Chapter 179
Chapter 179
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 179
Chapter Title: An Unforgettable Dinner
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Lee Yoo-ah's mother, who had decided against opening for the dinner rush at her daughter's suggestion, looked terribly anxious.
“Why are you so restless?”
Lee Yoo-ah’s father asked from his wheelchair.
“If we close for a day, we’ll lose a lot of customers. That’s why I’m worried.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake.”
Lee Yoo-ah’s father wanted to say more, but he couldn't bring himself to continue, knowing his wife had been running the restaurant almost single-handedly since he became unable to walk.
Just then, the JD Enter vehicle that Yoo-ah used for her schedules arrived.
“Where are you headed? Shall I give you a ride?”
“No, it’s alright. Thank you for your hard work today.”
The road manager, who reported directly to Team Leader Lee, drove away.
“Oh, my daughter!”
“How can you be so pretty?”
Yoo-ah’s parents gazed at their daughter, who was wearing a pink, floral-patterned flare puff dress, with proud smiles.
“Hehe. I take after you two, that’s why I’m pretty.”
“She’s my daughter, but how can she look so elegant?”
“That’s enough. More importantly, did you call for a car?”
“Yes… But are you sure it’s okay not to open the restaurant?”
“Oh, Mom! These days, even popular restaurants take a break in the evening.”
“Is that really true?”
“You’d know if you checked the app. No, more than that, you need to stop working now.”
“What’s this sudden nonsense?”
Tears welled up in Yoo-ah’s eyes.
“Hey! What’s wrong?”
“Did something go wrong with your overseas activities?”
Yoo-ah shook her head, a smile on her face.
“I’m just tearing up thinking about how I can finally let you two live comfortably.”
“Comfortably… Did you think we’d close the business just because you became a celebrity? People need to work to live.”
Yoo-ah, smiling faintly, showed her parents her bank account.
“What’s this? Your signing bonus?”
“Yep!”
“…Huh? Oh my! Oh my goodness!”
Her mother, who had glanced at it casually at first, nearly collapsed, steadying herself by grabbing onto her husband’s wheelchair.
“Mom, what’s wrong!”
“Just how much is it… Good heavens!”
Her father gasped in shock upon seeing the sum of over 1.8 billion won, and her mother finally sank to the ground, still clinging to the wheelchair.
Seeing her parents so shocked they were past the point of happiness, Yoo-ah was overcome with a mix of worry and joy.
* * *
Even in the disability-accessible taxi, Yoo-ah’s parents couldn’t stop crying.
“Mom, why do you keep crying when it’s such a happy occasion?”
“*Sniff*, I don’t know. I can’t help it, the tears just keep coming.”
“Heh heh. It seems your daughter has some good news?”
The taxi driver, a man in his early fifties, said with a warm smile.
“Our daughter is a singer, and can you believe it, she’s expanding her career overseas.”
“Really?”
Yoo-ah’s father spoke, his chest swelling with pride. The taxi driver, startled, kept glancing at Yoo-ah through the rearview mirror.
“Wow. I thought you were incredibly beautiful, but you were a singer. And going international… Congratulations. You’ve raised a wonderful daughter.”
“Haha. Thank you, sir. As her parents, we haven’t been able to do much for her… I’m just so grateful she’s grown up so well on her own.”
Watching her father laugh and chat with the taxi driver, Yoo-ah felt a lump in her throat. Her father, who had been the victim of a hit-and-run while delivering chicken. Since the accident left him paralyzed from the waist down, she had never seen him speak so joyfully with a stranger.
*I’ll be an even better daughter from now on, Dad.*
Arriving at the department store, Yoo-ah’s family began to shop.
“Oh, honey, I don’t have time to wear clothes like that.”
“You’ll need them now. When you do a short interview about me, it would be embarrassing for me if you’re wearing strange clothes.”
“It’s fine. Our daughter is the singer, not us. More importantly, let’s buy a nice gift for Min-jun.”
“That’s right, Yoo-ah. You would have succeeded eventually even without him, but it wouldn't have happened this quickly.”
“I’ve been thinking about a gift, but I can’t come up with anything suitable. That’s why I wanted to shop with you two while looking for things for you.”
People began to glance over, seemingly recognizing Yoo-ah.
“A lot of people are looking at our daughter. Is she famous already?”
“Mmm. I don’t think so. I’ve only been on TV a few times, and the comments on the articles about my international debut were mostly like, ‘Who is she?’”
“They could be looking because you’re pretty. You’re just that beautiful.”
“Dad…”
“Even I was surprised when I saw you with your makeup done properly. I knew you were pretty, but you truly looked like an angel.”
“Ah, Mom, you too. Stop it.”
But despite her flustered expression, Yoo-ah’s face was full of joy.
“You’re beautiful.”
“Ah! Thank you.”
Contrary to her thoughts, one or two people soon approached her, and the family began to notice camera lenses pointed in their direction.
Yoo-ah's parents were both thrilled and worried to see people recognizing their daughter. As if sensing her father’s concern, Yoo-ah pushed his wheelchair with even more confidence.
“When we leave, the first thing we’re doing is buying you a top-of-the-line electric wheelchair, Dad.”
With joyful hearts, Yoo-ah’s family shopped through every corner of the department store.
* * *
We arrived at a three-story traditional Korean restaurant with an elegant, tiled-roof design.
A line of lantern-shaped lights illuminated the entrance, simultaneously suggesting expensive prices and delicious food.
This was perhaps the first real money Yoo-ah had ever earned. At least, it was her first payment. And it was a staggering 1.8 billion won.
It was a day where spending a million won on a single meal wouldn't feel like a waste.
I decided to let myself be treated comfortably. After all, the person closest to my own net worth was likely to be Yoo-ah.
A staff member guided us up to the third-floor VIP room.
“Oppa!”
Yoo-ah shot up from her seat and exclaimed. Her mother also stood to greet me.
“Welcome, Min-jun.”
“Good evening to you both.”
Yoo-ah’s family all smiled warmly.
They were a heartwarming family, but I couldn't help feeling a pang of sympathy. Things would have been even better if her father hadn't been in that hit-and-run accident.
“Please, have a seat.”
But the seating arrangement…
Her parents were sitting on one side, and Yoo-ah was on the opposite side. I had no choice but to sit next to her.
“My. You two look so good…”
“Ahem! Ahem.”
Yoo-ah’s father coughed dryly, tugging on his wife’s arm.
*Pour.*
Yoo-ah carefully poured me some tea.
The atmosphere was indescribably peculiar.
“I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I ordered a course with a variety of dishes.”
“Thank you.”
“Hm? Are you using formal language because my parents are here?”
Yoo-ah asked, a strangely amused look on her face. I never knew she had such a mischievous side. Damn it…
“Ahem. I’ve been using formal language this whole time, haven’t I? Always calling you Yoo-ah-ssi…”
“What does it matter if it’s formal or informal? Besides, you’re older, so of course you should speak comfortably.”
“Ah, haha. It’s no problem at all, ma'am.”
Yoo-ah’s mother, who looked quite similar to her, spoke. Her father simply watched me with a pleased expression as I was ruthlessly cornered by the two women.
An array of appetizing side dishes began to fill the table, soon followed by one of the main courses: glistening, well-aged sashimi and blanched octopus.
“Mom, Dad! How about a celebratory drink? It’s been a while.”
“What about you, Min-jun?”
Yoo-ah and her mother looked at me with expectant faces.
“I brought my car.”
“Oh, dear. And you’re the guest of honor today…”
“That’s right, Yoo-ah. Let’s not order any alcohol. It feels a bit odd for just us to drink.”
The mood suddenly deflated.
I didn’t want to ruin the family’s good atmosphere. And the food was certainly making me crave a drink.
“But today is a special day. We can’t pass up a drink on a day like this. I’ll call a designated driver. Let’s have some.”
As if on cue, the door slid open and a staff member dressed in a modernized hanbok, reminiscent of a court lady from the royal kitchen, entered.
“Is there anything you need?”
“Please set us up for wine.”
“Yes, right away.”
Yoo-ah gave a sly smile, as if she knew I would agree all along.
She placed an expensive-looking wine box on the table. Looking like she’d never opened a bottle of wine before, she seemed momentarily flustered.
“I’ll do it.”
“…”
Before, she would pout with disapproval when I used formal language, but now she seemed to like it. Was it because her parents were here?
After uncorking the wine, I poured some for her parents. Then, Yoo-ah took the bottle from me and stood up.
“Thank you. This is truly all thanks to you, Oppa.”
Yoo-ah poured my glass with care, and I had no choice but to stand up as well. It would seem arrogant to remain seated in front of her parents.
“Not at all. This happened because you’re so skilled, Yoo-ah-ssi. I just felt it was a waste of your talent.”
This time, I filled Yoo-ah’s glass.
“It’s a celebration, so we should have a toast, right?”
“Would you do the honors, sir?”
“Alright then… To our Yoo-ah and Producer Min-jun’s bright future.”
“To the future!”
*Clink.*
The wine glasses let out a clear, ringing sound at her father’s toast, which seemed to carry a peculiar personal wish.
We pleasantly filled our mouths with a sip of wine. It was a high-quality wine, with a heavy body and a subtle aroma that coated the palate.
As an accompaniment, I placed a piece of flounder sashimi—translucent and glistening—in my mouth. The firm texture and the moist, sweet flavor of the fish had no trace of fishiness, even without a squeeze of lemon.
“The wine is good, the food is good, but most of all, the company is the best.”
Yoo-ah’s mother said with a happy expression.
“I’ve heard that red wine doesn’t pair well with sashimi, but it seems that’s not always the case.”
“Ah! The person at the wine shop helped me pick that out earlier. They said wines with low tannin content go well with raw fish.”
She really put a lot of thought into preparing this.
After the sashimi was cleared, a charcoal grill and marbled beef ribs were brought in. I suppose this is what they call a full-course meal.
As the glasses were refilled a few times, the atmosphere grew even warmer.
“Yoo-ah, aren’t you going to give it to him?”
At her mother’s words, Yoo-ah, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush, held out a small gift box. It was just the right size for a wallet.
“It might be disappointing compared to the gift from Answer, but I prepared something too.”
“Being treated to this meal is more than enough. Why a gift on top of that? This makes me feel burdened.”
“Please accept it, Min-jun. My heart still clenches when I think of our daughter struggling at SJ Enter.”
“That’s right. It’s not anything expensive, so just take it.”
“I’ll accept it gratefully.”
As I took the gift box Yoo-ah was offering with both hands, I was surprised by its weight. It was a distinct heaviness, different from just a lot of cash, and it piqued my curiosity.
I carefully opened the box.
Inside was a designer wallet that was clearly expensive.
“Open it, the wallet.”
As I opened the wallet, several crisp 50,000 won bills were tucked inside.
“…”
“Mom said if you receive a new wallet with fresh bills inside, you’ll earn a lot of money. Seven bills, for good luck.”
“Thank you, Yoo-ah-ssi. I won’t refuse.”
I felt it would be meaningless to refuse a gift with such thought behind it. Besides, I was genuinely pleased.
“Ah! That’s not all. Look in the card slot.”
“…!”
I pulled out a gleaming golden card. The thin but heavy card was undoubtedly pure gold, and embossed on it was a rabbit from the twelve zodiac signs, pounding a mortar.
It was a pricey item that looked to be at least three *don* of gold.
“What is this?”
“Our Yoo-ah is a Rabbit. Isn’t it cute?”
“Ah… Yes.”
“And you’re a Dragon, aren’t you, Min-jun?”
“…Yes.”
“They say the Rabbit and the Dragon are incompatible, but that’s all just superstition. Who believes in that stuff these days, right?”
Yoo-ah’s mother’s words left me utterly confused.
If it’s all superstition, then what was the point of gifting me a pure gold card with the zodiac sign of her daughter, the Rabbit…?
Now, every time I open my wallet, I won’t be able to help but think of Yoo-ah… Was this intentional?
“Oppa, what’s with that expression?”
Yoo-ah asked, sounding slightly disappointed.
“It’s because I’m so grateful.”
“See? I knew you’d like it.”
At Yoo-ah’s mother’s words, her father, a blush on his cheeks, continued to smile with satisfaction.
“I’m not just saying this because she’s my daughter, but you two are a handsome man and a beautiful woman. How can you look so lovely together?”
“…Thank you.”
“What do you think, Min-jun?”
“…What are you referring to?”
Oh, please no.
“You’re surrounded by beautiful people all the time. I was just wondering what you think of our Yoo-ah.”
Her mother’s sharp question.
I could hear Yoo-ah swallow nervously as she feigned indifference, fiddling with her chopsticks. Before me, her parents watched me, their eyes filled with expectation.
A cold sweat trickled down my spine.