Chapter 83

“Aren’t you scared of him?”

“He claims he’s not frightened because he has seen many strange ghosts.”

“That’s quite peculiar.”

“Not just peculiar but also seems crazy… Seeing ghosts is inherently odd.”

“I see ghosts too.”

“Only because you’re the owner of an afterlife restaurant,” Choi Hocheol replied.

Kang Jin nodded at Choi Hocheol’s words. Indeed, it was a unique case.

“So, has he always been able to see ghosts?”

“He had an accident when he was young. Since then, he started seeing them.”

“And?”

“I don’t know much beyond that. I left quickly, finding him rather strange.”

“I see.”

“Why, are you interested?”

“Just intrigued to hear about someone else who can see ghosts besides me.”

“Why? There are quite a few others like us. All owners of afterlife restaurants across the country can see ghosts, and even some employees or residents there might have this ability.”

“You’re right about that.”

As Kang Jin nodded, Heo Yeonwook began to spit out saliva. With each spitting motion, it felt like his fatigue was being expelled. Smiling at this sensation, Kang Jin continued:

“Sir, you have much studying to do. It seems you know as little about the world of ghosts as I did initially.”

Heo Yeonwook chuckled and shook his head.

“The knowledge from my lifetime is sufficient. As for incarnation…it involves a deceased soul entering a living person’s body, which disrupts the balance between yin and yang regardless of circumstances.”

“I see?”

“Just as harmony between yin and yang makes the world comfortable, a human body needs balance for good health. But when a ghost, considered yin, enters a person’s body, how can it be beneficial?”

Heo Yeonwook glanced at Choi Hocheol after explaining. “And it’s not just harmful to humans but also detrimental to ghosts.”

“To ghosts as well?”

“Since ghosts consist of yin energy and enter bodies composed of yang energy, it naturally affects them negatively, wouldn’t you agree?”

“I see… That makes sense.”

In response to Choi Hocheol’s agreement, Heo Yeonwook turned to Kang Jin. “As a ghost myself, I shouldn’t say this while indebted to your restaurant, but it seems best to maintain clear boundaries between the living and the dead.”

Kang Jin nodded in agreement with Heo Yeonwook’s words. “I think so too.” With that, she smiled and rose from her chair. “Indeed, you truly live up to your reputation as a renowned doctor.”

“Are you feeling better now?” asked Heo Yeonwook.

Kang Jin laughed, stretching her shoulders comfortably.

“It feels as refreshing as pouring cold water over a sore spot.” Heo Yeonwook cleared his throat and continued, “Could I trouble you for a fried egg?”

“I’ll make two for you.”

Smiling, Kang Jin entered the kitchen and lightly greased a frying pan. Before the oil heated up fully, she cracked open two eggs. As the whites began to set, she sprinkled salt while carefully adjusting the heat.

Heo Yeonwook preferred his fried eggs with soft whites and slightly runny yolks, making temperature control crucial. Once the whites were partially cooked, Kang Jin wet her fingers and flicked droplets onto the frying pan.

Sizzle! Fizz!

As steam began to form, Kang Jin covered the pan with a lid. Once the yolk reached a moist, scrambled consistency, he turned off the heat and lifted the lid. The eggs were perfectly cooked: soft whites and slightly runny yolks.

After the sports meet concluded, Taegwang Trading returned to its regular operations. Kang Jin resumed her internship duties, which felt somewhat amusing considering she had been away for only two days during the weekend event.

On Wednesday during lunchtime, employees lined up outside their favorite Sunji hangover soup restaurant.

Lim Ho-jin looked at his team members with curiosity and anticipation.

“According to Manager Kim, the food here has regained its previous delicious taste.”

“That would be great. Kang Jin’s homemade Sunji hangover soup is fantastic, but…we can only enjoy it on weekends, and lately, she hasn’t made it at all.”

Lee Sangsub’s comment made Kang Jin laugh and shake her head.

“It takes over ten hours to make Sunji hangover soup. I feel like all my bones ache from making it.”

“But at least it sells well?”

Kang Jin waved off Lee Sangsub’s remark.

“Phew! Don’t even get me started. Considering the cost of ingredients and labor, there’s hardly any profit left. It would be more efficient and less work to serve steak, which our female employees seem to enjoy.”

She then turned to Lim Ho-jin.

“The Sunji hangover soup is purely out of love for you, sir.”

“Haha! You’re quite the flatterer for someone who has no intention of becoming a full-time employee.” Lim Ho-jin chuckled, and Kang Jin joined in his laughter.

“I just wanted to express that I hope you’ll continue visiting us after my internship ends.”

“I was already considering eating here every day after my internship ends anyway.”

Lim Ho-jin wasn’t joking; he genuinely intended to do so. Deciding what to eat for lunch is one of the biggest dilemmas working adults face daily. However, at Kang Jin’s restaurant, they could choose from various cuisines like Korean, Chinese, or Japanese food. There was no reason not to visit regularly.

“That sounds great!”

As they continued chatting with smiles on their faces, another man approached them.

“Let’s grab something together.”

It was the senior colleague Lim Ho-jin had mentioned earlier. He grinned as Lim Ho-jin acknowledged his presence.

“Sure thing.”

The man responded with a smile.

“I heard Sunji hangover soup tastes just like it used to back in the day.”

“I came specifically because I heard that too.”

Lim Ho-jin nodded in agreement.

“I’m looking forward to it.” The man smiled as if feeling content and then turned his attention toward Lee Kang-jin and Choi Donghae. “So how’s your internship going?”

“It’s fine,” replied Lee Kang-jin.

The man nodded at his response. “I’ve left Taekwang Trading Company now, but it’s still a good place to work. If you put in effort, you’ll see great results.”

Lim Ho-jin chuckled at this. “Neither of them will stay with our company, though.”

The man’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Why have you become so cruel, Manager Lim?”

“Pardon me?”

“They haven’t even completed their internships yet, and you’re already giving them notice that they won’t be hired?”

Lim Ho-jin shook his head. “Lee Kang-jin owns a restaurant, so he never intended to become a full-time employee here. As for Choi Donghae, once his internship ends, he plans to retreat to the mountains for dieting.”

The man looked puzzled and glanced at Kang Jin.

“If he has no intention of becoming a full-time employee, why did he apply for this internship?”

“I had my reasons.”

“In that case…”

Upon hearing Choi Donghae’s response, the man stopped probing further and turned to him instead.

“You’ve given it much thought. Work is important, but so is your health.” With a smile, he extended his hand. “I’m Yoon Soohong from Top Trading.”

Yoon Soohong introduced himself as Choi Donghae shook his hand.

“My name is Choi Donghae.”

“And I’m Lee Kang-jin.”

After completing their introductions, Yoon Soohong addressed Choi Donghae once more.

“If you want to lose weight while working, feel free to contact me anytime.”

“Are you offering me a job?”

“Well, it’s not a grand company or anything… Just small-scale trading where you earn based on how well you perform.”

“Anytime you’re ready.”

“But…I’m curious as to why you would offer me a job.”

Yoon Soohong laughed and patted Lim Ho-jin on the shoulder at Choi Donghae’s question.

“If he didn’t think you were cut out for being a full-time employee, do you really think Manager Lim would bother training you so thoroughly?”

Lim Ho-jin chuckled and shook his head.

“He just said it’s because they need more people here.”

“Ha-ha-ha! That is true!”

The real reason Yoon Soohong offered him a job was that Taekwang Trading needed more staff. Anyone hired as an intern had to be a graduate of Seoul University with a major in trade and excellent grades within their department—essentially, proven talent. There was no downside for Yoon Soohong.

In other words, as someone already proven to be talented, there was no reason for Yoon Soohong not to hire him. Of course, from Choi Donghae’s perspective, he might not have been keen on joining such a small company.

The group, still chatting and smiling, entered upon seeing an available table open up.

“Business seems good.”

Kang Jin recognized Jo Hyunsu serving customers nearby with a smile.

Jo Hyunsu returned the smile at Kang Jin’s comment. “Customers always recognize great food before any critic does. Please take your seats.”

As they were guided to their table and sat down, Lim Ho-jin glanced at Kang Jin.

“Do you know the owner?”

“I used to make Seonji hangover soup here until recently, so we got acquainted.”

Kang Jin casually smiled and put down his spoon, prompting Choi Donghae to do the same. Previously, Choi Donghae would remain silent, but now he at least followed social cues by setting down his utensils.

While waiting for their food, Yoon Soohong asked:

“Have you ever been to One Meal Restaurant?”

Lim Ho-jin looked puzzled at Yoon Soohong’s question before glancing at Kang Jin.

“Why do you ask?”

“I love good restaurants, and I’ve heard that One Meal Restaurant serves delicious meals.”

Lim Ho-jin smiled and nodded in agreement.

“It certainly is tasty.”

“You’ve been there?”

“How could I not have visited when it’s right in front of our company? And…” Lim Ho-jin paused briefly before smiling again.

“By the way, this is Lee Kang-jin, the owner of that restaurant.”

Yoon Soohong looked at Kang Jin with surprise.

“You’re the owner of One Meal Restaurant?”

“Yes, since I work alone there, I’m also the head chef, server, and waiter all rolled into one.”

“That’s impressive.” Yoon Soohong continued to gaze at Kang Jin. “Is it located across from Taekwang Trading Company?”

“Yes, sir.”

“How strange.”

Lim Ho-jin raised an eyebrow at Yoon Soohong’s remark.

“What do you mean?”

“I couldn’t find it.”

Lim Ho-jin blinked, puzzled. “That can’t be right. There’s a cell phone store directly across from our company, isn’t there? The restaurant is right next to it.”

“Exactly! I thought it would be easy to spot next to the cell phone store, but when I went there, I couldn’t see it.”

Kang Jin pursed his lips at Yoon Soohong’s words.

‘It seems ghosts have gathered there.’

When he left this morning, only Bae Yongsoo was present, but it appeared more idle ghosts had arrived since then. With so many ghosts congregating around the restaurant, people unconsciously ignored One Meal Restaurant from their field of vision. Even amidst countless pedestrians on the street, if someone isn’t interested, they become part of the background scenery, akin to observing stones along the road.

“Please decide what you’d like to order next time and contact me.”

“Do I need to make a reservation?” Yoon Soohong asked.

Lee Kang-jin shook his head at Yoon Soohong’s question.

“My restaurant serves whatever food our guests desire. If I have the ingredients available, I’ll prepare it for you; otherwise, I won’t be able to. That’s why making a reservation in advance is beneficial.”

“That sounds good.”

“I’ll give you my number.”

In response to Kang Jin’s words, Yoon Soohong handed over his phone. Kang Jin called from his own phone and saved Yoon Soohong’s number.

As they exchanged phone numbers, Sunji hangover soup was served, prompting everyone to start eating.

“Mmm… This taste…”

Yoon Soohong smiled, and Lim Ho-jin nodded in agreement.

“Yes, this is indeed the flavor.”

Lim Ho-jin savored the broth with a smile before suddenly remembering something and looked at Kang Jin.

“Kang Jin-ssi, your restaurant’s Sunji hangover soup also tasted amazing.”

Kang Jin chuckled at Lim Ho-jin’s remark.

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

He then glanced around the restaurant. Guests were enjoying their Sunji hangover soup, while Jo Hyunsu moved between them, engaging in conversations and attending to their needs. Observing this scene, Kang Jin smiled contentedly.

“As long as they enjoy it.”