Chapter 119
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Grand Opening Rush
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In front of the YSP Building.
From early morning, a long line of people stretched out. There were easily over a hundred in the crowd.
"I ate at Halmae Tteok not long ago, and it was so delicious. Especially the king-size squid fritters—they were insane."
"Tteok is life. As a tteokbokki devotee, I can't pass up a new hot spot."
"I'm a Cook Hyun-woo fan. I love Cook Hyun-woo so much. If I meet him later, I gotta ask for a photo."
"I'm starving. I hope they open soon. I'm curious. It's got such rave reviews—is it really that good?"
The crowd waited desperately for Halmae Tteok to open.
The line that had looked like at least a hundred people grew even longer as time passed. Eventually, it swelled to nearly 150.
"Whoa? It's a huge hit on opening day."
Jin-seong, who had been eyeing the line, turned at the familiar voice.
Lee Myeong-ho stood there, holding drinks in both hands, gazing at the queue.
"Here, have this. You seem to like Frappuccinos more than coffee, so I got you one."
"Thanks. I'll enjoy it."
"The Halmae Tteok franchise preparations are going smoothly."
Lee Myeong-ho had joined YSP. He was in charge of overseeing Halmae Tteok.
He was establishing operating policies, building the organizational structure, and focusing on franchising.
"Any issues?"
"None at all. With all the support from you, President, everything's fine."
Jin-seong had fronted 5 billion won for the initial Halmae Tteok franchising. If more was needed, he'd provide another 5 billion in phase two, and loans in phase three.
With ample capital backing him, Lee Myeong-ho proceeded without any shortages.
"President, interviews start tomorrow, right?"
"Yes. Tomorrow at 2 p.m. There are so many applicants, we'll spread them over three days."
There were 3,150 applicants alone.
1,050 per day. 3,150 over three days.
"I could help with the interviews..."
"No. I want to select the staff myself as much as possible. I have a good eye for people, you know."
"Understood."
Lee Myeong-ho had no choice but to accept.
You couldn't argue when the president wanted to handle hiring personally.
Besides, as Jin-seong said, he did have a sharp eye for talent.
"All the YSP employees seem kind, diligent, and capable."
"Normally, one in five is a total dud, but surprisingly, not a single one here."
"If anyone's not up to par, just fire them and hire new ones."
They talked for a good while.
Starting with Halmae Tteok, they covered YSP Enter topics too.
Jin-seong always found conversations with Lee Myeong-ho incredibly insightful and helpful.
"Oh! They're opening for business."
The doors opened. They entered the shop. Customers were split into two types: those eating in and those taking out.
'Branch number two...'
Halmae Tteok's second branch occupied the entire first floor of the YSP Building.
Mom handled the kitchen, Dad the dining area. Kitchen staff: three including Mom. Dining: one including Dad.
They'd hired delivery riders too.
'Profit split...'
Of 100% pure profit, Jin-seong took 70%, parents 15%, Lee Hyun-woo 5%, and staff combined 10%.
Parents' pay: base 3 million won + incentives. Staff: 2.3 million won + incentives.
They entered the shop.
Delivery orders were pouring in nonstop.
"Yes, Halmae Tteok speaking. Yes? Okay. One cheese tteokbokki level 3, one Halmae Fritter Set C, one serving Halmae Sundae, one Halmae Cheese Kimbap, one Eomuk Tang, one large Coolpis. That right?"
"Yes, Halmae Tteok. One level 1 cheese tteokbokki, one Halmae King Fritter Set C, one Eomuk Tang, one large Coolpis. We'll deliver as fast as we can. Thanks for choosing Halmae Tteok."
[Baemin Order!]
[Baemin Order!]
In-store orders showed no signs of slowing either.
"Level 5 cheese tteokbokki, please. Halmae King Fritter Set B too. Oh, and one plum Coolpis. Cut it up."
"One level 1 chadol tteokbokki, King Fritter Set C, one Halmae Chadol Kimbap, one plum Coolpis. No cutting."
With the opening of Halmae Tteok's second branch,
they'd overhauled the system.
Previously pay-after,
now pay-first.
Previously staff brought food,
now self-serve.
The menu had been revamped too.
Basic / Cheese / Chadol / Glass Noodles / Fish Cake
Spiciness: Level 1 to 5
Regular A / B / C
King A / B / C
Mixed A / B / C
Cut / Unc cut
The staff bustled about energetically.
It looked grueling, yet their faces all glowed. Hope shone in their eyes, joy lit their features.
"Incentives! Incentives! More incentives!"
"The busier and tougher it is, the better—incentives are up!"
"Gotta work hard to send Mi-jeong to college."
"Heh heh, heh heh heh, thanks to my son, we're gonna be rich."
"The apartment's amazing, business is booming—I'm so happy."
Jin-seong smiled warmly.
'I'm truly grateful.'
Grateful that Halmae Tteok was thriving. Grateful that this venture born of good intentions was succeeding.
Grateful that the staff worked with hope. Grateful to be working with such fine people.
Grateful that his parents were happy.
'Thank you.'
His mood was great.
Time for a company dinner tonight.
'Rib house it is.'
Dinner at his favorite rib joint.
'All-you-can-eat~'
He rode the elevator.
[2F]
He pressed the second-floor button.
[YSP Gym]
The second floor was the YSP Gym.
'I invested a good amount in YSP Gym.'
YSP Gym was a premium facility.
Spacious interior, top-tier equipment, complete with bathhouse and sauna.
"Wow, she's gorgeous."
A large poster of Ha-yeon adorned the gym's main entrance.
Posters of her were plastered everywhere, not just the entrance.
[You can be ripped too!]
[Yeon iTube]
They'd hired Ha-yeon as the main promo model.
'YSP Gym...'
It served two main purposes.
One, employee welfare.
YSP staff could use the gym for free.
Two, profit.
General members paid fees for revenue.
'Plus selling supplements, drinks, single-use items...'
He entered the gym.
"Piggy! Come on in!"
"President, welcome."
The father-daughter duo greeted him warmly.
"Thank you, Piggy. Thanks to you, my parents' faces are beaming like never before."
"I could barely make a million at the bibimbap joint... Now 3 million salary... Over 10 million from YouTube... And this huge, amazing apartment..."
Ha-yeon's eyes dripped with honey as she gazed at Jin-seong.
She liked him so much she'd gladly kiss even his butt with devotion.
Once she got her payout soon, he'd treat her to tuna sushi and gifts.
"Everything's perfect thanks to this member—no, President."
"Wife's thrilled with the apartment, Ha-yeon's earning big, no business stress, fat salary—all bliss."
Park Man-bok was happy enough to die without regrets.
He owed Jin-seong an immense debt of gratitude he'd never repay in a lifetime.
"We'll work hard."
"Me too. I'll give it my all."
The duo believed repaying kindness meant hard work. They vowed to do their best.
Whoosh.
Flames of zeal ignited in their eyes.
'Time to work out.'
He changed and trained hard.
Doing squats to hammer his legs,
'Huh?'
Jin-seong couldn't hide his bewilderment.
'Weakling?'
"Loser freak?"
Mutual shock hit them hard.
"Why's a loser freak here?"
"I moved here for a job... Why's this countryside loser all the way here...?"
Checking Lim Jun-ho's profile, Jin-seong thought, 'Personality's trash, but he's still a genius.'
He ignored it and focused on training. Current weight: 270kg. Goal: 300kg.
Workout done. He scanned the interior.
The vast gym buzzed with exercisers. Park Man-bok and Ha-yeon taught PT sessions.
'Hope business booms.'
Elevator up.
[3F]
Third-floor button.
The third floor held offices: YSP office, Halmae Tteok office.
Conference rooms, break room, president's office, etc.
Only Myeong-ho hyung, Kim Ki-young, and Choi Kyung used it.
'Need to hire staff.'
Jin-seong's short-term goal: fill the office to the brim.
Fourth floor for YouTuber studios, fifth for practice rooms, sixth and seventh vacant.
'And basement one...'
Company cafeteria.
For welfare, top-quality food.
'Ask Hyun-woo hyung.'
Phone rang.
- Your ordered rice cakes have arrived.
"Dig in."
Rice cakes for the opening celebration.
"Ten orange juices, please. Two café mochas too."
Juices from the café.
"......"
Sitting waiting,
his eyes met Jeong Ha-neul's.
'She's pretty.'
Jeong Ha-neul had a pure image. Pretty face, kind and gentle vibe.
But her expression was dark.
"Me, an actress...?"
"Four years as an idol trainee... Kicked out, no idol talent..."
"If I don't earn, living expenses...? Loan interest...? I have to take care of Seon-i..."
Jeong Ha-neul decided to turn down Jin-seong's offer.
Juices arrived.
Jin-seong took the orange juice and handed over the two café mochas.
"Café mocha?"
"I'm good."
Jeong Ha-neul refused, feeling burdened.
"Please. You look tired."
"Thank you. I'll enjoy it."
"Thanks. Enjoy."
Jeong Ha-neul and the part-timer accepted the coffees.
"No pressure—contact me anytime."
"Sorry. Appreciate the offer, but personal circumstances make it tough."
"YSP Enter has solid capital. We can pay a hefty signing bonus, and terms are fair."
"...Signing bonus?"
Jin-seong smiled softly.
"Yes. At least eight figures. We can refinance your high-interest loans too."
"...I've never studied acting."
"We'll assign a teacher."
His kind smile
made Jeong Ha-neul's eyes tremble faintly.
"I've got a good eye for people. You'll make it big as an actress. If you try, I'll support you fully."
"...Idol? Any idol potential?"
"Hmm, doesn't seem like it. Actress material, not idol."
"......"
He answered honestly and firmly.
"What about me? Think I'd do well as an actress?"
The part-timer chimed in, gauging the mood.
Indeed,
the part-timer was born for acting. Plenty of charm. She'd at least become a successful actress.
But there was a catch.
Better to steer clear of landmines.
"You seem talented and likely to succeed, but you don't fit our ideal candidate profile."