Ina stopped suddenly, realizing she had unintentionally mentioned his physique. She bit her lip, embarrassed by her own words.
Juwon leaned his chin on his hand and smirked slightly.
“My physique? When did Ms. Seo Ina get a chance to see my body?”
But Ina, as if taking a vow of silence, just clamped her mouth shut and stared at the table, prompting Juwon to chuckle.
“Ah… Did you see it last night? Yeah, that cousin’s clothes were pretty tight.”
Ina continued to stare intently at the table, as if it were coated in honey, making Juwon want to laugh again.
“So, my physique impressed you that much? I’m honored.”
Ina gulped and then looked up at Juwon.
“No, Juwon. That’s not what I meant… It’s just too bad someone as great as you doesn’t have a girlfriend… That’s what I meant.”
“Really?”
Juwon barely held back a laugh and asked.
Ina nodded, awkwardly bringing the glass of water to her lips.
Watching her, Juwon swallowed the laughter that threatened to escape.
“Okay. Let’s eat. You must be hungry.”
Juwon gestured for her to eat, and Ina finally picked up her chopsticks again.
They continued their meal, chatting and enjoying the steamed abalone, grilled eggplant, tempura, and udon.
When the dessert, a sweet and refreshing yuzu sherbet, was served, Juwon spoke in a serious tone.
“Send me all the details you have on that bastard Park Junghoon – his contact, company name, department, and home address.”
“Huh?”
Ina, just about to take a second spoonful, looked at Juwon with wide eyes.
“He crossed the line. We can’t just let it go.”
“What are you planning to do?”
“I have a cousin who’s a lawyer. Quite competent.”
“A lawyer?”
Ina’s eyes widened at the mention of a lawyer.
“He came all the way to your office and created such a scene. Are we just going to let that slide?”
“No, not that, but…”
“Considering his obsession with you, dragging you away drunk, and causing a disturbance at your office, there’s more than enough evidence to ensure he never bothers you again.”
Instead of responding, Ina sighed with a troubled expression.
“I’d like to handle it myself, but I feel like I’d end up using my fists, so it’s better if my cousin steps in. He can deal with it more smoothly. And don’t worry, it will all be within legal limits.”
“It’s not that I’m worried… I just feel so guilty… How did I end up with such a guy and now I’m burdening you with this awkward favor…”
“But if it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t have met again, right?”
“…”
Ina looked at Juwon with wide eyes.
Was she imagining things, or did Juwon’s smile seem particularly profound?
As she gazed at his smile, her heart unexpectedly began to race.
“Yeah, that’s true…”
Ina replied, lowering her head, then quickly reached for the sherbet.
Eating the cold sherbet seemed to calm her racing heart.
Once they finished dessert, Juwon picked up the bill.
“Hey, let me pay.”
Ina, startled, reached out, but Juwon stood up, grabbing his jacket.
“Why do you always insist on paying? Today, it’s my turn.”
“But still…”
Juwon gestured for her to follow, and Ina reluctantly got up.
After paying, they stepped outside into the cool breeze.
“That was great. I’ll treat you to something delicious tomorrow.”
Juwon smiled and put on his jacket at Ina’s words.
“Always treating to delicious food, it’s like we’re on a gourmet tour.”
“Gourmet tour? That sounds nice.”
Ina’s eyes sparkled as she followed Juwon to the car.
Once inside, Juwon buckled up and said,
“You must be tired. Go to bed early and don’t think about today.”
“Okay… thank you.”
“I’ll call my cousin right away, so just know that.”
“Okay.”
“Let’s head to your place.”
Juwon drove towards Ina’s apartment.
Soon, they arrived at her building, and Ina got out of the car, thanking Juwon.
Juwon rolled down the passenger window and nodded at her.
“Don’t think about anything and get some rest. See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah. You too, go rest.”
“Alright. Go on up.”
Ina waved and entered the building, and shortly after, Juwon’s car drove off.
The next day, Ina went downstairs to head to work, relieved not to see Park Junghoon. Getting off the bus and walking to the office, she tensed up again but, fortunately, saw no sign of Junghoon.
She entered the company building, relieved, and walked towards the crowd waiting for the elevator, where she spotted Mr. Lee.
As their eyes met, Ina quickly bowed, and Mr. Lee hurriedly returned the gesture.
Standing next to Mr. Lee with an awkward smile, he also wore a shy smile.
As they silently waited for the elevator, Mr. Lee cautiously asked.
“Did you get home okay yesterday?”
“Huh? Oh, yes. Thanks to you.”
Mr. Lee hesitated for a moment before scratching his head and speaking,
“Um… Ms. Seo. I think I might have overstepped yesterday.”
“Me?”
“When I asked if you two were very close. It was none of my business… and your friend might have felt uncomfortable.”
“Oh, no, it’s okay to ask. And yes, we are close friends. We’ve known each other for a very long time.”
“Oh… a very old friend…”
Feeling the impact of the word ‘very,’ Mr. Lee nodded, seemingly understanding the depth of their friendship.
My Step-brother Is Obsessed With Me (Female-dominant)
A gentle female protagonist vs pitiful in the early stage, and a sick male protagonist in the later stage
Cheng Songer transmigrated into the body of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting character with the same name as her in a female-dominant novel.
In the original story, the cannon fodder female supporting character was inhumane, committing domestic violence, gambling excessively, being lustful, and even wanting to sell her stepbrother to a brothel for money.
As luck would have it, she just happened to transmigrate at this time.
Seeing Cheng Qingzhi biting his lip, enduring the tears in his eyes, looking pitiful, her heart softened.
She stuffed the money back into the Madam’s hand and reached out to him.
“Brother, come home with me.”
