Chapter 50: Dead Numbers and New Plans

I pulled out the crumpled business card from Father and carefully dialed again. Same result. How could a number printed on his own card not work? Biting my lip, I called Father. His response was unexpected.

<He’s already left the country. Said a few days ago he was leaving. Why’re you asking?>

Choi Young Gil sounded irritated, likely still sore about me dodging that dinner with Chairman Joo. My energy drained.

“…Just curious, no big deal.”

All my agonizing felt futile. Why lose sleep over this? Maybe Noh Jae Sik’s appearance was a non-issue, meant to resolve itself. He was a minor character, after all. But while relieving, an uneasy feeling lingered.

This is definitely going to blow up later…

For now, I could only hope he stayed out of my life.

Worries fade amid a busy routine. Noh Jae Sik’s shadow was replaced by December’s stress: the Christmas movie release rush and Do Yoon’s subtle hints about wanting to do something for the holiday.

“Hyung, next week for Christmas… you’re probably busy, right?”

His casual remark stuck with me.

The work crunch could be handled with overtime, but Do Yoon’s expectations stumped me. There was no overt pressure, yet I felt it. I could brush him off with a “busy” excuse, but I didn’t want to. He rarely expressed wants—his last big one was moving in together nearly a year ago. This was a big deal.

But even if I made time, what would make him happy? My head was spinning.

Help came from an unexpected source. On a snowy day, Choi Seung Hee showed up at our place, thrusting two hotel vouchers at me.

“Jeju hotel with a hot spring. Go use them.”

I stared at the QR-coded suite passes, dumbfounded.

“…Noona, you sick?”

“Give them back.”

I quickly hid them.

“No, it’s just… you don’t do stuff like this.”

“It’s a hotel Haewon might acquire. Not confirmed, but I got these through a contact. I’m too busy, so you go. Report back on what’s good and what needs fixing.”

“So, it’s work?”

“Don’t like it?”

I turned the glitzy gold passes over. Maybe she got them through a connection, but I sensed Seung Hee expanding her influence into Haewon Hotel. If my not taking the hotel in this world caused this, I welcomed it. Looking at her, she seemed the same as when I transmigrated, yet less intimidating, less cold.

“Thanks. I’ll enjoy it.”

“…Take your girlfriend. Say I gave it.”

“No girlfriend.”

She gave me a suspicious look. As she turned to leave, I stopped her.

“Come in, it’s cold.”

“Nah.”

Worried I’d take it personally, she added.

“…Don’t want to crash you and him.”

She drove off. I stood there, stunned. Weren’t they close? Or at least not avoidant? Either way, their distance was good for me—it blocked the novel’s Seung Hee-Do Yoon alliance. Still, it felt uneasy. Upstairs, Do Yoon, waiting in the living room, asked.

“Hyung, why’re you covered in snow? You had an umbrella.”

“You didn’t do anything to upset Noona, right?”

“Seung Hee noona?”

“Yeah.”

“Nope… barely see her.”

He scratched his head, looking genuine. So, Seung Hee just found him uncomfortable? I tilted my head, puzzled. He asked.

“Why? What’d she say?”

“Nothing. Just gave me these.”

I showed him the suite passes. Like me, he flipped the golden cards, scanned the QR code, and checked the hotel site. His jaw dropped.

“Wow, this place looks amazing. Hanok-style rooms with private hot springs.”

I chuckled.

“Wanna go?”

“Huh?”

“Noona said to take a girlfriend, but I’m not into hot springs.”

“…You have a girlfriend?”

“No. I’m always with you—when’s there time for dating?”

His briefly dim expression brightened. I handed him the passes.

“You go. You’re popular.”

“What’s that got to do with it? You’d go with anyone who likes you? That loose?”

He glared, accusingly. I was used to his jabs by now.

“Not what I meant. Give it back—I’ll find someone else.”

“No way!”

This kid. What’s his deal? I glared back. He hesitated.

“…Can’t we just go together? For Christmas.”

“What?”

“Look, there’s an exhibition hall, huge garden, and a pool. It’s a two-night, three-day pass. You just need one day off. Noona gave it—giving it away’s a waste. No date restriction, so it doesn’t have to be Christmas if you’re busy.”

He shoved his phone screen at me, explaining. The two-story hotel, mimicking traditional tiled houses, blended classic exteriors with modern interiors, looking luxurious. With only forty rooms, it felt exclusive. Nothing like Haewon Hotel’s decades-old vibe.

Since Seung Hee wanted a report, giving it away might earn her wrath. Do Yoon seemed excited. Checking my schedule, I nodded.

“Alright… let’s do it.”

“Yes!”

He leapt, hugging me. Caught off guard, I pushed him back.

“Whoa, hold on…!”

Lately, his hugs nearly toppled me. When does this main character stop growing?

“You’ll break my back.”

“No, I won’t.”

He wrapped his thick arms around me tightly. He used to tear up and let go when I said that, but now, taller, he did what he wanted. It was absurdly funny. Seeing his joy, I said.

“But it’ll probably be late January. Year-end’s packed.”

He looked slightly disappointed but perked up quickly.

“That’s fine. Going with you is what matters.”

We’d never traveled together. His excitement was kind of cute.

After two hectic months, I squeezed in a two-night, three-day trip in late January, dodging the Lunar New Year family gathering at the main house. A delayed flight got us there late, so we skipped the hot springs for the indoor pool. I didn’t hate hot springs but got dizzy soaking too long, preferring showers. Do Yoon hyped the hot springs but showed little interest once here. Weird kid.

The hotel had a large, round family pool and a lane-divided competition pool. We chose the latter—less chlorine smell, more pleasant. Do Yoon’s long limbs, broad shoulders, chiseled abs, and toned legs were striking. His back muscles rippled like mountains when he raised his arms.

When did our kid get this big? I stared, then slapped my cheeks, catching myself acting like a starstruck staffer.

But my eyes locked elsewhere—his black triangle swim briefs. My gaze fixed on one spot, shocked.

Is that even possible? Even for a main character, isn’t that too much?