God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 124

'Wow~ It's exactly the same as what I saw on TV!'

Hyun Ye-won blinked with wide eyes. She felt dazed, lacking a sense of reality.

Right. At first, Song Woo-yeon was just a chef she had noticed on "Cold Cooking". She had only followed a few recipes because of their unique and innovative ideas.

Then, when several controversies arose and the world was in an uproar, she paid even more attention, and the final touch was probably.......

'Master Chef! Essentially the final boss of Master Chef! The owner of Master Chef!'

Isn't she growing into the symbol and icon of Master Chef, boasting overwhelming popularity and market share?

Hyun Ye-won, an avid viewer of Master Chef, had only known the polished image through editing, but after seeing Song Woo-yeon's raw broadcast, she fell even deeper.

She had visited the broadcasts of other Master Chef participants once or twice, but there were always many disappointing aspects.

'Why is this so boring? This one never looks at the chat window? Ah~! If you're going to eat something, you should at least describe the taste!'

After grumbling a few times, she would eventually return to Song Woo-yeon's broadcast.

As a result, the time spent watching Song Woo-yeon's broadcast while eating gradually increased, and finally, she became a fan of Song Woo-yeon.

'Amazing......!'

Hyun Ye-won sent sparkling eyes towards Song Woo-yeon. Although she tried not to show it, she couldn't hide her slightly flushed cheeks.

"Jae-ha. What brings you here?"

Song Woo-yeon first turned her gaze to Baek Jae-ha, who was as tall as a pole. His flashy hair color must have made him stand out even more.

Instead of the aloof face he had been showing until just now, Baek Jae-ha wore the expression of a gentle lamb.

"I wanted to look at the recipe we discarded last time once more. The backup is here."

Was it Hyun Ye-won's imagination? His tone was much softer too.

'How should I put it. Earlier, he seemed like the type to ride a motorcycle and exchange silly jokes with similar kids. Now he suddenly looks like an idol trainee careful about his behavior. Like someone who would secretly take care of the outcast in class.......'

In short, the rough impression had completely disappeared, replaced by a strong sense of a handsome class president.

How could a person's impression change so drastically in an instant?

"Oh, is that so? You could have just asked. I would have sent it to you by email."

"No, you're busy. Why bother?"

As he grinned saying this, Hyun Ye-won was left dumbfounded.

Thwack!

The sound of Song Woo-yeon hitting Baek Jae-ha's shoulder with the stack of documents she was holding finally woke Hyun Ye-won from her reverie.

"You should call me CEO. This kid used to consistently call me CEO and use formal speech. Now that you've grown taller, you're calling me whatever you want? Even using informal speech?"

What, what's this?

Wasn't that a green light just now?

Song Woo-yeon treated Baek Jae-ha like a younger brother to the point where Hyun Ye-won felt embarrassed. Although the actual age difference didn't seem that large, her attitude was like dealing with a much younger brother.

It would be understandable to be dumbfounded by this reaction, but Baek Jae-ha responded with a grin as if he was used to it.

"Sorry. I forgot this was the company."

He said this nonchalantly and then turned around to leave.

"Then I'm going~ Oh, CEO. This noona here said the Oreo churros are delicious."

Then he slipped out through the door.

Setting aside the ambiguous tone between formal and informal speech, Hyun Ye-won was startled at being suddenly pointed out.

"Ah."

Song Woo-yeon seemed to notice Hyun Ye-won only then. As their eyes met in the air, Song Woo-yeon's eyes widened for a moment.

'What's this?'

However, before Hyun Ye-won could harbor any suspicions, Song Woo-yeon smiled first with her eyes.

"I'm late with my greeting. I'm Song Woo-yeon."

"H-Hyun Ye-won!"

"Nice to meet you, Ye-won-ssi. You're the new employee who just joined, right?"

"Yes, that's correct!"

Hyun Ye-won closed her eyes tightly, disliking herself for responding stiffly only to the questions asked.

Aack! I had so much more I wanted to say!

Whether she knew or not that Hyun Ye-won was writhing in agony, Song Woo-yeon continued with a smile.

"Team Leader Jo has always worked hard alone, so it's fortunate that we have more hands now."

"I-it's nothing. I'm still lacking in many areas, so I'm not sure if I'm being of proper help."

"Come on. It's only tough at the beginning when teaching the job, but after a little while, Team Leader Jo will be much more comfortable."

She speaks just like someone who has been managing a company for a long time. While Hyun Ye-won was puzzled, Song Woo-yeon quickly changed the subject.

"Oh, by the way, I wasn't part of the new employee interviews, so I'm curious. What was your motivation for joining the company?"

"M-motivation for joining?"

"Yes. Actually, The Song is close to a startup, and there are many other good medium-sized companies out there. So I was wondering why you chose to apply to The Song among them."

The reason for applying to The Song? Hyun Ye-won had only one reason.

'It's you. ......But I can't say that, can I?'

It was obvious she would be seen as crazy. Hyun Ye-won swallowed hard and racked her brain as much as possible.

In an instant, the motivation she had created for external use during the interview came to mind.

"I joined because I saw the growth potential of The Song. To become part of this myth created by the CEO's excellent skills and brand consulting......"

"She says she's your fan, CEO."

"Gasp."

Jo I-ruk cut in and blurted out. How could he reveal such a secret! Hyun Ye-won couldn't help but glare at Jo I-ruk for a moment.

"Wow, really?"

Of course, when faced with Song Woo-yeon's bright smile, she melted as if nothing had happened.

"Or are you just saying that? You're good at social life for a young person."

"She's older than you, CEO."

"Ah."

Song Woo-yeon let out a short exclamation and added, "I was confused for a moment."

I'm not sure what she was confused about, but Hyun Ye-won didn't mind.

Since it was already exposed, she decided to express her fandom. When else would she get to say it in front of the person herself?

"I-it's not just talk! I'm a real fan who's liked you since the first episode of 'Cold Cooking'!"

"This is an honor. You're a fan of me, not my cooking?"

"Of course!"

Oh, whatever! Hyun Ye-won spoke fluently with a half-resigned heart.

"Of course, at first I watched the broadcast to follow the recipes because of the cooking, but later I came to think that you're really a great person, CEO! Not only that, but the way you manage this company is also ideal in my opinion. The businesspeople I know are always all about money, money, money, and they only think about cutting costs and backstabbing consumers, those unscrupulous...!"

Oops.

She got too excited. Hyun Ye-won covered her mouth again. Rolling her eyes, she saw that everyone was looking at her with surprised faces at the sudden outburst.

'I really messed up!'

How am I going to work at the company from now on? I even showed such an impulsive side in front of the CEO, am I going to be fired now?

As various thoughts cluttered her mind, it was then.

"......Pfft. Ahahahaha!"

Song Woo-yeon's laughter rang out.

"Ah, I might cry. Ye-won-ssi is so funny. Right, there are such unscrupulous companies. I know one very~ well too."

At the unexpected agreement, Hyun Ye-won felt as if she had found her only lifeline.

As Song Woo-yeon took the lead in praising her for being funny, the stiff atmosphere softened considerably.

Thanks to this, the crazy act of a new employee who couldn't read the room transformed into the quirky charm of a bold new employee.

'I survived......!'

As she was barely exhaling a sigh of relief, Song Woo-yeon, who had approached without notice, patted her shoulder.

"I look forward to working with you."

"Y-yes!"

"Did I already mention that I'm going on the secret inspection today?"

"I just heard about it!"

"Oh my, you must have been surprised. I'm sorry about that. But occasionally, when I go directly, the franchise owners work with more caution."

Song Woo-yeon smiled and then gestured to Jo I-ruk, saying:

"Then let's hurry and depart. We have many places to go."

"Yes. Understood."

"Yes!"

And so, the secret inspection trio was formed.

"Shall I drive?"

"No. I'll do it."

"Why? I'm a good driver."

"It's more comfortable if I do it. Please ride comfortably."

Jo I-ruk said as he sat in the driver's seat himself. Song Woo-yeon shrugged and sat in the passenger seat right next to him.

"Then excuse me!"

Naturally, Hyun Ye-won ended up sitting in the back seat.

'Aah! My heart is still pounding!'

Trying to calm her racing heart while looking out the window, Hyun Ye-won failed to read the expression on Song Woo-yeon's face in the front seat.

"......."

Song Woo-yeon's persistent gaze was fixed on Hyun Ye-won's profile.

⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱

I stared intently at Hyun Ye-won, who was looking out the window with a slightly excited face.

'I was really surprised when I first saw her.'

Why is this person here?

With that thought, I showed a completely bewildered face, unable to manage my expression even for a moment.

'I suspected there might be some ulterior motive, but I was relieved after hearing her speak.'

Thanks to that, my tension eased and I ended up laughing for a moment.

'......Even the great Hyun Ye-won had such a young time.'

She's older than me and always acted like an adult. I never imagined she would have such a youthful side.

And to think she's my fan?

I've changed various things after my regression, but I didn't know even this would change.

With those innocent eyes, looking at me as if I were her role model.

I was very flustered, not knowing what expression to make.

'Well. Hyun Ye-won is in a position removed from the succession line. They say she freely did what she wanted to do until she got older and was called to Hyeonmu. Even at the company she worked for then, they didn't know Hyun Ye-won was Hyeonmu's granddaughter.'

It seems The Song has become one of those companies.

Since The Song isn't in such a significant position that Hyeonmu would send direct family members to monitor, it would be more accurate to see this as a great coincidence.

'Since it's come to this, I look forward to working with you, Hyun Ye-won-ssi.'

I muttered inwardly.

'To think I'd meet Hyeonmu's one and only granddaughter like this.'

I had heard she was mischievous and capricious when young.

I never knew she was such a tomboy that she would join The Song, which is essentially a competitor, when Hyeonmu is right there.

'Moreover, from what I hear, she seems to have considerable antipathy towards Hyeonmu.'

An unscrupulous company that only cares about money and thinks about backstabbing consumers. That seemed to be a jab at Hyeonmu.

'The Hyun Ye-won before my regression had a more, how should I put it, emotionlessly dry feeling.'

How did that lively person become so dry? I can't know the inside story.

'......I'll have to keep an eye on her separately.'

As I was thinking this,

The car had already almost arrived at our destination.

In the distance, the sign of "Shanghai Restaurant" glimmered.