“Sis. Hello.”

“How did you come here?”

Ji-hyuk smiled. It was a bright smile as usual, but there was an inexplicable chill.

Yeoreum’s thoughts became tangled.

She had already sensed that Ji-hyuk liked her, even before Tae-seok mentioned it. Since the day he ran to her during filming because she was crying, things had been strange.

There was no filming for Ji-hyuk today, so why did he come? Moreover, Tae-seok had chosen this pension secretly, a place even the staff didn’t know.

An empty pension with no one around. A deserted beach. Uncomfortable and somewhat frightening, although she didn’t want to admit it.

“Sis, I have something to say.”

Ji-hyuk spoke while still holding onto Yeoreum’s arm.

“How long is Tae-seok going to continue this contract relationship?”

A strong wind blew. The scarf that had barely hung around her neck flew off in the wind. Ji-hyuk glanced at it once, and although Yeoreum tried to pick it up, he didn’t let go.

“Let go of this. Your scarf.”

“Answer my question first.”

It was strangely forceful.

Ideally, she wanted to talk in a more comfortable atmosphere.

She didn’t need to inform Ji-hyuk about her relationship with Tae-seok, but continuing in this awkward state was also uncomfortable. She had planned to tell Tae-seok about her feelings after filming when things settled down.

If he heard her feelings, Ji-hyuk would also sort out his feelings. But things didn’t go as expected.

Yeoreum reluctantly opened her mouth.

“We’re officially dating, and we love each other. We’re not breaking up.”

Ji-hyuk laughed as if he found it pathetic.

When his sincere response was met with ridicule, Yeoreum’s face turned red.

“You’re so foolish. You don’t even realize you’re being used.”

“What are you saying?”

“Even if it’s a contract relationship. We’ll break up after filming.”

“No, we won’t.”

Where did he hear such things and come up with this? Talking about a contract was just a joke between them.

Yeoreum couldn’t figure out where things went wrong.

“Sis, after filming, Tae-seok will discard you.”

Yeoreum didn’t want to hear more. She thought he had been polite enough for an unwelcome visit.

“Let go of this.”

“Why did you follow me when you’re just going to be trapped in this pension?”

Ji-hyuk’s voice grew louder.

“Aren’t you scared of scandals? It’s not another celebrity, it’s Tae-seok. Do you know how many paparazzi might be following him? Acting so recklessly. Sleeping here is really dangerous. Don’t you get it?”

Frustrated by the nonsensical advice, Yeoreum became angrier. She didn’t like scandals either, but that was a conversation between her and Tae-seok.

“Chun Ji-hyuk, let go. And our scandals, we’ll handle them ourselves.”

She didn’t bother adding that he deliberately made things worse to create scandals.

“Don’t say such foolish things! If a scandal breaks out, it’s over for you! After being discarded by Tae-seok and spreading bad rumors in the industry, you won’t be able to work in this field anymore! Do you know how much netizens will tear you apart? The situation is different for that hyung and noona!”

“Why are you doing this? We’re not breaking up.”
However, Ji-hyuk held onto Yeoreum even more firmly.

“That hyung won’t protect you, sis.”

“Yeah.”

“Sis, I really like you a lot. As a woman. I like you so much that I can’t think of anything else all day. Can’t you see me as a man at all?”

Ji-hyuk’s voice grew louder. It was more like a cry than expressing anger. Yeoreum found this absurd situation increasingly burdensome.

“Oh right. I don’t like bad guys, Choi Yeoreum.”

Ji-hyuk approached a step further. Yeoreum stood still against the wall, glaring at him.

“I can mess things up like this too.”

Ji-hyuk’s hand reached towards Yeoreum’s face.

“Don’t!”

Yeoreum pushed him away with all her strength. She was amazed at where she found such strength. Ji-hyuk, who hadn’t expected much resistance, let go of Yeoreum. In the recoil, Yeoreum staggered and fell.

Her palm got scratched on the sharp gravel. Without time to feel the pain, Yeoreum picked up her scarf and stood up.

“What is all this about? Go back right now. I don’t want to see you again.”

Turning sharply away, Yeoreum’s shoulder was grabbed somewhat roughly by Ji-hyuk.

“Wait, listen to me! I came to warn you. Pretend not to know about the two of you meeting until the filming is over! Don’t act recklessly. Please. Let’s avoid scandals. Seriously…”

At that moment, a van approached from a distance, kicking up dust. A man got out of the car quickly parked at the entrance of the pension. It was Director Hong.

There was no doubt Tae-seok sent him, fearing Yeoreum might walk over.

She survived. Yeoreum’s complexion noticeably brightened.

“Let go.”

Yeoreum clenched her teeth and pushed him. Ji-hyuk obediently stepped back.

“Let’s talk again in Seoul. Sis.”

“No. I have nothing more to talk to you about. We won’t meet again.”

Yeoreum drew a line.

“Everything you did will be known to oppa.”

“Really.”

Ji-hyuk laughed.

“Think carefully. How will oppa deal with Choi Yeoreum’s personality.”