Chapter 184

Kang Jin noted down the restaurant’s name and location from the business card before calling the number listed on it.

“I received this card from Lee Gang-hye.”

[Ah! We’ve been expecting your call. You’re the high school student looking for work, right?]

“Yes, I’m Choi Jonghun, age 18. And by any chance, is there an opening near LeeSoo Station?”

[LeeSoo Station? From what we heard, you were closer to Nonhyeon…]

“Actually, I live near LeeSoo Station,” Choi Jonghun quickly interjected.

Worried that his friend might miss out on the job opportunity, Kang Jin covered the bottom part of his phone with his hand while speaking:

“It’d be challenging if the commute is too far. Let’s just check their availability first. If they have a position open nearby, great; otherwise, we’ll come here.”

“Working far from home is quite challenging. Anyway, let’s check if there’s any sublet available first. If we find one, that would be great; otherwise, you’ll have to come here.”

Kang Jin then removed his hand covering the bottom part of his phone.

“[We don’t manage any buildings near LeeSoo Station… However, I can inquire with the company handling that area.]

Kang Jin shook his head at the response.

“Just a moment.” He glanced at Choi Jonghun. “I think it’s better for him to work here.”

“I’m fine with it. It’s not too far from LeeSoo Station,” replied Choi Jonghun.

Kang Jin nodded in agreement. There were only three subway stops between LeeSoo and Nonhyeon, so it wasn’t a long commute.

Even if I’m just walking to collect recyclables… Well, since he’ll be working nearby, we can still see each other.

Kang Jin muttered internally before wrapping up the conversation with her contact.

“I understand.”

“We also need to finalize paperwork and set your work schedule, so I’d like to meet with you and the student.”

“I can send them over once you provide the location. Do you require any specific documents?”

“All we need is parental consent and one copy of their birth certificate. We have our own format for the consent form, so please bring the child along, and we’ll handle it here.”

“Thank you.”

After concluding the call with the mercenary agency, Kang Jin handed Choi Jonghun a memo with the location written on it along with her business card.

“Do you have a cell phone?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Let me see it.”

Choi Jonghun pulled out his phone.

Jonghun had been worried what he would do if Kang Jin didn’t have a phone, but fortunately, she did.

I mean, it’s inconvenient not to have one these days. Plus, I need to contact home.

Kang Jin called her own cell with Choi Jonghun’s phone and saved his number.

“This is my personal line, so call me anytime you need help. Also, stop by for dinner when you come back from work.”

“But…”

“It’s fine, really. Please do. And…” She smiled after briefly studying Choi Jonghun. “Seeing how hard you’re working to take care of your sister is inspiring.”

“Really?”

“Of course! It’s admirable. Living like this at your age isn’t easy.” Kang Jin paused before continuing. “I grew up in an orphanage.”

“From your orphanage days?”

Kang Jin nodded at Choi Jonghun’s surprised expression.

“That’s why I admire you for working so hard with your sister.”

“But me?”

“You have both your sister and mother.” Kang Jin smiled as she patted Choi Jonghun’s head before standing up. “Sometimes it might feel heavy or even unbearable, but…”

She paused briefly, then chuckled while looking at Choi Jonghun.

I don’t need to finish this sentence.

Choi Jonghun was already living according to her unspoken advice, perhaps even more diligently than she intended.

“Do you know what I’m trying to say, hyung?”

“Yes,” Choi Jonghun replied firmly.

“It looks like that building over there.” Kang Jin pointed to the destination with her hand as she exited the shop.

Choi Jonghun bowed his head gratefully. “Thank you very much.”

“No problem. If any issues arise during your counseling sessions, please contact me. Also, don’t work too hard. Only do what corresponds to your pay. Don’t take on extra tasks just because others might need help.”

“I understand.”

As they bowed and prepared to pull their cart towards the building, Kang Jin stopped them by grabbing the cart handle.

“I’ll take care of this for you.”

Considering Choi Jonghun had an interview to attend, he nodded appreciatively.

“Thank you very much.”

The two young men bowed once more before walking towards the building. As Kang Jin watched them go, she smiled warmly.

Kang Jin observed them walking away with light steps and shoulders.

“That turned out well,” remarked Bae Yongsoo from where he leaned against the kitchen sink.

Kang Jin sighed and shook her head. “The kids have no choice but to work… So I can’t exactly say it’s good news.”

“I see what you mean.” With a bitter expression, Sung Yongsoo glanced towards the entrance before turning back around. “It’s almost time for customers.”

As Sung Yongsoo exited through the back door, Kang Jin pursed her lips again, turned on the heater, and placed a whiteboard outside the store entrance.

Shortly thereafter, as usual, employees of Taekwang Trading Company started arriving one by one.

“Welcome!”

Soon, the area bustled with activity due to the influx of Taekwang Trading Company staff…

A few people were chatting outside the store front.

“Looks like we’ll be waiting for quite some time?” Lee Yoo-bi murmured, causing Wo Jiaming to check his watch with a grimace.

“It’s written right there. They’re at full capacity, so it’ll take twenty minutes. Ugh! It’s cold.”

As Wo Jiaming shivered and stamped his feet, Han Myung-hyun hastily suggested:

“Why don’t you wait inside your car? I’ll keep my place in line and notify you if anyone leaves ahead of us.”

“You’re not bothered by the cold, but I am?”

“Well, it says here that we need to wait twenty minutes anyway…”

“That’s fine. That’s fine.”

“So should we find another place nearby?”

“We’ve already come this far; let’s eat here.”

Doyoung Min glanced at the restaurant as they conversed.

“I’ll go inside and ask for their understanding.”

Lee Yoo-bi shook her head at Doyoung Min’s suggestion.

“It’s fine. They clearly stated we need to wait here before entering.”

“Understood.”

Behind them, the elderly ghost squinted at the restaurant, then quietly slipped inside. Once within, she scanned the dining area and shouted:

“What are you all doing instead of eating quickly and leaving?!”

However, only Kang Jin and Bae Yongsoo could hear the ghost’s cry. While serving customers, Kang Jin noticed the elderly ghost, frowned, and pointed towards the kitchen. The elderly ghost stormed towards it, yelling:

“We’re freezing out there! Why make us wait when seats are available?”

The elderly ghost pointed at two empty tables. As she claimed, there were indeed two vacant spots available. However, Kang Jin preferred not to seat guests when it was fully booked. If he did so, customers would have to wait too long, and it was better to serve fewer patrons instead. Kang Jin’s business philosophy focused on prioritizing quality service over quantity of guests.

Kang Jin couldn’t help but chuckle at the elderly ghost’s outburst.

Calling someone ‘cheap’? That sounds just like her.

Smiling inwardly, Kang Jin allowed the elderly ghost into the kitchen and quietly asked:

“Is your family waiting outside?”

“No. It’s only the legislator with Sonju and that girl. How could you make a legislator wait outside?” The elderly ghost questioned Kang Jin incredulously.

Her reaction made Kang Jin laugh again.

“But you accompany him everywhere?”

“Well, of course! I need to look after him; there are so many nasty spirits out there.” The elderly ghost spoke as if it were obvious, making Kang Jin chuckle.

Isn’t she one of those nasty ghosts herself until recently?

It hadn’t been long since Grandma haunted Sonju as a vengeful ghost.

“In any case, hurry and greet your guests. How could you make such busy people, engaged in national affairs, wait outside like that?” The elderly ghost’s impatience made Kang Jin shake his head.

“It’s not like he pays extra just because he’s a legislator. He’s simply another customer.”

“How can you treat someone involved in national affairs—”

“I’m just not interested in politics.”

With that, Kang Jin poured warm mugwort tea into cups and placed them on a tray before heading outside. Despite being a legislator, Kang Jin treated everyone equally but felt compelled to offer some warmth on this cold day.

After brewing yakgwanmun tea, Kang Jin placed it on a tray and stepped outside. Despite being a legislator, he treated him no differently. However, considering Wo Jiaming was waiting out in the cold, Kang Jin decided to offer some warm tea.

He could’ve gone somewhere else.

The twenty-minute wait time indicated that Kang Jin preferred Wo Jiaming not to linger but rather find another place.

Ding!

Kang Jin opened the door and spotted Wo Jiaming’s group standing outside his restaurant.

“You’re here.”

Wo Jiaming brightened at the sight of Kang Jin emerging from the shop. “Can we come in now?”

“I’m currently busy with other guests, making it difficult for me to attend to you promptly. I brought some hot tea since I saw you waiting outside.”

“Oh, I see.” Disappointment showed on Wo Jiaming’s face as he glanced longingly inside the restaurant, causing Kang Jin to purse his lips sympathetically.

Wo Jiaming was elderly, and it pained Kang Jin to see him shivering outside on this cold winter day…

“Would you like to wait inside if you’re feeling chilly?”

“Is that okay?”

“I’m having difficulty managing both serving customers and taking orders alone, so I haven’t accepted any additional tables. That’s why there are empty seats available. However, I’ll need to take your order after you finish dining… Is that alright with you?”

“Yes, let’s go inside then. It is indeed quite cold.”

With a smile, Kang Jin opened the door for Wo Jiaming as he agreed, allowing everyone to enter.

Upon stepping into the store, they were greeted by a warm atmosphere. This brought a smile to Wo Jiaming’s face.

“Business seems to be thriving here.”

“It’s because many local office workers frequently visit. By the way…it looks like we may have to wait around five minutes.”

“That’s fine. I’ll wait here while we chat.”

“Understood.”

Kang Jin picked up a tray and checked on Taekwang Trading Company’s employees’ dishes. She replenished any missing items or added more food as requested. Initially, customers served themselves if they ran out of side dishes, but Kang Jin now proactively managed this aspect. With Sung Yongsoo preparing all the meals in the kitchen, she had time to attend to such details.

Once finished eating, the Taekwang Trading Company staff simultaneously rose from their seats. As they dined together, they also wrapped up their meal collectively.

“Another great meal today.”

“Thank you for joining us again.”

“I come back because it’s delicious. So, what’s on the menu tomorrow?” Lim Ho-jin asked with a smile.

“You just had lunch today and already planning to come back tomorrow?”

“I’m living for these lunches nowadays.” Lim Ho-jin chuckled as he paid the bill and left the restaurant.

Jang Seong-tae settled his tab discreetly while addressing Kang Jin indirectly, unlike Lim Ho-jin’s casual manner of speaking.

“Are those people over there related to legislators?”

Kang Jin smiled at Jang Seong-tae’s question, glancing towards Yoo Bi.

“They’re just regular customers.”

“How remarkable. Legislators waiting their turn to dine here…”

“It doesn’t matter who they are; everyone comes here simply for the food.”

Seeing Jang Seong-tae give him a thumbs-up, Kang Jin lightly laughed, handed him the card after calculating the tip, and said:

“Wishing you continued success in your business.”

“Thank you very much.”

“Oh! And…” Jang Seong-tae turned to Kang Jin.

“By any chance, can we make reservations for this weekend?”

“Of course!”

“Then… I’ll book a table at six PM on Sunday for fifteen people.”

“For fifteen?”

“It’s a gathering with friends and their spouses.”

“That sounds great. Just so you know, there isn’t a separate private room, but…”

“No worries. Please just arrange tables together.”

“Understood.”

“If you let me know your menu choices beforehand, I can prepare accordingly.”

“We’ll see you on Sunday then.”

After Jang Seong-tae left with his staff, Kang Jin approached Wo Jiaming’s table.

“What would you like to order today?”

“He mentioned how delicious the food is here, so we came to try it.” Yoo Bi pointed towards Do Yeong-min.

When Lee Yoo-bi pointed at Doyoung Min, Kang Jin turned to him.

“What can I get for you today?”

Doyoung Min replied, “I mentioned the grilled pork belly with bean sprouts dish that you served earlier, and he really wanted to try it.”

Kang Jin nodded understandingly. “Got it. Please enjoy your tea while you wait.”

As Kang Jin entered the kitchen, he spotted Bae Yongsoo already preparing the grilled pork belly with bean sprouts. Kang Jin acknowledged this with a nod before stepping back out to clear the table vacated by Taekwang Trading Company’s employees.