Chapter 150

Kang Jin’s face showed bewilderment as he observed Lee Taewoon. As Kang Jin suspected, it seemed like Lee Taewoon had feelings for Kim Sohee. And because of this discomfort, Kim Sohee avoided visiting Ilga Restaurant.

Well, Miss Sohee is indeed charming and pretty, but…the age difference between them is…

Kang Jin shook his head again, deep in thought.

Judging by appearance alone, Lee Taewoon could pass off as Kim Sohee’s grandfather, yet in actuality, he was several hundred years younger than her. The complexity of their relationship baffled him.

Noticing Kang Jin lost in contemplation, Lee Taewoon scratched his cheek slightly and asked hesitantly, “Miss Sohee…is she doing well?”

“Oh! Yes, she’s doing fine.”

“Miss Kim used to love yukgaejang and spicy chicken feet…”

“She still does,” Kang Jin confirmed.

“That’s good.” Lee Taewoon glanced toward the kitchen as he spoke. “May I use your kitchen if it’s okay with you?”

“Please go ahead.”

Lee Taewoon smiled, got up from his seat, and patted Yellowie on the head once more before following Kang Jin into the kitchen.

“I’ll need some ingredients,” said Lee Taewoon.

Kang Jin responded, “Feel free to use whatever you need, but please don’t be so formal with me.”

“Well then… Is that alright?”

“Of course. Just relax and make yourself at home.”

Lee Taewoon smiled at Kang Jin’s response. “Sounds good.”

“And if there is anything you need, I can make it for you.”

“I’d like to do it myself.”

“As you wish.” With Kang Jin’s permission, Lee Taewoon opened the refrigerator and selected ingredients after scanning its contents.

Kang Jin licked her lips as she watched him pick out items.

These are Miss Kim’s favorite dishes.

Seeing him take out chicken feet, beef, and gosari (bracken fern), it appeared he was planning to cook spicy chicken feet and yukgaejang (a spicy Korean soup with shredded beef). While Lee Taewoon prepared the ingredients, Kang Jin started laying out seasonings nearby.

Noticing the condiments, Lee Taewoon remarked, “Ah, Bokrae-style seasoning.”

“Yes, sir.”

Lee Taewoon shook his head at Kang Jin’s response.

“No, I meant Bokrae’s cooking method.”

“Ah…I don’t know much about cooking myself. I learned by following the recipes left behind in the practice room.”

Lee Taewoon nodded as he glanced at the recipe book placed nearby.

“You’re using Bokrae’s methods for cooking?”

“Yes,” confirmed Kang Jin.

Lee Taewoon then asked, “Could you please bring me some spicy peppers?”

Kang Jin promptly handed over the requested peppers. As Lee Taewoon started chopping them with a knife, Kang Jin hesitantly posed a question.

“I’ve been quite curious about the Underworld Restaurant since there was no one to guide me… May I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

Lee Taewoon rinsed his hands after cutting the peppers and started filling a pot with water as he replied, “What’s on your mind?”

“Well, I’m not sure about this restaurant here, but at our shop, there’s a door only visible to me. What is that door for?”

Lee Taewoon smiled at Kang Jin’s question.

“You mean the unopenable door.”

“Huh?” Confused, Kang Jin looked at Lee Taewoon expectantly.

“That door can be considered a gift from the Underworld Restaurant.”

“A gift?”

“As a token of appreciation for all your hard work…the gift will emerge through that door.”

Seeing Kang Jin’s puzzled expression, Lee Taewoon grinned. “Isn’t the excitement of receiving a present knowing it’s a surprise until unwrapped?”

“I suppose so.”

“You’ll find out once the door opens. Witness what gift the Underworld Restaurant bestows upon its master.”

With that, Lee Taewoon began preparing the meal. Kang Jin watched him with admiration as he cooked.

His movements flow seamlessly like water.

As Lee Taewoon continued cooking, he asked, “Any more questions?”

“Oh! We have Sundays off, but is it the same for other restaurants?”

“It varies from restaurant to restaurant.”

“Really?”

“Well, despite being called the ‘Underworld’ Restaurant, it’s still just a regular establishment, isn’t it? The owner can decide according to their preference. They could operate only one day a week or even once a month if they choose. It’s entirely up to them.”

“Is that true?”

“But operating only once a month wouldn’t be ideal, would it? Ghosts would go hungry.”

“That’s right.” Lee Taewoon nodded at Kang Jin’s statement and continued, “Is there anything else you’re curious about?”

Kang Jin took this opportunity to ask some questions that had been on his mind for a while. “By any chance, is it possible to relocate the restaurant?”

“Are you interested in moving elsewhere?”

Kang Jin hesitated slightly before responding softly, “The current location, being too central, makes accommodating guests somewhat inconvenient. There isn’t adequate parking nearby either.”

He wasn’t wrong. The only available parking options were the underground lots of nearby buildings or paid public spaces. Parking illegally on the street risked fines higher than the meal cost, and using the paid underground lots was also expensive—about 5,000 won per hour for just an hour-long dining experience.

Moreover, by selling this building worth over twenty billion won and opening a restaurant on cheaper land, it could still break even. The profit margin would leave at least ten billion won. It was indeed ‘at least’ ten billion won.

In response to Kang Jin’s question, Lee Taewoon glanced around the hall before saying:

“Indeed, there isn’t any other Underworld Restaurant in South Korea located amidst such bustling activity.”

“That’s right. And whether it’s busy or not doesn’t matter for ghosts anyway. I’ve been considering moving to a quieter location,” replied Kang Jin.

Lee Taewoon nodded, “It is possible.”

“Really?”

“Just because it’s an Underworld Restaurant, it doesn’t mean it can’t be destroyed.”

“It can be ruined?”

“Yes, fires can occur, accidents may happen causing damage. Additionally, if the area gets earmarked for redevelopment, regardless of being an Underworld Restaurant, relocation becomes necessary.”

Lee Taewoon explained, “If the area is earmarked for redevelopment, even the Underworld Restaurant would have no choice but to relocate.”

“Ah!” Kang Jin nodded understandingly. As Lee Taewoon said, if either the restaurant was demolished or the government declared the land for redevelopment, they would be forced to move elsewhere.

“How do you handle moving then?”

“We hire professional movers.” Lee Taewoon spoke as if it were obvious.

Kang Jin stared at him blankly before asking, “Um… Do you really call professional movers for the Underworld Restaurant?”

“Do you expect me to pack and move everything by myself?”

“Well, not exactly…”

“Then of course we hire professional movers. They’re quite efficient these days. They clean up thoroughly afterward and compensate for any damages incurred during the move.”

‘As if I wouldn’t know that? It’s absurd to suggest hiring movers for relocating the Underworld Restaurant.’

Kang Jin muttered internally but responded politely:

“So, just arranging movers will suffice?”

“You’ll also need to transfer ownership.”

“Of course, that must be done.”

“Then it’s settled.”

“Just hire movers and transfer ownership…and we’re good to go.”

Lee Taewoon nodded at Kang Jin’s words and started chopping potatoes.

Chop, chop!

As he cut them into large pieces, Lee Taewoon continued:

“A house is connected to its owner.”

“I’ve heard that sentiment often.”

Lee Taewoon acknowledged Kang Jin’s response with a nod.

“It’s not about this specific building being the Underworld Restaurant; it’s about any restaurant you own becoming the Underworld Restaurant. The physical structure itself isn’t important.”

“As long as it’s under my name, right?”

“Indeed. However, since you’re already the owner of the Underworld Restaurant in Seoul, you can’t open another one outside Seoul. There is also jurisdiction to consider.”

Kang Jin looked at Lee Taewoon after hearing his words.

“I haven’t been running the Underworld Restaurant for long, but it feels like just another restaurant job.”

“You’re correct. The Underworld Restaurant isn’t much different from any other place. Apart from serving ghosts as guests, it operates similarly to a regular restaurant.”

“What happens to this door if I move locations?” Kang Jin asked, gesturing towards the corridor next to the kitchen.

“I’m not entirely sure, as I’ve never relocated before… But wouldn’t a new door appear wherever you move?”

“A new door would appear?”

“Since only the owner of the Underworld Restaurant can see that door, it’s likely more ethereal than physical, isn’t it? So if you move, I imagine it’ll reappear automatically.”

“That could be possible.”

Kang Jin then asked Lee Taewoon about several other matters he had been curious about.

Boil, boil!

As Kang Jin watched the simmering yukgaejang, he ladled some broth into his bowl and took a sip.

Sip!

He savored the taste with delight on his face.

“Ah! It’s spicy…and rich.”

The deeply flavored broth tasted as if it had been simmered all day, while the chili oil provided a satisfying kick to soothe his stomach.

“Do you enjoy it?”

“It’s delicious.”

Kang Jin’s yukgaejang was both refreshing and spicy, whereas Lee Taewoon’s version was robustly spicy yet comforting.

If Kangjin’s yukgaejang was akin to spicy ramen noodles, Lee Taewoon’s version could be compared to straight-up spicy broth. Regardless, it had a substantial depth of flavor that felt comforting and satisfying. The aroma of green onions added another layer of delight.

“I find it unique how you infused your chili oil with green onion… It tastes really good.”

“I enjoy cooking with green onions.”

As Kang Jin listened to Lee Taewoon, she spotted some spicy stir-fried chicken feet on one side of the table.

“Can I try those too…”

“Go ahead.”

Following Lee Taewoon’s encouragement, Kang Jin picked up a piece of spicy stir-fried chicken foot and popped it into her mouth.

It’s so hot.

She thought her own dishes were spicy, but this instantly made her eyes water and cough uncontrollably.

“Cough! Cough! This is incredibly spicy!”

“Miss Sohee likes spicy food. Whenever she orders something, add some of that chili pepper oil I made earlier.”

“Yes, sir.”

Lee Taewoon glanced at his watch while observing Kang Jin and wiped his hands.

“Miss Sohee prefers bold flavors over mild ones. And…” Lee Taewoon continued to explain her taste preferences, detailing what she liked and disliked. Kang Jin sensed there was more behind these instructions; it felt like Lee Taewoon was entrusting him with taking care of Kim Sohee’s culinary needs.

“Um, excuse me… Are you going somewhere?”

In response to Kang Jin’s question, Lee Taewoon smiled broadly.

“Do you like dogs?”

“A dog?”

“Yellowie!”

At Lee Taewoon’s call, Yellowie peeked his head inside the kitchen but didn’t enter, only turning to look at Lee Taewoon.

“She loved this cute little pup. He was very obedient to her…but he became lonely when she stopped coming.” Lee Taewoon stroked Yellowie’s head as he spoke. “Could I ask you to take care of him?”

“You mean Yellowie?”

“I’d appreciate it.”

Kang Jin glanced at Yellowie following Lee Taewoon’s words. As if understanding what was being said, sadness filled Yellowie’s eyes. Kang Jin observed the dog while Lee Taewoon washed his hands and exited the kitchen. Yellowie trailed closely behind him until Lee Taewoon placed his fedora back on his head and spoke up by the dining table:

Lee Taewoon put his fedora back on and spoke up, “Wait here.”

Yellowie immediately sat down at Lee Taewoon’s command. As he stroked Yellowie’s head, Lee Taewoon looked deep into its eyes.

“Yellowie…”

At this small call, Yellowie playfully licked Lee Taewoon’s hand with its tongue.

Lick lick!

With a smile, Lee Taewoon pressed his face against Yellowie’s muzzle.

“I’ll go ahead; please wait for me. I’m sorry…but stay by Miss Kang’s side just a little longer before joining me.”

Whimper, whimper.

Lee Taewoon patted Yellowie gently as it let out tiny whines, then turned to Kang Jin.

“Please give my regards to Miss Kim.”

Sigh.

As Lee Taewoon reached for the door handle, Yellowie suddenly barked loudly.

Bark! Bark!

Lee Taewoon paused as Yellowie barked loudly for the first time since his arrival. He let out a small sigh and opened the door to leave.