Chapter 119: A Rather Disastrous First Date-Starlight Shines on the Peninsula(A traveler in a green robe wanders through misty mountains veiled in rain.)

"Tell me, Yuqi, what do you think the chances are of Zhe and Soojung ending up together?"

Choi Sooyoung gently set down her spoon, rested her chin in her hands, and squinted at her friend, Chen Yuqi, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Hmm, I think it's quite likely. Perhaps after this date, they might even start seeing each other officially, who knows?"

Chen Yuqi didn't seem surprised by the question. She set her coffee cup down softly and offered a bright, charming smile. Not only did she answer Sooyoung’s question, but she also took it a step further, clearly harboring high hopes for a union between Krystal Jung and Chen Zhe.

"Oh? You have that much confidence in your own brother, my dear Ms. Chen Yuqi?"

Hearing Chen Yuqi’s confident declaration, Sooyoung raised an eyebrow, looking intrigued. She scanned her best friend from head to toe as if trying to see right through her.

"You’re mistaken about one thing. It’s not just confidence in Zhe; it’s confidence in both Soojung and Zhe."

Mimicking her friend's posture, Chen Yuqi rested her chin in her hands, wearing the same enigmatic, smiling expression, leaving Sooyoung momentarily unable to decipher her thoughts.

***

— Two People on a Date —

Lotte World, the largest amusement park in South Korea and a Guinness World Record holder as the world's largest indoor theme park.

Located in the heart of Seoul, Lotte World is an all-in-one entertainment complex featuring thrilling rides, a cool ice rink, a massive lake for strolling, various performance stages, and a folk museum. Beyond the theme park itself, it houses department stores, hotels, duty-free shops, large discount malls, and sports centers—a true city within a city.

This was the venue Chen Zhe had finally chosen for his first date with Krystal Jung after much deliberation.

"Zhe, look at this! How about we try this indoor roller coaster—the French Revolution?"

Clutching Chen Zhe’s hand, Krystal had long since shed her usual "Ice Princess" persona. She took the lead, skipping ahead and pulling Chen Zhe along as she scouted for rides that piqued her interest.

"An indoor roller coaster? Sure! If you want to ride it, Soojung, I’ll go with you!"

Chen Zhe, who had been lost in thought, looked up curiously at the coaster. It featured a European-style castle with blue spires and grayish-brown rock formations battered by a waterfall, exuding a sense of history. The twisted, winding blue tracks wove through the structure like a timeline piercing through the ages. Looking at the blue tracks, which stood nearly four stories high, Chen Zhe couldn't help but swallow hard.

As mentioned before, Chen Zhe had a fear of heights. Just looking at the coaster made his heart tremble, and the earth-shattering screams echoing from it didn't help. Seeing the tourists stumbling off with pale faces, shaking legs, and even some vomiting, Chen Zhe began to lose his nerve. He hesitated, but remembering his earlier bold words, he gritted his teeth and agreed to take on the French Revolution.

"Zhe, your face is so pale! Are you sure you’re okay? If you can’t handle it, we can pick another ride!"

As they reached the boarding platform at the top of the ride, Krystal noticed her companion’s complexion had drained of all color. Concerned, she slowed her pace, walked beside him, and held his hand.

***

Earlier this year, Bai Fan had earned his two-star Michelin certification. For reasons unknown, he had abandoned his position as head chef at a high-end restaurant to come to South Korea.

"Let's start with some Gambas al Ajillo as an appetizer, followed by clam chowder, lemon-seared salmon, German crispy pork knuckle, passion fruit shrimp salad, and finally, a light cheesecake for dessert. How does that sound?"

Hearing Chen Zhe’s question, Bai Fan, who was busy cleaning the fresh shrimp he’d bought that day, looked up and replied half-jokingly.

"Well, I was just curious what you’d be treating me to, but I’m very satisfied with this menu. It seems my dear brother Bai Fan has really put in the effort!"

Chen Zhe nodded with a smile; the dishes were all his favorites in Western cuisine. It was clear Bai Fan had prepared them with care.

Bai Fan didn't respond, simply nodding as his hands moved with lightning speed to prep the shrimp, shelling them while leaving the tails intact. He placed them in a bowl with sea salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, white pepper, and tomato paste, mixing them well to marinate.

With fifteen minutes to spare, Bai Fan began prepping other ingredients. His knife work was swift as he sliced the garlic. He placed a small pan on the stove, added four tablespoons of olive oil, and sautéed the garlic until golden and slightly crispy at the edges. He set the garlic aside, leaving the infused oil in the pan.

Checking his phone, he saw only ten minutes had passed; the shrimp weren't fully marinated yet. After a moment's thought, he set a five-minute alarm and turned his attention to the clam chowder. He grabbed a crusty European-style bread from the fridge, cut off the top, and used a spoon to hollow it out. Then, he diced onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes. Finally, he sliced two cloves of garlic, chopped two scallions, and cut two strips of bacon. As he finished the prep, the alarm went off.

Watching Bai Fan’s fluid, professional movements, Chen Zhe’s jaw dropped slightly. In his eyes, Bai Fan’s skill was already on par with his father, Uncle Bai.