Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Hospitality
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Our class has three financial chaebol families.
The most powerful is the twins' family. Next is Jeong Seohee's, then Lee Seo-hyun's.
Lee Seo-hyun's father is the head of a top investment bank.
He's a relatively recent success story who made his name with a major investment win.
In contrast, the twins' family has deep roots and a long history. These days, they've grown into a massive financial empire by mingling their blood with foreign powers.
If it's hard to picture, think of something like the Rothschilds or a comprehensive financial giant like JP Morgan.
That's the kind of family influences society at large with money—the twins' family.
That's why everyone in our class receives funding from the twins.
It's the reason they just laugh off even the twins' malicious pranks.
'And then there's Jeong Seohee.'
I looked down at the white woman gripping my collar, one corner of her mouth curled up.
She's the only one in our class without a drop of Korean blood.
Jeong Seohee's family background is as unusual as her race.
The kids in class sometimes gossip that her adoptive father was a big shot in the loan shark scene.
With wealth vast enough to sway the national economy, and being close allies with the twins' father, the two families essentially control the shares of our country's major corporations.
Of course, to me—a guy who just graduated high school—it all felt distant, like a story from another world.
I looked down at Jeong Seohee.
'Her strength is insane, though. Her stamina should be completely drained by now.'
Jeong Seohee thrust her face close to mine and bared her teeth in a grin.
"Jeong Woojin. You had quite the fun playing with me, didn't you?"
"You know my name?"
"We've been in the same class for three years. How could I not?"
I was shocked. Someone in class actually remembered my name.
It was the first time.
The first time in three whole years that a classmate had called my name.
'So you don't treat me like air after all.'
But the condescending gaze was still there.
The harsh defeat in the forest had erased the pitiful look in her eyes, but wariness had taken its place.
"I saw that stewardess was gone earlier too. Don't make me ask twice. Did you orchestrate this?"
"What do you...?"
My vision went white. Only after a stinging pain bloomed on my forehead did I realize Jeong Seohee had headbutted me.
"Inciting the teachers and crew, dragging the twins away—what's your reason?"
"...Misunderstanding. I didn't drag the twins anywhere."
Thwack.
"Kuh."
"Why did you sneak the twins away?"
I denied it vehemently and tried to explain, but Jeong Seohee wasn't listening at all.
"Spit it out!"
She demanded answers while gripping my collar.
No communication whatsoever. The misunderstanding stayed firmly in place.
Thwack. Thwack. Thwack.
Violence followed instead. Her fist slammed into my stomach multiple times.
'Damn. Her stamina's shot, but her punches still hit like trucks.'
She really was a monster. I'd heard from the twins she was no ordinary person, but this exceeded expectations.
'Still, this body's been beaten daily with wooden swords by Kang Hye-rin. That's not enough to faze me.'
Her weakened punches couldn't deal real damage. Did she notice my composure?
Whoosh.
Jeong Seohee slammed me down onto the ground.
"Guh."
My back burned.
She knew it was rocky terrain and had eased up a bit, but actually slamming me down?
I felt it in my bones—she showed no mercy.
Jeong Seohee straddled me as I lay sprawled on the ground and hammered my abdomen with her fist.
"Answer me! What are you plotting by taking Yuri and Yejin?"
"Cough. Cough. L-like I said, I didn't take them."
"Don't make me laugh. I can tell just by looking in your eyes. Those are the eyes of someone scheming."
Sharp instincts. She even knew I had ulterior motives.
Sure enough, certainty filled Jeong Seohee's gaze as she looked down at me.
Certainty that I was up to something.
But I was innocent.
"Sure, I'm scheming something. But the twins aren't the target—at least not them."
"Then who?"
I just looked up at Jeong Seohee calmly. She furrowed her brow, not understanding my gaze.
"Why stop mid-answer? Need more hits to come to your senses?"
"Before that... could you get off me? Can't breathe, feels like I'm gonna pass out."
Jeong Seohee snorted shortly and stood up, stepping aside.
Whew. Felt like I survived.
'That was close for real.'
No joke.
For a split second, I flashed back to getting beaten unconscious by Han Do-gyun and carted off to the hospital.
Realizing I couldn't endure more, I told her the truth.
"You were the target, Jeong Seohee."
"Me?"
"Yeah. Like I said, we didn't bring the twins. They followed us when we were running. Tried sending them back, but they wouldn't go."
"You expect me to believe that?"
Jeong Seohee grabbed my collar again, pulling my upper body up to face her. Her fierce eyes glared down like she wanted to devour me.
"Believe it or not, that's up to you. But one thing's clear—you chased the twins all the way here, so I had to think about what to do with you."
"......"
Jeong Seohee's eyes pierced into mine, as if seeing through everything.
Up close, they were stunning—like sapphires embedded in her face.
Though her temper suited blood-red rubies better.
"...That much seems true. But you're still hiding something."
Damn, she saw through that too?
Jeong Seohee raised her fist. Just as she swung for my side—
Rustle. Rustle.
Footsteps approached. At the same time, a savory aroma wafted over, tickling my nose.
The smell of meat.
It was so intense our eyes naturally turned toward the sound.
"Ah, sorry if I interrupted an important talk. But the meat's starting to cook. Stuff like this is best eaten hot—can we eat first?"
Kim Yeonju held up a piece of meat as she spoke. Her gaze passed over Jeong Seohee to me, and she smiled brightly.
'Perfect timing. A few days rolling with me, and she knows just when to step in.'
We had a playbook.
Guidelines for if Jeong Seohee made it through the forest to our base.
We'd briefed each other and synced our stories.
It was risky in some ways—I'd worried if my women would really move for me—but it was unfounded concern.
'To them, I'm already irreplaceable.'
Now it was Jeong Seohee's reaction. I looked up at her face.
'Her head's probably full of meat scent right now.'
The only meat we'd had since landing was that first day. Over a week without greasy food, not even the smell.
Three meals of hardtack and water, occasionally full nutrition packs. That's it.
Starving and barely full, then meat appears before your eyes.
What reaction would that get?
Gulp.
Jeong Seohee swallowed hard at the sight of the perfectly grilled pork belly.
Her steadfast gaze wavered side to side.
'She just chased me flat-out. Her body's probably screaming for meat.'
I smiled at Jeong Seohee, whose throat bobbed for the third time, and made my offer.
"Jeong Seohee. Wanna eat with us?"
"What?"
"Meat. Gotta have strength to talk, right? Haven't had breakfast—I'm starving."
"......"
"The twins are probably gathered around the meat by now. We can talk after eating."
As I moved to stand, Jeong Seohee gripped my collar tighter, like asking where I thought I was going.
But the meat scent lingered, and when I stood again, she awkwardly rose too, releasing my collar.
"Coming along?"
Jeong Seohee nodded faintly, eyes tense.
"No funny ideas. I'm watching you."
"Haha, how many guys could even think straight in front of you?"
I beckoned her to follow and took the lead with Kim Yeonju. Jeong Seohee trailed silently behind.
'Alright, took a solid beating. Time for my counterattack.'
Before capturing this wild white horse, time to lower her guard.
Food is an incredible weapon that can touch even the fiercest beast—or a nation's ruler.
When delight blooms in your mouth, the heart grows abundant and generous.
You even feel profound happiness.
I led Jeong Seohee to where the meat was grilling.
The oily, cooking aroma grew thicker with every step.
It felt just like passing a street food stall at dusk.
'Damn, even I'm salivating. Must be from all the intense movement.'
Soon, a pot on the fire amid billowing smoke came into view.
Our homeroom teacher sat before it, grilling meat with wooden chopsticks.
The twins sat opposite, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Hm? Oh. Seohee's here."
"Teacher, you're here too."
"Yeah. Hungry, right? Come here. Sit."
Jeong Seohee hesitated, then sat beside the twins.
The twins didn't even glance at her.
Hard to believe these were the girls who'd begged me to save her from Jeong Seohee just two hours ago—they were laser-focused on the meat.
'And she doesn't seem to care either.'
Like the twins, Jeong Seohee stared at the sizzling meat, swallowing nonstop.
The teacher picked up a perfectly cooked piece.
"Here, Woojin first."
"Not me—feed the kids first."
The twins nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Can't do that. You hunted it. You get the first bite, Woojin."
"Jeong Woojin. Is it true you got the meat?"
"Yeah."
At my answer, Jeong Seohee's gaze toward me grew a bit strange.
I cut her off before she could ask where from.
"I'm fine, really. Feed the kids first."
"Alright? Okay, this one's for Yuri."
Yuri scooted to the teacher's side, took the meat, blew on it, and popped it in her mouth.
"This for Yejin."
Nom!
"And this for Seohee."
Jeong Seohee eyed the meat briefly, then straightened up with a composed face.
"No, Teacher. I'm a guest—I can eat last."
But her eyes wouldn't leave the meat.
Can't be helped. They say sleep and hunger are humanity's strongest urges, hunger second.
Once your stomach's rumbling and saliva's flowing, heiress or adoptee makes no difference.
The teacher blinked, then looked at me.
Jeong Seohee, instinctively sensing I was the leader, looked up at me too.
Her face said it all.
-I want that meat now. But saying it myself hurts my pride.
She hid it well, but after three years rolling with the class, I could read pride-twisted expressions like a book.
I smiled brightly.
"Feed Seohee and the twins first. Yeonju and I'll eat after they're done."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
Jeong Seohee sounded surprised.
"We can really eat first?"
"Yeah. Don't hold back—plenty of meat."
Jeong Seohee's aggressive aura toward me lingered.
She was still wary.
But offering her food first shifted her gaze noticeably.
A flicker of favor appeared in her eyes.
"Ahem. Then, if you insist."
But that was just the start. Jeong Seohee took the meat and put it in her mouth.
"!!"
Her eyes widened.
A smile spread across her lips.
"Delicious."
Her edge melted away.
The long-awaited meat taste dissolved her wariness.
Believe it or not, she turned just like the two kids beside her.
Devoured the piece in seconds, eyes hungry for more as she waited for the next.
Staring into the pot with the twins.
When's it done? Gotta wait more?
Looks ready already.
Something like that.
'She's completely forgotten why she came here.'
She was scarfing meat like her life depended on it.
Wouldn't bat an eye if a volcano erupted nearby.
"Seohee."
Of course, the moment I spoke, her wariness snapped back. Her relaxed eyes sharpened instantly—could it be the same person?
"What?"
She turned to me, eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Here. Fruit too."
I held out an orange and strawberries. Her eyes softened.
"Cool water too."
I placed a freshly bought cold bottle from the shop in her hand.
"......"
Jeong Seohee stared at the food before her.
Her gaze shifted to the twins plucking strawberries one by one.
"Yuri. Yejin."
"?"
"Woojin said you followed here on your own. That true?"
Not taking her eyes off the sizzling meat, the twins nodded big while popping strawberries.
"I see."
With that, the misunderstanding cleared.
As the mood softened a bit, I started to rise, but Jeong Seohee grabbed my wrist.
"You said earlier you didn't take Yuri and Yejin."
"......"
"I didn't believe you. Thought you were just talking to save your skin. Lying. So I was rude. But you... give me all this?"
Some emotion crossed Jeong Seohee's face as she looked at me.
Hard to pin down—shame? Regret?
Definitely different from the class kids.
They'd take such treatment as their due.
Jeong Seohee questioned it.
'Because she's not true blue-blood? Adopted? Or just prideful?'
Whatever the reason, my response was set. I put on an innocent face.
"You were worried about the twins, right? That's why."
"Well, yes, but..."
"Then it's fine. Eat up. I don't sweat the small stuff."
For a moment, Park Jimin flashed in my mind.
Her smiling words to me.
"Just turn around and shake it off. That's my style. No need to worry. I don't hold grudges."
"!!"
Jeong Seohee's eyes widened as she stared blankly at me.
She hates politics, pettiness.
The twins said she hangs alone because the class is beneath her.
I hadn't believed it at first.
But if true?
Then my words might've shaken her heart enough.
"I've misunderstood you for three years. You're... a man of true caliber."
Jeong Seohee bowed her head to me.
"Sorry about earlier. I apologize."
"Told you not to worry."
After that, her gaze toward me turned markedly positive. I'd managed to flip three years of prejudice into favor.
'Food did the trick again. Nothing breaks down walls like a good meal.'
No wonder they fuss over food for state guests. Food's delight pierces not just the heart, but the soul.
Of course, just shoving food at her wouldn't have won this much favor.
It was built on her guilt.
'Anyway, this is my chance.'
Favor between men and women needs sealing within a month, or it fades.
As the meal ended and Jeong Seohee's mood lifted, I approached.
"Seohee. Our situation's complicated. Can't go back where the class is."
"I get it. Smart move hiding here. The class side's not great either—might be better here."
Shaking her head skeptically, worse off than I thought.
Perfect for me.
"So... why not stay with us?"
"Me?"
"Yeah. Twins don't wanna go back, and you'd worry leaving them alone. Just stay."
Jeong Seohee glanced down the cliff, toward the plane wreckage.
I guessed her worry and added,
"Even if rescue comes, they'll see us here. No issue."
"True. But me freeloading too..."
Jeong Seohee was different, alright.
Prideful, but not shameless.
Such personality? Very welcome.
"Don't sweat it. One more mouth won't change much."
I offered my hand. She pondered briefly, then shook it.
"Thanks. I'll repay this debt."
"No need."
"No. I will. Every little thing you've given—I'll repay it all. Remember them."
"Promise? No backing out later saying circumstances changed."
"Yes. I swear on my name and family."
Oh. Nice.
That's a answer I like.