Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Suspicious BBQ Joint
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Exactly three days had passed since I announced the Nutube channel opening notice.
I headed to a beef house a bit away from home to meet Park Jaesung and Yu Nayeon, just as we'd discussed beforehand.
"……."
While waiting in front of the shop so we could go in together, even after the appointed time of 2 p.m., there wasn't a sign of them.
Just great, the couple's late together.
I was about to pull out my phone from my pocket to give them a call when, right at 2:10, I spotted the two of them crossing the crosswalk.
"Wooju! Hi!"
Ugh, that idiot... Smiling all bright despite being late.
Yu Nayeon approached, her shoulder-length blonde hair swaying, greeting me with the most innocent smile in the world. Park Jaesung, standing beside her, followed up with a sheepish look. "Sorry, did we keep you waiting long?"
"Do you two not know what an appointment time is?"
"Sorry. Nayeon forgot her phone, so she had to go back for it."
"Heehee, sorry~."
Seeing Yu Nayeon apologize without a hint of remorse made my rising irritation fizzle out.
She was so cheerful and innocent by nature that whenever I looked at her, getting mad just felt stupid somehow. That was probably why we'd stayed friends this long.
"Anyway, you're here now, so let's go in."
"Yay, beef!"
"Man, it's been a while since I can really fill up."
I let the tardiness slide and stepped inside, with the two of them following me happily.
Druruk.
"Welcome. Do you have a reservation, sir?"
As I slid open the door and entered, a burly man guarding the entrance greeted us.
Wow, what a build... He could pass for a bodyguard, not a server. His rugged features made it even more striking.
"Yeah, under Kang Wooju."
"……!?"
I flinched a little but kept my cool and gave the name.
The server stared at me like he'd been shocked, then tapped at the POS machine nearby to check something.
"Um, are you really Mr. Kang Wooju?"
"Pardon? Uh, yeah... that's me."
What the hell?
It was rare for a server to double-check a reservation name, but this guy's reaction was on another level. Anyone would think I'd spotted a celebrity.
"He's finally here!?"
"Sniff, now I can finally take off this damn apron...!"
I heard murmurs from the kitchen, but couldn't make out the details.
Something felt off about the vibe. Had I come to the wrong place instead of a BBQ joint?
"My apologies. We've prepared your reserved table this way."
"Oh, okay... "
At least they were treating us like proper customers, so it had to be the right spot. The menu was all premium beef anyway.
Probably just some mix-up.
"Looks like the owner changed here."
As the owner who'd guided us to our table headed back to the kitchen to prep, Yu Nayeon glanced around the interior and muttered softly.
The owner changed? Meaning...
"You've been here before?"
"Yeah, my uncle threw a promotion party here once. Whole family came."
"Oh, right."
It was news to me, but Park Jaesung nodded like he'd heard and started pouring water for us.
Fine, I'm footing the bill today, so this much service is the least they can do.
"But compared to back then, the owner's different, and the staff look all rough around the edges..."
"Exactly. Do they hire servers based on muscle mass or what?"
I turned to check out the kitchen staff and servers bustling around at Park Jaesung's words. Yeah, their builds were impressive.
The skinniest one here was about Park Jaesung's size, and he was the buffest of us three.
Plus, only one female staffer was a surprise. Most places stacked the floor with women for appeal.
"Eh, new management probably. Enough chit-chat—pick from the menu... Huh?"
I handed the stand-up menu board to them to choose, when I heard a cart rolling from somewhere.
Figured it was for another table, but we were the only customers, so I turned to look.
And there it was:
"Wh-what the heck is that?"
"Whoa, it's huge."
A massive slab of beef, gleaming with premium luster like something from fine dining, rolled toward us on a cart.
Dry ice fog swirled from a side device to keep it fresh, giving it an ultra-luxurious vibe.
But why was it coming our way?
"Excuse us."
The server parked the cart loaded with meat and banchan in front of us and started piling it all on our table.
We hadn't even ordered yet?
"Uh, we haven't ordered anything yet...?"
If there were other customers, I'd assume it was a mix-up for another table, but it was just us.
Maybe a communication error between the owner and server who greeted us. I spoke up cautiously, and the server, who'd been staring, smiled and explained.
"Oh, this is on the house. We offer special service to our 10,000th customer."
"...Pardon? Service?"
"Whoa, really!?"
Yu Nayeon cheered at the freebie news, but I was dumbfounded.
Okay, service for the 10,000th customer makes sense. But this? Way over the top. I pictured a soda or maybe a side if you left a review.
This was a full spread of signature dishes. Jaw-dropping.
And the portions—enough to burst two of us three.
They're really giving this away free?
"Enjoy, and let us know if you need more."
"Wow, thank you!"
"Thanks, we'll dig in!"
He bowed deeply after setting the feast, while Park Jaesung and Yu Nayeon jumped up to thank his retreating back, thrilled at the free premium beef.
How much is all this even worth?
"Man, this meat looks top-shelf."
"Server said it's two-horned Hanwoo."
"Two-horned? Insane. They can just give this away?"
"Guess they really go all out on service."
Am I the weird one for not buying this?
The clueless couple across from me just ogled the marbled beef, swallowing hard and shooting me looks like Why aren't you grilling yet?
Fine, whatever. If they bill me, I'll pay. No worries now—eat up. Looks delicious.
Sizzle.
"Dig in, everyone. Especially you, Nayeon—you're gonna be working your ass off from now on, so I'll hook you up extra."
As the beef cooked nicely, I prioritized Yu Nayeon, my future editing slave, loading a few pieces onto her plate.
She picked one up with a mischievous grin, waving it teasingly in front of me.
"Someone'd think you were treating. Taking credit for the house special."
"Hey, without me, no free beef today."
"Oh, true."
I shot back firmly, and she tucked tail quick, dipping it in sauce and chowing down.
Feels like I'm the witch from Hansel and Gretel, fattening up my soon-to-be workhorse minion.
"You eat too. Don't just serve us."
"Not that hungry. You two eat up."
I loaded Park Jaesung's plate next, dodging his hand reaching for the tongs—he seemed bothered I was the only one not eating—and replied flatly.
Plenty of meat; feed them first, then me later.
Plus, handing tongs over at a BBQ? Sketchy. Grilling myself is safest and tastiest.
Swish. Swish.
"……?"
After portioning some out for them, I popped a piece in my mouth and chewed when I heard a mopping sound nearby, drawing my eyes that way.
A woman was moppin' away, head down, staring at the floor. The only female staffer I'd noticed on entry.
But she seemed... familiar?
"...Huh?"
I knew staring at a stranger was rude, but couldn't look away, peering closely.
Then she finished and looked up—and a dumb noise escaped me.
Because standing there was none other than...
"……!?"
"Hello. Fancy meeting you here, Cosmo."
Ryu Seoha noona.
What? This was her part-time gig spot by coincidence?
What are the odds?