Chapter 29

After attaching all sorts of fancy adjectives, I could have charged 6,000 won.

[ Dolce Gucci Special Blended Colombian Pesticide Party Today's Pick Americano: 6,200 won ]

[ ICED: 500 won extra ]

Even 2,500 won was actually a very low price.

Then the profit margin would easily exceed 1,000 won.

In short, it's a money bonanza!

A money bonanza covered in coffee grounds!

“Hmm...”

But I was conflicted.

‘Even if I sell it for 1,500 won, the margin is still better than the existing coffee...’

If I actually collected the leftover coffee grounds every day and performed “quality conversion,” it wouldn't just be five times.

‘It could be ten, twenty, or even thirty times.’

Ultimately, the question was whether to sell it for 1,500 won or 2,500 won.

‘Is it about making money quickly or making it really quickly?’

If that's the case, my answer was already set.

Even if the money bonanza is a bit slower, 1,500 won.

‘1,500 won!’

It would be great if more people could enjoy high-quality coffee without worrying about the cost.

‘1,500 won!’

If I just wanted to make a lot of money, it would have been better to stay up all night like a shut-in at a cryptocurrency exchange.

‘1,500 won!’

A café that sells such delicious coffee for just 1,500 won.

‘...Isn’t that pretty cool?’

Moreover.

‘I’ll double park, anyway.’

There was still the option of using the alley store.

This place is strictly a takeout-only shop.

Even if people wanted to enjoy this coffee with friends or take their time, there wouldn't be any space to provide.

‘I just need to guide them to the alley store.’

This café is a pop-up store.

This coffee is a bait product.

Wasn't this the store I chose to gain experience?

The real dreams and hopes, the real big profits, are in the alley store.

“Okay.”

With the plan set, the recipe development also picked up speed.

‘I need to make it a bit different from there.’

I kept pouring water into the coffee grounds, moving the spoon, tasting, and smelling.

Without anyone's gaze or supervision.

Without even noticing the passage of time.

“Coco, how does this seem?”

The night deepened as the coffee aroma and the scent of banknotes blended thickly.

*

“...”

Faint voices could be heard.

Swish, swish, swish, swish—

The sound of objects colliding.

And a strange sensation on my shoulder.

“Excuse me, excuse me.”

“Ah!”

I snapped awake, my eyes opening.

In front of me was a woman who looked like a part-time worker, staring at me with a puzzled expression.

I quickly checked the time—it was 7:05 AM.

“Ah!”

It seemed I had fallen asleep while thinking, lying face down.

The part-time worker asked, looking bewildered.

“Who are you?”

“Oh, I'm the person who's taking over this store. Please wait a moment.”

I hurriedly got up and quickly cleaned the kitchen.

While cleaning, I suddenly remembered the mischief of the previous night.

‘Oh no! The CCTV!’

I forced a smile at the part-time worker, who was looking at me with a "What's going on?" expression, and asked.

“Do you not change into your uniform?”

“Uniform? I’m wearing it now.”

Oh, that’s right.

Was I still half-asleep?

“Then, I’m sorry, but could you please step out for a minute?”

“Ah, sure.”

While the part-time worker stepped outside, I took out a wet wipe and cleaned the CCTV cameras.

“Phew.”

Only then did I feel relieved and regain my senses.

The morning sunlight filtering into the café and the cars and pedestrians passing by outside began to catch my eye.

I opened the door and called the part-time worker in.

“Come in. I’ll finish cleaning up here.”

I washed the equipment I had used the previous night, and the part-time worker mopped the floor.

“Come on! Get clean!”

...She was a really spirited part-time worker.

I’m usually pretty spirited myself, but this part-time worker was a formidable match.

‘She looks good.’

While enjoying the early morning’s leisure, the spirited part-time worker asked.

“So, when will you become the owner here?”

“Probably next week.”

“Wow, I should tell the other part-timers that a new owner is coming.”

“Haha, it’ll be the same work, so don’t worry too much.”

“Got it!”

“By the way, doesn’t the café open at 8 AM?”

“Right.”

“You came really early.”

“The owner told me to be here 30 minutes before opening.”

30 minutes before would be 7:30 AM?

But it was only 7:10 AM.

“Hmm? Didn’t you arrive around 7 AM?”

“Oh... That’s because I wanted to come early.”

“Why?”

“In the past, I used to rush here at 7:30 AM right after waking up. But then I’d make mistakes while serving customers and feel flustered. So now I just come early.”

Oh...

“You’re really passionate.”

My small compliment was met with a small smile from the part-time worker, who continued the conversation in a slightly more relaxed tone.

“I’m not really that passionate. I just don’t want to start my day in a rush. I come early to get my head in the game and start the day calmly.”

“Ah.”

“And working here has made me more interested in coffee. I come early to test things out.”

Hearing her spirited voice, I was reminded of my own corporate life.

Arriving an hour early, pouring my spare time and money into self-improvement, and even checking stores on weekends.

It wasn’t out of some grand passion.

Just trying my best, giving my all to the opportunities given to me, and trying to stay just one step ahead of others.

Just that much.

But the result was a forced resignation.

‘...A legend.’

Once, out of curiosity, I had calculated my salary based on the actual hours I worked.

It turned out to be just the minimum wage.

People might talk about their annual salaries or monthly wages, but when you break it down by the hours worked, it’s just the minimum wage.

Not just me, but everyone else was living like that, enduring it.

‘Hmm...’

I watched the part-time worker polish the glass door until it shone and asked.

“Do you get paid for coming an hour early?”

“No, the hourly wage starts at 8 AM.”

Told to arrive by 7:30 AM, but the pay starts at 8 AM?

“How much is your hourly wage?”

“Well... just the minimum wage.”

Her voice dropped so low that I felt a bit embarrassed for asking.

“The conversion efficiency is pretty bad, huh?”

“Pardon?”

“Never mind.”

I finished cleaning the kitchen and dried my hands.

Then I said.

“What’s your name?”

“Oh... Jeong Haeun.”

“Haeun, starting next week, your hourly wage will be increased by 3,000 won.”

At the same time, the hand that had been moving vigorously to clean the glass door stopped.

“...What?”

“And if you keep working as hard as you are, I’ll increase it even more.”

Jeong Haeun’s face stiffened.

“And if you continue to work hard, I’ll provide opportunities and funding for you to learn coffee.”

“No...”

“And I’m planning to open another store nearby. If you want to handle more specialized tasks, I can assign you there.”

“...”

Jeong Haeun turned her gaze away.

And just stared out the window.

I could guess her expression without needing to check.

I’ve had those moments myself.

Thinking I might have made the atmosphere awkward, I took a step.

“I’ll be going now. Have a good day and work hard!”

But Jeong Haeun turned back with an excited face and said.

“Um...”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Thank you. Really...”

“No problem.”

“And one more thing...”

“Yes?”

Jeong Haeun smiled brightly and asked.

“...Is this a secret among the part-time workers?”

I barely managed to hold back a laugh and said.

“No, please share it with them. But only if they work as hard as you do.”

“Ah, got it! I’ll tell them! Have a good day!”

“Thank you.”

I bowed to Jeong Haeun and left the store.

‘Haha, I’m tired...’

I stretched and walked among the busy people.

Even the honking of car horns sounded pleasant.

Thinking about it, “quality conversion” wasn’t something only Tam and Coco could do.

Maybe I could do it too if I put my mind to it.

‘But for that, the business needs to do well.’

There was a lot to prepare.

I needed to focus on the alley store for a while and put the main street café on hold.

*

A few days later.

When I felt I had a clear plan for how to run the alley store.

Ding-dong—

Ding-dong—

[ Yes, this is Choi Jeonghyun. ]

I called Choi Jeonghyun, the CEO of Ilpum Korea.

“Hello, this is Shin Yuwon, whom you met last time.”

That’s how we set the date for our first meeting.

What do you know about cafés?

Choi Jeonghyun, 37 years old.

A young leader representing Ilpum Korea, a 700 billion won food service company.

“Let’s wrap up the meeting here. Everyone, good job.”

Lee Sihyeok, 29 years old.

A branding director from S University’s business school, who chose Ilpum Korea over a large corporation to grow quickly.

An ambitious man who had successfully launched Ilpum Noodles and earned Choi Jeonghyun’s favor.

“Mr. CEO, you said you had something to discuss after the meeting.”

And then, the elite who had been promoted for his success in launching Ilpum Noodles.

“Ah, if you have time, would you like to go somewhere with me?”

“I’d be honored, Mr. CEO. Where are we going?”

“Do you like cafés?”

The word “café” made Lee Sihyeok’s hope circuits heat up.

Is Ilpum launching a café now?

If he’s telling me and taking me there, does it mean he’s entrusting the branding to me?

After Ilpum Noodles, Ilpum Café?

“Yes, I love them! I adore them!”

A bit later, at Hapjeong Station.

Lee Sihyeok’s expectations were shattered.

The only café visible at the location we arrived at was:

[ Seito Coffee ]

[ Takeout Only ]

Just a hole-in-the-wall café.

‘...Not launching a café, then?’

Regardless of Lee Sihyeok’s feelings, Choi Jeonghyun looked around the area as soon as he got out of the car.

‘Good location.’

It was right on the public transportation route and close to both office and residential areas.

Moreover, it was a small, takeout-only shop.

A high-rent location.

However.

‘No character. Small space. No reason for people to seek it out.’

A low-profit location.

It was a café that only targeted the local foot traffic and delivery demand.

And that was why it was good.

It meant that Shin Yuwon had followed his advice 100%.

‘Mr. Yuwon. You’re definitely capable.’

For a beginner, it was perfect to start with the most common customers and build business skills.

Especially since he had taken over an existing café, the trial and error and initial investment would have been minimal.

‘There’s not much I need to help with. I should keep an eye on him, though.’

Shin Yuwon’s words about the difficulties of being a beginner and asking for help seemed like exaggerations.

At that moment, today’s main character, Shin Yuwon, burst into the store.

“Mr. CEO! Why didn’t you let me know you were here!”

“It’s been a while, haha.”

“Come in first! And who is this?”

“He’s our most capable employee.”

Lee Sihyeok, who took the compliment as a given, patted his suit collar and casually extended his hand to Shin Yuwon.

“I’m Lee Sihyeok. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Shin Yuwon. Most capable employee? I’m really envious. Please follow me!”

The store was empty, past closing time.

“Let’s start with some coffee. What would you like?”

“Just the basic coffee.”

“Got it! A 1,500 won Americano! Please wait a moment!”

Choi Jeonghyun had already made his judgment about this store.

The coffee wasn’t a critical factor.

‘A 1,500 won coffee can only taste so good. As long as it meets that basic quality, it’s enough.’

In the end, the location and price were more important.

He thought that as long as the basics were covered, it would be fine.

“Here’s your coffee!”

Shin Yuwon quickly brought down the coffee.

Choi Jeonghyun blew on it to cool it down and took a sip without much expectation.

But.

‘...Hmm? What is this?’

The coffee tasted strange.

It wasn’t at the 1,500 won level.

‘Did I misjudge the taste? No, that’s not possible.’

He took another sip.

‘No, it’s really delicious.’

It had the sophisticated taste you could only find in trendy independent cafés that Park Sojeong had taken him to.

‘6,000 won? 5,000 won? Even without the location value, it should be 4,000 won. This doesn’t make sense.’

Lee Sihyeok, who loved coffee enough to drink it at home, felt the same way.

‘This is 1,500 won?’

The body was just right.

The taste was diverse yet distinct, and various aromas stood out, asserting their presence.

‘...What’s wrong here?’

This wasn’t a taste that a skilled barista could achieve.

It required at least specialty-grade beans.

Lee Sihyeok stared at Shin Yuwon.

‘Either he’s deceiving us, or he doesn’t know what he’s doing.’