Chapter 266: Yesterday
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 266: Yesterday
“Surprisingly, your father seems kind.”
Seo Ye-rin muttered that while tapping away at something on her phone.
That was a statement I couldn't just let slide.
I whipped my head around and glared at her.
“What do you know?”
I didn't know how she could think that after seeing him only a few times. Was she just saying that because she’d managed to build a good image for herself?
“I kind of expected something else. You know, like him handing over an envelope of cash and saying, ‘Stay away from my son!’ That sort of thing.”
“Ahhh.”
Choi Jin-ah, sitting right next to her, let out a cry of agreement.
I don't know what kind of fantasies she has, considering she’s from a chaebol family herself.
“But instead, he even worried about me and arranged for us to get health checkups.”
We were currently waiting to head out for those very checkups.
We didn't have much to do, so we were just hanging out in my room.
In truth, being in the living room meant running into my mother, my little hyung, or my second sister-in-law, so this was basically a refuge.
I didn't mind, but these girls would feel uncomfortable every time someone passed by.
“Sigh, that’s only because you saw him for a second. I don’t like my father much. I don’t think he’s a particularly good person, either.”
Even now, memories of that day would strike me like a bolt of lightning from a clear blue sky.
Ever since I was very young.
The day he ignored my big hyung’s lifelong efforts to please him and declared he was handing the succession to me.
That day, I didn't just feel a sense of betrayal toward my father; I even felt resentment toward myself.
Even if it was unintentional, stealing what belonged to my brother felt absolutely disgusting.
It’s not like I’m particularly outstanding at anything.
My brother was better at studying, better at management, and even better at sports with superior stamina.
The only reason my father gave for choosing me was that I was "greedy and selfish."
Since he spouted nonsense like that, how could I not look at him with spite?
“But isn't he a good father just for not kicking out a son whose role model is Lu Bu?”
Choi Jin-ah asked, tilting her head.
“…….”
I looked away, pretending to be busy with something else.
“It’s Woo-jin Bong-seon!”
“Don’t give me weird nicknames.”
“That! There’s that saying, right? Uh, what was it? Among men, the best is—!”
As Seo Ye-rin clutched her head, trying to remember, Choi Jin-ah kindly provided the answer.
“Among men, Lu Bu; among horses, Red Hare.”
Lu Bu among men.
Red Hare among horses.
It was a famous saying.
Choi Jin-ah really thinks Seo Ye-rin is cute.
Well, she is cute when she acts like this.
I was quite looking forward to seeing Jin-ah's reaction once she got a glimpse of Ye-rin's true nature.
“Dick King Woo-jin!”
“Pardon? What do you mean, Dick King—?”
“Hey, hey! Stop it! Don’t say that!”
I rushed at Seo Ye-rin, but she smirked and quickly blocked me with a pillow she’d snatched up.
“Hehehe! Dick King Woo-jin!”
It probably meant something like "The best among dicks is Kim Woo-jin."
Seo Ye-rin, who had been perched on the edge of the bed, lay back as I lunged at her.
Before I knew it, I was in a position that looked like I was pouncing on her, but this was basically daily life for us.
Choi Jin-ah, however, looked a bit flustered and averted her eyes.
“Woo-jin, this bed is really wide.”
“Right? I think that every time I come back after a long time.”
“What are you going to do about him telling you to stay here? Personally, I think it’s right for you to stay.”
“Sigh, but I won’t be able to see you guys during that time.”
That was my biggest concern.
The opportunities to see the girls would decrease significantly.
It wouldn't just decrease; I might not be able to see them at all during the winter break.
Except for the trip we had planned, of course.
“It’s a shame we won't see each other, but you need to recover.”
“Sigh.”
“I have to keep filming my movie, Ah-rin is super busy, and I-seo is having a hard time with work. It’ll be hard for us to stay with you anyway.”
She was right.
It would be even harder if I stayed in the dormitory.
Until now, we all lived together at Yoo Ah-rin’s place, so I was there when they came home from work.
Now, they’d have to go home after work and then come back out if they were worried about me.
How tedious would that be?
“I’m torn.”
While I was agonizing over the decision.
“U-Um, excuse me.”
Choi Jin-ah, who was sitting nearby, asked while covering her face with both hands.
I wondered why she was avoiding eye contact after initiating the conversation, but I answered anyway.
“Yes?”
“Yeees?”
“H-How long are you two going to stay like that?”
At her words, I checked our status.
Seo Ye-rin lying on the bed, and me hovering over her. It was a position where I could kiss her just by lowering my head.
“Ahem.”
I cleared my throat awkwardly and stood up. Seo Ye-rin also straightened her clothes without much of a reaction.
“But when are we going to the health checkup?!”
It felt like at least two hours had passed since they told us to wait. When were we finally leaving?
Just as I was getting bored, the driver finally arrived to pick us up.
I wanted to ask what took so long, but I held back.
If you complain about stuff like that these days, you get called an "old fart" or a "boomer."
Well, it was a last-minute schedule.
Since we were suddenly getting checkups for two people without an appointment, the hospital probably needed time to prepare.
“……By the way, where are you going, Jin-ah?”
“Huh?!”
Choi Jin-ah, who had tagged along all the way to the hospital, jumped in surprise.
She seemed to think she had followed us naturally, but that wasn't the case at all.
“I, uh, just didn't want to go home.”
Seeing her mumble and trail off, she seemed to realize how embarrassing that sounded.
“You’re not a middle schooler.”
That must have been a critical hit, as Choi Jin-ah lowered her head even further.
I didn't know how far this lady intended to follow us, but regardless, we entered the hospital.
“Oh, they’re here.”
“You really came with Jin-ah.”
As soon as we stepped inside, I saw two people I was incredibly happy and relieved to see.
Yoo Ah-rin and Choi I-seo.
I hadn't expected their appearance at all, and I found myself running toward them.
“What?! How did you get here!”
“Hey! Why are you running with a hurt leg?!”
“People are watching.”
I ran up and wrapped an arm around each of them. They grumbled, but they didn't seem to mind.
“What’s with the fuss? We only haven't seen you for a day.”
“Seriously. Someone would think it’s been days.”
“It’s because I’m happy to see you even after just one day.”
But more importantly.
“How did you get here? What’s going on?”
“Senior Ju-hee drove us. She said your father called for us, so we came.”
“But he’s suddenly telling us to get health checkups?”
“…….”
How was I supposed to take this?
I wasn't ignorant of what my father was thinking by doing this.
He probably figured one of these three would become his future daughter-in-law and wanted to check if they had any health issues.
“Having a rich boyfriend means getting stuff like this for free.”
“He’s very kind.”
The two of them seemed to think they were just getting a free checkup, but I felt differently.
I knew my father wasn't that warm-hearted of a person.
What if one of them had a chronic illness or some other problem?
My father would discard them without mercy.
Just like he did with Yun-ji.
My fists clenched involuntarily, and I felt my blood boil up to my head.
The thought of him starting a test on his own and passing judgment made me want to go confront him immediately.
However, I didn't bother telling the three of them that.
It would only make them feel disgusted; nothing good would come of it.
“Is work and practice okay?”
I tried to change the subject.
“Practice is, well, they can just do it without me. The Master is there.”
“Work is, um……”
Choi I-seo hesitated for a moment.
She stared at me, then let out a sigh and confessed honestly.
“Yun-ji let me off so I could come.”
“Huh?!”
“U-Um, Senior Ju-hee came all the way to the company.”
“Ah.”
Senior Ju-hee wouldn't have known that Choi I-seo was working at Yun-ji’s company, so that made sense.
No, more importantly, did she know that I used to date Oh Yun-ji?
“Ahem, whatever the case, let’s just go get the exams.”
Awkwardly, I had no choice but to change the subject again.
* * *
The results of a health checkup don't come out immediately.
It took about two to three hours, but the time flew by as I chatted with the girls.
I thought you usually had to make an appointment and prepare beforehand.
I wondered if it was okay to just do it like this, but... well, I’m sure my father handled it.
Or maybe we just did the simple tests that could be done today.
While we were being called here and there for the checkup.
Choi Jin-ah was sitting alone on a hospital chair, playing with her phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Oh, I’m just bored.”
She really did look bored.
I wondered what she was doing, but she was just looking through old Tok messages or organizing them.
I thought she’d be watching a movie, a manga, or a Neutube video.
“I see. Keep up the good work.”
I didn't have much to talk about, so I was about to turn away when Choi Jin-ah grabbed the hem of my shirt.
“Um, excuse me.”
“Yes?”
“Those people... they’re the ones you mentioned during the blind date, right? Choi I-seo, Yoo Ah-rin……”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“…….”
At my answer, Choi Jin-ah stared at me and asked seriously.
“Wow, you’re really something.”
“What is?”
“I mean, they’re all beauties who would stand out anywhere. To have three of them around you... I just thought it was impressive.”
“Oh, stop with the flattery.”
“……It wasn't a compliment.”
Choi Jin-ah seemed bored enough to want to continue the conversation, but I spotted someone behind her and headed that way.
“Senior Ju-hee!”
Senior Ju-hee, who had worked hard yesterday driving us home and worked hard again today picking up the girls.
I was going to buy her a drink or something.
“……!”
Hmm?
Senior Ju-hee’s reaction was unusual.
How should I put it? It felt like she was taking a step back and being cautious.
“Ah, Y-Young Master. You’re here.”
Even though she tried to hide it, the way she avoided my eyes was suspicious.
“Did something happen?”
In times like this, asking directly is best.
When I asked her point-blank, she stared at me blankly for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.
“Sigh.”
She let out a long sigh.
I knew it.
A sigh with that kind of meaning.
I really wondered if something had happened.
“I will act as if yesterday never happened.”
Senior Ju-hee’s cold voice added a warning.
“It would be troublesome for you if the ladies who will become your future wives found out.”
“……Pardon?”
What.
What is she talking about?