Chapter 197
Chapter 197
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 197
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Adoption Proposal
-----------------------------------------------------------------
KakaoTalk!
[Shim Chaeyoon: Boss~]
[Shim Chaeyoon: Here's how the Instagram post is planned to go up. Could you take a look?]
[Shim Chaeyoon: (Photo)]
Tap. Touching the message opened it right up, revealing a photo of Shim Chaeyoon posing with the O**O churros.
The lighting was on point, like they'd put real thought into it. Snapped in a fancy photo zone with her all dressed up, holding the churros close to her face—it was practically an Insta-life shot.
[The O**O churros spot from Chef Song Uyeon, whom I truly love, respect, cherish, and adore!
Pairing that crispy churros with ice cream? So delicious! One bite and your mood skyrockets! Especially when it's warm—absolute perfection!
You all have to try it!
Location's smack in the middle of Sejong New City, super easy to find~. The shop interior's gorgeous too, perfect for those certification shots!! Swing by with friends this weekend~
If you enjoy it, share your pics with me too♥
#O**OChurros #ChurrosAndBlack #Churros #ChurrosHotSpot #FoodRecs #InstaFood #DessertHotSpot #NewCityHotSpot #SweetChurros #ChurrosLover #FoodieTour #DessertGram #SejongDesserts #Foodstagram]
Shim Chaeyoon's YouTube promos had been pretty effective so far, which was why I'd lined her up for this one too. And damn, those hashtags were on point.
Satisfied with the smooth handling, I fired back a thumbs-up emoji.
[Shim Chaeyoon: Got it, posting like this then~!]
[Shim Chaeyoon: But hey, Boss]
[Shim Chaeyoon: Mind if I ask something?]
What's up?
I sent the message, and she replied instantly, like she'd been waiting.
[Shim Chaeyoon: Usually, ads like this come through Facebook requests.]
[Shim Chaeyoon: Instagram's not unheard of, but it's kinda rare lol]
Fair point. No wonder she found it odd.
'Facebook still dominates over Instagram right now.'
Instagram user numbers were surging, sure, but when people thought SNS, Facebook was the default.
'But that's temporary. Facebook's on the way out, and Instagram's about to take over.'
Instagram especially appealed to younger crowds—the perfect match for [Churros & Black]'s target demo.
'And it's all about photo and video content.'
First thing you see on Instagram? Big, bold photos. Images and videos lead, with text as an afterthought.
'We even set up a photo zone—gotta milk it for all it's worth.'
Which was why Instagram felt like a way better fit than Facebook for maximum synergy.
Way more potential too.
'Can't exactly say I've seen Instagram blow up post-regression...'
I opted for a vague dodge instead.
[The demographic fits Instagram better. First time trying Instagram ads, and you jumped right on it—we're the grateful ones.]
[Shim Chaeyoon: No no!]
[Shim Chaeyoon: Hit me up anytime~!]
[Shim Chaeyoon: Loyalty! lol]
Cute.
I chuckled and scrolled through my contacts to a familiar name: Choi Yeohae.
Riiing.
-Hello?
"President Choi. Got a minute for a call?"
-A sec.
"Checked the sales or foot traffic for [Churros & Black] yet?"
-Timing's perfect. I was just reading the report.
Choi Yeohae's voice was bright. Made sense. [Churros & Black] had become the poster child for that "Instagram vibe," turning into a sizzling hot spot.
-Sales are solid, net profit margin's good too. Worth handing over prime real estate.
"SNS promo's going great guns too. This momentum should hold for a while."
-Thanks to you, the whole commercial district's buzzing again.
Anchor tenant doing its job. Good to hear. At least I'd save face with Choi Yeohae.
-No kidding, where'd a lucky charm like you roll in from? Never dreamed my husband had this kind of talent.
"Haha. Lee Incheol's place is raking it in too. I'm the one who should be thankful."
-Please. We've been scraping by for years. You think I don't know it's all you?
True enough.
Lee Incheol might groan if he heard, but facts were facts. Though I'd give him props for consistently nailing that flavor.
-Thanks to you, we're having a blast too. My circle's dying of envy. Heh. Wish you could've seen their faces.
Choi Yeohae let out a low chuckle. I could picture it. New Year's parties everywhere, no doubt.
Same old song and dance: fake laughs while sizing up each other's wealth, calculating angles.
She'd be numb to it by now.
'Bet the story of investing in [The Song] and striking gold came up. Venture bets are prime gossip fodder for bored rich folks.'
Peanuts for passing time. Throw money at ten spots, maybe one hits—odds are slim, but that one can multiply thousands-fold.
'[The Song]'s growth is one of the few jaw-droppers lately.'
No surprise folks were hounding Choi Yeohae for her secret sauce. Envy and jealousy had to be piling on too.
-Especially crushing Kim Jeongyun's ego? I wake up laughing in the middle of the night.
Either way, glad it helped her out.
-Running low on ammo? Just say the word. I'll front more anytime.
"Appreciate it just hearing that."
-Oh, but the amounts are getting big. Tax burden's a beast...
Choi Yeohae trailed off, mulling, then blurted it out.
-Song, wanna be my son?
"Pardon?"
Did I hear that right? I pulled the phone away, dug in my ear, then brought it back.
"Must've misheard. Say that again?"
-Wanna be my son?
"Pardon?"
-Gifting assets to non-family hits you with higher tax rates. Adult adoption's simple, quick procedure.
"......"
-Cuts taxes on investment transfers. We have no kids, you've got no parents. No nosy interference.
Take it as a low blow?
I knew she didn't mean offense, so no hard feelings.
Still left a weird taste.
I skipped the 'What the hell?' or 'You serious?' and chose my words carefully.
"...Is it even legal?"
-Well, adopting purely for tax breaks does skirt the spirit of the law a *tad*.
A tad? Felt like a mile.
-Hmph. JC's got heirs galore *and* rumored illegitimate kids sucking up capital. We're barren over here.
"JC's what?"
-Illegit kid. Rumor mill says JC's bastard used group funds to start a little company?
"......"
Was that... me?
-Not confirmed. Just party gossip. Half the leaks from there are BS anyway.
"Ah, got it."
Dodged a bullet there. That Hwang Taein director—loose lips much? Word's already circling?
Should've shut him down.
Hwang Taein wasn't dumb; he'd know rumors reaching JC ears wouldn't help.
Thought he'd keep it zipped.
Look at him, though—Hyun Taeseong's lapdog. State of the man was obvious.
Too late for regrets. I clicked my tongue and steered back.
"That said... lots to unpack. You run it by President Lee Incheol first?"
-Nope. Just occurred to me.
"......"
-But my hubby's gonna love it. Adores you to bits.
That's not quite the same thing.
Common-sense rebuttal sprang to mind, but no point voicing it. She wouldn't listen.
-Anyway, not *just* taxes. I've got my own motives.
"Motives?"
-Yeah. Can't stick around forever. No obvious heir in sight.
"You're still spry. Why worry now?"
-Gotta plan while spry, not on death's door.
Fair point.
-In my eyes, you're perfect for it.
I could picture Choi Yeohae's eyes gleaming. Explained why she eyed me like a plump, ready-to-roast chicken.
Swallowing hard, ready to devour. Guess I'd unknowingly become prime talent bait.
'A daughter... no, son...'
She tossed it out casually, but Choi Yeohae wasn't one for empty talk.
The heir talk was at least partly sincere.
'Never once thought about starting a family.'
Intentions weren't pure, sure. But parents on paper? Wild.
'No. That's not the point right now.'
I cut in firmly.
"Not interested."
Construction firm? Sounded dull as dishwater just thinking about it. I did this biz because I loved cooking—not the other way around.
If anything went, I wouldn't pick the headache of managing people and finicky ingredients in food service.
-No rush to decide.
"Told you, not interested."
-Take your time. Adult adoption, so keep your surname? Suits [The Song] fine.
"President Choi."
Was she even listening?
-Oh shoot. Meeting's starting soon. Talk later.
"President Choi? President Choi?"
Tu-tu-tu.
Called after her desperately, but dead air. Phone in hand, I stood there zoned out for a while.