They Told Me to Build Good Karma by Selling Side Dishes - Chapter 46

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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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46. Neighborhood Exploration (3)

Saliva scattered through the air. A piece of pancake tumbled onto the stone pavement below. Hae-tae’s tongue flicked in and out as he scrunched his face in disgust.

“I said I’d eat it because of the strange smell, but the taste really is strange, meow!”
“Is the taste really that bad? It’s supposed to be famous around here.”
“It’s worse than what you make, meow! And the leek pancake is way too old, meow!”

Curious whether he was right, I tore off a piece of the leek pancake and put it in my mouth. The smell of stale oil hit first. The moment I chewed, a soggy texture clung to my teeth.

‘It’s soggy because it was made this morning.’

“It’s because it’s been sitting too long.”
“Why are they even selling this, meow!”
“Still, it’s decent enough. You’re just spoiled from eating only delicious food.”

Ugh. This is exactly why you shouldn’t raise a Divine Being too well. I picked the leek stuck between Hae-tae’s teeth and placed him on my shoulder.

“Then let’s go to a different shop.”
“Will it taste the same there too, meow?”
“I don’t know. It’s my first time going there too.”

The path to That Couple’s Side Dish Shop was brimming with energy. The alley clearly marked on the map app was one of the neighborhood’s most concentrated commercial hubs. It was obviously a prime location for business.

‘Shops really should be in commercial areas like this.’

Colorful discount signs plastered every storefront’s glass door, and vibrant signboards assaulted the eyes. Cheerful K-pop music drifted through the alley.

Perched on my shoulder, Hae-tae turned his head this way and that, taking in the dazzling scenery as he hummed softly.

“There are a lot of people, meow.”
“That’s why business thrives here.”
“Business does well in places like this, meow?”
“Of course!”

Hae-tae’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.

“Look here.”
“Meow.”

Then it came into view—the straightforward signage of That Couple’s Side Dish Shop. A savory aroma of sesame oil drifted through the air at just the right moment.

“There it is.”

The couple who visited our shop every day were busily greeting customers.

‘Well, I should be confident too.’

As the glass door opened, a clear bell chimed.

“Welcome—!”

The couple’s voices trembled slightly as they greeted the customer.

“They seem to know who you are.”

‘I suppose so.’

They had never imagined encountering me as a customer in their own shop—the owner they always saw wearing an apron behind the counter.

“Oh my, aren’t you the owner of Hyang-suk’s Side Dish Shop?”

The wife’s eyes widened in recognition as she welcomed me warmly. Her husband paused mid-motion with the tongs in his hand and broke into an embarrassed smile.

“What brings you all the way here? Our shop is so humble—there’s not much to show.”
“I came to buy side dishes at a side dish shop. I got tired of eating only what I make myself.”
“Ha, I understand. You do get tired of your own food sometimes.”

Under the lights, the side dishes gleamed in the glass display case. Each container held perfectly uniform colors and meticulously arranged portions.

‘They have quite a variety.’

The display stretched so far I couldn’t take it all in at once—kimchi varieties, stir-fries, braised dishes, fried items, pancakes, simmered dishes, salads. It was as lavish as a department store food section.

“You certainly have a wide variety of side dishes, don’t you?”

She asked as I deftly packed the side dishes into containers.

“Yes, I was surprised. Do you two really manage all of this on your own?”
“Ah, well, since there are just the two of us, it works out fine. It’s tiring, but our customers love what we make, so it’s worth it.”

I picked up the tray and asked my wife, “Is this enough?”

“You’ve chosen well.”
“Have I?”

I had selected squid strips, braised meat, and fried anchovies—the classics, reliable staples. From the neatly packaged containers wafted a subtle sweetness.

“I hope they suit your taste.”

I responded to my wife’s careful words.

“Of course they will. No doubt about it.”

I picked up the bag of side dishes from the register and gave a light bow.

“Sell plenty more!”
“Goodbye.”

I opened the shop door and stepped out.

“The sweetness is practically vibrating off you.”

Hae-tae, who had been waiting, twitched his nose and spoke as if chiding me. They must use quite a lot of sugar. Judging by how the sweet aroma kept emanating from the bag.

“Don’t you eat in the alley here?”

Hae-tae asked, propping his front paw against his cheek.

“So you’ve taken a liking to going out and about.”

Hae-tae’s tail brushed lightly against my cheek—soft and ticklish to the touch.

“It’s nice even though it’s noisy and crowded outside, meow.”
“Yeah? Then let’s go to the Neighborhood Park.”

I led Hae-tae out of the Alley. As the clamor of the bustling shops faded into the distance, the songs of birds and the whisper of leaves began to fill the air.

“How fascinating, meow.”

Hae-tae’s eyes sparkled as he glanced around in every direction. Those eyes looked more like a child’s than a cat’s.

“Here we are.”

Upon arriving at the nearby Neighborhood Park, the long shadows cast by ancient trees stretched across the ground, dampening the earth beneath our feet.

A pavilion situated in the center of the park had become the elders’ go-to spot for playing baduk, and pigeons gathered around it, pecking at breadcrumbs.

“What is that, meow.”
“That’s called a pavilion.”
“People never change, whether in ancient times or now, meow.”
“That’s true.”

I found a spot with few people around and set the bag down on a Bench.

“Let’s eat, meow!”

Hae-tae’s tail twitched with anticipation.

“Here, try this first.”

I opened the container of roasted anchovies first—the most common side dish. A savory, slightly sweet aroma wafted up. I picked a few anchovies and placed them in my palm.

“Cat first.”

Hae-tae brought his nose close, and his breath tickled my palm. Soon, a small pink tongue darted out and snatched up the anchovies.

“How is it?”

Hae-tae’s ears slowly folded backward.

“It’s edible enough.”
“Really?”
“But it’s not a flavor you can eat for long.”
“Why? Is the seasoning too sweet?”
“Way too sweet.”

I tossed the remaining anchovy stir-fry from my palm into my mouth. The sweetness spread smoothly across my tongue the instant it made contact.

Oligosaccharide naturally went into anchovy stir-fry. But the more I chewed, the more the savory flavor of the anchovies vanished beneath the sweetness. This crossed a line. Enough to make my expression sour involuntarily.

‘It tastes so artificial.’

“…Oh Jong-hee was right. It really is too sweet.”

“Still, it’s not inedible, though….”
“But I don’t think I could eat it with rice.”

I covered the anchovy stir-fry container and retied the bag.

“Let’s rest a bit, then head to our final destination.”
“Where?”
“The lunch box shop.”
“Why is the lunch box shop last?”
“Well, um. It’s the farthest away?”

I hoisted Hae-tae back onto my shoulder while gripping the bag of side dishes tightly in my left hand.

From here to the lunch box shop was about a ten-minute walk. The deeper I ventured into the alley, the longer the shadows of the buildings stretched.

The voices of the elderly from the Neighborhood Park faded into the distance, replaced instead by the rumble of evening commute engines.

“Is it around here?”
“Yeah. Right around that corner.”

As I turned the corner, a crooked sign came into view.

‘Siblings’ Lunch Box Shop.’

The light beneath the worn sign flickered dimly. But something felt off. Despite the “Open” sign hanging in the window, there was no owner inside. The interior was silent.

“Is it open?”
“But the owner isn’t here?”

I grasped the door handle. A bell chimed, but no greeting came in response.

Several lunch boxes covered with translucent lids sat neatly arranged on the table.

“There doesn’t seem to be anyone here,” Hae-tae murmured.

Hae-tae’s voice came out low.

“Maybe they went out for a delivery.”
“Should we just leave?”
“Yeah, let’s go.”

Just as I turned to leave, a low voice echoed from the Kitchen.

“Dad, I told you to stop already!”

I paused and looked up. A young woman appeared between the curtains behind the counter.

“…Daughter. We have a customer.”

A middle-aged man followed her out and bowed awkwardly. He appeared to be the shop owner. White bandages wrapped around the back of his hand, and his smile looked stiff, as if frozen in place for far too long.

“Welcome. What lunch box can I get for you?”

The owner’s daughter came forward and asked. I glanced at the menu board and spoke.

“Just one braised beef lunch box, please.”
“Our braised beef is quite spicy. Should I give it to you at full heat?”
“Yes, as is.”

She pressed the register button and took a short breath. The touch tone sounded several times.

“That’s 5,500 won.”

For a moment, I doubted my ears.

‘Why is it so cheap?’

The price lingered in my mind. It was two thousand won cheaper than other side dish shops.

“Here, my card.”

I handed her the card, and she accepted it silently.

“Something seems to be going on.”

‘Definitely.’

The card reader beeped. The daughter held out the receipt and opened her mouth.

“Please wait just a moment.”

She walked silently toward the Kitchen. The sound of fire igniting, oil sizzling. And above it all, a sweet aroma rose into the air.

‘She makes it this quickly…?’

Within minutes, the daughter emerged carrying a lunch box. White steam rose between the lid’s edges.

“Braised pork is ready.”

She placed the lunch box in a bag and looked at me.

“You’re the owner of Hyang-suk’s Side Dish Shop, aren’t you?”
“…Oh, yes?”
“I know. I went to buy side dishes from you recently.”

So she had been a customer at our shop.

“Since I live alone, I didn’t want to eat food I made myself. So I came here.”

That was the second lie. I forced my lips upward and added more.

“I noticed there was a lunch box shop nearby.”

The daughter smiled brightly.

“Our Siblings’ Lunch Box Shop’s braised beef lunch box is the most delicious.”

Pride tinged her daughter’s voice.

“Father personally prepared the beef. It won first place for lunch boxes at the Regional Festival last year.”
“At the Regional Festival?!”

I asked in surprise.

“That was truly hectic. We had so many customers. Father hurt his hand packing and delivering lunch boxes all day long.”

The bandaged back of his hand I’d seen earlier flashed through my mind. Her daughter smiled and handed me the bag containing the lunch box.

“That’s proof the taste is guaranteed. I feel a bit awkward giving it to the Side Dish Shop owner.”
“Awkward? I’m honored to eat the first-place lunch box.”

It was as I grasped the bag and looked up.

‘Huh?’

After a long time, [More Details] appeared above my head.

“A customer with karma, meow.”

Following Hae-tae’s words, I hurriedly checked [More Details].

[Customer Status – More Details]
Name: Yun Ga-rin
Recommendation: Food good for inflammation
Status: Father needs to hold on until the festival… ( ??? )
Reward: Declaration ‘1’ Point

‘What foods are good for inflammation…?’

I stared at the screen for a moment. Hot steam rose from the freshly packaged lunch box, warming my hands.

‘Aralia shoots.’

That was it. A side dish suddenly flashed through my mind.

“Our shop doesn’t have that many side dishes either. Which one tasted the best to you?”
“A side dish? Well….”

Yun Ga-rin tilted her head slightly.

“Oh… the day lily greens I had recently? Father especially loved those.”
“Day lily greens….”

I nodded quietly and made my next move.

“I’ve just made bear’s breeches greens this time.”

Even though I hadn’t actually made them yet.

“Bear’s breeches?”
“Yes. Bear’s breeches are so good for the body, you know.”
“That’s right! Father loves those. When his appetite was poor, he’d make bear’s breeches seasoned vegetables himself.”

This was my moment.

I selected the food Yun Ga-rin desired most and drove my point home like a wedge.

“You know how bear’s breeches greens are supposed to be so good for inflammation, right?”

That’s what business is all about.

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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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