Haven't Even Unleashed the Finishing Move Yet
It was late at night when Han Seongcheol received a report from Woo Shijang.
"So, you're saying this Lee PhD is planning a ramen to replace ours at Hansung Food?"
"Yes. Section Chief Ko from the same team told me. He said they're preparing something tremendous."
"Tremendous, huh... Didn't they say the same about that ramen imported from Japan?"
"This time, I think it's different. The details are all in this report."
"Let me see."
He closely read the report Woo Shijang handed him. Soon, his eyes widened dramatically.
"Ramen to replace jajangmyeon? Isn't this the one N Company developed before but ultimately failed with?"
"That's true, but it seems they've actively improved the weak points. From what I saw, there are no issues."
"Is that so? If you say that, Woo Shijang, then it's worth watching."
The problem was that Han Seongcheol's face showed he wasn't satisfied. Woo Shijang asked,
"Chairman-nim, is there something that doesn't sit well with you?"
"No, it's more like... I feel like they've forgotten something."
Lately, every incident in the family had one child deeply involved. It was because of Han Seoyeon, the granddaughter of the Han family and the only daughter of his youngest son, Han Seongu.
"When did this Lee PhD come up with such an idea? He's an engineer who just tinkers with equipment, isn't he? How could he have such a brilliant concept that even the ramen research team would struggle with?"
He'd had a strange suspicion for a while now. A few years ago, when there was an error in the equipment blueprint—was that it? Back then, Lee PhD definitely hadn't found the problem. Yet less than a day later, he came back with the solution.
Once could be coincidence, but twice? No.
Han Seongcheol rested his chin on his hand and half-closed his eyes.
"Woo Shijang, fetch that blueprint from the cabinet over there."
"Here it is."
Woo Shijang politely handed the blueprint to Han Seongcheol. It was the blueprint that had pointed out the issues with the previous noodle-making equipment.
Han Seongcheol scanned it closely, then narrowed his eyes intently. Now that he looked, the tiny handwriting was crooked and childish—not something an adult would write.
"Hm?"
Han Seongcheol compared the handwriting on a report Lee PhD had once brought with the writing on the blueprint. He soon realized they weren't from the same person.
Well, well... To discover this only now.
Han Seongcheol burst into loud laughter after a long time.
"Hahaha! Kuhahaha!"
"Ch-Chairman-nim?"
"So that's it. That's how it was. Our granddaughter is quite the little rascal. Kuhahaha!"
Woo Shijang furrowed his brow, watching Han Seongcheol laugh like a madman. The man he served was infamous for his ruthless, cold-blooded nature—no blood, no tears.
If something didn't please him, he cast them out without mercy, regardless of circumstances. Once you got on his bad side, you were swept away on the spot, no questions asked.
And yet, here was Han Seongcheol, delighted like this.
"Look at this, Woo Shijang! Our granddaughter calculated the values on that blueprint that even Lee PhD couldn't figure out. And she's not even five yet!"
"D-Did the little miss really do this? My god..."
"Exactly. That's why I'm going crazy and jumping for joy. What five-year-old proves practical math that even college students learn? Right?"
"Gasp!"
Only then did Woo Shijang understand why Han Seongcheol was laughing so hard. It was his granddaughter and only daughter, possessing genius beyond belief. And there wasn't even a solution process showing how the calculation was done. It was as if she already knew the blueprint's values beforehand.
"Chairman-nim, if this is true, then the little miss has already..."
"Hah! Woo Shijang, you'll have to play dumb with me on this."
"Pardon? With a child of such genius?"
"That's precisely why. Eagles drop their chicks off cliffs to make them strong. As a successor, Seoyeon is essentially the youngest. For her to achieve her dreams, she has to prove and pioneer it herself. That's why she's even hiding her true abilities from this old man."
"...!"
The incident at her first birthday party might have made Seoyeon wary. Actually, there was one thing no one except Han Seongcheol knew. The day after his granddaughter's doljanchi, his eldest son Han Umin had secretly visited.
He'd asked if he was considering Seoyeon as one of the successors. If Han Seongcheol had affirmed it then, what would have happened? Vice Chairman Han Umin would have crushed her without hesitation, using any means necessary. Cruel ones, at that.
"Woo Shijang, do you know about Umin's wife's family?"
"Yes. I hear they run the largest loan shark operation in the country."
"Right. Umin is currently the vice chairman of the group, wielding the third greatest influence after you and me. How do you think that's possible? His eldest daughter-in-law's background is no joke."
If someone asked who could provide 100 billion won in cash on the spot, even Han Seongcheol would struggle. But Han Umin's father-in-law could.
Recent news reports mentioned a rise in loan sharking around Seoul's entertainment districts and commercial areas. The boss was probably Park Onwoo, the eldest daughter-in-law's father.
Hah, Seoyeon's path ahead is full of gravel...
Even so, Han Seongcheol believed in his granddaughter. To fully claim this vast Hansung Empire, she'd have to crush a puny loan shark like that without breaking a sweat.
Lately, I'd picked up a new hobby: cooking in the kitchen with my nanny. More precisely, boiling ramen.
First things first...
I boiled the ramen disguised as one developed by Hansung Food myself. A true ramen researcher arms themselves with practice, not just theory.
"Ugh!"
"Ugh, little miss..."
We grimaced in unison. The concept was good. But it lacked that crucial flavor. No refreshing broth taste—just this thick, cloying mouthfeel. There were plenty of toppings, but they didn't mesh with the noodles.
Honestly, I wouldn't eat it even if it were free.
"Little miss, I'll grab some water."
"Water glass is right here."
"Ugh, I heard this ramen was refreshing, but it doesn't suit my taste."
That's because it's a failed ramen. I was confident. Soon, my nanny wouldn't last a day without it.
Hehe, but this one's different.
My special jjapaghetti. Lee PhD had brought the final prototype yesterday. Even the soup powder was flawless—finely ground like grains of sand, neatly packed in the wrapper.
I added the right amount of water to the pot and dropped in the noodles. As the water bubbled, the noodles gradually unraveled, taking on a glossy sheen. The vegetable oil-infused noodles gave off a nutty aroma.
Then, I stirred once vigorously with chopsticks to keep the flat noodles from clumping. My nanny flinched at the deft move.
"Little miss knows so many things. Must be nice."
"Why?"
"When you grow up, you'll never starve."
Soon, the distinctive jjajangmyeon scent spread throughout the mansion. Drawn by the irresistible smell, all the servants working nearby gathered around me.
"Oh? Little miss, what's this?"
"It smells so good. Can I have a bite?"
"Sniff sniff, smells like jjajangmyeon. Did you go to a Chinese place?"
"But it looks a bit different from regular jjajangmyeon?"
Suddenly, my nanny blocked me off, like shielding me from a wave of people.
"Everyone, calm down! The little miss is suffocating here!"
"Gasp!"
It was like watching aunties charging at a department store 50% off sale.
"Haaah~"
I took a big breath and divided the jjapaghetti evenly into the small bowls the servants held out. They exchanged glances, then cautiously brought chopsticks to their mouths.
"Wowww!"
"I-It tastes amazing! Even better than the local jjajangmyeon place!"
"Little miss, how did you make this?"
"What's it called? Is it from the supermarket?"
I grinned at the zombie-like servants. Finally, I'd created my own little army of guinea pigs—ramen slaves. Not just one or two, but dozens.
Hehehe~
"No, I just boiled it now. I plan to serve it to people later."
"R-Really? It won't be expensive, right?"
"Of course. I'll make it a ramen anyone, young or old, can enjoy easily."
Slurp! Chomp chomp!
As everyone devoured the ramen like possessed souls, an unexpected guest appeared: my grandfather, Chairman Han Seongcheol, and his right-hand man, Woo Shijang.
"What are you all doing here?"
"Ch-Chairman-nim!"
The servants, mid-slurp, froze instantly. They were supposed to be working, after all. To an outsider, it might look like slacking off.
Nooo! My precious guinea pigs!
I spread my arms wide, blocking the servants.
"Grandpa, these people gathered because of me!"
Hm? Was I seeing wrong? Grandpa's face looked deeply hurt.
"I see. So our Seoyeon prefers these servants over this old man..."
His massive shoulders slumped like a dried turtle's. Ah! I'd almost let a misunderstanding happen.
Grandpa hadn't come to scold the servants. He'd just followed the delicious smell, curious about his cute granddaughter's cooking.
"Hehe, of course I made some for you too, Grandpa!"
No sooner had I spoken than Grandpa snapped his head up.
"Really? Our Seoyeon made food for this old man?"
"Hehe, right here."
Of course, I hadn't forgotten Woo Shijang either. Even if his presence was subtle, he was a key power broker in Hansung Group.
The two exchanged looks, then cautiously slurped.
Slurp!
Their pupils dilated as they tasted my special jjapaghetti.
"Th-This can't be!"
"Little miss... D-Did you really make this ramen?"
What else? It's the jjapaghetti developed by your cute only daughter.
"Hehe~ What do you think? Isn't Seoyeon's ramen delicious?"
The two nodded vigorously, necks nearly snapping.