CH 41

On the podium in the main hall, officials stood up. When a man in his early fifties with messy hair stood in front of the microphone, the murmurs in the hall immediately ceased.

“I am Director Yeom Yong-nam from the Fire Industry Technology Institute. First of all, I would like to thank all the company representatives who have come all the way here despite the cold weather.”

After bowing politely, he continued, “Before we begin the evaluation, I would like to say a few things. As it is a product for the safety of the public, there are many conditions that are prioritized over price. Experienced firefighters currently serving in the field will thoroughly consider all aspects, and we will not accept any complaints about disqualification.”

Everyone present paid close attention to every word of the speaker as they were all there to win the bid.

Jeong-woo glanced at Manager Lee Jeong-cheol, who was taking meticulous notes, and then noticed the arrival of the Oh Seung-ju group, who had just arrived at the entrance.

Song Boyeong, who was standing at the end, had a red nose, perhaps because of the cold outside.

‘You’re late.’

As he raised his hand to indicate their position, Oh Seung-ju and his team immediately bowed and walked over.

“Ah, it’s cold,” Song Boyeong shivered and sat next to Jeong-woo. Surprised by the coldness, Jeong-woo looked at her blue lips and asked, “Is it that cold outside? Has the temperature dropped?”

“Senior Jong-chan’s car has a weak heater… and we got lost on the way,” Song Boyeong said, shivering. Kim Jong-chan, who was sitting in his seat, looked apologetic and said, “I’m sorry.”

“I guess this is what it feels like to be a soldier,” Song Boyeong muttered.

She took out two hot packs from her pocket and put them on her cheeks. Jeong-woo watched her and said, “Can you give me one of the hot packs?”

Song Boyeong hesitated for a moment. Jeong-woo smiled at her, knowing she was worried about feeling even colder without the hot pack.

“Just 30 seconds, I’ll warm up my hands, Senior,” he said, holding out his hand.

As he received the hot pack, Jeong-woo gathered a lot of free electrons and stimulated his reaction. As the warmth gradually spread, he handed it to Song Boyeong.

“Here you go.”

“I’m fine,” Song Boyeong shook her head.

“I think I’ll warm up a bit now that I’m inside. You can have that one.”

“Senior, your face is still in the dead of winter. Christmas has already passed, but you’re still wearing Rudolph’s nose,” Jeong-woo teased. Song Boyeong glared at him, but her lips gradually turned red as she felt the warmth coming from the hot pack she held in her left hand.

Yeom Yong-nam displayed the evaluation locations by item on the screen.

“There are four companies competing in the pharmaceutical competition.”

Jeong-woo glanced at Park, the team leader who had come with Yoon Jaegil today, while briefly looking towards Yujin Chemical, their biggest competitor.

The man looked around the same age as Yoon Jaegil, but Jeong-woo got the impression of experience and expertise from his appearance, rather than an intellectual brilliance.

He couldn’t help but laugh at the thought that he looked like the Mr. Yoo next door whose hair had fallen out.

“Why isn’t this getting warmer?”

Since Song Boyeong was still shaking the hot pack in her left hand, Jeong-woo realized it was time to intervene. It was time to move on.

“You can’t warm it up just by shaking it like that. You have to treat it gently with love.”

“Really?”

“No, that might make it defective.”

When Song Boyeong stopped moving, Jeong-woo stood up, holding back his laughter as she looked at him.

Yeom Yong-nam’s final words continued from the podium.

“We will begin now. The bidding results will be decided immediately through a meeting after the evaluation is completed, so please gather here before that.”

Jeong-woo arrived at the outdoor evaluation site with Kim Jong-chan and Won Jin-soo, who were on a collaborative mission from the research lab.

Around the large open space, there was a one-meter cylinder marked as “special hazardous material” on one side, and an ambulance and a pump truck were waiting in case of emergency.

“That’s a chemical truck.”

Jeong-woo turned his gaze to the truck that had just entered the evaluation site upon hearing Kim Jong-chan’s voice. The truck had a slightly different appearance from the fire trucks he had seen before, with machinery and gas tanks attached.

Won Jin-soo blew his whistle and said, “It holds 1,000 liters of foam agent and 300 kilograms of powder. How much is that when combined nationwide?”

While the three were admiring the chemical truck, a person wearing a firefighter helmet stepped forward with a megaphone.

-I will give you guidance. Those who are not participating in the evaluation, please wait outside the control line.

Since Jeong-woo had stepped back, he could observe the preparation status of the companies gathered in the inner space.

The open space was filled with boxes containing compounds.

Several dozen people were in the process of filling their portable evolution devices with the first test chemical that had been distributed individually. Students from the fire academy were also helping, and they all had muscular builds and considerable height, so the practical workers of KG Chemicals stood out immediately.

In particular, Assistant Manager Gong Kyungho had a rather small build, so even among the early twenties students, he looked like a middle school student.

‘If I stand next to you, I’d look like a loser too.’

Jeong-woo looked at his thin wrists and thought, “Should I exercise?” before shaking his head. What need was there for a chemist to train his physical strength? It would be better to read one more paper during that time.

-To expedite the process, I will tell you that while the other companies are conducting their tests, the next company in line should finish their preparation as much as possible. Otherwise, we won’t be able to test all 28.

The person with the megaphone was an active firefighter in charge of this agent test.

‘We’re third. Let’s go.’

After the first company, H-Innovation, finished their preparations, oil spilled from the special hazardous material container onto the three-meter concrete structure located on one side of the open space.

Even though he was far away, the smell of petroleum spread quickly.

‘Is it not just simple oil, but a mixture?’

In the midst of this, Jeong-woo focused on the droplets of oil that were magnified and visible beneath the particles.

It was almost crude oil, with diesel, petroleum, and lubricant components visible.

-Ignition.

A fire school student assigned to H Innovation stood in place with a portable ignition device on his back. He was fully armed, even wearing fire-retardant clothing.

The student sprayed the chemical towards the flames.

As the chemical mixed with water was released into the air, it began to suffocate the flames spreading over the oil.

After about 30 seconds of radiation, the flames seemed to be disappearing, but suddenly, flames burst out in the middle. The student hurriedly poured more chemicals, but the flames spread further, delaying the final extinguishing.

“57 seconds. Isn’t it a long time?” Kim Jong-chan’s voice, who was timing with his phone, made Won Jin-soo nod his head.

“I’ve been here three years ago, and it usually took 30 to 40 seconds to end the situation.”

“Why did the flames suddenly break out?”

Jeong-woo opened his mouth after scanning the chemical information on the surface of the oil.

“It seems that some of the water below the oil layer evaporated severely and blew the oil particles outward, causing the fire to instantly expand. It’s not just simple oil, but a mixture of oils for testing purposes.”

“Really?”

Looking at the testing site, Kim Jong-chan had no idea what was happening and looked at Jeong-woo with a puzzled expression. In response to his questioning gaze, Jeong-woo gave him a look of “I just happened to know.”

It was now Yu-Jin Chemical’s turn, and the three of them focused their attention on the middle-aged man in the fire-retardant suit standing on the site.

“Hey, isn’t that a researcher?”

Jeong-woo was puzzled by the sight of a middle-aged man with no hair in the fire-retardant suit standing in place.

It was then that he realized that the man was Park, the team leader that Yoon Jae-gil had mentioned.

“The researcher is doing it himself?”

-Ignition.

As soon as the fire broke out, Team Leader Park, with a lightweight firefighter hat on his head, began to spray.

With a jet spray, he quickly extinguished the fire on the outer edge of the oil layer, and then adjusted the device and sprayed it in a concentrated manner in one place.

The flames shrunk in no time.

“Wow, it hasn’t even been 20 seconds.”

Kim Jong-chan, who was looking at his phone, exclaimed. The fire was completely extinguished in about 23 seconds.

“They only have records for H Innovation.”

Jeong-woo also admired it. The performance of the chemical solution was one thing, but because the personnel who used it knew exactly how to use it, they were able to shorten the time significantly.

‘Did you practice and come? You handle it better than the student.’

It was the turn of KG Chemical, the third one.

Manager Lee Jeong-cheol tightly held onto the student’s hand from behind and gave him an intense gaze.

-Ignition.

The student began spraying, and in 33 seconds, the fire was completely extinguished. Kim Jong-chan murmured.

“Look at this. We’re also on the faster side. It’s just that Yujin Chemical is unbelievably fast.”

The fourth Taekjin Precision Chemicals took 37 seconds.

Since there was no meaning to being the second place in the bidding competition, the faces of the KG Chemical team darkened.

-Prepare for the 5th chemical test!

A man with a rough beard and a massive build, unlike any other firefighter, spoke up on the loudspeaker in a macho style.

It was Miles, the first Command Team Leader of the Central Fire Station.

He turned his gaze toward the gathering of Yujin Chemical employees, not the next in line, H Innovation. A middle-aged man in a firefighting suit approached the command post with a light step.

“Captain Park Il-sung.”

Miles bowed his head.

“You retired, but went to a big company, and you’re good at what you do.”

Park Il-sung smiled.

“I can’t rest. I have to marry off my two daughters. And the benefits are good.”

“Take it easy.”

“Haha.”

Park Il-sung looked at Miles, who was grumbling, and asked.

“Are you off duty today? You came a long way from Seoul.”

“Well, they said they’d give me extra allowance, so I came. Anyone who works for the company can participate in the bidding announcement. It’s not against the rules, so don’t keep staring at me. This is also competition.”

“Who’s looking at you because of that? If you show off your skills with the chemistry company boys over there, who knows less than that chemical, our lively students will be intimidated.”

Miles pointed to the firefighting school students who had been looking at Park Il-sung since earlier.

“I don’t care. As a firefighter, one’s experience of grabbing fire is more important than this kind of chemical. Since you’re here, show off your skills to those chemistry company boys and leave.”

“Don’t say too much. I’m also a chemical company person.”

“Oops, I see.”

Park Il-sung shook his hand and returned to the company’s seat.

Since H Innovation had finished preparing, Miles spoke up on the loudspeaker.

-Ignition!

“23 seconds, 25 seconds, 24 seconds, 22 seconds, 26 seconds. They’re crazy,” Kim Jong-chan recited the record of Yujin Chemicals as if he was disappointed.

Jeong-woo realized that KG Chemicals, which maintained the 30-second range, had no chance of winning in the competition.

“The difference in usage is so significant.”

Although the chemical composition of KG Chemicals and Yujin Chemicals seemed similar, the effect was distinctly in favor of Yujin Chemicals.

-Ignition.

KG Chemicals’ fifth chemical started spraying.

‘Huh?’

As Jeong-woo looked at the magnified chemical world, his eyes widened. The foaming rain that fell into the burning oil lake was the “Light Water” he had fantasized about earlier. This time, it was the combination of ingredients he suggested for improvement.

When the foaming rain stuck to the oil lake, a rapidly generated polymer gel blocked oxygen.

“Why is the fire going out so fast?”

“I know, right?”

Jeong-woo timed the chemical as he listened to the conversation between Kim Jong-chan and Won Jin-soo.

’25 seconds.’

One second faster than Yujin Chemicals.

People outside the control line, who expected a company’s monopoly due to this spectacle, murmured in surprise. Yoon Jaegil was discussing with Park, the team leader, nearby.

When the fire went out, the assistant who was standing in the gap of KG Chemicals’ compound box clenched his fist.

Then he turned his head to Jeong-woo, who was outside the control line, and raised his thumb.

“That’s the one Jeong-woo suggested in the morning.”

Only then did Kim Jong-chan understand why they won.

“If I knew it, I would have sent Jeong-woo directly to KG Industries to participate in the research.”

“Weren’t those made before you even joined the company?”

“He should have been hired sooner. He has good skills.”

Jeong-woo had no choice but to smile awkwardly. Kim Jong-chan organized the results on his phone and said, “Now, based on carbon dioxide? It’s good that we won one, but I’m worried about the future.”

Jeong-woo recalled the information about 28 chemicals he had read in the morning. There was only Light Water that came to mind as a way to improve. Even if he had joined the company quickly and participated in development, he didn’t think he could make something that significantly surpassed Yujin Chemicals’ compounds.

‘Isn’t there any way?’

After the turn of the 4th company, Taegin Precision Chemicals, the voice on the loudspeaker continued.

-We will take a 10-minute break while preparing for the fuel tank test.

At 3:25 PM, Nongyeon Training Center.

Song Boyeong came out of the building where the flame-retardant suit test had ended and took a breath of fresh air. Then she turned her eyes to Oh Seung-ju, who was walking beside her.

“Even if we offer a low price, we’ll fail the bid, won’t we?”

“Namyung is too strong.”

With a challenging look, Song Boyeong raised her fist at Oh Seung-ju.

“What, are you going to hit me?”

“I mean, let’s fight. If we develop a polymer-made flame-retardant coating, we’ll have DuPont in the U.S. besides Namyung, right? It’ll be much more effective than their flame-retardant suits. Just wait and see.”

“It’s good to be confident, but don’t push yourself until the holiday. We need to look long-term.”

“I got it. Once we finish preparing the draft.”

With a smile and full of energy, Song Boyeong answered.

“There are days when failure is more meaningful than success on the path of a chemist. Some people seem to only succeed all the time, like Dr. Cheon.”

“Do you know Frederick Sanger? He won the Nobel Prize twice.”

“I do.”

“He devoted 10 years to researching the insulin molecule structure. Especially the last 3 years before receiving the award were full of failures. I think this person is greater than Dr. Cheon. If chemists each have their own path, you think you’re on this side, right? You have an endless passion for challenges.”

“Yes, I understand what you mean!”

Song Boyeong thanked her senior researcher in Lab 1 for his heartfelt advice with a smile on her face.

“It’s really great to learn from Senior Seungju.”

“Don’t be too stubborn. My son is already four years old… Oh, did you fall for Jeong-woo?”

“Why do you keep teasing me?”

“Or don’t get angry.”

Oh Seung-ju pointed to the outdoor training ground where black smoke was rising.

“Let’s go watch the main competition. We’ll ride together after the closing ceremony anyway.”

“Sure.”

As they were about to move, someone walking out of the Nongyeon Training Center fixed their gaze on Song Boyeong and called out to her.

“Boyeong!”

Upon hearing the call, Song Boyeong’s expression changed. It was a man in his late forties with a refined appearance, and as he approached her with a pleased expression, Song Boyeong quickly turned to Oh Seungju.

“I’ll catch up with you later, senior. You go ahead.”

“Someone you know?”

“Yes.”

Song Boyeong ran towards the man and greeted him.

“Mr. Seong’gil?”

“That’s right. You’re Boyeong, right? I’ve been wondering if it was you since earlier.”

This man, who was wearing a name tag that read “Youngwoo Tech, Jeon Seong-gil” was someone she hadn’t seen in a long time. He was a friend of her parents and an old acquaintance who was like an uncle to her.

“It’s been almost seven years. I left the research center and started my own company, a small and medium-sized enterprise.”

As he spoke, Jeon Seong-gil’s eyes widened when he saw Song Boyeong’s name tag.

“Why is it Song Boyeong? Aren’t you a Cha?”

“That’s right, sir.”

“When your parents passed away, I was worried that…”

Song Boyeong bit her lip and lowered her head.

“I’m working at KG Chemical Research Institute, like my mother.”

Song Boyeong spoke bluntly, and although her reaction was somewhat stiff, Jeon Seong-gil nodded without saying a word.

“I heard you went to Germany and I was very worried. I’m glad you’re doing well. Let’s keep in touch.”

After bowing her waist to say goodbye, Song Boyeong turned around and started walking away, her steps getting heavier as memories of her early twenties resurfaced, memories that she had buried deep inside.

It was still difficult to face someone who knew about that incident.

It was an unavoidable accident, and the thought of her mother made her feel sad. These were the times when she needed to drink soju to make her depression disappear.

“Why is it so cold today!”

She shouted at the sky and shook her head vigorously.

“Mom, I’m not feeling sad. Don’t worry.”

It was a freezing day, and the only consolation was that the hot pack that Jeong-woo had given her earlier was still very warm inside his coat.

Jeong-woo was contemplating in front of a vending machine located in front of the fire comprehensive training center.

‘The clinic told me not to drink caffeine.’

He wanted a warm drink, but the only type sold in cans was coffee.

‘Maybe one won’t hurt?’

He put in a thousand won and pressed the button. With a cheerful sound of “tong”, the can of coffee dropped to the bottom.

“I’ll enjoy it.”

“Hmm?”

When he turned his head, Song Boyeong extended both hands and made a gesture of “please give me”.

“When did you arrive?”

“Just now. Have you seen senior Oh by any chance?”

“I’m here with my colleagues over there.”

Jeong-woo pointed towards the KG Chemical bus and hesitated while looking at the can of coffee in his hand. Eventually, he gave it to Song Boyeong.

“It’s like a sign from the heavens telling me not to drink it.”

“Are you saying I’m like an angel?”

“Don’t get the wrong idea.”

Jeong-woo put a bill into the vending machine and took out a bottle of water. He then saw Song Boyeong sitting on a nearby bench.

“Let’s take the bus. It’s warmer there.”

“I just want to sit quietly.”

Song Boyeong took out a hand warmer from her pocket.

“It’s okay if you have this.”

She seemed to want him to sit next to her. Since the break time was ending soon, it was a hassle to go to the bus anyway.

“It seems like senior team didn’t do well in the evaluation? You look a bit down.”

Asking while sitting on the bench, Song Boyeong nodded her head.

“I heard that Namyoung did pretty well. And what about you, Mr. Jeong-woo?”

“Don’t even get me started.”

Jeong-woo talked about Yujin Chemical’s dominance. Song Boyeong listened and said with a twinkle in her eye.

“It seems like senior has high expectations for you. It’s too bad it didn’t go well.”

“You seem to like it.”

“I like it. It’s a pitying look.”

Song Boyeong stared at Jeong-woo and blinked her eyes. Although her intentions were obvious, her nose turned red and he found it cute.

“But here’s the thing. The Light Water I proposed for improvement was the only one that won. I laid the foundation for the material. It’s already done its job.”

“Whatever.”

“Oh, look. There’s a pair of eyes that seem to be really disappointed.”

“That’s what you call eyes that like someone, you know? Even though you don’t realize it.”

Despite her clearly upset expression, Song Boyeong took a sip of her coffee and asked, “This Team Leader Park, is he really that skilled?”

“He seemed to know the weaknesses that could put out the fire effectively.”

“Do we not know that in our team?”

“Not us, but the students at the fire school…”

Suddenly, Jeong-woo had a thought and asked Song Boyeong, “What about the fireproof clothing? Is it difficult to wear?”

“When I saw it earlier, it seemed pretty easy to put on compared to other ones. They brought it over in that box.”

Jeong-woo spotted the KG Chemical employees walking towards them from the training center, and one of them was carrying a box of fireproof clothing. That must be the fireproof clothing.

‘…Should I give it a try?’