During the drive to the restaurant, Ina felt increasingly heavy-hearted. While watching the movie was a commitment they had made, she hadn’t anticipated a visit to a restaurant, which added to her apprehension.
Upon arriving and stepping inside the upscale and sophisticated restaurant, her heart sank further. She recognized it as a place she had seen on TV, known not only for its steep prices but also for its three-week waiting list for reservations.
While it was a mystery how Siwoo had managed to book a table at this renowned restaurant, what was more overwhelming for Ina was being at such a famous place, usually reserved for couples celebrating special occasions, just with Siwoo.
Following the staff to their table, Siwoo opened the menu with a relaxed smile. Ina tried to browse through it too, but her nervousness made it difficult to focus.
“How about this menu? A friend recommended this course as being quite good,” Siwoo suggested, pointing to the top S-course steak menu.
Ina’s eyes widened in shock at the exorbitant price, so high it could startle even the blind. Noticing her reaction, Siwoo smiled softly.
“I’ve always wanted to try this course. Let’s have it, okay?”
Ina nodded in agreement, feeling it would be ridiculous to object, given the price. “Okay, let’s go for that.”
As Siwoo called the staff over to order, Ina sipped water from a beautiful glass. Her throat was parched from the tension.
Soon, they were served pre-dinner bread and butter on stylish plates. Though the smell was tantalizing, Ina’s nervousness suppressed her appetite. Siwoo picked up a piece of bread and offered it to her.
“Try this. I heard their bread is really good here.”
“Thanks,” Ina said, taking the bread somewhat awkwardly.
Watching Siwoo spread butter and take a bite, Ina did the same, feeling the subtle buttery flavor spread in her mouth.
“Delicious, right?”
“Yeah, it’s good,” Ina replied with a forced smile.
Noticing Siwoo’s relaxed demeanor, she cautiously broached the subject.
“Siwoo, isn’t this a bit too much for a meal? I never thought we’d come to a place like this.”
Siwoo’s expression immediately turned apologetic.
“Sorry, I should have asked for your opinion before booking. Did it upset you?”
Ina waved her hands hurriedly.
“No, it’s not that. I’ve seen this restaurant on TV. It’s popular among couples for anniversaries.”
Looking around at the predominantly coupled patrons, Ina continued with an embarrassed tone.
“And it seems like most people here are couples…”
“So, are you uncomfortable?”
Siwoo asked gently.
“Not exactly uncomfortable, more like… Isn’t this the kind of place you bring your girlfriend to?”
Siwoo’s faint smile faded slightly.
“Well, coming here to enjoy good food doesn’t necessarily mean it’s just for couples.”
His response reflected a quiet acceptance that dining out for pleasure didn’t have to be confined to romantic relationships.
Seeing the hint of sadness on Siwoo’s face, Ina quickly responded.
“Ah? Well, that’s true.”
“I had to go through some trouble to make a reservation here… Since we’re here, let’s just enjoy the meal,” Siwoo said with a playful smile, which made Ina feel slightly guilty.
“Okay. Let’s do that,” she agreed.
Soon, the waiter brought the appetizers, a seafood platter and a chop salad, which were impressive in appearance.
However, despite the high-end food in front of her, Ina felt unmoved. It felt like her lifelong passion for gourmet experiences was veering off course lately.
Ina almost let out a big sigh, but stopped herself, conscious of Siwoo’s presence. Considering the effort he must have put in to book this place, she thought she should at least pretend to enjoy the meal.
As Siwoo encouraged her to try the food, she began sampling it little by little. Both dishes were as excellent as one would expect from a renowned restaurant.
“How is it? Do you like it?” Siwoo asked.
“Yes, they are both really tasty,” Ina replied, nodding.
“That’s a relief,” Siwoo said with a warm, crescent smile.
Then the main course, a medium-rare steak, arrived, looking spectacular. Ina’s heart fluttered slightly at the sight of the high-quality steak. She remembered eating steak with Juwon at Samcheong-dong the previous week. Back then, she was so nervous around Juwon that she couldn’t taste the steak and was worried he might hear her racing heart.
Of course, she was still nervous now, but the nature of her anxiety was different. Back then, it was a tension focused solely on Juwon, but now, it was the pressure of being in such a high-end restaurant with Siwoo.
Feeling this distinctly different type of tension, Siwoo’s voice brought her back to the present.
“Aren’t you eating, Ina?”
“Huh?” Ina looked up at Siwoo, who appeared puzzled.
“Oh? Yes, I should eat. It looks delicious,” she said, picking up her knife and fork, her thoughts again drifting to Juwon. ‘What might Juwon be doing this weekend…’
After finishing the dessert, Siwoo picked up the bill.
“What?” Ina reacted in surprise, reaching out to him.
My Ex-Girlfriend Is The Regent In The Female-dominant World (Male lead transmigrates to the matriarchal world)
Two years ago, Gu Sui picked up a homeless woman in ancient costume from the street.
Apart from occasionally claiming to be a princess from a female-dominant country due to illness, her figure, appearance, intelligence, and martial arts skills were impeccable.
Naturally evolving from roommates to girlfriends, as time went on, Gu Sui found it increasingly difficult to tolerate her queen syndrome.
“Mu Jiulu, can you stop controlling me inside and out? Let’s break up.”
Gu Sui made a breakup call, and since then, he couldn’t find any trace of her.
A year later, Gu Sui, who was planning to move, woke up the next day and found himself in a different place.
“Young Master, today is the day you choose your Wife-master through martial arts competition at Jade Dew Pavilion. Please get up quickly.”
Gu Sui: Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
As the only son of a general’s mansion in a female-dominant dynasty, the young empress personally issued a decree allowing Gu Sui to select his Wife-master through martial arts competition. Whoever could defeat him could marry him.
Gu Sui: “……”
He didn’t inherit the original owner’s martial prowess, so anyone could defeat him! And what the hell is a Wife-master?
Forced to come to Jade Dew Pavilion, the densely packed women below made Gu Sui’s agoraphobia act up, and his face was full of resistance.
Until he saw the Regent sitting on the second floor, with a smile on the corner of her lips, her eyes wicked and nonchalant.
Hmm… she looked a little familiar.
It turned out that the Regent also found him a little familiar.
Mu Jiulu fiddled with her bone clasp, her deep gaze locked on the man who was out of place in this world.
“Finally, I found you.”
Male transmigrates into female-dominant world
One-sentence summary: What goes around comes around, taking turns in the crematorium
