Chapter 67
Chapter 67
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Not Plagiarism?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"If it's not plagiarism?"
"First off, comparing the bingsu from that other shop to our 's snowflake bingsu—even if they look similar on the surface, the texture and flavor are worlds apart.
The toppings on top and the texture of the ice were completely different.
Especially when you consider that the core of 'snowflake bingsu' is the milk ice that melts so delicately in your mouth, you can see just how big a difference that is."
How big a difference is there in the ice?
"For that, I'll borrow the words of Moon Yoo-han, who put so much effort into creating our snowflake bingsu.
Traditional bingsu machines use a crushing method, as most people know—just smashing and shaving large blocks of ice to make it fine.
On the other hand, the ice maker that Moon Yoo-han currently has a patent pending for completely flips that old principle on its head and produces powdered ice in a brand-new way.
It sprays water onto a cooled metal plate and scrapes off the instantly frozen powdered ice. It's essentially a rapid freezing method."
Rapid freezing is pretty unfamiliar. Compared to the crushing method, what's the advantage?
"The biggest advantage is how much easier hygiene management is. Since 's snowflake bingsu is all made with milk ice, managing dairy products was our top priority.
Sticking to the traditional crushing method means making blocks of milk ice and storing them frozen, which risks spoilage during the process.
Not to mention, the hassle of constantly preparing milk ice just doubles the trouble."
Thud.
I set down the printed interview article. Jo Yi-ruk sat in front of the desk, hands clasped together, waiting for my reaction.
"It's well-written. The reporter took a neutral stance and conveyed our side effectively, so readers won't feel put off."
"Yes. Just as you said, after this interview, public opinion flipped completely."
Knew it would.
"The cafe owner who posted that plagiarism controversy even publicly apologized for their rash statement."
"Good. Let's wrap it up here. No point dragging it out— it'll just wear us down."
End it on something like, "When you're doing well, envy and jealousy from those around you never stop." Perfect.
"Kang Yoo-ha handled it perfectly. You saved us."
I tapped my phone screen as I spoke.
"I had no idea you knew a reporter, sir."
"Haha. He was standing there lost like a stray puppy in the countryside, so I picked him up."
"?"
Jo Yi-ruk looked puzzled, probably thinking it was some metaphor. It was literal.
"Doesn't hurt to have connections. Sometimes they help us out, and other times I might help them."
The media is a double-edged sword, but in my current position, I could sheath it properly and draw it when needed.
"That said... I did skim through the interview content myself. But I didn't spot anything special."
Jo Yi-ruk spoke cautiously.
"The 'big corporation vs. small business owner' framing you mentioned. I've racked my brain trying to shatter that frame without revealing that we're a small company."
"You did?"
Had no idea. Must've been stressing hard.
"Even how public opinion shifted so drastically after the interview was surprising. It's too much to call it mere coincidence..."
Jo Yi-ruk looked up at me from under lowered brows. Not glaring, but steadily gauging my reaction while pushing through with what he had to say.
"You're not the type to work like that, sir."
Our Jo Team Leader. When did he grow up like this?
It felt like just yesterday I was dragging the clueless newbie around and putting him through the wringer. Now he carried himself like someone who'd been properly seasoned by society.
"Funny wordplay. Song Woo-yeon doesn't do things by coincidence."
"I didn't mean it that way."
"No, I like it. Gotta have at least one person who gets it to keep the work fun."
I flashed a grin before continuing.
"Simple. People still love rags-to-riches stories."
"Still? Wait, rags-to-riches... you mean?"
"You wouldn't know since you joined after seeing my face from day one. But generally, not many people my age are running a company as president, right?"
"True enough."
Jo Yi-ruk nodded. Hm. Thought he was just going along without resistance because he didn't know, but he did after all.
"A young entrepreneur just starting out. What a great image."
The 'youthful' vibe cancels out the 'big corporation' image. Mixing underdog and powerhouse neutralizes the backlash.
"But that's not all. Me dropping out of high school and getting my GED, growing up an orphan without parents."
Every little element plays a key role.
"If I'd been some rich kid living cushy off family money and starting a business with Daddy's cash, people would've hated it. Lots of jealousy too."
That's why I slipped some personal backstory into the interview on purpose. Not full-on sob story, but enough to make folks think, "He had it rough."
"But people's thinking is so funny. No matter what I do next, just the GED and orphan labels make them look at me kindly."
Isn't it amusing?
"They treat my background like some caste mark. No matter how successful I get, that one tag keeps me 'beneath' them."
"That's..."
"Ah, don't get me wrong—I'm not wallowing in self-pity. Just saying those traits can be assets or poison depending. Worked in our favor this time."
And I was ready to actively exploit even the scraps of sympathy coming my way.
Before regression, I hid being an orphan out of shame, but now I'm past that age.
"You... thought of all that from the start? Even that?"
"Yeah, more or less."
I figured my background would help.
"...I see."
Jo Yi-ruk nodded stiffly.
Weird. What's up with him?
We weren't super close before regression since it was a boss-subordinate thing, but he never seemed this one-sidedly intimidated.
"You think I'm gonna eat you or something?"
"Yes?"
"Nah. You just look too tense."
It was a light joke, but Jo Yi-ruk flinched. Overkill.
"I don't think I've ever scared you before, Team Leader Jo. Did I do something wrong? Oh, because I yelled at President Park Seung-jae? I'm not usually like that. You know that."
"...It's not that. With Park Seung-jae, fault was clearly on his side."
"Then?"
"I'm just..."
Jo Yi-ruk pushed up his glasses and said,
"I can't figure out what you're thinking at all, sir."
"Hm?"
"That's why I get tense without realizing. Didn't know it showed. Sorry."
"No need to apologize."
I waved it off while thinking to myself.
*Such a side effect, huh.*
The experience points piled up before regression created too wide a gap with the current Jo Yi-ruk. That gap scared him straight.
People always feel more at ease with those within their expectations.
Anyone could pull a gun mid-meal without it being weird—and it's hard to relax around someone like that. To Jo Yi-ruk, that's me.
*Tough.*
It made me reflect on my actions suddenly.
Hm. To others, I must look like some inscrutable genius. But I'm not.
I've failed plenty, got tons of flaws. Experience just covers it all.
Can't tank a brand just to show some humanity.
In cases like this, better to lean into it.
"No need to be scared."
I smiled warmly.
"We're on the same team, right?"
It happened before regression too. Folks who deified me based on my success story, following like disciples.
Awe itself isn't bad. Used right, it's a solid mental resource.
Proof: Jo Yi-ruk's face flushed with color once I reminded him we were teammates.
"...Yes!"
Our Jo Team Leader. Face so readable—what to do. I kept that thought internal.
Better for me if expressions show clearly than hide well.
"With all the stress from the franchise owners over this, pass on some consolation money and reassure them not to worry."
"Got it, sir."
"I'll step out for a bit."
"Where to?"
At Jo Yi-ruk's question, I grinned and tapped my phone screen.
[Kang Yoo-ha Reporter] glowed clearly.
"Gotta treat our lifesaver to a meal."
"Nice writing skills."
I opened the conversation first, facing the bubbling kimchi stew.
Slurp!
Even if I offered something tastier, he insisted on—insisted on—kimchi stew. Kang Yoo-ha shoved his spoon in like the boiling pot wasn't scalding.
"Ow, hot!"
Of course it is. What'd you expect?
No words for him hovering over the steaming kimchi stew like that.
Slurp.
"Ahh. Delicious. Kimchi stew's best when it's piping hot. Try some."
Looks like a pasta guy, but unexpected.
"Oh right. What'd you say? Ah, the interview? Haha. Thanks for the praise."
"Not empty flattery—really."
Before regression, did I know any reporters? I'd read countless articles by them.
But Kang Yoo-ha's interviews stand alone.
Follow the natural flow, and suddenly you're at, "Huh? Guess it's not plagiarism."
Unlike a reporter's duty to just relay facts, he's exceptional at steering the reader's thoughts. Ironic—or fitting?
"Too kind. It's 'cause you gave great material. How do you pick exactly the answers I want? Easiest interview ever. Felt like you read my mind."
"Thanks to your good questions, Reporter Kang."
"Nah, too humble."
Kang Yoo-ha laughed heartily. Mood wasn't bad.
We traded compliments, gilding each other's faces, until one offhand remark got snatched up.
"If there's ever anything I can help with next time, let me know."
"Ah!"
Just a throwaway line, but his eyes lit up. He slammed down his spoon and shouted,
"President! Ever thought about doing a TV appearance?!"