Chapter 135
Chapter 135
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: Are All Geniuses Like This?
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“...Why go this far?”
Do Kyung wholeheartedly agreed with the question. Why indeed?
And he had good reason. From Do Kyung’s perspective, there was no desperate need for Song Woo-yeon to be so invested in this program.
‘Broadcasting’s my job, but that’s not the case for him.’
Song Woo-yeon’s real profession was business, after all. And it was exploding in growth.
Wasn’t broadcasting just a side gig, or at best self-promotion? What reason did he have to push through despite the injury?
Even people who made broadcasting their career rested when they were sick, and turned arrogant the moment they tasted a bit of fame.
‘What does he have to regret? Couldn’t he just take it easier and enjoy it?’
A sense of bafflement first crossed his mind. As if reading his thoughts, Anderic picked up the thread.
“Missing one show isn’t going to shake your standing, right? You’re still appearing on [Cool Pluck] and anyway.”
“...”
“What’s so scary that you’re rushing like this?”
Song Woo-yeon’s face showed a flicker of surprise at Anderic’s words, as if he hadn’t expected such a question.
Then he let out a small chuckle and replied.
“This far, huh. I didn’t think it was that big a deal, but I guess it is.”
“...”
“Maybe I got a little impatient.”
Song Woo-yeon murmured softly.
A hint of bitterness tinged his expression. Do Kyung felt his heart stir unexpectedly.
It was the sensation of discovering a familiar fragment in someone he’d thought lived in a completely different world.
Even someone who seemed so extraordinary could waver. He wasn’t made of impenetrable steel after all.
That realization brought a strange sense of admiration.
Song Woo-yeon gave a faint smile in response.
“The road ahead is long, so how can I not be impatient?”
“...The road ahead?”
“Yeah. I plan to go much farther than the path I’ve walked so far.”
Anderic’s eyes widened in surprise. He had no choice. The Song was already showing growth that could only be called miraculous.
And yet, even farther?
It was impossible to even guess how far Song Woo-yeon was looking ahead.
“So just cooperate a little more.”
A playful glint crossed his grinning face. The serious atmosphere melted away, shifting to a deliberately cheerful tone.
“Thanks for the disinfecting. Yawn... Aren’t you getting sleepy?”
Song Woo-yeon said as he pulled out fresh bandages and wrapped them deftly around his arm. His hands moved with the skill of someone who’d done it many times.
“...”
Anderic watched quietly for a moment before blurting out.
“Are all geniuses like this?”
“...Huh?”
It was out of nowhere. Song Woo-yeon’s eyes went wide as he stared at Anderic’s face, his confusion plain as day.
Anderic asked again, unwavering.
“I asked if all geniuses are like this. Doing incomprehensible things, setting goals others would call pipe dreams. Nothing about you is ordinary.”
“...Uh, genius? Who’s a genius? Me? No way, right?”
Song Woo-yeon pointed at himself, asking repeatedly.
“Who else but you?”
Anderic furrowed his brow in frustration.
“No, Chef Anderic is the genius!”
“?”
Anderic twitched his eyebrow, as if wondering what nonsense this was. Song Woo-yeon fired back rapid-fire.
“You’re Chef Jung’s star pupil, rose to sous-chef at the youngest age ever! You even graduated top of your class from CIA, which only prodigies attend!”
“It’s just a good resume.”
“It means you walked the elite path—and ordinary people can’t do that.”
Song Woo-yeon stated it flatly. Do Kyung had no idea what CIA was, but he knew Anderic was a renowned chef.
He was even more impressive than expected. His presence had felt a bit overshadowed by Song Woo-yeon’s exploits.
“Yeah. There was a time like that, when I thought I was a genius.”
“Right?”
“But you’re the one who shattered that illusion.”
“Huh?”
Song Woo-yeon looked like he was hearing this for the first time. Anderic frowned and continued, his voice a tone lower than before.
“The first time we met on [Cool Pluck]. Put nicely, I brimmed with confidence; less nicely, I was arrogant. There wasn’t a single peer in the Chinese cuisine world who could match me.”
An obnoxious statement. But it was backed by skill that allowed his lofty ego to stand.
Anderic spoke matter-of-factly, as if stating the obvious.
“That’s why I was rude to you at first.”
“Haha. You were pretty obnoxious back then, Chef.”
“Let me apologize once more.”
Ah, Do Kyung knew this story.
It had gone viral for its refreshing vibe, and one of the group members had shared it as funny.
He hadn’t watched the show, but he got the gist.
“Wasn’t it you who shattered that overconfident version of me?”
“Eek.”
“That’s when I first felt it. That I could lose.”
“...”
“Chef Jung said it would be a good experience for me. He was thrilled to finally have someone who could give me a wake-up call. I didn’t get it at first, but now I do. My growth had stalled for a while, but meeting you gave me the right stimulus—my skills have improved a ton since.”
He was sharing such an embarrassing story so casually. Do Kyung was impressed inwardly.
“And yet you say you’re not a genius? Are you messing with me?”
“No... That was just a variety show!”
Song Woo-yeon waved his hands dismissively.
“It wasn’t a proper cooking competition. The judges were regular people, not foodies, and honestly, I basically won on cooking convenience, not taste.”
“Yeah. Pulling off that level of flavor with a simple method anyone can replicate at home—that’s what makes it impressive.”
“I’m not even really a chef to begin with.”
“I think you are.”
“Isn’t that a bit too loose with the term?”
“Not really. Plenty of people want to strip you of that title.”
“...That’s not the issue.”
“You’re beating chefs left and right—not me, multiple chefs—and it’s not just one fluke win.”
Song Woo-yeon made a frustrated face.
“That’s because creativity, improvisation, mass appeal all came together. I know my own skills better than anyone. They’re way too amateur for a chef.”
“That’s your talent. Coming up with wild ideas, handling curveballs, capturing the public’s palate.”
Now Anderic was the one turning the question back.
“If that’s not genius, then what is?”
“...”
“I’m telling you I rate your skills highly. What do you think is why Chef Jung and Chef Bong keep you close?”
“That’s... No, it’s not that. There’s a more fundamental problem.”
Song Woo-yeon looked like he had a lot to say but couldn’t spit it out.
He let out a deep sigh, then slowly spoke.
“I get that I might seem like a genius.”
“You are one.”
“Can you let me finish first?”
“...?”
Anderic’s face screamed he couldn’t comprehend. ‘I just said it because you are one—what’s the problem?’ It was obvious.
“It’s a long explanation, and hard to put into words. Fine. Hmm. Feels like you wouldn’t listen no matter what I say.”
Do Kyung nodded too. No matter how much Song Woo-yeon insisted he wasn’t a genius, Anderic wasn’t buying it.
‘Though it’s weird how firmly he believes he’s not one.’
To Do Kyung, it seemed beyond mere humility.
How to put it—like being embarrassed by praise for a perfect score you cheated on.
“Thanks for the high regard and the compliments.”
“It’s not a compliment—it’s an objective assessment.”
“...Pfft!”
Song Woo-yeon let out a small laugh, then burst into muffled guffaws. It wasn’t loud, given the quiet surroundings.
“Hahaha... Thanks, Chef.”
“?”
“Just... I think I was overthinking it too much. Yeah, I almost repeated the mistake of only charging ahead without looking around. Realizing that now feels good.”
What’s he on about? Anderic didn’t seem to fully get it, but Song Woo-yeon’s face looked relieved.
“Unlike before, I’m taking care of those around me now, meeting good people. Naturally, I’ll climb higher that way.”
“...”
“Ah, my cluttered head feels clear now. Should sleep well tonight. You too, Chef—head in and rest. Busy day tomorrow.”
“...Yeah.”
“I’m turning in. Been tired for a while.”
Rustle.
Do Kyung saw them getting up. Coming this way!
He hurriedly lay back down. Eyes squeezed shut, he waited motionlessly. Then he heard Anderic entering the small tent.
He felt the presence lie down next to him. Do Kyung did his best to play possum, relaxing every muscle.
Anderic didn’t seem to notice anything off and settled in to sleep.
‘Phew. Close call.’
Felt like a decade shaved off his life.
‘...Man. I ended up eavesdropping on the whole thing.’
Belated guilt washed over him. But he couldn’t confess to Anderic now.
‘Still... Yeah, somehow... He’s different from the image I had.’
He’d pictured a colder, iron-willed woman. Do Kyung mulled over Song Woo-yeon like that until sleep finally overtook him.
“Great work, everyone~!”
Clap clap clap.
Amid the applause, everyone bowed.
Finally.
Filming was finally over!
‘Ughhh. Wanna go wash up ASAP.’
That thought filled my head. I barely remembered boarding the plane back to Korea.
I passed out dead to the world, and when I woke, it was already time to drag myself to work and catch up on backlog.
“Sigh.”
My fatigue hadn’t lifted at all, and I writhed at the thought of heading in.
At that point, I had no idea.
What kind of ripple [Laws of the Jungle] would cause when it aired.