Chapter 123
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: Morning Briefings and a Warm Embrace
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Starting with Jeong Yong-hee, I ran into the employees, my family, and Ha-yeon. We exchanged warm greetings.
"President, good morning."
"My son, good morning."
"Heh heh, word must've gotten out about how delicious our tteokbokki is—yesterday's sales hit 2.5 times the opening day's."
I stepped into the elevator.
[3F]
The third-floor office.
I entered the president's office at the far end of the office.
The president's office was about 50 square feet. The walls were adorned with elegant frames. It was equipped with a desk, sofa, coat rack, refrigerator, and the like.
Every morning, I came to the office to handle work. I met with employees and squeezed in some reading in between.
'About 30 minutes left.'
In 30 minutes, I was scheduled to receive a report from one of my secretaries.
I'd hired a capable secretary. Every weekday morning, I got a briefing. The report covered three main areas.
1. Business status.
2. Requests.
3. Schedule briefing.
The reason I'd hired a secretary?
The businesses were growing, and they were only going to get bigger, so I needed someone by my side to assist me.
'Time to read.'
I'd read for those 30 minutes.
I opened a book. Today, it would be The Prince.
[Reading Achievement 97 created.]
Before I knew it, I'd hit Reading Achievement 97.
Reading Achievement 100 was just around the corner.
Swish.
Swish.
My speed-reading had improved dramatically. It took less than 30 seconds per page.
My comprehension had soared too. Even skimming at high speed, I understood everything.
My concentration had improved, as had my stamina. I could read for hours without fatigue.
It was a giant leap forward.
'This is fun.'
A smile crept across my face.
Reading was enjoyable. Acquiring knowledge was beneficial. Growth felt good.
Knock. Knock.
The knock pulled me from my focus.
"President, it's Secretary Han Ji-yoo."
"Yes. Come in."
The door opened, and a youthful beauty entered. She wore glasses, a suit, had long straight hair, and cat-like eyes.
Secretary Han Ji-yoo was 20 years old. She still had a bit of baby fat on her cheeks.
She was an extreme introvert. In high school, she'd been bullied for being pretty and ended up dropping out. She'd passed the GED exam instead.
'Secretary Han's talents are a gem in the rough, pure and unpolished.'
Actually, Secretary Han had originally applied for a job at Halmae's Tteok. But her talents were better suited for secretarial work, so I'd hired her as such.
Within YSP, her potential stood out the most. I planned to nurture her into a core company asset.
"Sorry. I'm late."
[I left home two hours early to avoid being late for the briefing... but I got so absorbed in gathering materials that I ended up 30 minutes late...]
[Sigh... What if the president scolds me for being late? What if he thinks I'm irresponsible...?]
Secretary Han was timid. She worried about earning my displeasure. She fretted over the possibility of a scolding.
I flashed a gentle smile!
I gave her the softest smile I could muster, aiming to put her at ease with maximum kindness.
"It's fine. It's not like you were slacking off. Things come up when you're busy with work."
"But the time..."
"Honestly, I was so into my reading that I lost track of time."
"I'm sorry. I'll make sure not to be late next time."
Secretary Han bowed at the waist.
She gauged my mood. Contrary to her fears, I was gentle. It didn't seem like I'd taken offense—such a relief.
We sat on the sofa.
"Here's the status report. Page 1 covers YSP Entertainment, page 2 YSP Health, and page 3 Halmae's Tteok."
She handed over the report carefully.
"This is the improvement and revision report. It's a compilation of employee opinions on areas where the businesses fall short."
She handed over another report.
"This is the new business report. As you requested, I've explored ventures that could synergize with our operations."
"And this is the employee welfare report. Based on what our staff wants and what big corporations offer."
She submitted four reports in total.
[I only slept two hours. Stayed up late writing reports, then came in early to finish more.]
[It wasn't that hard, honestly, but I have no idea if I did well. Will the president like it?]
Secretary Han was anxious.
What if the president thought these were 'terrible reports'? What if he raised his voice and told her to redo them?
I skimmed the reports.
"Wow! These are really well done!"
Her worries were unfounded.
"You did great. Must've been tough work."
"No, it wasn't hard at all."
"You did well. Really, great job."
"...Is there anything lacking?"
"No? They seem perfect."
At my praise,
Secretary Han's face lit up.
Favorability: 51
[The president praised me. Yes! I'm happy. Such a relief.]
She seemed overly timid. Sensitive, even. I'd have to be extra gentle with Secretary Han.
That said, her timidity wasn't off-putting. It was a minor flaw, easily outweighed by her outstanding character and skills.
'No one's perfect in this world.'
I'd guide her well, teach her well.
And grow her into something big.
I leisurely reviewed the reports.
[Jang Moo-bi: Produced 2 movie review videos. Current subscribers: 2,083. Decided to improve diction, BGM, and CG starting with episode 3.]
[Joo-ryu-nam: Produced 1 liquor review video. Current subscribers: 486. Decided to make drinking snacks from scratch starting with episode 2.]
[Fashion Na-eun: Produced 2 fashion videos. Current subscribers: 4,058. Decided to start SNS on Facebook, Twitter, etc.]
[Mira's Rural Life: Set ready. First shoot tomorrow. Concept for episode 1: Daily life in the countryside.]
The existing YouTubers were thriving.
The newly contracted ones were just getting started.
Next, I read the YSP Health report.
[General members: 82]
[PT members: 18]
[Break-even point achieved]
YSP Health had turned profitable shortly after opening. Revenue far outpaced expenses.
Thanks to a prime location, excellent service, fair pricing, and the YouTube fame spillover.
Then Halmae's Tteok.
[Production factory acquired for 3.6 billion won.]
[Franchise owners recruiting.]
We'd snagged the auctioned factory cheap at 3.6 billion won. Remodeling was underway.
We planned to produce garaetteok, sauces, and fried toppings in-house for franchise delivery.
The purchase was all cash—no loans taken.
'And.'
We'd begun recruiting franchise owners.
Set up a Halmae's Tteok website and asked YSP Entertainment YouTubers to promote the franchise recruitment.
[Improvement and Revision Report]
[1. Need PR staff.]
[2. Need additional accounting.]
[3. Need YouTuber contracts.]
[4. Need YSP Health trainers.]
[5. Need riders for Halmae's Tteok Branch 1.]
[6. Need riders for Halmae's Tteok Branch 2.]
[...]
[...]
[15. Purchase additional office cafeteria fridges.]
[16. Hire dishwashers for office cafeteria.]
[...]
[...]
We'd need to hire more staff.
Make active use of the talent list.
If short, hold interviews.
I looked at the business plan report.
"Oh? Health supplements?"
Build YSP factory to produce health foods directly → Leverage YSP Entertainment YouTubers for heavy promotion → Sell health foods with minimal marketing costs → Share profits with YouTubers and company.
'Not bad.'
It was solid.
Suddenly, I thought of Ha Seon-jin, president of Seonjin Pharma. He'd built a vitamin factory and lost it all.
'If I acquire Seonjin Pharma... hire President Ha... link YSP Enter with Seonjin Pharma...'
I called President Ha Seon-jin to set up a meeting.
I headed to YSP Health.
"President, good morning!"
Trainer Jeong Hoon greeted me warmly.
He had such a kind face. His eyes were so clear.
"President, come on in."
"Piggy, welcome."
Park Man-bok and Park Ha-yeon, father and daughter, welcomed me.
"I'll add three more staff soon. Sorry it's tough, but please hang in there for now."
"Yes, President."
"Got it."
YSP Health currently had three employees.
It operated from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
I planned to add three more staff.
Extend to 5 a.m. to midnight—19 hours. Two shifts of two people each.
"Wouldn't 24/7 year-round be better for profits?"
"Night shifts are exhausting. Better to work early and sleep early."
I wanted my future father-in-law to live well, not suffer. I'd accommodate as much as possible.
I glanced to the side.
"......"
My eyes met Lim Jun-ho's.
[The president? That bastard is the president?]
[What the hell is going on...?]
Lim Jun-ho was utterly bewildered.
As far as he knew, YSP Building, YSP Health, and Halmae's Tteok were all owned by one person.
[Is this a dream?]
Hard to accept reality.
[-1F]
I finished my workout.
Headed to B1. The office cafeteria was there. I provided three free meals a day to employees.
Breakfast: 6-8 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Dinner: 5-7 p.m.
Other times: Sandwiches, kimbap, bread, cookies, ramen, etc.
"What would you like?"
Today's lunch menu had two options: Pork stir-fry set or pork cutlet set. Pick what you wanted.
"Pork stir-fry set, please."
"Yes, one moment."
"Pork cutlet set too, please."
Decided to have both. Got rice, then drinks from the soda machine.
'Ahh, delicious.'
Chef Kim Tae-hyung's food.
Incredibly tasty. The pork stir-fry was spicy-sweet with perfect char. The cutlet was crispy outside, juicy inside.
I glanced at the employees.
[So good. The best. Our cafeteria really is top-tier.]
[My old job's food was the worst, but this place is the best.]
[Pork cutlet is so good.]
Employee satisfaction was sky-high.
A pleased smile formed.
"A-young-ah—!"
I called for A-young,
Click!
the door opened.
"Come i..."
She greeted me with a soft smile, but then
"...?!"
Her eyes widened in shock, words trailing off. She froze in surprise.
"A-young-ah, I missed you so much."
Overjoyed, I pulled her into a rough hug.
Sniff—
I inhaled her scent.
"A-young-ah, new perfume? It's a strong floral scent."
"......"
"Huh? Your chest feels bigger? Hips too?"
I was puzzled.
"Oppa! What the heck are you doing?!"
A bewildered voice rang out.
I looked up toward the source. There stood A-young, looking utterly flabbergasted.
"Gasp?!"
I panicked. Froze solid on the spot.
'Mother-in-law...?'
I'd thought she was A-young and hugged her tight. But it was A-young's mom. My future mother-in-law. I'd accidentally embraced my girlfriend's mother.