God-Given Business Genius

Song Woo-yeon was an utterly inscrutable person to Jo I-ruk.

‘Why entrust such an important role to me, someone who essentially has zero relevant experience, out of the blue?’

Contrary to such concerns, the work assigned to Jo I-ruk was perfectly suited to his skillset.

Analyzing locations and market areas proceeded more smoothly than he had ever experienced before.

Doing well made it enjoyable, and enjoyment led to greater effort. In this virtuous cycle of improvement, Jo I-ruk experienced a sense of achievement he had never felt before.

Thereafter, he witnessed Song Woo-yeon’s gradual growth firsthand.

The office, which once housed just the two of them, eventually became bustling with activity. It even became insufficient, leading to an office relocation and a large-scale recruitment of new employees.

This was because the increasing number of franchises could no longer be managed by a small team.

‘It’s not just that she’s a successful businessperson. It’s something else.’

How should he describe it? A feeling of being two steps ahead of everyone else? Jo I-ruk had never encountered anyone who gave off such an impression before.

It was a first in his entire life.

Despite having graduated from a prestigious university and having seen numerous geniuses there,

Even the young prodigies who had skipped several years of regular schooling after graduating from gifted schools hadn’t been like this.

Watching Song Woo-yeon left him feeling overwhelmed by her sheer capability.

‘How much effort would it take to catch up to her, no, just to stand beside her?’

He didn’t even aspire to surpass or guide Song Woo-yeon.

If Jo I-ruk had one wish, it was simply to walk side by side with Song Woo-yeon.

So Jo I-ruk tried his best to understand her intentions by observing her closely.

‘But I failed every time.’

As if mocking Jo I-ruk’s efforts, Song Woo-yeon always came up with responses that exceeded his expectations.

‘How does she do it?’

He felt like he was facing an insurmountable wall. Jo I-ruk was barely managing to follow in Song Woo-yeon’s footsteps.

‘Until when?’

Just as he was feeling overwhelmed, helplessly staring at Song Woo-yeon’s back.

-Team Leader. I think you need to see this.

-What is it, Assistant Manager Yang?

-It’s about Franchisee Kim Jong-chun. You said he was close to CEO Song, right? But the results of this secret inspection…

His mouth tasted bitter.

To the point where he craved the cigarettes he had quit. If possible, Jo I-ruk wanted to ask Song Woo-yeon:

‘How do you feel?’

His lowered gaze captured Song Woo-yeon’s profile.

‘After laying out a highway with your best efforts, how do you feel seeing those who lie down complacently, not realizing their good fortune?’

Jo I-ruk dared to think that this time, Song Woo-yeon would be shaken.

Wouldn’t anyone be? To have someone you trusted and relied on betray you. Even Jo I-ruk, who had no personal connection with Kim Jong-chun, was shocked by this incident.

-CEO Song. Actually……

Song Woo-yeon seemed surprised for a moment. But what quickly crossed her face was a deep sense of resignation.

And then, as if by some magic, Kim Jong-chun immediately had a change of heart and started working diligently again.

Even that was a big shock to Jo I-ruk.

When he went up to the office rooftop, staring blankly at the sky without lighting a cigarette,

The rooftop door opened with a clunk, and Roh Se-hee came out. She looked a bit surprised to see Jo I-ruk.

-Oh? Team Leader Jo. Are you smoking?

-Well, yes. I quit for quite a while, but recently started again.

-That’s unusual.

-Should I move aside if it bothers you, Team Leader Roh?

-No. It’s fine.

Thud.

They both leaned halfway against the railing in silence. Whew. Only the sound of exhaling smoke echoed.

Jo I-ruk realized it had been a while since he had spent time alone with Roh Se-hee like this. Before Roh Se-hee’s team members joined, they often found themselves alone in the office when Song Woo-yeon was out.

-Are you troubled by something these days?

-……Does it show?

-No. Just that you’re smoking again after quitting.

Jo I-ruk quietly looked down at his hand, then stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray.

-I’ll head in first.

-It’s about CEO Song, isn’t it?

-……!

-Haha. You think I haven’t been there? The thoughts of ordinary people standing next to an overwhelming genius are all pretty similar.

As she said this, tucking her hair behind her ear, Roh Se-hee’s face showed faint traces of fatigue, self-deprecation, and resignation. There was a somewhat bitter scent in the air.

-I don’t think I’ve ever been told I’m not good at my job, but when I look at CEO Song, I sometimes feel a bit discouraged. Creating new menu items overnight, manipulating the media like putty in her hands. Her PR and marketing skills are also exceptional.

She spoke without hesitation, as if she had been thinking about this for a long time.

-How should I put it? When I look at her, I feel like I’ve become a downgraded substitute for CEO Song. It’s just that she can’t handle everything alone because she’s one person, but I feel like she could do it all if she wanted to.

-……

-At my previous company, I often had the opposite thought. Having a superior who’s too proficient in practical work comes with its own set of challenges.

Jo I-ruk carefully studied Roh Se-hee’s face. He had just been calculating how troublesome it would be if a key talent like Roh Se-hee suddenly left.

-Of course, it’s a luxury problem. At my previous company, I was constantly worried about my performance being stolen, getting caught up in office politics, or being demoted for offending higher-ups. Now I don’t have those worries, and all that’s left is concern about self-actualization. My friends would probably curse me out of envy if they heard this. So I have no intention of leaving this company I’ve just joined. Don’t glare at me like that.

-Ah, I apologize.

-I thought Team Leader Jo wouldn’t have such worries, so this is unexpected. From my perspective, you’re quite a genius too.

-Not particularly.

Jo I-ruk quietly lowered his gaze. Anyone would feel that way standing next to Song Woo-yeon.

-I’m going back in now. I’m quite satisfied, you know. It’s just a matter of letting go of a bit of ambition.

Roh Se-hee said this with a gentle smile. Jo I-ruk quietly watched her back as she trudged away from the rooftop.

Clunk.

As the rooftop door closed,

These two never brought up the related conversation again. There was an implicit agreement to pretend that the conversation on the rooftop that day never happened.

And right at that moment,

An offer came from Hyeonmu.

The timing was impeccable, as if they had been waiting for this moment. It was an attractive proposal that even tempted Jo I-ruk for a moment.

“So. How did you answer?”

Looking at Song Woo-yeon’s face as she asked this, Jo I-ruk barely held back a bitter laugh.

Right.

“It was an offer so good that it would be strange not to accept it.”

“I’m sure it was. They must have promised the best treatment in the industry.”

Song Woo-yeon spoke as if she had received such offers herself.

Jo I-ruk calmly replied.

“But I declined.”

“…Didn’t you just say it was an offer that would be strange to refuse?”

“I did.”

“But you refused?”

Song Woo-yeon blinked, as if she couldn’t understand at all. Her face showed complete bewilderment as to why Jo I-ruk was directly contradicting what he had just said.

Jo I-ruk couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

“Yes. Others would think I’m crazy. How could anyone refuse such an offer?”

“…….”

“But I think they can say that because they don’t know.”

Jo I-ruk was certain.

“They don’t know about Song Woo-yeon.”

If they worked with Song Woo-yeon, they would change their minds too.

“……Haha. Team Leader Jo, I didn’t know you could say things like this.”

“I’m not good at empty words. It doesn’t suit my personality. So everything I say is sincere.”

Jo I-ruk continued with a straight face, devoid of any hint of a smile.

“It’s true. The CEO Song I know isn’t perfect for working on the same team. She’s too outstanding a player, and even has some autocratic tendencies. There have been quite a few times when I’ve worked as instructed without fully understanding the reasons.”

The Jihyang-eup matter was a case in point. It was a very important issue, yet Song Woo-yeon had unilaterally concluded the contract without any discussion.

“But the results have always been the best.”

“…….”

“So, that’s what I’m afraid of.”

Jo I-ruk looked directly at Song Woo-yeon’s face.

“When I become your enemy.”

It’s already hard to gauge and intimidating when looking in the same direction. To stand on the opposite side?

Jo I-ruk couldn’t even imagine it.

Song Woo-yeon had never been cruel or sadistic from what he had seen so far, but she wasn’t particularly loving or warm either.

Being fundamentally a businessperson, she knows how to coldly assess situations and cut off rotten branches.

‘Just look at Kim Jong-chun. If he hadn’t repented, would she have really turned a blind eye?’

Jo I-ruk absolutely didn’t think so.

So, if Jo I-ruk were to stab Song Woo-yeon in the back and move elsewhere.

He would have to pay dearly for it.

Probably in ways that Jo I-ruk himself couldn’t even imagine. That was the scariest part. Because Song Woo-yeon was unpredictable.

“Haha…. Aren’t you seeing me as too terrifying?”

Song Woo-yeon said with a slight smile. But she didn’t deny that she wouldn’t do such things.

“That’s why I wanted to confirm.”

Jo I-ruk looked at the rain that was still falling steadily.

“That you weren’t wrong. …I wanted to prove that my choice was right. To anyone.”

“Don’t worry.”

Song Woo-yeon whispered softly.

“I won’t disappoint you.”

Whoosh…..

The rain showed no signs of stopping.

It seemed it wouldn’t stop until the rivers overflowed and swept away the nearby crops.