There were two department stores in Haeundae.
One was Sekyung.
The other was their fierce competitor, Shinhwa Department Store.
— We have to land this, Ma’am!
The moment their eyes met, her trusted employee was intensely appealing to her with his gaze.
— No matter what.
— Just trust me!
President Han Yu-jin felt her determination burn within her.
“Do you perhaps find our terms unsatisfactory?”
“Oh, it’s not that at all. I just thought it might be better to diversify our clients.”
Only then did President Han Yu-jin breathe a sigh of relief. If that was the reason, she could understand.
“I understand.”
However, despite her answer, President Han Yu-jin bit her lip. Yes, she understood it with her head, but her heart felt completely different. The rival mentioned was one she absolutely could not lose to.
‘Was he aiming for this?’
If so, this young businessman was certainly no ordinary person. What he wanted likely wasn’t just money. If money were the goal, he would have just asked to revise the numbers right here.
‘He probably wants to build a wide range of connections, right? Even I have felt the hidden effects of those crops firsthand.’
Of course, Han Yu-jin had already grasped his intentions. She would have done the same if she were in his shoes.
‘If that’s the case… I have to make a bold move here.’
She remembered the advice her respected grandfather had given her. Soon, President Han Yu-jin made her decision.
“… CEO Baek. Are you aware of this?”
“Pardon?”
“There are separate connections that exist among us businesspeople. In fact, figures from various fields hold regular private meetings.”
Baek Seo-jun, who was listening, tilted his head.
“Why bring that up all of a sudden…?”
“If you wish, CEO Baek, I will pull some strings so that you can attend those meetings.”
“…!”
This time, not only Baek Seo-jun but even Manager Lee Do-gyeong, who was listening, was shocked.
“P-President. Are you serious?”
People of their standing already knew. For those who had accumulated a certain amount of wealth, connections were more important than money. In extreme terms, it was the biggest difference between the nouveau riche and true men of wealth.
‘A mere farmer in such a prestigious meeting…’
Manager Lee was someone who didn’t think he was the type to rank people. Even so, that was the first thought that came to his mind.
“I mentioned it before, didn’t I? The crops grown at Ice Valley Farm are receiving incredible praise from our VIPs.”
“… Yes. I remember.”
“If your goal is simply to diversify your clients, wouldn’t it be better to meet those major clients directly and talk to them? There’s no need to go through a middleman.”
This was a big gamble and a concession on Han Yu-jin’s part. If a farmer could sell products directly to customers without going through a large distributor, what businessman would be crazy enough to consign their goods and pay expensive fees? Of course, there would be more to worry about, such as transportation, management, and storage, but shouldn’t profit be the top priority? In fact, some private farms did provide direct delivery services without going through distributors like supermarkets or department stores.
“Looking at it on my way here, it seems the expansion work for Ice Valley Farm is underway.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Then, you haven’t finalized what crops you’ll grow yet, right? If you accept this proposal, you’ll be able to see the customers’ needs with your own eyes and choose the necessary crops in a customized way.”
Baek Seo-jun, who had been listening quietly, soon pierced through to the core.
“Naturally, such a good proposal comes with conditions, right?”
“Yes.”
President Han Yu-jin nodded with a tense expression.
“You may handle direct sales however you like, but for any other volume, I would like you to sign an exclusive distribution contract with us.”
“Hmm. Still, those are very good terms for us.”
“This place deserves such treatment. Ice Valley Farm does.”
Han Yu-jin spoke with conviction.
“Very well. Let’s do that.”
“!”
Han Yu-jin’s face instantly brightened.
“Thank you so much, CEO Baek! We will do our best to handle the sales so that you never regret this decision!”
“By the way, regardless of the supply, isn’t attending the business circle meetings a burden for you, President?”
“That’s for me to handle, so you don’t need to worry much about it.”
Manager Lee Do-gyeong, who was watching the situation unfold, stood with his mouth agape.
‘Is this right?’
However, those weren’t even the end of the conditions.
“Additionally, I’ll add one more special provision to the new exclusive distribution contract. To supplement the existing contract, if there’s any place that offers a higher purchase price than ours, we will unconditionally buy your crops at a price higher than that.”
‘P-President!’
Manager Lee Do-gyeong let out a silent scream. Wasn’t this conceding far too much?
‘… No. Let’s think calmly.’
Manager Lee Do-gyeong shook his head quickly.
‘If the main customer base is the conglomerate families… And if the supply even becomes scarce…?’
Then, the price of Ice Valley Farm’s crops would skyrocket regardless. Direct transactions were possible without going through a distributor, and for those people, money wasn’t even a big issue. If there was a high-quality product, they were the types who would want to monopolize it even if it cost a fortune. After all, isn’t this an era where people spend lavishly on strollers more expensive than a salaryman’s monthly pay just for the brand name? How could anyone stop that desire to feed their family better food?
‘I see… So that’s why she added that special provision.’
Eventually, Manager Lee Do-gyeong understood the big picture. It was a minimum safety measure to ensure the supplier would be sufficiently satisfied without having to bother with direct sales.
‘I still have a long way to go…’
Manager Lee Do-gyeong reproached himself. To think he almost missed out on a bigger profit because of the numbers right in front of him. Anyway, he felt as if his eyes had been opened today thanks to these two capable businesspeople.
***
Shinhwa Group, the parent company of Shinhwa Department Store.
The person at the top was Chairman Hwang Man-cheol.
‘I originally intended to enter the lion’s den and build some connections first.’
This meeting had given me more than that. From the beginning, my goal was clear. It was to put a proper weapon in Lee-rae’s hands so that he could continue the fight until the end. Because no matter what anyone said, he was the general standing on the battlefield right now.
“… But things went much better than I thought.”
I was even secretly surprised. I never imagined that I would receive such a counter-proposal.
“It feels good.”
Naturally, a smile formed on my lips. Even though a fierce battle of negotiation had just taken place, our house was peaceful as usual.
“Seol-i. Should we go see the otter together?”
“I’d love to!”
Lately, Min Ha-ru had fallen head over heels for Seol-i. No, she had been like that from the start. And currently, she was fully enjoying the results.
“Big Sister!”
“Aww, our Seol-i is so cute!”
This was because she was the very first person Seol-i called “Sister.”
“You… you called me Auntie…”
A defeated Shin Hye-seo slumped down where she stood.
“Cheer up, CEO.”
“It’s okay. We’re just ‘Misters’ to her.”
“To be called a ‘Mister’ at age 21… my heart hurts.”
“I’d rather she call me ‘Uncle.'”
“That would put you on the same level as the Prosecutor. Do you really think Seol-i would call you that?”
Of course, the members of Revive who arrived later were treated no differently.
“Prosecutor!”
“Yes, Ha-ru.”
“When is Seol-i going back home, by the way?”
Min Ha-ru asked with an anxious expression. Well, I was curious about that too…
‘Come to think of it, should I try contacting him?’
I immediately pulled out my phone. But…
“… Huh…?”
The call was cut off before it even rang a few times.
“He rejected the call?”
Naturally, my brows furrowed. There had been so much going on lately.
*Ring-a-ding-ding~*
Fortunately, my worry was for nothing. A moment later, a call came back via Voice Talk.
“What’s this? Why Voice Talk?”
— Hehe. There’s a reason for it. Did you call because you missed your big brother?
“… Can I be honest?”
— Go ahead.
“I was wondering if my brother had forgotten about the existence of his lovely daughter.”
— Weren’t you just nervous that I’d say I’m taking Seol-i back?
He certainly was quick-witted.
— Anyway, you don’t have to worry about that. I’m in Europe right now.
“What?”
What kind of out-of-the-blue news was this?
— My little brother is looking after my daughter, so when else would I go on an overseas trip?
“By yourself?”
— Yeah. Originally, I wanted to take Mom and Dad, but they flatly refused. I’ll send them separately later. This is like a preliminary scouting trip for a filial duty vacation.
… This is why I think of my brother as a free spirit.
“You’re living the life, aren’t you? Aren’t you worried about Seol-i?”
— What’s there to worry about? It’s not someone else, it’s you looking after her. Besides, you’re unemployed right now.
“Is that something to say to your brother?”
— Thanks, little brother. I love you always!
“Can I hit you when you get back?”
— Oh, I have to go now. My companions are calling.
“I thought you were alone?”
— You’re supposed to make connections at travel destinations.
“… Those companions aren’t women, are they?”
— Hehe. Should I make a new mom for our Seol-i while I’m at it?
I chuckled. Knowing my brother’s personality, as if he would.
— By the way, is there any luxury brand stuff you’ve had your eye on?
“What luxury brand?”
— It’s cheaper if I buy it locally.
“No, forget it. I don’t care for luxury items.”
— Okay. I’ll just pick out a gift for you on my own.
*Click.*
With that, the call ended.
“… Oh, right. Come to think of it, I need to give out gifts too.”
Naturally, my gaze turned toward the table. Most of the wild yams had been handed over to the department store as a trial shipment, but some remained. It was the amount I had intentionally left behind when Manager Lee Do-gyeong tried to take everything.
“Since I thought of it, there’s no reason to delay.”
*Whirring!*
I took them and ground them finely into wild yam juice. Using my own special secret recipe. After packing it well in an icebox…
*Vroom!*
I immediately got into the car and headed toward my destination.
“Chief!”
I saw a familiar face right at the entrance of the police station.
‘He’s still as sharp as ever about leaving work on time.’
I turned off the engine and stepped out of the driver’s seat.
“Prosecutor…?”
… Excuse me? Why are you backing away after seeing me?
“What brings you here without calling…?”
“I brought a gift for you, Chief.”
Chief Han Seo-jin’s eyes widened.
“A gift for me?”
“For your information, it’s a gift you can’t get even if you have money.”
I immediately took the icebox from the passenger seat and handed it over.
“What is this?”
“Seeing is believing. Open it and have a sip.”
Chief Han Seo-jin still wore a suspicious expression.
*Pour.*
I poured the wild yam juice from the glass bottle into one of the plastic cups I had included.
“Hmm.”
Soon, Chief Han Seo-jin reluctantly brought the juice to his lips.
“!!!!!!”
Chief Han Seo-jin, who had only been touching it with his lips, suddenly stared with wide eyes.
*Gulp, gulp, gulp.*
“Kaaaah!”
Look at that refreshing swallow. One would think he was filming a beer commercial.
“Watching you makes me want some juice too.”
I was about to take the cup back and pour some juice for myself…
*Grab!*
Chief Han Seo-jin suddenly grabbed my wrist.
“This is mine.”
“… Pardon?”
“Didn’t you say it was a gift for me?”
… Apparently, he liked it quite a lot.
“Why is this so delicious? The sweetness and the savoriness are incredible. It felt like my tongue was being wrapped in clouds.”
“It’s not just the taste, you know.”
“?”
“I heard wild yam juice is very good for a man’s stamina.”
“!”
Chief Han Seo-jin’s eyes instinctively glanced toward his private area.
“Oh… Ohhhh!!!! I think I’m starting to feel something, Prosecutor.”
“… We’re outside, Chief.”
Even so, Chief Han Seo-jin looked back at me with anticipation in his eyes.
“Prosecutor. Do you happen to need any extra hands?”
… Seeing this, it seems the reason he backed away upon seeing me was because he was afraid I’d make him do manual labor again.
“When should I go for the next job? I saw earlier that you’re in the land reclamation stage, so it looked like you’d have a lot to do.”
Men will be men.
***
It was that evening when I received an unexpected call.
*Buzz!*
“Uncle!!!!! Look, the otter’s girlfriend!!!!!”
“Seol-i, just a moment.”
I held Seol-i in one arm and immediately pressed the call button on my phone.
“Yes, hello.”
— CEO Baek?
Wait. This voice…
“… President Han Yu-jin?”
I belatedly checked the screen and flinched.
— I’m sorry to keep pressuring you, but when do you think the initial shipment can be delivered? I think I forgot to mention that.
“Well, I think I can only tell you once the farm expansion work is finished.”
— Please don’t misunderstand; I’m not trying to pressure you.
I nodded. I already knew she wasn’t that kind of person.
“Yes. What is it?”
— If you can deliver the initial shipment within this year, I will personally reward you greatly, regardless of the contract. I will pay a price that will definitely not disappoint you, CEO Baek.
“…?”
Was I imagining it? Her voice sounded urgent.
‘Did something happen in the meantime?’
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