Chapter 151: An Unexpected Encounter and a Lucrative Shopping Trip

As if on cue, the employees straightened their backs at the old lady’s words.

It didn’t take long to realize what she meant by ‘not picky’.

The employees stood frozen, not daring to move an inch.

The women from Ilseong Group slowly browsed the displayed items, exchanging opinions amongst themselves. They didn’t call over any staff to ask questions, nor did they try on any of the clothes or accessories.

Only when something truly caught their eye would they raise a hand to summon a staff member and quietly inquire about it.

There’s no such thing as an easy job.

That insightful thought resurfaced about ten minutes later.

This wasn’t punishment, but we still had to stand here like statues, with no idea when it would end.

Physical exhaustion aside, I was bored to death. Eventually, yawns started creeping up, and the young woman caught me in the act of stretching my jaw.

She smirked and flicked her fingers.

Just as the employee next to me was about to rush over, she pointed a finger directly at me.

Isn’t it an employee’s duty to rush over like a bullet when a customer calls? Especially a VIP customer?

“Yes?”

“What do you think of this?”

She pointed to a necklace as soon as I reached her side.

“It’s beautiful.”

The murmuring women instantly fell silent and turned to stare at me. Our staff looked visibly flustered and unsure of what to do.

Ah, mistake made.

“It would look absolutely stunning on you.”

Now everyone started giggling.

“Her words are right. The young man is amusing.”

Seeing everyone lighten up, a female employee hurried over, a smile on her face.

“Sterling silver, 36 inches in length, 19mm in diameter, with a simple and easy-to-wear design. Its elegant, sophisticated, and bold design evokes the spirit of New York women. This collection embodies the power and flair of urban New York, as well as the energy of its streets. Furthermore, it’s a piece that showcases a uniquely pragmatic design with continuous and naturally refined lines.”

She recited the product description flawlessly, without taking a breath. Everyone in the room except me nodded in understanding.

What I found astonishing was that there were several other necklaces similar to this one. To describe each nearly identical necklace with such fluidity meant she had memorized all the product details.

The dozens, perhaps even over a hundred, items in this living room, and the detailed descriptions in the company brochures—memorizing all of that accurately is no different from an actor memorizing lines for a drama.

I was the only one amazed by the employee’s memory and the fact that everyone nodded in agreement at such abstract descriptions.

Unable to hide my surprised expression, the Madam finally interjected with a displeased tone.

“What is it? Is there a problem?”

“Ah, no, ma’am.”

“Then why the face? Is there something wrong with our selection?”

The Madam gestured around at the displayed items.

“Of course not, ma’am. These are pieces that arrived just days ago via private jet,” the flustered employee quickly replied, waving her hands in denial.

The flustered employee quickly replied, waving her hands in denial.

If I kept quiet, things might get worse, so I had to speak up.

“I apologize, Madam. It’s my first time, so I’m quite clumsy. I hope you can forgive my inexperience.”

“First time? So President Jin sent a complete novice? How dare he?”

People in this industry might forgive mistakes, but they never forgive being disregarded.

I quickly winked at the employee.

“Ah, Madam. Chief of Staff Jin Do-jun is President Jin’s nephew. He will be taking on responsibilities in this area, so he has joined us today.”

The women’s expressions changed upon hearing my identity. They clearly struggled to conceal their surprise.

“I sincerely apologize again. I should have come better prepared, but time was a bit short.”

This time, I bowed deeply.

“President Jin’s nephew, you say? Then you must be the Chairman’s grandson. Tell me, which one are you?”

The Chairman’s wife, the old lady, asked with a gentle expression.

“The youngest.”

“The youngest, hmm….”

A hint of disappointment flickered across the Madam’s face.

“Aren’t you the one who got into Seoul National University’s law school…? The one rumored to be a prodigy in the top ten nationwide…?”

A middle-aged woman, who seemed like a daughter-in-law, asked cautiously, and I scratched my head.

“That’s all in the past. I hardly go to school anymore, so my brain’s all rusty. I couldn’t understand a word of the product description I just heard. Completely incomprehensible. Haha.”

My attempt at a self-deprecating joke caused the two younger women to giggle, but they quickly covered their mouths with their hands when the old lady glared at them.

“Indeed. To be honest, I didn’t understand a word of it either… but does it matter? If it’s pretty and you want it, that’s all that counts.”

The Madam chuckled and started pointing at the merchandise.

“Prepare two of these floppy hats… and gather a few of these perfumes. That’s enough for me. You girls pick something too.”

Having finished her shopping first, the Chairman’s wife came over and took my hand in hers.

“Leave the rest to the girls. How about you, the entertaining young man, joins me for a cup of tea?”

Ignoring the stares of the others, she led me to a sofa in the corner of the living room.

“So, what year are you in?”

“This is my final year.”

“I see. So you’ve decided to work at the department store?”

“Nothing’s set in stone yet. There’s no need to rush, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Did you need a Seoul National University degree? Are you planning to study abroad after graduation?”

What was she so curious about?

Was she trying to figure out if I was a serious contender in the Soonyang Group’s succession battle, or just someone who’d receive a bit of inheritance and be cast aside?

Or perhaps she was gauging whether it was worth forming a connection?

I’m afraid that won’t be possible.

Her granddaughter is destined to be the president’s daughter-in-law, after all.

I must have shown it on my face, even though I didn’t say it out loud.

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“Ah, my apologies. It was because of the hat you just bought, Madam.”

It was the only way to deflect. And it was also a test to see what kind of person this Madam was.

“The hat? The floppy hat?”

“Yes, the one with the wide brim.”

“What’s so funny about it?”

“I was just imagining how you’d look wearing it, Madam. I’m sorry.”

“And is that image ridiculous enough to laugh at?”

“Not ridiculous, but it doesn’t quite suit you, to be honest.”

Telling the Great Madam that she’d look silly wearing something would have sent shivers down the spines of anyone else listening.

However, her expression remained unchanged, only a slight upturn at the corner of her lips.

It was hard to tell if it was because I was part of Soonyang, or if this old lady was simply exceptionally magnanimous.

“You know, it might be best if you quit working at the department store starting today.”

That was an unexpected reaction.

“Why is that?”

“I know perfectly well that a short old hag like me wouldn’t be able to see anything under that floppy hat. It doesn’t suit me at all, and I have no intention of wearing it out.”

“Then why did you buy two?”

“Because I wanted them.”

“Pardon?”

“Because I wanted them.” It was a straightforward answer, but it didn’t explain anything.

“You understand that even old women are still women, right? If you don’t understand a woman’s heart, you shouldn’t be working at a department store. Don’t you think?”

The short old lady stood up from the sofa.

“You’re supposedly smart when it comes to studying, so you’re probably good at your job too. But you’re completely clueless about women. Tsk, tsk.”

She addressed the women who were still browsing.

“Pick out your items and let these people get back. They must be exhausted from waiting.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Grandmother, if you’re tired, why don’t you go upstairs and rest?”

Her granddaughter subtly hinted that there was still plenty of shopping to be done, but the old lady shook her head and started towards the stairs to the second floor.

“Buy plenty, as much as you can. They deserve their pay, don’t they?”

“Kyaa—!”

The granddaughters squealed with delight at the permission to spend freely.

“Excuse me, Madam!”

I called out urgently towards the top of the stairs.

“Is it like Audrey Hepburn’s sentiment?”

Everyone stared at me at my bizarre question, but the Madam didn’t turn around. However, she stopped on the stairs and tossed back a single remark.

“Come visit sometime when you’re free. I’ll treat you to a cup of tea.”

With those words, she ascended the stairs with surprising speed for her age.

The employee next to me leaned in and whispered.

“Thanks to you, Chief of Staff, today’s purchase reservations will far exceed expectations. Congratulations.”

* * *

The second place we visited was KC Group.

Ranked 14th in the business world, their main focus was petrochemicals. The current chairman was the son-in-law of the founder.

The founder only had one daughter, and the fortunate man who married into the family was now the chairman, practically a live-in son-in-law.

However, there was something everyone knew but never spoke aloud: the only daughter was the true chairman of KC Group.

KC undoubtedly stood for the initials of the couple’s surnames, but they emphasized that it stood for Korea Chemical.

The department store employees’ faces turned pale as we entered the house.

Unlike the husband, who was frequently engaged in external activities, the head of this household, the chairman’s wife, was waiting for us.

A surprised employee whispered to me.

“This is our first time meeting her too. She usually never attends these shopping appointments.”

I immediately grasped the situation.

Although I didn’t know the exact route, this Madam had received information from Ilseong Group about the youngest grandson of Soonyang Group personally visiting.

She was probably curious about what kind of person I was, and if I was a worthy candidate, perhaps she could arrange a marriage with one of her granddaughters—a perfect scenario.

The matriarch of the group possessed a commanding presence. She quickly scanned us and strode directly towards me.

“You’re Jin Do-jun? President Jin’s nephew?”

“Yes, I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

As I took out my business card to offer it respectfully with both hands, she abruptly gestured with her chin.

“Leave the sales to your staff. You can join me for tea. Or… do you drink? I don’t mind a bit of day drinking.”

She was just like the matriarch of Ilseong Group. She pulled me aside to a secluded area, sat me down, and started peppering me with questions, all to gauge what kind of man I was.

When we returned after the conversation, the employees’ faces were beaming.

Those smiles clearly indicated a massive amount of sales.

“It looks like… thanks to you, Chief of Staff, we’ll fill our S/S season targets with just these pre-orders. Truly amazing.”

We visited several other chaebol families afterward, and the same pattern repeated. There were even times when the chairman himself waited for us.

Thanks to this, I achieved two significant outcomes.

I made my name known to most major corporations and built personal connections where I could call them for a chat anytime. And sales hit their peak.

The employees hoped to work with me again for the F/W season.

The sales were excellent, and the work was easy, without having to deal with the usual power trips of wealthy families.

And….

“Hey, you idiot! What in the world are you doing? Why are so many families suddenly lining up to set you up on blind dates?”

I received several phone calls from my grandfather, who sounded delighted. Whether he was genuinely pleased with me or simply didn’t want to miss an opportunity to forge ties with Soonyang Group was uncertain.

The special VVIP sales, which were no different from door-to-door sales, were over, and now it was time to assess Vice-chairman Jin Seo-yoon’s capabilities.

Over a hundred VIPs, dressed in glamorous attire as if attending a party, gathered at the hotel.

Among them were a few top-tier actresses.

While these guests enjoyed the dishes prepared by the French chefs and their team, my aunt was frantically busy with last-minute checks.

It was quite a surprising sight.

“She actually does get things done? My aunt.”