“Wow.”

Yuri’s eyes widened.

It was a scene that couldn’t be accurately described in words.

Bright lights filled the horizon as if countless diamonds had been scattered across the black sea. Looking at the shimmering lights twinkling here and there, Yuri understood what Jeho meant by “night as bright as day.”

“What is all that?”

“It’s squid fishing boats operating with their lights on. The squid gather under the bright lights.”

“It must be as bright as daytime up close.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Worried she might be cold, Jeho wrapped the blanket more tightly around her as he continued speaking.

“To exaggerate a bit, it’s bright enough to see right through things.”

Sometimes, I think how nice it would be if those bright lights could see right through people too. Then I’d know what Chae Yuri is thinking inside, what her unhealable wounds are, what happened while I was gone.

But those words remained stuck in his throat, unable to leave his mouth.

“I’ve never seen a sight like this before.”

Yuri couldn’t take her eyes off the night sea.

Jeho was right. Everything was a first with him. The men she had dated before only took her to luxurious places like restaurants with fancy night views or sky lounges.

As if performing a ritual ceremony, they would offer drinks after the meal was over and naturally want to move on to physical intimacy. Each time, Yuri would grow cold.

Among the reasons dating wasn’t easy were her father’s affair, but also the impatience of partners who were desperate to get her into bed. But Jeho approached things more leisurely, unlike them.

He didn’t take advantage of Yuri’s suggestion not to feel pressured. Perhaps that’s why? Her heart fluttered at Jeho’s words that everything would be a first with her.

For a long while, Yuri gazed at the night sea before turning around with an expectant face.

“Can we go over there?”

“In about an hour, the fishing boats will start coming into the harbor after finishing their operations.”

Jeho said, looking at his wristwatch.

“Then the auction will start right away. Want to watch?”

“Yes.”

Sleep had fled far away by now. Yuri quickly finished preparing and headed to the harbor. By the time they arrived, dawn was slowly breaking and boats that had finished fishing were coming in. As the auction began, the harbor was filled with the vitality of life.

“I’m not sure about now, but they used to sell to the general public after the auction ended.”

When Yuri looked at him with eyes that seemed to say ‘You’ve been here before?’, he nodded lightly.

“Not here, but Sokcho. I used to come often with my father when I was young.”

Was it because the streetlight was blocked by the building’s shadow? A dark shadow fell over Jeho’s face. But it was only for a moment; he smiled warmly and raised his hand to embrace Yuri’s shoulder.

Surprised by the sudden embrace, Yuri looked around with a flustered expression. She was currently wearing a short-haired wig and glasses, dressed in a unisex-style leather jacket. At a glance, it was an outfit that could easily be mistaken for a man’s.

“You don’t have to worry.”

Noticing that Yuri was uneasy, he whispered in her ear.

“Rather than thinking it’s an unusual preference, they’ll think I’m showing my cute little sibling around. Or maybe they’ll mistake us for Juno oppa and his bodyguard?”

If it had been yesterday, she would have bristled and asked if he was teasing her, but not now. Even his seemingly teasing tone felt as sweet as honey. Without realizing it, Yuri wrapped both arms around Jeho’s waist. She only realized her strange behavior when she met the awkward gazes of others.

Ah, that’s right!

Belatedly realizing her current appearance, Yuri quickly unwrapped her arms from his waist. But Jeho’s hand was firmly wrapped around her shoulder, so she couldn’t move away.

“Don’t worry about other people’s gazes.”

Fortunately, as the auction was in full swing, most people had turned their attention away from the two of them. After the auction ended, sales to the general public began as Jeho had said.

They packaged live squid and various seafood in boxes filled with seawater, and the two moved to a nearby restaurant area.

“Is soup okay?”

Jeho chose one restaurant among the street filled with shabby shops showing traces of time, and Yuri nodded lightly.

Was it because he was with her? Although there were only radish kimchi and cucumber peppers as side dishes, it felt like the most delicious soup she had ever eaten. Even the sikhye that came as dessert went down her throat sweetly.

After breakfast, as they were returning to the car, Jeho suddenly stopped in his tracks.

“Just a moment. Wait here.”

He left Yuri waiting and went into a pharmacy.

Why? Suddenly at the pharmacy?

As impure thoughts tried to surface again, Yuri blushed and turned her back on the pharmacy.

It’s probably not to buy digestive medicine…

A moment later, he returned holding a medicine bag. She could have just asked what it was, but couldn’t bring herself to. Was he planning to take things further when they got back to the villa? They had progressed two steps last night, so today might be the final step.

Thump thump, her heart raced, feeling excited and scared at the same time. Above all, she sighed at herself for wavering with such contradictory feelings.

“What do you want to do?”

Jeho asked as they got in the car.

“If you’re tired, we can go back to the villa now. Or.”

“I’m not tired at all.”

Yuri quickly answered before Jeho could finish speaking. She didn’t want to return to the villa as much as possible until she made up her mind.

People’s hearts are truly fickle, she thought. She had already made up her mind before, but now that it was actually happening, she felt scared. And yet excited. Even though she knew full well that all stages would be completed within this trip.

“Alright then.”

Whether he knew her inner thoughts or not, Jeho started the car with a calm expression.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Manager!”

Startled by the sudden call, Secretary Nam rushed over to Minwoo with a surprised look. Last night, Minwoo had returned to the country secretly without contacting anyone. He only contacted his personal secretary after arriving at the airport. He was now the only subordinate Minwoo could trust.

“Where is Assemblyman Chae now?”

He had tried contacting him from the Philippines, but all attempts failed. Assemblyman Chae did not answer Minwoo’s calls and could not be reached through his aide either.

“He’s in his Sejong office now, sir.”

In the car driven by Secretary Nam, Minwoo recalled the conversation he had with President Park last night. After talking with Yuri, Minwoo had mustered the courage to call President Park. He needed to confirm if President Park had really tried to ambush him, given the current situation with Manager Jin’s disappearance.

“Did you meet Manager Jin?”

“Ah, that guy? Turns out he was playing tricks behind our backs. What can you do? We covered him in cement and threw him in Incheon Bay. Anyway, finish your trip well and let’s meet when you’re back.”

“Damn it.”

Minwoo cursed while rubbing his face with his hands. He couldn’t figure out what was going on.

Had Manager Jin taken all the blame and died after saying he would handle things himself, or had he joined forces with President Park to set him up? Without Manager Jin now, it wasn’t easy to contact Prosecutor Cha’s side either.

He thought he might be turned away, but surprisingly, Assemblyman Chae agreed to meet him readily.

“I apologize, sir. It was such a sudden situation that I had no choice.”

“I understand.”

Assemblyman Chae placed an envelope of documents in front of Minwoo, who was bowing deeply.

“If it were me, I would have avoided first too. Those gangsters are so rough, you know. I even have a scar on my body from when they got me during my active prosecutor days.”

Minwoo’s face turned pale as he skimmed through the documents.

“How did you get this?”

The documents contained not only the information Minwoo had given to Prosecutor Cha, but also detailed records of all his misdeeds entangled with President Park.

“I’m a former prosecutor. Prosecutor Cha only knows the information you provided, so don’t worry.”

Minwoo couldn’t say anything. If the information in these documents leaked out, his life would be as good as over.

“It’s regrettable that things turned out this way, but I think it’s fortunate it didn’t go as far as marriage. I can’t let my daughter marry a man connected to gangsters, no matter if you’re a third-generation chaebol.”

“Father-in-law.”

“If you want to use that card you have, feel free to use it anytime. Then these documents will be immediately distributed to Chairman Kwon, Prosecutor Cha, and the media.”

Until he saw Minwoo, Assemblyman Chae had been undecided. But the moment he saw Minwoo enter with an anxious expression, he realized. When cornered, Kwon Minwoo’s mask falls off too easily.

Even if he’s the next heir to KG Group, he will someday become a big blemish. At this point, aiming for a presidential candidacy, there was no need to deliberately drag along Minwoo, who could become an Achilles’ heel.

“You’ll be the one to break off the engagement. Of course, all responsibility lies with you. For now, let’s postpone the wedding, and announce the cancellation when public interest has died down.”

At this bolt from the blue, Minwoo collapsed miserably. He got up from the sofa and knelt before Assemblyman Chae.

“Father-in-law, please. I really love Yuri.”

“Yuri doesn’t love you. Even if Yuri said she would marry you, it would be a difficult marriage. If you really must marry, win Yuri’s heart first.”

“Where is Yuri now?”

“I don’t know. She went on a short trip to clear her head.”

Having finished speaking, Assemblyman Chae left the office, leaving Minwoo behind. With trembling hands, Minwoo called Yuri.

When she didn’t answer after dozens of calls, he called Hyunkyung next. Hyunkyung was the only person Yuri would go on a trip with. As soon as the call connected, Minwoo spoke rapidly, skipping greetings.

“Put Yuri on.”

[Why are you looking for Yuri from me?]

“Damn it, I heard she went on a trip! Who else would she go with besides you?”

[You crazy bastard. I’m in Bali for a charity event right now. If you don’t believe me, check for yourself]

Hyunkyung ended the call immediately, as if it wasn’t worth talking about. Knowing Hyunkyung wouldn’t lie about such a trivial matter, Minwoo racked his brains. Given Yuri’s personality, she wouldn’t have gone on a trip alone.

Could it be, with that bastard?

He tried calling Jeho as he got in the car leaving the office, but there was no answer. When he called the company, the response was [He’s on vacation starting today.] Suddenly, an ominous premonition flashed through his mind.

“Damn it, did she really go with this bastard?”

Minwoo shouted at Secretary Nam, who was driving, with a vicious expression.

“Hey, find out where those two are right now.”

Minwoo’s eyes blazed with anger.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Eek!”

As soon as she opened the box, a lively shrimp jumped up. Not expecting it to be so fresh, Yuri screamed and stepped back. Startled by her scream, Jeho, who had gone to the bedroom, came running out with a surprised face.

“What’s wrong?”

“Jeho oppa!”

With a face on the verge of tears, Yuri quickly hid behind Jeho’s back. Now it wasn’t just one or two, but several shrimp wriggling and jumping out of the box at once. The sound of them falling and writhing on the floor – tak, tadak, tak – felt eerie.

But for Jeho, only the words ‘Jeho oppa’ that had just come from Yuri’s lips echoed in his ears. Until now, she had called him ‘Jeho oppa’ only once before.

That day when he found her necklace in the swimming pool. He couldn’t control himself and ended up kissing her over such a simple form of address.

It was the same now. But there was something he needed to deal with first. Jeho picked up the shrimp that had fallen on the floor and put them back in the box, closing the lid. Only then did Yuri, who had been standing far away, come closer.

“I’ll prepare the shrimp. Your hands aren’t healed yet.”

Jeho said, caressing Yuri’s reddened fingers.

“You got burned making fried shrimp, right?”

Yuri opened her eyes wide as if wondering how he knew. Jeho silently took out a medicine bag from his jacket pocket. When he opened the bag, burn ointment came out.

He went to the pharmacy to buy this?

Jeho took Yuri’s hand and carefully applied the ointment. Yuri felt touched at the thought, ‘He cares for me this much.’

Was it because her pent-up emotions exploded along with the emotion? The question she had been suppressing inside burst out uncontrollably.

“Tonight, we’re going all the way, right?”