Chapter 4

Chapter 3

“Haa-.”

Sighing, Sihu's steps up the hill to his house were unsteady.

Thud- Thud-

Sihu recalled what Kanghoon had said.

“A little more in detail, my brother is trying to learn Japanese cuisine, so he’s going to Japan.”

At the mention of Japanese cuisine, Hayun asked.

“Brother! You must be really rich. Going all the way to Japan to learn Japanese cuisine. Will you make sushi later?”

Kanghoon laughed and replied to Hayun’s teasing tone.

“Well, if I start cooking again, I might.”

Kanghoon avoided Hayun’s gaze and looked elsewhere.

Sihu clenched his fists at their conversation.

If Kanghoon was going to Japan to learn cooking and was willing to sell the shop, Sihu had nothing to say.

But thinking about it from another angle?

Sihu thought he would make the same choice.

Creak-

The iron gate opened, and Sihu entered the yard, looking around.

With autumn deepening and winter approaching, the cabbages and radishes in the small vegetable garden had grown a lot.

Sihu had planted the radishes and cabbages to make kimchi for the family.

“Soon, I’ll have to pull them out and make kimchi.”

After looking at the cabbages and radishes for a moment, he went inside the house.

The house was empty.

As he entered, it felt as if a warm breeze was blowing through the house.

Sihu noticed the bedroom door was open and realized he had forgotten to close it when he left.

He thought of the basement below his parents' room.

Heading to the bedroom, he felt a warm breeze.

He glanced at the dresser next to the stairs leading to the basement.

‘If I’m going to go down to the basement often, I should move this dresser, right?’

Creak- Thud-

“Huh?!”

As he moved the dresser, one of the drawers suddenly slid out.

Before he could stop it, the drawer fell to the floor, spilling his parents' clothes and contents.

After quickly moving the drawer and picking up the fallen items, Sihu noticed a large rectangular box with a pretty ribbon.

“A gift?”

Sihu thought his parents had prepared this gift for someone.

He noticed a small card envelope on top of the gift box.

Swish-

As Sihu read the handwriting on the card, his nose tingled and his eyes moistened.

Rustle-

Opening the envelope, he found a letter.

Sihu began to read the letter slowly.

After seeing our son win awards at Korean cuisine competitions and get his Korean cuisine certification, I thought, ‘What else could he need?’

It seemed that our son, who should have the essential tools of a chef, didn’t have them. So, after discussing with your mother, we prepared them for you.

Sihu, your internship is almost over, right?

When we eat the food you make, we feel very peaceful and all our worries disappear.

We even looked forward to coming home after work to eat the food you prepared.

We thought it would be nice if the people who eat the food you make in your restaurant could feel the same way we do.

When I imagine the happy faces of the customers who enjoy the delicious food at your restaurant, I feel so proud.

Maybe it’s just a silly thought of your parents?

It’s your life, so we’re not forcing you. We just want to share the joy we felt when we ate your food.

We’re proud of you and want to share it with others.

Sihu remembered how happy his parents were when they ate the food he made.

‘They wanted to share it…’

His parents seemed to want him to open a restaurant and share that joy with others.

‘I also enjoyed seeing them happy when they ate my food.’

Sihu finished reading the letter.

Your mother and I are always grateful to you.

Most of all, we are grateful that you were born to us and grew up to be a kind and healthy person. We always support and love you. Go for it, Sihu!

After finishing the letter, Sihu opened the gift box.

It was a set of kitchen knives.

“Huh?”

Sihu was surprised when he pulled out one of the knives.

He noticed his name engraved on the bolster (the part where the blade meets the handle).

Sihu understood the name, but when he saw the heart at the end, he sighed lightly.

It felt like he had received a knife as a gift from his deceased parents.

He held the blade, the edge, and the handle.

Sihu put the knife down, clasped his hands, and murmured a prayer.

“I’ll make delicious food with this. Thank you, Mom and Dad.”

After quickly tidying up the dresser, Sihu wanted to try out the knives.

He took a potato from the garden and started peeling it with one of the knives.

Sss- Sss-

It peeled off very smoothly.

After peeling, he sliced the potato with the chef’s knife.

Chop- Chop- Chop-

“Wow, these knives are amazing.”

He was very pleased with the gift.

Looking at the clock, Sihu cleaned the kitchen and, feeling a bit uneasy, took a shower and went to bed.

* * *

The next day.

Sihu brought potatoes and sweet potatoes from the garden in a plastic bag as he went to work.

“Hey, Sihu’s here.”

“Hello.”

After greeting, he went to the kitchen and put the plastic bag on the shelf.

Rustle-

As soon as he put it down, Kanghoon, curious about the contents, opened the bag and asked in surprise.

“What’s this?”

“Potatoes… right?”

“What? What kind of answer is that?”

“…”

When Sihu didn’t respond, Kanghoon took out a potato and started to smell it.

Sniff- Sniff-

“Is this a potato? Why is it so big? Is it some kind of GMO (genetically modified organism)?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Really? What are you going to do with the potatoes?”

As Sihu spoke, he naturally took the potato from Kanghoon’s hand.

“I’m going to make the staff meal today.”

“With these potatoes?”

“Yes, I’m confident in my Korean cuisine.”

After answering, Sihu went to the changing room to change into his uniform.

He came out wearing a clean white chef’s coat and a headband.

He quickly washed the rice and let it soak.

Then, he washed the potatoes and peeled them with a peeler.

Sss- Sss-

He sliced the potatoes into cubes and quickly cut them into strips for stir-frying.

Sizzle-

Sihu first placed the potatoes on the rice and cooked it in an electric pressure cooker.

Kanghoon’s eyes narrowed as he watched Sihu move around the kitchen.

As Sihu worked, the ingredients were neatly prepared and organized, and Kanghoon whistled in admiration.

‘I’ve seen him work before, but his movements are really efficient and clean. There’s not a single unnecessary move.’

Kanghoon noticed how efficiently Sihu moved.

While observing Sihu, the shop door opened.

As soon as Hayun entered, Sihu brought out the food he had prepared and set it on the table.

“I’m here! What’s that smell? Wow…”

Hayun’s mouth dropped open as he looked at the table.

“Is this… Sihu’s cooking?”

Sihu nodded and went to the kitchen to get the other side dishes he had prepared at home.

Kanghoon urged Hayun.

“Change quickly and come out.”

“Okay!”

Kanghoon sat at the table, looking at Sihu’s food.

Hayun also pulled out a chair and asked Sihu.

“Hey, what is this…?”

Hayun couldn’t finish his sentence.

On the table was a Korean dish that looked delicious and inviting.

The stir-fried potato strips were glossy and smooth, and the potato stew was full of cubed potatoes.

The potato rice was flat and fluffy, blending well with the rice.

The overall visual appeal was even better because the potatoes were from the garden.

Kanghoon took out his phone to take a picture.

“Something like this needs to be captured….”

Click-

Hayun also took a picture and sent it to his classmates on KakaoTalk.

Seeing this, Sihu spoke up.

“Brother! I’ve been thinking. About the shop we talked about last night, I’ll take it.”

Hayun, holding his chopsticks, looked at Sihu in surprise.

Kanghoon nodded at Sihu’s statement.

“Okay. Let’s talk after we eat.”

Kanghoon took a spoonful of rice.

As soon as he put it in his mouth, his eyes widened.

‘What is this? The softness of the potato, the harmony of the rice and potato, the savory and mild flavor…’

Kanghoon took a spoonful of the potato stew.

Slurp-

The mild and savory taste of the potato and the umami in the broth blended together.

The harmony on his tongue ignited his appetite.

Hayun, feeling the same way as Kanghoon, picked up a piece of potato with his spoon and said, drooling.

“Wow, this is insane. Is this really a potato? How can a potato have such a flavor?”

Kanghoon looked at Sihu after glancing at Hayun.

“Sihu, your cooking has improved a lot since you overcame your speech disorder. But today, it’s even better.”

Kanghoon pointed at the potato stew and potato rice, looking incredulous.

Hayun, meanwhile, was eating the food and side dishes rapidly.

“Phew- I’m full. Sihu, this was really delicious.”

“Thank you.”

Hayun and Kanghoon finished their meal, still feeling the lingering satisfaction from Sihu’s food.

Kanghoon closed his eyes and thought for a moment before looking at Sihu.

“Sihu, you said you’ll take over the shop?”

“Yes.”

“What’s the exact reason?”

Kanghoon’s eyes narrowed.

“Like I said yesterday, I like it here, and I want to see people enjoy the food I make up close. Also, I want to serve food that says ‘Thank you for your hard work today.’”

Sihu’s eyes showed his enthusiasm.

Kanghoon, seeing Sihu’s determined gaze, spoke.

“Okay. I’ll transfer it to you.”

Sihu hesitated slightly and spoke honestly.

“Brother, but even with the money I have and the insurance money, it’s a bit short. Can I sell Korean dishes here on the weekends?”

“Korean dishes?”

“Yes, like today’s food. I plan to use the sales to cover the shop’s purchase.”

Kanghoon nodded, folding his arms.

‘If it’s his food…’

Kanghoon looked at Sihu with a determined expression.

“Sure. Don’t use the insurance money. Don’t worry too much about the money. You can pay it back gradually after taking over the shop. Let’s start next weekend. Think about the menu.”

“Okay.”

Sihu looked at the two men’s expressions.

Seeing their satisfied faces after enjoying his food, Sihu felt a warm, ticklish feeling in his chest.

“Thank you for enjoying the food.”

Sihu expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the two men.

Kanghoon and Hayun’s eyes widened slightly as they looked at Sihu’s expression.

A genius chef with a garden’s ingredients?!