That evening, the office lights flickered on as dusk settled over the street outside. Min Hyun pulled out his laptop and a stack of client lists, Jaeho leaning against the desk with a skeptical yet curious look.
"Alright, Hyun," Jaeho said, "you said we'd get new clients. How do you want to start?"
Min Hyun scrolled through the spreadsheet. "We start with local businesses that need regular deliveries. Cafes, bakeries, small grocery stores... anyone who relies on getting stock consistently."
Jaeho frowned. "Cold calls? People don't like being bothered at this hour."
Min Hyun shook his head, tapping a few keys. "Not cold calls. Personalized introductions. We tell them who we are, what we can offer, and how we make their life easier. Short, clear, professional. For example..." He read aloud a draft email:
"Hello, I'm Min Hyun from Jaeho Delivery Company. We specialize in reliable, timely deliveries for local businesses. I'd like to discuss how we can support your daily or weekly shipments efficiently."
Jaeho nodded slowly. "Huh... actually, that's pretty solid. Straight to the point."
"Exactly," Min Hyun said. "No fluff, just solutions. I'll follow up with a phone call to schedule a meeting. If we can secure even three bulk delivery accounts this week, we'll have a strong start."
He picked up the phone and dialed the first number. The voice on the other end was cautious but polite.
"Hello, this is Min Hyun from Jaeho Delivery Company. I'm reaching out to see if we could support your weekly deliveries. Our team ensures timely arrivals and careful handling of all packages..."
Jaeho watched quietly as Min Hyun's tone remained calm, confident, and professional. After a few minutes, he hung up.
"Positive response," he said. "They're open to a short meeting next week."
Jaeho whistled. "Wow. You make it sound effortless."
"Effortless isn't the same as easy," Min Hyun replied, typing notes in his spreadsheet. "It's preparation. Know the client, know their needs, offer solutions. That's how we grow."
By the time the calls were done, the office had emptied. Only the hum of the computer and the occasional van outside broke the silence. Min Hyun leaned back, stretching.
"Next step," he said, "driver training. I drafted a short session for tomorrow morning."
Jaeho raised an eyebrow. "Training? Already?"
"Yes," Min Hyun said. "We start small. Fifteen minutes before their routes. Quick reminders on route efficiency, safe handling, and customer interaction. We reinforce good habits without slowing down deliveries."
He spread out a few printed sheets on the desk. "See? Checklist for inspections, route review, and customer notes. Short, actionable points. If we keep it consistent, we'll improve delivery efficiency noticeably within two weeks."
Jaeho nodded, impressed despite himself. "You've really thought this through."
Min Hyun smiled faintly. "We can't rely on hope alone. Every step we take has to count."
As he organized the client list and training notes, a sense of purpose settled over him. The office wasn't just a room with invoices and parcels anymore—it was a place to build something tangible, something he could shape with strategy, planning, and the effort of a team willing to follow his lead.
Outside, a van rolled past, its headlights cutting through the evening gloom. Min Hyun's mind raced ahead to tomorrow: the first training session, driver feedback, follow-up calls with potential clients. For the first time in months, the future felt structured, manageable, and promising.
The next morning, the office was alive with the quiet buzz of early preparations. Drivers stretched and chatted, checking their vans and routes, while Min Hyun stood near the desk, clipboard in hand.
"Alright, everyone," he began, his voice calm but authoritative, "fifteen minutes. Short, focused. Today, we review three things: route efficiency, vehicle checks, and customer interaction. Let's start with route efficiency."
Min-Soo snorted. "Efficiency? You mean, don't get lost again?"
Min Hyun raised an eyebrow. "Exactly. Let's go over the map. Look at your route—stop order, traffic patterns, peak times. Small adjustments can save ten, fifteen minutes per route. That's fifteen minutes we can use to take an extra delivery or avoid a late arrival."
Driver Lee leaned against the desk. "Sounds... reasonable. Better than scrambling last minute."
Min Hyun smiled faintly. "Good. Now, vehicle inspection. Check tires, brakes, straps. A quick five-minute inspection prevents bigger problems later. Simple, right?"
Everyone murmured agreement, already nodding while imagining their vans lined up for a quick check.
"Finally, customer interaction," Min Hyun continued. "Remember: a polite greeting, confirm the delivery, handle items carefully. Small gestures matter more than you think. Happy customers are repeat customers."
Min-Soo muttered under his breath, "You make it sound like a school lesson."
"It's a business lesson," Min Hyun replied calmly. "We all benefit if we do this consistently."
By mid-morning, the drivers had returned from their routes, noticeably more attentive to details. Min Hyun reviewed the logs and noted improvements, making small corrections where needed.
"Look at this," he said to Jaeho, pointing at a sheet. "Delivery times improved by eight minutes on average. A small change, but significant over multiple routes."
Jaeho grinned. "Impressive. They're actually listening to you."
Min Hyun shrugged. "Consistency matters. That's how we build reliability, which brings in clients."
Later that afternoon, he and Jaeho visited a small chain of cafés that had expressed interest in bulk delivery contracts. The owner, a sharp-eyed woman in her forties, greeted them with polite curiosity.
"So you handle deliveries for local businesses?" she asked.
"Yes," Min Hyun replied confidently. "We specialize in timely, reliable deliveries. We can schedule recurring shipments based on your needs, ensuring stock is always ready without last-minute stress."
The owner leaned back, considering. "And your team can handle early morning deliveries?"
Min Hyun nodded. "Absolutely. Routes are planned, drivers trained, and we track everything. You'll know when your deliveries leave, and when they arrive."
After a short discussion, she smiled. "Alright. Let's try a weekly delivery contract for a month. If it works out, we'll expand to all our branches."
Min Hyun's lips curved into a small smile. "Thank you. We won't disappoint you."
On the walk back to the office, Jaeho nudged him. "That felt... bigger than I expected. Your first real client, and you nailed it."
Min Hyun's gaze was steady. "It's the start, not the finish. One successful contract builds trust. From there, we grow."
Back in the office, Min Hyun updated the spreadsheets and prepared a brief for the drivers. The first bulk delivery contract was scheduled for the next day, and he made sure everyone knew their responsibilities.
As the sun dipped behind the buildings, Min Hyun leaned back in his chair, tired but satisfied. The drivers were learning, the client was onboard, and the company was moving forward. It wasn't just surviving anymore—it was starting to thrive under direction and planning, and he could already see the path ahead, step by step.
The week began with a steady rhythm. Each morning, drivers arrived early, maps and route sheets in hand, and Min Hyun held a quick briefing in the office before vans rolled out.
"Check your maps, check your parcels, check your contact numbers," he reminded them. "Remember yesterday's adjustments. If anything seems off, call me immediately."
Driver Lee grinned. "We've got the hang of it now. Nothing can surprise us—right?"
Min Hyun smiled faintly. "You'd be surprised."
By mid-morning, the first hiccup arrived. Min-Soo radioed frantically: "Hyun! There's a broken traffic signal at Elm Street. All directions stopped!"
"Keep calm," Min Hyun instructed. "Turn left at the bakery alley, then take Oak Street. It'll add a few minutes, but we avoid the jam."
Min-Soo followed directions carefully, arriving at his stops with only minor delay.
Meanwhile, Lee found a delivery address that didn't match the one on his map. He called Min Hyun, who quickly checked his notes and confirmed the correct location. "Go to Pine Avenue, number 14," Min Hyun said. "Leave the package at the back entrance if they aren't in."
By the end of the day, all deliveries were completed successfully. Min Hyun gathered the drivers and reviewed the day.
"Small delays happen. What matters is how we respond," he said. "Today, you adapted quickly, followed instructions, and minimized problems. That's progress."
Over the next few days, the drivers became more confident. They started noting recurring issues—blocked alleys, difficult gates, or tricky customers—and reported them to Min Hyun, who adjusted future route sheets accordingly.
One afternoon, Lee laughed while unloading a parcel. "Hyun, remember when you first started telling us to check every tire and strap? Felt like overkill, but... it really does help."
Min Hyun nodded. "Attention to detail isn't overkill. It keeps us reliable. If a van breaks down or a package is damaged, it affects the whole operation—and our reputation."
By Friday, the café chain had already called to praise the punctual deliveries. The contract had run smoothly all week. Min Hyun compiled notes and prepared the plan for the following week: slightly longer routes, an extra van added, and a mini-training session on handling fragile items.
Jaeho leaned against the desk that evening. "I didn't think a small shareholder could actually change things this fast. The drivers are working with you, the clients are happy... maybe you're a bit of a miracle worker."
Min Hyun chuckled softly. "Not a miracle. Planning, observation, and making sure everyone understands why we do what we do. If we stay consistent, growth comes naturally."
As he reviewed the week's reports, Min Hyun allowed himself a rare smile. The company was no longer just a handful of vans and parcels—it was a living system improving day by day under careful guidance, and he could already see the next steps for expansion taking shape in his mind.
In Busan -Soojin's life
The bell above the bakery door jingled as Soojin stepped inside, brushing off the early summer drizzle from her sleeves. The smell of yeast and sugar filled the small shop, warm and familiar — one of the few places where her thoughts didn't feel too heavy.
"You're here early today," the bakery lady said, glancing up from kneading dough.
Soojin managed a tired smile. "Couldn't sleep. I keep thinking about the exam."
"Still?" The woman laughed lightly. "It's been what—two weeks?"
"Fifteen days," Soojin murmured. "Feels like forever." She leaned on the counter, eyes distant. "Every time I sit still, I start remembering the questions I wasn't sure about. Maybe I should've written the essay differently. Or—"
"Stop right there," the baker interrupted gently, pressing her flour-dusted hands against the wooden board. "You'll drive yourself sick if you keep turning it over like that."
Soojin exhaled, the kind of breath that carried both relief and worry. "It's just... everything depends on this. If I don't pass, I don't even know what I'll do next."
The woman smiled, her voice soft but steady. "You did your best, didn't you? That's all any of us can do. When I opened this bakery, I didn't know if anyone would even come through that door. But they did — one at a time. You'll have your turn too."
Soojin looked down at the small paper bag the woman was folding for her. The warmth of freshly baked bread seeped through the thin paper and into her hands.
"Here," the baker said. "Eat it on your way home. Don't let your mind starve while it waits."
Soojin's lips curved faintly. "You always know what to say."
"That's because I've seen too many young faces like yours — all waiting for life to begin. It always does, dear. Just not always on schedule."
Min Hyun progressing.... But soojin? Will she also be able to breakthrough or her hard work would go vain.....