Chapter 1519 Specified (4)

“Kuh-hmm.”

Ha Gwang-Sik fake-coughed to clear his throat.

Even though he had prepared the list of questions, all these words printed on the pages looked completely pointless when looking at Kang Jin-Ho’s face up close.

Yup, this is how a real interview should be conducted.

It was fine to simply exchange emails. That would’ve been enough to get the answers, but reporters still preferred to visit their subjects with a mic in hand. Because the best way to figure out what to ask was detecting the vibe wafting off the interviewees in person.

Ha Gwang-Sik glanced at Bak Gyu-Yeon, signaling him to start the interview. Bak Gyu-Yeon nodded, then addressed Kang Jin-Ho.

“Then, let us start with a self introduction, and then...”

“Argh, you, stop. I’ll do it.”

“...?”

Bak Gyu-Yeon shot a side-eye glare that asked, “Senior, you told me to start, so what are you doing?” But Ha Gwang-Sik ignored that with his own annoyed glare.

Why are you starting off with something so cliched? You want to waste our valuable time?

Since Ha Gwang-Sik couldn’t trust his junior, he figured he’d take over.

“Mister Kang. You must be concerned, gravely I assume, about the attempts to disrupt Caffe Luogo’s business.”

Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded. “Yes. You don’t see incidents like that every day, after all.”

“Indeed, indeed. Then, regarding these incidents...”

“Yes?”

Ha Gwang-Sik’s eyes gleamed sharply. “Only Caffe Luogo has experienced these attempts, not others. Why do you think that is?”

Kang Jin-Ho’s gaze subtly shifted over to Lee Hyeon-Su.

I thought this was supposed to be a regular interview?

Lee Hyeon-Su’s expression stiffened slightly.

Sir, I just saw the request from the newspaper and didn’t think too deeply about it...

His head faltered when Kang Jin-Ho shot him a subtle but sharp glare that said, “We will talk about this after the interview.”

Kang Jin-Ho fake-coughed before responding to Ha Gwang-Sik. “We are also curious as to why. Was it purely a coincidence? Or something more malicious?”

He then smiled affably.

“On one hand, it’d be nice if it weren’t a coincidence. If this incident happened because our brand-new franchise was doing too well for others’ liking... Isn’t that a silver lining, in a way? It certainly sounds better than being randomly targeted, after all.”

Lee Hyeon-Su silently went, “Ohh!”

Since when did his boss become so eloquent? For a man who could only respond with short grunts like “Mm,” or curt replies like “Sure,” and “Got it,” his vocabulary had gotten much richer, no?

Lee Hyeon-Su grew emotional while thinking back to how hard he had to work to turn a near-mute person into an actual, functioning human being.

Ha Gwang-Sik asked again. “Then... These incidents happened because Caffe Luogo’s revenues have been excellent? Is that what you’re saying?”

“No. All I’m saying is that it’d be nice if that had been the case.”

Kang Jin-Ho replied with a subtle grin, choosing not to elaborate further.

Undeterred, Ha Gwang-Sik continued on, a good-natured grin plastered all over his face. “Personally, I agree with you. Without Luogo experiencing such strong momentum off the block, you wouldn’t have people trying to interfere with your business. Of course, this is assuming that it really is a criminal act perpetrated by unknown individuals.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Ha Gwang-Sik’s grin deepened. So far, so good—it seemed Kang Jin-Ho wasn’t someone born with the gift of gab, but at the very least, he didn’t frustrate his conversation partners with blunt, boring replies.

Trying to interview someone who was not good with words would be a torture for any reporter, after all. However, in that case...

Should I dig in a little more?

Ha Gwang-Sik subtly raised his tone.

“We would like to focus on that point, if you don’t mind. The police seem to believe that the suspects are related in some way to one of the existing franchises.”

“Really? That sounds far-fetched.”

“Hahaha, I’m not saying that’s my take, but that’s what the police are saying.” ℴℴ𝘮

“I see. Mm... But I haven’t heard anything in regards to that yet,” Kang Jin-Ho replied firmly, seemingly bringing this topic to an end there.

Ha Gwang-Sik narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. Really now?

Kang Jin-Ho wasn’t giving him any wiggle room here. Only by stringing their conversations along could Ha Gwang-Sik ask the questions he really wanted to ask, but...

Looks like he’s the type who converses instinctively, then?

Ha Gwang-Sik realized he couldn’t immediately decide on what to say next. If he had been grilling someone else, he would’ve circled around the topic the other side felt uncomfortable with and kept probing away. But he couldn’t bring himself to do that while facing Kang Jin-Ho like this.

“Mm... In that case, we’ll exclude that portion. Then... An unknown party is trying to interfere with Caffe Luogo’s business because of its financial success. What we find interesting in that statement is the success part,” said Ha Gwang-Sik with a grin. “The cafe market is a red ocean where you can find cafes on pretty much every street corner. So, successfully launching a new cafe franchise in such a saturated market couldn’t have been easy. What do you think was the secret to your success?”

“It’s not quite good enough to be called a success.”

“Allow me to rephrase, then. What do you think played a major role in the encouraging initial sales figures achieved by your franchise?”

Kang Jin-Ho casually shrugged, his eyes studying Ha Gwang-Sik closely.

This is odd.

The reporter was obviously smiling. Genially, in fact. With how friendly his tone was, coupled with that good-natured smile... One might be tempted to say Ha Gwang-Sik didn’t hold a speck of hostility toward Kang Jin-Ho.

However, Kang Jin-Ho could tell.

How interesting.

He could sense a certain type of hostility from this reporter named Ha Gwang-Sik. That grinning face couldn’t hide the sharp dagger from Kang Jin-Ho’s senses.

The corners of Kang Jin-Ho’s lips curled up slightly. An interview where he thought he’d have to spew some cringe, cliched lines was gradually getting more interesting.

“Surely it’s all thanks to the franchisees and managers doing their best.”

“Hahaha, Mister Kang. You’re being too modest. It’s not as if managers working for other franchisees are doing nothing but sucking on their fingers, after all. They are all trying their best constantly. So, there must be a reason for your franchise enjoying healthier revenues.”

“A reason, you say...” Kang Jin-Ho shrugged again. “Well, if we search for one, we will undoubtedly find many. Starting from our interior décor, marketing strategies, our higher quality coffee beans, and to customer service... And let’s not forget, the head office is keeping a close eye on each branch, too.”

“Indeed. I also believe various factors have combined to create Caffe Luogo’s success. However...”

As if to emulate Kang Jin-Ho, the corners of Ha Gwang-Sik’s lips also curled up.

“In the end, didn’t money create all those reasons?”

“...”

When Kang Jin-Ho didn’t reply and simply stared back, Ha Gwang-Sik urgently waved his hand.

“Please wait, Mister Kang. Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying that the reasons created through money are nothing to be proud of. If you could create elements that set your franchise apart from the crowd by spending a lot of money, I’d say that’s money well spent. Also, from what we’ve investigated, Caffe Luogo seems to offer a much more favorable share rate with the franchisees compared to your competitors.”

Kang Jin-Ho coolly nodded. “Yes, that is so.”

“And the fee to join your franchise isn’t high, either. Even if you aren’t accepting additional franchisees right now.”

“Yes, also true.”

“The share rate favors the franchisees, while the joining fee is low. But the company doesn’t hold back when helping with the interior renovations and fittings. And the beans used are easily some of the highest-quality coffee beans available. Even though the price you charge for your coffee is about market average.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Hmm... Wouldn’t that place a considerable financial burden on the company?”

Kang Jin-Ho nodded again. “Yes, you’re correct. However, we’re investing for the future. Once Caffe Luogo successfully becomes an established player in the market, everything we do now will benefit us.”

“Meaning... You believe you can recoup all the investment.”

“Yes, that’s what we believe.”

Ha Gwang-Sik smiled again. However, this smile was a little different from the rest. It was as if he was a wolf who had successfully cornered his prey.

Bak Gyu-Yeon’s expression stiffened when he witnessed that smile blooming on the senior reporter’s face.

What are you doing, you madman?! What kinda interview are you conducting here?!

This was no casual interview at this point. No, it’d be more correct to say Ha Gwang-Sik was investigating his leads! As a matter of fact, a dark, dinky interrogation room in some police station’s basement would have been a more fitting place to have this conversation!

Senior?! Are you really thinking of putting this interview on the front page?

Bak Gyu-Yeon couldn’t help but regret bringing Ha Gwang-Sik here.

He thought his senior reporter would take one look at the Big Fish, Kang Jin-Ho, and give up his foolish pursuit after having an epiphany, didn’t he? That was why he had arranged this interview in the first place!

Unfortunately for him, though, Ha Gwang-Sik was acting like a fish that met water right now. No, a piranha! A piranha that was trying to bite and tear into Kang Jin-Ho from various angles!

Bak Gyu-Yeon began praying inwardly so that he could escape from here in one piece.

Ha Gwang-Sik continued to ask Kang Jin-Ho, clearly oblivious to Bak Gyu-Yeon’s inner turmoil. “That leads me to another question. Do you mind if I ask you for clarification?”

Kang Jin-Ho’s expression remained still as he replied. “No, I don’t. Go ahead.”

“As I’ve said before, the financial burden on the company must be considerable. Opening one hundred stores simultaneously around the country is not something even the largest franchises in the country would attempt carelessly. Because, in case of a catastrophic failure, the investment lost that must be written off would be incalculable, after all.”

Kang Jin-Ho coolly nodded again. “Yes, you’re right. But there’s no need to worry in that regard now. After all, our strategy has worked out splendidly.”

“Yes, I agree. Your strategy was quite effective. It’s just that...” Ha Gwang-Sik’s grin morphed again. This time, it was a knowing smirk. “What the public is curious about is how MK, a company with barely any market presence anywhere, can boast a war chest of funds healthy enough to support this strategy.”

Bak Gyu-Yeon squeezed his eyes shut. You... You crazy son of a b*tch!

Was this why Ha Gwang-Sik kept circling around the cafe’s incident, which was something he had never been too interested in?

Bak Gyu-Yeon kept licking his parched lips nervously. Damn it! I... I should have called Mom before coming here!

To tell her to call the cops if her son suddenly went missing today!

Bak Gyu-Yeon was working with Ha Gyu-Yeon when they discovered that the mysterious organization called MK boasted incredible power. That was why he had to pray ardently that his sleeping place tonight wouldn’t be a cement-filled drum surrounded by fishes!

Because it was too late to stop this crazy bastard called Ha Gwang-Sik at this point!

Kang Jin-Ho cocked his head slightly. “You were also curious about that?”

“Of course. Very curious. After all, your company appeared out of nowhere to start a talent agency, and now, you’re even entering the cafe market as well. And your head office is this spacious building in the middle of Gangnam, too.”

Ha Gwang-Sik kept grinning away.

“Most corporations would gradually expand their scale, but MK has been spending a large amount of capital from the get-go as if it had been in existence for a long time. With the situation like that, you can’t blame us for being curious about where all the funds have come from. For example, is MK a shell company for a wealthy family? Or did it receive funds from a foreign entity? Or...”

Ha Gwang-Sik covered his mouth in mock horror.

“Oops, please forgive me. It seems I crossed a line just then. In any case... As far as the public can tell, MK as a business entity is shrouded in too much secrecy. Can you shed some light on this mystery as the representative of MK?”

Kang Jin-Ho stared silently at Ha Gwang-Sik before smirking softly.

How interesting, indeed.

It was now crystal clear that this reporter had come here for a fight.

Lee Hyeon-Su, who had been fidgeting nervously at the beginning, was now glaring at Ha Gwang-Sik with the intensity of an enraged killer about to tear his victims apart.

But a glare wasn’t quite enough to kill a person, now was it?

Kang Jin-Ho took out a packet of cigarettes from his pocket, then offered a cigarette to Ha Gwang-Sik. “Here. Have a smoke on me.”

“Oh, uh... Smoking during our job is...”

“It’s fine. I know you’re a smoker, anyway.”

“...”

Ha Gwang-Sik’s face stiffened ever so slightly.

Kang Jin-Ho figured it out through the cigarette smell coming off the reporter’s body, but to Ha Gwang-Sik, that sounded like a well-disguised warning about how MK had already investigated everything about him.

“Then... Thank you.”

When Ha Gwang-Sik accepted the cigarette, Lee Hyeon-Su brought an ashtray and placed it on the coffee table in the middle. Kang Jin-Ho mouthed his own cigarette and used a lighter to ignite its tip.

Click!

“Fuu-woo...”

Kang Jin-Ho leisurely puffed deeply away, then grinned back at the reporters.

So, they were here to pick a fight? In that case, he should play along, no?

“What you’re saying is... You are curious about where MK’s funds come from? Is that it?”

Ha Gwang-Sik spoke up. “Not us, but the public is...”

“Doesn’t matter. Telling you isn’t difficult, after all.”

Ha Gwang-Sik tensed up when Kang Jin-Ho said that. But the bombshell that came out of Kang Jin-Ho’s mouth next was definitely not what the veteran reporter had in mind.

“It was me.”

“...I beg your pardon?”

“It was me.”

Kang Jin-Ho relaxedly reclined against the couch, then crossed his legs.

Ha Gwang-Sik’s jaw fell slightly at this sight. “I... I don’t quite underst...”

“I have a lot of money, you see?”

“...”

“And I do mean a lot of money.”

One look at Kang Jin-Ho’s relaxed smile was enough to erase the word “preposterous” from Ha Gwang-Sik’s head.