The Price of Impulse (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 12
Tae Jo, having finished his shower, shook out his wet hair. He walked into the kitchen, took a bottle of mineral water from the fridge, and gulped down the cool liquid.
“Oh, right—the phone.”
Beyond the tilted water bottle, his eyes caught sight of the shopping bag sitting on the living room table.
He needed to call Se Kyung to thank her for the gift, but he hadn’t done it yet.
He glanced at the clock hanging on the wall and headed downstairs into the living room. Picking up the phone tossed onto the sofa, he pulled up Se Kyung’s number.
Yes, President.
The ring didn’t last long. Her voice didn’t tremble like a lamb’s either.
“Are you free to talk?”
Yes, I’m fine. What’s up?
Sitting on the sofa, Tae Jo took out the items. He pushed the diffuser aside and held the perfume bottle, turning it this way and that.
“It’s nothing major—just wanted to say I got the things you dropped off at the office today.”
The perfume and the diffuser?
“Yeah. I guess you came by while I was out at a meeting?”
I popped in briefly before my schedule. Um… have you tried them yet?
Her voice sounded oddly cautious as she asked.
Tae Jo closed one eye, gauging how much perfume remained. The level had dropped by roughly a centimeter since he first received it.
“Yeah, I’ve been using it really well.”
The diffuser?
“No—the perfume.”
Ah, I see. Do you like it?
“Do I like it?”
Me?
“Not that I dislike it or anything. But since I got a gift, I should return the favor somehow—any preferences?”
It’s not expensive, so you really don’t need to give anything back.
“Still, it’s a bit awkward for a CEO to just accept a gift from one of his agency’s actors without doing anything in return. If there’s nothing specific you want, how about dinner together instead? I’ve got something I want to talk to you about too.”
What… kind of thing?
“I’ll tell you in person. So, which is it—dinner with me, or something else?”
…
There was a brief silence from the other end, as if she were thinking.
…Please treat me to dinner.
“Good choice. When works for you? Are you free tomorrow evening?”
I’ve got a local trip tomorrow for movie promotions. How about the day after?
“No problem. Let’s go with that day. Any food preferences?”
I’m fine with anything.
‘I’m fine’—that phrase really was her default answer. Tae Jo chuckled softly and spoke again.
“Nothing you absolutely can’t eat?”
Nothing, as long as it’s not too weird.
“Weird?”
You know, like those special ‘tonic’ dishes—some people eat unusual things, like snakes or frogs…
“You seriously thought I’d feed you snakes or frogs?”
I wouldn’t even eat that stuff myself!
Amused, Tae Jo let out an exasperated laugh, prompting a timid voice from the other side.
No, not really. It was just a thought.
Even as a ‘just in case,’ snakes or frogs? Seriously?
“What kind of image do I have in your eyes, Se Kyung? This won’t do. I’ll have to change that impression. I’ll check out a few places tomorrow and send you some options—just pick whichever one you like.”
Okay, I will. Then get some rest, President.
“Right. You too, Se Kyung.”
After hanging up, Tae Jo stared at his phone for a while.
Maybe if it were premium Hanwoo beef—but who’d serve frogs or snakes?
The more he thought about it, the more absurd it seemed, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. Rubbing his unconsciously upturned lips, he opened a search tab.
“By the way…”
His fingers, gliding across the screen, suddenly froze. Slowly shifting his gaze, he scratched the spot where the phone had just been pressed against his ear.
Ever since their last call, his ear had felt oddly itchy—like a warm gust of air brushing softly over fine down.
‘…President.’
Was he hearing things now? Frowning slightly, Tae Jo shook his head and looked down.
“I’ll definitely get my memories back.”
But first, I’ll treat Yoon Se Kyung to Hanwoo beef.
His fingers resumed tapping briskly on the keypad.
On the day Tae Jo and Se Kyung had made their dinner plans,
Se Kyung was frantically busy preparing, starting three hours ahead of time.
She pulled out every single piece of clothing from her closet, trying things on over and over again. Why was it that every time she went out, she never had anything suitable to wear?
Just as she finished adjusting her outfit—a pale ivory knit dress layered under a soft sky-blue coat—her phone rang loudly from the bed.
“Oh, Yoo Na.”
Are you busy right now?
Se Kyung glanced toward the clock on her bedside table. Even accounting for traffic, she still had about ten minutes before her appointment.
“No, I’ve got a little time.”
Just ‘a little’? Where are you headed today?
“Yeah, I’ve got a dinner appointment. But did you talk to Won Ho yet?”
Yeah… I did, but…
Unlike usual, Yoo Na’s voice sounded subdued.
When PD Lim from the broadcasting station had proposed a show appearance, Yoo Na hadn’t immediately accepted.
Because appearing on a show wouldn’t involve just her.
Since it was a couple’s variety program, Won Ho would also need to show his face—and she’d already told PD Lim she’d need to discuss it with her husband first.
“Is Won Ho against it?”
No. He knows how much I’ve wanted to return to broadcasting, so he told me to go ahead if I wanted to.
“Then what’s worrying you?”
Well… I just feel bad about agreeing so easily. You know how it is with TV—no matter how well you do, some people will criticize you, and if you mess up, you get twice the backlash from every direction. I’ve been in the entertainment industry long enough that I’ve developed some immunity, but my husband’s just an office worker. What if he gets hurt by strangers insulting him online?
Her sigh carried such worry that Se Kyung empathized instantly—she remembered her own shock when she first started out and received hateful comments.
Why can’t you dance better than that? Go practice vocals more. You’re dragging your team down—just quit already.
And those were the tamer remarks. By the time she’d established herself as an actress and her group disbanded due to contract expiration, the hate had flooded in full force:
She abandoned the group just because one member got popular! Because of her, the others couldn’t even promote or work properly.
People always say, “Just ignore it—how can you expect everyone to like you?” But even after ten years in the industry, she’d never grown used to online hate.
Though honestly, she didn’t need to get used to it.
“Did you tell Won Ho you’re worried about exactly that?”
Of course I did—dozens of times! He just says he doesn’t care since he doesn’t even use social media.
Well… the issue isn’t just social media…
Wait, so you mean I should be the only one getting criticized? I’m the one on social media and YouTube!
Seriously! Yoo Na let out an exasperated “Wak!” and Se Kyung burst out laughing.
“Why worry about criticism first? If you do well, you’ll get praise too—and your opportunities might even expand.”
It’s just been so long…
“Anyway, have you decided to do it or not?”
Yes! I’m calling you before I confirm with PD Lim. After all, this opportunity came because of you.
“How is that because of me? It was just good timing.”
But I met PD Lim right after running into you! Ugh, you lucky charm. Which reminds me—Se Kyung, can I ask you a favor?
“A favor? What kind?”
Can you come with me to the meeting with PD Lim? It’ll give my husband a little wake-up call too, just in case.
Since Yoo Na wasn’t currently signed to any agency, she’d have to handle every detail herself.
“Sure, as long as I don’t have anything special going on.”
Then could you send me your schedule for this and next week? I’ll check what times work.
Se Kyung agreed and hung up, then found her saved schedule screenshot and sent it to Yoo Na.
“Oh, I’m going to be late!”
After double-checking the time, Se Kyung grabbed her car keys and headed down to the parking lot. She entered Tae Jo’s address into the navigation system and gently turned the wheel.
The place Tae Jo had asked her to come to was a famous restaurant run by a chef frequently featured on TV.
Upon arriving, she rechecked the restaurant name against the message Tae Jo had sent.
After parking in the spacious lot and stepping inside, a neatly uniformed manager greeted her.
“Welcome! Do you have a reservation?”
“Yes, please check under Jin Tae Jo.”
Se Kyung bit her tongue lightly. After always addressing him as “President,” saying his actual name felt oddly ticklish in her throat.
“Oh, your guest has already arrived. Please follow me—I’ll show you to your table.”
Se Kyung nodded and trailed behind the manager.
At the very end of a private dining area, the manager stopped, knocked, and opened the door.
“You’re here?”
As Se Kyung entered, Tae Jo lifted his hand in greeting. Also in the room was the restaurant’s owner-chef, dressed in a black chef’s jacket.
“Did you wait long?”
“No, I just got here too.”
The manager took her coat and pulled out a chair for her. After greeting the chef, Se Kyung took her seat.
“We were just going over the menu.”
Tae Jo handed her the menu he’d been looking at.
“Take a look—if there’s anything you’d particularly like, just pick it. Most people order the chef’s tasting menu here, but maybe you’d prefer something specific.”
“Is the regular menu very different?”
“A bit. The chef’s tasting menu includes crab soup, and for the main steak course, it’s ribeye with additional premium cuts. You also get two extra sauces. For dessert, you can choose between our homemade tiramisu or tart—or have both.”
After listening carefully to the chef, Se Kyung scanned the menu once more.
“Then let’s go with two chef’s tasting menus. Sound good?”
“Yes, I’m fine with that too.”
“What about drinks? Should I order a bottle of wine?”
“No, I’d better not—I drove here…”
Se Kyung waved her hand. Still seeming to want to order something extra, Tae Jo added an ade drink from the beverage menu.
“We’ll prepare your order right away.”
Once the chef and manager left the room, Se Kyung took a thirsty sip of water.
“Is this the first time we’re having dinner alone together?”
“Yes.”
“Weren’t we at a meal together before signing the contract?”
“Back then, Managing Director Kang and Seok Joo-sunbae were there too.”
A faint smile crossed Se Kyung’s lips as the memory resurfaced.
After her contract with her previous agency ended, Se Kyung had gone down to Jeju Island, taken about three months off, and then restarted her career.
With no agency or manager at the time, she handled everything herself—from securing gigs to driving around.
After about two hectic months, Seok Joo, who’d been co-starring in the same drama, casually broached the topic with her:
“Hey, have you considered signing with our agency?”
“Oh, come to think of it—you’re the one who brought her in, right?”
Tae Jo chuckled, recalling the moment too.
One day, Seok Joo had barged straight into his office after filming and bluntly asked if he’d consider signing someone.
When Tae Jo demanded a clearer explanation, the name “Yoon Se Kyung” popped out.
‘I’m working with Se Kyung these days. Her contract with her old agency just ended—she’s active again, but doing everything on her own now since she’s agency-less.’
‘So?’
‘What do you mean “so”? I’m saying we should sign her! How often do you find someone with her level of recognition who can actually act?’
‘Will you be paying her signing fee out of your own pocket?’
‘I bring in at least ten percent of that signing fee, don’t I?’
For a slow bear, he sure moved fast when he wanted to.
Though he’d spoken like that, Tae Jo had spent that evening reviewing Se Kyung’s profile and past dramas,
remembering Yoon Se Kyung staring back at him that cold winter day, blood dripping from her nose.
“How long have you known Seok Joo?”
“Hmm, I first met him when I was 23. It was my debut drama—he was already a supporting lead. Then we met again a year later, and he actually remembered me.”
“That bear?”
At Tae Jo’s incredulous question, Se Kyung laughed and nodded.
“Yes. That time, I wasn’t just an extra, so I saw Seok Joo-sunbae often on set. He took good care of me—I really looked up to him.”
“What exactly did he ‘take care of’ you with?”
“Mostly with food…”
As Se Kyung trailed off, digging through her memories, Tae Jo smirked knowingly.
Moon Seok Joo’s van was stocked not with honey pots, but snack jars.
Knock knock.
The door opened at the sound of a knock, and with it, a gust of air carried Se Kyung’s perfume scent right to Tae Jo’s nose.
“…”
Look at this—it really is different.
Frowning slightly, Tae Jo turned to look at Se Kyung.
The server placed the appetizers on the table with a brief explanation.
“Please enjoy.”
Once the server left, Se Kyung picked up her chopsticks and lifted a slice of crimson salmon wrapped around cream cheese.
Tae Jo watched her chew for a moment before speaking.
“Hey, just curious.”
“…?”
“Remember that time we bumped into each other at the hotel?”
Her chewing visibly slowed.
The moment Se Kyung swallowed what was in her mouth,
he met her eyes and asked,
“Did you see me that morning?”
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
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