Chapter 19

The Bear Soup is now my responsibility, Chapter 19

019 500,000 / If you give me a card

A person who said they would go out to make a phone call and then return came back without a trace.

Since the interpreter was no longer needed, the three people sat facing each other in the office.

Seeing the wall clock, Manager Kim seemed to think it was taking too long and smiled awkwardly.

“Haha, Manager Lee isn’t usually this slow… He’ll be here soon.”

Manager Lee, who said he would be back soon, returned after 30 minutes, sweating profusely.

However, he was not alone but accompanied by a person with a well-constructed forehead, like Gorbachev.

Closing the door, Manager Lee panted and said,

“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. Mr. Lee, this way….”

The person called Mr. Lee sat down and alternated his gaze between Nikolai and Sasha.

Then, he introduced himself by handing over a business card.

“I am Manager Choi, in charge of overseas sales. I apologize for keeping you waiting.”

Being the head of overseas sales in a large corporation is almost a position of supreme authority.

His presence indicated a clear intention to finalize the deal today.

However, it didn’t impress Nikolai.

“Is there no one else coming?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, can Manager Choi make the decision?”

“Yes, I can make the decision on this matter.”

“Then, if the two of you who can’t make decisions came here, it means you had no intention of signing the contract from the beginning, right? What was the purpose of asking me to come all the way here?”

“….”

“It seems your intentions are quite clear, don’t they?”

You had no intention of signing an export contract from the beginning.

You just wanted to extract information and send me away.

From the moment I first came here, if Manager Choi hadn’t come and the export route was blocked, it would have been clear.

“I’m really sorry. I admit there was a mistake.”

A large corporation manager admitting a mistake so formally, what more could I say?

People make mistakes. It’s enough to know that they shouldn’t repeat them.

Nikolai, who wasn’t that ‘cruel’ a person, moved on to the main topic.

“How do you plan to proceed with the contract?”

“I’d like to proceed with the contract today.”

Then, it means you have time to start eating from now on.

Nikolai was sometimes a ‘cruel’ person.

‘I know the relationship between ‘甲方’ (甲方: the dominant party) and ‘乙方’ (乙方: the subordinate party) better than anyone.’

Having worked in the media in the past, he had bowed deeply to advertisers and attended dozens of receptions with his superiors, so he knew well.

Nikolai slightly lifted the corners of his mouth and smiled victoriously.

“In this case, I have no choice but to change the contract terms.”

“…!”

“You can’t say anything to me. You were the ones who broke the trust first. I thought companies valued credit and trust the most. Am I wrong?”

When Nikolai finished speaking, Manager Choi’s expression noticeably changed.

He had underestimated the situation, thinking they wouldn’t know the details, but it had come to this.

If he had known earlier that Unicorns held the exclusive rights to goods entering Russia from South Korea, he could have avoided this mistake.

‘Now the initiative has shifted to their side…’

Still, there was no choice.

‘8th Avenue’ had to finalize this export contract, so they had no choice but to accept Nikolai’s terms, even if it meant swallowing their pride.

“There seems to have been a misunderstanding. We didn’t delay the decision; we didn’t decide not to export. If we do export, we will meet with the Unicorn side again to discuss….”

“Manager Lee, right?”

As Nikolai suddenly interrupted, Manager Choi’s eyes trembled.

“Yes, Manager Lee.”

“Earlier, you said that after the company conducted a feasibility study and found it viable, they would contact us. Did the feasibility study end in 30 minutes?”

“That, that is….”

Manager Lee looked at Manager Choi with a troubled expression.

Then, Manager Choi, perhaps thinking he should protect his subordinate, cleared his throat and said,

“Manager Lee.”

“Yes, Mr. Choi.”

“The company planned to complete the review in a few days, but how can we send a buyer who has come from afar like this? This is clearly your mistake. Apologize formally.”

It wasn’t protection.

‘He’s cutting his losses here too.’

Manager Choi’s intention was clear, but Manager Lee could only bow.

His promotion depended on how Manager Choi evaluated his performance.

“I’m sorry. I won’t make this mistake again.”

“Then it’s settled. Let’s talk about the contract.”

Nikolai looked at Sasha and extended his hand.

Sasha looked at him with a “What?” expression.

“Give me your passport.”

“Why do you need my passport all of a sudden?”

“Just give it to me; I have a use for it.”

Nikolai, having received Sasha’s passport, placed it on the conference table with his own.

“…?”

“…?”

“…?”

The three people looked at Nikolai, clearly confused.

“Mr. Choi, this is a Russian diplomatic passport.”

“Oh, is that so.”

“How could an ordinary person like me get a diplomatic passport?”

Manager Choi glanced at Manager Lee and Manager Kim, but they also looked confused, so he looked back at Nikolai.

“I don’t really….”

“As I mentioned earlier, our Unicorn Group’s Chairman Yury Yuspov receives full support from President Yeltsin. I am his close relative, which is why I can get a diplomatic passport.”

“Oh!”

He needed to reiterate his background to start on the right foot, as Koreans often prioritize background over ability.

It’s more accurate to say that they can’t evaluate a person’s ability when it’s overshadowed by their background.

Children of large corporation chairmen.

Children of Seoul University professors.

Friends of major stars.

Such backgrounds significantly influence how a person is evaluated.

Even more so in Korea.

That’s why Nikolai first revealed his family background before discussing the contract.

“Do you understand why a young person like me is responsible for such an important contract?”

“Yes… Yes, I understand clearly.”

“Then let’s start by discussing the points that need to be adjusted in the contract.”

At Manager Choi’s nod, Manager Lee took out the documents.

“I’ll do my best to reflect the points you mentioned earlier in the new product as quickly as possible.”

“Is there no way to increase the capacity?”

“You mean increasing the 86g portion. Increasing the capacity isn’t difficult, but it could affect the image of being a cheap and accessible product.”

The image of being a cheap and accessible product?

I don’t know what you’re talking about. Images are made.

Even in the current difficult situation in Russia, if the perception that it’s sufficient for one meal is established, the increased price won’t matter.

The price is already set in people’s minds, so a price increase will cause resistance, but starting with a higher price won’t be a problem.

“I’ll handle the image issue, so please increase the capacity.”

“…Understood.”

Manager Choi could respond immediately because he trusted the Unicorn Group.

If not, he wouldn’t have been able to say this so easily, as it would require changing the shape and size of the product.

“And the mayonnaise….”

“Use the Ottogi brand. I was planning to sign a contract with them after this one.”

“I was just about to mention that. Manager Kim, who is in charge of product development, will handle it well.”

“Yes, I’ll make sure there are no issues.”

Manager Kim nodded slightly.

Nikolai had a good reason for bringing up Ottogi, but he would reveal it after the contract was signed.

“Were you planning to import Ottogi mayonnaise as well?”

“Let’s continue talking about the bento. We don’t have time.”

“Ahem, yes. What do you think about the import date and the initial quantity?”

“The sooner, the better.”

We are currently building three large supermarkets, but it will take at least a year to complete them.

Still, it doesn’t matter.

I can use my father’s distribution network to spread them nationwide.

Starting with the Trans-Siberian Railway, I’ll spread them to small and medium-sized shops in the countryside.

Supporting this with TV commercials and indirect advertising (PPL) will end the game.

It’s almost a guaranteed blockbuster.

“The initial quantity should be 500,000.”

“500,000 units for the initial quantity? Isn’t that a bit excessive…?”

Manager Choi, looking worried, trailed off, and Manager Lee and Manager Kim also had the same expression.

When ‘8th Avenue’ decided to export exclusively to Russia, they had planned for an initial quantity of 100,000 units.

Even if the shelf life of ramen is six months, if the market can’t absorb the quantity, it will all become waste, so they were cautious.

“Manager Choi.”

“Yes.”

“When did I say 500,000 units? Should I call the interpreter back to say it in Russian?”

“What do you mean…? Didn’t you just say 500,000?”

“I said 500,000, not 500,000 units.”

“…?”

Manager Choi tilted his head, not understanding.

“I meant 500,000 boxes.”

“Huh?”

“500,000 boxes, with 24 units per box.”

“So you mean a total of 12 million units?”

“Exactly. 500,000 boxes, 12 million units.”

Nikolai’s confident words left the three people almost speechless.

‘You’re surprised by this?’

In the original history, an average of 300 million units were sold per year.

Dividing that by months, it means 25 million units were sold per month.

So, 12 million units is only enough for half a month.

Of course, in the early stages of sales in Russia, it wouldn’t reach the average, but once the advertising starts, sales will increase dramatically.

Nikolai had a clear plan to achieve this result.

“Ahem. Can you really sell that much for the initial quantity…?”

“If you’re that worried, change the contract terms.”

“How so?”

“Our Unicorns will pay the full amount for the initial quantity in advance. We’ll pay in advance and buy it.”

“…!”

“If we change the settlement ratio to 30% more for us.”

Nikolai’s confident words made Manager Choi quickly calculate in his head.

This young man’s confidence indicates he has a clear sales route.

He couldn’t be this confident without it. This isn’t something you can bluff your way through.

Manager Choi, trusting his decades of experience, shook his head.

“I won’t take the advance payment. We’ll proceed with the payment terms as in the original contract, and I’ll send 12 million units. Sign here.”

He’s a seasoned veteran in overseas sales, so he’s not easily swayed. I could have pushed for more.

After that, they spent two hours finalizing the detailed contract.

There were significant differences in the royalty part when setting up a factory in Russia, but it was ultimately resolved as Nikolai wanted.

After all, they couldn’t enter Russia without Unicorns.

Nikolai put down his pen and drank a refreshing drink.

“You should visit Russia once, right?”

“Of course. Manager Lee will come soon.”

“Then I’ll take my leave. Ah!”

Nikolai, who had started to stand up, sat back down as if he had forgotten something.

“Is there anything else you want to say…?”

“I’ll need a car and a driver while I’m here. I don’t have a local driver’s license, so I can’t rent a car. I might also need to move to a different hotel….”

Nikolai’s audacity, which had already started in Russia, was now extending to South Korea.

“Manager Kim! What are you standing there for? Go and find out quickly.”

Manager Kim, standing beside him, rushed out at Manager Choi’s command.

“You don’t have to do this….”

“No, we made a mistake, so this is nothing. Please use it without hesitation.”

Nikolai, who was about to leave, said as if he had forgotten something again.

“Ah, I haven’t finished exchanging money. Could you tell me where I can exchange money?”

“Of course. I’ll show you….”

Manager Lee, eager to make up for his mistake, stepped forward, but Manager Choi frowned and pushed him aside.

Then, he took out a card from his wallet.

“As you know, the ruble exchange rate isn’t good these days. Use this card while you’re in the country.”

“There might be places that don’t accept cards, and I might need cash…?”

“You can withdraw cash whenever you need it. The PIN is 7712.”

“What’s the limit…?”

“…5 million won, so use it freely.”

“Then….”

Nikolai carefully put the card in his wallet and reached for the doorknob, then turned his head one last time.

“And while I’m in South Korea, I’d like Manager Lee and one other employee to guide me.”

“….”

“If it’s too much trouble, it’s fine.”

“No, Manager Lee will guide you with one employee. Manager Lee will start working at your hotel from tomorrow with one employee.”

Manager Lee sighed inwardly and closed his eyes tightly.

“Thank you for your hard work. I’ll see you next time.”

As Nikolai left, Manager Lee followed with a bowed head.

Watching this, Manager Choi shook his head.

“What a… Sigh. If we can just export, this is nothing. It’s a good decision. Yes. Manager Kim, was this a good decision? Is it?”

“….”

Manager Choi, we’ve been had.

* * *

Outside, Nikolai said to Manager Lee in a sincere tone,

“Bring a trustworthy employee with you tomorrow. Someone you can trust 100%.”

“…?”

“You must have a subordinate who is completely on your side, right? Oh, and they should know how to drive.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“I value connections a lot. Meeting you like this is a connection, and since I’ve received something, I’d like to give a gift too.”

Being a manager in a large corporation means you’re just a salaried employee.

There’s no guarantee of promotion.

So, I’m going to make your future a highway.

You’re a manager now, but you’ll be the highest-ranking non-owner in this company in the future.

“As I mentioned earlier, I’m planning to sign a contract with Ottogi tomorrow.”

Manager Lee seemed to ponder why he was repeating what he had already said.

You should pass on the information. I don’t want to repeat myself and get a sore throat.

As a manager and executive in the food industry, you must have connections, so I’m subtly dropping a hint.

“See you tomorrow.”

Thinking about the grand reception he would receive at the Ottogi mayonnaise company tomorrow, Nikolai hummed a tune as he got into a taxi.

‘After the work is done, I should look for that person. What are they doing right now?’