Chapter 156

“Ah!” Hwang Minsung took another bomb shot and bit off a piece of sausage before putting it down on his plate.

Around him, ghosts were conversing, eating food or drinking alcohol at their tables. Although he arrived late, by the time Minsung started eating, it was already eleven o’clock, so more ghosts had entered the restaurant. Since they recognized him from previous visits, the ghosts paid little attention to him as they enjoyed themselves among each other.

Skrrt! Skrrt!

Kang Jin quickly stir-fried some meat, transferred it onto a plate, then turned off the stove. He lit up a kitchen torch and seared the meat with its flame.

Ssssss! Zzzziiip!

As soon as oil met fire, Kang Jin turned off the torch. There was no need to overcook the fully cooked meat; lightly charring it sufficed.

“Salted stir-fried pork!”

The salted stir-fried pork dish was made by sautéing pork shoulder with just salt and minced garlic without burning it. It had a salty yet slightly sweet taste. Moreover, this dish was quick to prepare.

At Kang Jin’s call, one of the ghosts sprang up and carried away the plate.

“You have more dishes?” Sung Yongsoo asked while putting ingredients into plastic bags.

Kang Jin nodded. “Nope.”

Yongsoo placed the bags in the refrigerator and glanced at the dining hall.

“Hey, where should I eat?”

Although many ghosts usually frequented here, today there were even more than usual. There were no empty tables or seats available. At a table occupied by car-bound spirits, two additional ghosts joined them for food.

The only available seat was next to Hwang Minsung.

“Let’s sit over there.”

“With that human?” Bae Yongsoo sounded surprised at Kang Jin’s suggestion.

Kang Jin pointed at himself with his finger. “Am I not human?”

Bae Yongsoo frowned at Kang Jin’s implication that he should be comfortable eating with humans.

“Are you comparing yourself to him? Besides, he doesn’t know we’re…” Bae Yongsoo gestured by drawing his finger across his throat. “…ghosts.”

“If we don’t say anything, how would he know?” Kang Jin replied as he placed sausages from hot water into a frying pan along with some vegetables.

Sizzle! Fssshhh!

As the sausage and veggies began cooking, Kang Jin pushed them aside and added a spoonful of soy sauce.

Sizzle! Fssshhh!

As soon as the soy sauce started to burn and darken on the pan, Kang Jin quickly mixed it with the ingredients.

Sizzle!

With the enhanced aroma from the charred soy sauce, he added half a spoonful of gochujang (Korean chili paste), ketchup, and a generous dollop of seokcho (a fermented bean paste) sourced from Gangwon Province.

The sausages glistened, possibly due to honey, catching his attention. He then poured some maesool (rice wine) while shaking the frying pan.

Fwoosh! Fwoosh!

After adding the rice wine, flames erupted from the pan like a fire show. Kang Jin admired the dancing flames before checking on the ingredients.

The addition of rice wine slightly thinned out the sauce, allowing the viscous gochujang and honey to blend well together. Once the condiments were evenly distributed and the sausage had a slight smoky flavor, Kang Jin plated the stir-fried dish and headed back to the hall.

“You coming?”

Kang Jin’s words made Bae Yongsoo lick his lips as he glanced at Hwang Minsung before heading over to their table alone. Kang Jin followed with Bae Yongsoo close behind.

“Excuse me, but since there aren’t any other available seats, may we join you?”

“Sure. I was feeling bored eating by myself anyway.” Hwang Minsung gestured warmly towards the empty seats.

As they sat down, Kang Jin introduced them. “This is my friend who helps out at the store during dinner hours.”

Hwang Minsung looked at Bae Yongsoo and said, “I’ve seen you working here before, but it’s our first time meeting properly. My name is Hwang Minsung.”

“I’m Bae Yongsoo.”

After exchanging greetings, Kang Jin turned to Bae Yongsoo.

“Want one too?”

“Ah.” In response to Bae Yongsoo’s greeting, Kang Jin prepared and poured him a bomb shot.

Shhhk! Shhhk!

Kang Jin filled her glass with golden-colored beer before downing it immediately.

Gulp! Gulp!

Hwang Minsung chuckled as he watched Kang Jin quickly chug her beer.

“You drink that so effortlessly.”

“I’ve been cooking near the fire all day, so I’m quite parched. Plus…since you two are my last customers, there is no need for me to worry about drinking on the job now.”

As Kang Jin surveyed the empty restaurant, she sounded relieved. Hwang Minsung nodded in agreement.

“It’s true; nothing beats enjoying a cold beer after finishing work. Drinking one after a shower post-workday is pure bliss.” Smiling, Hwang Minsung picked up his bottle of beer.

Smiling, Hwang Minsung picked up a bottle of beer and, following Kang Jin’s example, covered its mouth with his thumb before giving it a firm shake. He then poured a bomb shot for Kang Jin.

Fssshhh!

“You’re quite skilled at this.”

“I have good aim.”

Hwang Minsung grinned as he tapped the bottom of the beer bottle to release any remaining foam from the pour. Both Kang Jin and Bae Yongsoo raised their glasses toward each other but paused when they noticed Bae Yongsoo hadn’t joined them yet.

“Aren’t you drinking?”

“What? Oh, sure.”

Bae Yongsoo hesitated, feeling slightly awkward sitting among ghosts like a fish out of water. Eventually, he lifted his glass and clinked it against theirs.

Clink!

Gulp! Gulp!

As Sung Yongsoo quickly drank his beer, one of the ghosts chimed in.

“Um, can I have some stir-fried eggs?”

When Bae Yongsoo made to stand up, Kang Jin pressed down on his shoulder.

“We don’t have much time left anyway. You keep drinking; I’ll take care of it.”

With only about ninety minutes remaining for Bae Yongsoo to eat, Kang Jin decided to serve the ghost himself.

“But…”

Seeing Bae Yongsoo’s discomfort, Kang Jin smiled reassuringly.

“Just enjoy your drink with Hwang Minsung here.” He then turned to Hwang Minsung. “Is that okay with you?”

Hwang Minsung nodded and grinned at Bae Yongsoo. “Since we’re sharing this table together, shouldn’t we be sitting as friends?”

“Aren’t guys supposed to bond over drinks? Come on, cheers!”

As Hwang Minsung raised his beer, Sung Yongsoo licked his lips. He then downed his glass and held it up for more.

Seeing this, Kang Jin entered the kitchen while asking, “Does anyone need anything else?”

“I’ll have pork belly! Please sprinkle some salt before grilling.”

“Sure thing.”

After taking a few more orders, Kang Jin headed into the kitchen. She filled a pot with water and began cracking eggs.

“Wow! I’ve been there once.”

“Of course. For those of us who cook, dining at good restaurants is part of our training. Apart from traditional Korean dishes, they serve excellent hongeo sashimi.”

“You’re right. Just thinking about it…I crave alcohol.” Sung Yongsoo’s face lit up as he watched Hwang Minsung take a sip of beer.

“Have you been to Ilwon in Busan?”

“The Japanese restaurant, right?”

“Yes! You know it!”

“When conducting business, people often take me to great places. Anyway, their sushi was truly exceptional.”

“Did you notice they don’t have any fish tanks there?”

“Fish tanks?” Hwang Minsung pondered for a moment before shaking his head. “I don’t recall seeing any fish tanks.”

“It’s not just that you didn’t see them; they don’t exist at all.”

“No tank? But it’s a raw-fish restaurant!”

“The owner goes to the market early every morning and personally selects fresh fish. Then he immediately removes their guts for aging purposes.”

“Aging?”

“Yes, sir. They age the fish at low temperatures, which is why they don’t need a tank.”

“You know your stuff.”

“Well, of course! I’m also a chef… And although the owner didn’t tell me this, based on my experience, I believe they wrap the fish with seaweed before aging them.”

“You can tell just by eating it?”

“It takes skill.” Sung Yongsoo smiled as he poured more beer into Hwang Minsung’s glass. “If you let me know when you’ll be back next time, I’d love to make some for you.”

Kang Jin returned from placing their orders to see Bae Yongsoo and Hwang Minsung already bonding like brothers. Whether they were humans or ghosts, men seemed to instantly become close friends over drinks upon first meeting.

“You can do that too?”

“Of course! Trust me!”

Bae Yongsoo’s face was flushed red as he confidently pounded his chest. Kang Jin smiled at this sight and approached them.

“What were you two talking about?”

“We started discussing good restaurants we’ve been to,” explained Hwang Minsung with a laugh.

“Hey, hyung, no need for formalities. Kang Jin is ten years younger than you, so just relax.”

Hwang Minsung smiled at Sung Yongsoo’s explanation and glanced at Kang Jin. His eyes conveyed his desire to continue this conversation with him.

In truth, Hwang Minsung rarely enjoyed such relaxed drinking sessions. Most of his drinking companions were business partners or other investors. He did have old friends, but after becoming wealthy, he found it difficult to maintain those relationships… Eventually, they lost touch altogether.

For Hwang Minsung, the only comfortable drinking experience was having a drink alone at home. Therefore, he appreciated the easy-going atmosphere now, and he wanted to become closer friends with Kang Jin.

Noticing Hwang Minsung’s warm expression, Kang Jin grinned.

“I’d love to hang out more with someone like you, hyung.”

“Someone like me?” Hwang Minsung’s eyes briefly showed caution at Kang Jin’s words but only for a moment…

“A brother who brings up sales.”

“Oh! Yeah, eat plenty and let me buy you drinks, bro!”

“Nah, I couldn’t allow that.”

“Why not? You gonna buy them yourself?”

“No way. Just…I’ll give you a discount.”

“Hahaha! Deal.” By now, they were speaking casually to each other.

“So from now on, Kang Jin…that’s what I’ll call you.”

“I’ll just call you Minsung hyung then.”

Hwang Minsung smiled as he poured more soju for Kang Jin.

I wonder if he’ll remember any of this tomorrow.

At this moment, their bond felt stronger than the legendary friendship between Liu Bei and his sworn brothers under the peach tree, akin to blood brothers… However, friendships forged over alcohol often fizzled out the next day.

Friendships forged over alcohol could quickly turn awkward once sober, but who cared? For this moment, Hwang Minsung was Liu Bei, Kang Jin was Guan Yu, and Bae Yongsoo was Zhang Fei.

…I can’t be Zhang Fei.

Kang Jin internally muttered to himself as he raised his glass. The other two followed suit, and they drank together.

Sip! Sip!

After enjoying another bomb shot, Kang Jin grabbed a sausage and popped it into his mouth.

“Tasty, right?” asked Hwang Minsung.

Kang Jin nodded before asking, “By the way, why do you only nibble on your sausages, hyung? If there aren’t enough for everyone, I’ll happily serve you more.”

Hwang Minsung glanced at the sausage impaled on his fork. Seeing half of it bitten off, he picked it up again.

“When I was young, these were quite expensive.”

“Hyung, there isn’t much of a generational gap between us.”

“Well, when I was younger, even a one-year age difference mattered… By the way, how old are you?”

“I’m 28 years old.”

“I’m 39. That’s an eleven-year gap, which is significant.” Hwang Minsung popped the sausage into his mouth as he continued talking. “Back then, only affluent kids could bring this type of sausage for lunch. For most of us, stir-fried fish cakes or traditional sausages were considered top-tier treats.”

“Weren’t they relatively affordable back then too?”

Although Vienna sausages had been pricey compared to ham, they weren’t prohibitively so. Kang Jin recalled that during his high school days, the cheapest ones cost around 1,000 won, while the priciest went up to about 3,000 won.

Of course, the one-hundred-won sausages were noticeably inferior in taste and quality.

Hwang Minsung shook his head at Kang Jin’s comment. “They might not be expensive, but they’re small. The old-fashioned sausages could last for several packed lunches.”

Then Hwang Minsung smiled wistfully. “And my mother used to own a street food stall. As her son, I often ended up with leftovers from the stall as my lunchbox items. That made it hard to enjoy Vienna sausages.”

“So that’s why you like Korean street snacks?”

At this remark, Hwang Minsung gave a bittersweet smile. “I actually hate them.”

“You don’t like them?”

“Nope.”

Kang Jin looked puzzled by Hwang Minsung’s response. It seemed genuine…

But then why does he always order street food when we come here?