Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Why Did You Come to Our House? (2)
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- Wow! My tongue's coming out to greet you.
- Ding-dong!
- Who's there?
- It's my tongue. I came out to greet you.
- Dummy, how's the tongue gonna ring the doorbell if it's out greeting? Someone outside waiting would press it.
- True, you're right.
Once the pork kimchi rolls are served, the two friends banter back and forth.
Su-young-i's got a way with words—her tongue coming out to greet.
Steam rises gently from the kimchi rolls.
I pick up a couple with chopsticks onto the side plate and spoon some broth over them.
Ji-a grabs a pork kimchi roll first, putting half in her mouth and biting down.
- Mmm! The meat is so tender.
- Whoa, this is insane. It melts.
Ji-a dips the remaining half into the plentiful broth on her side plate and pops it back in.
I can imagine the sensation without even tasting it.
The broth soaked into the pork belly's texture and fat, creating a soft yet stimulating flavor! That delicious paradox must be complete.
"Oppa, make some for Yoon-seul later too."
"Looks tasty?"
"Yeah! What're you waiting for, Yoon-seul."
Seeing Ji-a and Su-young-i eat so enjoyably, Yoon-seul gets jealous.
I get it. They're eating so well, it's making me hungry too.
High schoolers are always starving at that age.
Watching them eat heartily is a sight to behold.
- Want a bite too?
Yoon-seul and I watch contentedly from the kitchen area when Ji-a suggests it.
"No, we'll eat later..."
"Can't help it!"
Even as she says she can't, Yoon-seul toddles over to Ji-a.
"Yoon-seul, you can't steal the customers' food. Oppa will make a fresh one for you later, so wait."
She stops in her tracks.
But despite my protest, Ji-a picks up a pork kimchi roll with chopsticks and feeds her a bite anyway.
Yoon-seul rubs her cheeks with her palms, her face in bliss.
- Tasty? Yoon-seul.
"Oppa's is the best."
- Shh, it's a secret from Oppa. I gave it to you on the sly.
"Okay! Secret."
If that's a secret, we're watching it live right in front of us.
If the customers are okay with it, then fine, but I still feel a bit bad.
"Sorry, Ji-a. Next time you come, I'll add an extra piece of meat."
- Okay, profit!
[Onui Tycoon!]
[The customer is moved by the attentive service.]
[J High School sophomore Song Ji-a: Restaurant satisfaction increased by 10%!]
[Total satisfaction: 50%]
She clenches her fist in delight, then sits right down and dives back into her meal.
Since Ji-a and Su-young-i come by often anyway, tossing in an extra piece of meat isn't much of a loss.
Just watching them eat makes rUnnieng the place feel worthwhile sometimes.
- Thanks for the meal.
- We'll head out now.
Su-young-i and Ji-a chat away through their meal, and around noon, they grab their backpacks to leave.
In the meantime, a couple more tables of customers came in, and I'd already served their food.
As they come over to pay, I charge them just under 10,000 won—low margin, but still.
They tried a test menu item, so I felt bad charging full profit.
"Why do you girls come to our shop?"
- Does that mean don't come back?
Kwon Su-young-i overinterprets it.
"No, I'm just genuinely curious. Thanks for coming so often when we've only been open less than a month."
Maybe it sounds like an odd question from the owner, because even the customers at a nearby table glance over.
- Hmm... For me, Joo-hyun Oppa's cooking is delicious? But honestly, is there another reason besides that?
- Truth is, there aren't many places around here where we can hang out carefree at this hour. If we loiter elsewhere, nosy folks nag us to head back to school.
Su-young-i's answer first, then Ji-a's.
Both responses sit well with me.
Su-young-i's as a chef.
Ji-a's as a person.
It's not just because it's nearby—they're coming because it's *our* shop.
That's how it felt.
"Yeah, thanks. Come again anytime."
"See you next time!"
Yoon-seul chimes in from beside me.
Looks like Ji-a's gesture earlier won her over.
- Aww! Yoon-seul said hi? Gotta come back now.
- Hey, you're getting all mushy. Let's go.
Su-young-i pats Yoon-seul's head and teases in a playful whisper, earning a jab from Ji-a.
As they head out, Su-young-i turns back like she has more to say.
- Joo-hyun Oppa, that kimchi stew was delicious, though. You keeping it on the menu?
"Nah, even if I do, it'll only be for dinner for a while."
- Huh? Why? We loved it.
"Lunch customers usually eat quick and go. Unless I get a separate gas burner, it's tough for lunch."
It took about 20 minutes to finish and serve Su-young-i and Ji-a.
I don't have tons of hands, and lunch service lives or dies by speed.
Back when I ate jjigae in Jamsil, I realized the owner didn't half-cook on a gas burner for nothing.
- Aw, bummer. But you're still developing other menus, right?
"Of course. Trust me."
- Okay. We'll expect more next time, so whip up something tasty!
Su-young-i waves excitedly until she's out the door. Yoon-seul waves both hands high until the end.
A bit chaotic, but good friends.
Above all, they're customers who love *my* cooking, not just specific dishes. Maybe they sense that hand taste I heard about at the Jamsil place.
[Onui Tycoon!]
[The customer is moved by the attentive service.]
[J High School sophomore Kwon Su-young: Restaurant satisfaction increased by 10%!]
[Total satisfaction: 60%]
[J High School sophomore Kwon Su-young – Registered as Excellent Customer!]
"Second one now."
Another Excellent Customer registered.
First one since that college professor elder.
"We've only been open less than a month, and already this? Things are going pretty well."
Satisfied, I pushed through lunch service.
True to my word, I made Yoon-seul the pork kimchi rolls, which even scored us a dinner reservation.
As always, Yoon-seul ate so mouthwateringly that it tempted those around her.
One uncle customer eating spicy pork stir-fry seemed hooked.
- That's what the kid's eating—not on the menu. You not selling it?
"Ah, it was a test item I brought in just for today. Not for lunch, only planning evenings."
- Huh? Why?
"Takes too long for lunch rush—busy customers couldn't wait."
- Hmm... Owner's call, I guess. Selling it for dinner?
"Yeah, thinking of prepping burners for evenings."
We chatted like that, and the uncle promised to come back for dinner, scraping every bit from his pork bowl before leaving.
Feels like another Excellent Customer soon.
Lunch ends, break time.
I take Yoon-seul out to buy gas burners.
Around 15,000 won each—plan to get four, one per table.
Not sure when we'll use them.
On the way there and back, I messaged Onui.
Had a few questions.
**
Hoo—
Hoo—
Heavy, rhythmic deep breaths.
"Twenty-two, twenty-three..."
A shirtless boy's form.
Pecs cracked like desert ground.
Biceps asserting their presence.
Lats bulging under his arms.
Abs chiseled like embedded gravel.
Yet his face is as innocent as a country boy.
It's Dal-nim.
During workouts, he grows his body to fit the equipment. He's about 170cm now.
"Twenty-five...! Okay. Ora-beo-ni, set's done. Spot me now."
Dal-nim sets down the bar, and Haet-nim swiftly adds 10kg plates to both sides.
The younger sibling, yet stronger than Dal-nim.
"Haa, haa..."
Dal-nim catches his breath raggedly.
Haet-nim glares at him.
"Ora-beo-ni! I told you—wipe the sweat after the bench!"
"Ugh, sorry..."
He hurries to the bench, wiping the sweat stains where he lay.
Drip-drip—
Drip-drip—
A mechanical chime from the messaging app, like water droplets.
Song Joo-hyun sent a message.
Haet-nim lies under the bar, positioning for bench press.
Even bigger than in Yoon-seul's dream.
He nods at Dal-nim, a cue.
It was Dal-nim's turn for Joo-hyun's messages today, naturally.
That's why only one Onui logged into the Tycoon app at a time.
"Urgh... still two sets left."
Dal-nim sighs away his regret and heads to the messages.
A new one from Song Joo-hyun.
[Song Joo-hyun: Reaching out 'cause I have a question. You free?]
[Dal-nim: Yeah, in the middle of something, but go ahead.]
Song Joo-hyun played an important role for Onui, so no slacking.
[Song Joo-hyun: Peeked at the Tycoon app while cooking earlier. My talent's almost at level up. What's good about leveling?]
[Dal-nim: Simply put, your cooking improves. Plus other perks.]
[Song Joo-hyun: Feels sufficient now.]
[Dal-nim: It's plenty now, sure. But you've only been open a month?
Like I said at first, Onui Restaurant needs fame and expansion.]
[Song Joo-hyun: Ah, so current skills won't cut it eventually?]
[Dal-nim: Not certain, but probably. Bigger place or more menus means more to handle, right?
Level up 'Path of Cooking' proficiency, and you gain foresight for that.]