Chapter 91: Midnight Convenience and Lingering Shadows

My mind drifted back to Do Yoon once more.

In this world, certain pivotal events are already set in stone.

And people should never indulge in greed beyond their station.

I recalled my father from my previous life, ruined by business and forever on the run.

And the ‘Choi Seung Hyun’ from Romantic Cinderella, who met a wretched end from endless ambition.

Back then, all I wished for was my own safety.

Now…

I hoped that fact would never change.

After the somewhat exhausting meeting with Grandfather, I stepped outside.

A full moon hung brightly in the pitch-black night sky.

I firmly declined his offer to stay the night and headed home.

There, in front of the apartment lobby on the first floor, stood a massive silhouette.

I startled.

“…Why are you here?”

Do Yoon, looking weary, gave a faint smile and replied.

“We couldn’t have dinner together today.”

“You haven’t eaten yet?!”

“I’m hungry. Did you really eat alone and leave me behind?”

No, I told you the plans were canceled!

I knew he was doing it on purpose.

But seeing him speak so feebly stabbed at my heart.

It was already half past eleven at night—why wander around starving like this, especially with all his money.

Instead of scolding him, I quickly grabbed his hand and dragged him to the nearby convenience store.

You have to eat properly.

Going hungry leads to trouble.

Do Yoon’s eyes widened as I abruptly pulled him to a shabby outdoor parasol table and sat him down.

I plopped into the seat across from him and pulled out my wallet.

“What, not good enough for you?”

“No, it’s not that…”

“There’s no open restaurant around here right now. I’ll hold the spot—go pick whatever.”

I handed him my card with flair.

At least it was spring, so the weather wasn’t too cold.

Do Yoon blinked like a doll.

“No, it’s not that… I just don’t know why it feels so novel and unfamiliar every time you do things like this.”

Things like this.

“You act like you’ve never set foot in a convenience store your whole life.”

“Come on.”

That’s you we’re talking about.

In his beige shirt and black pants, Do Yoon looked like he was shooting a solo ad.

After a moment, he playfully snatched my card, grinned, and said.

“Anyway, since you’re treating, I’ll go for the expensive stuff. Reminds me of when we were kids—feels nice.”

What he brought back was a sandwich and cola.

He even got one for me.

I’d clearly said I already ate—what was this about.

“There wasn’t one with steak and cheese together. I tried finding something similar… Ended up with chicken, ham, and cheese instead. It’s healthier, so make do.”

Why was he talking like he was soothing me?

Did I look like someone desperate for a steak-cheese sandwich?

“Whatever.”

I shook my head.

Do Yoon chuckled softly and began elegantly biting into his sandwich.

I tore into mine while watching his face like it was a drama.

Seeing him eat well brought relief.

Yet he also looked oddly pitiful.

I watched him a bit longer before gruffly saying.

“You knew I was at the main house—why wait around like an idiot? What if I’d stayed the night?”

Do Yoon looked at me, smiled faintly, and said.

“I knew you were coming out—that’s why I waited.”

“…Who’s feeding you info?”

“Secret.”

He saw my serious face and snickered.

“I was in the car until just now. Saw you coming and got out.”

“Ah…”

He lowered his head with a slightly bashful smile.

“Honestly, I thought if I waited outside, you’d invite me in. Guess that didn’t work. Never expected the convenience store… Haha.”

I was flustered, at a loss for words.

I hadn’t realized he wanted to come inside.

But seriously, was it okay to admit scheming so openly?

Still, I was glad I hadn’t thought of it earlier.

Being alone with Do Yoon inside the apartment—who knows what atmosphere that would create.

I knew I was hyper-aware like a lunatic.

That’s why we needed to stay in wide-open spaces.

My brain tried replaying memories from a few days ago uninvited.

Luckily, Do Yoon asked something else first.

“What did Grandfather say today?”

“Just… nothing much.”

“…Was it about transferring companies?”

My mouth fell open.

“Who exactly is reporting to you? I heard Grandfather got new bodyguards at the main house recently—did you plant them?”

Do Yoon burst out laughing like it was absurd.

“Nothing like that. It’s obvious what Grandfather says. So what did you tell him?”

“…Just that it wasn’t great.”

A sunflower-bright smile bloomed on Do Yoon’s previously anxious face.

“Why? Were the conditions bad?”

“…No. I just like things as they are now.”

Earlier, pressed by Grandfather, I’d used the project as an excuse and asked him to wait a bit.

Logically, with the heroine and hero now connected, I should hurry away to avoid them.

That would give me more room to maneuver.

But strangely, I didn’t want to.

Do Yoon looked immensely relieved.

“I was worried you’d go somewhere else.”

“Why?”

“Just… stuff. You said being around me was uncomfortable. People keep talking too.”

He looked unusually dejected—unlike him.

Since when did Choi Do Yoon care about others’ words?

I didn’t want him needlessly hurt or bothered.

I answered calmly.

“No. I like being with you.”

“Really?!”

Whoa—I thought the table would shatter.

Maybe I was too honest without thinking.

But seeing him that overjoyed made it feel right.

“…The higher-ups seem really hung up on you being my superior, but I don’t care at all.”

He was destined to be chairman of Haewon Group anyway.

Envying him for being a bit ahead would be stupid.

And I wasn’t jealous.

“I’m just satisfied if we can keep getting along well. I hate the noise in between, that’s all.”

“Hyung…”

Do Yoon, moved by my unexpected words, covered his mouth with both hands.

He even trembled slightly.

“You… like being with me?”

He looked on the verge of tears from joy.

It made me turn serious too.

“…Yeah.”

My voice shook a little as I answered.

Do Yoon suddenly grabbed both my hands.

“Me too, me too. That’s actually why I joined this company. To keep being with you.”

“Yeah, let’s all stay together as a family.”

For a split second, Do Yoon’s face stiffened faintly.

Then he looked at me with a slightly uneasy tone.

“Hyung… family is really important to you, right?”

“Well, we’re not super close, but they’re family. Of course they’re important.”

Honestly, I felt no attachment to Choi Young Gil.

But I had complicated affections for the others.

Even for Grandfather, who cherished me as the eldest grandson.

Do Yoon fidgeted with my fingers for a while before saying.

“Hyung, if you had to choose between me and the rest of the family… you’d pick family, right?”

I hesitated briefly.

The analogy felt off, but Do Yoon’s eyes seemed to demand choosing between love and family.

My brain’s habit of random fantasies was the problem.

To shake off the awkwardness, I replied with deliberate confusion.

“Why would I have to? You’re family too.”

“Hm…”

Do Yoon smiled ambiguously.

But he never explained why he asked.

A while later, Ji An returned from her business trip.

Her face glowed brightly—France must have been amazing.

She chattered excitedly about her first plane ride, eyes sparkling like embedded stars.

Our team decided to celebrate both returns with lunch at a nice spot.

Bae Ji An looked joyful recounting the trip the whole time.

“The city was so, so pretty. I watched tons of movies too… So many people. Felt like I saw every foreigner I’d ever meet in my life there.”

“You’ll see way more later.”

I laughed in response.

A Young, cutting pizza with a knife, chimed in.

“Right, Ji An handled jet lag like a pro. I was dying of fatigue… She helped so much.”

“Oh, no—it’s thanks to you, sunbae!”

“Show us the photos you took.”

Someone said to Ji An, and she immediately pulled out her phone.

Like she’d been waiting for it.

Soon, those sitting near her leaned in to peer at the screen.

They let out “Wow~” and “Ooh~” one after another.

I was across from Ji An anyway, so I didn’t bother getting up.

Then someone asked in a puzzled voice.

“Who are these people?”

“Oh, just some Korean tourists. We somehow hit it off and ended up joining tables—had fun.”

A Young, looking at the photos beside her, nodded.

“At first, they kept talking to us mid-meal—I thought they were from a rival company. But then I noticed this one guy seemed really interested in Ji An.”