Chapter 177
Chapter 177
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: The Village's Sole Western Restaurant
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Bzzz-.
My phone vibrated, so I glanced at the screen. A familiar name was displayed.
[Choi Yeo-hae President: Review the contract.]
I checked the date—it was exactly the third day as promised. Right on the dot, as expected.
I managed to suppress the smile creeping across my face.
‘Asking me to review the contract basically means approval.’
It was code for signing off if there were no issues. In the end, Choi Yeo-hae had accepted my proposal.
Which meant countless benefits were coming my way.
Just thinking about the rising rent ahead was enough to make me grateful. All I could hope was to stay here as cheaply and for as long as possible.
I forwarded the contract to Joy Look with a message asking for a review, then set my phone down.
“Oh my. Who’s got you grinning like that?”
Im Hye-eun asked from beside me in a sly tone. Sure enough, she had that excited, prying look.
“Boyfriend?”
“As if.”
Ridiculous. Running the company alone was keeping me busier than ever.
At my firm denial, Im Hye-eun pouted and grumbled.
“Aw, you’re no fun. What about you, Do-kyung? Any good news?”
Poor Do-kyung got struck by lightning out of nowhere. He jumped in surprise and shot back.
“Idols don’t date!”
They must drill that into you at the agency. It felt like his mouth had answered on autopilot before his brain could catch up.
“Sigh. You two are in your prime, and you’re playing it so safe?”
“What about you, Hye-eun? Are you seeing someone?”
“Oh my.”
Im Hye-eun held up her left hand. The ring on her fourth finger sparkled brighter than ever today.
“I’m a married woman.”
News to me. She looked so youthful, but I’d heard she was older than she appeared. Still, I hadn’t realized she was already married.
“Enjoy it while you can before marriage. Advice from someone a year or two older—take it to heart.”
“Haha. Wise words that sink right in.”
I tried to brush it off politely, but Im Hye-eun pressed on relentlessly.
“Nothing going on with that guy, right?”
“That guy?”
“You know, Chef Andre from that Cold Steel show.”
Andre? Why was his name coming up out of nowhere? I tilted my head in confusion, and Im Hye-eun continued.
“What? Really nothing? I totally thought you two were at least flirting~.”
“No such thing.”
I cut her off sharply, but Do-kyung chimed in hesitantly from the side.
“But during the shoot too... You’re at least close, right?”
“Not at all.”
We barely even texted personally. If anything, I messaged Chef Bong Kang-min more often.
‘People always freak out over any young guy and girl together.’
Sorry to disappoint. I might look young on the outside, but my heart wasn’t into that anymore. It had been ages since I’d felt any romantic flutter.
As I sat there with a blank expression, I could tell Im Hye-eun was about to pile on. Right then, a production staff member burst in and shouted.
“Recording starts now. Get ready~!”
“Yes.”
“Got it.”
Our little chat group had to wrap up and get moving. We headed to the prepared control room, where I reviewed the script one more time.
The shoot location was in Gyeonggi Province near Seoul, a place called Green Fragrance Village.
Nestled at the foot of mountains, it had pristine air and water—a true haven for nature lovers.
Houses were mostly standalone homes or small villas rather than apartments. In other words, a quiet rural neighborhood.
“Song CEO, head straight to the first shop.”
Following the staff’s guidance, we left the control room.
“Whoa.”
The moment we stepped out, the thick scent of pine hit us. True to its name, the whole village was infused with a refreshing aroma.
‘Great spot for a day trip.’
Though the peaceful vibe might take a hit. Bustling crowds were better for business anyway.
‘Once the show airs, visitors will flock here, and the locals won’t be thrilled.’
Especially since the shops here had one big flaw: nowhere to park.
It wasn’t a high-traffic area for outsiders, so that was the tradeoff. We’d need a plan for that.
Lost in thought, I arrived at the destination before I knew it.
The intro from the script popped into my head.
‘The village’s one and only Western restaurant.’
Sure enough.
The sleek exterior and clean interior oozed an urban polish rare in a rural spot like this.
It even had the chalkboard handmade menu board out front—a staple for any trendy pasta joint.
‘Classic vibe, but not bad.’
I nodded and pushed open the door.
“Welcome... Oh!”
I flashed a grin at the surprised face. Thick horn-rimmed glasses, head wrapped in a scarf, and a bushy beard.
Definitely not your average look.
“Hello.”
I extended my hand with a smile, and the man hurriedly peeled off his gloves to shake it.
“Nice to meet you!”
This was Park Man-soo, owner of [Green Pine Noodles].
“Wow, you look even better in person.”
“You think so? Haha.”
“Yeah, really.”
Park Man-soo flashed a double peace sign with both hands, hamming it up. He didn’t seem like the type to skimp on customer service.
‘In a neighborhood like this, regulars are key. Clean interior, good hospitality... So what’s the problem?’
I scanned the room sharply. Nothing stuck out inside either.
“How about we eat first and talk after?”
“Sure!”
I sat at a suitable table and asked.
“What’s your bestseller?”
“Oh, customers love the bulgogi alio olio.”
“Then one bulgogi alio olio.”
The menu board by the door flashed in my mind, with its big illustration and dish names.
Racking my memory, I ordered.
“Bacon carbonara, meatball tomato spaghetti... and mushroom risotto too, please.”
“Got your order.”
Park Man-soo punched it into the POS system and headed straight to the kitchen.
He washed his hands thoroughly and donned nitrile gloves first. Strict on hygiene—definitely a plus.
‘If only for that beard.’
What good was all that if the bushy beard ruined the clean image? A shame, but a mask or shave would be better.
Prepping three pastas and a risotto meant a busy kitchen.
Park Man-soo wielded four burners at once like a pro. His hands moved with practiced ease.
‘Skilled cook. Not some amateur winging it.’
Soon, the dishes arrived one by one.
“Enjoy!”
Park Man-soo bowed and headed to the control room. I eyed the steaming plates and picked up a fork.
“Hmm. Gotta eat before it cools. What first?”
For the cameras, I muttered to myself and reached out. Starting with the nearest bulgogi alio olio.
I slurped a bite topped with a bit of bulgogi.
“Oh...”
Without hesitation, I moved on. Twirled some bacon carbonara, loaded with sauce, and took a bite.
Just as good.
I polished off bites of the meatball tomato spaghetti and mushroom risotto too. Then I set down my fork, crossed my arms.
“Weird.”
This couldn’t be right. But my tongue wasn’t lying.
I glanced at the control room camera and blurted out.
“It’s delicious.”
Yeah. That was the biggest problem.
- It’s delicious.
“Whoaaa...!”
Park Man-soo let out a huge sigh of relief at Song Woo-yeon’s words.
“Man, I think this is the first time Song CEO’s said ‘delicious,’ right? Congrats, boss!”
“Thank you. Whew, I was so nervous my heart hurts.”
Park Man-soo clutched his chest and hunched over as Im Hye-eun played it up for the cameras.
“A dish Song CEO calls delicious? Now I’m dying to know what it tastes like!”
“B-but.”
Do-kyung slipped in quietly.
“Isn’t... Song CEO’s expression kinda grim for that?”
Im Hye-eun whipped her head to the monitor. Do-kyung was right—Song Woo-yeon’s face was still dead serious.
“Yeah. Song CEO, is something wrong?”
Im Hye-eun leaned into the mic, and on-screen, Song Woo-yeon nodded.
- Of course there is.
“W-what’s the problem? The food tastes fine, right?”
- Exactly. I’m trying to figure out why this place isn’t doing well, and everything else checks out. I figured the food was the issue, but it’s not...
Song Woo-yeon rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
Right—this was [Alley Secrets]. The main draw was Song Woo-yeon spotting flaws and offering fixes.
No fix to offer?
That was a disaster.
“Ah~. Maybe it’s the location?”
- No. Rent’s not high here. Neighborhood business alone should keep it afloat. No competition either. It doesn’t make sense that it’s struggling...
What to do? Im Hye-eun felt cold sweat trickling down her back. Giving up now would be a total broadcast fiasco.
- Ah.
Song Woo-yeon muttered briefly, then fired off.
- Boss. How much is this pasta?