“What? Who’s killing who?”
Min-jae put down his chopsticks, startled.
“Fighting all of Mega Meat might be impossible, but if we think of it as just the one Ga-yeong-dong branch, the story changes completely.”
Father’s face was gradually turning serious. It seemed he understood the meaning behind my words.
“Father, think about this road where our shop and Mega Meat are located. To the left of the shop, you have to cross a major road, so the commercial district is entirely different. The other side is filled with shopping centers or offices, so it’s not a place where customers would come from in the first place.”
“That’s true… almost no customers come from across the main road.”
Since Father had over thirty years of experience doing business in this spot, he knew the geography across the road better than anyone.
“Almost all the customers coming in from the main road are customers of Jun-ho’s Butcher Shop. They’re either outsiders who specifically sought us out after seeing social media or regulars who moved nearby but still visit.”
I dipped a wooden chopstick in some water and began drawing a map on the table to explain. I pushed aside the bowl of jajangmyeon and drew out the terrain of the entire Ga-yeong-dong area in its place. It was a complicated neighborhood since it was part of the old city center, but once I drew it simply, the entire structure became clear at a glance. It turned into a fairly plausible map.
*Tap!*
I used a drop of water to mark a single point with the chopstick.
“This is our Jun-ho’s Butcher Shop.”
I marked another point on the opposite side.
“This is the Mega Meat Ga-yeong-dong branch across from us. There isn’t a huge difference, but Mega Meat is a bit closer to the market than we are.”
Min-jae and Ji-eun craned their necks to look down at the map on the table. I drew a long line across from the points.
“And this is the main road. There’s nothing to consider beyond this road. So, in the end, the remaining area to the right is the main commercial district. If you keep going right, you hit Ga-yeong-dong Market, and behind that, a large-scale apartment complex and villa district are connected.”
Moving the chopstick to the right, I drew several small squares one after another. I mapped out the linear structure of the market and the residential complexes stretching out behind it. The geography of Ga-yeong-dong unfolded vividly on the table.
“The butcher shops inside the market are currently barely surviving on regular customers, market restaurants, or transactions with side dish shops.”
“Right now, even those connections are being cut off. Everyone is on the verge of closing. Since there are no customers… the products aren’t good, and it’s a vicious cycle,” Father said with a sigh.
These were the words of someone who knew the market situation better than anyone.
“Exactly. Because the market butcher shops are dying out, meat customers starting from the apartment complex pass by Ga-yeong-dong Market and go straight to Mega Meat.”
I used the chopstick to trace the movement starting from the apartment complex, passing through the market, and leading to Mega Meat.
“There are three entrances from the apartments toward the market, but they all eventually converge into one path. This road connects to the market, and if you go further, you meet the main road.”
The tip of the chopstick stopped at the point where the market entrance met the road.
“This is exactly where Choe Dae-gam Butcher Shop is located.”
Min-jae’s eyes widened as he looked down at the map.
“Whoa… it’s right on the path from the apartment complex to Mega Meat.”
“Exactly. To get from the apartment complex to Mega Meat via the shortest distance, you absolutely have to pass this point. However, our Hidden Gem is at the opposite end of the market, so it can’t influence this main flow. But what about President Choe’s shop?”
“It’s right in that bottleneck,” Father’s voice brightened.
“That’s it. Choe Dae-gam Butcher Shop is right in the middle of the path from the market entrance to Mega Meat. If we take over that spot? Since we need a new storage space anyway, we’d be killing two birds with one stone.”
I put down the chopstick.
“Actually, I tried thinking from Mega Meat’s… no, from Park Jung-nam’s perspective too.”
“Park Jung-nam?”
“If you look at it from his perspective, the situation becomes even clearer.”
Father and Min-jae looked curious.
“How so?”
“Mega Meat is a company that operates hundreds of stores nationwide. When they entered Ga-yeong-dong, they must have had a detailed, step-by-step plan.”
I picked up the chopstick again and pointed to the apartment complex.
“What those guys were targeting was right here—the apartment and villa complexes. They wanted the stable customer base of a large residential area.”
“That’s the biggest complex.”
“Right. But the problem was that the market was in the middle. Especially…”
The tip of the chopstick pointed toward the site of Choe Dae-gam Butcher Shop.
“Choe Dae-gam Butcher Shop must have been the biggest eyesore. It’s sandwiched right between the Mega Meat store and the apartment complex, and it was one of the largest among the market butcher shops.”
Father nodded.
“You’re right. President Choe was really good at business. At least back then.”
“But what about us, right across the street?”
I pointed to our shop’s location.
“Initially, we wouldn’t have even been a person of interest. Since we’re right across from them, they probably thought we’d naturally die out as soon as Mega Meat moved in.”
“Then, from Mega Meat’s perspective, it was game over as long as they took down Choe Dae-gam Butcher Shop,” Ji-eun said with a look of understanding.
“Exactly. And fortunately for Park Jung-nam, President Choe collapsed faster than expected. And he did it to himself, too.”
Min-jae frowned, seemingly remembering the past.
“President Choe… I don’t even feel sorry for that man.”
“Regardless, Mega Meat probably thought they had easily taken over Ga-yeong-dong. Everything went according to plan.”
I paused for a moment and pointed to our shop’s location again.
“But funnily enough, we, who were evaluated as the weakest, unexpectedly survived. No, it’s not just that we survived; we’re actually growing right now.”
“Then Mega Meat’s plan has completely gone off the rails.”
“From Park Jung-nam’s perspective, an unexpected variable has appeared. Not only is the guy who should have died alive like a zombie, but now that zombie is trying to bite him.”
Father chuckled at the word ‘zombie.’
“Then this Park Jung-nam person must be incredibly flustered? Because of a zombie like us?”
“Probably. He must have thought he had completely seized Ga-yeong-dong, so what would he think if sales started dropping?”
Ji-eun’s eyes sparkled as she asked, “Then, if we take over that bottleneck, we can meet the customers heading to Mega Meat first?”
“Exactly. We can cut off the windpipe of the Mega Meat Ga-yeong-dong branch. Father can hold the front, and we can seize the path that cuts through the market.”
“But Brother, there’s also a detour behind the market. That side connects to the food alley, so quite a few people travel that way too. It’s a roundabout way, but it still connects to Mega Meat.”
“You’re right. But at the end of that detour is Hidden Gem. Right now, it’s exclusively online, but with a little work and a small showcase, we can make it catch the eyes of passersby. I have a whole plan for utilizing the Hidden Gem store.”
I completed the drawing of the triangular encirclement with the chopstick. I felt a bit like a field commander.
“In the end, we will block every path leading to Mega Meat. Father at the front, the Choe Dae-gam spot for the market passage, and Hidden Gem for the detour.”
“It’s a complete siege, then?”
“It’s not just a siege; we’re going to sever every artery leading to Mega Meat.”
Father fell into deep thought, rubbing his chin. It seemed his market analysis skills, accumulated over thirty years, were being fully mobilized. Father’s eyes scanned the map on the table, calculating the distance and accessibility between the points.
“But Jun-ho… President Choe’s shop is in such a good location that the rent won’t be cheap. The monthly rent, the security deposit…”
“Father, think of the strategic value first. If we can completely steal Mega Meat’s revenue, we’ll have plenty left over even after paying the rent. You know better than anyone how large the residential commercial district behind the market is.”
“That’s true, but… Jun-ho… are you really sure about this?”
“Yes, Father. This is our chance. What does everyone think? It’s worth a shot, right?”
Father thought for a long time before slowly nodding his head. Logically, there was no issue. It was just a matter of whether the detailed plan could be executed.
“Alright… it’s worth a try. Just as you said, it’s definitely worth it.”
“I think it’s a good idea too, Brother! But… don’t we still lack a lump sum of cash? If it’s the deposit and the premium, it’ll cost at least tens of millions of won…”
“I’m going to meet the landlord and talk to him.”
Father tilted his head as if he had remembered something.
“Perhaps… the owner who bought that shop from President Choe is a local who lives nearby. I’ve seen his face a few times while passing by.”
“Really? Then that’s even better. He’ll know the neighborhood situation.”
I hesitated for a moment before looking at Father cautiously. Father had a look that suggested he had noticed something.
“And Father, I’m really sorry, but… could we possibly take out a small loan? I don’t think the money we’ve saved so far will be enough. We need to buy the beef going to Busan in advance and age it…”
“Is that so?”
“Yes… and there are a few things I need to prepare this time. I’ll tell you once I get the shop. I’m not doing this without a plan, so please don’t be anxious.”
Father thought for a moment and then replied, “Maybe around thirty or forty million won is possible? Since it’s urgent, I’ll look into a credit loan first. If that doesn’t work, I’ll check out small business loans.”
“Yes, we’ll need to touch up the shop once we take it over, so please look into the maximum amount possible. And Father… this is really the last time.”
“Hey, you rascal. It doesn’t matter if it’s the last time or not; even if I squeeze any harder, there’s no hole left for money to come out of.”
“…I’m sorry… Father.”
“It’s fine. Business is about getting settled after crossing all sorts of hurdles. Don’t worry about it and look into it well.”
Just then, Min-jae chimed in.
“Brother, I can contribute about ten million won too. I’ll bring it.”
“Be quiet. What money do you have… are you rich?”
Min-jae said with a dejected expression, “It’s not like that… just my savings, and a minus bank account…”
“Forget it. I have no intention of using your money.”
“…”
—
Ga-yeong-dong Joongang Real Estate was a small office located across from the market entrance. As soon as I opened the door and entered, a licensed realtor who looked to be in his mid-fifties greeted me warmly.
“Welcome. What kind of property are you looking for?”
“I’m here to inquire about the Choe Dae-gam Butcher Shop spot.”
“Ah, that spot? Are you thinking of leasing it?”
“Yes.”
The realtor rummaged through some documents and pulled one out.
“Would you like to see the conditions here? By the way, what business do you have in mind?”
“A butcher shop.”
“A butcher shop?”
The realtor looked surprised.
“All the butcher shops in that area are struggling because of Mega Meat… will you be okay?”
“Could I talk to the owner first?”
“The landlord lives right nearby. He’s a complete local of Ga-yeong-dong…”
The realtor suddenly got excited and continued.
“That man is seriously wealthy. He owns five shops in the market. The Choe Dae-gam spot he recently acquired is just one of them. He owns the rice cake shop, the side dish shop, the dried fish shop, and even the supermarket spot… he’s basically the real estate king of Ga-yeong-dong Market.”
“Oh, I see… he owns quite a lot…”
“Yes, so the lease conditions are better than other places. He’s not a landlord who is desperate for money, so he wants someone good to come in and do business for a long time.”
The realtor picked up the phone and said, “I’ll call and ask if there have been any changes to the lease conditions. One moment.”
He placed the call.
“Sir, someone is here to see the Choe Dae-gam spot. Yes, he wants to open a butcher shop. He’s a young man, but he seems very serious about it. What? You can come right now? Understood.”
After hanging up, he said, “He said to meet at the shop in ten minutes. The landlord will come out personally. He’s a nice person, so feel free to talk comfortably.”
—
I was waiting in front of Choe Dae-gam Butcher Shop with the realtor. After a short while, an elderly man appeared. He wasn’t tall, but his shoulders were broad and he looked sturdy. His clothes were neat, and there was a sense of leisure in his stride.
“Hello, I’m Jun-ho Jung.”
“Ah, I’m Shin Young-soo. I’m the owner here.”
We shook hands. I could feel hard calluses on Shin Young-soo’s hand. ‘He must be someone who earned his money by moving his body.’
“I heard you’re looking to open a butcher shop. You know the local commercial district a bit, don’t you?”
“Yes, I know it well.”
The realtor opened the shop door and guided us inside. Shin Young-soo followed and said, “This spot has been a butcher shop for over thirty years. It’s been empty for two months since the man who ran it for a long time, President Choe, left.”
The inside of the shop, with some of the fixtures removed, felt spacious compared to when President Choe was doing business. Some butcher shop equipment remained, so it seemed usable with just a cleaning.
“It’s been empty since he left two months ago, so it’s a bit desolate.”
Shin Young-soo looked around the shop and said, “I’m a Ga-yeong-dong local. I’ve watched this market since I was a child, and this spot has been a butcher shop for over thirty years straight.”
He continued as he looked out the window.
“This spot is a bottleneck on the way to the main road. That’s why I purchased it this time…”
I carefully observed his expression and asked, “Since Mega Meat moved in, not many people have been looking to open a butcher shop, right?”
“Ah, so you know that.”
Once he noticed that I was aware of the market situation, he spoke honestly.
“You’re right. I don’t even get inquiries for butcher shops. Everyone knows it’s difficult because of Mega Meat.”
“The sales of nearby butcher shops have dropped a lot, haven’t they? Are other businesses not coming in either?”
He let out a deep sigh.
“It’s the same for other businesses. The economy isn’t great these days, and not many people are willing to come into the market to do business…”
“Then the entire Ga-yeong-dong Market is in a bit of a difficult situation?”
“It’s more than just difficult. Two butcher shops have already closed down.”
“The remaining butcher shops won’t be able to last long either. Right?”
President Shin Young-soo watched my expression intently, and then his eyes suddenly sparkled. He had a look that said, ‘Who is this kid, and how does he know the neighborhood situation so well?’
“But for a young man, you know the market situation quite well. Do you happen to do business nearby?”
“Yes, right across from Mega Meat, there’s a place called Jun-ho’s Butcher Shop…”
“Ah! That shop?”
“Yes. The Jun-ho on the sign is me.”
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