Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Possessiveness
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The school meal industry had been surprisingly quiet since issuing their statement.
Maybe that was the point all along.
I'd figured that when a competitor showed up, they'd pull some pressure tactics—like messing with our ingredient suppliers or shaking up our distribution channels.
But it was too quiet.
'Jackpot, huh?'
In truth, charging at us like rabid dogs would have backfired at this stage.
'Hansang' wasn't big enough to take on the entire industry yet.
We were in the position of slowly, steadily conquering the market bit by bit.
From their perspective... probably something like, 'Take this and scram.'
CEO John was thrilled to enter the market without pointless posturing against the massive cartel.
Guess that fulfilled my role as president?
I'd nipped a fight that could have blown up in the bud, nice and simple.
Was this the power of the 'medal'?
I nearly died for it, but the rewards were undeniably sweet.
What if I were still just a regular immigrant running a little restaurant, no U.S. citizenship?
The outcome would've been very different.
And so, far smoother than expected, I took my first step into the U.S. school meal business.
"Wowww!!!"
Heh heh, long time no see, kiddos.
Berkeley High School—the site of the incident.
Today marked the official start of 'Hansang' lunches.
I showed up for the first day to commemorate it.
Of course, the staff handled all the cooking; I was just there to show my face at the serving line.
"Hoon! Thanks for saving us!"
"Yeah, eat up nice and tasty~"
Cute little punks with their bright, sparkling eyes.
Well, high schoolers, so physically adults, but that teen pep made them look adorable anyway.
Word had it that after the incident, school bullying had dropped off sharply.
The perp had snapped from ongoing harassment, after all.
The kids had learned the hard way that messing with the wrong person could get you fucked.
They were keeping their heads down now.
Heh heh. Get along with your friends, you brats.
Who knows what you'll grow up to be.
The kids devouring Korean food like it was the best thing ever.
Those little shits claiming they preferred pizza? Total bullshit.
Well... first day, so we prepped some special sides.
Short ribs.
Pressure-cooked till melt-in-your-mouth tender,
sweet soy-based marinade that even picky spice-haters gobbled up without complaint.
Yeah.
Tastier than ground mystery meat, right?
Tongues trained on dubious patties—how thrilling must those chunks of real beef be.
Heh heh.
Just watching made my belly full.
"Ugh, those kids snapping pics again."
Yeah. Spread it far and wide. Heh heh.
Free advertising from the customers themselves? No reason to turn it down.
"Hoon! More ribs, please!"
A few kids who'd polished off their plates came back asking for seconds.
"Yeah, head back. Serving's not done yet."
They shuffled off with sulky faces.
But I knew they'd return by the end of service.
How? 'Cause I told 'em.
On days with good eats, hanging till the end for leftovers? Pure bliss.
Mmm~
Next week'll be busy hopping between the open stores.
Ah.
Should I bring Lily along?
Feels empty going solo.
Something to mull over.
Ji-min's heading back to Korea soon anyway.
If you name California's most famous city,
it's Los Angeles—LA.
A little over an hour flight from Oakland Airport.
'Babsang' LA branch opening day.
I decided to lend a hand personally.
Thanks to that, Dong-hyun was holed up at the main branch.
Did I come alone?
Nope.
With Lily.
And... one baggage lump in tow.
"Yahoo~ LA~"
Ji-min thrilled to hit the famous city.
"Wahhh, take me too~! Sis, take meee~~"
Planned to leave her at home, but the whining was endless, so I caved.
Booked an extra room.
The LA branch was in Hollywood & Highland.
Hub for shopping malls, restaurants, cafes.
Mark the elder owned a building here, scored us a killer spot.
Shop was massive.
Three ground-floor units knocked together—over 200 pyeong.
Manager Evan, who'd trained a month at the main branch, looked tense.
"Whew... Hoon. My mind's already fried. Look at that crowd waiting to eat."
Yep.
Huge turnout for the opening buzz.
No wonder he was frazzled.
"This is daily life—adapt. Busy means rich Evan."
"Yeah... I'll do my best, Hoon."
First day jitters, but I was there to oversee—no big worries.
"Heh... heh..."
From afar, a buffalo-like snort.
Super pissed.
Ji-min.
In her hall uniform.
Told her to chill at home—why tag along?
I was here to work; playing wouldn't cut it.
Put her back in the field.
Tossed her an apron with a 'earn your keep'—priceless dumbfounded face.
I manned the counter.
Lily dragged a chair over, parked beside me to watch.
"Hee~ Husband at work, gotta be hot~!"
"Our princess just sits comfy and spectates~"
Counter space was generous—no crowding.
"Hello! Welcome to Babsang!"
Grinning, I kicked off customer greetings.
New city, mostly fresh faces.
First impressions are everything in this biz!
Lily beamed from her perch, watching my pro moves.
First time seeing me work—novel for her.
"Oh~ Hoon! Seeing you here is such an honor!"
Customers recognized me, greeted warmly.
"Yes~! Welcome. Let me guide you."
Staff jumped in to seat 'em when I greeted.
Well...
Like a balloon mascot planted at the entrance, holding down greeter duty.
Unlike Berkeley, big city meant crowds—and celebs galore.
Models, actors.
Didn't recognize most, but staff freakouts meant big names.
"Oh~ Hero! Nice to see you."
Tall, sexy woman—not a regular—greeted me cheerfully.
So thrilled she hugged me without a second thought.
I froze.
Reflexively glanced at the counter.
Lily puffing cheeks, death-glaring.
Oh shit.
I yanked back quick, awkward grin.
"Haha, nice to see you. Seat?"
"Photo together?"
She whipped out her phone.
"Sure~"
Posed at entrance; she snapped a selfie with me.
"Thanks, Hoon. Been dying to come."
Back to friendly boss mode.
"Come often. Can't always, but I'll drop by sometimes."
"Really? Menu recs?"
"Tried Korean before?"
"Nope. First time today."
Hmm... Korean newbie...
"Try the bulgogi Hansang. Delicious."
"Sounds good? Looking forward, Hoon."
"Heh heh, you won't be disappointed."
Bulgogi—no wrong crowd.
"Ah! I'm Kaia. Hope to see you again."
Kaia? Model vibe. Total model look.
That American 'beautiful' face.
Sharp features, sexy hot girl.
I brushed it off.
Turned out later: Kaia was a mega-famous LA model/actress.
Hollywood turf—tons of celebs I didn't know.
"Whew, nuts."
Lunch rush over, break time.
Staff wiped out—opening day, first gig at Babsang.
'Hits like early main branch days.'
U.S. runs on tips.
15-20% on top of the bill.
Staff baffled at first—no tips at 'Babsang'?
But I wanted to stand out.
No need to ape everyone else.
Why no quitting despite no tips?
Our policy from main branch.
No tips, but 1% of pure profits: 0.5% to manager, 0.5% split among staff on payday.
Manager shoulders whole store—no gripes.
But only for full attendance.
Main staff scoffed at first: "0.5%? Peanuts."
One month later? Minds blown.
Split 6 ways on monthly pure profit? Surprisingly fat stacks.
Customers love no-tip bills; I keep turnover low.
Owner just skips the greed grab.
Especially Hollywood crowd—tip pros, auto-adding to checks.
Staff pointed to wall sign.
[Babsang does not accept tips.]
Customers stunned. First of its kind.
Two-hour break.
Late lunch with staff.
Lily glued to my side, chowing down.
Pfft.
Couldn't help chuckling.
Earlier, Kaia hug moment.
At checkout, Lily clung tight, cute-glaring her.
15cm height gap.
Kaia eyed Lily, smirked.
"Hoon's wife? Oh. Sorry—got mad at my hug. Too excited, slipped."
Lily peered up steady.
"Hoon's mine."
Kaia cracked up laughing.
"Hoon, your wife's adorable. So lovable—model thoughts?"
Lily shook head no.
"No time—barely enough with husband! Don't take offense, come eat lots."
"Hoho, Lily, right? Follow each other on stars?"
Kaia's friendliness thawed Lily; nodded, followed right there.
"Bye, Kaia. Sorry for snapping. Never had anything mine. That's why."
"Ooh~ Big oops on my part, Lily. Careful next time."
Lily nodded.
"Yeah. Bye, Kaia. See ya."
Lily so cute, Kaia winked at me and left.
"Lily, mad earlier?"
Asked her over lunch.
Chatting with Ji-min at next table, Lily cocked head.
"Huh? When?"
"Uh... with Kaia."
"Yeah. Normal, right? Some chick paws your husband—happy?"
Ah.
This possessive streak? Insanely lovable.
"Hell no, pissed. You're right."
"So you hate it?"
"Huh? Nah, love it? Hehe."
"Really?"
"I'm yours, you're mine. Obviously pissed. I'll watch my posture next time."
"Yeah. Husband, show some defense if girls lunge. Photos fine—I get the biz, not dumb."
Kuh~ Even understanding perfect.
Then Ji-min and staff finished eating, stood with bowls.
Their faces watching our PDA? Uniformly sour.
Silent dish drop-off—appetites nuked.