Han Taeho's Curiosity
"Wanna grab some ramen at my place?"
It was a famous line. And a metaphorical one at that.
Shin Jaewoo froze for a moment.
He looked at her with trembling eyes.
Moon Sojeong, who should have teased him—It's just a joke, what were you expecting?—instead ducked her head shyly.
She's for real? Actually serious?
He could feel her intentions crystal clear.
And one thought flashed through Shin Jaewoo's mind.
You're gonna knock her down.
Park Sun-ok's words.
It looked like they might actually come true, just as she'd put it.
Whew.
She glanced back.
Moon Sojeong's heart pounded harder than ever.
I finally said it. We've come this far.
She was insanely nervous.
Right behind her stood Shin Jaewoo.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Click.
She punched in the door code at the entrance, feigning calm as best she could. The lock disengaged with the numbers.
Moon Sojeong opened the door.
"C-come on in."
She never imagined she'd bring Shin Jaewoo to her place.
Still, it was a relief. Her naturally tidy habits meant there was nothing embarrassing to hide from him.
"...Yeah."
Tension laced Shin Jaewoo's voice too.
They'd come this far, so both knew exactly what was about to happen.
She'd tempted him first.
And he'd followed without resistance, right here.
Is this okay?
Shin Jaewoo glanced at her, second-guessing.
"Hey... mind if I use the bathroom?"
"Oh, sure. Make yourself at home. Right here."
She opened the bathroom door near the entrance and flipped on the light switch beside it. The fan hummed to life as the room lit up.
Spotless.
Toilet, sink, shower—it was the first impression upon entering.
Clean. The word fit perfectly.
Does she hardly use it?
There was a trash bin, but it was empty. No toothbrush at the sink, not even a spare for guests. Looked like visitors were rare.
And now he was here.
It felt weird while handling business. He washed up at the sink and stepped out to find Moon Sojeong in the kitchen.
"Oppa, you want real ramen, or should I make rice?"
"You'll cook for me?"
"Of course, when a guest drops by."
This was unexpected.
A smile tugged at Shin Jaewoo's lips.
"I'm honored."
A woman cooking for him. He'd eaten plenty from Grandma or Aunt before. Even now, Lee Jinshil set his table unless he ordered out.
But this felt different.
Hyeju couldn't cook.
And she had no interest. He'd done more cooking himself. Raised around Grandma's food business, he had decent skills. He'd figured marriage meant he'd handle the kitchen.
Never thought I'd get fed by a girl my age.
So this moment sparked real anticipation.
"Consider it an honor. Not many guys have tried my cooking."
"Hold up. So it'll be... edible?"
"Oh, come on."
She rolled her eyes at his teasing, pouting confidently.
"Don't worry. I'm a legit cooking stream girl."
"No way, really?"
"For real. Doubt me? Watch the reruns. Tch. And you're my top donor who doesn't even know that?"
Moon Sojeong could cook—and had done cooking streams. Curiosity piqued instantly.
How good is she?
No need to hover and backseat; he had nothing else to do.
"Just sit pretty and wait, oppa. I'll blow your mind."
He'd never really thought "cute" about her before, but this was a first.
He stared blankly for a second.
She's got this charm too.
Thoughts swirled in Shin Jaewoo's head.
Still, he stayed cautious. That one bad experience with a woman had made him wary.
As instructed, he settled on the sofa and pulled up her broadcast channel on his phone.
Should pay for the meal...
He'd claimed top donor status but rarely watched her personal streams. Just Excel events.
Used to swear off Excel forever, but attitudes change.
He clicked into Nyanbyeol's channel and hit the star balloon icon.
You gifted 30,000 star balloons to Nyanbyeol's broadcast station.
You are now the 2,821st fan club member.
Way more than meal money. But to Shin Jaewoo, 3 million won or 3,000 was pocket change. Spending wouldn't dent the balance—it'd grow.
Speaking of, gotta tell the secretary chief.
The idea from Baekje University today with Park Woojin and others.
It hit him: reward Park Woojin for the spark.
Their chat had been insightful.
Little Han Taeho, alright. Kid's got talent(?).
Talent by a... unique metric, sure.
Right on cue—as if sensing the thought—
"Huh?"
A text from Han Taeho.
He rarely initiated. Only reports after assignments. Even then, he kept distance.
But reaching out first?
Perfectly polite.
Shin Jaewoo glanced at Moon Sojeong bustling in the kitchen.
Nothing to hide from her in a call with Han Taeho. No secrets, even if he knew they were together.
"Sojeong-ah, gotta take a call."
"Go ahead. But... is it a girl?"
She added the last bit while glancing over, casual amid prep.
A girl?
Her prickly edge came through.
No girls allowed.
They'd come this far. Talking to another woman would sour things. Basic courtesy, even without commitment.
That's how Moon Sojeong saw it.
"Nah, just a dongsaeng."
"...Minseo-jjang?"
"Not her."
"Oh... you have another little bro?"
Shin Jaewoo chuckled and nodded at her question.
"Yeah. Like that Woojin kid from the restaurant earlier."
Park Woojin. Little Han Taeho—that's what he'd thought.
He dialed Han Taeho.
"Hyungnim!"
Han Taeho's voice shook with nerves.
"Why so loud? Quiet down."
"S-sorry, hyungnim. Um, you know... I know it's unlikely, but..."
His caution was palpable.
Shin Jaewoo blinked, puzzled.
What's with him?
Still, he pressed.
"Spit it out."
The tremor sobered Shin Jaewoo too. Hotel trouble?
But no—Lee Jinmyeong would've reported first.
Han Taeho's urgent reason was:
"That Kim Dong-su guy."
"Ah."
Instant clarity on his curiosity.
Right, Taeho's tied to him too.
Not just him—his parents too.
Easy guess.
Probably borrowed from Kim Dong-su.
Loan sharking was his game. Explained Han Taeho's deference.
Dad's business likely funded by those loans.
"Kim Dong-su's been all over the news lately, huh?"
Now a notorious name—for all the wrong reasons.
"That's not it. Rumor is, the hit on Kim Dong-su hyung... there's someone else behind it."
Seemed like a turf war: upstart Kim Dong-su vs. old guard Hwang In-su.
Hwang was winning.
But insiders knew: someone pulled his strings.
"So, what I'm saying is..."
Han Taeho had burned with curiosity since hearing.
He asked outright.
"Was it... you, hyungnim?"