The warm lighting, plush sunken seats, and professional yet courteous staff made the Hanwoo restaurant feel like a haven of luxury. Lee Jin-woo's cheap thrift-store suit didn't draw any mockery or disdain. After being taken by the staff, it was neatly hung on the wall.
The eagle tattoo on his neck and the fierce feathers peeking out at his wrists went unnoticed—or so it seemed. The server's calm, almost robotic gaze betrayed no reaction.
What Lee Jin-woo didn't realize was that her composure was born of sheer terror.
He ordered two portions of Hanwoo beef and a side dish. The server, moving like a zombie, left the private room. Lingering at the door, she suddenly clutched her chest, whispering, "So scary, so scary…"
Five minutes later, the dishes arrived.
As Lee Jin-woo prepared to dig in, the server's voice, faint as a mosquito's hum, interrupted: "Sir, excuse me… would you mind sharing a table?"
"What?"
Her voice was so soft, he couldn't make it out. Who could hear that?
"Oh, nothing, nothing!" The server bowed frantically, looking on the verge of tears.
Lee Jin-woo, puzzled, said, "What did you say? I didn't catch it."
Stammering, she repeated herself.
Seeing his frown, she bowed again, apologizing: "I'm sorry, sir. It's just that we're very busy today, and another guest is in a hurry. If you mind, we'll decline her request…"
"No problem, let's share." Lee Jin-woo smiled and nodded, agreeing to the request.
Sharing a table wasn't a big deal.
Eating alone was kind of boring anyway.
"Huh?"
Surprised by his easygoing attitude, the server's eyes welled up with gratitude, as if it personally meant the world to her. Lee Jin-woo was utterly baffled.
"Annyeonghaseyo, I'm Lee Joo-bin. Sorry for the intrusion."
Petite yet fiery, the woman had delicate ankles that looked like they could snap with a twist. She bowed repeatedly before sitting across from him.
Ugh, another day of envying chaebols! Lee Joo-bin thought.
Her emotions were a rollercoaster. Training had kept her from a proper meal for ages. Finally sneaking out to treat herself, she was told there were no tables.
Luckily, the manager offered to ask about sharing.
She thought she'd caught a break—until she saw him.
Ugh, if I'd known it was a gangster, I'd have stayed in the dorm eating ramen!
"Hello, Lee Jin-woo." He nodded politely before placing the Hanwoo on the grill.
"If you don't mind, let's eat together."
"Huh?"
Lee Joo-bin froze, then waved her hands. "No, no, the restaurant will prepare my order soon. I just need a small spot."
This gangster was surprisingly generous. Did he have ulterior motives?
She was starting to regret her impulsiveness. Even if she wanted to treat herself, she should've picked a better time.
"Alright, this half is yours."
No pestering followed. Lee Jin-woo slid the grill toward her side and started eating heartily.
His movements were deliberate—grilling the meat to well-done, dipping it in sauce, wrapping it with side dishes in lettuce, and popping it into his mouth.
The sizzling, oil-splattering top-grade sirloin on the grill made Lee Joo-bin's mouth water. She was starving.
"Um… beef tastes better with rice. Also, flip it faster. That way, it cooks evenly, and the flavor really comes out."
She swallowed hard.
Gulp.
The sound was painfully obvious in the quiet room, drowned only by the sizzle of the grill.
Lee Jin-woo instinctively looked up.
Lee Joo-bin ducked her head, wishing she could crawl into a hole.
So embarrassing!
"It's too much hassle that way. If you want, you grill. We'll eat together."
Glancing at the man, then back at the glistening sirloin tightening under the heat, Lee Joo-bin surrendered to her cravings. She needed to eat this.
Compared to her ordered brisket, sirloin was the soul of Hanwoo.
"Fine, I'll do it…"
The eagle's piercing eyes on his tattoo made her swallow her bravado.
"I'll help you." She gulped again—this time out of fear, not hunger.
Joo-bin, Joo-bin, how dare you joke with someone like him? Aren't you afraid of being sold to a human trafficking ring?
Imagining movie-like horrors, her appetite waned.
But under Lee Jin-woo's expectant gaze, she tearfully continued grilling.
"Done. Try it."
She placed her most carefully, perfectly grilled sirloin in his bowl, eyes sparkling as she awaited his verdict.
Lee Jin-woo tried it. Honestly, it didn't feel life-changing.
Still, seeing her effort, he nodded. "Tastes great."
Encouraged, Lee Joo-bin grew more enthusiastic, grilling piece after piece.
She paired each with different sides, rolling them into spring-roll shapes for his plate.
Eventually, she started hand-feeding him.
She didn't forget to treat herself either.
"One for you, one for me, one for me, and…"
Her hand froze mid-air, a wrapped piece of Hanwoo dangling as Lee Jin-woo watched with amusement.
The beef, held by her slender fingers, hovered near his mouth. "H-here… for you."
Was this woman cunning or just clueless? Lee Jin-woo couldn't tell.
Either way, he wasn't interested in finding out.
Women were great, but being single was better.
Love and romance didn't fit his Big Brother persona. A quick fling, though? That'd be clean and simple.
Maybe hit a club later, see if there's an easy mark?
Lost in thought, he snapped back to reality. The sirloin was gone, replaced by brisket, two bowls of rice, and some accompanying beef.
"It's a gift from the restaurant for the inconvenience of sharing," Lee Joo-bin explained, cracking a sterile egg into the beef and stirring quickly.
Tasting the sauce on her chopsticks, she grinned. "Perfect."
She set the rice and beef in front of him, transforming into a cheerful server, flipping the brisket with a radiant smile.
"I've got this. You eat."
"Hm."
Lee Jin-woo nodded, casually asking, "Where's my big plate of sirloin and outer skirt?"
Lee Joo-bin, feigning calm while bustling, froze. Her expression turned glum.
The sirloin and outer skirt? All in her stomach.
Blame the Hanwoo for being too delicious—she'd lost herself.
Oh no, he's not gonna sell me over this, right?
(End of Chapter)