Chapter 120

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 120

Chapter Title: Final Interviews and New Hires

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The part-timer furrowed her delicate brows. Yoo Jin-seong's response had thoroughly displeased her.

Dripping with malice, Jin-seong scratched his cheek with his index finger.

"As expected, it's best to screen out troublemakers."

He could distinguish good people from bad ones. Working with good people guaranteed success, so there was no need to take risks with the wicked.

Ignoring her, he turned to Jeong Ha-neul.

"What's your name?"

"Ha-neul. Jeong Ha-neul."

"Jeong Ha-neul-ssi? It's as pretty as your looks. Ha-neul-ssi, feel free to contact me anytime. I'll be waiting. Oh, and do you like tteokbokki? If you ever crave some, come by the shop and just mention my name. It's on the house for you, specially."

"Thank you."

Jeong Ha-neul didn't feel bad about it. No, honestly, she felt good. She was happy about the free cafe mocha. She was pleased that Jin-seong thought highly of her. And it was satisfying to one-up the part-timer she usually didn't like.

Jeong Ha-neul watched Jin-seong leave the cafe with lingering eyes.

"That guy's weird. He seems like a con artist. I know a bit about reading faces, you know? He pretends to be kind, good-hearted, generous, and friendly on the outside, but deep down, he's shady and two-faced for sure."

"R-Really?"

"Yeah. Yeah. Getting tangled up with someone that shady won't end well. Mess up, and it'll ruin our lives. Honestly, he looks like the type who'd get drunk, drive, and cause a huge accident."

Jeong Ha-neul gave an awkward smile.

"He seems like a good person."

Not a single person the part-timer badmouthed had bad character. On the contrary, the ones she praised highly turned out rotten. Just recently, he'd nearly gotten dragged into trouble because of her.

Right before the end of her shift.

"Ha-neul-ssi."

Jin-seong had returned.

"Here."

It was Halmae Tteok ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tteokbokki. He'd come back loaded with takeout bags full of tteokbokki, fried goodies, kimbap, and more.

"It's okay, really..."

"I'm okay with it. Enjoy it—it's delicious. Our Halmae Tteok is the real deal."

Jin-seong flashed a kind smile.

"Thank you."

"Want another cafe mocha?"

"No thanks. Two cups of coffee is too much for me."

"Is that so? If coffee's too heavy, how about a Frappuccino?"

"It's fine..."

He practically forced a Frappuccino on her.

She was weak to kindness.

In truth, no one in the world hates genuine goodwill.

On her way home.

Jeong Ha-neul glanced at the Halmae Tteok shop.

"Wow, so many people."

The Halmae Tteok shop had a long line of customers snaking out the door.

"Whoa, this tteokbokki is insanely good. Sis, what brand is this?"

"Is it good?"

"Mmm-hmm! It's the best!! The absolute best!! So delicious!!"

Her little sister absolutely loved it.

Inside the president's office at YSP Building.

"Yesterday's interviews..."

He'd interviewed nearly 1,200 people. Halmae Tteok staff, YouTubers, actors, YSP Entertainment employees.

"Today, I need to do as many as yesterday."

The interview order.

Today's lineup: actors → YouTubers → YSP Health staff → cafeteria staff → Halmae Tteok staff → YSP Entertainment staff.

He enjoyed the interviews.

Selecting talented people to work for him—it was nothing but joyful and rewarding. It wasn't tiring at all. Thanks to Stamina Booster Pills + workouts + weight maintenance, physical fatigue was near zero.

If anything, he had energy to spare.

"Plenty of time."

Four hours until interviews started.

He worked out. Had lunch with Ha-yeon. Got free sushi. Sat in the president's chair, deep in thought. The topic: employee benefits. How to improve them.

Current YSP benefits:

1. Aggressive incentive system.

2. Free YSP Health membership.

Upcoming benefits:

1. High-quality cafeteria.

2. Birthday or anniversary gifts.

3. Halmae Tteok vouchers.

About that.

"Hmm—should I boost child education benefits?"

"Hmm—cultural activities sound good too."

"Coffee vouchers? No. Better to install a premium coffee machine and top beans in the cafeteria."

These were people working for his company.

No one else would look after them. It was his job—and he wanted to.

"I have to take good care of my people. It's the right thing to do."

Interview time approached.

"Hm?"

His phone rang. Unknown number.

"Yes, hello. This is YSP CEO Yoo Jin-seong."

- Hi? It's Jeong Ha-neul.

"Oh? Ha-neul-ssi? Hi!"

- Could I meet with you, President?

"Of course. When are you free?"

- I'm on the first floor right now.

"Perfect. I have about 20 minutes. Take the elevator to the third floor."

- Okay.

Jin-seong stepped out of the office. He greeted her warmly, delighted.

"Kugh! She's seriously gorgeous. Pretty enough to make me want her as my woman."

Jeong Ha-neul wore a long white tee and light blue jeans. Her slender figure and artistic curves were on display.

Jin-seong suppressed his lust. He smiled kindly and softly, welcoming her brightly.

"Come on in."

"Yes. Hello."

He led her to the office.

"Coffee? Or juice?"

"Juice, please."

He grabbed orange juice from the fridge and poured it into a paper cup.

"Here."

"Thank you."

They sat facing each other on the sofa.

Jeong Ha-neul took a sip of the orange juice and fiddled with the cup.

"Do I have what it takes to be an actress?"

"Yes. I'm certain. You have the perfect actress look. You definitely have the talent. You'll achieve great success."

"I heard acting skill is key for actors. I'm doubtful if I have any."

"I'll assign you an acting coach."

Acting newbie? Just learn from a teacher.

Lacking skill? Practice until your feet bleed.

Their eyes met.

"Actually, I was an idol trainee. Over four years of practice, but I couldn't even debut. I failed."

"..."

Jeong Ha-neul shared her trainee days.

Jin-seong listened quietly.

"Honestly, I'm scared of failing again. I can't muster the courage to try. After years of effort with no results, the frustration was immense. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠It felt like I was a total loser. I don't want to feel that despair again."

"..."

"On the other hand, I want to give it another shot. I want massive success. Life's short—I want to live it glamorously. So, I've been thinking: before signing anything, I want to test if I really have acting talent. If I do, I'll go for it."

She couldn't be sure of her acting talent. She wanted to check first, then decide on challenging it or signing.

"Sounds good. Let's check your talent first."

"Thank you. But I don't have the money..."

"Don't worry about money. I'll cover everything for free. Coach included, practice room too."

"Thank you."

Jin-seong pulled two 50,000-won bills from his wallet and handed them over.

"Take this. Interview fee."

"Pardon?"

The interview fee was just an excuse. He knew her finances were tight and wanted to help. Of course, buying her goodwill too.

100,000 won for her favor? Huge profit.

"How was our tteokbokki?"

"Yes? It was delicious."

"Stop by Halmae Tteok on your way out and grab some more."

"...Thank you."

Small kindnesses built trust.

He saw Jeong Ha-neul off. She clutched bags in both hands.

Interview time.

He conducted interviews. Five at a time. Shortest: 30 seconds. Longest: one minute.

Skim profile, ask simple questions. Actually, hiring decision was made before questions.

Over three days, he finished all staff interviews.

"Heh. Nice."

He hired so many great employees that a satisfied smile formed.

"Our family has grown past 50."

Over 50 people.

From factory wage slave to leader of over 50.

"Gotta work harder."

Shoulders felt heavy. Many depended on him now. No room for arrogance. No screw-ups. Always humble. Diligent. Live straight.

He steeled himself.

"Need to hire a secretary for my schedule."

"Someone for company SNS too."

"Reinforce the Cheongju operations properly."

He pulled up his list.

Talent roster: 243 recorded. Not hired, but promising ones noted.

Politely reached out.

Mi-yeon would start acting lessons tomorrow.

Acting practice room set up on the fifth floor of YSP Building.

Kim Ki-young, veteran of the industry, was scouting roles for her.

Soon, a fitting role would come up.

He arrived at the apartment.

"Bbangmat ssi."

Delicious aromas wafted from inside.

Oh Mi-yeon in a bright red skirt.

He approached, lifted her skirt, revealing her intimate area.

No panties.