One of the best things about Korea was definitely the food, at least for this gluttonous family of three. But it wasn't just any food that people fell in love with. Korea was best known for its all-you-can-eat BBQ. There were dozens of selections in Seoul. Unlike New York where nothing came cheap, Seoul offered a various range of price for their BBQ restaurants.
Tonight, Ji Woon chose Mango Plate restaurant for their dinner. The orange billboard atop the entrance glistened brightly at dusk. They did not come at a good time since it was practically a busy period when they arrived. Fortunately, Ji Woon had reserved a table beforehand.
Shu Hwa hopped out of the car excitedly along with her two babies. There was no trace of drowsiness on their faces especially Min Jun, who had been sleeping earlier.
Ji woon laughed at their eager anticipation for food. 'This sight never gets dull,' he thought, amused.
However, his train of thought was cut short as the two kids pulled him by his sleeves while Shu Hwa pushed him from behind towards the restaurant.
Ji Woon smiled helplessly as he shook his head. Not only the children but even the mother. He felt like babysitting three kids instead of just two.
When they entered the place, the twins looked around excitedly with sparkling eyes. They grabbed each other and walked hand-in-hand towards the menu which was stuck on the wall.
There were three packages available where the first one cost $11 which was the regular set, the second cost $13 with the combination of the first set plus an additional chicken dish, the third cost $15 with the second set plus an additional bowl of rice or noodles.
The twins' eyes were sparkling when they turned their heads back to Ji Woon and Shu Hwa. They stared at Shu Hwa with hopeful eyes, pleading for her to choose the third set.
Shu Hwa coughed slightly before turning to tonight's bank. She grinned ever so dazzlingly at Ji Woon.
After realizing who was going to pay for dinner tonight, the kids turned their eyes to the man as well. They gawked at him akin to a hunter looking at their prey.
Ji Woon laughed. He held his abdomen as he imagined the three pair of eyes bulging with dollar signs in them.
"Okay, let's go with one set three and three set one?"
The twins pouted in disappointment when he heard him. However, they would not be called the smartest twins in their school if they could be shot down easily like this.
"Ji Woon Oppa, won't you give me the set three?" Min Jun asked with his sad puppy eyes while holding the hems of his shirt.
Ji Woon was flustered when he was faced with the innocent baby tackling him with his puppy eyes.
It didn't even five seconds before the man's heart yielded. Ji Woon hurriedly nodded and agreed to Min Jun's plea, "Yes ..yes... the third one is for you."
Min Jun clapped his hands excitedly as he smirked at his other twin. Meanwhile, Min Hyuk returned his gaze disdainfully before he puffed up his cheeks. Afterwards, he began his little invasion.
Min Hyuk slipped his hand into Ji Woon's and asked in a pitiful voice, "Oppa, do you not love me?"
Ji Woon turned to look at Min hyuk this time as he hurriedly said, "I do love you, my munchkin. Why would you think the opposite?"
"Then, why are you buying the third set for Min Jun only? Do you love him more? Does it mean he's more special than me?"
Ji Woon widened his eyes at the sudden question. He understood very well how sensitive kids could get and he didn't want these twins to think that one was favoured than the other.
He hugged Min Hyuk as he said, "It's not like that. I love you both equally."
Still seeing the depressed look on Min Hyuk's face. He closed his eyes, feeling the burning wallet in his pocket as he painfully said, "We will buy two sets of the third combo. What do you say?"
Min Hyuk's eyes glistened in happiness but, he asked worriedly, "Is that okay, Oppa?
Ji Woon reluctantly nodded his head while deep down, he was trying to calm his crying heart. 'It's fine...it's fine... their smiles are worth all his wage.'
Min hyuk leaned forward and bestowed a smooch on Ji Woon's cheek lovingly before he grabbed his brother and hurried inside.
Ji Woon immediately had a stupid grin on his face when he thought how the serious kid had given him a reward. Min Hyuk was never the type that would show his affection. He was rather aloof and quiet. It was not often that he would be this adorable and passionate.
He shook his head in helplessness. He strode towards the restaurant when he felt a tug on his shirt. He looked behind to see Shu Hwa pouting at him.
Ji Woon was stunned upon seeing her expression. Her pink pouty lips, her puffed up cheeks, and her brown doe-eyes glistening under the yellow light of the billboard was a straight arrow to his heart.
He gulped unknowingly as he watched Shu Hwa tugged his sleeve repeatedly.
It went without saying how much Ji Woon understood this woman. He didn't need her to say anything and he could already guess what was on her mind. It was the same this time.
Ji Woon held his breath as he faced her disappointed and aggrieved look that was shot at him.
"Tokki--"
He couldn't complete his sentence as Shu Hwa had leaned forward and hugged his waist. She then propped her chin on his chest. She bit her lower lips in the most adorably irresistible way.
"Fine. You win!" He finally conceded.
Ji Woon scolded himself internally for having offered to treat this parasite family in the first place. It was basically like sending himself to the chopping board. Well, at least it felt like that for his poor wallet. The worst part was, he could only mourn about it.
The corner of Shu Hwa's lips curved into a perfect crescent that it knocked the man off-guard. But, he was soon snapped out of his thoughts when he heard her call him.
"Oppa, hurry up!"
Ji Woon cried inwardly. He glanced at the shop sign and sighed out of desperation. This restaurant had just become his funeral.
As soon as he entered, he heard Shu Hwa ordered four sets of the third combo which instantly stupefied Ji Woon. He stood rooted by the entrance and was in a daze for a while.
He then grabbed her hand and pulled her to the side. He asked, "Why four?"
Shu Hwa tilted her head. "Well, it's not fair for you to eat only a little when you are treating us a lot."
Ji Woon just stared at her impassively, looking at her as if she had just used some foreign language to speak.
"You must be happy knowing that you got a friend who cares about you." Shu Hwa patted his shoulder and nodding her head understandingly.
Ji Woon gaped at her in disbelief. His mouth ajar. But Shu Hwa looking all innocent, she turned around and followed her munchkins who had their heads plastered against the meat shelves.
"Goodbye, my dear money." He cried silently as he headed towards the three heartless parasites.
Now, he could only hope that the food taste worth every dime of the money he had spent because it was the only way he could relieve himself. He needed to vent himself by eating a lot. He pinned his hope on the row of meats lying inside the shelves to heal his wounded poor little heart.
But, he would soon know how wrong he was to think that he could easily enjoy his food.