Chapter 314

Intan (Intern) (2)

Even the face of someone who lost their country would look better than Son Kwang-yeon.

“Even if you pass the exam, you still have to start with probation? Wow, I heard it’s hard to get into Sein Group, but I guess it’s true.”

Though it sounded like admiration, Son Kwang-yeon’s voice was tinged with disappointment.

“Even if it’s hard, tens of thousands of people join every year, both in the first and second halves. Everyone goes through probation.”

The guaranteed treatment attracted many applicants, and the competition was fierce.

Employees who went through the three-month probation period received 80% of their salary, and upon signing a formal contract, they received the remaining 60% like a bonus. In effect, the salary during probation was the same.

Although there was an evaluation system during probation, it was mostly formal, and unless someone committed a serious crime or damaged the company culture, no one was disqualified from being hired.

It was a personnel system that other companies couldn’t yet replicate.

“Ah, I thought there would be some special treatment…”

Wiggling his toes, Son Kwang-yeon didn’t hide his disappointment.

“It’s for your son. He said he’d take whatever position I give him without complaint. That’s why I told him to start with probation.”

Hong Ki-jun’s relaxed smile and slow tone were no different from that of a typical boss throwing his weight around.

“Well, I don’t know what’s going on in my son’s head either.”

Hmph, Hong Ki-jun is such a jerk. Watching his dad sigh, Jin-hyeok’s cheeks puffed up.

“It seems like something to worry about after passing the hiring exam. I checked the past questions, and the test is really hard.”

If you pass the multiple-choice aptitude test, you can take the second round of exams.

The hiring exam, introduced two years ago, was entirely essay-based.

There were no fixed answers, and you had to logically write your thoughts and knowledge on three given topics. The minimum length was 2,000 characters per topic. That’s why people say the Sein Group hiring exam is like writing a thesis.

Yet, as Hong Ki-jun said, tens of thousands of people pass the exam every year. Thanks to its free-spirited nature, anyone with their own logic could take it, and it wasn’t uncommon to see experienced professionals taking the new employee hiring exam in hopes of better treatment.

“Probation…”

Tsk.

Unable to hide his feelings, Son Kwang-yeon glared at his friend and tightly closed his lips.

That guy has become too big of a deal to even curse at now.

“If you fail the exam, you can always join as a trainee. I owe your father, so I’ll take whatever position you give me.”

He didn’t mention the debt from the IMF crisis. Most people don’t even know what the IMF is anymore.

“Well, Ki-jun will build a building for Jin-hyeok, and in the U.S., Hong Kong… our son’s name will be… Hmm… probation… If he joins my company, he’ll start as a director.”

Tsk.

Han Yu-young smiled sweetly and gently rubbed her husband’s shoulder.

“We decided to leave it to our son. Once he graduates high school, he’s an adult.”

“Haha, that’s right. Exactly. Ah, I feel so relieved.”

Son Kwang-yeon smiled so widely his eyes disappeared as he looked at his wife.

The disappointment towards Hong Ki-jun vanished in an instant.

Han Yu-young has such an easy man to handle.

Seeing Han Yu-young smiling brightly, Yoo Se-ra asked, “Aren’t you disappointed, Jin-hyeok’s mom?”

“Everyone handles their own life. What’s there to be disappointed about? I just hope he doesn’t get hurt. Honestly, he’s more focused on sports than the company.”

“I’m not talking about the company, but college. Everyone gets excited about making friends and dating.”

At the mention of a girlfriend, Hong Soo-jung glared at her mom, but Yoo Se-ra remained unfazed.

She’s still having a staring contest with her daughter.

Han Yu-young gently stroked Hong Soo-jung’s head and smiled softly.

“At first, I thought it would be nice for him to go to college, make friends, and have fun. But after hearing Jin-hyeok, I think it’s right to assume that our son, because of his fame, won’t have a normal college life. And—”

Ahem. Han Yu-young coughed and smiled meaningfully.

“Isn’t college too humble a place to hold our precious son?”

Though her face was smiling, her eyes were glaring at Hong Ki-jun.

It was an annoying but true statement, so Yoo Se-ra tightly closed her lips, and Hong Ki-jun, receiving the sharp gaze, swallowed hard.

She’s definitely not an ordinary mom.

***

After a noisy graduation ceremony in February, he said goodbye to his friends.

He spent time with his siblings while taking a month off for training and rest, then left for Paju.

“It’s March, but it’s still really cold. He could’ve gone to Gongju or Nonsan…”

“Anyway, phone calls and visits are off-limits no matter where he goes. Among the units that allow entrustment training, the one in Paju has the earliest schedule. I’ll be back soon.”

Jin-hyeok’s face was calm as he comforted his disappointed mom.

Huh. For Son Jin-hyeok, a former special forces soldier, the training at the infantry division’s new recruit training center would be a breeze. He’ll just take it easy and come back.

And he’s a world-famous figure. The unit will give him all sorts of conveniences. That’s how the world works.

“Sniff… our oppa…”

“Aw, our baby, you have to get along well with your friends and siblings even without oppa, okay?”

“Sniff…”

He also comforted Yoo Jin, who was pouting and sniffling. Yoo Jin, don’t throw away oppa’s magazine. It’s a limited edition.

He even lifted Jeong Won up.

“Up we go! Our Jeong Won has to take care of mom, dad, and noona while oppa’s away, okay?”

“Yes, hehe.”

For some reason, dad was smiling contentedly and reached out his hand.

“I’m proud of you, our son. When did you grow up so much that you’re already going to the army?”

“I’ll be back safely.”

He also did a quick interview with reporter Kim Yoo-deok, who came to the division’s main gate for coverage.

“Thank you for coming all the way here.”

“It’s my job. Come back healthy. When you get out, this noona will buy you tofu.”

Tofu? What a weird woman…

He bowed lightly to the foundation staff, fans, and reporters who came to see him off, then boarded the bus.

Vroom.

As the bus carrying Jin-hyeok departed, someone outside started wailing.

The sound, like a beast’s roar, was mixed with tears.

“My soooon! Ughhh!”

“Oppaaaa!”

Kyaaaa!

Sitting on the bus, Jin-hyeok covered his face upon hearing the sound.

Oh, how embarrassing.

Mom will take care of it.

***

Paju in March was not a friendly place.

Jin-hyeok was assigned to the same company as public service workers, solely because their training period was four weeks. Everyone was older than Jin-hyeok, with some trainees nearing thirty.

“From now on, your drill instructor will transform you from head to toe to drain the social water out of you!”

Yes, sir. Whatever you say.

“From now on, sew your name tags onto your personal gear.”

You’re not even going to overlock it?

This isn’t some ancient Tang dynasty army…

“This is the military. All your comrades are friends and brothers. Do not use informal language or honorifics among comrades.”

Listening to this, the drill instructor started to seem scary…

Ah, now I see, it’s still the old military!

And no organization changes as slowly as the military.

“Your drill instructor is not a merciful person. Do not misbehave.”

He had been filled with dreams of graduating high school and stepping into the world.

It took only an hour for that fantasy to shatter and awaken him to reality.

The drill instructor’s gaze is terrifying.

“When the drill instructor or training officer calls you, respond not with ‘Yes’ but with ‘Trainee! Hong Gil-dong!’ in a loud voice.”

Ugh, so bleak. Got it, so can you speak a little softer?

I miss mom.

A short comrade sitting at the end of the line raised his hand.

During introductions, he mentioned he was pursuing a master’s in economics before joining the military late.

“I have a question!”

“Are you a woman? Where do you think you are to ask questions?”

Wow, the old military drill instructors really had low-quality jokes.

“Do not open your mouth until the drill instructor gives you permission! Understood?”

The drill instructor stomped over to the comrade and glared down at him as if ready to devour him.

It was only natural for the graduate student, who clearly looked like a scholar, to freeze.

“Yes, yes…”

“Yes, sir?”

“Yes! Understood!”

“Wait quietly in the barracks until the drill instructor returns.”

Whew. The suffocating tension eased, and sighs could be heard from all around.

When the tiger’s away, the fox plays king.

Most of the comrades had dragon tattoos, making the barracks feel more like a prison from a drama or movie.

“Ah, damn it. These little brats acting all high and mighty as drill instructors.”

“Ah! They won’t even let us smoke. So annoying.”

“These little punks who aren’t even worth a punch.”

“Ah, I want to ⬛⬛⬛.”

Sigh, those thugs.

Jin-hyeok closed his eyes like a meditating monk and waited.

I wonder when the scary drill instructor will come.

An older trainee shoved a notebook in his face.

“Hey, can I get an autograph?”

“Sure.”

The comrade who asked for the autograph looked shocked.

“See this? I know your name, so I’m speaking informally, bro.”

“Didn’t you hear the drill instructor?”

Jin-hyeok asked indifferently, then chuckled as if it was ridiculous.

Even in my past life, when younger comrades acted like friends, I let it slide. Let’s try speaking informally to an elder, comrade.

“Hey, do you know who I am? You’re famous, but so am I— Ugh.”

The hand of the guy who tried to lightly push Jin-hyeok’s shoulder bent like paper.

Somehow, Jin-hyeok had grabbed his hand, and it crumpled like rubber.

Jin-hyeok looked at him with pity.

What makes this guy, weaker than a wild boar and less charismatic than a drill instructor, act so tough?

It must be a habit ingrained in him. The habit of pushing people’s shoulders.

But no matter how generous Jin-hyeok is, there’s no reason to tolerate such unpleasant behavior.

“Who you were outside, who I was outside, doesn’t matter. This is the military, and we’re all the same trainees.”

Saying that, Jin-hyeok looked around the room. He was still holding the guy’s hand.

Ugh, ugh. Hearing the groans, he loosened his grip slightly and spoke.

“Did anyone come here because they wanted to?”

The comrades, meeting Jin-hyeok’s cold gaze, either looked away or didn’t respond.

Only the comrade who had tried to ask the drill instructor a question met Jin-hyeok’s eyes and shook his head.

“We’re all here against our will. But we’re lucky. We only have to endure for less than a month. Am I wrong?”

This time, quite a few comrades shook their heads.

“Let’s not annoy each other, cause trouble, and just quietly get through this, comrades. Since we’re here, let’s get along and cheer each other on, okay?”

Everyone nodded.

The military is a strange place.

Even normal people become clueless as trainees, and once polite people turn into thug-like uncles in uniform.

No matter how your status or uniform changes, if you remain upright, you’ll only get hurt among such people.

Jin-hyeok expected to clash with someone to quietly and comfortably finish his training, and he had prepared for such a situation.

‘Luckily, a suitable dispute came along. Thanks.’

Silence filled the barracks, with only the sound of a constipated Jang Gun-i-like groan breaking the quiet.

He turned his gaze to the source of the noise.

“Don’t touch my body carelessly. And when I asked if you knew who I was, I meant you’re my comrade. For four weeks. Let’s just stay quiet and get through this.”

“Okay, okay—. This hand—.”

The guy, unable to bear the pain, knelt and supported himself with one hand on the floor.

His awkward dialect also disappeared.

“Want an autograph?”

“Yes, yes—. Ugh—. My hand.”

“It’s not even broken, stop exaggerating, comrade.”

What kind of man acts like he’s dying just because his finger bones got a little twisted?

The barracks, once filled with grumbling, quickly became peaceful.

Pop.

The sound of a pen cap opening was clear.

“Your name—.”

“Oh Deok-su… sir.”

“Who told you to use ‘sir’ in the military?”

“Oh Deok-su, sir.”

“Speak comfortably, comfortably.”

Why did such a polite guy act like that earlier?

Humans are truly unpredictable creatures.

‘Peace like a river to me.’

Swish.

He moved the pen carefully.

「To Oh Deok-su, stay healthy and happy-. (^.~) Wink. Son Jin-hyeok-.」

Along with the well-wishes, he drew his signature wink.

After finishing the autograph, he looked around the barracks with a blank expression.

“Trainees who want Son Jin-hyeok’s autograph—.”

“Trainee! Lim Young-jun!”

“Trainee! Song Jeong-heon!”

Watching the comrades swarm, Jin-hyeok sighed.

Why are you guys shouting your ranks and names!

“Trainee! Shin Dong-gi!”

The graduate student comrade’s name is also Dong-gi.

“Trainee! Kim Hyun-seok!”

This is dizzying!

Stop it, you guys! What if that scary drill instructor comes and makes us do push-ups!