Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: "My Small Television?"
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"'My Small Television'?"
Bong Kang-min tilted his head in confusion.
"What kind of name is that? What sort of show is it?"
"You know how internet broadcasts are all the rage these days, right?"
"Yeah, yeah, I know~. Like mukbangs? Kids these days are glued to that stuff."
Bong Kang-min grumbled about how his daughter just stared at her phone these days and barely said a word at dinner. One had to wonder if the phone was really to blame.
"It's a show that borrowed that format. Hmm, how to put it—it's like a survival program? Multiple contestants all go live with their own broadcasts at the same time. The ones with the lowest viewership get eliminated one by one, and only the survivors keep going."
"Ho~. Something like that exists? That's wild."
"Since it's a new format, they're scouting for all kinds of participants."
Anyway, knowing it had stirred up quite a buzz even before my regression, I accepted right away.
"They said they'll do a pilot shoot soon."
"Our Chef Song is so steadfast, even with tough stuff—it really suits you. Of course! A young guy needs that kind of spirit!"
Getting called young made my conscience twinge a bit. Anyway, I laughed it off with a haha, and just then, Jeong Ha-neul emerged from the kitchen with some mouthwatering sweet-and-sour pork.
"Whoa~."
It drew an exclamation without thinking. You could tell at a glance it was freshly fried to crispy perfection, glistening with sauce.
I hadn't even been hungry, but saliva flooded my mouth anyway.
"Chef Bong, you weren't nagging the juniors again, were you?"
"Nagging? It's all~ sincere advice that turns into blood and flesh!"
"Sigh. That's why you don't have a prized disciple."
"Urk."
Jeong Ha-neul's words had hit Bong Kang-min's sore spot. Jeong Ha-neul shrugged with a smug look and patted An De-rick on the shoulder.
"Ah, Chef An technically learned a ton from me too! So doesn't that make him my disciple?"
"That's what they say?"
An De-rick, drawing stares from both Bong Kang-min and Jeong Ha-neul, replied firmly.
"No, it doesn't."
"Kuhuk!"
Bong Kang-min slumped like a battleship taking a fatal hit.
"Why won't any of my kids become my prized disciple? Once they build up experience, they all just leave..."
Hmm. I didn't know the details, but Bong Kang-min didn't seem like a bad mentor.
Maybe a bit annoying.
'If the problem isn't with Chef Bong Kang-min himself, then it's something else.'
From the bits I'd overheard, I couldn't figure out the reason.
"Why do you think? You chase after the camera instead of the kitchen."
Aha.
Bong Kang-min let out an exaggerated groan of "Ugh, that hurts!" at Jeong Ha-neul's sharp jab. If that was the reason, running away made sense.
"I-I'm trying my best to teach them earnestly~. Except on shooting days, I'm always in the kitchen with the kids!"
"Even so, you're not like the other chefs who clock into the kitchen every day outside of bare-bones shoots."
"Ugh."
Bong Kang-min's face fell. An uncle with that defeated look? No demand, just supply.
"No helping it! Chef Song!"
"Yes?"
A bad feeling crept in.
"Will you be my prized disciple, Chef Song?!"
"Oh......"
Not appealing in the slightest.
"Huh? You could drop by when you're free, cook with me, share good recipes—what do you think?"
I'd forgotten, but this guy was a total cooking otaku. The disciple thing was just an excuse; he probably just wanted someone to geek out with.
I managed an awkward smile, but Bong Kang-min went one further.
"It's almost year-end too. Got plans that day? Anything scheduled?"
"No, nothing in particular......"
I hadn't planned anything. Joy-ruk was visiting her parents, No Se-hee was spending time with her husband. Yang Ji-a and Park Sang-won each had year-end gatherings with friends.
'Jeong Da-on did invite me to watch the sunrise with his family. But tagging along would feel awkward.'
Not thick-skinned enough to crash Lee In-cheol and Choi Yeo-hae's fancy hotel vacation either. Kim Jong-chun was thrilled about closing shop for once and taking a short domestic trip with his family.
'Huh. Thinking about it, everyone's got plans except me?'
The thought flashed that I might ring in the New Year alone.
'Before regression, around this time, I'd be so busy networking it felt like I needed two bodies.'
Thanks to that, I'd rarely spent New Year's Eve or New Year alone. How long had it been since I'd had such a quiet one?
Now that it was just me, it felt a little empty.
As that thought crossed my mind, Bong Kang-min jumped in.
"Really? Then come to my place!"
"Pardon?"
"It'd be great to get advice from our superstar President Song! We've got openings this New Year's Eve, but the numbers are tricky—just one seat left."
"Pardon?"
"You can come eat, Chef Song, and give us your thoughts!"
Hold on. I couldn't keep up with the conversation. As I kept going "Pardon?" in bewilderment, Jeong Ha-neul chimed in with a bright smile.
"Oh, that would be perfect."
No, even you, Chef Jeong Ha-neul.
"Yeah, yeah. No pressure! We prep ingredients for the full seating anyway, so they need to get used up. Come eat casually~. Help out if you're bored."
Haha, good one.
This wasn't some casual eatery—a renowned restaurant's kitchen ran on strict hierarchy. If I just waltzed in because I'm buddies with Bong Kang-min and took a spot? The other chefs would riot.
A bit out of left field, but I could guess why the offer.
'They all know I don't have family. They're looking out for me.'
My lone-wolf status was public knowledge from the media. With Bong Kang-min and Jeong Ha-neul pitching in, that must be it.
'Yeah. Staying home alone would just be boring anyway.'
Might as well go for a change of pace? Could spark ideas for new brands too.
"Got it. I'll swing by then."
"Awesome~. I'll prep some wines from my collection—look forward to it!"
"Huh? Then I wanna come too?"
"Ah, Chef Jeong is always welcome~!"
Bong Kang-min jumped up from his seat, buzzing with excitement.
Before long, the table was lively, the mood fully heated up.
Right, back then......
I had no idea that casual acceptance of the invite would twist into this.
Crash!
The plate clattered across the floor with a racket. But the one who'd shoved it off the table didn't care, glaring at the server with bloodshot eyes.
"Didn't you hear me?"
His sharp voice filled the restaurant. Diners who'd been enjoying their meals amicably now murmured, glancing toward the commotion.
"Sir, please calm down first......"
"Do I look like I can calm down?!"
The attempt to soothe only fired him up more. He snatched a wine glass from the table and flipped it right over the server's head.
Splash!
"Oh my!"
"Good lord."
Red wine poured from the server's head, soaking his clothes. The shocking scene drew gasps from the crowd.
The huffing customer finally bellowed.
"Get the owner out hereeee!"
Why had this peaceful dinner turned into chaos? To understand, we had to rewind a bit.
Michelin two-star, upscale Korean cuisine restaurant [Green Grass]—Bong Kang-min's han-sik fine dining spot, famous for its prices right in central Seoul.
The neighborhood was old and developed long ago, so the buildings looked a tad worn, but the moment you stepped out of the narrow elevator, the sight was downright enchanting.
'Elegant, subdued colors done just right.'
Totally at odds with the place's owner, Bong Kang-min, though.
"Chef Song Woo-yeon, right?"
"Ah, yes. That's me."
The moment I crossed the threshold, a server greeted me as if waiting.
How pricey must it be to dine here paying full? My heart grew heavy.
"This way to your reserved table."
Following the impeccably dressed server inside revealed a spacious room with tables spaced out artfully.
Mine was one of the smaller ones—barely room for two.
'A table for solo diners, I guess.'
Glancing around, there were a couple more like it. Apparently, plenty came alone to savor the fine dining.
The tables filled quickly. Probably because reservations were for set times.
Couples, family outings, friends meeting up—various reasons brought them here.
Besides me, there was one other solo diner.
When I returned from the restroom, someone had taken the now-empty table next to mine.
A glance.
A middle-aged man fiddling with his phone.
Stern-looking. Face etched with fatigue or irritation—or both. And out came a little notepad from his pocket; before the food even arrived, he scanned around, jotting something down.
'A critic?'
Possible. These days, they often visited incognito.
Even so, coming alone, suited up, scribbling away—it was bound to draw eyes.
The hall staff had noticed too, signaling up top about him.
"First, to whet your appetite, we'll start with the amuse-bouche."
"Yes."
My course came out first. The server's rundown of the appetizers was professional, flawless.
I listened contentedly when suddenly—screeech!—from the next table.
'What the?'
The server and I whipped around to see the man muttering loudly enough to be heard.
"Jeez. Service here's a mess. Don't they even know the order?"
......
That's when I had a gut feeling.
This was going to be no easy meal.