Soo Young looked at Woo Jin with a dumbfounded expression.

Unable to see Soo Young’s face, Woo Jin could only perceive that she had briefly held her breath before exhaling again.

Does she know Seol Yong? He only published two books under that name.

But then he heard a snickering laugh. Even without seeing her expression, it was a strangely unpleasant laugh.

“Mr. Seol Woo Jin.”

At her serious tone, Woo Jin automatically tensed up. What is this woman going to say…

“Are you just lumping together everyone with the surname Seol?”

“What?”

“Our author Seol Yong is different from you, Mr. Seol Woo Jin.”

Our author Seol Yong? Adding ‘our’ seemed to express affection, but somehow it sounded scary too.

“How is he different?”

“Our author Seol Yong is someone filled to the bone with love and consideration. Haven’t you read his work? Unconditional love. All-accepting love. He portrays that kind of love. But you, Mr. Seol Woo Jin…”

Soo Young raised an eyebrow and looked Woo Jin up and down.

“Me?”

“Martial arts novels would suit you. Just fighting and hitting each other…”

Woo Jin felt insulted by her dismissive tone towards martial arts novels, which she probably hadn’t even read, and her seeming attempt to put him down.

“It’s childish to think that just because characters in a story love like that, the author must love like that too. It’s just a reflection of values. Not how things actually are.”

“Exactly. There’s no way Mr. Seol Woo Jin’s values could be like that.”

“Based on what?”

“Based on how you normally talk?”

“How do I talk?”

“You twist everything. Not an ounce of consideration.”

Woo Jin regretted revealing his pen name. This is why he doesn’t reveal it. Everyone judges the author based solely on their writing.

So if someone writes about a psychopath, does that make the author a psychopath?

He had said he would publish her book if she wrote well, but given her childish thinking, he didn’t have high hopes for her writing.

As Woo Jin put down his chopsticks, Soo Young asked with wide eyes.

“Are you done eating already?”

“I’ll stop eating. So? What did your mother say when you told her you’re a manager and assistant writer?”

“She asked for the landlord’s phone number…”

“My phone number? So? Did you give it to her?”

“I gave her Lee Kyung Jun’s phone number.”

Hearing that she had given Lee Kyung Jun’s number, Woo Jin looked inwardly relieved. He believed Lee Kyung Jun would handle it appropriately.

“Good job. Kyung Jun will take care of it.”

“I gave Lee Kyung Jun’s number because I trust him more than you, Mr. Seol Woo Jin.”

Woo Jin felt insulted again at the statement that Lee Kyung Jun was more trustworthy than him. Though he admitted it himself, hearing it from someone else was a different matter.

So in a fit of anger, he blurted out:

“Give my number to your mother too.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I’m the author.”

“No way.”

At her resolute refusal, Woo Jin became even more insistent.

“Why not?”

“What would I even say? It’s better if my mom doesn’t know about you for me to keep coming here.”

“Because I’m disabled?”

“What did you say?”

Soo Young’s eyes widened at his unexpected words.

“Are you embarrassed to say you’re taking care of a visually impaired person?”

“What are you talking about? You’re the one who told senior So that you’re visually impaired and I’m helping you!”

“Exactly. I revealed it, so why are you hiding it?”

“That’s…”

That’s right. She had completely omitted the part about him being visually impaired when talking to her mom. She only emphasized that he was an author.

If she had mentioned he was visually impaired, it would have been more of a reason to help…

What she had said without a second thought to Yeon Ho somehow felt like something to hide from her mom.

Unable to explain the reason, Soo Young ended up snapping at Woo Jin.

“It’s not because you’re visually impaired, it’s because I’m worried you might say something wrong with that temper of yours!”

But Woo Jin remained silent. Meeting his amber eyes that could only distinguish light as they stared intently at her, Soo Young unconsciously lowered her gaze.

After sitting motionless for a long while, he pushed his chair back and stood up.

“If you’re done eating, clean up.”

“Okay… I’ll clean up and then we’ll go for a walk.”

“Take a break today. I’m not feeling well.”

“You look fine to me.”

“I’m going to sleep, so you can go.”

Watching his large frame slowly leave the kitchen, Soo Young’s expression became troubled. They weren’t close, just employer and employee, yet she couldn’t understand why she kept feeling these complicated emotions.

Entering his room, Woo Jin pressed his throbbing head and crawled into bed.

He had been feeling under the weather since morning, wondering if he was coming down with a cold. Even after taking the medicine Hyung Min had prescribed, his headache persisted, but he had endured, hoping he might feel better when Soo Young arrived.

However, his head hurt even more as he conversed with her. It was good that she gave Lee Kyung Jun’s number. It was good, but…

He couldn’t understand why he felt disappointed.

Worrying that she might be upset again for missing their walk today, Woo Jin drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, after cleaning up lunch and mopping the floor once, Soo Young idled away the time until 4 o’clock.

During that time, there was no sign of Woo Jin, who had said he would sleep.

Even after the clock struck 4, Soo Young sat on the sofa for a while, then lingered in front of his room door before finally grabbing her bag and heading out.

As she took the elevator down to the lobby and exited the building, Soo Young’s steps gradually slowed.

It wasn’t the first time Woo Jin hadn’t seen her off after work, but she couldn’t understand why she felt so uneasy.

Reaching the entrance of the complex, Soo Young looked up at his apartment once before moving on.

Her head was telling her to go towards the subway, but strangely, her feet were turning back towards Woo Jin’s place.

Why do I feel so uneasy? Did I forget something? She hurriedly checked for her phone, but it was still in her pocket. What is it?

As she pondered what to say if Woo Jin asked why she came back, her pace quickened.

Entering the lobby, she almost ran to the elevator, aware of the security guard’s strange look.

She roughly opened the door lock and entered the apartment, catching her breath. The house was as quiet as a mouse, just like usual.

She strode across the living room and carefully knocked on Woo Jin’s door. But there was no sound from inside.

“Mr. Seol Woo Jin…”

She called his name even more carefully, but still no response.

Is he sleeping? Or taking a bath like last time? What if I go in and get scolded again?

After hesitating for a long time, Soo Young swallowed hard and opened the door as quietly as possible.

Confirming he wasn’t at the desk, she entered, almost crawling, with her body bent low.

While doing so, she didn’t forget to survey her surroundings. When she finally reached the bedroom after passing through the spacious study, Soo Young unconsciously stood up.

A wheezing sound could be heard from the middle of the large bed. Even to her, who had no medical knowledge, it sounded like very labored breathing.

Soo Young quickly approached the bed and pulled down the comforter. Underneath the fluffy blanket, a sculpture-like face was gasping for breath.

She thought he would angrily wake up when the blanket was removed, but he didn’t move at all. Soo Young gently placed her palm on his forehead.

It felt warm, but since he was always warm-bodied, she couldn’t tell if he had a fever or not.

Fever aside, his breathing looked difficult. Should she let him sleep or wake him up?

After a moment’s hesitation, Soo Young took out her phone and called Kyung Jun. After ringing for a while, Kyung Jun answered, lowering his voice. It seemed like he was in the middle of something.

− Yes, Soo Young.

“Um… Mr. Seol Woo Jin seems to be sick.”

− Woo Jin?

His voice rose then lowered again.

− Is he injured?

“No, not that, but he seems to have caught a cold or something. His breathing looks a bit difficult. He’s sleeping now, but…”

− I’ll contact the doctor right away and ask him to come over.

“What? Oh, okay.”

As she replied, Soo Young thought that rich people really were different. Just like in dramas, a personal doctor makes house calls when someone is sick.

It was unimaginable for an ordinary person. So that’s why this person could stay at home all the time, she suddenly understood.

But was that really good for him…

“…What time is it…”

Suddenly, a soft voice came through the wheezing breaths. Soo Young quickly knelt beside the bed.

“Are you awake? It’s 5:10.”

She wondered how he knew she was beside him, but quickly answered.

She was scared he might scold her again for entering his room without permission, but maybe because he was sick, he was unexpectedly calm.

“Why are you still here?”

“I left and came back.”

“Why?”

“I left something behind…”

“What?”

“…You, Mr. Seol Woo Jin.”

Oops! Even as she said it, Soo Young cleared her throat with an “ahem”, wondering what she had just said. He didn’t hear that, right? Please tell me he didn’t hear…

But judging by his expression, he had heard. The corner of his mouth twitched upwards. Soo Young felt the back of her neck getting hot.

I’ve been reading too many web novels lately.

“Do you like me?”

At his direct question, Soo Young exclaimed in a phlegmy voice.

“What are you saying! No, I don’t!”

“I’m joking. No need to get excited.”

He felt both disappointed and relieved by her denial. What would you do if she did like you?

Woo Jin sat up and pointed towards a cabinet next to the desk, saying:

“Do you see something like an oxygen inhaler over there?”

“Huh? Yes.”

As Soo Young answered, focusing her eyes on the object, Woo Jin said, gasping:

“Bring it here.”

“Okay.”

She quickly got up and brought over the inhaler with a device about the size of a mobile phone attached to it. Woo Jin turned on the machine with familiarity and put the inhaler to his mouth, starting to inhale the powder.

“Is it a cold?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you take medicine?”

“Yeah.”

“…Did I catch it from you?”

As Soo Young asked in a small voice, glancing at him, Woo Jin answered without hesitation.

“Yeah.”

“Did I catch it from using the same blanket? You brought me here and laid me down that day, right?”

“Yeah.”

“You must be really strong. I must have been heavy…”

“Yeah. You were heavy.”

Looking at him saying everything he wanted to say even though he was having trouble breathing, Soo Young glared at him, feeling half sorry and half annoyed.

Even after several inhalations, he still seemed uncomfortable. He briefly removed the inhaler and took a deep breath, looking at the ceiling.

“I heard your bronchial tubes aren’t good, is that why?”

“Yeah. My bronchial tubes are bad, and I also hate bugs. But you brought a cold and cockroaches…”

“I told you I didn’t bring the cockroaches.”

“Anyway… you’re tiring me out in many ways.”

“I’m so sorry about that.”

Woo Jin turned his gaze towards her, who didn’t sound sorry at all. Somehow feeling intimidated by that gaze, Soo Young said in a shrinking voice:

“But I came back after almost leaving and even called the doctor. Well, the CEO called him. But you must be really rich, Mr. Seol Woo Jin. When I said you were sick, a personal doctor is coming to your home.”

“My grandfather is the rich one.”

Woo Jin said in a buzzing voice, putting the inhaler back to his mouth. Somehow feeling sorry for him, Soo Young lowered her head and said:

“I’m sorry for giving you my cold.”

“It’s okay. If it’s from you.”

“What?”

She thought she had misheard because of the inhaler noise. Then Woo Jin removed the inhaler and opened his mouth again, looking at her.

“From you, everything is okay.”

As Soo Young looked at him, turning redder and her heart pounding, the man who had made her feel this way was inhaling the powder from the inhaler with an uncomfortable expression.