I Got the Almighty Tongue - Chapter 125



Only Noblemtl

Episode 125: A Man Faithful to His Main Job

The Je-hee that Joo-hee knew was someone who walked the right path straight. Although he had a strong sense of humor, he hated being bothered, so even when he got hurt, he would just laugh it off and shake it off.

It’s not like I didn’t experience discrimination during my time in America.

She also had her share of moments when she hated the country while studying there: the subtly condescending stares, the subtly unfriendly employees, and the inexplicable rejection from clubs.

But none of it was so blatant as to be frowned upon. That’s not because the people of this country are good. It’s because America is a country of lawsuits.

If you say something racist in school, you get kicked out. If you say something racist in society, you will soon be sued in court. This is why America, despite its many problems, remains the world’s superpower.

But Korea has its own unique culture.

There are few people who know as well as she does about the privileged consciousness of the upper class, represented by conglomerates and politicians. They form their own boundaries and are exclusive to the outside world. And they are steeped in the sense of being chosen people to the core.

The public perception of the service industry is also not favorable. What would happen if the wrong catchphrase, “The customer is king,” met the wealthy class with a sense of superiority? They would treat people like servants and use all kinds of abusive and insulting language without feeling even a shred of guilt.

When Jehee said he would advance to Korea, Joohee felt calmer as the part that had been on her mind became a reality.

‘My brother doesn’t know the workings of this world. I have to protect him.’

Joohee picked up the phone with a stern expression.

“Brother?”

“Yeah. I heard the news. Are you feeling well?”

Minhyuk answers the phone with a cheerful voice.

“I am healthy. But there is a problem on the Korean side.”

I thought about solving it myself, but I had no contact with the company. The heavy industry sector is also related to construction, so it would be better to ask for help in this case.

“What’s the problem?”

Minhyuk asks in a serious voice.

“Do you know a company called Sejin Infra?”

“I know. It’s a place that does business with our company too.”

“I heard that the son of that house swore at Jehee oppa and spat on the restaurant floor?”

Minhyuk pauses for a moment after hearing Joohee’s words. After a moment of silence, he speaks.

“So, get married quickly. If you don’t want to see those insignificant people messing with Chef Shin.”

Minhyuk sighs as if he knows what he’s talking about.

“I also felt this time. I’m saying that Jehee oppa is someone who has almost no safety net in Korea. Can you help me deal with it?”

“How far do you want it?”

“A sincere apology?”

“Haha. Our Joohee is still innocent?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Those guys are easy. It’s not a big deal to kneel down once when necessary. If it ends like that, nothing will change. Instead, they’ll just harbor resentment toward the new chef.”

Minhyuk has seen countless nouveau riche like Jo Sanghyun. Those who avoid responsibility and enjoy only their rights easily bow down and lie face down when they meet a predator stronger than themselves. And they wait for the storm to pass. The apology he makes will not weigh even a single gram.

“Then what should we do?”

“You always have to let them know that their actions are subject to consequences. Apologizing is a given, but punishment is another matter.”

“Okay. I’ll leave it to you.”

“Yeah. Just trust me.”

Stop.

Minhyuk hangs up the phone and stares at the screen. Then he immediately calls someone.

“Secretary Kim.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Please extract all the details of our dealings with Sejin Infrastructure. Including all the partner companies. And please investigate your second son as well. His assets, his work, his relationships with women, and all the dirty details.”

“Okay, I’ll prepare it so you can receive it when you come to work tomorrow.”

Minhyuk hangs up the phone and touches his temple with his hand.

“How dare you do something to my brother-in-law that even I can’t do to him?”

Min-hyuk, who had a son after marriage, had become more lenient than before. However, he was originally known for his fiery temper. Min-hyuk intended to use this incident as an example. He was sending a kind of warning to the upper class not to treat Shin Je-hee carelessly.

* * *

“Sister. Actually, this is my first time at fine dining.”

Ye-yoon whispers into Soo-jeong’s ear as if telling a secret.

“Why are you the one who makes a lot of money?”

Soo-Jung looks at Ye-Yoon with tears in her eyes.

“Isn’t it normal to come to a place like this with your boyfriend? I’ve been single ever since my debut, so I’ve never had a reason to go. Going out just causes trouble, so I just eat delivery food at home.”

The life of a popular celebrity is tiring. However, Ye-yoon knew very well that the privileges she enjoyed were not free. Wouldn’t it have been sadder if she had gone out with a bare face and no one recognized her?

“Why is your life so dull for a child? You’re pretty, young, and make a lot of money! You’re the envy of all the women in the world.”

“Sister, isn’t it not the time for you to be talking about others?”

“I’ve been going around a lot these days. It’s because I’m not satisfied.”

“Who are you going with?”

“I go with my manager and also with actors I became close with while working on a project… ”

“Why did you stop talking?”

“I go alone often too.”

“Alone? You’re really amazing, Unnie. I’m not good at eating alone, so I don’t think I can do it.”

Ye-yoon raises her thumb towards Soo-jeong.

“Surprisingly, that’s not the case. There are quite a few customers who come alone, like me. But it would be nice if they didn’t keep asking for service, autographs, and pictures, but I’ve been so harassed by them that I don’t go there often anymore.”

“That kind of thing is a bit annoying. That’s why I don’t go out.”

While the two were talking, a server brought champagne. Then, various kinds of ham, butter, and bread were served.

“I didn’t even order?”

Ye-yoon opens her mouth in embarrassment and whispers to Soo-jeong.

“It means to take your time ordering while sipping champagne and eating bread and ham. It’s just like when I went to Florence for a fashion show. We don’t do that in Korea.”

Ye-yoon dips a knife into the butter and tastes it.

“Wow! Sister. This is so delicious. It’s no joke.”

“Segretto puts a lot of care into everything, from the bread and butter to even the sauce. They don’t use any ready-made products, so it’s bound to be delicious. The bread is still warm. Let’s try it.”

Soo-Jung recites to Ye-Yoon what she saw in the article, tears off a small piece of bread with her hand, spreads butter on it, and puts it in her mouth.

“I wanted bread like this. It’s much better than the bread served at hotel breakfasts.”

Soo-jung looks at Ye-yoon, moved by the delicious bread she is eating for the first time in a long time. She is already munching on the bread like a squirrel with acorns stuffed in her cheeks. Soo-jung bursts out laughing at that moment.

Phew.

Click.

And then I quickly take out my iPhone and take a picture.

“Did it come out cute?”

There is an unspoken rule among women: when we take pictures, we review them together and delete everything except the good ones.

“It’s cute enough. I think it’ll get a good response if I put it on Facebook.”

“I was going to post about coming here anyway. This place has a rather upscale image, right? I also want to get rid of the image of a tripe restaurant or snack bar.”

Ye-yoon came to Segreto today with a plan. She went to the shop and got her hair and makeup done properly in a dress that she wouldn’t look out of place in if she went to the awards ceremony right away. In contrast, Soo-jung was wearing a neat one-piece dress and a thin coat. The concept was a sophisticated city girl.

The two agreed to order the signature course.

“If it’s your first time here, you should definitely try the signature dish. Then, try the others one by one.”

Not long after ordering, the amuse-bouche began to arrive. It was the signature course of oysters and sea urchin. It was the first course Segreto offered, but it has since been improved and perfected. Ye-yoon starts taking pictures of the amuse-bouche.

Click.

“It’s really pretty. How come the colors are so good? It looks like it came straight out of a cookbook.”

Oysters and sea urchins look fresh on a large silver spoon. Shallots and green onions sprinkled on top create a contrast of colors.

Gulp.

Sujeong swallows her saliva.

“Let’s eat quickly.”

Both of them picked up the spoons at the same time and put them in their mouths.

First, the oysters burst with juice as you chew them. Then, the aroma of oysters grilled over charcoal spreads gently in your mouth, stimulating your appetite. Then, the strong taste of sea urchin coats your tongue. However, it is not excessive. This is because the aroma of lemon and the acidity of white wine complement the taste.

“It’s really delicious.”

“Every time I eat something like this, I feel like my hard work is worth it.”

It was a long-awaited happy time. Ye-yoon, who had not had time to look around due to her busy schedule these days, was happy to meet Soo-jung and eat delicious food. The courses continued to come out.

“Is this the famous four kinds of caviar?”

This dish was covered in the news in Korea after Segreto won a Michelin star. I feel excited to see the dish I had only heard about. What kind of taste will the dish that was a hot topic in New York taste like? Maybe I have been waiting for Segreto all this time because I was curious about this.

I pick up the dish with my hands and try to eat it. The film melts in my mouth in an instant and the four kinds of caviar mix together. When I thought the salmon roe and sturgeon roe were a little salty, the tomatoes, basil, lemon, and parsley neutralized them and finished the dish off with a refreshing taste. The texture of the caviar popping is fun. It was a dish with various flavors and fun.

“What a wonderful dish. It’s delicious.”

“I liked it too. Especially because it’s a dish you can’t get anywhere else.”

The sommelier came and changed the wine. The two ordered the premium pairing, and the sommelier’s explanation went right into their ears.

“This wine is called Barolo, and it comes from the Piedmont region of Italy. It is made from Nebbiolo (a thin-skinned Italian grape variety) and goes well with pasta and cheese. It is also called the king of Italian wines.”

The two, who had little experience with wine, were overwhelmed by the high-quality wines and dishes that continued to be served. Then came the pasta.

“This is authentic Roman-style Amatriciana. Enjoy your meal.”

The server returns after serving the beautifully dried and plated pasta.

Click.

The two took a picture and picked up the fork, but it was difficult to touch it.

“It’s so pretty I feel bad about touching it.”

“Did you think about that too, Unnie? Me too. Now that I think about it, Chef Shin is famous for his pasta. Is that natural, since he’s an Italian chef?”

“It’s my first time trying it too. I was curious about what real Italian pasta tastes like.”

“Let’s try it.”

Just as men love stir-fried pork or pork cutlets, women are crazy about pasta. These days, authentic Italian pasta prepared by a chef who is all the rage around the world is an irresistible temptation for them.

“Wow. This is real pasta.”

The pasta that Jehee served was a little different from what Soojung had expected. The cheese flavor was much stronger than she had expected. It was a little bitter, but the rich flavor was addictive. The tomato sauce was fragrant, no matter what was added, and the heavy oil from the sauerkraut and all the ingredients mixed together to create an indescribable harmony.

“The noodles aren’t like the spaghetti noodles I’m used to eating. They’re chewy but flavorful.”

Ye-yoon also liked the pasta so much that she even wiped the sauce off with bread.

And finally, the long-awaited steak arrived. The steak, perfectly cooked medium rare, was cut thickly and showed off its elegant appearance on the plate. And the garnish made of various colorful vegetables completed the dish beautifully. The two of them couldn’t take their eyes off it.

Before I could even take a picture, Soo-Jung cuts the steak with a knife and puts it in her mouth. Then she closes her eyes.

“Ah… this is the taste.”

It was the taste she had been searching for. Soo-Jung was doubting herself. She thought that maybe the fantasy about the steak she had eaten on the day of recording was too much and she was searching for a dish that didn’t exist.

But that wasn’t the case. Segreto’s steak was so good that it made me forget the memory of the steak I had that day. It had a fragrant meaty aroma. When I took a bite, the outer crust broke apart with a crispy texture and the soft meat inside was chewed. And the juicy meat danced in my mouth with a strong smoky aroma.

“Uh… . Uh… .”

Ye-yoon takes a bite of her steak and then stops as if something is wrong.

“Wow! What have I been eating all this time? Is this what steak looks like?”

Ye-yoon’s eyes widen in genuine surprise.

“Isn’t that great? I wasn’t just going around restaurants eating steak for nothing. I just couldn’t find this flavor.”

“I understand. Once you eat something like this, of course you’ll want to eat it again.”

“The ganache is also delicious. I think Segreto will become more famous in the future. I should come here often when reservations are available.”

After emptying everything, including dessert, I felt full. The food that seemed to come out little by little turned out to be quite a lot after I finished eating it all.

“Did you enjoy your meal?”

Soo-jung, who was drinking coffee and thinking about what she ate today, was taken aback when Je-hee suddenly appeared.

“It’s been a while, Chef.”

Like an actress, Soo-Jung quickly regained her composure and greeted him.

“Ms. Soojung, you look the same as before. You don’t seem to age. Nice to meet you too.”

Jehee smiles and speaks to her.

“The food was really good today. This is my close friend. Say hello, Ye-yoon!”

“Hello. I’m Lee Ye-yoon. Do you know me?”

“Of course I know. I enjoyed the drama. Thank you for coming.”

“It’s been a while since you’ve been to Korea. Are you having a hard time?”

Soo-jeong looks at Je-hee with concern and says:

“Hmm… Rather than saying it’s difficult, there are differences from country to country. But it’s okay because delicious food transcends borders. I hope others enjoy the food as much as you did. We’ll continue to serve good food, so please come visit us often.”

Ye-yoon was blankly watching Je-hee leave after greeting him politely.

“I told you I got screwed. That guy is no joke. Come to your senses.”

“Wow. The screen didn’t capture the real thing well. There are many more handsome men among the actors, but why do I feel such pheromones from Chef Shin?”

Ye-yoon tilts her head and mutters to herself.

“I’ve thought about that too. Then I came to a conclusion. That’s because he’s not the type of person who makes a living off of his looks. With his looks, he could’ve been successful if he focused on appearing on TV shows. That might be easier. But the fact that such a talented man is a man who is crazy about his main job makes women excited. A cool man who is passionate about his work. What do you think? Do you think it’s right?”

“Ah! I kept thinking what was different, and it was that I didn’t have makeup. The male actors and singers around me wouldn’t go out without makeup like the girls. They lack machismo.”

“Was that your taste? The points are different, but I think there’s something in common.”

Two people look at each other and smile.

* * *

Sejin Infrastructure’s chief inspector couldn’t come to his senses at the sudden notice of LK Construction’s contract termination. From Sejin’s perspective, the percentage of sales coming from LK and its affiliates was not small. If things continue this way, they may not be able to secure the money to pay starting next quarter.

“What do you think the reason is?”

The chairman asks the manager a question, as if he was calm about the news.

“Heavy equipment is a business that has many other places to deal with, so they may have been offered better terms. Or they may be preparing to jump into this business themselves.”

“hmm….”

“Have you ever tried to meet up?”

“Yes. I made an appointment to visit with the person in charge.”

I thought about it carefully, but I couldn’t find the answer.

“But there was something a little strange.”

“what?”

“He said he wanted Managing Director Jo Sang-hyun to come with him.”

The audience suddenly felt goosebumps all over their body.

“Tell this kid to come in right now!”

“yes?”

“hurry!”

“All right.”

It seemed strange. It was hard for Jo Jo-jang to accept that a relationship that had been maintained well for the past 10 years would suddenly be broken in this way. However, when he thought of Sang-hyun, all his doubts were resolved. This guy must have caused an accident.

The chief waited for his son to come, holding his pounding head.