Blazing Debut at Yeonhwa Elementary
Yeonhwa Elementary School's entrance ceremony. Changbong Foods. A ramen company that sparkled into existence only to fizzle out just as quickly. Their flagship product, Yeon Ramen, featured a popular comedian as its ad model and boasted generous portions at a great price-to-value ratio. But the most crucial element—taste—was sorely lacking. Even when they handed it out for free at baseball stadiums, people took one bite, found it utterly revolting, and tossed it on the ground. A full-blown scandal.
The astonishing part? In just three years, Changbong Foods had churned out over 20 different types of ramen. When even producing one per year is a Herculean task, cranking out several showed they had real potential that couldn't be ignored.
"Changbong Foods, you say?"
"Yes. Do you know it, Dr. Lee?"
"Hmm, I've heard of it. A new company just breaking into the ramen market..."
Changbong Foods truly hit its stride in 1983, right in the thick of the ramen market's cutthroat competition. By then, Nongwon and Sanmi had deep roots in the industry. Yet Changbong rocketed to a 5% market share through sheer marketing muscle. A near-miraculous feat. Of course, unlike my past life, Hansung Food now dominates over 70% of the market, so they won't grow that big. Still, we can't just hand Changbong over to another company.
Over three years, they'd developed more than 20 ramen varieties. That meant they had the infrastructure to produce all 20. Pair that with Hansung Food's chronic production shortages, and the synergy from a merger speaks for itself.
The acquisition price will be around 15.3 billion won...
It was set to be bought out by another food company four years from now.
"Baby Miss, why the sudden interest in Changbong Foods?"
"Hehe~ It caught my eye."
"Huh?"
Dr. Lee, oblivious to the future, looked utterly baffled at the out-of-the-blue mention. Fair enough—acquiring a company isn't something I could decide alone. It needed Grandfather the Chairman's approval and Father's buy-in as Hansung Food's president above all.
Honestly, their production facilities were tempting, but Changbong's ramen lineup? A little polishing, and they'd fly off the shelves. Too good to let slip to competitors.
"I'm thinking of acquiring Changbong Foods."
"Pardon? Acquiring them? They're a brand-new outfit—do you think their president would even sell?"
"Exactly. That's why it won't be easy."
Some six-year-old barging in demanding to buy a company? They'd write me off as a lunatic nine times out of ten.
There might be a way...
As I knew, every ramen from Changbong flops. All 20 would bomb spectacularly. That gave them maybe a few years tops before collapse. R&D guzzles cash, after all.
It starts with Yeon Ramen.
Yeon Ramen was infamous in my past life for being so bad, even free samples went uneaten. Old-timers from that era described it as chewing a rag soaked in cheap oil. The broth lacked depth, clinging thickly and unpleasantly to the mouth. The noodles were gummy instead of springy, with zero chew.
As a ramen researcher, I knew exactly why Yeon Ramen failed: recipes skewed too hard on cost-cutting, portion-focused design, rushed development, poor noodle quality, and vague flavor direction. Any one flaw is fatal; five at once? A miracle it lasted that long.
Still, I lacked the funds for an acquisition. Most of Grandfather's royalties had gone into Hwanggeum Noodle Factory or elsewhere.
I've got maybe 3 billion won left...
Peanuts compared to 15.3 billion. But I wasn't worried. I'd snag it for far less. That 15.3 billion was inflated with extras. Paying over 10 billion for a company with zero hits? Foolish.
Once Yeon Ramen tanks, I'd have leverage to haggle. Down to 10 billion? Or 7 billion. Hell, even 5 billion might work.
"But Baby Miss..."
"Yes?"
"I heard you're giving the student representative speech at the entrance ceremony."
"Ah!"
Having aced Yeonhwa's notoriously tough aptitude test—the first perfect score ever—being picked for the ceremony wasn't a stretch. Me, student rep? Delivering my own written speech from the podium? Eeee!
Family triumph. No, a Hansung family milestone. Grandfather even danced a jig in front of the staff when he heard. Something about another chance to needle old man Jeong Munju.
"Baby Miss, the entrance ceremony might be even more important than ramen right now."
"Y-Yeah, you're right?"
"Yes. Chairman-nim said he's attending personally. All the other families' elders will be there too—better prepare thoroughly."
As I hesitated, Dr. Lee thumped his chest.
"Hahaha! Don't worry about Hansung Cheongmyeon. We've hit 90% on the miso from Japan. Add the flaked yubu you suggested, and we cut costs by 45% versus standard ramen. It'll be pricier, but for that taste and health angle, the premium becomes our edge. Go worry-free!"
Only then did I relax. Hansung Cheongmyeon was my first ramen post-rebirth, after all.
"Can I leave it in your hands, then?"
"Hahaha! From Hansung Jjapaghetti to now, we've been through thick and thin together. Trust me—I'll make your pockets overflow with treasure."
I chuckled. Without Dr. Lee, I wouldn't have come this far. Maybe having a reliable ally beats past-life memories.
"Then handle Changbong for me. I'll wrap up quick and be back."
"Heh heh heh, leave it to me."
We exchanged nods, eyes gleaming.
The entrance ceremony loomed.
Bickering with my nanny over outfits started at dawn.
"Baby Miss, this one's... so pretty. Try it on."
"Baby Miss, look! Oh my~ The ribbon makes you look like a princess!"
"Baby Miss, the skirt swishes so nicely—just walking would be adorable."
"Baby Miss..."
"Baby Miss..."
"Baby Miss..."
Eek! Lasers shot from her eyes. Yeonhwa gathered elite kids—entrance day kicked off the power plays, no exaggeration. It set parents' faces, family prestige, and your first impressions in one fell swoop.
Grandfather was attending too, turning Bukchangdong Mansion into morning chaos.
"All set?"
"Yes!"
Attendees: Grandfather, Mom, Dad, Woo Shijang. Group heavyweights assembled.
"Then let's roll."
We piled into the latest Pony and headed to Yeonhwa Elementary School. En route, I drilled my speech. Why? To outshine Seongbukdong's Jeong Haewon as student rep before the principal.
Pledge the oath, express joy and gratitude for admission, vow dedication and aspirations. A starting gun for fun school days with new friends.
The school field brimmed with luxury cars. Stepping out, a girl with a flower bouquet approached. Jeong Haewon of Hyundai.
"Hmph! You're doing the speech this time, but middle school rep's mine!"
Sorry, but no six-year plan for me here. I'd blaze through with Grandfather's clout.
Clueless Haewon patted my shoulder and dashed to her family. I stood dazed, then drew a deep breath of tension and excitement. Awaiting my voice echoing across campus.
Murmurs rippled. Kids I'd befriended whispered about me on stage.
"That's Han Seoyeon?"
"Yeah. She's so pretty~"
"Got a boyfriend?"
"I'll tell Dad and marry her later."
Parents gossiped too.
"Hansung's granddaughter here? And underage—early admission?"
"Heard so."
"Really? Possible?"
"Hansung makes impossible possible. Chairman Han's no ordinary man."
"Bright, beautiful child. Early admission means she's a genius too."
"Perfect score on the test, they say."
"Jealous! Link her with my son?"
"Duh? Hansung Group's no small fry. Top-tier bride material via marriage."
Embarrassed and flustered amid the buzz, I froze. Nanny's outfit was princess-level.
After the national rites and principal's address, student rep time.
I stood for 500 freshmen.
My voice shook at first, then steadied with confidence. The principal smiled approvingly.
"Fine posture and attitude. Looking forward to your school days."
Applause erupted. Grandfather and parents clapped hardest.
"Well done, my granddaughter!"
"Seoyeon, Mommy and Daddy are here!"
Ceremony over, classes assigned. But...
"Wh-what are you doing here?"
Jeong Haewon, my class rival, gawked in shock.
"Hehe~ So lucky to be in Haewon unnie's class. Or should it be just Haewon now?"
"...!"
Her lips quivered. Tears welled as emotions surged.
"S-Sis-teeeer!"