Chapter 62: A Bet That Went Too Far

He simply couldn’t understand it.

Why did Seunghyuk insist on interfering with everything he ate?

And using the flimsy excuse that he was worried about his health.

Before the regression, Seunghyuk might have nagged a few times to avoid inconvenience later.

But now, there was no reason for him to do so.

Come to think of it, ever since the regression, Seunghyuk had tried to intervene in quite a few things.

Like when he injured his arm.

He had thought that was just because Seunghyuk felt guilty for being there at the time.

So what was the reason now?

Was he simply angry that Hyunwoo wasn’t listening to him?

Hyunwoo frowned while thinking.

“How about this? Want to bet on who sticks to it better?”

“A bet?”

So it was a matter of competitiveness.

Only then did Hyunwoo understand why Seunghyuk was fixated on his health.

He must have been annoyed that Hyunwoo wasn’t listening to him at all.

Before the regression, Hyunwoo at least pretended to listen.

But now, he wasn’t even doing that.

So Seunghyuk became frustrated and began to cling instead.

Honestly, what was wrong with that guy’s personality?

Avoid him, and he sticks more.

Ignore him, and he obsesses.

Hyunwoo shook his head and opened his mouth.

“Fine, let’s do it. A bet.”

If he refused, Seunghyuk would only get more annoying.

So pretending to agree was better.

Seunghyuk would get tired of it eventually and drop the whole thing.

Surely, it wouldn’t last long.

“Really? You promise, okay?”

“Yes, yes.”

Hyunwoo nodded casually while sipping juice.

Even when he saw Seunghyuk’s eyes sparkle, he didn’t think much of it.

Because Hyunwoo didn’t believe Seunghyuk genuinely cared about him.

But he would soon learn that this assumption was wrong.

Lee Seunghyuk
No coffee.

Buzz—his phone vibrated, and a small notification popped up.

Hyunwoo glanced at it and frowned.

Lee Seunghyuk
How many cups of coffee did you drink at work?
I’ll check when you get home.

Buzz, buzz.

More messages arrived.

Hyunwoo’s expression twisted.

“Ah, seriously.”

“Director…?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

Hyunwoo quickly turned the screen off and smiled at Junghoon.

Junghoon blinked, then handed him a tablet.

“This data came from Development after running simulations based on our proposal. Please review.”

“Ah… yes.”

Hyunwoo stared at the tablet.

But while his eyes scanned the words, his mind was elsewhere.

When he returned home after brunch, fortunately, Hyunjin didn’t say much.

He simply glared at Seunghyuk as if he’d kill him, but at least he didn’t say anything in front of Hyunwoo.

That wasn’t the problem.

The real problem was the damned bet.

That f*cking bet.

Hyunwoo hadn’t taken it seriously.

He thought it was just Seunghyuk getting competitive and suggesting it impulsively.

But it was not something he could just brush off.

Since then, Seunghyuk had started messaging constantly.

Some days, he sent photos proving he ordered drinks without whipped cream.

Other times, he sent pictures showing he gave his chocolates and jelly to coworkers.

If it had stopped there, fine.

But then he started demanding proof from Hyunwoo too.

Hyunwoo stared at the coffee an employee had just placed on his desk.

Now I can’t even drink it out of guilt.

Even if he had accepted the bet lightly, Seunghyuk was taking it seriously.

Hyunwoo couldn’t just ignore that and drink coffee.

His teeth clenched.

“Director? Is there an issue with the report?”

“No, no. It’s fine. Proceed as planned.”

“Yes, I’ll inform them.”

“Good.”

Junghoon looked confused—Hyunwoo seemed different than usual.

But when Hyunwoo smiled as if nothing was wrong, Junghoon bowed and left.

Hyunwoo let out a quiet breath.

Buzz, buzz.

Lee Seunghyuk
Did you drink coffee today?
You don’t need to send a photo. Just answer.

“…….”

Hyunwoo could no longer ignore it.

He picked up his phone and typed:

No.

The message barely finished sending before the reply appeared.

Lee Seunghyuk
Good job.
Don’t skip your meals either.

“…Hah.”

Meals.
What time was it?

Hyunwoo glanced at his watch.

Nearly lunchtime.

He usually skipped lunch or had a quick kimbap or sandwich.

But today, maybe he should actually go to the cafeteria.

The project workload had eased a bit.

Hyunwoo, acting like he had simply made the decision on his own, typed:

Fine.

This was absolutely not him yielding to Seunghyuk.

It was just time to eat, and he happened to feel like it.

Yes.
That was all.

Hyunwoo stood up.

“Let’s go eat.”

“Yes, Director.”

The staff brightened and followed.

Some headed to the cafeteria, others outside.

As Hyunwoo walked, Junghoon came closer.

“Director, you’re not eating in your office today?”

“No. I’m going to the cafeteria.”

“Then I’ll join you.”

“Sure.”

When Hyunwoo was busy, Junghoon had been equally busy, so they often ate convenience store food together.

Sometimes, if time allowed, they went to the cafeteria.

Hyunwoo suddenly felt guilty.

No one liked eating with their boss.

So he hesitated and said:

“You can eat with others if you want.”

“No! I definitely want to eat with you.”

“…Really?”

“Yes!”

Junghoon clenched his fist eagerly.

Like not going with Hyunwoo would be a disaster.

Hyunwoo blinked and nodded.

“…Alright then.”

“Whew… Honestly, I’m awkward with the other secretaries.”

“Why? Ah…”

Right.

Junghoon was the cousin of Secretary Chief Seongyoon.

Few people knew because they used different surnames and hid the connection.

But the secretaries’ office knew.

Hyunwoo remembered hearing about it before the regression.

But now, he had to pretend he didn’t know yet.

So he simply nodded and walked.

When they reached the cafeteria, a long line had formed.

“No helping it. Let’s wait.”

“Yes.”

Hyunwoo smiled to himself.

The original Joo Hyunwoo would have never come here.

He would’ve gone somewhere expensive for steak instead.

Hyunwoo quietly laughed—when suddenly:

“What’s this? You, in the cafeteria?”

“……!”

He turned to see Hyeonseok staring wide-eyed.

“Why wouldn’t I come? I’m here to eat.”

“You? Here? And not with convenience store food?”

“I don’t always eat that.”

“I assumed it was your main diet.”

“It’s not.”

“Uh-huh…”

Hyeonseok scanned him up and down.

The look irritated Hyunwoo.

“Decided to start living like a human now?”

“Shut up and go to the back. You’re cutting.”

“Come on~ just once~”

“…….”

“Yeah?”

Hyeonseok winked playfully.

Hyunwoo’s fist tightened.

He wanted to punch him.

But the cafeteria was crowded, and too many eyes were already on them.

So he forced a stiff smile.