Chapter 47: The Contract & The Score
1.
“So, shall we finalize the contract terms like this?”
Jung In-seon PD asked cautiously.
Instead of answering, I scanned the paper in front of me.
It was my first time dealing with a contract, so I wasn’t sure if it was okay.
“But it’s just introducing a chef. Do we really need a contract?”
The question popped up, and I activated Truth’s Eye.
“It’s not strictly necessary,” PD Jung said honestly.
“But it’s better for both sides to have it documented. Just in case someone changes their mind later.”
Seo Na-hyun, the writer beside her, added carefully, “Even if you don’t intend to, it’s a safety net. Being bound by a contract builds trust.”
I nodded at their reasoning.
“Alright. Send the contract via email as soon as it’s ready. I’ll review and finalize it.”
“Great.”
We shook hands, smiling.
“Haryul-nim, may I ask one more thing?” Jung PD said, her eyes cautious but resolute.
I nodded, sipping the last of my yogurt smoothie.
She jumped in.
“Have you considered appearing on Grand Chef yourself?”
“You mean the cooking competition you’re planning?”
“Yes. Like past cooking audition shows, we want to create a stage where talented contestants compete and grow.”
I replied flatly, “Not interested. I’m not big on competing like that.”
Jung PD faltered, disappointment clear on her face.
“…I see. Well, if you change your mind, let us know. The door’s always open.”
“I doubt it’ll happen, but noted.”
You never know with life, so I left it open-ended.
“If we’re done, shall we wrap up? You two must be busy.”
“We’ll contact you as soon as we secure Chef Kang Tae-yeon.”
“Sounds good.”
I bowed and left the café first.
Glancing at the darkening sky, I blended into the crowd.
—
2.
Seo Na-hyun scooped a hefty chunk of cheesecake into her mouth, cheeks puffing.
Jung In-seon PD flinched.
“Slow down, you’ll choke.”
She sipped her espresso, wincing at the bitter sting.
“Phew… I’m alive again.”
Having demolished the cheesecake, Seo leaned back, patting her stomach.
“Hold on, I’m grabbing more cake.”
“More?”
“I’m low on sugar. And you—stop with the coffee. That’s your fourth cup. How’ll you sleep?”
Jung PD averted her gaze.
“Once filming starts, I won’t sleep anyway. Gotta stock up now.”
“Just this one, then.”
“Same for you.”
Seo headed to the counter, grabbing another cake and two macarons.
“Want one?”
“Pass.”
Biting a macaron, Seo’s lips curled at the sweet burst.
“So, what’s her score?”
“Who?”
“Kang Haryul. You see numbers above people’s heads, right?”
“It’s a metaphor.”
“After calling me a 5? I’m not still a 5, am I?”
“You’re still hung up on that? You’re a writer—why obsess over scores?”
Seo pouted, biting her macaron.
“Who forgets being called that? So, what’s Haryul’s score?”
“What do you think? You’ve seen more celebs than me.”
“No clue about broadcast talent, but her face? Top three I’ve ever met.”
Jung PD nodded. Haryul’s face was unforgettable—pretty yet striking.
“You don’t forget a face like that. It’d skyrocket on mass media.”
“Idol, actor, model—she’d succeed on looks alone.”
“So, what’s her score? High enough for you to recruit her yourself.”
Jung raised one finger. Seo’s face twisted.
“…1? Her? What’s wrong with her? School bully? Wait, does your score catch that? That’s a superpower.”
“No.”
“Huh?”
Jung raised her other hand, two fingers forming a number.
“10!?”
Seo shot up, drawing every eye in the café, but that didn’t matter.
“10? That makes sense? You sure you didn’t misread? Or your instinct’s off?”
“No way. Your head still says 5.”
“What’s that got to do with it!”
Jung shrugged. Seo, fuming, sat down, aware of the stares.
“Really 10?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then we have to recruit her. She’d change our ratings.”
“Maybe. It’s not a superpower—just how I see it.”
“Your scores have never been wrong, have they?”
“…Once.”
“They had broadcast talent. Drugs were the issue.”
“Yeah…”
Jung nodded reluctantly, a past memory flickering.
“We need her. But her attitude says she won’t budge easily.”
“Let’s watch for now. We can’t do much yet.”
“Right. We need Chef Kang Tae-yeon on board first.”
“Come to think of it, they haven’t agreed yet, have they?”
They fell silent. All their heated talk, and nothing was set.
“…Haryul’ll convince them with her cooking, right?”
“Maybe. Or she could fail.”
“She’s a 10!”
“That’s broadcast sense, not cooking skill.”
Seo sighed, popping a macaron.
The sweetness faded into melancholy.
“It’ll work out. Probably.”
“Just in case, let’s prep for the worst—Kang declining and Haryul refusing.”
“…Fine.”
The conversation circled back to square one.
—
3.
“W-Wait, you might collab with Chef Kang Tae-yeon!?”
Noona, devouring spring greens bibimbap, gasped, rice stuck to her lips.
She was clearly enjoying it.
“Yup.”
I replied calmly, scooping a big bite.
The nutty sesame oil hit first, followed by a slight kick of gochujang.
Crisp greens and fluffy rice blended perfectly.
“Mmm.”
The greens’ subtle sweetness lingered refreshingly.
So simple, yet absurdly delicious.
“Who’s this credible person they’re introducing? Chef Kang Tae-yeon? I never imagined.”
“They’re that big a deal?”
“Obviously! First in Korea to get three Michelin stars. Can you really recreate their dish?”
“We’ll see. If it’s simple, I can do it. If not, I might fail.”
Feast of Memories wasn’t foolproof—it depended on my cooking skill.
“That’s the issue. A Michelin chef—would they miss something ordinary? What if they want something even they can’t make?”
“They’re still human. They don’t eat gourmet every day.”
“True, but shouldn’t we research a bit?”
Noona looked worried.
She seemed too anxious to brush off.
“Alright. After this, I’ll look. A famous chef—something’s bound to come up.”
“I’ll help!”
“Cool.”
We polished off the bibimbap.
I cleaned the dishes with magic, and we sat side by side on the sofa.
“Here.”
I handed Noona an ice cream. I’d grabbed it for the aftertaste.
“Thanks.”
Each with an ice cream, we pulled out our phones.
Opening the browser, a gallery popped up.
【Virtual Streamer Gallery】
I’d checked it for Yura’s public sentiment and forgot to close it.
About to exit, a post caught my eye.
[General] Carrier << Her cooking’s absolute trash???