“Thank you for your words, but I will refuse it for now.”

Kang Tae-han said that with a soft smile.

His voice was soft, but there was a firm will that wouldn’t change easily.

“… Is that so.”

It was a slightly regretful expression, but Seo Kyung-woo nodded slowly with a calm face.

‘I thought it would be like this.’

Just as Kang Tae-han had anticipated his question, he had also roughly anticipated Kang Tae-han’s answer. I just asked because I was sure it would be better to hear the answer directly than to guess without asking.

“May I ask why?”

That’s why I didn’t intend to ask any more questions about the doctor on the show, but… That and curiosity are separate issues.

To put it bluntly, appearing on TV is a very attractive opportunity. Among the general public, there are many people who want to appear on TV at least once, especially when it comes to business, there are a lot of people who want to come out even if it means stabbing them in the back.

The reason why I rejected it cleanly without thinking for a long time.

Seo Kyung-woo was curious about Kang Tae-han’s thoughts.

“As you can see, it hasn’t been long since our store opened.”

Just like before, Kang Tae-han spoke in a soft yet resolute voice.

“In other words, it means that the foundation has not yet been established. If you go on air in this situation… You can gain fame, but I think it will be like neglecting your main job.”

Kang Tae-han has no business experience.

However, he has a vague idea of how the world works, and he has indirectly felt it while watching the rise and fall of many people around him.

When learning martial arts, you have to build up solidly from the beginning. If the basics are solid, you can master anything. Conversely, if the basics are weak, no matter how excellent martial arts you learn, it is just a façade that only imitates the shape.

Most things are like this.

When you need to lay the groundwork and nurture your inner strength, you have to focus on that. It is because they are the basis for taking a bigger step later.

Of course, this does not apply to all situations, and if the situation is desperate, it is right to try everything that can be done with the basics and nabal.

However, Kang Tae-han was not in such a desperate situation right now, and it was just more important to establish his internal stability than to gain fame outside.

“… okay.”

At Kang Tae-han’s words, Seo Kyung-woo nodded again.

His words were justified, and they were understandable.

‘There are many houses that go bankrupt like lies after appearing on TV.’

To be more precise, there were many people who were unnecessarily greedy when they weren’t ready for it yet, or who fell for themselves at halfway fame.

If you can’t handle the influx of customers and instead only increase your bad reputation, or if you lose your original intention and neglect your main job because your business is going well, then disappear without a rumor.

These are cases I’ve seen quite a lot in the past when I was working as the youngest PD in a field coverage pro, and I’ve heard countless cases worse than that from seniors who have been there for a long time.

In that sense, Kang Tae-han’s choice could be said to be a very wise choice when considering the business aspect. As for Seo Kyung-Woo himself, he still had no choice but to remain regretful.

“I understand what you mean, sir. I wonder if I was wasting my time by saying useless things.”

“no. When I said thank you earlier, it wasn’t empty words.”

At Seo Kyung-Woo’s words, Kang Tae-Han shook his head.

Whatever the case, it’s nice to have a lot of options. And it was an unchanging fact that appearing on TV was a very attractive and hard-to-obtain option.

That’s why the fact that he handed over the proposal like this was enough thanks to Kang Tae-han in itself.

“is that so. If so, I’m glad.”

At those words, Seo Kyung-woo also smiled with a more comfortable face.

“Then, it’s good when the store is stable later, so is it okay to appear on the show itself?”

“Well. I’ll know for sure until I go there, but I think it’ll be fine only when the store’s business is stable. Of course, I can’t give you a definitive answer here.”

At Kang Tae-han’s words, Seo Kyung-woo shook his hand.

“Yes, of course. If there is a plan later or if there is a related item, I will give you a call, so feel free to decide according to your situation.”

“Not bad.”

In any case, it means that the choice is given to this side.

Seo Kyung-Woo held out his hand first, and Kang Tae-Han took his outstretched hand. This was the end of the story.

“Then I will go first. It was very nice to meet you today, PD Seo.”

“Yes, thank you for your precious time… ah!”

Kang Tae-han got up first, followed by Seo Kyung-woo. He belatedly recalled the remaining business and involuntarily exclaimed.

“What are you doing?”

“I-that’s… … .”

At Kang Tae-han’s words, Seo Kyung-woo hesitated for a moment and paused. I think I’ll regret it if I go on like this, but it didn’t seem like it was a business enough to catch someone who wanted to go.

“Can you tell me what tea you drank earlier?”

“… You mean that?”

Kang Tae-han pointed to the teacup on the table and said. It was the tea that Manager Hwang served to the guests. Judging from the color and aroma of the tea, it is probably a six-eye fruit piece.

However, at Kang Tae-han’s words, Seo Kyung-woo shook his head.

“No, it was the tea that came out when I woke up after the massage. For some reason, I keep thinking about it.”

“Aha.”

Only then did Kang Tae-han nod.

“That’s kudzu tea made from kudzu extract.”

“Kudzu tea… okay. Arrowroot tea, arrowroot tea.”

Seo Kyung-Woo repeated the same words a couple of times as if he was repeating them in his head. Looks like I really liked it. Kang Tae-han smiled at his reaction.

“You must have been well received.”

People have a constitution, and according to that, there are things that are exceptionally well suited to the body.

Just as Mr. Hwang went well with Yukan Gwapyeon, and Yoo Se-ah did well with Seoho Yongjeong, Kudzu Tea suited Seo Kyung-woo and was well received by the body.

Considering that… It was quite understandable that he held her back while the story was coming to an end.

“that… I don’t think I bought arrowroot syrup from anywhere, but I think I made it here by hand, is that correct?”

“Yes, I am dipping myself.”

“Can I go buy some?”

Seo Kyung-woo said with an expression of anticipation. When I met Kang Tae-han’s eyes, I felt as if I fully understood myself.

“No, no.”

However, Kang Tae-han’s answer was an immediate refusal.

It was a soft yet firm voice.

“Is that so… … .”

“… but.”

Seo Kyung-woo, who had a visibly disappointed look on his face. However, Kang Tae-han added the next moment.

“What if you come next time… I think I can give you about a barrel of the right size.”

The reason I refused without hesitation was because the amount of kudzu cheong currently available was not enough.

But after a few weeks, no, even the next week, I would have enough time. When I went hiking this time, I was really determined to dig kudzu.

‘It’s not a big deal… It doesn’t seem too bad to continue the relationship.’

At that time, it is no big deal to give a box of arrowroot syrup as a gift. On the other hand, at Kang Tae-han’s words, Seo Kyung-woo immediately built a color.

“Is that true?”

As soon as I left here, I had to make a reservation for the next time, it was Seo Kyung-woo who thought of that.

* * *

“Father, I am here.”

“Yes, you are here! Sit somewhere for now!”

When Kang Tae-han opened the door and entered, Kang Ho-yeon in the kitchen shouted loudly. Inside, there was a clatter and the sound of frying something for a long time.

“Didn’t you eat?”

“Yes, you told me to come and not eat.”

“Okay, try this later.”

On Wednesday, I decided to take a break from the store, so I saw more at home, but today it was Kang Ho-yeon who told Tae-han Kang to come straight to the store.

At first, I wondered what the hell was going on, and I wondered if he was being held by the guys again… When I came here and looked at the atmosphere, I could immediately grasp it.

‘Looks like they’re developing a menu.’

You didn’t tell me to just eat it a moment ago, but you dared to use the expression to taste it, so it’s safe to say that it’s practically certain.

Kang Tae-han shrugged and sat down at a table near the kitchen. Looking around, I noticed that the atmosphere of the store had changed a lot.

‘He’s full of energy.’

It was hard to find dust in the store, and I could feel that they were taking care of every nook and cranny. Isn’t it an expression of passion to do menu research in the kitchen on a day off in the first place?

The first time I came here to see my father after coming back from Moorim. Comparing then and now, the atmosphere was so different that it was okay to call it a completely different store.

At that time, it was full of gloomy energy, and to be honest, it was hard to even be sure that it was running a business.

‘Good.’

Kang Tae-han peeked into the kitchen.

There was the figure of my father, with sweat on his brow, waving a large Chinese food pan in front of the fire, and yet with a bright smile on his lips.

A sight of passion.

Seeing his father like that, Kang Tae-han unknowingly burst into a simple laugh. It was a sight that made me feel proud just by looking at it.

“Did you have a hard time coming the long way?”

“Yes, I had a hard time.”

“haha? Yes, thank you for coming, you bastard.”

Now, jokes like this are a natural father-son relationship. Kang Ho-yeon smiled lightheartedly and put the bowl she had brought on the table.

“Is jjambbong okay?”

“Yes, it’s chilly these days, so it’s perfect.”

Kang Tae-han took chopsticks and slowly mixed the noodles and ingredients. In the meantime, I saw a difference that I hadn’t noticed in my father’s jjambbong.

“You paid for green onion oil separately.”

“Ew? Can you figure it out right away?”

“Yes, because the scent is different.”

It was not a clumsy scallion oil that simply roasted scallions first, but a proper scallion oil that extracted the taste of scallion itself. In addition to the proper fire scent, you can already feel the sharpness just by smelling it.

slurp.

Kang Tae-han picked up the noodles appropriately and brought them directly to his mouth. Before long, a satisfied expression appeared on his face.

“How are you?”

“Um, that’s nice.”

Along with the savory taste that was felt by the smell, the spicy lightly warmed the mouth, and the deep savory taste permeated everywhere along with the incense of fire in the heated mouth.

And the noodles that harmonize with that savory taste. The key here was that the taste of the soup permeated the noodles, so they didn’t go out of the way.

“okay? How good is it?”

“It tastes much better than my dad’s old jjambbong.”

Kang Tae-han put his honest feelings into his mouth. At those words, Kang Ho-yeon nodded and tilted her head for a moment.

“Then you’re saying that the old jjamppong didn’t taste good?”

“It didn’t taste bad, but I couldn’t taste the jjajang.”

“that… It’s true.”

It was a fact that could be known just by looking at the order table, so Kang Ho-yeon readily admitted it. For every three bowls of jjajang, one bowl of jjambbong was served. He didn’t just start researching jjambbong this time.

“You mean it was delicious anyway?”

“yes.”

Kang Tae-han finished his answer with a short answer, then lifted the bowl and drank the soup. In response, Kang Ho-yeon put on a satisfied expression.

“Whoops. Wait while you eat it. Do you have two more recipes in mind?”

“… Yes? Wasn’t this one?”

“If that’s the case, I didn’t even ask you to come on an empty stomach.”

Read at noblemtl. com

Leaving those words behind, Kang Ho-yeon went straight into the kitchen. Kang Tae-han watched his father like that, and burst out laughing without knowing it.

‘You’re almost young.’

Feeling a bit over-enthusiastic. But that’s not a bad feeling. Kang Tae-han stood in front of the fire again and watched his father wielding the Chinese food pan, then picked up a pair of chopsticks.

* * *

The father’s jjamppong tasting event ended only after he tasted the fourth jjambbong, which he said suddenly inspired him.

It was made for demonstration purposes, so it was a bit small, but… Still, it’s safe to say that I ate about three servings.

“Then, let’s do some work to lighten the stomach.”

some time after that.

Kang Tae-han, who got out of the car, stretched lightly and muttered to himself while stretching.

In front of him is Shin Jun-ho’s spiritual mountain overflowing with spiritual energy.

Today, as he had planned the day before, he intended to fill the back seat of the car with kudzu roots.

Kang Tae-han put on one of the dozen or so large backpacks and began to walk toward the point he had seen earlier overflowing with kudzu roots.