Chapter 99

The drinking session between two adults lasted until ten o’clock at night. By then, they were referring to each other on a first-name basis.

In truth, there’s nothing like alcohol to quickly bond men together. In the male world, strangers can become brothers after sharing just a few drinks. Of course, this brotherhood often evaporates once sobered up, leaving them wondering:

Who was that again?

But for now, Kim Bongnam and Wang Gangshin felt like siblings from the same family.

“Hahaha! That sounds great.”

“Next time, bring your families over to my restaurant. I’ll show you what authentic South Korean cuisine tastes like.”

“As long as the boss invites me, how could I refuse?”

Kang Jin found it heartwarming to see the two of them bantering back and forth as if they were real brothers.

Maybe they’re getting closer quickly because they don’t know much about each other yet.

Since neither knew much about the other, perhaps their guard was down. Both men likely had walls up due to their wealth and status, but now they could relax over drinks with someone who didn’t know their background, thanks to this chance encounter.

As Kim Bongnam took another sip of soju, he suddenly shivered.

“Isn’t it a bit chilly here?”

“Pardon me?”

“I feel a slight chill.”

“It’s fine for me,” Kang Jin replied.

Kim Bongnam glanced at Wang Gangshin, who nodded in agreement.

“I agree, little brother. I keep feeling chills up my spine; maybe I’m coming down with something.”

Hearing them talk, Kang Jin checked his watch.

[10:21]

‘Time flies.’

Kang Jin glanced at the clock and then towards the store entrance. Outside, ghosts were likely lining up, eagerly awaiting 11 PM. The presence of these spirits could be causing the chill felt by both men.

Kang Jin suggested, “Perhaps you’ve had too much to drink.”

“How can that be?” Wang Gangshin appeared puzzled, wondering if he really drank that much.

Kang Jin turned to Kim Bongnam, “And please consider Sungsu-nim’s health as well.”

Kim Bongnam nodded with a smile, “That’s why we only had a moderate amount and chose mild soju.”

As stated, Kim Bongnam did get tipsy but didn’t overindulge significantly. He consumed about six glasses? Of course, each glass held high-alcohol content.

Indeed, he had consumed many glasses of alcohol.

“But Gamhongro is still considered alcoholic.”

“Gamhongro helps with blood circulation and warms up your body. Moreover, while regular soju raises your body temperature but cools down your stomach, Gamhongro also keeps your stomach warm, promoting overall warmth throughout the body. It has a calming effect on both mind and body, alleviating fatigue. Therefore, for someone like me with liver issues, it’s quite beneficial as long as I don’t overindulge.”

“Isn’t that what people say when they want to justify drinking?”

“You got me there.” Kim Bongnam chuckled and nodded before turning to Wang Gangshin.

“I think it’s best if you stop now.”

“That’s too bad.”

“There will be other days. Come by our shop before heading to China, or even tomorrow would work.”

“Certainly, sir.”

Kim Bongnam nodded at Wang Gangshin’s suggestion and asked, “Ah! Did you drive here?”

“I took a taxi.”

“Good. Then hop in my car.” Kim Bongnam then pulled out his phone to call for a designated driver. He planned on dropping off Wang Gangshin first, even if it meant taking a detour or paying extra fees.

Kang Jin observed this exchange between Kim Bongnam and Wang Gangshin.

I can’t do it.

He felt uneasy about asking the tipsy Wang Gangshin to meet Lim Ho-jin. Moreover, Lim Ho-jin clearly had an ulterior motive behind the introduction—to forge connections with influential people, which would benefit his business ventures. Since it wasn’t just a casual introduction, Kang Jin felt burdened by the request, ultimately deciding against it.

As Kang Jin stood to see them off, Wang Gangshin stopped him.

“So…what do you want to say?”

“What?”

“It seems like there’s something on your mind. If you have anything to say, go ahead.”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Wang Gangshin smiled at Kang Jin’s response.

“As part of my job, I meet many people. Over time, I’ve learned to gauge their intentions just by looking into their eyes.”

Kang Jin pursed his lips and explained Lim Ho-jin’s situation. Upon hearing this, Wang Gangshin spoke:

“It appears he wants to secure a trade deal with our company if he joins another firm.”

“That’s correct.”

“I appreciate introductions, but I’m not fond of being used for personal gain.”

Wang Gangshin’s words made Kang Jin bow his head apologetically.

“It seems I arrived comfortably but must leave feeling uneasy. My apologies.”

Wang Gangshin studied Kang Jin intently before speaking again.

“I have one question for you.” He waited until Kang Jin looked up at him. “Is it because Lim Ho-jin is your superior that you couldn’t refuse his request?”

“If Manager Lim were just my supervisor at work, I would have declined.”

As he was only interning temporarily, Kang Jin could have easily said no if he wanted to.

“So then…?” Wang Gangshin prompted.

Kang Jin responded, “He’s genuinely a good person. That’s why I couldn’t refuse his request.”

“A good person…” Wang Gangshin pondered this briefly and nodded.

“Why wouldn’t I want to meet a good person?”

“Then will you see him?”

“If someone as decent as you recommends them, there’s no reason for me not to meet them, right?” Wang Gangshin stood up with a smile. “And feel free to introduce anyone else to me anytime.”

“Really?”

“As I mentioned earlier, I enjoy meeting new people through introductions. Plus, I trust your judgment. Would you ever introduce someone who could harm me?”

Wang Gangshin’s words left Kang Jin feeling uneasy. Hearing that he trusted Kang Jin more than anything weighed heavily on him.

I shouldn’t introduce anyone else to him from now on.

Introducing someone to Wang Gangshin felt like putting his faith in Kang Jin at risk, which was burdensome.

It weighed heavily on him.

“I see you’re here for a designated driving service,” said Kim Bongnam.

Wang Gangshin took out his wallet. “The food was delicious.”

As he tried to pay, Kim Bongnam hastily stopped him.

“What’s this for?”

“A token of appreciation for meeting such a great hyung…”

“In South Korea, there’s no brother who mooches off their sister.”

“But still…”

“Put it away. Put it away.” With that, Kim Bongnam pulled out several 50,000 won bills from his wallet and pointed at the acrylic donation box near the counter.

“Do I just put them in here?”

“Oh, you need to hear the price first…”

“If the meal was enjoyable, then isn’t it up to me how much I donate?” Smiling, Kim Bongnam dropped the bills into the acrylic box. Kang Jin counted quickly and noted there were four bills visible.

“You didn’t have to give so much.”

“Well, while the owner sets the base price, customers can also determine the final value.”

Kim Bongnam then extended his hand towards Kang Jin.

“Give me your phone.”

“My phone?”

Kang Jin wondered why Kim Bongnam wanted his phone when he already held one in his hand. Seeing Kang Jin’s confusion, Kim Bongnam waved his hand impatiently.

Reluctantly, Kang Jin handed over his phone. Kim Bongnam took it to the table where he had been eating and started taking selfies.

Ka-shak! Ka-shak! Ka-shak!

After capturing photos of his food, Kim Bongnam stood next to Kang Jin, put his arm around him, and handed the phone to Wang Gangshin.

“Take a picture for us.”

Wang Gangshin smiled and suggested, “Let’s all be in the photo together.”

As Wang Gangshin moved beside Kang Jin, Kim Bongnam asked, “Who will take the picture now?”

“I’ll do it.” Kang Jin took the phone from them, stretched out his arm to include everyone in the frame, and said, “Say cheese!”

Kang Jin extended his arm wide to include all three of them and exclaimed:

“Say cheese!”

Ka-shak!

Kim Bongnam looked surprised as Kang Jin effortlessly took the photo.

“How is that possible?”

“The world has advanced quite a bit these days.”

Then Kang Jin turned to Wang Gangshin.

“If you give me your phone number, I can send it to you.”

Wang Gangshin provided his number. It was different from South Korean numbers due to being a Chinese cell phone, but sending the picture wasn’t an issue.

“I’ll be back soon.”

“When you return, I’ll make more delicious food for you. Oh! If you could call ahead before arriving, I can prepare your favorite dishes.”

“We’ll do that. Well then, boss, we’re off.”

Upon hearing this, Kim Bongnam glanced at Kang Jin.

“Don’t bother framing the photo.”

“Pardon?”

Kang Jin looked puzzled at Kim Bongnam’s suggestion until he pointed to his phone.

“Just tape it on one wall like this. It works better.”

Kim Bongnam’s words made Kang Jin exclaim with realization.

“Ah! The photo!”

Kim Bongnam chuckled at Kang Jin’s response.

“I guess you really don’t need my picture then.”

“No, that’s not true… Thank you very much.”

Kim Bongnam shook his head slightly at Kang Jin’s reply. In South Korea, every restaurant owner wanted a photograph taken with him. However, Kang Jin hadn’t even considered it. With a shake of his head, Kim Bongnam and Wang Gangshin left the establishment together.

As Kang Jin escorted them out, he spotted numerous ghosts lingering outside his shop.

Quite a crowd.

Seeing several unfamiliar ghosts among them, Kang Jin bowed respectfully towards the departing adults.

“Have a safe trip home.”

“Yes, thank you for the delicious meal today.”

“See you next time.”

As the adults waved goodbye, Kang Jin sighed and started clearing tables inside the restaurant.

Kang Jin took a break amidst the bustling ghosts within his establishment.

“Hey, President Kang, why don’t we have a drink together?” suggested one ghost.

Smiling, Kang Jin shook his head. “You guys might not realize it since you don’t have physical bodies, but I’ve been drinking every day lately.”

“But you don’t consume much, right?”

“It’s not about the amount; what matters is that I’m drinking daily,” replied Kang Jin.

The ghost chuckled at his response and didn’t press further. In truth, ever since opening One Meal Restaurant, Kang Jin had been drinking daily. The ghosts encouraged him to join them with soju, as they weren’t spending their own money, and he never refused.

Kang Jin felt sympathy towards ghosts, so he would often join them for drinks while listening to their stories. However, considering his health, it wasn’t sustainable due to excessive daily drinking. Thus, Kang Jin decided to cut back on alcohol starting today. Of course, even today, he had already shared a couple of glasses with some elders earlier.

Sipping his warm and sweet mixed coffee, Kang Jin suddenly scanned the restaurant interior. Ghosts were conversing over drinks. It was more like monologues than dialogues, as usual, each ghost talking about whatever they wanted without much regard for others’ input. Perhaps these were tales meant for Kang Jin’s ears, someone who once lived among them. As Kang Jin listened to their stories, he spotted Bae Yongsoo.

“Have you seen Hocheol hyung lately?”

“Choi Ho-cheol?”

“Yeah.”

“Hmm…”

“I haven’t seen him for a few days now,” replied Sung Yongsoo, prompting Kang Jin to think back.

“We last saw him on Sunday, right?” He remembered seeing Choi Ho-cheol that evening after the sports event concluded but hadn’t spotted him since then.

“Oh, is that so?” Seeing Sung Yongsoo’s nonchalant reaction, Kang Jin pursed his lips in concern.

Apart from ghostly families who traveled together, ghosts usually preferred solitude. Due to still possessing human emotions, they chose to be alone rather than associate with other grotesque-looking spirits. Moreover, the only time they interacted openly as acquaintances was when they assumed their human forms at ‘One Meal’ restaurant. Consequently, to Sung Yongsoo, Choi Ho-cheol was simply another ghost known to Kang Jin.

Kang Jin became worried and started calling out Choi Hocheol’s name.

“Choi Ho-cheol, Choi Ho-cheol, Choi Ho-cheol.”

Kang Jin looked around while calling his friend’s name, but there was no sign of Choi Hocheol nearby.