The Chef From the Apocalypse Enters the Food Industry - Chapter 26

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 26. People and People (3)
“I’d be grateful if you would.”
The Old Gentleman grasped both my hands firmly.
It was his response to my mention of converting this place into a restaurant.
He showed even more consideration.
“You’re not doing this reluctantly because of me, are you?”
“No. As I told you, I have nowhere else to go.”
My heart was grateful, but I could feel his sincere hope that this wasn’t because of me.
So when I honestly explained my current situation, he offered words that felt like a blessing.
“Heh heh. It’s not that you have nowhere to go—it’s that fate is guiding us this way.”
“Old Gentleman!”
“Thank you. Thank you. I mean it sincerely.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
The two of them patted me on the back several times.
Then they swept through the factory interior.
The way they gazed at it seemed not to see the factory, but the years that had passed.
“Then I’ll clear out everything inside, including these machines.”
Until the very end, he spoke words of consideration for me.
My answer to this was already decided.
“No. You don’t need to clear anything out.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll try to preserve it as much as possible. This landscape.”
I intended to protect this landscape.
This factory landscape that the Old Gentleman had devoted his entire life to.
“Heh heh. So you’re going to run a restaurant?”
“Yes, I will. A restaurant. That’s my dream.”
“But with this landscape?”
A factory and a restaurant.
An incompatible, utterly unfamiliar landscape.
“Within the boundaries that the law permits?”
“Heh heh. I don’t understand what you’re saying. Do you?”
“I don’t either.”
“Just trust me once.”
If I searched, there would surely be a way.
After all, this wouldn’t be the first time someone had renovated and decorated an abandoned factory.
‘Let’s try it.’
The two of them were skeptical.
“If you say so….”
“If it really doesn’t work out, just tell me. I’ll clear it out somehow.”
Even so, they cheered me on.
Their passionate encouragement meant everything to me.
That was more than enough.
I felt the motivation to accomplish anything.
* * *
The very next day, I brought the three of them over.
The Coffee Truck Owner and Jang Owner. Jin-woo tagged along cheerfully as well.
He said he needed to see where he’d be working part-time, but I couldn’t just leave him behind.
“Wow. The size is really impressive, isn’t it?”
“It used to be a factory.”
“If the Ramen Case takes the center, and we each handle the left and right sides, it should work out.”
“Like a kind of food court?”
“Food court? Ah! That’s it. I think that could work?”
The image crystallized perfectly in my mind.
With my store at the center, selling coffee on the left side.
And on the right, Jang Owner’s newly prepared Hong Kong home-style cooking would go.
He’d been impressed by what we served at the last competition. Looking at it long-term, relying solely on snacks would be difficult, so this was the right direction.
Meanwhile, Jang Owner had one major concern.
“But will we get approval for the change of use?”
“When the city developed the New City District, they made some changes that made it possible.”
“Oh. That’s a relief!”
The concern about zoning changes.
Fortunately, I’d already looked into this beforehand.
It was possible. I’d seen abandoned factories converted into cafes in this area, so it was almost certain.
The real challenge was the execution.
“But… can we do this while maximizing the factory aesthetic?”
“It’s the concept. It’s a food court, but a factory food court.”
“Right. We need to be careful not to run into hygiene issues either.”
“That’s exactly what I mean. I’ve given it some thought.”
I pulled out ‘that’—something I’d prepared in advance—from my bag.
“Huh? Isn’t that a blueprint?”
“Owner Kim, you can read blueprints?”
“Just a small skill. Anyway, take a look.”
The blueprint had reference photos and materials organized alongside it.
It didn’t matter if you couldn’t read blueprints specifically.
I’d prepared it thoroughly enough that examining the references attached to the side would paint a clear picture in anyone’s mind.
The two owners and Jin-woo examined it intently.
“Wow….”
“If it turns out like this, it’ll be amazing!”
“You really did this yourself, hyung?”
“Yeah.”
“Hah… this is absolutely insane.”
The existing landscape harmonizing with the newly established stores.
The sight was quite convincing, and all that returned was admiration.
As if the vision forming in my mind was unfolding right before my eyes, I examined every corner.
I was deeply moved by the landscape taking shape in my imagination.
Now I need to bring these people into reality alongside me.
“But even if we maximize this space, it seems like it’ll take quite a while to fix it?”
“That’s right. Construction workers these days don’t work through the night either.”
“Right. Even if they did, we couldn’t afford the cost!”
“So what should we do?”
I asked with a broad smile.
“Hm?”
“Why are you looking at us like that?”
“Could it be….”
The three of them sensed something from that.
I gave them certainty.
“We should do it ourselves, right?”
“Oh….”
“Huh.”
“Ah….”
We should do it ourselves.
Well, construction begins.
* * *
Even though it was construction work, none of them except me were professionals.
Forcing ourselves into too many areas could get us in trouble with the actual construction contractors.
So most of us were limited to cleaning, carrying materials, and preparing equipment beforehand—minor chores.
But it still required considerable effort.
It meant we had to work at night as well.
And I couldn’t abandon my primary business.
I continued the business.
Business was thriving.
“We’re opening! Please come in order of your ticket numbers!”
Many customers came for opening rush from early morning.
I had to bring more ticket numbers than I’d prepared before.
Which meant I had to prepare ingredients late into the night.
‘This energizes me.’
This work that came to me like fate gave me more energy the more I did it.
Regardless of anything else, I never grew tired of this.
“Welcome!”
“One bowl for me today!”
“Excellent!”
Especially when I see these loyal customers.
Even though they eat here every day, they show not a hint of boredom—only anticipation in their eyes, and that gives me strength.
“It’s been a while, so today I’ll make it special with konjac noodles for you!”
“Wow…! I love it.”
There’s no inconvenience in doing so.
For Janus, my two-faced customer, I prepare konjac noodles.
For the Old Gentlemen who provided me with such a good location, I prepare dishes that are easy on the digestion.
And I didn’t miss the chance to promote my business either.
“You know I’m moving soon, right?”
“Of course! You’re moving to a really great spot in the New City District, aren’t you?”
“It is a good place, but it might be different from what you’re imagining.”
“Really?”
“Yes. When you visit later, you’ll be quite surprised.”
“Now I’m really looking forward to it!”
“Ha ha. I’m doing my best to live up to those expectations.”
“That’s great!”
With less than a month left until the Food Truck closes.
I seized every opportunity to tell customers about the new venture that would follow.
“I’m working hard too, so please be sure to visit!”
“Are you coming with me, Jin-woo?”
“Yes. Boss—I mean, where you go, I have to follow.”
“Ha ha. Yes, I’ll definitely come!”
“You promised!”
Jin-woo was full of enthusiasm as well.
The guy already had the scent of someone in this industry.
He learns something new with each construction task, and beyond that, when I see him throwing out suggestions while considering workflow efficiency.
‘The food service business seems to be his perfect fit. And his chemistry with my cooking looks pretty good too.’
Jin-woo was someone born with talent perfectly optimized for this field.
He seems to be wrestling with something, as if he knows it himself.
But since he came to find me with difficulty last time, he hasn’t said anything else.
‘Someday he’ll tell me first.’
I know that these things can’t be forced.
“Jin-woo! The next customer is here!”
“Oh! I’m going. See you next time!”
I told him what to do first.
If I wait, eventually he’ll tell me what he couldn’t say last time.
And so I continued my happy business.
[You have finished cooking.]
[You have warmed the bellies of over five hundred people.]
[You obtain a large amount of experience points.]
Each time I completed a task, I was rewarded with growth befitting that accomplishment.
It was a perfect virtuous cycle continuing after a long time.
“You worked hard. See you tomorrow.”
“Yes!”
“Right. You didn’t forget about this weekend, did you? You’re coming?”
“Of course. I’ll definitely be there.”
“Good. Go on inside!”
Within that virtuous cycle, we were also planning something to celebrate each other.
That was this coming weekend.
The Food Truck business that would soon be coming to an end.
I was planning a modest party to commemorate it.
My mind was filled with dishes to prepare.
‘Jin-woo loves noodle dishes, so should I make jjolmyeon this time? And I should gift the Coffee Truck Owner some new beans as well.’
For Jin-woo, who loves new things, I’d prepare a new dish.
For the Coffee Truck Owner, who could be called a bean connoisseur, I was thinking of giving custom beans.
For some reason, I also had a gift for Jang Owner, who seemed somewhat melancholic lately.
‘Ah! That’s right. I should teach Jang Owner some Hong Kong cuisine.’
Hong Kong cuisine. I was planning to pass on one particular dish I had in mind.
For reference, this was one of the dishes I had learned in my previous life.
‘That guy’s life was quite turbulent too.’
He loved Hong Kong cuisine, went to study abroad in Hong Kong, and then the apocalypse broke out.
After that, he said he’d return to Korea, and he actually crossed all of China to get back.
He loved cooking just as much as I did, yet he’d complain about why he wasn’t a chef but instead wielded a blade.
‘His knife skills were truly masterful.’
When it came to food preparation, he was even better than me, a chef.
If only he hadn’t fallen so meaninglessly back then. He might have survived even longer than I did.
‘…Thank you. I survived because of you.’
The Hong Kong cuisine I inherited from him back then.
I was planning to pass it on to Jang Owner.
He’d be quite surprised to receive it.
‘I’m looking forward to it.’
Thinking of that expression from back then, it was the moment I closed the door to finish up.
I felt a small presence from behind.
“Hmm…?”
It was a time when there shouldn’t be any customers.
A presence suddenly appearing here.
I turned around with tension.
And I couldn’t help but be startled.
“Why are you standing there like that?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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