NOVEL NEXT 82
[The VIP Service is always cheering for you, Member.]
The message began with its usual matter-of-fact greeting, but for Dokyung, this was always the most thrilling moment.
[Your performance in this mission, Yoon Dokyung-ssi, has both surprised and impressed us.]
Dokyung sheepishly rubbed his nose at the praise in the message as he continued reading.
[For a client fearful of change, Yoon Dokyung-ssi found and recommended a product that no one could have anticipated.]
[It was solely Yoon Dokyung-ssi’s ability that opened the door to a closed heart.]
[We are so impressed that we have decided to provide a reward upgraded one level from the usual.]
“They’re upgrading it by one level?”
[Please check the newly unlocked menu in the application.]
[The VIP Service is always cheering for you, Member.]
After seeing the message’s final greeting, Dokyung quickly pressed the menu button.
“The 5 Minutes Early News has been unlocked.”
Dokyung tapped on the 5 Minutes Early News menu, which had previously been locked with a padlock icon.
“[Breaking] U.S. Consumer Price Index falls.“
“Ah, today was the day for the CPI announcement.”
CPI (Consumer Price Index) measured the price changes of goods and services purchased by consumers.
In other words, a drop in the consumer price index meant that inflation had stopped, which was good news for the stock market.
Of course, he’d need to look at the details, but it was undoubtedly positive news.
“There’s… no source for this.”
Dokyung skeptically accessed a widely used global stock market website.
“It’ll be announced in 4 minutes…”
Dokyung waited with bated breath, and 4 minutes later, when he hit the refresh button, the breaking news from the U.S. appeared.
“U.S. CPI 8.1%, down 0.8% from last month“
As soon as it was announced, the S&P and NASDAQ stock index graphs on the computer monitor began to rise.
What if he had seen this news 5 minutes earlier and bought stocks then?
It could have been the most reliable weapon for short-term trading, at least.
Even now, the market was depressed due to fears about today’s CPI announcement, but seeing how the market atmosphere changed as soon as it was released, this feature was almost like cheating.
“Wow, just… wow.”
Dokyung could only laugh. He had anticipated something like this since first installing the app, but it was even more incredible than he’d imagined.
[Client List NEW!]
As Dokyung stared blankly at the application screen for a while, a new menu caught his eye.
“Is this what the message meant?”
The message had said it would provide an upgraded reward.
Dokyung tapped on the menu with an intrigued expression. Once again, he couldn’t help but smile.
“It’s my client list.”
There was a list of clients for whom Dokyung provided asset management services.
But there was something unusual…
“It lists their likes and dislikes?”
Dokyung tapped on the name of Kwon Eunho, the client with the largest assets under his management.
A photo of Kwon Eunho appeared along with some information.
[Name: Kwon Eunho]
[Date of Birth: 19630519]
[Asset Management Status: Total funds 30.2 billion won…… See more]
[Likes: Castella cake / Dislikes: Alcohol]
It was simple information, but it was an incredibly helpful feature for Dokyung.
“I didn’t know he liked castella cake. Ah, so that’s why there was castella on the company table…”
Dokyung recalled his meeting with Kwon Eunho. There had been several snacks on the coffee table in his office, including castella cake, which Dokyung had found unusual at the time.
“So he really did like it.”
Dokyung chuckled as he checked the information of other members.
For members’ birthdays, there was even an alert function that notified him a few days in advance.
It was as if the message was telling him, ‘You just focus on finding suitable products for the clients, I’ll take care of the management.’
“It looks like I can use this right away. Thank you.”
Though he was alone in his room, Dokyung smiled and expressed his gratitude, believing someone would hear.
⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱
“Lunar New Year is in two weeks.”
Two days later, as Team 3 began their usual morning meeting, the members’ faces looked brighter than usual.
As Team Leader Seo Jeonghwan had said, the holiday was starting in two weeks.
Of course, they couldn’t completely relax since they had to manage overseas stocks, but it was still one of the few precious days of rest they had been eagerly anticipating.
“I understand everyone’s excited, but we need to be cautious about market volatility.”
Typically, quite a lot of money was withdrawn from the stock market ahead of the holiday.
This was partly because the domestic stock market would be closed for an extended period, and many investors needed money to prepare for the holiday.
Seo Jeonghwan spoke as if worried about this.
“Yes, understood.”
“Now, by this afternoon, each of you needs to submit a list of gifts to send to your clients for the holiday. Here’s the gift budget set by the company.”
Seo Jeonghwan handed out documents one by one, and Dokyung received his and checked it.
Although the holiday gift budget differed based on the amount entrusted, it was several times larger than what he had seen at the Seongnam branch.
With this budget, he could give decent gifts even to clients with the lowest allocated budget.
“This is your first time giving gifts to clients here, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Of course, both of them had sent gifts to clients they managed at branch offices before, but the Leaders Center operated differently.
“For elderly clients living in traditional wealthy areas like Seongbuk-dong, Hannam-dong, and Yeonhui-dong, you should visit them personally to deliver the gifts.”
As Seo Jeonghwan explained this, Dokyung and Han Dahyun began taking notes.
“These clients have entrusted their assets to us for a long time, and being older, they prefer face-to-face conversations.”
Dokyung nodded. His first client, an elderly man, also preferred talking in person rather than over the phone or messages.
“Clients living in Gangnam, Bundang, and other new town wealthy areas tend to value their privacy more. It’s better to greet them by phone or message and send gifts by courier if possible.”
“Yes, understood.”
“And, gift certificates are not allowed.”
Dokyung and Han Dahyun nodded at Seo Jeonghwan’s words.
Clients entrusting their asset management to the Leaders Center were neither short of money nor in urgent need of it.
“Even if you give gift certificates thinking you’ve put thought into it, clients will see it as thoughtless.”
Naturally, gift certificates, which were as good as cash, held little meaning for high-net-worth individuals.
“It should be a gift that shows we’ve put some thought into choosing it. And Dokyung-ssi.”
“Yes, Team Leader.”
“It’s better to visit CEO Kwon in person. He likes meeting with his PB to discuss the economic situation.”
“Yes, I’ll visit him.”
“Good. Make sure all gifts are sent out at least a week before the holiday, and submit your lists by this afternoon.”
“Yes, understood.”
After the meeting ended, Dokyung returned to his desk and began selecting gifts for each client.
Of course, it wasn’t difficult since he chose based on what clients liked according to the
He was just selecting within the set budget for each client.
A moment later, Dokyung approached Seo Jeonghwan with his list.
“Is something wrong?”
“Here’s the gift list you asked for.”
“Already?”
“Yes, I’ve been thinking about it for a few days…”
Seo Jeonghwan frowned as he checked the list Dokyung handed him.
“Dokyung-ssi, we’re not running a flea market here…”
The list Dokyung had provided was filled with items that seemed to have come straight out of a magical bag of tricks.
From castella cakes to cosmetic sets, golf ball sets… and even octopus caught off the east coast.
While such cases weren’t unheard of, it was a list with no apparent uniformity.
“I chose things I thought the clients would like.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yes, I’m confident the clients will be pleased.”
As Dokyung spoke with certainty, Seo Jeonghwan was puzzled but nodded.
He figured that if Dokyung was this confident, he must have put some thought into the list.
“I understand the others, but the castella cake for CEO Kwon…”
“I saw castella cake in CEO Kwon Eunho’s office. It stood out as an unusual snack, so I remembered it and thought CEO Kwon might like castella cake.”
At Dokyung’s words, Seo Jeonghwan fell into deep thought.
Come to think of it, he had visited Kwon Eunho’s office dozens of times, and there was always castella cake.
“It’s a premium castella cake made by a famous patissier in Gangnam. It’s quite expensive and limited in quantity, but I think we can get it in time.”
Although it would be difficult to obtain, Dokyung decided to rely on his ‘small fortune’ this time as well.
Seo Jeonghwan nodded at Dokyung’s words. After all, it was Dokyung’s client, and if it failed, he could make up for it next holiday.
He thought it would be a good experience.
“Alright. As I said, make sure to visit CEO Kwon in person to deliver it.”
“Yes, understood.”
Dokyung bowed to Seo Jeonghwan and returned to his seat.
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“Here’s my new business card.”
A week later, Dokyung visited Kwon Eunho’s company in Teheran Valley.
“Your title has changed to manager now.”
For other clients, he had included the new business cards with their gifts, but for clients like Kwon Eunho whom he was visiting in person, he handed them over directly.
Kwon Eunho smiled and gestured for Dokyung to sit down.
“Has everything been well with you?”
“Of course. Thanks to our Manager Yoon checking in on me like this, things have been good lately.”
“I’m honored that you think so, CEO.”
Dokyung smiled and placed a prepared paper bag on the table.
“Thank you for working with me over the past few months. It’s not much, but I’ve come to give you my New Year’s greetings.”
“Haha, I expected it, but it still feels good to receive something. And I’m looking forward to it, knowing that our Manager Yoon chose this gift with me in mind. May I open it?”
“Of course.”
At Dokyung’s answer, Kwon Eunho opened the paper bag with an expectant expression.
Dokyung found it slightly amusing that even high-net-worth individuals enjoyed receiving gifts.
“Oh my, this is…”
“I chose it thinking of you, CEO, but I’m not sure if you’ll be satisfied.”
“Satisfied? I’m more than that. I’m amazed.”
Kwon Eunho opened the box with a genuinely moved expression.
Inside the box were rows of small castella cakes.
“I saw castella cake in your office before. I hadn’t seen it anywhere else, so I thought you might like it.”
Dokyung pointed at the table as he spoke.
Even now, there was castella cake on the table.
“I’m not sure if I should say this, but I had a difficult childhood. One day at school, I tasted castella cake that a rich friend had brought, and I never forgot that taste. I thought to myself, ‘When I make a lot of money, I’ll eat all the castella cake I want.'”
Dokyung nodded at Kwon Eunho’s words. Everyone had a story like this.
“So even now, when I feel peckish, I eat this castella cake. But this castella…”
Kwon Eunho picked up a small castella cake and handed it to Dokyung.
“Please try one too, Manager.”
“Thank you.”
As Dokyung accepted the cake, Kwon Eunho picked up another and put it in his mouth. Then, with a satisfied smile, he nodded.
“They only sell 20 sets a day, I hear. I’ve sent employees to buy them, even offered to pay more, but always failed.”
“Ah… I didn’t know there was such a story behind it.”
“So, out of frustration, I’ve been eating only premium castella imported from Japan, but this tastes even better.”
“I’m glad it suits your taste.”
At Dokyung’s words, Kwon Eunho smiled and looked at him.
“More than that, I’m satisfied that my asset manager noticed my preference and brought me what I wanted. That pleases me even more.”
Kwon Eunho looked at Dokyung as if he truly meant it. Some might be disappointed, thinking, “Is this all?” But to him, it wasn’t just castella cake.
The castella cake he kept on the table, always within reach, was a symbol of his success and a reminder of his difficult past.
He now believed that someone who could be attentive to such small details would surely pay attention to bigger things as well.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been moved by a holiday gift. Thank you, Manager Yoon.”
“Not at all. I’ll always be here to help you experience such moments, CEO.”
The smile never left Kwon Eunho’s face.
Afterward, the two spent time discussing economic and social issues. When it was time, Dokyung stood up and bowed.
“Thank you for choosing Yuseong Investment Securities over the past year. I will continue to prioritize your interests and stay by your side for a long time to come.”
“Of course. I should trust our Manager Yoon’s words. I look forward to our continued relationship.”
Dokyung shook hands with Kwon Eunho, bowed once more, and left the CEO’s office.
He then took out his phone and checked the messages that had arrived while it was on silent.
[Manager, thank you for the gift. I had been vaguely thinking about putting octopus on the ancestral rites table this holiday, and you sent such a fine specimen. Thank you. I hope you have a prosperous New Year too.]
There were thank-you messages for other gifts he had sent to clients as well.
The praise from clients always felt incredible, no matter how many times he heard it.
“This reward is really something else.”
Dokyung said this while looking into the air, then smiled as he walked away.