Chapter 13
Chapter 13
What did being healthy have to do with a lacquer allergy? Bom was puzzled but kept her mouth shut.
The owner asked worriedly, “Ah, but the portion size is a bit much for just two people. Will you be alright?”
“No problem. I usually eat double portions of ginseng chicken soup anyway.”
At those words, the owner nodded in relief. He pulled a notepad from his front pocket and began checking off items.
“Right. Then one Lacquer Tree and Neungi Mushroom Duck Soup. And for drinks?”
“Ha, what a shame. I’m driving, so no alcohol for me. Let’s just have a bottle of cider.”
“Alright, one Lacquer Tree and Neungi Mushroom Duck Soup and one bottle of cider.”
After double-checking the order, the owner headed into the kitchen. Jae-gyu looked longingly at the various infused liquors displayed along one side of the restaurant, smacking his lips.
Bom followed his gaze and frowned. There were so many varieties.
Yagwanmun, ginseng, fire ant, plum wine, black raspberry...
“Ms. Bom-Bom, I’m really sorry about this. It’s a shame I can’t drink because of the driving.”
She wasn't disappointed at all. Alcohol? Please. Not only did she not enjoy drinking, but she especially didn't want to drink with Jae-gyu.
Still, Bom gave a perfunctory nod. She had learned through experience that if she said she didn't like something, he would always have something to add.
“Let’s leave the car behind next time and have a proper drink.”
“...Sure.”
Though that will never happen. After giving a half-hearted reply, Bom turned her gaze to the banner hanging below the menu.
Do you really end up like that just by eating this?
The banner listed the benefits of duck in great detail.
Recovery of stamina, strengthening the immune system, anti-aging, detoxification, boosting virility... Jae-gyu seemed to be a regular here, and looking at his robust physique, the claims didn't seem entirely false.
“Do you come here often?”
“Well, it’s on the way to the office.”
Jae-gyu stretched out his arm and pointed toward the far wall. Several autographs from celebrities with familiar names were hanging there. Bom’s eyes widened as she looked.
I’m simply in awe! Thumbs up! ^^ -Seon Jae-gyu-
It was an autograph scribbled in blue permanent marker.
“There’s someone with the same name as you, Jae-gyu.”
Was there a celebrity with that name? She was curious and surprised. Jae-gyu chuckled.
“That’s me.”
“...”
She shouldn't have asked. For a long time, Jae-gyu went on about being a local star. Bom, who wasn't interested in the slightest, let it go in one ear and out the other. She focused on looking out the window instead.
After admiring the scenery for a while, Bom took a sip of the lukewarm barley tea Jae-gyu had poured for her and asked, “By the way, do you think Han-gyeol got back okay? Why don't you give him a call?”
“Again with that.”
“Still. If you tell him to come here even if it’s late...”
“I’ve raised that kid since he was the size of my foot; don't you think I know him? It’s obvious what he’s thinking.”
He wants to get his uncle married off. Jae-gyu muttered the rest to himself. Bom was horrified and opened her mouth to say something, but—
“Alright, here is the duck soup.”
The owner appeared just then carrying a massive pot, causing her to miss her timing. She was lost for words at the eye-catching size.
“This is...”
It’s too big. The duck soup sitting on the gas burner was the size of a house. It looked twice as large as any duck she had eaten elsewhere.
“Jae-gyu, can the two of us really eat all this?”
“It’s only for ?! people.”
Bom was genuinely intimidated by the massive size. No matter how big Jae-gyu was, how could two people eat a portion meant for ?! people?
“It’s okay to leave some, so just eat comfortably. You’re so scrawny I’m afraid you’ll just keel over.”
Jae-gyu busily set out the spoons and chopsticks. Once the soup started boiling, he picked up the tongs and scissors and began the deboning process.
After removing as many bones as possible, Jae-gyu plopped a leg onto Bom’s front plate. Steam rose from the pale, tender meat.
“Try dipping it in a bit of salt. It’s hot, so blow on it. Want me to blow on it for you?”
“No.”
“Make sure it’s cooled down before you eat. Wow. Look at how packed this place is.”
Just as Jae-gyu said, it seemed to be a popular spot; by the time the lunch rush hit, the place was so full there wasn't a single empty seat.
Most were families. Having never had a family meal like this, Bom felt awkward yet strange to be here.
Her parents, who valued appearances, never frequented these kinds of traditional restaurants and certainly never brought Bom to one. Family outings were always fine dining or high-end Japanese or Chinese restaurants.
The kind of places where you had to wear neat clothes and strictly observe table manners. She had been to regular restaurants for Shinsu High staff dinners, but this was her first time at a family-oriented place like this.
She liked the relaxed atmosphere. Bom picked up her chopsticks.
“Eat slowly and chew well.”
“Yes, thank you for the meal...”
Bom blew on the meat, dipped it in salt, and put it in her mouth, letting out a soft exclamation.
“It’s delicious.”
“Right? I don't waste people's time.”
“It’s really delicious...”
Seeing Bom munching away, the corners of Jae-gyu’s mouth curled up in a satisfied grin.
⋆★⋆
“You’re a reckless man. I’ll give you some oral medication and an ointment, so try them out. If the swelling doesn't go down, you have to go to the hospital for a shot, okay?”
The pharmacist clicked her tongue and handed over a transparent bag containing two medicine boxes.
Bom followed Jae-gyu, who took the bag haphazardly, and got into the car.
“Um, are you okay?”
“Do I look okay...?”
Jae-gyu turned his head toward the passenger seat. Bom accidentally let out a snort of laughter before quickly fixing her expression.
“A man is dying here, and you’re laughing...?”
At Jae-gyu’s words, Bom bit her lip hard to stifle her laughter. Jae-gyu had ended up like this after they finished their meal at the garden and arrived at the solar energy site.
The vast land was densely packed with solar panels.
[It’s incredibly wide.]
[It’s about 320,000 pyeong. Down there, we have geothermal water heaters and pellet boilers too. There’s a lot more in the office.]
[I’ve heard a lot of negative things about solar power. Like environmental destruction...]
[That’s only because people cut down perfectly good mountains. This place was originally a barren hill.]
Jae-gyu had been introducing his business with quite a bit of confidence. He even explained the difference between solar photovoltaic and solar thermal power, saying he handled both. He was surprisingly knowledgeable, and his explanations were clear.
She had thought he lived without a single thought in his head, so this was unexpected.
It was just as Bom was deeply reflecting on her prejudices while making eye contact with Jae-gyu.
[Jae-gyu, what’s wrong with your face?]
[Why? Do I look cool?]
[No. You look like a blueberry right now.]
Despite his boasting about not having a lacquer allergy, Jae-gyu’s face had gradually swollen up the more they toured the solar power site.
In the end, the two finished their inspection earlier than expected and stopped at a pharmacy on the way back.
At first, he had stubbornly refused to go. His reason was ridiculous.
[I haven't even shown you the office or the factory yet. I can't go back like this.]
[Stop talking nonsense and let’s just go.]
[I want to show you my everything before we go.]
[I’ll see your 'everything' next time. Okay?]
That was how she finally managed to soothe him. She thought it would be better to go to a hospital, but Jae-gyu said something absurd about how he was so healthy he’d never been to a hospital in his life.
He was exaggerating. How could it be possible to have never been to a hospital since birth? Regardless, Bom had practically dragged him there, insisting he at least apply some ointment.
“Take your medicine quickly. You shouldn't take allergies lightly.”
Unable to withstand Bom’s nagging, Jae-gyu took a bottle of water from the console box and popped a pill into his mouth. Bom briefly thought the way his Adam's apple moved as he swallowed was sexy, then quickly shook her head.
What is wrong with me whenever I look at this man?
It was a relief he took the pill, but it was also urgent to provide first aid to his ruined face. Bom took the ointment out of the bag and pressed it into Jae-gyu’s hand.
“Apply the ointment too. Your lips are all swollen.”
“Are my designer lips ruined? This is bad. Ha, if they’re ruined like this, it’s going to cause problems.”
What kind of problems? Bom narrowed her eyes and looked at Jae-gyu intently.
Jae-gyu was haphazardly squeezing out the ointment and smearing it on. It wasn't even being applied properly to the red, allergic spots.
“How can you apply it like that?”
“What’s wrong with it?”
“Give it here.”
Unable to watch any longer, Bom snatched the ointment from Jae-gyu’s hand.
“I must look pretty hideous. Do I not look like an actor anymore?”
Bom put some ointment on her finger. She leaned closer to Jae-gyu and said sternly, “You never looked like one to begin with. So just shut your mouth.”
“Understood, Teacher Bom-Bom.”
Bom lightly placed her index finger on Jae-gyu’s lips. Perhaps because they were so swollen, it almost looked like a bee sting.
However, the original shape itself was decently full with the corners turned up, so it wasn't terribly unsightly. They just looked thick.
Recalling anew that Jae-gyu’s lips were actually quite nice, Bom carefully layered the ointment on.
“Ugh.”
“I told you to stay still.”
Bom leaned in close, focusing only on Jae-gyu’s lips, spreading the ointment as gently as possible so as not to hurt him.
“Bom.”
“Uh-uh? Don't talk. Shh!”
She glared at him sharply, the way she would a student. But Jae-gyu’s face contorted even more.
“...Bom.”
“A-hem! Jae-gyu. Are you going to keep your mouth shut or not?”
“Bom-ah.”
It was then that her wrist was suddenly seized, accompanied by a low, husky voice.
What?
Bom was startled by the grip on her wrist. She caught her breath and slowly lifted her head.