Chapter 34: An Unexpected Match

Hyunwoo reached out and lifted the glass of water in front of him.

Cold water flowed down his throat.

He was waiting for his blind date partner to arrive.

The car sent by the chairman had taken him to the hotel right on time, but apparently, the other party was not so punctual.

A person who’s late to the first meeting—what a bad sign.

Still, he thought, it didn’t really matter anymore.

“……”

Hyunwoo quietly stared at the droplets forming on the cold glass.

A thick drop rolled down the surface and fell.

He wondered if the original Joo Hyunwoo had ever gone on a blind date under the chairman’s pressure.

That episode was supposedly just a plot device to spice up an otherwise dull story.

A villain like Joo Hyunwoo’s blind date was never even a consideration for the author.

So whether he had ever gone on one or not, no one could know.

Even reading the novel wouldn’t reveal that detail.

Hyunwoo chuckled quietly and lifted the glass again.

“Sorry, I’m a bit late, aren’t I?”

“……!”

Startled by the sudden voice, Hyunwoo glanced to the side while taking a sip.

A man in a snow-white suit was standing next to him.

Hyunwoo put down the glass and gave a slight nod in greeting.

“Hello.”

“Hello, Mr. Hyunwoo.”

“……”

As their eyes met, the man smiled naturally, his eye smile soft and charming.

He was quite a beautiful man.

But something about him felt strangely familiar.

If it had been someone he’d met in business, he would remember, so it must have been a social encounter.

‘Ah.’

A memory flashed through his mind.

He had seen this man several times at parties hosted by Moonseong or other companies.

Song Dabin.

The youngest son of Chairman Song of Gaha, who was said to dote on him deeply.

He had even attended the engagement party of Hyunwoo and Seunghyuk before the regression.

Hyunwoo looked at him seriously.

“It’s been a while, Mr. Dabin.”

“Yes, it has. Have you been well?”

“So-so.”

“Hehe, still as stoic as ever, I see.”

“……”

Hyunwoo tried hard not to frown.

Of all people, this was his blind date partner?

Truly the worst.

His neatly tied tie suddenly felt like it was choking him.

He loosened it slightly and recalled the past before his regression.

In the original story, Song Dabin had a role similar to Joo Hyunwoo’s—a villain.

Though not a dominant omega, his pheromones were said to be strong and he was very popular among alphas.

Under his father’s protection, he grew up self-centered and reckless.

Rumors followed him—having more than five alpha lovers, dabbling in drugs, and other scandals.

The biggest issue, however, was that in the novel, Dabin had fallen for Seunghyuk and tormented Hyunjin, making him the villain.

Before the regression, Hyunwoo had been wary of him for that reason.

But fortunately—or unfortunately—after Seunghyuk married Hyunwoo, Dabin didn’t act out as in the original.

Perhaps because unlike the easy target Hyunjin, the heir of Moonseong was too risky to provoke.

Still, the way Dabin had eyed Seunghyuk all night during the engagement party remained one of Hyunwoo’s most unpleasant memories.

“Honestly, I’m surprised. You, on a blind date? I thought you weren’t into this sort of thing.”

“I wonder why people think that.”

“I figured you were someone who only cared about business.”

“Well, it’s a busy time, that’s true.”

Even small talk with Dabin felt exhausting.

In the original, he was a wicked villain who bullied Hyunjin and tried to flirt with Seunghyuk.

Fortunately, Seunghyuk had never cheated, though he had been distant—that was something, at least.

Hyunwoo let out a faint, self-deprecating laugh.

“I’m a bit hungry. Mind if we talk while eating?”

“Go ahead.”

Hyunwoo nodded and called the waiter to order.

The hotel restaurant was known for its food, and Hyunwoo found himself actually looking forward to it.

“I skipped lunch since I heard the food here’s great.”

“…I see.”

Hyunwoo felt oddly amused that they shared something in common.

Still, he couldn’t tell if this cheerful demeanor was genuine or just an act.

Not that it mattered.

He hadn’t intended to form any deep relationship with his blind date partner anyway.

A businesslike, mutually convenient marriage would be more than enough.

Soon, a variety of dishes were brought to the table.

Dabin clapped his hands like an excited child.

“Wow, this looks delicious.”

“Enjoy your meal.”

Hyunwoo seemed to have gotten used to Dabin’s enthusiasm by now.

He nodded once and began eating.

“……!”

The food was genuinely good.

As he bit into the creamy shrimp, the savory sauce burst with flavor in his mouth.

He hadn’t eaten properly in days due to work, and now, he couldn’t stop.

“Mmm, this is really good.”

“I agree.”

For the first time, they shared the same opinion.

Nodding sincerely, Hyunwoo continued eating contentedly.

Dabin, too, ate enthusiastically, just as he’d claimed.

“Oh right, I almost forgot why we’re here.”

“Ahem.”

Hyunwoo cleared his throat awkwardly while sipping coffee with his dessert cake.

After all, this was a blind date, not a lunch outing.

Looking at Dabin’s gentle smile, he asked,

“Do you have any particular conditions you’re looking for?”

“Haha, straight to the point, I see.”

Dabin laughed at the blunt question.

But Hyunwoo had no reason to sugarcoat things.

Especially since he already had a poor impression of Dabin.

Dabin set down his coffee cup with a soft click and smirked.

“I like it—direct and honest. Saves time.”

“Please, speak freely.”

“I think we’ll get along well.”

“……”

Dabin’s brown eyes gleamed mischievously, like a little devil plotting something.

“Honestly, I’m not in a hurry to get married.

But my father’s getting older and tends to rush things.

He also really wants to form an alliance with Moonseong through marriage.”

“…I see.”

Chairman Song of Gaha was now over seventy.

Though still charismatic, his health was declining, and he was preparing to pass the position to his eldest son.

The other two sons were betas with little interest in the company, so there’d be no internal conflict.

That left only one useful marriage piece for him—his omega youngest son, Dabin.

No wonder he’d always brought Dabin along to parties to introduce him to Hyunwoo.

He must have been planning this from the start.

Before the regression, Hyunwoo hadn’t realized that, since Dabin’s focus had been entirely on Seunghyuk.

Still, it made sense that Chairman Joo would also want such an alliance.

Hyunwoo sighed inwardly.

“I just don’t want to give up my lifestyle.

Freedom is nice, sure, but if I can have both—comfort and independence—why not?”

“……”

In other words, Dabin wanted a marriage that gave him financial stability while he continued seeing his lovers freely.

Most alphas would be appalled by that.

But Hyunwoo simply felt indifferent.

After all, he used to think the same way.

He wouldn’t cheat like Dabin, but neither would he love or devote himself to a political spouse.

Their priorities—business over affection—were surprisingly aligned.

“That’s good. I think we’re on the same page.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

“……”

Now that he thought about it, Dabin’s villainous nature might actually be convenient.

If they married, Hyunwoo could keep an eye on him and prevent him from bothering Hyunjin or Seunghyuk.

Organizing his thoughts, Hyunwoo gave Dabin a soft smile.

Seeing it for the first time, Dabin’s cheeks flushed slightly.

“Hyunwoo, when you smile, you’re quite…”

“Yes?”

“No… never mind.”

“……?”

Dabin coughed awkwardly and turned his head.

Hyunwoo looked at him curiously and took another sip of coffee.

But before he could say anything else—

“Hyung!”

“……!”

A loud voice echoed through the restaurant.

Hyunwoo turned in surprise.

Someone familiar was standing nearby.

He stared at the man with wide eyes.

“You…”

“Hyung, how could you do this to me?”

“What?”

What on earth was going on?

Hyunwoo looked back and forth between the newcomer and Dabin, completely bewildered.

Dabin, too, looked equally shocked.

Tears welled up in Hyunjin’s eyes as he cried out to Hyunwoo.