Building an Alliance
The CEO's office of Generos, a subsidiary of Genex.
Seohee Jin, the CEO, wore a deeply displeased expression.
"Seohee. Even if you hate it, don't make it so obvious. It's been a long time since I came by."
Her older sister, Seojeong Jin, smiled.
Seohee Jin kept her sour face, regardless.
"When are you leaving? I'm busy, so head out already. Or are you free these days?"
"Of course not. Unlike you, the president of some crumbling little shop, I'm the head of a hot new brand."
"You'd think you built this subsidiary yourself listening to you talk. All you did was turn a perfectly fine Generos into a crumbling little shop."
Seojeong Jin's face twisted.
Despite being her younger sister, Seohee had never had a single endearing quality.
"Didn't you ask for this CEO position so you could sink with it together? Or did you really think you could save it? Who do you think you are?"
Seojeong Jin stepped closer and leaned forward.
"You've always had that delusion. That you're different. Sales were down last quarter, and this one will be the same, obviously."
"It'll still be better than when you were in charge, so don't worry."
She'd managed to slow the downward slope by a lot.
But to stop the decline altogether, she needed a decisive blow.
And the person who might become that blow was on the way here right now.
Knock, knock.
"CEO, Mr. Yoo Jinhyeok has arrived."
"Please send him in. And Representative Jin Seojeong says she's leaving."
Seohee Jin waved her hand dismissively.
Seojeong Jin glared at her younger sister with an incredulous look.
When the door opened and Jinhyeok stepped in, Seojeong Jin put on a meaningful smile.
"Oh my, your boyfriend? You've got quite the life, Seohee. Even dating, huh."
"Please go. You're in the way."
With a little snort, Seojeong Jin turned around.
Then she stopped at the doorway and looked Jinhyeok up and down from head to toe.
"As expected of my little sister—our taste is similar."
"Pardon?"
"Oh, nothing. Anyway, be careful."
Seojeong Jin leaned in and whispered.
"She's got a truly nasty temper."
"CEO Jin Seojeong. You're really in the way, so please leave. Right now."
With a shrug that said see?, Seojeong Jin exited the room.
"See you again. Bye."
She even made a point of waving at Jinhyeok to provoke Seohee one last time.
Utterly confused, Jinhyeok still bowed politely to her.
"You don't have to greet her. It's a waste. Sit down."
Seohee sat on the sofa and pressed her forehead, letting out a sigh.
Her sister had clearly given her a headache.
"Thanks for coming on such short notice, Mr. Jinhyeok."
The reason she'd called him was simple.
She hadn't been able to find a proper sales channel.
So she wanted help from Jinhyeok, who prided himself on knowing Dongdaemun inside out.
"It's no trouble. It's good for me too."
"Then shall we get straight to the point? You said you know an incredible merchant?"
When she called, Jinhyeok had answered as if he'd been waiting.
He knew the number-one merchant around.
"Yes. You've probably seen them on the Tower site. Yeonsanghoe. They're doing the best business in Dongdaemun right now."
Seohee Jin narrowed her eyes.
Not only had she seen them, she'd even sent people to investigate.
Strong sales skills but poor customer service and pricing practices. Considered unsuitable for partnership with Generos. The owner of the association also stated they had no intention of working with Generos.
"Mr. Jinhyeok. Does the owner of Yeonsanghoe know about today's meeting?"
"Of course. I was talking to her until just now."
"Oh?"
Seohee Jin began calculating at lightning speed.
Come to think of it, they were quite close.
The team leader who handled that evaluation, and the former CEO, Seojeong Jin.
So that's how it is.
No wonder every recommended vendor had rubbed her the wrong way.
They'd carefully picked and brought only those.
Taking a deep breath, Seohee Jin suppressed her anger.
"Is she in Dongdaemun right now?"
"No. She's preparing the shop at the new location that just opened."
Seohee Jin nodded and rose to her feet.
"Shall we go for a drive? To the outlet."
"Oh, you want to head over right away?"
"Yes. This time, I need to see things for myself."
A dangerous smile spread across her lips.
After securing a merchant, it looked like it would also be time for some internal cleaning.
Whether they'd been notified in advance or not, the moment Seohee Jin entered, the outlet staff bowed at ninety degrees.
"Welcome. I'm Kim Jeongsu, the general manager of Bib Outlet."
Kim Jeongsu and his staff were in complete turmoil.
This wasn't some department store in Cheongdam or Apgujeong.
It was a small-to-mid-sized outlet far from the main commercial districts—and suddenly a member of Genex's owner family had appeared.
They didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Wow, it's Seohee Jin."
"CEO of Generos? Should we ask for a photo?"
"The recent photos she posted were insane."
People began gathering from everywhere.
Seohee Jin was a famous influencer.
To aspiring influencers, she was nothing short of an idol.
"But who's the guy next to her? Her boyfriend?"
"Looks like it. She usually goes around alone."
The whispers drilling into his ears made Jinhyeok swallow dryly.
While Seohee was more than used to such attention, for Jinhyeok it was overwhelming.
He also worried that Seohee might feel uncomfortable.
"CEO Jin Seohee, would you like us to escort you?"
"No, it's fine. I'm here for a personal reason."
With a slight bow, Seohee Jin started walking.
Even after she'd declined, the staff still trailed closely behind her.
Before long, Seohee reached the very last shop at the end of the corridor.
"Huh? Mr. Jinhyeok?"
While Jinhyeok stood there in confusion.
Seohee Jin walked up to Yoo Suyeon and greeted her.
"Hello. I'm Seohee Jin, CEO of Generos."
"O-Oh, hello!"
Suyeon gasped.
This was the first time she'd ever seen an influencer this famous in person.
Oh, and Mr. Jinhyeok is here too.
A global celebrity, and then some.
Once his identity was revealed, world number one was practically guaranteed.
"We're looking for a place to work with Generos. Could we talk about it? If you're busy, I can come back later."
"No, I'm not busy at all. I don't have any customers right now. It's humble, but please come inside!"
Seohee followed Yoo Suyeon in.
Jinhyeok sneaked a glance at the outlet staff.
Their eyes were shaking violently.
Placing a shop here was basically telling her to get out.
They'd pulled such a cheap trick, and now the CEO of Generos herself had shown up—it was no wonder they were terrified.
"Um…"
Hesitating, Kim Jeongsu approached.
"What relationship do Yeonsanghoe and CEO Jin Seohee have…?"
"You could say we're about to become running mates as we take on the market together."
Kim Jeongsu gulped.
Genex was a conglomerate that didn't supply just anyone.
For a small outlet like Bib, receiving goods from them was an impossible dream.
But if they built a relationship with Generos first, maybe it wouldn't be just a dream.
"Y-Yes! Then please take care of us!"
"Likewise. Shall we start tomorrow?"
"Yes! We'll prepare so there won't be any issues!"
It seemed the conversation inside had ended.
Seohee and Suyeon stood up.
A moment later, Seohee stepped out and turned her head.
"You're the general manager of this outlet, right?"
"Y-Yes! I'm Kim Jeongsu!"
"So is this the kind of location you give people who come here to do business? You must've agreed together on the store placement."
Seohee raised one corner of her lips.
"I wouldn't use this as a storage room, let alone a shop. It's such a pain just to get here."
Kim Jeongsu and the others went pale.
"It s-seems there's been some kind of misunderstanding! We'll correct it immediately and move you to a central location!"
"No, that's not necessary anymore. We won't be doing business here."
Seohee Jin was an owner family member and a top influencer.
Her network was vast.
Because Yeonsanghoe handled a wide range of products, she planned to line up locations at various mid-sized outlets and small-to-mid department stores.
Kim Jeongsu bowed ninety degrees again.
"I'm so sorry! Please, just give us one more chance! We'll make sure nothing unfair ever happens again!"
This wasn't just about the outlet's growth.
The moment this reached the ears of the higher-ups, he'd be absolutely finished.
If Seohee left now, it was all over.
Seohee shook her head and lowered her voice.
"You know what they say. You should've treated us well while you had the chance."
After greeting Suyeon, she headed for the elevator.
Bib Outlet instantly turned into a funeral hall.
"Ms. Suyeon. I'll send today's shipment after your location is moved."
"O-Oh, yes! Thank you so much!"
"We're partners—no need to thank me! Finish up well today!"
Jinhyeok waved as well and followed Seohee.
The Yeonsanghoe matter was settled.
Now it was time for his own business.
"The Matsuna family?"
Seohee blinked in surprise as she sipped her coffee.
It wasn't a name she'd expected to hear from Jinhyeok.
"Yes. I have business with them."
"May I ask what it is?"
"I want to buy a sword they own. The cursed blade Muramasa."
"Pfft!"
Coffee sprayed out of her mouth and all over Jinhyeok's face.
It was the first time Seohee Jin had ever reacted like this.
"S-Sorry!"
She pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his face herself.
Ironically, the one who'd been splashed looked perfectly calm.
Why did this feel so familiar?
Was it déjà vu?
"Mr. Jinhyeok, I don't want to dash your hopes right away, but you should give up."
With a deep sigh, Seohee ran a hand through her hair.
"I'm one to talk, given I belong to the Jin family, but the Matsuna family is just as stubborn and traditional. Like us, they value martial prowess above all else. And with a family like that…"
She pointed at Muramasa on the screen she'd just searched up.
"A blade forged by a master like this would be more precious to them than any treasure. Practically a family heirloom. It'll be hard even to meet them, and even if you do, the moment you bring it up you'll be thrown out."
"Guess I'll have to steal it then."
"…What?"
"I'm joking."
But for just a split second, Seohee's pupils shook violently.
Because it had sounded entirely serious.
"Buying Muramasa is impossible, but I can help you meet the Matsuna family."
Jinhyeok had saved her on the New Cali and even introduced Yeonsanghoe, which perfectly suited her.
She wanted to help him in any way she could.
"Both our families are fairly prominent martial clans, and we have something like exchange gatherings. One's being held in Japan in a few days. If you'd like to go with me—"
Clatter!
Jinhyeok sprang to his feet, his eyes shining fiercely.
He didn't even need to answer.
His desperate eagerness to join was written all over his face.
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T/N:
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