God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 135

"...Why are you going this far?"

Do-kyung wholeheartedly agreed with that question. Why indeed?

After all, from Do-kyung's perspective, there was no reason for Song Woo-yeon to be so desperate for this program.

'Broadcasting is my profession, but it's not hers.'

Song Woo-yeon's main business was commerce, wasn't it? And it was growing explosively at that.

Wasn't broadcasting just a side job or self-promotion for her? What reason could she have to continue despite an injury?

Even those who make broadcasting their profession take time off when they're sick, and often become arrogant once they gain a bit of fame.

'What does she have to lose? Couldn't she do this more leisurely and enjoyably?'

Puzzlement was the first thought that crossed his mind. As if reading these thoughts, An Derek continued.

"It's not like your position would be shaken if you missed one show, right? You're still appearing regularly on <Cold Cooking> and <Master Chef> anyway."

"......"

"I'm asking what's so frightening that you're acting like you're being chased."

Song Woo-yeon looked slightly surprised at An Derek's words. As if she hadn't expected such a question.

Then she smiled slightly and replied.

"'Going this far,' you say. I didn't think it was anything special, but I guess it is."

"......"

"Maybe I was a bit hasty."

Song Woo-yeon muttered softly.

There was a hint of bitterness in her expression. Do-kyung felt a strange stirring in his heart.

It was the sensation of discovering a fragment similar to himself in someone he thought lived in a completely different world.

Even someone who seems so remarkable can have moments of doubt. They're not entirely invulnerable after all.

This realization evoked a peculiar sense of admiration.

Song Woo-yeon replied with a faint smile.

"With such a long road ahead, I can't help but feel rushed."

"...A long road?"

"Yes. I intend to go much further than I've come so far."

An Derek's eyes widened in surprise. No wonder. Even now, The Song was showing miraculous growth.

But from here, even further?

It was difficult to gauge just how far Song Woo-yeon was looking ahead.

"So please cooperate a bit more."

As she grinned, a hint of playfulness crossed her face. The serious atmosphere melted away, replaced by a seemingly cheerful mood.

"Thanks for the disinfection. Yawn, aren't you getting sleepy?"

Song Woo-yeon said as she took out a new bandage and wrapped it tightly around her arm. Her movements were skillful, as if she had done this many times before.

"......"

An Derek watched her silently for a moment before blurting out.

"Are all geniuses like this?"

"...Pardon?"

It was an unexpected remark. Song Woo-yeon looked at An Derek with wide eyes. Her expression clearly showed her thoughts: 'What are you talking about?'

An Derek asked again without wavering.

"I asked if all geniuses are like this. Engaging in incomprehensible eccentricities, setting goals so high that others might consider them unrealistic. Nothing about you is ordinary."

"...Uh, genius? Who's a genius? Me? Surely not me?"

Song Woo-yeon pointed at herself, repeatedly asking.

"Who else could I be talking about but you?"

An Derek frowned, as if frustrated.

"No, you're the genius, Chef An!"

"?"

An Derek's eyebrow twitched as if to say, 'What are you talking about?' To this, Song Woo-yeon fired back rapidly.

"You're Chef Jung's protégé, and you became the youngest sous chef! You even graduated top of your class from CIA, which only accepts the most talented!"

"That's just a good résumé."

"It means you've followed an elite path, and only an extraordinary genius could achieve that."

Song Woo-yeon said decisively. Do-kyung didn't understand anything about CIA or whatnot, but he did know that An Derek was a renowned chef.

He was even more impressive than I thought. His presence had been somewhat overshadowed by Song Woo-yeon's activities.

"True. There was certainly a time when I thought I was a genius."

"Right?"

"But you're the one who shattered that belief."

"Huh?"

Song Woo-yeon looked as if this was the first she'd heard of it. An Derek furrowed his brow and continued.

His voice was a tone lower than before.

"When we first met on <Cold Cooking>. I was overflowing with confidence, or to put it another way, I was arrogant. There was no one among my peers in the Chinese culinary world who could match me."

An unpleasant statement. But it must have been his impressive skills that allowed him to maintain such a lofty ego.

An Derek spoke calmly, as if stating an obvious fact.

"That's why I was rude to you during our first meeting."

"Haha. You were really unpleasant back then, Chef."

"I apologize again."

Ah, this was a story Do-kyung knew about.

It had spread by word of mouth due to its satisfying nature, and one of the members from his group had told him about it, saying it was interesting.

Although he hadn't watched the broadcast, he could roughly understand what they were talking about.

"Weren't you the one who shattered my self-confidence?"

"Ugh."

"That was the first time I felt that I could lose."

"......"

"Chef Jung actually said this would be a good experience. He was happy that finally, there was someone who could instill a sense of caution in me. At first, it was hard to understand, but now I think I know what he meant. My growth had stagnated for a while, but meeting you provided a good stimulus, and my skills improved much more."

He's talking about embarrassing things so nonchalantly. Do-kyung inwardly marveled.

"And you're saying you're not a genius? Are you trying to deceive me?"

"No... That was just an entertainment show!"

Song Woo-yeon waved her hands as she spoke.

"It wasn't even a formal cooking competition. The judges were ordinary people, not gourmets, and I basically won based on convenience of preparation rather than taste."

"Right. That's what's impressive. You created that level of taste with a simple cooking method that even ordinary people could easily follow."

"I'm not even sure if I can call myself a chef in the first place."

"I consider you a chef."

"Isn't that too generous?"

"Not at all. There are many who I'd like to strip of the title of chef."

"...That's not the issue here."

"What are you talking about, winning against not just me but various other chefs? It's not like you've won by fluke once or twice."

At those words, Song Woo-yeon made a frustrated face.

"That's because factors like creativity, quick thinking, and mass appeal all came together. I know my skills better than anyone. I'm saying I'm too amateurish to be called a chef."

"That's your talent. You have creativity to come up with innovative ideas, quick thinking to handle unexpected situations, and a palate that can capture the taste of the masses."

Now it was An Derek's turn to ask.

"If this isn't genius, then what is?"

"......"

"I've told you that I highly value your skills. What do you think is the reason Chef Jung and Chef Bong keep you close?"

"That's... No, that's not it. There's a more fundamental issue here."

Song Woo-yeon looked like she had a lot to say but couldn't bring herself to say it.

Whew, after letting out a deep sigh, she slowly began to speak.

"I understand that I might appear to be a genius."

"You are a genius."

"Would you let me finish what I was saying?"

"...?"

An Derek made an expression of complete incomprehension. His thoughts were clearly visible: 'I called you a genius because you are one, what's the problem?'

"It's a long explanation, and difficult to put into words. Well, yes. It doesn't seem like you'll listen no matter what I say anyway."

Do-kyung nodded. It didn't seem like An Derek would accept it even if Song Woo-yeon insisted a hundred times that she wasn't a genius.

'Though I'm also curious why she's so adamant that she's not a genius.'

To Do-kyung, it seemed a bit excessive to call it mere modesty.

How should I put it? It was like the awkwardness of being praised for a perfect test score achieved through cheating.

"I'm grateful for your high regard, and I've taken your compliments to heart."

"It's not a compliment, it's an objective assessment."

"...Pfft!"

Song Woo-yeon let out a small laugh before bursting into laughter. Of course, it wasn't too loud given the quiet surroundings.

"Hahaha... Thank you, Chef."

"?"

"Just... I think I was being too anxious. Um, I realized just now that I was about to repeat the same mistake, thinking I could succeed by just looking ahead."

What's she talking about? An Derek didn't seem to understand either, but somehow Song Woo-yeon's face looked relieved as she said this.

"Unlike before, I'll take good care of those around me and meet many good people. If I do that, I'll naturally rise higher."

"......"

"Ah, the confusion in my head has cleared up a bit. Now I think I can sleep well. You should go to bed soon too, Chef. We'll be busy moving around tomorrow."

"...Alright."

"I'll head in now. I've been tired for a while."

Rustle.

Do-kyung could see the two of them getting up from their seats. They're coming this way!

Do-kyung quickly lay back down in his spot. He closed his eyes tightly and waited quietly, hearing An Derek enter the makeshift tent.

He could feel the presence settling down in the spot next to him. Do-kyung did his best to pretend to be asleep, relaxing his entire body.

An Derek didn't seem to notice anything suspicious either, as he appeared to be going to sleep as well.

'Phew. That was close.'

It took years off my life.

'...Come to think of it, I ended up eavesdropping on the entire conversation without realizing it.'

A belated sense of guilt washed over him. But at this point, he couldn't confess to An Derek that he had heard everything.

'But... Well, she's quite different from the image I had in mind.'

He had a stronger impression of her as an iron lady. Do-kyung pondered about Song Woo-yeon like this before eventually drifting off to sleep.

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"Good work, everyone~!"

Clap, clap, clap.

Everyone bowed with the applause.

Finally.

The filming was finally over!

'Ugh. I want to go wash up quickly.'

My mind was filled with that thought. I don't even remember how I got on the plane and returned to Korea.

I fell into a deep sleep, and when I woke up, it was almost time to go to work to deal with the piled-up tasks.

"Sigh."

I writhed, not wanting to go to work with my body still not fully rested.

Even then, I had no idea.

What kind of response the airing of <Survival Law of the Jungle> would create.