CHAPTER 36 – You’re Eating Well (Part 1)

Tourists from China rushed out of the store. The employees who were tensely greeting them until they were completely gone and out of sight all collectively let out a big sigh and slumped down.

“Wow, they even bought everything on display.”

With an expression of admiration, Seoyeon remarked. Thinking of the chaos in the VIP room, Seoyeon also briefly sat down on the store’s sofa.

“Continental rich people are on a different scale.”

Even the youngest employee, Jungwon, was impressed. Wads of money literally spilled out of their bags. Bags, clothes, and even shoes were brought in for the women to choose from, while the men sat on the couch playing games and chatting.

“Everyone worked hard. Once things are roughly sorted out, Seongmi and Jungwon, go have dinner first. We’ll have to stay late tonight, so eat something hearty.”

Seoyeon said as she got up. It was a day where overtime was inevitable, as they had to individually write cards, pack gifts, and send them off to regular customers in honor of Heritage’s 60th anniversary.

This is how life goes.

Dragging themselves to work and then being hit by a storm of tasks as if they had been waiting. Customers kept coming in, and there were many phone inquiries.

She felt dizzy when she stood up because she hadn’t taken care of herself all weekend, but she managed to endure it. She wondered if it was the power of the short ribs she forced herself to eat at lunch.

“I’ll have to be careful today.”

Sohee said as she helped Seoyeon tidy up the VIP room, organizing the scarves and accessories scattered around. It sounded like she was talking to herself, but Seoyeon reflexively asked why.

“It’s just my own jinx, but when I’m busy like crazy, I always end up fighting with my boyfriend.”

Sohee always seemed to talk about her boyfriend. Seongmi teased her about her temper, saying she resembled a late Joseon intellectual, but in person, she looked calm and intelligent.

“Did you have a good Valentine’s Day?”

Seoyeon asked suddenly, and Assistant Manager Sohee gave her a puzzled look, asking what she meant.

“Valentine’s Day? Manager, it’s been a month already.”

“Oh…”

Seoyeon laughed awkwardly. She must have become numb to the passing of the date. It seemed like just recently she had seen Sohee looking upset, but it had already been a month.

“I showed you pictures of how I spent it then.”

Right. You did.

As memories of her time with Dojun faded, other memories seemed to fly away with them. Seoyeon smiled as she remembered the café photo Sohee had shown her.

“It was White Day last weekend, did you know? Oh right, Manager, you took sick leave. You seem to have lost a lot of weight lately, are you okay?”

“Uh, yeah. I’m fine.”

Seoyeon replied and began stacking boxes in one place. Seeing Seoyeon like this, Sohee suddenly said,

“Manager, let’s go have a delicious dinner tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“Yes. My boyfriend didn’t contact me over the weekend, so I’m really mad. He said he did everything for Valentine’s Day in advance, so wasn’t that enough? But, ugh.”

Sohee shook her head in frustration. Then, with agitation in her voice, she said as she put her hand on her waist.

“No, even so, don’t you think we should communicate? We went out for drinks, and then he didn’t answer calls or texts. When I woke up in the afternoon, I asked what happened, but really.”

Sohee looked up at the ceiling in exasperation.

“I’m going to have something really delicious. I’ll eat something really delicious and get my spirits up. That’s the only way I can maintain my inner peace.”

“Sure. Let’s go eat something delicious.”

While the restaurant menus near the hotel may be similar, there were a few that the employees liked. Recalling the restaurants serving ox bone soup, boiled pork, and instant tteokbokki,  Seoyeon was about to ask where she wanted to go.

“Manager, let’s go to Cheongyeon. Cheongyeon. Oh, right, I’ll order sweet and sour pork and send him a picture. My boyfriend envied it so much. When I was transferred here, my boyfriend said the sweet and sour pork he had at Hanseong Hotel was the best he’d ever tasted, and he said we should have it together next time. Well, I’ll get my revenge. As a thank you for last time, I’ll treat you. Manager, just come along.”

Although Cheongyeon seemed a bit extravagant compared to the usual modest restaurants they frequented, Sohee grumbled, so Seoyeon found it difficult to refuse.

“Alright.”

Seoyeon smiled and said to Sohee. 

The sweet and sour pork was indeed delicious. The black bean noodles were tasty too. 

To avoid thinking about other scenes that were starting to come to mind, Seoyeon lifted the boxes.

***

“Manager, wait a moment.”

At Sohee’s words, Seoyeon stopped walking for a moment. Sohee took pictures of the lobby with her phone, taking selfies as she went up the stairs, and then, reaching Cheongyeon, called Seoyeon again.

“Manager, I’m really sorry, but could you take one picture for me? A shot at the entrance.”

Since it was later than usual dinner time, there weren’t many people at the entrance. Seoyeon willingly took Sohee’s phone and took a photo of her flashing a V-sign and smiling brightly at the entrance.

“Is this okay?”

“Yes, thank you. I’ve taken all the photos I need. Let’s go in, Manager.”

Sohee told the staff at the entrance that she had made a reservation as Chae Sohee. After the staff checked, they went inside. As they waited for their guide, Seoyeon stood still, but then she heard a voice from behind.

“Vice President. It’s been a while since you’ve been to Cheongyeon.”

Seoyeon turned her head without thinking. Among the group of people coming out of the elevator, there was a familiar face. Seoyeon blinked slowly.

Dojun was walking towards her.

His long arms were shoved into his pants pockets, and he walked with a brisk pace. Even seeing Seoyeon, he didn’t hesitate and walked over casually. Seeing that, Seoyeon turned her head to look ahead.

“Let me guide you this way.”

Just then, a staff member walked over to Sohee and Seoyeon. They were led to a round table in the center of the hall. Although she looked around for a more secluded spot, all the other tables were occupied.

“Now, what should we order? We have to get the sweet and sour pork.”

Sohee curiously opened the menu. She let out a soft gasp as her eyes widened. After adding up the prices of two orders of jjajangmyeon and one sweet and sour pork, she swallowed hard.  With a solemn expression, she called out to Seoyeon.

“Manager, what would you like to have for your meal?”

“What about you, Sohee?”

As Seoyeon asked Sohee, Dojun’s group entered the restaurant. Trying not to look at the passing Dojun, she kept her gaze on Sohee.

“I’ll have the jajangmyeon.”

“Since we’re getting the sweet and sour pork, let’s just get one order of black bean noodles to share.”

“Okay.”

“We’ll have two small portions of sweet and sour pork and one black bean noodle, please.”

As Seoyeon placed their order, Dojun passed by right beside her. Reflexively, Seoyeon turned her head the other way to look at Sohee. Though her heart felt a twinge near her chest, Seoyeon smiled and asked Sohee.

“It’s a bit expensive, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

Finally nodding, Sohee replied,

“The price for black bean noodles is typical for a Chinese restaurant. I thought I had become numb to the prices working at Heritage, but the jjajangmyeon’s price is another shock. I can carry bags for life, but this is…”

Without finishing her sentence, Sohee closed her mouth. Seoyeon chuckled as she looked at Sohee and said,

“We’ll split the bill.”

Sohee gestured in refusal to Seoyeon’s words.

“No, I said I’d treat you.”

“I’ve been craving the sweet and sour pork here for a few days. Let’s split it.”

“Then I’ll pay for the sweet and sour pork, and you can pay for the black bean noodles, Manager.”

Seoyeon nodded in agreement. As she sipped the warm jasmine tea, she watched Sohee take photos of the pickles and vegetables on her phone.

“But about CEO Hwang Dojun.”

Sohee said, adjusting the angle of her phone to take a picture.

“He still looks like the hotel CEO who came to see if his property is doing well. The new CEO doesn’t stand out much; sometimes he even misses greetings. But he certainly catches the eye.”

Seoyeon just smiled faintly as the sweet and sour pork was served. Seoyeon didn’t feel much like eating since Dojun passed by, leaving her feeling choked up, but thinking of Sohee, Seoyeon smiled and said,

“It’s delicious. Eat a lot, Sohee.”