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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Don't Smile Like That. It Looks Twisted.
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"Don't smile like that at that fox bastard. It looks twisted."
Huh?
Who the hell was this fox bastard, and what was Do Hyun even talking about? She was confused.
Was he talking about Ji Hu? But why would it look twisted?
'No way he's jealous because I'm close to Ji Hu.'
Yeah, that was definitely not it.
"Are you talking about Ji Hu?"
At Yi Yeon's words, one of Do Hyun's eyebrows twitched violently.
Oh no, she had said Ji Hu. She should have at least added his title.
"Since when did you two get on a first-name basis with that fox bastard?"
"......"
"I saw you earlier, talking casually."
He must have overheard what Yi Yeon and Ji Hu were saying as they walked.
Her whole body shivered at his eyes, which were growing increasingly menacing and cold.
She figured she should just tell him the truth.
"We're college friends. I had no idea I'd run into a classmate here."
She had no idea she'd meet Eom Ji Hu here.
Yi Yeon pleaded silently.
"You two must have been close, huh?"
"Sort of... at one point......"
"You've got a lot of guys around you."
Do Hyun's question to Yi Yeon bristled with thorns like a hedgehog.
"No, I don't."
Was he seriously saying she had a lot of guys around her just because of Ji Hu?
She felt wronged in so many ways.
Especially since he had more women hanging around him.
"But why is Ji Hu a fox bastard?"
"Because he smiles like a fox."
Yi Yeon thought she got it.
Ji Hu did have fox-like features.
"So, that old friend you ran into is that fox bastard?"
"Yes, that's right."
Do Hyun started to say something but then fell silent.
After a brief silence, Do Hyun walked to his chair and said to Yi Yeon,
"What's on the schedule today?"
"Brand Strategy Department monthly report and planning meeting at 10 a.m., and a meeting with Law Firm Yeolchon at 2 p.m."
"Have Lawyer Hong and Team Leader Lee meet with me before Yeolchon. Around 1."
"Got it. I'll check if 1 p.m. works for you."
Most lawsuits coming to the card company were handled by the Legal Management Department.
When a complaint arrived, the relevant department collaborated with the assigned lawyer to respond.
Complex cases or those with high claim amounts were often outsourced to major law firms or consulted with them. For major issues, executives sometimes attended meetings to grasp the progress and details.
"No need for another conference room. We'll do it here in the office, so prepare some simple snacks and coffee."
When Do Hyun personally asked for snacks and coffee, it meant the meeting might run long, so get proper ones from outside.
Usually, they just used cookies from the pantry and the coffee machine, and only splurged on treats for employees struggling with big issues.
Yi Yeon noted it down, bowed, and left the office.
Do Hyun watched her go with his eyes.
As soon as Yi Yeon stepped out, she sat at her desk and picked up the phone.
She was checking the schedules he mentioned.
Do Hyun recalled the affectionate voices of a man and woman he had heard that morning on his way to the office.
The protagonists were Ji Hu and Yi Yeon. They were already on first-name terms, calling each other sweetly.
He had tried to pass by indifferently, but the moment he saw Yi Yeon smiling brightly, he failed. Before he knew it, Do Hyun had strode over to the two.
This time, he had called Yi Yeon in immediately, but he couldn't keep separating them like this every time.
Just thinking about the two giggling in front of his office from now on made Do Hyun's rational side start to fray at the edges.
That guy from yesterday was this guy, and with her, no less.
Were they going to eat together, chat, and now build affection too?
Right on cue, Yi Yeon came back into the office.
"Lawyer Hong and Team Leader Lee are both available at 1."
"Lamb skewers are tastier than mandu hot pot, aren't they?"
Do Hyun glanced at Yi Yeon.
Yi Yeon's eyes, which had been unfocused during the meeting report, sparkled like a puppy eyeing snacks at the mention of lamb skewers.
"There's a great lamb place near my house."
Gulp.
Yi Yeon's slender throat bobbed.
"Or maybe lamb ribs would be better."
Yi Yeon's head shook ever so slightly.
Nod, nod.
"We should go tonight."
"By yourself?"
"With Secretary Yu."
Do Hyun had phrased it as an invitation to dinner.
He planned to probe her tonight. What exactly was she thinking with that little head of hers?
And what did she think about that fox bastard?
"So, lamb for dinner tonight?"
Yeah, better than mandu, right?
"I love it."
Yi Yeon clasped her hands, curling her lips up like she was truly delighted.
A shiver ran through Do Hyun's insides.
It felt like someone had grabbed his lungs and released them; he couldn't breathe.
Yi Yeon's happiness flooded straight into Do Hyun's heart.
This feeling, which he had sensed countless times before, felt full to bursting today.
'I really like this woman a lot.'
The freckles or moles others mentioned? None of it bothered Do Hyun.
He was too busy following her gaze, focusing on where she looked.
If anything, he just wanted to rip off those glasses blocking her eyes.
He hoped for a day when he could kiss those eyes relentlessly.
Before he knew it, a desire to make Yi Yeon his own was welling up in Do Hyun's chest.
* * *
The restaurant was only a five-minute walk from Yi Yeon and Do Hyun's homes.
She rarely ventured around the neighborhood, so she hadn't known. Who would have thought there was a lamb place here?
Once seated, Do Hyun poured water and placed it in front of Yi Yeon.
'We should go tonight. With Secretary Yu.'
Yi Yeon's face flushed as she looked at the man setting the water glass before her.
Was this a date invitation, or just dinner buddies?
"Shall we start with lamb skewers?"
Yi Yeon spoke to Do Hyun to shake off vain hopes and think of something else.
"Whatever you like."
"What about drinks?"
Yi Yeon pointed to the liquor section with her finger.
She stared at Do Hyun with eyes that said they had to drink, of course.
"That's why I left the car behind."
"Naturally. With lamb, hmm."
Yi Yeon rolled her eyes in thought, then spoke as if decided.
"This beer, shall we?"
As soon as Yi Yeon finished, Do Hyun pressed the bell to call the server.
"One bottle of gaoliang liquor, please."
"You really know your stuff, Vice President."
It was different from the beer Yi Yeon suggested. He seemed to read her mind perfectly, ordering with authority.
"You kept glancing up there."
The wall above displayed empty gaoliang bottles.
She had just looked because her eyes wandered. When did he notice?
Yi Yeon stared blankly at the lamb skewers spinning on the machine once set.
"Staring won't make them cook faster."
Do Hyun said to Yi Yeon, who was staring holes into the lamb skewers.
"I'm having lamb skewers and lamb ribs."
"I've come prepared."
Do Hyun sprinkled chogochujang on the small plate in front of Yi Yeon.
He turned the sizzling, well-cooked skewers a few times and placed them on her plate.
"Looks delicious."
The two clinked glasses and downed the gaoliang.
The unique aroma made Yi Yeon's nose scrunch up.
Before the gaoliang scent faded, she bit into the lamb skewer Do Hyun had placed.
Maybe because she was already in a stuffy mood, the gaoliang went down easier than usual today.
"Vice President, but why did you suddenly crave lamb?"
Curious, Yi Yeon asked without stopping her chewing.
"Because you seemed to want it."
"Who?"
Me?
"I've never even mentioned the word 'lamb' before."
"It was written all over your face."
Finishing his words, Do Hyun placed another well-cooked skewer on Yi Yeon's plate.
Teasing her seemed fun; his eyes brimmed with delight.
The more she knew him, the more Yi Yeon realized Do Hyun enjoyed pranks and had a great sense of humor.
Yi Yeon lifted her refilled glass again.
⋮
After devouring even the lamb ribs and stepping outside, Yi Yeon's head spun.
The high-proof gaoliang made the world sway.
"Second round at home."
Yi Yeon giggled, grabbing Do Hyun's arm and tugging.
"You already seem drunk. That's enough. Drink in moderation."
Do Hyun took hold of Yi Yeon's wrist gripping his jacket.
Worried she might stumble and fall, he didn't let go.
Do Hyun had drunk more than half the gaoliang, but Yi Yeon, having downed hers quickly, was buzzing fast.
"I'm really, really not drunk at all."
"Sure."
Once home, Yi Yeon shed her outer clothes, changed into comfy attire, and emerged.
In a yellow hoodie and black track pants, she looked utterly relaxed.
Opening the fridge, Yi Yeon found the mango neatly sliced by the housekeeper.
"Mango, huh."
She grabbed a plate of the perfectly cut mango and another with almonds and peanuts, setting them on the dining table.
Do Hyun changed into casual clothes too and poured a glass of whiskey.
Yi Yeon said she'd have one last glass and accepted one.
"Finish."
Yi Yeon speared a mango with a fork, ate it, and nodded vigorously.
Her eyes glazed from the sipping, she beamed goofily.
Do Hyun found her slurring speech as cute as her yellow hoodie.
Yi Yeon's lips pouted out slightly, as if sulking.
With her tongue fully loosened, Yi Yeon mumbled softly.
Do Hyun chuckled at her drunken cuteness and downed his whiskey.
Yi Yeon munched endlessly on the mango—it was already half gone.
Even stuffed, mango still went down.
Women really did have a separate dessert stomach.
Yi Yeon looked like a yellow chick in her yellow hoodie, eating yellow mango.
For a moment, Do Hyun felt an urge to pull her into his arms.
Do Hyun's plan had gone awry.
He meant to grill her on her exact relationship with the fox bastard, but she was too drunk now.
Drunk Yi Yeon chewed mango and slowly closed her eyes.
Huh?
"Chew the mango all the way before sleeping."
Do Hyun shook her.
"Of course, gotta finish the mango."
Yi Yeon swallowed the mango in her mouth and stood. She wobbled toward her room.
Do Hyun worried she'd trip.
"Ah."
Following, Do Hyun scooped up Yi Yeon as she nearly fell.
His body instinctively enveloped her.
