Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: The Master Knows Better Than Family
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A raucous drinking party at the law department.
Lee Ye-rin, now 23 and a third-year law student this year, downed the shot of soju sitting in front of her.
"Hiss..."
She had no idea how many glasses it had been already, and without even touching the snacks.
She'd never really understood why anyone would drink something as brutally alcoholic as this, but today, she finally got it.
Feeling the bitter burn of the soju and the buzz creeping in, she stole a glance at the table diagonally across from hers.
"Hello, Cleopatra, the world's greatest potato chip!"
"Hello, Cleopat... hack! Hack! Ah, forget it. That's way too tough!"
"Ha-jun, if you can't do it, you gotta drink up, right?"
"Ugh, come on, that's too much. Why's everyone gunning for me?!"
"Should've played better then~"
"Yoo Chae-eun, just you wait. I'm targeting you from now on."
"Hehe. Bring it. Bring it. You're a good ten years off from catching up to this noona, kiddo."
In the dimly lit corner, they were deep into a drinking game.
Seeing Jang Han-sol laughing there, Lee Ye-rin swallowed the ache in her chest.
'That's Jang Han-sol...? He's changed so much, it's unreal.'
His height was easily over 186 cm—a total model build.
His sharp eyes, the rippling muscles straining against his clothes—they exuded raw, primal appeal.
His bright smile and handsome face were enough to steal any woman's soul, no antacids required.
If only his face had changed completely, too.
It pissed her off how glimpses of the old Jang Han-sol peeked through—the one who'd smile like an idiot and light up at her every move.
'To kick away a winning lottery ticket with my own foot...'
If she'd just stayed with him, that man could have been hers.
But now that Jang Han-sol had her weakness in his grasp and shown his hostility, regrets wouldn't change a thing.
-Clink!
She emptied another glass and slammed it down hard.
"Ha..."
"Ye-rin, aren't you drinking a bit too much today? Slow down."
"...I just feel like it tonight."
"It's that sophomore, right? The guy who cheated on you and threw punches all the time. Looks the type. Want me to go rough him up?"
The senior sitting beside her bought her lie hook, line, and sinker, pretending to worry while hitting on her.
'Rough him up? Yeah, right. One look and it's obvious he'd lose.'
She always pitied guys who tried so desperately to hook up.
But she never had to try that hard herself.
She'd been pretty since she was a kid, raised in luxury.
Her beauty meant love came to her without effort.
Always in the spotlight, looked up to by everyone.
Then.
-This is more expensive than what that other guy gave you. You know I like you more, right?
As she grew older, men's affection started materializing in gifts.
A sweet smile and a gentle approach were enough to make them happy, and they'd shower her with presents.
She hadn't sought it out at first.
But the grand gestures kept coming in the form of pricey items, and receiving them didn't feel half bad.
With everyone approaching her that way, Lee Ye-rin became the epitome of narcissism.
And that was fine, she thought.
I'm beautiful.
I'm a knockout.
Her need for validation only grew endlessly.
Fueled by men, so she filled it through them.
That's how Lee Ye-rin had lived until now.
Until Jang Han-sol showed up and created one problem.
"Face like a pretty-boy parasite. Sigh, bet he paid top dollar for that. Total fake."
Her narcissism wasn't getting fed anymore.
If anything, watching the noisy senior beside her just made her hotter-tempered and thirstier for booze.
'After seeing Jang Han-sol, all these guys here look so pathetic.'
She hated to admit it, but Jang Han-sol embodied the ideal every woman dreamed of at least once.
A mythical golden carp had appeared out of nowhere.
But all she had in her pond were shabby bottom-feeders.
And the golden one didn't even glance her way.
Just her lousy fish bragging they were golden.
It crushed her self-esteem.
Especially knowing that golden carp had once been in her grasp.
Just a month ago, he was mine.
"Sigh. Look at that punk, laughing it up between the girls. All show, no fight—"
"Jin-hoon oppa."
"Huh? Yeah, Ye-rin?"
The senior, a year older, grinned sleazily.
Pretending to be casual, but his outfit screamed effort. His tensed posture reeked of eagerness to make a move.
It was only natural.
Any guy with a dick should jump at her call, desperate to flirt.
Not pout over one breakup like Jang Han-sol.
"You really fight Jang Han-sol for me?"
"Huh? Him?"
"Yeah."
"Uh... w-well...! I-I could, sure? But..."
His voice trembled like he'd seen a ghost.
"There's a lot of people here... My main thing's grappling, so in a tight spot like this, someone might get hurt...? Need open space to go all out... N-not that I'd lose or anything—"
He rambled excuses no one could follow.
Translation: No way in hell.
Of course.
Who'd pick a fight with Jang Han-sol after seeing him?
She'd hoped for at least tough talk, but disappointment hit hard.
'Guess that's the end of stringing this oppa along.'
Lee Ye-rin smiled.
"Jin-hoon oppa, I was kidding."
"A joke? Haha... Thought I was about to throw down without realizing. Whew, if you weren't Ye-rin, I'd have turned that punk into dough."
"Thanks for saying that much."
"S-so, anyway... Ye-rin? Wanna grab drinks just us two? I know a great spot."
Here we go again.
Spend a little time, and guys always pushed like this.
Build the mood, then confess. Obvious.
Even knowing she had a boyfriend.
'At least Jang Han-sol never flirted when I was taken...'
Back when they were just friends, not dating.
She'd had another boyfriend.
Jang Han-sol started keeping his distance, like it was improper.
Genuine interest, but gentlemanly restraint.
Most guys didn't.
Cocky enough to think she'd say yes, they hit on her regardless.
Get close, probe for cracks in the relationship, secretly hoping for a breakup.
Any opening, and they pounced.
Maybe Jang Han-sol was the only one who didn't.
'That's probably why I thought, sure, let's date him when he confessed...'
Among the guys she kept around, he ranked low in looks, money, confidence. But intriguing.
What would dating a guy like that be like?
Perfect timing—no boyfriend then.
'What am I even thinking?'
Why was she suddenly dwelling on his good points? She couldn't fathom it.
Their relationship had been a total disaster, after all.
No money, no confidence, not even that handsome.
But now...
-Gulp...
If forced to pick one from her pond or Jang Han-sol, she'd take him.
And why not? Just having him around would max out her ego.
Like flaunting designer gear— for women, a man was luxury too.
The title "woman who bagged the hottest guy" was the ultimate prize every woman craved.
'Tempting... Whoa!'
What was she saying?
No. Absolutely not!
She had pride. Reuniting with the ex she dumped?
That'd be throwing herself at his feet from the start.
No matter how tempting, she couldn't think like that.
Self-loathing crashed in, tanking her mood.
"Next time. Not feeling it now."
"It's 'cause that guy's in the same room, right? I know a really good place. You'll love it."
Annoying.
Get the hint already.
"Come on, just us? It's a spot I really wanna take you to."
His persistent sleaziness snapped her patience.
Lee Ye-rin's face, calm as she sipped her drink, turned icy.
"Jin-hoon oppa. I'm on my period."
"Uh... what?"
"So I'm feeling off and tired. Cut it out."
"O-oh... Got it. Sorry..."
"Thanks for understanding."
Her expression softened into a sweet smile.
The senior's hand shook like a leaf as he drank, visibly rattled.
Period was a blatant red lie.
But any guy with sense would get the message: back off.
Even if not, from now on, his every advance would get shredded.
Jin-hoon senior sulked silently, nursing his glass.
'Not clueless after all. Good.'
Besides him, plenty of guys at the table eyed her.
All gathered to claim a spot near her.
Even they sensed her bad mood and held back.
Normally, she'd pep them up, keep the fish hooked with affection.
'Finally, some peace to drink.'
She had zero interest in flattering other guys right now.
All she wanted was to focus on Jang Han-sol.
Lost in her thoughts, pondering how he'd act next and how she'd face him.
"Ugh, no way! Why should I kiss Jang Han-sol?!"
Her sister's flushed shout pierced the air—familiar after 23 years together.
Lee Ye-rin glanced over just enough to grasp the scene, but Lee Yoo-ra's gaze locked straight ahead.
There, everyone but Jang Han-sol flushed from booze.
Her sister was in a minor spat over a drinking game penalty.
"You still gotta do it. That's King's Game."
"...Hey, come on, there's limits even in games. In public like this, making me... k-kiss a guy?!"
"Why not~ Oppa Han-sol's a total catch. If Yoo-ra unnie won't, I'll do it! Han-sol oppa, ilro왕~"
"Whoa, Yoo Chae-eun, stop. No crushes on Han-sol hyung. Save it for when you're king. I'm king now."
"Tch. Ha-jun, you cheater! Imagine kissing you—makes me wanna hurl. Blech!"
"Same here~ So, Yoo-ra sunbae, you really not doing it?"
"N-no...! How could I..."
"Guess no choice then. You and Han-sol hyung chug the penalty shots together. Simple, right?"
"Ugh... Lee Ha-jun, you little shit... Getting revenge 'cause you're drunk..."
Looked like King's Game had escalated, and her sister drew a spicy command.
Party vibes often led to bold king orders.
Usually, it'd turn into forcing drinks on the target.
Back out embarrassed, down the penalty—standard.
Everyone knew that's how it'd go.
But.
Unease crept into Lee Ye-rin's heart.
Because of what Jang Han-sol had said before.
-I'll fuck your sister.
'Pfft. Hilarious. As if anyone'd buy that. Thinks it'll piss me off?'
Obvious bullshit.
Just vengeful trash talk to sting her.
She'd laughed it off. No belief.
'Thinks 'cause he got hot, every girl's his. Unnie would never fall for it.'
Makes sense. Lee Yoo-ra despised flirty guys.
Even her own sister couldn't imagine her dating or hooking up—personality too prickly.
'Lived with unnie 23 years. Thinks he can fool the one who knows her best? Pathetic, Jang Han-sol.'
Outcome obvious. Yoo-ra unnie would die before kissing a guy—chug those penalties out of spite.
That's when it happened.
-Smirk.
Jang Han-sol turned, locking eyes with her precisely.
'W-what...?'
He curled his lips into a deliberate grin.
Chills raced up her arms at the sight.
"N-no..."
Huh? No what?
She'd blurted it without thinking—baffling herself.
"Yoo-ra sunbae. Come here."
"Huh...? W-wait, I'll just drink the penalty... Mmph!!!"
Jang Han-sol grabbed her sister's head with familiar ease and kissed her.
Lee Ye-rin's eyes flew wide in shock.
She saw Lee Yoo-ra's eyes bulge in equal horror.
But.
"Mmm... Nng... Smack..."
Yoo-ra's gaze melted, her arms slowly wrapping around his neck.
Soon, she was actively twining tongues, swapping saliva.
First time seeing it.
Her sister like that.
-Smack! Suck...
The wet sounds of lips and tongues carried faintly even here—their kiss scorching hot.
"U-unnie...?"
Witnessing her ex and sister lock lips right there, Lee Ye-rin's heart pounded wildly.