As his resolve to not let Seo Yoon go firmed, Kang Hyun’s mind started to work more calculatingly. His true nature was indeed despicable.

“I’m also fine. Had breakfast.”

At least he was making better choices than before.

After losing Seo Yoon, his thought processes became somewhat normal. Like an average person.

“I’ll return your coat.”

Ji An placed the large shopping bag on Kang Hyun’s desk and opened the tablet case.

With his intense gaze fixed on her, she wasn’t sure if she could speak properly, but she had to do her job.
“There’s nothing special scheduled for today, but we need to confirm the schedule for a site inspection related to the Pyeongchang Resort construction. Please decide if you’d like to go next Wednesday or Friday.”

The Pyeongchang Seowon Resort, operating ski slopes and golf courses, was undergoing a significant expansion with the addition of high-rise hotels and condos. Kang Hyun, who had returned to the company, needed to personally visit Pyeongchang for this first project he was overseeing.

“Which day would be better?”

“Considering it’s a 1-night 2-day schedule, Wednesday might be better? Plus, the temperature is expected to drop below zero starting Friday.”

While checking the dates on the desk calendar, Kang Hyun’s lips slightly curved up.

“I think Friday would be better.”

“Friday?”

“Manager Seo won’t be able to leave his post, so Secretary Seo will accompany me.”

“Okay, I’ll do that. Then I’ll take my leave.”

“Don’t make any lunch appointments today.”

“Pardon?”

Having finished her polite greetings and about to grasp the doorknob, Ji An turned around again.

“I want to have lunch together.”

Ji An, blinking her large eyes as if she had forgotten something important, quickly nodded and left the executive office.

She sat at her desk, looking at her reflection in a round mirror, and frowned. Her face, still flushed without time to regain its natural color, was saturated with feelings she had yet to confess.

Ji An took out her phone and opened a group chat with Ha Joon and Sun Kyung.

[Guys, I’m sorryㅠㅠ I’ve got a business trip next week. Busan seems tough.]

Regretting missing the Busan trip planned a month ago with her friends, Ji An pressed the send button. The trip, leaving Friday after work and returning on Sunday, unexpectedly overlapped with the resort business trip.

[Suddenly?] [ㅡㅡ]

The numbers next to the messages quickly disappeared as Sun Kyung and Ha Joon responded in turn.

[Can’t you come on Saturday? Ha Joon and I will go ahead.] [It’s a two-day trip starting Friday to Pyeongchang, so it’ll be tough.] [Oh well, can’t be helped. Let’s rearrange the schedule.] [Wow, why so weak.]

Under Sun Kyung’s emoticon patting a squirrel, Ha Joon’s message, seemingly upset, followed.

“It’s not like I’m purposely not going.”

Ji An, taken aback by the aggressive tone, typed quickly.

[What? Weak?] [Not you. Anyway, got it.]

Wondering if Ha Joon had sent the wrong message, Ji An casually brushed it off, laid her phone down, and grabbed her mouse.

[Star Icon] [Star Icon] [Star Icon]

At lunchtime, sitting across from Kang Hyun in a nearby udon restaurant, Ji An stirred the steaming udon with her chopsticks.

“Let’s eat.”

“Be careful, it might still be hot.”

“That’s the best way to enjoy it.”

Ji An, slurping the plump noodles after blowing on them, caught Kang Hyun’s attention as he swallowed a spoonful of broth.

The warm broth going down his throat immediately turned bitter around his chest.

“Do you like udon? Seeing you eat makes me happy. I was worried yesterday because you kept drinking.”

Kang Hyun’s chest ached as if he had swallowed something bitter, watching Ji An happily eat, recalling how he had only drunk alcohol the day before.
Ji An was eating her udon with such relish that Kang Hyun, despite his nauseous stomach, forced himself to eat so as not to concern her. Her praise came flying in, sounding genuinely appreciative.

“I ate breakfast, too.”

Feeling somewhat proud, Kang Hyun faintly smiled and replied, determinedly chewing and swallowing the noodles, regardless of his upset stomach. It was only natural that his stomach, which had been consistently overworked and blanketed with stress for four years, was acting up.

“Do you remember the man we caught recently?”

Having finished his bowl in sync with Ji An, Kang Hyun brought up the topic he knew she’d be curious about.

“Yes, I was actually going to ask about that.”

They were sitting at the most secluded table, and the surrounding din ensured their conversation wouldn’t carry. Still, Ji An lowered her voice to a whisper.

“There was nothing like what you’re thinking, so you don’t need to worry about it anymore.”

“There was no video, then? I thought that man was my affair partner.”

“No, he wasn’t.”

“Then who could it be?”

She wondered what kind of significant man she was planning to meet, to the extent of preparing a baby’s ultrasound picture. Initially, she had thought about asking Kang Hyun for help, but somehow, she couldn’t bring herself to speak about it.

Even though it was a past she couldn’t remember, it was still something she had done, and it was too embarrassing to confess such a thing to a man she liked.