As soon as she saw the egg tarts Su-Jin's eyes began to sparkle and her mouth watered.
However, the man sitting across from her showed quite the opposite expression. His eyebrows furrowed into a scowl and he eyed the egg tarts as though they were some kind of poisonous thing.
"We didn't order this." Ji-Won remarked as soon as he saw the waiter placing the large plates on the table.
The waiter, however, wasn't fazed, neither by Ji-Won's words, nor by his glowering. Instead, he took a step back from the table and bowed at ninety degrees.
"These are a treat from Mr. Gu. Even though you came all the way here, and it just so happens that he's present, unfortunately he is unable to properly greet you. Offering you this small treat is his way of apologizing for the misfortunate situation. The egg tarts have been especially made for you and your date, so please enjoy them, Director Kang."
"I don't like sweets and your Mr. Gu knows this." Ji-Won's nose wrinkled and he couldn't repress the grimace of displeasure.
Su-Jin raised a glass of water to her lips, hiding her entire face behind it. It took all her willpower to stifle the chuckles that almost burst out from her mouth.
'When he acts like this, Director Kang looks like a little spoiled kid.' She laughed to herself.
Just as she was indulging in her own amusement, the waiter's next words unexpectedly reached Su-Jin's ears.
"To be sure, Mr. Gu is well aware of Director Kang's preference. However, given how today you are accompanied by a lady, he took the liberty of making such a transgression. He hopes you will enjoy the dessert, Miss."
The last sentence was addressed directly to Su-Jin.
In response to that, the young woman blushed a furious red.
'What the heck is with this person's pompous way of talking? Are we filming a period drama or something?! But more importantly, why is he addressing me with such a deference? I'm just an intern at Kangji Tourism, not even a permanent employee. Does it really matter that I'm here with Director Kang? Is that why all the staff are acting as though I am some kind of high-class person?'
Even though Su-Jin kept scolding the waiter inside her head, while also sneering at how society only cares about looks and appearances, Su-Jin still insisted on proving that even a commoner cand have a good upbringing.
For that reason, she stubbornly maintained a soft and demure outer appearance. All throughout the conversation, she merely showed a small smile, while bowing her head slightly.
"Please thank Mr. Gu for me. And tell him that I really enjoyed the food." She spoke softly.
"You're very kind, Miss."
After finishing the mission he had been tasked with, the waiter retreated, taking with him the other staff as well. Thus, Su-Jin and Ji-Won were once again left alone to their own devices.
"I suppose I'm now indebted to Gu for thinking ahead." Ji-Won mused in an undertone. "I apologize, Miss Park, for not even thinking about asking if you wished to eat something else. It's true that they have really delicious desserts here, but… Like I said earlier, I don't like sweets so... I just..."
Ji-Won stumbled on his words for a second, before his voice gradually died out, leaving behind a buzzing silence. He had been about to say that he wasn't used to dating, or to catering to someone else's tastes. But no sooner had the words formed inside his head, that he immediately stopped them from coming out.
Yet, although he hadn't said anything out loud, inside his heart he was still aware of his own feelings.
'This is ridiculous! Kang Ji-Won, you're acting like a stupid kid, feeling nervous all the time and not knowing what to say or do. If you carry on like this, you might as well use those diplomas as joss paper1 and burn them in order to worship your lost IQ.'
While he was berating himself like this, Su-Jin had examined the small, round desserts like they were a novelty.
"That's quite alright." She eventually replied with a smile.
Next, she picked up an egg tart between two fingers and brought it to her lips.
"Normally, after such a copious dinner I wouldn't have eaten anything else. The food was already more than enough to last me for two meals instead of just one. But since these tarts were a gift from your acquaintance, I might as well enjoy them."
Luckily, Ji-Won's thundering heart couldn't be heard, otherwise Su-Jin might have been startled. Rather, she was now looking more intrigued than anything. She took a small bite of the tart and began chewing it slowly.
Not even a second later, a muffled squeal broke out inside the room.
"Oh my goodness, these are so good! Positively sinful! Director Kang, you should definitely try one."
After swallowing, she hurried to take another bite.
Su-Jin's enthusiasm was contagious, driving Ji-Won into completely forgetting his dislike of sweets.
Just like a person who had been hypnotized, he stretched out a hand and picked up an egg tart. After staring at it for half a minute, he eventually put it in his mouth and began to chew.
In an instant, the sweetness of the egg custard enveloped his tongue, assaulting his taste buds. The taste was so intense that Ji-Won almost choked.
With a vigorous cough he quickly reached for the glass of water and gulped down half of its content.
"So it's true then." Su-Jin's voice sounded both worried and amused. "You really don't like sweets."
"Ngh." Ji-Won stifled another cough and finished the remainder of his water. "Mh, I can't handle sweet food, nor spicy food for that matter."
"Does that mean you can only eat bland food?" Su-Jin asked, holding back a grimace.
At the very thought she couldn't help but lament internally.
'If that's really the case, what a boring palate he must have.'