Peninsula: 72 Hours of Blind Dates

Wu Haiyuan was very moved.

That's just how Han Xijun is; he won't ask questions, but he'll carefully make preparations in advance.

They must have heard me say that I was going to find Jiang Huiyuan.

Whether Jiang Huiyuan is working or attending a cram school is not important; they can't go empty-handed. They are drinking coffee now, and good friends should also share a cup of their favorite coffee.

The difference is that Han Hee-joon works at a barbecue restaurant, and he buys coffee for others to help his good friend Kang Hye-won get along with her colleagues.

Having a boyfriend like this, who already thought of so many things for me and my best friend when I was worried about her, is truly...

Han Xijun looked at Wu Haiyuan, whose eyes were glistening with tears, and said, "Let's get iced Americanos for everyone else. What should we get for Jiang Huiyuan?"

Wu Haiyuan took a deep breath and looked at Han Xijun standing by the table, saying, "Thank you, really."

"Five hundred yuan. You'll have many more things to thank me for in the future. Don't just say it; you'll have to give me real thanks later."

"genius"

"Um"

With a clatter, Wu Haiyuan pushed back his chair and stood up. He took two steps to Han Xijun and, without Han Xijun's warning, tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek.

Taking a shy half-step back, Wu Haiyuan asked, "Is this kind of thanks acceptable?"

Han Xijun smiled and said, "The more the merrier."

Wu Haiyuan said, "Huiyuan has always loved the sweet and creamy taste of cappuccino."

"Okay, one cappuccino, please."

Han Xijun went to order coffee.

Wu Haiyuan put on his mask and checked the table and chairs for anything he had left behind.

The two left the coffee shop after packing up their coffee.

"It's right here in Nandong."

"Walk there?"

"It's not far, and you didn't drive."

"Let's go." Walking along the street, Wu Haiyuan temporarily transformed into a human navigation system.

She was very familiar with Namdong.

Nonhyeon Middle School is located in Namdong. After school, my friends and I would buy tteokbokki or hot dogs from a snack shop near the school and then walk to our cram school.

Jiang Huiyuan works at a barbecue restaurant on the street next to Nonhyeon Middle School.

I used to pass by that street every day, but I would just look at it and never thought of going in to eat barbecue. Maybe it was because I was only 13 years old at the time.

Across the street.

Wu Haiyuan raised his finger and pointed to a large white sign with black lettering.

The sign reads "Namdong Five-Flower House".

Just by looking at the photos, you can probably tell that the barbecue restaurant specializes in grilled pork belly, which is one of the most popular cuts of meat among Koreans. Paired with water celery, it's just as good as Korean beef for many barbecue lovers, especially in terms of value for money.

Standing at the zebra crossing, Han Xijun said, "Luckily, the barbecue restaurant is closed at this time."

Wu Haiyuan stared at the glass window of the barbecue restaurant facing the street and muttered, "I just wonder when Huiyuan gets off work today."

Han Xijun didn't reply. He was thinking about a problem: would it be helpful to communicate with the barbecue restaurant owner on short notice? He could find someone who had previously worked part-time at the restaurant to cover the night shift, paying them for the shift, and have the owner also settle the lunch payment for Wu Haiyuan's friend. Settling a full day's wages seemed too fake; this kind of communication would be best.

The green light is on.

Wu Haiyuan couldn't wait to step onto the zebra crossing.

Realizing something was wrong, she turned around and called out, "Oppa, let's go!"

The sudden "Oppa" caught Han Hee-joon off guard, his heart racing. He said, "Coming," but in his heart, he felt that "Oppa" was a more fitting term of endearment than "genius."

No wonder men love to hear women call them "Oppa".

After crossing the zebra crossing, Wu Haiyuan slowed down.

She was peering inside through the glass window from a distance of just a few meters.

Han Xijun wanted to see the glass door of the barbecue restaurant. There was no sign saying it was closed, which meant that any customers could come in and eat barbecue.

Let's go.

Han Xijun walked in front.

Wu Haiyuan noticed that Han Xijun's mask was hanging under his chin and reminded him, "Mask." The two of them only wore masks when they went out.

It turns out that wearing a mask prevents people from recognizing you.

But things might be different if Han Hee-joon takes off his mask.

Wu Haiyuan believed that in Incheon, there were definitely more people who knew Han Xijun than people who knew him.

Han Hee-joon showed no intention of wearing his mask properly.

This will allow for smoother communication with the boss.

Sometimes, an identity is necessary.

Although I'm not a big star, I've been featured in many financial and technological news reports and given interviews, so I can be considered a celebrity who came from Incheon.

What if the boss sees my name on the news? I'll just walk in openly.

Wu Haiyuan had a slightly different idea.

If Han Xijun is recognized, Wu Haiyuan, who is with him, will definitely attract more attention, even if he is wearing a mask to cover his face completely. There's no guarantee he won't be recognized. That's a bit bad.

They can only be in a secret relationship now; it has to be a secret relationship.

Han Xijun, holding a coffee, had already pushed open the door of the barbecue restaurant.

"welcome"

The waiters were all greeting Han Xijun.

Immediately ask, "How many customers are there?"

This is the pace of securing business.

Han Xijun said, "I'm here to see a friend."

He glanced back at Wu Haiyuan, who was looking down as he approached the entrance of the barbecue restaurant.

The waiter asked in confusion, "A friend?"

Han Xijun smiled and said, "Kang Huiyuan-xi."

The waiter in front of him stared wide-eyed at Han Xijun with a wary expression. While scrutinizing him, he said, "I don't think I know you."

Han Xijun had never met Jiang Huiyuan before, nor had he seen any photos of her. He never expected that the waiter who greeted him as soon as he entered the door was the Jiang Huiyuan he was looking for.

After a moment's hesitation, Han Xijun said, "Wait a moment."

Wu Haiyuan had just reached the doorway.

Even with a mask on, Jiang Huiyuan recognized Wu Haiyuan immediately when she saw him.

She wanted to shout, but raised her hand to cover her mouth.

She jogged a few steps and rushed to Wu Haiyuan, lowering her voice excitedly, "Haiyuan!"

Wu Haiyuan also said in a low voice, "How did you recognize me?"

Jiang Huiyuan pointed to the denim overalls Wu Haiyuan was wearing today and said, "We bought this outfit together while shopping. I have a set too."

"Oh yeah, we went shopping together and bought it."

"whee"

"Huiyuan," Wu Haiyuan said, opening his arms.

Without the slightest hesitation, Jiang Huiyuan hugged Wu Haiyuan tightly.

Han Xijun standing to the side suddenly felt a bit superfluous.

During the hug, Kang Hye-won asked, "Why did you suddenly come back? Yesterday I saw on the fan site that the chairman said nmixx is about to record a group variety show."

Wu Haiyuan released Jiang Huiyuan, looked her up and down, and reached out to smooth her stray hairs, saying, "Oh, recording starts tomorrow. I came back because..."

Jiang Huiyuan suddenly turned her head to look at Han Xijun next to her.

He immediately nodded meaningfully and said, "I understand."

Wu Haiyuan shrugged.

They thought Jiang Huiyuan had genuinely guessed the situation.

As a result, Jiang Huiyuan said, "No wonder I felt like I'd seen you somewhere before. You're that genius from Kakao Group, right? I've seen you on the news. You're from Incheon, the genius of Kaist, right?"