Chapter 210
Chapter 210
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 210
Chapter Title: The Perfect Mancalorie Burger
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An overwhelming size—a burger stacked like a tower.
Between the layers were handmade pickles and grilled onions, mushrooms infused with a smoky aroma. And we'd added a variety of sauces: barbecue, garlic aioli, hollandaise, and more.
Slice.
When the knife was applied, the bun cut smoothly, and juices flowed from the patty's cross-section.
It was the perfect golden-ratio mega-calorie handmade burger.
"Delicious!"
"Right?"
"The meat ratio like this seems to be the best."
"No matter how much I eat, it never gets old."
Everyone chimed in with their thoughts. They all boiled down to one conclusion.
"The mega-calorie handmade burger recipe is complete."
I declared with a grin, and cheers of "Woo!" erupted from all around.
"Finally, I can go home!"
"I'm alive..."
"Thank you. Thank you."
Maybe because they'd been researching the recipe without proper sleep. I could hear some slightly odd remarks, but I'd ignore them.
"You've all worked hard."
I approached Choi Jun-hyeok, whose face looked hollowed out, and said so.
"You've had it the worst, CEO."
"What do you mean? I at least came and went for prior commitments and other business. But you were here all day, every day, just working on the recipe."
His focus was incredible. Even Baek Jae-ha had been impressed.
That was a clear talent in itself.
He might not have Baek Jae-ha's flashes of genius ideas, but his obsessive focus on drilling down into one thing was worthy of praise.
"It's the only thing I'm good at."
Choi Jun-hyeok scratched the back of his neck humbly.
"And once I got started, I just couldn't stop... But it was fun."
A faint genuine pleasure shone on his smiling face as he said that. That's probably why it tasted so good—with that kind of effort behind it.
'At least I don't have to worry about the recipe getting diluted.'
He was the type who wouldn't tolerate it more than anyone else.
Call it artisan spirit. He'd rather sell less than compromise on quality. I was thrilled by that mindset.
"I owe you a lot."
He bowed politely, so I bowed back.
"I owe you."
I'd learned a thing or two.
The world of cooking is vast. Even after decades of learning and practicing before my regression, there was still more to study.
Thanks to this opportunity, my understanding of burgers had deepened. That alone was worth it.
It was as good as having a master artisan like Choi Jun-hyeok pass down his secrets. An invaluable experience money couldn't buy.
"I'll go move the rest of the gear."
"Sure, go ahead."
"See you then."
Choi Jun-hyeok gave a courteous farewell to the end before withdrawing.
"This one?"
"Yeah. I'll take that box. Head to the car first."
As Choi Jun-hyeok left carrying the gear, Choi Min-hyeok crept over, glancing around before approaching me.
"Woo-yeon."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
Choi Min-hyeok looked at me with sincere eyes.
"Really, thank you."
Like words pressed deeply into paper with forceful strokes, emotion overflowed from every word.
"What's there to thank?"
"Just... everything."
Choi Min-hyeok bowed his head deeply. At the end of his gaze was his injured knee.
He was trying not to show it, but the all-nighter had clearly burdened him—he kept rubbing his knee now and then. Probably a sharp, stabbing pain.
"I had no idea what to do. You saved me."
I understood his feelings all too well, so I just listened quietly.
"This debt... I don't know if I can ever repay it. But whenever you need help, I'll make sure to pay it back."
"No need."
Perhaps misinterpreting my words, Choi Min-hyeok flinched and let out an awkward laugh.
"...R-right? Why would you ever need my help anyway."
"What? No, that's not what I meant."
I stopped Choi Min-hyeok from digging himself a deeper hole.
"Don't you remember? What I said at the class reunion last time."
"At the reunion?"
"Yeah. At the very end."
Choi Min-hyeok's eyes grew hazy, as if recalling the memory. There had been so many events that day. He seemed confused about exactly when I meant.
So I reminded him once more.
-You'll never even imagine it.
"You'd never even imagine it."
The memory surfaced, and emotions welled up automatically. Even after regressing, lost in that horrible sensation of being utterly alone, you were the first to reach out.
-I'd been waiting so long for someone to say that to me...
"How long I'd been waiting for someone to say that to me."
"Ah!"
Finally remembering, Choi Min-hyeok's eyes widened.
"Right! You said that. You were smiling so brightly then...!"
Brightly?
I tilted my head, but he didn't continue. Instead, he clamped his mouth shut.
Well, it didn't seem like an important detail, so I'd let it pass. I had no hobby of prying into things he didn't want to share.
"That meant a lot to me. It comforted me a ton."
"R-really?"
"So the order's wrong. This is me repaying the favor you gave me."
"What? No way. Who repays a single sentence like this?!"
Why not? Here I am.
Though I'd learned from Choi Jun-hyeok too, so it wasn't purely repaying a favor.
Either way, he'd gone all-in on the golden recipe—even lending company equipment—partly because of me.
"Whether I repay it double or tenfold is up to me."
"W-well, that's true, but..."
"Anyway, don't worry about it."
"..."
Choi Min-hyeok glared at me with a face full of unspoken words. Then, clenching his fist tightly, he shouted:
"Still no! I'm keeping this as a debt. I'll repay it someday!"
"What? No..."
I couldn't even get out "There's no need," because he'd bolted away like a shot.
"Ha, jeez."
I stood there dumbfounded, swallowing a hollow laugh.
Looking out the window, I saw Choi Min-hyeok's car preparing to pull out.
'...But when did Jae-ha leave?'
Seeing him exchange a friendly farewell with Choi Min-hyeok, it looked like they'd gotten close during the recipe development.
Lucky, I guess. Baek Jae-ha was such a walled-off type; I hadn't expected them to bond like this.
'The age gap isn't that big, so maybe?'
Yeah, that must be it. What other reason would Baek Jae-ha have to get close to Choi Min-hyeok? Aside from him being my middle school classmate... Hm, nah.
Just then, Baek Jae-ha finished his goodbye and came back into the kitchen.
"Good farewell?"
"Yeah."
"Great. You head home now, Jae-ha."
Monday morning rush hour was approaching. Today, I'd have Han-hae and Han-byeol cover the shift alone.
"What about you, CEO?"
"I've got to go to work."
"Take the day off. You haven't rested properly all weekend."
Baek Jae-ha's eyes turned fierce. Ever since I'd collapsed once before, he got sensitive like this whenever he thought I was overdoing it.
I appreciated the concern, but it was inconvenient at times.
"I've got something urgent to handle. Just morning shift, then out."
"For real?"
"Yeah."
"Then I'll go with you."
Why this guy...
"Why you?"
"I'll drive you home. You must be tired."
"No, you must be tired too."
"That's why we wrap up work as fast as possible. Right?"
He smiled, but a chill seemed to lurk beneath. No backing down here.
With no choice, I nodded. Looked like I'd be stuck rushing through urgent paperwork.
I was just about to grab the car keys.
Bzzz-.
My phone vibrated. The screen showed Jo Yi-ruk.
'What's up?'
Not even work hours yet. Unless it was extremely urgent, he wouldn't call like this.
Puzzled, I picked up.
"Hello? Team Leader Jo, what's going on?"
-CEO.
Jo Yi-ruk's voice carried a troubled tone. He sounded flustered, or maybe scared.
He'd been through a lot lately, so this was rare. What on earth?
-Please come as soon as possible.
I quickly racked my brain.
Imagining all the worst-case scenarios that could arise right now.
"Media kicking up a fuss again? What nitpick this time."
-No.
"Then? Franchise owners going on strike?"
-Not that either.
"Tax issues? We haven't given them any openings."
-CEO.
"Got it. I'm on my way, so no need to nag. I'm just curious what it is."
I tossed the car keys to Baek Jae-ha. He could drive. I'd review documents on the way, preparing for any emergencies. He silently caught them and followed me out.
-...A guest has arrived.
But Jo Yi-ruk's words were completely unexpected.
A guest? What guest?
Who could make Jo Yi-ruk this flustered?
"President Choi?"
Choi Yeo-hae seemed the most plausible. He had that overbearing aura that pinned people down.
-No. A guest from elsewhere.
"Who, then?"
By now, frustration built up. When I asked irritably, Jo Yi-ruk whispered as if checking his surroundings.
-Actually...
What?
I swallowed the word that almost escaped. It was just too out of left field.
We'd been fairly close before my regression.
"The JC Group's heir is here?"
...Why the hell are you showing up here?