Chapter 144

Kang Jin prepared stir-fried meat and Japanese-style rolled omelets. He figured these dishes would appeal to women’s tastes, plus they were quick to make. Having swiftly cooked both dishes, Kang Jin served them separately before bringing out the food alone.

As usual, he set aside separate plates for Kim Sohee and the Virgin Ghosts while joining Lee Hye-sun at her table.

“Hye-sun, I haven’t seen you much lately. Have you been busy?”

“I went to see the beach in Incheon with my kids.”

“Incheon? Didn’t you say you couldn’t travel far?”

“It’s close enough for us.”

Lee Hye-sun smiled as she poured soju for Kang Jin, who took a sip and then held out his glass again.

Glug!

When Kang Jin received his filled glass back, Lee Hye-sun picked up a piece of the rolled omelet, her eyes widening upon tasting it.

“It’s delicious.”

Kang Jin grinned at Lee Hye-sun’s remark.

“You think so?”

“It’s egg toast with a unique flavor. It’s sweet yet savory…and quite fluffy too.”

“You have good taste.”

“So do I.” As Lee Hye-sun spoke and took another bite of the egg toast, the other women also sampled it, smiling in approval.

“It reminds me of dipping castella cake in milk.”

“It truly is smooth.”

Kang Jin smiled at their comments and picked up a piece of meat to eat.

“Excuse me,” Kim Sohee called out, prompting Kang Jin to approach her.

“Yes?” replied Kang Jin.

Kim Sohee discreetly pointed at her plate. “Bring more, please.”

Kang Jin looked down at the dish. Initially, there were three pieces of egg toast set aside for Kim Sohee, but she had already finished them all.

“I’ll be right back.”

Fortunately, he had prepared one extra portion just in case, so all he needed to do was slice it up.

As Kang Jin picked up her bowl, Kim Sohee quietly said:

“I should’ve made more.”

“Huh?”

“Who can eat just three pieces of egg rolls?”

“Oh… Understood.”

Kang Jin chuckled lightly, sliced another egg roll, and placed half on Kim Sohee’s plate while keeping the other half separate. As he set down the bowls, Kim Sohee noticed the second portion of egg rolls. She wondered why it wasn’t given to her until she saw Kang Jin place it at Lee Hye-sun’s table. With a slight pout, she picked up her chopsticks.

“Do you have any…rice wine?”

“Rice wine? You mean makgeolli?”

“I enjoyed rice wine before.”

“We’re currently out of stock.”

“Oh, I see.” Feeling slightly disappointed, Kim Sohee responded.

Kang Jin quickly reassured her, “I’ll go there tomorrow and bring some back for you.”

“That sounds good.” Nodding, Kim Sohee watched as Kang Jin turned away, but then the door opened.

Ding!

Kang Jin turned toward the commotion and spotted Hwang Minsung entering the room. Lee Hye-sun’s eyes widened at the sight of him.

“Wow… He’s human!”

As Lee Hye-sun marveled at Hwang Minsung, Kang Jin glanced sidelong at Kim Sohee. She appeared completely uninterested, focused solely on her egg omelet and soju.

She doesn’t seem fazed.

Most ghosts would react with surprise or bewilderment like Lee Hye-sun upon seeing a living person enter at this hour, but Kim Sohee didn’t spare him a glance, absorbed in her food and drink.

I guess she really enjoys egg omelets.

It was possible that the Japanese-style preparation might not sit well with Kim Sohee, considering she was a warrior who fought against invading Japanese forces during the Imjin War. However, it wouldn’t be fair to assume she disliked all things Japanese simply because of her historical context. After all, delicious is just delicious.

However, just because she disliked Japan didn’t mean she had to hate Japanese cuisine. Delicious food…is simply delicious.

Kang Jin glanced at Kim Sohee before approaching Hwang Minsung.

“Welcome back.”

“I missed the food after having a drink earlier.”

“There’s nothing better than ramen for a hangover cure,” replied Kang Jin as Hwang Minsung took a seat nearby but paused abruptly, his expression darkening. He stood up again.

“Sir.”

“What can I get you?”

Hwang Minsung stared sternly at Kang Jin. “Are you serving alcohol to minors?”

“Huh?” Confused, Kang Jin looked at him quizzically, prompting Hwang Minsung to frown and approach Kim Sohee.

“Student.” Despite Hwang Minsung’s call, Kim Sohee kept her head down and raised her glass to take another sip.

Hwang Minsung frowned at Kang Jin’s reaction.

“You’re serving alcohol to a minor…”

The disappointed look on his face made Kang Jin realize how it appeared from Minsung’s perspective. Without knowing the full story, anyone would think similarly, seeing a middle school-aged girl drinking soju. Of course, if they knew everything…they’d run away immediately instead of returning here again.

Kang Jin quickly thought things through and reached a decision.

I need to handle this confidently. There’s no other choice.

No matter how he tried to explain himself, there was nothing that could justify this situation. Even Kang Jin had initially protested Kim Sohee drinking due to her age.

Having made up his mind, Kang Jin smiled nonchalantly.

“If I served alcohol to minors, my restaurant would be shut down, wouldn’t it?”

“Would I risk getting shut down by selling alcohol to minors?”

“You expect me to believe this student is of legal drinking age?”

And then…

“There are two students here wearing school uniforms.”

Boom!

Hwang Minsung’s thunderous words made Kang Jin grimace and turn his head towards the Virgin Ghosts. While Lee Hye-sun and the other Virgin Ghosts looked like they were in their twenties, it wasn’t the case for Lee Yerim and Choi Ga-eun. As Hwang Minsung pointed out, they were also dressed in school uniforms. Additionally, with soju glasses placed before them, it was clear evidence of underage drinking.

‘Depart boldly. Boldly depart.’

Kang Jin internally resolved to shamelessly leave once more and smiled again.

“Hye-sunah.” When Lee Hye-sun turned to him, he continued, “This honored guest thinks one of our guests looks underage?”

Kang Jin gave Lee Hye-sun a wink, and she picked up on his intention with a smile.

“Our big sister looks quite young for her age.”

“Big sister?”

Hwang Minsung looked puzzled at this revelation, prompting Lee Hye-sun to clarify with a grin.

“She’s our elder sister here.”

“You’re calling that student your elder sister? Are you serious?”

“Absolutely.” Kang Jin turned towards Hwang Minsung after hearing Lee Hye-sun’s response. “She may appear youthful, but she is indeed older than you think.”

“What do you mean?” Hwang Minsung seemed incredulous as he stared at Kim Sohee. To anyone, she appeared no more than a middle schooler, making it hard to believe that a woman in her mid-twenties would refer to her as their ‘big sister’. Observing Hwang Minsung’s disbelief, Kang Jin chuckled.

“If this young lady is underage, why would you call these women your ‘big sisters’? Besides, are you trying to cover for an underage drinker?”

“That’s…what if they’re acquaintances?” asked Hwang Minsung.

Kang Jin chuckled at his response. “If they were acquaintances, wouldn’t we stop her from drinking? What kind of adult would let a known minor consume alcohol?”

Hwang Minsung’s face showed skepticism at Kang Jin’s explanation. “But…she looks so young.”

Kang Jin shook his head at Hwang Minsung’s remark. “Among everyone here, Kim Sohee is actually the oldest.”

“The oldest?”

“She’s older than even Mr. Hwang Minsung.”

Hwang Minsung looked astonished at Kang Jin’s revelation and stared at Kim Sohee with surprise. He was in his mid-thirties, yet this girl appeared younger than him? Despite his initial disbelief, hearing this detail made him more inclined to trust Kang Jin’s story. If she had intended to lie, she likely would have claimed Sohee was in her early twenties instead of stating she was older than himself.

The girl present was older than him? Despite his initial disbelief, Hwang Minsung started to trust Kang Jin’s words. If she were lying, she would have claimed Sohee was in her early twenties instead of making such absurd claims about being older.

Seriously, this situation belongs on some TV reality show!

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Hwang Minsung stared at Kim Sohee with surprise and bewilderment. Meanwhile, Kim Sohee’s eyebrows twitched slightly, seemingly expressing discomfort… Of course, Kang Jin didn’t notice as she focused on persuading Hwang Minsung.

In any case, after a moment, Hwang Minsung responded to Kang Jin:

“Is it really true?”

Kang Jin looked straight at him before replying:

“My conscience isn’t cheap enough to sell for a few thousand won worth of soju.”

Hwang Minsung glanced at Lee Yerim and Choi Ga-eun after hearing Kang Jin’s response.

“So you two aren’t high school students either?”

“That’s right.”

It wasn’t a lie. Both girls had been deceased for several years now, so if they were alive, they would be college-aged by now.

“But why are you wearing uniforms?” Hwang Minsung asked.

Lee Yerim grumbled at his question. “Uncle, I know why you’re here…but we’re just trying to enjoy our meal.”

From her perspective, it was almost 1 PM, and she didn’t appreciate being interrupted.

Before Hwang Minsung could respond to Lee Yerim, Kim Sohee interjected.

“Please mind your manners.” Kim Sohee gently corrected Yerim’s impolite tone.

“I’m sorry, ma’am.” Lee Yerim hastily bowed her head and apologized.

Kim Sohee nodded, then raised her shot glass of soju.

Hwang Minsung glanced at Kim Sohee, surprised by her reaction.

Is she really older than Yerim?

Lee Yerim clearly looked more mature, yet she immediately backed down after Kim Sohee’s comment.

Kim Sohee poured herself another shot of soju without even looking up. “I misjudged you… But it’s good that you corrected their mistake instead of letting them continue on the wrong path.”

“Huh? Yes.” The elegance and authority in Kim Sohee’s voice compelled Hwang Minsung to respond respectfully despite himself.

Kim Sohee subtly observed his reaction before speaking again.

“Pour me a drink.”

As she lifted the bottle, Lee Hye-sun hastily handed a glass to Hwang Minsung.

Hwang Minsung looked perplexed at first but eventually extended his cup toward her. As he did…both of his hands came up automatically despite appearing to be merely a middle school student. Kim Sohee poured soju for him.

Glug!

As she set down the bottle, she spoke gently to Hwang Minsung holding the shot glass.

“In the future, please become an adult who can stand up against wrongdoing.”

Her words made Hwang Minsung instinctively bow his head.

“Thank you.” He wasn’t sure why, but he expressed his gratitude nonetheless.

“Please drink it.”

Hwang Minsung discreetly turned away and emptied his shot glass without realizing it.

Kim Sohee spoke as he finished his drink. “Please go back to your meal.”

“What? Oh…right.”

Had anyone who knew Hwang Minsung seen him like this, they would’ve been utterly perplexed by how deferential he was being toward a young girl—or rather, someone who appeared younger than her actual age.

As Hwang Minsung quietly returned to his seat, Kim Sohee picked up her soju glass. She paused before taking a sip and addressed Kang Jin.

“Excuse me.” Kang Jin looked at Kim Sohee.

“Yes?”

With her eyes fixed on the glass, Kim Sohee continued.

“You shouldn’t ask a woman’s age so casually.”

“Oh… I’m sorry.”

Kim Sohee drained her shot glass at Kang Jin’s apology. Her action seemed to say, This offends me, and Kang Jin subtly distanced himself from her.

It’s best to avoid a storm.

Kang Jin muttered to himself as he approached Hwang Minsung.

“Phew!” Hwang Minsung glanced absently at Kim Sohee after hearing Kang Jin sigh.

“Is she really that old?”

Seeing Hwang Minsung still somewhat puzzled, Kang Jin whispered quietly.

“It seems you’re not supposed to bring up a woman’s age like that.”

“Oh… Did it upset her?”

“I think so.”

“I’m sorry,” Hwang Minsung apologized sheepishly.

Kang Jin couldn’t resist teasing him further. “Now you believe she’s not a minor anymore, right?”

Hwang Minsung glanced at Kim Sohee and nodded. “How could I not with her tone and aura?”

Then he quietly asked Kang Jin, “So how old is she? Forty?”

Kang Jin hastily put his finger to his lips. “Shh!”

He discreetly peeked at Kim Sohee. There was enough distance between them that they shouldn’t have been overheard, but considering she was a ghost…

In Kang Jin’s peripheral vision, he saw Kim Sohee giving them a cold glare, specifically aimed at Hwang Minsung. Kang Jin subtly stepped away from Minsung, distancing himself from her gaze.

They say it snows even in summer when a woman holds a grudge… What happens if the boss, the Virgin Ghost herself, gets angry?