Peak Time Rush and Gallery Frenzy
Anyway, with the meat issue resolved, things were looking up. In a world where TV channels were fading and YouTube and influencers were on the rise, the influence of a 3 million-subscriber channel was massive. People flocked to Lee Haru's Bulpae Pochaa after just a few dozen seconds in the trailer for Shin Do-young's Health Restaurant Korea.
'First time handling peak hours with this body—it's exhausting.'
Still, Haru had discovered something new: paying for a dish granted points proportional to the amount. 'Should've jacked up prices from the start?'
Her Slippery Pork Stir-fry Set B was priced the same as Sun-ja's Set A at 10,000 won. She used cheap chili oil, and her version didn't quite match Hee-yeon's flavor level yet, so premium pricing felt off.
Forgetting to hit crowded spots for basic Interest Points, she'd wandered back to check what people left behind to farm up to 100. "That young kid's working so hard."
An old man pulled out a 50,000-won bill for a tip, which she politely refused. "Um... you're not here against your will, right??"
"Nuh-uh, not me."
"Oh, okay. You just seemed so eager for an part-timer. Thought there might be a reason..."
"You'll find out on the show~"
Just farming Interest Points, but they saw it as admirable—gave her a boost amid the fatigue.
Points had hit rock bottom after the AI level-up yesterday, but peak hours netted a whopping 300.
200 points came from people eating our food and paying for it.
Haru had identified three main ways to earn points so far. First: basic points up to 100 just from existing and wandering around. Second: attention from broadcasts or the internet. Third: when someone paid for a dish she made.
'No upper limit on the second and third??'
At this rate, she'd snag the clone skill in days.
Interest Points weren't the only reward. Bulpae Pochaa originally had 15 four-person tables and 2 six-person ones, but with few customers, 3 four-person and the 2 six-person were closed. Today, reopening those 3 bumped it to 15 four-person tables—and they were packed.
It could've overwhelmed the kitchen trio and lone server if all filled, but it was manageable with some empty spots.
'Open all tables, hire one more. Mom handles kimchi, sends Ha-seong to front, add one to kitchen...'
You have to factor in rising labor costs too.
'Yeah. If I were crypto rich, I'd hire extra... But towers make investing too risky.'
Today's sales are gonna be huge though!!
'How much?'
Average daily sales were only about 500,000 won until yesterday... At this rate, we'll hit 2 million today.
Assuming one day off a week, 500,000 daily made 13 million monthly. After labor (family biz, but opportunity cost), rent, ingredients—nothing left. In Seoul restaurants, fixed costs like rent and labor loomed large, but scaling sales shrank their share, leading to big profits.
That said... 'Still exhausting~~'
Haru wasn't the only drained one. Ha-seong soloing the floor was toughest—self-serve water/sides helped, but he managed 15 tables smoothly.
'Send Mom to kimchi, Ha-seong to front...'
Sun-ja, older, handling soups and stir-fry? Body wouldn't hold. But experience carried them; newbie Hee-yeon struggled most in this boom.
After the rush, they called a break. Hee-yeon sat dazed, mentally fried.
She's rolling her shoulders—probably sore muscles. Her chest is already a hassle daily...
Post-rush, Haru massaged Hee-yeon's shoulders as she sat zoned out.
"Ahhh... Feels good. Thanks, Haru. Your shoulders okay?"
"I'm fine, sis. We carry different weights..."
Hee-yeon's apron strained over pillow-soft assets.
"...Staring like that embarrasses me..."
"Ah! Sorry, slipped my mind!"
Filming crew was elsewhere—no awkward broadcast risk.
Haru half-envious, half-curious; orphan-minded Hee-yeon thought differently. 'Does the kid miss mom's embrace??'
After easing Hee-yeon's aches, Haru headed rooftop for Elmu—only for a hulking man to jump out.
"Um... part-timer! If you're being abused, I'll save you."
He'd spotted her brief rooftop break mid-rush. Days ago, Bang Aji's alarm buzzer triggered her teleport.
"What're you doing??"
"Teleport?? Who are you??"
"Dedicated agent for Tower collapse victim Lee Haru. This is stalking!"
"You have a handler? I had no idea..."
Aji's mid-range teleport and detection awed with her hawkish blue eyes and blonde poise—he quailed.
Whoosh!! Despite cooldown, Aji teleported behind, neck-chopped him unconscious, then injected something shady.
"What's that??"
"Short-term memory wipe. He found our secret spot... No choice."
"People will know eventually... What about him?"
"Specialists handle this. Taking him to the restaurant."
"Back-to-back teleports okay?"
"Emergency, and once in a while is fine. Thanks for worrying!"
Aji winked, dragging the guy—then Hee-yeon arrived.
"Haru! You weren't coming down, so... Huh?"
"Hehe. Took out a Haru stalker."
"For real, Haru?"
Haru explained to Hee-yeon.
"Good thing about my gifted tracker. Just doing my job—no thanks needed."
"Shouldn't you scout her routes ahead?"
"Don't be too harsh—Aji's trying hard."
Calmed Aji, lest back-to-back teleports drop her.
"Ugh. When's the Awakener Center issuing their abuse statement?"
"Handled differently."
"Huh?"
"Higher-ups okayed the show appearance. We'll clarify there."
"Phew, relief."
(Suggestion) Haru, how about hiring Aji as temp help??
'Huh??'
While Aji handled the stalker, Haru and Hee-yeon tended Elmu in the rooftop shed. Today's feed: baby bird-appropriate pureed formula in bottles. No beaking it, so squeeze-fed.
"Tastes bad! Momma milk! Wanna drink!!"
Born on fiery stuff—Bull dak, Haru's pork, Haru-juice lemonade—mild puree didn't cut it.
"Aaaah!!! Grown up and gross! No milk here, no matter the tantrum."
Blocked Elmu's dive into her collar.
"Hiiing, want momma milk."
"It... does come from me."
"Neeet????"
Hee-yeon, watching warmly, smirked slyly.
[...Post-miscarriage, hormones still produce... Possible...]
"Joking, right???"
"Curious if Elmu'd like it..."
Hee-yeon lifted her top—Haru gripped the doorknob hard.
"Uwaaa."
"You're Elmu's mom, so I won't steal."
Back in kitchen, Haru reflexively started stock to forget the shock(?). 'Who even uses this on...'
Concentrated Divine Fluid
Long time without abusing God's Droplets. Buff effect skyrockets (tens to hundreds of times) until someone receives the blessing!
Elmu again? Nah—permanent sword, not overinvest in final defense. 'One of the remaining three...'
This time, use God's Droplets carefully.
***
Days later.
Shin Do-young's YouTube dropped the Seoul East episode. Among the 4 restaurants and 1 revisit, abuse-rumored Bulpae Pochaa stole the spotlight. As a sequel spot, it dominated the concept thread in under 10 minutes.
Crew: Look at the camera, say your name and age.
Part-timer: Name's Lee Haru, age's a secret!
Lee Haru (1X years old)
Crazy bastards lol, everyone's thinking the same
Thus, Bulpae Pochaa's Lee Haru thread ignited. One girl, not even the restaurant, filled 3 pages.
Hottest: Haru vs. Ha-seong showdown.
(Video 1) Haru-chan reporting the bad meat and a furious Seong Chan-ho on the first day.
(Video 2) Haru-chan claiming her own dish smells too, opening the fridge, and yelling about the low-quality meat.
(Video 3) A 5-day streak of bad meat leads to a fight before Seong Chan-ho enters.
Chubby: He’s a friend who delivered when times were tough. Let’s trust him and wait.
Haru-chan: You paid him, so he gave you meat, "Son." Did you bow and scrape to him or something?
Chubby: (Dead serious) What?
Haru-chan: Sigh. You’re being treated like a total loser ♥ You’re just a dumping ground for stinky meat other places returned ♥ Basically a public toilet bowl ♥
Chubby: (Seething) If you know so much... (Production crew and Seong Chan-ho enter)
(Video 4) Seong Chan-ho exploding with rage.
(Video 5)
Seong Chan-ho: Ha-seong, if you're going to do this, claim it to your friend or find a new supplier!
Haru-chan: (Taunting from behind) Sales are up, we need lots of meat—gotta branch out!
Seong Chan-ho: Right. I’m not saying change immediately, but check other places on slow days to broaden your horizons.
Haru-chan: (Taunting from behind) Scout at least 10 places and write a report!!
Chubby: Understood... (Walking to the kitchen while Haru-chan grins like Light from Death Note)
Viewers concluded: abuse rumor pure entertainment.
Day passed, attention shifting to other 4—then Bulpae drama reignited.