Chapter 488: Appeasing Anger
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 488: Appeasing Anger
Tap, tap.
“…….”
I stole a glance upward at Seo Ye-rin. She was tapping my shoulder with a backscratcher she’d found somewhere, her expression making it crystal clear that she was displeased.
Seeing her looking so genuinely upset, I reflexively lowered my gaze again.
‘What am I supposed to do in a situation like this?’
To be fair, people getting mad at me was a fairly common occurrence.
Since my behavior could be a bit eccentric at times, Yoo Ah-rin or Choi I-seo would lose their tempers with me, but I had my own ways of smoothing things over with each of them.
Surprisingly, Yoo Ah-rin liked it when I acted cute. She’d usually laugh, call me a ‘brat,’ and let it slide after a playful pinch on the cheek.
Choi I-seo was the opposite; you couldn't play around with her. You had to give her a textbook, formal apology.
After all, I-seo’s goal wasn't just to be angry; she wanted to correct my behavior. Once she felt she’d received the answer she was looking for, she tended to soften up.
So, then.
What about Seo Ye-rin?
In the first place, Ye-rin almost never got angry. She had a great personality, but she also just had a naturally gentle aura.
Most of our pranks either started with her or involved her joining in.
But what if she did get mad?
The solution to that was also simple.
Sex.
Once we got our bodies tangled up and showered each other with affection, her anger would naturally melt away.
But we couldn't do that right now.
Since she was pregnant and we couldn't just have sex whenever we wanted, how on earth was I supposed to soothe her?
‘Ah, this is driving me crazy.’
No matter how much I racked my brain while staring at the floor, I couldn't think of a single solution.
Especially since I’d made things worse by siding with my mother-in-law and nagging Ye-rin.
“Woo-jin.”
Her voice was cold.
She didn't use her usual pet name for me; she addressed me with stiff formality.
“Ye-yes?”
In contrast, my voice trembled.
I knew I was in for it, but now that the moment was here, I was at a loss for how to handle it.
Seeing me struggle, Ye-rin slowly lowered the backscratcher and asked, “Why do you think I’m angry?”
Gulp.
I swallowed hard.
I’m pretty sure I’d seen that question listed in the top five things men hate hearing from their girlfriends.
Fortunately, this time the answer was easy.
“Be-because I didn’t take your side and took your mother’s instead.”
“That’s right, Woo-jin. Tell me, is my mom your wife?”
“No! Not at all! It’s you, Ye-rin!”
Press!
Still sitting, she lifted her leg and pressed her foot against my cheek.
I felt like I’d seen this exact framing in a femdom-themed AV before.
“Then why were you taking her side instead of mine?! Huh?! Kim Woo-jiiin!”
Ye-rin lunged at me.
I was powerless to stop her.
* * *
“Water.”
“Right away!”
It was dinner time.
The moment Ye-rin held out her cup, I immediately poured her some water.
Seeing this, Choi I-hyun, who still hadn't gone home, muttered in shock.
“To use a Water Release of this caliber in a place with no water source...?”
“Choi I-hyun, finish your food and go home. I’ll call a taxi for you.”
“Aw, Unni!”
“Ahem.”
I might have been on Choi I-hyun’s side earlier, but not anymore.
I had no use for a sister-in-law who couldn't read the room.
“…….”
“…….”
Dinner continued in silence.
As you could probably tell from the atmosphere, I was busy walking on eggshells because Ye-rin’s anger still hadn't subsided.
Choi I-seo and Yoo Ah-rin were also stealing glances at Ye-rin, checking her mood.
If you’re wondering why it was like this...
Well, when someone who rarely gets angry suddenly turns dead serious, everyone naturally starts watching their step.
After dinner was over.
While we were drinking some healthy tonics the aunties had prepared for us, Choi I-seo slunk over to me.
“What are you going to do about that?”
Yoo Ah-rin followed right behind her as if she’d been waiting for the chance.
“Hey, you should’ve known when to stop with the brown-nosing. How bad was it that she’s literally gritting her teeth?”
“…….”
“I do think you went a bit overboard,” I-seo added.
“What was that earlier? When she was teaching the kid how to wash their hands in the bathroom, I saw you cheering her on and wondered what the hell was wrong with you.”
“Di-did I really go that far?”
I’d been so frantic that I think I just said whatever came to mind. I was just happy to be getting points with my mother-in-law.
“Sigh, Woo-jin. We’ll give you two some space, so—Hey! Choi I-hyun! I told you I called a taxi! Where do you think you’re going upstairs?!”
“Ah, Unni!”
Choi I-seo ran off to catch the fleeing Choi I-hyun. Left alone, Yoo Ah-rin and I muttered at the same time.
“I bet I-seo will be exactly like that with her own kid.”
“She’s going to nag her children to death.”
We both smirked, realizing we’d had the exact same thought.
In the future, I could see it being a daily routine: I-seo scolding the kids, Ye-rin comforting them, and Ah-rin turning it into a joke.
Well, for now, I had to put out the fire right in front of me.
“Anyway, like I-seo said, we’ll clear out. Go and make things right.”
“Got it.”
But I’d already tried and failed earlier. What should I do this time?
Hoping that a little time had softened Ye-rin’s heart, I crept toward her.
Ye-rin was looking at her phone. It turned out she was reading a production article for a movie she was originally supposed to be in.
She’d been slated for a significant supporting or lead role, but due to the pregnancy, she’d had to drop out and the role had gone to another actress.
“…….”
I quietly sat down next to her while she stared at the screen.
Noticing me, Ye-rin shot me a glance, let out a huff, and put her phone down.
“That’s the movie you were going to do, right?”
At my question, Ye-rin flinched slightly before giving a small nod. She looked like she’d been caught trying to hide it.
My heart sank, and my voice naturally grew heavy.
Even if I didn't want to admit it, it was undeniable that I had stalled her career.
“Don’t say you’re sorry.”
Before I could even speak, Ye-rin pouted and looked at me.
“If you apologize for this, you’re saying something terrible to our baby.”
“……Right. You’re right.”
It would be like saying the baby shouldn't have been conceived right now.
“It’s no big deal. I was just checking because I felt bad for dropping out so suddenly. YS plugged in an even better actress than me, so the director is probably actually grateful.”
She said that, but honestly, where else would you find someone with Ye-rin’s visuals?
People might say she was still a lower-tier actress, but everyone in the industry knew it was only a matter of time before she hit the big leagues.
And then, a sudden hiatus.
I didn't know for sure, but I bet the industry was in quite a stir.
“Well, more importantly. Isn't there something you should be saying right now?”
Ye-rin glared at me again with those sharp eyes. I immediately bowed my head in apology.
“I’m sorry! I wanted to make a good impression on your mom so badly that I think I just lost control! I’m really, really sorry!”
In the end, I still hadn't figured out the 'secret' to soothing Ye-rin’s anger.
I’d tried this earlier, and it felt like my only option was to apologize until my voice gave out.
“Hmm.”
Ye-rin narrowed her eyes at me, looking undecided.
“……Should I, should I do more? What can I do to make you feel better?”
“Tsk.”
When I asked while cautiously reading her expression, Ye-rin smacked her lips and confessed honestly.
“I don’t really know how to forgive you.”
“……Huh?”
“To be honest, I’m not even that mad anymore. But since we don't usually resolve things like this, I don't know how to wrap it up.”
So she’d been thinking the same thing as me.
Seeing her look so unsure, I leaned in and pressed my lips to hers.
Mwah.
A short, simple kiss.
Startled, Ye-rin stared at me for a moment before breaking into a grin.
“It’s been a while since we did that.”
“It has. We’ve really cut back on the skinship lately.”
“Can’t be helped.”
Since she was pregnant, we were trying to avoid anything that might lead to sex.
Actually, I’d made a 'no-sex declaration' once before, only to break it almost immediately with Oh Yun-ji.
But since coming to this villa, we really hadn't done anything.
Unintentionally, the 'no-sex declaration' had been reinstated and was sailing along smoothly.
“Hehe, that felt good since it’s been a while.”
Ye-rin smiled mischievously, pressing a finger against her lips.
Taking that as a cue to continue, I moved closer and kissed her again.
Mwah.
Mwah.
Mwah.
After a few more, the mood was starting to get heavy. I was about to pull back when I heard someone in the kitchen.
The auntie brought out some non-alcoholic wine and fruit for us.
“…….”
I froze in embarrassment, but Ye-rin caught me off guard with another kiss.
“We’re a couple. What’s there to be embarrassed about?”
“Ah.”
True.
Smiling, I wrapped my arm around Ye-rin’s waist. She leaned into me, soaking in the cozy atmosphere.
Tightening my hold on her, I spoke to her honestly.
“I’ll make sure you never regret giving up acting.”
“I’ve never regretted it once, but you and Mom keep bringing it up.”
“…….”
“I love how things are right now. Being in your arms like this, knowing your baby is inside me... it makes me so happy. You two seem to think my happiness lies somewhere else.”
Well.
I had no rebuttal for that.
“That’s probably why I got more upset. Because the two of you were making such a fuss and ganging up on me.”
I turned my head slightly and kissed her forehead as an apology.
“Woo-jin, there’s only one thing in my life right now that makes me angry.”
“What’s that?”
“The fact that we can’t have sex.”
“…….”
“I’m seriously reaching my limit.”
“Oh, right.”
I’d been so worried about her being mad that I forgot to tell her.
“Yun-ji said to stop spamming the Bamboo Forest. She said she’s seriously considering coming here for an IRL fight.”
“……I told you, I’m reaching my limit!”
Yeah, I got that, but...
Spamming the university’s Bamboo Forest board while you’re on a leave of absence is probably not the best look.