Chapter 156
***
A few months later, when the financial real-name system went into effect, all-out war would be inevitable. To break through head-on without Chairman Kang's help, Athena needed both qualitative and quantitative expansion. They couldn't just grab anything in a rush. With the IMF crisis looming in four years, a comprehensive judgment was essential. Not only solid fundamentals but also affiliates structured to weather the storm were necessary.
The conference room buzzed with more activity than ever. The meeting kicked off with a report from A-Mart President Yang Sang-pil, who looked like he needed ten bodies to keep up.
"President, here's the branch-by-branch sales report for this month."
Min-ho eyed Yang's bloodshot gaze and opened with, "I wouldn't trade you for all the money in the world—what should I do?"
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"You haven't had a single day off since the stores opened a month ago."
"No, I'm fine."
"Your eyes are bloodshot, and you look pale. How about taking a few days off?"
"I've got mountains of work. I'll rest once it's all sorted."
No matter how strong the will, it meant nothing without the stamina to back it up. Min-ho smiled warmly.
"The marts won't stop turning without you. And if they do, that's a system flaw."
"I planned to rest after the opening, but the sales pressure made it impossible."
"You've got the vice president, and me. Plenty of backups—so take a week off starting tomorrow. You know this isn't a suggestion."
"Understood."
Min-ho nodded at the A-Mart sales figures and continued. "As expected, Eunpyeong and Sangbong branches are leading."
"Yes. Analysis shows location has the biggest impact. Those two have no competition—virtual monopolies."
"Excluding them, no big drops anywhere... Shelving's still following my instructions, right?"
"Yes. We're placing key items in the golden zone, at average housewife height for easy reach."
Riding high as Korea's first big-box mart, A-Mart was cruising. But it couldn't last forever. In a few years, stores would sprout like mushrooms. They'd need reasons for customers to choose A-Mart—and weapons to stay ahead of rivals.
Min-ho's eye caught something in the report: beverage sales. In the 21st century, shelves groaned under endless waters and drinks, but now? Domestic bottled water was banned, and options were dull: orange, apple, grape, maybe barley drinks for variety.
What if Athena monopolized future hits? With calculations done, Min-ho dropped an unimaginable idea.
"Beverage sales are tanking. I'm thinking we acquire a factory and develop exclusive products—what do you all say?"
Sensing something big, Lawyer Choi jumped in. "Any specific product in mind?"
"Guess what's in my head."
No clue after racking brains. He gave up. "Not ordinary, but no guesses."
Min-ho casually wrote two words on the whiteboard. "Sikhye and sujeonggwa."
The team jolted, eyes wide. Traditional drinks? Handmade for holidays only—that was the mindset. In the 21st century, no big deal amid countless options, but in '93? Revolutionary. It reshaped the canned drink market. The first company to launch sikhye survived the IMF on those sales alone.
Unaware, Choi tilted his head skeptically. "Sorry, but it seems impossible."
"Specific reasons?"
"Handmade means time and labor—market viability's questionable."
Yang chimed in. "We'll try at our contracted factory, but no guarantees."
"They can't make it."
"Pardon? Still worth a shot..."
Everything was already mapped in Min-ho's mind.
"President Yang, Lawyer Choi—you're coming with me. Meeting adjourned; we're heading out now."
***
Gu Eun-chae, Soseonjae president, rose late and prepped to head out—minus her car keys on the vanity, oddly. Men in Seodaemun's hotspot devoured her with stares as she hit the main road.
All spotting the pretty ones... but ordinary guys can't climb this tree.
Ignoring them, she approached the Yakult lady in yellow with a sassy smirk.
"Auntie, long time no see."
"Eun-chae off to work?"
"Yeah. New dress from last week—what do you think?"
"What to say? I could praise you till my mouth wears out. So pretty!"
"Nothing special from me— all Mom's genes."
"If only your mom were still here... Aigoo, this loose tongue stirring tears again!"
"No, it's good. Hearing about her from you helps more."
Mid-20s—college or job-hunting age for most, but Eun-chae had taken over Soseonjae after her sudden death.
"Five years as president already?"
"Nine now, exactly five."
"No troubles?"
"Men are simple—congressmen or whatever, no issue. Any news lately?"
Glancing around, voice low. "Know the new folks with the blue roof up ahead?"
"Couple months? Beard guy?"
"Yeah. Not married—rumor's they're living separate with spouses alive."
"No wonder they're so cozy."
She tapped Eun-chae's hand, giggling girlishly. "Unmarried girl knows all."
"I know what I know."
Handing an envelope from her bag. "Sang-hyun started high school; been too busy for gifts. Nothing much, but take it."
"Introductions alone are plenty... I've got pride..."
"Auntie! Between us? My gesture—please."
She pressed the thick envelope with a bright smile.
"One of few remembering Mom. This is all I can do. See you, sell lots!"
"Thanks. Good day at work."
Stunning looks, warm personality—Eun-chae knew every neighborhood happening, a true connector. Sipping a small yogurt, she waited, checking her watch with a sigh.
"Never on time."
A taxi rounded the corner right then, pulling up. She hopped in sans destination.
And snapped immediately. "Can't keep time?"
"Previous rider jumped in unannounced."
"Tell 'em to get off!"
"Figured it'd even out... Sorry anyway."
"Sorry's fine—go!"
"Yes, President."
The driver peeked via rearview, expectant. She pulled a fat envelope—overkill for taxi fare—gripping it tight.
"No nutrition, no payout—like last time."
Her weapon: info. Taxis were prime sources—endless riders, even elites: drunk reporters, shady pols, judges, prosecutors. Boarding spots, looks, destinations painted pictures.
Taxi driver Choi Im-woo, her straw, collected Seoul's secrets weekly for handsome bonuses. Win-win for her.
"This week's intel: Prosecutor Kim Han-geol at a Seocho-dong basement..."
"Know it. Next."
"Gwangseong Ilbo editor Han Myeong-gwang tailing actress Lee Mi-ae..."
"Know that too."
Hard-won, but she was ahead. He sighed unwittingly. "President, if you know all, how do I eat?"
"Bring what I don't know—like last time. Know how I milked it?"
"Can't always."
"Head grown? Work harder. Effort. Got it?"
"Then sorry, nothing this week."
She whipped around from the window. "Choi! Day one with me? Really? Trying to disappoint?"
"Squeezed dry—nothing today."
"Old straws get replaced—they don't suck well."
"Next week, something for sure."
"Can I trust that?"
"Promise. Just flies buzzing—no meat."
Twenty minutes to Soseonjae. To kill boredom: "Bored—tell me about the flies."
"First for me too..."
"Skip intro."
"Sharp-suited guy near JK Credit Info boards, hands 100,000 won upfront."
Ears perked—jackpot. "Go on. Then?"
"Circles nearby a few times, gets off."
Perfect for her Min-ho fixation. Arms crossed, pondering, she probed. "Height?"
"Average. 173-175cm?"
"Beard? Forehead scar?"
"No."
"Bear build? Or skinny anchovy?"
"Plain. Not fat, not thin."
She flashed through JK royals. Kang Du-seong's bearish... Mun exec no taxi... Third, Min-seong? Beard... Then...
Something clicked. "Dark skin, slightly curly hair?"
Unexpected hit. Rearview glance, he clammed up.
"Lucky catch... Won't spill easy."
Sigh, envelope shoved over. "Thought kid goat, but wolf pup. Sly—here."
"Thanks. How'd you know? Acquaintance?"
Sensing silent war, she could grab a slice if careful.
"Don't need to know. Details on that day—now."