Chapter 68. I Need You (9)

Translator: Aura

Before she could say no, he took a step closer. The two ice creams with clear plastic lids collided like birds touching their beaks. As Lee-Seob looked between the ice cream in his hand and Minkyung’s hand, he said grumpily,

“If you don’t like it, I’ll eat them both myself.”

Minkyung laughed.

“Your stomach could hurt from so much ice cream.”

“…”

“The herbal medicine’s directions said to avoid dairy and cold products.”

“Then I will have to stop taking the herbal medicine from tomorrow.”

Lee-Seob took the ice cream from Minkyung’s hand. Minkyung hurriedly followed him as he turned around and headed towards the tables.

“Sir.”

His expression was cold as he looked back. When he was upset, he pursed his lips and looked at people coldly. Minkyung kept her professional side and said in a bright voice,

“I wanted to eat ice cream. Thank you.”

Lee-Seob’s eyes softened a little, but he still held the two ice creams tightly in each hand. As soon as Minkyung took her ice cream back, he covered her hand and squeezed it. He then started up the stairs as if nothing had happened.

“Mr. Representative.”

Lee-Seob looked at the hand Minkyung pointed at and said nonchalantly,

“My hand is cold.”

After hearing Lee-Seob’s lame excuse, Minkyung walked beside him with his hand on hers. His palm was cold from the ice cream, and the back of her covered hand tingles. Other than her heart beating a little faster, there was no major discomfort.

Once seated at the table, he took the lid off her ice cream and handed it to her,

“This is a traditional Gangneung ice cream. It is only sold at this convenience store.”

‘Was that the reason he came here?’

Minkyung read the name written on the ice cream container.

— Chodang Soft Bean Curd Ice Cream

Suddenly, she burst into laughter.

“What’s so funny?”

“It’s not the kind of ice cream I’d choose, sir.”

“Why? It’s low-calorie soy protein ice cream. It’s nighttime. Don’t women care about that kind of thing…?”

He tilted his rolled ice cream and clinked it against hers as a toast. Their eyes met across the small table. The outside of the ice creams crushed as they touched each other. Aside from the ice creams, she felt for a moment as if something inside her was being crushed.

‘Am I that weak?’

Minkyung was a little embarrassed by that thought.

“Would you rather I bring you an ice cream from a brand like Haagen-Dazs?”

He asked, staring at her.

“No, I’ll try it.”

Minkyung took a bite of the ice cream, from the side that had melted. It was much more savory, sweet, and soft than the name suggested.

“Oh, I don’t know how to explain it. It tastes more like ice cream than bean curd.”

‘Is that so, Lee-Seob?’

He ate a little with a frown and narrowed eyes.

“Eww…”

“What’s the matter?”

“To me, it tastes too much like bean curd.”

Minkyung pressed her lips together to hold back her laughter. She took another bite of ice cream to stifle it, but in the end she laughed. It was the most enjoyable laugh in her last two weeks combined.

“Is it delicious? Really?”

“Yes.”

Lee-Seob ate another bite, tilted his head, and ate one more bite. He still didn’t look convinced, but he no longer frowned.

After they ate the ice creams, the two left the convenience store. Minkyung had to take the subway home from work, so they walked together to the subway station near the convenience store. Minkyung said in front of the stairs,

“Mr. Representative, I’ll leave you then.”

“Next time…”

Just as she was about to bow in farewell, he interrupted her,

“I’ll buy you more delicious ice cream during the day.”

“The bean curd ice cream was delicious enough.”

“Then I’ll buy it from you again.”

Minkyung bowed her head slightly and smiled,

“It’s okay. Thank you for the ice cream today. This week was hard because I had a lot of work to do, but now I feel refreshed. Please come back carefully. Have a nice weekend.”

Lee-Seob stared at Minkyung, expressionless. His closed lips and stiff eyes made her hesitate, so she did not turn around and waited quietly for his words. After a moment, his lips opened. With a slight sarcasm smile,

“You have many skills, Senior Manager Kang. And I recently discovered one more that you excel at.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Draw a line. You do it very well.”

His expression turned stern. Fatigue and irritation appeared on Lee-Seob’s face as he removed his boss mask.

“You said you’d quit the company if I behaved rudely. Well, now that I think about it, you’re good at making threats, even with a smile on your face…”

As Minkyung watched him silently, Lee-Seob snapped his fingers in the air as if to say, ‘Go away’. Minkyung bowed once more and stomped down the stairs. Halfway through, she looked back. He was still standing at the entrance of the subway station, looking down. Minkyung waved her hand and continued down.

As she slowly walked down the stairs, she suddenly heard the sound of footsteps hurrying down.

Before she could turn her head to check, someone grabbed her shoulder.

“Ah!”

The person who made Minkyng, whose eyes were wide open in surprise, turn around, was Lee-Seob.