The boardroom doors closed behind the last person who entered.
Seo Jun sat at the far end of the long conference table, his laptop open in front of him. Around the table were some of the most influential executives in Jun Chao Group. These were people who rarely agreed on anything without an argument, yet whenever Seo Jun presented an idea, they listened.
At the head of the table sat Chairman Park Tae-hyun.
Seo Jun's father.
The chairman glanced at the documents in front of him before looking toward his son.
"Let's begin with Korea."
Seo Jun straightened slightly.
"During my time in Seoul, we managed to secure preliminary agreements with three of the major technology distributors we had been negotiating with for almost a year. The Korean market is more receptive to our AI home systems than our previous projections suggested."
One of the directors nodded.
"Three distributors?"
"Three confirmed. Two others are still negotiating."
A murmur of approval went around the table.
Chairman Park smiled faintly.
"I was expecting two."
"I was expecting two as well," Seo Jun admitted. "The third came unexpectedly."
"And what changed their mind?"
"They weren't convinced by the product itself. They were convinced by the data."
Seo Jun tapped his tablet and projected a series of charts onto the screen.
"Our competitors are focusing heavily on hardware. We're approaching the market differently. We want our systems to learn household patterns without compromising user privacy. If we can successfully implement that model, we won't simply be selling smart home devices. We'll be selling an ecosystem."
The room became attentive.
One of the older directors leaned forward.
"That would require a considerable investment."
"Initially, yes."
"And the return?"
"Within three years, if we execute properly."
The director studied the figures.
"Ambitious."
"Very."
Seo Jun didn't smile.
"That's why we shouldn't wait for the market to become comfortable with the idea. By then, someone else will already be doing it."
Another board member spoke.
"What about expansion beyond East Asia?"
Seo Jun glanced at him.
"That's where I think we should be careful."
He changed the presentation.
"I don't want Jun Chao Group expanding simply because we can afford to. We should expand where our technology solves a problem people already have."
Chairman Park watched his son carefully.
Seo Jun continued.
"India, Singapore and parts of Southeast Asia should be our next targets. But before we enter those markets, we need local development teams. We can't build everything from Hong Kong and expect it to work everywhere."
A director nodded approvingly.
"That is a sensible approach."
Seo Jun leaned back.
"We also need to invest more heavily in artificial intelligence research. Our competitors are catching up."
"They're always catching up," another director said with a chuckle.
"Which is why we shouldn't give them time to."
The room erupted in restrained laughter.
Even Chairman Park smiled.
The meeting continued for another hour.
By the time Seo Jun finished presenting his proposals, several of the board members were already discussing implementation strategies.
Chairman Park finally closed his folder.
"I think we've heard enough."
Everyone turned toward him.
"Seo Jun's proposals will be reviewed by the relevant departments and presented for approval at the next executive meeting."
Several board members nodded.
One of the directors spoke.
"I've said this before, but I'll say it again. The company is in good hands with him."
Another nodded.
"He's young, but he's disciplined. He understands the business better than most people twice his age."
Seo Jun said nothing.
He had heard similar comments for years.
His father looked around the table.
"That will be all."
The directors began gathering their documents.
As they filed out, Seo Jun remained seated for a moment.
His father waited until they were alone before speaking.
"You did well."
Seo Jun looked up.
"Thank you."
Chairman Park leaned back in his chair.
"You know what they're saying."
"About what?"
"About you."
Seo Jun raised an eyebrow.
"They think I'm getting old?"
His father laughed.
"Not quite."
He folded his hands across his stomach.
"They're ready for you to take a larger position in the company."
Seo Jun's expression became more serious.
"And you're not?"
"I know what you're capable of."
His father paused.
"But this company is more than numbers and contracts. The board still values family stability. They want the next chairman to have a family of his own."
Seo Jun sighed.
"Here we go again."
"You knew this conversation was coming."
"I was hoping we'd skip it this year."
"You've been hoping that for five years."
Seo Jun stood.
"I have a company. Isn't that enough?"
"For you, perhaps."
His father smiled.
"For the board? Apparently not."
Seo Jun shook his head.
"I'm going home."
"Before you go..."
His father's expression suddenly changed into something mischievous.
"Did you have any fun in Korea?"
Seo Jun stopped.
"No."
"Did you meet anyone interesting?"
"No."
"Anyone at all?"
Seo Jun looked at his father.
"You sound like you're interviewing me."
"I'm your father. I'm allowed."
"I went there for business."
"Business can be boring."
Seo Jun smiled.
"It was."
His father narrowed his eyes playfully.
"You're hiding something."
"I'm hiding nothing."
"Fine."
Chairman Park waved him off.
"Go."
Seo Jun turned toward the door.
"And Seo Jun?"
He looked back.
"Try to enjoy your life occasionally."
Seo Jun smiled.
"I'll consider it."
He stepped out of his father's office.
His phone vibrated.
He pulled it from his pocket.
Kyrah.
He opened the message.
SEO JUN!!! I GOT THE JOB!!! 😭😭😭
He couldn't help smiling.
Another message appeared.
I'm officially starting tomorrow. I still can't believe it.
Seo Jun typed his response.
Congratulations. You deserve it. Take the opportunity seriously and make the most of it.
The reply came almost immediately.
I will! I'm going to work really hard.
Seo Jun smiled again.
I can't wait to see you prove yourself at work.
He stared at the message for a second before putting his phone away.
For some reason, his father's teasing suddenly came back to him.
Did you meet anyone interesting?
Seo Jun shook his head and continued walking.
"Absolutely not."
But the smile on his face told a slightly different story.