Chapter 7.2

The microwave beeped, Lee Seop had already finished his lunch and returned to his seat 3 minutes ago. Min-kyung took out the hot herbal tea and placed it on a tray. According to what she learned from his mother, he never took any herbal medicines at work. Even those around when they saw the herbal medicine box urged that it would be easier if she just persuaded his mother than trying to get him to take it.

If she had him drink the tea in the morning, she'd have to deal with his annoyance all day, so she had to be smart about it. It seemed that after lunch would be the best time. Min-kyung relaxed her facial muscles as she knocked on his door and entered the office. She had to prepare herself to meet any of his ill-treatment with a smile. 

"What is it?" Lee Seop asked, looking at the cup with a straw that she sat down. The plastic cup was purple with a yellow lid and a green straw. It was a child's sippy cut that Min-kyung had found after searching in the supermarket during lunch hour, and as Lee Seop grabbed it and held it up, it looked as if it was a toy.

"It's herbal medicinal tea."

"What?"

"Your mother asked for me to serve you this. It's said to nourish the body and boost energy during seasonal changes."

"It's ok, I'm not going to drink that." He put the cup down hard enough to make a sound. "And what on earth is this ridiculous cup?"

Min-kyung smiled brightly and gave her prepared answer. "The reason herbal medicines are unpleasant is not the taste, it's the color and smell that makes it unappetizing."

"So you put it in this colorful cup?"

"Yes, you can't see the tea's color, and the lid blocks the smell. The straw also makes it easier to swallow."

"This is a magic cup?" There are limits to selling this lie." Lee Seop flicked the cup with his fingertip.

Min-kyung began persuading him earnestly; she was skilled at giving the twins medicine since they were weak as infants. "Actually, I was told this herbal medicine was prepared a little differently than normal. I smelled it while heating it up, and it smells good. And here's another secret, my younger siblings used to hate taking this medicine, so I added a few ingredients to help mask the taste and make it easier to swallow." Although Min-kyung made it sound grand, it was only a spoonful of brown sugar that she added.

Lee Seop leaned his upper body back into the chair, lifting his chin and looking up at Min-kyung, he tilted his lips into a crooked smile. "Do you really think this story will sell me on the medicine?"

"Try just one sip." Min-kyung lifted the cup, putting it up to her nose, and took a deep breath. "Just one sip and it smells good too."

Her acting was so believable that Lee Seop grabbed the cup bewilderedly and put his nose to the straw.

'Oh no, don't actually breathe it through your nose, I used my mouth!' Min-kyung panicked and stretched out her hand, but it was already too late. He had put his nose to the straw and sucked in a deep breath. "Ah, sir!"

Immediately, Lee Seop covered his mouth with his hand as if he were nauseous. "Ugh. Good smell? Uck. Does this smell good to you?"

He glared up at her, his anger not subsiding even after pushing the cup away. And if she was honest, even to the agreeable Min-kyung, the smell was atrocious.

'Why on earth is this made so thick and oily?' It was almost believable that it was a tea made from ground-up deer antlers, bear gallbladders, and seal fat. This was proof of how deep his mother's worry and affection went.

Giving him a poor excuse as an answer, she said, "You seem uncomfortable, I like the smell."

"You like that smell?" He asked disgustedly.

"I am…"

"Look at this thing… In your mind, you, Deputy Director Kang, think it's so easy to make fun of me by giving me this child's cup!" Lee Seop clenched his teeth through his slightly parted lips, appearing really angry. Lee Seop, with his sharp wit, could be dangerous when provoked. It seemed there was nothing to say when he was furious; only his mother could scold him. “Kang Min-kyung, be honest. You actually like this smell?"

“m… musk…”

"What?"

"Musk!... the smell. I think it is, your cologne is similar… so I thought you'd like it." Whatever the smell was; antlers, deer scrotum, seal fat, or something else musky, it was a big lie. Her improvisation had now reached its limit. Embarrassed, Min-kyung's cheeks began to heat up.

Lee Seop's cheeks twitched as he listened to her absurd explanation. "Haaa…" he smiled, letting out a sigh, and glanced up at her. "What a fuss you made."

He snatched up the cup and placed his lips over the straw, sucking on it. He continued until his cheeks were also sucked in, his eyebrows furrowed as if in pain. Min-kyung quickly unwrapped a peppermint candy, holding it towards him as his lips left the straw. 

His mouth moved towards her outstretched hand like a bird's beak, and took the candy. Letting out a slight sound, the round, white candy entered his red lips. Min-kyung looked down to the tips of her index finger where it met his lips. Suddenly, without thought, a tingling feeling spread from her fingertips to her wrist, enveloping them.

She made eye contact with him, who was looking up at her. Rolling the candy on his tongue, his gaze seemed to be asking her, what? She tried, but could keep her eyes from fixating on his lips and the candy in his mouth.

"Why… give me candy? Now, am I going to have to feed you candy, too?" He laughed in a low voice. 

The tingling sensation went up to her elbow into her armpit. "No." Min-kyung turned around with the sippy cup. As she walked away, her lower back felt hot, as if he was staring at her.

'It's in my mind. No way is he looking at me.'