Min Je decided to eliminate all variables for the evening time he would spend alone with Ha Yeon.

So he sent Mi Ran and Jun Won home early. Despite it being an early departure due to his big plan, they were so grateful. He thought even their non-existent conscience might regenerate.

In any case, thanks to his secret efforts, Min Je was able to arrive home at exactly 6 PM.

“Why did you buy so much?”

Ha Yeon’s eyes widened at the sight of the bags full of groceries in Min Je’s hands.

“We agreed to have a delicious dinner, didn’t we?”

When Min Je had suggested having dinner together earlier, Ha Yeon didn’t realize he meant cooking it themselves.

There were more ingredients in the shopping basket than she expected. With this many ingredients, it would be impossible for a cooking novice to prepare everything.

Ha Yeon asked with a suspicious look.

“Don’t tell me, are you good at cooking?”

“Huh? What do you mean ‘don’t tell me’? I’ve lived alone for over 10 years, you know. I may not do it often, but I’m good when I do.”

Min Je spoke smoothly as if his mouth was oiled, but somehow it wasn’t convincing. Recalling his appearance when making watermelon punch before, he didn’t seem very familiar with cooking.

But it felt awkward to say that directly, so she gave a vague response.

“Ah, I see.”

At Ha Yeon’s soulless answer, Min Je twitched one eyebrow.

“I’ll do everything, so you just sit there.”

Min Je waved his hand with a haughty expression. Judging by his expression alone, one might believe he was a five-star hotel chef. Finding it amusing, Ha Yeon chuckled and shook her head as she stood next to him.

“I can’t do that. I’ll be your assistant.”

When Ha Yeon spoke with a voice full of enthusiasm like a rookie chef, Min Je smirked as if he couldn’t handle it.

But a little later, Ha Yeon could understand why he told her to sit down. Except for the steak, the rest of the food just needed to be plated!

Even the steak was prepared to the point where it just needed to be pan-fried.

“I clearly ‘cooked’ this myself.”

Seeing Ha Yeon’s expression, Min Je emphasized that he had cooked it himself as he plated the rested steak.

“Yes, yes, of course.”

Impressed by his thorough preparation, Ha Yeon nodded sincerely this time.

Seeing the perfectly prepared plating with garnishes to accompany the food, she couldn’t help but nod. It was even a bit touching that he had deliberately made such preparations to have an intimate time with her.

With salmon salad, tomato caprese, and linguine alle vongole full of clams laid out on the table, it was no less impressive than a fancy restaurant dinner.

“This is the main course.”

He smiled and pulled out a wine bottle. Ooh, Ha Yeon’s eyes lit up. Seeing Ha Yeon’s delight more apparent than when she saw the steak, Min Je chuckled, saying he knew it.

“I thought it would be nice to drink together.”

As Min Je took out the wine opener to uncork the bottle, Ha Yeon noticed the vintage year written on the label.

“W-wait a moment!”

“What?”

“T-that, is that really a 2000 Bordeaux red wine?”

“So what?”

When Min Je asked casually with a puzzled expression, Ha Yeon gasped and stammered.

“That’s a vintage wine from the year praised as the best in a century.”

“How did you know that?”

Min Je stroked his chin, seemingly surprised.

A legendary vintage wine that received praise from world-renowned wine critics and scored a perfect 100 points in tastings. That was the 2000 Bordeaux red wine.

“I have a habit of delving deeply into things I like…! But that’s not the important thing here!”

Do you know how much that wine costs?! Finding Ha Yeon’s gaping mouth amusing, Min Je smirked and uncorked the bottle demonstratively. With a cheerful pop, the cork came out.

Ugh, ah, as Ha Yeon made strange gurgling sounds, Min Je burst out laughing.

“I wanted to drink something precious and good with you.”

Seeing Min Je’s eyes curve prettily, Ha Yeon’s pupils shook as if there was an earthquake.

Her heart pounded at the realization that he thought of her so specially to uncork such a precious wine so casually.

“If I had known you liked wine, we would have had some together sooner.”

Glug glug, Min Je poured wine into the glass. Ha Yeon unconsciously watched the red wine flow out with an enraptured expression.

Min Je chuckled at her expression as it clearly revealed her complex emotions while looking at the wine.

That expression was clearly thinking ‘How can I drink something so expensive?’ before becoming completely captivated by the wine’s red hue. She was probably fiercely conflicting in that small head of hers whether to drink it or not.

“Since I’ve opened it, we have no choice but to drink it.”

Min Je offered the glass, giving her a reason she couldn’t refuse.

“Thank you.”

Ahem, Ha Yeon’s face flushed lightly as she cleared her throat softly. Min Je, who had been gazing intently at her face, barely suppressed the strange craving that was beginning to stir.

Composing his expression so she wouldn’t notice, Min Je held out his glass.

“Shall we toast before drinking?”

“Yes, let’s toast!”

The clear sound of glasses clinking rang out. After taking a sip of wine, Ha Yeon immediately exclaimed.

“Wow, it’s really delicious.”

It was a feeling of perfect harmony between the heavy yet subtle flavor and the sweet and bitter taste spreading throughout her mouth. Should she say it was a taste that made her understand why experts had praised it so much?

As Ha Yeon repeatedly exclaimed while drinking the wine, the corners of Min Je’s mouth curved upwards into a circle.

She was always pretty when eating well and smiling, but sitting across from her having dinner tonight made her look even prettier. Is this what they call being blinded by love?

Watching the red liquid swirl into her small, plump red lips, he felt a heat gradually rising.

In his eyes, her red lips looked more delicious than the dinner prepared with ingredients sourced from famous restaurants, more than the wine praised as the best vintage in 100 years.

“Oh right, the kindergarten uploaded photos of Ji Hoo earlier. He looked like he was having so much fun.”

Min Je hid the stirring passion behind a smile and replied with a nonchalant face.

“I see, I’m glad he seems to be doing well.”

Then Ha Yeon began to chatter about stories related to Ji Hoo. It seemed the alcohol had relaxed her tension.

Min Je smiled and listened to her voice the whole time, finding it pleasant to hear.

Thus, the enjoyable dinner came to an end. Excited from talking about Ji Hoo, Ha Yeon drank more wine than expected. Even without that, it would have been impossible to refuse the Bordeaux wine that clung so perfectly to the palate.

Unlike its sweet taste, the wine had quite a high alcohol content, so Ha Yeon felt slightly tipsy. Seeing Ha Yeon’s cheeks redden more than before, Min Je said,

“I’ll clean up, so just sit down.”

“No, how can I do that?”

Watching Ha Yeon smile brightly as she stood up to move the dishes, Min Je’s eyebrows twitched. Somehow, a dangerous aura was emanating from her.

No, to be more precise, should he say it was an aura that put herself in danger? Why does this woman smile so enticingly when drunk?

Feeling like he might helplessly crumble at that smile, Min Je unconsciously gripped the dishes Ha Yeon was holding tightly.

“I can do it…”

Ha Yeon applied force, not wanting to let go of the dishes. As she did so, her pursed lips came into Min Je’s view.

“Don’t do dangerous things.”

Min Je slightly pulled the dishes forward, causing Ha Yeon to lean in, and as if he had been waiting for it, he deeply bit her lips once. The softly sucked lips parted slowly with a soft sound.

As Ha Yeon opened her eyes wide in surprise, Min Je let out a long sigh and took the dishes away completely.

“See? I said it was dangerous. So just sit still.”

Not realizing that “dangerous” meant this kind of danger, Ha Yeon blinked rapidly.

“Listen to me.”

After putting the dishes in the sink, Min Je grabbed Ha Yeon’s shoulders and led her to sit in a dining chair.

“Stay put.”

At Min Je’s words, as if coaxing a child, Ha Yeon let out a chuckle. How can that man be so cool? As if searching for an answer to that question, Ha Yeon watched what he was doing with her chin resting on both hands.

Then, her true feelings suddenly spilled out.

“You’re delicious.”

Crash! The plate slipped from Min Je’s hands and fell with a loud noise.

What did she just say? Min Je turned his head creakily, doubting his own ears.

What Ha Yeon had originally intended to say was “You’re cool.” But as she began to feel slightly tipsy, remembering how delicious the wine was, her words got mixed up unintentionally.

Ha Yeon, unaware that she had described Min Je as “delicious,” smiled with her chin resting on her hands.

Seeing Ha Yeon like this, the tips of Min Je’s ears turned red. He never expected her to express her inner feelings so honestly when she was always tense and shy.

“Really? That’s good to hear.”

He muttered, not even realizing what he was saying. Well, it is good that she finds him delicious, isn’t it?

Min Je shook his head once, as if to drive away the erotic imagination that was beginning to color his mind red. He couldn’t even remember how he had finished cleaning up, lost in pondering her words.

Glance. Min Je peeked at Ha Yeon’s face. Her facial flush had deepened, perhaps from the increasing effects of alcohol. Like a ripe peach, it looked so delicious to take a bite.

Realizing his train of thought was rushing unstoppably, he ran his hand over his dry face. After barely collecting his thoughts, he asked a question he had wanted to ask her for a while, aiming to change the atmosphere.

“By any chance, did you know me from before?”

Then, pressing her flushed cheeks gently, Ha Yeon tilted her head.

“Huh? How did you know that, sir? Only Yu Jin knows about that? Don’t tell me, did Yu Jin tell you everything? About me being your fan?”

Min Je’s eyebrow rose as he learned something he hadn’t known at all. A fan? Of me?

The file Ji Hoo had shown him before suddenly came to mind. The file that had even articles about himself that he didn’t know about clipped in it.

Min Je’s lips curved into a circle as he realized she had liked him for a very long time.

Yes, so that’s how it was. The more he thought about it, the better he felt, and the corners of his mouth that had risen showed no signs of coming down.

His mind raced quickly. He should ask to see the materials she had collected while he was at it.

If he could confirm that, he would be able to know more accurately with what feelings she had collected them.

The man thirsty for love wanted to see with his own eyes the evidence that she had liked him.

“Then, you must have collected some materials too?”

Min Je smiled until his eyes curved as he slowly stroked Ha Yeon’s cheek.

“Huh? How did you know that?”

When Ha Yeon asked with wide eyes, Min Je gently coaxed her.

“Show me. I want to see.”