God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 174

"Good morning!"

I was momentarily taken aback by the deep bow and greeting. It was an unfamiliar face. Who could it be?

The confusion didn't last long. Given the location, I could roughly guess who they were.

This was the massive kitchen that Baek Jae-ha usually occupied. The white dress shirt and suit pants were out of place here. Even the shoes were dress shoes.

The hair seemed styled with wax, so the outfit was inappropriate for the situation in many ways.

This meant they weren't a chef helping Baek Jae-ha with kitchen work. That narrowed down the list of people who could enter this place considerably.

"New recruit for the new menu development team?"

"Yes, that's correct! I'm Han Hae, the new employee starting work today. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you. And the person next to you?"

When I asked about the person standing awkwardly next to Han Hae, she also hurriedly greeted me.

"Yes! I'm Han Byeol, also a new employee!"

"Ah, I see. ...But both your names are quite unique. Could it be...?"

"Ah, yes. That's right."

Han Hae answered with a sheepish smile.

"We're twins. We're fraternal twins, so we don't look that alike."

"I see."

Just as I thought. Hearing their names jogged my memory.

-I was thinking of hiring additional new recruits.

-Additional ones?

-Yes. Right now, Jae-ha is alone in the new menu development team. We do need more manpower.

-That's true. Then I'll post a job listing.

-Please do. Oh, and before making the final decision, could you forward me the resumes and cover letters? I'd like to look them over.

-Yes, understood.

That's right, that happened.

Not long after, selected resumes were placed on my desk.

There were about 15 applicants, and I personally picked these two from among them.

I almost didn't recognize them since this was my first time seeing them in person. I had only heard rumors about them from various sources.

"I don't need to introduce myself, right?"

Both Han Hae and Han Byeol nodded vigorously at my words.

"I see. It seems the team leader is busy, so the information wasn't properly conveyed. Team Leader Baek Jae-ha isn't coming to work today."

"Oh no. Is that so?"

There wasn't even a superior present to properly greet them. If I hadn't come, these two would have been left alone.

There must have been some miscommunication.

"It's good that at least I came. I came because I had a recipe to test, so this worked out well. You'll be seeing a lot of me from now on."

I had been frequenting this place while filming <Alley Secrets>. I'd be seeing these two so often I'd get sick of their faces.

"I look forward to working with you."

"We, we look forward to working with you too!"

"It's an honor!"

The two bowed deeply again, creaking like broken machines. There was no need for such exaggeration.

Well, from a new employee's perspective, they were facing the CEO, so it's understandable that they'd be uncomfortable.

"Shall I give you a tour of the kitchen? Han Byeol-ssi probably knows most of it already, but it might be unfamiliar to Han Hae-ssi."

As I continued speaking naturally, Han Byeol looked startled.

"...! You, you know our backgrounds?"

"Pardon? Of course I do."

I was the one who hired them.

But these two looked like they hadn't expected this at all. I smiled slightly and answered.

"Our company isn't that big yet. It's reasonable for me to review the resumes of new hires. Especially since the new menu development team is a department I'm very invested in."

"I see...!"

"Of course, I didn't review them from the start. I only looked at the resumes of those who made it to the final interview."

Han Hae and Han Byeol looked at each other and nodded as if they had made a decision. Then they looked at me with eyes full of expectation.

Just as I was wondering what this was about, Han Hae spoke first.

"Is there a reason you hired both of us at the same time?!"

"Us-usually, twins aren't hired together! We applied together but never imagined we'd both be hired!"

Ah. That could be a bit puzzling.

"Well. The reason for hiring both of you at the same time..."

I smiled.

The biggest reason was that I had already seen how much these two would grow in the future.

The Han Hae and Han Byeol twins.

Their combination was quite famous in the food industry.

'Known as the so-called foolproof strategy.'

They had changed companies several times, but each time, they were geniuses at creating hit products, almost without fail.

'We at <The Song> had tried to recruit them before. When we exchanged emails, we had practically finished negotiating the terms. We were at the stage where we just needed to meet in person and stamp the contract...'

A bitter smile crept across my face. That terrible ill fate was entangled once again.

'<Hyeonmu>'s headhunter snatched them away?'

They must have been coveted talent for <Hyeonmu> as well. I don't know the details, but they didn't stay long at <Hyeonmu> and quickly moved to another company.

But I couldn't say this to their faces. Even excluding their connection to me, these two had plenty of reasons to be hired.

"I thought that hiring both of you would allow your synergy to be fully realized. Of course, there are risks involved, but I judged that the returns would outweigh the risks."

The reason is simple.

Like perfectly matching halves, they had a perfect compatibility that complemented each other.

"Han Byeol-ssi, you graduated from a hotel culinary arts program and have experience working as a chef in high-end restaurants, right? You've also won various cooking competitions."

"...!"

"You know how to develop creative menus, can handle various ingredients, and are well-versed in different cooking methods. You were exactly the type of talent we were looking for."

"Thank you!"

Han Byeol bowed deeply. I've lost count of how many times this is. I'm starting to worry about their backs.

I naturally turned my gaze to Han Hae.

"On the other hand, Han Hae-ssi, you graduated in food service management, right? You worked in marketing and trend analysis for a food service startup for two years. You've also conducted several consumer research projects?"

"Oh!"

"And the latest trend analysis, competitor menu and market research you attached to your portfolio were very interesting. No company would turn down a marketer who knows exactly what the market demands."

Han Hae's hands trembled. Her face clearly showed overwhelming emotion.

"I thought the synergy would be amazing if Han Byeol-ssi handled the technical aspects of the menu, and Han Hae-ssi took care of trend analysis. That's why I hired you both. Is that a sufficient answer?"

"Yes...! It's more than enough!"

"It's almost too much. To think you looked at our applications so thoroughly. There must have been many amateurish parts..."

Han Hae muttered, blushing as if embarrassed. Despite saying this, her report was actually very sharp and insightful.

"So, I look forward to working with you. Although he's not here today, I think even more amazing results will come when Team Leader Baek Jae-ha joins in."

I felt as reassured as if I had gained a powerful ally. People from before my regression would be shocked. To put these three in one team. They'd be rolling on the floor in pain from jealousy.

This is all thanks to the foresight of someone who knows the future. Yep.

"That's right! I heard the Team Leader here is solely responsible for the new menus that appear on <Song Kitchen ~Today's Menu~>?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Wow~. I was curious about what kind of person they were. Does he really make all of that alone? Is that even possible for one person?"

Han Byeol muttered as if she found it hard to believe.

That's understandable. <Song Kitchen ~Today's Menu~> was changing its menu almost every couple of months. Each time, new and interesting menus appeared, maintaining great popularity on social media.

It had become routine for various YouTubers to visit and film on the days when new menus were revealed.

It was surprising in many ways that Baek Jae-ha alone was the main figure behind all this buzz.

"He's quite a workaholic. To the point where I have to tell him to take it easy."

"Wow. He really is different."

"We'll learn diligently under Team Leader!"

As the two were burning with enthusiasm, Han Hae quietly raised her hand.

"Um, CEO. But why isn't such a workaholic coming to work today?"

"Business trip? He's on a business trip, right?!"

"No, it's not that..."

I scratched my cheek, showing a momentary look of embarrassment. How should I explain this?

But it's not something I can hide. They'll find out soon enough while working as a team anyway.

After a brief pause, I lowered my voice and continued.

"Actually... he went to take the college entrance exam."

"......"

"...Pardon?"

"Ahaha. My ears must be playing tricks on me today."

"Yeah, mine too."

As Han Hae and Han Byeol tapped their ears, I explained once more.

"You didn't hear wrong, he really did go to take the college entrance exam."

"...A high school senior? He was a minor?!"

"No, not that. He's twenty years old."

"Twenty years ooooold?!"

The two gaped. I guess they thought he would be quite older, given his position as 'Team Leader'.

Well. He's called Team Leader, but until recently, he was alone in this team.

"I suggested he try going to university. Various experiences broaden one's perspective in life, and all of that helps with creativity. So he's been balancing work and study while preparing for the entrance exam."

I found myself adding this explanation, almost like an excuse.

'I hope they won't look down on him for being young?'

It would be troublesome if that caused problems, I thought. Just then,

Han Hae and Han Byeol clapped their hands together with sparkling eyes.

"Wow! Isn't he a genius?!"

"To think we can work under such a genius! We're so lucky, Byeol~!"

Hmm.

It seemed I didn't need to worry about that.

Silently smiling, I sent a mental cheer to Baek Jae-ha, who must be working hard on his exam right now.

'Do well on your exam. Fighting...!'