Chapter 143

Sizzle!

Having finished cooking bulgogi (Korean-style marinated beef), Kang Jin placed it on a dish and called out to the hall,

“The bulgogi is ready!”

“Yes!”

One of the ghosts drinking soju got up immediately and returned with the dish of bulgogi. As he watched this, Kang Jin quickly scanned the food cooking over the fire. Another batch of bulgogi was sizzling away, while kimchi stew bubbled merrily nearby.

He leaned forward, feeling his stomach grumble.

Rrrumble!

“Ahh…!” With a small groan, Kang Jin glanced at Bae Yongsoo beside him, who appeared intensely focused on something. Sung Yongsoo was stirring syrup made from omija berries using a spoon. The mixture, infused with omija juice, displayed a beautiful red hue.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to make sugar threads.”

“Sugar threads?”

Kang Jin spoke to Bae Yongsoo as he observed the sugar syrup. Then, Yongsoo used a fork to pick up some of the syrup.

Drip! Drip!

As the syrup slowly dripped from the fork, Sung Yongsoo fanned it with a paper fan.

Shwa! Shwa!

This caused the sugar to stretch out and transform into thin red threads before falling onto the floor.

“How fascinating,” Kang Jin marveled aloud while watching Bae Yongsoo create more strands of sugar thread.

Once there were enough threads, Yongsoo carefully gathered them together and placed them on top of a plate. Although they looked like threads, they were solid candy, so they would easily crumble if not handled gently. He focused intently on his task.

“All right.” Bae Yongsoo retrieved a plate from the freezer. It had plastic wrap covering its surface, beneath which was a heart-shaped mold made with syrup.

He cautiously poured sugar syrup onto the heart-shaped mold.

Gloop! Gloop!

The red syrup slowly filled the heart shape.

“It’s pretty,” Kang Jin remarked, and Bae Yongsoo nodded in agreement.

“I made it to be pretty.” He gently tapped the bottom of the plate with his palm.

Tak-tak-tak!

As he did so, the syrup spread evenly across the surface.

Kang Jin, who had been observing this process, checked on the bulgogi (marinated beef) and kimchi stew before shouting towards the dining hall.

“One more order of bulgogi and kimchi stew!”

At her call, two ghosts approached, and she handed them their menu orders.

“Enjoy your meal.”

“We always do!” Smiling, the ghosts returned to their seats with their menus in hand. Kang Jin wiped her hands clean.

“All dishes served.”

Bae Yongsoo nodded at Kang Jin’s statement and carefully lifted the cling wrap covering the dish.

Swoosh!

As the wrap was removed, the delicate red heart became visible.

“Oh wow… Look at all this effort.”

“Shhh!” At Sung Yongsoo’s hush gesture, Kang Jin closed his mouth promptly. With utmost care, as if not to break the delicate heart-shaped jelly mold, Sung Yongsoo lifted it out of its wrap. The jelly had quickly solidified due to being placed on a chilled plate from the freezer, maintaining the heart shape perfectly. He then carefully removed the heart and placed it atop a pancake he had prepared earlier.

“Phew!” Letting out a small sigh, he wiped his hands before generously sprinkling red sugar crystals over the pancake.

“What do you think?” Sung Yongsoo asked Kang Jin, who examined the dish.

This special pancake was made for their beloved companion. Although the ingredients were ordinary, Sung Yongsoo paid meticulous attention to presentation. Beautifully sliced fruits adorned the top, accompanied by a red heart-shaped jelly and a sprinkle of sugar, creating an aesthetically pleasing dessert.

In other words, it was designed to appeal to women’s tastes.

“But why pancakes?”

“It’s her birthday and she is my lover.” Kang Jin nodded at Bae Yongsoo’s explanation.

“I guess cakes are appropriate for birthdays and lovers.”

Pancakes could be considered a type of cake when looking at them broadly. As Kang Jin observed Bae Yongsoo, he glanced down at the pancakes.

“They look great. I didn’t know you knew how to make this kind of dish.”

While making pancakes wasn’t difficult, they were decidedly Western cuisine rather than traditional Korean fare.

Bae Yongsoo chuckled at Kang Jin’s comment.

“In today’s globalized world, if a chef only sticks to Korean cuisine, success would elude them.”

“So, can you cook other cuisines too?”

“I haven’t delved deeply into any particular style, but I do have some knowledge of Japanese and Western cooking as well. Understanding various culinary techniques allows me to create a wider range of dishes and ultimately produce more delicious meals.”

Bae Yongsoo glanced at Kang Jin as she spoke about pancakes and gestured towards the dining area with her head.

“Please bring it out here.”

Bae Yongsoo nodded, carefully picked up the plate, and headed to the hall. As he did so, Kang Jin watched him leave before opening a drawer located nearby. She took two candles from within, lit them, and followed Bae Yongsoo while carrying the candles cautiously.

Kang Jin approached Choi Hun and Jongin, holding the candles aloft.

“Our head chef prepared a special dish for your special day. Chef Bae!”

Smiling, Bae Yongsoo set down the plate upon hearing his title.

“I hope you enjoy this,” said Bae Yongsoo politely.

Jongin’s face lit up in admiration at his courteous manner.

“It looks absolutely beautiful!”

As she claimed, the pancakes looked quite appealing.

Following Jongin’s words, Kang Jin placed candles on the table and surveyed the area before addressing Choi Hocheol at one side of the room.

“Hyung, could you please turn off the lights?”

With Choi Hocheol extinguishing the lights, the soft glow from the candles filled the establishment. Kang Jin smiled while gazing at the candles and clapped her hands.

“Happy Birthday to you.”

Kang Jin’s cue prompted Bae Yongsoo to nod and join her in singing:

“Happy Birthday to you!”

As Kang Jin and Bae Yongsoo sang, the other ghosts initially watched silently but gradually started clapping and offering birthday wishes upon Kang Jin’s subtle gestures. Smiling warmly amidst the celebrations, Choi Hun bowed his head in gratitude.

“Thank you.”

“Now make a wish and blow out the candles,” Kang Jin prompted Choi Hun, who gazed briefly at the flames before exhaling softly.

Whooosh!

As the candles went out, Choi Hocheol turned on the lights. With the store illuminated, Kang Jin retrieved a knife from the kitchen.

“Since we’re already here, let’s do everything properly.”

While speaking, Kang Jin handed the carving knife to Choi Hun, who accepted it. Then, Choi Hun looked at Jongin.

“Let’s cut it together.”

Following Choi Hun’s suggestion, Jongin grasped the knife alongside him, positioning it over the pancake cake. As they sliced through the cake with synchronized movements, their smiles caught Kang Jin’s attention. He subtly bowed his head.

“Wishing you both a wonderful time ahead.”

After celebrating Choi Hun’s birthday, Kang Jin and Bae Yongsoo engaged in conversation with Heo Yeonwook.

“I haven’t seen you around lately. Where have you been?”

Kang Jin hadn’t spotted Heo Yeonwook for several days. With a smile, he replied:

“I spent some time at the hospital where I used to work.”

“Why did you suddenly go there?”

“Well, I wanted to check on my former patients and see if any new medical papers were published after my death.”

“Even in death, you can’t let go of your medical research.”

“One good thing about being dead is having ample time.” Heo Yeonwook chuckled before continuing, “The hospital has developed a medicine using garlic and mugwort, which I was researching.”

“Garlic and mugwort?”

“It primarily serves as a health supplement… Consuming it regularly is very beneficial for the body.”

Bae Yongsoo laughed at Heo Yeonwook’s words.

“It makes sense since garlic and mugwort were said to turn bears into humans.”

“Indeed. Our ancestors were truly remarkable. They recognized the health benefits of garlic and mugwort from ancient times.”

“But there are many medicines made with garlic and mugwort, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. However, I was researching how to extract only the beneficial components from garlic and mugwort… And it seems my research has paid off.”

As they continued chatting amiably, suddenly, the ghosts turned towards the shop entrance.

“It’s time for everyone to wake up.”

Upon hearing one ghost’s announcement, the others hastily finished their meals and quickly left the establishment.

Kang Jin noticed this sudden change in atmosphere.

“The virgin ghost is here?”

The ghosts wouldn’t leave so early unless it was due to the arrival of the virgin ghost.

“She seems to be visiting too often these days,” Bae Yongsoo grumbled softly.

Kang Jin laughed at his complaint. “Yet you come every day without fail.”

Bae Yongsoo pursed his lips at Kang Jin’s retort before heading out with Heo Yeonwook. However, he paused and turned back towards Choi Hun.

Choi Hun and Jongin were trembling, unsure of what to do. This situation had never occurred since One Meal Restaurant opened, leaving them clueless on how to proceed.

Bae Yongsoo addressed them, “We must vacate the premises as the virgin ghost has arrived.”

“Leave the restaurant?”

“Yes, please follow me.”

Following Bae Yongsoo’s words, Choi Hun and Jongin hastily exited through the back door with him. Feeling apologetic for Jongin, who seemed disappointed about leaving behind unfinished food, Kang Jin started clearing the tables.

Ding!

Accompanied by a chime-like sound, Kim Sohee entered with Yerim and Choi Ga-eun. However, they weren’t alone; following closely behind them were Hyejeon’s family members.

“Huh?” Kang Jin looked puzzled as six virgin ghosts entered together, then subtly glanced at the door.

“Where is Yeongsoo?”

Kim Sohee responded to Kang Jin’s question.

“I temporarily entrusted him to the Incubus Ghost.”

“The Incubus Ghost?”

“I can reveal the life of the virgin ghost, but not that of the incubus.”

“Ah… He was sent abroad for studies.”

“Abroad?”

Kim Sohee tilted her head at Kang Jin’s words. Lee Hye-sun smiled and explained further:

“Well, something like that.”

“Then who is this Incubus Ghost you mentioned earlier?”

“I’ve seen him from afar a few times, and he seems like a good person. I guess we’re somewhat similar?”

Kang Jin nodded in agreement with Lee Hye-sun’s assessment.

“What would you like to order?”

Kim Sohee glanced at the time as Kang Jin asked. It was already past 12:30 PM.

“Not much time left; please make something quick.”

Noticing the late hour, Kang Jin nodded and turned to Hanna.

“Hanna, could you help me? We need to prepare it swiftly.”

Kang Jin remembered that Kang Hanna knew her way around the kitchen and asked for her help.

“I’ll take care of it.”

With Kang Hanna’s assent, Kang Jin poured oil into a frying pan and added garlic and chili peppers.

Sizzle!

As he listened to the sound of the ingredients sizzling in the pan, Kang Jin took out some pork from the refrigerator.

“What can I do?”

“Please chop up these onions and peppers.”

While Kang Hanna was cutting vegetables, Jong Myung-hee entered the kitchen with empty dishes.

“You didn’t have to bring those here; I could’ve done it myself.”

“How long would you have taken if you did everything alone?”

Jong Myung-hee then disposed of leftover food, placed the dishes in the sink, and started washing them.

“Thank you.” Kang Jin glanced toward the living room as he spoke. Lee Hye-sun was cleaning with Lee Yerim and Ga-eun Choi, while Kim Sohee had taken out soju from the refrigerator and was drinking alone.

Kang Jin noticed this and took some side dishes from the fridge before turning to Kang Hanna.

“Can you take care of these?”

“Yes.”

After asking Kang Hanna to cook stir-fried meat, Kang Jin portioned out some sides for Kim Sohee.

“You shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach.”

“Thanks.” As she watched Kim Sohee pour another shot, Kang Jin asked:

“So how did you end up coming here with Ms. Lee?”

“It’s quite challenging to teach these young girls.”

“Ah!” Kang Jin nodded at Kim Sohee’s remark. Apparently, due to the significant age gap, Kim Sohee had delegated teaching duties to Lee Hye-sun.

‘Well, if the mistress teaches them directly, they might feel too nervous and have difficulty learning.’

Kang Jin muttered to himself while pouring another shot for Kim Sohee before heading back into the kitchen. He quickly glanced at the time and focused on cooking diligently. It was crucial to serve the food as fast as possible since the virgin ghosts could only eat until midnight.