Chapter 35
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Hungover Confessions
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Park Ha-yeon sat down in the chair.
"Um... I was so drunk last night... it was all a mistake. The naughty talk... the stuff I shouldn't have done... it was all just an accident."
She mumbled awkwardly.
"Ugh... I must've been totally out of my mind. Completely crazy. Ha... I'm never drinking with you again, oppa. Never ever."
Park Ha-yeon's throat felt parched.
She cracked open a cola can and took a swig. It was cool and sweet.
"You idiot. Why aren't you saying anything? I said I'm never drinking with you again."
"Yeah, yeah, got it. Let's try to cut back on the booze as much as possible."
"Ah, crap, why do you have to answer like that, all sly? And why are you grinning like that?"
"Sorry. Let's eat these burgers. You like burgers and apple pie, right?"
"Ha..."
Unlike Park Ha-yeon, who was scowling and full of annoyance, Jin-seong couldn't stop beaming for some reason.
It was impossible not to smile.
Affection: 25
An accident? A mistake? Never drinking with me again? No plans to sleep with me?
It was ridiculous. He couldn't help but laugh. Park Ha-yeon looked adorable and lovable.
'Affection at 5. Just 5 more. Exactly 5 to make naughty stuff feel natural.'
With some skinship, it'd naturally hit 30.
And once naughty stuff started, they'd inevitably end up in bed.
"You're pissing me off, so can you please stop grinning like that?"
"Alright, alright, got it. Let's just eat the burgers."
"...Yeah."
His gentle response deflated Park Ha-yeon's momentum a bit.
She unwrapped her burger and took a big bite.
Nom nom.
The more she chewed, the softer her expression became.
"Sorry for snapping..."
"It's fine."
"Tch... Talking to you makes me feel like the bitch with a bad temper."
"Tasty?"
Park Ha-yeon took another huge bite and nodded.
"From now on, let's eat food instead of drinking."
"Mm."
Affection: 26
"You went jogging this morning?"
"Yeah, just an hour."
"Your willpower is impressive."
"A man has to follow through on his goals."
"...Cool."
Affection: 27
"But how's your stomach, oppa?"
"Totally fine."
"Whoa, what are you, a booze whale? Ugh, I felt like I was dying..."
"Not a booze whale. Weaker than you. But hangovers don't hit me as hard."
"Liar. You totally are. Man, no hangover? So jealous."
Park Ha-yeon actually handled her liquor better.
If there hadn't been hangover remedies, Jin-seong would've passed out first.
No naughty stuff, let alone sex.
"Tasty."
"Eat up."
"Yeah, thanks."
They finished eating. Took showers.
Park Ha-yeon put on her coat.
"Ha-yeon-ah."
"Yeah?"
He gently wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Let go. Get off."
She resisted. Pushed him away. But her words didn't match her strength—it was feeble.
He went for a kiss.
"......"
Park Ha-yeon squeezed her eyes shut.
Mmch. Smmch. Smack. Mmwah.
Their tongues tangled. Saliva mixed.
"Haa..."
"Haa..."
It went on for a while.
Still embraced, they gazed at each other.
"Let's go."
"Mm."
"Come again next time?"
"...No."
"Wanna drink again soon?"
"...No."
Her words said no, but her voice was incredibly soft.
The kiss had boosted her affection.
Affection: 30
They'd entered holding hands.
They left with arms linked.
No conversation the whole way.
But a strange atmosphere flowed between them.
He put on the new work uniform.
The old one was too loose now that he'd lost so much weight.
'Gotta work hard.'
Diligently.
Give it my all.
'Earn lots of money and buy Ha-yeon tons of tasty stuff.'
He wanted to buy sweet A-young some tteokbokki and Pokémon dolls too.
'Gotta give my cute little siblings plenty of pocket money.'
And be filial to his parents.
Mentally geared up. He worked harder than usual.
President Oh Dae-hoon watched Jin-seong fondly.
Inner Thoughts: Our slave-kun is always so diligent and steady. What a sight. Not like these young punks these days.
Inner Thoughts: Weird, my eyes keep going to slave-kun. Maybe I should grab some bread he likes later.
Inner Thoughts: Am I imagining it? Slave-kun's hair looks thicker. Sigh, I'm losing what little I have left.
Focused on work.
"Jin-seong-ah, Mi-yeon... isn't she super pretty?"
He looked ahead. It was Hong Jae-gu. He looked like a dried anchovy.
"Honestly, Mi-yeon's prettier than most cam girls."
"Well, Mi-yeon is pretty."
"Not just pretty—top 0.01% stunner."
Mi-yeon was the prettiest and most popular woman at the company.
Most male employees had a crush on her.
He hadn't shown it, but...
Until recently, Jin-seong had been interested in Mi-yeon too.
Lunchtime.
He loaded his tray: plenty of sides, half a bowl of rice, skipped soup reluctantly.
Heading to the table.
"......"
Eye contact with Mi-yeon.
She really was stunning.
O Mi-yeon
Favorability: -15
But her favorability was rock bottom.
Inner Thoughts: Yoo Jin-seong, I don't like him.
Inner Thoughts: Total mood killer.
Inner Thoughts: Hated him fat, hate him even more now that he's trying. Total mutt.
O Mi-yeon's inner thoughts brimmed with malice and contempt.
She flashed Jin-seong a sweet smile.
It looked innocent. Like a kind-hearted fairy.
Jin-seong could only respond with an awkward grin.
'What's the point of a pretty face if her personality's trash? She hates my guts.'
Her negative favorability. Her vicious spite.
'Can't understand it. I never did anything to her. Why the hate and disdain?'
It hurt. Ruined his mood. Appetite gone.
Still no appetite, but...
Jin-seong forced down his food. Pulled out his phone.
'Wonder if Ha-yeon's messaged.'
He opened KakaoTalk.
No messages from Park Ha-yeon. Bummer.
[Me: Ha-yeon-ah, you up?]
[Me: Feeling better?]
[Park Ha-yeon: Woke up to the notification;;]
[Park Ha-yeon: Yeah, much better.]
[Park Ha-yeon: Where r u, at work?]
[Me: Lunch ^^]
[Me: Oh, ^^ makes me look old?]
[Me: Emoji]
[Me: Emoji]
[Park Ha-yeon: Fr lmao]
[Park Ha-yeon: Using emojis on purpose makes you look older lol u dumbass lmao]
[Me: ^___^]
[Me: Emoji]
[Me: Emoji]
[Park Ha-yeon: Dumbass lololol]
[Park Ha-yeon: Ur sending ^___^ and emojis just to make me laugh rn, right?]
[Me: Nope? Nope?]
[Me: ^o^]
[Me: Emoji]
[Park Ha-yeon: Liar]
[Park Ha-yeon: Nailed it lolol]
[Me: Miss u]
[Park Ha-yeon: U miss me? I don't miss u much]
[Park Ha-yeon: Not holding hands anymore. No meals. No drinks.]
[Me: Kisses?]
[Park Ha-yeon: Dunno! No! Goin back to sleep. Tired. Bottom hurts cuz of u. No more msgs.]
[Me: Boo hoo]
[Me: (Despair emoji)]
[Me: Nite]
Chatting with Park Ha-yeon soothed his hurt feelings.
Next, he messaged Choi A-young.
[Me: A-young-ah, everything ok?]
[Me: Too quiet.]
[Choi A-young: Ahh?! Oppa!!]
[Choi A-young: Hehe, was engrossed in a regular book~]
[Choi A-young: Got so into it, forgot to reply~]
[Me: Fun book?]
[Choi A-young: Yup!! Pretty good >
[Choi A-young: U at work?]
[Choi A-young: Wanna call?]
[Me: Sure.]
Spent lunch texting Choi A-young nonstop.
- Oppa, wanna meet tonight?
"Tonight? Won't you be tired?"
- Hehe, it's fine. Wanna see ur face.
"Alright, I'll swing by your work later."
- Yay, come for sure! A-young'll make u toast!
The Era of Success game popped into his head.
The character didn't stick to one woman. Met various beauties, married a few.
Clocked out at 4 PM. Tossed the uniform, flopped on the mattress. Soft and cozy.
'Tired.'
Sleepy. Drowsy. Quick nap. Set alarm for 2 hours, closed eyes.
'Busy day. Gym, reading, meet A-young.'
Fell into deep sleep.
"Whoa, refreshed."
Felt alive. Headed to the gym. No Park Ha-yeon.
Disappointing.
Missed her.
73.5kg
Pushed aside the disappointment.
Weighed himself before workout.
'Down 0.1kg from yesterday.'
21.5kg lost in 67 days.
Earth-shattering transformation. Human victory.
'Almost there. Just 3.5kg to first goal.'
Jin-seong clenched his fist. Bit his lip.
'Jin-seong-ah, hang in there. Push a bit more. You can do it. You will lose it.'
Gonna crush today's workout. Summit so close.
Willpower blazing.
"Gloomy pig, think it's time to start building muscle?"