Chapter 182
Chapter 182
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: Fiery Bear Ramen Challenge
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“...”
“...Um, President?”
“What.”
Had I made some mistake just now when I came in? The president answered half-heartedly while fiddling with his computer.
Was it because I came in without knocking?
That was when I had that thought.
“Jun-seo.”
At the president's low call, I snapped to attention and replied.
“Yes, do you have something to say?”
“With the phone and ramen CFs this time, is there one you want to do? They're both pretty famous brands, so it might be good to take them both.”
“If you want me to do it, I'll do it.”
“Got it. I'll contact them right away.”
Rustle rustle!
Yu-na came running over quickly.
She tugged at my clothes with hands covered in snack crumbs. The key point was how she subtly wiped her hands back and forth on them.
[She's openly wiping her hands on my clothes...]
Yu-na checked her now-clean hands, grinned widely, and opened her mouth.
“Going to eat ramen?”
“...You could just grab a tissue and wipe them. Why'd you wipe your hands on Daddy's clothes?”
“Oh, I didn't wipe them.”
When I pointed out the crumbs stuck all over my clothes, Yu-na pretended not to notice and averted her eyes.
Yu-na's getting more shameless by the day.
She did something like this last time too...
“...Haa.”
I let out a deep sigh and picked up the wet wipes on the president's desk.
“Mind if I use these?”
“Go ahead.”
I first wiped her hands, which were still greasy.
Only then did I gently brush the crumbs off my clothes and wipe away the oil.
“Right. Jun-seo. The ramen CF is for that Fiery Bear Stir-Fried Noodles, you know? Keep that in mind.”
As I tossed the used wipes into the trash, my body jolted.
['Fiery Bear Stir-Fried Noodles?']
Fiery Bear Stir-Fried Noodles, famous in Korea for being the spiciest, was a ramen often used overseas for spicy challenges too.
Its devilish flavor made your tongue numb after just one bite, yet people kept craving it.
That taste...
Honestly, it wasn't my thing.
“Wait, hold on. You didn't tell me it was that ramen.”
“You... are you weak to spice?”
I avoided the president's gaze.
It was the same in my past life.
Even now, I couldn't stand spicy food.
“What do we do? I already told them you'd do it. If you really hate it, contact them yourself.”
The president smiled as if pleased and slowly stood up.
“Yu-na appears in it with you.”
“Waaah! Really? Then Yu-na gets to go eat ramen there too?”
“Yeah. You like spicy stuff?”
“I like anything edible. Hehehe.”
Did Yu-na like spicy food too?
I slowly recalled Lee Jun-seo's memories. His wife had loved spicy food.
Which meant...
If Yu-na took after me, she'd hate spicy food, but if she took after her mom...
She'd definitely like it.
“Then... how about we try spicy food for dinner tonight?”
I murmured softly and scooped Yu-na up into my arms. Her tiny hands wrapped around my neck, giving a warm feeling.
“...We'll be going now.”
“Already?”
“Yes. I came about the next project. So if you'll excuse me...”
“President! Bye-bye!”
I bowed to the president and turned around.
“Jun-seo, wouldn't it be good to join some variety shows for the fans now?”
“...I'll think about it after Yu-na starts elementary school.”
“Got it.”
I got home early and was in the middle of making spicy tteokbokki for dinner.
['Now I just need to boil it...']
I washed my hands clean and pulled out my blaring phone.
Kang Su-ho: (link)
Kang Su-ho: Is this... real?
Kang Su-ho: Reply if you've seen it.
I put off replying and clicked the link. It was an article announcing my next project.
['What? They already put out an article?']
News travels fast.
[Lee Jun-seo Announces Next Project! It's the Drama 'Viper'?]
Along with that, other articles were pouring in like a waterfall.
I looked through them one by one slowly.
[Everyone's Buzzing About the 'Viper' Drama. What Kind of Story Is It?] [Award-Winning Actor Lee Jun-seo's Next Project?] [Exclusive Interview with Writer Jo Sung-gil! 'Viper' Is Action-Centered!] [A Bold Move? How's Lee Jun-seo's Action Acting?] [Drama with Not All Roles Cast Yet Draws Massive Interest...]
I was meticulously checking articles related to me when Kang Su-ho's message popped up on the screen.
I long-pressed it.
Kang Su-ho: Dude, you already picked your next project? Isn't that pushing it?
Lee Jun-seo: Not all roles are set yet, so filming will take a while. No need to worry.
As soon as I sent the reply, the sitcom crew appeared like ghosts.
Yoo Seol-hwa: What! Should I audition for that 'Viper' drama too?
Yoo Seol-hwa: They said everything but the leads is by audition.
Shin Dong-hyun: Ooh! Should I try too?
Yoon Mi-jeong: (raising hand emoticon)
Kang Su-ho: Not again... My current drama's finale is still far off... (crying emoticon)
I let out a chuckle.
The next project I'd chosen was a sure hit just from reading the script.
It'd be great to act with the sitcom crew again. My lips curved up, and I tapped away at my phone screen.
Lee Jun-seo: You should definitely go for it.
Lee Jun-seo: You won't regret it.
Yoo Seol-hwa: That's why I want to even more? Just wait. I'll snag a supporting role for sure.
Shin Dong-hyun: Me too! Me too!
Shin Dong-hyun: I checked, and supporting auditions are in April.
Yoon Mi-jeong: (raising hand emoticon)
Yoon Mi-jeong: I'm interested in my junior's pick too, so I'll give it a shot.
Yoo Seol-hwa: Ooh! You too, unnie? Awesome!
Shin Dong-hyun: Let's all go for it!
Lee Jun-seo: I'm making dinner right now. I'll reply later.
I sent the messages quickly and set my phone face down.
Acting together with the sitcom crew again... that'd be fun.
I hope it works out that way.
“...What's that smell?”
Suddenly, a burnt smell filled the air.
I scanned for the source and saw white smoke rising from the tteokbokki I'd just made.
Oh no! I hurriedly turned off the heat and let out a sigh of relief.
Luckily, it wasn't too burnt.
...Gulp!
['Guess I should try it first?']
The spicy tteokbokki, loaded with chili powder. Just looking at it made sweat bead on my forehead and back.
['...Alright, let's eat.']
For the upcoming Fiery Bear Stir-Fried Noodles CF.
Thinking of it as practice, I picked up a bright red rice cake piece and popped it straight into my mouth.
Sweet and salty at first.
Then...
The spiciness hit hard.
“Sss. Haa. Haa.”
Ice... I need ice!
I yanked open the freezer, grabbed some ice, and shoved it in my mouth. Holding it there made it a bit bearable.
Maybe I should've made it less spicy.
At this level, it might be too much for Yu-na's health...
As I debated tossing it out, Yu-na sniffed her way into the kitchen stealthily.
“Sniff sniff! Yummy smell...”
“...Kids' show over?”
“Huh? Daddy! Were you eating something yummy all by yourself? Yu-na wants some too!”
“Hmm, want to taste it? Daddy thinks it's too spicy...”
“Yesss! Yu-na will taste it.”
Yu-na sat at the table, mouth wide open like a baby bird waiting for food.
It's so spicy even I can't handle it.
Is it really okay to give her some...?
“If it's too hard to eat, spit it out right away. Got it?”
“Hehehe. Yes. Ahh!”
Her mouth opened wide again.
I picked up some rice cake and fish cake and popped them into Yu-na's mouth.
Nom nom.
Yu-na's chubby cheeks wiggled side to side. After a moment with no reaction, her eyes sparkled.
“Wow! It's really yummy.”
“...Really? Not spicy?”
Yu-na nodded vigorously.
“Yesss! It's perfect for Yu-na. Hehe.”
Looks like Yu-na takes more after her mom, who left us too soon.
So Yu-na's fine...
And I'm the problem.
['Can I escape being spice-weak by the Fiery Bear CF day?']
A sigh escaped me naturally.
One spicy meal a day.
Even making and eating spicy food steadily, I wasn't getting used to it.
Even now.
I'd made Fiery Bear Stir-Fried Noodles for lunch, but I surrendered after one strand.
['This isn't meant to be eaten.']
As I soothed my burning tongue with ice, Yu-na ate it deliciously.
Nom nom. Gulp!
“Is it okay for Yu-na to eat that?”
“Haa, sss! Huh? Uh... yeah.”
“Hehehe. Yesss.”
Yu-na snatched my leftover bowl, and her face bloomed with smiles.
If I'd known she'd love it this much, I'd have made it more often...
“It's really yummy. Hehe.”
Yu-na had polished off the single serving I'd split, patted her belly.
“Ah, so full.”
“You ate the whole thing I boiled for one and split. Of course you're full.”
“Daddy! I finished eating, so can we go play outside now?”
“Wash up first. You gonna go out in pajamas with messy hair?”
“Okay, Yu-na will go wash!”
“Dry off properly with the towel...”
Yu-na jumped up and darted into the bathroom without looking back.
Gonna be tiring playing with her again today.
“Haa. What should we play?”
Lost in thought, I gathered the used dishes and put them in the sink.
By the way.
Is it really okay to just chill like this? As I washed dishes, the articles I'd checked that morning came to mind.
[Actress Shin Su-young's Next Project Confirmed as 'Viper' Too!] [2022 Acting Awards Winner and Excellence Winner Team Up! What's 'Viper'?] [Key Roles Now Filled. Only Supporting Auditions Left?] [Massive Investors for 'Viper'. Filming Around June, But Not Confirmed.] [Everyone's Waiting Eagerly for 'Viper'...]
Overnight.
No... just one day.
Not long after I announced my next project, everything was out.
Did they all check my pick and accept the casting offers right away?
It's plenty suspicious.
The time for key roles to be finalized.
Was way too short.
“Gotta manage my body soon, so maybe pig out on tasty stuff while I can?”
I was mumbling to myself when...
The bathroom door burst open with a bang, snapping me alert.
Bang! Patter patter!
“Daddy! All clean! Dry my hair now.”
Drips of water fell to the floor.
The path Yu-na had taken was already a puddle.
“No towel in the bathroom?”
Shake shake.
She shook her head hard, sending water flying everywhere. And it looked like she hadn't washed her face properly—her little lips still had bright red Fiery Bear sauce on them.
['Must've been tasty.']