I Became a Hotelier at the Goryeo National Hotel - Chapter 13
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 13
As soon as Seo Rin checked the contents of the ledger, as if someone had pressed a rewind button, a shabbily dressed man and woman entered the Jigaek-cheong.
Seo Rin quickly observed Gwak Il Beon’s expression first.
When he showed no particular reaction, Seo Rin realized that the two people who had just entered were permitted to be there.
‘Moreover, if they can enter this place where an examination is in full swing, they must be test officials.’
Seo Rin quickly straightened her posture and gently bowed to the guests at a 45-degree angle.
“Welcome. We welcome you to Hyeeumwon.”
At this sight, the expressions of the male and female guests, who had looked stern, softened.
‘The front desk is like the face of a hotel! This is where the impression of the Yeokwon Inn is determined.’
“We’d like to stay here.”
“Yes, would that be for two people?”
“That’s right. And we are officials performing official duties.”
“Could you please show me your identification?”
At this clearly different response from the previous examinee, the two smiled and took out badges indicating they were officials.
‘Surely they wouldn’t test whether I can verify if an official’s badge is forged during an examination, would they?’
Seo Rin copied the identity written on the badge into the ledger and then returned it.
“Yes, confirmed. How many rooms would you like?”
“Give us separate rooms.”
“Understood. I’ll provide you with guest rooms in Yeongwol-gak.”
Seo Rin took out two key tags from Yeongwol-gak that were specially marked as ‘Bongmyeong-jae’.
And satisfaction appeared in the eyes of the man and woman playing the role of guests as they watched this scene.
The exchange of questions and answers just now was no different from showing what mistakes the 1st examinee, Shin Yi, had made.
Just looking at their clothes, she had arbitrarily given only one room key without asking about their relationship, status, or desired guest rooms.
These were blunders that could never have been made if she had skimmed through the ledger even once beforehand.
Seo Rin continued with her questions.
“How long are you planning to stay?”
“Hmm? Oh, two days.”
“Then you’ll be staying for two nights, is that correct?”
“Oh, no! One day, just one day.”
“Yes, I’ve confirmed checkout for tomorrow.”
At this moment, a second question came from the female guest who had received the key.
“By any chance, where is the restroom?”
“When you go out, it’s at the far right end. Cleaning supplies are also prepared inside, so please use it conveniently.”
The man and woman were about to leave the room with satisfied expressions when they turned back around as if they had forgotten something. Seo Rin’s service had been so good that they had forgotten to ask their question.
“Oh right, the accommodation fee is…?”
Seo Rin spoke with a kind smile.
“Of course, it’s free for those performing official duties.”
“Oh right, th-that’s right!”
“And you can enjoy meals at Manhyangru, and if you wish, you can also use the service conveniently from your guest rooms.”
“Ah, no, that’s enough!”
The two hadn’t prepared their lines that far.
As the two hurriedly left their seats, this time the strict-looking examiner Lee Jeong Ah from earlier entered.
“I’d like to order dinner.”
“Will the rest of your party also be dining?”
“…How did you know I have companions?”
Then Seo Rin pointed to the storage cabinet where the key tag was hanging.
“Aren’t you a guest in group room 40 at Anbin-gak? I asked in case there might be someone who doesn’t want to eat.”
“…That’s right. Everyone will be eating, so please prepare it.”
Having received the answer she wanted, the female examiner seemed to have accomplished her purpose and tried to leave.
But Seo Rin urgently called out to stop her.
“Excuse me, is there anyone in your party who can’t eat certain foods?”
At this unexpected question, both the examiner and Byeol Jwa looked surprised.
“Can’t… eat certain foods?”
“Occasionally, there are people who get sick because certain foods don’t agree with their constitution. If you let me know, I’ll cook with the diners in mind.”
‘…They could get sick… Hmm, this is something I hadn’t thought of. I should reference this for operating Chanseon Bang as well.’
“There’s no problem, so don’t worry and just prepare it.”
“Yes, understood.”
Just as the examiner was about to leave with relief, thinking it was all over, Seo Rin stopped her again.
“Customer?”
“What, again!”
“How would you like your meal served? Should I bring it to your room?”
Do you want room service?
“Ah, no.”
The examiner quickly rushed out of the room, afraid that more unexpected questions might pour out.
Gwak Il Beon, who had been watching the two, burst out laughing.
As soon as the examiner left, finally, that Nok Sa from earlier came in.
“The guest just left! Come quickly and clean up the room.”
But Seo Rin didn’t budge from her position.
Then, Nok Sa turned around in confusion and urged her to hurry up and follow.
“I can’t leave my post now since I don’t know when guests might come.”
The front desk is an important position that can never be left empty in a hotel.
‘This is a place where customers might come to inquire at any time, and you want me to leave it empty?’
That would be impossible in a hotel that must provide the best service.
“Ah, I understand.”
Nok Sa didn’t urge her further and went outside.
‘…It’s over, right?’
When Seo Rin glanced at Byeol Jwa, he casually threw out a comment.
“…Well done.”
Seo Rin, who had been trying not to show it but was actually nervous inside, finally smiled brightly.
* * *
When the test at Jigaek-cheong was finished, Gwak Il Beon gathered all the trainees together.
“Now, we’ll move to the location for the final test.”
Gwak Il Beon led the examinees to the pavilion at the very back of Hyeeumwon. On the signboard of the large building was written ‘Administrative Office.’
“Administrative Office?”
At Seo Rin’s question, Da Sim who was beside her explained.
“It’s where the officials working at Hyeeumwon conduct their business. Somewhere in here is also General Manager Eun Cheon’s office, you know~?”
Da Sim looked up at the Administrative Office building with sparkling eyes.
‘The atmosphere definitely gives off a strong feeling of ‘this is a place where business is conducted.”
Unlike the splendor of Manhyangru, Seo Rin admiringly took in the building that exuded neat orderliness and dignified authority.
Then a monk from inside the Administrative Office welcomed the examinees.
“Ho ho, you’ve all worked hard taking the tests. I am Hye Gwang of Hyeeum Sa.”
“Oh?! That monk, isn’t he the one who ate four whole bowls of your hot pot yesterday?”
Da Sim recognized Hye Gwang and whispered.
Hye Gwang continued speaking with a benevolent smile.
“Now you face only one final test. It’s not particularly difficult, so don’t be too nervous. Just think, ‘What would I do if I were the owner of this Hyeeumwon?’ and the problem will solve itself smoothly.”
Hye Gwang called out the name of the first examinee to take the test.
“This test will also be taken in the order determined by drawing wooden plaques. This time you’ll enter one by one, so the rest of you wait here.”
What Seo Rin drew was the badge with the last number.
‘That’s good. Looking at the faces of those who take the test first and come out will be somewhat helpful.’
However, contrary to her expectations, the expressions of the examinees who finished the test and came out were… strange.
“…Why do their expressions look like that?”
Da Sim tilted her head in confusion.
“Right?”
‘It’s like the expression of someone who creatively answered a high school math test question and came out? What on earth is the test assignment?’
Time passed and Seo Rin’s turn came around.
“Now, next examinee, please come in.”
Seo Rin followed Nok Sa into the building.
The monk positioned her in front of a desk that sat alone in the room, then informed her about the test.
“When you find the answer, come out and let me know.”
Having finished speaking, the monk simply left the office. And that was it.
“…Huh?”
He didn’t tell her what the test content was, what she needed to do, or how to do it. No one came in like during the customer service test either.
Only then could Seo Rin understand why the expressions of the examinees who had finished the test earlier were so ambiguous.
While it would have been sufficiently bewildering, Seo Rin had gotten a feel for things through the previous tests.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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