LIGHTNOVELONLINE 103
“‘My Small Television’?”
Bong Kang-min tilted his head curiously.
“What kind of name is that? What kind of broadcast is it?”
“You know how internet broadcasts are popular these days, right?”
“Oh yeah, I know~ Is it mukbang? I hear kids these days watch a lot of that stuff.”
Bong Kang-min grumbled that his daughter these days doesn’t say a word during dinner, just staring at her phone. I wonder if it’s really because of the phone, though.
“It’s a program that borrows that format. Um, let’s say it’s a survival show? Multiple people simultaneously start their own internet broadcasts. From there, people with low viewership are eliminated one by one, and only those who survive continue broadcasting.”
“Oho~ There’s such a thing? That’s interesting.”
“Since it’s a new format program, it seems they’re looking for various participants.”
Anyway, knowing it had caused quite a stir before my regression, I quickly accepted.
“They said they want to do a pilot filming soon.”
“Our Chef Song, it’s good to see you staying strong even through difficult times. Yes! This is the spirit young people should have!”
Being called a young person makes my conscience sting a lot. Anyway, as I was laughing it off, Jung Ha-neul, who had gone into the kitchen, came out with appetizing guobaorou.
“Wow~”
Its appearance naturally elicited exclamations. It was clearly freshly fried and crispy, with a glistening sauce dripping down.
Even though I hadn’t felt hungry, my mouth started watering involuntarily.
“Chef Bong. You weren’t nagging the juniors again, were you?”
“Nagging! It’s all sincere advice that becomes their flesh and blood.”
“Aish. That’s why you don’t have any disciples.”
“Ugh.”
Jung Ha-neul’s words seemed to hit a sore spot for Bong Kang-min. Jung Ha-neul patted An Derek’s shoulder with a smug expression.
“Ah, Chef An learned a lot from me too, if you think about it! So couldn’t we say he’s my disciple?”
“Is that so?”
Receiving the gazes of both Bong Kang-min and Jung Ha-neul, An Derek responded firmly.
“No, it’s not.”
“Ack!”
Bong Kang-min deflated like a sunk ship.
“Why don’t our kids want to become my disciples? They all leave once they build up experience…”
Hmm. I’m not sure, but I don’t think Bong Kang-min would be a bad teacher.
It might be a bit annoying, though.
‘If the problem isn’t with Chef Bong, then it must be something else.’
From just hearing about it like this, I really couldn’t understand the reason.
“Why do you think? It’s because you’re always chasing cameras instead of being in the kitchen.”
Ah.
At Jung Ha-neul’s pointed remark, Bong Kang-min groaned with exaggerated gestures, “Ugh, it hurts!” If that’s the reason, I can understand why they run away.
“I, I try hard to teach them in my own way~ When I’m not filming, I’m in the kitchen with the kids every day!”
“Even so, how can that compare to other chefs who go to the kitchen every day except for Cold Cooking filming days?”
“Urk.”
Bong Kang-min made a gloomy face. To see such a deflated expression on this ajussi. All supply and no demand.
“Can’t be helped! Chef Song!”
“Yes?”
I had an ominous feeling.
“Will you be my disciple, Chef Song?!”
“Oh……”
I’m really not interested at all.
“Huh? It’d be good to come cook with me when you have time, and share good recipes with each other, right?”
I had forgotten, but this person is a cooking otaku. Is the disciple thing just an excuse, and he’s actually looking for someone to geek out with him?
As I was smiling awkwardly, Bong Kang-min pushed further.
“It’s almost the end of the year too. What are you doing that day? Do you have any set plans?”
“No, not really……”
I hadn’t planned anything. Jo I-ruk said he was going to visit his parents, and Roh Se-hee said she’d spend time with her husband. Yang Ji-a and Park Sang-won each have year-end gatherings, so they’ll probably hang out with acquaintances.
‘Jung Da-on did ask me to go see the first sunrise of the year with her family, but it doesn’t feel right for me to join, after all.’
And I’m not thick-skinned enough to join Lee In-cheol and Choi Yeo-hae’s luxurious hotel vacation. Kim Jong-chun was excited about closing the shop for once and going on a short domestic trip with his family.
‘Oh. Come to think of it, everyone has plans except me?’
The thought that I might be welcoming the new year alone suddenly flashed through my mind.
‘Before my regression, around this time I was so busy with networking that even having two bodies wouldn’t have been enough.’
Thanks to that, I don’t think I ever spent the end of the year and new year alone. How long has it been since I’ve spent it this quietly?
Now that I’m facing spending it alone, it does feel a bit empty.
As I was thinking this, Bong Kang-min suddenly cut in.
“Yeah? If you don’t have work, why don’t you come to our restaurant?”
“Pardon?”
“It’d be good to hear some advice from our well-doing CEO Song! We’re fully booked for this year-end, but we have an odd number of people, so there’s exactly one seat left, you know?”
“What?”
“Our Chef Song can come eat and give us some feedback!”
Wait a moment. I can’t keep up with the conversation speed. As I kept saying “What?” in confusion, Jung Ha-neul chimed in with a bright smile.
“Oh my, that would be wonderful.”
No, Chef Jung Ha-neul, even you?
“Yeah. Don’t feel burdened! We’ve prepared ingredients for the exact number of seats anyway, so we need to use them up. Come and eat comfortably~ If you’re bored, you can even help us out a bit.”
Haha, what a joke.
It’s not just an ordinary restaurant, but a renowned restaurant where the kitchen operates under a strict hierarchy. If I suddenly took up a spot just because I’m close with Bong Kang-min? The complaints from other chefs would be enormous.
It’s a bit out of the blue, but I think I understand why they’re making this offer.
‘They all probably know I don’t have family. Are they being considerate?’
It’s widely known through the media that I’m alone in the world. This must be why both Bong Kang-min and Jung Ha-neul are joining in.
‘Well, I’d just be bored staying home alone anyway.’
Should I go for a change of scenery? I might even get ideas for the new brand.
“Alright. I’ll go then.”
“Great~ I’ll prepare some wine I’ve been saving too, so look forward to it!”
“Oh? Then I want to go too?”
“Ah, our Chef Jung is always welcome~!”
Bong Kang-min jumped up from his seat, excited.
The gathering had become lively, and the atmosphere was heating up.
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Yes, at that time…
I didn’t know that the invitation I accepted so lightly would turn out like this.
Crash!
A plate clattered noisily as it rolled on the floor. But the person who had pushed the plate off the table paid no attention, glaring at the waiter with bloodshot eyes.
“Can’t you hear me?”
The sharp voice filled the restaurant. People who had been enjoying their meals pleasantly each murmured, glancing at the source of the commotion.
“Sir, please calm down first……”
“Do I look calm to you?!”
The attempt to calm the customer only made him more agitated. He grabbed the wine glass from the table and flipped it over above the waiter’s head.
Splash!
“Oh my!”
“Good heavens.”
Red wine flowed down from the waiter’s head, soaking his clothes. People each let out an exclamation at the shocking scene.
The huffing customer finally shouted loudly.
“Call the owner out heeeere!”
Why did the peaceful dining scene change like this? We need to turn back time a little to see.
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Michelin two-star,
This Korean fine dining restaurant run by Bong Kang-min was located in the heart of Seoul, famous for being expensive.
The neighborhood was developed long ago, so the buildings were a bit old, but the sight that greeted you as you stepped out of the narrow elevator was truly breathtaking.
‘The sophisticated and calm colors are well captured.’
It didn’t match the image of Bong Kang-min, the actual owner of this place, at all.
“Are you Chef Song Woo-yeon?”
“Ah, yes, that’s right.”
As soon as I stepped through the threshold, a waiter greeted me as if he had been waiting.
How expensive would it have been to come here paying? I felt burdened anew.
“I’ll guide you to your reserved seat.”
Following the neatly dressed waiter, I saw tables spaced out in a fairly large area.
Among them, a slightly smaller table. A table that could seat two people at most was my spot.
‘I guess it’s a table for solo diners.’
Looking around, I saw a couple more similar tables. It seems there are quite a few customers who come alone to enjoy fine dining.
The tables filled up quickly. It must be because of the set reservation times.
It seemed people had come for various reasons like couples, family dinners, meetings with friends, and so on.
There was one more solo diner besides me.
When I returned from the bathroom, someone had already taken the previously empty seat next to me.
Glance.
Looking at the next table, I saw a middle-aged man fiddling with his phone.
A stern-looking appearance. Something that could be fatigue or irritation lingered on his face. Moreover, he took out a small notebook from his breast pocket and started writing something while looking around, even before the food arrived.
‘A critic?’
That was a possibility. These days, it’s quite common for critics to visit without revealing their identity.
Even so, coming alone in formal attire and scribbling something was bound to attract attention.
The staff in charge of the hall seemed to have noticed this person too, appearing to relay something upstairs.
“We’ll start by preparing an appetizer to stimulate your appetite.”
“Okay.”
My menu came out first. The waiter’s attitude as he rattled off the explanation of the appetizer was also professional and flawless.
As I was listening to the explanation with satisfaction, there was suddenly a “Tsk!” sound from the next table.
‘What?’
As the waiter and I turned simultaneously, the man muttered loud enough for us to hear.
“Geez. The service here is a mess. Don’t they even know the proper order?”
……At that moment, I sensed it.
This wouldn’t be an easy meal.