Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 595

That afternoon.

“Who are those people?”

M상구 [Sang-gu], the owner of Paris Baguette, muttered as he watched the crowd gathered at the bakery across the street. 오지혜 [Ji-hye], an employee, immediately responded.

“They made a new bread today.”

“New bread?”

“Yes, they made bread using cheese, and they’re doing a tasting of it outside the entrance.”

“So, you’re saying those people are gathered to eat the new bread?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Hmm…”

M상구 [Sang-gu] had nothing to say.

It must have started around two o’clock. The bakery across the street suddenly put out a table outside the entrance and set up a tasting corner.

Until then, he just thought, ‘Okay.’ He figured they were setting up a tasting corner outside because business wasn’t good.

But what do you know.

From some point, people started gathering, and even after several hours, there were always at least ten people there.

The problem was that most of the people who tasted the bread went into the bakery.

What does that mean?

It means that the people who tasted the bread were buying it.

“Is that bread so delicious?”

“I think so. Otherwise, there’s no reason for the people who tasted it to go inside.”

“That’s true. Going inside means they’re going to buy the bread.”

“I have a bad feeling about this.”

오지혜 [Ji-hye] shook her head and started checking the POS [Point of Sale] machine at the counter.

After a while.

오지혜 [Ji-hye], who checked the POS machine, said to M상구 [Sang-gu].

“As expected, today’s sales have dropped.”

“How much of a difference is there?”

“Usually, we should have at least 700,000 won [approximately $530 USD] by this time, but today we only have 400,000 won [approximately $300 USD].”

“You’re saying there’s a difference of 300,000 won [approximately $230 USD]?”

“Yes, boss.”

“Hmm…”

M상구’s [Sang-gu’s] expression hardened, and he didn’t say anything, as if he was thinking about something. Then 오지혜 [Ji-hye] immediately spoke again.

“Should I go over there for a bit?”

“You mean to that bakery?”

“Yes, we should at least taste the bread to see what it’s like.”

“오 실장 [Assistant Manager Oh], you know their faces well. Can you do that?”

“We have no choice. It’s not like you can go, boss…”

“That’s true, but…”

“I’ll just close my eyes and go quickly.”

With those words, 오지혜 [Ji-hye] left Paris Baguette and headed across the street.

Five minutes later.

“Boss, try this.”

오지혜 [Ji-hye] held out the bread she bought from 이세이’s [Lee Se-yi’s] bakery to M상구 [Sang-gu]. Then M상구 [Sang-gu] immediately started tasting the bread.

오지혜 [Ji-hye] also started tasting the bread.

“Hmm…”

M상구 [Sang-gu], who was eating the bread, nodded first. Then 오지혜 [Ji-hye] also nodded slightly and immediately continued.

“There was a reason why people were gathering.”

“I guess so. I was wondering, but it tastes good.”

“But it’s amazing. How did that woman think of making this kind of bread?”

“I’m curious about that too. How can a neighborhood bakery make bread that even the chain stores haven’t thought of?”

“Shouldn’t we report this to headquarters?”

“Of course, we should. Did you buy more samples?”

“Yes, of course. I bought a few more.”

M상구 [Sang-gu] immediately started calling headquarters.

***

That evening.

It was when 현성 [Hyun-sung] came out of the store for a break.

*Ting-a-ling.*

His phone rang.

“Hello.”

-It’s me, boss.

The person who called was none other than 이세이 [Lee Se-yi], the owner of the bakery.

He was already curious about the new bread tasting all day.

He wondered what the reaction was like and whether the sales were good.

현성 [Hyun-sung] immediately asked out of curiosity.

“Yes, boss. How did the cheese bread go today?”

-It was a success. A huge success.

“Really?”

-Yes, as you said, doing the tasting event outside was very effective. There was a huge difference between doing it inside the store and doing it outside.”

“That’s a relief.”

-But there’s a problem.

“Yes? A problem?”

현성 [Hyun-sung] tilted his head at the word ‘problem.’ The reason was that she had clearly said it was a huge success a little while ago. But suddenly saying there was a problem made it hard for 현성 [Hyun-sung] to understand.

현성 [Hyun-sung] immediately asked.

“What’s the problem? You clearly said it was a huge success a little while ago, didn’t you?”

-The tasting bread.

“What about the tasting bread?”

-I don’t know if it’s because I’m being petty, but too much tasting bread went out.

“Wasn’t that what I told you from the beginning?”

He had clearly mentioned that part at the beginning. He said that the difference in the amount consumed when tasting inside the store and outside the store would be enormous.

So, he even said that they had to accept that part.

-Of course, you did.

“So?”

-But the difference was so much bigger than I thought.

“How much was consumed?”

-In terms of money, it would be about 500,000 won [approximately $380 USD].

“What? That much?”

현성’s [Hyun-sung’s] voice grew louder without him realizing it. That meant that 현성 [Hyun-sung] was also surprised by the amount.

Tasting is, after all, showing the taste by cutting it into small pieces. Even if one person eats a lot, it would be two or three pieces at most. But he couldn’t help but be surprised that the amount consumed was about 500,000 won [approximately $380 USD].

But the important thing is not that.

If that much was spent on tasting, it means that sales also increased in proportion to that.

Moreover, 이세이 [Lee Se-yi] clearly said it was a huge success a little while ago.

For 현성 [Hyun-sung], it was natural that he would be most curious about sales.

“Then what about today’s sales?”

-1.8 million won [approximately $1370 USD].

“Didn’t you say that the average sales these days are 800,000 won [approximately $610 USD]? Then does that mean that about 1 million won [approximately $760 USD] more was made?”

-That’s right.

“Then isn’t that good enough?”

-Of course, it’s good that sales increased by about 1 million [approximately $760 USD], but no matter what, I think it’s a bit too much to spend about 500,000 won [approximately $380 USD] on tasting.

“Well, I don’t think so.”

“Yes? Are you saying that 500,000 won [approximately $380 USD] is not a small amount for tasting?”

이세이’s [Lee Se-yi’s] voice grew a little louder. That probably meant that she couldn’t accept what 현성 [Hyun-sung] said.

“Before that, let me just check one thing first. Is that 500,000 won [approximately $380 USD] calculated for tasting the cost price or the consumer price?”

-Of course, the consumer price.

“Really? Then how much would it be if you calculate it at the cost price? And for reference, the cost price here only refers to the pure material cost that goes in additionally. Excluding labor costs or monthly rent.”

The reason for excluding labor costs or other expenses such as monthly rent from the cost price is that there are no additional costs just because more bread is made.

-Only the pure material cost?

“Yes, because there won’t be any additional costs such as labor costs or monthly rent just because more bread is made.”

-Then about 100,000 won [approximately $76 USD].

“Okay, then let me ask again. In the end, you invested 100,000 won [approximately $76 USD] and earned 1 million won [approximately $760 USD]. Are you still going to say that there was a lot of bread used for tasting?”

-Oh my! Is that how the calculation works? Then that’s a different story.

“Is it okay now?”

-Yes, it’s okay. I was mistaken about something. Why did I calculate it at the consumer price instead of the cost price? How foolish….”

이세이’s [Lee Se-yi’s] voice became lighter. That meant that she had also changed her mind about the tasting.

-But there’s another problem.

“What is it this time?”

-The bakery across the street bought bread during the day.

“Are you talking about Paris Baguette across the street?”

-Yes, that’s right. A female employee who works there came and bought five of the new cheese bread that came out today. I’m worried about that.”

“Hmm…”

현성 [Hyun-sung] didn’t say anything for a while as if he was thinking about something. It was after some time had passed that he opened his mouth again.

“It’s something that can’t be helped.”

-You can’t help it?

“Yes, after all, this is not something that can be patented, and even if the other party makes it, we can’t claim any rights.”

-Still….

이세이’s [Lee Se-yi’s] voice was full of regret. But this was a situation that couldn’t be helped, so 현성 [Hyun-sung] had nothing else to say.

“I know you’re disappointed, but you just have to accept this. And honestly, isn’t it true that you also try to make bread that is similar to the popular bread from other bakeries? So, there’s no choice but to cover up and move on.”

-Well, that’s true.

“And even if they make the exact same bread over there, it won’t be exactly the same as what you make. So, you shouldn’t be satisfied with the current bread and continue to research and try to make other bread. Bread will also be trendy.”

-Okay, I understand. I’ll just let that problem go, even though it’s a shame. And I’ll try to keep making new bread as you said.”

이세이’s [Lee Se-yi’s] voice seemed to have found some stability. That probably meant that she also acknowledged that there was nothing she could do realistically.

-And what about tomorrow?

“What are you talking about?”

-The tasting.

“Of course, we have to do it. And outside the store like today. You felt the effect yourself today.”

-That’s right. I didn’t know there would be such a big difference.

“And what I want to ask you is, as I said a little while ago, don’t think that the bread that goes out for tasting is a waste. It’s not much when you calculate it at the cost price.”

-Yes, I understand. I definitely recognized that part. That we have to calculate it at the cost price, not the consumer price.”

이세이’s [Lee Se-yi’s] voice was definitely different from the voice she had when she first called, worried about the tasting bread. That meant that she also knew that her thoughts on tasting bread had definitely changed.

현성’s [Hyun-sung’s] words continued again.

“And one more last thing.”

-Yes, tell me.

“What’s the cheapest bread in your bakery right now?”

-700 won [approximately $0.53 USD].

“Hmm…”

After thinking for a while, 현성 [Hyun-sung] opened his mouth again.

“Can you make 500 won [approximately $0.38 USD] bread?”

-Why suddenly 500 won [approximately $0.38 USD] bread?

“There’s a reason for that. Is it possible?”

-I can make it.

“Then can I ask you a favor?”

-Can you explain the reason?”

“Of course, I have to tell you. Actually, in three days….”

현성 [Hyun-sung] began to briefly explain the IMF [International Monetary Fund] crisis that would erupt in three days. After all, it was a problem that couldn’t be explained in detail because it was something that didn’t make sense from 이세이’s [Lee Se-yi’s] point of view.

When 현성’s [Hyun-sung’s] explanation was over, 이세이 [Lee Se-yi] immediately asked.

-So, you’re saying that Korea will face a national default in three days, on the 21st?

“Yes, that’s right.”

-What does that mean? Even in the 9 o’clock news, the Deputy Prime Minister came out and said that Korea’s financial condition is sound and different from Southeast Asia.”

“That’s all bullshit.”

-Yes, bullshit?

“Yes, that means it’s all a lie. The Deputy Prime Minister of Economy will be replaced tomorrow. And two days later, this government will eventually request a bailout from the IMF [International Monetary Fund].”

Just thinking about that time makes my blood boil. The people believed in the government until the end without knowing it.

-I don’t know what you’re talking about….

“You’ll know tomorrow. 강경식 [Kang Kyung-shik] Deputy Prime Minister will step down, and 임창렬 [Im Chang-ryeol], Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, will be appointed as the new Deputy Prime Minister of Economy.”

-Is that true?

“Unfortunately, it’s true. And then Korea goes bankrupt.”

-Honestly, I don’t know what you’re talking about right now. Even if that’s true, what I don’t understand is how you know that fact.”

“There’s no way to explain it now. But the country will definitely be turned upside down.”

-Okay, let’s say that’s true, but what does that have to do with the price of bread?

“Many people will have a hard time. Maybe it will be so hard that they can’t even afford to buy a 500 won [approximately $0.38 USD] bread.”

-Wait a minute….

이세이 [Lee Se-yi] didn’t say anything for a while as if she was thinking about something.

After a while.

-Um… boss.

“Yes, tell me.”

-Can you give me just one day? Honestly, it’s hard to accept right now.