90: Chapter 91 So-yeon's Sweetness

Seoul.

10:00 AM.

Apgujeong, Yunmengze Building.

Qian Xu sat in his office.

Looking at the data on his computer screen.

The first day of business for Yunmengze Life Plaza.

Customer traffic reached 15,000.

Sales revenue was 1.2 billion won.

3,500 new members registered.

Customer traffic at Lotte Mart's Hongdae branch dropped by 30%.

He smiled.

This retail war.

He had won the first round.

But Lotte Mart would not give up so easily.

He had to be prepared for the next round of counterattacks.

---

His phone vibrated.

It was a message from Park So-yeon.

"Mr. Qian, are you at the company?"

Qian Xu replied.

"I am."

"What's wrong?"

Park So-yeon replied quickly.

"I brought you lunch."

"I'll be there soon."

Qian Xu was stunned for a moment.

Lunch?

He checked the time.

10:10 AM.

So early?

He was just about to reply.

His phone vibrated again.

Park So-yeon sent another message.

"Don't refuse."

"I spent over two hours making it."

"You have to eat it."

Qian Xu smiled.

This girl.

Really is direct.

He typed.

"Alright."

"I'll wait for you."

---

Twenty minutes later.

A knock sounded on the office door.

"Mr. Qian?"

It was Park So-yeon's voice.

"Come in."

The door opened.

Park So-yeon stood at the entrance.

Wearing a beige knit sweater.

Her hair was loose.

She was wearing light makeup.

She was carrying an insulated bag in her hand.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Qian."

She smiled.

She walked in.

"It's not noon yet."

Qian Xu checked the time.

10:30 AM.

"Delivering it early."

Park So-yeon placed the insulated bag on the desk.

"I was afraid you'd get busy and forget to eat."

"Your stomach isn't good."

"You can't go hungry."

Qian Xu was stunned.

How did she know his stomach wasn't good?

"You…"

"Boram told me."

Park So-yeon smiled.

"She said you often skip lunch."

"And you don't even say anything when your stomach hurts."

"She told me to keep an eye on you."

Qian Xu smiled.

That girl Boram.

Really is a worrier.

---

Park So-yeon opened the insulated bag.

Inside was a food container.

And a bowl of soup.

A pair of chopsticks.

"I made kimchi fried rice."

"And seaweed soup."

"Try it."

She put the food container on the desk.

Opened the lid.

Steam rose up.

The aroma of the kimchi fried rice.

Filled the office.

Qian Xu looked at the bowl of fried rice.

His heart warmed.

"Ms. Soyeon, what time did you get up to make this?"

"Six o'clock."

Park So-yeon smiled.

"After rehearsal, I went home."

"Took a shower."

"And started preparing it."

"Fried rice tastes best when it's freshly made."

"So I reheated it this morning."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"You worked hard."

"It wasn't hard work."

Park So-yeon shook her head.

"Cooking for you."

"Makes me very happy."

As she said this.

She handed him the chopsticks.

"Hurry and try it."

"It won't taste good if it gets cold."

---

Qian Xu took the chopsticks.

Picked up a mouthful of fried rice.

Put it in his mouth.

The sour and spicy taste of the kimchi.

The soft and chewy texture of the rice.

And the aroma of the egg.

Melted in his mouth.

"Delicious."

He nodded.

"Really?"

Park So-yeon's eyes lit up.

"Really."

Qian Xu took another bite.

"It tastes much better than the kimchi fried rice I make."

Park So-yeon smiled.

"Of course."

"I've been practicing for several years."

"Back when I was a trainee."

"I often cooked for myself."

"To save money."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"You don't need to save money anymore."

"Eat whatever you want."

"The company will reimburse you."

Park So-yeon was stunned for a moment.

Then she smiled.

"Alright."

"Then I'll bring you lunch every day."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Alright."

---

The two sat in the office.

Qian Xu ate the fried rice.

Park So-yeon sat opposite him.

Resting her chin in her hands.

Watching him eat.

"Why aren't you eating?"

Qian Xu asked.

"I already ate."

Park So-yeon smiled.

"I finished eating at home before coming."

"You should eat more."

"There's more in the pot."

Qian Xu nodded.

Continued eating.

The office was very quiet.

Only the sound of chopsticks hitting the bowl.

And the sound of their light breathing.

---

Qian Xu finished the fried rice.

And drank the seaweed soup.

Put down the bowl.

"I'm full."

"Was it good?"

Park So-yeon asked.

"It was good."

Qian Xu nodded.

"I want to eat it again tomorrow."

Park So-yeon smiled.

"Alright."

"Then I'll make it again tomorrow."

She stood up.

Packed up the food container.

"I'll head out now."

"I have rehearsal this afternoon."

"Alright."

Qian Xu stood up.

"I'll walk you out."

"No need."

Park So-yeon shook her head.

"You go back to your work."

"I can go by myself."

She picked up the insulated bag.

Walked to the door.

Looked back at him.

"Mr. Qian."

"Hmm?"

"What do you want to eat tomorrow?"

Qian Xu thought for a moment.

"Bibimbap."

"Alright."

Park So-yeon smiled.

"I'll bring you bibimbap tomorrow."

After she said that.

She pushed the door open and left.

---

Qian Xu stood in the office.

Watching the closed door.

Smiled.

This girl.

Really is becoming more and more proactive.

He sat back in his chair.

Just about to continue checking the data.

His phone vibrated.

It was a message from Park So-yeon.

"Mr. Qian, I've arrived downstairs."

"See you tomorrow."

Qian Xu replied.

"See you tomorrow."

"Good luck with your rehearsal."

Park So-yeon replied quickly.

"Alright."

"You too."

"Don't overwork yourself."

Qian Xu looked at the screen.

Smiled.

---

2:00 PM.

Qian Xu was looking at the store data.

A knock sounded on the office door again.

"Mr. Qian?"

It was Jeon Bo-ram's voice.

"Come in."

The door opened.

Jeon Bo-ram stood at the entrance.

Wearing a pink hoodie.

Her hair was tied in a bun.

She was carrying a bag.

"Boram-xi?"

Qian Xu was stunned for a moment.

"Why are you here?"

"Rehearsal is over."

Jeon Bo-ram walked in.

"I was passing by."

"Thought I'd stop by and see you."

She placed the bag on the desk.

"I brought you coffee."

"Americano."

"No sugar."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Thank you."

He picked up the coffee.

Took a sip.

"How was the rehearsal?"

"It was okay."

Jeon Bo-ram sat opposite him.

"So-yeon Unnie was in great shape today."

"She kept smiling while singing."

"I don't know what she was so happy about."

Qian Xu was stunned for a moment.

He didn't reply.

---

Jeon Bo-ram looked at him.

"Mr. Qian."

"Hmm?"

"What did you eat for lunch today?"

Qian Xu paused.

"Kimchi fried rice."

"Who made it?"

Jeon Bo-ram asked.

"Ms. Soyeon brought it."

Qian Xu answered honestly.

Jeon Bo-ram's expression stiffened for a moment.

Then it quickly returned to normal.

"Oh."

"So-yeon Unnie's cooking is very good, right?"

"Yeah."

Qian Xu nodded.

"It's delicious."

Jeon Bo-ram lowered her head.

Twisting the hem of her hoodie with her fingers.

"Then…"

"Will she keep bringing you food in the future?"

Qian Xu looked at her.

"She said."

"She'll bring bibimbap tomorrow."

Jeon Bo-ram fell silent.

After a while.

She looked up.

Smiled.

But the smile was somewhat forced.

"That's good."

"Someone is cooking for you."

"I don't have to worry about it."

Qian Xu looked at her.

"Boram-xi…"

"I'm fine."

Jeon Bo-ram stood up.

"I've finished my coffee."

"I'll head out now."

"I have rehearsal tonight."

After she said that.

She turned to leave.

---

Qian Xu stood up.

"Boram-xi."

Jeon Bo-ram stopped.

Didn't turn back.

"What is it?"

"You…"

Qian Xu paused.

"Are you free tonight?"

"Want to have dinner together?"

Jeon Bo-ram turned around.

Looking at him.

"Don't you have So-yeon Unnie bringing you food?"

"That was for lunch."

Qian Xu smiled.

"No one is bringing any for dinner."

"So I wanted to invite you to dinner."

Jeon Bo-ram looked at him.

Her expression was somewhat complex.

"Really?"

"Really."

Qian Xu nodded.

"What do you want to eat?"

"Korean BBQ."

Jeon Bo-ram said.

"That place in Hongdae."

"The one we went to for the victory celebration last time."

"Alright."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Seven o'clock."

"I'll pick you up."

"Alright."

Jeon Bo-ram nodded.

Turned and walked out of the office.

The moment the door closed.

A smile appeared on her lips.

---

Qian Xu sat back in his chair.

Looking at the empty coffee cup on the desk.

Smiled.

This girl.

The way she looked when jealous.

Is so cute.

He picked up his phone.

Sent a message to Park So-yeon.

"Ms. Soyeon, for tomorrow's bibimbap."

"Make it extra spicy."

Park So-yeon replied quickly.

"Alright."

"Got it."

Qian Xu put down the phone.

Leaned back in his chair.

Looking out the window.

Seoul in the afternoon.

The sunlight was just right.

He smiled.

This afternoon.

Was a little sweet.