Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: JUF-009 (13)
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Cleo & Tiffany cafeteria.
I was sitting in the corner, quietly eating my meal.
Choi A-ran had nagged me endlessly to go out and eat, but leaving the set still felt a bit uneasy.
Moreover, with side dishes this excellent, was there really any need to go out?
It was like a buffet—I could pile up as much as I wanted with no need to worry about prying eyes.
I had filled my plate to the brim and was replenishing my calories.
'Delicious. So delicious. After blasting out all that semen, rice tastes like honey.'
Bulgogi and hamburger steak.
And fried chicken practically unlimited.
In this female-heavy company where meal portions weren't huge, there was always food left over no matter how much you took.
—Crunch crunch
I busily shoveled food into my mouth.
With my mouth stuffed full of meat as I chewed away, people around stared like I was some exotic animal.
But I ignored the looks.
This company had already seen everything but my dick in the shower room anyway.
If rumors had spread, they already had—nothing left to worsen.
Just as I was tearing into some chicken...
They say even tigers come if you speak of them—the source of those rumors was approaching from afar.
Women with salad on their trays, drawing near.
Ms. Jeong and Ms. Eun at the lead, along with the shower room crew.
"Oh my. Min-hyuk, eating alone?"
It was Ms. Jeong, with her distinctive seductive eyes.
She plopped down across from me naturally and flashed a bright smile.
Next to her, Ms. Eun, Ms. Yeon, and the others took seats one by one.
At their sudden joining, I cautiously scanned the surroundings.
I was worried Choi A-ran might spot us.
I just wanted to eat peacefully during meals.
This could give me indigestion.
"Yeah. Don't really know anyone, so eating solo."
Seeing my discomfort, Ms. Jeong grinned even more brazenly.
She propped her chin on her hand, gazing intently—eyes that could seduce any man.
"Don't know anyone? You got familiar with us earlier."
"...True enough. Anyway, sorry once more about the shower thing. Caused you to hurt your eyes for no reason."
"Nah, no biggie. Your body's amazing. Do you work out or something? So toned, and you eat a ton."
She glanced at the mountain of meat on my plate and remarked as if newly impressed.
I worked out regularly anyway, and with my appetite, this wasn't overeating by any means.
"Just dabble a bit. After busting my ass at work, I'm starving—so appetite's up."
"Oh, I see. Love watching you work hard."
She clapped her hands and overreacted to my plain answer.
Not to be outdone, Ms. Eun jumped right in with a question.
With her, there was some inner rapport, so it wasn't as uncomfortable as with Ms. Jeong.
"By the way, Min-hyuk, how old are you this year? Your face looks about our age."
A playful impulse struck at the question.
Ms. Eun often praised me subtly.
I wanted to lift her spirits a bit.
"Hmm. Looking your age would be a problem."
"...Huh? Why?"
"Don't like looking too young. Means I look super childish."
At my reply, a long smile curved across Ms. Eun's lips.
This trick had never failed once.
To a woman, face value was pure pride.
"Pfft! What? You flirting right now?"
"No. Just stating facts."
"Ooh. Okay. You pass. Great sense, Min-hyuk? Gotta be popular with girls."
Ms. Yeon nodded along as if in agreement.
"Totally. Surprisingly playboy material? I'm good at reading faces—you've got faint philanderer lines."
I smoothly praised Ms. Yeon too.
Just toss out good words like blank checks, and women see you as an ally.
"Meanwhile, you've got strong husband and wealth palaces. Especially that smooth nose bridge—you'll be adored by your hubby down the line."
"Oh really? You read faces too?"
I'd once studied physiognomy to charm girls.
Nothing hooks women's interest in small talk like face or fortune reading.
"Not precisely. Just dabbled for fun a few times."
Then Ms. Jeong shot her hand up, demanding a reading.
"Me too. Do mine."
Things were veering into hassle territory, but I'd started it—had to deliver properly.
Dodging or brushing off would flip their interest to annoyance.
From reading many women's faces, I'd set one rule.
Never mention flaws—focus solely on strengths.
And absolutely no negatives.
They didn't want objective analysis.
Just quick entertainment to sate curiosity.
No need to poke the bear.
'Yeah. This one's clearly confident in her eyes.'
The effort in her eye makeup said it all.
I emphasized that, tailoring a plausible reading.
"You've got killer eyes. The classic man-trapper type. Fox or cat eyes, but the tail's not too arched—gentle yet fiercely independent vibe. Clear, vibrant pupils radiating spirit and vitality. Someone like you runs a tight ship post-marriage. Bet you're called 'sharp' all the time, right?"
At the question, Ms. Eun next to her excitedly chimed in instead.
She showed huge interest despite it not being her reading.
She looked the type dead serious about fortunes and faces.
"Oh wow, really? Ms. Jeong's totally sharp. Handles work like a knife, strong leader too."
Ms. Jeong herself smirked, pleased at the praise for her key asset: her eyes.
Of course, she wasn't dumb—she knew it was just for fun.
But even obvious flattery feels good from another's mouth.
"Hmm. Min-hyuk, you've got sly player vibes, huh? Thought you were innocent, but you're a real operator. Seems like you know what women like."
"Yeah? I'll take it as a compliment. Don't have player looks, so it feels nice."
"See? That smugness screams experience."
Ms. Yeon and Ms. Eun nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Yeah. You've got this relaxed vibe."
"Totally. Real player? That shower reveal was all calculated."
"Oh. So now we're charmed and he'll fleece us for cash? Kinda scary."
"Sigh. Always so dramatic. Don't take it bad, Min-hyuk. Just joking around."
Of course, I wasn't offended.
With three women, this was par for the course.
Let half roll off, match the mood—that's plenty.
The small talk sparked by physiognomy was in full swing.
Then a chilling voice drifted from behind.
My jaw froze mid-chew on meat as I sought its owner.
"...What's got everyone so amused?"
Before my eyes even turned, I knew the voice.
That firm yet silky timbre tickling my eardrums.
Choi A-ran stood tall behind me.
"Came to eat. Mind if I join? Table looks way too fun."
At her arrival, Ms. Eun and the others urged her to sit.
They had no clue about our relationship, so natural reaction.
Ms. Eun, especially thick with A-ran, even introduced me.
"Ms. Choi. This is that facilities newbie I mentioned. Name's Min-hyuk. He was eating alone, so we joined."
"...Oho. Min-hyuk? Cool name. Nice to meet you. I'm Choi A-ran."
She offered a handshake—with a subtle pressure in her grip.
Makes sense; I'd kept my name secret from her, and now she hears it from another woman. Pissed.
"...Thanks. Nice to meet you too."
After a quick greeting, Choi A-ran melted right into the vibe.
"Anyway, what were you all chatting about? Laughter carried from way over there."
Ms. Yeon jumped in with an answer.
"Ah, Min-hyuk was reading our faces. Said my forehead's good—great husband incoming. Ms. Jeong's eyes mean she'll run a sharp household. But all this good stuff? Feels like he's seducing us. Haha."
Obviously a joke, but it didn't land as one with Choi A-ran.
She ground her teeth and shot me a question.
"...You read faces too?"
I averted my eyes from the icy murder vibe and replied.
"Just... a little."
She pointed at herself, ordering a reading.
"Then do a little on me. Am I the type to get cucked?"
Reminded me of Grand Prince Suyang asking if he had a king's face.
Answer was set; I just had to deliver.
I shook my head firmly.
It wasn't physiognomy—it was an explanation for the situation, a pledge of loyalty to her.
"Lady A-ran has the face for a happy marriage and long life. Minor hiccups might happen, but your partner's devotion is true—no need to worry."
She nodded once, satisfied with my answer.
"Thanks. Guy I'm seeing's a bit flirty—been super worried. Relieved now."
"...No problem."
"Gotta pray his purity holds, like Min-hyuk says. Worst case, tie him down so he can't bolt."
"......"
For a split second, the rice in my throat felt lodged.
That was definitely a warning aimed at me.