Chapter 21: The Conversation with Shin Sooho

Kang Jin was speaking with Shin Suho over the phone. After listening to Kang Jin’s account, Shin Suho paused before responding:

“[Are you saying that apart from ghosts, everyone else should pay for their meals properly?]”

“One of the guests mentioned it. They felt burdened without set prices.”

“[Burdened…?]”

“The restaurant is meant for hungry and cold ghosts, so I don’t need payment from them… But shouldn’t people at least contribute something? Business needs to be conducted fairly here.”

“[As you know, One Meal Restaurant isn’t about making money. It serves those who are hungry, whether they’re ghosts or humans. Moreover, even if people don’t pay directly, funds will still deposit into Lee Kang-jin’s JS Finance account. Therefore, we can’t say we aren’t receiving any money.]

[Exactly.]

Kang Jin nodded at Shin Suho’s words. He understood this well. That’s why it didn’t matter if people didn’t pay for their meals. Even if they left without paying, Kang Jin had still performed a good deed by feeding hungry individuals, resulting in deposits into his JS Finance account.

Good deeds added money to JS Finance, while evil acts deducted funds from it.

As Kang Jin pondered this, he suddenly realized something and spoke up:

“Wait a moment.”

[What seems to be the issue?]

“As a lawyer, you would know… Not everyone is inherently good. For someone with no money, eating here for free isn’t wrong. But wouldn’t it be considered sinful if a person who can afford it deliberately avoids or minimally pays?”

So far, his guests had been considerate and paid accordingly upon leaving, but there were bound to be troublemakers. During his previous part-time jobs at bars or restaurants, he’d encountered well-off customers who nitpicked minor issues to avoid paying their bills. Moreover, since One Meal Restaurant explicitly stated that patrons should pay as they see fit… it was inevitable some would exploit this policy by refusing payment altogether due to perceived dissatisfaction.

Kang Jin glanced briefly at his silent phone before continuing, “In other words, seeing is believing… By letting them pay what they want, I’m essentially encouraging them to commit wrongdoings.”

“You make a valid point.”

Kang Jin nodded at Shin Suho’s response.

“That’s why I want to set fixed prices for human guests instead of accepting whatever they offer.”

“[Mrs. Kim Bokrae said…]”

“Isn’t Mrs. Kim only open for business with ghosts during evenings?”

“[That is correct.]”

“Since circumstances have changed, shouldn’t her business model also adapt?”

“[I must consult with Mrs. Kim first.]”

“But Mrs. Kim Bokrae has passed away… Oh!” Kang Jin started speaking curiously before exclaiming softly, “Can you contact the afterlife?”

Kim Bokrae was described as a VIP client of JS Finance. It was unlikely that such a person would be wandering as a ghost; she must surely reside in heaven or some similar blissful place. To communicate with her soul, one would need to establish contact with the afterlife.

To contact such a soul, one would need to reach out to the afterlife itself.

“I’ll get in touch with her and let you know.”

With that, Kang Jin ended the call and awaited Mrs. Kim’s response.

“Contacting souls from the afterlife… I’ve truly stumbled upon something extraordinary.” Shaking his head at this surreal situation, Kang Jin suddenly glanced down at his phone.

“If they can communicate with the afterlife, then maybe…could they possibly have news about my mom and dad?” The thought struck him hard as he stared intently at his phone, eagerly hoping for it to ring soon.

And shortly thereafter, it did.

“Hello?”

“Mrs. Kim instructed me to do as you requested.”

“So I’ll charge regular prices for human guests then.”

“Yes, Mrs. Kim mentioned that the meal cost should be similar to nearby establishments.”

“She wants it comparable to local rates?”

“She expressed concern about undercutting neighboring restaurants if our prices were too low. If we sell food to humans, she advised not to harm other merchants’ businesses. Additionally, she said not to charge those without money but provide them with meals instead.”

“I’m fine with giving food to people who can’t afford it.”

“Then let’s proceed accordingly. Now…”

“Excuse me, just a moment.”

[How may I assist you?]

“Well… Do you happen to know about our deceased parents?”

[…]

Kang Jin’s voice faltered at Shin Suho’s lack of response.

“Is it not possible?”

[It is not beneficial for humans to know matters concerning the afterlife.]

“But don’t you possess much knowledge, Mr. Shin Suho?”

[I have nothing further to add. Is there anything else you’d like to inquire about?]

Realizing that Shin Suho likely wouldn’t answer any more questions, Kang Jin nodded.

“Just one more question, then.”

[Please proceed.]

“Our parents… Are they indeed in the afterlife?”

There was a brief pause before Shin Suho responded.

[They reside in the afterlife.]

Hearing this, Kang Jin sighed with relief. At least, their parents weren’t wandering as hungry ghosts in this world.

“By any chance, can I transfer some of JS Finance’s underworld money…to my parents?”

Since JS Finance was also part of the banking system, Kang Jin wondered if transfers were possible. He didn’t know how his parents were faring in the afterlife, but having money could certainly help them. The cold and hunger there were unbearable.

[It is not allowed.]

“Bodhisattva Jijang gave me money. If transactions are possible in the afterlife, shouldn’t I be able to do it too?”

When he helped spirits ascend, Bodhisattva Jijang had given him a one-million-won check. Did this mean money could exchange hands among the deceased?

[Lee Kang-jin-ssi, you are not Bodhisattva Jijang.]

‘Do I lack the qualifications?’

“Sigh! You’re quite strict.”

[The law of the afterlife prohibits sinners from seizing wealth that meant for virtuous beings.]

“I understand.” Kang Jin ended the call with a sigh and stood up. No matter how much he pondered it, there was nothing he could do about the situation. In fact, dwelling on it only made him feel more troubled.

“The lawyer is right. It’s better for humans not to know matters of the afterlife.”

If his deceased parents were struggling in the afterlife, it would distress him. Conversely, if they were doing well, it would make him yearn to see them even more. Either way, it brought him sorrow.

To distract himself, Kang Jin began clearing the dishes still scattered across the dining table. He felt that keeping busy might help organize his troubled thoughts. As if washing away his anguish, he cleaned and did the dishes before retrieving a whiteboard. After wiping it clean, Kang Jin paused briefly in thought before starting to write.

Pork cutlet rice bowl: 7,000 won

Soju and beer: 4,000 won each

When there are no guests, I can make any menu item you request.

(Conditions apply: Must have ingredients available, and limited to dishes I can prepare. Please inquire.)

For items not on the menu, prices will be based on current market rates after internet research.

If hungry but short on cash, please let me know before ordering. Feel free to enjoy your meal without worry; payment can be made when you have money later.

Please eat until fully satisfied!

Kang Jin densely filled the whiteboard with writing, then nodded after checking the content once more.

This should do.

He could’ve listed additional menu items beyond pork cutlet rice bowls, but Kang Jin decided to focus on this main dish for now.

The dishes were easy to make with short cooking times. When busy… Of course, he didn’t know when it would get busy, but regardless, these meals could be served quickly during peak hours.

As Kang Jin reviewed the whiteboard, his phone rang. Seeing the caller ID brought joy to his face.

Boss Kwanghyun

Kwanghyun Choi was one year senior to Kang Jin and currently working as a teaching assistant at their university. They became friends after meeting during a departmental retreat in their first year. Kwanghyun also looked out for Kang Jin in various ways.

“Hyung!”

[Kang Jin, long time no see! How have you been?]

“I’m doing well, how about you?”

[I’m good too. Anyway, it’s scorching hot lately… Aren’t your manual labor jobs tough because of that?]

“Oh… I quit those jobs recently.”

[Did you save up enough money for tuition already?]

“Yes, I’m doing something else now.”

“Something else? What’s that?”

“I’m running a food business.”

[A part-time job at a restaurant, huh?]

Choi Kwang-hyun chuckled, not expecting Kang Jin to run his own food business.

“That’s smart of you. You would’ve collapsed from exhaustion working outdoors on these hot days.”

“It is incredibly sweltering out there.”

“[Even sitting inside my department office, stepping outside for a moment feels suffocating. It must be unbearable for you.]”

After some casual banter, Kang Jin asked:

“So, what brings this up?”

“Oh! Nothing much, but please come by school.”

“School?”

“What time does your part-time work start and end?”

“It starts early in the morning… Is something wrong?”

“Well… No, let’s discuss it in person. When can you make it?”

If possible, I’d like to see you today or tomorrow. When does your part-time job end? If it’s late, then hyung will come over.

Kang Jin nodded at Choi Kwang-hyun’s cheerful voice.

“Should I head there now?”

“Now? What about your part-time work?”

“There’re no customers here anyway. As long as I’m back by 11 PM, it’s fine.”

“Then come if it’s not too much trouble.”

“But what’s going on?”

“Just get here quickly. Do you think I’d call you for nothing? Hurry up!”

“Alright. If I leave now…I should arrive within an hour.”

“Cool. Hyung’ll chill some drinks and wait for you.”

With that, they ended the call, leaving Kang Jin curious.

“What could be so urgent?” With this thought, Kang Jin turned off the lights of his shop, went upstairs to change clothes, and returned downstairs.

Upon arriving at Seoul Shin University located in Sinlim-dong, Kang Jin headed towards the psychology department office.

Knock, knock, knock!

He knocked and entered the room. Since it was during summer break, only two teaching assistants were present.

“There you are, kiddo.” Choi Kwang-hyun waved his hand with a smile, to which Kang Jin bowed respectfully.

“I came as soon as you called, hyung.”

“Yes, good of you to make it.”

Kang Jin also greeted the other teaching assistant working on a computer nearby.

“Hello.”

“Hey.”

Keeping their greeting brief due to their casual acquaintance, Kang Jin approached Choi Kwang-hyun.

“So what brings me here?”

In response, Choi Kwang-hyun glanced at the teaching assistant before saying,

“I’ll be back after having a smoke.”

The teaching assistant clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

“Come on! Just tell him. I know he’s been through tough times too, so why beat around the bush?”

“You sure about that?”

“Sure.” Choi Kwang-hyun smiled and gave him a thumbs-up. “You’re a good guy.”

“Go ahead and talk while I smoke outside.”

“Raw milk!”

“Skimmed milk!” As the assistant coach left with his cigarette, Choi Kwang-hyun gestured to the seat next to him. Kang Jin took the offered seat, and Choi Kwang-hyun retrieved two beverages from the refrigerator behind them.

Kang Jin accepted one of the drinks and asked, “So what’s going on? Based on what Chul-jin hyung said, it sounds like something great might happen for me?”

“You catch on quickly.”

“Well, isn’t that just basic psychology? But seriously, what is it?”

Choi Kwang-hyun chuckled at Kang Jin’s question.

“Do you want to be an intern?”

“An intern?”

“For a monthly salary of 1.4 million won, you’ll also gain internship experience. It would run from September through December. How about it? Sounds fantastic, right?”

A monthly salary of 1,400,000 won for an internship was not top-tier but still considered high-paying.

“What about classes?”

“You’ll get credits as work experience. So what do you say?”

“But I bet many people will apply… Do you think they’d accept me with my resume?”

Although it might be reaching for the stars, there were cases where interns got hired full-time after their stint. Many college students applied for internships, and companies evaluated applicants based on their resumes.

Unfortunately, Kang Jin’s resume wasn’t impressive. Between working part-time jobs to pay tuition and attending university, he hadn’t had much time to build his credentials.

“Of course not.”

Kang Jin grimaced at Choi Kwang-hyun’s response.

*This hyung isn’t joking around…

Despite Kang Jin’s reaction, Choi Kwang-hyun continued chuckling.