.

If youre going to suffer like this, at least ask for help.

I cant, because while I appreciate your help, Im secretly jealous that youre the only one who gets to stand out.

Huh? You didnt fell asleep again?

I need some time to pass out once I wake up.

Song Boyeong, with her head slightly raised, looked at Jeong-woo with unfocused eyes. Jeong-woo couldnt help but burst into laughter when he met her frog-like eyes after a long time.

It seems like its still there if you look closely.

What are you talking about?

Its the double eyelids. Just try dieting a bit to reduce those swollen eyes.

Two nights with swollen eyes now Ugh, what are you saying? Making fun of someone who stayed up all night?

In the midst of Song Boyeongs protest, she tried to open her eyes but failed, resulting in a face full of drowsiness.

Rubbing her head, Jeong-woo restrained his laughter, feeling a warmth that made him want to pat her gently.

Let me know if you see results after applying it to the sensor. Senior Seung-ju keeps asking what youre up to these days.

I will.

Jeong-woo lifted the compound box. It appeared more substantial than expected, with no signs of the refinement process.

You did well, senior.

Do well and come back.

As Jeong-woo left, Song Boyeong collapsed while waving her hand. It seemed the time for her to faint had finally arrived. Jeong-woo chuckled and exited.

Descending to the lobby, Jeong-woo checked the shortest time to the airport using his phone.

The airport bus is at 6. Lets take that.

Arriving at the bus stop, Jeong-woo attempted to breathe in the dawn air but refrained, realizing the air was still dusty. Perhaps due to the spring drought, the fine dust levels in Seoul were quite high.

Go away.

Waving his hand, Jeong-woo tried to move the dust particles, but only some were diluted. The rest quickly returned along with the atmospheric circulation.

Its already uncomfortable to wear a mask.

Jeong-woo looked around. Confirming that no one was nearby, he took out a portable battery. He gathered the dust particles onto the battery.

Beyond the ionization level accompanied by the energy of the batterys reactive energy, high-density free electrons, surpassing the electrostatic level, started a thunderstorm in the molecular world.

Dust particles with lightning were created one after another when exposed to the atmosphere. When scattering this, the fine dust particles, which had shown a lukewarm reaction earlier, adhered to the lightning particles and stuck all over the pillars at the bus stop.Điscover new chapters at novelhall.com

Jeong-woo took a deep breath, satisfied with the clear air.

Good job. Well done.

The lightning particles, having fulfilled their role, sparked and disappeared.

The dust particle, tangled with neutral particles and ions, was a kind of plasma. Since detecting wavelengths through AF-5, the utilization of dust particles through the energy in the battery continued to increase.

Building a clean system using ionization with a chemical energy of only 5000mAh, like today, was one of them.

I somewhat agree with Dr. Cheons words.

In the midst of researching indoor air purification systems, Jeong-woo couldnt help but feel that he possessed an extraordinary power.

Already transcending chemical common sense, he was working with people bound by that common sense.

Once immersed in this power, he could spend time alone in the lab without realizing how much time passed.

Putting the battery back into his pocket, Jeong-woo took another deep breath of fresh air.

But this is not my style.

He didnt want to dwell on how to use this magical chemistry in a grandiose way.

The special deodorant that Michle obtained, the cooking combination that Hyun-min acquired, and the snow removal agent created on a day of heavy snowfall. Since the mysterious reactions of the molecular world were solved according to existing common sense, it was a coincidental result that emerged while trying to solve it.

Screech.

A sedan passing by the bus stop came to a halt in front of Jeong-woo. Since there was no one else around, Jeong-woo wondered if it was someone he knew and turned his gaze towards the car.

The window opened, and a short-haired woman directed her gaze at Jeong-woo.

Mr. Han.

Team Leader Yu?

Get in. Put that compound box in the back.

Jeong-woo loaded the compound box into the trunk and sat in the front passenger seat. Mei started driving towards Incheon International Airport.

Were you at the company?

I had some things to check with the equipment team, I also had some luggage to take.

Why dont you call for a pick-up?

Mei looked at Jeong-woowith a gaze that seemed to say, Is this all? and then shifted her focus to driving.

Having already seen the boxes loaded in the trunk, Jeong-woo bit his tongue.

The project manager who silently did her best behind the scenes. She must have been doing that all along, but it became known after the incident on Friday.

Jeong-woo recalled the memorable words he heard along with Noh Jong-seons reproach.

A massive distribution company with six buildings only in Beijing city. Among them, Jinma Department Store was rumored to be a famous shopping mall even on Wangfujing Street.

He hoped for an evaluation that considered everything rather than just opting for the lowest bid.

Mister Han.

During the final stages of installing the half-curtain filters, Jun Chai, a researcher from the sensor team, approached Jeong-woo.

Where is the custom polymer Song Boyeong told me about?

Oh, thats in the gap of the compound box.

Jeong-woos gaze turned to the stack of boxes, which were quite messy due to the ongoing work.

Now that the work is done, Ill fetch it for you.

As Jeong-woo was looking for the box Song Boyeong had handed him from the piled-up luggage near the entrance, people dressed in suits entered the building in a rush.

Huh?

The middle-aged man in the lead had an expression that was far from benevolent. He glanced at Jeong-woo and asked coldly.

Wheres the team leader?

It was clear from his tone that he was an official of the Jinma Group. Jeong-woo quickly turned his head to look for Mei. She was adjusting the sensors on the side of the vent.

Team leader Yu!

Mei, who turned her head, quickly approached. She politely bowed as she took off her mask.

Representative Lungyun, welcome.

Hmm, they said the person in charge of the Korean company is Chinese, and it seems true.

Representative Lungyun exuded an atmosphere of a Jinma Group representative as he extended his hand to receive the bid documents submitted by KG Chemical.

If you look here, it says that among the participating companies, your sensors are the best, and the filters are one step higher in performance. Is the performance not overstated?

Examining the documents, he questioned Mei as if scrutinizing.

Ive stated only the facts. One additional thing is that we are the only company among the competitors that possesses a patent for the interaction between the sensor and filter, the intelligent air purification system.

Why would a company with such a patent come from Korea?

I wanted to build the best air purification system, regardless of nationality or company affiliation.

Lungyun, after briefly scanning Mei from top to bottom, began to explore the interior of the building. Mei followed him closely.

It was a pre-inspection.

Jeong-woo realized as he picked up the compound box given by Song Boyeong. Moving towards where Jun Chai was waiting, he asked.

Is the sensor team okay?

Looking up from his laptop, Jun Chai turned his gaze.

The performance is similar to the measurements in the laboratory.

Is that so? If the custom polymer works well, we can significantly reduce errors.

Jun Chai smiled and nodded. As the only hopeful expectation today, Jeong-woo, too, put down the box with anticipation.

Ill help with the work too.

With a clack, he unlocked the latch.

Lets quickly apply it and do a temporary test

Opening the lid and glancing at the contents inside, Jeong-woo froze before finishing his sentence.

Inside the box was a special item made of super-absorbent polymer, an essential item for women that unravels monthly.

Why is this here

Research Center for Basic Materials Polymer Project Laboratory.

As soon as the morning work was finished, Song Boyeong rushed to Moon Hyojeong, her senior. And in a low voice, she asked.

How was it?

Oh, that? It was quite good. Anything left? Lets use it next month too.

Of course. Can you check the things on this list and use them? The samples are too small.

Moon Hyojeong chuckled.

Youre working hard too.

Hehe, Ill bring the samples quickly. Ive ordered a lot again.

Walking around the lab, Song Boyeong headed towards a familiar-looking box in the corner.

Boyeong.

She stopped at the distant call of Oh Seung-ju.

Whats in that box? Did someone experiment with compounds over the weekend?

Nervously, Song Boyeong swallowed and replied.

Yes. Everyone uses it, but they dont clean up. Ill take care of it, the youngest. Ill clean it up!

Naturally lifting the box and walking out, Song Boyeong left. Behind her, Oh Seung-ju quietly raised his hand.

Stop.

Me? Is something wrong?

Youve been acting strange lately. Doing combination experiments on your own without reporting. Isnt that right?

N-No, its not like that.

After hanging with Jeong-woo have you lost your sense? Do one thing at a time. Your style is different from Jeong-woos.

Flustered, Song Boyeongs cheeks blushed even more. Naturally, Oh Seung-jus suspicion grew.

Let me see.

What?

The thing youre hugging tightly.

At this remark, Song Boyeongs expression turned to one of defeat as she turned away.

Its still in the early stages of development. Since its not a project under research for this purpose, the current useless act is enough to get scolded.

Its over.

With a disappointed expression, Song Boyeong placed the box on the table.

Clank, she opened the lid. She lowered her head deeply in preparation for the scolding that her senior would surely give her.

What is this? Why did you crystallize the polymer like this? If youre going to do a combination experiment like this, report it to me. Have you seen me ignoring new perspectives?

What are you huh?

As Song Boyeong looked into the box, her eyes widened.

This shouldnt be here.

Song Boyeong gasped, and her breath caught. The box had been turned upside down. Because of that, although the fact that she was secretly developing sanitary napkins with polymer components hadnt been revealed, Jeong-woos side

Its overrrrr!

After Oh Seung-ju left, she quickly dialed Jeong-woos number on her phone, but the call didnt connect. It seemed like he hadnt activated roaming for the short overseas business trip.