Ready for the Federation of Korean Industries
"Young Miss, are you all set?"
The nanny had been bustling around unusually frantically since morning. She brought over dozens of outfits from somewhere and held each one up against my body, gauging what suited me best. Today was an incredibly special day for me.
The Federation of Korean Industries. Or FKI for short. I was going to attend with Grandfather. That must be why the nanny was rushing about.
"Aigoo, Young Miss looks so good in everything that I just can't decide which outfit to pick."
I scowled at the nanny's words. We'd already been at this for two hours.
"I'll just wear something nice and proper..."
"R-Really? That sounds good, doesn't it? Hohoho~"
Once I was fully dressed, I spun around like a princess and faced the mirror. Inside it stood a little princess straight out of a fairy tale, wearing a shy smile. Fitting for a gathering of the nation's top entrepreneurs, my outfit was an official event dress. Made of luxurious silk blending sky blue and ivory tones, with subtle embroidery along the shoulders and waistline that was sure to draw every eye. It perfectly captured the elegance of an upper-class young miss.
After getting ready, I headed to the mansion entrance, where Grandfather was waiting. But a man I'd never seen before spotted me and grinned.
"So you're Seoyeon?"
"Hello?"
"Hoo, do you know who I am?"
Looking closer, his face seemed familiar. Actually, I'd seen it in the large portrait hanging in the center of the mansion's living room.
Third son, Han Suhyeok.
Grandfather had four sons, from the eldest Han Umin to the youngest Han Seongu. Han Suhyeok was the third son of Hansung Group, in charge of the machinery division.
Hansung Group's machinery business. It would later become the foundation for growing into the nation's largest defense contractor. In the future, most of the shells used by our military would come from this man's hands—I could recall that fact clearly.
"Well then, everyone's here. Let's head out."
"Yes, Father."
I'd unintentionally gotten acquainted with Third Uncle Han Suhyeok.
＊
With tacit approval from Minister Woo Jaeha, Hansung Jjapaghetti was selling like hotcakes by the day. Right when it was vying for the top spot in the civilian market, securing military contracts was the decisive blow that nailed down dominance in the ramen industry.
Expansion of a fixed consumer base approaching 600,000. This turned Hansung Jjapaghetti from a mere popular product into a powerhouse brand conquering both military and civilian markets—a pivotal turning point.
Why am I saying this?
On Sundays, I'm the Hansung Jjapaghetti chef!
Because the man listening to that song was Han Suhyeok.
"Father, this ad's song is really well made. Whoever composed it deserves a performance bonus at this point."
"Is that so? You think the same, Suhyeok?"
"Yes. It's so catchy—it sticks in your head. I'd say at least 40% of Hansung Jjapaghetti's sales boom is thanks to this ad, no question."
The silver lining was that he hadn't figured out I was the one behind it.
A faint smile played on Grandfather's lips.
"Heh heh heh, I'll have to take care of that separately."
"Don't—introduce them to me instead. In this era, one good ad can multiply sales several times over."
"Alright, I'll make the introduction later. But when you meet the composer, you'll be in for a shock."
"Really? Now you've got me curious, just like you said."
"Heh heh heh~"
With that, Grandfather winked at me.
Oh man. Right in front of him...
I couldn't even lift my head, just stared at my fidgeting fingers.
Maybe that's why Han Suhyeok, who'd been chatting with Grandfather, suddenly turned to me.
"How old are you, Seoyeon?"
"Um... I just turned five."
"Really? You're a few years younger than my boys, but you seem so mature. How are Seongu and your mom doing?"
"Yes..."
I gave a short reply and dropped my gaze to the floor again. I felt like if I said any more, I might slip up.
Was speaking so clearly, unlike a five-year-old, a mistake? My heart pounded wildly.
"You have no idea how shocked I was at your doljanchi party. You suddenly boosted the whole group's morale."
"I don't really remember that..."
"Fair enough. Kids don't even remember yesterday's side dishes, let alone something from back then."
Phew, what a relief. I actually remembered it crystal clear but played dumb.
But Grandfather's expression was growing weirder by the second. His lips twitched sweetly—he looked like he was dying to brag about my genius right then.
Mom and Dad couldn't come today. Dad was too busy with the Hansung Jjapaghetti military contracts, and Mom hadn't yet earned the right to attend such events. Even though she'd given birth to me, the former singer, and won Grandfather's approval, the rest of the group hadn't fully accepted her.
As the only daughter born into the all-boy Hansung family, my mere existence carried a peculiar significance. That was why others didn't outright reject me. Instead, they'd probe with questions or watch my reactions a few times.
"Eldest Brother was supposed to come, but he's away on overseas branch business. Second Brother, right above me, is swamped too. So I stepped in."
Hansung Group's vice chairman, eldest son Han Umin, was touring Europe for overseas expansion. Officially a business trip, but rumors swirled it was groundwork for succession battles. True to his position as firstborn, he'd already built solid operations and connections within the group.
Filling in today was third son Han Suhyeok. He might look like a neighborhood jogger from his expression, but he was no one to underestimate.
"Oh, come to think of it, you'll be starting kindergarten soon, won't you, Seoyeon?"
"Yes..."
"Father, Father!"
Han Suhyeok cautiously called to Grandfather, who was staring intently out the window.
"What is it?"
"Seoyeon's our family's only daughter. We can't just send her to any kindergarten, right? With all the eyes on us..."
"I know."
"Oh? You already decided?"
Grandfather glanced at me for a moment.
"Gangnam's been buzzing lately, hasn't it?"
"Yeah, all that talk about private kindergartens there."
Han Suhyeok nodded.
"One of them has Chairman Jeong Munju of Hyundai's granddaughter."
"Huh? So you're saying..."
"Heh heh, you caught on. It's the perfect chance to mess with that damn old coot. Right, Seoyeon?"
"...Yes."
Ah, I'd finally pieced together Grandfather's intentions.
Grandfather had one close friend: Hyundai Group's Chairman Jeong Munju. In my past life, Hansung was 7th in the industry rankings while Hyundai was a step ahead at 6th. Even now, people rated Hyundai higher than Hansung.
Grandfather always grumbled about it. Of course, without me, history would have followed its original course. In short, he subtly hoped my genius would thoroughly crush that girl.
"His granddaughter's coming today too. What was her name again?"
"Jeong Haewon, I think?"
"Right? Anyway, it'd be great if our Seoyeon could show that old man's granddaughter what true justice looks like. Kahahahaha~"
"Oh ho, if that's the case, I'm looking forward to it too. Chairman Jeong's always teased you, Father."
"Grr..."
Thinking back now, even as the Hansung family's only daughter, there was no real reason for me to attend a gathering of top conglomerate chairmen. But now I got it—Grandfather wanted me to avenge him by proxy.
Sigh...
I secretly shook my head with a sigh.
＊
The Federation of Korean Industries event was held at the nation's most luxurious hotel.
This place...
I swallowed hard as soon as we entered the lobby. Massive crystal chandeliers hung everywhere like clusters of stars. Thousands of glass pieces sparkled softly in the light, as if the night sky's starlight had been brought indoors.
"Isn't that Chairman Han? Heard you're making a killing with ramen these days—impressive at your age."
"Oh~ Chairman Kang. Congrats on the new grandson last year."
"Kahahaha, what congrats between us!"
Amid the boisterous laughter, Chairman Kang threw his head back and spotted me.
"Who's this little girl?"
"Who else? My granddaughter."
"Really? Good thing she doesn't take after you."
"You punk! I heard your grandson doesn't look a bit like you—lucky, huh?"
"Is that so? Kahahaha~"
"Kekeke~"
Haa... Even conglomerate chairmen couldn't escape bragging about their kids, it seemed. They were busy stinging each other like hornets.
Third Uncle Han Suhyeok had already vanished, probably off to mingle with his own crowd.
I turned my gaze to the children's waiting room beside the lobby. There, a girl was staring right at me. She was a bit taller than me.
"Hey, you're that famous Han Seoyeon, right?"
"Yes. And who are you?"
"Me? Ahem! I'm the granddaughter of mighty Hyundai Group."
"Hyundai Group?"
"Yep. One of the top five richest in the country?"
"......"
She must be Chairman Jeong Munju of Hyundai's granddaughter that Grandfather mentioned. What was her name again?
"Jeong Haewon unnie?"
"Jeong Haewon!"
Damn. My ears hurt. Jeong Haewon yelled right in my ear, even though she wasn't deaf.
"So, Jeong Haewon unnie?"
"Jeong Haewon!"
Whatever. What's the difference? Just one consonant off...
I glanced sideways—she'd been studying. Chaebol kids sure had it tough, not letting go of books even here.
"What's this?"
At my question, Jeong Haewon's shoulders perked up.
"Hmph! Prepping for elementary school early. Palmun Math's all the rage these days."
Ah, I'd heard of Palmun Math too.
"Wanna trade problems, one each?"
Preemptive strike? I'd heard from Third Uncle that chaebol kids competed like this. No reason to refuse.
"Anything?"
"Yeah!"
"Really, anything?"
"I said yes."
"Okay."
"Hoho, you'll be shocked by what my teacher taught me."
Then Jeong Haewon posed the first problem. We naturally huddled up, squatting in one corner of the kids' room.
"Okay, here's mine~ 37 times 24 times 82 divided by 2?"
"36,408."
"...!"
I answered without hesitation, and Jeong Haewon's eyes went wide. She looked stunned, probably not expecting mental math.
Hehe~ My turn now.
"Okay, my problem."
"G-Go ahead... try me."
Jeong Haewon puffed out her chest confidently.
She must know at least this much, being from her family.
I recalled something from the newspaper recently and recited it verbatim. Not a tough one—just something you'd know from reading papers regularly.
Chaebol kids read economic news from young, right? Grandfather had told me that.
"Last fiscal year, what was Hyundai Steel's Q1 revenue growth? I saw it in the paper but didn't get it. You've grown up at Hyundai, so you must know, Haewon unnie?"
"........................Huh?"
Caught off guard, steam practically rose from Jeong Haewon's head. She counted on her fingers, folding them one by one, then mumbled evasively.
"Th-That’s......................uh?"