The dim light of the Golden Dawn Restaurant framed Baek Yisoo's face with a golden halo. Across from him, Minji was looking over the menu, occasionally frowning and pursing her lips. Yisoo knew Minji would have a hard time choosing. Her indecision stemmed from her picky eater and her desire to always choose the most delicious thing.
"Have you decided yet?" Yisoo asked with a curious look.
Minji lifted her head and looked at him. "Almost," she said. "I'm debating whether to get steak or lamb stew."
"Steak is always a safe choice," Yisoo said. "But lamb stew can also be very tasty."
Minji seemed to be making a difficult decision.
"What will you have?"
"I think steak and wine..."
"All right, I'll have steak and wine."
Baek Yisoo rang the bell on the table and a waiter came to take the orders. After Baek Yisoo placed the orders, he added separately:
"I want you to fill the table with your favorite dishes, and bring your most expensive wine."
A smile appeared on the waiter's face.
"'Aye, sir!"
Minji looked at Baek Yisoo.
Her eyebrows were raised in interest.
"Can you afford it? I'm not familiar with such places, but I know how expensive they are. You don't need to risk your life to curry favor with me."
"You think so? I don't mean to brag, but I'm not short of money," Baek Yisoo said proudly.
Unlike men, women placed great importance on material things. After all, a man's worth was determined by the means at his disposal. That was the biggest reason why he hadn't refrained from spending money tonight.
Minji rolled her eyes.
The food arrived, accompanied by pleasant music playing in the background. The chefs at the Golden Dawn Restaurant were masters at transforming local and fresh ingredients into unique works of art. Everything on the restaurant's menu was prepared and presented at a royal level.
Each plate was carefully decorated like a work of art. The aesthetic appearance of the food was a treat for the appetite. Baek Yisoo carefully poured the wine brought by the waiter into a glass and served it to Minji.
It had been almost ten minutes.
As the two were about to start their meal, a round of applause erupted.
Her long black hair reached to the sky, her eyes shining like diamonds, defying the stars. Her white skin shone like a lotus flower in the moonlight. Her lips were red and full like cherries. She looked so otherworldly that she was like an unattainable fairy.
Taking the stage, the woman, who appeared to be in her twenties, gently bowed to the guests and took the Guqin prepared for her. Although she said nothing, the audience went wild with her grace, like fanatics.
As soon as the young woman touched the strings of the Guqin, the entire restaurant fell into a deep silence.
Her fingers flew over the strings like a butterfly.
The resulting sound melted the hearts of the listeners.
Minji was watching Han Bora in ecstasy. She was Han Bora's age but had grown up with his songs. Han Bora was one of the leading figures in the entertainment industry from a very young age.
"It's Fly Me to the Moon!" screamed Minji excitedly. She had even forgotten about the delicious food in front of her.
Baek Yisoo was incredibly calm.
His recent experiences had completely changed his views on women. Unlike 90% of the men in the restaurant, he didn't appreciate Han Bora's beauty. Instead, he just enjoyed the music and focused his attention on Minji.
There was no need to think so much about something that didn't belong to him.
"What do you think of the food? I think the food is good, but I would kill for the wine," Baek Yisoo said in a desperate attempt to start a conversation.
Minji was completely engrossed in Han Bora's performance and didn't even realize that Baek Yisoo was talking. Baek Yisoo smiled bitterly and continued eating his food. While watching Han Bora, he was pouring wine into Minji's empty glass.
Minji was in a good mood. She was watching a unique performance accompanied by a beautiful meal. Han Bora was like an otherworldly beauty from heaven. She impressed not only men but also women with her graceful movements.
Baek Yisoo gently raised his glass after refilling his own wine.
"To honor this beautiful night," Baek Yisoo said, clinking his glass against Minji's.
Minji returned Baek Yisoo's kind gesture, but she was still more interested in Han Bora's music. Baek Yisoo frowned, but did not express his displeasure. Instead, he praised Han Bora's talent.
"His finger movements resemble the dance of a butterfly. It's so lovely that it warms my heart."
"Really?" said Minji, seeming surprised that Baek Yisoo was so impressed by Han Bora's song. "I love her voice too, but this song is not that good. Her other songs are so elegant and emotional..."
"Is that so? Each note seems to be carefully selected and put together. It's like telling a story." said Baek Yisoo, checking Minji's interest level out of the corner of his eye.
[Interest Level: 27/100]
Baek Yisoo was surprised at how slowly her interest level had increased. It had been almost half an hour and he had only gained four points. It seemed that Yu Minji was happy, but not that impressed.
'It's not about my means, it's about me.
It was a wonderful setting. She was having great food with a kind gentleman in a great restaurant with great music. Baek Yisoo couldn't understand why she was so indifferent.
'Ah, I think I understand.'
He tried a little harder. He continued to praise Minji's beauty, her movements and grace. Occasionally he praised Han Bora too, but he brought the subject back to Minji. He tried to get information out of her somehow, but Minji wouldn't even come close to talking to him.
'This woman...'
Baek Yisoo realized it was impossible to win Minji's heart tonight.
'...she takes me for granted. She knows I like her, but she doesn't show it. God, how stupid of me!'
"Have fun for the rest of the night," he said, standing up abruptly.
Minji was surprised by Baek Yisoo's sudden rise. "But we just got here?"
"Something came up," Baek Yisoo lied. "I have to leave right away. I'll pay the bill and you can keep hanging out here."
Without giving Minji a chance to reply, he left the table, paid the bill and left the restaurant. As he walked through the empty streets, he thought about the mistakes he had made for an hour. Maybe he wasn't handsome enough.
Should he have paid more attention to looks?
It was true that looks mattered, but was looks really the top priority?
Weren't there more important factors like financial power, kindness, maturity?
"I feel like I am slowly understanding the meaning behind seduction."
He knew he had to completely change his way of thinking. If he wanted to walk this path, he had to change his regressive way of thinking, full of traditional norms.
Baek Yisoo walked the streets alone while Minji softly watched Han Bora. Even though he was showing the most important event of the day, the 'Moon Fairy Dance', Minji couldn't fully focus. Part of her mind was on Baek Yisoo suddenly getting up.
Why had he gotten up? Didn't he like her after all? Wasn't he going to all this trouble to ask her out?
Honestly, Minji was surprised to see Baek Yisoo and wondered how he could afford such a luxurious place. But after a while she thought that a man who wanted to be with her should at least be able to do that.
Now, alone at this table, she felt abandoned.
"Anyway, it's his loss."