CHAPTER 44: BLUE STAR RESTAURANT

Cho Rin stood hesitantly by the office door. "Boss, I might not be able to attend tonight’s dinner."

Suho barely glanced up from his phone. "Then don’t. The money’s already spent. I don’t care if you skip."

He stretched lazily, then added, "Tell the others—it’s voluntary. No one’s forced to come. If they’d rather stay home chewing kimchi and instant noodles, that’s their problem."

Cho Rin’s lips twitched despite herself. She bowed quickly and left, relieved that Suho wasn’t the kind of boss to scold over something like this.

Out on the factory floor, Wonho cornered Jin Wu. "Boss is holding a dinner tonight. You’re coming, right? That means no street vending tonight. I’ll cover for you."

Jin Wu frowned, arms crossed. "You covering means half the job gets done. But... fine. It would look bad if I didn’t show."

Wonho grinned. "I’ll tell Boss you were the one who suggested it. He’ll like that."

Jin Wu’s stern face softened ever so slightly. "You’re not as simple-minded as you look, Wonho."

7:30 p.m. — Blue Star Restaurant

Employees gathered at the entrance, staring up at the massive chandeliers and polished marble floors. The smell of butter and grilled meat wafted through the glass doors.

"My god, I feel poor just standing here," one whispered.

"Look at those chandeliers. I’d have to sell my motorbike just to touch one," another muttered.

Su Bin nudged Choku hard in the ribs. "Close your mouth; you’ll swallow a fly."

Choku scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "I’ve only seen places like this in dramas. Thought they were fake."

Nahee tugged on her mom’s apron. "Mama, are there princesses inside?"

Su Bin laughed, kneeling to her daughter’s level. "Maybe tonight, you’ll eat like one."

Even Jin Wu, normally calm and strict, couldn’t hide his awe. "This... this is where CEOs dine."

The waiter approached with a professional smile. "Welcome. Do you have a reservation?"

"Yes," Jin Wu said quickly, rattling off Suho’s booking.

The waiter’s eyes brightened at the name. "Right this way." The staff had been warned in advance: treat this group like VIPs.

Inside the private room, Suho leaned back in a velvet chair, looking like a chaebol prince who owned the place. "Took you long enough. Sit down. Eat something. Pretend you belong."

The waiters rolled in carts stacked with silver platters. Lobsters the size of Choku’s forearm, glistening steak, delicate sashimi, and desserts arranged like artwork.

"Oh my god, is that Australian lobster?" gasped Kim Jing, the cafeteria chef. His eyes watered. "One of those costs more than my whole kitchen budget."

Choku nudged Su Bin. "Don’t take too much at once; you’ll look greedy."

Su Bin smacked his hand. "Shut up, you were drooling first."

Nahee’s eyes were wide as saucers. "Mama, is that... meat cake?" She pointed at a beef tartare appetizer.

"It’s not cake, sweetheart." Su Bin chuckled nervously. "Just... fancy food."

Suho waved his hand dramatically. "Eat, or I’ll double the order just to spite you."

At first, everyone ate cautiously, like mice nibbling crumbs. But after the first glass of wine, hesitation dissolved.

Lee Wonho, face flushed, stood on his chair and raised his glass. "What are we?!"

"Brothers!" the hall thundered back.

"How do we drink?!"

"Bottoms up!"

They downed their glasses in unison, slamming them on the table with a roar of laughter. The waiters exchanged glances, unsure if they were witnessing a corporate dinner or the start of a gang initiation.

Suho leaned back, smirking. Beer is too cheap. Next time, red wine. That’ll torch the system funds faster.

Employees came one by one to toast him.

"Boss, thank you for installing AC. My wife finally stopped nagging me about sweat."

"Boss, I haven’t eaten lobster since my wedding banquet."

"Boss, I thought I’d die in a dead-end job. Now... now I actually feel hopeful."

Suho nodded to each, pretending to be modest, while internally laughing. If only you knew—I’m just money-laundering through your stomachs.

But still, something inside him stirred. Seeing their joy, their gratitude, his chest felt... warmer than he wanted to admit.

Choku, already tipsy, stood and pointed at Suho. "You’re not just our boss. You’re our savior!"

Su Bin yanked him down by the ear. "Sit before you embarrass us."

Nahee giggled. "Papa’s funny when he drinks."

Even Jin Wu eventually raised a glass. "Boss... I may criticize often. But tonight, I’ll say it: you changed this company. Thank you."

Suho blinked. That, coming from Jin Wu of all people, almost made him choke on his steak.

By the end of the night, Suho was carried out half-drunk, leaning heavily on Choku’s shoulder. "Next time... we order caviar. And gold plates. Mark my words."

They brought him back to the apartment. Madam Dong, the landlady, fussed over him. "Tsk, tsk. Look at this boy. Making him drink until he collapses? Barbaric."

Choku scratched his head. "It was... team building."

Madam Dong covered Suho with a blanket, her eyes softening. Over the weeks, this chaebol heir had treated her with unexpected respect. A thought bloomed in her heart—her eldest daughter, home from university soon, was not much younger than Suho. A fine young man like him... what a blessing it would be.

She tucked the blanket tighter, whispering to herself. "Such a rare one..."

Yang Choku scratched his head nervously as his wife scolded him. "I didn’t expect the boss to pass out after less than a bottle of wine," he muttered.

Su Bin crossed her arms, glaring at him like a general ready to swing her sword. "And you call yourself his driver? You don’t even know his tolerance. That’s dereliction of duty."

Choku wilted instantly, the corners of his lips twitching. Years of marriage had taught him one truth: arguing back was suicide. Better to nod and stay quiet.

"Good. You keep watch. I’ll make him hangover soup." Su Bin stormed toward the kitchen, apron strings flying behind her.

The Morning After

Sunlight spilled into the apartment, painting spots across Suho’s messy bed. He groaned, clutching his pounding head. Memories of last night flickered—the endless toasts, the lobster, Li Wonho shouting, "What are we?" Brothers!

He rubbed his temples. Damn it. I forgot I can’t drink. Should’ve let Jin Wu take the toasts.

The first clear face that came to mind was Li Wonho’s, standing proud and loud with his glass. "Was it him who started this? Traitor."

At least Jin Wu didn’t rebel last night. Unlike Jin Wu—Suho’s self-declared sales genius, always itching to sign new orders and ruin the system’s balance.

Frowning, Suho snapped open the system panel in his mind.

[System Funds: 385 / 2,000,000]

[Personal Assets: 1993]

[Settlement Cycle: Countdown 3 hours, 11 minutes]

His shoulders sagged with relief. Still only a few hundred left. Good. Nothing snuck in overnight.

Just in case, he grabbed his phone. "Jin Wu, don’t tell me you took an order last night."