Chapter 41: Bonds, Warnings, and Unexpected Visitors

His tone was oddly shy, making me jump more than necessary.

“Anyway, I studied hard not to disappoint you. Do Yoon helped a lot, but you were my motivation.”

Saying such embarrassing stuff mid-meal like it’s nothing. I felt flushed.

“Alright, enough. If you want to repay me, just don’t do anything dangerous.”

“Like what?”

His question reminded me of the novel.

“Anything illegal.”

Hyung Joo getting stabbed and collapsing outside Do Yoon’s place won’t happen now, but I’d feel bad if Do Yoon’s friend got into trouble. He looked surprised.

“Actually, some old hyungs I know asked me to work with them…”

“Doing what?”

He hesitated.

“I said no since I’m starting school…”

“Loan sharking?”

His eyes widened as I glared.

“Do you read faces or something?”

“No loan sharking. You’ll get stabbed. Nothing illegal—gambling, loans, betting, none of it.”

Do Yoon returned from the bathroom, noticing my serious face.

“What’s never okay?”

“Just talking about Hyung Joo’s future.”

Do Yoon leaned his face on my shoulder.

“Worry about my future too.”

“Ugh, this guy’s making me nauseous,” Hyung Joo gagged.

I made an exaggerated “shh” at Hyung Joo, who quieted down. Do Yoon’s comment was absurd—who’s worrying about whose future? But Hyung Joo blurted out.

“Hyung was worried you’re a loner with no friends at school.”

“What?”

Do Yoon straightened, staring at Hyung Joo. I panicked.

“When did I say that?”

“You said you’re worried he won’t make friends in college.”

Do Yoon turned to me, incredulous.

“Really?”

“No, I just… you said the retreat was boring. I know you’ll handle it.”

He sighed heavily.

“Didn’t know you worried about that. Don’t.”

He showed me his Cocoatalk, flooded with messages from unsaved numbers—pages of unread texts with red dots. Most were casual, like “Did you get home okay?” or “What’re you up to?” He said.

“These are friends. Well, people who want to be friends.”

“Wow…”

His popularity stunned me and Hyung Joo. My work chat had fewer messages. I asked.

“You didn’t reply to any?”

“Should I? If you say so, I will.”

He sounded indifferent. I felt like a meddling grandpa.

“No, do what you want.”

At least his popularity was confirmed. No way that face is a loner. Hyung Joo snatched Do Yoon’s phone, scrolling.

“All girls? So unfair. And they’re all pretty.”

I asked, shocked.

“You already have a girlfriend?”

Do Yoon gave me a strange look.

“Would you like that?”

His tone echoed earlier, like he’d date anyone I told him to. My mind spun. Dating’s personal, but as a romance novel lead, shouldn’t he stay single? Readers hate a male lead with baggage.

I frowned, recalling the novel. Did Do Yoon date before Ji An? I couldn’t remember, but probably not—exes would’ve been plot devices for drama, and there weren’t any.

If he’s not interested, no need to push him into something that could taint his image with the heroine. I shook my head.

“Nah, focus on studies as a student.”

Date after graduating and joining Haewon Electronics. I swallowed the thought, eyeing Do Yoon. Hyung Joo shouted across the table.

“Hyung, you’re such a Confucian fossil.”

Shut up, you don’t get it. But Do Yoon seemed unfazed—happier, even. He grinned.

“I agree. Students should study.”

His good mood lasted all day.

Over a month passed since Do Yoon’s entrance ceremony. He wanted to skip morning classes, but freshmen got pre-assigned schedules for a year. I sighed at his timetable.

“No first period would be nice. Tough luck.”

“It’s fine. I planned to wake early anyway.”

Soon, I learned what he meant.

Do Yoon got up at dawn daily to cook breakfast. On days without morning classes, he made three-dish meals with different sides. Hearing him clatter in the kitchen made me feel like a wicked Cinderella stepsister.

I told him I could eat bread or at work, but he insisted he loved cooking and needed someone to eat it, convincing me instead. I never knew he loved it this much at the main house.

Today’s menu was tuna kimchi stew, quail egg braise, seasoned greens, and fried eggs—no family kimchi or pickles, yet still impressive.

I took a cautious bite of the hot stew. Do Yoon watched. Swallowing, I widened my eyes.

“This is amazing. Better than last time.”

“I noticed you like spicy, so I added more chili powder.”

He grinned. I was genuinely impressed.

“You’re the perfect husband material.”

“Really?”

Nodding eagerly as I ate more, I said.

“Seriously delicious.”

“Good.”

“You’ll make me fat.”

“You could gain more. I worry you’ll blow away in the wind.”

“Hey, I’m not that skinny.”

His teasing made me blush. He’s almost my height and bulking up, while I can’t gain muscle despite working out. The world’s unfair to side characters.

He watched me eat happily, then asked.

“No overtime today, right?”

“Dunno, probably not.”

“I’ll make dinner for when you’re off. How’s grilled croaker?”

Love croaker… But I snapped out of it.

“Forget that—study. Midterms are soon, right?”

“Worried about my grades?”

His angelic smile screamed max-level confidence to my noob self. I bristled.

“Don’t get cocky. College has smarter kids.”

He scoffed, unimpressed.

“No such thing.”

“You don’t know life.”

I knew he’d ace everything, but I teased anyway. Suddenly serious, he said.

“Don’t worry. I won’t disappoint you.”

I blinked, thrown by his intensity.

“Why would I be disappointed?”

“You like when I get first. So I’ll keep getting first—all four years.”

“That’s not… I won’t care if you don’t. Why say that?”

He grinned, his face blooming like flowers. I shoveled food and stood to brush my teeth. As I headed out, he shouted.

“Dinner’s croaker! Come home quick. No dinner plans with others!”

“…Got it.”

Rushing out, I felt odd. I told him not to cook, but somehow, I was swept into his pace again. The food’s great, but…

“Does it matter?”

I muttered, sighing.

Since living with Do Yoon, I keep getting caught in his rhythm.

But that dinner never happened. Coming home, I found an unexpected guest.

“You’re back??”

It was Mrs. Shin Mi Seon.