Chapter 11
. Isn’t Our Hana Pretty?
Siwan could clearly feel that Hana was uncomfortable with the situation.
Only then did he realize his mistake and clicked his tongue inwardly.
‘Damn, I should’ve just said thank you and left it at that. Why did I get so excited?’
This wasn’t like him at all, and even Siwan was flustered by his own behavior.
He quickly raised the paper bag to Hana’s eye level and spread the handles apart to show her what was inside.
“This.”
Hana peeked inside, then blinked with wide eyes as if confused.
“What is this?”
“…!”
Siwan’s mind went completely blank—like a snowy wasteland in Siberia. He had imagined a few possible reactions from Hana, but “What is this?” wasn’t one of them.
And yet, she was now looking at him with genuine curiosity, waiting for an explanation.
Trying to stay calm, Siwan responded in the smoothest, most composed tone he could manage.
“Chocolate milk and jelly.”
When Hana stared at him with an even more baffled expression than before, he hurriedly added,
“This… this jelly is delicious.”
“Ah, I see.”
“I mean it.”
“Yes.”
Hana was confused.
He had just returned her lunchbox and passionately complimented her kimchi fried rice—and now he was proudly showing off chocolate milk and jelly?
Is this guy… weird? He looks normal, but that’s kind of sad.
But then again, it’s always been said that worrying about the rich or celebrities is a waste of time. And it was kind of ridiculous for a mere employee like her to pity the son of DK Foods’ president.
Not knowing how to respond, Hana simply smiled.
With her round face, round glasses, and gentle smile, she looked undeniably cute—but Siwan knew it was an awkward reaction.
‘Ugh, this is painful!’
No—this was beyond frustrating. He felt like his insides were going to explode.
Was I always this bad at talking? Didn’t I always get an A on my presentations?
Even when he joined the company as a regular employee, hiding the fact that he was the president’s son, he’d earned the favor of his bosses with his excellent presentation skills.
So why was he now rambling nonsense that even he couldn’t make sense of?
Taking a deep breath to collect his thoughts, Siwan spoke calmly.
“I’m not showing off this jelly, Chief Joo. This is a gift I’m giving you as thanks for the kimchi fried rice.”
His voice was so calm it sounded like a voice assistant on a smartphone, but the meaning seemed to get across well enough.
Hana let out a soft “Ah…” as she carefully accepted the paper bag. Then she quickly bowed her head in gratitude.
“I just made it on a whim because I felt bad you didn’t get to eat a bite of it last time. Thank you, Director. I’ll enjoy it.”
But inside, Hana was panicking.
Oh no! He brought this for me out of kindness!
Come to think of it, his chest had been rising and falling heavily—he must’ve rushed after her to deliver the lunch bag and this.
Ahh, I thought he was weird, but he’s actually just a kind person.
Feeling guilty, Hana’s chest ached. She couldn’t meet his eyes, so she stared into the paper bag instead.
Siwan then spoke, looking incredibly sincere.
“I’m sorry if this seems like too modest a gesture in return.”
“No, not at all. I didn’t do it expecting anything.”
Even now, Hana was painfully aware that her father, Joo Pyunghwa, was probably waiting for her outside the building.
If he saw this, he’d definitely pester her for ages.
I really need to go…
But she couldn’t bring herself to leave just yet—not with Siwan looking at her like he still had something to say.
And she was right. Siwan did have more to say.
Something he hadn’t been able to voice yet.
A line he’d practiced over and over since he had the kimchi fried rice.
Can I have it again?
Would it be possible to taste it one more time?
I know it’s a lot to ask, but could you please make it once more?
But none of those words made it out of his mouth.
He knew how shameless that would sound.
Besides, he was the director, and she was a junior employee. No matter how politely he phrased it, it wouldn’t sound like a mere request.
And so, another awkward silence fell between them.
That’s when, out of nowhere, Joo Pyunghwa suddenly appeared between them.
He didn’t just join the conversation—he physically inserted himself between the two and created distance.
Hana was about to say something, but Pyunghwa turned to her and muttered under his breath.
“Quiet for a sec. Don’t say anything.”
“…Huh?”
Turning back, Pyunghwa clasped his hands behind his back and looked up at Siwan.
The man was about a head taller than him. Kind of like when he stood next to his wife, Jang Shinyoung.
Pyunghwa was first struck by how flawless Siwan’s skin was.
Can a guy’s skin even look like that?!
Then he was stunned again by Siwan’s chiseled features.
He looks like me in my youth…
That absurd thought crossed his mind as he scanned Siwan up and down.
His body was well-maintained.
Even though he wasn’t wearing any obviously expensive brand, the man wore his suit so well that it looked high-end.
He seems like someone who’s never really struggled… and yet he dared ask my daughter to make him a lunchbox?
If Siwan had looked like he lived frugally, Pyunghwa might’ve let it slide. With how expensive meals are these days, a guy saving money by eating a girlfriend’s homemade lunch made sense.
But this guy? Definitely not.
His detective instincts were screaming at him.
This tall, pale man wasn’t frugal—he was clearly the pampered son of a wealthy family.
Then suddenly, Siwan and Pyunghwa locked eyes.
In martial arts novels, they often describe a look as being “as sharp as a blade.” Siwan’s eyes were exactly like that—both in shape and intensity.
Whoa. This guy’s stare is no joke.
Still, Joo Pyunghwa wasn’t the type to get intimidated.
He’d worked as a detective in the violent crimes division for over 20 years. Showing weakness in front of criminals was a death sentence.
He glared right back at Siwan.
His rational mind said:
“Hey, this guy isn’t a criminal.”
But his emotional side said:
“He’s stealing your daughter, isn’t he? That makes him a criminal!”
Emotions won by a narrow margin, and so Pyunghwa kept glaring at Siwan.
That piercing gaze turned back to him.
That was just how Siwan looked. But right now, he was also feeling annoyed—and it showed in his expression, making him seem even colder.
They had been talking just fine when this stocky stranger barged in. Worse, he was glaring at Siwan like he was guilty of something. Of course he was annoyed.
Still, thinking the man might be close to Hana, Siwan politely asked,
“Excuse me, do you have business with me?”
“I do.”
“What business, exactly?”
Pyunghwa crossed his arms and lifted his chin slightly.
“I’m Hana’s father.”
“…Pardon?”
“Hana is my daughter.”
Siwan was momentarily flustered.
How does one properly greet a subordinate’s parent? Unfortunately, neither his father nor Secretary Seo had ever briefed him on this.
Straightening up, Siwan gave a polite bow.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. I am—”
He was about to introduce himself when Pyunghwa cut him off.
“You’re the guy who got a lunchbox from my daughter.”
“Ah, yes. Thankfully, yes.”
Lunchbox.
Just thinking of Hana’s steaming hot kimchi fried rice softened Siwan’s sharp gaze.
Pyunghwa, still looking displeased, spoke with emphasis.
“Even me! Even I, her own father, haven’t received a lunchbox from her! Do you think that makes sense?!”
“Ah…”
“As far as I know, she’s never packed lunch for anyone before, you know that? Why were you the first? Shouldn’t her dad have been first, huh?!”
Siwan struggled to process the situation.
Let’s see. Chief Joo Hana had never made lunch for anyone before. But she’d done it for him. And it was kimchi fried rice.
I had no idea it was such a rare and precious thing. And in return, I gave her jelly and chocolate milk… Was that a huge offense?
Siwan found himself sympathizing with Pyunghwa’s frustration.
Of course, the reason she made him lunch was probably because he was her superior, and she was his subordinate.
He had even made a scene in the break room asking for a bite, which she must’ve interpreted as him basically demanding a lunchbox.
Siwan bowed even deeper than before.
“I apologize, sir. I was the one who received that precious lunchbox. You should’ve been the first. I’m truly sorry.”
“W-Well… as long as you understand.”
That cool yet sincere apology made Pyunghwa’s heart flutter.
This man… is a real man!
Apologizing without hesitation when necessary—that’s something petty men can’t do. Where could you find a young man like that these days?
And he even understands exactly why I’m upset!
Despite having spelled it all out himself, Pyunghwa was deeply impressed.
Feeling awkward about losing his temper at a stranger, Pyunghwa cleared his throat and changed the subject.
“Our Hana—she’s pretty, isn’t she?”
