Five Seasons: N.Flying series [On-going]

PAGE 68 [CH]

FIVE SEASONS BK. 4
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WINTER
WINTER
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P68 | C11
MEET THE GANG

JUNHEE

Cha Hun smiled back at me. I haven't seen him in a while but it didn't feel strange at all because we talked a lot through text. Today, he's wearing a black puffer jacket and the tip of his nose looked a little red from the cold.

He sat on one of the chairs behind the bar. "Hi."

"Hey!" I wish I had an idea why my voice sounded an octave higher.

"I'm craving galbitang. You make it, right?" He asked.

I definitely missed a beat before answering. "...Yeah!" I cleared my throat. "We modified the menu a little since we're getting deeper into winter and most customers want soup. We serve more soup now."

"We?"

"My sister helps me out sometimes."

"Oh, right! Is she around?"

I nodded, looking around. "Yeah, she's at the storage. Anyway, I'll prepare your order."

For a second, I seemed to have forgotten how to hold a knife because I was aware of Hun watching me. Well, it's not like it's new. It's just that I know him better now.

"Is everything OK?" I asked later. "Why are you back?"

"Everything's fine. We're on early holiday break."

"Oh, I see. Until when?"

"Until after Chinese new year and then it's back to training."

My heart sped up a little at the thought that he'll be around longer this winter.

"How are you doing? Will you be open during holidays too?" He asked.

I nodded. "It's usually that way. I don't celebrate holidays so it's fine."

"It's not fine. You deserve a break."

I smiled. "No, it's really fine. Besides, if I want to keep a roof above my head, I should take the opportunity. Do you have any idea how long the line is during holidays? I'll earn a lot."

Hun was quiet for a moment. I continued cooking until he spoke again. "Did you do that all these years alone?"

I paused on what I was doing and turned to him. "...Yeah, why?"

He shook his head. "That must have been stressful. Don't you get a part-time worker?"

"No, I could manage. I like being busy." I said as times when I would confuse orders and make mistakes in cooking due to a long line of customers waiting and complaining flashed in the back of my head. I would then take a breather, cry somewhere they couldn't see for a minute before fixing myself, make them even angrier until I lost most of my parents' past loyal customers.

He sighed. "Well, that's actually better than having nothing to do." He muttered and then looked at me wide eyed as if he just got a eureka moment. "Junhee-ya, what if I work as your part time worker?"

I raised an eyebrow. "You're not serious, right?"

"I'm a pretty decent cook and I learn fast. I'm free for the entire holidays, so I could focus on helping you out during that time."

"Hun, are you even allowed to work part time jobs?" I asked in genuine curiosity.

This made him stop for a moment. "There isn't anything in the contract that says we can't work part time jobs. And the money you'll pay me will help me."