The city lights glowed outside Lee Group’s headquarters. Inside the top floor office, Madam Lee Na-ra stood in front of the wide glass window, her arms folded across her chest. At thirty years old, she had built a reputation as a strict and intelligent leader. Employees admired her, feared her, and followed her every word.

But tonight, her thoughts were elsewhere.

Behind her, her loyal secretary, Choi, cleared his throat. “Madam Lee… your parents have asked you to attend tonight’s blind date. The reservation is already prepared.”

Na-ra turned, her eyes sharp. “Blind date? I told them before—I’m not interested.”

Choi hesitated. He had worked with her long enough to know she rarely changed her mind once decided. “Still, Madam, it’s President Kim of JK Group. Your parents believe this match would strengthen both families.”

Na-ra sat at her desk, flipping through documents. Her lips curved into a cold smile. “Kim Dong-hyun… the man who rejected every woman he met? What a wonderful choice.”

Choi opened his mouth to respond, but stopped when Na-ra suddenly pressed her hand to her stomach. Her face tightened for a moment as if fighting a sharp pain.

“Madam, are you alright?” he asked, stepping closer.

Na-ra straightened immediately, hiding her weakness. “It’s nothing. Cancel the meeting.”

“But Madam—”

“I said cancel it,” she repeated firmly, her tone final.

Choi bowed slightly. “Yes, Madam Lee.”

---

Across the city, Kim Dong-hyun sat alone in a quiet, luxurious restaurant. The lights were dim, the table elegantly set for two. Women at other tables stole glances at him, whispering about the tall, handsome man in a black suit.

But his eyes remained fixed on the empty chair across from him.

One hour passed.

He leaned back in his chair, his patience gone. “She isn’t coming,” he muttered under his breath. His secretary quickly stood, but Dong-hyun had already risen.

“Enough,” he said coldly. “Let’s leave.”

Instead of returning home, he went straight to a bar. Glass after glass of whiskey disappeared in his hand. He was a man used to control, but tonight, he allowed himself to lose it. By the time he stumbled out into the night air, the world spun around him.

He wandered until his legs gave up, finally sitting down on the cold pavement outside a small supermarket.

---

Inside the supermarket, Kang Ji-woo pushed a cart filled with goods toward the shelves. She was twenty-nine, hardworking, and gentle in nature. Life had been cruel to her: her father lay on his deathbed, and her greedy relatives were already circling to steal what little she had left.

Still, she kept going, her soft smile never leaving her face, even in her exhaustion.

When she stepped outside to collect the empty baskets, her eyes fell on a man leaning against the wall. His head was lowered, his suit wrinkled, but even in his drunken state, he looked like someone important.

“Sir?” Ji-woo asked carefully. “Are you alright?”

The man lifted his head slightly, and for the first time, Ji-woo saw his eyes—dark, tired, but strangely deep.

He didn’t answer. His body swayed, so Ji-woo quickly rushed to support him.

“Come inside,” she said gently. “You can’t stay out here.”

She helped him into the store, guiding him to a chair near the counter. She poured him some water and placed a bowl of warm food in front of him.

For a moment, Kim Dong-hyun looked at her—this simple supermarket worker who treated him with such kindness. He didn’t speak, but the way his gaze lingered on her face carried something unfamiliar.

“Eat this. It will help.”

Dong-hyun stared at the noodles blankly, then at her. His pride usually stopped him from accepting help, but something in Ji-woo’s calm voice made him lift the chopsticks.

He took a bite. The noodles were fiery red, soaked in spicy broth. His eyes widened instantly, and he coughed. “Too spicy…”

Ji-woo smiled, amused. “Really? This is nothing. I love spicy food.” She took a big bite herself, her eyes lighting up as she chewed. “See? It’s perfect.”

He watched her in disbelief. Her face was bright, her smile genuine, and her laughter warm.

For the first time in a long while, Kim Dong-hyun felt… human.

When he set the chopsticks down, Ji-woo poured him a glass of water. “You look like someone who carries too much weight,” she said gently. “I don’t know who you are, but… don’t keep everything inside. Life is already heavy. Sometimes, you have to let yourself rest.”

Dong-hyun stared at her quietly. People usually flattered him, feared him, or tried to impress him. No one had ever spoken to him so simply… so honestly.

He lowered his gaze. “Rest… huh.”

Ji-woo nodded. “Yes. Even the strongest people need someone to care for them.”

Her words lingered in the silence. For the first time in years, he didn’t feel like a president or a businessman. He just felt like a man—tired, wounded, but strangely comforted by a stranger’s kindness.

When his secretary finally arrived, Ji-woo helped Dong-hyun stand. She walked him to the car, steady and gentle.

“Thank you,” he said quietly before getting in. His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, as if he didn’t want to leave.

Ji-woo waved faintly. As the car disappeared down the road, she stood at the doorway of her shop, the night air brushing her face.

“He seems like a good guy,” she whispered to herself. A complicated man, but not a bad one.

With a small smile, she returned to her shop, unaware that this one encounter would change both of their lives forever.

Kim Dong-hyun sat in his father’s study, his face dark with anger.

“You always compare me with others, Father! I’m tired of this,” he said sharply.

His father glared back.

“And I’m tired of your arrogance. You think you can run this family business without discipline?”

The argument ended with silence, but Dong-hyun left the room upset. He found his secretary and best friend, Chuang, waiting for him outside.

“Hyun, what happened?” Chuang asked gently.

Dong-hyun sighed and rubbed his forehead.

“My father… my family… everything feels like a burden. I’m sick of these endless blind dates and lectures.”

Chuang, who had grown up in Dong-hyun’s household because his family worked for the Kims, tried to lighten the mood.

“Hyun, let’s not talk about that. I have something else for you. Do you remember the Masai Tea project? There’s new development in Japan.”

Dong-hyun looked at him.

“Japan?”

“Yes. We can fly there tomorrow if you want. I’ll arrange a private jet.”

After a long pause, Dong-hyun nodded.

“Fine. Arrange it. At least that will keep me busy.”

Two days later, across the city, Lee Na-ra sat at the dinner table with her family. Her father cleared his throat.

“We’ve been invited to the baby shower of Mr. Kim’s eldest daughter,” he announced.

Na-ra raised an eyebrow.

“Dong-hyun has an elder sister?”

“Yes,” her father replied. Her younger sister, Eujin, clapped her hands with excitement.

“Perfect! I’ll get to see Dong-hyun there!”

Na-ra shook her head.

“I’m not interested in this.”

Her father’s voice turned stern.

“You’re coming, Na-ra. No arguments.”

The day of the baby shower came. Unlike most parties, this one was private—only close friends and family were invited.

Joon-ki leaned toward Eujin. “Strange. They must value us a lot to call us.”

At the entrance, the Kim family warmly welcomed the Lees.

Dong-hyun’s father smiled at Eujin. “You’re very beautiful.”

Eujin’s cheeks turned pink with pride. Then he spoke to Joon-ki, complimenting him as well. But soon his tone shifted.

“And where is Na-ra, my future daughter-in-law?”

Eujin’s smile faded instantly.

Just then, Na-ra entered the hall, dressed elegantly. Heads turned. The crowd whispered in admiration.

Eujin, her jealousy burning, whispered to Joon-ki, “Do you think she looks more beautiful than me?”

Without thinking, Joon-ki answered, “Yes.”

Eujin gasped. “What?”

He quickly tried to fix it, but the damage was done.

Kim’s father walked to Na-ra with warmth. “Call me Uncle.”

Na-ra bowed slightly but said coolly, “I’m comfortable with calling you Mr. Kim.”

Her father scolded, “Na-ra!”

But Mr. Kim chuckled. “It’s fine. She can call me whatever she wants. Comfort matters more.”

Later, Dong-hyun appeared. Eujin rushed forward, smiling. “You’re so handsome.”

Joon-ki leaned in to whisper, “Don’t flirt with him. He’s your sister’s fiancé.”

Eujin shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass.

Meanwhile, Na-ra and Dong-hyun found themselves face to face.

She spoke first, sharp as ever. “Are you working on the Masai Tea project?”

Dong-hyun raised a brow. “Yes. And what’s it to you?”

“I’m working on it too. So don’t dream too much. That project belongs to Lee Group.”

He smirked. “Wrong. Masai Tea will come to Korea through Kim Group. Remember that.”

Na-ra’s eyes flashed.

Before she could respond, she added coldly, “And don’t accept any blind dates arranged by our families. I won’t show up.”

Dong-hyun chuckled dryly. “Don’t worry. I won’t. I’m not interested. But at least you should’ve had the manners to inform me you weren’t coming last time.”

Her pride stung. He walked away, leaving Na-ra fuming. “Idiot,” she muttered.

On the balcony, Eujin spotted Dong-hyun standing alone. She seized the chance.

“You look lonely,” she said softly. Then, with a sly smile, she began insulting her sister. “Na-ra isn’t as perfect as people think—”

Dong-hyun turned sharply. “Stop. Never speak ill of someone behind their back. And she’s your sister. Have some respect.”

Eujin froze, her plan collapsing in an instant.

Inside, the baby shower began in full swing. Dong-hyun greeted his pregnant sister with affection.

“Where’s brother-in-law?” he asked.

“He had an important meeting,” she explained. “He’ll come soon.”

Dong-hyun frowned. “He spoils you too much. He should be here.”

“Don’t say that,” she said firmly.

After the celebrations, both families gathered in the main hall. Something important was about to be announced.

It was past midnight at Piang Piang Convenience Store. The road outside was empty, and the chill in the air made the night feel even lonelier.

A woman in her late twenties stepped out of the store, stretching and yawning.

“I’m so tired! Because of that Min-jun, I have to do the night shift again,” she muttered, rubbing her eyes.

Just then, she noticed a man sitting outside, slouched and obviously drunk.

“Who’s that…?” she whispered.

The man suddenly mumbled, “Lee… Na-ra… I hate you!”

Startled, she took a step closer. “Hello, Mr.? Are you okay?”

But the man shook his head and waved his hands clumsily.

“No! I don’t want to marry her! I hate that Lee Na-ra!”

She sighed. “Oh, God. Who’s that pitiful Lee Na-ra? Hello, mister? Who are you? What are you even doing here?”

“You… you ask too many questions,” he slurred.

“It’s freezing outside! Come inside before you pass out completely,” she said, helping him to his feet. He leaned on her shoulder as she guided him into the store.

“Please… hide me here,” he whispered. “If they can’t find me… my wedding will be cancelled…”

Her brows furrowed. “You came here alone?”

He glared at her tiredly, clearly annoyed with her constant questions. She quickly zipped her lips.

Just then, his phone rang. She quickly pulled it from his coat pocket and answered.

"Hello, Dong-hyun! Where are you?? Your parents are searching for you!" a man’s voice shouted.

"Hello?!" she replied.

"M..may I know who's this? This is Mr. Dong-hyun's mobile right?" he asked.

"You're right! This guy is sitting in our store! Pls come and get him! He's completely drunken!" Kang Ji-woo said firmly.

"What?? Okay tell me the address!"

She told him the location and hung up. By the time she turned back, Dong-hyun had already dozed off on the chair.

"He dozed off? Alright! At least he shut his mouth now!" she sighed, sitting beside him.

She leaned in, studying his face.

"He's looking so good! His eyelashes are also beautiful!" she whispered, admiring him.

Shaking her head, she reminded herself about work. She went to arrange the shelves, glancing at the door now and then, waiting for Chuang to arrive.

After some time, she came back to check on him—just as he woke up, blinking around in confusion.

"Where am I?" he mumbled.

"In a convenience store!" she replied flatly.

"What?? What I'm doing here?"

"I should have asked that to you!" she said, folding her arms.

He froze, unable to answer.

"Are you alright now? You're completely drunken!" she asked.

"Oh… I'm fine. But having headache!" he muttered, pressing his forehead.

"Let me give you hangover drink!" she said and went to prepare. A few minutes later she returned with the drink. He gulped it down.

"Thanks!" he said quietly.

"No problem!" she replied.

"Did anyone saw me?" he asked nervously.

Checking his phone, his eyes widened. “It’s 2?”

“Yes. Two in the morning. No one’s here except you and me.”

"Okay..!"

"Your mobile phone kept ringing before. I answered the call and spoke with a person! He said he will be here soon. I guess he is on the way to pick up you!" she explained.

"What??" he screamed and snatched his phone. After checking, he sighed. "Thank God! You spoke with my secretary!"

"Did you thought that is Lee Na-ra?" she teased with a smirk.

"No! I thought it was my father!"

"Oh!"

"Wait! How did you know her?" he questioned.

"You only said! Few minutes before. Before dozing off!"

"Shit!!"

"Don't worry! I don't tell anyone!" she assured.

"There is no problem even if you tell others what I spoke about her!"

"Wow! So you scared of your father?" she teased again.

"Miss! I not scared of my father! I'm going to get married soon. If he heard a woman voice in the call it will be problem!" he explained.

"I understood! But.. if you don't like her, then don't marry her!" she said boldly.

He looked at her quietly, then sighed. "Everything was decided. Nothing I can change now!"

"Yeah! Life will be never in the way we want. So go with the flow!" she said.

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

She leaned against the counter. “Accept it. If you can’t change your fate, change yourself. Who knows? Maybe one day, life will surprise you.”

He gave a bitter laugh. “In my dreams.”

“Suit yourself,” she said. “By the way, have you had dinner?”

"Fine! Let's have noodles!" she said cheerfully and went to prepare. Soon she served two bowls.

He hesitated. “I shouldn’t—”

“I already paid for it. So eat,” she insisted.

As they slurped, he suddenly choked, his face turning red.

“This is way too spicy!” he cried.

“What? You can’t even handle this?” she laughed. “It’s barely spicy!”

“How do people eat this fire?!” he groaned, gulping water.

“Then give it to me!” she reached over.

But he shook his head stubbornly. “No… but.. it’s delicious.” He kept eating, coughing between bites.

She laughed so hard she nearly dropped her chopsticks. “You’re starving and dramatic at the same time!”

He gave her a small smile. For the first time that night, the tension in his face softened.