Chapter 154
Chapter 154
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: Reunion Counterattack
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‘What the hell is wrong with this guy?'
Choi Min-hyuk glanced back and forth between Ahn Si-hun and Song Woo-yeon, thinking to himself. Ahn Si-hun had been perfectly fine until Song Woo-yeon showed up, and now he was talking in the most irritating way possible.
His tone was soft, but the words themselves were outright provocative.
First mocking him by saying things weren't as busy as expected, then implying the rags-to-riches story was exaggerated.
And now, bringing up his parents out of nowhere?
That was clearly crossing the line.
'Is he gonna snap?'
Choi Min-hyuk stole a glance at Song Woo-yeon. It was the kind of situation that would make most people lose their temper.
But Song Woo-yeon's face in his view showed not a hint of disturbance.
You'd expect some reaction to that kind of talk. He was so calm it was like he hadn't even heard it.
No furrowed brows, no sharp glare to give a warning.
'He's just taking it?'
That could be. Back in middle school, he'd always been quiet, blending into the background like he wasn't even there.
He must be sick of all the attention. Choi Min-hyuk remembered the plagiarism and fraud scandals from last year that had everyone buzzing.
He could understand not wanting to stir up unnecessary drama.
'I guess he shouldn't come to these gatherings anymore.'
Choi Min-hyuk took a sip of his beer, lost in thought. Normally, he wouldn't touch events like this, but in his youthful prime, he was even making excuses to go to drinking parties that didn't exist.
He'd come out just wanting to drink and have fun, but now it felt like his nostalgic memories from youth were being torn to shreds.
'I'm seeing the ugly underbelly of these guys.'
His mouth tasted bitter for no reason, and he was chugging beer when Song Woo-yeon spoke up in a calm tone, as if saying the snacks here were good.
"You're still the same, Si-hun."
"...What? What does that mean?"
"What else? Exactly what I said."
Song Woo-yeon raised his beer glass as he spoke.
"You're still the type who can't stand seeing others do well."
"...!"
It was a smooth, natural hit. Ahn Si-hun's face flushed with embarrassment and humiliation—he clearly hadn't expected such a direct counter.
Meanwhile, Song Woo-yeon's expression remained as still as a lake without a ripple of wind.
"Why not just admit you're jealous? You've been picking petty fights all night."
"Ha. When did I? Aren't you being too sensitive?"
Ahn Si-hun twisted one corner of his mouth upward.
"Or what, do you have some inferiority complex? Come on. In this day and age, who cares about high school grad versus college grad? No need for that."
He was smoothly framing it like Song Woo-yeon was acting prickly out of insecurity. Getting flustered here would play right into Ahn Si-hun's trap.
But Song Woo-yeon wasn't that easy an opponent.
"If anyone's got an inferiority complex, it's the guy who went on and on about my parents' business without anyone asking."
"...Wh-what."
Ahn Si-hun's face turned bright red.
Laughter rippled softly from those around them. Apparently, even to bystanders, it looked ridiculous for him to lecture about parents' businesses and then turn around and talk about inferiority complexes.
"This is ridiculous. Since when are you like this?"
"I've toughened up doing business. Probably from dealing with guys like you so much."
"Hey!"
Ahn Si-hun shouted, but Song Woo-yeon just replied, "What?"
In the end, Ahn Si-hun exploded first.
"So what if you're making some money? Let's see how far you go. Businesses can crash in an instant, you know that?"
"Yeah, sure."
"There's levels to self-employment too. Bragging about food service is just pathetic."
His blatant job discrimination made eyes narrow involuntarily. Murmurs from the surroundings grew louder.
But Song Woo-yeon just nodded as if to say, "Go on if you have more."
"I graduate from a top university and land a big corp job, and it's smooth sailing from there. You might feel smug now, but ask any passerby. Does a big corp employee compare to some neighborhood food vendor?"
"Hmm."
"A hundred out of a hundred would say big corp office job. Food service is no different from manual labor..."
Thud!
At that moment, someone slammed their beer glass down hard on the table. It was another classmate who'd been quietly listening.
"Hey, watch your mouth."
Ahn Si-hun flinched at the sharp glare. The law is distant, but the fist is close, after all.
"...Yeah, Si-hun. There are people here whose parents run restaurants."
"Right. The more I listen, the harsher it sounds."
The others chimed in one by one. In an instant, the looks directed at Ahn Si-hun turned cold.
Feeling the shift in temperature, Ahn Si-hun shuddered.
Pfft—a deflating sound made him turn his head slightly. It was too quiet for most to hear, but close enough for Choi Min-hyuk and Ahn Si-hun.
Song Woo-yeon was chuckling.
And making no effort to hide it.
"This...!"
Ahn Si-hun clenched his fists and shot up from his seat.
"Hey, hey. What's your problem?"
"Is he drunk?"
"Someone call a taxi. We gotta get him out."
Those who didn't know what was happening stared at Ahn Si-hun in shock. Song Woo-yeon wore an innocent expression, like he'd done nothing to provoke.
'Ha.'
Choi Min-hyuk let out an admiring sigh inwardly.
'That's exactly the tactic Ahn Si-hun was using earlier, isn't it?'
Inciting the crowd to attack the opponent while stepping back himself.
The difference? Song Woo-yeon never reacted the way he wanted, and Ahn Si-hun took the full brunt.
'One step ahead.'
Was this intentional? Mirroring the same tactic back?
If so, it was terrifying. It was like having the opponent dancing in the palm of his hand.
Ahn Si-hun seemed to sense it too—his face went pale.
"No, that's not what I meant... Guys, don't misunderstand."
But words once spoken couldn't be taken back. No matter how desperately he explained, the mood didn't lighten.
Especially the guy who'd clenched his fist earlier at Ahn Si-hun's rant—he stood there with a hardened face and glaring eyes, leaving Ahn Si-hun unusually speechless.
"..."
As the atmosphere chilled, Ahn Si-hun hesitated, then quietly sat back down.
Song Woo-yeon smirked at the sight.
"Yeah, you must've spoken out of turn, Si-hun. Right?"
"...Uh-huh."
Adding insult to injury. From Ahn Si-hun's perspective, it was infuriating.
But with Song Woo-yeon—the target of his rant—extending an olive branch so magnanimously, he couldn't refuse without making things worse.
That would sink the mood beyond repair.
Song Woo-yeon extended his hand first.
"Let's get along, Si-hun. Yeah?"
"..."
In the end, Ahn Si-hun had no choice but to tuck tail and surrender.
He shook Song Woo-yeon's hand with a trembling one. It was obvious who was gripping harder.
"Hey, everyone, glasses up! Cheers!"
"Yeah, fill 'em up!"
"Alright."
They all chimed in noisily to liven things up. Meanwhile, Ahn Si-hun, unlike before, sat silently with his mouth shut tight, not saying a word.
"Cheers!"
"To celebrate our rare gathering today!"
"For it!"
"For it!"
The drinking resumed in a frenzy. Glasses clinked repeatedly to fill the awkward air.
That's when Song Woo-yeon quietly stood up.
Some headed for smokes, others the bathroom. Amid the bustle, he slipped out naturally.
'He's leaving.'
It flashed through his mind that if not now, they might never cross paths again.
Choi Min-hyuk immediately followed, standing from his seat.
"Huh? Hey, Choi Min-hyuk. Where you going?"
"Quick smoke!"
"Mind if I join?"
"Ran out, grabbing some at the convenience store. Be right back!"
"Yeah, okay."
He made an excuse and bolted. Bursting through the door, he spotted Song Woo-yeon looking around on the street nearby.
Probably hailing a taxi.
"Song Woo-yeon!"
"?"
Song Woo-yeon whipped his head around. Choi Min-hyuk dashed to his side.
"Huff, huff. You leaving now?"
Catching his breath, he spoke, and Song Woo-yeon's face filled with curiosity.
"I'm Choi Min-hyuk. You probably don't remember. We weren't close."
"I remember."
"You do?"
"Yeah. You came to the library a lot."
"...I was just there to nap."
Truth be told, Choi Min-hyuk remembered Song Woo-yeon quietly reading more vividly. He never dreamed Song Woo-yeon knew him too.
"But I saw your face often, so yeah."
"Oh, really? Didn't know. I figured... you'd forgotten everyone."
"Why?"
"Just... you're running a business now."
"So busy people forget everyone they knew?"
"Not exactly. I just thought you wouldn't bother."
Talking it out showed otherwise, but Choi Min-hyuk felt embarrassed and scratched the back of his head.
"So. You thought I forgot you, but chased me out here anyway. Just to say hi?"
"No, more than that..."
Choi Min-hyuk hesitated, then continued.
"You handled that well back there."
"..."
"Landing that hit on Ahn Si-hun. Felt good even for me. He's always had that annoying way of talking. Girls don't notice 'cause he's handsome."
"..."
"Sorry I didn't step in when he was spouting nonsense. I should've said something... Anyway, that's what I wanted to say. Thanks, and sorry."
Rambling mess. Worst. Choi Min-hyuk fanned his flushed face and looked away.
He must look like an idiot.
But the response was the opposite of what he expected.
"Pfft."
Song Woo-yeon let out a small laugh, then kept going.
Hahaha...
"Ah, sorry."
He pressed his mouth down as he said it.
"Just... the timing is hilariously perfect."
"Huh?"
"...You have no idea."
Song Woo-yeon grinned wide.
"How long I've been waiting for someone to say that."
Blindingly bright.
Maybe it was the oncoming taxi's high beams, or maybe because he'd never seen such a smile.
"See you around sometime."
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Take care...!"
Choi Min-hyuk stood there long after Song Woo-yeon hopped in the taxi and left.
"...Was he always like that?"
He muttered softly, then turned back slowly. Entering the shop with a dazed look, the others were rowdily chatting.
"What happened?"
He grabbed a passing classmate, who replied excitedly.
"Dude, Song Woo-yeon already paid for the table!"
"What?"
"Acted like he wouldn't, but he did. Man, he must be loaded."
Choi Min-hyuk let the chatter flow in one ear and out the other as he turned toward the door. He stood there blankly for a while, recalling Song Woo-yeon's radiant smile.