After spending a long time in the infinity pool, Hajun finally grew bored of the water and climbed out, his small frame shivering slightly in the evening breeze.
The long day of traveling from Seoul to Jeju, combined with the energy spent splashing in the heated water, had left his stomach completely empty, and it gave a loud, rhythmic groan.
Hajun looked up at Eun-soo with wide, watery eyes, his expression one of pure, youthful desperation. "Teacher... I am hungry."
Eun-soo looked down at him and felt a surge of maternal warmth. "Then let's go to The Beyond. It's our signature Italian restaurant right here in the hotel."
All of them began to get up, and Young-sook quickly bathed Hajun in clean water to rinse off the chlorine.
She then changed him into a set of fresh, clean clothes she had brought specifically for him to wear after swimming.
As they entered the dining room, they were greeted by the warm glow of designer lighting and a stunning ceiling of sculpted wooden slats that mirrored the waves of the sea.
Choi Eun-kyung, the sharp and detail-oriented Restaurant Manager, immediately spotted Eun-soo and stepped forward with a perfectly timed bow. "Good evening, Miss."
Eun-soo nodded gracefully, her sky-blue dress flowing as she moved. "Please arrange a table for four, Eun-kyung."
The manager checked her digital tablet with practiced efficiency. "Please come with me. I have the perfect window seat overlooking the forest for you."
Once they were seated at a heavy, rustic wooden table, a waiter arrived to present the menus, each one bound in fine leather.
"All our Italian dishes are prepared to world-class standards," Eun-kyung explained. "Our Executive Chef, Luca Moretti, is from Italy and is truly obsessed with perfection."
Eun-soo, who had dined here many times during her inspections, turned to Jin-ho and Young-sook. "Uncle, Auntie, I know this menu well."
"In my opinion, the Napoletana pizza, pasta carbonara, and Sicilian arancini are the best representations of Chef Luca's talent, but please, choose whatever speaks to you."
Jin-ho looked over the menu, recognizing several terms from the international research conferences he had attended during his years as a physics professor at SNU.
"Let's try what you suggest, Eun-soo," Jin-ho said with a kind smile. "Everything on this menu looks like a work of art."
Young-sook nodded in agreement, though she looked at the list with a curious eye. "Is there anything unique the chef can prepare for us today? Something a bit different?"
As if on cue, Chef Luca Moretti himself stepped out of the kitchen, his white toque standing tall and his eyes sparkling with culinary passion.
"Hello everyone," Luca said, bowing to the table before addressing Young-sook's question. "For a new experience, I recommend our legume-based pasta."
"It is made from chickpeas and lentils—high-protein, fiber-rich, and entirely gluten-free. It offers a texture that is quite different from traditional wheat."
He then looked at the youngest member of the group. "And for Hajun, I think a creamy Risotto alla Milanese will be enjoyed, as many kids enjoy that."
He remembered the boy's name because Miss Eun-soo had specifically told them to take extra care of him during her arrival.
Everyone was impressed by the chef's personal touch and quickly agreed to his recommendations, along with the classic dishes Eun-soo had mentioned.
"Right away," Luca declared. "I will personally oversee the preparation of your meal to ensure you have a true Italian experience."
As the chef retreated, the waiter returned to take drink orders, offering a list of quintessential Italian cocktails.
Eun-soo chose a refreshing lemon soda for Hajun and an Aperol Spritz for herself—the vibrant orange drink matching the sunset colors outside.
Jin-ho and Young-sook opted for the Bicicletta, a classic mix of white wine and Campari that promised a crisp, bitter-sweet start to the evening.
While waiting for the food, Hajun proudly showed Eun-soo a math puzzle he had solved earlier, his small fingers tracing the logic while his grandparents watched with glowing pride.
During a quiet moment, Young-sook leaned in and asked softly, "Eun-soo, you are the heiress to such a vast hospitality empire... why do you choose to teach in a kindergarten?"
Eun-soo paused, a small, honest smile playing on her lips. "Auntie, it isn't about the status. After working with my father and brother, the pressure of constant meetings felt overwhelming."
"I realized I wanted a break. I love music, I speak English, and most importantly, I love children. Especially children like Hajun—polite, intelligent, and so very cute."
She reached over and gently rubbed Hajun's cheek, and the boy looked up at her with adoring puppy eyes that made the whole table laugh.
Jin-ho and Young-sook exchanged a look of understanding; they knew the burden of responsibility, seeing how their own son, Jin-woo, was always buried in the problems of A2.
Soon, the food arrived in a parade of colors—golden pizzas with blistered crusts, rich pastas, and vibrant salads served on white ceramic plates.
The utensils were heavy and polished, clinking softly against the plates as the family began to eat, the flavors transporting them far away from the stress.
As they finished their meal, Chef Luca returned to the table. "I must know how was the experience?"
Jin-ho, moved by the authenticity of the meal, stood up and gave the chef a warm, appreciative hug. "Chef, this was magnificent. It felt exactly like my time in Italy."
"Can I take a photo with you?" Jin-ho asked. Luca, delighted to meet someone who truly appreciated the craft, beamed and agreed immediately.
Eun-soo took out her phone and captured the moment, the scientist and the chef smiling together in the middle of the elegant restaurant.
After promising Luca they would return, the group, now full and happy, made their way back to the private elevators of the top floor.
At the door of their suite, Eun-soo said a warm goodbye to Hajun and his grandparents before retreating to her own room for much-needed rest.