It was a holiday, and the hotel's swimming pool was crowded with people enjoying their day off. Laughter echoed across the pool area as guests swam, chatted, and relaxed beneath the warm sunlight.
Yet, at a table a little away from the crowd, one young man seemed to be living in his own world.
His name was Li Wei.
Wearing a red short-sleeved shirt, black sunglasses, and a relaxed expression, he sat comfortably in his chair. His broad shoulders and well-defined muscles were clearly visible beneath his tight sleeves. His physique was impressive, resembling that of a professional athlete who had spent years training his body.
But Li Wei wasn't interested in showing off his muscles.
He had something far more important in front of him.
A pastry.
Holding it carefully between his fingers, he took one small bite and savored it with genuine happiness. A faint smile appeared on his face as he chewed, completely absorbed in the delicious taste.
Every now and then, he glanced toward the swimming pool, watching people splash around and enjoy themselves.
Two young women standing near the pool had noticed him.
The first woman nudged her friend and whispered, "Hey, that guy has been smiling in our direction for a while. Do you think he's staring at us?"
Her friend glanced at Li Wei and smiled.
"Maybe he thinks you're special."
The first woman adjusted her hair and looked at him again.
"But why does he keep looking over here? It's kind of strange."
Her friend studied Li Wei more carefully. Her eyes moved from his broad shoulders to his muscular arms.
"Well, I can't blame him for looking. He's pretty handsome, isn't he? And look at that body. He's clearly in great shape."
The first woman's curiosity gradually turned into interest.
"Now that you mention it..." She gave her friend a mischievous smile. "Maybe you're right. Come on. Let's go talk to him."
The two women exchanged a knowing look and began walking toward Li Wei's table.
Meanwhile, Li Wei remained completely unaware of their plans.
He was too busy enjoying his pastry.
For him, the holiday was going perfectly.
At least, for the moment.
Li Wei had just raised his pastry for another bite when a shadow fell across his table.
Before he could react, one of the women pulled out the chair opposite him and sat down without asking permission. She rested both elbows on the table and leaned forward, studying him with an amused smile.
Li Wei paused, his expression turning mildly curious.
Slowly, he lowered his pastry onto the plate and removed his sunglasses.
"Can I help you?" he asked.
The woman tilted her head.
"Do you want to look at me?"
Li Wei stared at her for a moment.
"Do I know you?"
"No."
"Then you can leave."
He put his sunglasses back on and reached for his pastry.
The woman's smile disappeared.
"Wait a second! Then why were you staring at us?"
Li Wei stopped with his fingers hovering above the plate.
"What are you talking about? I'm not blind. I can look wherever I want."
He pointed toward the pool.
"Those three friends over there were pushing each other around and fooling about. I was watching them."
The woman followed his gesture. Sure enough, three friends were laughing and playfully shoving one another near the pool.
She looked back at him, slightly embarrassed.
"Oh."
Her friend arrived and pulled up another chair.
"Anyway, you look like a cheerful person," she said. "What's your name?"
Li Wei leaned back.
"I'm nobody. What do you need my name for?"
The two women exchanged a glance.
The first woman looked at his arms and smiled.
"Those muscles are impressive, big guy. Do you work out a lot?"
Before Li Wei could answer, she reached toward his arm as if she intended to feel his muscles.
He immediately moved his chair backward.
"What are you doing?"
She laughed.
"Relax! We were just wondering if you'd like to hang out with us."
Li Wei looked from one woman to the other.
*What kind of trouble is this? Usually, guys are the ones bothering girls. How did I end up on the receiving end?*
He sighed.
"Please leave me alone. I'm trying to enjoy my day."
The first woman leaned back in her chair.
"Have you ever heard of a girl going on a date alone?"
Li Wei frowned.
"No. Why?"
"Exactly! I don't want to go on a date alone, so I'm inviting you."
"What? Why me?"
"Because you're a good choice." She smiled confidently. "Besides, I'll make sure you keep that body of yours in good shape."
Li Wei stared at her as though she'd just said something completely unreasonable.
"I'm not a pastry for you to choose from. Find someone else."
His expression was so serious that the second woman struggled to hold back a laugh.
The first woman's smile faded.
"What's wrong with you? Do you have a problem with us?"
Li Wei opened his mouth to answer, then noticed someone standing a short distance away.
A familiar face.
His eyes narrowed behind his sunglasses.
"Hey, Yu Jin! You're finally here?"
The young man standing nearby could no longer pretend he hadn't been listening.
Yu Jin stepped forward, wearing an innocent smile that fooled absolutely no one.
The woman stood up and straightened her clothes.
"Fine. I'll leave. But remember my name."
She pointed at herself.
"I'm Se-Yon."
Then she turned and walked away with her friend.
Yu Jin watched them go before pulling out the chair and sitting down.
A mischievous grin spread across his face.
Li Wei slowly turned toward him.
Yu Jin's grin grew wider.
"Don't even think about laughing," Li Wei warned.
That was exactly when Yu Jin burst out laughing.
"You nearly got me into trouble!" Li Wei snapped.
Yu Jin wiped the corner of his eye.
"Seriously? I thought you were enjoying yourself."
"Enjoying myself? I didn't even notice those girls until one of them sat down in front of me!"
"Well, you can't blame them for noticing you." Yu Jin glanced at his friend's muscular arms. "Although, I suppose I can understand why they were interested."
Li Wei gave him a suspicious look.
"What are you trying to say?"
Yu Jin pointed at the pastry.
"You like pastries so much that maybe you look like one yourself."
Li Wei's expression changed instantly.
"What did you just say?"
"You heard me."
"You look like a ripe tomato, and have I ever called you one?"
Yu Jin blinked.
Then he laughed again.
"All right, all right. Forget it. Let me see that pastry."
He reached toward the plate.
Li Wei slapped his hand away.
"Don't touch it with those dirty hands!"
Yu Jin pulled back his hand in disbelief.
"Dirty? I washed them!"
"Doesn't matter. This is my precious pastry."
Li Wei carefully moved the plate closer to himself.
"Don't worry," he murmured to the pastry. "You're safe. I'm here."
Yu Jin stared at him.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he leaned forward.
"Are you seriously talking to a pastry?"
Li Wei took another bite.
"At least it doesn't annoy me."
"You're acting like a little kid."
"And you're acting like a jealous idiot."
Yu Jin pointed at him.
"Jealous? Of what?"
Li Wei calmly put on his sunglasses.
"Of my pastry, obviously. Why else would you try to steal it? If you want something sweet, go find yourself a girlfriend."
Yu Jin was about to answer when Li Wei's phone began ringing.
Li Wei glanced at the screen.
"Auntie."
He answered immediately.
"Hello, Auntie! How are you? I'm fine. What? My birthday?"
He sighed dramatically.
"No, no, I told you not to make a big deal out of it."
He listened for a moment, then smiled despite himself.
"All right, I'll celebrate. Happy now?"
Another pause.
"Yes, I'll send you a picture. I promise."
His expression softened.
"And how's my sister? She's fine? Good."
He listened quietly before continuing.
"Auntie, I can't come home this year. You know I have things to take care of here. And Uncle already sent enough money for his business expenses. You don't need to send me anything else."
He glanced at Yu Jin, who was watching him with a curious expression.
"Yes, I'm with Yu Jin."
Then Li Wei's face immediately turned serious.
"And please stop trying to find me a girlfriend! I've already told you, haven't I? All right, all right. I'll take care of myself. And yes, I've paid the fees."
He listened to her final words before hanging up.
For a moment, he looked at his phone with a small, contented smile.
Yu Jin leaned forward.
"What did she say?"
"She wants me to celebrate my birthday and send her a picture."
Yu Jin immediately stood up.
"Then that's exactly what we're going to do!"
Li Wei looked up at him.
"What?"
"Come on! I'll celebrate your birthday with you."
Yu Jin grabbed his arm and began pulling him out of his chair.
Li Wei resisted.
"Where are you taking me? And remember, if there are too many people, I'm leaving."
"Fine! Just get up. It'll be the two of us."
Yu Jin draped an arm around his friend's shoulders and dragged him away.
Li Wei grumbled the entire time.
But he followed.
After all, he had promised his aunt a picture.
And, perhaps, spending some time with his best friend wasn't such a bad idea.
Yu Jin led Li Wei away from the busy pool area and toward a building on the other side of the hotel complex.
When they arrived, Li Wei stopped in front of the entrance.
The building was decorated with elegant lights, polished glass panels, and an impressive sign. Through the windows, he could see a stylish interior that looked more expensive than anything he would normally choose for himself.
He looked at Yu Jin.
"What kind of place is this? It looks expensive."
Yu Jin smiled proudly.
"It is. This is one of the best places in the city."
Li Wei looked through the glass again.
"Then it's probably crowded."
"Not necessarily."
"Yu Jin."
"What?"
"If this place is packed with people, I'm leaving."
Yu Jin waved a hand dismissively.
"Relax. Trust me for once."
Li Wei wasn't convinced, but his friend had already started walking toward the entrance.
With a reluctant sigh, he followed.
Inside, the place was a combination of a high-end bakery and a restaurant. The interior was stylish, the tables were neatly arranged, and the scent of freshly baked desserts drifted through the air.
Li Wei's eyes immediately moved toward the display of pastries.
Yu Jin noticed.
"See? I knew you'd like it."
Li Wei pretended not to hear him.
But his gaze lingered on the pastries for another moment before he followed his friend deeper inside.
"Let's sit over there," Yu Jin said.
He led Li Wei through the main hall and toward a smaller terrace that overlooked part of the restaurant.
Unlike the busy interior, the terrace was relatively quiet. A few tables stood beneath decorative lights, and the evening breeze made the place feel pleasant.
Yu Jin pulled out a chair.
"Sit here and relax. I'll be right back with your surprise."
Li Wei narrowed his eyes.
"What surprise?"
"If I tell you, it won't be a surprise."
"That makes no sense."
Yu Jin laughed and hurried back inside before Li Wei could ask anything else.
Left alone, Li Wei settled into his chair.
He glanced around the terrace, satisfied that there weren't too many people nearby.
Then he leaned back.
Finally.
A little peace.
He had no idea how long that peace would last.
Li Wei took a pair of headphones from his pocket, put them on, and started listening to music.
For a while, everything was perfect.
He could hear the music, feel the cool breeze, and enjoy the quiet without anyone bothering him.
Then the noise began.
At first, it was little more than a distant burst of laughter.
Li Wei ignored it.
A moment later came a loud cheer.
Then another.
Glass bottles clinked together, followed by a chorus of shouting.
Li Wei opened his eyes.
He removed one headphone and listened.
The noise came from the main hall below. A group of young men had gathered around several tables, drinking, laughing, and talking so loudly that their voices carried all the way to the terrace.
Li Wei's fingers tightened around his headphone.
*Ignore them.*
He put it back on.
A few seconds later, another explosive cheer rang through the hall.
His jaw tightened.
"Control yourself, Li Wei," he muttered.
He took a slow breath.
*It's a holiday. Don't ruin it.*
Then someone below shouted so loudly that the sound cut straight through his music.
Li Wei pulled off both headphones and stood up.
"Are you kidding me?"
He walked to the terrace railing and looked down.
The group was still celebrating, completely oblivious to everyone around them.
Li Wei clenched his fists.
"These drunk idiots..." he muttered. "I feel like picking them all up and throwing them out."
Just then, Yu Jin returned.
He was carrying something behind his back, but the moment he saw Li Wei standing at the railing, he understood the situation.
He hurried over.
"Hey, hey! Sit down."
He gently pulled Li Wei away from the railing and guided him back toward his chair.
"They'll leave eventually. Don't bother with them."
Li Wei glared down at the group.
"This place is nice, but those idiots are ruining everything."
Yu Jin sighed.
"Please don't start a fight before I've even shown you your present."
Li Wei sat down reluctantly.
"Fine. But if they keep making that noise, I won't be responsible for what happens."
Yu Jin gave him a worried look.
That was precisely what he was afraid of.
"All right, enough about those guys," Yu Jin said. "Look at this!"
He placed a cake on the table.
Li Wei's eyes widened.
It wasn't an ordinary birthday cake. It had been decorated to resemble a giant pastry, complete with a golden-brown finish and carefully arranged cream decorations.
For a moment, Li Wei simply stared.
Then his face lit up.
"Wow!"
Yu Jin grinned.
"Happy birthday, you big idiot."
Li Wei leaned forward, examining the cake as though it were a priceless treasure.
"You actually made them design it like a pastry?"
"Of course. What else would I get for someone who loves pastries more than people?"
Li Wei ignored the insult.
"This is amazing!"
Yu Jin lit the candles.
Li Wei took a breath and leaned forward to blow them out.
Then—
CLANG!
A bottle struck another bottle below, producing a sharp, irritating sound.
Li Wei stopped.
He slowly turned his head toward the hall.
Yu Jin immediately grabbed his shoulder.
"Don't."
Li Wei looked back at the cake.
He took another breath.
Again, he leaned forward.
"Cheers!"
A loud shout rose from below.
Li Wei straightened.
For several seconds, he stood motionless.
Then he walked to the railing.
"HEY! CAN YOU PEOPLE KEEP IT DOWN?"
His voice rang across the hall.
The group fell quiet for a moment. Several young men looked up at him.
One of them leaned back in his chair.
"What the hell is your problem? If you don't like it, go somewhere else!"
Li Wei's expression darkened.
"I'm telling you to lower your voices. Some people are trying to enjoy their evening."
A few members of the group exchanged amused looks.
One of them laughed.
"Look at the big guy giving orders!"
Another called out, "What are you going to do about it, turtle?"
Li Wei's fists tightened against the railing.
"Keep pushing me, and you'll find out."
Before the argument could escalate further, two security guards approached the group and ordered them to settle down.
The young men reluctantly quieted.
But as they returned to their seats, several of them continued glaring at Li Wei.
Yu Jin pulled his friend away from the railing.
"Come on. Back to the cake."
Li Wei reluctantly returned to his chair.
"Stupid idiots."
Yu Jin put the candles back in order.
"Now, can we please finish your birthday without you declaring war on the entire restaurant?"
Li Wei gave him a flat look.
"That depends on them."