God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 150

"Heavy?!"

Hyun Ye-won demanded sharply.

"How would you know if I'm heavy or not? Do you even know how many kilos I weigh?!"

"Whoa, whoa. Hyun Ye-won-ssi, please calm down a bit..."

"That's because how many kilos isn't the important thing."

"If that's not important, then what is?"

Crackle!

As their glares collided in mid-air, I even heard an imaginary sound of sparks flying.

Were these two always on bad terms? They shouldn't have had many occasions to interact.

'And above all, Jae-ha wasn't originally the type to say unpleasant things to others...'

Wasn't he the kid I worried about for being too gentle? Each time, I would feel bitter, wondering if it was a trace of abuse he suffered since childhood.

Has he grown so much in the meantime that he's erased those traces of the past?

While tilting my head in confusion, I intervened to prevent the argument from escalating further.

"Both of you, calm down for now. Jae-ha, I know you said that out of concern for me, but it could be seen as rude, so apologize quickly."

At my words, Baek Jae-ha obediently offered an apology, as if he had never been growling.

"I'm sorry."

Even as he bowed in apology, Hyun Ye-won's face looked like she was about to explode.

"Y-Y-You, acting like a gentle lamb only in front of the CEO again...!"

"Pardon?"

As I tilted my head, Hyun Ye-won started to speak but then abruptly covered her mouth. Her gaze oddly drifted to the side... it seemed like she was looking at Baek Jae-ha.

"?"

Puzzled, I looked to the side as well, but there was only Baek Jae-ha smiling brightly. What's going on? Was it my imagination?

When I looked back at Hyun Ye-won, I saw her face transform from that of a fierce demon to a composed expression in an instant.

"??"

Did I see wrong?

As I watched Hyun Ye-won with her eyes twinkling and a cute expression on her face as if nothing had happened, I felt like I had seen a strange hallucination.

What's wrong with me? Am I feeling weak these days?

"I'm sorry. I think I misspoke."

"...It's nothing. I was the one who overreacted a bit."

"Shall we shake hands to commemorate our reconciliation?"

"Sure."

Grip!

Their clasped hands gripped so tightly that it looked painful just to watch. I felt a different level of intensity compared to a fake youngster like me who only looks like I'm in my twenties on the outside.

Youth really is good after all. As I was nodding, Baek Jae-ha let out a small groan first.

"Ugh!"

"Jae-ha. Are you hurt somewhere?"

"...No."

Thud.

Only then did they finish their intense reconciliatory handshake and let go. Hyun Ye-won's expression seemed oddly more triumphant, while Baek Jae-ha looked slightly disgruntled.

"Hehe. I was in the archery club when I was in school, you know."

Hyun Ye-won said, making a V-sign with her hand.

"I won't lose when it comes to grip strength."

"...? I see."

What's with the sudden boasting? But she looked cute with her nose in the air and proud expression, so I decided not to ask further.

"So, CEO. I'm still feeling quite down, could you maybe hug me once more..."

"The meat will burn at this rate. Let's hurry and finish eating."

Oh no.

It seems Baek Jae-ha had been grilling the meat while I was comforting Hyun Ye-won. Most of it was already on our individual plates, but I could see the pieces at the edge of the grill losing their juices and becoming overcooked.

No! We can't eat delicious beef in an unappetizing way.

"Oh, right. Shall we talk while eating the meat first?"

I quickly picked up my chopsticks. As they say, even Mt. Geumgang is better viewed after a meal. One way or another, we're bound to be hungry. I thought it would be better to converse while eating.

"Here. Eat quickly. You must be tired from crying. At times like this, you should eat well."

"...Yes."

Hyun Ye-won hesitated for a moment before starting to eat the beef one bite at a time. Seeing her chew slowly made me feel satisfied.

'It seems her aversion to <Hyeonmu> is certain, so I don't need to worry about that.'

To be honest, I did have some anxiety about possibly being betrayed. But this incident has largely dispelled such doubts.

The tears she showed earlier didn't seem to be fake.

'At this point, just having Hyun Ye-won by our side makes her our spy against <Hyeonmu>.'

Even if not immediately. If Hyeonmu shows any suspicious movements, Hyun Ye-won might notice and inform us in advance.

Hyeonmu would be off guard, not knowing there's a spy among their owner family.

Chairman Hyun Jung-hu would surely think of Hyun Ye-won working at <The Song> as just a temporary deviation or childish whim, even if he found out.

'That alone is a great advantage for our side.'

I might be too cold-hearted, calculating gains and losses regarding Hyun Ye-won like this.

Let's just say it's a minimal precautionary measure in a situation where we might be attacked at any moment.

"As you stay at <The Song>, other colors will fade a lot, and you'll become desensitized. Because we also have quite a strong color of our own."

"...Yes!"

At my words, Hyun Ye-won finally smiled brightly.

Good. This side seems to be resolved.

I slightly shifted my gaze to the side.

'The problem is Jae-ha, this kid.'

He's smiling as usual, but I could see right through it.

His mood seemed oddly twisted.

'Sigh.'

I let out an internal sigh. Hyun Ye-won on the left, Baek Jae-ha on the right. If I say it feels like being caught between teenage children... would that be my imagination?

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"Thank you so much for today! I'm worried I might have been a bother."

"Oh, not at all. Don't think that way and get home safely."

"Yes! You get home safely too, CEO~!"

After putting the slightly tipsy Hyun Ye-won in a taxi, I finally felt like my hunched back could straighten a bit. Strange. I'm still in my prime, why does my back feel bent already?

Turning around, I saw Baek Jae-ha standing there.

"Let's go."

"Where?"

"Where else? Your home. I'll drive you. I didn't drink a single drop of alcohol."

I couldn't even have a beer because I brought my car. I don't really enjoy drinking anyway, as I dislike the feeling of being drunk.

"...I thought you'd send me off in a taxi too."

I'm not sure which part of what I said pleased him, but Baek Jae-ha's expression seemed to have softened a bit.

I tilted my head and replied.

"Well, that's because your home is in the same direction as mine."

"......"

"Get in for now. Whew. The night air is getting cold."

As I said this while gently rubbing my arms, Baek Jae-ha followed behind me with a pouty face again. What could be the problem? I couldn't grasp the sensitive feelings of adolescence at all.

Click.

After getting in the car, I brought up the conversation I couldn't have when Hyun Ye-won was present.

"How's your studying going these days?"

Oh no. I regretted it as soon as I said it.

It sounds just like a parent who only focuses on grades without caring about their child's social relationships or mental health. Talking about studying as soon as we get in the car.

This is why kids don't like talking to their parents.

I glanced at Baek Jae-ha's expression, and fortunately, he didn't seem overtly displeased.

"Maybe it's because Da-on hyung teaches me well. There's nothing particularly difficult."

Smart kid.

Even so, to say there's nothing difficult about studying for the college entrance exam again. While even working at the same time.

I wondered if it might be a lie to reassure me, but Baek Jae-ha's face looked truly peaceful for that to be the case.

Except for looking a bit tired.

"Don't push yourself too hard. It's just a suggestion, after all. If you don't want to do it, you don't have to."

"Hmm. No. I understand now why you said that."

Really? I was incredibly moved. When did this kid grow up to understand my feelings...

"And I felt it while listening to today's meeting too. It's not just about cooking. Ideas need to read the times and trends well to shine."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I was honestly surprised when I heard about the salad. But after hearing various reasons, I was convinced too. When I felt certain that this could really work, various ideas started coming to me as well."

"Already? What kind of ideas?"

At my question, Baek Jae-ha continued speaking quickly with a slightly excited tone.

"The salad is the main menu, not a side dish, right? So I think it would be good if we could choose ingredients that are more filling. Wouldn't it be fun if customers could customize everything from start to finish, like Subway? Especially since salads have many ingredients with polarizing opinions like cucumbers or olives, if we consider that..."

Wow. My ears might start bleeding.

But seeing him so obviously excited was nice to see.

'Looks like his sulking has cleared up too.'

I grinned secretly.

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We continued to modify the concept and design for the salad franchise launch, aiming for next spring. We made special efforts to create an interior that suits the trends more than other places, while ensuring it won't look outdated as time passes.

While reviewing the sales performance report of the height-adjustable grill, a notification suddenly rang.

Ding!

"Hmm?"

Who could it be? Checking my phone, I saw a message from an unsaved number.

Spam?

I was about to dismiss it and turn my attention back to the report when.

The content I had glanced at entered my mind.

'Ganghyeon Middle School, Class 3-4, Alumni Reunion'

"...?!"

What did it just say?

Ganghyeon Middle School was the school I graduated from. It was such a long time ago that my memories of how I spent my time there were hazy. But no one would forget the name of their middle school.

'Is it not spam?'

I picked up my phone properly again and carefully read the contents.

「Woo-yeon, hello. I'm gathering courage to contact you after a long time. You might not remember me, but I'm Ahn Si-heon, who was the class president of Ganghyeon Middle School Class 3-4. Have you been well? I've seen some news about you on TV and in the news recently haha. I know you must be very busy, but we're having an alumni reunion. It would be great if you could attend if you have time. Please check the link below for the detailed location and time. Take care!」

"......"

Reading that message, I could recall fragments of memories I had buried deep in the recesses of my mind for a long time.

'Right. This happened. The middle school reunion.'

I had received a similar contact and attended before my regression. It was before I changed my phone number.

And after that, I never showed my face at any reunion or alumni gathering again. Because,

'It was such a terrible reunion that I never wanted to remember it again.'

...But this time might be different.