My Adopted Daughter’s Mukbang Chapter 3 part 2

 (MADM 3.2)

   Bada left the bank in a daze, walking with Cho-ah beside him.

There was a shorter path that led directly to the orphanage, but Bada deliberately took the main road.

He needed to clear his head.

He wanted to make a little space in his mind as the outside air brushed against his face.

Like that, they walked in silence for about ten minutes.

Suddenly, Cho-ah stopped.

Bada turned to look. The child’s gaze was fixed on something.

> [Geumjogi Butcher Shop]

A butcher shop, thick with the mouthwatering scent of grilled meat.

Gulp.

Cho-ah swallowed her saliva, her eyes locked on the restaurant.

The child who had been so timid and careful just moments ago had completely forgotten Bada was beside her.

He checked his phone—it was already 1:00 PM. They’d spent a long time at the bank.

If they went back to the orphanage now, lunch would just be cold leftovers.

Besides, Bada was hungry too.

Forget the bank balance for now.

“Cho-ah, are you hungry?”

“I’m okay. I’m not that hungry.”

“Well, Uncle wants to go over there to that restaurant and eat some meat. If you're okay with it, want to come along?”

“That restaurant? Meat?”

“Yeah. I’m thinking about grilling up some pork belly or beef—still deciding. But if you want to, we can eat there together.”

“If… if Uncle’s okay with it, then I’d like that too.”

At the mere mention of going to eat meat, something changed in Cho-ah’s eyes.

The lifeless, doll-like gaze she had been wearing shifted—suddenly, there was a spark of life.

“All right! Let’s go eat some meat!”

Bada thought,

Maybe... maybe I’ve just found the key to unlocking the tightly shut door to this child’s heart.

---

The restaurant was nearly packed, even though it was past lunchtime.

Thankfully, Bada snagged the last open table and ordered a beef set.

It came with various cuts—sirloin, short ribs, brisket, flank steak—about a pound each, for 50,000 won.

If he was going to eat meat, he wanted it to be good.

“The meat you ordered is here! Let me know if you need anything else!”

The beef was served alongside kimchi, scallions, salad, and dipping sauces.

Bright red meat marbled like snowflakes. A feast.

Bada placed a thick slice of sirloin on the grill.

Cheeeeeek—!

The sizzle hit both ear and appetite.

“Wow...”

Cho-ah’s eyes widened. Her tiny hands clutched her chopsticks.

She wasn’t just hungry—she was excited. Truly excited.

She’s just like me when I was little, Bada thought.

He remembered how hard food had been to come by, even when their mother was alive. After his brother left, even ramen was precious.

His first job? At a restaurant.

He loved food. It made him happy.

Bada studied food in college, won awards, and even made it into a Michelin-starred kitchen. His dream had always been to open his own restaurant.

But more than anything, he knew hunger.

He understood Cho-ah.

What’s the point of learning to cook? Times like this are exactly why—to grill some delicious meat.

“Beef is best when it’s medium—just seared lightly on the outside. That’s when it tastes the best. But I know everyone has their own preferences. What about you, Cho-ah? Do you like it well-done, or just lightly cooked?”

“Umm... I like meat.”

“Okay! Then Uncle will cook it a few different ways, and you tell me which one tastes the best. Sound good?”

“Yes!”

Cho-ah had been staring at the sizzling meat like a hawk, practically drooling the whole time.

Just then, a beautifully grilled piece of marbled beef was ready. Bada cut it into bite-sized pieces and placed them on the small plate in front of her.

“Want to try it? You can dip it in oil sauce or ssamjang.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Huh?”

She’d been practically drooling... why not eat now?

Then Bada understood.

“They say adults eat first. Uncle Bada, you haven’t eaten yet.”

“Ah... You’re right. Cho-ah, you’re such a good kid. Uncle will eat first.”

He dipped the meat in oil sauce and popped it into his mouth.

It had been almost a year since he’d eaten beef.

Restaurant leftovers, company dinners—that was it.

This was different. This was his beef.

“Kyaha.”

It was incredible.

Geumjogi Butcher Shop? This place was gold.

Juicy, buttery, perfectly seared beef. It melted in his mouth.

“This is the taste of money,” he muttered. “It’s perfect.”

“Now you eat too, Cho-ah. Take your time. There’s plenty.”

“Thank you.”

The moment Bada picked up his spoon, Cho-ah lifted her chopsticks eagerly.

She was surprisingly good with them for a kid.

She grabbed a sirloin slice, dipped it in oil sauce like Bada, and popped it in her mouth.

Bada looked at Cho-ah a little nervously.

But then—

“Woooow...”

“Is it good?”

“It’s really delicious. Really, really delicious!”

Cho-ah nodded enthusiastically, her face glowing with happiness.

Yes, this was the smile.

The smile he’d seen on the faces of other kids at the orphanage.

The smile children this age deserve to have.

“I’ll grill more for you. Eat as much as you want.

And if it’s not enough, just tell me—I’ll order more.

Oh, do you want some rice too?”

“Yes! I want rice!”

Bada was honestly a little surprised.

Cho-ah ate like a champion. Almost like an adult. Maybe because she was growing—but also maybe because she’d been starving.

He couldn’t believe how much could fit into that small frame.

Her expressions had changed completely, too.

She was no longer the quiet, stiff child from earlier.

She’s so cute when she smiles.

If happiness had a face, it would look like this.

Bada made a silent promise to himself:

> I want to protect this smile.

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