God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 119

As I opened the door, an enormous kitchen came into view. Not to mention the massive ovens and pots, various machines and tools were lined up in rows.

"Wow. Have you added even more equipment since last time?"

As I exclaimed in admiration, Team Leader Jo I-ruk nodded and began briefing me.

"Yes. As you instructed, we paid special attention to the new menu development team."

Of course.

After all, the essence of the food business is 'selling food'. No matter how much of a business genius comes along, if the quality of the food isn't guaranteed, they'll end up failing.

As I nodded, Team Leader Jo I-ruk began explaining in order.

They had everything from the latest equipment to the rare appliances I had requested. His thoroughness was commendable.

In one corner, there was also the snow flower bingsu machine that I had collaborated on with Moon Yu-han. It was natural since this place would also be in charge of developing new menus for Bingwa.

"Ah, did you contact Moon Yu-han as well?"

I had mentioned this earlier when conceptualizing this place.

"He's the one who brings the ideas in my head to reality. Just look at the snow flower bingsu machine. I think I'll have a lot to ask of him in the future."

If possible, it's best to fully bring such talent to our side. Team Leader Jo I-ruk answered as if he had been waiting for this.

"Yes. We proposed the role of kitchen equipment design consultant. He said it would be difficult to move entirely to The Song as he has many regular customers and attachment to the shop he's currently running."

Well, that makes sense. That man really enjoyed listening to his customers' trivial stories. Even before my regression, whenever I chatted about food ideas, he would use his ingenuity to quickly create the equipment each time.

We can't take away that enjoyment from him.

"We'll be doing the production on our side anyway. As long as he helps with the design, it's fine. Was that part clearly agreed upon?"

"Yes. He promised to prioritize our work."

"Good."

That's all we need. I felt much more at ease seeing that things were progressing smoothly.

Looking at the stylish kitchen, I felt like a child in a toy store. As I was meticulously checking every corner, Team Leader Jo I-ruk who had been silently following behind, spoke first.

"Um, CEO."

"Yes?"

"Isn't it about time you told us?"

Ah. I immediately understood what Team Leader Jo I-ruk was trying to say.

"You said there was a designated talent for the new menu development team. That this person would be in charge of the menus going into the test store."

"That's right."

"But the test store opens in a month, and you still haven't told us who this designee is. Should I wait longer?"

His tone wasn't angry, but he did seem a bit impatient.

Well, he's someone who always trusts and follows my decisions, so he hasn't said anything until now. If it were someone else, they might have been uncomfortable with the very idea of a 'designee'.

"You heard Team Leader Roh's concerns too, didn't you?"

"Haha. Maybe it's because she's been burned so many times by office politics at her previous job. She seemed to have a strong aversion when I mentioned a designee."

"That's usually the case. It's not a pleasant-sounding term, is it?"

"It's often used when bringing in relatives or unproven acquaintances and inserting them into positions, so that's understandable."

I understand what Roh Se-hee is worried about.

But there are few people as far removed from office politics as her, so she can put those worries aside.

"But as you know, I don't have any suitable relatives or acquaintances, so there's no need to worry about that."

"Then where on earth did you bring this designee from?"

"Curious, aren't you?"

As I grinned, Jo I-ruk nodded with a serious face.

"Don't worry too much. I was planning to introduce you today anyway."

"Today... you say?"

"Yes. I told them to come here. I wanted to show them this place since it's where they'll be working from now on."

It should be about time for them to arrive.

Just as I said this, Jo I-ruk couldn't hide his surprised expression.

Knock knock.

Someone knocked on the door.

"Ah, it seems they've arrived just in time."

I strode over and stood in front of the door.

Finally, the veil was about to be lifted on the designee who would be in charge of the new menu development team.

Gulp.

I could clearly see Jo I-ruk swallowing unconsciously.

Slowly.

I opened the door slowly.

And beyond it appeared,

"......?"

A boy with a puzzled expression.

Yes. His face was more suited to being called a boy rather than a young man. In other words, he looked far too young to be a 'designee' for any company.

He looked more suited to wearing a school uniform than a suit.

"Jae-ha."

"Ah. CEO!"

Baek Jae-ha looked flustered upon seeing Jo I-ruk but then his face brightened when he saw me standing next to the door.

Now that I've been feeding him well, he at least looks like a high school student. When I first brought him, he looked like a pure middle school student.

Has he already grown taller?

Perhaps it's because he's straightened his previously hunched posture. His height, which seemed shorter than mine, had become almost equal to mine in that short time.

'Well, I gave him key money for a studio apartment under the guise of a down payment, and a card to eat whatever he wants.'

He should grow quickly to make up for lost time. The Baek Jae-ha from before my regression had a slender build but wasn't particularly short.

He had a model-like physique, so wouldn't he grow that way this time too?

"Say hello. This is Team Leader Jo I-ruk, who works with me."

Their gazes met in midair. A glimpse of fear tinged with wariness could be seen in Baek Jae-ha, while Team Leader Jo I-ruk seemed to be pondering how to handle this unexpected development.

Meanwhile, I quickly made the introductions.

"Greet him, Team Leader Jo. This is Baek Jae-ha-ssi, whom I said I would introduce today."

"...Pleased to meet you."

Jo I-ruk quickly composed his expression and bowed his head. Baek Jae-ha bowed back with a dazed expression.

"And this is where you'll be working from now on, Jae-ha. More employees will be coming, but for now, you can use it as much as you want."

"Wow......!"

Baek Jae-ha looked around with sparkling eyes.

"Most of these are commercial machines, so there's probably a lot you don't know. If you don't understand something, you can contact me and ask. Or you can ask the resident manager. Be careful, as there are many dangerous things too."

"Okay, okay. Can I look around?"

"With your eyes only."

"Yes!"

Baek Jae-ha dashed off. He looked just like a puppy running with a ball in its mouth, making me smile unconsciously.

"CEO."

Oh right. Jo I-ruk was still here.

When I turned my head, Jo I-ruk was looking at me with a complex expression.

"You're surprised, aren't you?"

"......It would be a lie to say I'm not surprised."

"That's why I told you not to hire for the new menu development team yet. Bringing in employees in this state would only increase confusion."

But after Baek Jae-ha settles in, if we introduce one or two assistants at a time, that sense of incongruity will be much less.

For now, Baek Jae-ha doesn't follow anyone well except me, so we need to wait until he develops some social skills.

"There's... a lot to talk about. But first, I have to ask this."

Jo I-ruk spoke while pressing his brow.

"The employment of minors requires the consent of their legal guardians. Did this student's parents consent to this?"

"......Ahahaha!"

I couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I'm not laughing at you. I expected you might think that way."

It's just funny how my prediction was spot on.

"He's an adult, so you don't need to worry about that."

"Pardon?"

"Haha. He doesn't look it, does he? There are some circumstances."

"......."

"But I didn't hire him based on my personal feelings."

I grinned.

"Don't worry. You know my eye for people. Would I pass up a diamond lying on the street?"

"Are you saying that child is a diamond?"

"Of course."

I could be certain.

"That child's talent is real."

My job is just to polish this rough gem and present it beautifully to others.

Jo I-ruk stood silently beside me. Is he doubting me inside? I had thought he might say something to me this time.

Bringing in a complete novice with no experience and putting them in the new menu development team. Doesn't it look shabby to anyone?

But Jo I-ruk never once uttered a word starting with 'but'.

"Please recruit one experienced chef. Someone who can understand what that child wants to express through cooking and bring it to reality. Ah, and it would be better if they're proficient with commercial equipment."

"Yes. I'll look into it."

He simply said okay to my requirements, without a word of complaint.

Without showing any signs of dislike or doubt. That attitude felt like unwavering trust in me once again.

Buzz-!

Just then, my phone vibrated.

[Reporter Kang Yu-ha]

Oh. What could this person want?

I tilted my head in puzzlement but opened my mouth.

"I'm going to take this call, could you wait a moment? I'm a bit uneasy leaving the child alone."

"I'll keep an eye on him. Go ahead."

"Then just a moment."

I stepped outside and answered the phone.

"Hello?"

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Jo I-ruk barely swallowed a deep sigh.

'Although the CEO has never been wrong in her actions...'

This move was particularly perplexing. Suddenly, out of nowhere, appointing a young rookie of unknown origin to a core department.

How should he interpret this? His head started to throb.

'For now, I'll start by recruiting an experienced chef as instructed......'

As he was planning his next steps internally, that's when it happened.

Thud.

An unfamiliar sneaker caught the edge of Jo I-ruk's vision. When he slightly raised his head, he found that Baek Jae-ha had approached close by at some point.

But.

The atmosphere was completely different.

'What's this? He was acting like a completely clueless child when he was with CEO Song.'

That's why it was hard to gauge his age too.

'But now he looks just like......'

Jo I-ruk narrowed his eyes.

'He's making a mischievous face.'

Baek Jae-ha was the first to break the strange silence that had fallen between them.

"Mister. You don't like me, do you?"