Ch.300300. Good Examples and Bad Examples of Conversation.

300. Good and Bad Examples of Conversation.

“Did you forget anything?”

“No. Phone, wallet, bag. I’ve got everything I brought.”

“Good, then let’s go check out.”

We’ve done everything we needed to do and packed everything up. So I left the room with Hwa Nabi. Pulling our travel bags through the long corridor, we took the elevator down to the first floor, where it was still dark outside.

Well, we’re a bit later than I expected, but we might still be able to catch the sunrise. As I walked, I roughly calculated our route and estimated time. If we hurry, about an hour, plus twenty minutes to find a spot. It’s six fifteen now, so it’ll be close.

“Leaving early, I see.”

As I returned the room card we used last night and paid for the snacks and beer we consumed, the employee casually asked. It probably didn’t mean anything, just small talk. I nodded appropriately.

“Ah, yes. I have something to do.”

“Going to see the sunrise, right?”

“Huh? That’s right. How did you know?”

“I’ve been doing this job for years. At this time of year, especially at this hour, people who check out in a hurry are definitely going to see the sunrise.”

“Ah…”

That makes sense. After all, there aren’t many reasons to suddenly leave at dawn on January 1st other than to see the sunrise. She said she’s been doing this job for years, so she must have seen many guests like us. It would be stranger if she didn’t know.

After finishing the payment and getting my card back, I adjusted my clothes. But then Hwa Nabi suddenly cut in beside me.

“Unnie, do you happen to know any special spots around here for watching the sunrise that not many people know about?”

“A special spot for the sunrise? Well, there are a few places…”

The front desk employee trailed off, glancing at us hesitantly. Her expression suggested she was debating whether to tell us or not.

‘Isn’t it rude to ask something like that when we’ve just met?’

‘What’s rude about it? If she tells us, great. If not, no big deal.’

‘Still, from her perspective, the question itself might be burdensome.’

‘Fine. Then I’ll do it this way, okay?’

After finishing our conversation with just our eyes, I took a step back. Curious about what she was planning to do, I watched as Hwa Nabi began rummaging through her handbag.

After searching around, what she pulled out was none other than her wallet. Hwa Nabi took out a 50,000 won gift certificate, discreetly placed it on the front desk, and asked subtly:

“You’re working so hard this early morning. Please buy yourself some honey water or something when you get off.”

“What? Oh my! You don’t have to do this…”

“Come on, you remind me so much of my older sister. I really want to do this for you. You’ll accept it, right?”

“The manager told us not to accept these things… but since it’s from a guest, it would be rude to refuse. Oh my, oh my…”

The front desk employee reverently tucked away the gift certificate as if it were a sacred object, then leaned in closer to Hwa Nabi.

“…Ahem, I’m absolutely not doing this because I received anything. It’s just that you remind me of my younger sister, so I’ll tell you.”

“Yes, unnie. What is it?”

“Well, if you drive about twenty minutes from here, there’s a nice spot that not many people know about. The surrounding scenery is beautiful, and there aren’t many people, so it’s perfect to take your boyfriend to…”

“Really? Where exactly is it?”

“Just a moment. It might be confusing if I just explain verbally, so let me write down the address and even draw you a map.”

“……”

They say money given with sincerity brings back people’s hearts. I didn’t understand the meaning of that saying when I was young, but now I think I do. Most problems in human relationships can be solved with money.

Things that can’t be solved with money just mean you don’t have enough money. Not that they can’t be solved with money.

“Here, just follow this road and turn right at the intersection. If you get lost, call the front desk. Tell me what you see around you, and I’ll guide you.”

“Oh my, really? You don’t have to do that. You’re so kind. Thank you, unnie.”

“It’s nothing. Is there anything else you need?”

“No, we’re fine. We’ll be going now.”

“Alright. Both of you get home safely.”

Leaving behind the excessive kindness and farewell, I took Hwa Nabi’s hand and headed to the hotel parking lot.

-Swoosh, thud.

As soon as the automatic hotel entrance door closed, Hwa Nabi pulled my hand and said:

“Husband, how was that? I did well, right?”

“Yeah, you did well.”

How someone can approach others so brazenly is something I couldn’t imitate even if I wanted to.

I nodded with half sincere, half joking admiration. But Hwa Nabi seemed unsatisfied with just that, gently tickling the back of my hand with her finger as she added:

“Just with words?”

“What else should there be?”

“Give me a kiss. Not now, a little later.”

“Later, when?”

“Whenever you want to.”

Since that’s practically something we do every day anyway, I answered without much thought:

“Okay, fine.”

“……Heh.”

*

Twenty minutes later, in a place slightly away from the city center.

Following the address and map the hotel employee had given us, we arrived at a scenic beach and stopped. Looking around, there wasn’t a sign of anyone else, suggesting it really was a place not well-known to people.

“Nabi. Get out first and wait in front of that building. I’ll park in the parking lot and join you.”

“Okay. Should you hurry?”

“Yeah, I’ll be right there.”

Smack, Hwa Nabi gave me a peck on the cheek before unbuckling her seatbelt and getting out of the car. I lightly rubbed the spot where her lips had touched, cleared my throat unnecessarily, and turned the car around.

I parked in the public parking lot right next to us and got out of the car. But at that moment, my phone rang.

“Oh.”

Could it be Hwa Nabi? Thinking something might have happened, I quickly checked, but fortunately, it wasn’t her. The person calling at this early hour was none other than Lim Hansol.

“Hello? Lim Hansol?”

[Ah, hello? Sorry, did I wake you up?]

“No, I’ve been awake for an hour. But why, what’s up?”

[Nothing special. I just wondered if you were waiting for the sunrise too, so I called.]

“Oh, well. I was waiting with Nabi.”

But saying “you too” meant that Lim Hansol was also waiting for the sunrise. When I asked about it, he readily confirmed.

[Yeah, I’m with Jinhee.]

“Oh, really? But is it okay for you to be casually talking to me like this? Won’t she get angry?”

[No, she just went to the convenience store to buy something. I called while she’s gone, so it’s fine if we hang up soon.]

“Why didn’t you go with her?”

[Well… I did offer to go together, but she insisted it was fine, so I couldn’t. So I’m leaning against a wall nearby.]

At Lim Hansol’s words, I couldn’t help but imagine it. This guy leaning casually against a wall, talking to me on the phone.

Well, whatever else you might say about Lim Hansol, he does have an attractive appearance and a tall, straight figure. Just leaning against a wall would make a pretty good picture.

……For some reason, I suddenly felt irritated and frowned without realizing it. But just then, a woman’s voice came through the phone.

[Excuse me, do you live around here? (What? Ah, no. I’m just visiting.)]

“What’s going on? Hello?”

[Really? Then would you like to hang out with me? It’s my first time in this area too. I’d like to have someone to walk around with… (Thank you for the offer, but I’m here with someone.)]

“Who are you talking to? Is it Jinhee?”

[No, someone suddenly started talking to me… (Hey, Lim Hansol. What are you doing?)]

“…?”

[Don’t tell me you were talking to another woman while I was gone? I even fixed my makeup for you. (Wait. Jinhee, it’s not like that…)]

“……”

Ring, ring, the phone call ended with someone’s urgent voice. Looking at the flashing phone screen with Lim Hansol’s name and number, I quietly turned it off.

Getting involved in a lovers’ quarrel never ends well. In times like these, it’s best to pretend you don’t know anything. I’m not sure exactly what happened, but I hope they—or rather, the two of them—resolve it amicably.

I put my phone in my pocket and walked toward the building where Hwa Nabi would be waiting. It wasn’t far, so I arrived quickly.

Pink hair visible from a distance. Spotting Hwa Nabi’s back, I hurried over with excitement. But what was this?

[I’m sorry, but this is my first time in this area too, so even if you ask me for directions…]

[Ah, I see. Then would you like to exchange numbers? It’s good for strangers to help each other, right?]

[N-numbers? Um… I have a husband.]

[Come on, I’m not approaching you with impure intentions. I just want to share information, and if we get along, we could contact each other separately. Don’t you think?]

[Excuse me…?]

What I saw was Hwa Nabi looking very uncomfortable, standing with some clean-cut guy. What’s worse, the snippets of conversation I overheard were even more outrageous.

What? Contact her if they get along? Is he crazy, starting this at dawn? And not just any woman, but trying to make a move on someone else’s wife?

Instantly heated, I was about to charge in without thinking, but then I hesitated.

“No…”

Stay calm. People should have dignity… Resorting to violence when angry isn’t right.

Yes, that’s right. I’m not some barbarian; using violence outright isn’t what an intellectual would do.

An intellectual should first attempt to resolve problems through dialogue.

“Ah… this is annoying. What kind of crazy bastard…”

Right. Through dialogue… supposedly.