Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Prayer
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Truth be told, I'd always been looking to hire Korean staff.
But deciding to work in a foreign country isn't something you just jump into lightly.
This whole provocation was actually meant to snag some employee recruits in one fell swoop.
America is ridiculously vast, the world's top consumer nation.
To start factory-scale production, I'd need a bunch of Korean employees who actually know Korean food flavors.
Honestly, I wasn't that greedy for money.
Time with Lily meant way more to me.
Just enough to get by was fine.
If I were chasing cash hard, I'd scrap the incentive system for employees and pour all my time into the business.
But I was slowly building a setup where I didn't have to work much myself.
It was a dream-driven gig from the start, and I figured money would follow if I kept at it, so I didn't obsess.
But... maybe because I met so many good people, money was just rolling in big time anyway.
—Tsssh tsssh!
I opened my eyes in bed to the sound of the rice cooker humming away.
Lily always beat me up, prepping breakfast.
Yawn. Slept great.
Shop was closed today, so I felt super chill.
Well, volunteer day, but still.
I hopped straight into the shower, cleaned up, and came out.
There was Lily, hair tied back, apron on, greeting me.
"Sleep well, honey? Come eat breakfast!"
We keep breakfast simple.
I tell her not to bother, but she insists.
So, I end up with a morning spread every day.
One condition, though.
No knives or fire, please.
I was scared she'd get hurt.
At first, she was bummed, saying she couldn't do her wife duties if she got hurt.
After a long talk, we compromised.
I bring home sides like braised beef from the shop,
She just rinses rice and hits the cooker button.
That's her limit.
For soups, I'd bring leftovers from the shop, stash in the fridge, and she'd reheat for breakfast.
Perk of running a restaurant?
Just bring it home and eat.
"Lily, how's the egg soy? Made it with fresh soy sauce."
"Yeah?! Salty-sweet goodness!"
I felt proud seeing her pile egg soy or braised beef on white rice as sides.
Being the head of the family means providing for your spouse and kids—that's life's goal.
Seeing them eat well? Instant pride swell.
Short meal done, Lily and I changed into comfy clothes.
Long sleeves, long pants.
Sunglasses, my usual hat—full coverage.
Meeting lots of folks today, so Lily added a mask.
"Ready to go?"
"Yeah!"
I grabbed Lily's hand tight and headed to the prep kitchen.
Dong-hyun was already there, geared up.
Once he started volunteering, he kept at it.
Today it was three of us, not two.
Purely personal expense, no company tie-in—regular charity.
Why do so much good?
Kinda a bribe to God to look after Lily, plus the peace of mind from doing it.
Reputation boost? Bonus.
Average 300 lunchboxes per session.
Our neighborhood wasn't a massive city, so not that many homeless or strugglers.
300 covered it.
Two people knock it out in 2 hours easy.
Mass production, baby.
"Hey~ Early bird."
Dong-hyun sipped coffee, waving.
"You're here. Rice is on."
"Cool? Let's do it together—why solo?"
"Figured I'd get a head start. Hey, Lily."
"Hi. Dong-hyun, you look rough lately. Everything okay?"
"......Not hard at all?"
"No way!"
Dong-hyun's face had that weathered look...
Lily meant well, but he seemed hurt.
"......Do I really look that beat? Tell me straight."
I patted his shoulder quietly.
"Nah. Let's get to it."
I tied on a long apron, slipped into work rubber boots, and dove in.
"Honey! Dong-hyun! Anything I can help with?"
"Huh? Lily, sort the disposable boxes outside."
"Got it!"
She took the task eagerly, sorting lunchbox containers from boxes.
I chuckled.
She always loved teaming up.
"I'll stir-fry meat—you handle soup and sides."
"Sure~"
Dong-hyun on heavy lifting, as usual.
Compared to borrowing kitchens early on, our mass-ready, semi-automated setup? Game-changer.
Dump finished food in giant vats, Lily tongs it into boxes, rubber-bands 'em.
Extra hands = time saver.
Packaging done quick, boxed up, off to church.
Dong-hyun just bought a used car too.
Two vehicles pulled up; we set up shaded tables for distribution like always.
Pastor Liam always had that holy vibe.
Never seen a beard suit someone so perfectly.
All religious folks like that?
"Ji-hoon! God the Father in heaven must be pleased seeing you share with the needy without fail."
"Pastor, all good? Brought Lily for service today."
Pastor Liam spotted Lily beside me, lit up.
"First time since the wedding, Sister Lily."
"Hehe. Hi, Pastor. Sorry it's been ages—I should come more."
"Haha, no worries. Just seeing you out and about is joy enough. That dark Lily from before? Gone."
"Hehe..."
She was embarrassed about her ragged, lunch-pickup days.
Pastor beamed at her change.
"Pastor, after service, mind if we pop inside for a quick prayer?"
Came with Lily—perfect for praying.
Thinking back, I was kinda rude to God at the wedding.
Wanted to apologize.
"Oh~ Great idea. Praying after sharing? He'll love it."
"Yes. We'll serve the hungry neighbors first."
He nodded.
Hmm~ Let's roll.
Outside, line already forming.
Wrap this, church date with Lily.
"Dong-hyun, start. Lily, hand out beside me."
"Got it!"
Lunchbox service underway.
"Enjoy~"
Boxes of lunches and soup.
I tossed in disposable spoons too.
Then, an old man approached.
Rags, matted long hair.
Hippie elder, 60s at least.
Seen him since day one of service.
His blue eyes, vacant as ever.
I handed a box, chatted.
"Hello. You come every time."
Never heard him speak once.
But he showed daily—stuck in memory.
No reply, as expected.
...Figured.
He took the box, glanced at me.
Then eyes shifted to Lily beside me.
Back to me, he rasped one line.
"Everything is your choice."
Cracked voice.
Nonsense.
He shuffled toward church entrance.
What the...?
Creepy, but shrugged it off.
"Yes~ Enjoy~!"
Handing out didn't take long—done quick.
"Feel good, Lily? Giving beats receiving."
"Yeah! Weird."
She beamed.
"Always the one getting—now I'm giving!"
She got the helper's high too.
"Cleanup, then pray?"
"Yeah! Wedding day's still fresh. Pics too, honey~"
"Sure~ Greet, then chill."
Back in church post-wedding with Lily.
Fresh feels.
Altar ahead—Lily in pretty wedding dress flashed back.
That overwhelming joy surged again.
Vows to God at the altar.
Protect Lily forever.
We sat side by side, eyes shut, praying.
'God, sorry for being a jerk back then. Declarations of war? My bad. Life's too happy now—help a bit?'
From the heart.
I opened my eyes.
Lily still hands clasped, eyes closed, deep in it.
So much to say—took forever.
As she peeked open, I asked.
"Big talk? Can I hear?"
"Hehe. Nope."
Playful grin.
"Just me and God know. Your prayers are yours alone too!"
Little jealous, but shy, I guess.
Quiet church—pics, casual chat. Blissful peace.
Forever.
Intense urge to spend ages like this with Lily.
"Head out?"
"Yeah~ Moved around, now hungry, honey."
"Home for something tasty. Sundays? I cook."
"Yay~ Love it!"
Pastor Liam sat in a pew, quietly watching Ji-hoon and Lily from afar—snapping pics, laughing together.
A couple unbowed by trials, rising stronger, supporting each other beautifully.
Just watching brought smiles to anyone.
Pastor Liam clasped hands, prayed softly.
'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.'
Genesis 2:24.
Showcased marriage, true spousal love.
He prayed earnestly for God's blessings on those beautiful souls—together eternally.