The idea that the richer someone is, the less they wear luxury brands is nonsense.
Just look at the unexpected guest in front of me.
Born the granddaughter of a chaebol family, she’s draped head to toe in designer brands.
That’s why she feels so out of place at the entrance of a rundown rental like mine.
“President Han Yeri?”
“You may not have the sense to check your phone, but you’ve got enough to recognize me, huh?”
Her snarky tone right off the bat confirms she’s the Han Yeri I know.
Han Yeri.
The owner of a famous department store chain and the granddaughter of the renowned chaebol, Gangseong Group—just her name alone is enough to know her.
Which makes this all the stranger.
“How did you find this place?”
“When I set out to find someone, I can track down even their distant relatives. What’s so hard about finding an address?”
“That’s an invasion of privacy.”
“Privacy? For someone whose face was plastered all over yesterday’s news?”
Oh.
Now I get why she’s here.
Han Yeri is a business partner of Spectrum.
Before I was kicked out, we supplied our corporate management system to her department store.
It was tough to break into that sales channel, but once we did, we milked it for all it was worth under the guise of maintenance.
Now that Spectrum’s CEO has been abruptly replaced, she’s clearly here to demand an explanation.
“I don’t have much to say. The press release already covered everything.”
“You believe everything a company writes and the media just parrots? I didn’t take you for such a naive person, President Kang.”
Tch.
As someone who’s also been in management, I’m at a loss for words.
Han Yeri glared at me, then pointed at the door.
“How long are you going to keep a guest standing at the door?”
“You’re coming in?”
“We haven’t even started talking yet.”
“I’ve got nothing to say.”
“But I do.”
I was planning to eat a leisurely dinner and do more research.
Guess it’s not time for that yet.
I led her into the house, and Han Yeri looked around.
“This place is pretty run-down.”
“It belonged to my grandparents. Want some instant coffee mix?”
“No Americano? Blue Mountain single blend, preferably.”
“We don’t grow that stuff in my house.”
“Then forget it. Just water.”
Is she picky or just laid-back?
I placed a glass of water in front of her as she settled on the sofa.
She stared at me and asked,
“Does Spectrum not pay its CEO much?”
“No, I earned quite a bit. The dividends from my shares were generous too.”
“Then why’s your house like this? No renovations?”
“I had some debts. Personal and business. I only started keeping money in my hands recently.”
I’d racked up debts left and right to grow the business.
No matter how much I earned, it was like pouring water into a leaky bucket.
I only started living decently not long ago.
And getting fired right after reaching that point is just absurd.
Now, all I have left is about the equivalent of a minimum-wage salary.
“You didn’t come here for small talk, so what’s the real reason?”
“Straight to the point, huh?”
“No need to beat around the bush when it won’t move the conversation forward.”
“You’ve always been direct, President Kang, and I like that.”
Han Yeri smiled faintly and said,
“Let me be direct too, President Kang.”
“Yes?”
“Come to Shinsegae Department Store. I’ll give you the vice president position.”
…Did I hear that right?
Vice president?
“Are you serious? Vice president?”
“As you said yourself, beating around the bush doesn’t move things forward.”
…What, are my words some kind of catchphrase now? She’s quoting me left and right.
Han Yeri handed me a document envelope.
Inside was a labor contract, with the position listed as vice president, just as she said.
“And the other employees were okay with this?”
“When the boss makes a decision, what can they do? Besides, if they can’t see the value in someone like you, they’re blind.”
So, I’m being treated as a high-end commodity, huh?
A discarded high-end commodity, that is.
…No, a high-end commodity burning with revenge.
“Using such harsh words—doesn’t your secretary complain about your image?”
“Who cares? They’re not here. Stop dodging the point.”
I gave an awkward smile, and she cut in sharply.
“Yes or no. Pick one.”
“Well…”
“Oh, I forgot one thing.”
Han Yeri pointed to a spot on the contract.
The section for the salary was blank.
“I know your capabilities, President Kang. So, let me ask you specially: how much do you want?”
…Is this what they call a girl crush or something?
I let out a hollow laugh and stared at the contract.
This is no longer just a labor contract.
It’s more like a blank check.
A blank check.
If given a blank check, how much would you write?
The answer isn’t hard.
As much as possible.
Enough to exceed what you think a rich person is worth.
“Two trillion won annually. How’s that?”
“…Are you insane?”
Two trillion is Shinsegae Department Store’s revenue from last year.
Han Yeri, of all people, would know that.
“You know how you sometimes seem like a madman, President Kang? Like during our last contract?”
“I’ll take it as a compliment.”
“It’s not a compliment.”
Back then, I was desperate to secure that contract.
I can barely recall how many months I slaved away for it.
One thing’s certain: I didn’t go home until the deal was done.
I worked myself to the bone.
I showed up every week with a different PPT, tweaking our business strategy to gain an edge.
Her exasperated expression back then wasn’t for nothing.
With a similar look now, Han Yeri spoke again.
“President Kang, I won’t offer this twice. This is your last chance.”
“Sounds like the next offer won’t come with a blank check.”
“There won’t be another offer. So think carefully. This is the vice president position at Shinsegae Department Store. You won’t get an offer like this anywhere else.”
I know.
Vice president of the top department store in the industry.
It’s a position far above what my career warrants.
If that spam message hadn’t come.
A high-end commodity like me, discarded, being offered a blank check.
I probably would’ve taken it.
But now, it’s not enough.
“I’ll pass.”
Because I’m holding onto a bigger opportunity.
Han Yeri shook her head and grabbed the contract, tearing it to pieces.
“Fine, tell me why. Why are you refusing?”
“I’m not the right fit for that role.”
“Too small for your ambitions?”
“Yes, the company’s too small for me.”
“You don’t back down an inch.”
How many times have we had these power struggles?
Besides, I’ve got nothing to lose now, so I can go all out.
She’s the one who needs me right now, after all.
“So what are you going to do? You’re not turning down a vice president role to join another company, are you?”
“What if I am?”
“I’ll crush you.”
“Wow!”
This isn’t a girl crush—it’s just a crush.
She’s saying she’ll destroy me if I join another company.
“Are you serious?”
“Half-joking.”
“Doesn’t sound like it.”
“Half of it is.”
This is why chaebols are something else.
I almost had a company crushed without even knowing it.
Han Yeri crossed her legs.
She knows that posture works on people.
It reminds me of someone who’d use even their looks and figure if needed.
“Speak plainly. What are you going to do to make a living?”
“I’m going to start a business.”
“To get fired again after building it up?”
“…No way.”
This time, I’ll keep 100% of the shares.
Even if I go public, I won’t give up the majority shareholder position.
Never.
“This time will be different.”
“I’m curious. Someone like you, President Kang, must already have a solid business plan, right?”
“I got fired yesterday. Aren’t you overestimating me?”
“You’re not the type to speak vaguely about half-baked ideas. You only say what’s possible.”
Well, damn.
She’s sharp.
Is this what chaebols are like?
“Stop looking at me like that and answer.”
“There’s not much to explain. I’ve only got a rough outline. I don’t even know if it’ll work.”
“You can give me a briefing, right? I’ll listen.”
I haven’t fleshed out the details yet, but when a chaebol owner wants to hear, you can’t just say no.
This could be an opportunity.
Society still runs on connections.
With Han Yeri’s network, she could open doors for the business I’m starting.
Of course, I’d need to offer something in return.
But we can negotiate a win-win deal when the time comes.
“I’m going to start an agricultural and fisheries distribution business. Starting with distribution and moving toward selling processed goods.”
Naturally, I left out the part about the Tinyfolk dimension.
Who’d believe that?
Instead, I emphasized that I could secure a stable supply of agricultural products, starting with small-scale deals to carve out a path before going big.
“That’s the rough plan, but who knows how things will turn out? The world could change in the meantime.”
“Agricultural products? That’s completely different from Spectrum’s business. Are you confident?”
“Not really.”
Confident in failing, that is.
Recognizing my unspoken words, the chaebol owner shook her head and stood up.
“See, I wasn’t wrong to think highly of you, President Kang.”
“Thanks for the kind words.”
“Since you’re being so polite, I’ll give you a small reward.”
As she stood, she said,
“The flour market’s about to see some changes soon.”
“A storm’s coming, huh. A real storm.”
***
I’ve never seen someone with such a commanding presence.
Still, compared to when I was pitching to her, she seems to have softened a bit.
“To be fair, the old me would’ve done anything to get her to sign that contract.”
Even if it meant mortgaging my house or racking up debts I didn’t know about…
She’s a dangerous person.
But if handled well, she’s someone who could bring massive benefits.
Take now, for example—I just got valuable information.
“Flour…”
I immediately turned on my computer and started researching domestic flour businesses.
I identified the companies dividing up the market’s pie and reviewed their quarterly investor relations reports.
After analyzing their financial statements, I reached a simple conclusion.
“It’s a cash cow business.”
A business that, once established, steadily generates profits.
That’s the flour milling industry.
There are eight companies involved in it.
Four of them dominate 90% of the market.
As I reviewed the compiled data, a question arose.
“The market’s about to shake up, huh.”
There’s only one reason a market like this would see a shake-up.
An external factor impacting the entire market.
After researching companies involved in wheat distribution, a picture started to form.
“Wheat prices are about to skyrocket.”
It’s due to the war between Ukraine and Russia.
Issues with wheat imports naturally reduce distribution profits.
The big players eating up most of the market pie might feel the pinch, but they won’t take a huge hit.
But what about small-scale milling companies?
“They’ll get hit hard.”
Money keeps going out, but none comes in.
That’s a tough spot for any company.
Even if they believe the situation will stabilize, it’s uncertain whether their finances can hold out.
No, looking at their financials, they’re not in great shape. They won’t last.
In this situation, what’s the smart move?
“Scaling down or selling off the business.”
The companies taking this approach would represent only a tiny fraction of the 10% of the market pie.
But the fact that this fraction exists is what matters.
“It’s the perfect time to enter the market.”
Because it means there’s an opportunity to gobble up a piece of that empty pie.