My love from the countryside ✅

chapter 15

Kim's Eatery was usually a place of calm, a restaurant of savory scents and soft chatter. But today, chaos reigned.

It was barely morning when a loud crash erupted from the kitchen, followed by a thick plume of smoke. The eatery's peace was shattered as the fire alarm blared at its peak.

Jungkook had decided to cook.

And by "cook," it meant the kitchen was now a battlefield of burnt pans, broken eggshells, and a layer of flour dusting every surface like freshly fallen snow. The air was thick with the pungent scent of something that had clearly gone wrong.

Taehyung burst into the kitchen, eyes wide with panic. "What in the name of Jesus happened here?!"

In the middle of the disaster stood Jungkook, looking like a guilty puppy, a charred frying pan in hand. Whatever "dish" he had attempted was now an unrecognizable blob sticking to the pan like stubborn regret.

Jungkook beamed, smiling widely, showing his bunny teeth, his eyes crinkling with innocence. "Hyungie, surprise! I made breakfast for you!"

Taehyung's jaw dropped as he took in the scene. His pristine kitchen-his sacred culinary kingdom-looked like it had been hit by a tornado. He pinched the bridge of his nose, fighting the urge to throttle the boy in front of him.

Hearing the commotion, Jungkook's loyal band of followers came rushing in.

First in line was Yeonjun, wielding his feather duster like a sword. "Oh my God, is this a crime scene?" he exclaimed, eyes wide in horror.

Behind him, Taehyun, dressed in his waiter's apron, shook his head with a knowing smile. "Looks like our great Guru-nim decided to practice his 'cooking skills' again."

Beomgyu, the chopper and peeler, was practically bouncing on his toes. "Should I chop some vegetables for the funeral of this kitchen?" he quipped, earning a chorus of snickers.

Soobin, the ever-dutiful manager, sighed deeply as he adjusted his glasses. "We're going to have to close the eatery for a day just to clean this up."

And last but not least, Kai, the sweeper, came in with his broom like a soldier marching to war. "Is that... are those eggshells or grenade shrapnel?"

Jungkook pouted dramatically, hands on his hips. "Yah! I was just trying to make something nice for Taehyung hyung. You're all just jealous of my culinary genius."

Taehyun patted Jungkook's shoulder with a grin. "Of course, Guru-nim, your genius is truly unmatched... by any living cook."

"All hail Guru Jungkook, the kitchen destroyer and heart conqueror," they all raised the slogan in unison.

Taehyung turned to his crew, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Do you know how much this mess is going to cost? Flour isn't cheap! Eggs aren't free! We need to save every penny if we're going to survive in this economy," he rattled off, waving his hands like an old miser.

Yeonjun rolled his eyes. "Here we go again, sir and his penny-pinching lectures."

Taehyung ignored him, muttering under his breath about ingredient costs and labor hours. Jungkook just watched, arms folded and a pout forming on his lips. "Hyung, you act like we're broke or something. Papa is so, so, so, so rich."

"Appa is rich, I am not rich. Got it?" Taehyung answered.

"You are rich too. Didn't you just buy me that new gaming setup last week?"

Taehyung stiffened, eyes darting away. "That... that was the reward for you behaving well."

Jungkook couldn't help the small smile creeping onto his face. He knew all too well that despite Taehyung's miserly façade, the elder was always splurging on him-whether it was his favorite snacks, new clothes, or the latest gadgets. Jungkook's heart fluttered at the thought, even as he feigned annoyance.