Chapter 13
Three Breads. For Small Business Owners, a Side Job Is a Given (3)
Bagels were originally Ellie’s lunch.
Having a somewhat luxurious lunch had become a small pleasure for her ever since Malina’s help had given her some leeway.
After opening the bakery, Ellie had struggled for a while with irregular sleep schedules.
Since it was her first shop, she wanted to do well and put in all her effort.
The amount she could prepare was limited, but to make the maximum amount, Ellie felt like ten bodies wouldn’t be enough.
And beyond making bread, there was a mountain of other tasks.
She could rely on Morris, who came every day, to buy ingredients cheaply, but she had to handle everything else herself—from cleaning the shop to recording sales—which took time to get used to.
Ellie woke up no later than 3 a.m.
To do that, she had to lie in bed by 8 p.m. to preserve her energy.
Since this wasn’t a one-day job, Ellie strictly balanced labor intensity and rest. After morning sales, she always took a two-hour nap.
Malina came to work at 11 a.m. and stayed until 3 p.m.
Fortunately, Malina quickly got used to the work and could handle the dough efficiently without Ellie.
Ellie had initially worried a bit about the levain or recipes leaking, but she soon changed her mind.
Even if it leaked, there was nothing she could do.
“Even if someone takes it, they wouldn’t be able to sustain it for long anyway.”
Levain was such a fragile thing—it was like a sunfish that could die at the slightest mishap.
Thanks to Malina, Ellie could try various menus. She was considering the next products she would make while creating several bread recipes she knew.
One of those was bagels.
She took out the round, ring-shaped dough after shaping it.
The plump, risen dough looked beautiful. Its surface was shiny and moist, and inside the soft dough, crushed walnuts were dotted throughout.
The smell of flour already made her stomach churn.
“Good thing I made plenty.”
She took the firewood from the oven and moved it to the hearth.
She placed a large pot on it and waited for the water to boil.
Compared to her previous life, this process was extremely tedious, but now she was more familiar with handling the hearth of this world.
She had been voluntarily living in the kitchen for 11 years.
“Oh, sugar.”
She added a spoonful of sugar to the water. Bubbles were forming at the bottom.
As she moved the dough beside the hearth, Morris asked:
“Boiling the dough? Why sugar?”
“It’s interesting. You don’t bake it?”
“I said you can’t come in.”
Both Morris and Ban raised their palms simultaneously.
“It didn’t go in. See, it’s still here.”
“You just see it better because you’re tall, Ellie.”
She grumbled and pouted her lips. Being tall has its perks, but still…
For Ellie, bagels were her version of a diet food.
She hoped, even slightly, that some oil might be reduced. Of course, boiling wouldn’t lower the calories… but even small efforts mattered.
She carefully put the dough into the bubbling water one by one.
She silently counted to thirty and flipped them at the right timing.
After boiling, she shaped the dough neatly and put it into the preheated oven. It would have been nice to know the exact temperature, but now she didn’t even wish for such luxuries.
She had to judge the baking speed by observing the dough she tested first.
Everything was intuition.
Experience gained through repetitive practice.
Because she had been isolated and left alone in the McClure mansion, she had plenty of time, and through trial and error, she had developed the current recipes.
“Ellie, that’s impressive. Like a blacksmith.”
“I’m seeing baking like this for the first time… it’s harder work than I thought.”
The bakers of this world were truly incredible. They provided bread to people perfectly even without letting it ferment.
Ellie had the advantage of memories from her previous life, but her experience and skill were still lacking.
While the bread baked, Ellie took out cream cheese and homemade jam to accompany it—a sweet and tangy orange jam.
“Place this first. Oh, we’re short one chair.”
“I’ll bring it!”
“Here, Ellie. I’ll move it.”
Ban ran over with the tray as soon as Ellie finished speaking. Morris was taking a chair from the counter.
Their eager, childlike expressions and actions reminded Ellie of children.
“I feel like a mother…”
Children older than me…
A bit unsettling.
Soon, she took the bagels out of the hot oven.
After letting the heat settle, she placed them neatly on a plate.
The color and shape were perfect. The golden surface glistened, and a savory aroma wafted.
She spread honey inside the halved bagel and licked her lips in anticipation.
This was the happiest moment.
The first bite of freshly made bread.
Breaking open the warm bread and seeing the soft interior.
Ellie opened her mouth wide and bit into the bagel.
“Mm.”
Happiness is simple. This is happiness…
The chewy texture from boiling, combined with the slightly crushed walnuts, created a perfectly balanced savory taste. The honey added sweetness, bringing it to the peak of delight.
After more than 100 trials, the bread was perfected.
Without the tools of her previous life, these experiments were necessary.
No one taught her, so she had to try different methods herself and learn through experience.
The taste, texture, aroma, and appearance were perfect—but one thing was lacking.
“I need coffee.”
Caffeine was urgently needed. Ellie resolved to get coffee beans somehow.
“Can I eat now? I can, right?”
Morris and Ban trembled like dogs commanded to wait. Ellie was slightly surprised.
Ban looked desperate but seemed to hold back well. His fists on his lap shook, but his gaze remained gentle.
Morris, however, looked ready to bite Ellie. A little intimidating.
“What are you waiting for?”
“You told us to wait! I’m eating!”
Morris grabbed a bagel the moment Ellie spoke, and Ban followed.
“You don’t need to put honey on it.”
Neither of them answered. They both spread honey thinly inside the bagel like Ellie had and took huge bites.
Ellie joyfully watched their eyes widen.
This moment never grew old. She felt happier watching them eat than eating herself.
They chewed quickly, swallowing with a “glup” sound.
“Delicious! Chewy!”
“Different and fun. The walnuts’ savory taste pairs perfectly with the honey’s sweetness. Ellie, you’ve created another amazing dish. It’s wonderful and joyful.”
Morris’ praise was short but intense, Ban’s was long but heartfelt.
They were already eating the remaining halves of the bagels without honey.
“I prefer the honeyed side. Both are delicious, though.”
“I like the side without honey.”
A single bagel vanished in no time.
This is why grandmothers feed their grandchildren. Ellie understood that feeling early.
Her son, older than her, had evolved into a grandson older than her.
Ellie subtly pushed her portion toward them and brought out more bagels from the kitchen. One wouldn’t be enough given their enthusiasm.
“You can also make sandwiches with vegetables or ham, not just cream cheese or jam. Adding fresh berries to the dough gives a different flavor.”
“Like the baguette sandwich Malina had?”
“Baguette… sandwich?”
Ban’s eyes gleamed strangely.
“What’s that, Ellie?”
“It was a staff meal. We split a baguette and put vegetables, ham, etc., inside. You should try making one later.”
“…If I give you a bonus, will you make it?”
Ban didn’t seem skilled in cooking.
“How much will you give?”
Ellie checked the amount they had written in the contract on their own. Morris proudly lifted his chin.
It was a reasonable amount worth praising.
“Of course, I’ll make it. Leave it to me. Hehe.”
Rubbing her hands like that might have been a mistake; Ban chuckled briefly.
“Ellie…”
“A materialist?”
“Yes. You already sell baguettes, and now you’ll make sandwiches just for extra pay. That’s too kind. I’m just grateful.”
Even the greatest contributor to society probably wouldn’t receive gratitude as sincere as this.
Morris smiled, giving a thumbs-up, signaling to keep taking advantage of her. A little villainous.
Thanking her for spending money—ridiculous, but…
“Not at all.”
She decided to let it slide because it was sweet… literally.
