Chapter 973: A Quick Lunch Break



Reaching the little restaurant didn’t take too long, even though time felt like it had slowed to a crawl, with their attentions all enraptured by the local sights.

But, as they reached it and parked the four vans, the locals’ attention also suddenly gravitated towards them. It wasn’t every day they saw four vans roll up with so many foreigners walking out of them, after all.

As the group almost all felt the weight of the stares, Jin-Sil smiled at them and pushed them forward.

“Ignore them. They see white people often enough that they shouldn’t be acting like this. It’s probably just the size of the group that makes them curious. Once inside the restaurant, we’ll be left in peace.”

Pushing them inside, Jin-Sil pushed her way through them and to the reception counter.

“Annyeong. Yeon Jin-Sil-ilaneun ileum-eulo 12myeong yeyaghalyeogo iljjig jeonhwahaess- eoyo. Yeong-eo seobeoleul yocheonghal su issnayo? Uli geulub-eun geoui yeong-eoman sayonghabnida,” she spoke, her words flowing rapidly.

The older woman at the counter bowed before gesturing to her right wordlessly.

In moments, the group was brought to a small private room, with enough room to sit sixteen people and then some, where the older woman motioned for them to enter, before bowing and leaving.

“That was almost awkwardly silent…” Alex commented, as he passed before Jin-Sil.

He paused a bit as he entered the room, uncertain what to do next.

Before him was a long rectangular table, but it was only a foot off the ground, with no chairs in sight. In their stead, lots of thick, comfy-looking cushions lay about around the table, and around the room.

“Um… I don’t want to sound uncultured, but is this normal?” Alex asked.

“What’s the legal age to drink in South Korea?” he asked, almost roughly.

The young man looked at him, his gaze almost piercing, regardless of his gentle smile, as he answered, “Nineteen, sir. Did you wish to start your meal with some local spirits or beers?” David looked around the table, making a quick count, and grinned.

“Yes. We’ll have six local beers to start, and the young ones can grab whatever drink they want.”

Jin-Sil clicked her tongue, grimacing at him.

‘He could have lied about my age, bastard. I’m almost nineteen…’ she thought.

The server scribbled down the beers on his notepad, before looking at the younger ones, starting at Violette, who was closest to the end of the table.

“I know we haven’t brought menus yet, young lady, but could I recommend something for you? Would that be okay?” he asked, his smile becoming even gentler.

Violette felt the tip of her ears heat up as her heart skipped a beat. She nodded sheepishly, keeping her mouth shut, lest she bite her tongue and make a fool out of herself.

“Very well. I think you would like something sweet but floral. We have a cherry blossom and byeonggyul fruit cocktail, which I’m sure you’ll like. It’s lovely, a bit tangy, and has a soft floral aftertaste.”

Violette nodded again, accepting his recommendation, before he passed to the next person over.

In barely a minute, he had made recommendations to all the younger ones for drinks, varying from fruit cocktails to local soft drinks, and no one questioned his assumptions.

Once he was done noting everything down, the young man bowed again, and left the room backwards, closing the door behind him.

Alex did a satisfied grimace.

“At least the service was peerless. Putting aside that they sent us Mr. Korea over here, making all the heads spin, I’d say we are off to a good start.”