Chapter 33: Tears and Tensions

Startled, I looked at Do Yoon, tears streaming down his face like chicken droppings. I’d never seen him cry so openly, and it left me speechless.

He tried to speak but kept opening and closing his mouth, emotions overwhelming him. Gasping like a drowning man, he managed to choke out.

“…Your face is covered in blood, and your clothes are a mess!”

I hadn’t checked my face yet. Glancing at the car window, my reflection was a bloodied mess. Even in the dark, it was shocking—under bright light, it’d be worse. Without my coat and with my stretched-out turtleneck, I looked like a homeless person.

Do Yoon, wiping tears with his fist, shouted.

“You came here for air? What the hell were you doing?!”

I’d never seen him this angry. Instinctively, I looked away.

“Sorry…”

But I got out alive, and I’m too old to be scolded by you. Plus, I hit that guy harder—his groin and nose got obliterated, while I only took two punches. Still, saying that felt like it’d make things worse. Do Yoon snapped.

“‘Sorry’ fixes this?”

“No, no… sorry.”

His anger didn’t subside, his breaths sharp and heavy. Yet, he gently pressed a tissue to my nose, wiping carefully. His fierce expression contrasted with his tender touch, creating a strange feeling. Bloodied tissues piled up beside me.

The car glided out of the bustling district, speeding along.

As Do Yoon quieted, silence hung between us. I sat upright in the backseat, hands on my knees, eyes darting. Do Yoon rubbed his face dry, then, head lowered, asked.

“Are you… meeting those kinds of friends again?”

I denied it quickly.

“No way. I wouldn’t have gone if I knew it’d be like this. I had something to check, that’s all. I’m never seeing that jerk again. I don’t even remember his name.”

One hundred percent sincere. Do Yoon looked at me with red eyes.

“What were you checking?”

I froze. Can’t say that. I changed the subject.

“How’d you know to follow me?”

His fiery demeanor softened. In a low voice, he explained.

“When we met earlier, you looked off—like you were being chased. I saw how hard you worked for your job, and you said you’d sleep early for the interview. So, you leaving late at night felt wrong.”

I was impressed by his sharpness but chilled. In the novel, Do Yoon uncovered that I wasn’t Father’s son and exposed it to Grandfather at the right moment. That’s not happening now, but chasing my real father’s trail made me feel guilty.

“So I followed you. You didn’t even take the car, just left…”

So he called the driver to track me. I almost scolded him for following me to a dangerous place but nodded instead, too relieved by his presence earlier.

The awkward silence lingered as we reached the hospital. The ER was chaos—broken bones, bleeding accident victims, unconscious patients. A young guy like me with a swollen face got no attention. I persuaded Do Yoon.

“Look, it’s too crowded. It’ll take forever. Let’s go home. I’m the healthiest one here.”

His eyes wavered. He wanted to argue but couldn’t. Reluctantly, he said firmly.

“Then we call your doctor.”

“…”

This kid’s a genius. How’d he know I was dodging? But calling the doctor means the whole house will know. Why do you think I left my car behind?

Still, if I refused, he’d cry again. That scared me most. I nodded.

“Fine.”

After much hassle, we got home around 3:30 a.m. Thanks to Do Yoon’s call, the doctor arrived almost with us. Despite being discreet, many staff were awake. My bed had an IV ready—basically advertising I got into a fight. So embarrassing.

The doctor hooked me up to the IV, checked me, and said.

“Minor bruising on the back of your head, no orbital fracture. Ice helped; now use warm compresses for circulation. The bruising will fade in a few days. Use the ointment.”

“Thanks…”

I felt awful dragging everyone out at this hour for something minor. Do Yoon, who’d put me in bed, interrogated the doctor.

“No scars on his face, right? Anywhere else?”

“Some bruising on his waist… seems he was in quite a scuffle.”

Do Yoon’s face turned icy. I laughed weakly.

“Yeah, but I won. Any way to reduce swelling faster? I’ve got an important meeting tomorrow morning…”

The doctor clicked his tongue.

“Whatever it is, you’ll need a few days for your face to recover.”

I sighed in despair. No way I’d pass an interview looking like this. Unless I spun a tale of fighting off thugs to save someone, I was doomed.

If it’s come to this… makeup it is. But the doctor, reading my mind, said.

“Stay home a few days.”

A chill ran through me.

“…Don’t tell Grandfather tomorrow. Please.”

“You think he won’t find out?”

He smiled kindly and left. Suddenly, it was just me and Do Yoon. I stared at the ceiling, dazed. One scumbag ruined my entire world overnight.

As I blinked blankly, my phone rang. Seung Hee, at 4 a.m.?

“Hey, what’s up?”

<What’s with you, Choi Seung Hyun? Just saw your text—why’d you ask me to call?>

Her voice was hoarse, probably woken up.

I’d forgotten about the text. It’d been hours, not 30 minutes. If Do Yoon hadn’t shown up, I might’ve missed this call. Glancing at him, I said.

“Nothing, thought there might be trouble, but it’s all good now.”

Do Yoon glared from my bedside. Stop glaring, you’re scaring me.

Seung Hee replied.

<What, you worried me for nothing? Don’t text me over stupid stuff.>

My eyes widened. Did Choi Seung Hee just say she was worried?

Is her seminar that stressful? As I sat stunned, she added.

<…Good luck with your interview.>

Then she hung up. I stared at my phone, flustered, a ticklish warmth spreading. But Do Yoon, sitting by my bed, asked.

“You asked Noona to call?”

“Yeah, before I left, in case something happened. Guess she just saw it.”

He bit his lip, looking at me.

“Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve helped. Noona wasn’t even home.”

His face wasn’t just hurt—it was betrayed. His childishness was surprising, touching, and worrying. Bravery’s great, but not for stuff like tonight. I smiled softly.

“Do Yoon, you’re a kid.”