Chapter 44

Is it only the Jullia Kim incident that can be considered a regrettable event?

But even that wasn't a regrettable event. Thanks to it, I gained a formidable ally, the Essential Duo.

Still, from Chae Jung-hyun's perspective.

Was the Jullia Kim incident like this, and the guest problem like that?

Chae Jung-hyun sent a text message.

[ Don't overthink it because of my personal matters. I'm fine. ]

Hmm...

After a moment's thought, I sent another one.

[ I'll tell you about the gift when you come back from your trip. ]

Thanks to Go Ji-hyun, I can receive the gift a bit more comfortably, to some extent.

And I still remember.

The message that came up when we did the "Eagle Eye" test.

──C. Chae Jung-hyun's message to Park So-jung about Shin Yu-won

Look forward to it, Mr. Chae.

*

D-2.

It was the day to buy and install the most important lighting and display cases for the cafe's interior.

Lighting is so important that it's a no-brainer.

The display cases are the cafe's showroom and mood maker.

Especially for our cafe, which has excellent dessert quality, we needed clothes that matched that level.

'This one is too big... This one doesn't match the concept...'

The choices were limited because the store was small.

But today, Coco's help was invaluable.

──Kororororo!

Really? I was also starting to like it.

"I'll take this one."

Ah, the blue and white porcelain, Coco decided to keep it.

When I thought about getting it back from Coco, that was also a problem.

If I left such a valuable item, which could be worth tens of millions, at home and a thief came in?

'I've heard stories about burglaries in one-room apartments more than once.'

Moreover, it's a 300-year-old 18th-century artifact.

I didn't have the confidence to store and manage it properly.

On TV, they say cultural relics need to be kept at the right temperature and humidity.

It would be better to leave it in that subspace or something.

'Coco doesn't usually do anything anyway.'

In the afternoon, I started preparing for the opening of the Hapjeong Station branch.

The remodeling was complete, so I did the final check and installed the same sign as the Sinchon branch.

Most importantly, it was the time when all the staff gathered for a meeting, a kind of training session.

"Hello! I'm Shin Yu-won, the new manager of this cafe. I've met each of you individually, but this is the first time we're all together."

Clap clap clap─

"Wow!"

"Please take care of me!"

"Boss! Boss! Boss!"

Maybe it's because I raised everyone's hourly wage.

Or maybe it's because they're all young.

They were full of energy.

"First, please take one of these."

The training materials I prepared.

I made a version that suited me, based on the customer service training materials used at <Blue Place>.

"There are parts that will remain the same as before, but there are also completely new parts, so please make sure to remember them."

Especially emphasized was, of course, the management of the beans.

Managing the desserts that will be transported from the Sinchon branch every morning was also a key point.

And to match the brand story of <Amuse>, we agreed to always treat customers with a pleasant and relaxed attitude, no matter how busy we are.

"Everyone, let's make a promise!"

"Promise!"

"Yakusoku!"

Haha, the atmosphere here is a bit more relaxed, which is nice.

"For any small questions, please ask the manager, and if the manager has anything to report to me, feel free to contact me anytime, day or night, weekdays or weekends."

"Yes, sir!"

The new manager, Jung Hae-eun, answered confidently.

She was the part-timer I met in the early morning during the bean test.

It was decided during the one-on-one interviews.

She had the longest tenure, a clear passion for coffee, and a strong sense of responsibility.

The original manager? Out, thanks to "Eagle Eye."

[ Oh? So you're asking if I've ever taken anything? I've never done such a thing. How could I? ]

...While saying that, she had taken quite a bit.

'I need to make a good impression here.'

The Sinchon branch will compete with high quality but have a low turnover rate.

The Hapjeong Station branch, a takeout-only store, needs to generate solid sales.

'But the margins aren't that high either.'

The coffee price is 1,500 won, the same as before.

Using beans that are twice as expensive, I'm balancing the cost with "Macro."

'Low profit, high volume? No, low profit, all volume!'

This store needs to run non-stop.

"Let's go! I only trust you all!"

Let's suck up all the demand from the nearby large supermarket and the franchise cafes there!

*

That evening.

I stopped by the Sinchon branch, had a quick meal with the desserts, and drove again.

Vroom──

Anyway, since Go Ji-hyun is coming to the wedding, even if it's not uncomfortable, I can't help but be concerned.

'Should I decorate with luxury items?'

I don't want to be underestimated.

Since she can't resist luxury items, if I'm dressed in them, she won't be able to ignore me.

'Or should I just stick to my style?'

Still, I have my own style.

Putting on a show with things that don't suit me would mean I'm more aware of Go Ji-hyun, wouldn't it?

But...

'Her parents are coming too, right?'

The memory of the first meeting is still vivid.

When I said my father does laundry, they asked, knowing full well our situation, if he supplies home appliances or works at a factory, subtly belittling me.

[ If our Ji-hyun cries, your neck will be on the line, hehe. ]

She looked down on me as if I were her employee, treating me like a dog on a leash.

'...That can't happen.'

I can't be underestimated by those people again.

Sticking to my style? That's ridiculous.

Would those tasteless people even recognize it?

Luxury.

But with my style added.

"......They're all dead."

The only problem is that the time is too tight to have a custom suit made at a luxury tailor shop.

Instead, I went to the Milan of office workers.

The Gasan Digital Complex outlet.

I planned to use the skills I learned while converting graphics cards to "high quality."

'Starting from the lowest level and working my way up increases the chance of a "Lucky Strike."'

First, I went to the racks on sale.

I chose a suit that fit my size.

"How much stock do you have?"

"Plenty."

"The same size?"

"Ah, wait a moment. Let me check."

I gathered all the remaining stock and moved it to my car.

In case I didn't like something, I went to another store and gathered more.

I did the same for shoes, belts, shirts, and ties.

'Oh no, the car is going to explode! Should I make a small truck with legal duplication?'

No, I should save the good stuff for later.

And finally, the watch store.

I planned to buy cheap watches, but there weren't many of the same model available.

I had to go to several stores to stock up on the same items.

"Phew, this is tiring."

When I got home and unloaded everything, my small room turned into a secondhand market.

"Tam!"

The flex begins!

──"Quantity to Quality Conversion" has started.

──"Quantity to Quality Conversion" is complete.

Infinite loop.

──"Quantity to Quality Conversion" has started.

──"Lucky Strike" has activated, applying a bonus efficiency to "Quantity to Quality Conversion."

──"Quantity to Quality Conversion" is complete.

As expected, "Lucky Strike" occasionally activated.

"Right! Quantity to Quality Conversion is all about more is better!"

As the room started to fill up, luxury items began to appear.

──The "Preview" skill has activated!

──Please select the result.

──A. Louis Vuitton 20 S/S Collection Virgin Wool Two-Button Jacket (Product Name: 633C710A3296_C542)

──B. Tom Ford 21 F/W Collection Single-Breasted Suit (Style: Q21R0281YL0C)

──C. Ermenegildo Zegna Centomila Virgin Wool Blazer (Unreleased, Product Name Unconfirmed)

Why are these names so long? Are they all product names?

I searched for the product names online.

The designs and price ranges were all listed.

"......A jacket that costs more than a month's salary?"

Just looking at the image, I liked option B.

But...

'Option C hasn't even been released yet.'

It was a luxury suit brand I hadn't heard of before, known for its ultra-high-end lineup.

'Are unreleased clothes really only worn by select celebrities?'

This would be perfect to show off to the well-off KJ family, but the design was the issue.

Would it come out in a style I would like?

"Please, please!"

──"Quantity to Quality Conversion" is complete.

──Please "consume" the converted item.

The jacket fluttered down.

I caught it and put it on.

"Wow!"

It fit my body perfectly, and the texture was so smooth