NOVEL NEXT 25
So, it was when I sat across from Choi Yeo-hae.
Clink.
Delicate wrinkles adorned the hand setting down the teacup. A refined trace of the passage of time.
Her fingertips moved fluidly, folding her hands on her lap. Thanks to her crossed legs, her sleek shoes caught my eye vividly.
She was a dazzling beauty.
Despite her mature age, Choi Yeo-hae possessed features that hinted at her stunning beauty from her youth.
A unique, sophisticated aura emanated from her, as if she knew exactly what suited her.
Thick curls in her hair and heavy makeup. Yet her skin was fair and flawless. Not a blemish or age spot in sight.
Even strangers would easily conclude, ‘Ah, that person must be very wealthy’ upon seeing Choi Yeo-hae.
“Song Woo-yeon, was it? Your name.”
Her tone was sweet, but I knew the snake lurking beneath.
“Yes, CEO. It’s a pleasure to meet you. This is who I am.”
As I handed over my business card, a glint appeared in Choi Yeo-hae’s eyes.
“Did someone tell you?”
“Pardon?”
“That I prefer being called ‘CEO’ rather than ‘madam’.”
Of course, I’d heard it countless times before my regression. But I couldn’t say that, so I just smiled gently.
“Well, you are the CEO of Hando Construction. It’s only natural.”
“I wonder. People introduced by my husband keep calling me ‘madam’.”
Choi Yeo-hae didn’t even try to hide her sensitive nature.
Or rather, she had no need to.
“Today, I’m here to meet the CEO of Hando Construction, not Lee In-cheol’s wife.”
“Your face looks young, but your tongue is as slick as any of our business partners.”
Though it sounded sharp, this was Choi Yeo-hae’s way of complimenting. No need to take offense.
‘I’ve pointed out many times that such a manner of speaking could ruin the business.’
As I was in the position of seeking investment, I swallowed any unnecessary comments for now.
“You are quite unique. I heard you were just a young kid. I was so surprised when I heard you wanted to meet me first.”
Choi Yeo-hae lifted her teacup again with a subtle smile. After taking a sip, she continued elegantly.
“As it happens, I wanted to meet you too. So I thought this was perfect timing.”
“I’m honored that you wanted to see me.”
“Wouldn’t anyone in business feel the same?”
Choi Yeo-hae gazed at me intently with seemingly gentle eyes. She was gauging my reaction.
“It’s embarrassing to say, but I’m past the stage of worrying about money. I can afford to view my foolish husband’s struggling soup rice shop as just a hobby.”
I envy you, In-cheol.
“I married him because I liked that stubborn side of him in the first place. I’m not in need of money, so why take away my husband’s wholesome hobby? It’s good enough that he’s not wandering off somewhere strange.”
Choi Yeo-hae snorted, saying she’d seen countless such cases in this field.
“So I wasn’t paying much attention. But one day, I checked the bank account and, would you believe it, my husband was making money?”
Choi Yeo-hae smiled, her eyes narrowing.
“That’s when I thought, ah, this guy has finally gotten into something weird.”
“Pardon?”
“I thought he might be gambling somewhere. Maybe he got lucky as a beginner and won a little.”
Isn’t her trust in In-cheol too low? As I stared at Choi Yeo-hae, dumbfounded, she chuckled as if something was amusing.
“Don’t you think? He was doing something he’d never done before. I thought, regardless of what it was, something big must have happened. So I investigated behind his back and even asked him directly. And guess what… That failing soup rice shop had suddenly become a neighborhood hotspot?”
Isn’t that all thanks to the constant efforts of In-cheol and me?
“Sales increased by over 1000%. Such dramatic growth in less than six months. Even when the government designates a new city site, real estate doesn’t jump that much. Those in the know usually have some idea.”
“Haha….”
“I know my husband best. He’s not cut out for such business acumen. So there’s only one person left.”
Choi Yeo-hae smiled brightly at me.
“Song Woo-yeon. The new part-timer they hired. …Though it seems you’re not just a simple part-timer.”
She murmured, twirling my business card in her hand. It clearly stated ‘CEO of The Song’.
“The Song, is it?”
“I believe you’ve already heard about the purpose of today’s meeting from Boss Lee In-cheol.”
“That’s right. He said it was for investment, and I wondered why a thriving soup rice shop needed investment.”
“What I’m seeking investment for isn’t
With a snap of my fingers, the beam projector turned on, displaying the prepared PPT.
That’s why I rented this place specifically.
“Oh ho.”
Choi Yeo-hae turned her gaze to the PPT with interest.
“Then, from now on, I’ll explain The Song’s vision and business direction.”
Now, it’s my stage.
⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱
“…That concludes my presentation.”
Clap, clap, clap.
Choi Yeo-hae applauded lightly.
“I listened well. Your presentation was clean and pleasant to hear.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“It’s not just flattery. This is exactly the kind of PPT presentation I’ve always wanted. I’d like to show it to my employees too.”
Of course. Whose skills do you think these are?
When The Song was just beginning to sprout, we were nothing more than a startup. Sure, we had some savings from running restaurants, but business required much more money than that.
When the company was struggling, we held explanatory sessions to attract external investment.
How much I honed myself back then, gritting my teeth…. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.
“It’s hard to believe this is a presentation by someone who’s barely twenty. You’re not a spy sent from North Korea, are you? You’re so good it’s almost suspicious.”
“Haha. If you’re that suspicious, feel free to report me. Just make sure to give me the investment money as compensation.”
“My, just listen to you. You sound like a seasoned forty-year-old businessman trapped in a young person’s body.”
Am I a shaman?
Might as well lay out a mat.
“Hmm…. Alright, CEO Song Woo-yeon. I’ve listened to your presentation well.”
Choi Yeo-hae’s tone changed in an instant.
Her previously languid face now held a sharp edge. The tone of doting on a much younger child was gone, replaced by a CEO-to-CEO treatment.
“I understand that The Song is still a small company, but your passion is remarkable, and you’ve proven your capability with the main branch and franchise of
She starts with praise, I see.
“Among startup CEOs, there are quite a few who chase unrealistic dreams or are filled with excessive self-confidence. But CEO Song Woo-yeon, I liked how you predicted future growth based on realistic data.”
“Thank you.”
“However.”
Here comes the main point, I suppose.
Choi Yeo-hae looked at me like a predator gauging whether its prey was worth eating.
“As it’s a company just starting out, I’m hesitant to invest right away. Yes. You’ve given it the grandiose name of The Song, but what does the company actually have?”
Ugh.
“The
Her penetrating gaze bore into me.
“Song Woo-yeon. It’s you.”
She saw right through me. As Choi Yeo-hae said, The Song right now is no different from an empty thatched house.
But surely Choi Yeo-hae would recognize that potential. I opened my mouth to argue.
“I understand your anxiety about investing in such a new company….”
“So, here’s what I propose.”
Choi Yeo-hae suddenly cut me off.
Then she pulled out a business card from her wallet and slid it towards me.
“Let’s do this instead. I’ll scout you.”
…What? I couldn’t hide my bewildered expression as I stared blankly at Choi Yeo-hae.
What on earth is she saying all of a sudden? Scout? Me? Choi Yeo-hae?
“Now you look more like your age.”
Choi Yeo-hae laughed brightly, looking at my face. I tried to compose myself and spoke.
“Um, CEO. When you say scout…?”
“For a businessperson to stumble upon a diamond on the street and just leave it there would be neglecting their duty.”
Choi Yeo-hae smiled softly.
“It seems to have no owner, so I should quickly pick it up. Don’t you think?”
“……”
“Business isn’t easy. Probably much harder than you think. Being called ‘CEO’ isn’t always a pleasant thing.”
I know. I’ve felt it deeply firsthand.
“The fact that both failure and success are entirely your responsibility. That’s very lonely, you know.”
As she said this, Choi Yeo-hae’s eyes, gazing into space, were as dark as pitch. She must be recalling her past experiences of countless trials and tribulations.
“It’s not too late to start a business later. Why don’t you gain more experience first? Learn how a company runs, how to handle people by my side in the meantime.”
Choi Yeo-hae pulled out a cigarette from her coat pocket and rolled it between her fingers. She flicked her lighter on, but before lighting it, she looked at me with a ‘oops’ expression.
“This is a no-smoking area, right?”
“Yes.”
“I got confused for a moment. I had the smoking room at my company decorated like this cafe.”
She carefully folded the cigarette and put it back in her pocket.
“You’ve proven your ability, you’ve got guts, and big ambitions. So I’ll value you generously. Isn’t this much better than betting your life on something that may or may not succeed?”
I admit. It’s a tempting offer.
A scout offer directly from the CEO, no less. The starting salary would likely be quite generous.
Moreover, she’s not asking me to be tied to the company for life. As Choi Yeo-hae said, I could start my own business whenever I want. But the chance to join Choi Yeo-hae’s company might only come now.
If I were truly an unknowing twenty-year-old, I might have eagerly grasped that hand.
But.
While my outward appearance may be that of twenty-year-old Song Woo-yeon, my inner self is not.
“First… thank you for valuing me so highly. I didn’t expect to be scouted. A diamond on the street. That’s too flattering a description for me.”
I start with the basic skill of Koreans, humility. Lowering oneself while not appearing too servile.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to decline.”
At my response, Choi Yeo-hae’s eyebrows twitched.