Chapter 203: Bloodline
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 203: Bloodline
“…….”
After a conversation with CEO Jung Min-cheol, and unfortunately, by the time the food had gone stone cold.
The CEO stood up first, saying he enjoyed the meal, and left the rest of us behind.
Ye-rin’s mother couldn't even bring herself to pick up her utensils. She stared blankly down at her steak before murmuring softly.
“……I never imagined something like this.”
Of course she hadn't.
Who would?
Seizing the momentum, I spoke to her immediately.
“Ma’am, it’s true that having a boyfriend could be detrimental to Ye-rin in many ways moving forward.”
Being an actress.
Being loved by countless people came with a proportional amount of responsibility.
“But that’s in ordinary cases.”
“…….”
“I am different, Ma’am. Whether it’s her dream of becoming an actress or anything else she might want to pursue, I am confident that I can be the wings she needs to fly.”
As I spoke with conviction, firmly grasping Seo Ye-rin’s hand, she looked at me with misty eyes, seemingly moved.
Gulp.
I swallowed hard, watching her mother’s reaction.
I had summoned the CEO of YS Ent to this meeting. This was the absolute most I could show off as a mere student. If this wasn't enough to satisfy her, then I had no other choice.
Even if I had to make it a done deal—
“How did you two…… meet?”
Her mother let out a deep sigh and offered a faint smile.
My display of sincerity must have finally reached her. The atmosphere lightened considerably.
“We were in the same department, but we actually met through the university community.”
Under the table, Seo Ye-rin urgently pinched my thigh, signaling me not to talk about that.
Of course.
Ma’am, your daughter is a legend on the Bamboo Forest, famous for being a 'Sex Master.' Would you like to see some of the shitposts she’s spewed over the last six months? I’ve been working my ass off trying to delete them all. I couldn't exactly say that, could I?
“At first, we just knew each other anonymously, but later we confirmed each other's identities by chance. I think we started having feelings for each other from then on.”
“How unique. I suppose that’s how young people are these days.”
She looked relieved, though.
In fact, she seemed to be under the misconception that I hadn't started dating Ye-rin because of her looks, but because I fell for the personality I felt through her writing.
“Since you’re both still young, I won’t bring up anything too heavy. However, please don’t give Ye-rin too much special treatment. It’s only natural to fall behind if you don't have the effort or talent yourself.”
“I can put her on the stage, but I won’t force the audience to clap.”
Knowing exactly what she was worried about, I answered without hesitation.
If YS Ent paid special attention to Seo Ye-rin because of me, but our relationship went south, all of that would vanish like bubbles. It seemed her mother wanted Ye-rin to secure her own position through her own abilities to some extent.
“……That’s good.”
A slight smile played on her lips, perhaps surprised that I had instantly grasped her meaning.
The mood wasn't bad at all.
We continued our meal. I was going to ask them to reheat the food since it had cooled, but her mother said it was fine and ate it as it was.
Ye-rin also gave me a big thumbs up, praising me for a job well done.
On the way home after finishing the meal.
Perhaps because of the cool breeze and the wine, her mother seemed to be in a good mood. She walked with a light step and gave us a warning.
“Please try not to have her stay out overnight if possible.”
“……If possible?”
When I cautiously asked for clarification, she glanced at Seo Ye-rin.
“Yes, if possible. Once or twice is…… well.”
“O-Oh?!”
Seo Ye-rin linked her arm with mine, laughing as if she hadn't expected overnight stays to be greenlit so easily.
“But you must keep a clear line. You understand, right?”
“Yes, I understand. Even if I fail to keep that line, you won't have anything to worry about.”
“…….”
“Because I’ll take full responsibility for everything.”
At my firm answer, her mother stared at me blankly for a moment before letting out a chuckle.
“Right, I thought so last time too, but Woo-jin, you really are—”
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly and continued.
“A good man.”
“Thank you!”
I had been acknowledged.
Being called a 'good man' was the ultimate compliment, wasn't it?
At her praise, my shoulders instinctively puffed out, and the corners of my mouth curled upward.
Seeing that, she laughed again, saying I was cute.
On the way back.
I escorted her mother and Seo Ye-rin all the way to their front door. She said there was no need to go that far, but I followed anyway.
“Get home safely, Woo-jin.”
“Woo-jin, thanks for today!”
The two of them smiled brightly as they headed inside.
I took a deep breath and spoke to her mother.
“Ma’am, may I say just one more thing?”
“Yes? Anything, go ahead.”
Then I’d better say it quickly.
“Actually, besides Ye-rin, there are two other women I have to take responsibility for.”
“……What?”
* * *
The sports festival at Gahyeon University was approaching. It was that ambiguous borderline between spring and summer.
The sports festival, which starts in mid-April, was already making people exhausted.
Today, Choi I-seo summoned the 2nd-year English Department students to finalize the athlete roster for each event.
She issued a threatening warning that anyone who didn't show up would be randomly assigned to an event and shouldn't complain.
As I sat there, Yoo Ah-rin and Seo Ye-rin walked into the lecture hall with their friends.
“……What happened to your face?”
Yoo Ah-rin looked at me in shock and asked, while Seo Ye-rin quickly sat next to me and smacked the back of my head.
“This idiot got slapped hard because he said something weird to my mom.”
“Slapped? By her mother?”
When Yoo Ah-rin sat down and asked what she meant, Seo Ye-rin gave a brief explanation of what happened last night.
“Wow, he really is something else.”
Yoo Ah-rin sighed, looking at me in disbelief.
“It’s crazy enough that you say those things to us, but you told her mother that? That you want to be a three-timer?”
“But…… it’s better for her to know in advance than to find out later.”
As I grumbled, Seo Ye-rin smacked my head again in annoyance.
“Do you have any idea how much my mom freaked out yesterday because of you? She asked why I liked a guy like that. She told me to break up with you immediately. She was absolutely furious.”
“Of course she was. Obviously. Think logically. Which one of the three are you going to put on the family register?”
“……Can’t we all just go live on a deserted island together or something?”
“Wow, how did I end up liking a guy like this? Look at the scale of his delusions just because he’s a chaebol.”
Yoo Ah-rin grumbled in disbelief. Then, she pulled some ointment and a bandage out of her bag.
“Bring your cheek over here. People will talk even more if you walk around like that.”
“What, are you imitating Choi I-seo?”
“Do you want to die? I’ve been carrying this around because I’ve been playing basketball lately.”
After applying the ointment and the bandage to my cheek, Yoo Ah-rin gave it a little slap.
It hurt to be hit on the same spot again, but I suppose I should be glad it ended with just this.
“Anyway, because of you, I have to be absolutely obedient to my mom for a while. My curfew was even moved up an hour.”
“……I’m sorry.”
“It’s not even a sure thing yet, so why did you have to bring up I-seo and Ah-rin? Huh?!”
As she spoke, Seo Ye-rin got worked up and started punching me in the ribs.
“I-seo and Ah-rin haven't even chosen yet! And we could have just kept that between us!”
“You’re kind of a piece of work, aren't you? You’re already making so much progress with Seo Ye-rin?”
I was getting pummeled from both sides until Choi I-seo walked in, and they both shut up.
Squeeze!
No, Seo Ye-rin wasn't finished yet; she gave my thigh a hard pinch under the desk.
“Ah, f-fuck.”
Even though I let out a groan of pain, Seo Ye-rin didn't let go.
In the end, I had no choice but to shut my mouth and endure her resentful pinching.
* * *
“What happened to your face?”
“It’s just…… the price of responsibility.”
I was at my part-time job again.
The owner didn't seem to understand what I meant, but he told me to hang in there and then headed home.
I had agreed to work later than usual today because he offered a significant bonus for the extra hours.
It wasn't like there were many customers anyway; I could just kill time on my phone.
Besides, I was texting Choi I-seo separately, so it wasn't a big deal.
For the record, Seo Ye-rin had blocked me.
It was probably her mother’s doing.
Tsk.
I guess it couldn't be helped.
She had a point.
After saying that, Choi I-seo sent a selfie of herself in blue pajamas.
I immediately took a photo and sent it back.
Ah, shit.
I accidentally sent a lewd photo.
Since Choi I-seo didn't reply after that, I decided to do something else.
My shift usually ended at 9 PM, but today I was working two extra hours until 11 PM.
Before I knew it, it was past 10 and approaching 11 PM.
I saw off a few customers who bought expensive items, presumably preparing for a hot night.
Then the door opened again, and a customer walked in along with a gust of cold air.
“Welcom—”
Life is a funny thing.
There’s such a thing as a bloodline, isn't there?
I inherited my father’s blood, making me selfish and greedy, but I also inherited my mother’s blood, which makes me a bit strange sometimes.
Just like that.
The thought suddenly occurred to me that Seo Ye-rin might be the same.
What I mean is.
“……Ma’am?”
When I called out to the woman who had walked into the adult store.
She locked eyes with me and recoiled in absolute shock.
‘Ah.’
It seems Seo Ye-rin’s tendencies were inherited.