Chapter 145
Chapter 145
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 145
Chapter Title: Send Her Packing
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"Go home."
It was a clear dismissal. I could see Lee Kyung-ja flinching back at the ice-cold tone.
I made it even clearer one more time.
"There's nothing more to tell you. Please leave."
"......"
When I came on strong, Lee Kyung-ja started subtly gauging my reaction.
Predictable. She'd thought I was an easy mark because I'm young, but now that I wasn't folding, she was switching up her attitude.
The type that's weak to the strong and strong to the weak—no surprise there anymore. I've seen it too often. These days, it's the people who are strong to the strong and weak to the weak that shock me more.
Lee Kyung-ja hesitated, then cautiously spoke up.
"No, I mean... I'm not saying President Song did anything wrong......"
She'd been acting like the recipe was already hers just moments ago. Guess she'd finally come to her senses?
Not that it changed anything.
"Owner. Have you done any recipe research lately?"
"W-What?"
"Recipes. The ones you're trying to wheedle out of me. You mentioned spicy fish stew. Have you put any thought or effort into recipes in the last three years?"
"......W-Well, we've got loyal customers who love the taste now~!"
"Ah, exactly. So why ask for a new recipe if you're doing fine with your regulars?"
"......Ugh."
Lee Kyung-ja clamped her mouth shut, unable to muster a decent comeback.
"Got it. You didn't have to put it that bluntly. Making me lose face like this."
She muttered it like it was to herself and turned on her heel. It seemed like that was the end of it.
Until, right before leaving, she turned back one last time and spat out some pointless nonsense.
"Young lady. As someone who's lived a bit longer, this is advice from a senior: that's not how you live. That talent was given to you from above to help those around you. If you hog it all for yourself, don't blame heaven if it takes it back—I warned you."
Her words sounded concerned, but the tone suggested she'd be thrilled if it did.
Good grief.
I couldn't help but let out a disbelieving chuckle, but Ahn Dong-woo beat me to it, raising his voice.
"Owner!"
"Oh dear, I'm just worried~."
"Leave! Now!"
Ahn Dong-woo strode forward like he was ready to physically push her out. I reached out to stop him.
"It's fine."
Not to protect her, of course. People like that will roll on the floor claiming assault if you so much as touch them.
Better not to give her any ammunition.
I stepped right up to Lee Kyung-ja and locked eyes with her. She slyly looked away.
"Owner. You know famous restaurants sell their recipes for top dollar, right?"
"......"
Lee Kyung-ja gave a small nod.
"Then how can someone who knows that ask so casually for someone else's hard work? I just can't wrap my head around it."
I smiled sweetly as I finished, and her face drained of color. She was finally realizing she'd picked the wrong target.
"When people are desperate, they even dig through famous restaurants' trash to figure out ingredients. Ever done that, Owner?"
"......"
"You think customers and money just flood in if you sit around hoping business booms? You have to agonize over it and push forward."
The food industry moves fast with trends, and new competitors pop up endlessly.
Slacken off even a little, and you're left behind. If you're jumping into that world, this is the resolve you need.
'......Not many grasp that reality before starting.'
They don't know until they try. Plenty open shops on a whim, then regret it later.
Reasons vary: not as profitable as thought, way harder than expected for a "boss," no time for family...
And the market is brutally cold, weeding out the half-hearted.
Looks like Lee Kyung-ja's shop was teetering on that edge now.
"Think it over, Owner. What it takes to make your shop better."
She probably wouldn't. These types just stew in the back room cursing me out. They rarely change.
"Go. Unless you want to make this bigger."
"......Tch."
Lee Kyung-ja ground her teeth audibly and spun away dramatically.
Bang!
With the door slamming shut, I was finally rid of that face.
Haa. What a hassle.
"You okay? Sorry. This blew up because of me..."
"Nah, how's this your fault, Owner? She's the one being unreasonable. I've run a local spot myself, so I get the situation—no need to worry."
If Ahn Dong-woo wanted to keep doing business here, he had to get along with types like her, pretty or not.
Plus, it was the shop right across the street. They traded favors and nuisances—what if things soured?
For example,
"If you need to unload ingredients at dawn tomorrow and their truck's blocking the alley, just tell me. I'll send our guys to help move them."
Like that.
"Ah, sure... You don't really think she'd do that, right?"
Ahn Dong-woo nodded, then suddenly looked anxious as reality hit.
If someone was set on harassing you, the methods were endless, sure.
But handle it right, and it was no big deal.
"You never know. Call if anything comes up."
"Yes, got it!"
"You'll run into more like her. Some begging for recipes to share, others wanting me to vouch. If it's a hassle, just name-drop me and say no. Tell them I hate that stuff."
"......Yes. Thank you."
"No problem."
Getting on her bad side more would mean sharp glares every time he did business. I rarely came here anyway—better to use me as the excuse.
"Oh, but you didn't come for this. Uh, I'll whip up some spicy chicken stew and doenjang jjigae quick. Just wait a sec..."
"No need. I already ate."
"Pardon?"
Ahn Dong-woo looked baffled, like he couldn't process it. I grinned brightly.
"Come on, what if you make something special knowing it's for me? I need to try what regular customers get."
"......Huh?"
"That takeout order earlier? One of my company staff placed it. I ate it in the car on the way."
Gasp.
Ahn Dong-woo inhaled sharply, clearly not expecting that level of thoroughness.
"Only way to get the real picture. Wasn't trying to trick you."
"Oh, no, not at all. But... how was the taste?"
He swallowed hard. His tense eyes trembled.
"There's my signature out in the dining area, right? With the gourmet seal."
"Y-Yes, it is."
"What do people say when they see it?"
"They snap tons of pics. 'Song Woo-yeon certified eats,' hashtags and all."
"Bring it here."
"......!"
Ahn Dong-woo's face fell in dismay.
"Y-Yes!"
He composed himself and rushed to peel it off the wall.
"Whoa. What's all this?"
Laminated and framed. Treated like royalty. I blinked in surprise, and he smiled shyly.
"It's too precious to me. Did it so it wouldn't fade."
"Really?"
I trailed my fingers over the frame. Glancing at him, his face was full of affection.
That expression alone told me what was swirling in his head.
'Time to say goodbye to this signature. Guess the taste wasn't good enough.' Something like that?
It was so transparent, it was almost funny. I burst out laughing before I knew it.
"Pfft, ahaha! No need to be that nervous~."
"Y-Yes?"
"Here."
I handed him the whole frame back.
"To commemorate the certification renewal, I bestow it upon you once more. Song Woo-yeon certified gourmet spot—approved."
"......! Th-Thank you!"
His blank stare widened slowly, until he bowed deeply in gratitude.
"No biggie. I'm the one who's grateful. Must be tough with the crowds. And you stuck to the recipe perfectly."
"It's all... thanks to you, Owner. N-Now I can face my parents. Knowing I didn't ruin the business they built through hard work... I-I'm just so, so thankful..."
Ahn Dong-woo's voice grew misty. What a crybaby.
I tore off a kitchen towel and handed it over.
"Heh. Why the waterworks? Shift's not even over. Customers'll freak if you greet them with a puffy face."
"Sniff! R-Right. Sorry. I'll fix it!"
Watching him wipe his tears and pull himself together brought a strange mix of relief and pride.
'Good call helping him out. The recipe found its true home.'
This was more than enough. I giggled at his messy face.
Pfft.
I couldn't hold it in and let out a deflating balloon sound.
"......?"
Jo Yi-ruk gave me a puzzled look from the side.
"Oh, sorry. Just had a random thought."
Remembering that steamed bun face from earlier made me crack up. Not like it was an actual pork bun. Blubbering like a kid, even if emotions overflowed.
Ahem.
I cleared my throat and refocused. Not the time to zone out. Concentrate on the meeting.
That cleared my head a bit.
"Alright, let's get into it properly."
I glanced around and said,
"Our next franchise brand."
Time to hit another grand slam.