First Come, First Served
The first to grab it owns it. Changbong Foods had launched Yeon Ramen. But contrary to their initial goal of cheap prices and generous portions, it disappointed the curious and expectant public.
The media unleashed a barrage on Changbong. Every day, newspapers passionately poured out critical articles.
'It's finally here!' The chance to acquire Changbong had come to me.
In the domestic ramen market, Hansung, Nongwon, and Sanmi were the main players locked in fierce competition. As always, whoever led would eventually rot. People had eagerly awaited a new ramen company, hoping for something as delicious as Hansung Jjapaghetti, but what they got was trash not even worth giving away.
But I alone knew the truth in this world. Those ramen products would later, through some company's hands, transform into massive hits.
In the original timeline, even I would have been impressed by Changbong Foods' moves. After three rounds of earnest persuasion, they hired a famous comedian for ads, acquired an entire baseball team, and brought in a reserve general from the Hanahoe as president, securing military supply contracts and shocking the world by becoming a military supplier.
The problem? The variable named me standing in Changbong's path. As the only daughter of the Hansung family—Han Seoyeon—I unintentionally upended all their plans while developing Hansung Jjapaghetti. I confronted Grandpa and pulled in the Minister of National Defense to preempt their military contracts. I also met Choi Youngseok, president of the Korea Baseball Organization, to block any competitors' products except Hansung ramen from entering.
For Changbong, it was a double whammy. Unlike my past life, their steps were growing heavier by the moment. They needed sales to keep cash flowing, but from the start, their funding lifeline was choked off by me.
"Young miss, everything's ready."
Today, I was heading to Changbong Foods with Dr. Lee. Their pride had plummeted to the basement's third floor after Yeon Ramen's failure—not just fallen, but crawling down the emergency stairs. In times like these, you had to yell "Go!" to stay a step ahead.
I currently had about 7.5 billion won on hand. Adding the 4.5 billion Grandpa just gave me to the existing 3 billion made 7.5 billion. That should be enough to swallow Changbong Foods whole.
Changbong Foods was located on the outskirts of Seoul. They had a large six-story building and, 100 meters away, a massive factory. Surprisingly, it seemed like a proper food company with everything in place.
As we approached, a security guard raised his hand to stop us.
"What brings you here?"
"Ah! We're here to see your president."
"The president?"
He scanned our appearances.
"Why the president? Do you have an appointment?"
"No, we don't."
"Well, then it might be tough to meet him…."
Oh no. So the president was a real gatekeeper. Dr. Lee wouldn't cut it, so I had no choice but to step forward.
"Hello?"
The guard's face lit up with a warm smile at the greeting from a girl not even reaching his waist.
"Hi there. Is the man next to you your dad?"
"No, he's an employee from my family."
"Huh? What do you mean, family employee?"
"Please tell the president inside that Han Seoyeon, granddaughter of Hansung Group, is here."
"What?"
For a while, the guard stood with his mouth half-open, blinking in disbelief, as if rewinding what he'd just heard in his head.
Aigoo…
Being born into a chaebol family wasn't all advantages.
"Please tell him Han Seoyeon from Hansung Group is here."
"B-but you look like just a little kid…."
"Age doesn't matter in business~"
"A-alright. Wait here just a moment. I mean, please wait!"
No sooner had he spoken than the guard bolted into the building like a shot.
How much time passed? A middle-aged man came rushing out beside the guard. He looked like the president.
"Excuse me, who might you be?"
"Hello? I'm Han Seoyeon."
"Han Seoyeon? The only daughter of the Hansung family!?"
Hmm, guess I was pretty famous.
"Hehe~ Could I talk with you for a bit, Mr. President?"
"N-no… I mean, what brings you here, sir?"
Though "sir" slipped from his lips, his gaze stayed fixed at my height, dropping low. His eyes darted up and down, his mind clashing between the image of a child and "Hansung granddaughter." He shook his head in denial, then scanned me again with a glimmer of doubt.
Dr. Lee handled the follow-up. Thanks, Doc!
"We're here for an acquisition. We've come to propose buying all your shares in Changbong Foods. We've prepared terms and conditions that should fully satisfy you."
"A-acquisition? What do you mean…?"
"Hansung Food would like to acquire your Changbong Foods."
"Wh-what!?"
At the word "acquisition," the president's face turned to stone.
＊
Nongwon headquarters. Seo Jieun had been officially transferred there. No one would complain about formalities for the chairman's youngest daughter. Plus, she'd been at the forefront of Ansimtangmyeon development, delivering real results.
Expectations for her had skyrocketed, making it hard to object to a simple transfer.
"Jieun!"
"Oh? Uncle!"
Division head Jang Sehun approached her, holding a bouquet.
He handed it to Seo Jieun.
"Congrats on becoming team leader of Product Development Team 1. Should I call you Team Leader Seo now?"
"Aw~ You're gonna butt heads with me all the time anyway, Uncle. So take good care of our team."
Seo Jieun had been promoted to team leader of Product Development Team 1. Back from elite training in the US, she wasn't just book-smart—she was a battle-tested talent who could shake up the field. Even Jang Sehun, watching from the sidelines, was amazed.
"Heard the news? Changbong's Yeon Ramen bombed hard."
"Yeah. Good strategy, but no taste means consumers turn away—nothing surprising."
"True. For food, taste is king. Without it, even cheap prices won't tempt anyone."
Ansimtangmyeon development was in its final stages. Launch planned for next quarter at latest.
Seo Jieun planned to take on Hansung starting with this. Ansimtangmyeon embodied Nongwon's highest completion and boldest gambit to date—a make-or-break product.
"With their first ramen flopping, cash flow must be tight inside. Wonder what Changbong will do?"
Seo Jieun smirked at Jang Sehun's musing.
"The answer's obvious."
She skimmed a report from Product Development Team 1, speaking calmly.
"With funding blocked, they've got three options: attract more investment, expand external distribution. Or…"
Jang Sehun finished the last one.
"Sell the whole company."
"Exactly. Those are Changbong's only paths to survival. But more investment? Impossible after that flop. No one's jumping on a sinking ship. External distribution? Same issue—no positive buzz from day one, and the media's running worried pieces."
"Yeah, stuck between a rock and a hard place."
Suddenly, Jang Sehun's eyes gleamed.
"Jieun, wouldn't it be smart for us to acquire Changbong? Too good to pass up."
She shook her head.
"Can't snag Changbong on the cheap. They're a rare case—late entrant but dove right in. No solid backing, and they still developed ramen that fast."
Changbong had grown its shell rapidly, stirring the industry. The tangled interests behind it weren't simple. Seo Jieun had no desire to shoulder that risk, especially with Nongwon's focus on their flagship.
"One bad sign, though."
"Bad sign?"
At Jang Sehun's question, she narrowed her eyes.
"Hansung acquiring them. They developed a product in months—facilities must be solid."
"But they won't just make Yeon Ramen, right? If Hansung absorbs not just the plant but their talent, it'd be a huge threat."
"Impossible. Even if acquired, only the facilities have value. Quantity isn't quality—you need to make it right to survive."
Honestly, she didn't want to entertain that worst-case. Acquiring a food company like that would cost tens of billions at least. Even a big affiliate like Hansung wouldn't flush that down the toilet. Unless money overflowed like an urn, no exec had the guts for an uncertain bet.
"Uncle, no one's left in Korea reckless enough for that. Especially with global grain prices rising—no way they'd pour billions into a failed food firm."
On this, at least, Seo Jieun was confident. Hansung wouldn't touch Changbong.
＊
"I'd like to acquire Changbong Foods for 5 billion won."
"Wh-what? Acquire our company for 5 billion?"
In the Changbong Foods president's office, his question didn't faze me—I knew their history inside out. In my past life as a ramen researcher, combining my knowledge with info from Hyundai's Jeong Haewon, Changbong was on the brink of collapse.
Hehe~ Might look crazy, but…
Bzzz…
Even so, I wanted Changbong badly.
"Mr. President, sell now for 5 billion—later, forget it. Yeon Ramen flopped. If the next one does too, you won't get 5, let alone 2 billion. But sell for 5, and I'll throw in a board seat."
Before coming, I'd talked it over with Dad, president of Hansung Food. He fully backed me. Our daughter! Do whatever you want!
"Hehe~ So, what'll it be? Live cushy under Hansung Food's wing for 5 billion? Or regret it later for less than 2? Oh, if not today, I'll scout other companies. Plenty out there besides Changbong."
Of course, that last bit was a bluff.