Chapter 190
Chapter 190
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 190
Chapter Title: Grilled Meat and Confessions
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Han Hyun-ho's "Wolhwa Loga" main branch.
The place was packed with people there to enjoy the charcoal-grilled meat, drinks, and evening air.
Salarymen who'd just finished a tough day at work, couples out on leisurely dates—the massive restaurant was full to bursting, with not a single quiet spot left for conversation.
But in the back, there was one large, quiet room reserved for special guests.
Soundproofed to perfection, the space held two people eating their hearts out.
Yoon Haneul and Kang Hyun.
Sizzle.
Nom nom.
Yoon Haneul, with her hair tied back, was inhaling the meat like there was no tomorrow, while Kang Hyun diligently grilled more to keep her plate full.
"Another serving of something?"
She popped a piece of meat into her mouth without a word and held up two fingers.
Meaning two servings.
"Two pork neck, then?"
She shook her head.
"Pork belly?"
She nodded.
"Hang on a sec. Place is packed—must be busy."
Kang Hyun got up and flung open the door, and in rushed a panting figure.
Han Hyun-ho, who'd sped over from Gangnam to Seocho in record time.
"Whoa, what's this? Yoon Haneul in my restaurant!"
"Hello!"
"Gasp, hello! To grace this humble establishment! Pinch my cheek real quick to prove I'm not dreaming."
"I heard you're friends with Kang Hyun from high school. I've been his friend since high school too—guess we never crossed paths?"
She flashed a bright smile.
It was hard to believe she'd been sharp and prickly just moments ago, talking about depression and all that. She flipped her vibe completely, grinning ear to ear.
Model savvy? Or just basic entertainer skills?
"Haha, order whatever you want. I'll fetch every delicacy from the finest spots and serve it up. Hey! We got caviar or what?"
He gestured toward the outside with a cheeky grin. Yoon Haneul laughed along, and their chemistry was surprisingly spot-on.
"I'll swing by sometimes. I've passed the place a few times heading through Seocho."
"Urgh, thank you. Enjoy yourselves. Mind if I borrow Kang Hyun for 1 minute 45 seconds?"
"Sure!"
They shook hands warmly, chatted a bit, and were laughing like old pals in no time.
Kang Hyun couldn't quite get used to it.
"Come here a sec? Buddy?"
"Uh, sure."
Slam.
"You crazy bastard—why didn't you tell me your high school friend was Yoon Haneul?"
The second they stepped out, Han Hyun-ho shot Kang Hyun a side-eye and shoved his face close.
"I mentioned it a few times back in the day. You just forgot. She's Chan-rim's cousin sister."
"No way. Chan-rim's little bro? Back when I didn't connect that Yoon Haneul to this Yoon Haneul. Does that even add up?"
Han Hyun-ho's eyes sparkled as he sized Kang Hyun up again.
"Hiya... Never would've imagined. Unreal. You really got all the luck, man...."
He patted Kang Hyun's shoulder, muttering about getting a signed photo later, and headed down the hall.
Whoas and hiyas spilling out nonstop.
That big a shock, huh.
Anyway.
'Phew. Glad that's over.'
The emotion washing over Kang Hyun was pure relief.
Yoon Haneul was naturally positive and self-confident, so even if she seemed aloof to others, she always had fans around her, which only amplified her charm.
He didn't know the exact rough road she'd taken to reach her current heights amid all these changes, but her once mild, warm demeanor must have been chipped away. He'd seen the exhaustion in her eyes and felt bad for her.
But this prickliness and coldness wasn't her true self. Just temporary.
Feeding her and letting her settle had perked her up, bringing back glimpses of the old her.
So, he needed to keep stabilizing her a bit more, listen to her stories, stay in touch often.
Whatever else she needed, he'd provide. He'd catch her if she leaned on him. He vowed it.
Bang.
Finishing his resolve, Kang Hyun reopened the door and jolted with a sharp gasp, rushing to her side.
"Huh? Haneul?"
She'd been scarfing down food, but whether from relief or overwhelming fatigue crashing down, her eyes were brimming with tears.
Her patience must have hit its limit.
"Hic... Hic...."
"Why... why are you crying?"
Cheeks stuffed with meat, now crying—Yoon Haneul.
"Hic... Dunno, you're mean...."
"Okay, okay. Who said what? Who was it?"
"Kang Hyun."
"Got it. Sorry. Eat first, then cry."
"I didn't hook up with Jack Daniel. Didn't do drugs."
"I know, I know."
He grabbed tissues to wipe her tears, patted her shoulder. Noticing her gesture toward her bag, he handed it over and watched her fix her smudged makeup.
Heartbreaking to see how tough it'd been, but deep down, the fact that she only let these pent-up emotions burst in front of him? Adorable.
'Too cute.'
Even after all this time apart, seeing her still so pure and straightforward—like a kid—made it hard for Kang Hyun to keep a straight face.
"All done eating?"
"...Not yet. Gotta eat more."
Tears glistening, but chopsticks flying—Yoon Haneul. Kang Hyun watched from the side, pretending not to notice.
He waited until her bowed head, puffy cheeks sucking in and puffing out a few times, then looked up at her face. She seemed calmer now.
Then another worry about Yoon Haneul hit Kang Hyun.
Not her case right now—personal security first.
"How you getting home?"
"Team Leader Seo is picking me up."
Makes sense. She can't stroll freely anymore. Kang Hyun nodded. She hadn't asked, but he added anyway.
"The agency in Hapjeong. Bought an officetel in a rush when I came to Korea."
"Oh yeah. 'Cause the agency's there?"
"Yeah. But since I need some quiet time, thinking of finding a place elsewhere."
"What quiet time? Just keep doing your thing."
"No, that's why—know any good spots in Namyangju?"
"Uh, well... I only know around my workplace. Good spots?"
"Somewhere peaceful."
And just like that, she started opening up bit by bit. Kang Hyun nodded along, listening intently and responding.
Then Yoon Haneul asked casually.
"But aren't you busy?"
Weird hearing that from someone who seemed the busiest celeb on earth. He shook his head.
"Nope."
"Then stay with me."
"We are together. Right now."
"No, all night. By my side."
"Ahem, ahem."
Misunderstanding? Or her fragile state making her impulsive? Kang Hyun rolled his eyes a bit. A cough slipped out.
"Just... I'll drop you home later."
"So we're still friends, right?"
Her loaded words hit home, dazing Kang Hyun.
But he'd already sorted his feelings.
The weather had been nice on the way here, food was great. Everything smooth. Lingering thoughts cleared.
"..."
Honestly, maybe the decision was made back when they bumped into each other outside the broadcast station.
"No. Not friends anymore."
"So we're not even friends now?"
"That's not... Been years since I said this."
Kang Hyun fumbled awkwardly.
"I like you too. Can't be just friends."
"Love?"
"Yeah."
"!"
Plain tone, but the words? Explosive. Confession was confession, heart was heart.
"...Me."
Yoon Haneul hesitated long after his bold words sank in. Then her face flipped 180 degrees to saucy.
Call it a spark of pride.
"Not accepting it like this. Too lame."
"...Yeah?"
"Do better from now on. I've waited too long. Make me cry, and you're dead."
"Got it. I'll do good."
Thump thump.
Heart tickling, pupils dilating, senses on edge—everything amplified.
This dreamlike moment unfolding so naturally.
No clue how long they'd both waited, or how much pain they'd endured.
But now, they were connected in what was basically dating—a real almost-there thing.
Yoon Haneul, snug against him, silently leaned her head on Kang Hyun's shoulder.
He felt her body relax in relief.
"You've been through a lot, huh?"
"Yeah."
Silence stretched for a while.
Five minutes. Closer to ten.
Kang Hyun waited quietly for her response, then spoke softly.
"Sleepy?"
"Mmm...."
Zzz, zzz.
So exhausted, Yoon Haneul drifted off, eyes closed, breathing softly.
Not the coziest spot—a round leather seat shaped awkwardly for the table, a bit warm and stiff.
Yet she looked utterly at peace, like this was the safest, happiest place on earth. No worries, no discomfort.
So Kang Hyun sat still, listening to her steady breaths, feeling the sticky warmth of her arm against his for a long time.
Time frozen, only their breathing filling the air.
[Prosecutors to Strictly Address Selective, Biased Media Coverage on Yoon Haneul Scandal.]
[Initial 'Dispatch' Photo Defamation Dispute: Key Figures Summoned for Investigation.]
[Yoon Haneul, Fresh Summer Photoshoot Vibes in Cute Coordinates.]
Three days after the aggressive probe kicked off.
Whether her agency pulled strings or Kang Hyun's strategy worked, the media shifted neutral, giving the investigation momentum.
But this only diverted attention and curbed article spam.
It was like a high-wire circus act on a speeding train—tense balance holding.
'The agency couldn't fully muzzle media, so there's a backstage war.'
A powerhouse label that'd bury scandals with cash failed initial fire control? Meant the behind-scenes fight was neck-and-neck.
If the case dragged or stalled, or fresh allegations poured—if the barely plugged hole burst, articles would explode again.
Kang Hyun's counterfire strategy wouldn't stop.
Click!
Namyangju outskirts, first-floor vacancy turned briefing room. Blue tape marking the stage on the floor, folding chairs for press.
Kang Hyun strode confidently through the packed crowd to the podium.
Click! Click!
"Good to see you again. Namyangju Criminal Division, Kang Hyun. Briefing on Yoon Haneul defamation case starts now."
For three straight days since launch, Kang Hyun shattered records across legal circles.
'One briefing per day.'
Morning commutes synced with long briefings and Q&A, keeping the fight raging.
Unprecedented—not just in law, but entertainment and politics expert realms.
Daily official media contact? Radical.
"Let's begin."
Routine: 10-15 minutes case update.
Then 20 minutes to an hour of Q&A.
Kang Hyun figured steady official leaks in this brutal media-agency brawl would help, even a little.
But any investigator trembles before press—doing it daily? No joke.
-Jack Daniel and Yoon Haneul additional summons planned?
"No further summons for Yoon Haneul. Jack Daniel, separate drug suspect but here as defamation victim reference, so coordinating schedule."
-Dismissal talks on 'Dispatch' reporter defendant?
"Absurd. No such discussion. We'll clearly prove guilt, make them pay. That's 'today's' job."
Each line sparked flashes on Kang Hyun's face.
The prosecutor on stage met them with sharp eyes, unflinching poise.
And so, Kang Hyun's day dawned with another media sparring round.