Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: First Network Debut
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"How old are you really?"
Meeting Bong Kang-min's unwavering gaze, a chill ran down my spine before I knew it.
How did he know?
That piercing look seemed to see right through this old soul wrapped in a young man's skin. I froze on the spot.
Not knowing what to say, I clamped my mouth shut. Then Bong Kang-min grinned and continued.
"No~. It's just that your way of talking and acting screams crafty old fox who's been around this industry for decades! Doesn't match your age at all. Right?"
Ah.
That's what he meant. I got scared for nothing.
I let out a quiet sigh of relief when he wasn't looking. It seemed like just some banter, and Bong Kang-min didn't really suspect my age.
'Of course. It's unbelievable. Who would buy it anyway.'
Even if I went around shouting that I'd regressed, no one would believe me. Getting all tense over nothing like that.
Realizing I'd been a fool, the tension melted away.
"Haha. You got me. Truth is, I'm actually older than you, Chef Bong~."
"I knew it!"
We locked eyes mid-conversation and burst out laughing together.
"Song Chef. Mind if I drop the formalities?"
"Sure. Go ahead."
I'd told him to speak comfortably last time too. Looks like he's finally loosening up.
"I'm not just saying this~. It's because you know so many genres for someone your age. Right?"
But Bong Kang-min was always pretty high-energy, though today it felt a bit much.
I leaned slightly toward Andric, who was standing beside me watching the scene unfold, and lowered my voice.
"Has Chef Bong been drinking?"
His face was subtly flushed, probably from a drink or two before I arrived. I could even catch a faint whiff of alcohol every time he spoke.
"A little."
Knew it.
"Told you so."
"No, Song Chef. Listen. I'm not just saying this—I'm dead serious. Back at that shoot, I was blown away?"
"That shoot..."
"You know, when you made that carbonara pasta with ramen broth!"
"Oh, that one."
I'd just adapted something I'd made before, but it got a good reaction. Pretty sure it went viral online for being simple and delicious.
"It's really hard to make something so easy and straightforward taste that good. I'm a chef too, but our style is tough for most people to replicate at home. These days, young folks eat out more than cook. Makes me kinda sad every time."
Oh boy. The more people eat out, the more money I make. All I could do was smile awkwardly and nod along.
"I love cooking. I'd love for more people to enjoy this work I adore. And it feels like you're making my long-held wish come true, Song Chef. I'm so, so grateful?"
"You're too kind."
The praise was so over-the-top, I didn't know where to put myself.
Of course, I could kinda understand Bong Kang-min's feelings.
Put simply, he's a cooking otaku. His niche was getting ignored, but now it's stepping into the mainstream spotlight, and he's thrilled.
He even sees me as the pioneer. When really, I'm just riding the wave because I knew it was coming.
"Anyway~. It's like you popped out of nowhere with skills like that!"
"Thanks."
I soothed Bong Kang-min appropriately and took my seat. Gesturing to Andric, he sat down too.
"But hey, why's our Chef An been so quiet since earlier?"
Because you're hogging all the airtime. I wanted to say it, but drunks don't hear that stuff.
"...Not really. Same as usual."
"No, he's not super chatty even normally! But today it's extra."
Bong Kang-min alternated blurry glances between Andric and me, then let out a sly "Heh heh."
I knew that laugh. It's the face he makes when he's trying to ship us into some awkward romantic vibe.
I swiftly changed the subject before he could say anything weird.
"Kinda embarrassing, yeah. Celebrating the opening of a Chinese restaurant in front of Chinese chefs."
I gave an awkward smile, and Andric replied right away.
"You need to have more confidence. You're one of the few even among his disciples that Chef Jung praises directly."
"Haha. Really?"
"And I know that regular eateries—not fine dining—need food that suits them."
Ho. That was unexpected.
I figured he'd think the high-end world, split by the tiniest flavor differences, was everything.
"Of course, I had my biases before. But someone shattered them."
"Don't tell me it was me?"
"Who else?"
"What an honor. Guess I'll have to work harder to live up to it."
"Is that a declaration of war?"
"If we face off next time, just know revenge isn't even a dream."
"Ha. Fun."
Sparks flew between Andric and me. I tried not to let it get to me, but with the show's rival concept...
Even trivial stuff kept turning into showdowns because of everyone around us.
'Time to rein it in. No point scrapping with a kid.'
On the surface, Andric looked at least ten years older than me. But counting actual years lived, I was over ten years his senior.
Right. No matter how young the shell, don't forget my real age.
I reined myself in and drew a line.
"Well, I'm a businessman first, not a chef. The show's framing me as one, but 'culinary researcher' fits better."
Exactly. I'm not someone with innate cooking talent.
I'm better at dissecting recipes and reassembling them optimally. 'Culinary researcher' suits that perfectly.
"That's what's so amazing."
Bong Kang-min, who'd been listening, chimed in.
"Your skills are one thing, but how do you have business chops too? Plenty of great chefs tank their restaurants because they can't run a business."
Incredible~. Bong Kang-min muttered, tilting his head.
"Chef An, you should get close to our Song Chef~. Who knows? You might get tips on running a place. Folks like us who've only lived for cooking need someone with a broader view..."
-♩♪♬~♪♩♪~
"Ugh, what? A call? Now?"
Bong Kang-min scowled at his phone.
"Give me a sec. Gotta take this."
"Sure. Go ahead."
He turned his head and waved me off, so I told him not to worry.
"Yeah, hello?"
His voice was so loud, I could clearly hear the other side from right next to him.
~Ah~ Chef! How've you been?
"Yeah, yeah. Doing great."
~I'm shooting Infinite Challenge right now. Got a minute?
Shooting?
Someone from TV. Bong Kang-min guested on variety shows unlike other chefs, so he had entertainment connections. Not weird.
"Sure, what's up, Jung Jun-ha~."
Hearing "shooting," Bong Kang-min switched to an exaggerated, friendly tone. Giggles erupted from the phone.
Guy's got variety chops.
'Infinite Challenge with Jung Jun-ha. That guy's it.'
I clocked it right away. The one with the big build playing the glutton.
Wow. Felt surreal seeing a real celeb on the line like this. A call from someone I only knew from TV.
~Nothing big. Infinite Challenge's concept this time is 'business.'
Oh.
Ringing a bell. Something like 'War of Money' subtitle.
Start with the same capital, grow it as much as possible your way, winner takes all.
~I love food, so thinking of selling it. You're the only chef I know, Chef Bong... Could you help me out?
"Ah~. I can give you recipes..."
Bong Kang-min trailed off and glanced at me. He's a Korean chef. Korean food's delicious, sure, but labor-intensive.
Jung Jun-ha probably needed street-food-style stuff, not pro-level. Bit off-target.
'I'd be the perfect fit. It's about maxing profits, not cooking.'
Business is the core, not cuisine.
Bong Kang-min seemed to think the same, eyeing me for permission to intro. I nodded eagerly.
'Appearing on Infinite Challenge? Hell yeah.'
Legendary show that lives on forever. [Raid the Fridge] was great, but cable couldn't touch terrestrial giant Infinite Challenge.
"You're in luck, Jung Jun-ha."
Bong Kang-min grinned and continued.
"The perfect guy's right next to me. A bunch of chefs were grabbing dinner."
~Oh yeah? Got someone to introduce?
"You bet~. For 'business,' this guy's way better than me."
Jung Jun-ha sounded thrilled. "Who is it?"
~If a chef's saying that, must be a business god, huh?
"Haha. Pretty much."
Way too hyped.
"Here, switching the phone."
Bong Kang-min handed it over. I took it and dropped the line that'd make my first impression on millions.
"Hello. Song Wu-yeon from The Song."
My first network TV break.