Chapter 54

As Lim Mi-hyang left, Oh Soon-young looked bewildered.

“She… She’s not like that, is she?”

Lim Mi-hyang’s words seemed to have shocked her deeply. However, Kang Jin didn’t view it the same way.

‘If I were in her shoes, I’d probably react similarly.’

Even if Mi-hyang had purchased the recipe herself, anyone would be upset if someone else opened a hangover soup restaurant nearby using their mother-in-law’s recipe. It was more than just intellectual property; it involved competing for livelihoods.

Kang Jin glanced at Jo Hyunsu after hearing Oh Soon-young’s comment and placed a bottle of soju in front of him.

“Here you go.”

Jo Hyunsu popped open the bottle and poured himself a glass.

Glug!

After filling his glass, he stared at it momentarily before smiling.

“Mother never shared her recipe for Sunji hangover soup with anyone… How do you know about it?”

In response to Jo Hyunsu’s question, Kang Jin glanced at Oh Soon-young and explained:

“Mrs. Kim Bokrae is a regular customer at our restaurant.”

“At this establishment?”

“Yes.”

“But my mother never mentioned…”

“Not every child knows their parent’s business, after all.”

“That’s…true. So then?”

“She would dine here, enjoying both food and bomb shots with customers.”

“With my mother?”

Jo Hyunsu appeared genuinely surprised.

“Weren’t you aware that Mrs. Kim Bokrae was quite skilled at making bomb shots?”

“No, but…she hasn’t made bomb shots since she grew older.”

“Oh! I’ve learned how to make them too. Would you like me to prepare one for you?”

Jo Hyunsu smiled and nodded at Kang Jin’s words.

“Please go ahead.”

Kang Jin took out a beer from the refrigerator as per Jo Hyunsu’s request.

“Let me give it a try then.”

Pop!

The bottle cap flew high with a loud sound—a trick he had learned from Oh Soon-young. Kang Jin poured one glass of beer before inserting the soju bottle directly on top.

Glug! Glug!

As he watched the soju pouring into the beer, Jo Hyunsu couldn’t help but smile.

“I used to hate this when I was younger…”

“You did?”

“No son likes seeing their mother happily making these for drunk people. Especially during my turbulent teenage years… I broke enough bottles to fill several boxes just by throwing them away. I would plead with her…”

Jo Hyunsu paused momentarily, staring at the mixing drink while mumbling:

”…I wish she hadn’t done this…”

“No son wants their mother to smile and serve drinks to drunk people. I told her not to do it.”

Jo Hyunsu paused momentarily as he watched Kang Jin mix another drink.

“But she shouldn’t have…”

“Ah…” Kang Jin nodded slightly at Jo Hyunsu’s words and glanced at Oh Soon-young.

Sensing his gaze, Oh Soon-young sighed. “I had to make more shots just to get by.”

Kang Jin empathetically nodded. Despite bomb shots being easy to consume, many were spilled during preparation, making them ideal for sales. Every drop poured directly impacted revenue.

Once enough soju filled the beer bottle, Kang Jin swiftly used a snap maneuver to upright the soju bottle.

Fssshhh!

As foam began to surge from the beer bottle, Kang Jin quickly sealed it with his thumb. He then hastily placed three glasses in front of him and removed his thumb.

Fssshhhh! Fssshh!

White foam gushed into each glass. After swiftly pouring three bomb shots, Kang Jin turned to Jo Hyunsu, who was still blocking the beer bottle’s opening with his thumb.

“Please enjoy.”

Jo Hyunsu glanced at the three bomb shots before replying, “Your mother taught you well indeed.”

“Is that so?”

“Kyunghye…used to make these as a penalty for anyone arriving late to drinking sessions.”

“A penalty drink?”

“It meant they had to start by downing three shots since they were tardy.”

Kang Jin glanced at Oh Soon-young again after hearing Jo Hyunsu’s words.

“She said she needed to sell more than one bottle just to make ends meet.”

Seeing Oh Soon-young repeat herself, Kang Jin smiled softly.

‘Well, considering how much profit there is from selling hangover soup, it probably all goes towards buying alcohol.’

Moreover, Oh Soon-young used high-quality ingredients for her hangover soup, which ate away at any potential profits due to its higher cost. Thus, she relied on alcohol sales for better margins.

Kang Jin pointed at his glass and remarked, “The taste improves once the foam settles down.”

With a small smile, Jo Hyunsu picked up the glass and swiftly drank it down as per Kang Jin’s advice.

Glug! Glug!

Watching him enjoyably chug the bomb shot, Jo Hyunsu immediately poured himself another round and did the same.

In truth, since seventy percent of this bomb shot was foam, it wasn’t difficult to drink from the glass. In fact, with half being foam and half alcohol, it went down smoothly.

After enjoying three bomb shots, Jo Hyunsu picked up some pieces of Sunji hangover soup with his chopsticks and put them in his mouth.

“Ah! It’s delicious.” Smiling, he took a spoonful of broth as well.

“Tastes good.”

His comment brought a smile to Oh Soon-young’s face.

“It is indeed. I wish I could make it for you myself…”

Seeing her wistfulness, Kang Jin pulled Jo Hyunsu’s glass closer and shook the bottle of beer.

Fshhhhh!

As Kang Jin refilled the glass, Jo Hyunsu started drinking again. Watching him, Kang Jin spoke up.

“Go ahead! Now that your wife has left, tell us what you wanted to say. Whether it’s anger or something else, let it out.”

Upon Kang Jin’s words, Jo Hyunsu looked at his glass momentarily before taking a sip of Sunji hangover soup. He then put down the spoon.

“Making Sunji hangover soup…isn’t it difficult?”

“It certainly is,” replied Jo Hyunsu with a nod and a smile.

“Right? It’s not easy, isn’t it?”

“That’s true. You have to boil bones for ten hours, clean the intestines, and…making enough for sixty people takes an entire day.”

“Yes, exactly. Skimming off the fat continuously for ten hours can be exhausting. And during summer, it feels like my body gets boiled like meat.”

“It must be unbearable in the summer.”

The One Meal Restaurant was filled with yin energy due to constant ghost visits. However, while boiling bones for broth, it became hot and humid inside. If this was the case at the One Meal Restaurant, regular restaurants must be even more unbearable, akin to a sauna.

In response to Kang Jin’s words, Jo Hyunsu fidgeted with his beer glass before speaking up.

“It really is tough.”

Kang Jin looked at Jo Hyunsu, realizing from his comment that he had likely experienced boiling stock himself.

‘It seems they didn’t start by buying pre-made broth.’

After a moment, Jo Hyunsu continued:

“Perhaps because my mother faced hardships herself, she often helped those in need. Although my wife wasn’t aware, whenever people approached her for recipes, if their circumstances were difficult, she would observe them discreetly while having them work part-time at the store. Once satisfied with their character, she’d help set them up with well-paying businesses of their own.”

“Does your wife not know about this?”

“She might be a bit greedy due to enduring hardships with me. If she knew, she would’ve asked for some financial help.”

“It’s only human nature.”

Instead of criticizing his wife, Kang Jin understood her perspective. When struggling financially oneself, it is natural to feel resentful if family members assist others instead.

“In any case, quite a few people know my mother’s recipe. However, very few actually cook it as faithfully as you do, sir.”

“It takes a whole day to prepare properly, so even I find it challenging.”

“That’s true.”

Jo Hyunsu then looked at Kang Jin.

“As my wife asked…why do you sell Seonji hangover soup? Since you learned it from your mother-in-law…don’t you think it’s inappropriate to serve the same menu near our shop?”

‘Is this his main concern or just testing me?’

Kang Jin observed Jo Hyunsu before responding.

“I’m currently interning at Taekwang Trading Company.”

“Interning?”

“My team members and I recently visited your restaurant for a taste of the soup. It didn’t have the same flavor as Mrs. Kim Bokrae’s traditional Seonji hangover soup that I know.”

“That’s because…”

Seeing Jo Hyunsu hesitate, Kang Jin continued.

“I assume you wouldn’t compromise on ingredient quality with Mrs. Kim Bokrae not around.”

“Of course not. We always use the highest-quality ingredients in our dishes.”

“But not for the broth, right?”

Jo Hyunsu’s eyebrows twitched at Kang Jin’s words.

Kang Jin continued, “These days, store-bought broths can be quite good.”

“How do you know that?”

“I’m also someone who enjoys cooking… Mrs. Kim Bokrae taught me how challenging it is to make proper broth from scratch. Nowadays, you can buy packaged bone broth at convenience stores, so it’s easy to figure out your secret.”

“Hmm!” Jo Hyunsu let out a small groan.

Kang Jin observed him and said, “As the president mentioned, making hangover soup broth is indeed very demanding. Additionally, gas prices aren’t cheap…”

“That’s correct.”

“But…I noticed it hanging on the wall of your shop: ‘Delicious hangover soup is made with quality ingredients and heartfelt dedication.’”

Kang Jin continued as Jo Hyunsu remained silent, “If your grandmother were still alive…I think she would have closed down the restaurant. To her, Sunji hangover soup wasn’t just food; it fed and sheltered her family while raising her children… It was like home.”

“Home?”

“What do you think your life would be like now if not for Sunji hangover soup?” Kang Jin’s words caused Jo Hyunsu’s expression to stiffen slightly. As a child, he disliked Sunji hangover soup because of his mother’s drinking habit, but he understood its significance now. Without Sunji hangover soup, he wouldn’t have been able to provide for himself and his siblings like they currently could.

Observing Jo Hyunsu’s reaction, Kang Jin added, “And our foreman mentioned being disappointed that the taste isn’t the same as before.”

Sip!

Kang Jin finished his remaining bomb shot and looked at Jo Hyunsu.

“Sir, you disappointed your grandmother as well as her regular customers who loved her food. Therefore…I intend to make Sunji hangover soup until your restaurant goes bankrupt.”

“My restaurant…goes bankrupt?” Jo Hyunsu muttered quietly.

Kang Jin pointed at the bowl of Sunji hangover soup.

“Why don’t you try it?”

“It’s delicious.”

“How can our hangover soup compete with yours?”

In response to Kang Jin’s question, Jo Hyunsu glanced at the bowl of Sunji hangover soup before picking up his spoon.

Slurp! Slurp!

After savoring every bite, including the side dishes, Jo Hyunsu turned to Kang Jin.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had proper Sunji-style hangover soup.”

“Is that your answer?”

“This shop was passed down to me by my mother. I won’t let it fail easily.”

Shhhk!

Jo Hyunsu stood up and asked, “How much do I owe you?”

“The two bowls of hangover soup, soju, and beer come to 22,000 won.”

“I enjoyed the meal.” Jo Hyunsu took out some money and glanced at Kang Jin. “And thank you for continuing my mother’s recipes.”

With a deep bow, Jo Hyunsu turned to leave the restaurant when Lim Mi-hyang’s voice suddenly rang out.

“You said something harsh again, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

“You threatened to sue if she sold them again? Hey! At least say something!”

As Lim Mi-hyang’s voice faded away, Kang Jin looked at Oh Soon-young.

Oh Soon-young watched Jo Hyunsu leave with a pained expression on her face.

“Please follow him,” Kang Jin suggested gently.

As Oh Soon-young hurried towards the door, Kang Jin added, “If you ascend to heaven, don’t go straight there; come back here first.”

“Ascend?”

Kang Jin smiled and raised his hand as Oh Soon-young turned to look at him.

“Go ahead.”

With a smile, Oh Soon-young stepped out of the store.

Fwwoosh!

Watching Oh Soon-young disappear through the door, Kang Jin glanced at the empty bowl.

“I hope it turns out well for her.”

Oh Soon-young’s request was to ruin her restaurant, but…if they started selling proper Sunji hangover soup instead, it could lead to even better outcomes than failure—for Oh Soon-young herself.