Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Onui Restaurant Opening! (3)
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Busy, busy, busy.
I can't believe this.
Opening day, and it's already slammed.
I had a feeling it'd be something like this since Yoon-seul was around, but with customers flooding in so suddenly, it's a bit overwhelming.
- Boss, could we get two of whatever that kid was eating?
- Us too! Three chili eggplant fries, please. Oh, and cola.
- Oh, this cola brand has roots. Can't resist the polar bear.
"Yes, it'll take about ten minutes to cook, so please wait just a moment! And the cola's self-serve."
With the vocal power honed at the barbecue joint, I let the customers know their orders are in.
Every table in the dining area—four in total, excluding the bar counter—is fully seated.
And this all happened just ten minutes after Yoon-seul started her lunch.
At least it's not a high-traffic spot like Dongdaemun, so no line's forming yet.
If there had been a queue, it might've felt a tad burdensome mentally. As it is, it's actually a relief.
Sizzle—bubble bubble—
I divide the eggplants into portions and drop them into the fryer.
Most customers ordered eggplant, so I'm making a big batch at once.
But that doesn't mean I can just dump them all in haphazardly.
They'll stick together, bonding like old pals, and stage a protest by never coming apart again.
Then, when I try to separate the clumps, the fried shape gets all mangled, tanking the food's visual appeal.
"Eat with your eyes" isn't just a saying for nothing.
"Wow, so many customers all at once."
While frying the eggplant, I glance toward the dining tables through the pass.
The customers are laughing and chatting, waiting eagerly for me to bring out the food.
Eyes full of anticipation.
Déjà vu.
It's the same look I saw working part-time at the barbecue place—Ho-yeon Hyung's spot.
Back then, as a mere part-timer, they just felt like work, like baggage. But now it's different.
These are potential regulars at my own business, precious customers. I never slacked off before, but now I have even more reason to stay sharp.
" Gotta leave a great first impression on these opening-day folks."
Can't miss this chance.
I move my hands faster, more steadily.
Pork bulgogi: three servings.
Eggplant fries: seven servings.
With good time management, I can handle the rush without any delays!
- Damn, that guy's got wok skills. Can already imagine how good that pork bulgogi's gonna taste.
- The smell's tangy? From the eggplant? Or the sauce?
- Open kitchen's nice like this. Waiting's boring otherwise, but watching the boss cook makes time fly while you zone out.
- Agreed. Love the vibe of a place like this.
Even without trying, I can hear the dining area's reactions.
For a one-man operation, an open kitchen was inevitable.
But the customers seem to enjoy the aromas from the cooking process and watching the food being made.
I wasn't even aiming for that kind of fun factor, but if they like it, great.
"Oppa."
"Yeah? Yoon-seul done eating? Then put your plate in the sink over there and read a book in the back of the kitchen for a bit? Got customers coming, need to cook."
"Mm... Yunseul-i just took the plate."
"Aigoo, good job. You can do it all by yourself?"
Yoon-seul, having finished her meal before I knew it, had wandered into the kitchen.
She seems to have something to say, fidgeting around.
Hmm... A bit too busy to entertain her right now.
"Yoon-seul wanna play with Oppa? Can't play right now, what to do?"
"Mm... Not that."
"Hm? Not that? Then what's up?"
"Yunseul-i help Oppa."
"Help?"
Yoon-seul grabs my pants leg, eyes sparkling wide. She really wants to lend a hand, it seems.
Hmm...
Serving might be a bit much for her age. Even if she wants to, better ask later.
"How about going out and keeping the customers company?"
"Company?"
"Yeah, company. Chat with them so they're not bored, and tell them all about Yoon-seul too."
"That... Mm."
Looks like the idea of approaching strangers and striking up conversations feels intimidating.
But if she can't handle that much, she won't be able to help with serving or anything else down the line.
Yoon-seul nods decisively, like she's made up her mind, then yells, "Oppa, Yunseul-i play with customers and come back~!!"
She dashes out of the kitchen.
Little sis, your intentions and resolve are spot on.
"Should've at least kept your voice down."
The customers all heard her, and it's a bit embarrassing.
I exchange awkward nods with them.
As I deliver the food to the first table that ordered, I overhear Yoon-seul chatting with the customers.
- Oh my, here to play with us?
"Yes..."
She heads first to a couple about my age.
There were middle-aged customers and even some high schoolers in uniforms, but she went to the couple.
- How're you gonna play with us?
"Mm... Gotta think about it."
- Haha, food's not out yet, so take your time.
The woman in the couple gazes at Yoon-seul fondly, like she's adorable, and plays along.
If it were a young part-timer my age, they'd frown, but it's Jang Yoon-seul, five years old.
Most adults would melt from the cuteness.
Especially our Yoon-seul, with her baby face charm, fresh off captivating everyone with her eggplant fry mukbang.
All eyes in the restaurant are on Yoon-seul.
"Time to hustle and finish this cooking."
While she keeps the customers entertained, I work my hands furiously and whip up the dishes.
Tasty pork bulgogi and chili eggplant fries are done, plated on trays, and served to each table.
Once the couple's food is served, the customers turn to me with reactions.
- Oh, Yoon-seul! Oppa brought the food!
"Yeah! Eggplant yummy."
- How's the pork bulgogi? Tasty too?
"Yes, pork yummy too. Mm, but today eggplant mood, so ate eggplant, Yunseul-i did."
She's chatting away just like always.
That's one of Yoon-seul's strengths. Shy at first, but once the other person seems approachable, she adapts quick and relaxes.
"Sorry for the wait. I'll get two eggplant fries ready for you."
- No, not long at all. Saw the rush hit all at once. We've only been here 15 minutes anyway.
"Thanks for understanding."
- Oh my, Oppa's such a hunk. No wonder the sister's cute—good genes~
"Haha, thank you."
What.
Thought they were a young couple, but apparently not.
The chatty woman compliments our sibling looks this time.
Could be polite flattery, but might irk the boyfriend a bit.
I glance at the guy, who sips his water calmly before speaking.
- Honey, boss is busy now. Let's eat. He's got work.
- Huh? Why? Looks like the cooking's done. Yoon-seul's so cute, let's chat more.
Ah, got it.
Not just a couple—they're married, so more composed.
Looking closely, their matching rings look pricier and fancier than typical couple rings.
"Eat eggplant quick, our Oppa cooks so good."
- Oppa cooks well too? Yoon-seul really looks up to the boss. Been bragging about Oppa nonstop.
"My bragging?"
- Yeah, the clothes she's wearing—Oppa bought them, gives her chocolate often, plays with her a lot, all that good stuff.
"Ah, shouldn't tell Oppa..."
- Aigoo, a secret? Sorry, Unniee.
- Aren't you too young to call Unniee?
- Quiet and eat.
They must be older than they look.
Anyway, a happily married couple.
May they be blissful forever.
"Enjoy your meal. We'll head back to the kitchen."
- Yes! Dig in!
I scoop up Yoon-seul and return to the kitchen.
"Yunseul-i played with customers."
"Yoon-seul played with the customers?"
"Yeah!"
"Mm, actually, you played together with them. Got it?"
"Mm, got it."
She'll be around the shop a lot, so better not let her use rude terms with customers.
Instead of excusing it as kid stuff, teaching her properly now means no issues when she grows up.
"Oppa."
"What's up."
"Yunseul-i did good?"
"Yeah, thanks to Yoon-seul, Oppa got lots of time to cook. Customers said they loved chatting with you too. You're amazing, little sis."
"I'm amaaazing!"
She sticks out her belly triumphantly, just like when she won the toy car race earlier.
Her go-to pose lately.
As time passed, customers started finishing up and leaving one by one.
Luckily, after the full house cleared some seats, two more tables came in.
Two more at the bar counter too.
For opening day lunch, this is a roaring success.
Thanks to Yoon-seul, though.
- Boss! Check, please.
"Coming right up."
I clear and wipe the vacated table spotless, then head to the POS by the kitchen.
For a solo operation, convenience put the POS near the kitchen.
The waiting ones are that young married couple from earlier.
- Ate great. Eggplant really was delicious, like Yoon-seul said. Next time, pork bulgogi.
- Me too. Not just talk—will come back.
"Would be honored. Glad you enjoyed.
That's 14,000 won."
- Hmm, decent price for this.
- These days, 14k for two outside is a bargain. And it was good.
"Since it's a one-man show, no labor costs, I guess."
- Love spots like this. Keep up the good work!
"Yup! Thanks, take care!"
"Bye-bye!"
Maybe since we'd chatted, Yoon-seul comes out to wave goodbye too.
The friendly woman waves back enthusiastically until she's out the door.
"They'll make great parents."
I murmur to myself, then other customers approach the POS.
- Oppa, check for us two too.
Oppa.
At those words, Yoon-seul's eyebrows twitch.
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