Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Again, Writer
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Chapter 35: New Genre
Min A-rang sprang to her feet, savoring the cool sea breeze against her skin, then sat back down and asked in a sly tone.
She had that look on her face like a detective who already knew everything.
“I do it sometimes. Our job doesn’t really have an off switch. Plus, the siblings are passionate. They know they’re lacking, so they work even harder.”
“But it seems like Ji-seong handles all the contact.”
“In exchange, Hye-seong does all the actual work, from what I hear. Ji-seong’s more the type who interprets what I say and passes it along.”
“Hmm. Is that really all there is to it?”
Min A-rang’s expression turned enigmatic.
She gazed at Woo Ji-hyun with the eyes of a sly cat.
“What are you imagining? Ji-seong’s only twenty. That’s an eight-year age gap between us.”
“Don’t guys like them young and pretty?”
“Honestly, she’s not really the pretty type. Cute, maybe.”
“Oh right. Oppa prefers the model type, doesn’t he?”
Min A-rang flashed a smile whose meaning escaped him.
Just as Woo Ji-hyun opened his mouth to retort, his smartphone buzzed.
“Hold on a sec. Yeah, In-hu.”
-What’s up? I hear wind. You outside?
“Yeah, came to Eulwangni to get some air.”
-Man, living the high life. The rich are different. Here I am, stuck at home on an exciting Saturday.
Kim In-hu’s voice dripped with lament.
But Woo Ji-hyun didn’t bother comforting his friend.
They were both too old for that.
“If you’re bored, go out. Sang-min’s back in the country, right? Grab a drink with him. Or hit Itaewon.”
At the mention of Itaewon, Min A-rang perked up her ears from the passenger seat.
She knew full well a twenty-eight-year-old guy didn’t have many reasons to go there.
-Wanna go, but Sang-min’s got plans. Feels shady—like he’s meeting a girl.
“Then you meet one too.”
-No one I like. Oh, remember those girls from the group blind date? They reached out. Want to meet again. Even asked my mom for your number.
“Sounds like you should meet them.”
Woo Ji-hyun slipped out of the car.
The vibe from Min A-rang had shifted the moment “blind date” came up.
Cursing Kim In-hu inwardly, he hurried away from the vehicle.
-Are you nuts? They’re not my type!
“What do you want me to do about it? By the way, remember I’m at Eulwangni Beach?”
-Of course. I’m not asking you to rush over. Reason I called is separate. Told you about the girls for that, but main thing—national team soccer match tomorrow, right?
“Yeah, I know. I’ve been catching the national team games lately.”
-You meeting Lee Woo-hyung by any chance?
Woo Ji-hyun let out a chuckle.
There it was—the real reason.
“Got plans, yeah. No booze, though.”
-Ooh! Then just one autograph for me! Or sign the replica jersey I bought!
“So that’s why you called.”
Woo Ji-hyun smacked his lips.
But even at his scoff, Kim In-hu was shameless.
He saw nothing wrong with milking a friend’s connections.
He’d laid the groundwork ages ago, too.
-Obviously. When do we have time for chit-chat? And remember? You promised last time.
“I remember.”
-Time to keep that promise.
“Got it. I’ll swing by your place tonight.”
-You’re in Eulwangni and heading home? No motel?
“What’re you thinking?”
Woo Ji-hyun replied in disbelief.
He instinctively glanced at Min A-rang in the passenger seat.
-Didn’t go alone with a girl, did you? Not your style to mope solo. No way you’d drive to Eulwangni just for a drive either.
“Too sharp for your own good. Try using that on yourself. Anyway, gotta go.”
-Hey! What time are you……
Woo Ji-hyun hung up without mercy.
He’d heard the important part—no need to drag it out.
“Did you do a blind date, oppa?”
“……You caught that, huh.”
“It stuck right in my ear! Thought you were buried in writing, but oppa’s out meeting girls and doing it all.”
“Hey, at my age, you gotta do blind dates and meet girls. Weird if I didn’t.”
Woo Ji-hyun stayed cool despite Min A-rang’s prim attitude.
He hadn’t cheated or anything—no reason to flinch.
“Fair enough. You’re too work-obsessed. But you could tell me? If you want a girl, I could introduce you.”
“You’re my editor, but that feels off.”
“Why? You saw my friends last time.”
“I handle my own dating.”
Woo Ji-hyun chuckled at Min A-rang’s subtle tone and gripped the steering wheel.
He’d seen enough of the autumn sea—time for food.
“Fine, I wouldn’t say it if you were doing well. Hanging with me today? That blind date must’ve flopped. But it’s weird. No girlfriend for you? Talented, decent looks, good personality if you ignore the prickliness. Why no girl?”
“All work. Just work. Nothing else.”
“Hmm.”
Min A-rang didn’t budge at Woo Ji-hyun’s answer.
Instead, she eyed him closely as he drove, eyes narrowed.
But her mind was elsewhere.
‘Why? Why?’
Countless thoughts swirled, but they boiled down to one word.
Sadly, no answer.
Only the man beside her could provide it.
“Shellfish grills here all suck. Pork ribs were better. If you really want shellfish, go for it.”
“No idea what to make of it.”
“Huh? What?”
Woo Ji-hyun whipped his head around mid-drive at Min A-rang’s sudden tangent.
She waved her hands in feigned surprise.
“No, no. Let’s do ribs. I wanted the sea, not shellfish. Oh, heard there’s a nice café near the beach.”
“Close by. And on the way back, another good one. Steep hill to climb, though. Both do food, actually.”
Woo Ji-hyun’s eyes widened slightly.
The two cafés shared a lot in common.
Both took over entire buildings.
“Yeah? Let’s go there. Since we’re by the sea, how about some steak in a nice vibe?”
“Ribs or steak, same diff.”
“How do you not get women at all.”
“Fine. We’re going.”
Woo Ji-hyun turned the wheel at Min A-rang’s playful glare.
He steered toward a trendy café near Eulwangni Beach, popular with young folks lately.
But he kept one fact to himself.
‘Can’t vouch for the taste, though.’
He knew the way, been a few times, but never eaten there in either life.
Grinning mischievously, he drove on.
* * *
Like any office worker, Woo Ji-hyun treated Sundays as a wrap-up for the week.
Work five grueling days, supplement on Saturday, rest on Sunday.
Not today.
That afternoon, Joo Hye-seong—who he’d gotten close to at the last gathering—called.
“Bucheon Station back then had no good meat places except that tongil ribs spot.”
Yeo Woo-jin roamed for hidden gems as a foodie, but truly tasty ones were rare.
If decent, they were pricey.
Thus, Woo Ji-hyun entered a samgyeopsal joint charging 2,500 won per serving.
“Ji-hyun.”
“You’re here early.”
“My place is five minutes walk away. You came from far.”
“I’m always meeting people at Bucheon Station too.”
Sunday evening kept streets and shop empty.
This cheapest spot near Bucheon University usually packed with students.
Cheap didn’t mean tasty, of course.
“I’m not interrupting?”
“Nah. Day off for me too. Sundays usually are.”
“So you grind six days for that pace?”
“Intense when working. Nonstop, and I’d burn out.”
Joo Hye-seong’s face soured.
One chapter a day—5,000 characters—was brutal for him. Woo Ji-hyun’s output felt alien.
Enviable, though.
Fast hands ruled the market.
“I’d collapse before matching your pace…….”
“No way you could. Everyone’s style differs. Hey, haven’t ordered yet?”
Woo Ji-hyun sat and scanned the wall menu.
Table looked untouched.
“Waiting for you. Samgyeopsal safest?”
“Four servings and a bottle of soju?”
“Let’s.”
Frozen cheap pork hit the grill soon after.
Clear soju filled their glasses.
“What’s up, hyung? Sudden drink invite.”
“Just…… stuffy.”
Shadows deepened on his gloomy face.
He sipped alone.
“Not girl trouble. Writing, right?”
“Yeah. Wanted to consult you. You’re the top dog in my circle.”
“Top dog? This thin pork cooks fast, sure.”
Woo Ji-hyun deflected smoothly.
Admitting felt awkward.
“You’re top-tier, countable on one hand. That’s huge. I’d settle for half your level.”
“You’ve got talent, hyung.”
Joo Hye-seong smiled bitterly.
Grateful, but he knew himself.
Denial would be weird.
No industry exposed numbers so coldly.
“Thanks for saying that.”
“Publisher issues?”
“Nah. Just悩み.”
“What kind?”
Woo Ji-hyun pushed done meat aside, added kimchi center, asked casually.
“Wondering if I should keep writing.”
“Didn’t you say one contract left?”
“Yeah. But doubts creep in. Should I? Can I even?”
“Quitting?”