Beyond The Control

Chapter 17

“Then I’ll ask my final question. It’s known that your sister has been bedridden for a long time. Would you like to comment on that?”

At that moment, even I froze. Are they really bringing up my sister here?

What I thought was good preparation suddenly felt a bit chilling. I tried to maintain my composure as I spoke.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll have to say no comment on that. I’d rather not discuss family matters.”

The reporter’s expression changed slightly, as if they hadn’t expected to be shut down like this. But it couldn’t be helped.

Since they were interviewing Song Ji-hyeok, countless people would read this article. I absolutely refused to let my sister become a topic of gossip.

Although things got a bit awkward at the end, the interview wrapped up reasonably well. The reporter and photographer left first, and as Song Ji-hyeok was about to leave, I quickly caught up to him.

“Do you have time this evening?”

“Why?”

“If you’re free, let’s have dinner together. My treat.”

Song Ji-hyeok smirked at my words.

“Isn’t that a bit one-dimensional?”

“…What is?”

“Trying to win someone over with food.”

“What are you talking about? Who’s trying to win over whom?”

“……”

There was a moment of silence. We stared at each other with expressions of mutual incomprehension before Song Ji-hyeok spoke again.

“You’re trying to become my pair Guide, aren’t you?”

What nonsense. This is ridiculous.

“If I thought I could win you over with food, I would have bought you a meal on the first day.”

True to my word, I was still in a precarious position, and my struggle to be chosen as Song Ji-hyeok’s pair was ongoing. But this dinner invitation had nothing to do with that. Well, it was related, but it certainly wasn’t flattery.

“The incentive from yesterday’s dungeon run was more than I expected. It’s thanks to you, so I just wanted to treat you to a meal.”

Even if life is tight and difficult, I have as much conscience as anyone else. To be frank, I thought it was only right to treat him to a meal since I got an unexpected windfall thanks to Song Ji-hyeok.

‘Actually, I’d be happier if he refused. I’d save that much money.’

I was about to tell him to forget it if he didn’t want to, but Song Ji-hyeok was quicker.

“What are you going to buy me?”

“Anything.”

I blurted out and then paused. I saw Song Ji-hyeok grin at the word “anything.” I tried to correct myself quickly, but I missed the chance again.

“I like your generosity. I’ll call you later then.”

“No, wait…!”

I hurriedly reached out, but Song Ji-hyeok didn’t let me catch him. With my hand pathetically grasping at air, I was overwhelmed by a sense of anxiety.

What should I do? I think I’ve dug my own grave….

***

I received Song Ji-hyeok’s call just after 6:05 PM.

[Basement level 3 parking lot]

I was already prepared to leave work, so I just had to go. In the elevator, I pressed the button for basement level 3 as instructed.

As the doors opened and I stepped out, the characteristic musty smell of the underground hit me. Although I came to the guild building every day, the basement parking lot was quite unfamiliar. That’s because I rarely had a reason to come here as a pedestrian.

Is Song Ji-hyeok not here yet?

As I was about to cross my arms without straying too far, I heard a honk from somewhere. One of the parked cars blinked its headlights, moved forward a bit, and revealed its identity first.

“Get in.”

Song Ji-hyeok’s face appeared through the lowered window. I quickly approached and carefully opened the passenger door to get in.

The reason for my caution was that the car looked extraordinary at first glance. Even a pedestrian like me knows what a supercar looks like.

“Nice car.”

“…Not really.”

Knowing it wasn’t just showing off, I didn’t feel annoyed or want to pick a fight. Rather, I thought, “Thanks to this, I even get to ride in a car like this. You’ve made it, Su-hyeon Lee.”

The destination was already set in the navigation. Despite not having an intuitive name like XX Pasta or OO Pizza, I had a vague feeling about it.

“What are we going to eat?”

“Meat.”

As I thought. I figured as much.

“…Beef?”

“Of course.”

Since when did beef become the obvious choice? While I was inwardly shedding tears, the car safely arrived at our destination. Song Ji-hyeok turned off the engine but didn’t get out immediately. He suddenly pulled a cap down over his head and put on horn-rimmed glasses. Without me asking, he explained with a grumpy face.

“There are a lot of annoying people around.”

I quickly understood what he meant. Not long after we left the piloti parking lot, I heard people around us whispering.

“Oh? Is that person maybe…”

Song Ji-hyeok frowned and strode up the stairs in front of us. Seeing the distance between us widen instantly, I hurried to follow him.

The situation was similar inside the restaurant. Even as Song Ji-hyeok was talking to the staff at the info desk, the gazes of the people around us were so intense that my face felt hot.

Judging by the murmurs about Song Ji-hyeok, unfortunately, it seemed everyone had recognized him. Not only that, but some people were secretly taking pictures with their phones.

Did I make a mistake offering to buy him a meal?

I felt a bit sorry as I never dreamed this situation would occur. Fortunately, before a bigger commotion could break out, a staff member offered to guide us to our table.

The interior of the restaurant, after passing through another door, was the complete opposite of the waiting area. There was a corridor in the middle, with private rooms on both sides.

‘This must be incredibly expensive.’

My prediction was spot on. As soon as I opened the menu, trying to hide my anxiety, I thought my eyes would pop out.

The menu was full of beef. Moreover, the word “Hanwoo” (Korean beef) was prominently displayed before every cut.

Hanwoo assorted, Hanwoo rib eye, Hanwoo sirloin, Hanwoo tartare, Hanwoo wet-aged tenderloin? What’s that?

While I was in shock, Song Ji-hyeok was as calm as if he were at his own kitchen table. Without even looking at the menu, he asked me,

“How many portions do you want?”

“One portion….”

“Will that be enough?”

Of course it wouldn’t be. But having seen the prices, I couldn’t bring myself to order more.

“What about drinks?”

“I’m good.”

I saw that even the soju and soft drinks were about twice as expensive as in regular restaurants.

Song Ji-hyeok ordered on my behalf, as I was stiff from the luxurious room atmosphere and the expensive meat prices.

“Five portions of Hanwoo assorted and one bottle of beer, please.”

Thank goodness. I thought he might order 10 portions, given how much he can eat.

Perhaps because it was a high-end restaurant, even the appetizers were different from ordinary meat restaurants. While I was picking at an unfamiliar salad, Song Ji-hyeok popped open the beer bottle with a bottle opener. The sound drew my attention.

“Want a glass?”

“Huh?”

“You were swallowing pretty hard.”

A glass filled with beer was pushed towards me. I didn’t remember swallowing, but fearing that if I declined out of politeness that would be the end of it, I reluctantly reached out.

“Let’s toast.”

As I spoke while holding up my glass, Song Ji-hyeok laughed as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Aren’t you the one who said you weren’t drinking?”

“Come on, I never said that. I said I was good.”

I urged him to raise his glass, putting on a friendly air. An identical glass came close and clinked with mine, making a clear sound.

“Good job today too.”

After saying that briefly, I gulped down the beer. As the cold beer slid down my throat, I felt refreshed all over.

Next, the main course arrived in the room. I couldn’t take my eyes off the fresh, marbled raw meat.

It was even more artistic when it hit the grill. With a sizzling sound, the meat smell instantly filled the air, and I really started salivating.

I decided to put the price out of my mind belatedly. It’s not like it was a million won, but a whopping ten million won that I got for free, and since I decided to treat him anyway, let’s just enjoy it.

“Eat a lot.”

I should eat a lot too. I boldly extended my chopsticks towards the cooked meat. For the first bite, I dipped it in just salt to taste.

‘Damn, this is really delicious.’

So this is what they mean by melting in your mouth. This is why everyone eats expensive meat.

Now that I had tasted the meat on its own, it was time to enjoy it wrapped up. Two pieces of fresh lettuce, two pieces of meat, one clove of garlic, and a bit of seasoned vegetables.

I wrapped it up neatly and put it in my mouth, and it was indeed heavenly. As I chewed with my cheeks bulging, I started preparing another wrap. I wasn’t being greedy like a pig; this one was for Song Ji-hyeok. It would be cold-hearted to eat alone.

‘It wouldn’t hurt to score some points while I’m at it.’

At times like this, it’s best to feed someone with an “Ah-” sound, but that depends on the person and the situation. If I did that now, the table might get flipped, so I went with a safe comment.

“Try this.”

As expected, Song Ji-hyeok gave me a look that said, “What’s this?”

“It’s no fun if we just eat separately.”

“…You eat it, senior.”

“I already ate mine. I wrapped it nicely, so just humor me and try it.”

“I said I’m good.”

“Come on. My arm is getting tired.”

I’m actually quite perceptive despite appearances. If he had seriously objected, I would have backed off and eaten it myself, but I sensed it wasn’t that serious. As I guessed, Song Ji-hyeok made a face like “Is this right?” but still lowered his head and opened his mouth like a baby bird.

Wow. I thought he would take it and eat it himself.

“It’s good, right?”

“It’s okay.”

I took another sip of beer and wrapped another piece. After eating a few more times, the meat on the grill disappeared quickly. Only amateurs grill all the meat at once and then eat, so I picked up the tongs in place of the absent staff member.