Rat in the Poison (2)
Go Seoksu gnawed at his nails day in and day out. He scanned the office here and there with anxious eyes, terrified that someone else might be lurking who knew he was Nongwon's spy.
"Ugh...."
He let out a low groan and pretended to work diligently. There was an old saying: the thief has tender feet. It felt like it was made just for him right now. No one had said anything. No one had cast a suspicious glance his way. And yet, even the slightest noise made his heart drop. The sound of footsteps in the hallway had his shoulders trembling, wondering if it was the audit team coming for him. When other employees laughed, he couldn't help but think they were talking about him.
Go Seoksu forced his gaze down to the documents. Did he look that pitiful? One of the female employees approached him—the ever-popular Song Yeongmi from Research Team 3.
"Manager Go?"
"Huh? Oh, Researcher Song? Wh-what brings you here?"
"Are you feeling okay? Your forehead is covered in sweat...."
At her concerned question, Go Seoksu vigorously shook his head.
"N-no, I'm fine. It's just Monday, you know? Mondays after the weekend always hit me like this...."
"Whoa! You too, Manager Go? Mondays always make my mood just plummet."
A brief silence fell between them. Song Yeongmi's eyes sparkled as she spotted Dr. Lee heading toward the research building.
"But isn't it amazing?"
"Wh-what is?"
Go Seoksu jumped, and she tilted her head.
"Why are you so startled, Manager? Are you really not feeling well?"
"N-no... You just came out of nowhere."
"Oh, really?"
Taking it at face value, she continued. "Research Team 1. Their concept that could replace black bean noodles honestly surprised me. Everyone else drags in something flashy from overseas for new ramen. And this time, it happened to be that hit from Japan."
"...Yeah."
"But Dr. Lee from Team 1 took everyday black bean noodles from the neighborhood and turned it into ramen. You might think it's no big deal, but as a fellow researcher, I'd call it brilliant. Personally, it's got me interested."
"What? In-interested?"
She looked at him like he'd said something absurd. "You're on the same Research Team 1, Manager Go—how don't you know? Dr. Lee's the hottest topic in the company right now."
"......"
"Does he have a girlfriend? Or is he thinking marriage? Rumor has it he got the biggest raise this time."
Just Hansung Jjapaghetti alone was a massive achievement from Dr. Lee. But he didn't stop there. Sichuan Hansung Jjapaghetti and Haeguri too. Every product was a smash hit.
"I hear Haeguri's shooting an ad soon? Wow! If they film in the studio, we'll get to see that famous actress Yoo Harin."
Song Yeongmi was a fan of Yoo Harin herself. The epitome of innocent beauty, Yoo Harin had made a surprise appearance in the Hansung Jjapaghetti ad and was now idolized as the nation's little sister.
"Anyway, ask Dr. Lee later if he has a girlfriend. You're on the same team, right?"
"...Got it."
"Hehe, I'll treat you if you do. Who knows? Maybe he'll end up feeding me rice cake soup someday."
Go Seoksu screamed internally at her bold declaration. As if. Of course, he didn't dare say it out loud.
"Haha, sure, treat me if it works out...."
"Yep! I'll leave it to you then, Manager Go. I'm heading back to the research building. Fighting!"
"......"
As Song Yeongmi left, he let out heavy sighs—one after another. He was suddenly craving a smoke more than ever.
"Whew...."
Did they even know? That a little monster lived in Hansung Food. It had taken Go Seoksu hearing it multiple times to finally believe it.
When he first heard, he'd scoffed. A kid shaking up the company? Ridiculous. But as truths emerged one by one, his sneer faded.
Hansung Jjapaghetti. Sichuan Hansung Jjapaghetti. And finally, Haeguri. All market-shaking hits born from that child's hands. If Dr. Lee hadn't taught him, he'd never have known.
"Guess I need a smoke."
As he grabbed his turtle ship cigarettes and headed for the rooftop, a man in a sharp black suit quietly blocked his path.
"Manager Go Seoksu?"
"Yes? Who might you be?"
The man subtly gestured for him to follow. "From headquarters' Strategic Planning Office. You're Go Seoksu, right? Director Woo wants to see you. Immediately."
"D-Director Woo? Me?"
"Yes. Aren't you Go Seoksu?"
"I-I am, but...."
"I've already informed President Han Seongu, so just come quietly. If you can't, well, we'll have to hand you to the audit team."
"Uh...?"
Director Woo—the grim reaper of Hansung Group. At that thought, Go Seoksu squeezed his eyes shut. They finally found out. Like a condemned man, he trudged after the man.
Hansung Food's Manager Go Seoksu. Or, in other words, Nongwon's lackey. In this era, rivals planted spies, badmouthed each other, and if push came to shove, openly bit at weaknesses. It was commonplace.
I glanced at the man beside me. Director Woo of the Strategic Planning Office—second only to Grandpa in power—sat silently with his hands clasped.
"So the young miss is saying there's a Nongwon mole in our Hansung Group? Manager Go Seoksu, no less?"
"Yes. I thought Grandpa needed to handle this major incident personally."
"Then why tell me instead of going to Chairman-nim?"
"I figured Uncle Woo would handle it perfectly. Grandpa's swamped with other things anyway. Hehe~"
"Sigh... Sometimes, young miss, you're downright scary."
No matter that I was the Han family's only daughter, I was still just a kid. For her to pinpoint a company spy so casually? Enough to chill Director Woo to the bone.
And there was a reason for his reaction.
"Manager Go Seoksu was someone I had my eye on."
"...!"
This was news to me. I never imagined Director Woo himself had placed Go Seoksu in Hansung Food.
I'd learned Go Seoksu's true identity years later from Grandpa's autobiography. No name namedropped, but context pointed to the ramen Team 1 guy leaking to rivals. His shady glances had always rubbed me wrong.
"He's sharp, good at his job. I thought he'd support the untested young master at Food, but I never dreamed it'd backfire like this."
Director Woo unconsciously pulled out a cigarette.
"......"
Then he saw me and crushed it in his fist. His face flushed beet red with fury.
"I have no face to show you, young miss. I'm sorry."
"No, it's fine. Having you by Grandpa's side makes me feel so secure."
"Really?"
"Yes! So don't blame yourself too much...."
Knock knock! Speak of the devil. The star of this show entered Director Woo's office.
"H-hello? Go Seoksu from Hansung Food Research Team 1...."
"You bastard."
Ah! It was 1982, after all. An era where beatings and violence were justified. Schools saw teachers slapping cheeks or caning students "out of love" as routine. The military glorified hazing as "discipline." Swear words? Minor stuff.
"Young miss, why don't you take a tour of headquarters? Looks like Director Go and I need to talk."
"Sure~"
"I've arranged for Agent Gong from Strategic Planning to escort you. Ahem."
"Hehe~ Take your time~"
I shot a pitying glance at the ashen-faced Manager Go Seoksu. Director Woo of Hansung Group's Strategic Planning—no one but Grandpa knew his past. But now? I had an inkling.
His forearms were rock-solid, enough to impress a 20-year gym rat.
"Young miss, this way."
Agent Gong came to greet me personally.
"Eek! D-Director Woo? I mean—guwaaack!"
Something like an unidentified scream echoed from behind the door, but whatever.
Haeguri ad filming was right around the corner.
"Oh my, Seoyeonie!"
Today was the meeting with Director Kim Wooyoung and Yoo Harin. I was almost six now. Lately, aside from occasional spats with Jeong Haewon at kindergarten, life had been peaceful.
Hansung Jjapaghetti kept selling strong. Sichuan hit big in winter for its spice. Haeguri boomed from the combo trend with Jjapaghetti—people mixing the two ramen packs like crazy. I'd accelerated the ramen-mixing era ahead of its historical timeline.
The Olympics-targeted Haeguri ad. Normally ads shot pre-launch, but Grandpa and I deliberately released first, filming after. For this exact moment.
Hehe~
"Hello?"
"Oh, our Seoyeon looks even prettier than before. You could be an idol now. Hehe~"
My mom, Yoon Chaeun, was a former celebrity. Not just any—a top star in Korea. Genes don't lie.
"But have you settled on the ad actress? With Harin hosting radio now, it's hard to replace her...."
Ad content mattered, but casting was just as crucial.
"Yes. We have someone in mind."
Yoo Harin was at peak fame, sure. But I had another in mind.
"Someone to replace Harin?"
I nodded firmly at Director Kim Wooyoung's question.
"Yes. Exactly. She lives at my house."
"...Pardon? What do you mean?"
She's right here. Retired now, but her past glory unmatched by anyone.
"My mom."