Chapter 45: Missteps and Cotton Candy

Do Yoon’s brow furrowed sharply.

“Bae Ji An? Who’s that? How do you know her?”

Know her? She’s your future wife.

But I realized I’d made a rookie mistake. In the novel, Bae Ji An was two years younger than Do Yoon. At twenty, he’d be eighteen now. Lookalike or not, this girl couldn’t be her.

Damn, I got worked up for nothing.

From suspecting another transmigrator to wondering if Ji An went to Do Yoon’s school or if a side story had them crossing paths at a festival only to miss each other, my mind raced through every possibility. To defuse Do Yoon’s glare, I quickly told the girl.

“Sorry, I mistook you for someone else.”

She reached out as if to say something, but I bowed slightly and turned away. The crowd watching us made me head for a quieter spot. As expected, Do Yoon followed closely.

“Is Bae Ji An from your company? A rookie actress? Never heard the name.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Someone you met in the States?”

“I said it’s not. Why the interrogation?”

When something bugs him, he grills like a detective. Exhausted, I waved my hands. I couldn’t tell him anything about Ji An, no matter how much he asked. Changing tactics, he lowered his head, voice sulky.

“I was worried when you didn’t come back from the bathroom. Thought you were sick or lost. Texted you, but no reply.”

Checking my phone, I saw ten “where are you” texts in that short time. I felt sheepish.

“Come on, maybe I had a stomachache.”

Why was I justifying this? But he pressed on.

“Then I come out, and you’re chasing some girl behind my back…”

It sounded bad, but my face burned. Did he think I was some creep hitting on college kids?

“You think I’d try something with a twenty-year-old at my age?!”

The novel’s Choi Seung Hyun might’ve, but not me. Do Yoon snapped, out of nowhere.

“What’s wrong with twenty? Is dating a twenty-year-old a crime? Seven years isn’t that big a gap. That’s just prejudice.”

Why’s he so mad? Was he saying I should date her? His outburst left me dizzy.

“Whatever, I mistook her, and I have zero interest in her.”

“Obviously.”

He huffed, fuming. Why was he so pissed? This was over the top. Then a thought hit me.

“…Do you like her? She’s pretty. Same class, right? Were you ignoring her on purpose because you’re mad?”

It made sense. In the novel, Chief Do Yoon liked Ji An but ignored her at first. That must be it—same class, yet he claimed not to know her. As I nodded at my logic, he shouted.

“Hyung!”

His eyes trembled, clearly worked up. Pointing back down the path, he yelled.

“You think she’s pretty? Just big eyes and a vague face?”

“Well, she’s decent…”

She looked like So Eun Bi, so obviously pretty. His standards were sky-high. He pounded his chest, exasperated.

“What’s pretty about her? Seung Hee noona’s a hundred times better.”

“…”

Was that an insult or praise for Seung Hee? Dragging her into this, he clearly didn’t like the girl.

Then someone shouted.

“Choi Do Yoon!”

Hwang Yeon Seok ran up. Did he leave mid-performance?

“Hey, you can’t just bail! Oh, Hyung-nim’s here too? Thought you both left when your seats were empty. Glad you’re here.”

“Uh… yeah. Just getting air. Performance over?”

“Nah, it’s ongoing, but another friend’s up now. I’m helping another department’s pub for a bit.”

“Got it.”

Yeon Seok was peak extrovert, unlike the sulky grump next to me. He glanced at me, flashing double thumbs-up.

“By the way, Hyung-nim, you look extra cool today!”

“Huh? Thanks.”

Just a black shirt and white slacks, but… his social skills screamed sales team, not Do Yoon’s secretary. Feeling a bit bad, I grabbed his hand.

“Be good to our Do Yoon.”

Surprised, he grinned.

“That’s tough, but I’ll try my best.”

“…Please.”

Do Yoon strode over from a few steps away.

“What’s that? You think I’m a kid? Why ask him for favors?”

“What, Choi Do Yoon, you’re all sulky now?”

His face turned beet red. Yeon Seok watched, amused, eyes on Do Yoon.

“Wow, look at his face change.”

“Why?”

I pounced on the chance. Yeon Seok laughed.

“He’s always stone-faced in class, just listening. Some find it cool, but he barely talks past three sentences. Getting a real reaction from him? I’m about the only one.”

“Stop it,” Do Yoon growled through gritted teeth.

I was intrigued—this side of him was new. Yeon Seok turned to me.

“But today, he’s totally whipped by you, Hyung-nim. Respect.”

I laughed at his absurdity.

“Whipped? Hardly…”

If anything, I’m the one whipped. This relationship with Do Yoon was built on my desperate efforts to survive. I’d mastered reading his moods, spotting if he’s happy or upset even with the same expression. Yeon Seok checked his phone.

“Gotta run. Hyung-nim, want some pajeon?”

I’d pass on mystery university pub pajeon.

“Nah, I came for your show. I’ll check out the campus while I’m here.”

“Our show was the main event? Thanks…!”

He looked genuinely touched. I smiled.

“You gave me the ticket. Let’s grab food with Do Yoon sometime. You live nearby, right?”

“Anytime! Just call! Can I get your number, Hyung-nim?”

He swapped numbers smoothly, bowed energetically, and dashed off. Silence fell between Do Yoon and me. He looked embarrassed. With the loud one gone, he probably remembered our argument. I walked off wordlessly, and he trailed me. Music and vendors’ calls filled the air. Past 8 p.m., the campus glowed brighter. I bought two cotton candies—smaller, cup-packed ones, not the giant tree-like ones from before. Handing one to Do Yoon, we sat on a bench, eating silently as the sweetness melted. I blurted out.

“Choi Do Yoon. Do you… want to speak casually to me?”