“Are you not curious how you’re saved in my phone?”

Je Ho smiled and showed his phone screen to Yul Li. The name ‘Chae Yul Li’ in just three simple characters appeared. Yul Li couldn’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment in her eyes. Of course, she hadn’t expected something like ‘My Girl’ or ‘My Baby’, but just three letters of her name seemed too plain. Even ‘Yul Li’ would have felt less stark.

“Looks like you’re disappointed. Should I change it, then?”

As he playfully moved to edit the contact, Yul Li hurriedly stopped him.

“No, it’s okay. I’ll just change mine.”

She quickly changed ‘My Man’ to ‘Kwon Je Ho’ on her phone. She couldn’t have kept ‘My Man’ anyway.

Expecting Je Ho to say something, Yul Li was surprised when he just leaned against the railing, watching silently. After she put her phone back in her jacket pocket, Je Ho leaned towards her.

“You look different today.”

“Oh, I borrowed clothes from Hyun Kyung.”

Je Ho scanned her up and down. The jacket was from Yul Li, but the blouse inside was Hyun Kyung’s. It was more revealing than her usual style, accentuating her curves. Feeling self-conscious, Yul Li buttoned up her jacket.

“I was talking about the makeup…”

“Ah.”

Everyone had already made a fuss that morning at the office, praising her for the refreshing look. Ironically, it was just a bit heavier makeup to cover up her swollen cheek. But Je Ho had noticed it right away.

“Is there still a mark? Did you have to cover it with makeup?”

He gently cupped her cheek, murmuring softly.

“There’s still a little swelling.”

Je Ho’s keen eyes could see even the subtle signs. The real issue for Yul Li was her mouth, not the swelling on her cheek. The inside of her mouth had been cut, making eating painful. She’d need to stick to soft, non-spicy food for a while.

“Does it still hurt?”

He whispered, softly stroking her cheek with his thumb.

Yul Li instinctively flinched back, her lips quivering at the sharp, tingling sensation. Why did even a small touch feel different now? Was it because she had realized her feelings?

Turning away from his puzzled look, Yul Li said in a somewhat dry voice,

“I really appreciate what you did back then. Let me know your bank account, and I’ll send the money for the clothes and other expenses.”

Je Ho just stared at her silently, then slowly smiled, slightly lifting the corner of his mouth.

“Oh, now I feel a bit disappointed.”

Her remark about feeling indebted seemed to have surprised him. He spoke gently,

“Do I look like such a petty guy who keeps track of every little thing to get reimbursed?”

“No, it’s not that. I just don’t like owing people. It makes me uncomfortable.”

Yul Li’s sudden change in demeanor left Je Ho quietly contemplating, then he gently quipped,

“Looks like I’m about to be saddened here.”
She was truly uncomfortable with being in debt to someone. It was also the biggest boundary she could draw at the moment. She had declared she wouldn’t be swayed by his seduction, yet she had crumbled before it even began. But she couldn’t let him realize that.

“I’ll be heading in first then,” she said, hurrying past him.

Je Ho reached out and caught her arm.

“But you still have to find the necklace. Or does that make you uncomfortable too?”

His voice had fallen slightly, hinting at hurt feelings. Yul Li remained silent, unable to respond, causing Je Ho to sigh and release her arm.

“Don’t worry, come over comfortably to find it. I’m not a thug who would pounce on a woman coming to search for her mother’s keepsake.”

She couldn’t outright refuse his considerate offer, especially concerning something as important as her mother’s memento.

“Would it be okay if I come after work tomorrow?”

“Yes, tomorrow.”

After his brief response, Je Ho turned and walked away, heading down from the rooftop. She had expected him to look back at least once, but he didn’t. His reaction matched her own cold behavior.

Why did this make her heart ache so much? Yul Li chastised herself for her foolishness, pressing her aching heart with her palm.

“Really, Yul Li, what a disappointment.”

How the day passed, Yul Li couldn’t fathom. It wasn’t because time flew by, but rather, it dragged on agonizingly slow. Of course, she was tense about going to find the necklace, not because she was looking forward to being alone with him.

Looking forward? Ha, ridiculous. She should be avoiding a man who openly declared his intention to seduce her.

She told Hyun Kyung about her plans for the evening and that she might return late. Hyun Kyung, ever so enthusiastic, encouraged her.

“It’s fine. Just stay there overnight.”

Hyun Kyung seemed to hope for a breakup with Min Woo, given her apparent disapproval of the marriage.

Finally, it was time to leave. As she hurriedly shut down her computer, Je Ho approached her from his office.

“Here are the car keys. Take my car and go ahead.”

He placed the keys on her desk.

“There’s a minor issue on the site I need to address with the director. I’ll try to come as soon as I can.”

“Okay.”