Chemistry

“With this we conclude the announcement on the progress of obesity treatment.”

Sweating profusely, Seon Woo-jin glanced at the center director and then turned to Jeong-woo after turning off the microphone.

“Phew, thanks to you, I survived.”

“If you run into trouble again later, feel free to ask.”

“With what dignity?”

Seon Woo-jin chuckled bitterly and glanced briefly at where the other team leaders were seated before speaking.

“I’d like to say I’d take the shot, but with three or more team leaders over there preparing to do just that, I have nothing to say.”

“Don’t worry too much. Research isn’t something you do alone.”

Seon Woo-jin experienced a kind of cultural shock at this statement. To have helped to this extent and still maintain such a modest attitude. It made him wonder if this wasn’t the epitome of good leadership.

“I’m not doing this alone. It’s nice to hear that.”

“That wasn’t me talking. It’s something the senior researchers keep saying.”

“Please take care of us for the next three weeks, Mr. Han Jeong-woo.”

“Of course.”

Seon Woo-jin nodded politely and stepped down from the podium.

Jeong-woo, being next in line, remained at the microphone and took his position facing it without stepping down.

“The main task of Team 5 is customized gene therapy. Since the team leader, Moon Chae-eun, is away on a business trip, I, as the deputy, will briefly report on the progress.”

Song Boyeong clicked on the data she had prepared that morning on her laptop. With a click, the data screen appeared.

“We are researching a total of three rare genetic disorders treatment drugs, and the top priority is the ADA severe combined immunodeficiency gene correction therapy, which involves collecting cells from individual patients….”

Throughout the brief overview, Center Director Yoon Donghwi, seated at the top, did not take his eyes off Jeong-woo.

-So, he’s Han Jeong-woo. I thought he was just a parachute, but his skills are impressive.

-I heard from someone I know that the CEO even received a separate report.

A smile crept onto Yoon Donghwi’s lips at the conversation next to him. It felt rewarding to have actively supported the designation of a special researcher when Jang Tae-seon pushed for it.

Amidst the admiration and jealousy of many, Han Jeong-woo’s presence shone alone, even more than expected.

Finding this level of improvement within the first week was surprising. They could understand the desire of the two center directors who wanted to keep him by their side.

“… Unlike UniCure’s lipase deficiency treatment drug, this wide-ranging treatment offers the potential for genetic therapy for many more deficiencies. It is expected to seize the overseas market as soon as it is completed.”

As Jeong-woo finished his report, Yoon Donghwi promptly took the mic as if he had been waiting.

“Did Han Jeong-woo researcher take charge of the Genetic Engineering Research Institute’s commission starting this time?”

“Yes. I will be in charge and proceed accordingly.”

“This sample analysis is a research project that should be approached from a long-term perspective. It’s also a great opportunity to showcase KG Chemical’s genetic analysis capabilities to the outside world.”

Yoon Donghwi’s gaze briefly turned to Lee Sang-joong sitting next to him.

“I can give you my full support if you make it a personal assignment for a special researcher instead of just three weeks. What do you think?”

“Well…”

The conference room buzzed with excitement at the center director’s straightforward proposal. People leaned forward in their chairs, eagerly awaiting Jeong-woo’s response.

Jeong-woo couldn’t help but feel pressured. Director Jang Tae-seon had made a similar proposal before. However, with infinite trust comes a proportionate amount of risk.

“I have something else in mind for a personal research project.”

“Is that so?”

A sigh tinged with disappointment escaped from Yoon Donghwi.

“In that case, there’s nothing we can do.”

Jeong-woo met the center director’s gaze with a calm smile.

After the weekly meeting concluded, everyone headed back to their respective research labs.

“Han Jeong-woo.”

Jeong-woo was walking down the corridor when he ran into Professor Lee Sang-joong. Lee Sang-joong extended his hand with a friendly smile.

“The meeting was quite impressive.”

“I was also surprised by your ability to spot the flaws in the structural formula at a glance.”

“Well, it’s my bread and butter. Did you know that I’m the one who ordered the genetic analysis requests for Seo Jeong-gu, Yoon Cho-won, and Kim Bona to you?”

“I had a rough idea.”

Lee Sang-joong immediately brought up the matter at hand in response to Jeong-woo’s answer.

“I heard you met Jeong-gu from the police station.”

“Oh, about that….”

“I can tell from your hesitation that you know who Jeong-gu is.”

“Well… he seemed a bit eerie. I even suspected he might be a psychopath.”

“I have my doubts as well.”

“Really?”

“Of course, I don’t think he’s at the level of criminals you see on TV. It’s just that his ability to empathize is lower than usual.”

Jeong-woo felt even more disheartened by Lee Sang-joong’s frank acknowledgment.

“I didn’t go into detail with Professor Moon Chae-eun, but I had initially assigned the analysis of Seo Jeong-gu to several scholars within our Genetic Engineering Research Institute.”

“Is that so?”

“All the results were failures. The biggest issue was that there was no researcher capable of normal communication. That’s when Professor Moon Chae-eun, as a last resort, considered someone with autistic tendencies for the research.”

Listening to the background of the research, Jeong-woo felt puzzled.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but shouldn’t Dr. Moon handle this research exclusively? I don’t have experience with this type of analysis.”

“Haven’t you already handled it excellently?”

“Me?”

Jeong-woo widened his eyes. Lee Sang-joong lowered his voice as he replied.

“Jeong-gu mentioned you to me. He said he really wants to meet you. It’s the first time he’s been so clear about his intentions.”

Jeong-woo felt a shiver run down his spine at the sound of it.

“Of course, trusting you isn’t solely based on this fact. I’ve also talked to Professor Moon Chae-eun and Center Director Yoon Donghwi. Hearing about your research achievements so far, I believe you’ll take care of not only Jeong-gu but also Bona and Cho-won.”

With an expectant look in his eyes, Lee Sang-joong grabbed Jeong-woo’s hand.

“As the potential of this research project becomes apparent, I’ll provide all the resources I have to support it to the fullest.”

“…Does that support include things like life insurance?”

“If you want it.”

“No, don’t worry about it.”

Though said half in jest, Lee Sang-joong was serious. Jeong-woo chuckled inwardly as he smiled awkwardly.

“Han Jeong-woo, if it’s not too much trouble, can my colleagues and I observe during the testing?”

“That’s fine. I’ll contact you as soon as the analysis is done.”

After Lee Sang-joong left, Song Boyeong, who had finished tidying up after the meeting, walked out into the corridor. She looked at Jeong-woo as he seemed a bit strange.

“Why the long face? You wrapped up the meeting well. Don’t you know the seniors inside are just talking about you, Jeong-woo?”

“It feels like my life is on the line.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Senior, are you good at fighting… no. Seeing how terrified you were at the police station last time, it wouldn’t be a good idea.”

“I didn’t look terrified, did I?”

Jeong-woo raised an eyebrow, observing Song Boyeong pretending to be confident.

“In that case, should Senior be in charge of the testing Seo Jeong-gu? A one-on-one interview.”

“Well….”

“You seemed so eager to answer right away. Fighting.”

Giving his shoulder a pat, Song Boyeong walked off towards the elevator. Song Boyeong stared at Jeong-woo in confusion.

“Wait up! I’m just the assistant here.”

Song Boyeong regained her composure and hurriedly followed after him.

“So, I’ll handle two, and senior will handle just one. Nice and fair.”

“Hilarious!”

Two days later.

In the research lab, amidst the quiet sound of breathing, the sound of a phone alarm echoed. Jeong-woo lifted his head with bleary eyes.

It had been drizzling outside since the morning.

A short nap at the company after working overtime. He had spent the day focusing solely on work for the first time in a long time due to today’s meeting with Kim Bona.

“Ugh, stiff.”

After thoroughly showering in the shower room next to the second-floor dormitory, he returned to the research lab.

Thud.

As he entered, Song Boyeong, who had arrived for work, waved her hand.

“Good morning~”

“Welcome, senior.”

“Ta-da. I brought breakfast again today. Hurry up and join me with your chopsticks.”

Placing two lunch boxes on the desk, Song Boyeong sang a tune while Jeong-woo sat down and nodded gratefully.

“Thanks as always.”

“What’s with the formal thanks? As the assistant researcher maintaning the condition is also part of my job. Take what you want, give what you can.”

“What? Money? My body?”

“It’s research expertise! Including those genetics analysis jargons.”

“Oh, that. I’ll explain it in detail after the meeting.”

Song Boyeong chuckled and poured water into a cup, smiling at Jeong-woo’s words.

“Senior Boyeong, you look quite good today even though there’s no meeting.”

“Oh, really? Why? I usually look better on Wednesdays….”

“I didn’t say you looked pretty.”

“…Well, then. I slept well after eating yesterday, but why do my eyes still feel heavy?”

Jeong-woo chuckled and opened the lunchbox. Looking at Song Boyeong, who was as lively as always, he felt a surge of energy he hadn’t felt before.

“I’ll enjoy this.”

Jeong-woo started to fill his plate with chopsticks, while Song Boyeong picked up some meat stir-fry from her lunchbox and put it into Jeong-woo’s side dish compartment.

“Try this too. It’s Jjangu’s new menu.”

“Oh, looks good.”

“Right? The scent while stir-frying is amazing.”

Watching Jeong-woo enjoy the food brought by Song Boyeong, she couldn’t take her eyes off him for a while.

Thinking that she felt like a newlywed because she kept taking care of him, her face turned red, and she quickly took a bite of her food.

“Chew slowly, senior.”

“Ouch.”

“Here, have some water.”

After finishing the meal, Song Boyeong took out a notebook.

“I received a call from this professor yesterday. He said there will be five people observing today.”

“Five people?”

Jeong-woo glanced towards the cleanroom.

“The interview itself should be done with just the two of us to keep it quiet and smooth. That place is too exposed.”

“I’ll arrange for a suitable lab.”

“Can you? During Bona’s visit, I’ll review some data.”

Jeong-woo nodded in agreement.

Inside the pharmaceutical bio center’s second laboratory, where one wall was entirely made of mirrors.

Jeong-woo sat in the middle of the room, meticulously examining the chromosome information written in his laptop, which was labeled as chromosome 22.

At first glance, it appeared to be just a simple sequence of A, C, G, T, but it was also the 22nd chapter of a large autobiography that constituted a child named Kim Bona.

In terms of words in the book, it was roughly around 15.5 million. It was almost impossible to find specific factors just by reading, given the immense number.

Typically, researchers would need to collect all the phrases stating that the characters in this autobiography exhibited genius, then gather them to find commonalities and conduct research to formalize them. However, Jeong-woo, who could intuitively understand molecular structures just by looking at them, simply explored the world that unfolded before him and organized it in his mind.

Even so, after two sleepless nights, he had only managed to find one important page.

At the end of the long arms of the chromosomes he had been digging into for the past two days, there were genes with unique DNA sequences.

Nicknamed KBN-22. In Jeong-woo’s view, this gene seemed to produce a very complex protein found only in a small part of the prefrontal cortex of the brain.

It was speculated to affect the development of abnormal reasoning abilities and memory. Today, he planned to focus on observing this part in detail.

Ding.

A message arrived, and upon checking, it was from Song Boyeong.

[The professors have all arrived.]

Although it was a mirror on this side, Jeong-woo greeted the professors on the other side of the glass window.

As he spread the testing tools on the table, the door opened, and Kim Bona and her uncle entered.

“Doctor, hello.”

A six-year-old girl without her front teeth greeted with a grin. Jeong-woo greeted her brightly, reminding himself not to be enchanted by that cute face.

“Welcome. Doctor Moon Chae-eun went on a business trip, so I’m filling in for her.”

“You looks much younger than my uncle, do you do this kind of research?”

The questions began. Jeong-woo smiled and replied.

“I’m trusted in my own way. Please, Bona.”

“What are we doing today?”

“We’ll do various fun activities you like. Let’s start by putting this on.”

Pointing to the brainwave measuring device, Kim Bona frowned.

“When I put it on, the electricity will sting.”

Sitting next to her, Kim Jeong-hwan poked Kim Bona’s shoulder.

“Come on, it’s an important test. Cooperate a bit.”

“Itchy.”

“Just a little. Can’t you endure it a bit?”

“Is this really important? It could take years to find a single line among 3 billion base pairs.”

“How would you know it takes years? Even if you’re smart, are you an expert?”

Kim Jeong-hwan looked at Jeong-woo.

“Doctor. Is that true?”

“Uh… it could take that long.”

“See, uncle? If you didn’t know, just be quiet when the doctor is here.”

Kim Jeong-hwan sighed heavily, clenching his fists.

Sitting on a bouncy chair, Jeong-woo scratched his chin as he looked at the confident six-year-old in front of him.

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