God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 158

"Well, look who it is~!"

Bong Kang-min plopped down next to me as I was getting my makeup done.

"Isn't Chef Song busy these days?"

"Didn't we see each other during the filming two weeks ago?"

"That's just for work!"

Ah, with the new brand launch and everything else, I have been quite busy handling various tasks, so I haven't been able to socialize for a while.

When was the last time we hung out privately? Thinking back, it seems like it's been a few months since we last met.

I smiled slightly, careful not to ruin my makeup, and mumbled:

"I'm sorry. I've been quite busy lately."

"Well, the more successful the business, the busier the owner gets. I heard your test store was a huge hit?"

"Haha. Has the news spread that much?"

"It's not even news anymore. It's just obvious when you look at it."

Bong Kang-min shrugged his shoulders exaggeratedly.

"That Oreo churros you launched there was all the rage, wasn't it? When it was trending on social media, we even made churros as a dessert in our store."

"Really?"

"Yeah~ Everyone loved it. People used to think it was something you'd only eat at an amusement park, you know."

Our Jae-ha certainly did break the mold of thinking. Thanks to that, we were able to have a big hit.

My lips curled up involuntarily with pride.

"At first, I wondered how you'd manage a store that changes its menu so frequently~ But I guess you had something up your sleeve?"

"Oh, of course."

"Who is it? Did you bring in some talent from a good place? Hm? Introduce me~ We're also racking our brains trying to develop fresh menus these days."

Bong Kang-min looked at me with sparkling eyes.

They'd been showcasing new lineups every season. It seemed he was pondering over the next season's menu.

I waved my hand dismissively and said:

"We have an exclusive contract, so that's not possible."

"Aw~ What a shame. Where did you get them from? Just tell me that. You can at least do that much between us, can't you?"

He looked ready to lie down on the floor and throw a tantrum if I didn't tell him. After a moment's hesitation, I blurted out:

"...Blog?"

"What?"

"You know they say the internet is an ocean of information. Sometimes you can fish out some pretty good people."

"No, that's like finding a needle in a haystack, or looking for Mr. Kim in Seoul. How did you manage that?!"

That's true. I nodded in agreement.

"I guess I got lucky."

"That's too much~ If Chef Song is lucky on top of everything else, what are the rest of us supposed to do!"

As Bong Kang-min was whining, other cast members entered through the door.

Click.

"Hello~"

"Hello."

"Hello, Chef Jung."

Jung Ha-neul entered first, followed by Ahn Derek.

"Hello."

"Oh, Chef Ahn came together."

"Oh, you're here?"

As the two arrived, greetings were exchanged from all around. Bong Kang-min sprang up like a coiled spring to greet them.

"Oh, Chef Jung! Chef Ahn!"

"I could hear Bong Chef's voice from the corridor. Stop bothering Chef Song~"

"Bothering?! We were having a very friendly chat. Right, Woo-yeon?"

"......"

"Chef Song?!"

Ignoring the whining Bong Kang-min, I bowed politely to Jung Ha-neul.

"You're here."

"Yeah~ Has Chef Song been doing well?"

"Yes, thanks to your concern."

"Look at you, still so formal~"

Jung Ha-neul laughed and patted my shoulder. As my makeup was finished, I stood up to make way.

As I did so, I naturally came face to face with Ahn Derek, who had been following behind Jung Ha-neul.

'Come to think of it... is this the first time we've met like this since 'Survival Law of the Jungle'?'

I've often had to rush to the filming location just in time and leave immediately after due to my tight schedule lately.

"......"

Ahn Derek bowed silently without saying anything. However, I could feel his persistent gaze lingering on my arm.

I chuckled slightly and rolled up my sleeve.

'See? It's fine, isn't it?'

Although there's a small scar left. It's been long healed now. Ahn Derek's eyebrows twitched slightly as he saw the scar, but he quickly averted his gaze.

What's he displeased about now?

"Has Woo-yeon been very busy with work lately? Let's have dinner together, the four of us, sometime."

"If Chef Jung invites me, I should go anytime, right?"

As I spoke in an exaggerated tone, Bong Kang-min burst out in frustration beside me.

"Ah, Chef Song! Are you going to keep discriminating against people?!"

Everyone burst into laughter at his reaction. Bong Kang-min also laughed after his playful outburst.

"I'm just joking. I guess I've been pretending to be too busy. I'll come visit you soon."

"That's great~"

Jung Ha-neul smiled brightly. Just as the warm atmosphere was at its peak...

"...Huh?"

Someone let out a short exclamation.

"W-what is this."

What could have happened to cause such a reaction? As I was wondering, a staff member next to me tapped my shoulder.

"Um, Chef. I think you need to see this..."

The trembling eyes and lowered voice. Something clearly wasn't right.

And it involved me.

I took the smartphone the staff member handed me and read the screen.

The titles of the articles decorating the portal site's main page were quite provocative.

[Current Affairs] Song Woo-yeon 'ShanghaiRestaurant' Controversy... "Monthly Sales Guarantee of 50 Million Won, All Blatant Lies"

[Controversy Spotlight] Song Woo-yeon's Controversy Reignites... Is it Tyranny Against Franchisees This Time?

'ShanghaiRestaurant' Victimized Franchisees Release Joint Statement, "We Can't Take It Anymore"

Wow.

They've really stirred things up.

Clicking on one of the articles to read the comments, it was even more outrageous.

→Instead of focusing on the business, she's always showing her face on TV kkkkk I knew this would happen

→Seems crazy about money

→There needs to be a full investigation. Definitely. She should be arrested.

→The fraud is so subtle kkkk It's completely word play

→They kept promoting her on TV, I knew something would come out about her

→Is she really going down now?

→I never liked her face kkkkk Good riddance I don't watch any shows with Song Woo-yeon Boring as hell

→The Song needs to be thoroughly investigated

→Guaranteed monthly sales of 50 million won. Did she really say that? That's complete fraud.

As expected. They're really having a field day.

Scrolling through the comments, I could see that comments defending me were being bombarded with dislikes, while comments criticizing me were continuously receiving likes.

I wonder if this is being manipulated in an organized manner.

"Ch-Chef Song..."

Ah right, I was in the waiting room. Looking up, I saw everyone had shocked expressions on their faces, presumably having seen the articles.

They seemed to think I had been hit by a bolt from the blue. I wasn't particularly surprised as it was somewhat anticipated, though.

Of course, I didn't expect it to blow up on such a large scale.

"Are you okay?"

"Won't today's filming be difficult?"

Bong Kang-min and Jung Ha-neul approached first and asked. They were visibly worried about me.

Well, everyone here is in the business, so they seemed to understand roughly how things work. Is it even possible to guarantee monthly sales in self-employment?

"I'm fine. We should proceed with the filming."

When I smiled and said this, worry spread further across their faces. Even the staff member standing nearby cautiously tried to dissuade me.

"If filming is difficult for you, I can check if we can adjust the schedule."

"No, there's no need for that. Everyone has taken time out of their busy schedules to come here. It would be too difficult to change the schedule on the spot. It would also make the editing time too tight."

"That may be true, but..."

I understood well what the staff member was worried about. If I were to film in a dazed state because of this controversy, that would be problematic in its own way.

It's not an easy task to squeeze out broadcast footage.

"Don't worry, I won't cause any disruption to the broadcast."

"...Alright. We'll start filming in 10 minutes."

After I insisted this much, the staff member nodded in agreement.

The staff member went out to prepare for filming, and as soon as the door closed, Bong Kang-min and Jung Ha-neul rushed over.

"Are you really okay, Chef Song?"

"Yes, I'm fine. You're all worrying too much."

"Too much?! With articles plastered everywhere like this. It'd be stranger if you were fine. Don't pretend to be okay when you're not."

Bong Kang-min said with a serious face.

"When I started appearing on broadcasts and was evaluated by people with various comments, there were many nights I couldn't sleep because it was so hard and painful. I know best how terrifying it is to face people's criticism."

"......"

"Even if you pretend to be fine, I know your insides aren't."

But I really am fine...

I scratched the back of my head awkwardly. Maybe it's because I was beaten up so much by the media before the regression. This level doesn't even tickle.

When the legal battle with <Hyeonmu> intensified, the media unanimously poured out articles distorted in favor of <Hyeonmu>.

I suddenly became an ungrateful person who didn't know gratitude, and I had to endure contempt and ridicule from all sides.

Photos of my face entering the courtroom became what they call a 'meme' and circulated on YouTube. That should give you an idea.

There were so many talented people in the world. They made all sorts of memes with my face.

Compared to that time, this is like child's play.

But it seemed the others didn't think so at all. Bong Kang-min, on the contrary, sniffled and said:

"You don't have to pretend to be strong...! If it's hard, you should express it and let it out to find relief! Here! I'll hide you so no one can see!"

Bong Kang-min took off his jacket and spread it wide open. As if it could serve as a screen.

"No..."

I lowered the jacket and continued.

"I'm really fine, I'm telling you?"

Why can't they believe me?

As I stood there with an incredulous look on my face, Ahn Derek, who had been quietly observing, opened his mouth.

"Do you have a solution?"

Ho-oh. As I shifted my gaze towards him, he added:

"Otherwise, I can't understand how you can be so calm."

Well. That's true. I'm acting this way because I have a way to turn this situation around.

"Really?"

"Woo-yeon. Do you have something in mind?"

Bong Kang-min and Jung Ha-neul looked at me and asked.

I grinned and said:

"Of course."

It's not like I've just been waiting for the bomb to explode.