Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: The Bread Shop Cafe Discovered While Feeding Park Cats
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A cafe that became a bread hotspot after providing special treats to the park cats.
Lee Jun and Kim Eun-ji settled at a table on the second floor of the cafe in front of the park.
“What was the most important thing you considered when designing the space for the cats?”
“Safety, of course.”
“Not comfort?”
“Comfort follows if it’s safe.”
“It follows? But wouldn’t a soft bed make it...?”
“Have you slept in a hotel?”
“A hotel?”
Asking about her personal life out of nowhere during an interview—Kim Eun-ji’s face flushed slightly.
“Yes. No matter how plush and luxurious the hotel bedding is, nothing beats your own home, right?”
“W-Well, sure.”
“As expected from a reporter who travels a lot and stays in fancy hotels—you get what I mean.”
Oh, that’s what he meant?
Kim Eun-ji felt embarrassed for misunderstanding.
But that embarrassment was short-lived. An unnamed anger bubbled up inside her.
‘What? Fancy hotels? Where’d you pick up that fantasy word? Ugh, I’m gonna lose it. Last week on a business trip, I nearly wrecked my back sleeping in a cheap motel.’
Even on trips to nice cities, the hotels they could afford were just business chains.
And the section chief insisted on chain hotels. Something about a free night after ten stays?
Frustrated, Kim Eun-ji grabbed her cup and chugged her iced coffee.
She set it down with a clink and looked up—to find Lee Jun, the veterinarian across from her, smiling right at her.
Did I drink it too greedily?
How could chugging coffee look greedy anyway? Flustered, Kim Eun-ji made an excuse.
“Ah, no, my throat was just suddenly dry...”
“Tasty, right?”
“Huh?”
“The coffee here is great. Manager Jang said the lattes are good too... Oh, right. Reporter, you like bread? Their croissants are amazing. That okay?”
“Huh?”
“Around this time, your stomach’s probably rumbling... Hold on.”
Lee Jun pulled out his phone and sent a message somewhere.
He exchanged a few more texts, then abruptly stood up.
“Be right back. I’ll grab some snacks from Manager Jang. She loves the bread here.”
“Ah, okay.”
A boss looking out for his staff. It warmed her heart.
Moments later, a warm croissant and cake appeared in front of Kim Eun-ji.
The slice cake was neatly topped with white cream and adorned with colorful berries.
And the finishing touch: a large, garnished strawberry that whetted the appetite.
She’d rushed to research Director Lee Jun that morning, making do with cereal soaked in milk, and skipped lunch entirely.
Unknowingly, saliva pooled in Kim Eun-ji’s mouth.
“Looks delicious.”
“Good thing. I’m no expert on cake, so I asked the staff—they recommended this one, and it seems like a hit.”
To Lee Jun, cake was just a big, sweet bread for birthday candles.
But earlier, while ordering, he’d noticed everyone ahead picking this cake.
Curious, he asked the staff, who said it was the second bestseller after croissants.
So he’d bought some for Jang So-ra as a snack and brought it up.
Kim Eun-ji stared at the generous treats, swallowing hard.
But her hand hesitated.
Oblivious or not, Lee Jun picked up a croissant and said,
“Then let’s eat.”
“Okay.”
Kim Eun-ji grabbed hers too, tore off a piece, and popped it in her mouth.
The savory flavor filled her senses, and her lips curved into a smile.
She could see why Director Lee Jun had dashed down to buy this.
“It’s so good.”
“Right? I’m not big on bread, but this one sticks with you.”
“I bet. I’d come back for more.”
But it wouldn’t be easy.
Considering the green trees outside marked Evergreen Park, this cafe was bound to become a hotspot soon.
Once it did, she’d have to line up early just to taste it, right?
As those thoughts crossed her mind, Kim Eun-ji glanced at Director Lee Jun across from her.
Turning a quiet neighborhood park into a landmark.
‘He’s incredible.’
She’d barely asked one question for the interview, but she knew this wouldn’t end in one session.
‘Of course not. I’ll make it a series.’
Kim Eun-ji inwardly cheered herself on and resumed the interview.
With her mouth greased by the food, the words flowed smoothly.
And somehow, Director Lee Jun seemed even friendlier now.
“So, you say the most important thing is ‘safety,’ and I agree. Nothing matters more for outdoor cats.”
“Exactly. But that doesn’t just apply to strays.”
“Huh?”
“Safety is top priority for pets too.”
This is it!
She could pitch a follow-up series on this.
Kim Eun-ji’s eyes sparkled.
“I see. I hadn’t thought of that—could I ask you more about pets later?”
“Sure.”
Lee Jun had agreed to the interview to speak to pet owners anyway.
“Then, back to the original topic... I walked around the park before meeting you, and it was amazing. No wonder the cat cafe members are raving.”
“Cat cafe?”
At Lee Jun’s question, Kim Eun-ji grinned.
“Ggui Cafe. Lots of members say the Park Cats’ space looks better than their homes. They must like the hiding houses from Namgung Construction. Your idea, right?”
Of course they liked it—the cats chose their own homes.
Lee Jun had asked the cats what they wanted first.
Naturally, it was tough for park cats used to napping on tree branches, in bushes, or wide holes.
But Lee Jun introduced samples.
He bought every type of hiding house on the market for them to try.
He even showed them houses from MeTube videos, knowing cats loved watching.
The final designs were cat-approved, so of course they loved them.
“The cats picked them themselves.”
Lee Jun told the truth.
“Th-The cats picked them?”
“Yeah. It’s their home—they should choose.”
It made sense, but Kim Eun-ji, who’d never considered it, was stunned. Still, she was thrilled this was no ordinary interview.
“True, but... how’d you come up with that?”
“I’ve seen cushions that look great to me, but they ignore them—or ones that seem meh, but they love. So I asked.”
To show Namgung Construction staff, Lee Jun opened his phone and played videos of the cats choosing homes for Kim Eun-ji.
“For real?”
“These guys are surprisingly fun. Some love curling up alone in small spots, others pile together. Some prefer wide-open spaces.”
“So you surveyed all their preferences?”
Kim Eun-ji gestured toward the green trees outside.
“It’s their resting space.”
The most ideal words slipped from Lee Jun’s mouth.
It sounded absurd, yet nothing fit better.
‘No cliches here. Love it.’
What more could a reporter want?
Buoyed, Kim Eun-ji’s questions flew.
Progress sped along.
Lee Jun exceeded her expectations with every answer.
“Listening to you makes me want to protect these cats.”
“Music to my ears.”
Seeing his smile, Kim Eun-ji swallowed and thought of her next question.
“But not everyone thinks like me.”
Lee Jun nodded, guessing what was coming.
“Right. Some hate them for digging trash or being noisy.”
“Exactly.”
“But if you feed them properly, they won’t dig. They only do it hunting food. Our Park Cats won’t have that issue.”
“Ah, true. But meowing—they can’t help that, right?”
“I asked the Park Cats to keep quiet.”
“Huh...? That works? They’re not dogs...”
“It does.”
Kim Eun-ji’s head tilted at his answer. Lee Jun chuckled.
“You think I’m lying, huh?”
“N-No, it’s just...”
She fumbled for polite words to deny it, then gave up.
“Yeah, honestly, hard to believe.”
“Fair. But they listen to me.”
“Fine, let’s say so. Then deworming was easy because they obey you.”
“Yep. And add this to your article?”
Lee Jun had agreed to the interview but wouldn’t be led by the reporter.
‘Time to show how hygienic my kids are.’
He planned to highlight the Park Cats’ cleanliness and cats’ benefits.
That’s why he was here.
He explained in detail to Kim Eun-ji.
“Wow!”
She clapped in delight.
“You’re amazing. How do you manage so many?”
“So the Park Cats don’t get finger-pointed at. And it’s not hard—they listen.”
Kim Eun-ji dropped her doubts. Otherwise, nothing made sense.
‘Believing him explains those videos.’
With that mindset, his words sank in deeply.
Even Park Cats felt like neighborhood friends now.
No one wants friends in danger.
Her smile faded slightly as she continued.
“Evergreen and Bluebird Parks’ cats sound fine hygiene-wise. But other parks are the issue. More eco-parks like these will pop up, and those cats won’t be like yours. Plus, in such safe, comfy spots, their numbers could grow fast.”
“Hmm. I’ll answer the last part first. Heard of TNR?”
“Yeah, the stray cat neuter program.”
“Right. Lots of people work hard at it. I haven’t checked other spots, but our two parks’ cats are all fixed. New ones will be too.”
“So we can relax.”
“Probably. First question later.”
“Okay.”
Sensitive topic, makes sense.
Kim Eun-ji nodded and moved on.
“Any words for cat-haters?”
He’d been waiting.
“I get fearing cats—there’s a reason. But once issues are solved, they’re beneficial. Hope people see that.”
“Beneficial, yeah. Cute, healing just to look at...”
“That too, but... they catch rats.”
“Eek!”
“...?”
Lee Jun stared blankly at her shrill cry.
Did I say something wrong?
“I’m sorry. Picturing cute cats, then one with a rat in its mouth...”
“Ah, yeah. Anyway, cats keep us safe from rats. Lots of diseases spread by them, as you know.”
“Plague...”
“Yeah, and more. Cats eliminate them—super useful. Some say pest control services make cats obsolete.”
“Probably.”
“But that costs money. And they can’t reach every riverbank, stream, or forest nook.”
“Makes sense now.”
“Hangang alone—rats everywhere.”
Kim Eun-ji, who’d drowned work stress with beer by the Hangang at night, got chills.
She’d never noticed, but rats could’ve been nearby.
“Still, with cat poop around—even vaccinated and dewormed—not super clean, right?”
“Ah, I’ll show you later.”
Unsure what, but for a smooth interview, she nodded.
“Okay.”
More questions and answers flowed until Lee Jun shifted gears.
“First question answer: It won’t satisfy you.”
He sipped his iced coffee.
“If other parks ask for help, I’ll do what I can—within my time and limits. I run a small animal clinic, remember.”
To Kim Eun-ji, it sounded like ‘for now.’
‘He’s going global soon, isn’t he?’
As she geared up to continue, his phone rang.
“Hold on—Manager Jang.”
Lee Jun excused himself and answered.
“Yeah, Manager Jang.”
-Director, we have a patient. What now?
“Emergency?”
He shot up.
-Doesn’t seem so. Cat from far away. They want to see you or book and leave...
“No way. Travel stresses cats out.”
-Tell them to wait?
“Yeah. I’ll be there soon...”
“No, Director—go.”
Kim Eun-ji stood too.
“But the interview’s not done.”
“After clinic’s fine. I’ve got time.”
Normally groaning at overtime, she volunteered first.