Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Today's Palate (3)
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"Hey, come on, even if we're close, what's with peeking at someone else's sales like that..."
Ho-yeon Hyung waved his hand dismissively, turning down the offer.
"What's there I can't show you? Anyway, when I was working at your place, I punched the POS myself plenty of times.
I'd look at the monthly sales and think, 'Whoa, I gotta make this much someday too.'"
He chuckled silently.
If anything, Hyung's stance was the reasonable one.
Whatever our history, we're both bosses rUnnieng our own shops now.
Giving him that kind of burden was a matter of manners before anything else.
"If you don't wanna see it, no big deal. Point is, I'm confident enough to show it off."
"Fine, then prove it with the food."
"Heh, alright then."
In the end, he'd come for a free meal.
Considering all the meals I'd gotten at his place while part-timing, I wouldn't mind spotting him ten bowls.
I head into the kitchen and remake the gochujang samgyeopsal just like I'd been serving the customers.
All the while, I keep an ear on the dining area.
Yoon-seul peeks around cautiously before approaching Hyung. Then she starts showing off Boong-boong No. 3.
"Uncle."
"Yeah?"
"That one's from Oppa."
"Whoa! Did Joo-hyun Oppa get you that one? Is it yours, Yoon-seul?"
"Yeah! It catches bad guys."
"Bad guys? Where's the bad guy?"
Without hesitation, Yoon-seul points right at Hyung. Thinking back, she never really liked him much.
I'd been called out multiple times while prepping the business—getting advice from him, help picking suppliers.
From Yoon-seul's perspective, he was probably 'the guy who keeps stealing Oppa away.'
"Pew-pew! Bang! Pew-bang!"
With regular customers, she usually stops at a simple bang-bang, but this time she's going all out, emptying the clip like a revolver.
"Uwooooh!"
An over-the-top reaction!
It was Ho-yeon Hyung—over forty—flopping back behind his chair.
He should watch his back.
Makes me wonder if Kwon Su-young will grow up reacting like that when she's older.
In about ten minutes, the gochujang samgyeopsal is done and hits the table.
Hyung smacks his lips at the sight.
"Whoa, that smells killer."
"No booze at our place, so don't even ask."
"No booze?! This screams soju."
"RUnnieng a business with Yoon-seul? Selling alcohol's tough."
"With Yunseul-i!"
The little one by my leg beams and giggles at the word "with."
"Fair point. It'll be rough till the kid's grown. Least you won't get any troublemakers, though."
"That's the upside."
It's not just selling alcohol that's the issue—it's the uptick in problem customers that worries me.
Drunk folks lose their inhibitions, and every now and then they end up yelling at the staff.
I could handle it fine.
But if anyone did that to Yoon-seul? I'd never forgive them.
"Means no stress for me. Business is going alright too."
"Yeah, sell what fits your situation. Smart choice."
We're making enough that we don't need booze sales to prop us up. For my mental health, skipping it feels like the better call.
Hyung loads up his chopsticks with onions and green onions, stuffs a whole piece of samgyeopsal in his mouth.
Hoo— hoo—
He cools it in his mouth, then scoops a big bite of rice to chase it down before the meat hits his throat.
Chew chew swallow, another scoop of rice, another chopstickful.
He repeats this a few times, and the pile dwindles fast.
"Take your time."
"I'm always like this. Doesn't change easy."
Hyung eats at a blistering pace.
Back when he started, he'd skip breaks to draw in every customer.
Said he had to scarf down bites whenever he got a second in the kitchen.
Even successful bosses like him didn't start out smooth. He hustled hard, couldn't even eat properly.
Makes me think I'm rUnnieng things pretty cushy. Sitting Yoon-seul on my lap for storytime, driving Boong-boong at Seongbuk Stream together.
"Hey, Joo-hyun."
"Huh... Yeah?"
Lost in thought for a sec, and Hyung turns his attention to the kitchen. The gochujang samgyeopsal bowl and rice are empty. He stands, walks up to the counter.
Peers in, scanning the back of the kitchen.
"Hey, you!"
"Yeah?"
He scowls fiercely and says:
"You put a ton of effort into keeping this kitchen spotless?"
High praise.
Super detailed praise, too.
"Whoa— not a speck of grime on the floor?"
"Yeah! Yeah! Yunseul-i knows."
Yoon-seul, who'd been quiet, toddles over to the kitchen, drops to her knees, and mimes scrubbing the floor.
"Oppa cleans like this— whoosh—whoosh— every day."
I was speechless.
Usually when I clean, I play racing vids or cartoons on my phone for her.
Turns out she'd been watching me the whole time.
"Oppa cleans that hard?"
"Yeah! Yunseul-i saw it all."
She puffs out her tummy proudly, showing off.
"Just... open kitchen, so I pay extra attention."
"That doesn't explain the fridge handles gleaming too."
Another reminder of the experience gap.
Hyung's been at this too long to brush off.
I haven't been in the game forever, but cleaning's a beast.
We fry and grill here, so grease splatters everywhere inevitably.
The floor around the burners? Skip three days, and it's yellow and greasy.
Fridge handles, sink drawers— a week, and they're sticky with gunk.
Couldn't let that slide.
Kitchen cleanliness is basic respect to customers.
And most important: Yoon-seul.
"Yoon-seul's watching, so I don't wanna slack off in front of her."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
I sit on a table chair and call Yoon-seul over.
Scoot her onto my lap, stroke her hair.
"Anyway... we're gonna be here together long-term, right? If she sees me half-assing anything, she'll pick it up.
Gotta show her the hardworking side, always."
I smile to hide the embarrassment.
Hyung gives me a thumbs-up—the kind Yoon-seul does all the time.
"Like I said before, you're the guy who deserves to succeed."
"Enough, why all the praise just 'cause you dropped by after ages."
"You know I don't toss compliments lightly? Honestly, I was impressed today."
"..."
"Kitchen's on point, your cooking's leveled up. Especially pork— I sell it, so I know. How far to cook it. And that gochujang seasoning? Spicy but not overwhelming, perfect."
He points at the kitchen.
"Kids who suck at business? Their kitchens are disasters. But yours? Hygiene's top-notch just from the setup. You were always detail-oriented, but bet the inside of the fridge is spotless too."
"That's 'cause you drilled it into me."
"Putting advice into practice? That's qualification enough."
"Thanks."
The moment customers taste the food and smile.
When they say it's delicious.
When they promise to come back.
I've gotten those big and small nods since opening.
They're always a joy, but Hyung zeroing in on specifics? Hits different.
Maybe 'cause I know his style, his depth of know-how.
Feels like real validation for my efforts. Pride swells.
"Was gonna drop by and chew you out if things were off, but worry for nothing."
"Huh?"
Yoon-seul steps up to Hyung.
"No scolding Oppa, or Yunseul-i shoots!"
Pew—
Bang! Bang!
Still my faithful bodyguard, Yoon-seul unleashes her dual finger-guns on Hyung.
The middle-aged guy plays along perfectly, thrashing dramatically with every hit.
Hits me again: I lucked out with my old part-time boss.
**
Wrapped up dinner service and cleaning.
Since he acknowledged the upkeep, I went even harder on the floors and dishes.
Yoon-seul offered, "Yunseul-i help too?" Barely talked her out of it. Scrubbing with detergent's rough work— couldn't ask my sister.
Instead, had her stock the cider in the fridge. Open the box on the floor, stack 'em neat.
Checked it myself: a bit crooked in spots, but solid effort. Squat down, straighten by rows and columns, shut the door.
"Yoon-seul helped Oppa again? What should I do to thank you?"
"Then chocolate in mouth."
Ahh—
She opens wide.
Pop in one of the chocolates customers brought recently. She munches happily.
Ring out the POS, and we're done for the day.
[Monthly Sales]
[8,953,000 won]
Our chat with Hyung earlier makes this month's figure jump out.
End of May, but still impressive sales.
"Almost double what I made part-timing?"
Food costs aren't low, but for a solo operation? Solid enough to be pleased.
Enough to get by forever if it holds.
"O-nu-i's videos probably helped too."
Lately, the [Seongbuk Stream Desperado] clip drew crowds.
Next month might dip.
That's business.
Heading out, pleased with the numbers, and Yoon-seul's saying bye to Boong-boong No. 3.
"No. 3... See you tomorrow tomorrow."
"Yoon-seul, tomorrow tomorrow's the day after."
"Yeah, day after, No. 3."
Day off tomorrow, so two days without No. 3.
But why No. 3?
Hadn't thought much, but curiosity hit.
Seat her on the bike rack and ask.
"Yoon-seul, why's it No. 3?"
"Uh... third one. So No. 3."
"What's the first?"
"Oppa's bike."
"Second?"
"Unnie's. Bike."
Never would've guessed such a precise reason.
Too bad No. 1 has pedals and gears instead of an engine—no vroom for it.
I'll let that slide for now.