Chapter 210: What? Dragon Rider? (16)
“Lee Ji-Seok!” Ha Jae-In’s friend shouted just as she was about to look up the chef’s name on her phone. Everyone’s jaws dropped as they looked toward the door. A man in a chef"s uniform had just walked into the room shyly with a smile.
“h.e.l.lo, I am the head chef and owner of this restaurant, Lee Ji-Seok.” He introduced himself, looking in the general direction of the table. Actually, there was no need for him to introduce himself as everyone present recognized him the moment he showed up.
“H-he"s really Mr. Lee Ji-Seok.”
“Wow… He looks exactly the same as when he’s on TV.”
“Wah, amazing. It’s so fascinating.”
Her friends around her were busy whispering to each other, with smiles all over their faces. They were elated to see the celebrity whom they could only see on TV. Their thirty-two-year-old selves turned back into giggling high school students with b.u.t.terflies in their stomachs at every small, heart-fluttering moment.
“I"m happy to be serving Princ.i.p.al Ha Jae-In and all of you from Sookyung Girls’. I will serve everyone here with the best-tasting dishes and service. Thank you.” Lee Ji-Seok did not forget to bow down respectfully.
A few of her friends stumbled toward Lee Ji-Seok.
“Ah, Mr. Ji-Seok, I have watched every single one of your broadcasts.”
“I followed the recipe you shared on Navin, it was so easy and convenient to make. My husband even praised that my cooking skills have been getting better.”
“Can I take a photo with you?”
Lee Ji-Seok acceded to their requests and answered their questions before returning to the kitchen to fulfill his duty. As Ha Jae-In"s friends took their seats again, they shot Ha Jae-In a series of questions her way.
“You, girl. I tried calling a few times to reserve this place for my father"s birthday but failed. How did you get to reserve this place when it"s the end of the year?”
“Do you personally know Me. Ji-Seok? It might be a reservation, but look at him coming here just to do a greeting.”
“Is he close to your brother? Your brother is so famous anyway. Did they know each other through some show?”
Ha Jae-In could not reply to every single question and only responded with a perplexed smile. Two seats away from Ha Jae-In was Sook-Hee, looking all stiff; her n.o.ble-pretentious hand holding the cup was trembling ever so slightly.
‘What tricks did this witch pull…?’ Sook-Hee concealed the exponentially growing anger within her.
It was part of Sook-Hee’s life to visit famous and luxurious restaurants and showing off on her social media. The frequency of her showing off her visits had increased significantly after she had gotten herself a wealthy boyfriend.
Of course, this Chinese restaurant was on her list of to-show-off restaurants, and this was the first time that she had gotten the chance to step in here because of the alumni gathering.
‘Even my babe failed to get a reservation here… But how did that witch do it?!’ Sook-Hee had tried to get her boyfriend, the son of the president of an SME IT company, to get a reservation here, but he had failed. Her boyfriend even tried to get the reservation by offering to promote their restaurant online through banner advertising for free to no avail.
“Sook-Hee, why are you so quiet?”
“Hmm? N-no. I was just thinking of some things.”
“You look so red. Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
“No, I"m fine. Maybe I"m just feeling a little hot in here.” Sook-Hee took off her coat and forced a chuckle.
Her blood pressure soared as she felt defeated. If she showed even a crack of her anger underneath her facade, she might end up fanning Ha Jae-In’s pride in return, so she kept trying her best to hold herself back, showing nonchalance.
Their dinner course began with crab soup. The menu that was pre-determined when the reservation was made was decided to be course E. It was valued at a base price of 50,000 Korean won per pax, the highest-priced course meal in this restaurant. Considering the restaurant’s fame, the price was considered relatively low.
This amount wasn’t considered expensive for the group currently in their thirties who had gathered here after many years on this special day.
“Excuse me, we’re serving up a specially prepared complimentary dish.”
Midway through the course, Lee Ji-Seok and his waiters served up a dish that wasn’t included in the menu. It was the representative dish from Shanghai, Dongpa Meat, which included a few pieces of thick-cut meat and bok choy.
“Oh my, it’s Dongpa Meat. I love this dish.”
“This is complimentary for us? All five plates of them?”
“I looked this up on the blog before. It’s not on their menu, but they do prepare it for you if you order it. Each plate costs over 50,000 won, I think.”
“It’s that expensive? But all five plates are complimentary? Can we really eat them without paying?”
Sook-Hee was the only person who could not enjoy herself freely in the room. There was no chance for her to step up, even if she wanted to do so.
***
“Sir, the night is cold.”
“I haven’t walked too far out. I promised you that I wouldn’t run away again.”
The two men were leisurely strolling the streets of Yeonhui-dong. Nam Gyu-Baek was once again in his hiking outfit, accompanied by his loyal confidante, Department Head Bae. They had just returned from a hike on Mount Bukhan.
“I shouldn’t have eaten that steamed meat.” Nam Gyu-Baek looked at the neon sign on the restaurant in the distance and murmured, “We traveled all the way here, but we’re still so full that we couldn’t even have a bowl of Mokryeon fried rice. Such a pity.”
“Yes, but there’s a cafe over that way; why don’t we have a cup of warm tea instead, Sir?”
“Shall we?”
There was a cozy cafe across the street from the restaurant. Nam Gyu-Baek retraced his steps, and Department Head Bae followed behind. At the same time, a group of ladies streamed out from the restaurant.
“Let’s go for round two. How many are going?”
“I’ll have to go now. My petty husband must still be p.i.s.sed off and have not had dinner yet.”
“Why is he still like that when you guys have been married for five years? My husband would already be eating and drinking so happily and would return home before six in the morning.”
“What, so there’s less than ten people going for round two?”
Nam Gyu-Baek looked at the ladies as he overheard their conversation. Not long after, his narrowed eyes widened and shone. “Hey, Department Head Bae.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Look at that lady in the black coat.” Nam Gyu-Baek signaled in the distance with his chin. Like Nam Gyu-Baek, the latter’s eyes also grew wide with surprise.
“What do you think? Is that the same lady?”
“Yes, sir. I think she is the one.”
Nam Gyu-Baek nodded as he looked in the direction of the lady. The lady was none other than Ha Jae-In. Who knew Nam Gyu-Baek would be able to meet the person who saved him in an emergency?
‘Hmm…?’
Ha Jae-In felt the gaze on her and looked up as they weren’t far away from each other. She saw Nam Gyu-Baek and another man slowly approaching her. She wondered for a moment who they were, and then she recalled her encounter with them.
“Ah, sir….”
“I was right. I’m grateful for your help that day.” Nam Gyu-Baek bowed with grat.i.tude.
Waving her hands, Ha Jae-In answered hurriedly, “No, sir. Anyone else would have done the same.”
“But how could you disappear so fast? You shouldn"t make your elders feel uncomfortable.”
“I’m sorry for making you feel that way. I must have made you feel burdened….”
A gentle smile lingered at the corners of Nam Gyu-Baek’s mouth. Ha Jae-In’s beauty stood out even more from a close distance as he watched Ha Jae-In; he also liked the way she spoke with sincerity and affection.
“Please give me your contact number as well.”
“I’m really not looking to receive any reward, sir.”
“I understand your intentions, miss. Do you not have a name card?”
“Ah, my name card… Please wait a moment.”
Ha Jae-In pulled out a name card from her bag and handed it to Nam Gyu-Baek with both hands.
Nam Gyu-Baek took it and brought it up close to his face. “Ah, you’re an educator. You have a great, respectable job.”
“Thank you. I’m just running a small academy, teaching kids in the neighborhood.”
“Do you live in Suwon?”
“Yes, I’m here in Seoul for an alumni gathering today.”
Just then, Ha Jae-In’s friend walked up from behind and called out to her. “Jae-In, we should get going for round two.”
“Oh, alright, I’ll be there soon.” Ha Jae-In then looked at Nam Gyu-Baek with an awkward smile and said, “Sir, I’m sorry, but I have to go back to my friends.”
“Aigoo, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have held you back for too long. Enjoy your time here. I’ll give you a call soon.”
“Please don’t be concerned about rewarding me. Have a good night, and please take care of your health.” Ha Jae-In bowed once more before leaving.
Click clack. Click clack.
As the sound of her heels grew softer as she walked away, Nam Gyu-Baek and Department Head Bae turned around. “She’s a nice lady, right?”
“Yes, sir. I’ve thought so before. She seems kind and intelligent. It’s rare to see such a lady in these times.”
Nam Gyu-Baek fell into deep thought as the two men entered the cafe. He remembered the love of his life, his dear wife.
‘That’s weird, it’s not like she’s similar to you in any way.’ Nam Gyu-Baek murmured to himself as he tilted his head side to side. Actually, it was because he had felt the scent of his dead wife from Ha Jae-In, which was actually strange when both women weren"t really similar.
“Please have some tea, sir.”
“Department Head Bae, I have a favor to ask….” Nam Gyu-Baek said as he held the cup of tea in his hands. He carefully read the latter’s expression like a child and continued, “Can I have a drink today?”
“No, sir. Definitely not.” Department Head Bae answered firmly, with a stern look.
Nam Gyu-Baek could only smile bitterly and brought the cup of tea to his mouth. It was a night when he missed his wife dearly.
***
“He’s coming? I’m fine with that, but… Are you sure?”
— What’s wrong? I’ll have to send you home as well. I’ll be there on time.
Ha Jae-In hung up the phone call and left the washroom with doubt in her heart. She was currently at a fusion cuisine restaurant for round two with her alumni group. Excluding those who left earlier, there were around ten people in attendance.
“Why did your call take so long? Do you have a boyfriend now?”
Ha Jae-In smiled in response to that friend’s question and took her seat. Across her was Sook-Hee, shaking her head with a hinting expression, asking, “You guys didn’t know? Jae-In has a boyfriend now.”
“Ah, really? Jae-In finally has a boyfriend? What does he do?”
Sook-Hee replied again in her stead, “She said he’s working at a game company.”
“Oh, a game company? Those that develop online games?”
“Yeah. I heard it when both of us met up a while back to discuss the alumni gathering. It must be tough on her boyfriend working at a game company. I mentioned it the last time, too, but I’m worried for her,” Sook-Hee said in a worried tone, looking at Ha Jae-In.
Ha Jae-In only smiled wryly without words. Sook-Hee sounded worried, but Ha Jae-In knew that Sook-Hee was also trying to put herself down.
“Sook-Hee, are you familiar with game companies?”
“Ah, as all of you know, my boyfriend is a director at an IT company. It’s his father’s business, but he has some connections with companies that provide mobile game services. He told me that game companies, in general, do not earn much in salary, and it is a tough job, too.”
Sook-Hee then rambled on with information about herself that the others did not even ask. “I nagged at my boyfriend after hearing that from him. I said that he’s been having an easy life these days without having to worry about money and has gained some weight. So he said he would follow me for yoga sessions from next week on. I think it"s going to be funny to see men doing yoga. Hohoho!”
Sook-Hee covered her mouth as she burst into a series of giggles. Meanwhile, forced, disgusted laughter appeared on the faces of their cla.s.smates. Everyone knew and was familiar with her flaunting personality.
As the laughter subsided, someone from the group asked, “Sook-Hee, is your boyfriend from the company Sensoft?”
“Yes.”
“That’s cool. I looked them up, and they’re listed on KOSDAQ, with a market capital of over 50 billion won. You must be happy dating a boyfriend like that.”
Satisfied, Sook-Hee took a sip of beer. The humiliation from the restaurant reservation she had received earlier was soon dissolved.
However, that friend did not stop there. She turned to Ha Jae-In and said, “By the way, Jae-In, your younger brother is quite amazing, too. He must have earned a few billion so far, right? Isn’t it like a one-man company?”
Sook-Hee’s eyes twitched. That friend must have noticed the change in emotion from Sook-Hee but still did not stop talking. “He even expanded into the U.S. and China markets. Isn’t he going to become worldwide famous like Harrison Potter? I heard that the author of Harrison Potter has nearly one trillion won in a.s.sets.”
“What? That author has earned so much?”
“Yeah. There’s no saying that Jae-In’s brother would turn out like that author, too. He’s not running a company but writing novels all alone, so how easy would it be for him? I’m envious, Jae-In.”
Instead of stopping with just that sip of her beer earlier, Sook-Hee began gulping down the rest of the gla.s.s. She was shot down not by Ha Jae-In herself but by another friend. Slowly losing herself, Sook-Hee smirked in disgust. “Did you just say that out loud for me….”
Just then, Ha Jae-In’s phone rang, which she answered in a hurry.
“Ah, you’re here already? What? You’re waiting outside? Ah, I’m sorry.”
The rest of the group, who were eavesdropping on her conversation, had their jaws dropped open.
“That’s your boyfriend, right? He’s already waiting for you up front?”
“Hey, I want to see him. Ask him to join us, hmm?”
Ha Jae-In covered her phone’s receiver and replied to her friends, “How can I do that when you guys are here? I’ll feel apologetic.”
“What nonsense. It’s boring when there are just women here. Is there anyone here opposed to letting Ha Jae-In’s boyfriend join us here? Raise your hand!”
No one at the table raised their hand. Even Sook-Hee threw a defiant gaze and added, “Yeah, I want to see him too. Invite him over since he’s nearby.”
“Ah, mm… Alright. Wait a bit.”
Ha Jae-In continued talking on the phone and stepped out of the restaurant. After a few minutes, the restaurant’s door opened, and a handsome man in a suit followed behind Ha Jae-In.
“My, my….”
“Wow, oh my G.o.d, he’s so handsome.”
“That man is Jae-In’s boyfriend?”
Nam Gyu-Ho walked into the restaurant confidently with Ha Jae-In beside him. His air of n.o.bility from head to toe made everyone speechless.
“h.e.l.lo, I’m Ha Jae-In’s boyfriend, Nam Gyu-Ho.” Nam Gyu-Ho greeted as he stood at the head of the table, full of politeness.
Ha Jae-In’s friends all stumbled and bowed as they stood up, fl.u.s.tered. One in particular who sat across from Nam Gyu-Ho dropped her jaws at the watch on Nam Gyu-Ho’s wrist.
“Ms. Jae-In, I’ll make a quick trip to the washroom first.”
“Okay, it’s over there.”
Nam Gyu-Ho quickly disappeared in the direction where the washroom was. The friend who saw Nam Gyu-Ho’s watch suddenly clung to Ha Jae-In. “J-Jae-In… What does your boyfriend actually do?”
“Hmm? Didn’t I say that earlier? He works at a game company….”
Her friend shook her head, speechless at Ha Jae-In’s reply. “Hey, don’t lie! How can a normal employee of a game company afford a watch worth a hundred million won?”
“Hmm…?”
“My husband sells watches! I know that brand of watch on his wrist. It’s worth over a hundred million! Just what position does he hold, and how much is his monthly salary at the game company to buy that?”
“Jae-In, is Ho-Jeong right? Is that really an expensive watch? Is he from a wealthy family?”
Once again, the entire group’s attention was on Ha Jae-In. Sook-Hee’s chin was shaking at the new revelation, and she could no longer keep calm or keep a straight face.
***
“What should we do, Department Head Ma?”
“Hmph…!”
It was still early, as some of the employees had just clocked in for work at Haetae Media. Ma Jong-Goo’s face was tearing his hair out in frustration, with a face full of disgust after receiving a report from Deputy Park Kyung-Soo.
“Why did she join Ha Jae-Gun’s office…!” Ma Jong-Goo mumbled and shot a look at Kyung-Soo.
“Deputy Park, why are you not doing your job right?!”
“I-I only acted as per your orders….”
Ma Jong-Goo snorted, speechless. He loosened his necktie and looked at the other employees, raising his voice. “What if someone else hears you?! Deputy Park, what nonsense are you spouting? When did I tell you to do that?”
“I’m sorry, I’m not saying that you gave me those orders, I just thought that it was something I had to do, so….”
“Argh, f.u.c.k!”
Slam!
Ma Jong-Goo kicked the innocent drawer with all his might, but he had kicked it at the wrong angle, causing terrible pain to his pinky toe. Trying to keep his pride, Jong-Goo seethed, “Geughhh…! Get ready.”
“Pardon? W-What?”
“Prepare to go to Ha Jae-Gun’s office and beg for forgiveness! You can go to the President and get hit in the shin in my stead, too!” Ma Jong-Goo yelled. He then turned to the employees over the part.i.tion and shouted, “Deputy Lee, calculate and send me the report for Writer Jeon Bong-Yi’s ebook settlement! Then make sure it gets transferred by 12 p.m.!”
“Y-Yes… sir.”
Ma Jong-Goo gave his order and then canceled all his schedules for the rest of the day. Jeon Bong-Yi, who had been turned away customarily, was now standing with Ha Jae-Gun. There was nothing more he could do after learning about it.