Chapter 94

Wang Kangjun looked at Wang Kangshin with pitying eyes, and Kang Jin observed them both. Watching Wang Kangshin silently standing there felt strange to him.

“That’s…” Kang Jin started speaking, intending to offer some comforting words but closed his mouth, unsure of what to say. If he said that Kangjun didn’t die, it would imply that the elder brother abandoned his sister. But if he acknowledged her death…it was still discussing someone’s demise. There were no adequate words to console such grief, especially considering Wang Gangjun stood nearby as a ghost, witnessing this conversation. Knowing the truth made it impossible for Kang Jin to continue.

Noticing Kang Jin’s hesitation, Wang Kangshin nodded briefly.

“At first, I thought with resentment, but now I genuinely hope my brother left me behind.”

“You wish he had abandoned you? Why do you think that?”

“If not…then…” Would his hyung be dead? That day when he couldn’t return home.

Wang Kangshin watched Kang Jin for a moment before taking a sip of soju and speaking again.

“And…having a sister who resents her missing brother.” Wang Kangshin said softly.

Kang Jin nodded slightly at Wang Kangshin’s words, understanding their meaning. She wished for her brother to be living well somewhere under another sky rather than being deceased.

Observing this, Wang Kangshin glanced at the noodles before taking a large bite.

Slurp! Slurp!

After eating some noodles, Wang Kangshin took a sip of soju and put down his cup.

“But now I understand.”

Kang Jin remained silent, watching Wang Kangshin. It wasn’t a question requiring an answer.

Wang Kangshin looked at the noodles as he spoke.

“My hyung was always happy when buying eggs. On days he brought home eggs, he would beam with joy, showing them to me excitedly, saying ‘Look at these!’”

There was a brief pause before Wang Kangshin continued.

“And every time, he’d give me the last bite from his bowl. It made me incredibly happy. Back then, we were perpetually hungry, so that final morsel tasted even more delicious.”

“I see.”

“My hyung quietly observed me during those times. He felt sorry for not being able to give me more.”

Wang Kangshin paused momentarily before continuing.

“My hyung left me behind…”

He stopped again and sighed heavily.

“He couldn’t have made it here.”

Kang Jin glanced at Wang Gangjun as per Wang Kangshin’s words. Wang Gangjun had his eyes closed.

As his guardian spirit, he must have watched over him constantly…

Being Wang Kangshin’s guardian spirit meant Wang Gangjun was always by his side. Consequently, he would have continuously observed his brother blaming himself. He likely wanted to reassure his brother that he was always there for him…but he could never convey those words.

‘Hyung must’ve struggled too.’

Kang Jin muttered silently before speaking aloud.

“I’m sure your elder brother wouldn’t leave without you.”

At Kang Jin’s words, Wang Kangshin sighed and nodded. “There must be a reason why he couldn’t come. He can’t…”

Wang Kangshin didn’t finish his sentence. The reason why he couldn’t come… It was nothing other than death. Otherwise, he would’ve definitely visited. Since his hyung had died, Wang Kangshin had lived until now while blaming his deceased brother.

“Father.”

In response to his son’s call, Wang Kangshin sighed, respectfully lifted both hands with the cup of soju, and offered it towards the noodles. Holding the cup with both hands, Wang Kangshin opened his mouth respectfully:

“Dad. Now I can’t even remember boss’ face. But when eating this noodle soup made by him, I recall his laughter. Whenever I ate, he smiled…”

“I vividly remember how you smiled and encouraged me to eat more.” As Wang Kangshin spoke, his son politely refilled his cup. The elder Wang raised his glass again but paused before drinking.

Seeing this, Wang Gangjun raised his own glass in response.

“I’m grateful that you’ve grown up so well.”

Wang Kangshin couldn’t hear his father’s words, but he looked at the noodles with the cup still held high before eventually opening his mouth.

“I want to see him.”

With those words, Wang Kangshin swiftly drank the soju.

Gulp!

Inspired by his father’s gesture, Wang Gangjun also downed his drink in one go, a smile spreading across his face.

“It was my dream to enjoy a hearty drink with you once you grew up… And here it is fulfilled, albeit after my death. Ha-ha-ha!”

Wang Gangjun laughed heartily as Kang Jin discreetly picked up his cup and took a sip.

Gulp!

“Ugh!” Feeling the burn, Kang Jin glanced at Wang Kangshin.

“I’ll pour for you.”

At Kang Jin’s words, Wang Kangshin handed him the bottle to refill his glass. Kang Jin also poured some soju into another cup before placing it in front of Wang Gangjun.

“I don’t know your brother personally, but…he must have had a dream.”

“A dream?”

“Chinese people enjoy drinking together enthusiastically, right?”

“Yes, indeed.”

“Perhaps your brother wished for both of you to share such spirited moments once you grew up.”

Kang Jin aimed to fulfill Wang Gangjun’s dream of drinking heartily with his younger brother.

Wang Kangshin nodded at Kang Jin’s words.

“He used to say we’d drink together all night once I grew up.”

Kang Jin acknowledged this and placed the bowl of noodles in the center.

“Let’s enjoy it heartily then.” As he spoke, Kang Jin set down five empty shot glasses in front of Wang Gangjun and filled them with soju. “These are for the boss.”

He then repeated the gesture for Wang Kangshin.

“Although he isn’t physically present, there is food here that reminds us of him. Even if his body is absent, his spirit might come by for a toast.”

Wang Kangshin smiled warmly and raised the first glass.

Clink!

Seeing Wang Kangshin lift her glass, Wang Gangjun also raised his. The ghost and human, facing each other, simultaneously took sips from their glasses.

Without any signal, both emptied their cups simultaneously as if synchronized.

Gulp!

Gulp!

The human and ghost gulped down the soju in one swig without stopping. They looked at each other, then continued to empty cup after cup. When it came to the fifth and final cup, Wang Kangshin briefly glanced at his noodles before raising his glass.

Holding the cup, he stared straight ahead where the invisible Wang Gangjun stood.

“Daegye… On the day we meet again, I will make you Emperor’s Noodles this time.”

Wang Gangjun opened his mouth in response.

“Daege, take your time and come back soon. Hyung will patiently wait for you.”

As he spoke, Wang Gangjun raised his cup and drank the soju. Then…

Fwaaaah!

With a flash of light, Wang Gangjun disappeared. Witnessing this, Kang Jin let out a small sigh.

Was that one glass of soju truly precious to him? Or was it about spending time with his sister?

As he stared at the empty space left by Wang Gangjun, Kang Jin noticed a piece of paper falling from mid-air.

I didn’t wish for this…

Contrary to his thoughts, his eyes sparkled with curiosity. He discreetly caught the paper and hid it beneath the table. Lowering his gaze, he examined the document, but confusion soon filled his face.

It wasn’t a check as he had initially assumed.

<Thanks to your kindness, I could share…a drink…with my sister. Thank you. Someday…I will repay…your generosity.>

The fallen paper had Chinese characters written on it, not a check from JS Finance as Kang Jin initially assumed. Moreover, since it was in Chinese, he found it difficult to comprehend its content. Based on the few Hanja (Chinese) characters he could read, it seemed to express gratitude. Slightly disappointed, Kang Jin shook his head while gazing at the paper.

‘It wasn’t done for money… I’m satisfied knowing that a pitiful soul has ascended.’

Kang Jin murmured internally and looked back at the paper again, sensing something peculiar.

‘Does time flow differently between this realm and the other?’

Immediately after Wang Gangjun disappeared, the paper fell. Yet, there was quite a lengthy message written on it.

Even if Wang Gangjun wrote it immediately after arriving in the afterlife, there wouldn’t be enough time for such swift delivery. Kang Jin shook his head and put the letter back into his pocket.

He then turned to Wang Kangshin, who was staring blankly into space.

“Are you okay?” asked Kang Jin.

Wang Kangshin blinked slowly before responding, “Just now…did you say something to me?”

“Pardon?”

Kang Jin’s puzzled expression prompted Wang Kangshin to clarify further.

“You said ‘Sobo’…telling me to take my time, didn’t you?”

Sobo? But I only mentioned it when Wang Gangjun disappeared.

Kang Jin had indeed told Wang Kangshin to go slow as he departed, but pretending ignorance, he replied:

“Slowly?”

“My nickname when I was young was Slowly.”

As Wang Kangshin spoke, tears welled up in his eyes.

“Yes… Definitely… ‘Slowly’… Come slowly. It was my brother’s voice…”

Unaware of his own tears, Wang Kangshin continued mumbling. Seeing this, Kang Jin gently handed him a tissue before leaving the room.

In the hallway, she approached Yoon Soo-hong gesturing towards her.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure.” As they spoke, Kang Jin glanced at Wang Kangshin, who was now conversing with his son.

“Dad, are you okay?”

“Just now…I think Boss came and went.”

“Did your older brother mention something?”

“Yes… He definitely spoke to me just now.”

“It seems his message reached you, father.”

Kang Jin pursed his lips as he observed them.

‘Did my hyung tell him what happened?’

It was unclear how it occurred, but Wang Kangshin had undoubtedly heard Wang Gangjun’s final words.

‘Was it some kind of miracle?’

If this information came from the last ascended ghost… It made sense to consider that possibility. In a world where ghosts exist and Kang Jin himself can see them, there was nothing strange about receiving the heartfelt plea of his deceased brother as he ascended.

In this world where unbelievable ‘ghostly’ events occur, it seemed plausible to him.

Kang Jin suddenly stroked his chin as he pondered these thoughts.

But…do I really need to keep this hidden?

Hiding the fact that he is the unconventional owner of the Underworld Restaurant dealing with ghosts made sense… However, he wondered if there was any real need to conceal seeing and conversing with them. After all, even dramas nowadays often feature handsome restaurant owners or chefs interacting with female ghosts.

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Kang Jin nodded.

I should ask Attorney Shin about this later.

He wanted to know whether hiding his ability to see ghosts was truly necessary.

As Kang Jin pondered these thoughts, Wang Kangshin returned from the restroom with a refreshed face, likely after washing it. He smiled and spoke:

“I must have shown my weak side today.”

“No, not at all,” replied Kang Jin.

Wang Kangshin then looked at Yoon Soo-hong.

“Yoon hyungnim brought us to a wonderful establishment today. Thank you.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” responded Yoon Soo-hong warmly.

Nodding, Wang Kangshin turned back to Kang Jin.

“Thanks to you… I’ve found memories of the boss and enjoyed excellent food. Truly grateful.”

Kang Jin smiled as he watched Wang Kangshin rise, perform a traditional bow with clasped hands, and incline his head respectfully.

Kang Jin replied, “I’m glad you appreciate it.”

“Indeed.” Wang Kangshin looked around the restaurant after briefly observing Kang Jin’s response. “This is a fine establishment.”

“Thank you,” replied Kang Jin with a nod.

Wang Kangshin smiled but then remembered something and took out his wallet.

“Oh…you don’t need to give me more pocket money.”

Wang Kangshin chuckled at Kang Jin’s words.

“I wasn’t planning on giving you any money.”

Instead, he pulled out a business card from his wallet.

“If you ever visit China, please call me anytime.”

“Thank you.” Kang Jin examined the card:

Bori Jyuan Limited Company

President: Wang Kangshin