Chapter 25
Chapter 25
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: The Scout Offer
-----------------------------------------------------------------
So, it was when I sat down across from Choi Yeo-hae.
Clink.
The hand setting down the teacup was etched with fine wrinkles. Traces of time that had settled with elegant grace.
Her fingertips flowed like water as she placed her hands neatly folded on her lap. Thanks to her crossed legs, her sleek dress shoes caught the eye sharply.
A glamorous beauty.
Even at her advanced age, Choi Yeo-hae possessed features that hinted at the stunning looks of her youth.
She exuded a distinctive refined aura, as if she knew exactly what suited her.
Her hair was styled in thick curls, her makeup heavy. Yet her skin was white and flawless. Not a single blemish or age spot in sight.
Even a stranger would look at Choi Yeo-hae and easily guess, "Ah, that person must be loaded."
"Song Woo-yeon, right? That's the name."
Her tone was gentle, but I knew the sly fox hiding beneath.
"Yes, President. Nice to meet you. Here's my card."
As I handed over my business card, a glint of interest flickered in Choi Yeo-hae's eyes.
"Did you hear it from someone?"
"Pardon?"
"That I prefer being called 'President' over 'Madam.'"
Of course, I'd heard it hundreds of times before my return. But I couldn't say that, so I just smiled warmly.
"You're the president of Han-do Construction, after all. It's only natural."
"Hmm. People introduced by my husband keep calling me Madam."
Choi Yeo-hae didn't even bother hiding her sensitive nature.
Or rather, it would be more accurate to say she saw no need to.
"I'm here to meet the president of Han-do Construction, not Owner Lee In-cheol's wife."
"Your face looks young, but that silver tongue of yours rivals any regular client."
It sounded sharp at first glance, but that was Choi Yeo-hae's way of giving praise. No need to take offense.
'I pointed out multiple times that her blunt speech would tank her business.'
But since I was the one seeking investment, I held back any unnecessary comments.
"You're something else. I heard you were just a kid, but you wanted to meet me first, so I was pretty surprised."
Choi Yeo-hae smiled faintly as she lifted her teacup again. After taking a sip, she continued in her refined manner.
"I'd been wanting to meet you myself, so it worked out perfectly."
"What an honor. You wanted to see me."
"Anyone in business would feel the same, wouldn't they?"
Choi Yeo-hae gazed at me steadily with what seemed like a warm look, gauging my reaction.
"It's embarrassing to say it myself, but I've long passed the days of worrying about money. My husband's crumbling gukbap joint? It's just a hobby I can afford to indulge."
Envy. Lee In-cheol.
"I married him because I liked that stubborn side of his. No urgent need for cash, so why snatch away his honest hobby? As long as he doesn't stray into weird places, that's good enough."
Choi Yeo-hae scoffed, saying she'd seen plenty like that in this world.
"So I wasn't paying much attention. But then one day, I checked the bank statements, and lo and behold, my husband was making money?"
Choi Yeo-hae smiled, her eyes crinkling softly.
"So I thought, ah, this guy's finally dipped into something shady."
"Pardon?"
"I figured he'd picked up gambling somewhere. Beginner's luck, maybe."
Wasn't her trust in Lee In-cheol a bit too low? Stunned, I stared at her, and she let out a chuckle like it was the funniest thing.
"Isn't it? Suddenly doing something he's never done before. I thought, well, something big must've gone down. So I investigated behind his back, grilled him directly... and what do you know? That failing gukbap joint had turned into the neighborhood hotspot overnight."
All thanks to mine and Lee In-cheol's relentless efforts, of course.
"Sales shot up over 1,000%. Dramatic growth in under six months. Even new city developments don't boost real estate that fast. Word spreads quietly among those in the know."
"Haha..."
"I know my husband best. He doesn't have the chops to pull off something like this. So that leaves just one person."
Choi Yeo-hae beamed at me.
"Song Woo-yeon. The new part-timer they hired. ...Though now I see you're no ordinary part-timer."
She muttered while spinning my business card between her fingers. There, boldly printed, was [The Song] CEO.
"[The Song]?"
"I assume Owner Lee In-cheol has already told you the purpose of today's meeting."
"Right. He said it was for investment, so I wondered why invest in a thriving gukbap joint."
"It's not Hapjae Neighborhood Gukbap 0212 I'm seeking investment for. That's just one of [The Song]'s franchise brands."
I snapped my fingers, and the beam projector lit up, displaying the prepared PPT.
That's why I rented out this place specifically.
"Hoo."
Choi Yeo-hae turned her gaze to the PPT with evident interest.
"Then, from here on, I'll present [The Song]'s vision and business direction."
Now it was my stage.
"...And that's it."
Clap, clap, clap.
Choi Yeo-hae gave a light applause.
"I heard it well. The presentation was clean and easy to follow."
"Thank you for the praise."
"Not empty words. This is exactly the kind of PPT presentation I've always wanted. I should show it to my staff."
Damn right. Whose skills are these?
When [The Song] was just starting to sprout, we were no more than a startup ourselves. Sure, we'd saved a decent chunk from running the restaurant, but business demanded far more capital.
Whenever the company wobbled, we'd hold investor pitch meetings everywhere, urging external funding.
The way I gritted my teeth and honed myself back then... Even recalling it now brings tears to my eyes.
"Hard to believe this came from a twenty-year-old. You wouldn't be a North Korean spy sent down, would you? You're too good—it's suspicious."
"Haha. If you're really suspicious, go ahead and report me. Just give me some investment as 'consolation money.'"
"Oh my. Listen to you. It's like a seasoned forty-something businessman squeezed into a young body."
Shaman?
She could set up a mat and do readings.
"Hmm... Alright, President Song Woo-yeon. Great presentation."
Choi Yeo-hae's tone shifted in an instant.
The languid expression sharpened. The doting tone toward a much younger kid vanished, replaced by president-to-president respect.
"I understand that [The Song], though still small, has demonstrated the president's passion and real capability through the main Hapjae Neighborhood Gukbap 0212 and its branch. The vision and future plans were detailed and solid."
Starting with praise, as expected.
"Many startup presidents chase pipe dreams or brim with overconfidence. But you based your growth projections on realistic data, which was excellent."
"Thank you."
"But."
Here comes the real talk.
Choi Yeo-hae eyed me like a predator sizing up if the prey before her was worth eating.
"It's a brand-new company, so I'm hesitant to invest right away. Sure, you call it [The Song] grandly, but what does the company really have?"
Oof.
"The Hapjae Neighborhood Gukbap 0212 brand? Two shops hardly make a brand. In my view, there's only one thing differentiating [The Song] from other startups."
Her piercing gaze drilled into me.
"You, Song Woo-yeon."
She saw right through me. As Choi Yeo-hae said, the current [The Song] was no different from an empty thatched hut.
But surely someone like her would recognize the potential. I opened my mouth to argue.
"I understand the anxiety over investing in such a fledgling company..."
"That's why I'm saying."
Choi Yeo-hae abruptly cut me off.
She pulled a business card from her wallet and slid it toward me.
"How about this instead? I'll scout you."
...Pardon? I couldn't hide my bewilderment, staring blankly at Choi Yeo-hae.
What was this all of a sudden? Scout me? Her?
"Now you look your age."
Choi Yeo-hae laughed merrily at my face. I hurriedly composed myself and spoke.
"President, by scout, you mean...?"
"A businessperson who finds a diamond on the street and leaves it there is neglecting their duty."
Choi Yeo-hae smiled softly.
"Looks like it doesn't have an owner. I should snatch it up quick, right?"
"......"
"Business won't be easy. Far harder than you think. Being called 'president' isn't all fun and games."
I knew. I'd felt it in my bones.
"Failure or success—all on you. It's awfully lonely."
As she said that, gazing into space, Choi Yeo-hae's eyes darkened like pitch black. Probably reminiscing on her hard-fought years.
"You can start a business later—it's not too late. Gain some experience first. Learn how a company runs, how to handle people, by my side."
Choi Yeo-hae pulled a cigarette from her coat pocket and put it between her lips. She flicked her lighter on, then paused with an "oh" expression and looked at me.
"No smoking here, right?"
"Yes."
"Slipped my mind. I decorated my company's smoking room like a cafe."
She carefully tucked the cigarette back into her pocket.
"You've proven your ability firsthand, got guts, big ambitions. So I'll offer a generous salary. Better than betting your life on uncertain ventures, don't you think?"
I admit it. A tempting proposal.
A scout offer straight from the president—no skimping on starting salary, I'd bet.
Plus, it didn't mean being chained to the company forever. Business could start anytime I wanted, as she said. But joining her company? Probably now or never.
If I were the clueless twenty-year-old Song Woo-yeon, I might've grabbed that hand.
But.
My appearance might be that twenty-year-old Song Woo-yeon, but not my insides.
"First... thank you for the high regard. The scout offer was unexpected. A roadside diamond? Too much for me."
Starting with the Korean basic skill: humility. Lower myself without groveling too much.
"Appreciate the offer, but I'll have to decline."
At my response, Choi Yeo-hae's eyebrow twitched.