The Rat in the Poison Jar (1)
Hansung Food's domestic ramen market share had finally surpassed 55%. In my previous life, Samyang held 60%, but now it had shrunk to 30%, and Nongwon hadn't crossed 10% since bearing the massive risk of their Tadomyeon flop.
"Uwihit!"
Just a few days ago, I'd gotten a whopping 2.5 billion won from Grandpa. Way more than the previous 2 billion. It was money sucked straight from his marrow.
I already had the Chilgyejang production contract with Hwanggeum Noodle Factory, plus all the upcoming ramens. Until the day Hansung Food became Korea's top food company and I set up thousands of convenience stores nationwide as planned!
It was like a parade of money pits waiting for me. Money's always better when you've got more of it.
"Young miss, must be nice. Getting such a fat allowance from the Chairman."
Allowance? No, it's royalty. Royalty! Anyway, with this 2.5 billion, I figured I should snag an apartment at least. If I'm buying, Gangnam's the spot, right?
Apartments had started popping up in Gangnam since the '70s, and now the government was pushing Yeongdong district development, with massive complexes going up left and right.
But I had zero intention of messing around with real estate. Honestly, develop in bulk, sell later when land prices skyrocket, and it'd print money. But ramen? It was a brutal battlefield where you couldn't see even an inch ahead. Yesterday's smash hit turned into inventory scrap tomorrow—that was the ramen world.
Get complacent on a bestseller, and some freak product could blindside you from nowhere. Thanks to me, ramen history had already veered way off course. Nongwon was stumbling from Tadomyeon, sure, but they weren't dead yet.
Still, it put me in a great mood.
Surprisingly, Haeguri was selling like hotcakes even without ads. It was the perfect partner for Hansung Jjapaghetti—and the top contributor to scoring this 2.5 billion.
The Perfect Combo of Hansung Jjapaghetti and Haeguri! Capturing Consumer Taste Buds!
Hansung Food's Strategy Hits Home—Overturning Market Expectations Once Again!
Ramen Market Breaks 55%... Is Hansung Food Solidifying Its Monopoly?
Hansung Jjapaghetti + Haeguri Set Purchases Surge! Retailers Stunned!
'Heh heh heh, hee hee hee!'
"Young miss, keep laughing like that and you'll get wrinkles on your forehead later."
"Eh..."
The nanny swooped in and yanked my pudgy cheeks with both hands.
"You can't keep making faces like that, young miss."
"Uweck!"
Her iron grip had me stomping my feet. My cheeks hurt that much.
"I-I p-promise I w-won't anymore~"
Once freed from her clutches, I snuck a peek at the back of her hand. She nagged me daily while staying by my side, but she was the most trustworthy person around. When I burned the midnight oil plotting the future, she'd warm milk and bring it over.
"Nanny, let's go shopping!"
"Shopping?"
"Yeah. Real necessary shopping!"
I grinned at her.
＊
The only spot for shopping back then? One place.
In my past life, you could buy anything offline or online, but sadly, no internet yet.
Maybe snag a home computer later? Household PCs were starting to spread now. Osan Electronics' SPC series would drop in 1982—right around then. Perfect timing, since Grandpa handpicked a special guest.
"Good morning, young miss."
"Yes. Good morning to you too, Director Woo."
"All set? Shall we go?"
Director Woo opened the Pony's back door like a dashing prince. The nanny, who was most intimidated by him, was already on eggshells.
"Y-young miss, what's going on today that Director Woo's coming with us?"
"Hee hee, you'll see when we get there."
"B-but he's the group's real power player..."
Rumors said he could flick execs off a cliff with one finger. The nanny was terrified.
We arrived at Hyundai Department Store, an affiliate of the Hyundai Group, in Director Woo's car. Located in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, it was packed even on a weekday.
A white-gloved attendant spotted our car, bowed deeply, and opened the door.
"We've heard the news. I'm Vice President Kim Taehoon, in charge of Hyundai Department Store Sogong-dong. Allow me to escort you."
No way... I thought he was just an attendant, but it was the VP himself. Talk about Hansung family's influence.
"I'm the director of strategic planning for Hansung Group. Just call me Director Woo."
"An honor to meet Hansung's Director Woo in person."
Like a highway VIP pass, we entered through the exclusive VIP entrance, not the regular one. The nanny walking beside us gaped, speechless for ages.
"Young miss, young miss. Isn't this place super expensive?"
"Super expensive!"
"Th-then why here?"
"To buy you a gift, nanny."
"Me? Young miss, what do you mean? Why my gift?"
"You've worked so hard for me. And it's not just here—we'll shop more."
Who else would look after my people if not me? I glanced at her outfit. She always wore the same clothes. Maids in chaebol homes usually had some personal greed, but not her. She only wished for my happiness.
"Vice President?"
"Yes, Miss Seoyeon. Need anything specific?"
In the near future, this Hyundai Department Store would go to Hyundai's granddaughter, Jeong Haewon. Times like this showed the power of blood ties, school ties, regional ties.
I clasped my hands neatly, heels together, and bowed slowly at the perfect angle—prim enough for adults to praise.
"Hello. I'm Han Seoyeon, from the same kindergarten as Haewon unnie."
"Oh, really? I'm deeply impressed to meet Hansung's only daughter, Kim Taehoon."
"Haewon unnie talks about you. Said there's a nice person here."
"...Haewon talks about a nobody like me?"
Of course she hadn't. Just some flattery to butter him up. Bonus: his smile stretched ear to ear.
"This is my nanny, who's always taken care of me. We're here to buy her clothes."
"Then Hyundai Department Store offers the nation's best quality and service. This way, please."
After that, it was predictable. Staff swarmed, trying outfits on the nanny. I'd foot the bill, naturally.
"Young miss."
"Yes."
Director Woo approached.
"Where to next?"
"Ah! After the department store? Looking at apartments."
"...Apartments? Are you planning to buy real estate as a personal asset?"
I'd considered it. Seoul apartments being built now would turn into billions just sitting. Money printer, basically.
But I had no plans to make bank on real estate. Why park cash there for decades? Develop one killer ramen, collect royalties—done.
After billions flowed to me via Grandpa, Director Woo's gaze shifted. Not my imagination.
"No. I don't plan to grow money through real estate."
"Then?"
"It's a gift for the nanny. And later, every servant in our Hansung house will get a Seoul apartment. Like you said, Seoul real estate rises just holding it."
"Impressive. Thinking that far ahead at your age."
He murmured softly.
"Houses for every servant..."
"Why? Did I mess up?"
"No. You'll make a great CEO one day, young miss."
"...Me?"
I pointed at myself; he nodded.
"Plenty of execs make big money. Good execs? Rare."
Director Woo eyed the nanny picking clothes.
"That's why good execs gather trusty aides. They do business where people stick around, not just cash."
I listened quietly. Praise from him was precious.
He met my eyes straight.
"You'll be that kind of boss, young miss."
＊
The nanny was at a loss. The gift was too big.
Trembling as she clutched the keys to a new Gangnam apartment, she kept asking if it was really okay.
"Y-young miss."
"Just keep it, nanny. It'll make you big money later."
"B-but..."
She kept refusing, so I put hands on hips and looked up.
"If you don't take it, I'll throw a tantrum!"
"Y-young miss..."
"It's thanks for all you've done. You carry it proudly—makes our whole house proud."
"......"
Her doe eyes welled up instantly.
Hee hee... Had spending money ever felt this rewarding?
Soon, Haeguri ads and official Chilgyejang Bowl Ramen would launch. I'd be swamped even with ten bodies.
Nanny's stuff done—one last thing.
I recalled the rat who'd snuck into Dad's Hansung Food like a vermin.
Supervisor Ko Seoksu. Time to trap the rat.
No need for me to do it personally. Hansung Group had its top hunter.
"Director Woo."
"Yes, young miss."
"Got time for a quick chat?"
He tilted his head. I'd only met with Grandpa, the top dog.
"With me, young miss?"
"Hee hee, something important to say."
I curved a faint smile.
"Care to catch a rat hiding in its hole?"