The Chef From the Apocalypse Enters the Food Industry - Chapter 71

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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 71. Internal Fractures (2)
“Yes, Old Gentleman. This entire area used to be one massive factory zone, didn’t it?”
“That’s right.”
“So the buildings were constructed accordingly.”
The Old Gentleman nodded slowly, as if reminiscing about the past.
“Indeed. Right next to where you work, the buildings are packed tightly together with just one wall separating them. Except for a few scattered spots, they were all built practically as one continuous structure for easy movement of goods in and out.”
“That’s typical for factories. That’s why they call it a factory zone.”
“Oh, excellent!”
That was exactly the answer I wanted to hear.
Old factories typically had a structure where buildings were crammed tightly together so that just removing one wall would connect them directly, all for efficiency and workflow optimization.
It was fair to say that one building was essentially a collective structure divided into multiple sections.
“But why are you asking about that?”
“I’m thinking it’s time to expand the restaurant.”
“Oh! Already?”
“As you both know, we’ve been getting quite a lot of customers coming in. But I feel bad that we can’t accommodate everyone.”
“Hehe….”
“So I’m planning to expand. Do you happen to know the owners of Buildings B and C?”
“Of course I do! We’ve been eating from the same pot for decades, so to speak.”
Ah, as expected. I came to the right person.
“That works out well then.”
“Does it?”
“Well, it does. Since they haven’t been operating the factory for quite some time now… it would be better to lease it to you than to just let it sit idle.”
“That’s great!”
The situation seemed to be progressing smoothly.
At this rate, the expansion would proceed without any issues.
‘I can resolve this right away.’
* * *
“I’m afraid I can’t.”
A firm refusal came back.
“Pardon?”
“I’m sorry, but I said I can’t.”
Just moments ago, the atmosphere had been warm and friendly.
I never expected such a cold response to follow.
‘I never thought I’d be rejected so bluntly.’
The Old Gentlemen immediately guided me to this place.
It was where the owner of Buildings B and C was located.
Since one person owned both buildings, I thought it was fortunate.
There’s no way to visit someone empty-handed.
“Hehe. What’s this?”
“It’s tea. Oh, please have some as well, Old Gentlemen.”
“Heh, why something like this?”
“It’s my way of repaying you for the jujube tea you always give me. Haha. I felt a bit embarrassed since it seemed like I was just giving something on the side.”
“Embarrassed? Just the fact that you’re so thoughtful is wonderful!”
Before visiting, I had carefully roasted tea leaves and brewed the tea for him.
It was a matter of courtesy. After all, this was an unexpected visit.
‘There’s nothing quite like warm tea for settling the mind.’
What I had prepared was a special chrysanthemum tea.
To calm the heat rising to the head and the irritation it brings.
Chrysanthemum—excellent at easing a hardened heart and bringing comfort.
Could there be a more fitting tea for this moment than one made from it?
And I couldn’t leave out my skills.
[Skill 【Ingredient Enhancement】 is activated.]
[Title 【Therapist】 effect is triggered.]
[Skill 【Medicinal Cuisine】 is activated.]
[Dish Complete: Heart and Mind Calming Special Chrysanthemum Tea]
[Healing Effect: Gently soothes extreme irritation and stress.]
The effect was undeniable.
A subtle chrysanthemum fragrance bloomed from the teacup I offered.
“What a lovely aroma, and it truly eases the heart.”
“Is that so? I’m glad.”
The Old Gentlemen who caught that scent visibly relaxed, their brows softening.
“Haha. It’s been a long time since I felt this at ease. How did you know to prepare such a tea?”
“I didn’t know for certain, but I prepared it hoping it would bring some comfort to your hearts.”
“Hehe. Thank you.”
“So Kim is this thoughtful? You don’t seem like a young person these days.”
“Hehe. Indeed.”
The atmosphere was quite pleasant.
The factory owner, who introduced himself as Imankeum, welcomed me warmly alongside the Old Gentleman.
He even offered kind words.
“Thanks to your restaurant lately, the area around the factory has become so lively. It’s wonderful to see.”
“Is that so? Haha.”
“Absolutely. The empty street has regained its old vitality, and I’m truly pleased about it.”
After taking a deep sip of tea, his expression grew more at ease.
His words became warm and generous.
‘The beginning was certainly good.’
It was clearly perfect.
While drinking tea, the atmosphere remained pleasant.
Thanks to coming with the Old Gentlemen, they showed no wariness whatsoever.
Rather, they were favorable toward me.
I rode that momentum and carefully broached the main topic.
“Thank you so much for looking favorably upon me.”
“Hehe. I’m the one who should thank you for listening to an old man’s rambling. My son, he… ahem… well, anyway, I’m grateful. But what brings you all the way out here?”
“Actually, I came to ask you for a favor.”
“A favor? What kind?”
“Would it be possible for me to rent the vacant B and C Buildings from you?”
“Rent them?”
“Yes. I’d like to expand the restaurant and accommodate more guests who visit.”
I asked carefully.
But the answer that came back was that cold rejection.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible.”
“If it’s a matter of rental terms not aligning, I’ll do my best to work something out.”
“….”
I stepped forward, wanting to ask why.
But the factory owner avoided my gaze, keeping his lips firmly sealed.
It was as if he had some matter he couldn’t speak of.
‘What is this?’
The man who had been smiling so warmly just moments ago.
Had clamped his mouth shut as if he’d locked it with a padlock.
There was clearly some story behind this.
* * *
In situations like this, forcing someone to speak wouldn’t accomplish anything.
Sometimes a person’s heart doesn’t open just because you knock on the door.
It could become even more firmly closed the more you knock.
‘The right move now is to step back.’
I quietly changed the subject.
I didn’t bring up the factory again, instead lightening the mood with casual conversation.
It was to avoid burdening him in any way.
Only after finishing our tea did I carefully rise from my seat along with the Two Old Gentlemen.
Throughout our walk out, the Old Gentleman’s expression was filled with bewilderment.
“Goodness. Once that man clams up, he absolutely won’t open his mouth. What are we to do.”
“The atmosphere was good though. It’s unfortunate.”
At my words, the Old Gentleman furrowed his brow deeply and sighed.
“Indeed. He’s not normally such a firm person.”
“Really?”
“Of course. We’ve practically shared meals for decades. I’d know if anyone would. He’s a genuinely kind-hearted fellow, but I’ve never seen him be so resolute before.”
“Do you have any idea what the reason might be?”
“I can’t say at the moment. There’s no reason he should refuse to rent out an empty factory. I simply can’t understand it.”
The Old Gentleman’s words were right.
It was a situation that made no sense logically.
He was the one who had been delighted when the Empty Factory Zone came alive with activity.
Most importantly, it was a space left unused and abandoned.
What landlord would refuse when someone offered to pay rent for it?
‘It would become more vibrant, so what’s the issue?’
There was something I didn’t know, and something even the Old Gentleman didn’t know.
It was clear that this unknown matter was weighing heavily on the Owner.
‘He hesitated when he mentioned his son earlier.’
It was the most plausible reason, at least.
‘He might have just been venting his frustrations. What could it be?’
Even if it were a matter concerning his son.
It wasn’t something I could immediately step in and resolve.
There was no helping the regret that lingered.
“There’s nothing we can do about it.”
“I’m sorry. I made grand promises and only lost face.”
“Not at all. I’m already grateful that you stepped forward for us.”
“Haha. Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. But what do we do about not being able to rent Buildings B and C?”
“It’s unfortunate, but… as I mentioned, there’s nothing we can do.”
Connecting Buildings B and C, right next to Building A, into one space would have been ideal.
But the circumstances simply wouldn’t allow it.
‘I need to explore other options.’
There was nothing more foolish than clinging to something impossible.
I had to let go cleanly and find another way.
The Old Gentlemen seemed to regret it even more than I did.
“It really is a shame, though.”
“It truly is. It would have been wonderful if we could all do it together….”
“Haha. Please don’t worry too much, both of you. If there’s a way, we’ll find it.”
I comforted the Old Gentlemen instead and moved forward.
If I couldn’t use Buildings B and C immediately, I needed an alternative.
With the number of customers exploding, physical expansion wasn’t a choice—it was essential.
‘I should look around for other vacant factories or commercial spaces nearby.’
Drawing a mental map of the surrounding area, I took heavy steps forward.
* * *
“Today’s lunch service is closed!”
“Ah…!”
“We apologize! Please come again next time! We’ll work hard!”
With Jin-woo’s booming announcement, a “Preparing” sign was hung on the restaurant door.
‘As expected… it’s fast.’
Looking at the clock, it was an hour earlier than our usual break time.
I opened the empty refrigerator door and let out a short sigh.
‘Now we’ve hit a physical limit.’
If only we had more ingredients.
Then I could have kept the restaurant open for at least another hour.
But even when I packed the refrigerator to bursting capacity every morning, it always ended up like this.
‘I manage by restocking in the middle of the day, but I can’t keep doing this forever.’
I wanted to store more ingredients, but the cramped kitchen simply didn’t have the physical space for another refrigerator.
While it wasn’t an immediate problem, it was a serious long-term issue.
If ingredients requiring aging ran out, then things would truly be hopeless.
“Wow, you really burned through everything.”
“Yeah. We burned through it.”
Leaving Jin-woo sitting on the floor and Haran wiping away sweat behind me.
Jang Owner and Older Brother approached.
Both of their stores had also closed early due to ingredient depletion.
Jang Owner, who ran the cafe, had it better than the others, but even his warehouse was constantly being emptied and refilled, causing him considerable strain.
“Brother, the factory building next to us is completely out of the question, right?”
“Yes. It seems difficult for now.”
“Sigh. I’m dying from not having enough burners to boil broth at our Hong Kong Restaurant. This won’t work as is.”
“Same here. I don’t have nearly enough space to roast coffee. With the increased volume, the space feels even more cramped.”
Older Brother added, pressing his brow.
This was no longer just my problem.
The three of us, thriving explosively under one roof at the Factory Canteen, were all experiencing the same bottleneck.
With each passing day, I felt the problem more acutely.
“Since we have a longer break now, should we make a move?”
“A move?”

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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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