Chapter 58
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 58
"Who is going to eat all of this?"
Yeon-ju’s eyes widened as she took in the mountain of ingredients for dinner. Eun-seong just placed a plate of perfectly trimmed Lamb Chops on the grill.
"One of us will," he said. "And it won't be me."
"H-How am I supposed to eat all of this?!"
She should have known something was up the moment he pulled a cooler the size of a watermelon crate from the trunk. The sheer variety was staggering, as if he’d bought one of everything that could possibly be grilled.
Yeon-ju shook her head in disbelief, looking down at the side table. It was a feast of land, sea, and air. Since Eun-seong was still strictly managing his diet, he wouldn't be eating any of this, which meant it was all for her.
"Just grill a little bit. Just a little," she pleaded.
"Stop nagging and go sit over there."
"How can I not? It's all going into my mouth."
"No nagging today. Every time you nag, I'm going to eat you up."
"..."
Eun-seong, busy lighting the charcoal and adjusting the heat, waved a hand to shoo her away. Yeon-ju slowly backed up and sat at the table.
Ever since they had started preparing, he had insisted on doing everything himself, refusing to let her lift a finger. While she was in her room talking to Han-byeol on the phone, Eun-seong had set up this magnificent dinner. The dishes were exquisite, each piece chosen for its specific purpose, and the wide main platter was designed to make any food placed upon it look beautiful.
And that wasn't all. The cutlery had a unique shape, and even the water glasses had patterns that were clearly not from a domestic brand.
"Did you pick out these dishes yourself?"
"Yeah. I think I bought that plate in Rome."
"It's pretty. Is it a designer brand? It looks expensive."
"It's not a designer brand. I bought it at a boutique. I was a pretty good haggler back then."
If he hadn't mentioned buying it for cheap, she would have believed it was a high-end luxury item. The design was flawless.
As he traveled the world, he had accumulated countless invaluable experiences that money couldn't buy, broadening his cultural horizons in the process. He effortlessly absorbed foreign cultures, and by moving within the highest echelons of society, he had developed a truly cosmopolitan sense of style. This wasn't the shallow discernment of a narrow mind; it was an eye for quality that had been completely integrated into his life, absorbed and digested until it was a part of him.
"Are you good at grilling?" Yeon-ju asked, resting her chin on her hand.
Eun-seong glanced at her. This was his chance to wash away the humiliation of the time he’d served her charred meat.
"Just try not to ask me to grill it more."
"Then I'll look forward to it."
Smoke hissed as a thick, sous-vided Hanwoo Tenderloin hit the grill. Eun-seong furrowed his brow and spoke casually.
"My diet aside, why on earth are you so skinny? Do you even eat?"
"Huh? I eat really well."
"Eat well, my foot. Someone who eats well doesn't have arms like that. So today, just eat whatever I give you."
"Okay. I'll try."
The night was deepening.
Out in the countryside, darkness fell quickly. If not for the solar-powered lights staked throughout the garden, it would have been pitch black.
"Aren't you cold?"
"It's perfect."
She liked the cool night dew dampening her shoes. She liked the warm, yellow glow of the tall lanterns. She liked the melody of the old folk song playing from the Bluetooth speaker, and she loved the cold, clean air that refreshingly filled her lungs.
With her hands tucked between her thighs for warmth, Yeon-ju looked up at the sky. Her heart stirred at the sight of the stars scattered like spilled salt. This alone felt like romance, like happiness.
"Do you want a drink first?"
"Mmh. Yes. I was waiting for you to ask."
Eun-seong chuckled at her honest confession.
"The meat looks better than I thought. It looks delicious."
"I'm suddenly starving."
The smell of the cooking meat was ecstatic. It was a familiar scent, a familiar taste, and her anticipation grew with every passing moment.
After checking that the underside was cooked perfectly, Eun-seong flipped the steak and walked over to the table. Yeon-ju quietly reached for the soju bottle, and Eun-seong nodded in approval. Neither of them spared a glance for the champagne they had brought out just in case.
"With charcoal, it has to be soju," he declared.
Eun-seong twisted the cap off and filled Yeon-ju's glass. The clear liquid seemed to sparkle with exceptional brilliance tonight, bringing a soft smile to her face.
"You're happy just looking at soju? You really are a drinker."
"Yes, I am. Parenting doesn't give you a single day off, so I've rarely had the chance to drink without a care in the world."
When she smiled, her whole face lighting up as she explained she could finally drink with a light heart, Eun-seong found himself smiling reluctantly along with her.
Parenting without a single day off.
It meant her own life had vanished.
"Shall we toast?"
"Yes."
Eun-seong held out his glass, and Yeon-ju clinked hers against it. The clear, ringing sound cut through the music, becoming an unforgettable note in the night.
As the cold liquid slid down his throat, Eun-seong furrowed his brow and let out a long breath. Unable to handle the bitter aftertaste, Yeon-ju immediately chased it with a sip of water.
Their eyes met. Seeing the familiar sight, a scene replayed from countless nights long ago, they both burst into knowing laughter at the same time.
Eun-seong laughed heartily as he set his glass down, shaking his head as if she were hopeless.
"How have you not changed one bit? You still keep a glass of cold water right next to you when you drink."
"You're the same, Actor-nim. You still furrow your brow just like you always did."
Memories were meeting.
The ones they had each carried as incomplete halves. The ones that had felt empty and sad to look back on alone.
"Ah. It's almost done. Give me ten seconds."
"Hurry up. I'm about to faint from hunger."
"Alright, alright. Pour yourself another drink and get ready."
"Okay."
She could tell, without asking, how he had preserved those memories. Just as she had kept them beautifully, the man she once loved had also treasured them.
*
"Ugh, my stomach is about to burst. I can't even move."
Yeon-ju squirmed uncomfortably. With every shift of her upper body, she could feel her stomach, packed to the brim, making it hard to breathe.
"You barely ate anything. Stop being so dramatic."
"What do you mean? I ate this, and I ate that. Oh, and I finished off that whole plate over there!"
As she raised her voice in protest, Eun-seong chuckled and took a sip of his drink. Yeon-ju leaned back in her chair, clutching her stomach.
She usually had a small appetite, but the meat had gone down so easily tonight. Was it because someone was sitting beside her, watching over her, making sure the food was cooked just right and that she was comfortable?
For so long now, every meal had been focused on what Han-byeol would eat. Every meal at home was centered entirely around her son. She would debone fish and then double-check for any missed bones, or finely chop the meat in a stew to a size that was easy for a child to eat. She was so focused on her child—whether he was eating well, if there were foods he disliked—that she had no energy left to care for her own meals.
"You really grill meat well. I admit it."
"I honed my skills for moments just like this. I'm glad."
Eating while someone watched over her felt unfamiliar. It had become such an awkward sensation that the simple act felt like a warm, gentle caress in a life that had grown accustomed only to giving attention, not receiving it.
Although she took pride in having built a loving, fulfilling home, this brief meal made her realize just how starved she had been for someone else's care.
She couldn't stop eating because she liked the way he looked at her. She kept eating and drinking because she loved the faint smile that graced his lips every time she swallowed a piece of meat.
"It was so delicious I almost cursed."
"As if you even know how to curse."
"Hmph, and do you curse well, Actor-nim?"
"I'm great at it. Is there anything I'm not good at?"
"Yes, yes. Of course. You're good at everything."
Eun-seong laughed at her sarcastic agreement. The thought of Yeon-ju cursing was, for some reason, cute. He had a passing thought that even if sharp curses were to spill from her lips, they would somehow still sound polite and sweet.
"Let's go inside."
"Okay."
As the night deepened and the temperature dropped, they went inside. Drenched in the smell of smoke, they each took a shower and changed into comfortable clothes.
He worried she might catch a cold, but she asked to stay outside a little longer, so they went up to the rooftop. The second-floor terrace had a cozier atmosphere than the garden below.
Yeon-ju, wrapped in a thick, soft blanket, sat on a wooden chair. Eun-seong put firewood into the Pellet Stove and lit it. With a satisfying crackle, the fire flared up, and Yeon-ju stretched out her hands to warm them.
"This is so nice..."
Even though she tried to hide it, sighs of pure contentment kept slipping out.
Eun-seong, who was kneeling to arrange the firewood, smiled faintly. He could listen to her heartfelt expressions forever; they made him want to create even more perfect moments for her.
"Drink this slowly. It'll warm you up."
"Okay. Thank you."
He handed her a mug of Mulled Wine. Made by simmering sweet wine with fruit, cloves, and cinnamon, it was the perfect drink for the cold weather.
As the slightly exotic scent drifted to her nose, Yeon-ju held the mug with both hands. Sparks flew every time the red-hot firewood crumbled inside the stove. Captivated, she stared at the flames for a long time.
"What a huge mistake. I should have roasted some Marshmallows," Eun-seong murmured from beside her.
Yeon-ju burst into laughter, then gave him a playful, knowing look.
"What happened to that ex-girlfriend you said looked cute eating Marshmallows?"
Eun-seong took a sip of his Mulled Wine before replying.
"Who knows. What do you think she's doing? Probably drinking Mulled Wine next to a world star."
Even though he was boasting, it wasn't annoying at all. Yeon-ju just wrinkled her nose and raised her eyebrows.
She sighed. She never knew the passage of time could feel so bittersweet. She wanted to hold onto this night that was slipping by, indifferent to her feelings, and for a moment, she felt like she might cry. Today was a day free from all the names that bound her—mother, guardian, protector. Today was a day that existed solely for her.
When would she ever experience a time like this again? With no promise of a next time, a lingering sadness settled over her. Yeon-ju gripped her mug tighter.
"Today feels like a dream."
"..."
While he remained silent, Yeon-ju looked up at the sky once more. All that was left was the two of them and a few shared fragments of memory.
And feelings that had become even more desperate than before.
"I wonder if heaven, if it exists, would be like this."
"Heaven wouldn't be like this," he said, his tone flat.
Yeon-ju lowered her gaze. He leaned closer, pressing his lips to hers.
Though she had anticipated it from the moment he moved, a dizzying sensation still pooled at the tips of her toes. It was hard to tell whose mouth the sweet and spicy taste of the Mulled Wine belonged to. As the warmth from the mug seemed to spread through her mouth, Yeon-ju gently closed her eyes.
She liked the touch of his fingertips cradling the back of her neck; it made her feel safe. After the sweet kiss ended, Yeon-ju couldn't help but smile faintly.
"It really is heaven."
Eun-seong raised his eyebrows.
"What are you talking about? We haven't even gotten there yet."