They Told Me to Build Good Karma by Selling Side Dishes - Chapter 103

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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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103. Interview (2)

The attention of everyone inside naturally converged on the two newcomers.

“Aren’t you quite late, Kimbap Shop Owner?”
“I’m so sorry, so sorry. My son said he was going out to play, and I got caught up trying to stop him.”

She bowed deeply and continued apologizing as she stepped further inside. The young man merely nodded with his hands thrust into his pockets—more of a perfunctory greeting than an apology.

“No manners at all.”

‘Indeed.’

Hae-tae clicked his tongue and retreated back into his padding.

“My, it seems Kimbap Shop Owner is having a hard time raising her child?”
“Still, today is an important day. Let’s make sure to arrive early.”

The words were a mixture of complaint and understanding. The middle-aged woman lowered her head and made her way to a seat.

And of all places, it was right next to me.

“Hello.”
“Oh my, aren’t you the owner of Hyang-suk’s Side Dish Shop?”
“How did you know that about me?”
“I’ve heard the rumors. I go there sometimes to buy side dishes.”
“You… you’re a customer…?”

I had never seen this face before. Kimbap Shop Owner laughed and waved her hand.

“My husband goes to buy them~.”
“Ah, I see. If you were the one going, I would certainly remember such a lovely face. I’m surprised I didn’t recognize you.”
“You’re quite young for a side dish shop owner, and you have such a way with words?”
“I do have a bit of a gift for conversation.”

Hae-tae shook his head at me, disapproving.

‘What?’

I raised my eyebrows and answered with an impudent expression.

Then Yun Ga-rin stepped forward again. She grasped the microphone with both hands and opened her mouth.

“Well then, since everyone has arrived, let us begin.”

The murmuring gradually subsided. All eyes naturally turned toward Yun Ga-rin.

“Hello everyone. I’m Yun Ga-rin, in charge of operating this year’s Spring Festival. I’m honored to meet such wonderful shop owners again this year.”

Everyone applauded Yun Ga-rin.

“And this is the Mukdam company, which has taken on the advertising for this Spring Festival.”

The people standing to the side stepped forward. Along with a brief introduction, several casually dressed individuals bowed their heads.

‘Oh!’

I spotted Lee Hae-ra. She looked quite nervous.

“Now then, let’s get to the main event. The booth assignments for this Spring Festival will be randomly distributed, as we announced beforehand!”

Yun Ga-rin shook the container lightly for everyone to see.

“Now it begins.”

Yun Ga-rin looked down at the list, then lifted her head.

“When your name is called, please come forward and draw one. I’ll announce the results immediately!”

Yun Ga-rin raised the microphone and called out.

“First, the Kimbap Shop Owner.”

The Kimbap Shop Owner stood up and gave me a brief smile.

“Ah, I’m always unlucky with these things, you know?”
“Come right up!”
“Hurry up~.”

The Kimbap Shop Owner took a deep breath and plunged her hand into the container.

“One spin around~two spins around~.”
“Pull it out quickly!”
“Where’s the fun if I pull it out too fast?”

She rummaged through the container as if turning it inside out before finally extracting a slip of paper from the corner.

“Did you get one?”
“Of course! I’m feeling lucky about this one.”

The Kimbap Shop Owner pulled out the paper and handed it to Yun Ga-rin. Yun Ga-rin unfolded it to check.

“Wow.”

Yun Ga-rin let out a short exclamation.

‘Is it a good spot?’

“Spot number one from the appetizer section has been drawn! It’s the center position from above.”
“That’s not fair~booo!”

A middle-aged man gave a thumbs down and booed.

“I’m so sorry for being late and even arriving after the start, and then taking the number one spot! But what can I do when luck is on my side~! Hehe.”

The Kimbap Shop Owner released a relieved breath and returned to her seat. Yun Ga-rin called the next name.

“Next, the Chinese Restaurant Owner!”

The Chinese Restaurant Owner and his wife stood up from their seats. He appeared with a black cane in one hand.

“The Chinese Restaurant Owner is seventy years old, yet so spry…!”

The explanation came from the middle-aged man.

“Our Chinese Restaurant Owner chose number five. It’s the center spot in the back!”
“…Is that good?”
“It must be good.”

The elderly Chinese Restaurant Owner couple exchanged satisfied expressions and slowly made their way back to their seats.

“Now it’s my turn!”

A middle-aged man jumped to his feet.

“Yes, third is the Grilled Pork Belly Owner.”

Grilled pork belly?

“Honey, a good spot! Number two!”
“Got it! I’ll pick!”

The Grilled Pork Belly Owner stood before the container and rubbed his hands together for a moment—so noticeably that I could even hear him swallow. Then he plunged his hand into the container.

“That one!”
“Yes!”

He handed the slip of paper to Yun Ga-rin. She unfolded it and her eyes widened.

“Booth number two!”
“Honey! It’s number two!”
“Oh my!”

The Grilled Pork Belly Owner couple embraced and bounced up and down. Then they collapsed into their seats, catching their breath. Murmurs of approval rippled through the crowd—clearly, it was considered a prime location.

“Booth number two is right at the entrance, so there’s a high chance of getting more customers.”
“Ah, so that’s why….”
“Didn’t you check the guide booklet?”
“…I just arrived.”
“I just saw it too.”

The Kimbap Shop Owner showed us the booth layout diagram in the guide booklet and explained.

“Booths 1, 2, 3, and 4 are the best.”
“That’s certainly true.”

The front-numbered booths were closest to the entrance. They naturally caught the flow of foot traffic. There was no need to explain why they were desirable.

“Which booth location would be the worst?”
“The back-numbered ones.”

I pointed my finger at booths 5 and 7 on the guide pamphlet. They were positioned far back from the entrance. It would be easy to pass them by without deliberately seeking them out.

“Why don’t you know this?”

Hae-tae offered a sharp remark. I had arrived late and hadn’t seen the guide pamphlet….

I looked at the layout diagram again and spoke.

“The Grilled Pork Belly Owner would have an advantage with a front booth, wouldn’t they?”
“Exactly!”

The Kimbap Shop Owner smiled with satisfaction and spoke in a hushed tone.

“Though I’m not sure what kind of dish the Grilled Pork Belly Owner will serve~.”
“At least they’ll serve grilled pork belly, right?”
“That’s right, that’s right! Side Dish Shop owner, we’re on the same wavelength~?”
“I suppose so?”

There was something that connected people in business….

“Hmph.”

It sounded like the Young Man beside me let out a scoff.

“Don’t mind it. He’s just jealous.”
“Jealous, my—!”

I watched the bickering kimbap mother and son for a moment, then lifted my gaze to look straight ahead.

“Number four! The Korean Restaurant Owner!”

The Korean Restaurant Owner rose slowly from his seat. His shoulders were visibly trembling. He appeared to be somewhat older than me—or perhaps just a little.

“Oh! I’m s-so nervous!”

He muttered to himself as he walked toward the drum on the platform. Watching him, the Kimbap Shop Owner leaned toward me, nearly close enough to whisper in my ear.

“That place is a family-run restaurant.”
“A family business?”
“Yeah. But they’re doing really well.”

My eyes widened slightly.

“They’re doing well?”

The Kimbap Shop Owner continued.

“Their reputation for delicious food is so strong that even celebrities have stopped by, I hear.”
“Interesting….”
“Since they’re such a successful restaurant, they didn’t really need to come. I’m guessing Ga-rin must have convinced them to participate?”
“That does seem likely, doesn’t it?”

The Korean Restaurant Owner hesitated for a long moment in front of the drum before the Grilled Pork Belly Owner called out boldly.

“Go ahead and draw! Don’t you care about the people waiting behind you?!”
“Oh! Yes! Of course!”

He immediately pulled a slip of paper from the drum and handed it to Yun Ga-rin. She checked it and announced.

“Booth number four.”

In that instant, the Korean Restaurant Owner’s eyes, which had been sharp, softened into a gentle expression.

‘Did only I notice that?’

“Hmm….”
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine! That was a good draw!”

The Korean Restaurant Owner nodded in agreement and returned to his seat. The Kimbap Shop Owner spoke quietly.

“A skilled establishment doesn’t depend on location.”
“…That’s true.”
“You’ll be fine. Side Dish Shop owner.”

Her tone carried a note of consolation. I smiled faintly and nodded reassuringly. Most of the front positions were already taken. Which meant.

‘At best, I’m third.’

Unless the next turn was mine, I could only leave it to fate. I clenched and unclenched my hands against my knees repeatedly.

“Manage your expression.”

‘Right.’

I watched Yun Ga-rin’s lips intently.

“Fifth, the runner-up champions from last year, the owners of That Couple’s Side Dish Shop! Please come up!”

A young couple in the front row stood up together. Moving with practiced ease as if they’d already experienced a survival round before, they climbed onto the platform. The husband standing before the barrel reached in his hand.

“Here it is!”

He drew out a slip of paper and immediately handed it to Yun Ga-rin.

“Is this acceptable? Would you like another chance to change it?”
“No. I’ll go with this one! My fortune today said never to change anything no matter what.”

Everyone’s eyes fixed on the paper. They all shared the same thought. One number written there would determine whose expression brightened or darkened.

‘Is it number three, or numbers six and seven?’

Tension hung in the air. Even my palms grew damp.

“Ah.”

Yun Ga-rin composed her expression and lifted her head.

“That Couple’s Side Dish Shop’s booth location is!”

I gazed at the faces of those two in the diagonal row ahead.

“Number 3.”

Only then did I exhale. The couple exchanged a glance with each other.

“Perfect!”
“That works out great!”

They seemed pleased rather than disappointed. Number 3 meant they’d be positioned directly across from the Grilled Pork Belly Owner.

As the couple returned to their seats, the Kimbap Shop Owner patted them reassuringly on the shoulder.

“Now, let me invite the star of the trending YouTube channel ‘Simple Cooking Chef’ and the proprietor of Hyang-suk’s Side Dish Shop to the stage.”

I smiled naturally and placed the padded jacket holding Hae-tae on the chair, mouthing words silently.

‘I’ll be back soon.’

“Have a good time out there, meow.”

Hae-tae waved his front paws back and forth. I made my way toward the stage.

“….”
“….”

Meeting face to face like this couldn’t possibly be comfortable. I caught sight of Lee Hae-ra tinkering with the camera in the corner and winked before taking my position.

“Now only two of you remain.”

Yun Ga-rin pointed at the container and asked.

“Would you like to choose who draws first?”

I spoke up quickly.

“Please, you draw first.”

Watching their expressions shift with surprise, I shrugged my shoulders.

“Are you sure about this?”

Yun Ga-rin asked once more, as if to confirm.

“Yes, I’ll just go with whatever is decided.”

A soft murmur rippled through the crowd below the platform.

“She’s got composure. For someone so young.”
“No, isn’t it confidence?”

It was the Grilled Pork Belly Owner’s voice.

‘It’s neither confidence nor composure, really.’

I simply couldn’t see any difference between options six and seven, so I’d pretended to defer and scratched both Lim Yun-jeong and Seo Jin-hyeok. I stuck my tongue out slightly and scratched once more.

“Yes! I’ll draw it!”

Seo Jin-hyeok stepped forward toward the container in large strides.

“Just draw one slip, please.”

Before Yun Ga-rin could even finish speaking, he thrust his hand into the container and pulled out a piece of paper. Since there were only two slips anyway, he didn’t hesitate.

Just one slip.

“Here it is.”

Yun Ga-rin took the paper and unfolded it, her eyebrows rising slightly. Then she opened her mouth.

“The Simple Cooking Chef’s booth location is…”

Where could it be?

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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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