Chapter 58 : Echoes of Frost and Flame

Lee Yulhui’s face was flushed red.

For someone who aimed to be a cool beauty career woman, this was rare.

But it couldn’t be helped.

Just looking at the face of her corrupt, rotten superior made her want to vomit.

She had just done something straight out of a drama—thrown her resignation letter onto his desk and walked out.

“Mincheol! Let’s go!”

“Yes, yes!”

She dragged Kim Mincheol from the Clip Content Team along with her.

Until recently, the other team members had looked at Lee Yulhui with pitying eyes.

But now, their gazes were unmistakably filled with envy.

“Is this really going to be okay for us?”

“Do you think we were just going to sit quietly on a sinking ship? If you don’t like it, quit.”

“Hey, what are you saying? Of course we’re coming along.”

A few days ago, a major upheaval occurred at Old Daily.

Cheonghwa had canceled all their advertising contracts on the pretext of contract violations.

Moreover, Old Daily, being at fault, was even forced to pay hefty penalties.

There would likely be tedious lawsuits to follow, but Old Daily stood no chance of winning against Cheonghwa’s legal team.

Naturally, it was their necks on the line for this responsibility.

And that was how Lee Yulhui took over the position vacated by Go Jiheon.

“Hmm, they want you to come back?”

The higher-ups shamelessly asked Lee Yulhui to fill Go Jiheon’s empty seat again.

But Yulhui wasn’t the kind to say “Oh, thank you” and accept such an offer so readily.

If she hadn’t had a strong backing, maybe she wouldn’t have, but things had changed.

She had powerful supporters now.

Baek Yuseong and Cheonghwa.

“Mincheol, you’re the filming team leader now.”

“Then what about Yulhui?”

“I’m the planning team leader.”

“Haha, rapid promotion indeed.”

It was undeniably a reassuring backing.

All of this had started from a trivial idea of Yuseong’s.

“If Old Daily’s promotions are going through the Mitube Channel anyway, why bother going through ‘Old Daily’ as an intermediary?”

Cheonghwa hadn’t demanded any extraordinary promotions from Old Daily.

If it could be operated simply through the Mitube Channel, why not do it directly?

Yuseong himself.

This idea was promptly conveyed to the external PR department of Cheonghwa and Blue Expedition.

A large corporation gathering Korea’s best talents.

Among them were sharp-minded people who carefully calculated profits and feasibility.

They decided to separate Blue Expedition’s promotional routes.

While traditional brand advertisements would continue with other media, Cheonghwa’s pioneering project promotions would be run through a new channel.

The detailed plan reflected Yuseong’s design.

With Cheonghwa’s help, they recruited talents like Lee Yulhui and Kim Mincheol who had left Old Daily.

Based on this, they established a corporation named “Lunch Box.”

A company aimed at independently establishing and operating a channel on Mitube.

Although the current staff numbered only three, including Yuseong, Cheonghwa’s PR department saw potential in this method.

They could leverage Yuseong’s popularity to draw attention, delegate content production, and generate videos.

Cheonghwa would only need to provide some funding, thus achieving promotion.

Yuseong would earn income and simultaneously fulfill personal goals—a win-win situation.

After hearing the whole story, Lee Yulhui did not hesitate to accept Yuseong’s proposal.

“This will work one hundred percent.”

After Cheonghwa’s intervention, Old Daily’s Miracle Channel was completely destroyed.

Most videos were deleted according to the contract, and subscribers plummeted.

Thanks to Yuseong, Yulhui, who had been gaining followers, posted this news on 5\45.

Although “Lunch Box” channel hadn’t uploaded a single video yet, its subscriber count had already exceeded 100,000.

“Is all the equipment ready?”

“Yes, my camera’s in the car, and it’s ready, but isn’t this a bit sudden?”

“What can you do? We have to follow the boss’s orders.”

Today was the day Yulhui had handed in her resignation to Old Daily, and filming was scheduled right away.

It was the day Yuseong planned to hold a tasting event for the fatty belly cut.

Due to the tight schedule, both Yulhui and Kim Mincheol stayed up all night preparing.

Still, their expressions did not look troubled.

“This is exciting.”

“Mm, it is!”

In fact, it was the brightest they’d looked since joining Old Daily.

***

Yuseong was not someone who enjoyed attention.

By nature, he was only interested in things he cared about—usually related to food or matters he didn’t fuss over.

Paradoxically, that’s why even when attention was focused on him, he never felt burdened.

As long as it didn’t interfere with procuring ingredients or cooking, he didn’t mind applause or cheers.

That was why he had considered certain things when launching this new project called “Lunch Box.”

First, the scale of filming would not be large.

Second, filming wouldn’t interfere with Yuseong’s cooking.

Third, the cast would be chosen at Yuseong’s discretion.

Today was the day to shoot the first video to be uploaded on Yuseong’s channel.

Lee Yulhui and Kim Mincheol stood with slightly nervous expressions.

Yuseong spoke to Yulhui, trying to reassure her.

“Today, we just film simply.”

“Y-yes…”

Though Yulhui and Kim Mincheol were the experts, they seemed even more nervous.

Like the previous cold soybean noodle tasting, the location was Shin’s general store.

After the live streaming, an edited version would be uploaded.

“Alright, then I’ll leave it to you.”

Yuseong returned to his seat.

Yulhui exhaled deeply as if to release her tension.

“Phew, deep breath.”

“It’s your first shoot in a while, so cheer up, Yulhui.”

“Yeah, Team Leader Mincheol, do your best with filming too.”

Though Yuseong said it would be a simple shoot, Yulhui was not one to lose her professional posture.

Still, it was true her spirits felt a little lighter.

“But… the guests aren’t exactly simple.”

Yuseong mentioned that he had invited some acquaintances to the tasting event.

Of course, she thought they’d have just invited local residents or casual guests like last time.

“Hmm, quite fancy.”

“Stop with the English, ma’am.”

“Ha ha, ‘simple’ my foot. I’m looking forward to this.”

Amanda Park, Seong Jihoo, and Kang Taegun.

They were all very famous explorers who had participated in the Serpent Subjugation.

Leaving aside their rank, their personal influence and fame were extraordinary.

They were true heavyweights.

“Since they were part of the subjugation party, maybe that’s how they became friends?”

“Yuseong doesn’t seem like the sociable type, does he?”

“Well, no, not really…”

Yuseong was wearing an apron.

He prepared his sashimi knife, sharpening it carefully on a stick.

Sas, sas.

He looked like a lonely craftsman rather than someone good at making friends.

“Well, whatever, let’s get started.”

Yulhui had finished setting up for filming today.

Wearing a one-piece dress, she smiled brightly the moment the camera turned on.

“Mihwa! Long time no see, everyone.”

This time, they had announced it in advance, so the viewership was not small.

The chat window filled quickly.

Currently 1,004 viewers · Streaming started 3 minutes ago

: Wow, welcome back, long time no see!

: Miha~

: Yultaesi is back.

: Why did the channel change? Wasn’t this Miracle before? What’s Lunch Box?

: Haha, I unsubscribed from Miracle since only weird videos uploaded without Baek Yuseong, but this is awesome.

In an instant, the chat was filled with warm greetings.

Many were curious about the channel change, but after hearing the news online, most accepted it naturally.

Fortunately, the atmosphere was friendly.

Yulhui checked the real-time reactions on the monitor and began.

“So! Today, Yuseong’s acquaintances came out for the tasting event. I promise not to disturb Yuseong’s cooking, so we’ll talk quietly, sorry about that.”

: Baek Yuseong, you bastard!!!

: Where’s Jia Jang! Bring Jia Jang!!!

: By the way, who are these acquaintances? Why are all 16 of the Serpent Subjugation Party explorers here?

Among the viewers, many were interested in explorers and the cleanup operation.

Naturally, some recognized these elite explorers.

When filming began, Kang Taegun approached with a mischievous grin.

Then he leaned into the camera and looked amazed.

“So this is how we’re broadcasting our network in real time, huh? Amazing. I’m Iron Fist Kang Tae-gun, gentlemen. Haha.”

But as the screen filled with Kang Tae-gun’s face, viewers’ reactions grew fierce.

: Ugh, get that face off the screen.

: Who’s Kang Tae-gun? Why is a guy in his 40s streaming like this?

Secretly, Yulhui thought it was fortunate Kang Tae-gun didn’t read the chat.

“Hi.”

“Hello.”

Amanda Park and Seong Jihoo greeted the camera as well.

With two good-looking figures on screen, viewers’ reactions quickly turned positive.

Ignoring Kang Tae-gun, Yulhui directed her questions to them.

“I understand Yuseong invited you all this time. How did you come to know him?”

She asked the exact question viewers were curious about.

“Chef Baek is an incredible person. I fell in love with the pork ribs he made.”

Amanda Park said this with a faint smile.

: What the hell!!!

: Seriously, so jealous of Baek Yuseong… I’m still struggling while he’s already 22 and successful…

: No, this is the real deal.

Seong Jihoo explained his reason.

“Yuseong hyung saved my life. From now on, I want to call him hyung.”

“Hyung saved your life?”

“Yes, it’s a bit hard to explain in detail.”

Young and talented, Seong Jihoo was also known for being prickly.

But the current Seong Jihoo looked more mature, as if a lot had happened between them.

: Is this really the same rude Seong Jihoo I knew?

: Baek Yuseong is a legend…

The chat reactions were good too.

Hearing their testimonies, Yulhui felt somewhat moved.

“I didn’t realize Yuseong was so warmhearted. As comrades who fought together, to invite them to share a meal like this…”

Perhaps it was because she realized Yuseong’s sociability was better than expected.

Her heart felt unexpectedly warm.

“Hmm…”

“Hahaha…”

But the explorers frowned at that comment.

“No freebies, haha.”

“Huh?”

“We paid a lot to get into the restaurant.”

Unlike the last cold soybean noodle tasting where they didn’t charge the elderly, this time they had definitely paid.

Kang Tae-gun said they had already settled the costs.

The others’ reactions showed the same.

“We gave up a little of the Serpent’s Horn that we should have received.”

“Th-The Serpent’s Horn?”

“We’re trying to make equipment out of the Serpent’s Horn, but since it’s a bit short, they suggested we sell some of ours.”

Local elders couldn’t afford the food, but these were successful explorers.

So there was no reason Yuseong wouldn’t charge them for the meal.

“Still, isn’t it too precious to pay for food with that…”

Even so, the price was shocking.

The horn of a boss monster caught only three times in the world.

A rare material full of magical power was exchanged as mere food payment.

Kang Tae-gun spoke with suspicion.

“If Yuseong is confident in his cooking, I don’t think we’ll lose out either.”

At that, Yulhui nodded.

The rumor had already spread widely.

That Yuseong’s cooking had remarkable effects on explorers.

Suddenly, Yulhui realized something.

The ability of Yuseong she’d only heard about through rumors.

Maybe this was the first time it was being captured on video.

: So Baek Cell made something with the Serpent’s Horn?

: In America, they make knives out of that horn, call it Ice Katana.

Yulhui read the chat and caught what the viewers wanted.

“Oh, then what did Yuseong make with the horn?”

“Hmm… you’ll see when you watch.”

Kang Tae-gun pointed at Yuseong with a subtle expression.

Yuseong placed the fatty belly cut wrapped in cloth on the cutting board.

The knife was an ordinary sashimi knife; no special equipment was in sight.

“Not that one, the cutting board over there.”

“Cu-cutting board?”

The white cutting board where the fatty belly rested.

That seemingly ordinary item was said to be made from the Serpent’s Horn.

“It’s hard and cold, doesn’t get contaminated, so it’s perfect for handling ingredients, haha…”

Kang Tae-gun’s voice sounded somewhat bitter.

: Are you serious, haha, why not make weapons from that huge horn?

: If you think about it realistically, maybe it’s not a cutting board but a shield?

: I’m about to burst from laughing, haha.

Some viewers were explorers and were greatly shaken by the fact Yuseong made a cutting board from Serpent Horn.

Whether or not they cared, Yuseong finished all preparations.

He removed the cloth covering the fatty belly cut.

“Ohhhh!”

Under the lights, the fatty belly’s appearance was revealed.

Everyone admired its beautiful form.