Chapter 595: A Chef Doing His Country Good (5)
Chapter 595: A Chef Doing His Country Good (5)
“Congrats! I’m glad you’ve become the sous chef here!” Minjoon said warmly.
“I’d like to congratulate you too, for opening a restaurant!” Eva replied with a smile.
Eva returned his grin, though she felt a bit awkward being congratulated since he had become sous chef ahead of her.
“Don’t get sick.”
“I’m still healthy.”
“I mean don’t just be physically healthy.”
“You’re being poetic today,” she said with a shrug.
At that moment, Downey approached. He had been hanging nearby, watching her expression. Addressing Minjoon with a slightly stiff voice, he said, “Thank you.”
“For what?” Minjoon asked.
“For taking care of me in many ways.”
“Have you ever seen an adult get angry with a child? Oh, wait, that’s not rare. Still, I’m not that kind of adult.”
Though Minjoon called him a child, Downey didn’t get angry. He’d made too many mistakes for that. Gratitude shone in his eyes, but so did regret.
Giggling, Minjoon said, “Don’t start a fight with the next demi-chef after you!”
“Of course, I won’t,” Downey replied awkwardly.
Watching him, Minjoon wondered if he’d become more mature. He wasn’t sure. Should he be? He didn’t know. People say growing mature is good, but he always agonised over it.
June always told him he needed to realistically size up and plan his dreams to make them come true.
But once you know how to make your dream real, it stops being a dream. Ironically, everyone dreams as children but only achieves those dreams as adults.
When he met June last time, Minjoon hadn’t wished her success.
“Be happy.”
“Don’t you know that kind of parting is usually for those who won’t see each other again?”
“I just wanted to say it. By the way, are you getting along with Chef Dave these days?”
“Don’t even mention that bastard! He stresses me out.”
She answered just right, so Minjoon didn’t bother advising her. If his advice had mattered, she wouldn’t have come so far with Dave on her team.
“Go easy on him this time.”
“For what?”
“Even if Dave’s mean, just let it slide. I know he’s not quick-witted, so cut him some slack. Please!”
“Why ask me instead of Dave?”
“Think of it as a request from him through me.”
“Are you serious?”
“I don’t know,” Minjoon smiled meaningfully.
She eyed him suspiciously, then sighed as if it didn’t matter.
“If you have any problems, just tell me. I’ll help.”
“Well, everything’s difficult for me.”
“Then let me handle it all.”
“Wow, how kind!”
“As head of Rose Island for four years, I have no enemies.”
“And I’m the only one who can write that cheat code, right?”
“Are you going to accuse me of bribery?” He laughed at her innocent remark.
After a while, she said quietly, “I was surprised you chose the downtown branch over Venice.”
No wonder she was surprised—he hadn’t consulted her.
He knew her reaction well: she would call it stupid. Even without Rose Island’s sign, running the Venice branch meant something special; it was the surrogate of the original Rose Island run by Rachel and Daniel.
Thus, as Venice’s head chef, Minjoon would draw as much attention as Rachel did as head of Rose Island.
Of course, the true main Rose Island was downtown under Rachel. As a legendary chef, people visiting Rose Island wanted her food and a taste of her.
Still, the Venice branch had long acted as the main store. Taking it over would strengthen his position.
But Minjoon wasn’t attracted. When he should have been most selfish, he cared more for Rachel. At least that’s what June thought.
Yet Minjoon didn’t necessarily agree. His decision wasn’t just for Rachel.
His main reason was personal greed.
Rose Island offered him fame, money, and support—resources that would let him leap over many hurdles without building everything from scratch.
The only price was succeeding Rachel.
He’d carry the burden of following her legacy. He wouldn’t be called Rachel Rose Jr., nor credited with building Rose Island.
Like King Sejong of old Korea ruling an inherited nation, Minjoon wanted more.
(Translator’s Note: King Sejong (1397–1450) — The fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea, famous for creating the Korean alphabet Hangul and promoting science and technology, ruling an inherited and established nation.)
He wanted to be like King Taejo, founder of Chosun.
(Translator’s Note: King Taejo of Joseon (1335–1408) — The founder and first king of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea, known for establishing new governance and dynasty, symbolizing new beginnings and created legacy.)
He desired his name before Rose Island’s.
He couldn’t settle for second or third place. Even Rachel’s position wasn’t truly his.
He had seen how June felt disappointed and frustrated after being appointed head of Rose Island for only four years.
Rose Island is not a good place for me long-term.
Some might not understand his logic.
But that was how he saw it.
It wasn’t about money. Like the great men who shook their countries just by existing, he wanted to be a dominant giant in cuisine—a mythical protagonist.
Was it an adult’s dream or a child’s?
“Well, it’s because I want to be independent.”
“I guess so. Have you settled on the branch’s name?”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
When he left New York, he didn’t carry much, just as when he’d arrived.
His belongings had been shipped by a moving company. Living in a hotel, there wasn’t much to pack.
Only one person came to see him off: Delia. Others were busy at work. They could have come, but he didn’t want that.
Given all that had happened, his departure was nothing special. He didn’t want a showy farewell at the airport. Besides, he wasn’t leaving forever.
He looked around calmly. Delia crossed her arms and spoke,
“I’ll follow you soon to Los Angeles.”
“I don’t care. But why follow me?”
“Because I have friends there. I want to mingle.”
“Why not try making friends in New York?”
“They’re not my kind of people. Hard to connect. Moving is easier.”
As expected, she thought differently from most. He smiled, knowing it’d take time to get used to her.
She opened her arms wide, but Kaya immediately opened her eyes wide and clenched her fists.
“Don’t try anything funny with him!”
“Why not? It’s just a hug to say goodbye.”
“You said you’d follow him. Stalker! Don’t hug him if you don’t want trouble!”
“Mean bitch!”
“Don’t you think you’re creepy?”
As always, Kaya shot back with every word. Watching them, he felt mixed emotions.
If Delia really followed him, she wouldn’t leave his side.
He felt no emotional ties leaving New York. Still, he felt empty—a feeling all too familiar by now.