Chapter 10: The Necessary Network (3)

“If he’s going to lose his mind, let him.” After hanging up, Ha So-young shrugged and muttered from beside Jeon Sung-ryeol.

“It seems like West Sea Hotel’s procurement team is quite frantic. Apparently, many customers specifically request Songyi’s dishes.”

“But it’s not even peak season right now. No matter how well-preserved frozen items are, they can’t compare to fresh ones.”

“The uproar suggests that their wealthy regulars must be really upset. What should we do?”

“What’s there to do? They’ll have to put up with it until we establish our own supply chain. Let them go crazy in the meantime.”

Jeon Sung-ryeol looked at him curiously, sensing a peculiar calmness as if she had experienced such situations numerous times before.

Ha So-young’s calm demeanor suggested he had experienced such situations numerous times before.

“And West Sea Hotel isn’t the only luxury hotel out there. You should try approaching others as well.”

“But what if I end up securing contracts with two hotels?”

“Well, wouldn’t that be great? It’d be like holding flowers in both hands.”

“The supply won’t meet demand, though. If it’s just one hotel, we can justify having limited stock, but supplying to two would lead to complaints from both sides.”

Of course, this wasn’t his true concern. Jeon Sung-ryeol was genuinely considering targeting other hotels beyond West Sea Hotel. The reason for his feigned reluctance was…

“Oh, don’t worry about the quantity. Leave that part to me.”

“You mentioned earlier that your limit was around fifty kilograms per month, right?”

“Well, limits are meant to be surpassed.” Jeon Sung-ryeol chuckled inwardly at Ha So-young’s puzzled expression. Despite her innocent and youthful appearance, she sometimes spoke like a sly old fox.

I mean, it’s not just about selling Songyi mushrooms.

Jeon Sung-ryeol bought from Ha So-young for 450,000 won per kilogram and sold them at approximately 800,000 won. The West Sea Hotel would charge consumers between 1,200,000 to 1,500,000 won per kilogram.

At fifty kilograms per month, his purchasing cost would be 22,500,000 won monthly, totaling 270,000,000 won annually.

Considering generous profit margins, it would generate approximately 480 million won annually. It was certainly not insignificant, but Jeon Sung-ryeol’s agricultural distribution company already had annual sales of around 9 billion won.

Songi mushrooms could be an important item for them, but they weren’t significant enough to go all-in and prioritize above everything else.

The plan was to secure contracts with luxury hotels using Ha So-young’s songi mushroom supply as bait. Then, leveraging these contracts, they would gradually penetrate high-end restaurants in areas like Kangnam and Jongno, ultimately increasing their overall revenue.

This was the strategy outlined by Jeon Sung-ryeol.

“Don’t you find it strange?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, think about it. Songi mushrooms aren’t in season right now, so where is he sourcing 50 kilograms per month consistently? And they’re not even frozen.”

“This guy… Who at our company doesn’t find it strange? We’re experts when it comes to agricultural products. Everyone knows that songi mushrooms aren’t in season right now.”

“But why doesn’t anyone say anything?”

The bushy-browed male employee sighed deeply at his colleague’s question.

“Dude, why poke holes in a golden goose laying valuable eggs?”

“Even the president acknowledges something is off. But what can we do? It’s not like they’re poisoned or contaminated with heavy metals; they’re just out of season. As long as there’s no issue with the mushrooms themselves, why bother prying into the supplier’s trade secrets?”

“Aren’t you curious?”

“I am, but having a thriving business is a hundred times better than satisfying my curiosity.”

”…”

“It seems like this friend has some kind of mountain where Songyi grows well regardless of season. You should curb your excessive curiosity. It isn’t good.”

Park Kisoo, who raised the question, still looked slightly disgruntled. Ju Sungchul, the employee with sideburns, was worried about this reaction.

‘Someday, Kisoo will cause trouble.’

“Sungchul, where do you think they get their Songyi?”

Everyone working at Sungnyeol Distribution had this same question, but no one dared to cross that line. It wasn’t as if they were stealing mushrooms or dealing with harmful substances like heavy metals or radiation. Thanks to the Songyi, their sales increased by six percent.

‘Some high-end restaurants have started showing interest in us as well.’

Sungnyeol Distribution hadn’t yet penetrated the supply chain for high-end restaurants. Their sales were high, but they mainly dealt with ordinary agricultural products needed by regular consumers. From before, Jeon Sung-ryeol wanted to dominate the supply line catering to upscale establishments frequented by the elite.

‘To make big money, you need to swim in the deep end.’

By establishing themselves as a distribution company supplying premium ingredients to luxury hotels and fine dining establishments, they could gain trust from most average restaurants, leading to a significant increase in revenue.

This was precisely why Jeon Sung-ryeol cherished Ha So-young’s songi mushrooms so much. With the advantage of consistently providing top-grade songi mushrooms, they could break into the market of luxury hotels.

-My son, are you ready?

The solemn voice of his father’s avatar, the Silver Ash Tree, was heard. Ha So-young knelt with reverence and slowly nodded, his expression more serious than ever before.

“Yes, Father. I am prepared.”

-Good. Now, I will impart knowledge tailored to your level about why you must become the Franchise God.

“Yes, Father.”

Ha So-young waited with bated breath for his response.

-In ancient times, when the universe was smaller than a grain of rice, amidst the endless darkness, a self began to emerge. This self first became aware of its existence and started questioning and exploring beyond itself… Hey, girl! Stay awake and listen properly!

“I-I wasn’t sleeping!”

-Wipe your drool and make excuses! I saw it with my own eyes—how can you lie?!

“What eyes do you have now, Father? If there were eyes on the tree, would it be considered a monster or the Divine Tree?”

-There is such a thing as the Eyes of Will. Although my roots are here in the backyard, I can see thousands of light-years from this seated position.

“Pfft, that doesn’t make sense.”

-In any case, focus and listen carefully again. Don’t fall asleep this time.

The Silver Ash Tree resumed narrating the ancient history of the universe, but Ha So-young’s consciousness had already embarked on a journey to Andromeda. He was barely paying attention, letting most of it go in one ear and out the other.

-…How peculiar. Oh dear, digging through old records has been quite taxing for me. Appreciate this information.

“I’m listening carefully. It truly was filled with astonishing events during ancient times. To overcome such adversity and become an ancient prime deity is remarkable; I am speechless.”

-The term ‘ancient prime deity’? Just call it a franchise god! Why do you keep using that old title? A new era has begun, so we need to get used to a new name.

The branches of the Silver Ash Tree trembled as if clearing its throat.

-I have decided to give you ten drops of elixir per day from now on.

“Huh? Father, why suddenly… Thankyouberrymercy… No wait, are you trying to kill me? Even one drop a day causes immense pain, yet you want me to take ten drops?”

-Take only one drop at a time. Collect the remaining nine drops separately, and once your body adapts, gradually increase your intake later.

“Do you have a specific reason for giving them ahead of time?”

-If you consume a certain amount of elixir, the next stage of your training, currently locked, will be unlocked. Even if I give you ten drops per day and you don’t drink them all, it counts as having consumed that much.

“Ah! Are you trying to quickly lift the restriction placed on Silver Ash Tree through this shortcut method? Right, Father?”

-Such quick insights… Unnecessary… In any case, I - or rather, my true self - have decided it would be beneficial to remove the imposed restrictions as soon as possible. Remember, do not exceed seven drops per week. Save the rest for later.

“Understood. Don’t worry about me.”

Ha So-young excitedly left, while the Silver Ash Tree quietly sighed with relief.

-I swear, once that building in Cheongdam-dong is completed, he might start taking him spiritual studies more seriously…

Raising children never goes exactly as planned.