“I’ve worked in this industry for quite a while, and lately, I’ve realized that delivery is the core. Every distributor handles the same meat, so what’s the differentiator?”
“Delivery?”
“That’s right. Temperature control, time management, and packaging condition — these ultimately determine customer satisfaction. So, I want to develop the logistics side more systematically.”
‘Ah, so this is what CEO Yoon dreams of.’
CEO Yoon continued speaking as he turned the steering wheel.
“But if CEO Jeong continues to grow like this… I was wondering if you could use my delivery system as your main one.”
“I don’t even have a delivery volume worth mentioning right now…”
“No, I’m not saying we should sign a contract right now.”
He laughed heartily and waved his hand.
“Currently, I’m the one helping you, but by the time your business grows, won’t I be more upgraded too?”
“Specifically, how?”
“Adding more refrigerated trucks and introducing a real-time GPS tracking system. Oh, and I plan to create regular delivery routes not just to Busan, but to Daegu and Gwangju as well.”
I could feel the sincerity in his voice.
When we were going around looking for pigs together, I thought of him as just a seasoned, weary businessman. But now, I saw the expression of someone who had a dream.
When people talk about their dreams, they become entirely different individuals. CEO Yoon was no exception. Instead of his usual blunt and realistic demeanor, his eyes were filled with passion and his voice carried a hint of excitement. It was a side of him so pure that it was hard to believe he had spent so much time grinding in this industry.
Perhaps all adults were like that. Even if they seemed worn down by the world on the outside, a boy who still dreamed was living in a corner of their hearts.
“But to make that kind of investment, securing a stable volume is important. It’s only possible if I have many partners like you, CEO Jeong.”
“That’s true.”
“That’s why I’m helping you so hard right now. So that when you’re truly successful, you won’t abandon me. I’m marking my territory early.”
He winked playfully.
“Of course, if there’s a company offering better conditions then, I can’t help it, but at least give me a chance to compete. That’s my request.”
“I definitely owe you, CEO Yoon. Even today, I must have caused you a lot of trouble… Well, I guess I should focus on succeeding first.”
“Exactly.”
***
It took about 30 minutes to reach Eumseong Farm. As soon as we got out of the car, a man waved his hand and approached us.
“Hey, CEO Yoon! Long time no see!”
“Hello, CEO Lee.”
He had a loud, energetic style. After CEO Yoon greeted him, the farm owner looked at me. His expression stiffened instantly.
“Who is this fellow?”
“He’s our new employee.”
I greeted him politely. “Hello, my name is Jung Jun-ho.”
CEO Lee looked me up and down. Soon, he spoke to CEO Yoon with a look of displeasure.
“CEO Yoon, I’m a bit uncomfortable when you bring people to a place like this…”
“CEO Lee, don’t worry. He’s an employee of our company, and he’s tight-lipped. Besides, if he wants to learn this business, he has to see it firsthand, right?”
“That may be so, but still…”
“Oh, I’ll vouch for him. If there’s a problem, it’s my responsibility.”
CEO Lee hesitated for a moment before shrugging his shoulders.
“Well, if CEO Yoon says so… But you must never speak of what you see here to anyone outside. Understand?”
CEO Lee pressed me with a sharp tone, as if demanding a promise. I nodded.
“Yes, sir. I’ll make sure of that.”
“Good. Then let’s go in. I have a lot to show you today.”
CEO Lee’s expression brightened. Throughout the walk to the livestock shed, his mouth didn’t stop moving. I felt like if we walked a bit longer, I’d even find out the name of his dog.
***
As soon as we entered the farm, CEO Lee started talking again. Even without me asking, the stories I wanted to hear flowed out effortlessly.
“CEO Yoon, the requirements from Mega Meat changed again this time.”
“What is it?”
“The feed. For 3 weeks before shipping, we absolutely must use only the feed provided by Mega Meat.”
“Mega Meat provides the feed? That can’t be…”
CEO Lee explained with a gesture.
“No, Mega Meat doesn’t provide the feed directly. They provide the guidelines.”
“New guidelines were released?” CEO Yoon asked back.
“Yeah. Things like the feed composition ratio. It specifies exactly what percentage of crude protein, crude fat, and even the ratios of amino acids like lysine and methionine.”
CEO Lee took a folded piece of paper from his pocket and spread it out.
“I take this to the feed company and ask them to make it according to these ratios.”
“So the farm bears the cost?”
“Right. But Mega Meat pays a better price than the regular shipment rate.”
CEO Lee continued with a smile.
“When I did the math, the profit is much higher than the increase in feed costs. And the pigs that eat the feed made according to these guidelines definitely gain weight faster.”
“On paper, it looks like the farm changed the feed on its own,” I remarked.
CEO Lee responded immediately.
“Exactly. This fellow is sharp. Mega Meat just says they’ll pay a premium for pigs that meet their quality standards. Legally, there’s no problem.”
CEO Lee pointed toward the warehouse.
“The special mixed feed is piled up over there. But the strange thing is, the pigs drink twice as much water as usual. They’re hanging off the water tanks all day long.”
“But they gain weight well, right?” CEO Yoon asked.
“That’s for sure. They easily put on an extra 10 kg in 3 weeks.”
CEO Lee shrugged his shoulders.
The moment I saw the first pen, I was speechless. Pigs were packed tightly into a narrow space. There looked to be more than ten of them, but almost none were lying down properly. Most were standing or leaning their bodies against other pigs.
“How many pigs go into one pen?”
“Twelve. It’s tight, but it can’t be helped. Land is expensive.”
Looking closely at the pigs, most of them had no tails. They had been cut short. I was curious about the reason.
“Why are the tails…”
“Oh, that? We cut them off in advance,” CEO Lee explained nonchalantly.
“If we don’t, they get stressed and bite each other. When you raise them this densely, they’re bound to fight. If they keep biting tails, wounds form, and the smell makes them bite even more. It’s better to just get rid of them entirely.”
“Don’t the wounds last a long time?”
“They heal quickly if done when they’re young. They just need to hold out until shipment anyway.”
He continued to explain while pointing at the pen.
“Look, with more than ten of them in there, they can’t even lie down properly. That’s why they get sensitive and annoyed, so they bite and scratch each other. Cutting the tails is basic, and we even trim the ends of their teeth a little.”
“Even their teeth?”
“I mean their canines. Otherwise, they’ll injure each other. Well, there’s a lot of talk these days about animal welfare and such… but realistically, it can’t be helped.”
A few pigs had wounds on their hindquarters, and I could see things that looked like boils on their skin.
“Those wounds…”
“They’re fine. We can just use antibiotics, and if we stop before shipment, it won’t be caught in the inspections,” CEO Lee said dismissively.
As we walked along the pens, the condition of the floor was severe. A few plastic mats were laid over a muddy mess of excrement and spilled water. The pigs were barely holding on atop those narrow mats. An automated feeder was attached next to the water dispenser, but the pigs were drinking far more water than they were eating feed.
“The reason you make them drink a lot of water is…”
“To increase their weight. It’s the easiest way to make them gain weight fast.”
As we went further inside, the smell became even more pungent. Swarms of flies buzzed around, and a small rat scurried quickly in the corner.
“That area over there is the exclusive shipment zone for Mega Meat.”
CEO Lee pointed to one side. The pigs there were in even worse condition. Most were abnormally obese. Some were so fat that their bellies dragged on the ground, and their breathing sounded labored.
“Are those pigs… okay?”
“They just need to make it to shipment. It doesn’t really matter.”
A few pigs couldn’t even support themselves on their legs and remained seated.
“Is this the condition Mega Meat wants?”
“Mega Meat only cares about efficiency; they don’t care about the taste of the meat.”
CEO Yoon glanced at me and spoke in a low voice.
“What do you think? It’s very different from the first farm, isn’t it?”
It truly was different. At the first farm, there was at least a minimum level of care, but here, it seemed they only cared about the count, weight, and speed.
At that moment, Sim Young-su’s face suddenly came to mind.
Brotherly Pure Farm.
In a small-scale operation, in a place no one paid attention to, he was silently keeping his own principles. Using antibiotics only minimally, strictly following the fattening period, and ensuring enough space for the pigs to at least lie down and move…
A man who held his ground even when labeled as a stubborn person who wouldn’t listen to reason.
I took a deep breath. This horrific scene stood in such stark contrast to the path Sim Young-su was walking.
People said he was being pointlessly stubborn about things that didn’t make money. That he was an obstinate man who didn’t know reality.
But they were wrong. Sim Young-su was the one who truly saw reality. While everyone else was blinded by immediate profit, he was already looking at what came next.
Even I, who shouted about fighting against Mega Meat, was mistaken. I hadn’t started this fight; I had simply joined late in a battle that people like Sim Young-su had already begun.
There must be other people like Sim Young-su out there whom I haven’t met yet.
***
There was nothing more to see. I had seen enough to grasp how things were operating. CEO Yoon went into the office to talk with CEO Lee. I sat down on the ground and waited for him. Eventually, CEO Yoon came out after finishing his business.
“Did you see everything?”
“Yes, I’ve seen enough.”
The ride back was quiet. CEO Yoon didn’t say much, and it was difficult for me to open my mouth. I lost myself in thought, staring blankly at the scenery passing by the window.
Mega Meat — or rather, CEO Park Jung-nam — was a much more meticulous person than I thought. He understood this market perfectly and had created a perfect way to escape liability.
Legally, there was no problem. The farm owner was ordering the custom feed on his own, and Mega Meat was simply paying a premium for high-quality meat. All responsibility lay with the farms and the distribution companies.
My plan to go head-to-head with evidence had crumbled in an instant.
As we neared Hidden Gem, CEO Yoon spoke up.
“CEO Jeong.”
“Yes.”
“Can I say something as your senior in life?”
“What? Oh, yes.”
He pulled out another cigarette and put it in his mouth.
“Don’t start a fight you can’t win in the first place.”
“…”
“But… once a fight has started, you must win it by any means necessary. And once it begins, you have to discard things like conscience and rules. Fouls are part of the game. That’s how you survive.”
“Ah… yes.”
“You can’t win against an opponent who cheats by playing fair. Moreover, if the weight class difference is too large, the situation is very serious.”
“Weight class difference…”
“Survive first. You have to survive for there to be a ‘next time’.”
“Yes, thank you for the advice.”
“I’m saying this for my own sake. Since you’re going to be a massive client of mine in the future… haha.”
The car stopped in front of the butcher shop.
“Let me know when the Busan delivery is decided.”
“Is it possible to depart early tomorrow morning?”
“You’re sending it right away?”
“Yes. I want to send the samples first.”
“Okay, just pack them well. I’ll give special instructions to my employees.”
“Thank you.”
“Since it’s the first delivery for a VIP customer, I’ll take special care of it.”
With those final words, CEO Yoon drove away and disappeared. I stood there for a long time, watching the car recede.
‘Don’t start a fight you can’t win.’
But the fight had already begun. In that case, I had to win. To survive. The problem was how to win.
***
I hid my dark expression and entered the shop. Min-jae and Ji-eun were sitting at the counter, leisurely drinking instant coffee. Seeing their relaxed state, my heart momentarily grew cold.
‘I guess yesterday was just a one-day fluke.’
Disappointment washed over me, thinking there were no orders today. Was this all it was?
But the moment I looked toward one side of the shop, my eyes widened. Delivery boxes were piled up monstrously. Several towers of boxes stood so high they nearly touched the ceiling.
“Brother! You’re back? You worked hard, didn’t you?” Min-jae greeted me warmly.
“What… is all that?”
“Oh, that? Those are just the orders that came in this morning. Ji-eun and I nearly died trying to pack them all.”
Min-jae pointed at Ji-eun and gave her a thumbs-up.
“But Ji-eun is truly amazing. We should apply for her to be on ‘Master of Living’. She’s a total master of box packing.”
Ji-eun, despite her tired face, stood up with a bright smile and greeted me.
“CEO! It was so busy for my first day. I’ve been doing nothing but packing since morning. Haha.”
“How many… how many orders came in?”
“It’s over 100. And they’re still coming in.”
Min-jae spoke excitedly.
“We hit the jackpot! Seriously! The phone keeps ringing too. People are calling to ask when it can be delivered and if we have enough stock.”
I stared blankly at the piles of boxes.
“Ji-eun, you’ve worked hard since your first day.”
“You call this hard work? Oh, please… CEO, this is what you call a sweet gig.”
“A sweet gig?”
A bright smile lit up Ji-eun’s exhausted face.
“But CEO, where have you been? You don’t look so good…”
“No, I think it’s just because I didn’t sleep well,” I made a vague excuse. “Min-jae.”
“Yes, Brother.”
“I’m going to visit my father, so you call Brotherly Pure Farm.”
“Brotherly Pure Farm?”
“Yes. Tell Mr. Sim Young-su that we’re going to triple the volume starting this week, and ask him to prepare.”
Min-jae’s eyes widened, and he glanced at Ji-eun.
“Triple? Seriously?”
“And I’ll talk to you later about going to take photos of the farm soon.”
“Yes, I understand. But Brother, will it be okay to increase the volume that much so suddenly?”
Min-jae looked concerned.
“Looking at the current order volume, it’s definitely possible. The offline side is growing too, so it’s worth a shot.”
“Okay, I’ll do it.”
“Make the call first. And Ji-eun.”
“Yes, CEO!”
“From tomorrow, let’s organize the system so we can work more systematically.”
Ji-eun nodded. “Yes, CEO! But are you really okay? Your face…”
“I’m fine. I’m going to Junho’s Butcher Shop. Contact me if anything urgent comes up.”
I put my jacket back on and left the shop. As I approached Junho’s Butcher Shop, I saw a refrigerated truck entering the back of the Mega Meat store.
‘At this hour?’
Deliveries usually came in the early morning or before noon, so it was my first time seeing a truck arrive in the evening. Feeling something was off, I secretly drew closer. Looking through the store window, I saw the employees removing meat from the display cases. Then, they were displaying new meat they had brought from the truck.
‘Why are they swapping out perfectly fine meat?’
At that moment, the YouTube broadcast flashed through my mind.
‘Mega Meat must have seen it already. The broadcast.’
And what was happening inside right now… they were replacing low-quality meat with better meat.
I cautiously moved closer to get a better look. The meat removed from the display was being put into boxes and moved out through the back door. They probably intended to send it to other branches or dispose of it.
Just then, the white Bentley I had seen before turned the corner, its body shimmering.
It was Park Jung-nam.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.