Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: If That Face Can Cook Well Too, She's the Real Top Bride Candidate
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"Why are you guys so sensitive about the word 'guy' all of a sudden? He's just a normal person helping out, so let's not make a fuss."
I briefly explained the collab concept and the schedule for the day.
Head to the mart to shop for ingredients, then go back home and cook with what we bought to serve to our guest. That was the foodie concept.
The chat went into a frenzy when I mentioned that I would be handling the cooking.
It was a similar reaction to the one during the previous Mungchi incident, and I scowled deeply.
"No, do I really look like I can't cook?"
My pride was a bit hurt.
"I've been living alone for 10 years, you know?"
"Ugh, I shouldn't have said anything."
We left the coffee shop and strolled down the street.
We were heading to a nearby big-box mart to buy the ingredients we needed.
Daram and I walked side by side, while President Park, now the cameraman, walked backward in front of us, filming.
But Daram's position was a bit too close to the road.
Cars were zooming by, so it looked dangerous. I naturally pulled her toward the inside lane.
I couldn't check the chat properly in the middle of the street, but that was the general vibe.
Soon, we arrived at the mart.
The massive discount chain that everyone in Korea knows.
The bright red sign with the L logo welcomed us warmly.
"Ah, hold on a sec."
Before going in, I stopped Daram for a moment.
A strand of hair had stuck to her mouth, probably from the wind. When I gently peeled it off with my finger, her eyes went wide.
"Jeong-ah, do you have a little sister by any chance?"
"Huh? Yeah, how'd you know?"
"You seem totally used to looking after others."
"Oh."
"Little brother? Or sister?"
"Little sister. Two years younger."
"Yeah, yeah! If I were a guy, I'd fall for her instantly!"
"Whoa, really? Am I actually into girls?!"
"No, Daram, don't humor their nonsense every time."
Seeing our banter syncing up so perfectly left me dumbfounded, and Daram puffed out her cheeks like a chipmunk.
"Come on, Daram is too cold. Just call me Daram unnie casually."
I was chatting with Daram while trying to keep an eye on the chat—it was total chaos.
"Then I'll call you Daram unnie."
"Eek, hearing 'unnie' feels kinda weird."
In the midst of it, a bunch of mild chats from Daram's viewers started pouring in, probably her audience joining.
The existing viewers were agonizing over it, turning the chat into pandemonium in an instant.
"Daram unnie, any food you're craving?"
As I asked while pushing the cart toward the ingredients aisle, Daram made a thoughtful face, tapping her chin.
"Hmm... Something you're confident in, Jeong-ah?"
"I'm confident in everything."
"What am I gonna do with you guys."
At this point, I had to show them for sure and flatten those noses.
Daram was still pondering. Since the original plan was for her to cook, it made sense she couldn't think of something right away.
"Or should we just browse first? Something might catch your eye."
"Yeah, let's do that!"
The mart was huge, but some aisles were narrow.
Just wide enough for two carts to squeeze by.
When another cart approached from the opposite direction, I instinctively pulled Daram by the shoulder—then snapped out of it and quickly let go.
"Ah, sorry. It's a habit from my little sister..."
"Huh? No, that was totally heart-fluttering."
Daram actually smiled, looking pleased.
"But you don't do that to just anyone, right? People might misunderstand."
A quick glance at the chat showed starkly different reactions, clear enough to tell whose fans were whose.
Daram unnie's room viewers really were milder.
Were all girl streamers' chats like that, or did her personality naturally attract nicer people?
Does that mean my personality attracts assholes like these?
I shook my head after a moment's thought.
I didn't want to accept that.
We started at the safest spot: the vegetable section.
The earthy smell from freshly washed produce, mixed with pungent local scents, tickled my nose.
As I admired the vibrant greens, I turned to Daram.
"Any foods you can't eat?"
Like allergies or something she really hates.
For reference, Ye-eun hated carrots.
Every school picnic, I'd pack kimbap, and the dish always came back with just carrots left.
"Nah, I eat everything without being picky."
We started picking out ingredients at the display.
First up, versatile staples good with anything: carrots and onions.
I checked each one by feel.
"For carrots, go for bright color, firm when you touch, and smooth surface—no bends."
"Onions with peels have stronger flavor and more moisture than peeled ones. Pick ones where the skin is well-dried."
Yes, this was the reaction I wanted.
As I flaunted my hard-earned knowledge, the viewers flipped and applauded.
I was feeling smug, explaining how to pick potatoes, when—
The acorn next to the nickname was a fan badge for Daram's viewers.
Apparently, they often added them to show affiliation with the streamer.
I gave them a serious look and asked for understanding.
"Sorry, but please hold off on calling me cute. Even if I look like this, I'm the cool and chic type."
"Hey, no fabricating."
The troublemakers revved up again.
Still, my viewers seemed to be trying to get along with Daram's, so I couldn't say much.
Anyway, the cart quickly filled with onions, carrots, potatoes—the holy trinity. Staring at them sparked an idea.
"Daram unnie, how about braised chicken stew?"
"Ooh! I love braised chicken stew!"
Braised chicken stew it was.
Once the main dish was set, things moved fast.
Green onions, green chilies, various sauces for the seasoning.
As we headed to buy the fresh chicken, the main ingredient, a nicely packaged bunch of chives caught my eye.
"Chives are good for guys, right?"
"What are you talking about? I'm gonna eat it."
We ended up with a ton of stuff.
We grunted and hauled it out, but it was heavier and bulkier than expected. Now what?
Then President Park pointed to the underground parking.
Since the studio was a ways away, he'd arranged a car in advance.
I get why CEOs in dramas have competent secretaries now.
His foresight was top-tier.
"Got it? We're heading to the underground parking!"
"Ah! Jeong-ah, wait for me!!"