God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 153

A chilly atmosphere instantly enveloped the room. I slowly raised my eyes, which had been lowered, to look at the person responsible for creating this atmosphere.

It was Ahn Si-heon, the organizer of the gathering and former class president.

Fair and smooth skin uncharacteristic for a male, neatly groomed hair, a crisp shirt and pants.

He looked as though someone had meticulously tended to him like a precious orchid.

'Come to think of it, he was like this in middle school too.'

He was the epitome of a perfect son. I vaguely remember hearing that if even one performance assessment score was incorrect, his parents would personally call and make a fuss.

He used to wear round-framed glasses as a student, but he looked much better without them.

Didn't he say he was attending some prestigious university? He was always good at studying since middle school.

He appeared to be a picture-perfect model student, but I could sense hostility towards me in his smiling eyes.

"Huh? I'm just joking~"

As everyone's eyes turned to him, Ahn Si-heon smoothly deflected.

Then a couple of tactless guys chimed in.

"Oh, why not? It's true. Woo-yeon, aren't you a CEO? CEO!"

"Yeah. We're all students, so isn't it right for you to treat us?"

Oh ho. Look at this.

Ahn Si-heon casually threw out the bait and stepped back, and now these riffraff are swarming in to attack on his behalf. As the atmosphere settled like this, people didn't bother to vocally oppose the majority opinion.

Instead, they silently watched, wondering if there might be any crumbs falling for them.

It would be nice if she treated, but if not, oh well. But isn't it true that she has a lot of money? That's about the extent of their thoughts.

'Was he this kind of person?'

In my memory, Ahn Si-heon was just recognized as a model student. But now, having aged considerably, I could clearly see through this guy's intentions.

It might work among peers, but to a seasoned adult who has been through all sorts of experiences, it's a shallow ploy.

"Hey! Why are you guys like that~"

"Really. You're making Woo-yeon uncomfortable."

As the silence lengthened, the quick-witted girls came to my defense. When Kim Si-a and Bae Yu-kyung stepped in, I could see the others hesitating.

"How much do you think this place costs for her to cover it all? It's okay, Woo-yeon. You don't need to do that."

"That's right. If we split it, we'll each only have to pay a few ten thousand won."

"No~ I was just saying..."

While the situation was being wrapped up like this, Ahn Si-heon didn't add anything. He just smiled brightly from behind as if he had nothing to do with it.

"Alright, alright. Let's not ruin the mood and talk about something else. His lack of tact is exactly the same as in middle school."

"Hey! What's wrong with me!"

"You're so tactless!"

As an unidentified guy and Bae Yu-kyung bickered, the atmosphere naturally lightened. Everyone around them was busy laughing and teasing the two.

"What's with you two? Why are you so in sync?"

"That's what I'm saying."

"What is it, what is it~"

As the conversation flowed towards pressuring the two, the awkward air that had been flowing until just now disappeared as if it had never existed.

Sip.

While taking a sip of beer, I glanced at Ahn Si-heon. He was casually chatting with the people around him.

'...Was it just a casual remark?'

Just as I was thinking this.

Someone spoke to Ahn Si-heon.

"But Ahn Si-heon, this bastard has been a total cheat character since middle school, right? Huh? Good at studying, good-looking. And weren't you good at soccer too?"

"He was good. Whenever we had class competitions, he would always score goals and the girls would squeal..."

"When did we ever do that? Ridiculous."

"Hey, hey. This guy goes to Korea University too. You lucky bastard."

"What! Si-heon, you go to Korea University?!"

As people's attention focused on him, Ahn Si-heon nodded, seemingly embarrassed.

"Yeah. But it's not that great. I was just lucky."

"Bull! What do you mean lucky~ Who doesn't know how good you were at studying? This guy was always first in the entire school in high school and received awards in the auditorium~"

A guy who seemed to have gone to the same high school as Ahn Si-heon kept adding comments from the side.

He seemed strangely proud, even though it wasn't his own achievement.

As others exclaimed "Wow~" in admiration, Ahn Si-heon just smiled shyly.

"Hey. So what do you do?"

At that moment, someone snapped with a clearly envious tone.

"In the end, you'll just be a salaried worker after graduation. After all, self-employment is the best~ Right? Woo-yeon."

Why call on me so suddenly?

It wasn't a topic I particularly wanted to join. I glanced at Ahn Si-heon and gave a vague answer.

"Well, each has its own pros and cons."

"Come on~ But you must earn much more than a salaried worker!"

"It depends on the case..."

"Right?! Kya. I'm telling you, all of us going to university is pointless? What's the use of Korea University. In the end, after we all graduate, we'll all be working under someone like Song Woo-yeon~"

The atmosphere became strange again with this extreme generalization.

Even without saying it, I could tell. That the guy who brought this up has a complex about academic background.

While pretending to appeal that 'we'll all just be salaried workers after graduation', he's lumping himself together with Ahn Si-heon.

'I don't think Ahn Si-heon is the type to let this slide.'

It's a statement that someone with strong pride absolutely can't ignore. Especially at this age when university is their life's greatest achievement.

'As expected.'

Although Ahn Si-heon was smiling as if he was a good person, his hand holding the glass was clearly tense.

As I glanced at him, our eyes met directly.

"!"

I turned my head away without realizing it. Even though I hadn't done anything wrong, maybe it was because my name was mentioned in putting Ahn Si-heon down. I felt oddly uncomfortable.

"That's right~ I'm envious, Woo-yeon."

Ahn Si-heon naturally addressed me.

Why. What. What is he trying to say now?

As a sense of unease crept over me, Ahn Si-heon naturally added:

"Maybe I should have gone into business instead of studying."

"......"

This was clearly a barbed comment.

It could be laughed off if one wanted to, but it could also be taken as picking a fight. It's the kind of remark made knowing full well that it could offend the listener.

I smiled bitterly.

'I remember him as someone who used to be considerate of me.'

At the reunion before my regression, he would appropriately mediate when others tried to cross the line, and when I left almost like I was running away, he was the only one who sent a message telling me to get home safely.

But now he's suddenly stepping up to attack me.

Of course, someone else provoked first. But from telling me to treat everyone earlier to this incident where I'm catching stray fire.

It seemed clear that he had some internal displeasure towards me. He wasn't like this before my regression.

The only thing that had changed was... one thing.

My social standing.

'You, back then you pitied me, but not now.'

Cheap pity is easy and inexpensive. Because all you have to do is look down and be condescending.

But it seems you hate having to look up to others, don't you?

I wasn't sure whether I should be happy about this or feel bitter.

Right. Before, I was just a high school graduate who didn't even feel like a competitor, but now it's different.

'It's a situation where I should feel bad. But I actually feel a bit proud.'

Moreover, looking at that soft, downy face, even if I start to feel bad, it soon becomes nothing. It's also funny to seriously argue with kids who have just graduated from high school.

'Right. At this age, it's the time when they're eager to fight...'

Even such composure came to me. That's why I could answer like this.

"That's right. You're smart, so you'd learn quickly, right? If you're interested, let me know. I'll connect you with the person in charge."

I thought I had responded with some goodwill, but for some reason, his face scrunched up in displeasure.

Why?

As I tilted my head in confusion, reactions came from the side.

"Ooooh~ That's so cool! You really sound like a CEO~"

"Person in charge! Do you have subordinates working under you? Do they call you 'CEO' and stuff?"

"...? I suppose?"

I don't understand what's wrong with calling a CEO a CEO. But at my words, everyone burst into cheers, going "Wow~!"

Has my inner self aged too much? It's really difficult to keep up with the code of today's young people.

Ahn Si-heon replied in a tone that seemed to be suppressing his anger slightly.

"Wow. I didn't know you thought of me that way. Thanks, Woo-yeon."

"It's nothing."

"Actually, I didn't think you'd come here. I guess you're not as busy as I thought?"

"I can spare a day or so. The morning meeting took longer than expected, so I was a bit late. Sorry for being late."

"No~ You're giving us your precious time. I don't know much, but the others talk about you a lot. They say you're a complete self-made success."

"Really? Most of it is exaggerated, so don't believe everything."

"Hahaha. It did seem a bit exaggerated."

This is strange.

It seems like we're having a good conversation, but why does his expression seem to be hardening more and more?

"My parents are in business too, so I know how hard it is. The income is unstable and it's greatly affected by the economy."

"Yeah. It's tough~"

"Right? Seeing my parents struggle, I don't even dare to think about it. My parents say they'd be most at ease if I just had a steady paycheck... But I think I might end up taking over my parents' business after working at a company for a while."

I see.

But why is he telling me this?

I didn't understand the reason and was just puzzled by the overly personal conversation.

As I stared blankly, Ahn Si-heon seemed even more irritated than before.

"Ha."

He let out a hollow laugh, then said this while hiding his characteristic annoyed expression:

"If you ever have questions about running a business, let me know. At least I have my parents, but you must have had a really hard time with no one around to ask, right?"

"...?"

"Ah, sorry. I didn't mean anything bad by it. I just thought you must have gone through a lot of trial and error and difficulties."

A subtle sense of superiority seeped through his smiling face.

Oh ho.

You think I'm a pushover because you see me as young?

I wasn't generous enough to let someone who brought up parents just walk away, no matter what.

'You've chosen the wrong opponent.'

I curled up one corner of my mouth.