TGCNF 14🔐

Chapter 14 ….

Choa’s eyes widened in shock, and her tiny fists trembled.

“The strange smell coming from the meat… I didn’t realize it was spoiled.”

Choa still barely understood the concept of spoiled food.

She had never even considered that meat could go bad, and now, in utter shock, she simply shivered.

At that moment, Kim Choon-ja, standing nearby with her arms crossed, let out a sly grin.

“Heh heh… truly strange. You only brought meat from the kitchen—how could it have gone bad?”

A peculiar sneer lingered at the corners of Choon-ja’s mouth.

Bok-hee gasped and raised her head in surprise.

“Madam Chef, you said we were supposed to use the newly purchased meat. Surely….”

Choon-ja shook her head nonchalantly, though her eyes glimmered with a sly light.

“Perhaps some old meat got mixed in with the new? Any competent cook should be able to distinguish that, shouldn’t they? That’s part of skill, isn’t it?”

One by one, the gazes of the onlookers shifted, less than favorable, stirred by Choon-ja’s insinuation.

“Mix spoiled meat in without anyone noticing. It must be seamless. Do you understand?”

It had paid off to discreetly mix the old meat among the newly purchased cuts, following Ok-dan’s orders.

‘The little one overreached and brought trouble upon herself. Serves her right…’

Choon-ja allowed herself a secret, satisfied smile.

“See? I told you it was just the little one’s mistake! How could a child who can’t even tell spoiled ingredients apart make such a delicious dish!”

Amidst the growing solemnity, only Ok-dan seemed exhilarated, raising her voice excitedly.

Choa, with a tearful expression, stomped her feet in confusion, unsure of what to do.

‘…Was it really just the innkeeper’s misunderstanding?’

Im Hye-sook couldn’t hide her disappointment and bit her lip.

The sight of a child moving diligently while cooking was indeed impressive.

But a child was still just a child.

‘From the start, a child of a secondary branch of a noble family is only expected to marry well… Perhaps I foolishly encouraged her to cook.’

Just as Im Hye-sook resolved to leave without tasting the dish, a sound of soft steps approached.

A thin man, leaning on a cane, walked forward.

“Gasp…!”

Everyone was startled by his appearance, especially Ok-dan, who even covered her mouth with her hands.

Despite the cloth over his mouth, he staggered slightly but stood firmly before Im Hye-sook.

“Sir.”

It was Kang Je-seung, Choa’s father.

Im Hye-sook knew Kang Je-seung.

Though his illness had diminished his influence and he no longer held the power he once did,

he had once commanded great authority.

“My apologies for the delay, Madam. How have you been?”

“It’s been a long time. I didn’t wish to trouble you with a visit to the annex, given your illness and the risk of contagion… I hope I haven’t caused offense.”

“Not at all. I simply came to offer my thanks, and happened to witness my daughter attempting to cook. How could that be offensive?”

Even with his frail body, Kang Je-seung mustered enough strength to speak.

“Well… even so, I am embarrassed that such an event occurred with my sudden arrival.”

Feeling unnecessarily apologetic, Im Hye-sook bit her lip.

“….”

Kang Je-seung did not insist on accepting her apology, instead turning his gaze to the bibimbap.

“Remove the spoiled meat and bring it to me again. I will taste it myself.”

“Sir…!”

“Weren’t you intending to taste the seasoning?”

“…!”

“If you eat it without the meat, you’ll better appreciate the flavor of the sauce. It’s actually more advantageous. Now, hurry and bring it.”

At the stern command of the elder, Bok-hee and Eon-nyeon busied themselves.

“I’ll receive it on the main hall’s floor to avoid risk of infection,” Kang Je-seung added, moving quickly.

Choa watched every move with wide, startled eyes.

Tears quickly welled in her bright eyes.

Meanwhile, Bok-hee moved swiftly to place the bibimbap, now without meat, in front of the elder.

Kang Je-seung, supported by Ok-dan, stepped onto the main hall floor, about ten steps away from everyone, to receive the dish.

Slowly, he lifted the cloth from his mouth and scooped a spoonful of bibimbap.

Everyone held their breath as he ate.

One spoonful, two, three…

The frail man who was once said to be unable to taste food or lift more than one spoonful continued steadily.

He was not forcing himself to eat for his daughter’s sake—he genuinely enjoyed it.

Even this fact left everyone astounded.

As the bowl emptied halfway, tears welled in Choa’s eyes, one falling silently.

Kang Je-seung quietly finished the bowl and set it down.

He covered his mouth again and stood, looking across the yard at Im Hye-sook.

“My daughter does not lie.”

His weighty statement fell upon the courtyard, leaving everything silent.

He continued calmly,

“I have not been close due to my illness, but I’ve always heard of her. They say she is bright and sincere in all things.”

His gaze deepened.

“As adults, should we not look beyond appearances and results, and see the child’s heart and truth within?”

‘How shameful.’

Im Hye-sook felt her ears burn at his words.

She had been ready to leave, giving Choa a mild reprimand for cooking in front of everyone…

“Mother?”

Suddenly, Choa stood, spoon in hand, and walked forward.

She reached for the meatless bibimbap and took a careful bite.

“Hmm?”

Her eyes quietly glimmered.

‘This…!’

The flavor matched the bibimbap she had tasted at the inn: subtle, fragrant, and appetizing.

“This is it. You really did make it.”

Im Hye-sook whispered softly.

“Why did you think to add wild chives and syrup to the seasoning?”

Choa stepped forward, speaking clearly and confidently.

“I made it thinking of Father!”

“Huh?”

Both Im Hye-sook and Kang Je-seung’s eyes widened in surprise.

Choa clasped her small hands and continued in a careful, clear voice.

“I heard Father wasn’t feeling hungry. I thought about what would be good for him. Chives are slightly bitter but fragrant, which stimulates the appetite. Syrup is sweet, helping the rice go down smoothly… I added them, and thankfully it tasted good.”

Her eyes shone with care and love.

“So, this is wild chive bibimbap, made thanks to Father!”

Everyone present was left speechless at her heartfelt confession.

After a brief silence, Im Hye-sook quietly asked,

“Do you want to keep cooking for your father from now on?”

Choa nodded brightly, smiling.

“Yes! I want Father to eat delicious food and be happy! That’s my dream!”

At that pure and innocent dream, a smile quietly appeared on Im Hye-sook’s face.

“Today, it seems you’ve achieved that dream just a little.”