We Do Business In Full Auto [EN]: Chapter 86

Incheon International Airport.

It was morning when I finally set foot on Korean soil. My family and I kept our hats pulled down low. I was rarely recognized in France, but here in Korea, my face was far too well-known.

I knew that my family’s faces would eventually be revealed, and there were already stories about Sujeong and my wife circulating online, but I wanted to delay that moment as much as possible.

There were so many people at the airport.

I spotted quite a few reporters near the entrance. Could the story about CL Convenience Store already be spreading?

“Let’s split up.”

“Huh?”

“I think they’re here to interview me.”

“Wow, Dad, you’re a celebrity now?”

“You know that already, don’t you?”

“Hehehe. Sujeong doesn’t mind, though, right? It’s going to be known someday anyway.”

“Still, it’s better to delay it as much as possible. Let’s go out the other way.”

“Okay.”

“I understand.”

My wife followed my instructions without complaint.

If the story about Lisa got out to the press, it would become quite noisy. There were limits to how much the government could block information, and if I became famous, my wife’s story would inevitably come out as well.

I sent my family ahead and took off my hat.

It was something I had to go through eventually. No, it was something I would have to get used to from now on. CL Convenience Store was that close to the public eye. Above all, it was natural for people to be interested since I, known as an outstanding scientist, was getting involved in management.

“It’s CEO Lee Yoosung!”

Flash! Flash!

Flashes poured out.

My eyes stung, but I greeted them with a smile.

“Nice to meet you all.”

“CEO Lee Yoosung! You’ve become the preferred bidder for CL Convenience Store. Why are you getting into the convenience store business?”

“CL Convenience Store has a significant amount of debt. Can you handle it?”

“Is it true that you’re receiving a loan from H Group?”

Various questions poured out.

I decided to start with the management story. No matter what you do, advertising is important. Doing interviews like this was one way to save on advertising costs.

“I am also a culinary expert. Those who know, know. I believe that I can increase the convenience store’s sales by utilizing my special skills.”

“CL Convenience Store’s profits have deteriorated due to management mistakes. Do you have any countermeasures for that?”

“We plan to normalize the business after consulting with experts.”

“What exactly is your relationship with H Group?”

“No comment.”

I only answered a few questions.

And then the story about Lisa came up.

“I heard that your wife is from the British royal family. Is that true?”

“Um.”

This issue was bound to explode someday.

Should I just say we’re estranged?

No. My wife has rights to the lost Seun Line [a hypothetical or fictional claim/inheritance] from the days of the British Empire. So, it was hard to say that we were completely estranged.

And it was hard to deny it here.

I wish the story about my wife had come out a little later… But I can’t give up Seun Line, so should I just gloss over it?

“That’s right.”

“……!”

A buzz went around.

The surroundings were buzzing.

If I hadn’t gone into business, and if I hadn’t become famous, the government would have blocked the information to some extent, but now there was no way.

I was as good as a public figure. From the moment I successfully completed the Yi Sun-sin Project [likely a reference to a significant scientific or technological achievement, named after the famous Korean admiral], I was no longer free from the press.

My wife would understand this much.

“But I would appreciate it if you refrain from asking questions about my wife. That’s all.”

I left the airport for now.

I’d go home, have lunch, and then visit CL Group.

Lunchtime.

My wife showed off her skills and prepared a Korean feast.

While I was in France, my stomach felt greasy, so I couldn’t properly enjoy the banquets. I guess Koreans have to eat rice to live.

Looking at the glossy white rice, I felt my appetite returning.

“I’ll enjoy the meal.”

“Eat a lot. You’re going to make a big deal, aren’t you?”

“I don’t think there will be any big problems… But it’s true that I need to eat to gain strength.”

I ate three bowls of rice.

Did a food demon enter my stomach?

I feel like I’ve become a big eater since reaching the 5th Circle [a reference to a level of magical or spiritual attainment].

After the meal, I took a shower and changed into a neat suit.

When I went to work on the desert island, I always wore work clothes and a thick parka, but now the weather has cooled down, and I have to transform into a businessman, so I wore a suit and tie.

“Whose husband is so handsome?”

My wife had a smile on her face.

Fortunately, she didn’t seem to care much about the news. She was almost estranged from the Cotton family in England, but that didn’t change her origins.

If my wife didn’t care, that was all that mattered.

Sujeong also gave me a thumbs up.

“Dad, your skin is glowing.”

“Is it?”

“You look a bit younger, too.”

“Really?”

I looked in the mirror.

As Sujeong said, I looked about 5 years younger.

I had suffered so much that I used to look like I was in my early 40s. But after learning black magic, I seemed to be getting younger and younger, and now I looked 5 years younger, or even in my early 30s if I was lucky. I could say that I was finally in the normal range.

Even if I went out with my wife, I think I could pass as a couple now. Before, when I introduced Lisa as my wife, people didn’t believe me.

“Then I’ll be back.”

“Come back safely.”

“Dad, bring me a present!”

“Okay. Will pizza do?”

“Yes!”

After saying goodbye to my family, I got into the car.

In front of CL Group headquarters.

After parking, I waited for Director Han Cheolsu.

Before long, Han Cheolsu got out of the limousine, smiling as always.

The only difference was that the pretense had disappeared.

“Hello, Director.”

“Did you have a good trip?”

“My daughter said she was going to calculate the structure of the Eiffel Tower, so I spent most of my time at the hotel.”

“Hahaha. Calculate the structure? By hand?”

“Yes. I was surprised. She finished the calculation in one day.”

“As expected, a genius is a genius. I heard that Sua is also a genius. Is that right?”

“Judging by the way she speaks fluently, I think it’s likely.”

“That’s amazing. How did you have two geniuses?”

“I don’t think my genes are that great. I think most of it came from my wife.”

“Is your wife also a genius?”

“Well, I don’t know.”

Was my wife a genius?

I knew she had many talents, but I didn’t know if she was a genius. Could it be that she was disguised as an ordinary person?

If she was a genius, that could be the case…

Director Han tapped me on the shoulder.

“You got married amazingly well.”

“You’re telling me. I must have saved the country in my previous life.”

I took the elevator with Director Han, talking about trivial things.

Judging by the fact that we were having these personal conversations naturally, I could say that I had become quite close to Director Han.

Just before arriving at the chairman’s office, Director Han brought up a shocking story.

“Please make time sometime. The chairman has invited you to dinner.”

“The chairman?”

“It seems like he’s going to push you in earnest. You’re a full-fledged businessman now. The chairman will give you advice.”

“Then I’m grateful.”

Management is a first for me in my entire life.

I used to run a Korean restaurant, but that wasn’t really a stage of management. This company should be considered a mid-sized company.

It’s been quite a while since it was listed on the KOSDAQ [Korean Securities Dealers Automated Quotations, South Korea’s equivalent of the NASDAQ], and although the stock price has plummeted recently, it would have been difficult for an ordinary person to acquire it without H Group.

Secretaries were lined up in front of the chairman’s office.

“Welcome, Director, CEO. The chairman is waiting for you.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Don’t be intimidated. They’re all just people.”

“Hoo. It’s easy to say, but it’s not easy to do.”

“Who knows? CL Group might be interested in you.”

“Haha. No way.”

“You are a person with that much value. There’s no need to be intimidated.”

When I entered the chairman’s office, an old man greeted me.

“Welcome! I am Kang Bonseong. I’m just a small business owner.”

“Please, don’t be so humble. I heard that you are a close friend of the director.”

“Hehe, is that okay?”

“Of course.”

It’s more uncomfortable to be respected by such an old man.

I felt a little more comfortable when Chairman Kang lowered his tone.

Chairman Kang Bonseong asked some personal questions.

He asked about my past and my surroundings, and I told him honestly. Except for adapting black magic into science, I told him the truth.

“So, your business failed and you were about to sit on the street?”

“That’s right.”

“How did you get back on your feet?”

“I started with cleaning. I started at Moa Construction and came all the way here. They gave me a request. Then I made money with a big business and ended up acquiring a convenience store.”

“It’s a self-made story.”

“You’re telling me.”

The two were evaluating me like that.

They didn’t mention any other issues. They didn’t say a word about management, but Chairman Kang smiled contentedly.

“I think I can trust you to take care of it.”

“Yes?”

“I think you are qualified enough because you have experienced failure.”

“I’m actually illiterate when it comes to management.”

“What’s so special about management? People live the same way. Human resource management is the core of management. You are aware of that, so that’s all that matters.”

“Human resource management…….”

“Do you think it’s too old-fashioned?”

“No. Isn’t it people who make money?”

“These days, there are many ways to make money through investment, but the royal road is human management. If you don’t forget that, you can succeed.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Shall we make a contract then?”

“Ah, yes.”

“As more than 50% of the shares are transferred, the management rights will naturally be transferred to you. It’s very stable. Are there any business people who own more than 50% of the shares?”

“I know it’s rare except for some holding companies.”

“That’s right. The management rights are solid. Your words are law in the company. The fate of the company will change depending on your decisions.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

I read the contract.

It was a standard contract with no special provisions. Conditions that were neither particularly advantageous nor disadvantageous.

Of course, the acquisition funds are not large.

It was astronomical for me, but because there were so many debts, it was priced lower than the stock valuation and transferred all at once.

Ssssk!

Chairman Kang signed without hesitation.

I look at Director Han.

If I sign here and pay the money, this company will be mine.

Director Han nodded.

Director Han negotiated, so it won’t be a loss.

I also finished signing.

“Congratulations on becoming the owner of CL Convenience Store.”