Chapter 267
Translator: penny
Chapter: 267
Chapter Title: Guest Chef at the Sheep Ranch
The whoosh of the wind, the distant baa-ing of sheep. Even the fresh scent of grass carried on the damp air wet with morning dew.
Do-kyung stood stock-still in front of the vast ranch, luggage in hand.
The picturesque scene lasted only a moment. Do-kyung whipped around to the cameraman.
"...Where do I go?"
Special guest on Three Meals a Day: Sheep Ranch. It was Do-kyung's first appearance.
"Huh? What's that? Who's here?"
A man with a face that screamed he'd just woken up poked his head out.
It was Cha Seung-hyun, the central pillar of Three Meals a Day.
"Hello!"
Spotting Do-kyung bowing politely, he looked a bit startled and awkwardly got to his feet.
"Uh, uh. How long have you been standing there?"
"I just got here."
"Right, right."
Cha Seung-hyun ran a hand through his tousled hair and strode out of the room. His face was still blank from sleep.
"Didn't even know you arrived. Man, you should've said something."
Do-kyung could only manage an awkward smile. How could he dare disturb such a senior star from the entertainment world?
Just then, a door opened from another room, and out came another lead from the show: Moo Hae-jin.
"We have a guest?"
"Hello."
Do-kyung bowed once more, but Moo Hae-jin waved it off like it wasn't necessary.
Then he stared straight at Do-kyung's face and blurted out,
"You're handsome."
"Pardon?"
Do-kyung's eyes went wide at the sudden comment, and Moo Hae-jin chuckled.
"No, it just slipped out. You're that handsome. Wow."
"Th-thank you."
Do-kyung stiffened up and bowed again.
"Can I just call you Do-kyung? Nice and casual?"
"Yes, of course."
"Do-kyung, you're that guy from the show I always watch. Alleyway Secrets, right?"
Do-kyung nodded eagerly as the welcome name popped from Moo Hae-jin's mouth.
"Yes, that's me."
"Ah~. I knew I'd seen you somewhere. You're the kid who always eats the gross stuff."
Cha Seung-hyun chimed in. It seemed like once people hit their twenties, they recognized Do-kyung as "the guy who eats gross food."
"You must've learned a ton tagging along after that boss of yours."
Moo Hae-jin tossed out a feeler, and Cha Seung-hyun backed him up.
"Exactly. They say even a temple dog recites poetry after three years."
The line was cast. All that was left was Do-kyung's bite. As they both looked at him expectantly, Do-kyung swallowed the bait whole.
"Yes! I've learned a lot!"
And just like that, Do-kyung came to with an apron on, standing before a massive pot.
"Huh?"
Too late for regrets.
Normally, Cha Seung-hyun would've whipped up a feast, but he'd injured himself cooking the day before and couldn't even get his hands wet.
Which was why, the night before, he'd verbally directed Moo Hae-jin and half-ruined the finished dish.
Into this mess came a fresh newbie. A newbie who could actually cook, no less?
Jackpot!
"You're head chef today, Do-kyung."
Cha Seung-hyun grinned, raising his bandage-wrapped hand.
Surrounded by these heavenly seniors, gripping the knife awkwardly in unfamiliar hands. The weight of everyone's meal resting on him.
'...Save me, Woo-yeon!' Do-kyung could only cry out for a lifeline call in his half-sobbing mind.
"Is this really right?"
Moo Hae-jin asked.
"They said it is~."
Cha Seung-hyun replied.
"Should I add it?"
As Do-kyung asked and they both nodded, he let go.
Plop!
A pat of butter dropped into the chicken stir-fry soup. A rich aroma rose as it melted into the broth, leaving a translucent lemon sheen.
"Does butter go with Korean food? Feels weird to me. Won't it be too greasy?"
Moo Hae-jin still looked worried.
"It's fine! See? The butter coats the surface with this shine. The broth looks smoother already."
Cha Seung-hyun spoke with a hint of excitement. Self-proclaimed diehard fan of Song Woo-yeon, he seemed to trust him implicitly.
"Let's eat already. Smells amazing."
At Cha Seung-hyun's urging, Do-kyung grabbed a ladle.
Steamy rice topped with chicken stir-fry soup, plus clear egg drop soup on the side. A total meal thief.
The three gathered around the small table.
"Mmm~. That nutty smell. Got my mouth watering."
Moo Hae-jin was swallowing hard now too.
"Let's eat!"
The words had barely left Cha Seung-hyun's mouth when they all snatched up a piece of chicken.
'I believe in you, Woo-yeon!' Do-kyung, tense about wasting precious ingredients, took a bite.
"......!"
His eyes shot open.
"It's... delicious!"
"Whoa, this is spot on."
The spicy, salty chicken stir-fry soup gained layers from the butter's creamy nuttiness.
"Worried it'd be greasy, but no way. More like umami? The broth tastes even better."
"Wanna mix it with rice? So good!"
Cha Seung-hyun and Moo Hae-jin marveled one after another. Do-kyung silently polished off one piece and reached for another. Even his awareness of his comeback diet vanished in an instant. 'It's delicious! Not just added nuttiness—the whole thing feels upgraded in every way compared to before.' He couldn't stop reaching for more. The others were the same; conversation died down, replaced by the sounds of frantic eating. When he snapped out of it, he'd mixed rice into the leftover broth and scarfed it all.
"Whew. So full. Overdid it?"
"You ate a lot."
Cha Seung-hyun and Moo Hae-jin scratched the backs of their heads sheepishly.
"Do-kyung, great job. Time to hand the head chef spot to you."
"No way! Today was only thanks to President Song's advice... haha."
At the mention of Song Woo-yeon, they both nodded in agreement.
"Right? That guy's a cooking genius? Knows everything~."
"Thinking about it, no gamey smell at all from frozen chicken."
Buoyed by pride, Do-kyung added, "Right? Alleyway Secrets skips a lot for time, but his food knowledge is insane."
At first, Do-kyung thought he prepped all the info the day before filming. But no—he handled surprises calmly. Unexpected ingredients? Song Woo-yeon never flinched. Later, local merchants recognized him mid-shoot and asked for advice. Menus varied wildly each time. Yet he flexed his vast knowledge across Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Western—everything.
"Makes me really curious now. This remote recipe's already delicious. In person? Killer."
"Next time, get him on Three Meals a Day here. Pretty please?"
Moo Hae-jin and Cha Seung-hyun wheedled subtly, but Do-kyung laughed it off awkwardly.
"He's so busy. Not sure about his schedule."
"Fair. He's got his main gig."
They looked wistful but didn't press Do-kyung further.
"Time to wash up and prep for bed. Gotta chop wood early tomorrow."
"Wood?"
"Yeah~. It's all self-sufficient here."
"...For real? You're not messing with me?"
And so Do-kyung's first day on Three Meals a Day drew to a close. Before sleep, he sent up one more silent thanks. 'You saved me, Woo-yeon.'
Bang.
The door swung open to a nose-assaulting stench. Choi Min-hyuk grimaced and glared at the culprit.
Food waste dumped in front of the shop.
The heat had spoiled it quick—flies buzzed around, mystery broth oozing and filthying the ground.
Choi Jun-hyuk's shout came from behind Choi Min-hyuk.
"Min-hyuk! It's here again today?"
Choi Min-hyuk turned his head slightly.
"Yeah! Again."
Choi Jun-hyuk emerged from the kitchen, face stiff. His eyes landed on the mess.
"...Maybe time for new CCTV."
"Right? Who the hell does this?"
Choi Min-hyuk shook his head.
Whoever it was, they were annoyingly diligent.
For the past month, every single day, someone dumped food waste here right when they were busiest prepping to open.
Not like they couldn't afford disposal fees. Pure harassment.
Choi Min-hyuk scanned the nearby shops.
All evening-focused, lights out. Barely a soul around this hour. No clue who.
"Hang up a warning? 'CCTV in operation' or whatever."
"We already posted 'Strict legal action' and it did jack. Think that'll stop 'em?"
Choi Jun-hyuk muttered, looking worn.
"They'll quit when they get no reaction and tire out."
Would they?
Choi Min-hyuk knew Choi Jun-hyuk's intent but inwardly doubted such clear malice would fade easily.
But no sense burdening his already busy brother more. He kept it to himself.
"You head in and finish prepping. I'll clean this."
"Yeah. Thanks."
Choi Jun-hyuk hurried back to the kitchen. With customers incoming, needed extra patties.
Click.
The shop door shut, leaving Choi Min-hyuk alone with the bag.
"Sigh......"
Every dawn, hauling filthy food waste himself. To hate someone that much?
Choi Min-hyuk figured he'd never understand it.