Venice. Most people thought of Merchant of Venice when they heard that. And of course, they knew it was a place in Italy.

Venice was in Italy, but the Venice Cho Min Joon was at wasnt in Italy, but rather in a neighborhood near Santa Monica in LA, California. The beach, people would expect there to be fancy buildings and hotels, but there were actually older apartments and villas lined up.

But it was strangely a beautiful neighborhood. There were people wearing bathing suits or casual wear, and on top of the boardwalk were people enjoying a stroll or fishing.

It was also beautiful that it was hard to distinguish between natives and tourists. Along Venice Beach which could either be a fantasy or reality, Rose Island was located.

The main restaurant wasnt that large. It was nearly the height of 2 stories, but it was actually just 1 story. The building was white with blue roof as if it came straight from Greece. There were pillars that reminded one of Temple of Olympus, an open balcony, as well as wooden windows.

If it was in any other place, it couldve looked bland or tacky. But since it was Venice Beach, the two locations brought each other to life. Also

Look at those people.

In front of the restaurant, Cho Min Joon saw a group of people in front of the restaurant. He was stressed thinking of how he could get through them, but there was nothing he could do. He heard that people gathered in front of the restaurant before Rachel even landed in LA.

There was a wide variety of people. Tourists who wanted to see Rose Island, reporters who wanted an interview, and chefs who just wanted one glimpse of Rachel in person.

At that moment, Cho Min Joon was hesitating on how to get through when one womans eyes grew wide.

Oh, youre Min Joon! Youre Min Joon, right?!

What? Where?

Wow, its Min Joon!

Can I get a photo?

Since they looked so delighted, he couldnt even pretend to be busy. In the end, Cho Min Joon gave autographs and even took photos. Not everyone was like that, but even accommodating for some of them made the time fly by. And the reporters didnt stay quiet either.

Min Joon, how does it feel to work at Rachels restaurant?

There are many rumors about the timing of Rose Islands reopening. Do you know the truth?

How will the kitchen staff be formed?

Many questions were asked. After replying with, Thats a little hard to answer, he immediately began walking. Despite the camera flashes and continuous questions, once he went through the door, they were unable to get to him.

Tsk, tsk. Youre too hard-working. Why did you go along with that?

He heard Andersons voice. Cho Min Joon sighed and entered the hall. There were 40 chairs without any owners. He enjoyed the emptiness.

Wheres Rachel?

Shes in the office. Anyway, did you do what I asked?

Yeah, I registered.

Give me the ID.

Anderson and Cho mIn Joon were talking about Starbook. Anderson searched Cho Min Joons account and knitted his brows.

You already have 800 followers?

Is that a lot?

Anderson didnt answer. He had 800 followers in just one day. It took him a week to reach that number. Anderson pressed his screen with a displeased face. A moment later, Cho Min Joons phone rang.

Min Joon has entered the chatroom.

[Hugo: Oh, Min Joon finally signed up for Starbook.]

[Anderson: I told him to do it.]

[Hugo: He already has so many fans. He might have 1000 by the end of the day.]

[Min Joon: This feels weird. Ive never used social media before.]

[Joanne: Min Joon! Hey. Its nice to see you here.]

[Min Joon: I know, right? I feel like were back in our competition days.]

[Joanne: Ill let you in on a little secret. Kaya wins it all!]

[Min Joon: Wow, no way.]

Cho Min Joon smirked while looking at his phone. He texted or called them from time to time, but seeing them all at once in a chatroom felt different. Anderson scoffed and said, See? I told you it was a good idea.

I wouldve done it earlier if you told me there was a chat.

The only reason Cho Min Joon signed up for Starbook was the chat. Since it was 2010, chatting apps werent as popular yet.

[Ivanna: Im jealous of both of you. I wish I could work at Rose Island.]

[Min Joon: We dont work here yet. Theres a lot to prepare before opening, and even when we do open, I cant work.]

[Joanne: Huh? Why not?]

[Ivanna: Did you get hurt?]

[Min Joon: No, its nothing like that. Its because of my visa. Itll take at least 2 months before I get it.]

[Joanne: Then are you here on a tourist visa?]

[Min Joon: Yeah. Thats why I cant work yet.]

He didnt have income at the moment, but that didnt affect his lifestyle because Cho Min Joon was living at Rachels house. And if he had to buy something, that was no problem either. It wasnt just because of the money he earned from Hunger Trip. Inside his wallet was a card that Rachel gave him.

[Joanne: Im so jealous. Rachel Rose! Youve made it, Min Joon.]

[Min Joon: I heard you were scouted as a head chef recently. Youre the one who made it.]

[Joanne: Its just a small restaurant with 5 tables. You cant even call it a head chef.]

[Min Joon: Dont say that. Youre a head chef no matter what people say.]

[Ivanna: Anyway, Kaya and Chloe arent here. Theyd be happy to see Min Joon.]

Cho Min Joon looked at his phone awkwardly when they brought up Chloe. And although they couldnt see him, he immediately fixed his face. He was still keeping in touch with Chloe, but it felt weird hearing her name in front of everyone.

As for Kaya, he hadnt heard from her very much. He thought she was mad because he told her to lose weight at Andersons command But that wasnt it. She wasnt keeping in touch with the others that much either.

[Anderson: Shes probably filming. Shes busy.]

[Marco: Oh, Min Joons here.]

[Joanne: Youre late, Marco.]

Min Joon, Anderson.

A stern voice could be heard through both of their ears as they looked at the chat screen. They both slowly looked up. An old man with a clean updo was staring at them. Cho Min Joon and Anderson immediately got up.

Hello, Mr. Diaz.

Issac Diaz. That was his name. He looked like someone who would have a strict personality, and that was really the case. Seeing how even Cho Min Joon still called him by his surname said a lot about how difficult he was to deal with.

The kitchen chief is looking for you.

Oh, okay.

Just because Issac was hard to deal with didnt mean he was a bad person. He was strict. He was always proper as if he was a military soldier, and it clearly showed on his clothes. His sleeves were never wrinkled, and they always looked perfectly ironed. Just like how the color of meat suggested its flavor, his clothes showed his true personality.

For that reason

Oh, youre here.

Yes. I brought him.

It felt unfamiliar to see him smile softly like a young boy whenever he was with Rachel. The contrast was huge. So much that even Anderson and Cho Min Joon, who never gossiped, wondered if Issac had feelings for Rachel.

It had already been 3 days since Hunger Trip ended, and they landed in LA. There wasnt much that Cho Min Joon or Anderson did at that time. To be more exact, that applied to Cho Min Joon. LA was unfamiliar to him. 3 days wasnt nearly enough to learn the lifestyle and rules of a certain region.

Anderson was different since he grew up here. His parents, Fabio and Amelia, had a restaurant that was only 5 minutes away from Rose Island in Venice. And that meant

Oh, Rachel. Youre open already. Hey, Min Joon. Long time no see.

They could visit Rose Island at any time. Cho Min Joon answered in a bitter voice, Hm, its been around 10 hours. I saw you when you picked up Anderson last night.

Do I need to explain to you what 10 hours actually means? Thats the time it takes for raw chicken breast turns into treasure in a souvide machine. And the broth that boils inside

Mom! Please, are you going to start nagging Min Joon, too?

Anderson, like Ive always told you, you should never call the words of a parent nagging.

Anderson sighed. Just like how all children acted when they were nagged, he decided to stop responding. And that was always an effective response. Amelia was about to say something to Anderson when he wouldnt respond, but in the end, she turned to Rachel and said, Im impressed. There are so many people out there.

Half of them are old regulars who came to watch, and the other half are either reporters or chefs. Many people are even asking to become interns here.

By that, they were volunteering to clean, do dishes, and wipe the sweat off of the chefs foreheads. The problem was that those who were qualified demi chefs were willing to be interns at Rose Island.

Cho Min Joon looked out the window, and he was in awe. There were a lot of people. There were more than 50 people outside.

Rachel is impressive.

Do you see who you have as a mentor?

Yes. Im in awe.

You need to brace yourself. Rose Island, and especially its Venice location, is famous for how hard they go on the chefs.

Really?

Cho Min Joon looked back at Rachel. Rachel was staring at everyone with a calm face, but why was it that she looked anxious? Anderson opened his mouth.

But what brings you here in the morning? Shouldnt you be preparing to open?

Dont worry. Your father will go and get it started.

What? Why should I go?

Fabio answered as if he had no idea. Amelia glared at him. And in response, Fabio lowered his head in sadness while Rachel opened her mouth.

I called them here because I needed a bridge.

A bridge?

There are many people who are angry at me, so I needed someone who can mediate.

May I ask who that is?

Jack Hudson.

Rachel immediately answered Cho Min Joons cautious question. Cho Min Joon didnt know that name. Rachel continued in a slow and faint voice, He used to be the patisserie here.