She decided it would be better to discuss the origin of the photo when they were alone.
Chae Yoon continued, “Anyway, I frequently met with Eun Ha and Deputy Lim to set them up. But after Deputy Lim’s dispatch, we haven’t seen each other as often.”
“Dispatch?”
“Yes, about one or two months ago?”
Hearing Chae Yoon’s words, Jae Oh blinked slowly.
‘Two months…’
As he mulled over the timeframe Chae Yoon mentioned, she continued,
“I didn’t even get to say goodbye properly since he left so suddenly. Since we met today, I thought of having dinner together, looking back at old times. How do you feel about it? Is it okay?”
As she posed the question, Jae Oh’s gaze focused intently on Chae Yoon.
Dinner together?
He wasn’t thrilled at all.
It already felt too short when it was just the two of them, and now, including two people whom Chae Yoon was very close to?
It wasn’t enticing.
Especially with the thought of Chae Yoon smiling brightly at someone other than him, it made his insides twist.
At first, he thought she smiled that way for Hyun Min. It was a misunderstanding, but at one point, he believed that Chae Yoon liked Hyun Min.
Regardless of the misunderstanding, if Chae Yoon smiles at another man, it would naturally bother him. Thus, Jae Oh tried to calm his tightening heart.
However, seeing Chae Yoon light up even more around Eun Ha, he realized,
This feeling wouldn’t fade easily. And he was jealous, irrespective of gender or age.
In the midst of wondering if it was normal to be jealous of Eun Ha, who Chae Yoon said she was closest to, she asked again,
“Do you not want to?”
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Meeting those shimmering eyes, all of Jae Oh’s knotted feelings melted away.
The urge to insist on a private setting disappeared, and wanting to listen to Chae Yoon, Jae Oh replied,
“Why would I mind? If you’re okay with it, I’m fine with everything.”
Chae Yoon’s lips stretched into a pleased smile.
“Then let’s go.”
Both of their steps led them side by side into the restaurant.
[Star Icon]The atmosphere during their first meal together felt like walking on thin ice, contrary to Chae Yoon’s expectations.
This was due to Eun Ha, who continued the conversation without even glancing Jae Oh’s way.
If she had merely avoided his gaze, it wouldn’t have felt this uneasy.
However, Eun Ha led the conversation to topics known only to the three of them, excluding Jae Oh, and whenever Hyun Min and she tried to change the topic, the atmosphere turned cold.
Chae Yoon, not expecting Eun Ha to behave this way, was considerably taken aback. The same went for Hyun Min, and the dining atmosphere showed no signs of improving.
Feeling increasingly uneasy, Chae Yoon sighed deeply.
‘I should have just eaten separately.’
It was Hyun Min who first suggested they eat together. They agreed, thinking it would be good for them to become closer since they would see each other often. But instead, Jae Oh was being treated as though he was non-existent, and Hyun Min felt he was ruining his date with Eun Ha.
All because of her short-sighted decision, Chae Yoon couldn’t find a reason to smile.
Having lost her appetite and thinking she should leave soon, she was about to fold her napkin when a large hand approached.
Seeing Jae Oh’s hand, with fingers interlocking with hers, Chae Yoon looked up.
Although he wasn’t looking at her, from the way he slightly tightened his grip on her fingers, it felt as if he sensed her gaze.
Chae Yoon looked down at Jae Oh’s hand holding hers.
The motion of his thumb gently stroking her skin felt as if he understood her discomfort.
Suddenly, she felt the urge to lean into his embrace, but Eun Ha directed a question to Chae Yoon.
“Chae Yoon, when did you get involved with Director Han?”
Caught off guard, Chae Yoon looked at Eun Ha.
Feeling embarrassed, Chae Yoon cleared her throat before answering.
“It hasn’t been long.”
“Really? So, you haven’t divorced yet?”
“Yes.”
Eun Ha’s lips curled slightly as she looked at Chae Yoon nodding.
“Why did you do that? Even if you date, you should divorce first.”
Her voice didn’t match her smiling face.
“You’ve decided on divorce after enduring so much, and now you treat it so lightly…”
“Eun Ha.”
Chae Yoon interrupted her.
Eun Ha locked eyes with Chae Yoon for a moment after seeing her gesture to stop.
A brief silence ensued, and then Eun Ha, after gazing at Chae Yoon, stood up, tossing her napkin down as if flinging it away.
As she briskly turned to leave, Hyun Min also stood up.
“Deputy Lim. I’ll go.”
Before Chae Yoon could stop Hyun Min, who was following Eun Ha, she looked at Jae Oh.
“I’ll be back in a moment.”
Jae Oh nodded, loosening his grip on Chae Yoon’s hand.
Once Jae Oh let go, Chae Yoon immediately followed Eun Ha.
As she left, Jae Oh’s gaze lingered on her retreating figure, soon focusing on the food Chae Yoon left behind.
Hyun Min’s voice then broke the silence.
“Please understand even if it’s uncomfortable.”
Jae Oh’s eyes moved.
Hyun Min, meeting his gaze, smiled and continued.
“Eun Ha thinks of Chae Yoon as a younger sister.”
Despite Hyun Min’s words, Jae Oh’s expression remained unchanged.
Hyun Min, noting the occasional frowns Jae Oh had during their meal, added with a slight upward tug of his lips, “Because you looked somewhat displeased.”
Just as Hyun Min was about to suggest wine to lighten the mood,
“I’m not displeased.”
Hyun Min halted as Jae Oh’s neutral voice rang out.
Hyun Min looked at him, and Jae Oh said,
“Next time, instead of preventing Chae Yoon from eating properly, ask me directly.”
His expression suggested he would listen to whatever was said.
Realizing that Jae Oh’s displeasure stemmed from Chae Yoon not eating properly, Hyun Min looked at him in surprise.
Feeling Hyun Min’s gaze, Jae Oh continued with a stoic face.
“I spoke up because I’m speaking on behalf of my girlfriend.”
Jae Oh, wrapping up the conversation, poured wine into Hyun Min’s glass.
“There’s something I wanted to ask…”
Hyun Min’s gaze sharpened as he looked at him.
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.
