Chapter 194 - Chapter 194: Finding The Roots (4)

Cho Min Joon tasted the broth of the chicken ginseng soup again. The taste didn’t change just because he had a change of mind. But the tradition he tasted in it certainly was. He no longer felt like he needed to give up. What he thought about now was how he could use these flavors to make everyone fall in love with it.

Not giving up, but hope. That one change made the meal much more delightful. Cho Min Joon’s face looked satisfied, and that made Kaya smile. Lisa asked in a confused voice, “Are you always like this?”

“I’m sorry? What do you mean?”

“The two of you. I know you’re a chef couple, but I didn’t know you made it so obvious that you’re chefs even while you’re dating.”

“It’s because of Min Joon. He always wants to debate about things.”

Anderson spoke as if he was tired. He then glanced over at Chloe. Her face looked calm on the outside, but she was probably pained inside. When a person saw someone they like being affectionate with someone else, it was never fun. Anderson looked at Cho Min Joon’s face. Cho Min Joon looked dull at times, but when it came to feelings, he was sensitive and considerate.

‘… Did he do that on purpose?’

It was possible that he did his best. Rather than showing Chloe a way in, showing her the reality was the best way for her to move on. If they were a normal couple, they would’ve shown flaws here and there, but in the case of Kaya and Cho Min Joon, them breaking up was unimaginable. Anderson sighed and picked up his chopsticks.

‘It’s a waste of time to worry about other people’s love lives.’

The meal continued for a long time. It was to be expected. There were way too many dishes. If they were normal people, they would’ve just eaten what they liked, but they were chefs. They wanted to taste everything, and at the same time, they didn’t want to waste food. Of course, the latter was still impossible…

“I can’t eat anymore.”

Ella looked at the braised rib on her fork with a sad face. Kaya answered, “Then stop eating. You don’t want to gain weight.”

“… I won’t”

“If you didn’t gain weight just because you didn’t want to, there would be no such thing as dieting.”

Ella glared at Kaya before looking back at her braised rib. Cho Min Joon smiled and said, “When I have a daughter, I want a girl just like Ella.”

“… What? Who says?”

Kaya asked as if she thought otherwise. The same went for Ella. She looked at Cho Min Joon with shocked eyes.

“Uncle, are you going to have children?”

“Maybe one day.”

“… I don’t want you to.”

“Why?”

“Because you won’t play with me anymore.”

Ella’s shoulders drooped, and her face turned sad. Cho Min Joon patted Ella on her round head.

“Why wouldn’t I play with you? I Will. Don’t worry.”

“… You’re talking as if you already have a baby.”

“I’ll probably have one one day.”

“I’ve never agreed to this. I won’t have time to raise a kid because of work.”

“I don’t know. That’s for us to discuss once we’re marr… Ugh.”

Cho Min Joon trembled and rubbed his shin. Kaya pinched him with her toes. Kaya spoke with a scary face, “Do you have a death wish?”

“… Okay. Sorry.”

Cho Min Joon answered in a pained voice. It was obvious who would wear the pants if they were to live together. Lisa opened her mouth.

“Come to think of it, I heard you’re thinking of living together. Do you have plans?”

“No. We haven’t even found a house yet…”

“Oh, about that.”

Chloe spoke up. She spoke in an awkward voice, “Sorry. I’m going to have to drop out.”

“What? Why?”

Kaya asked in a disappointed voice. Kaya smiled apologetically.

“Sorry. It’s a bit complicated to explain. But I don’t think I can do it.”

“No need to apologize…”

Kaya trailed off. Her face was full of disappointment. She couldn’t help it. It was Kaya who looked forward to living with Chloe the most. Cho Min Joon stared at Chloe. He then calmly opened his mouth.

“Did you think it through?”

“Yeah. I wanted to, but I don’t think I can.”

More words came across from that short phrase than it sounded. Chloe clenched.

‘… Yeah. Good job, Chloe.’

If she said she got over him, Cho Min Joon would believe her. He was that kind of person. But she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t betray his kindness. She couldn’t betray Kaya.

And she made up her mind when Kaya was giving Cho Min Joon advice. The girl who could lead Cho Min Joon was Kaya, not her.

It was possible that what she just said was a confession. That she still hadn’t gotten over him and that it would be hard to. It was possible she was revealing that it was a lie when she said she got over him. Was that why? Chloe felt anxious inside. Cho Min Joon opened his mouth.

“It’s too bad, but what can we do? It’s not that important to live together anyway. As long as we’re friends, that doesn’t change no matter where we live. Right?”

As soon as Chloe heard that, she bit down on her lip. She felt like she was going to tear up. Cho Min Joon was being considerate to her right now. He was being understanding. He was telling her that there was no way it would ruin their friendship. And Kaya agreed.

“Of course. Not many friends live together anyway. It’s more normal to live separately.”

“That’s true.”

Cho Min Joon smiled. At that moment, Lee Tae Hoon peeked in. He looked at the table and opened his mouth.

“Did you finish your meal? Should I bring the dessert?”

“… Does the cook normally come to ask that?”

“No, but it’s a different question and the cook is a fan of the customers. There are also three beautiful women. I mean, four.”

Lee Hae Hoon corrected himself after seeing Ella’s glare. Cho Min Joon looked at the others. Cho Min Joon nodded and opened his mouth.

“Sure. Bring it over. Also… I have another request.”

“What is it?”

“I want to take a look at your kitchen… I’ve never seen a Korean restaurant kitchen in real life before.”

“Hm… no problem.”

“Me too! I want to go too!”

Ella raised her hand. Lisa tried to talk Ella out of it.

“No, Ella. You’ll disturb the employees.”

“… Okay.”

Ella dropped her hand with a dejected voice. She was still a daughter who obeyed her mother. Lee Tae Hoon smiled and said, “No, that’s okay. The cooks are on break right now. And I’m sure the employees who are there would love to see a cute little lady like this one.”

In response, Ella raised her head and looked at Lisa with sparkling eyes. In the end, Lisa had no choice but to nod.

“Okay. But listen to Uncle, okay? And hold his hand.”

“Okay!”

Ella flashed a smile and hugged Cho Min Joon’s arm. While Kaya watched with anxious eyes, Chloe smirked and tapped Kaya on the lap.

“Hold it in.”

“… I’m trying.”

“But your fists are clenched.”

At that moment, Ella, who was holding Cho Min Joon’s hand, looked back and stuck out her tongue at Kaya. Kaya glared, but that was after Ella turned around. On the way to the kitchen, Lee Tae Hoon opened his mouth.

“It won’t be what you expect.”

He knew why he said that as soon as he entered the kitchen. Aside from a few kilns and stone bowls, it was no different from a Western restaurant. The walls and floors were tiled, and the stainless fridge stood out. Lee Tae Hoon opened his mouth.

“It’s not as traditional as you thought, is it?”

“I guess I pictured something different. Like an island made of wood and a pit made of stones.”

“I understand. The outside looks like a traditional Korean house.”

While Lee Tae Hoon answered, Ella jabbed Cho Min Joon on the side. When Cho Min Joon looked down, Ella raised both arms and asked, “Carry me. I want to see from high up.”

Cho Min Joon picked up Ella. She wasn’t heavy. Ella looked at the kiln and exclaimed in awe.

“It looks like a turtle.”

At that moment, an older man approached Cho Min Joon. He reached out his hand. When Cho Min Joon put Ella down and took his hand, he slowly spoke up, “You’re that famous Cho Min Joon. I’ve heard a lot about you. You’re working at Rose Island, right?”

“Oh, yes.”

“I’m Gregory Adams. I’m the chief head cook of this restaurant.”

Cho Min Joon was surprised. He couldn’t help it. Gregory was a black man. And Gregory grinned as he knew what Cho Min Joon was thinking.

“Why? Are you surprised that a black man is the chief head cook of a Korean restaurant?”

“No. Well… yes. I am.”

“I like your honesty.”

“The food is so Korean though. There were some Western qualities to it, but I don’t think it changed much from the original. That’s why I’m surprised.”

“Sometimes, things look clearer from the outside. After all, you’re a Korean man cooking Western food.”

“That’s true. I shouldn’t hold such prejudices. I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize. Everyone holds prejudices. Even I wondered if I should stay when I went to a sushi place and saw a white man slicing the fish.”

Cho Min Joon burst into laughter. When he picked Ella back up, Gregory opened his mouth again.

“Is that your daughter?”

“No, she’s my colleague’s daughter.”

“She’s the cutest child I’ve seen this year.”

“Thank you.”

Ella answered shyly. The conversation didn’t last long. Cho Min Joon didn’t intend on bothering them further either. While they left through the halls, Ella put her chin on Cho Min Joon’s neck and spoke in a sad voice, “I wish you were my dad, not my uncle.”

Cho Min Joon stopped in his tracks. He wanted to say something, but he couldn’t find the right words. Cho Min Joon patted Ella on the back and asked, “Do you miss your dad?”

“… Yeah. I want to see him.”

“I can’t be your father… But I can love you just as much. So don’t feel lonely. Ella, you have me and the others around you. And we all love you. You know that, right?”

Ella didn’t answer. Instead, she hugged Cho Min Joon even tighter.

Why was it? She was just as light as before, but he felt like she became heavier.