Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Morning After Bliss
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Monday morning.
Lee Hyunwoo woke up with a grimace, nursing a hangover.
Mixing all those drinks last night had left his head throbbing.
"Ugh... my head. Don't any of you ever sleep?"
The commotion filtering through his half-asleep haze was what finally roused him.
The whale brothers, being older fellows, had somehow risen early despite the binge and were bustling about.
"You're up? Here, drink this."
"Ah, thanks."
Someone handed him a glass of water.
Thirsty as he was, Lee Hyunwoo took it without hesitation and gulped it down.
Gulp. The water slid down his throat.
But... it was sweet?
"Hmm? Honey water?"
"Yes. They had some prepared at the first-floor restaurant. One of the whales said it's a must after drinking, so I brought some up. Figured you could use it too, Hyunwoo."
"Ah."
Only then did Lee Hyunwoo look at who'd given it to him.
It was Jeong So-rim.
Right—this was a full villa.
The alcohol had scrambled his brain for a bit.
She must have been up well before him; Jeong So-rim was neatly dressed, her face and hair looking fresh and powdered, as if she'd already showered and done her makeup.
"Thanks. I'll enjoy it."
Lee Hyunwoo dragged himself out of bed and only felt human again after a shower.
Afterward, everyone except the few women who'd left overnight gathered for some hangover stew before parting ways.
On the drive dropping Jeong So-rim home...
Lee Hyunwoo reached out and grabbed her hand where she sat in the passenger seat.
"...!"
She jolted in surprise at the sudden touch.
She'd thought last night's fun had wrapped everything up.
"Why so jumpy?"
"Oh, no reason. I was lost in thought, and you grabbed my hand out of nowhere."
"Lost in thought? Ah, right—you fought with your boyfriend."
Oh yeah, that too.
That finally jogged Jeong So-rim's memory of her boyfriend.
Truth be told, she'd completely forgotten about him until Lee Hyunwoo brought it up.
"Yeah... that's right."
"Don't worry too much. I'll sort it out for you."
"Huh? How?"
"Turns out there's not much money can't fix. Anything your boyfriend's been wanting lately?"
With that, Lee Hyunwoo turned toward the department store.
"Another gift? I'll feel so bad..."
"Take it. It's from me. Don't take it the wrong way—it's pocket change compared to what I've got. If it makes you happy, So-rim, that'll make me happy. So do it for me?"
How does he say such pretty things?
Compared to her boyfriend, with whom things had grown too comfortable, he was practically an angel.
Jeong So-rim couldn't refuse his earnest plea and nodded.
"Which one's your favorite?"
"I'm not sure. Mind if I try some on?"
Jeong So-rim looked at Lee Hyunwoo as she asked.
Honestly, he wasn't sure about trying things on either.
His department store trips had only been a couple times with Yeoujjing.
Naturally, his gaze shifted to the luxury boutique staff.
The salesperson had already sized them up.
The guy was decked head-to-toe in designer labels, subtle but unmistakable.
The girl had style, but it was all mid-tier or online buys.
Classic setup: rich guy charming a girl.
From experience, guys like this bought whatever she picked, no matter the price.
So, absolutely approved.
Especially here—it was a sure thing.
And they'd heap on the praise too.
"Of course, sir. Your girlfriend's so pretty and stylish—she'd look great in anything. May I make some recommendations?"
"Girlfriend...?"
"Great eye. Right, So-rim? We can trust her."
Before Jeong So-rim could deny it, Lee Hyunwoo cut in and pulled her close by the shoulder.
"You two look perfect together. I'll start with pieces to match his style."
She meant high-end designer matches.
A commoner might balk at the tags, but prices didn't faze Lee Hyunwoo anymore.
If it looked good on Jeong So-rim, he bought it.
By the fifth outfit, she was the one feeling guilty and suggested stopping.
"Thank you. For taking care of my boyfriend too, and now these gifts."
"If you're thankful, you should repay me."
"Repay you?"
To her curious look, Lee Hyunwoo tapped her cheek twice with his index finger.
A kiss.
Jeong So-rim hesitated briefly.
Why did her boyfriend's face pop up?
But the pause was short.
They'd already done far more; what was a little peck?
Mwah. The sound echoed in the car as Lee Hyunwoo grinned happily.
"Alright, off you go. Same spot as before?"
"No, I need to head home first. Drop me at Seoul Station."
"Perfect. My hotel's right nearby."
"You stay at a hotel?"
"Oh, didn't mention? Crashing there till I move. Namsan Hotel. Know it?"
"Y-yeah, sure."
"Not sure when I'll move out, but I'll be there a few months. Swing by anytime—you're always welcome, So-rim."
"Haha... okay."
As Lee Hyunwoo said, Namsan Hotel was just a short hop from Seoul Station.
About 100 meters, give or take.
"Thank you. See you next time."
Jeong So-rim bowed politely.
Lee Hyunwoo asked her,
"Heading home—how about your stream?"
"They've got a computer there, so I'll figure it out. Worst case, phone stream. Got my gayageum at home too."
"Mm. Got it."
Fair enough.
Her choice, none of his business.
Still, he tapped her cheek again.
"Again?"
"Good things feel even better repeated."
With his gesture asking for another kiss, Jeong So-rim let out a small sigh.
But her body was honest.
She leaned in, lips to his cheek.
Then Lee Hyunwoo turned his head.
And gently grasped the nape of her neck.
"Mmph!"
Jeong So-rim stiffened in shock.
But their lips met, and his tongue slipped inside.
A skilled, tender kiss unfolded.
"Mmm! W-what, suddenly kissing..."
"Couldn't resist your lips, So-rim."
She shot him a slight glare.
But her expression softened quickly.
She couldn't truly be mad at him.
Especially after all those gifts.
Laden with bags, Jeong So-rim got out.
She bowed to Lee Hyunwoo through the open window.
"Drive safe."
"You too. Had a blast yesterday and today. Catch you later."
"Ah, y-yeah. Later."
She'd blurted out a promise to meet again.
A casual "let's grab food sometime," but excitement bloomed in her chest.
"Hmm~ hum~"
Parted from Jeong So-rim, Lee Hyunwoo hummed cheerfully toward the hotel.
Just 100 meters away.
As he pulled into the hotel lot, a familiar silhouette caught his eye.
Slim waist, pert hips—a slender figure.
It was Ppangit. Choi Soo-hyun.
Beige A-line skirt matched with a cropped jacket.
Crisp white blouse.
White socks up to her ankles, black flats.
Effortlessly cute outfit.
Lunchbox in hand, she looked like a college girl off to meet her boyfriend.
Honk!
"Soo-hyun!"
Lee Hyunwoo honked and called out the moment he spotted Choi Soo-hyun.
She startled at the horn.
Then again at her name.
Spotting him in the car, her face lit up.
"Hyunwoo oppa!"
"Hop in."
He stopped briefly, and she climbed aboard swiftly.
Sniff sniff.
In the passenger seat, Choi Soo-hyun wrinkled her nose at the thick feminine fragrance filling the car.
This scent was fresh—someone had been here moments ago.
The seat was still warm too.
But she played it cool.
She wasn't his girlfriend, let alone wife.
No greed here.
Just keeping this going was enough.
"Heard you got a car—it's gorgeous."
She started the conversation.
Rare for her, but with a clear opener, she didn't hesitate.
"Foreign import, right?"
"Ooh, good eye? Into cars?"
"Hehe, no. Just looks different from the usual ones on the road. That logo especially."
"Ah, spotting it like that."
"Yeah. Oh! Made you lunch. Wanna see?"
"Gotta peek, but not now. We'll eat upstairs anyway. Just tell me what's inside."
"Right. Thermos has doenjang jjigae—I simmered it fresh this morning. And this three-tier box has..."
Before she finished, they reached the hotel garage.
Lee Hyunwoo grabbed her arm as she moved to get out.
"Eh?"
"Fare first."
"F-fare?"
"Yeah. Here."
He was repeating the same trick from Jeong So-rim.
Leaning his cheek out, tapping it with his finger.
Understanding dawned; she pouted slightly and brought her lips to his cheek.
And...
"Ah! Mmmph!"
Just like with Jeong So-rim, Choi Soo-hyun got a full kiss.
A flicker of surprise, but just that.
She parted her lips, welcoming his tongue.
Matching his rhythm with hers.
'Lipstick taste...'
The kiss carried a hint of women's cosmetics.
Choi Soo-hyun realized he'd just kissed someone else.
Curiosity bubbled up.
Who was it?
No way that scary woman...
Not Darling, right?