New Possibilities
I tucked the blank sheet of paper I'd received from Grandfather securely into my bosom. My loose top easily accommodated a single sheet.
"Seoyeon, did you get a building like Jihun, too?"
At my third uncle Han Suhyeok's question, I vigorously shook my head up and down. Just in case someone might notice.
"Yes."
"Really? Father must be in an unusually generous mood. Giving each grandchild a whole building..."
Everyone seemed satisfied with their gifts. My cousins had received buildings as well, and they were now chatting even more animatedly with their parents. These were prime buildings in Seoul—no small feat. If left as investments, the rental income alone would ensure a lifetime free from financial worries.
"Did everyone receive their gifts well?"
Grandfather descended slowly from the study on the second floor. From the eldest son to the youngest, all four of my uncles' faces were brighter than before. Mom and Dad were trying to hide their expressions, but they couldn't conceal the smiles creeping across their lips.
But did they know? That the gift I'd received wasn't a building like my cousins', but an absolute right from Grandfather to grant me one wish whenever I wanted.
One wish, anytime... This was practically a life insurance policy. If our family ever faced a crisis, it meant I could unconditionally call on Grandfather's aid once!
Heuung... I couldn't let my emotions show too obviously. I bit my lip slightly to keep my expression neutral and lowered my face. No need to arouse suspicion with undue excitement.
"If you've all finished your business, relax and spend time together. It's been a while since we've gathered—catch up properly."
"Yes, understood."
The moment Grandfather finished speaking, I headed straight to my room. To hide the blank paper in my bosom.
This is a secret between Grandfather and me alone. No one else can know!
After that, Seollal passed without incident. They say chaebol families are rife with discord, but surprisingly, holidays like this made us look like any ordinary family on the surface. We gathered for traditional games like yutnori, the women played go-stop, and everyone took relaxed breaks suited to their personal circumstances.
Of course, even on Seollal, I was devising strategies to conquer Ansimtangmyeon. The recipe was gradually taking shape, but it was still too early to let my guard down. Ansimtangmyeon was that formidable a product.
"What are you doing?"
Jeong Haewon, who had come to play at the Bukchangdong Mansion, asked me. Her bag was once again stuffed with thick workbooks.
"Thinking about what kind of life I'll lead from now on."
"What? Are you getting into philosophy or something?"
"Pardon? Philosophy?"
"Yeah. My grandfather says anyone who needlessly waxes poetic is a philosopher."
"Ah..."
Haewon, who'd picked it up from who-knows-where, launched into a lengthy explanation of philosophy.
"Grandfather told me that for rich folks like us, nothing's more useless than philosophy. Life is a series of choices, but you can't know if they're right or wrong until you live them. So in the end, agonizing over what life to lead is meaningless."
"That's... impressive. You seem so different all of a sudden, Haewon unnie."
"W-what!?"
Praise her once, and Haewon's nose grew like Pinocchio's.
"Hmph, hmph! I may not excel at everything, but I'm not behind in culture and refinement, you know? For two years now, I've been learning piano, violin, cooking..."
"So, bride training?"
"Kkiaeak!"
To a woman, "bride training" might sound like a compliment, but sometimes it's gaslighting. Truth be told, I wasn't pondering my life philosophy so much as how to massively expand Hansung Food.
Even with the equipment from Ando Momofuku, the core issue remained unsolved. The Japanese machinery was on rent, a temporary patch. We'd planned to buy it outright, but they insisted on rental terms. Someday, we'd have to return it. If Ando hadn't pushed so hard, we might not have even gotten the rental.
Isn't there a way?
It'd be great if I could scrounge even scraps from somewhere... But no domestic newspaper carried ads for equipment sales. Serious company acquisitions wouldn't start until at least 14 years later—pre-IMF, it was unthinkable.
Hiing...
Haewon, deep in her problems, tilted her head at my expression.
"What's up? Got worries? Spill to your cultured unnie!"
She puffed out her nonexistent chest confidently. Could I tell her? Well, I didn't expect Haewon to keep corporate secrets anyway. As the Hyundai heiress, she might know high-level info I didn't.
"Haewon unnie, do you know any companies with a lot of equipment?"
"Equipment? Companies?"
"Yeah. We're selling so much product that we need to produce tons more, but we lack the machines."
"Equipment? Production? Machines?"
Haewon set down her pencil and propped her chin on her hand.
"Uh, wait... I think I heard something from Grandfather..."
"Really?"
Haewon's grandfather was none other than Hyundai Group Chairman Jeong Munju.
"Yeah! Not sure exactly, but it was Chang... Chang-something?"
"...!"
I nearly screamed. I knew exactly which company she meant. How had I overlooked it? As Korea's top ramen researcher in my past life, how could I forget a major event from the 1980s ramen golden age?
Right! Changbong Foods!
Changbong Foods was a company that, in the 1980s, jumped into ramen cluelessly and spectacularly failed. Their business strategy was solid—cheaper prices, bigger portions. The problem? Taste, the most crucial element, was abysmal. No strategy saves a product that's inedible.
And Changbong Foods was set to enter the ramen market this year, with overwhelming production capacity. One of their future ramens would even become a legendary hit after a makeover.
I have to take Changbong no matter what!
I grabbed Haewon unnie's shoulders and shook her vigorously.
"Unnie, Haewon unnie!?"
"Huh?"
"Can you tell me about Changbong's current situation?"
I knew ramen history inside out, but not Changbong's present state. I desperately needed Haewon's help.
"Ch-Changbong?"
"Yes! Changbong Foods!"
"W-why? I could ask Grandfather..."
As Hansung's granddaughter and only daughter, I could uncover Changbong's details via Grandfather too. But seeking his help would cost something—I just didn't know what.
"Hehe~ You'll tell me, right?"
If I could snag Changbong, Hansung Food's scale could multiply several times over.
Haewon hemmed and hawed, then her eyes gleamed.
"W-well then, for a while, my h-homework..."
"Homework?"
"Yeah..."
"Ah!"
Solving problems together, I'd realized my level was beyond other kids'. That's why Haewon visited the Bukchangdong Mansion so often for tough ones—despite phone options, she wanted to see in person.
Such a request was fine.
"Sure! I'll help with the hard ones!"
"R-really? Hmph, it's not that I'm asking for help because it's hard. I just don't want to get too far ahead and leave you behind..."
"I know. Got it."
"Ahem! Then, promise?"
"Yes. And I'll copy too. Hehe~"
Thus, we sealed it with pinky swears and palm rubs, thoroughly done.
Han Seongcheol listened to Woo Shijang's report in his study.
"I heard our Seoyeon is developing Hansung Cheongmyeon. How's that coming? Ramen made with soybean paste, right?"
Woo Shijang opened the fresh report from Hansung Food.
"Yes. According to Dr. Lee, Miss Seoyeon's Hansung Cheongmyeon project has reached the prototype stage. Only taste tests and quality verification remain. Expected launch is early next quarter."
"Really? Ramen gets made just like that?"
"Hasn't everything Miss Seoyeon touches completed development in record time? Expectations for Hansung Cheongmyeon rival Hansung Jjapaghetti. Internal reviews are positive. She just wants more certainty."
"Certainty..."
His granddaughter was truly wondrous. Markets are inherently unpredictable, yet Han Seoyeon released products with the confidence of someone who knew the future—no hesitation whatsoever. Without presuming success, she couldn't have been so bold.
A true executive prepares for the worst. Project failure means financial loss, demoralized teams, personnel issues, missed opportunities, and ceding ground to rivals—a catastrophe.
Hansung Food's ramens so far proved it: each a heavyweight success, dominating over 70% market share. Woo Shijang said this year's sales would surpass last year's in under half a year. All born from his granddaughter's tiny hands.
"Heh heh heh~"
"What's so funny? A problem?"
"No, it's just that our granddaughter has such a managerial mindset. Maybe even sharper product insight than Umin or the others."
"Indeed, everything she's touched has been a massive hit."
"Heh heh heh, yes. How could I not favor her?"
What would she show next? Han Seongcheol gazed out the window, imagining how she'd shake the market. The sunlight seemed especially clear today.