With all his might, Yeo Reum ran and jumped high right in front of San Ha, even spreading his arms wide.

Surprised by his fierce determination to hug him, San Ha quickly twisted his body to the side.

But Yeo Reum stopped abruptly right in front of him.

“What are you so scared of?”

He laughed loudly with his hands on his hips.

San Ha slightly frowned and said,

“Do you know how scared I was? I thought a rhino was charging at me.”

As Yeo Reum rolled his eyes, San Ha chuckled.

“Can I sit here?”

Before he could answer, Yeo Reum quickly took the seat next to him.

A subtle scent of soap emanated from San Ha.

His hair was still slightly damp.

“Did you just take a bath?”

“Yeah.”

‘That’s why he looks even more handsome today. Even his toes are pretty.’

Yeo Reum unknowingly grinned.

San Ha said,

“Want to see?”

“See what?”

Yeo Reum stared as if mesmerized by the movement of his beautiful fingers.

Unzipping his padded jacket, San Ha said in a relaxed voice,

“I just washed, so I’m really clean now.”

“S-so what?”

San Ha grabbed the neckline of his t-shirt inside the padded jacket and pulled it down.

Yeo Reum hastily swallowed his bursting breath.

His firm chest muscles were a work of art, a sculpture.

Especially with his clean, glowing skin and the plum blossom etched into it, it looked truly alive.

Yeo Reum tried to catch his breath, but perhaps because he gulped air too quickly, a loud “gulp” sound came out.

San Ha approached Yeo Reum’s ear and said in a melting voice,

“Naughty magpie.”

Embarrassed, Yeo Reum fake coughed.

San Ha laughed loudly.

“Don’t lure me in first and then push me away.”

Yeo Reum pouted, displeased.

His big hand suddenly approached.

“Want some?”

Yeo Reum immediately nodded.

San Ha inserted a straw into a banana milk and held it out.

“But isn’t this yours, San Ha?”

“I have one too.”

He lifted an identical milk.

His lung capacity must have been great, as he sucked the straw only once but half of it disappeared.

Yeo Reum also put the straw in his mouth and slurped the milk.

“Is it good?”

“Yes.”

“Your stomach doesn’t hurt?”

“Why are you suddenly asking about my stomach?”

“Well, the expiration date is long past. But I guess it’s still okay?”

Yeo Reum immediately checked the manufacturing date.

There was still plenty of time left.

As if amused, San Ha laughed loudly again.

“I went to the convenience store and they said it’s buy one get one free today.”

While San Ha was casually drinking his milk, Yeo Reum called out to him.

“San Ha.”

“Yeah?”

“Are you married by any chance?”

With the straw in his mouth, San Ha turned to Yeo Reum.

“Do I seem like it?”

“No, not at all.”

“Then?”

“Just curious. Do you have a girlfriend?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah.”

Yeo Reum smiled brightly.

Narrowing his eyes slightly, San Ha asked,

“Why?”

“I like you, San Ha.”

His dark eyes looked at Yeo Reum through his tousled hair.

“I said I like you.”

“How many times have we even met?”

“Does that matter? And I’ve made up my mind.”

“About what?”

“To marry you, San Ha.”

He burst out laughing.

It made passersby glance over.

“That’s too much. I’m being serious here.”

“But what can I do? I’m not interested in magpies.”

“Take a closer look. Then you’ll see I’m incredibly pretty.”

Yeo Reum moved his face right up to San Ha’s.

His jet black eyes sparkled like the Milky Way in the night sky.

Suddenly, his big hands grabbed Yeo Reum’s cheeks.

He scrutinized him thoroughly from side to side, up and down.

“Even looking closely, you’re not that pretty.”

Watching him giggle, Yeo Reum curled his lips.

“I said look closer. Then you’ll see I’m really pretty.”

“I prefer someone who looks pretty even at a glance. And do you know what kind of guy I am to do this without fear? Let alone dating, you’re talking about marriage?”

“What kind of guy are you? You’re a good person, San Ha.”

“No, I’m not. Don’t I look bad at first glance?”

“You look like a good person even at first glance.”

“Look closer.”

This time, Yeo Reum’s hands grabbed his cheeks tightly.

“Hey, magpie.”

Yeo Reum seriously examined his left, right, and even top and bottom, burying his nose in San Ha’s hair and sniffing, before saying,

“The more I look, the better you are.”

“What?”

“The more I look, the more lovable you are. My choice is perfect.”

San Ha looked at Yeo Reum, stunned.

Suddenly, his face came close to Yeo Reum’s, who was smiling brightly.

Even his breath touched Yeo Reum’s cheek.

“Don’t say such things recklessly. You’ll regret it later.”

“Regret?”

“All men are thieves. And a mass of desire.”

His subtly lowered eyes flickered dangerously.

“Men can embrace any woman wearing a skirt, even if they don’t mean it. So don’t say such dangerous things carelessly. Well, actually, a magpie isn’t even a woman. To me, these lips are just pebbles.”

His long, smooth index finger ‘flicked’ Yeo Reum’s lips.

Yeo Reum pressed his lips against San Ha’s lips that had come close to his face.

Surprised, San Ha tried to back away, but Yeo Reum grabbed his cheeks tightly with both hands.

His widened eyes looked at Yeo Reum.

After a moment, Yeo Reum lowered his hands that were holding San Ha and separated their lips.

“Are my lips still pebbles?”

“…Hey.”

“Honestly, San Ha, your heart is pounding like crazy right now, isn’t it? Like it’s going to explode?”

“Not at all.”

“Liar.”

“It’s true. It feels like I kissed a pebble.”

As he tried to turn his head, Yeo Reum quickly hugged him.

“Hey, magpie.”

“Your heart is saying something completely different.”

“What?”

“Right now it’s throbbing and beating incredibly fast. Even your heartbeat is cute, San Ha.”

Frowning deeply, he grabbed Yeo Reum’s neck and yanked him off.

Still, Yeo Reum laughed happily for some reason.

He urgently slurped his milk, looking tired.

“Why go far? Let’s just get married.”

San Ha said, dumbfounded,

“Were you an impulsive magpie?”

“I tend to be.”

“But what can I do? I’m not interested in women. Especially impulsive women.”

“That’s too much.”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear what you said today. So don’t talk nonsense.”

There was no reply.

San Ha glanced to the side, and when he saw Yeo Reum’s gaze lingering on his chest, he hurriedly zipped up his padded jacket all the way.

“You’re like a lewd magpie.”

Yeo Reum laughed out loud at how cute he looked.

“But what brings a magpie here so early in the morning?”

“I came to get a resume.”

“You’re getting a job?”

“First, I’m trying to find a part-time job.”

“Then work hard.”

He got up from the bench he had been sitting on.

“Where are you going?”

“To work for now.”

“Work? But San Ha.”

He turned around as he was walking ahead.

“Can I see you here again tomorrow?”

“No. I won’t come here twice.”

He lightly waved one hand and quickly disappeared from sight with long strides.

“He’s really too much…”

I’m being sincere.

I fell for San Ha at first sight.

I felt the thrill of destiny…

My first confession ever was ruthlessly rejected.

Now that he left, the coldness of the bench was felt anew.

So Yeo Reum got up and started walking aimlessly.

Just then, a sweet smell wafted into his nose.

‘Stress is building up, so I’m craving something sweet.’

The source of the smell was a cafe located on the 1st floor of a 5-story shopping mall.

“Welcome.”

A man who appeared to be in his late 30s greeted Yeo Reum warmly.

“Apple jam waffle and a strawberry shake, please.”

“Understood.”

Sitting at a table in the store, he blankly stared outside.

The order bell kept ringing at the counter, and the owner alone seemed busy running around from the morning.

He seemed to have difficulty doing it alone, so he finally took out his cell phone and called somewhere.

“If you’re up, can you come down to the cafe?”

With his phone on his shoulder, his hands were busy making drinks.

“He ran off to another store. I finally taught him everything and thought he was decent, but he really has no conscience. You’re at home now, right? What, you left for work?”

Yeo Reum looked at the next table and saw a laptop along with an A4 paper that said “Part-time job urgently needed”.

“I was just about to write an urgent part-time job posting and put it up in the store. I’m busy, so let’s hang up for now.”

He put down his phone.

But he was startled to see Yeo Reum suddenly approaching.

“Boss, are you looking for a part-timer?”

The “Part-time job urgently needed” paper that he had been handling just before was now in Yeo Reum’s hand.

“It is, right? You’re looking for a part-timer?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right, but…”

He took a step back at how much Yeo Reum’s eyes were sparkling.

“Then how about me?”

“Pardon?”

“Hire me. Me.”

He scanned Yeo Reum from head to toe and asked,

“Do you have experience in this field?”

“Of course! I have a barista certificate and over 4 years of experience working part-time at cafes!”

“Is that so? But I don’t hire for long periods. Only on weekdays. And that’s from 10 am to 3 pm at minimum wage. Will that work for you?”

“That’s perfect! Perfect!”

He looked dubious at Yeo Reum who kept agreeing unconditionally.

Just then, two people entered the cafe.

“Welcome! This is Cafe ‘Today’! Would you like to order?”

Yeo Reum took off his padded jacket and immediately went to the order counter.

“Two Americanos, please.”

“Yes, customer.”

Not only did he skillfully handle customers, but he was also adept at using the kiosk.

Moreover, Yeo Reum put on an apron on the side and freely operated the coffee machine.

“Boss, what are you doing? Orders are piling up now.”

A delivery call rang again.

“Ah, right.”

He moved his body that had been blankly staring for a moment.

“By the way, boss, what’s your name?”

“Ah, it’s Seo Kyung Hee.”

“How old are you?”

“Thirty-nine.”

“Are you married?”

“I’m single.”

“You’re tall and handsome, but you’re not married yet?”

“Things just turned out that way.”

Yeo Reum kept asking him questions even though his hands were busy.

“I’m Jung Yeo Reum. I’m twenty-five this year. I’ll fill out the resume as soon as I’m done with this. Since you’ve seen me in person, I don’t need to attach a photo, right? It’s okay, right?”

He answered in a daze,

“Ah, s-sure.”

*

Ju Hwa, who got off work a little earlier than usual, changed into more comfortable clothes from her outdoor clothes in the dressing room.

Even so, the red dress with plentiful pleats was enough to make people feel small.

“Miss Yeo Reum went out today.”

At the butler’s report, Ju Hwa, who was fixing her hair in the mirror as a final touch, said,

“I didn’t ask.”

“Of course you wouldn’t, but I thought you might be curious.”

Ju Hwa frowned at the butler who was smiling.

Then there was a knock and the chief secretary Ahn walked in.

“What is it?”

Since he returned after being told to go home, it must have been something important.

At his troubled gaze, Ju Hwa asked again,

“Tell me. What is it?”

He approached Ju Hwa and held out the tablet he had brought.

The title of the video on the screen was “Resort Wine Woman”.

Ju Hwa quickly clicked on the video.

“Why are you reporting this only now?”

“I apologize. But that’s…”

Just then, there was a knock and Jung Mi and Ha Eun entered.

“Um, sister-in-law. We have something to say.”

Ju Hwa held up the tablet.

“You mean this?”

Seeing the video on the tablet screen, Jung Mi and Ha Eun’s eyes widened.

The mother and daughter immediately knelt down and said,

“Aunt, we were wrong! We’re sorry!”

“I clearly told you to keep Ha Eun in check, didn’t I? But she caused trouble again?”

“We committed a grave sin! But sister-in-law, our Ha Eun also has a point. The person who uploaded that video is none other than Yeo Reum.”

“What?”

“We tried to resolve it somehow, but Yeo Reum wouldn’t settle no matter what. On top of that, Yeo Reum is threatening our family with that video…”

Butler Park made a dumbfounded expression.

However, Jung Mi pleaded, saying,

“We’re not saying our Ha Eun did well. But the one who blew this up is Yeo Reum, sister-in-law…”

Ju Hwa’s cold eyes looked at the sobbing Ha Eun and Jung Mi.

The mother and daughter shrunk even more under that icy gaze.

Ju Hwa said to Chief Secretary Ahn,

“Summon all the executives. And tell Jung Yeo Reum to come home right now!”