God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 154

'What's wrong with this guy?'

Choi Min-hyuk thought to himself as he looked back and forth between Ahn Si-heon and Song Woo-yeon. Ahn Si-heon, who was fine just moments ago, suddenly started speaking very nastily when Song Woo-yeon arrived.

His words may sound soft, but if you listen to what he's saying, isn't it borderline picking a fight?

Sarcastically asking if she's not as busy as he thought, suggesting that her self-made success story seems exaggerated.

And if that wasn't enough, suddenly bringing up parents?

This clearly crossed a line.

'Will she get angry?'

He glanced at Song Woo-yeon. It was a situation where a normal person would get angry.

But Song Woo-yeon's face showed not even a hint of wavering.

You'd think there would be some reaction to hearing those words. She was so calm that Min-hyuk wondered if she hadn't heard.

She didn't even frown or shoot a glare as one might expect.

'Is she just enduring it?'

That could be the case. Wasn't she always quiet in middle school, barely noticeable?

She must be sick of being the center of attention. He remembered the commotion last year about plagiarism and deception.

It was understandable if she didn't want to cause any unnecessary disturbance.

'I shouldn't come to these gatherings anymore.'

Choi Min-hyuk thought to himself as he took a sip of beer. Normally, he wouldn't have attended such a gathering, but isn't this the time when youthful energy makes you seek out drinking parties even when there aren't any?

He came out just wanting to drink and have fun, but now he felt like his memories of his younger days were being torn to shreds.

'I'm seeing the worst of these kids.'

Just as he was gulping down beer, feeling a bitter taste in his mouth for no reason, Song Woo-yeon spoke in a calm tone as if she was saying, "The food here is delicious."

"You haven't changed, Si-heon."

"...What? What's that supposed to mean?"

"What do you mean, what does it mean? It's exactly what I said."

Song Woo-yeon said, raising her beer glass.

"You still can't stand seeing others do well."

"...!"

She landed a blow as smoothly as water flowing. Ahn Si-heon's face visibly colored with embarrassment and humiliation, as if he hadn't expected such a direct counterattack.

In contrast, Song Woo-yeon's face remained as calm as a lake without a breath of wind.

"If you're envious, why don't you just say you're envious? You've been picking pointless fights and irritating everyone since earlier."

"Ha. When did I? Aren't you being too sensitive?"

Ahn Si-heon said, twisting one corner of his mouth.

"Or what, do you have an inferiority complex? Come on. In today's world, what difference does it make if you're a high school or college graduate? There's no need for that."

He naturally steers the conversation to make it seem like Song Woo-yeon is being prickly due to an inferiority complex. If she panics here, it would be easy to fall into Ahn Si-heon's trap.

But Song Woo-yeon wasn't such an easy opponent.

"The one with an inferiority complex is you, going on and on about your parents' business when no one asked."

"W-What..."

Ahn Si-heon's face turned bright red.

Small bursts of laughter could be heard from around. It seems even to others, it looked ridiculous that he mentioned inferiority complex after going on about his parents' business just moments ago.

"I-I can't believe this. Were you always like this?"

"I lost some of my personality while doing business. Maybe it's because I've seen a lot of people like you."

"Hey!"

Ahn Si-heon shouted, but Song Woo-yeon just responded with a "Why?"

In the end, Ahn Si-heon exploded first.

"You seem to be putting on airs because you've made some money, but let's see how long it lasts. You know how quickly a business can collapse, right?"

"Sure, sure."

"Even self-employment has its levels. It's really unsightly to brag about running a food business."

The blatant belittling of her profession made everyone frown involuntarily. The murmuring from the surroundings gradually grew louder.

But Song Woo-yeon just nodded, as if to say, 'Go on if you have more to say.'

"I'm graduating from a prestigious university and entering a major corporation, so my future is set. You might be feeling smug right now, but ask anyone on the street. Is there any comparison between an employee of a major corporation and someone running a neighborhood food business?"

"Hmm."

"I bet a hundred out of a hundred people would say a corporate office job is better? Food service is no different from manual labor..."

Bang!

At that moment, someone slammed their beer glass on the table. It was another classmate who had been quietly listening to the conversation.

"Hey. Watch your mouth."

Even Ahn Si-heon flinched at the fierce gaze. As they say, the law is far but fists are near.

"...Right, Si-heon. There are people here whose parents run restaurants."

"Yeah. Listening to you, it seems your words are getting too harsh."

Other friends chimed in one by one. In an instant, the gazes directed at Ahn Si-heon turned cold.

Feeling the temperature change, Ahn Si-heon shuddered.

A small sound of air escaping was heard, causing Min-hyuk to turn his head slightly. It was so quiet that most people wouldn't have heard it, but those sitting close like Min-hyuk and Ahn Si-heon could hear it.

Song Woo-yeon was letting out a mocking laugh.

And quite deliberately at that.

"This...!"

Grr, Ahn Si-heon clenched his fist and abruptly stood up.

"Hey, hey. What's wrong with you?"

"I think he's drunk."

"Someone catch a taxi. We need to send him home quickly."

The people around, not understanding the situation, were shocked at Ahn Si-heon's behavior. Song Woo-yeon maintained an innocent expression as if she had never provoked him.

'Huh.'

Choi Min-hyuk inwardly exclaimed.

'This is exactly the method Ahn Si-heon was using earlier, isn't it?'

The method of instigating the people around to attack the opponent while stepping back oneself.

The only difference was that Song Woo-yeon never reacted as desired to those attacks, while Ahn Si-heon fell for it spectacularly.

'She's on another level.'

Is she doing this on purpose? Returning the same method back to him?

If so, it was truly frightening. It's like she completely put her opponent in the palm of her hand and played with him.

Ahn Si-heon must have felt something similar, as his face turned pale.

"No, that's not what I meant... Guys, don't misunderstand."

But once words are spoken, they can't be taken back. Despite Ahn Si-heon's urgent explanations, the atmosphere showed no signs of improving.

Especially with the guy who had clenched his fist at Ahn Si-heon's harsh words earlier now staring with cold eyes, Ahn Si-heon found it hard to speak, unlike his usual self.

"......"

As the surrounding atmosphere turned chilly, Ahn Si-heon hesitated before quietly sitting back down.

Seeing this, Song Woo-yeon grinned.

"Well, I guess Si-heon misspoke too. Right?"

"...Yeah."

Giving the disease and the medicine. It must have been infuriating from Ahn Si-heon's perspective.

But with Song Woo-yeon, who had been on the receiving end of harsh words, now magnanimously extending an olive branch, he couldn't refuse.

If he did, the atmosphere would deteriorate beyond the point of no return.

Song Woo-yeon extended her hand first and said,

"Let's get along, Si-heon. Okay?"

"......"

In the end, Ahn Si-heon had no choice but to surrender, tucking his tail between his legs.

He grasped Song Woo-yeon's hand with his own trembling one. It was clear who was squeezing harder in the handshake without needing to say.

"Hey, hey. Everyone raise your glasses! Let's have a toast~"

"Yeah, fill up the glasses~"

"Sure thing."

Everyone added a word or two, trying to liven up the atmosphere. Unlike earlier, Ahn Si-heon sat silently with his mouth tightly shut, unable to say a proper word.

"Alright, cheers~!"

"To celebrate our gathering after so long~!"

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

The drinking party continued chaotically. The sound of glasses clinking repeatedly rang out, trying to fill the awkward air.

It was then that Song Woo-yeon was seen quietly getting up from her seat.

Some were going out to smoke, others to the bathroom. Amidst this bustling, she naturally headed outside.

'She's leaving.'

The thought crossed Min-hyuk's mind that if not now, he might never have a chance to face her again.

Choi Min-hyuk immediately stood up, following Song Woo-yeon.

"Huh? Hey, Choi Min-hyuk. Where are you going?"

"Just going for a smoke!"

"Want to go together?"

"I'm out, so I'll buy a new pack at the convenience store. I'll be right back!"

"Oh, okay."

He left his seat, making an appropriate excuse. He quickly opened the door and went out, where he saw Song Woo-yeon looking around on the main road a little distance away.

It seemed she was trying to catch a taxi.

"Song Woo-yeon!"

"?"

Song Woo-yeon turned her head abruptly. Choi Min-hyuk ran up to her side in one breath.

"Huff, huff. Are you leaving now?"

As he spoke, catching his breath, Song Woo-yeon's face filled with puzzlement.

"I'm Choi Min-hyuk. You probably don't remember, but we weren't close."

"I remember."

"You remember?"

"Yeah. You used to come to the library often."

"...I just went there to sleep."

In fact, Min-hyuk remembered more clearly the image of Song Woo-yeon quietly reading books in the library, but he never dreamed that Song Woo-yeon would know him too.

"But I saw your face often, so I remember."

"Oh, really? I didn't know. I... thought you would have forgotten everything."

"Why?"

"No, just. You're running a business now and all."

"Do people running businesses forget everyone they met before?"

"Not necessarily, but. I just thought you wouldn't care about me at all."

Now that they were actually talking, he realized it wasn't quite like that. Choi Min-hyuk felt somehow embarrassed and rubbed the back of his head.

"So. If you thought I wouldn't even remember you, what did you have to say that made you run over here? Just to say hello?"

"No. Rather than that..."

Choi Min-hyuk hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"You did well earlier."

"......"

"I mean, the way you put Ahn Si-heon in his place. It felt good even for me. He always had a way of speaking unpleasantly. People don't realize it because of his good looks."

"......"

"I'm sorry I didn't step in to stop Ahn Si-heon when he was talking nonsense earlier. I should have told him not to say such things. ...Anyway, I wanted to say this. Thank you and I'm sorry."

Rambling, it was the worst. Choi Min-hyuk turned his gaze to the side, fanning his flushed face with his hand.

Thinking he must have looked really foolish.

But the response was the opposite of what Choi Min-hyuk expected.

"Pfft."

Song Woo-yeon burst into a small laugh and continued laughing for a while.

Hahaha....

"Ah, sorry."

Song Woo-yeon said, pressing down on the corners of her mouth.

"Just. I thought the timing was impeccable."

"Huh?"

"...You probably can't imagine."

Song Woo-yeon smiled brightly.

"How long I've been waiting... for someone to say something like that."

Dazzlingly bright.

Whether it was because of the approaching taxi's high beams, or because it was the first time seeing her smile like that.

"Let's meet again if we have the chance."

"Oh? Oh. Take care...!"

Choi Min-hyuk stood there for a long time even after Song Woo-yeon left in the taxi.

"...Was she always like that?"

After mumbling quietly, he slowly turned around. Entering the restaurant with a slightly dazed face, he found the others chattering loudly.

"Hey. What's going on?"

He grabbed a passing classmate and asked, to which the guy replied with an excited voice.

"Hey. Song Woo-yeon apparently paid for everything here in advance!"

"What?"

"She acted like she wouldn't, but she did in the end. Wow, she must be earning a lot."

Choi Min-hyuk let the classmate's excited voice go in one ear and out the other as he turned his head back towards the door. For a long time, he stood there motionless, recalling Song Woo-yeon's bright smile once again.