“You didn’t do anything, so no need to anguish over people guilt-tripping you for ‘ruining someone’s son’s normal life’ either.”
“……”
“Do as you want. Whatever it is. I will support you.”
“…It’s enough.”
Si-Jin frowned.
“Do you mean you don’t need my help, or—”
“No. Your promise itself is enough.”
Na-Yool slowly rested her head on his shoulder. She felt Si-Jin’s body stiffened.
Where did your lustful and menacing attitude go? Na-Yool sighed as she closed her eyes.
“I will not settle. I will screw him over until the very end. Just stay by my side like you are.”
“…Is it ok to be like this here?”
“Give me 5 seconds.”
“Let’s do 10.”
Na-Yool laughed brightly. We are covered by the vending machine, so it should be fine, right? Right when she uncharacteristically thought so, lips touched hers. The pervert’s greed truly had no limits. She finally let out a sigh as Si-Jin’s tongue dug into her mouth.
Chapter 31 – Friday evening 9:10 p.m.
“Did you wait long?”
Na-Yool rushed into the car along with a lump of cold air, and he turned the heater on as he answered.
“Not really. I just arrived.”
They met three or four blocks away from the company. It was not exactly a big street, but neither a convenient place to stop even for a short time.
Na-Yool was marveling at how he managed to park in such a place, when she noticed the illegal parking detection camera right in front.
“Mr. President, there is a camera over there.”
“I know.”
“Won’t you get captured? Ah, or is it not on at this time?”
“I can just pay the ticket.”
That nonchalant tone. Na-Yool frowned.
“Don’t be absurd. The fine is not a couple of wons… I would rather you drive around the block and wait for me to call when I’m here.”
“Then you will have to wait.” Si-Jin once again nonchalantly retorted as he turned the steering wheel.
Ah, geez.
“…I can wait. It is not that long anyway.”
“It’s cold.”
“Not really, so…”
“What do you want to eat?”
“I think I will pass. I ate some snacks I got from Seung-Jae this evening.”
“You’re talking nonsense again.”
“And it’s this late already. We can go straight to the movie theater and you just grab something easy to eat while waiting in the lobby. We should be right on time. Ah, hang on…”
Na-Yool picked up her suddenly ringing phone. She could feel Si-Jin looking at it with suspicion, but fortunately it was her mother.
“Hm, Mom.”
– Are you at work? Or home?
“Neither. I’m on my way.”
– How ruthless is this company, you’re always coming back so late! It’s not safe for women to be out at night.
Na-Yool glanced at Si-Jin. The volume was not up so he did not seem to hear anything, covered by the car engine. But just in case, she turned the volume down a bit.
“Well, it’s just how it is.”
– Your grandmother sent me tons of fruits. At least 5 boxes of apples and pears, and on top of that dried squid, pollack, flounder, ginseng… She is unstoppable, really! Now that Jung-Yool [T/N: It should be FL’s younger brother name] is doing his military service we are only two mouths to feed, but it seems your grandmother still think you, your sister and your brother all live here…
“Ain’t that great? Apples are expensive this year.”
– My point exactly! It definitely cost her a hefty price.
“So you’re sending me some too?”
– Yeah, you help get rid of it. Not only apples and pears, everything is expensive this year. Grandma spent a lot of money. Do you know she bought the ginseng for you especially? She said it’s because your hands are cold.
‘You know I don’t eat much at home.”
– Eat some up. Slaving yourself at work… that’s why you look the way you do!
“What’s wrong with my looks!”
– You’re too skinny, so unsightly.
“Hmpf, anyway, I can’t eat it even if you send it. It will be a waste to let it rot. Send a lot to Sister.”
– Just shove down whatever Grandma gives you to eat!
“Back at you!…”
Na-Yool suddenly heard a low chuckle next to her. She glanced once more at the culprit, then turned her gaze out the car window and muffled her voice down.
– How dare you tell your mother to shove down food!
“When did I? I’m just saying that even you can’t stomach all Grandma’s food.”
– Anyways, I’ll send it to your apartment so make sure to eat some. Is it Tuesday today? Or Friday?
“Friday.”
– Then I will go to the post office on Monday.
“Ah… sending it to my apartment might not be the best option.”
– How so?
“Maybe to the company… Nevermind Mom, don’t send it for now and keep it for yourself.”
– Why.
“I might be moving house soon.”
Na-Yool imperceptibly felt a gaze at the back of her head. Of course, it must have been her imagination.
– You’re moving out already?
“Well, the lease period is almost over…”
– It’s still months away, so that’s not an issue.
“No, you are right. But anyway, I’m looking at other places—”
– Whatever. It’s not like the package will take 10 days to arrive, and you won’t be moving out next week right away.
“What I’m saying is… I can’t eat it all and I am going to move out, so send it to me after the moving. If I can’t eat it, it’s just extra luggage.”
– Sigh, what suddenly got into you? Are you throwing a tantrum about your current apartment? Because you don’t like the cherry-colored door, or because the floral wallpaper is too tacky? And waste money to rent an officetel instead or something?
“No I am not.”
– There is still some time left on the lease. Who do you think will pay the rent if no new occupant is found? Live more frugally. In the first place, didn’t you settle on a semi-deposit to save money… [T/N: I explained the difference between jeonse (rental deposit) and wolse (monthly rent) before. If you’re not sure, google it.]
“Studio apartment are not that great nowadays. Which is why I’m looking at officetels. If I do this right, I might be able to put a large deposit and get it for cheaper.”
– This girl, do you think it’s right to spend such a large sum on deposit at your age? You should get married first before thinking of moving home.
“Why suddenly bring this up…”
This time, it was not Na-Yool’s imagination. Just as she furtively took a glance at Si-Jin, their eyes met.
– A semi-deposit will go for at least 2 years, you’ll be 30 then. What if you get married halfway through? Just stick with your current studio. Unless the owner wants you out, why leave…
“…Ah, marriage is a long way off.”
– How about Sang-Hoon? Are you guys meeting well these days?
It had been such a while that Na-Yool did not expect the question. She did not want for either her mom over the phone or the driving Si-Jin to find out about her feeling of being choked up. She answered in a light tone, as aloof as she could.
“We’re not. We broke up a while ago.”
– Well done. He looks kind, but that’s all for show.
Na-Yool’s mom started bashing Sang-Hoon as if she had waited for it. It was hard to say if she meant it or if she was trying to comfort her daughter. Because when she saw Sang-Hoon’s picture for the first time, she had praised him for not looking like a playboy which is rare nowadays.
Want to read more chapters and support us? Please consider becoming a patron to read up to 12 chapters in advance!
