I took another close look at the business card.
[ Sekyung Department Store Centum Branch Agricultural Products Buying Team
Department Manager MD Lee Do-kyung ]
It was the most prestigious department store in the province.
‘He’s likely not a con artist.’
I pride myself on being a good judge of character. It’s a bit of an occupational hazard. He had a Seoul accent, rare in the countryside. He carried a handmade Japanese briefcase that was hard to find even in major markets. Even his gaze was steady, never avoiding eye contact.
“……Please, come inside.”
He wasn’t just a low-level clerk; he was a department manager. I immediately led the unexpected guest inside.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
“Shall I bring you a glass of cold tea?”
“No, that’s quite alright. Ah! This is a small token of my appreciation.”
“……This is……”
What he brought as a gift was none other than Ballantine’s 30 Year. Premium Grade 1++ Hanu beef with incredible marbling was an added bonus. Since I was still technically a prosecutor, accepting this blindly could be considered a bribe.
‘But this is a gift for my parents.’
Still, I should at least hear what he has to say. I can make a judgment after listening.
“Please, have a seat. You can just set those things down anywhere.”
“Thank you.”
We immediately stepped up onto the wooden veranda.
“I am truly sorry for visiting so suddenly.”
“This is the first I’m hearing of this, but has our produce been distributed to Sekyung Department Store?”
“Only in very small quantities. Our records only listed the supplier as ‘an elderly couple who mainly supplies seasonal vegetables’……”
Trailing off, Department Manager Lee Do-kyung pulled something out of his briefcase.
“……Since last year, we have been receiving consistent feedback like this through our customer service center.”
It was a stack of printouts. I quickly scanned the contents of the first page.
― Are there any plans to restock the Goseong Eoreumgol wrap vegetables I ate last fall??????
― About the Eoreumgol young radish. Is it definitely domestic and eco-friendly? It was so delicious, maybe because the scent was different!!!!!
― I want to eat corn from Eoreumgol Farm. When will it be back in the department store!?
― I used Goseong Eoreumgol cucumbers for a face massage, and my skin became like honey. My constipation even cleared up. Please, restock them!
A smile naturally formed on my lips. Every single one was a glowing review. Seeing the crops my parents raised personally receive such recognition made me feel good, as if their hard work was finally being acknowledged by others. Most of all.
‘First impression: a pass.’
My favorability toward the man in front of me, Lee Do-kyung, increased proportionally. Based on the atmosphere so far, it was clear he had come because he wanted to be officially supplied with our produce.
‘And yet, he maintains this humble attitude from the start.’
What was the fundamental rule of negotiation? Even if you want something, you shouldn’t show how desperate you are. In any deal, the side that appears more urgent usually has to pay a higher price. Even as someone from a large corporation who could easily throw his weight around, the fact that he was open with this data from the beginning was quite likeable.
“To be honest, it is quite unusual to receive this much feedback through the customer complaint channel. At least during my time in this position, there hasn’t been such an explosive reaction.”
“I see.”
“Especially with food products like agricultural goods, customers are even more picky. Nowadays, everyone just sticks the same eco-friendly labels on everything. To have customers directly perceive a ‘difference in taste’ and even express an intent to repurchase is nearly a miracle.”
Lee Do-kyung spoke with a constant smile on his face.
“By the way, is the person currently running this farm……?”
“They are my parents.”
“Ah! I thought so. You seemed far too young.”
Lee Do-kyung nodded.
“Anyway, the reason I’m here today is to make a proposal on behalf of our headquarters.”
Originally, my parents only supplied their crops to the local village auctions. If this was a proposal from the headquarters, it likely meant they wanted to distribute directly to Sekyung Department Store without those middle steps. And as expected.
[ Sekyung Department Store Centum Branch “Premium Organic Pop-up Zone” Supply Proposal ]
“For this season only, we would like to open an ‘Organic Direct-from-the-Source Hall’ in the basement level food court of our Centum Branch. Naturally, Eoreumgol Farm would be the main feature.”
“Hmm.”
“To speak even more candidly, there are too many agricultural products these days that only have organic certification but no flavor. However……”
“You’re saying our produce is both eco-friendly and delicious?”
The crinkle in Lee Do-kyung’s eyes deepened.
“Yes. In fact, the nitrogen residue test results were excellent, and the antioxidant index and vitamin retention rates were at the very top. Even our in-house analysis team was surprised by the results.”
“You went as far as testing them directly?”
“Of course. An MD might be called a Buying Team member, but in reality, half the job is closer to R&D.”
This information was certainly a significant gain for me. There was a world of difference between simply guessing, ‘Our produce seems special,’ and having experts certify it.
“If you leave it to us, I will show you sales figures worthy of the premium name. Specifically, this pop-up zone has a fundamental difference from general tenant stores.”
“In what way?”
“Usually, produce is sold through a consignment structure at the department store, but the event we are preparing is a direct purchase structure where the MD adjusts the quality and price immediately. If everything goes according to plan, it will be entirely possible to brand the name ‘Goseong Eoreumgol Farm’ at the department store level.”
In other words, they wouldn’t just scatter our crops across the shelves with everyone else’s. They would manage our produce separately and turn it into a brand that customers would specifically seek out.
‘Even someone who doesn’t know this industry would think this is a good deal.’
Then, Lee Do-kyung spoke as if to seal the deal.
“We want to remain not just as a simple buyer, but as a reliable partner and supporter of Eoreumgol Farm.”
Suddenly, a conversation I had with my father a long time ago came to mind.
‘Hey! If you’re going to do it that half-heartedly, just go inside and rest! You’re just in the way!’
‘No, Father. I’m sweating bullets and doing my best to plant seeds. What do you mean half-heartedly?’
‘There’s no sincerity in it, sincerity! Farming has to be honest to both the people and the land. Only then will everyone recognize it, don’t you know!?’
Back then, I didn’t understand those words.
Rustle! Rustle!
……Now, I think I understand a little. Just looking at the snowflakes gathered around with curious expressions.
“Please give it a positive review. We will be waiting to hear from Eoreumgol Farm at any time.”
“Yes. I will review it carefully.”
Only then did Lee Do-kyung stand up from his seat.
“Ah, and also……”
“Yes?”
“Whether you accept the proposal or not, may I arrange another meeting sometime?”
If I accepted, it would be a formal greeting. If I refused, it would be to persuade me.
“Will someone higher than a department manager be coming then?”
I said it as a joke. Lee Do-kyung flinched for a moment, then gave a beaming smile.
“Yes. At that time, the CEO will likely come personally.”
“Pardon? The CEO?”
“To be honest, this whole thing was on our CEO’s orders.”
“!”
***
My father, who had gone out to the market, returned. I immediately headed to his room.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Father.”
However, there was no response despite the knocking.
“……Father?”
Slide.
I cautiously opened the sliding door.
Humming, humming.
“……?”
My father was humming to himself with his back turned to me. He had some YouTube video playing on his phone and was following along. Looking closer, a very familiar face was on the screen.
‘Isn’t that Ha-ru’s song?’
No. This was the same man who used to hate listening to modern music, saying young people these days have no soul. How did he……
‘……He seems completely hooked.’
He’s usually a light sleeper, yet he didn’t even realize someone had walked in.
“Father!”
I called out to him a bit louder.
“Oh. What?”
Only then did he turn off his phone and roll over as if nothing had happened.
“An employee from a department store came by today.”
“Department store? Where would there be a department store in the middle of the countryside?”
“From Busan.”
“And?”
“The CEO there wants to see you. They want to be supplied with our crops.”
Immediately after, my father wordlessly rubbed his back.
“Tell them to forget it.”
It was a rough way of saying he wasn’t interested.
“Why?”
“You want to increase the workload and put your old man in a coffin sooner?”
“We can just hire people. If that’s not enough, we can reduce the amount we supply to other places.”
“What are you talking about? Do you think human relationships are something you can just attach and detach whenever you feel like it?”
Well, that’s not quite right. While rural hospitality is generally good, it’s not always the case. Above all, aren’t human hearts prone to swaying like reeds in the face of money?
“Mr. Ho-seok, the man who distributes our produce. Hyung-taek told me that he’s selling our crops for ten percent more than last year.”
“What?”
“And even then, he can’t sell them fast enough. But he’s still paying us the same old price, isn’t he?”
“Why, is that brat crazy?”
Furious, my father immediately dialed a number. ……For a while afterward, I heard sounds of him calling someone a son of a bitch and a bastard, but I decided not to feel any needless guilt. It was something that had to be done anyway.
“I’ve never seen such a rotten fellow!”
“That’s why I’m saying the more business partners we have, the better.”
“So what do you want me to do? You want an old man like me to go all the way to Busan and meet some high-ranking person?”
“No. If you just pick a date, they said they’ll come here directly.”
“You said it was a department store CEO?”
“That’s why I was surprised too.”
“……”
After a moment of silent contemplation, my father rolled back over.
“Then you meet them.”
“Huh?”
“What would I know about talking to an educated person? You’re the smart one, so you go meet them and talk.”
Dumbfounded, I stood there with a blank expression.
“I’ve spent my whole life digging through law books. What do I know about farming?”
“Look around and you’ll find a contract. Isn’t that your specialty?”
“Sigh…… Fine. I’ll meet them then.”
Father, turning only his head slightly, wore a winner’s smile.
“You should have said that from the start.”
“Please, try to keep your temper in check.”
“Always nagging. Are you taking after your mother?”
“Can I repeat what you just said to Mom?”
“……”
There was no reply. Even though I had lived my life desperately trying to win against lawyers and defendants, I had no desire to win against my father.
‘I wasn’t like this when I was younger. Why do I feel like joking around whenever I see him lately?’
It must be because I’ve grown up. The actions of his that I couldn’t understand at all back then were starting to make sense one by one.
“Father.”
“Ah, why do you keep annoying me by calling!”
“I love you.”
My father’s face distorted as if he had just discovered a pile of dog droppings.
“Did you eat something wrong this morning?”
***
Meanwhile, the two women shut inside the room were in a somber, funeral-like atmosphere.
“Unnie. Don’t worry too much. Everything will be fine.”
The news of a full-scale search and seizure, which the police had even leaked to the press. That was the cause.
“Me, being prescribed illegal Propofol…… that makes no sense.”
“Of course I believe you. Let’s wait a little longer. The Prosecutor said he would look into it for sure.”
Shin Hye-seo buried her head between her knees with a dark expression. And then.
“I’m back.”
At the most perfect timing, the person they had been waiting for walked inside.
“Prosecutor!”
Baek Seo-jun let out a light sigh. He had expected it, but the person in question looked even worse than he had imagined.
“There is a case of illegal Propofol prescriptions that the police are investigating. It seems Shin Hye-seo’s name appeared in the consultation records of the doctor who is the suspect in that case.”
“That’s ridiculous! Unnie has never been prescribed something like Propofol!”
“Yes. It wasn’t an actual prescription, and a doctor can write whatever they want in consultation records at their own discretion.”
Fuming, Min Ha-ru exploded with anger.
“Is a search and seizure even possible based on just that much?”
“Regrettably…… yes. That’s how the laws in our country work. The requirements for a search and seizure are much less strict than those for an arrest.”
“Where on earth is there such a damn law! If they can just find any little excuse to go through someone’s house as they please…… that’s way too much. The police could easily abuse that!”
Indeed. It was an abuse of power, but it was reality. One I had seen countless times.
“In the first place, a search and seizure is a process carried out to uncover a crime. In other words, an investigation.”
“My mother…… she must have been so shocked.”
At that moment, Shin Hye-seo murmured in a choked voice. It would have been better if no one had been home; the police might have just turned back. But since she lived with her family, they had barged into the residence even without her there. Even if the subject is absent, a search and seizure is entirely possible as long as the warrant is presented to another occupant.
“You don’t have to worry anymore. I’ve already taken care of things.”
“What? Really?”
Min Ha-ru’s eyes went wide.
“In order to get a lighter sentence, the doctor in charge used Shin Hye-seo’s name under the persuasion of the police.”
“What? A lighter sentence?”
“Criminal Act Article 51, Conditions for Sentencing. Clause 3, Circumstances after the crime. To put it simply, if a judge determines that a defendant is sufficiently repentant, they must take that into account and consider a lighter sentence. The concept of ‘repentance’ is a bit vague here, but in drug-related crimes, naming an ‘accomplice’ is usually considered the most definitive form of repentance.”
Who would sell drugs to a junkie who already betrayed them once? It’s the same for a doctor performing illegal Propofol prescriptions. Who would ever go to that hospital again out of fear?
“That doctor likely has many prior convictions of the same type. Since a prison sentence was inevitable, he had no choice but to take the bait the police offered.”
However.
“But creating a consultation record that doesn’t exist at all is a separate issue……”
Understanding the meaning, Shin Hye-seo opened her mouth with a depressed expression.
“My insomnia was so bad…… I did go to the hospital once to see if I could get a prescription for sleeping pills.”
Only then did Baek Seo-jun nod.
“Thank you for telling me.”
Then, he turned around.
“I’ll go settle this matter. I’ll get an official correction issued by the media through some reporters I know, and I’m going to make an issue out of this leak. I’ve already given them a warning, so the police won’t be acting out anymore, and if you want, I can make sure that doctor is punished for false accusation.”
“Wow……”
Min Ha-ru felt her heart swell with reassurance. It was a feeling she had never experienced once in her life.
“Thank……!”
Just as Min Ha-ru was about to thank him on behalf of the mentally exhausted Shin Hye-seo.
“Thank…… you. Prosecutor. Truly…… thank you.”
At that moment, the choked voice drifted out again.
“……Unnie……”
Min Ha-ru hugged Shin Hye-seo with a tearful expression. Just how much had she suffered mentally……
‘……This kind of mess was exactly why I quit my job.’
Baek Seo-jun let out a sigh and quietly closed the sliding door.
“Whew.”
Then, he sat on the edge of the veranda for a moment and stared blankly up at the sky. A crescent moon, unusually dark tonight, was the first thing that entered his sight.
Chirp, chirp!
In the darkness of the silence, the quiet sound of insects chirping. As if trying to comfort someone who was sad, the mountain breeze blew and rattled the sliding door again.
“Don’t cry……”
Slowly. Through the door, the sound of the two women sobbing grew louder.
“……This is why all these rotten old habits need to be uprooted.”
Though this corner of the south coast was so peaceful, the hearts of the people there were far from it.
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