Chapter 46: The Billion Won Temptation

The Royal Family’s patience had finally reached its limit.

“Manager!”

Assistant Manager Hwang Young-shik vented his resentment.

“How much longer do we have to rot in this rural backwater for no reason? It’s already been three days!”

Forget a hotel; this was the middle of nowhere without a single proper lodging facility. He was already sick of the motel bed that made his back scream in agony.

“Assistant Manager Hwang. Let’s be patient and wait a little longer.”

‘Damn it!’

In that moment, a curse surged up to Assistant Manager Hwang’s throat. It was just one farm. If it were up to him, he would have gone back alone. He was starting to miss the company of women. Honestly, even if he was a superior, wasn’t a manager just someone who would soon become his subordinate in a few years anyway?

‘Should I just really go back?’

If it were a logical task, he would have endured it. But he felt this was simply too much.

“Here is your high-quality Hanu beef!”

“Thank you.”

Regardless of his subordinate’s feelings, Manager Jang Hak-su received the meat with a smile.

“Wow.”

An exclamation escaped from between his teeth. Perhaps because it was delivered directly from the source, the marbling was magnificent.

“If you’re planning to give this as a gift, should I package it separately for you?”

“Please do.”

“No trouble at all. I should definitely do that for you.”

The kindly owner of the town butcher shop moved his hands busily.

“By the way, I haven’t seen you folks around here before…”

“Ah. We’re here on a business trip from our company.”

“Huh? Business? All the way out to this countryside?”

“I heard the crops at a place called Ice Valley Farm in Deaga Township were quite good.”

“Ah! You mean Ji-kang’s place! The produce from that house is incredible.”

Manager Jang Hak-su’s eyes instantly lit up. It was worth leaking the information on purpose.

“It seems they are famous around here as well.”

“Of course, what’s the point in even asking? He’s such a diligent man, and the produce there is so delicious and fresh that I only order from them myself.”

“I met him in person, and even though the CEO is young, he seemed to have considerable expertise. Just looking at the layout of the flower beds…”

“Eh? Young CEO?”

The butcher shop owner, who had been moving his hands busily, paused.

“Is there someone in that house who would be called a young CEO?”

“Pardon…?”

Manager Jang Hak-su quickly searched his memory.

“We met CEO Baek Seo-jun in person…”

“Ah! Seo-jun? You were talking about Ji-kang’s son!”

Manager Jang Hak-su’s stiffened face finally relaxed.

“You know him.”

“Of course I do! Seo-jun is the pride of our town. Since he was a kid, he grew up hearing that he was a genius all the time. To be honest, the thing I envy most about Ji-kang is his success in raising his child.”

“That much?”

“Sir. I’m not just saying this because he’s a local kid. That boy even graduated from Seoul National University!”

“!”

This was certainly impressive. Graduating from Seoul National University from a rural area like this.

“Is that all? He even passed the bar—”

“Manager! The county office is out for an inspection, we need to move the car!”

The conversation was naturally interrupted by Assistant Manager Hwang Young-shik’s voice from outside.

“Oops! Can’t get a ticket! Here, everything is packed!”

“Thank you, I’ll come again.”

Manager Jang Hak-su bowed politely and immediately hopped into the passenger seat.

“Let’s head out.”

“Mm.”

Nodding his head, Manager Jang Hak-su fell back into his own thoughts.

‘A farmer who graduated from Seoul National University and was called a genius all the time…’

Even thinking about it repeatedly, it was rare.

‘There must be something special about him.’

I knew it. That explains how he could produce such a mega-hit.

‘I have to sign him no matter what.’

With that determination, they finally arrived at Ice Valley Farm.

“!?”

Manager Jang Hak-su witnessed an even more surprising sight there. The entire surrounding area was now sparkling as the light green leaf veins soaked up the morning sunlight. At a glance, it looked like common weeds. However, looking closer, the texture of the newly sprouted seedlings was different from the start.

“…This is…?”

*Sshhh!*

A cool late-summer breeze brushed past him. Simultaneously, the small, tender leaves trembled and whispered to him.

*Chirp!*

Along with the sound of birds from somewhere.

*Thump!*

Manager Jang Hak-su’s heart began to throb violently.

‘Flowers! These must be the sprouts grown from the flower seeds!’

But how? When they first arrived, it was clearly before the sowing had even happened.

“What kind of magic did he pull…?”

Was a genius really that different?

‘What if there’s a special cultivation method here not only for blueberries but also for flowers and other crops?’

Manager Jang Hak-su wasn’t the only one having such thoughts.

“Manager.”

Assistant Manager Hwang Young-shik had quietly approached his side. His eyes were narrowed like a snake’s.

“We must close this contract, just as you said.”

“…Do you think so too, Assistant Manager Hwang?”

“Yes. So, let’s start by offering 1 billion won as an advance payment.”

“!”

Manager Jang Hak-su’s eyes widened. Even to him, that was a significant amount. Of course, since it was an advance payment, it would be deducted from future sales, but it was still a substantial condition. It was essentially like giving a 1 billion won interest-free loan.

“If he’s hesitant, we can even add a special clause saying he doesn’t have to pay back the 1 billion won even if the products don’t sell.”

“That much…?”

Assistant Manager Hwang Young-shik grinned.

“In exchange, we’ll add a condition that he must collaborate with our farmers.”

“What!? That means…”

“It seems there is a special secret to this farm, and isn’t it true that sharing good methods contributes greatly to the agricultural development of the country?”

“…”

Manager Jang Hak-su’s face hardened instantly. This was an overt suggestion for industrial espionage.

“I’m asking you, please don’t have any foolish thoughts, Assistant Manager Hwang. We could get kicked out for good.”

“Ah, of course.”

Assistant Manager Hwang Young-shik’s smile deepened.

“I only meant that we should make the ‘proposal.’ It’s up to him to decide whether to accept it or not.”

Of course, Assistant Manager Hwang was certain.

‘Could a country bumpkin really resist a windfall of 1 billion won?’

***

Today, the long-awaited visitor arrived.

“Seo-jun! I’m here to build the swing!”

“Mr. Min-cheol!”

I looked at the visitor with a welcoming face. It was Mr. Min-cheol, the most skilled carpenter in Goseong. He was a professional who could whip up almost any furniture or structure by himself.

“Where should I install it?”

“Here, between the flower beds.”

“I thought it looked like a promenade or something; it really was a flower garden, wasn’t it?”

Mr. Min-cheol nodded.

“It’ll look really cool once it’s finished. Should I go ahead and put up a fence around it? To keep outsiders from wandering in.”

“Only elderly people live in this neighborhood, and there’s hardly any foot traffic anyway. I’ll let you know later if I need it.”

“Alright. I’ll make you a great one.”

*Clang, bang.*

Soon, Mr. Min-cheol began working with the materials he brought in his van. A swing nestled among the blooming flower beds. It was a cozy playground and garden just for my family.

‘It has a nice vibe, doesn’t it?’

It seemed my choice wasn’t wrong.

“Unkie!”

Seol-i, who had run over, had sparkling eyes. It seemed she had finally grasped what it was as the swing began to take shape.

“Seol-i, do you like swings?”

*Hug!*

Instead of answering, Seol-i hugged my leg.

“Unkie is the best!”

I picked Seol-i up just as she was.

“How much?”

“The best in the whole world!”

“Then, what about your daddy?”

“…?”

In an instant, Seol-i’s brow furrowed deeply. It was an expression as if she had suddenly remembered something she had forgotten.

“Oh no. You’ll get wrinkles later if you do that.”

I smoothed out the frown on Seol-i’s forehead.

“Papa…?”

Oh. Did I make a slip of the tongue?

“Do you miss your daddy?”

Now that I thought about it, it was about time for her to miss him.

“…”

Immediately after, Seol-i stared at me blankly.

“…Unkie!”

Then, she wrapped her arms around my neck again.

“You like your uncle more?”

“Wuv you!”

“Hmm. Seol-i’s father might be hurt if he heard that.”

But what can I do, Brother?

“Seol-i, let’s play on the swing with Uncle and wait for your daddy, okay?”

“Okay!”

“What about a kiss?”

*Smack!*

I immediately felt something soft on my cheek. What is happiness, anyway? This is exactly what happiness is.

“…Hmm?”

Just then, other visitors entered my field of vision. Of course, they were familiar faces.

“Those guys are here again.”

It was Manager Jang Hak-su and Assistant Manager Hwang Young-shik from Shinhwa Department Store. Unlike their first visit, they were once again carrying things in both hands.

“Wait. But today, the timing is quite good.”

I gently set Seol-i down.

“Hello.”

“We’re here to offer another great proposal today!”

Look at that line; they sound like they’re recruiting for a cult. Of course, I hid my true thoughts and put a bright smile on my face.

“It happens to be lunchtime; shall we have a meal together and talk?”

“Huh? Is that really okay?”

Assistant Manager Hwang Young-shik asked back with wide eyes.

“Of course it’s okay.”

“In that case, we’ll help you with the afternoon farming as payment for the meal!”

Oh. I was actually wondering how to bring that up.

“Thank you. Then, I’ll bring out a proper spread.”

“We’ll be in your debt!”

I should be the one saying that. Since you’ll soon be groaning in pain.

***

About 1 hour after the meal.

“Ugh…”

Assistant Manager Hwang Young-shik let out a groan and thumped his lower back.

“This damn flower bed!”

His lips were pouting out. How could there be so much to do!

“Those sprouts there! Thin them out to keep the spacing even. Pull out the weak ones entirely, and transplant the strong ones over there.”

“L-Like this?”

Assistant Manager Hwang hesitated with a shovel in his hand. His entire body was already drenched in sweat.

“The sun is a bit strong, isn’t it? Pull that shading net over there. Match the angle so only about 30% is covered.”

“U-Uh, uh…?”

*Thud!*

He suddenly felt a dizzying sensation in his head. Assistant Manager Hwang slumped down onto the dirt on his backside.

“Are you okay?”

“I-I’m fine.”

“Hmm. I wasn’t too worried since you’re young, but I guess you’re weaker than you look.”

In an instant, a prominent vein bulged on Assistant Manager Hwang’s forehead.

‘Is he mocking me right now?’

Even so, he didn’t reveal those emotions outwardly. He had already received strict instructions from the manager.

“What a life.”

Soon, Assistant Manager Hwang muttered as he manipulated the net. As he clumsily unfolded the mesh, the light began to filter down softly.

“Why do you keep touching the soil over there?”

“I have to check the moisture frequently. Here, try it yourself. The soil clumps up and then scatters immediately, right? That’s the timing for watering.”

“You want me to do it?”

“As you can see, my hands are covered in dirt.”

“Sigh.”

Letting out a sigh, Assistant Manager Hwang picked up a watering can and dampened the soil.

“Stop! It’s over if a puddle forms. Mold will grow and kill everything.”

“Yes, yes…”

“And please scatter some gravel over the soil as well.”

“Yeees…”

*Rattle, rattle.*

Assistant Manager Hwang muttered as he scattered the gravel.

“Really, I don’t know if this is farming or manual labor.”

“But it’s better now. In the winter, we have to do the work of covering everything with fallen leaves and rice straw. We have to protect the roots.”

Of course, because of the Snowflakes, he wouldn’t need to go that far. Baek Seo-jun didn’t bother to mention that part.

“…”

After standing blankly for a moment, Assistant Manager Hwang eventually hung his head.

‘…Should I just quit everything?’

However, he hadn’t achieved his goal yet. So far, no matter how much he looked, there didn’t seem to be any special secret to the farming.

‘Damn it. How much longer do I have to keep doing this?’

It was enough to make him go crazy.