The Reason Choi Mi-hwa Was Shocked by the Naughty Cocktails
The reason Choi Mi-hwa was so startled by the naughty cocktails was Seo Joo-hwan's dramatically changed appearance. As far as she remembered, Seo Joo-hwan had been shorter and chubbier. But here came this stylish guy out of nowhere—who wouldn't be surprised?
Actually, I haven't lost that much weight. Compared to the day he'd first met Choi Mi-hwa, he'd only dropped about 5kg. But that was just raw weight; his visible physique had transformed so much it could belong to someone else entirely. It wasn't just fat loss—he'd grown taller and packed on muscle, creating a massive change.
Seo Joo-hwan flashed a grin at the wide-eyed Choi Mi-hwa and greeted her. She snapped out of her daze and returned the greeting.
This kind of woman is addicted to porn and has a cursing fetish? No way. Choi Mi-hwa's outward appearance screamed intellectual career woman. A toned-down navy blouse paired with a white skirt, round silver-rimmed glasses enhancing her sharp vibe. Her wavy bob haircut fit perfectly. Nothing about her suggested she'd have such fetishes.
Composing herself, Choi Mi-hwa spoke up.
"Writer-nim, is there anything specific you'd like to eat?"
"Nah, nothing comes to mind right now…."
"Any foods you can't eat?"
"I can eat anything."
"Then let me guide you."
She nodded in satisfaction and led the way. Seo Joo-hwan eyed her back, inwardly regretting.
Ah, shoulda scouted the restaurant first. He'd focused solely on looks and personality, overlooking practical stuff like the venue. Before his transformation, he flat-out lacked real-world experience with women.
Whether Seo Joo-hwan regretted it or not, Choi Mi-hwa didn't care. To her, this wasn't a date—it was business. If anything, she wanted to treat her benefactor personally.
"Gopchang?"
The restaurant Choi Mi-hwa chose was unexpected. He'd assumed a woman like her would pick pasta or something classy—turns out that was just his bias.
They entered the bustling gopchang joint and took their seats. Choi Mi-hwa said,
"This place is seriously delicious. I even come here for solo eats sometimes."
"Really? If PD-nim says so, I'm hyped."
"You can be."
She boldly ordered a large tray of gopchang. Sizzle sizzle.
Seo Joo-hwan reached for the tongs, but she snatched them, insisting she'd grill. The more he watched, the more her actions clashed with her polished look.
"Here, try it."
He dipped it in garlic sauce as instructed and took a bite. Despite looking greasy, it wasn't heavy—the garlic sauce cut through the fat perfectly. And that signature chewy texture? Right up his alley.
No pretense, Seo Joo-hwan was genuinely impressed.
"Whoa, this is insanely good."
"Right? Told ya."
"Honestly, this is my first time eating gopchang."
"For real? How do you go through life without trying it?"
Choi Mi-hwa stared at him with pity, like he'd committed a tragedy. Was it that sad? Anyway, it was delicious, so he dug in heartily.
"Writer-nim, do you drink?"
"Booze? Yeah, I like it quite a bit."
He genuinely enjoyed alcohol—even pre-regression, he'd hit solo drinks often. More accurately, he had no one to drink with.
Choi Mi-hwa lit up.
"Wanna do a shot? Gopchang's best with booze. Oh, but do you have writing later?"
Her proactively offering drinks was amusing. She looked cool and collected, but her speech and actions were surprisingly casual and straightforward.
Seo Joo-hwan shook his head to say no worries.
"Nah, I scheduled today's upload already. Got a solid stockpile too."
Her eyes widened behind those silver frames, sparkling with excitement.
"Stockpile?! For real? How many chapters?"
She leaned in, thrilled. A stockpile from the novel she'd been fangirling over? As a print addict, she couldn't let that slide. Her wide eyes urged him on.
A bit flustered, Seo Joo-hwan stammered,
"Uh, about twenty?"
"Twenty?! That's a ton!"
"Y-yeah. I write pretty fast."
"Th-then why haven't you uploaded to Geuljoa…?"
Trailing off, she seemed to ask why he was dragging his feet.
Seo Joo-hwan scratched his eyebrow.
"Still free serialization. Planning to trickle it out post-paywall. Build more stock meanwhile, make it solid."
"Oh, right. Still free. Pretty far along for a hit."
She nodded, convinced. His The Possessed Master is a Martial Arts Public Enemy already had a hefty free count. Forty-five chapters uploaded—late for monetization, where hits usually flipped at 30-35.
If she hadn't accidentally deleted that message, it'd be paywalled already. He was holding off purely to wait for Punibooks' offer.
"Here's your bottle of chamisul."
The soju arrived. They poured for each other. Setting down her glass, Choi Mi-hwa spoke again.
"Writer-nim, if we sign, I'll be your handling PD, y'know?"
She seemed hesitant. Seo Joo-hwan replied casually,
"Sounds great. I was hoping for PD-nim Choi Mi-hwa anyway."
"R-really? Whew, good. I mean—not that, but since I'll be handling you…."
What was she beating around the bush for? He nodded encouragingly.
"C-can I get the stockpile?"
"The stockpile?"
"Yeah. ASAP."
"Uh… sure, but no edits yet. I'll polish and send."
"Thank you!"
Ecstatic, her face lit up. It was so cute, Seo Joo-hwan chuckled softly. She gave an awkward smile, embarrassed.
"Truth is, I'm a huge fan. Kinda selfish request to read ahead."
"Haha, handling PD being a fan? Thrilled."
"B-but I'll give solid feedback!"
She adjusted her glasses sternly, half-joking. Seo Joo-hwan smirked.
"Of course. Cheers?"
"Sure."
They chatted about the work smoothly. Desperate to snag his novel, she'd haggled her boss for full authority and thrown generous terms—overkill for a newbie with meh prior sales.
By then, soju glasses had circled multiple times. Third bottle on the table, plus mid-meal beers—a hefty amount. Choi Mi-hwa drank way better than expected. Post-beer, she mixed somac flawlessly, golden ratio like a pro.
"Cheers."
"Cheeeers~."
Clinking glasses again, she downed hers with a looser voice.
"Phew. Booze is going down too easy tonight. Monday tomorrow, shouldn't overdo it…."
Pretty tipsy, she fretted then shook it off, refilling anyway.
"With Joo-hwan-nim locked in, no one's yelling at me. Paywall's gonna explode."
"Oof, pressure. If it flops, Mi-hwa-ssi won't chew me out, right?"
They'd slipped into first names, banmal flowing easy. Seo Joo-hwan didn't realize—this was exceptional. Normally, Choi Mi-hwa never dropped formalities. She kept writers at arm's length, dishing sharp feedback coolly. But even she couldn't stay icy to the guy who'd saved her from a brutal serial killer. This wasn't just business; it was repaying her savior with a meal.
Great convo, hot style too. His decent looks helped her warmth. His reading spectrum was broad—easy to talk to. Especially his tidy outfit: black slacks, white polo under gray coat, brown loafers. Clean, neat—her type.
And he writes filthy stuff so well! She'd skimped words for image, but his prior Murim Lewd Emperor had hooked her. Checking it after his current hit, it nailed her tastes. Raw talent, despite weaker prose.
Maybe that's why—her tastes sniped—she giggled loosely, uncharacteristically.
"Hehe. I'll feedback super strict, don't worry. Unless you hate it."
"Haha… go easy, please."
Saying so, Seo Joo-hwan pondered inwardly.
Time to bounce? Vibe was good, but gopchang spot wasn't progressing further. Spotting empty bottles, he suggested casually,
"Mi-hwa-ssi."
"Yeah?"
"Wanna switch spots? Got something to discuss quietly."
"Like…?"
"Uh, about a 19+ work."
Did the bait hit her fetish? She packed up instantly.
"If it's work consult, gotta hear it out."
Excuses followed, but her eyes screamed interest. Smooth venue change.
*
Seo Joo-hwan led to a room-based cocktail bar.
"Didn't know this place existed."
"Nice, right?"
"Yeah. Perfect for quiet talks."
Private room, soft jazz—great mood. He hadn't researched eats, but hookup spots? Covered.
He ordered fruit snacks and two cocktails. Server gone, Choi Mi-hwa pounced.
"So, what's the consult? 19+ work, right?"
"Yeah. Prepped it before current one, but adult market looked shaky, so scrapped."
Not empty words. Pre-regression, he'd planned a 19+ around now. He'd read plenty, so lingering attachment. (Though truth was trauma, not market.)
"Ah…."
She sighed sadly. As an avid 19+ reader, a lost work stung. But couldn't demand it—adult webnovels were dying daily.
She sighed deeply.
"Sigh. No good answers there. Adult market is shrinking. Why gov kills adult content labeling it obscene…."
Frowning angrily, she continued.
"Know one of my goals?"
"Uh? No clue."
Random, leaving him baffled. Tipsy ramble?
She set glasses on table tiredly, reopening.
No frames, her face looked fiercer.
"Reviving adult webnovel market."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. Webtoons dipped then boomed—niche platforms even. That's the play."
"Got it."
"Webnovels can too. Gov regs suck, but no fetish-focused platforms/managers? Bigger issue. Writers dodge adult stuff naturally."
Struck him—future Choi Mi-hwa's agency, signing "dead" adult novels galore. Her tastes shaped it.
Cocktails arrived. More rounds, adult novel talk flowed. Her fave topic—she chattered more than at gopchang.
They downed cocktails like water. Forgot gopchang count. Total—even strong Seo Joo-hwan teetered.
Choi Mi-hwa's face flushed, tongue slurring.
"Ahaha. You're wasted."
"Kukuku. Pot, kettle."
Drank like maniacs—head spun. She was loose too. Banmal, bestie vibes.
"Mi-hwa-ya, bathroom break."
"G'head."
In stall, Seo Joo-hwan pulled [Charm Boost Lip Balm].
Effect 1: Boosts lip charm. Makes women wanna kiss it?
Effect 2: Prevents chapped lips, regenerates existing. Steady use for regen.
* Effect lasts 2 hours per application.
He'd applied pre-meet; worn off. Forgot reapply amid chaos.
Vibe's prime. 19+ talk sparked dirty jokes. Restrained at first, drunk Choi Mi-hwa dropped sex drips freely.
Back at table, menu-scanning Choi Mi-hwa said,
"Pffft. Look—Slippery Nipple."
"Pffhaha. This one's lewder."
"Wha?"
"Blow Job."
"Eww, pervy! Seo Joo-hwan's a perv!"
She shoved his shoulder playfully, grinning.
"Says you. Obvious you love it. Knew since 'save adult market' spiel. You crave naughty stuff."
"Pffhehe. Busted?"
"Duh."
Choi Mi-hwa's fetish Narratophilia (arousal from dirty talk, cursing, lewd words). Initial worry on cursing faded—her other fetish Pictophilia (porn addiction) explained. She loved raunchy banter. Why cocktail bar? Tons of lewd names, tastier the dirtier.
"Pfft. Joo-hwan-ah, one each?"
"Yeah? Whatcha getting?"
"Sex on the Beach. Classic naughty cocktail."
"Whoa, say it again. That accent."
"Sex on the beach. Why? Good?"
Good? Killer English—study abroad? Sultry pronunciation.
"I'll do G-Spot."
"Name's insane!"
"Fun tho."
Tablet order: Sex on the Beach, G-Spot. Face-to-face? Mortifying. Smart placement?
Cocktails arrived. Watching her sip, Seo Joo-hwan teased,
"Hehe. Mi-hwa-ya, fun fact?"
"Huh? Whaa?"
Slurring tail, hazy drunk eyes. Dizzy himself, he continued.
"Guy orders Sex on the Beach, girl drinks it…."
"Then?"
"…Legend says they gotta kiss."
"……."
Silent Choi Mi-hwa. Hazy gaze locked sharp on his lips.
Seo Joo-hwan grinned through blurring vision.
"Whaddya say?"
"……."
No reply. Just gulp—her swallow echoing.