God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 210
The overwhelming size, a burger stacked like a veritable tower.
Layered between were homemade pickles, grilled onions, and mushrooms adding a smoky aroma. Various sauces like barbecue sauce, garlic aioli, and hollandaise were added.
Swish.
As the knife touched it, the bun cut smoothly, and juices flowed from the cross-section of the patty.
It was truly a perfect 10,000 Calorie handmade burger with the golden ratio.
"Delicious!"
"Indeed."
"As expected, this meat ratio seems to be the best."
"No matter how much I eat, I don't get tired of it."
Everyone uttered a comment. All of which culminated in one conclusion.
"The 10,000 Calorie handmade burger recipe is complete."
I declared with a smile, and cheers of "Wow!" erupted from here and there.
"We can finally go home!"
"We're saved..."
"Thank you. Thank you."
Perhaps because everyone had been researching the recipe without proper sleep. I heard some slightly strange sounds, but let's ignore them.
"You've worked hard."
I said, approaching Choi Jun-hyuk who had a haggard face.
"CEO worked the hardest."
"Not at all. I at least came and went due to prior appointments and other matters. Chef, you spent the entire day here just researching the recipe."
His concentration was so remarkable. Even Baek Jae-ha was in awe.
That too was undoubtedly a talent.
While he might not have Baek Jae-ha, Team Leader's flashes of brilliance, his ability to persistently delve into one thing was praiseworthy.
"This is all I know how to do."
Choi Jun-hyuk said humbly, scratching the back of his neck.
"And once I started, I just couldn't stop... But I enjoyed it."
As he said this with a slight smile, there was indeed a faint joy evident on his face. With this kind of effort backing it up, no wonder it tasted so good.
'At least I don't have to worry about the recipe deteriorating.'
More than anyone else, Choi Jun-hyuk himself wouldn't be able to tolerate it.
It was truly the spirit of a craftsman. He seemed like the type who would rather sell less than lower the quality. I was very pleased with that mindset.
"I'm deeply indebted to you."
He said, bowing deeply.
I bowed in return. "Likewise."
I learned a lot too.
The world of cooking is so vast that even after decades of learning and practicing, considering my time before the regression, there was still more to study.
Thanks to this opportunity, my understanding of burgers has deepened as well. That alone is worth something.
It was almost like receiving direct instruction from a master like Choi Jun-hyuk, Chef. It's a valuable experience money can't buy.
"I'll go finish moving the luggage."
"Ah, please do."
"Then, I'll be going."
Choi Jun-hyuk politely bowed one last time before leaving.
"Should I move this?"
"Yeah. I'll carry that box. Go to the car first."
As Choi Jun-hyuk disappeared with the luggage, Choi Min-hyuk cautiously approached me.
"Woo-yeon."
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
Choi Min-hyuk looked at me with sincere eyes and said,
"Thank you. Really."
Like a letter written with firmly pressed strokes, each of Choi Min-hyuk's words was deeply imbued with emotion.
"What are you thanking me for?"
"Just. For everything."
Choi Min-hyuk bowed his head deeply. His gaze fell on his injured knee.
Though he tried not to show it, the all-night work seemed to have been quite a burden on Choi Min-hyuk, as he often massaged his knee. Probably due to the throbbing pain.
"I really didn't know what to do. Thanks to you, we're saved."
Understanding his feelings, I listened quietly.
"This debt... I don't know if I can ever repay it. But whenever you need help, I'll definitely repay you."
"There's no need for that."
I'm not sure what he thought I meant, but Choi Min-hyuk flinched and then gave an awkward laugh.
"...R-right? What could you possibly need my help for?"
"What? No, that's not what I meant."
I stopped Choi Min-hyuk from digging himself into a hole unnecessarily.
"Don't you remember? What I said at the last class reunion."
"At the class reunion?"
"Yes. At the end."
Choi Min-hyuk's eyes became distant as if recalling a past memory. So many things had happened that day. He seemed unsure of exactly which moment I was referring to.
So I told him once more.
-You probably can't even imagine it.
"You couldn't have imagined it."
As the memory of that day came back, emotions welled up involuntarily. When I was still wandering in that terrible sense of loneliness even after regressing, you were the one who reached out first.
-How long I've been waiting... for someone to say something like that.
"How long I'd been waiting for those words."
"Ah!"
Choi Min-hyuk's eyes widened as if he finally remembered.
"That's right. You did. How brightly you..."
Brightly?
I tilted my head, but Choi Min-hyuk didn't continue. Instead, he pressed his lips tightly together.
Well, it doesn't seem to be an important story, so let's just let it pass. I don't have a habit of prying into things people don't want to talk about.
"Those words back then, I meant them sincerely. They comforted me a lot."
"R-really?"
"So the order is wrong. I should be the one repaying a debt to you."
"What? No way. Who would repay a single sentence to this extent?!"
Why not? I'm right here.
To be fair, I learned a lot from Choi Jun-hyuk too, so I can't say I was just repaying a debt.
In any case, the reason I put so much effort into creating the golden recipe, even lending company facilities, was partly because of Choi Min-hyuk.
"Whether I repay it twofold or tenfold is up to me."
"W-well, that's true, but..."
"Anyway, so you don't need to worry about it."
"......"
Choi Min-hyuk glared at me with a face full of things he wanted to say. Then, clenching his fist tightly, he exclaimed,
"Still, no! Keep this as a debt. I'll definitely repay it someday!"
"What? No..."
I couldn't even finish saying that there was no need for that. Choi Min-hyuk had already disappeared like an arrow.
"Geez."
Thanks to that, I was left standing there, swallowing a hollow laugh.
Looking out the window, I could see Choi Min-hyuk's car preparing to leave.
'...But when did Jae-ha go down?'
Seeing him exchanging friendly goodbyes with Choi Min-hyuk, it seemed they had become quite close while developing the recipe.
Should I say it's fortunate? Baek Jae-ha was usually the type to keep his distance, so I didn't expect them to become friends like this.
'Maybe because there's not much age difference?'
Yes. That must be it. Otherwise, what reason would Baek Jae-ha have to become friends with Choi Min-hyuk? Except for the fact that Choi Min-hyuk is my middle school classmate... No, it couldn't be, right?
Just then, Baek Jae-ha finished saying goodbye and was coming back into the kitchen.
"Did you say goodbye properly?"
"Yes."
"Good. You should go home now, Jae-ha."
Monday's work hours were approaching. I should tell Han Hae and Han Byeol to work just the two of them today.
"What about you, CEO?"
"I have to go to work."
"Take the day off today. You haven't had proper rest all weekend."
Baek Jae-ha, Team Leader's eyes turned fierce. Ever since I fell ill once before, he's been reacting sensitively like this whenever I seem to be overexerting myself.
While I appreciate the concern, it can be troublesome at times.
"I have some urgent matters to handle. I'll just work the morning shift and leave."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Then I'll go with you."
Why is he being like this again?
"Why you?"
"I'll drive you home. You're tired, aren't you?"
"No, you must be tired too."
"That's why we should finish work as quickly as possible. Right?"
He was smiling, but somehow there seemed to be a subtle chill in it. It doesn't look like he'll back down easily.
I reluctantly nodded. It seems I'll have no choice but to deal with only the urgent paperwork and leave.
I was just about to grab the car keys and head out.
Buzz-.
My phone rang. Looking at the name on the screen, it was Jo I-ruk.
'What could it be?'
It's not even work hours yet. Unless it's something extremely urgent, he doesn't usually contact me like this.
Puzzled, I picked up the phone.
"Hello? Team Leader Jo, what's the matter?"
-Um, CEO.
Jo I-ruk's voice was tinged with a troublesome tone. He seemed a bit flustered, or perhaps frightened.
This person has been through a lot by now, so it's rare for him to be like this. What on earth is going on?
-I think you need to come as quickly as possible.
I quickly searched my mind.
I imagined various worst-case scenarios that could occur at this point.
"Is the media causing a fuss again? What are they nitpicking about this time?"
-No.
"Then? Are the franchisees threatening collective action?"
-It's not that either.
"Is it a tax issue? There shouldn't have been anything to pick on."
-CEO.
"Alright. I'm on my way now, so don't rush me. I'm just curious about what's going on."
I tossed the car keys to Baek Jae-ha, Team Leader. He knows how to drive, so it should be fine.
Preparing for any unexpected situations, I planned to look through the documents. Baek Jae-ha silently took the keys and followed me out.
-...A guest has arrived.
But the words that came out of Jo I-ruk's mouth were too unexpected.
A guest? What kind of guest?
Who could it be that makes Jo I-ruk, show such an embarrassed demeanor?
"Is it CEO Choi?"
Choi Yeo-hae, CEO, seemed the most likely. She has that intimidating atmosphere that seems to suppress others.
-No. It's a guest from somewhere else.
"Who is it that you're acting like this?"
By this point, frustration was building up. As I asked irritably, Jo I-ruk, whispered in a small voice as if checking the situation.
-Actually...
What?
I forcibly swallowed the words that were about to burst out. It was because the person was so unexpected.
Well, we were quite close before the regression, but...
"You're saying the eldest son of JC Group is here?"
...Why are you here?