Chapter 52

“It’s not on any financial documents, so we weren’t aware of it until now. It seems like the president was addicted to gambling and used his company as collateral for various loans.”

“Well, loan sharks aren’t typically included in official records.”

Moreover, since the company was small and located outside Seoul, rumors hadn’t reached them yet.

Lim Ho-jin nodded, and Kang Jin continued:

“It looks like they were planning to flee once cash from exporting knives came in.”

“They intended to withdraw immediately after depositing.”

“Exactly. With property and assets closely monitored by loan sharks, selling kitchen knives seemed their only way to escape unnoticed.”

“But why is he at the hospital?”

“I believe the loan sharks caught wind of this plan.”

“Oh…” Lee Sangsub nodded in understanding.

“Then who was with him?”

“I’m not sure about that.”

Lim Ho-jin nodded slightly, smiling at Lee Sangsub’s question. Perhaps due to Lee Sangsub joining their conversation, Lim Ho-jin seemed more relaxed and casual now.

“I also… Oh! Do you remember seeing me outside that hangover soup restaurant earlier?”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t know much until I got your call.”

“I see.”

“In any case, it’s fortunate. We almost ended up in a messy situation.”

“Indeed.” As Lim Ho-jin nodded and started to get up from his desk chair, Lee Sangsub added,

“And Mr. Lee Kang-jin provided some input regarding exporting used cars to Africa.”

“Input?” When Lim Ho-jin looked at Kang Jin, Lee Sangsub began explaining. While listening, Lim Ho-jin responded,

“Can they remove parts from vehicles?”

“They’ve already been stripping and selling usable parts.”

“To whom?”

“It seems they stockpile them at the junkyard until someone requests specific items. Oh! They also have some spare parts collected previously.”

Lim Ho-jin nodded at Lee Sangsub’s explanation.

“That works well for us too, as it creates ongoing business opportunities instead of one-time deals. Plus, if we can maintain continuous transactions with Africa, it could lead to further expansion.”

“I agree. That’s why I’m exploring potential partnerships for used car parts in Africa.”

“And what did you find out?”

“It appears finding partners won’t be difficult. The market for used car parts there is quite active.”

“That’s great. Oh! Hyo-jin sends used car parts to Africa once a month, so contact them. I’ll give Manager Hyo-jin a call and let her know.”

“Understood.”

“And check how many spare parts we’ve collected. If possible, include some with the next shipment of used cars.”

“I will verify that.”

After Lee Sangsub returned to his desk, Lim Ho-jin turned to Kang Jin.

“From now on, when our team has meetings, please join us if your schedule allows.”

Lim Ho-jin had been speaking casually earlier, but he switched back to formal language when discussing work-related matters.

“Sounds good to me.”

“You’re sure it won’t be too bothersome?”

Kang Jin nodded at Lim Ho-jin’s question.

“Although my major is psychology, everything I’ve learned so far has been from textbooks.”

Lim Ho-jin smiled at Kang Jin’s response. “So, you want to apply what you’ve learned in real life?”

“Yes.”

“It seems like you’re already quite good at it.”

“I just try to fit my observations within established theories.”

“Fit your observations?”

“I make educated guesses and then explain them using psychological principles.”

“Well, regardless of how you do it, we appreciate having someone with keen observational skills or knowledge of psychology analyze situations for us. Determine whether this deal is favorable or not… Let’s proceed as discussed.”

Lim Ho-jin turned to Choi Donghae. “How did things go with the tasks I asked you to complete this morning?”

“Here they are.” As Choi Donghae handed over the documents, Lim Ho-jin scrutinized them, his eyes narrowing.

“Mr. Choi, there’s a typo here,” Lim Ho-jin pointed out.

Choi Donghae hastily checked the document and bowed his head apologetically.

“My apologies.”

“And it’s uncomfortable reading this small font. Please make the text larger…”

Lim Ho-jin’s criticism made Choi Donghae grimace repeatedly while bowing lower.

As Kang Jin watched this exchange, her cell phone rang. She glanced at Lee Sangsub before stepping away to answer the call.

“I’ll be right back; I need to take this.”

“Go ahead.”

With Lee Sangsub’s permission, Kang Jin exited the government office to speak on the phone.

“Attorney Shin.”

The caller was attorney Shin Suho.

“I have something important to share with you.”

“Another matter of concern?”

“I’m quite afraid of you.”

“It’s not about One Meal Restaurant, so there is no need to worry.”

“Good. So what brings this call?”

“It concerns client Che Yongho.”

“Oh! Mr. Che Yongho… I was curious myself about his situation. What happened?”

“After completing the funeral procedures, he left instructions for his remaining personal assets to be donated to the orphanage and partly used as scholarships for students.”

“What if that student needs housing after leaving the orphanage?”

After leaving the orphanage, finding accommodation had been Kang Jin’s biggest challenge. That’s why she initially lived in a small studio apartment while working part-time jobs.

“That is something the student must deal with in life. The commission I received was only for tuition fees.”

“You’re inflexible.”

“A contract is sacred.”

Kang Jin pursed his lips at Shin Suho’s words. “Then everything went well?”

“Only half of it.”

“Half? What issue remains for the other half?”

“The insurance matter involving Mr. and Mrs. Che Yongho remains unresolved.”

“Insurance?”

“The state distributed assets based on Che Yongho-ssi’s will, but the insurance company refused due to the absence of legal heirs.”

“But there was a will?”

“If they gave it out easily, it wouldn’t be an insurance company.”

“That…makes sense. So what happens now?”

[I have already received payment from Che Yongho. Therefore, I intend to do my best as commensurate with the fee.]

“Can you win this case?”

[I will strive for victory with all my might.]

“I understand.”

[Once there is progress on Mr. Che Yongho’s matter, I will call you again.]

With that, Kang Jin ended the call and shook his head while staring at his phone.

“Well, insurance companies wouldn’t be so easy if they handed out money readily.”

Even when the insured party was alive, these companies would scrutinize every detail to find ways not to pay out claims. Now, with both the insured party deceased and no legal heirs, they would truly go to great lengths to avoid paying up.

However…

“You shouldn’t underestimate Attorney Shin Suho,” Kang Jin muttered softly to himself. “He isn’t just any attorney; he deals with ghosts.”

Kang Jin muttered softly as he entered his government office. His work life proceeded without any issues. Although Lim Ho-jin and other employees still addressed him formally, they interacted with him more comfortably now. As for Choi Donghae, their relationship remained strictly professional, like how a cow sees a chicken or vice versa.

During weekdays, Kang Jin left the company early and only catered to reservations from Taekwang Trading Company staff for dinner service. If there were no bookings, he either took the night off or practiced knife skills and cooking techniques under Yongsoo’s guidance.

On weekends, he prepared enough Sunji hangover soup to serve fifty to sixty customers. This made Kang Jin both excited and exhausted about the weekends. Making such large quantities of food, serving them, and cleaning up afterward by himself was no easy task.

However…once he sold all the soup, it brought in several hundred thousand won at once, so there was some anticipation despite the hard work involved. Surprisingly, many people enjoyed Sunji’s hangover soup, and the restaurant became bustling during lunch hours on weekends. Additionally, repeat customers or word-of-mouth attracted even more patrons, making it increasingly busy.

Kang Jin spent his time working both at Taekwang Trading Company and running his restaurant, welcoming yet another weekend.

“Sir, three bowls of Sunji hangover soup here.”

“Yes! Please wait just a moment!”

“Sir, could you clear this table?”

“Yes! Just give me a minute.”

As Kang Jin responded hastily, serving the soup and clearing tables, some impatient guests got up from their seats, visibly annoyed.

“Sir, with business booming like this, you should hire more staff.”

“How can I even eat here with this crowd?”

“Let’s go somewhere else.”

Kang Jin sighed at the disgruntled customers losing their patience.

I need to find some weekend part-time help.

It was manageable when guests first arrived. The food could be prepared ahead of time and simply served as needed. However, once tables started turning over, it became chaotic. Customers waiting in line would immediately take any available seats, order, and cause a commotion if they had to wait too long for service. With all the commotion, Kang Jin struggled to keep up, leading to delays in serving dishes.

After enduring the stormy lunch rush, clearing tables, and serving meals nonstop, Kang Jin finally sat down with a sigh.

“I really need to hire part-time help,” he muttered.

Bae Yongsoo glanced at him and shook his head. “That’s not a good idea.”

“Why?”

“I can handle it by myself.”

“Hey, did you not see how stressed out I was today?” Bae Yongsoo shook his head again as Kang Jin let out another sigh, clearly exhausted. “It’s because you don’t understand the concept of ‘sen’ and ‘hou.’”

“‘Sen’ and ‘hou’?”

“Firstly, the guests currently eating their meals are considered ‘sen.’ Next, the ones who arrived after them, those waiting for their food, are ‘hou.’”

“I thought I was doing that.”

“You were, but the problem is you tried to manage everything only after more guests had already entered.”

“So then…”

“You should only allow as many guests as you can handle. When your restaurant is half-full, put up a sign stating that it’s fully booked outside. Then, when seats become available, admit guests in small groups based on their waiting order. This way, people won’t form long lines at the entrance scrutinizing you, and you won’t feel pressured by their gaze.”

Kang Jin considered Bae Yongsoo’s words and nodded in agreement.

“That makes sense.”

“Yes, indeed. Moreover, having people wait in line outside prevents them from becoming impatient. They’ll assume it’s a popular establishment worth waiting for. However, if they’re already seated inside but have to wait due to un-cleared tables, frustration sets in. And the result… Did you notice how those customers reacted just now?”

“You’re quite clever.”

“I’ve worked at many restaurants.”

Bae Yongsoo’s words made Kang Jin nod appreciatively, impressed by his insights. Under her gaze, Bae Yongsoo continued:

“And, would it be wise to have someone working regularly in a place frequented by ghosts?”

“Oh…

“It might not affect you immediately like living here does, but over time, you’d absorb spiritual energy and eventually start seeing ghosts.”

“But I only work four hours a week. How much spiritual energy can I accumulate? If that’s the case, regular customers like Director Oh Seong-sil must have seen plenty of ghosts already.”

“That’s different.”

“How is it different?”

“They are guests, while you’re a part-time worker.”

“However, even for a short time, they become part of this store.”

“How is that different?”

“It’s quite different. It’s akin to being a homeowner versus a tenant or an honored guest.”

Seeing Kang Jin’s puzzled expression, Bae Yongsoo sighed as he realized she didn’t fully grasp his meaning.

“I mean, although not to the extent you do, they still establish a connection with the store.”

“A connection with the store?”

“As I’ve mentioned before, ghosts can’t just enter someone else’s home at will. The moment an employee works here, they form a partial bond with the store’s energy. And let me tell you, our store has no shortage of ghostly energies, regardless of what others might say.”

While Kang Jin couldn’t precisely understand every detail, it seemed clear that by hiring temporary staff, their store would inadvertently absorb more ghostly energies through them.

“Then…it’s not possible?”

“People working with ghosts like you might be startled at first when seeing them outside… But if ordinary people see ghosts, they would immediately end up in a mental hospital.”

At Bae Yongsoo’s words, Kang Jin pursed his lips and sighed.

‘Only I can work here…

Hssk!

Kang Jin glanced sideways at Bae Yongsoo before turning away. On one side, Oh Soon-young looked contentedly as she observed customers eating their bowls of food.

“They ate it all. Indeed, everything is gone. Hmm! It’s delicious, so make sure to finish it.”

Listening to Oh Soon-young’s murmurs, Kang Jin sighed again.

It means only ghost part-timers can work here.

And even then, these ghost part-timers could only work from 11 PM to 1 AM - extremely short shifts.