The Perfect Show Window - Chapter 1.2

“Once you’re born, you’re meant to create a family and have children. That’s life.”

“What era are you living in? It’s not like that anymore.”

“Times may change, but the natural order doesn’t.”

“And I’m still young, Grandfather. These days, being 32 means people are still focusing on self-development.”

“You’ve been developing yourself for over 30 years and still haven’t finished?”

“Well, there are always areas under construction. It’s endless.”

“If after 32 years you’re still not done, then maybe it’s not going to happen. Give up.”

Sigh…

Huiwon held her grandfather’s stern gaze with her own.

His brow twitched.

“Everyone needs someone to lean on. Your parents won’t always be there. You won’t be young forever.”

“I can grow old alone. You know I don’t mind being on my own.”

“Do you have time for this? This conversation feels like it’ll go on.”

…Ah. Stop. Please stop.

Realizing the conversation could spiral into yet another endless debate, Huiwon waved her hands to signal surrender.

She had fought this battle many times, the generational and cultural chasm between them never narrowing. Her grandfather, though still vigorous at over 80, remained tied to an era preserved in tradition, one where heritage and legacy were paramount.

“Alright, I’ll meet him and have a meal. Just one meal, okay?”

“Yes. That’s all I’m asking. A meal.”

“Fine. I’ll meet him for a meal. And only that.”

“A cup of tea wouldn’t hurt either.”

“…Fine, tea too.”

The granddaughter who smelled of independence accepted her grandfather’s wish, even if it meant shelving her resentment.
Despite the conflicts and inevitable frustrations, the love between the two was genuine and enduring.

“What are you going to give me in return?”

“I’ll extend your curfew by an hour. Until ten.”

“Midnight. Let’s make it until midnight, Grandfather.”

“Ten.”

“Eleven.”

“…Alright. Eleven.”

“Deal!”

With a triumphant grin, Huiwon shot her grandfather a playful wink, signaling that their negotiation was settled. He couldn’t help but smile, a thin line creasing his lips as he watched his granddaughter with amusement.

“This is really the last time, okay? I’m only going to this meeting to save face for you, Grandfather.” With her hand on the door, poised to leave, Huiwon added earnestly, “But don’t go setting up any more meetings without my consent, okay?”

“Go to bed early. And don’t stay up glued to your phone or whatever it is. It’ll ruin your eyes.”

“Yes, Grandfather. Rest well!”

Tomorrow at 7 P.M., Huiwon was scheduled to have dinner with a man whose name she didn’t even know.

The next day, Huiwon made her way to a high-end hotel in downtown Seoul, the venue for her blind date.

“I had a date here not too long ago too,” she muttered as she stepped inside.

The memory of the man she had shared a meal with last time was already hazy, though she remembered the food being excellent.

(Might as well try something different from last time while I’m here.)

With that simple thought, she walked into the restaurant.
Arriving about twenty minutes early, she was shown to her seat by a staff member.

“Maybe I came too soon.”

They knew nothing about each other, save for this scheduled meeting. Not even phone numbers had been exchanged. With nothing to do but wait, Huiwon idly pulled out her phone and scrolled through a search engine.

“Something about working for the government?” She thought about the man she was about to meet.

(Probably a civil servant? Well, if it’s a government job, that counts.)

In truth, she didn’t care. Whatever he did or didn’t do had nothing to do with her life. All she had to do was focus on making the meal pleasant and polite.

(I should probably visit the restroom before he arrives.)

Once she finished her meal gracefully and ended the meeting amicably, her obligation would be done. Huiwon stood up, but just then, a man entered the restaurant, exchanging a few words with an employee before glancing in her direction.

Their eyes met as she paused mid-step.

(Is that him?)

The tailored suit fit him impeccably, emphasizing broad, sharply defined shoulders. His well-proportioned features drew her gaze upward, catching her off guard.

The man’s eyes flicked from her to a table by the window. Huiwon stood frozen, trying to figure out if he was indeed her blind date.

Following his gaze, she saw two men engaged in conversation at the window table.

(Are they his friends? Why is he just standing there looking at them?)

Deciding he wasn’t her match, Huiwon resumed her walk toward the restroom. The man, who had been checking something on his phone, began moving in the same direction. Their paths converged, and Huiwon stepped aside to let him pass.

“Reservation for 7 P.M. Is that your table, miss?”

“Pardon? Oh, yes. That’s me.”

Startled, she looked up as he spoke to her. He glanced at her again before shifting his attention back to the window table.

“We’ll introduce ourselves later.”

…What?

Standing in the hallway, unable to process what was happening, Huiwon watched as the man loosened the buttons of his suit jacket and shrugged it off. Bewildered, she frowned.

“Hold this, please.”

He handed her his jacket. Without understanding why, she took it, eyes wide with confusion.

“Stay back. Don’t come too close.”

“What on earth…?”

Before she could say more, the man walked past their reserved table and headed straight for the window. Following him with her eyes, Huiwon gasped as she realized what was happening.

The man strode confidently toward a conversation that was growing tense.

“Pyeon Sooseop.”

The name rang out, making the man at the table jump to his feet, eyes wide with panic. Well-dressed and composed, Pyeon Sooseop looked the part of a business professional.

But in reality, he was a career criminal with a rap sheet that included ten prior offenses ranging from fraud to attempted assault. Recently released, he was now wanted for a string of new charges involving fraud, drug smuggling, and harassment.
In the heart of Seoul, at an upscale hotel no less, he was caught red-handed in another scam.

“Hey, you!”

Pyeon, the man named, instinctively grabbed a steak knife from the table—a blade as sharp as his rising panic.

“Stay back! Don’t come any closer!”

Screams erupted around them, and the restaurant descended into chaos.

“Wow…”

Huiwon watched, stunned, as her supposed date revealed himself to be much more than he seemed. It felt less like a blind date and more like she was watching a live police drama unfold.

“Why is it always you?! Why can’t you leave me alone?!”

Pyeon yelled, eyes bulging with a mix of fury and terror. The other man at the table, narrowly avoiding being scammed, had backed away, leaving the two men facing off. Even as Pyeon flailed with the knife, the suited man remained calm, announcing the charges before advancing.

“Put the knife down. If you stab someone like that, you’ll hurt yourself too.”

“Why do we keep meeting?! You’re like a curse!”

Pyeon shouted hysterically, his voice cracking with frustration.
Huiwon kept her eyes glued to the scene, holding her breath.

“Pyeon Sooseop, are you done venting? If so, let’s wrap this up.”

“You bastard!”

Pyeon lunged, knife swinging wildly.

“Ah!”

Huiwon shrieked, instinctively covering her eyes with the man’s jacket. The scent of a rich cologne enveloped her, intensifying her confusion.

Crash!

“Ugh!”

Peeking out cautiously, she saw the knife skitter across the floor. Pyeon was now pinned, his arm twisted behind his back as the man held him firmly down.

“Let go! Let go of me, you bastard!”

Despite Pyeon’s furious thrashing, the man barely glanced at him. Instead, he turned his head and shouted at Huiwon.

“You there! My badge is in the inner pocket—check it!”

“What? Oh, yes! Okay!”

“And my business card is in the left pocket!”

“Yes, got it!”

In a daze, Huiwon rifled through the jacket, her hands trembling.

Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. Prosecutor.
The ID card bore a small photo, and as she turned to the business card, she saw it was simply printed with his name and contact information.

Looking up, she met his eyes from across the room and called out, “Understood! Do what you need to! I’ll wait!”

“I’ll be ten minutes late for our appointment. Sorry for the inconvenience!”

“What the hell?! You’re flirting while arresting me?!”

Outraged, Pyeon gritted his teeth. The man, clearly unfazed, tapped him on the head.

“I’m here on a date, Pyeon. Let me live my life for once. Do you think I want to run into you even here?”

“A date?! A date, my ass! You piece of—thinking you can date like this?!”

Pyeon’s renewed resistance only tightened the man’s grip.

“Miss! Run while you can! He’ll ruin your life! This man has no heart!”

“Pyeon, I don’t think you’re the one to be talking.”

“What’s wrong with me?! What’s wrong with me?!”

Fed up, the man pressed Pyeon harder into the ground.

Huiwon, now processing the entire scene, finally stood up and called out, “Nice to meet you! I’m Kwon Huiwon!”

“Seo Jihwan. We’ll have dinner shortly!”

“Yes!”

Huiwon waved his jacket in the air just as a team of police officers stormed into the restaurant.