Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1290. Organizing (5)

“Wait, what? Franchiseeeee?”

“...”

With a flabbergasted face, Kang Yu-Hwan hurriedly alternated his gaze between Hwang Min-Su and Kang Jin-Ho.

“How hard was your fall off the bed this morning?”

“...”

“No, no. Hang on.”

Kang Yu-Hwan hurriedly shook his head.

Although it was difficult to accept—and he didn’t mean that in a negative way, but in a more literal sense—he must not forget that his son was an entrepreneur now. Questioning an entrepreneur who wanted to start an enterprise was the strange thing to do here.

“B-but, there are plenty of other busine—”

Nope, this was wrong, too.

When Kang Yu-Hwan thought about it, Kang Jin-Ho had seen his father operate a cafe since his teenage years.

If a person wanted to start a business of their own, they would usually gravitate toward the industry they were most familiar with. Children of diner owners would think about opening their own diners, for instance. Meanwhile, children of cellphone sellers would investigate the viability of a phone store.

Since Kang Jin-Ho had been closely observing the ins and outs of a cafe, it shouldn’t be surprising to learn that he wanted to turn cafes into his franchise business.

Indeed, this shouldn’t surprise Kang Yu-Hwan at all. But he was still in disbelief and felt deeply worried because he was Kang Jin-Ho’s father.

After all, a father might believe their kids the most, but a father also distrusted their kids the most, too!

Still, it’d be nice if my son could do things in moderation...

Kang Yu-Hwan would’ve had plenty of advice to offer if his son wanted to open a cafe of his own. Heck, even if it wasn’t a cafe but some other random restaurant, he’d still have enough advice to impart to his son for a few days straight!

However, a franchise business?

Now that was something Kang Yu-Hwan couldn’t help with. Besides, it wasn’t as if Kang Jin-Ho wanted to open a store as a franchisee. No, that kid was trying to become a franchisor, instead!

Son, the scale of your business ideas is not something I can even fathom!

Kang Yu-Hwan couldn’t help but feel his heart sink to the pit of his stomach whenever Kang Jin-Ho did absurd things like this. He should have gotten used to it by now, but alas!

Kang Yu-Hwan glanced at Hwang Min-Su. “Then, this gentleman is...?”

Kang Jin-Ho nodded. “Yes, He’s the new hire in my company.”

“Oh...”

Kang Yu-Hwan studied Hwang Min-Su as if the latter was a brand-new, still-unidentified species.

Hwang Min-Su felt this vague discomfort as the cafe owner’s eyes scanned him from top to bottom. Unfortunately, this was something he had no choice but to be gracious about this time.

So, this is what a person working with Jin-Ho looks like, huh...

From Kang Yu-Hwan’s perspective, Kang Jin-Ho’s workplace colleagues were like... Like exotic foreign animals that he had never seen but was told they existed for real some place far away. No wonder he was so mystified by this encounter!

Hwang Min-Su fake-coughed to clear his throat. “My apologies, sir. I didn’t know you were my chairman’s father, and...”

“Oh, about that. Mm... Eh...?”

Kang Yu-Hwan suddenly felt like his soul was about to abandon him. All because of how awkward this atmosphere was!

Even at a casual guess, Hwang Min-Su seemed to be in the same age group as Kang Yu-Hwan. So, when someone like that addressed him with a never-heard-before bizarre-sounding honorific of “My Chairman’s Father,” Kang Yu-Hwan could almost feel his body reflexively recoil from sheer cringiness.

“M-Mister Hwang, please, don’t call me like that...”

“Then, what do you have in mind?”

“H-how about President...”

That was when Kang Yu-Hwan realized being referred to as “President Kang” would make him cringe just as badly as the other title.

“H-how about just Mister Kang Yu-Hwan?”[1]

“B-but, how can I...”

“Please. I beg of you.”

Hwang Min-Su could only fake-cough again. Actually, he had a good idea why Kang Yu-Hwan was responding like this. Didn’t he also go through a phase where people calling him “Young Master” or “Chairman’s Honored Son” would make him convulse from all the cringe?

“Then...”

Before continuing on, Hwang Min-Su sneaked a very cautious glance in Kang Jin-Ho’s direction. And when his boss didn’t seem all that bothered, he nodded slightly.

“I shall do so.”

Kang Yu-Hwan sighed in relief as if they had overcome one massive hurdle, then stared at his son. “Okay, so. You want to start a cafe franchise?”

“Yes, father.”

“But... is there a reason for that? Looks like this is a new business venture for you, but the restaurant industry isn’t something anyone can jump in, even if they have the funds for it.”

Kang Jin-Ho coolly nodded. “We know that, father.”

“Also, the earnings would be a pittance from your perspective, too.”

“I also understand that.”

“Then, why?”

Kang Jin-Ho replied nonchalantly. “It’s not because I want to do it, but because it’s something that must be done.”

Kang Yu-Hwan chose not to ask anymore. He knew his son too well for that, after all. Since Kang Jin-Ho came out and said that, there must be a valid reason.

Then, when Hwang Min-Su said they weren’t doing this to make money by exploiting people, he must’ve meant it. And here was Kang Yu-Hwan, thinking that a random merchant was merely muttering some cliched thing to entice him...

“Okay, so,” Kang Yu-Hwan asked while scratching his head. “Did you tell Mister Hwang and these gents to come here?”

Kang Jin-Ho shook his head. “Nope.”

“...”

Kang Jin-Ho still had the face of a man who didn’t know what just happened. When the questioning gazes of a father and his son landed on Hwang Min-Su, he sighed deeply and explained the situation.

“We were investigating the market, sir. That’s when one of my subordinates recommended this place. While other aspects are so-so, we figured getting the help from this cafe would have given us an edge in the quality of our coffee against our competitors.”

“Ah, so that’s what happened.”

While saying that, Kang Jin-Ho noticed Kang Yu-Hwan’s back straightening up little by little in pride.

Kang Yu-Hwan had been operating this cafe while being accused by his wife of wasting all the money their son had worked hard to earn. However, she wasn’t completely wrong there, since Kang Yu-Hwan had opened this place not to put food on the table, but to fulfill his desire of trying out various coffee beans and brewing methods instead!

...And now, his coffee was being praised after all those lengthy years of trials and tribulations. How could he not be proud of himself right now?

“Mm, yes. My coffee is indeed something special. That’s true.”

Kang Jin-Ho grinned gently at his father.

For sure, the coffee brewed by his father differed in quality from other cafes’. Even someone like Kang Jin-Ho, who didn’t have a discerning palate, couldn’t stomach coffee from other places anymore after getting too used to his father’s brew.

As a matter of fact, didn’t he personally deliver the beans brewed by his father to the cafes he had no choice but to drink from in order to change the taste of their coffee to the one he preferred...?

When his thoughts reached that far, Kang Jin-Ho’s expression grew weird.

Why... Why haven’t I thought about this before?

He was someone who didn’t want to drink coffee unless it was his father’s and even went as far as trying to change other people’s coffee to what his father would’ve made. Yet he didn’t think of his father while preparing a cafe franchise?

This was the moment when Kang Jin-Ho realized he genuinely didn’t have any talent for running a business.

On the other hand, Hwang Min-Su found this place on his own and came here without Kang Jin-Ho providing any information. Sure, it was a series of coincidences that made this situation possible, but one still needed considerable skill to latch onto a lucky opportunity.

Looks like I made the right call, then.

This situation proved to Kang Jin-Ho that bringing Hwang Min-Su into the fold was a stroke of good fortune.

Hwang Min-Su stared at Kang Yu-Hwan. “That’s why... can you help us in our business venture, sir?”

“No, I still can’t,” said Kang Yu-Hwan with a firm shake of his head.

“But...?”

“As I’ve said earlier, I simply don’t have the talent for that. It’s not that I don’t want to help you, it’s more correct to say I can’t, even if I wanted to.”

Hwang Min-Su’s expression stiffened. “But, sir? This is your own son’s business venture...”

“Indeed. But I must be more strict since it involves my son,” said Kang Yu-Hwan as a gentle smile spread across his face. “Trying to do something beyond my capabilities will only lead to failure. I obviously can’t become the cause of my son’s failure, now can I?”

Hwang Min-Su ruefully smacked his lips while listening.

“If this matter was something I simply had to do, then yes, I’d have done it without hesitation. However, this world has plenty of people better than me at brewing coffee. And knowing my son, he’ll do a good job without my involvement.”

Hwang Min-Su’s body shuddered just then. From what Kang Yu-Hwan said just now, it was clear how much he trusted Kang Jin-Ho. And that realization stung the corner of Hwang Min-Su’s heart rather painfully.

“You useless moron! You couldn’t even do something this simple?!”

“Didn’t I tell you to use your brain?! A businessman is responsible for the livelihood and even the lives of his employees. The moment you start taking things for granted and become irresponsible...! Your failure won’t just end with you, you moron!”

“This is why I can’t trust you with anything!”

Hwang Min-Su couldn’t help but recall what his father used to say to him in the past.

Would he have turned out differently had his father trusted him as much as Kang Yu-Hwan trusted Kang Jin-Ho? Obviously, nobody could answer that.

Regardless of what, though, Hwang Min-Su was envious of Kang Jin-Ho being trusted so implicitly by his father.

“Listen, Jin-Ho,” said Kang Yu-Hwan.

“Yes, father?”

“I don’t know what compelled you to launch a cafe franchise, but many people’s livelihood will depend on this business venture. You know this, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Okay. I know you’ll do a good job, son.”

What Kang Yu-Hwan said was roughly similar to what Hwang Jeong-Hu would have said. However, what followed afterward couldn’t be any different even if they tried.

Hwang Min-Su sighed under his breath, then nodded in resignation. Even though he was unwilling to give up no matter what until now, this development made him do just that, at least by a little bit. It seemed wrong to admonish a father who spoke so confidently about his son’s capabilities.

Well, it can’t be helped, then.

Although his first assignment had hit a nasty bump in the road just now, Hwang Min-Su didn’t feel frustrated or regretful about it. In fact, he even felt a little refreshed, instead.

“If that’s how you feel, there isn’t much we can do about it. I wouldn’t dare bother my chairman’s father just for a...”

Kang Yu-Hwan groaned. “Argh, please... Don’t call me that. Please.”

“...Kuh-hum. It would be wrong to keep bothering Mister Kang this way. But it’s fine, sir. Even without your help, we’ll still try our best.”

Kang Yu-Hwan smiled affably. “Thank you for understanding my position.”

“Not at all, sir.”

If this story had ended here, everyone would’ve walked away feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Unfortunately, as with all things in this world, an unexpected variable suddenly reared its head.

Clink~!

The bell rang as the cafe’s door was pushed open, and a person stepped inside. And when Kang Yu-Hwan saw who it was, his complexion turned ashen in the proverbial blink of an eye.

“Ng? Jin-Ho, who are those four gentlemen next to you?”

It was now the turn of Baek Hyeon-Jeong to join the proceedings.

***

“...”

“...”

Baek Hyeong-Jeong silently glared at her husband. As for Kang Yu-Hwan, he desperately avoided meeting her icy glare, even as large cold sweat drops trickled down his face.

“What was that, honey?”

“...”

“You, don’t, have, the, talent?”

“...”

“You can’t help, and that’s your way of helping?”

“...”

Although a mouth was an organ meant for humans to speak with, Kang Yu-Hwan had absolutely zero need for a mouth right now.

“Haaah?”

Baek Hyeon-Jeong scoffed derisively, but her expression suddenly did an 180 and became indescribably gentle as she turned her attention to Hwang Min-Su.

“I’m sorry, but it seems my son has been inconveniencing you.”

Hwang Min-Su hurriedly waved his hands in denial. “N-no, ma’am! It’s all thanks to my chairman that I get to put food on my table.”

“I know my son is lacking in many areas, but can I leave him in your capable hands?”

Hwang Min-Ju could barely sit still. What was this? Was this a parent-teacher meeting or something? He never imagined he’d be having this sort of conversation with the parents of the chairman of his company!

Baek Hyeon-Jeong continued to speak, totally unfazed. “So, my husband told you that he can’t help you. Is that so?”

“Y-yes, ma’am. He said he lacks the ability, but in my opinion...”

Before Hwang Min-Su could finish stating his opinion, Baek Hyeon-Jeong stopped him. “Hold on, please. Although you said ‘lack of ability’, the work you’re thinking of doesn’t have to be done by one specific person, yes?”

“I beg your pardon?”

The corners of Baek Hyeon-Jeong’s lips curled up.

“If my husband says his abilities aren’t good enough, you’ll have to find another person, yes? However, when you do that, wouldn’t my husband’s presence be of some help?”

Kang Yu-Hwan desperately signaled at Hwang Min-Su with his eyes and facial expressions. Unfortunately, Hwang Min-Su was not brave enough to lie to the chairman’s mother.

“Y-yes, he will be of great help, ma’am.”

“It’s settled, then. Let’s decide on when to start his...”

Kang Yu-Hwan urgently cried out, “H-honey, wait! I seriously can’t do this!”

“Honey, please keep it down.”

“B-but...!”

Baek Hyeon-Jeong’s brows shot up in what could only be described as a threatening manner. “Honey, you’re testing my patience here! All you’re doing is running this tiny cafe! Meanwhile, your son is working himself to the bone! Yet you can’t be bothered to offer that tiny bit of help?!”

Kang Yu-Hwan flinched grandly.

“You don’t have the ability to do what now?! Stop lying! You’re just too lazy and don’t want to be bothered, that’s all!”

“N-no, of course not! That’s not true, honey! I, uh...”

Baek Hyeon-Jeong glanced at Hwang Min-Su next before shooting a sharp glare at her husband. “Looks like this isn’t the right place for this conversation, honey. Follow me!”

“Y-you want me to follow you?”

“Then, who else?!”

“...”

When Baek Hyeon-Jeong shot up to her feet and strode toward the cafe’s staff room, Kang Yu-Hwan could only trudge after her while making the face of a cow being dragged to an abattoir.

Hwang Min-Su watched this scene unfold and pondered what he should say for a long while, then cautiously piped up.

“Chairman, I have to say, your family is quite close.”

“...”

Right at that moment, Kang Jin-Ho had to fight hard to endure this swell of embarrassment.

1. In Korean culture, people would sometimes use the honorific “sajang-nim” when referring to certain individuals out of respect when other, more job-specific honorifics aren’t readily available. That honorific literally means “president,” and it’s used even if the person in question isn’t an actual president of a company. In this exchange, Kang Yu-Hwan was thinking of sticking with the cultural convention, only to backtrack and go with “-ssi”, which is equivalent to “Mister/Miss/Missus” in English and is considered not as respectful. ☜