Chapter 267: Choi I-seo's Question
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 267: Choi I-seo's Question
“…….”
I have no idea how the rest of the health checkup went.
It felt as if the neurons in my brain had burned to a crisp, making it impossible to process a single thought. All the while, I kept asking myself the same question over and over.
Me? Really? I did that to Senior Ju-hee?
Suddenly, memories of the past flashed through my mind.
The day I realized Ju-hee had feelings for me. I had coldly brushed off her request when she asked if I could hold her.
Then, during the MT.
I had ended up hugging her unintentionally because of a game, and that day, I realized her feelings for me hadn't changed.
And after that.
The time we spent at the adult store, the cafe, and various other places. Before I knew it, we had grown close, building our own set of memories and experiences.
Then, at the party recently.
She had even told me she’d set aside her feelings for me to work as my bodyguard.
But.
But!
I—I did something? Really? While I was drunk?!
This wasn't something I could just laugh off by saying I didn't remember because of the alcohol. Wasn't this basically giving false hope to someone I had already pushed away?
My heart had felt like it was being torn apart when I rejected her request for a hug back then. If I felt that way, how must she have felt?
Ah, what the hell am I supposed to do?
Getting caught by the girls? Of course, that was terrifying too.
But more than that, I had no idea how to face Senior Ju-hee. She said she’d just let it slide, but from my perspective, I had clearly crossed a line and hurt her. Emotionally speaking, at least.
Having experienced the pain of romance myself, the guilt began to pile up. In this situation, it felt like I was just toying with her.
To be precise...
“Your testosterone levels are remarkably high.”
Right up until the hormone test results came out.
It was the very first test I’d taken, and they said the results would be ready today. They came out just as we were about to leave. I don't know why they even tested my hormones, but anyway.
“Oh, is that so?”
I didn't bother hiding the way my shoulders squared with pride as I listened.
“Yes. Even considering you’re in your twenties... they are exceptionally high.”
“Ahem, I see.”
I could feel the gazes of the three girls who had been following me around boring into my back.
“Do you, by any chance, exercise professionally?”
“No, no! I just do some home training at home.”
“I see. Athletes usually have higher averages, but if you aren't one, this is quite impressive.”
“Haha! My goodness, Doctor. It’s actually a bit of a struggle because I have so much energy to spare! Hahaha!”
“Ugh, how embarrassing.”
Yoo Ah-rin smacked the back of my head and walked straight out.
“As expected of Dick Addict Woo-jin.”
Seo Ye-rin pushed her strange nickname again, while Choi I-seo asked with a hint of concern.
“Is there any downside to it being high?”
“Hmm, generally, people with high testosterone tend to have higher life satisfaction. It’s much better than being low. However—”
“However?”
“It can sometimes lead to a lack of fear or a somewhat aggressive personality.”
Wait, what?
“Of course, it hasn't been definitively proven in academia, but that is one hypothesis.”
“Doctor, you’re like a mind reader!”
“So that’s why.”
What the...
The two behind me were nodding as if everything finally made sense, which didn't feel great.
“Well, anyway, high is good. You don't need to worry too much.”
After the consultation ended.
I immediately took the test results and ran over to Choi Jin-ah and Senior Ju-hee, who were talking with Yoo Ah-rin.
“Look at this! My testosterone levels are way above average! From now on, call me 'Manly Kim Woo-jin'!”
“When were you ever a woman?”
“Co-congratulations.”
Yoo Ah-rin retorted while Choi Jin-ah clapped awkwardly in celebration.
Finally.
“No wonder.”
At Senior Ju-hee’s reaction—as if she’d just had an epiphany—the strength literally drained out of my legs.
“…….”
What do you mean, 'no wonder'?
What exactly do you know that makes you look so understanding about my high hormone levels?
I wanted to ask, but there were too many people around. I bit my lip and forced myself to swallow the words.
* * *
We returned home.
I wanted to talk to Senior Ju-hee privately, but there was no time because of the parking situation. Besides, bodyguards usually don't come inside the house unless they’re at the Team Leader level.
I’ll have to talk to her separately later.
I needed to hear the full story of what happened and apologize if an apology was due. Well, before that.
We had all naturally come back together, but...
“Wait, are you guys staying the night?”
When I asked the three of them, they all shook their heads in unison.
“I have a shoot tomorrow!”
“I have to go. I’m starting practice and filming tomorrow.”
“I can't skip my part-time job again.”
I see.
I had eventually decided to stay at the main house for the duration of the winter break. I had originally planned to go back, but the three of them had been so adamant about me staying here that I gave in. We were going to meet up again soon to plan our trip anyway.
“Then what about you?”
I glanced past the three girls at Choi Jin-ah, who was still lingering. She subtly avoided my gaze. She was really milking this for all it was worth.
“If you have money, go stay at a hotel. Why are you still hanging around here?”
“Th-the thing is, if I go to a hotel, my father might find me.”
“…….”
“Since the Chairman is here... well, it feels safe.”
Was this the same woman who bragged about her 'deviation'? She looked less like a rebel and more like Jerry running away from Tom.
“You can't sleep here tonight. Just so you know.”
“I-I’ll be really good! Please let me stay just a little longer!”
What did she mean by 'be good'?
I clicked my tongue as I watched Choi Jin-ah practically drop to her knees. Why did she suddenly seem so pathetic?
“Even if I allow it, my girls won't. They won't let me stay under the same roof as another woman.”
“I don't really mind, though.”
Seo Ye-rin raised her hand with a grin.
Wait, what?
“His mom and dad are here. What could you even do?”
Yoo Ah-rin grumbled with a scoff.
I thought Choi I-seo, my final bastion, would take my side, but—
“Woo-jin.”
Surprisingly, she had a serious expression as she brought up a different topic.
“Can I see your father?”
“Huh? My dad?”
“Yeah. There’s something I want to ask him, and something I want to say.”
“Uh... hold on.”
Choi I-seo suddenly wanting to talk to my father? It was so out of the blue that I didn't even know how to respond. As I stood there dazed, my mother’s cheerful voice drifted from behind us.
“Oh, it’s the girls from last time!”
Since she had visited the dormitory before and met them all once, she greeted them warmly right away.
“Wow, you really did come in a crowd.”
Behind my mother was my second sister-in-law. She seemed to have heard rumors about me, as she stuck her tongue out in surprise.
“I-seo, you’re here too!”
“Hello.”
My second sister-in-law and Choi I-seo were already acquainted. It might seem random, but it actually made sense. During the last winter break, I-seo had helped Yun-ji with her part-time job, so they were bound to know each other.
“I heard you’re still working part-time. Is the company doing well?”
“Yes, Yun-ji is working very hard.”
While the two of them caught up, my mother leaned in and whispered to me.
“Your father wants to see the girls.”
“Are you kidding? They have to leave now.”
“We’re going to give them a ride anyway. It’ll only take a moment, won't it?”
“Sigh.”
Honestly, I wanted to just take the girls and leave. But if I did, my father might call them in separately later.
It’s better to have the conversation while I’m right there.
And for some reason, Choi I-seo had said she wanted to talk to him anyway. Leaving Choi Jin-ah behind, I led the girls back toward my father’s study.
“I—I know some music that’s good for prenatal care! Should I play some for you?!”
It looked like Choi Jin-ah was trying to prove her worth in any way possible just to stay. Whatever.
This time, I remembered I should knock, but I skipped it and walked right in. My father greeted us looking much the same as he had this morning. The girls immediately bowed politely in greeting, but...
“Why did you call us again?”
I wanted to get straight to the point.
“My son has caused quite a bit of trouble, so I simply wished to offer my greetings as his father.”
After saying that, my father didn't even look at me; he kept his eyes on the three girls.
“I heard Jae-un is sending you all abroad this time?”
“Yes, that’s right!”
Seo Ye-rin, who had met him once before, answered brightly.
“I see. Taking a break is important. Woo-jin, make sure you set aside some time to take them out later. You’ll need to buy things for the trip.”
“A-are you buying them for us?”
A flustered Yoo Ah-rin blurted out, but my father didn't scold her; he simply nodded. It was his way of trying to smooth things over since his son was putting them through so much.
I was feeling a bit hesitant, but just as I was about to accept...
“Going on a trip is fine,” my father spoke again. “However, act your age. That is to say, do not do anything you cannot take responsibility for.”
His cold gaze and overbearing aura were a warning not just to me, but to the other three as well. He was telling them not to cross the line.
Well, we’d crossed it long ago, but he was likely telling us not to produce any results from crossing that line. This wasn't just a father’s worry. He was wary of me getting someone pregnant before marriage—or worse, getting multiple people pregnant—and damaging the company’s image.
The look he was giving me now wasn't the gaze of a father, but the eyes of a Chairman.
Then.
“Forgive my boldness, Chairman.”
Choi I-seo took a firm step forward.
“May I ask you one thing?”
I remembered her saying she had something to say. My father didn't stop her, despite her daring attitude. He gave his consent with silence, and Choi I-seo didn't hesitate.
“I don't know if you’re aware, but I am a friend of Oh Yun-ji, Woo-jin’s ex-girlfriend.”
At a question far heavier than expected, even my father wavered for a split second. But it was only a moment. He quickly regained his composure and laced his fingers together.
“And?”
“What I want to ask is simple. Last summer, when Yun-ji and Woo-jin broke up.”
“…….”
“If the two of them had successfully reconciled... would you have been willing to accept Yun-ji?”
My jaw dropped as I stared at my father. It was a literal 'what if.' A hypothetical I had imagined but never dared to voice.
My father, his lips curling slightly at her audacity, asked back.
“Does that matter?”
“Yes, it matters.”
“I was under the impression that you had already chosen Woo-jin over Oh Yun-ji. Are you planning to give up if I say 'yes'?”
“I have never chosen one person over another, nor have I abandoned anyone.”
“…….”
“I simply wish to know.”
“And if you know? What changes?”
“Things will become black and white.”
Choi I-seo stood tall, her shoulders back, her posture impeccable. It was as if her very bearing was proof of the righteousness of her actions.
“Heh.”
My father let out a faint chuckle, but it didn't feel pleasant. Then...
“It would have been impossible,” my father declared calmly. “I could never, under any circumstances, have accepted that girl.”
The moment I heard those words...
I don't know what came over me. I found myself lunging toward my father.
“W-Woo-jin!”
“Hey! Stop!”
Fortunately, Seo Ye-rin and Yoo Ah-rin had been holding onto my sleeves, so their reactions were fast. The two of them desperately held me back as I tried to charge forward.
I wanted to scream something, but I knew if I let out what was currently boiling inside me, it would be a disaster. Words far worse than the things I’d shouted about my role model while dead drunk.
The only thing that allowed me to endure it was Choi I-seo.
“I understand.”
Choi I-seo nodded slightly and took a breath. The fact that her conversation wasn't over yet became the final line of defense that kept my rage in check.
“So.”
My father, without sparing me a single glance, looked at Choi I-seo and asked, “Is it black and white now?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Will you give everything up for the sake of friendship? Do you have the confidence to let go?”
Everything my father mentioned... he was likely referring to the vast material wealth associated with me. Despite him touching upon those things, a faint smile played on Choi I-seo’s lips.
“I will let go. But even if I do, Woo-jin won't.”
The tension in my body naturally began to dissipate.
“As you said, Chairman—”
Because the emotion reflected in her blue eyes as she looked at me was nothing but pure trust.
“Woo-jin is greedy and selfish.”
The reason for her smile reached a place my father could not understand.
“Far more than you think.”