Chapter 34

33. Forest Cafe

As he looked at the suitcase Ina was packing for him, Taeju had a strange thought. He wondered how many changes of clothes she was packing for him to wear after work at the cafe. Moreover, she had also packed things that didn’t seem necessary, such as boots, a straw hat, and several towels.

“Sis? Are we going to the tidal flats?”

“Ugh.”

“Huh?”

The location for filming the forest cafe was a ranch in Chuncheon. There was a forest to the left of the entrance, and the cafe building was in front of it. It looked more like a ranch entrance cafe than a cafe in the forest.

“It’s not really a forest.”

“Quack!”

As the group tried to enter the ranch, a flock of geese blocked their way. While the group was stopped by the geese, the staff with cameras approached, apparently planning to film Taeju entering the ranch.

When Taeju tried to hand over Taesan, who was looking at the geese curiously, to Hyung, the cast members asked if Taesan could also appear on the show. Since this hadn’t been discussed beforehand, Kyeonwoo stepped in. Meanwhile, Taeju approached the geese, intrigued.

“Hi. I’m Taeju, and this is Taesan.”

“Quack!”

“Hey, can we go into the ranch?”

“Quack.”

“Thanks.”

The staff didn’t miss the opportunity to film Taeju getting permission from the geese to enter the ranch.

Taeju, who had gotten into the habit of talking to animals in the garden, was inadvertently conversing with the geese.

“Wow. It’s a ranch. I’ve never been to one before. I’ve been to riding stables often, though.”

As Taeju passed the geese and headed towards the cafe, he marveled. The ranch, which appeared small due to a hill in the center, was actually quite large. It was originally a place for raising Hanwoo cattle, but it also raised sheep, goats, and rabbits, and operated as an experience ranch.

“So, can we tour the ranch later?”

“Yes, you can tour it freely.”

The staff looked at Taeju, who smiled brightly, saying he was looking forward to it. It was clear that no one had told him about the show beforehand, as they had been informed.

‘Since Triz started taking in new actors, did they change their policy? This is unusual.’

According to a close drama director, Taeju seemed to be a cherished new actor at Triz, but his lack of information about the show was intriguing.

In fact, Team Leader Woo and Kyeonwoo, among others, had intended to tell Taeju about the forest cafe. However, Jinhyuk had threatened to cancel Taeju’s appearance if they did, promising to explain and persuade him, and even to appear as a cameo in Taeju’s future films or dramas.

After weighing the pros and cons of not giving Taeju information about the show and getting a cameo from a top A-list star, Team Leader Woo and Kyeonwoo decided to side with Jinhyuk. A cameo from a top A-list star would be useful for any future projects Taeju might be involved in.

“I used to work part-time at a cafe. I can make all kinds of coffee.”

Before entering the cafe, Taeju confidently told the camera. It was a small cafe that usually had fewer than a dozen customers. It catered to tourists visiting the ranch, and many of them, especially the children and their guardians, didn’t visit the cafe.

The staff, watching Taeju’s determined expression, felt like they were the wolves who had tricked an innocent lamb. Especially when they saw the cute cat in Taeju’s arms tilting its head, their conscience, which had long been worn away, seemed to stir slightly.

Inside the cafe, several cameras were already set up. Seo Jungguk, who was co-starring with Jinhyuk, hadn’t arrived yet. Jinhyuk, wearing an apron, was doing something behind the counter.

“Taeju, come on. Who’s this?”

Taesan’s appearance hadn’t been discussed. Jinhyuk looked at the PD who followed Taeju with his eyes. When the PD nodded, Jinhyuk finally greeted him.

“Hyung said this kid is really smart.”

“He really is. Sometimes he even understands what we’re saying.”

“I see. My dog used to be like that too. He understood everything but ignored it because it was too much trouble.”

“Haha.”

Taeju followed Jinhyuk and looked around the cafe. It was a small cafe with only a few tables. The menu was simple, and it didn’t seem like Taeju’s skills in making fancy latte art would be needed.

“Ice Americano for 1,500 won. Cafe Latte for 2,000 won. That’s cheap.”

“Do you know that all the cafe’s profits are donated?”

“Yes, but isn’t the coffee too cheap?”

“Taeju, did you really not watch this show before coming?”

Jinhyuk was surprised by how much Taeju didn’t know, even though he had told him not to. He thought Taeju would have looked it up since he was appearing on the show. Lowering his voice, Jinhyuk asked Taeju, who was already wearing a microphone. Taeju also lowered his voice to respond.

“I was filming on the streets of Busan until dawn. I fell asleep on the way here and didn’t watch it. Will it be a problem? Should I go out and watch it?”

“No, it’s fine.”

Jinhyuk looked satisfied. The staff, who had heard their conversation, had the same expression. Taeju, unaware of their reactions, went behind the counter to check the coffee beans and inventory.

“When does the cafe open?”

“11 AM.”

“Then, let’s have a cup of coffee first?”

Taeju, wearing an apron, looked around at everyone, and they all gave him a thumbs-up. Taeju, smiling brightly, took orders and quickly made coffee for everyone.

“You said you’re confident in making coffee, and it really is delicious.”

“Actually, drinking tea is my hobby.”

Thirty minutes before the cafe opened, Seo Jungguk arrived. As a singer and actor, he had a busy schedule due to recent drama filming. He had worked with Taeju before the regression and was 31 years old, 11 years older than Taeju. Recently, he had been more active as an actor than a singer.

“Hello.”

“Ah, hello.”

Seo Jungguk, despite his striking appearance, was introverted and didn’t approach others easily. He was very different from his on-screen persona. When Taeju greeted him first, he stepped back and returned the greeting, his expression stiffening. Taeju, knowing his personality, didn’t mind.

“Jungguk, you’re here? This is our junior, Taeju.”

“This is Taesan.”

As Taeju lifted Taesan, who was clinging to his leg, and introduced him, Jungguk’s expression brightened. He seemed awkward around Taeju but showed no hesitation when it came to Taesan.

‘Impressive, Taesan. Taesan is like a free pass.’

*

No customers came to the cafe. Jinhyuk cooked lunch and played a hunting game with Taesan. They even cleaned in front of the cafe, but no customers came.

“No customers.”

“Yeah.”

“People are going to the ranch side. Why aren’t they coming here?”

Taeju checked his watch, looking worried. Although there was still time, it seemed like today wouldn’t be a good day for business.

“We need to have some customers tomorrow. The location isn’t bad, so why aren’t they coming?”

“Hmm. Maybe some will come tomorrow.”

The filming was for one night and two days. If they didn’t meet the revenue goal today, they would have to work on the ranch tomorrow. Jinhyuk looked at Taeju, the innocent lamb who thought he would be working at the cafe tomorrow, with pity.

“It won’t work.”

“Huh?”

Taeju went out of the cafe and came back. He was holding a guitar. Remembering the guitar with a piece of the sun’s fragment that he always kept in his car since the busking filming, Taeju brought the guitar. The idea of busking to attract customers came to him.

Taeju went to the bench in front of the cafe with a drink and set up the menu where it was visible, then started playing the guitar. Taesan found a spot next to Taeju and lay down.

♪♬~~♪

Taeju’s familiar guitar playing and singing caught people’s attention. It was a bit disappointing that Taesan, who had grown, didn’t sing along. If Taesan had sung, it would have attracted more people.

People who were passing by the cafe stopped to listen to the song. After seeing the prices of the menu, which Taeju had moved to a more visible spot, some people went into the cafe.

Jinhyuk was impressed. He thought Taeju was just naive, but he was quite resourceful. Despite Taeju’s efforts, meeting the revenue goal still seemed difficult.

When all the people went into the ranch, Taeju went back into the cafe and checked the storage room.

“There it is.”

“What is it?”

“An ice box. We’ll do business outside the cafe. There’s no take-out corner here, so we’ll set up tables.”

“Really? Is that okay?”

Jinhyuk looked at the PD for approval. The PD nodded, allowing it. The scene of Taeju playing guitar in front of the cafe was quite good. It was better than filming a similar scene in an empty cafe.

“PD, next time, find a cafe with more customers. Why do you always find such remote cafes?”

While moving the tables to the front of the cafe, Jinhyuk complained, and the usually quiet Jungguk nodded in agreement.

“Does the cafe change every time?”

“Yeah. Sometimes it changes. This time it’s attached to a ranch. Last time it was in an orchard.”

“An orchard cafe. That sounds nice.”

“What?”

When Taeju expressed envy for the orchard cafe, Jinhyuk grimaced, saying he wouldn’t say that if he had actually been there. Taeju, who didn’t know that Jinhyuk had carried dozens of fertilizer bags and spent hours digging, couldn’t understand why.

Taeju, who was familiar with picking and packaging fruit in the garden every day, thought the orchard was easy. In reality, growing fruit in the Dream Garden was easy.

Creating fertilizer pits near the fruit trees for quick and easy management, and having Hui move the packaged boxes to the warehouse with magic. Registering the fruit for sale in the store, and the items automatically leaving the warehouse when sold.

“Would you like to sing, Jungguk? I can lend you the guitar.”

“Ah! Thanks.”

Taeju handed the guitar to Jungguk and prepared for the business in front of the cafe. He filled the ice box with ice and pre-made take-out cups of coffee. Although the taste might be slightly lower, he prepared to quickly serve the coffee by adding ice when customers ordered.

“It would be nice to sell cookies or fruit with the coffee.”

When Taeju expressed regret at not having desserts to sell with the coffee, the PD pointed to the trees behind. They were green apple trees, and he said they could pick and sell the apples. Originally, it was part of the punishment, but he thought it would make a good scene.

“Wow. PD, are you really discriminating against us?”

“No, why would I discriminate?”

“If we said we wanted to pick and sell apples, you would definitely say no.”

While Jinhyuk argued with the PD, Taeju brought a basket from the cafe. He had seen the ice box earlier. Taeju handed the table to Jinhyuk and went to pick green apples with Taesan. He was glad Taesan seemed bored and this would keep him occupied.

Taeju’s active and enthusiastic approach to the cafe work provided plenty of material for filming. He had a bright expression, interacted well with the customers, and even greeted the animals, showing a lot of energetic scenes.

“Oh, these apples are cute. Taesan, smell this. It’s a green apple.”

The small, green apples, about half the size of the garden apples, were intriguing. Some had blemishes and brown spots. The garden apples were beautifully colored, so it had been a while since he had seen such rough-looking fruit.

He hummed a song while filling a basket with green apples. Using his height, he easily picked apples from high branches. Taesan, who had been circling Taeju, seemed bored and went somewhere. Taeju, knowing Taesan wouldn’t go far, thought he was probably preparing to pounce nearby.

“Taesan. Hyung picked all the apples. Let’s go.”

When Taeju called Taesan to go back, he didn’t return. Even after calling again, there was no response, so Taeju quickly looked around.

“Quack!”

A cry from an animal came from a building beyond the apple trees. Remembering that this was originally a ranch for raising Hanwoo cattle, Taeju rushed towards the sound.