The atmosphere at school was completely different. It was April, and spring was in full swing, but that wasn't the reason.
As I walked from the main gate to the classrooms, I exchanged greetings with many of my fellow students and even started walking alongside some of them.
In the classrooms, many students initiated conversations with me.
"Hey, Do-Jun. That laptop is amazing. It's killer. But you're not studying just because you have it, huh? Hehe."
"That's the hidden purpose. I'm giving my competitors a toy to distract them from studying."
My role was to alleviate their uneasiness with such remarks.
"Since I've been using a laptop, I no longer use a pen. It's all about Word."
"Oh, that was also intentional. When you write reports, give me the files. Just touch them up a bit and submit them. Hehe."
I roamed the classroom while making pointless jokes.
The stares of those who hadn't attended the freshman welcome event and missed out on receiving a laptop were piercing. Their gazes also hinted at the hope of receiving another laptop.
I thought about distributing more during the May festival.
And I also noticed a few people from the memo.
During a brief break after class, I approached one of them who was getting coffee from a vending machine.
What could have been on this guy's mind when he rejected a temptation of over 3 million won from a college graduate newcomer at Daehyun Group?
I inserted a 100-won coin into the vending machine and selected a coffee.
"You rejected the laptop? Why?"
The paper cup in his hand visibly crumpled as he looked at me.
"Damn, why? Did you want to hear me say thanks for that and feel good about it?"
I had been waiting for something special to be said, but my expectations were in vain. It was just his ego.
"Well, I didn't really think about it."
My response, delivered with a smile and an unchanged expression, seemed to further infuriate him. Harsher words poured out.
"You don't have to flaunt your money; everyone knows you're a chaebol. But now, even among your fellow university alumni, you're showing off your wealth?"
"Then, would you reject it if a senior offered to buy you a 1,500-won meal at the campus cafeteria? Is that showing off his money?" I took a 100-won coin from my pocket. "Would it be showing off his money if a fellow student bought you a 100-won vending machine coffee?"
"You little... Is that the same as a laptop?"
"Yes."
"What?"
Seeing the young No Mu-shik flustered was almost cute. After all, when else would he protect his pride like this?
As you go out into the world, getting broken and bruised in various ways, you'll come to realize how fragile pride can be.
"To me, it's all the same. You might count in ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, or even millions, but I think in billions, tens of billions, hundreds of billions, and trillions. Anything below a hundred million is just loose change."
I tossed the paper cup in my hand into the trash.
"A laptop and vending machine coffee... There's no difference for a chaebol like me."
His face looked beaten down, and I wondered if I had been too harsh, but when you step on someone, you have to do it decisively. Don't even look back.
"Wouldn't you pick up a 100-won coin off the street if you saw one? Even though a cup of coffee is free? Is your pride only worth when you pick up 3 million won in the student center? If that's what you call pride, it's pretty useless, don't you think?"
I confirmed his contorted face and turned away.
Most of the others had a similar reaction. It was a series of disappointments.
But there was one guy worth considering.
"Hey, Jin Do-Jun."
A guy who stared at me and chuckled. He seemed like he came from a rural background with his dark complexion. At first glance, he could pass for an army reservist.
"Senior said it's not a bribe, but it is, man."
"Why would it be considered a bribe?"
"Usually, bribes are given in advance. Giving and receiving thanks gifts after receiving a request is considered additional."
"You're not a public official, and I haven't made any requests, have I?"
"Doesn't a bribe have to be given right before a request is made? Many people start giving bribes years in advance. It'll be a real bribe when I become a prosecutor in a few years. Did you learn this from your grandfather?"
"No, I'm the youngest in my family, so my grandfather didn't teach me anything. Such things usually happen to my cousins from the bigger family."
"So, you're completely exempt from the Sunyang Group?"
"You could say that. I don't know if you're aware, but even my father, who's the youngest son of the chairman, was completely exempt a long time ago. That's why he's making movies now."
"So, are you just a fake chaebol 3rd generation?"
Without answering, I just nodded, and the guy who looked like a reservist pulled out a cigarette.
"Goddamn it. I should've picked it up."
"Pff."
It was hard not to laugh. This guy, he's amusing.
"Hey! Is it too late to take it now? Isn't it?"
The guy who had no intention of accepting it extended his hand for no apparent reason. He's not the type to make enemies. He doesn't look his age.
"Hey, did you take the college entrance exam multiple times?"
The guy who was laughing suddenly stopped and his expression hardened.
"Don't make it sound like I'm getting old. It's revisiting the past, that's all."
"If I give you the laptop, will you take a look?"
"Next time. Since it's the first time, I'll take a look."
He flicked his cigarette butt and headed to the library. I shouted after him.
"Answer me before you go. How old are you?"
"Who's Seo Min-young?"
"Hey, when did someone who rarely shows up at school take pictures again?"
"What are you talking about?"
"What am I talking about? You don't see such a person every day. Did you ask about the pretty one?"
The guys around here aren't reliable when it comes to commenting on someone's looks. They were all nerds, and their criteria for beauty were quite low.
"Enough with the nonsense. Who is she?"