I Quit My Job and Run a Café - Chapter 22



Only Krnovel

Episode 22

What did that guy say when he came in just now?

Oh, you said you came from Bonghwang Mart.

I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere, but where did I hear it?

‘Grandpa Bae Hong-seok?’

For a moment, the words engraved on a rare, high-quality business card flashed through my mind.

Then, I remembered the time when I received a fresh business card.

He was the one who comforted me and the village chief when I was grieving over losing my grandfather.

I even called to say that I was continuing the cafe.

At that time, I said thank you and that I would definitely come back sometime later… … .

Did an employee of that company come instead of Grandfather Bae Hong-seok?

“Oh, yes. But why?”

But it doesn’t look like you came as a guest… … .

what?

“I’ll be in charge of this place from now on, so I came here to say hello and see if you need anything!”

“Are you in charge?”

“Huh? You didn’t know? Well then, let’s look at this first.”

The man seemed embarrassed for a moment, then came back with some documents and handed them over.

I tried something.

‘contract?’

It was a document regarding delivery.

But there was something a little strange.

“It looks like a delivery contract… … I’ve never done anything like this.”

“Oh! This is not a personal contract, it is a transaction between Tiger Shelter and our company!”

“… … If I continue here, will it be automatically extended?”

“That’s right! If the tiger shelter continues, the contract will be valid!”

“okay.”

How far did my grandfather go without telling me anything?

I looked over the documents carefully to see if there was any kind of mortgage.

But the contract I looked at was too biased.

Why aren’t there any clauses related to money in the delivery contract? I’ve seen a lot of toxic clauses in the construction industry, but this is the first time I’ve seen something like this.

Are you saying that you’re just going to give it all away for free?

It was a one-sided contract that was toxic and biased towards the recipient.

So much so that it’s suspicious.

“There’s no such thing as unit price here?”

“Because I don’t get paid.”

“……why?”

“Uh, that is… … I don’t know exactly, but I think you can think of the contract itself as something like a promise from your predecessors.”

Something like that.

The content is absurd, but the reason for it is even more absurd.

“Haha, I’m someone who just does what I’m told. If you have any doubts, feel free to look into it and contact me again!”

“Oh, yes.”

This person is really bright and positive.

He told me to check it out first, but I didn’t think I needed to refuse, so I said I would.

There is no reason for me to just continue the contract as it is, just because it is from my predecessor.

I’ll have to talk to the lawyer later.

Of course, if it was a contract without any problems, it was a good condition, no, it was a condition that had to be done unconditionally.

There’s no need to refuse if they offer the materials for free.

“You can contact us here!”

“Let’s see, Mr. Bae… Mr. Bae Jun-ho? What is he like with Grandpa Bae Hong-seok?”

“You are my grandfather!”

“ah.”

Delivery worker hides that he is the successor?

Did you also inherit your grandfather’s work?

Something feels slightly kinship.

“Then let’s go back now for today!”

“Yes. Take care.”

Bae Jun-ho bowed and left.

He was a pretty absent-minded type.

Still, he seems to have a good personality, so I think he would be good at sales. It would be nice to have a successor like that in the company.

‘I should just get off work too.’

I had more to worry about at the tiger shelter than at the company I quit.

Of course, I’m leaving work for today.

I locked the cafe and walked down the path… … .

“Huh? Sir!”

Just then, Su-ah appeared, loitering in front of him, as if she had just gotten off the bus.

The guy looks around for a moment, then spots me and runs towards me.

“It hurts.”

“Hehehe! I’m really good at sports, huh?”

“It’s annoying.”

“Cheet… …! Oh, right! Mister. But who was that handsome guy earlier?”

“Handsome brother?”

“Don’t you know that guy coming down from the cafe? He had slightly red hair.”

Su-ah, who had been puffing out her cheeks from nagging, said something strange.

The only person coming down from the cafe besides me is… Mr. Bae Jun-ho.

I couldn’t tell what color his hair was because he was wearing a hat, but I thought he was talking about him.

“You’re from the mart? Oh, Su-ah, have you ever heard of Bonghwang Mart? There isn’t one in town.”

While we’re on the subject, I thought I’d find out some information.

Suah came here when her grandfather was running the cafe, so she might know about it.

Of course, I don’t think you’ll know such details.

“Grandpa Hong’s Mart?”

“Huh? You know? Grandpa Hong? Who is he?”

“Yes! Grandfather Bae Hong-seok! He is the president of Bonghwang Mart and my older brother received his scholarship there.”

“Ah, Grandfather Bae Hong-seok… … But he’s Grandfather Bae Hong-seok, so why is he Grandfather Hong?”

“I just call it that because it’s comfortable. Hehe!”

There’s no particular reason for that.

By the way, they give out guardian scholarships there?

This is also unexpected?

A place that sponsors scholarships.

I never thought it would be connected like that here.

“At first, he seemed like a really scary old man, but when I got to know him, he turned out to be a really kind old man. I heard he donates a lot of money here and there, in addition to my brother’s scholarship.”

“Who said that?”

“My brother is coming.”

If it’s Suho’s words, I can trust them a little.

Grandfather Bae Hong-seok, whom I saw in person, was also a good person.

The warmth I felt from the hands we held was still memorable.

‘Well, then… … .’

Suddenly, after hearing Su-ah’s words, that thought occurred to me.

Isn’t Grandpa Bae Hong-seok providing materials to the tiger shelter similar to supporting Su-ho?

‘Somehow it seems right.’

Even then, I continued to tell my grandfather that I owed him a favor and that he told me to ask him if I needed anything.

I guess I’ll have to give you a call.

I think it would be faster to have some vague suspicions. And there would be no need for misunderstandings.

“But why Grandpa Hong?”

“The handsome guy you saw earlier is that grandfather’s grandson.”

“……oh my god.”

Next to me, Su-ah opened her mouth wide and gasped when she heard what I said.

Is that such a jaw-dropping surprise?

“He’s handsome and a third-generation chaebol. He has it all except one thing.”

“zaibatsu?”

“Grandpa Hong is incredibly rich. Didn’t you know?”

“Well, it seemed like you were rich… … But what’s the one thing you’re missing?”

“Me.”

“… … .”

I was thinking a little seriously, and then I heard this from the side, which made me a little dumbfounded. Because of that, there was silence, but soon laughter broke out.

Anyway, I told you he’s a funny guy.

At that moment, I was smiling while looking at Su-ah!

Zing! Zing!

“uh?”

Just then the phone rang.

Looking at the caller, it was Grandpa Bae Hong-seok.

─Hehehe. It’s been a while.

“Yes, sir. I was going to contact you anyway. How have you been?”

─ Thanks to you, I’m doing well. I’m busy, too. I should go to the shelter sometime, but I just don’t have time.

“What did I do? Come whenever it’s convenient for you.”

After a brief greeting.

Let’s get to the point.

The other side also answered lightly, as if they had expected it.

─I understand, but that contract is a kind of sponsorship.

“I thought it was like that anyway.”

─So don’t worry about it and just accept it. It’s nothing compared to what I received.

Well, then.

“Yes, I will gratefully accept it.”

─Heh heh! Yes. Yes. I was worried that I might misunderstand, but it turns out you’re just like Mr. Cheon.

“Me?”

I heard this from attorney Kim Do-hyeon before.

It was really strange.

I thought he was so different from my grandfather that we would only fight whenever we met… … .

Everyone around me says I look alike.

Well, that’s it anyway.

─Then I’ll contact you again next time.

“Ah. I will contact you often too.”

─What does a busy person do? Just do it when you think of it sometimes. Hehe!

At the end of a short, but not very long, phone call.

“Huh? Are you Grandpa Hong? Me too! Please change me too!”

“you also?”

The moment I was about to say no to Su-ah because he seemed busy, Grandpa Bae Hong-seok heard and said it was okay, so I ended up handing over the phone.

“Grandpa~ It’s me, Sua! Hehe! Oh right! Grandpa, how about having an idol granddaughter-in-law?”

Chitchat chitchat.

I shook my head at the sight of Su-ah talking so well even to adults.

What on earth is that joke?

He seems like a kid who could become anything.

“See you later! Yes!”

The call ended with Su-ah’s bright greeting.

“What did you say? You like having an idol’s granddaughter-in-law?”

“He just laughed. Hehe.”

“… … Phew!”

Oh, I barely managed to hold back my laughter.

I felt like I would get upset if I got caught, so I quickly handed over what I was holding.

“Eat this.”

“Huh? What is it?”

“Bread. I baked it today.”

“Huh? Really?!”

“Eat it with Suho. I put some jam in it too.”

“Wow! Awesome!”

What’s so great about this?

Still, I felt good that he liked me like that.

“Next time you come, I’ll make you some freshly baked bread.”

“Yes! Okay!”

Today, I feel like it starts and ends thanks to Suah.

In the end, the problem of supplying materials was solved, and thanks to Hansong, I was able to heal and go.

There, I also laughed now thanks to that guy… … .

I can leave work feeling good.

“Oh! It’s you, oppa!”

Su-ah ran over again when she saw Su-ho coming.

I waved to Suho, who nodded when he saw me, and then started walking home.

* * *

After washing up, I lay down and laid down on the veranda.

Under the night sky illuminated by the moonlight that had risen before I knew it, I took a short break while feeling the cool breeze blowing… … .

Then I remembered the new guest who came today, Hansong-i.

“Hmm. You said you were a webtoon writer?”

My friend Kim Hana said there’s a great piece of work coming out. Should I go check it out?

“Oh. That’s true.”

I don’t really know because I’m not the type to read webtoons, but I was able to find it right away in the top rankings.

Isn’t it a real hit that it’s still like this even after it’s finished?

Pen name ‘Song-i’ ─ Work ‘Goblin Hotel’.

I naturally clicked on the first episode and watched it once.

‘Wow. I thought the one I saw before was well drawn, but this one is even better?’

The picture looked different compared to before, so I wondered if it was drawn with the right equipment.

This picture reminds me of the saying, “A craftsman never blames his equipment, but that’s because he already has good equipment.”

‘The content is also interesting.’

I started watching it because I was impressed by the paintings, but I soon became absorbed in the story.

A story set during college in the early 2000s.

It appropriately dramatizes the romantic love story of that time, events that actually happened, and a fantasy-like hotel.

‘Huh? Yeah. That’s how it used to be.’

The topic was love, so it wasn’t really my taste.

The more I read, the more I realized that it wasn’t just a love story, but a story about people’s lives.

It was a little earlier than when I was a student, but there were still a lot of parts I could relate to.

That’s why it was a smooth read.

Judging from the comments, it seems like young people from different generations are having fun watching it too.

It feels like a mix of fantasy and retro sensibility.

Anyway, it was fun.

“Oh my, this won’t do. If I keep doing this, I’ll stay up all night.”

I decided to just watch up to episode 5 and stop watching for today.

But, there was a new notice on the top page of the webtoon with the ‘N’ symbol.

It’s already finished, so what new have you uploaded?

“Ah. It’s an announcement for a new work.”

It looks like he went back and started working on a new piece right away.

That’s good.

As soon as the notice was posted, many people flocked to leave comments.

Most people are saying they are looking forward to it.

It seems like there were a lot of people waiting, but among those comments, there was one that caught my eye.

as soon as.

─The author’s story brings back a lot of old memories. It’s a time that can never return, but thanks to it, I feel healed. I hope your next work goes well.

─I’m glad you came back after going on a short healing trip to wash away the hardships of the day amidst your busy schedule.

The contents were like this.

People who said they were healed by Hansongi’s webtoon.

‘I feel good for no reason.’

Of course, I have to work hard.

And add more menus.

‘But what is this?’

I’m going to close the comment window and post a notice for tomorrow’s work…

At the end, I found a drawing that I couldn’t tell if it was a sketch or a doodle.

At first I was like, what is this?

But when I focused closely, strangely enough, the picture that was lacking somewhere was completed in my head.

‘What is this?’

Is it the power of newfound talent?

More than that, this picture… … .

I think the next work will also be a work that brings healing to many people.

If the warm picture in your head is correct, that is.

“Ah. It’s late.”

With a faint smile, I put my real phone down this time.

And I fell asleep thinking that I needed to prepare more, whether it was putting together a set like today or developing a menu.

* * *

The next day.

I thought I got to work early, but there was someone who was faster.

‘Was it an early morning delivery?’

He is a man who flashes in the east and flashes in the west.

When I arrived at the cafe, the ingredients that Bae Jun-ho had left behind greeted me first.

I left a text message yesterday… … .

Well, thanks to that, I was able to refill the supplies that were almost gone yesterday early this morning.

I was thinking about going into town today, but it turned out well.

‘There’s a lot to do.’

First of all, the menu had to be changed.

Originally, I used the same one my grandfather used, but the menu changed and things were added, so if I used it as is, it would become too tattered.

‘The tree to write the menu on is in the backyard… … Ah!’

I remembered something I had forgotten.

Trees in the backyard garden.

Yesterday, I absorbed a lot of Hansong’s aura… … .

I put the ingredients away and went straight out to the backyard.

And I found it.

“uh!?”

Now the tree has grown taller than me… … .

───────────────