Chapter 218
Chapter 218
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 218
Chapter Title: Stubborn Pride
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I stared at him in disbelief and asked again.
"Of course?"
At my question, Kim Jun-seo clamped his mouth shut, still wearing that sullen expression.
I opened my mouth once more.
"Owner, I explained that rice balls aren't suited to this area or food trucks, right?"
"...Yes."
"And yet, you're the one who insisted on doing rice balls?"
"That's correct."
"There's no standardized recipe right now, and the taste varies every time you make them, doesn't it?"
"...."
"Whenever I say something, you just make excuses and stick to your guns. What kind of solution am I supposed to provide here? Huh?"
I thought that was a pretty gentle way of putting it. But Kim Jun-seo glared at me with bloodshot eyes.
He seemed to feel attacked.
I swallowed a sigh and added,
"I'm not trying to criticize you, Owner. It's just that in this situation, any solution would be pointless."
You have to be willing to accept advice and fix things before I can suggest directions. But if you're just making excuses for everything I say...
Even if I gave him the recipe, could he stick to it as I described?
'It's not about age, like I said. People trapped in their own stubbornness like this...'
He was much younger than the other owners I'd met before, but his attitude was far more rigid. Youth often narrows your perspective and leads to overconfidence.
"Owner, more than me giving you a recipe right now, you need time to let go of your ego and really mull over what I said today."
Kim Jun-seo thought I hadn't taught him anything, but I'd already suggested plenty of solutions.
Reconsider the menu, standardize the recipe, prepare a signature dish, elevate the quality to make it real 'cooking.'
On top of that, I'd kindly pointed out the shortcomings of each menu item.
Normally, people would use that as a foundation to ponder, research intensively, and refine their recipes.
Kim Jun-seo fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
"...You gave recipes to the other shops."
Unfortunately, it wasn't the response I wanted.
"What did you say?"
"The shops on the show. You shared all the recipes on the broadcast."
Why not me? The unspoken resentment was clear enough. 'Look at that?' My head cooled instantly. 'No thought put into the menu, just laziness? Common enough. No proper recipe, but stubborn out of pride? I've seen it a million times.' That much didn't faze me anymore. I'd reached a state of enlightenment. But being outright rude to my face was another matter. 'Treating me like a sucker?' He probably thought appearing on Alleyway Secrets would get him free promo, recipes, the bird, the eggs, drain the ditch, catch the crayfish—all for nothing. Otherwise, this attitude made no sense. He hadn't intended to listen from the start. 'Was I a joke because I was smiling through it?' As I wiped the smile from my face, Kim Jun-seo flinched. I'm a veteran who's been through it all. In this kitchen, no one's ever tried to win a staring contest. I know how to crush cocky rookies who have no skill but plenty of pride.
"President Kim Jun-seo."
Calling his name, he sneaked a glance up, then quickly dropped his eyes when our gazes met. Names have a strange power. Sometimes, without lifting a finger, it's like grabbing someone by the collar. It forces them to recall their place clearly. Kim Jun-seo, the mentee. Me, his mentor. No need to say it—he'd replay it in his head. In a low, steady voice, I said, "I've explained the reasons. In your current state, a recipe means nothing."
"...."
Sensing the ominous vibe, sweat beaded on Kim Jun-seo's forehead.
"No more solutions today."
Cutting it off firmly, he squeezed his eyes shut.
"Until I come back, get it sorted. If you're sticking with rice balls, decide clearly which one will be your mainstay. If not, what you'll switch to. You need to agonize over it more intensely than now."
I'd softened it, but it was damn near an insult. It pinned down his irresponsibility and incompetence. Something—shame or hostility—seemed to boil inside him. His hands and feet trembled, ears burning red.
"Good work."
I gave him a cold, formal farewell, watching impassively. The chilly atmosphere had the surrounding food trucks glancing our way. With no customers, it was dead quiet—our whole conversation must've carried. I walked to the next food truck as if nothing happened.
"Hello."
"Oh, hello!"
"What's your bestseller?"
"Yes! Ours is...!"
While I consulted with the next truck, Kim Jun-seo sat there dazed in his spot.
"...and to boost the umami, we add a smoky flavor here..."
Glancing back later, he was gone. Must've stepped out. Probably off to smoke. His pride must be hurting bad. I ignored it and turned away. 'Like Owner Lee Hyo-soon, either flip 180 degrees or stay the same.' The choice was entirely his.
"Great work, everyone~!"
"Good work!"
Greetings echoed around. Finally, filming wrapped. After running around and cooking all day, I dragged my weary body up.
"You were amazing again today."
Im Hye-eun beamed with praise. I appreciated it, but she always hyped me up too much—it was embarrassing.
I gave a slight smile and a silent bow.
"How do you know recipes for all those different foods? Tasting something on the spot and improving it right away—it's astonishing no matter how many times I see it."
I'd traveled the world as a foodie before regressing—what's the big deal?
Do-kyung, who'd been listening, chimed in.
"Woo-yeon really feels like he's on his second life."
You got that right.
"Before filming started, Woo-yeon said something: 'Boomers aren't about age.'"
This guy was sparkling with interest now too.
"I thought it'd be easy today with all young owners. But once we got into it... everything Woo-yeon said was spot on."
Do-kyung didn't name names, but we all knew who he meant.
The rice ball guy, Kim Jun-seo. Everyone else went smoothly through solutions.
'Totally tense. They were all watching my every move.'
Made it easy to talk, at least.
"That contestant never came back, even after filming ended?"
"Yeah, I heard. The writer tried calling, but no answer."
"Can't imagine what he's thinking."
"He's not planning to drop out, is he?"
The two speculated worriedly. Either way, it was plausible.
Would he really quit like this? With that personality, I doubted he'd bow to me next shoot.
"Our CEO Song is scary when angry. Guess they don't know. That's why rebels keep popping up."
"Hard to picture normally~. Always smiling so sweetly."
Gotta smile for good fortune. And who wants to buy from a scowling vendor?
Scratching my cheek, I said,
"I get mad pretty often. Doesn't come off scary on air, huh?"
"Ah~. How to put it—the vibe's different."
Im Hye-eun pondered for the right words before continuing.
"In person, that look or aura can be overwhelming sometimes. But on TV, it doesn't show."
"Is that so?"
My baby face probably undercut the gravitas I had pre-regression.
"Anyway, they still don't know where he is... Be careful, President."
"Me?"
"Yeah, obviously!"
Im Hye-eun's eyes widened in a fuss.
"What if he does something rash in the heat of the moment? Getting humiliated in front of all the other contestants like today."
"Nah, he wouldn't go that far."
"You never know people, even if you know the world~."
I'd eaten thousands more bowls pre-regression, but here I was, pathetic, unable to retort to her 'worldly wisdom.'
"Thanks for the concern."
"No other staff today? You're going alone?"
"Yeah. This is personal schedule."
I'll drive myself. I'm no celeb—don't need a manager.
"Worried. You okay?"
"Don't worry. I'm not that easy to take down."
My grin only made her face more anxious.
"Can't go with you—next schedule right away. Do-kyung, you're busy too?"
"I've got a photoshoot next..."
"Told you, no need to worry."
I waved it off, grabbed my stuff.
"Heading out first~."
With a quick bow, I slipped away.
Moving briskly, I checked the time. If I hurried, I could swing by the office.
'Handle urgent papers quick, then home—perfect...'
Right then.
"...."
A presence behind me made my body stiffen instinctively.
An unknown shadow fell at my feet. No need to guess who.
I squeezed my eyes shut, then slowly opened them. Turned cautiously.
Maybe I should've heeded Im Hye-eun's 'worldly wisdom' after all.
A familiar man stood before me.
"...Kim Jun-seo."
Gulp. My throat kept drying inexplicably.