Chapter 548: Can't Hold Back
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 548: Can't Hold Back
“…….”
The time that flew by was like a flash of light, but the intensity within it resembled a flame, and the chaos it birthed was like a typhoon.
If I had to summarize my midterm exams, that would be it.
But if I were to be a bit more blunt about it...
I was fucked.
I think that’s about the right way to put it.
“T-the exams? I did great, of course.”
So, I had no choice but to lie. Choi I-seo had worked so hard to tutor me, but all I’d actually done at the library was play games.
“Everything you taught me showed up on the test. As expected, my wife’s domestic support is top-tier.”
“Really?!”
Choi I-seo gave a rare, radiant smile, looking genuinely delighted. She even gave a little hop without realizing it, which was adorable.
If only it weren't a lie, we could have been happy together.
Well, I can at least keep her happy until the grades come out.
This was a white lie—the weight a head of household must bear.
Suddenly, I remembered something my big brother said recently.
I feel anxious even though there’s no reason to be.
‘Wait, no, that’s not it.’
I’m anxious because I have every reason to be.
Anyway, until the moment the grades are released, our family is at peace.
Until then, I need to rack up as many points with Choi I-seo as possible so I don't get scolded too hard.
Well, whatever.
‘Now I’m free to play!’
Kim Woo-jin, having finished his exams, was invincible.
I grabbed my phone and plopped down on the living room sofa. Seo Ye-rin was sitting next to me on her phone, and as soon as I sat down, she naturally slid her hand deep between my thighs.
“Hmm, still there.”
“…….”
What did she just check?
I wondered why she felt the need to verify that, but I’ve reached a point where I can let this sort of thing slide without a second thought.
“Ye-rin, let’s play a game.”
“A game? What kind?”
“You know, that one you guys were playing recently. That idle RPG. What level are you? I’m—”
“Why would I play that trash game?”
“…….”
I was speechless.
It felt like I’d been punched in the solar plexus, but I forced a smile and replied.
“Ye-rin, this is the trendiest game right now. Don’t you know streamers are playing this non-stop?”
“Did you regress from the past? Do you even know what year it is?”
“…….”
“Woo-jin, that game’s been dead for ages. I already deleted it.”
“…….”
“Go watch a stream. See if anyone’s playing it. Probably no one.”
She was really triggering me.
I grit my teeth and tried to hold it in, but I eventually snapped.
“What do you know?! This is a god-tier game! It’s worth betting your life on!”
Don’t you dare disrespect the game I poured my soul into while giving up on my midterms.
This is a cosmic-tier masterpiece.
This is a game that’s going to Mars.
Seo Ye-rin stared at me blankly for a moment and then clicked her tongue.
“Woo-jin, stop playing that fossil. Just help me find something else to play together.”
“No! Why wouldn't I play the greatest game in the world?! Is the world afraid of our game’s growth?!”
“What are you even talking about? It’s a shitty game that’s regressing, let alone growing.”
“Yerinnnn! You’re crossing the line!”
“Woojinnnn?!”
I fled the scene and headed up to the second floor. On the way, I saw Choi Jin-ah and gave her a deliberate shoulder check.
“Ack?!”
Choi Jin-ah looked at me with a startled and bewildered expression.
“What was that for?! All of a sudden?!”
“Move! Can’t you see I’m in a bad mood?! Might makes right!”
“Are you insane?!”
I was insane.
I was seeing red.
I would destroy everything in my path.
That was my current state of mind.
Just then, Yoo Ah-rin started coming down the stairs.
I immediately pressed myself against the wall and waited for her to pass.
“……What are you doing?”
“Just making sure you can pass comfortably.”
“Huh?”
Yoo Ah-rin tilted her head in confusion as she continued down the stairs.
“What gives?! Didn't you just say you were going to destroy everything?! You know being strong against the weak and weak against the strong is the pathetic, right?!”
I didn't know.
I pretended not to hear her, went up the stairs, and entered my room.
“Dammit, this game is such a masterpiece.”
Just in case, I turned on a streaming site. After browsing for about ten minutes, I realized that indeed, not a single streamer was playing the game.
“Did I... really regress?”
It felt like I’d crossed into a different timeline. Even if internet memes and trends are fleeting, this was too fast.
It was like the game had just vanished with a gust of wind.
“Whatever. As long as I’m having fun, that’s all that matters.”
I logged straight into [Sex King Woo-jini].
Now that exams were over, I could enjoy myself without worrying about anyone else.
…….
………….
……………….
Twenty minutes later.
I deleted the game.
‘Holy shit, this game really is trash.’
Fuck midterms, seriously.
What a waste of my money.
“Ugh, my stomach hurts.”
My stomach was killing me.
I felt like I was going to die.
Clutching my aching gut, I stepped out of the room to find Choi I-seo and Choi Jin-ah standing there.
Choi Jin-ah hid behind I-seo, pointed at me, and shouted.
“H-he just hit me and ran away!”
“You’re seriously snitching?!”
“He hit me out of nowhere while I was just walking by!”
“I did not!”
I thought Choi I-seo had come to arrest me, but that didn't seem to be the case.
She asked with a smile.
“Woo-jin, is there anything you want to eat today? Since exams are over, I was thinking of cooking something special for the first time in a while.”
“Oh….”
“I-I want Galbijjim! I’ve been dreaming about the Galbijjim you made last time, I-seo!”
Why was she butting in?
Ignoring the drooling Choi Jin-ah, I smiled.
“Hmm, Ramyeon?”
“……Ramyeon?”
“Yeah! Ramyeon! The Ramyeon you make!”
This is how you score points.
If there’s anyone out there who’s never dated, please learn from me.
These are the words of a man with no less than six girlfriends.
“I don’t want you to work too hard. I’d be happy with just Ramyeon!”
Considering how I butchered my exams, I had to rack up points elsewhere.
As I gave her a bright smile, Choi I-seo’s expression darkened slightly.
She looked dissatisfied.
“Hmm, well, okay. Oh, by the way, I heard your big brother gave you some pocket money?”
“Huh?”
“He contacted me separately. Said he gave you some cash. He also gave me a souvenir from their family trip.”
“A-ah, he did?”
“Well, I’m not going to take away money your brother gave you. Don’t worry too much.”
As she spoke, Choi I-seo playfully poked my cheek with her finger.
“But you’re surprisingly sly, aren't you? Hiding something like that? No matter how much I manage the finances, I wouldn't take personal gift money from your brother.”
“R-right? Haha.”
“You have a cute side, Kim Woo-jin. Don’t be so—”
As I avoided her gaze and started sweating, Choi I-seo’s relaxed expression began to harden.
This was not going well.
I should have run, but the finger that was poking my cheek had already turned into a pinch.
“Why are you so nervous?”
“I-I’m not?”
“What did you lie about? Tell me. Now.”
I was screwed.
I-seo’s pressure was intensifying, and Choi Jin-ah was grinning wickedly behind her, enjoying my predicament.
There was no point in lying anymore. Just because I close my eyes doesn't mean the fire is out.
“A-actually, the truth is—”
In the end, I confessed that I had blown all the money my brother gave me on the game.
Choi I-seo slowly lowered her hand and let out a sigh.
“Sigh... well. I suppose that can happen since it’s your hobby. But try to use a bit more restraint next time, okay?”
“Uh...? Yeah.”
I didn't get scolded as much as I expected.
In fact, Choi I-seo even chuckled and shook her head, saying she’d respect my hobby.
“Why were you so scared over that? It’s your money, you can spend it how you want. But like I said, you’re the head of the household, so I’d like to see a bit more self-control.”
“I-I got it! Yes! I understand, I-seo!”
“What do you want for dinner? Tell me again. Not Ramyeon.”
“Ah, I—”
“Woojinnnn!”
It was Seo Ye-rin’s voice coming from the stairs.
All three of our heads turned toward her at once.
“This is you, right? [Sex King Woo-jini]. I sent you a friend request through the app!”
Seo Ye-rin had the game I’d asked her to play earlier open on her phone.
It seemed she had reinstalled it to play with me because she felt bad about how I’d left earlier.
“What kind of nickname is that…?”
“Ugh.”
Choi I-seo and Choi Jin-ah reacted simultaneously with looks of pure disgust.
“Yeah, that’s me.”
“But Woo-jin, you’ve played this a ton. You couldn't have reached this account level just by playing a little bit.”
“…….”
Seo Ye-rin muttered as she looked at my character profile in awe.
“The character creation date wasn't that long ago, but you’ve put in a massive amount of hours. Woo-jin, you should have told me. I would’ve played with you.”
The cold sweat started flowing again.
Choi I-seo, who had been listening idly, suddenly seemed to realize something. She frowned and walked over to Seo Ye-rin.
“……Ye-rin, does it show the date he started?”
“Huh? Yeah. Right here. Exactly two weeks ago.”
Choi I-seo slowly turned her head toward me, a chilling smile on her lips.
“That was during midterms, wasn't it?”
“…….”
“Woo-jin. From now on.”
Thump.
“You’d better answer me honestly.”
Thump.
I couldn't tell if that was the sound of my heart or I-seo’s footsteps.
Maybe it was both.
Gulping hard, I nodded.
“Y-ye-hes….”
“Did you actually study at the library?”
“……N-no.”
Creeeak.
What was that?
I think I heard something breaking.
“And the exams? You said you did well.”
“T-that... no.”
“Hoo.”
Choi I-seo let out a long sigh and nodded.
After a moment of contemplation, she looked at my face and gave a small smirk.
“Well, okay. Maybe I was pushing you too hard.”
“I-seo?”
“I’m a bit disappointed, but well. That’s just who you are, Woo-jin. It’s fine. Just make sure you study hard for the next one, okay?”
“Y-yeah! I will!”
This was my wife.
This was true domestic support.
The Great I-seo, the incarnation of benevolence.
“What? What’s going on?”
“……How disappointing.”
Seo Ye-rin was still out of the loop, and Choi Jin-ah looked let down.
We all headed down to the first floor together.
Choi I-seo had promised to make delicious Galbijjim today.
“I’ll go get started on the Galbijjim then.”
“Okay!”
I sat on the sofa with a bright smile.
Ah, this is the life.
Just as I was about to fully enjoy the post-exam freedom with a peaceful mind—
“Ah.”
Choi I-seo, who was heading to the kitchen, paused, let out a sigh, and slowly looked back at me.
“I really can’t stand it after all.”
The moment I saw Choi I-seo charging back toward me, I bolted straight out of the house.