Chapter 273: Someone Who Looks Alike
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 273: Someone Who Looks Alike
“Hello?”
- …….
The call connected, but there was no answer.
Thinking he might be busy with something else, I called out again.
“Hello? Bong-geun?”
- Hello?
Look at this guy with his "Hello" bullshit.
“Bong-geun, I know it’s your number.”
- Hello?
“This is lame. How have you not changed at all since elementary school?”
- …….
Is he mad?
- Hello?
Look at the persistence on this bastard.
Since I was the one asking for a favor today, I decided to just let him win.
“James, I need your help.”
- You suddenly need my help?
“Yeah. Do you have a girlfriend?”
- What’s this? Are you trying to set me up on a blind date?
“What are you talking about? Are you really only going to say things that sound exactly like Bong-geun?”
- Ahem. I don’t have a girlfriend, but I do have a fiancée. We’ve agreed to get married when we turn twenty-five.
Wait, what?
“Wait, for real?”
- I heard our parents reached an agreement, so it must be real.
“What century are we living in for things to still work like that?”
Between my father and Choi Jin-ah’s father, I wondered if they were all still living in the Joseon Dynasty.
- That’s just how it is. And it’s the right way, too. You have to meet someone of the same status for real feelings to develop.
“…….”
- Most of the girls I met in high school or college were disappointing. It’s a bit harsh to say, but… it felt like I was dating a child.
“Stop talking out of your ass.”
- Sigh. Woo-jin, you’re the weird one. All the guys my age that I know feel the same way. They’d all relate to this.
“That’s just because you guys haven't met a good woman. Because you’re all total idiots.”
- Did you call me just to pick a fight?
“Sigh. Fine. Let’s move past that for now. I want to do an event for my girlfriend. Do you have any advice? You’re good at this stuff.”
Didn't he host that grand reunion last time? It was a party where time flew by in many ways.
- Hmm, for things like that, the visual aspect is key. If it were me, I’d probably start by renting a yacht.
Is this guy Poseidon or something?
Why does he love boats so much?
“Hey, where would a college student get the money to rent a yacht? Even at the absolute most, I have to keep it under 500,000 won.”
- What? 500,000 won? You can’t even buy a single bottle of wine with that.
“With a name like yours, you look like you’d be great at chugging makgeolli, so what’s this about 500,000 won wine? You better show up next time I call you out for drinks. I’ll show you how much fun you can have with just 100,000 won.”
- ……What does that even—
Click.
I just hung up.
Even for a chaebol, I felt like he played way too much like one.
How can you not buy a single bottle of alcohol for 500,000 won? You could buy several crates with that.
“Sigh.”
In the end, nothing had improved.
The idiots in the group chat were still rambling about something, but now I couldn't even tell who was saying what.
When I returned to the sofa, Choi Jin-ah was still gaming.
She glanced at me as I stood there deep in thought and asked, “Is something wrong?”
“Well… I have a bit of a dilemma.”
“What is it?”
I glanced at Choi Jin-ah.
Why did I trust Bong-geun more than her? Since she’s a woman, maybe she’d know something?
‘Wait, this is tricky.’
Since Choi Jin-ah was raised like a hothouse flower, she probably has some weird romantic fantasies.
Like, for example, enjoying a public confession in the middle of a crowded downtown area.
After a moment of hesitation, I decided to tell her. If it was bad advice, I could just filter it out, and I didn't exactly have anyone else to help me anyway.
“I want to… do an event for my girlfriend.”
“An event? Suddenly? Out of the blue?”
“Ahem.”
I couldn't tell her it was out of guilt for what I’d done to Senior Ju-hee while leaving the others behind.
I cleared my throat and continued.
“So I’ve been thinking about it, but I haven't come up with any good ideas. Even when I asked my friends, they didn't really…”
“What kind of ideas did they give you?”
“A candle event.”
“……You absolutely should not do that.”
Judging by Yoo Ah-rin’s reaction earlier, I agreed.
“Do you want to do something grand? Like a surprise?”
“Well, I haven't thought that far ahead. It just started from the thought that I wanted to make her happy.”
Listening to me, Choi Jin-ah slowly set down her gamepad and crossed her arms.
“Keep it small.”
“Huh? Wouldn't that be a bit underwhelming?”
It’s supposed to be an "event," so if it’s too modest, it wouldn't be any different from a normal day.
“Tsk, tsk. How are you dating three women when you’re like this, Woo-jin?”
“…….”
“It’s not about what kind of event it is. It’s the fact that you did an event that matters.”
“Oh?”
“It’s the feeling of, ‘He’s paying this much attention to me, he’s putting in this much effort.’ Actually, being a little clumsy makes it look cute and sincere.”
I found myself nodding involuntarily. Choi Jin-ah’s words were more persuasive than I expected.
“If you usually watch movies, go see a play or a musical that day. Go to a restaurant that’s a bit more expensive than usual, or it wouldn't be bad to cook for her yourself.”
“…….”
“It’s also good to give the impression that you dressed up more than usual. Like you put in the effort because you wanted to look good for her. It’s not hard. You can wear a different perfume, or wear a bracelet instead of a watch.”
I think I got the gist of it.
And it didn't seem particularly difficult.
But then, there was a major problem.
“That’s a bit of a problem.”
“What is?”
“I was planning on doing one big event and then recycling it.”
“…….”
Choi Jin-ah looked at me as if asking what on earth I meant. I went on to explain in more detail.
“I mean, if I did something like a candle event, I’d do it for Hanae, and then reuse the setup for the next person…”
As I spoke, Choi Jin-ah’s expression grew increasingly disgusted. By the end, she couldn't even hide her revulsion.
“I mean, there’s the money issue, too. It’s hard to do a different event for each person. But doing them all at the same time would just look bad.”
“Woo-jin.”
“Yes?”
“Just don’t do it.”
Should I not?
“Seriously! Can’t you just be a regular piece of trash?! Why are you trying so hard to be the kind of trash that can’t even be recycled?!”
As Choi Jin-ah exploded at me, I scrambled to make an excuse.
“Hey, I just started thinking about the event, so the ideas were still a bit raw!”
“If you do an event for one person? Where does that person go? Are they going to stand next to you and help you set up the event when the next person comes?!”
She had a point.
‘Ye-rin’s event is over, so now it’s I-seo’s turn. Ye-rin, I’m going to reset the candles, so give me a hand.’
It’s not like I could do that.
Yeah, I definitely shouldn't do an event.
Just as I was about to declare my surrender, I felt a familiar presence behind the sofa.
Senior Ju-hee, dressed in her black suit, gave us a professional warning.
“The mistress is currently meditating. I would appreciate it if you could be a little quieter.”
“Yes! Understood!”
I immediately shut my mouth, turned off the game, and sat up straight.
“Oh, I’ll go get my violin too.”
Choi Jin-ah, whose daily routine included playing for the meditating Second Sister-in-law, stood up to leave as well.
As Senior Ju-hee walked away, Choi Jin-ah glanced at me and asked, “By the way, did you do something wrong to Ju-hee?”
“What? S-s-suddenly?!”
Choi Jin-ah gave me a suspicious look.
“No, it’s just that lately, you seem incredibly polite whenever you see her. Like you’re being unusually well-behaved.”
“Ha, haha! It’s because she’s my college senior.”
“Hmm?”
She seemed to think that alone wasn't enough to explain it, but Choi Jin-ah headed toward the Second Sister-in-law without saying anything more.
“Haaaaa.”
I knew Senior Ju-hee was in charge of her security because they were around the same age, but…
Every time I saw her, my heart ached, and the guilt was becoming quite painful.
* * *
“And?”
In Oh Yun-ji’s office.
She sat in her chair as usual, resting her chin on her hand, responding with indifference.
She acted as if Choi I-seo’s words, as she stood across from her, meant nothing.
“Even if I had passed the Chairman’s test, I wouldn't have ended up with Woo-jin in the end—”
Oh Yun-ji curled her lip in disbelief, but it certainly wasn't a positive gesture.
“Is that why you came here? To tell me to stop being interested now?”
To hear such words suddenly from a friend she had gotten along well with until now…
Oh Yun-ji felt her temper, which she had been suppressing lately, threatening to flare up.
But on the contrary.
Choi I-seo’s expression and tone were excessively calm.
“Why do you think I’m telling you this?”
“Isn't it to tell me to back off now that I know? Did I look like I still had lingering feelings for him to you?”
“…….”
“What? Am I wrong? I don’t see any other reason for you to say this.”
Oh Yun-ji continued aggressively, almost snarling at Choi I-seo.
She had been feeling quite drained lately, but for the first time in a while, the fuel of irritation was pumping through her.
However.
“I’m telling you so you don’t have regrets.”
Even as Oh Yun-ji glared at her with a menacing aura, Choi I-seo responded as calmly as a still lake.
“Because it’s not your fault.”
“Ha…”
“Don’t live with regrets like, ‘I should have treated him better,’ or ‘I should have made him happier.’”
“…….”
“So stop trying to get vicarious satisfaction through me. Honestly, it’s unpleasant.”
At those words.
Oh Yun-ji’s emotions, which had been burning fiercely just a moment ago, couldn't help but be extinguished as if doused with water.
It was something she hadn't realized herself, something she hadn't even considered.
But it had struck right at the core.
She had given Choi I-seo advice several times, lent her event clothes, and even let her off work when her father called.
She thought she had moved on by helping her, and she was indeed trying to do so.
But the fact that she was using her friend, Choi I-seo, to gain vicarious satisfaction…
“…….”
It was hard to deny.
Yun-ji’s head slowly dropped. Her expression was hidden by her bangs, but a whirlwind of complex emotions was surging within her.
“So… did you come here to tell me that? To tell me to let go of my lingering feelings and stop acting out?”
“If that’s how you want to think of it, then go ahead.”
“…….”
“You’re free to take it however you want.”
Choi I-seo’s calm, navy-blue eyes. Looking into them, Yun-ji felt she could understand a little why Kim Woo-jin liked her.
Choi I-seo slowly turned around.
Just before stepping out, she held the doorknob and added one more thing with a sigh.
“Out of everyone I’ve seen, you resemble him the most.”
To the point that it made her jealous.
Thud.
The door closed.
Stepping outside, Choi I-seo let out a faint sigh.
She felt like she had done something she didn't necessarily have to do, but it was something she wanted to do.
Because she judged it was the right thing to do.
“Hello.”
As Choi I-seo was about to return to work, she ran into a female employee about to enter Oh Yun-ji’s office.
Seeing the mail in her hand, I-seo hurriedly blocked her path.
“W-wait a moment. The CEO has some things to think about right now… if you give those to me, I’ll deliver them.”
“Oh, is she in a bad mood?”
“Yes, a little?”
“Ugh, I shouldn't go in today then. Thank you!”
The employee quickly handed the mail to Choi I-seo. Wanting to give Oh Yun-ji at least a moment to think, I-seo leaned against the office door and waited for a bit.
Most of the mail wasn't anything she needed to be involved in, but…
“Hmm?”
Among the neat envelopes, one stood out with a unique format.
It looked like a handwritten letter, but something felt off. It wasn't even sealed properly, and it felt crude.
‘Is it a sasaeng fan letter?’
Since it was a company that managed internet broadcasters, there were many sasaeng fans. Thinking it was a letter that hadn't been filtered out, Choi I-seo sighed and checked the contents.
[You’re living quite well for someone with a murderer for a father, you bitch. It’s all because of your dad. Your dad ruined us all. Oh Yun-ji, you bitch, atone for it. Atone by killing yourself. I’m sure your father will be a little sad if his daughter dies.]
It was filled with crooked but violent language, a type of threatening letter.
“Wh-what is this?”
Flustered, Choi I-seo went back to the female employee, held out the envelope, and asked.
“Why are you giving this letter to the CEO?”
“Oh, that?”
The employee answered with a bright smile, seemingly knowing nothing.
“I don’t know. They’ve been coming almost every day since a while ago. The CEO told me never to throw them away and to bring them straight to her.”
“Yun-ji did?”
“Yes, so I’ve just been bringing them to her.”
“…….”
Looking down at the letter, Choi I-seo crumpled it up and said to the employee.
“If another one comes next time, give it to me. I’ll take responsibility.”
“What? But the CEO said…”
“Please. Just tell the CEO that no letter came.”
“Umm.”
“You know I’m close with the CEO and the broadcasters because of our workouts. If anything happens, I’ll help take care of it.”
Since the employees often had headaches due to the self-centered behavior of the internet broadcasters…
“Are… are you really taking responsibility, I-seo?”
“Yes, don’t worry.”
Choi I-seo’s expression was full of resolve.
She felt she finally understood why Yun-ji’s condition hadn't seemed great since before the break.
And at that moment.
Rattle!
The door opened, and Oh Yun-ji, wearing sunglasses, stepped out of the office and said, “I’m taking the day off. Everyone, do your work and go home.”
Her footsteps were unhesitating and fast, but not hurried.
Choi I-seo followed Oh Yun-ji, who was walking out confidently, all the way to the parking lot and asked.
“Where are you going?”
Oh Yun-ji got into the red sports car she had used to seduce Kim Woo-jin last time.
“Where do you think?”
She lowered her sunglasses slightly and answered boldly.
“I’m going to fight.”
The engine roared violently.
As she stepped on the accelerator without hesitation, the sports car sped out of the parking lot as if it had been waiting for this moment.
“Ha.”
With a self-deprecating laugh, Choi I-seo monologued.
“This is why I say you resemble him.”