Chapter 220
Chapter 220
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 221
Chapter Title: The Opening Bite
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"Really now."
Jo Yi-ruk let out a heavy sigh.
"I was startled. When you suddenly asked me to cancel the next day's schedule."
"Haha."
"I wondered what it could be. Never imagined you'd suffer such an indignity..."
Jo Yi-ruk muttered, rubbing his forehead. It felt embarrassing, like he was treating me as his accident-prone nephew.
Was it because I was still young? It strangely felt like I was under protective supervision.
Or maybe because I'd caused so many incidents myself.
Either way, I knew exactly what I, the assault victim, needed to do.
'I rushed to the hospital to document the evidence, then headed straight to the police station.'
It was a shame it took some time for the complaint to be officially filed, but what could I do.
Oh, and PD Kim Hee-sung's reaction when I contacted him was pretty amusing.
-What? Dropping out? But President, the editing plan is already built around that performer. Changing now would be tight on schedule... What? ...No. There was such an incident?
After I explained everything, the voice on the other end turned downright fierce.
-Really sorry, President. We should've been stricter. We'll keep it confidential and have him step down as quietly as possible.
His usual playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a polite apology. I was impressed—the PD position wasn't handed out lightly.
Kim Hee-sung seemed to think I wanted to bury the matter quietly.
'Of course, that's the image I projected.'
It helps shape public opinion far better that way. People tune out even good news if you shout it through a megaphone.
But whisper it softly, and ears perk up in curiosity.
-Apologies once more.
And Kim Hee-sung handled the matter with the same crisp efficiency as his apology.
Kim Jun-seo was treated like he'd never existed. Everyone shushed it, sealing lips while eyeing each other without the full story.
'But this isn't over.'
Right after the complaint was filed, I contacted the youth food truck rental manager and casually let slip that Kim Jun-seo was tangled in legal trouble.
After that, it was smooth sailing.
'With all those eyes and ears at the broadcasting station.'
There are no eternal secrets in the world. Just leak it right, and it spreads by word of mouth.
I hadn't expected it to hit the internet, though. That blew up the fallout even more.
"You shouldn't go out alone for a while."
I agreed. No telling what a cornered Kim Jun-seo might try.
Passing on dying again. No one knows if a second chance like that comes around.
"I'll commute with Jae-ha."
"Aren't you starting university soon?"
"...Should I contact Jae-ha separately?"
"I know he took the CSAT. It's almost March."
He was right.
Baek Jae-ha had applied regular admission to his top picks and gotten into two of them handily.
The guy himself shrugged it off like he'd known he'd get in. Still, good news was good news.
'He wanted me to show up at the entrance ceremony to congratulate him, but I told him not to come—my appearance would cause a commotion.'
Moody teen one minute, independent college kid the next.
"If you need anything, just call me."
"Team Leader Jo is just as busy as I am."
"Not as much as you, President."
Fair enough—he wasn't someone I could summon on a whim.
"If it's really necessary, I'll call Hyun Ye-won. That'd put my mind more at ease."
"...Better than going alone."
Jo Yi-ruk muttered, still seeming unconvinced. She and I weren't exactly built big, so the worry made sense.
"Hmm. I figured they'd at least beg for a settlement once. Quieter than I expected."
I shrugged.
No intention of settling, of course. But I thought desperation would make them grasp at that straw.
Well, considering what he'd done, maybe he didn't dare. If Do-kyung hadn't stepped in that day, who knows what would've happened.
As I fiddled with my phone, Jo Yi-ruk snatched it away.
"?"
I gave him a puzzled look, and he sighed, setting it down on the desk.
"You need to take care of your wrist."
"Ah."
"The doctor said no heavy lifting for a while, and to avoid using it as much as possible."
"Since when did a phone count as 'heavy'?"
"Where's your brace?"
"It's just a minor sprain. No need to make a fuss."
Sure, moving it freely now could lead to chronic issues down the line.
But to me, it wasn't a serious injury. It looked bad with the deep bruising, but it only felt a bit stiff when I moved it back and forth.
"President, you need to make a bit of a fuss about it."
"Next you'll have me unable to hold a spoon or chopsticks. Why not just feed me?"
"If that's what you need."
"Forget it. Can't even joke around."
Jo Yi-ruk might actually sit next to me at lunch and spoon-feed me.
I hurriedly took back my careless words. I'd die of embarrassment if it came to that.
"With Team Leader Jo worrying it'll shatter or fly off if I grip it, I won't even be able to turn a page."
I teasingly slammed the documents shut. Time for a verbal report instead.
"You're working on the price increase plan? How are the Hapjae Neighborhood Gukbap franchise owners reacting?"
"Mostly positive."
"Mostly?"
"Some owners have complaints, but not many. They're thrilled that HQ is opening direct lines of communication."
Coming up with a price adjustment both HQ and the franchises could accept would take plenty of long talks.
That could be hashed out step by step.
"Any word on who'll sit at the negotiation table?"
"Still selecting. The franchise owners' council is newly formed, so there's a lot of noise."
The bigger the group, the more grumbling over picking reps. I nodded along.
"Good. Let me know once they're decided."
I stood and slipped on my coat.
"Where are you headed?"
"Oh. Got something today. Heading out for the day."
"Yes?"
Jo Yi-ruk's eyes went wide.
"The President... is leaving work? On his own?"
You'd think I camped out here without going home. It was only three or four days a week.
"What's the big deal? I'm human too. Gotta have days like this sometimes."
"...You're not planning to work from home, are you?"
"Nope."
"Baek Jae-ha hasn't arrived yet."
"It's fine. This is our company parking lot—I gave security a heads-up about Kim Jun-seo ahead of time. And the place I'm going is pretty private."
"Private place... Did some conglomerate invite you to a secret industry party?"
"No way."
Not my scene.
"Well, it's work of a sort."
I grinned wide.
"Off to eat something delicious."
***
People sometimes misunderstand because The Song's franchises mostly target everyday folks.
I'm the type who wanders the world hunting down delicious food.
This 'gourmet' hobby naturally leads to fine dining. Michelin goes without saying.
It's no small feat traveling the globe and conquering all those star-studded spots.
But those experiences definitely guided me deeper into the nuances of flavor. Those memories made me who I am today.
What am I getting at?
'Ordinary food just won't satisfy me anymore.'
It can't be merely tasty. The chef's philosophy, deliberations, and delicate touches on the plate.
Only when all that's backed up does true fulfillment surge forth.
In that sense, I was brimming with anticipation.
Anderic Chef's solo venture into his own fine dining spot.
The inaugural course dish of the season was finally about to debut. And the tasters were...
"Can't help getting excited wondering what he's prepared."
Jeong Ha-neul, master of Chinese cuisine and his mentor.
"Not worried at all~. Our Anderic's technique is so refined—even if he just brought out jjajangmyeon, it'd be delicious."
Bong Kang-min, the mentor he'd crashed with briefly and an inspiration with his relentless challenger spirit.
And finally,
"You'll know once you taste it."
Me, Song Woo-yeon.
The three of us had scored the first preview. No sooner had I finished speaking than the server arrived with the food.
"First, a small bite to start. Chinese-style dumplings with truffle: xiaolongbao wrappers topped with truffle and crispy-fried Shanghai cabbage..."
Good projection, professional tone.
In fine dining, even service is baked into the price, so it demands extra care. Looked like he'd hired well.
"Then please enjoy."
The staff bowed and withdrew, leaving us to face the dish calmly.
I carefully picked up my chopsticks.
One bite.
These 'small bites' that open the course alone reveal a chef's caliber.
So I'd know right away.
Whether Anderic had what it took for Michelin three stars.