67: Chapter 67 The Food Industry (Part 2)

On the day the news of reaching the top spread, Chairman Wang Shunyi's phone didn't stop ringing. Choi Jae-won, Park Jun-ho, Kim Dong-hyun, and even Park Samyang, who rarely appeared after retirement, all called. The old man only said one sentence on the phone, "The younger generation is truly formidable," and then hung up.

Zhang Junhao flew back from Singapore, landing at Incheon Airport with the sales directors from five Southeast Asian countries. The seven of them lined up in a row, all wearing white shirts and tanned dark and shiny, looking like an expedition team that had just emerged from a tropical rainforest. The first thing he did upon entering the office wasn't reporting on work, but replacing the nearly withered green plant on Chairman Wang Shunyi's desk with a new one. Park Min-ji laughed as she watched from the side. While watering the plant, Zhang Junhao said, "This one is called a 'Money Tree.' The boss's wife said it can bring wealth. President, don't let it die from overwatering."

Chairman Wang Shunyi looked at the Money Tree without speaking. The lush green leaves glistened in the sunlight, looking much more spirited than the one he had been raising.

The celebration banquet was scheduled for the last weekend of December at the Yeong Bin Gwan of the Shilla Hotel Seoul. Chairman Wang Shunyi originally said not to hold it, but Park Min-ji said, "It should be held. This isn't just your victory; it belongs to everyone. If you don't hold it, people will feel like you don't recognize their contributions."

The private room wasn't large, with five tables set up. The core management of Shunyi Foods, Jins Foods, and Samyang Foods occupied three tables, the regional heads for the Southeast Asian and Chinese markets occupied one, and another was for seniors like Choi Jae-won and Kim Dong-hyun. When Chairman Wang Shunyi entered the room, everyone stood up. He waved his hand, signaling for them to sit, and walked to the head seat of the main table but did not sit down.

"Everyone, we've reached the top. This was brought up by every single one of you. This glass is for you." He raised his soju glass and drained it in one gulp. Everyone followed suit. Kim Tae-min's eyes turned red, and he secretly wiped them with his sleeve.

After the first round of toasts, Park Min-ji walked up to him, holding half a glass of wine. "President, a toast to you."

He looked at her. Tonight, she wore a wine-red dress, her hair was down, and she had on a bit of light makeup. She looked different from her usual capable and efficient self.

"Minji, what are you toasting me for?"

"To the bowl of fire chicken noodles you made for me at the night market stall three years ago."

He was stunned for a moment. "Did you know back then that this day would come?"

"I didn't. But I knew you weren't an ordinary person." She drank half the glass, then placed it on the table and turned to leave.

Chairman Wang Shunyi stood there, watching her back. Zhang Junhao patted him from behind with a mischievous grin. "President, if you're going to pursue her, do it now. We've reached the top; what is there to be afraid of?"

Halfway through the banquet, Choi Jae-won stood up with his glass and gave a speech. "I've been in the Korean food industry for forty years, and I've never seen anyone go from zero to number one in three years. President Wang is the first. This glass is for you, and for Sunyi." He drained his glass, sat down, and started peeling shrimp, his hands shaking slightly.

Kim Dong-hyun didn't drink. He walked up to Chairman Wang Shunyi with a glass of juice, and both were silent for a few seconds. "Chairman Kim, thank you for coming."

No expression could be seen on Kim Dong-hyun's face. He raised the juice, took a sip, and then said something no one expected— "Handing Jins Foods over to you was the most correct decision I've made in my life."

Chairman Wang Shunyi looked into his eyes. They were cloudy but held no malice.

"Thank you."

As the banquet was nearing its end, Chairman Wang Shunyi walked out onto the terrace to get some air. It was very cold outside, and his breath came out in white puffs. The Seoul night sky rarely had stars, but a few were visible, though not bright. Park Min-ji pushed the door open and came out, wrapped in a large black coat, standing beside him.

"President, you should have drunk less just now."

"I didn't drink much. They were all toasting me; I had to drink."

Silence fell for a while. Fireworks rose in the distance, though it was unclear who was setting them off. With a bang, they scattered, golden in color.

No words were spoken, but both knew what the other wanted to say.

The Seoul night was cold, but he felt very warm.

When he got home, he didn't turn on the lights after entering. He sat on the sofa and took out his phone. His mother had sent a message— "Shunyi, Mom saw the news. You're number one. Mom is proud of you."

He typed a few words, deleted them, typed again, and deleted again. Finally, he sent two words: "Mom, thanks."

The phone rang immediately. His mother's voice was a bit choked up. "Shunyi, you've worked hard. Your dad is right here; he says he's proud of you. He won't say it himself, so Mom is saying it for him." Chairman Wang Shunyi heard his father say on the other end, "Who asked you to say that?" His voice was loud, clearly audible through the receiver, and then he fell silent.

"Mom, I'll come back home to see you next year."

"Okay. Okay. Mom will wait for you."

After hanging up, Chairman Wang Shunyi sat on the sofa for a long time, until his phone screen dimmed and brightened again. He stood up, walked to the window, and pulled the curtains. The streetlights below cast a dim yellow glow, and there was a thin layer of snow on the ground, with a few crooked footprints stretching into the distance.

He thought of that fluorescent lamp in the semi-basement three years ago, buzzing, its blackened tube flickering. It looked like it was about to go out, but it never did. Later, he had taken that lamp down and brought it with him, placing it in a corner of his new office. He didn't know when it had been lost or where it had gone, but he was still here.

The phone vibrated again. A text from Kim Dong-hyun: "I've told Lee Jae-hoon to report Kims' budget for next year directly to you. You don't need to ask me anymore."

He replied with one word: "Okay."

The next morning, Shunyi Foods' stock price opened up four percent. Analysts on TV were discussing the "significance of Sunyi reaching the top." One said, "This is a historic moment for the Korean food industry," while another said, "The competition isn't over; Nongshim won't admit defeat." Chairman Wang Shunyi finished watching the commentary in his office and turned off the TV.

Park Min-ji pushed the door open, holding today's schedule. She was wearing a dark gray suit jacket, her hair was tied up, and she wore light makeup. She was a completely different person from the woman in the wine-red dress on the terrace last night, but her eyes were still the same eyes.

"President, Chairman Park of Samyang Foods is coming at 3:00 PM today to discuss next year's joint procurement plan. At 5:00 PM, Chief Zheng of Mirae Asset Securities has an appointment to discuss the secondary listing in Hong Kong. At 7:00 PM, General Manager Kim of CU Convenience Store has invited you to dinner in Jangchung-dong."

"General Manager Kim of CU? Didn't he just get transferred last month?"

"He was transferred, but the new General Manager wants to see you. General Manager Kim set up the meeting; it would be disrespectful if you didn't go."

Chairman Wang Shunyi glanced at her. "You come with me."

"I have plans tonight."

"Cancel them."

She was stunned for a moment, then smiled. "Okay." Then she turned and left, her steps a bit lighter than usual.

Zhang Junhao poked half his body through the door. "President, did you water that Money Tree from yesterday?"

"I didn't. You water it."

"I just watered it. Don't water it too much, or the roots will rot."

After Zhang Junhao left, the office became quiet. Chairman Wang Shunyi picked up the water glass on his desk and took a sip. The water was cold. He stood up and walked to the window. The streets of Seongdong-gu were bustling with traffic and hurried pedestrians; no one looked up at this building.

But he was at the top.

Three years ago, no one knew who he was. Three years later, he was number one in the Korean food industry. It wasn't because he was lucky, but because he had taken a few more steps than others. Every step was in the mud, and his feet were bloody when he pulled them out, but he kept walking.

He turned back to the desk, looked over the schedule Park Min-ji had left, and wrote a line in the blank space— "Next year's goals: Triple the Chinese market, establish a presence in the Japanese market, and achieve overall profitability in the Southeast Asian market." After writing, he folded the paper twice and put it in the second drawer. Inside was that bunch of golden keys—the keys to the Chairman's office that Kim Dong-hyun had left. He hadn't returned them, nor had he used them. He pushed the drawer shut, stood up, and straightened his shirt collar. The door opened, and Park Min-ji stood at the entrance.

"President, the 3:00 meeting. It's time to go."