Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Irresistible Gifts
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Jeong So-rim consoled herself that this was just once as she headed out for the food date.
This would be her first and last meal date, and she had no intention of going to bed with him.
Of course, Lee Hyunwoo, the big spender, would want to sleep with her.
But she believed that if she sincerely persuaded him, she could maintain the cashback relationship without any physical involvement.
Then she made a mistake at the dinner table.
She got completely drunk on the expensive wine she'd never tried before.
When Jeong So-rim woke up in the morning, she was shocked enough to want to scream.
But when he said nothing had happened, her shock quickly subsided.
Her underwear was still on, and there was no sensation down there.
So after finishing her shower, as she was about to leave...
Lee Hyunwoo's pressure to set up the next date created a conflict.
It was true that she had ruined the dinner because of her mistake.
Doing another food date was the right thing.
But she didn't want to deceive her boyfriend again.
She already felt tremendous guilt.
Then, surprisingly, Lee Hyunwoo gave her luxury gifts.
A tracksuit and bag emblazoned with a luxury brand logo.
She never imagined she'd get her first luxury items in a place like this.
Jeong So-rim lived frugally.
But it wasn't because she didn't want to splurge.
As a traditional musician, she simply didn't have the money to spend on luxury goods.
She'd always told herself that luxury items were just overpriced with no real value.
But now that they were in her hands, they looked incredibly pretty and beautiful.
Her intense deliberation came to an end.
Jeong So-rim opened her mouth.
"Tomorrow... no, how about the day after?"
Jeong So-rim set up another date.
Even though meeting him next time might mean betraying her boyfriend.
Still, Jeong So-rim deceived even herself.
This is necessary.
Where else am I going to make 20 million won a month?
To keep her relationship good with the big spender Lee Hyunwoo, a meal date was the least she could do.
And she'd already told him she had a boyfriend, so if she persuaded him sincerely, she might be able to refuse sleeping together.
Lee Hyunwoo seemed like a gentleman.
Nothing had happened last night or today.
Her clothes had been removed because they were soiled with food.
"Hmm, the day after I have plans. How about late tomorrow night?"
Tomorrow.
Which meant Sunday night, when she had to log into Hwasun's broadcast.
She just needed to drop in to say hello, so it wouldn't take long.
Hwasun streamed from late evening into the night, so after greeting her and leaving, it'd be around 10 p.m.
"Late night...?"
"Yeah. I have something in the evening, so it'll probably end around 10. Let's meet up and have a drink. This time, no unfamiliar wine—something light like beer."
It was blatant temptation.
Jeong So-rim's experience with men had only been her boyfriend so far, but she knew what this meant.
A man and woman alone, drinking late at night.
What followed would naturally lead to bed.
What should she do?
Should she refuse?
She hesitated once more.
At that moment, she felt the smooth leather texture in her hand.
Jeong So-rim deceived herself again.
It'll be fine. It's not a done deal yet.
It might just be her assumption.
And Lee Hyunwoo was a gentleman, so if she refused properly, he wouldn't force her.
Besides, she'd already agreed to the food date, so backing out now wasn't an option.
In the end, Jeong So-rim nodded.
"Okay. Then tomorrow at 10."
"Great."
"Ah!"
Jeong So-rim panicked at Lee Hyunwoo's sudden hug.
They were both wearing just bathrobes, so she could feel the shape and warmth of his body directly.
Lee Hyunwoo, hugging her, pecked her cheek.
"H-Hyunwoo!"
"During food dates, you're my girlfriend, So-rim. I always kiss my girlfriend goodbye when she leaves."
"Th-that's... Sigh, fine. But next time, at least say something first. You scared me."
"Got it. Next time, I'll ask first."
"No, that's not what I... Anyway, I'll go get dressed. Thanks so much for the gifts. I'll treasure them."
Jeong So-rim went home.
Lee Hyunwoo started getting ready to leave too.
It was Saturday, but the gym was open.
A devilish trainer was waiting for him.
As Lee Hyunwoo, changed into workout clothes, stepped out of the room, his smartphone rang.
It was Yeoujjing's morning call.
"Mmm... Oppa... you up...?"
Kim Hana's voice was thick with sleep.
Lee Hyunwoo let out a hollow chuckle.
"If your morning call always comes later than when I wake up, isn't it not a morning call anymore?"
"Aang, what can I do when oppa wakes up earlier than me... And I stream until late at night."
"Whatever. I'm heading to the gym now, so get up and get ready. You know where it is, right?"
"Yeah... Got it. I'll be there on time. Yawn..."
Kim Hana kept yawning sleepily.
He wondered if she'd just go back to sleep after hanging up.
Feeling uneasy, Lee Hyunwoo added one more word.
"If you're late, no shoes. Keep track of the time."
"Don't worry. Don't worry. I'll time it perfectly for when your workout ends. See you soon. Love you. Mwah."
Her coquettishness and cuteness came out like a reflex.
Even half-asleep, that's why they called her a fox.
"One more. Okay. Last one."
"Grrrr...!"
She'd said last one just a moment ago!
Lee Hyunwoo wanted to shout that, but he didn't even have the strength to open his mouth—all his energy was focused on his thighs.
Otherwise, he'd collapse.
Lee Hyunwoo had picked a great trainer.
He knew his physical condition so well that he always set workouts that felt like death but were just doable.
Thanks to that, Lee Hyunwoo experienced near-death agony every single day.
"You can do it! Don't give up! Just a bit more! Squeeze those muscles tight!"
"Gaaah!"
"Nice!"
In the end, Lee Hyunwoo nailed the final full squat.
The trainer shouted "nice!" and helped lift the barbell secured behind his shoulders.
"Haaah."
Lee Hyunwoo immediately collapsed to the floor.
Even a devilish trainer gave a brief rest after a set.
"Here, drink."
"Hoo..."
Lee Hyunwoo took the protein drink the trainer offered.
And gulped it down.
These products tasted pretty good these days.
Thanks to that, he could down the protein shake in one go without grimacing.
"By the way, member."
"Yes..."
"Did something happen with Ryu In-young?"
"Ryu In-young? Who's that?"
When Lee Hyunwoo asked, the trainer pointed to a mirror.
In the mirror, women were gathered near the chairs, chatting instead of working out.
One of them was someone Lee Hyunwoo recognized.
A half-baked thug with a face and body that screamed cheap.
The woman he'd mistaken for peeking up her skirt last time—her name must be Ryu In-young.
"Oh... There was a misunderstanding, but it's nothing. She's the one unilaterally assuming things."
"As expected... Her reputation isn't great. She makes up so many lies. Rumors like you were peeking at her or you're a creep."
"What?"
"Don't worry too much. Everyone knows she's low-class, so not many believe her. If it were true, she'd have sued or complained. She's acting out because she's got her own guilt. Anyway, I know you didn't, so that's fine. Now, back to working out?"
"Wait, hold on! You can't just end the story like..."
"We can talk during the workout. Come on, move."
Lee Hyunwoo wanted to hear more about Ryu In-young, but he couldn't beat the trainer's solid, massive muscles.
"Grr..."
After the workout, Lee Hyunwoo came down the stairs gripping the railing like a newborn foal.
What a real devil.
That said, Ryu In-young.
She was a weird woman not worth dealing with.
What did she gain from badmouthing others and spreading strange rumors?
He could just ignore her.
He didn't own shares in this gym or have close friends there.
No one would believe her rumors anyway.
Even if they spread, it wouldn't hurt him much.
But it pissed him off.
Why was a bitch he wouldn't touch even if offered making a fuss?
She works at an outlet, right?
From talking with the trainer, he learned her workplace.
He didn't know the exact store, but it was a luxury boutique at the outlet.
Pretty good timing, huh?
He was planning to go shopping anyway.
"Oppa! Here! Here!"
As he exited the gym building, Kim Hana waved as if she'd been waiting.
Gazes gathered on her beauty, figure, and red foreign sports car.
Lee Hyunwoo got into her car amid the stares.
"Oppa, aren't you working out too hard?"
"Why? Don't you like it when I do?"
"Tch, why would I? It's good for you, not me. If you get all muscled up, other girls will flock more. Then my pussy gets lonelier."
"Hahaha. That makes sense. Maybe I should cut back on workouts?"
"Really? Ah, oppa. Which department store?"
Kim Hana drove out of the parking lot, full of aegyo.
He couldn't stop laughing at her flawless coquettishness and charm.
"Not department store. Namsan Outlet."
"Eek? Why! The shoes I want are this year's new releases. Outlets don't have them..."
"I'll buy those separately. Outlet first. Got some business."
Lee Hyunwoo explained Ryu In-young's deal in detail.
Kim Hana exploded in anger.
"Fuck! What kind of bitch is she? No way. Don't worry, oppa. I'll handle it. Women gotta deal with women. Screwing over sluts like that is my specialty. Leave it to me!"
"How?"
"Easy. Outlet employee, right? Hit her with money. I've been on the receiving end of so much power-tripping, I know exactly how shitty it feels. And our oppa's loaded? Done deal."
So reliable.
It was the first time Kim Hana looked this dependable.
Lee Hyunwoo nodded.
The red sports car sped toward Namsan Outlet.
Ryu In-young should've clocked in by now.
She'd seen him leaving the gym while he was wrecking his legs.
"Alright, time to start treasure hunting?"
Lee Hyunwoo and Kim Hana scoured Namsan Outlet from the first floor.
Finding Ryu In-young was one goal, but the main purpose was buying clothes that suited him.
As they shopped around...
They spotted Ryu In-young at a luxury boutique.
She gaped when she saw Lee Hyunwoo enter the store.
"Hana."
"Yeah, oppa."
"Go ask."