Chapter 9
Yeonshi moved busily. She cleaned the house she had been putting off and carried the laundry from the washer to the veranda.
Through the clear window, she could see the flower shop. Hoje, who said he was going home, must not have left yet, since the lights were still on.
“Not done yet…?”
When she checked the clock, it was past ten. She assumed he was still tidying up and was about to hang the clothes on the rack when she spotted Hyunsoo walking out of the flower shop.
“Baek Hyunsoo…?”
If he had gone to buy flowers, there was no way he’d leave empty-handed. But his hands were bare.
And then she remembered what Isol had said earlier that day, along with Hyunsoo’s strange interest in her relationship. Her eyes narrowed.
Curious about what business he had at the flower shop, Yeonshi called out to him through the window as he was about to pass her house.
“Hey, Baek Hyunsoo!”
“Do… Yeonshi?”
Their eyes met. The way he said her name carried a hint of panic, which only made him look even more suspicious.
“You wait right there.”
Yeonshi shoved the laundry back into the basket and dashed out of the house.
She flew down the stairs two steps at a time, and when she reached the entrance, Hyunsoo was standing in front of the villa, waiting for her. The flustered look from before was already gone, hidden under a calm mask.
“You’ve got to wake up early tomorrow, and you’re still not asleep?”
Moments like this always made Yeonshi’s heart ache. He knew her every move — what she was doing, what she had to do the next day — he knew it all.
It felt like being looked after by a guardian. A caring, dependable older brother who stepped in like family.
Her heart fluttered and sank with every single one of his actions.
This is why my crush never ends…
“I was cleaning. What about you? Why were you coming out of the flower shop this late? Don’t tell me you were getting flowers for Isol — you weren’t holding anything… Looks suspicious.”
She squinted, scanning him from head to toe.
“You saw…?”
Oh, so there was something.
Judging from his reaction, Yeonshi realized something had happened.
“What is it? Spit it out.”
Pressed by her persistence, Hyunsoo looked troubled, even a bit dazed.
Yeonshi had never shown much curiosity about people. This side of her — wanting to know about someone — was new.
Hyunsoo didn’t want to explain why he had gone to Hoje. He didn’t want to risk his childhood friend resenting him.
But since he was already caught, there was no point in hiding. He fixed his eyes on her with a heavy gaze.
A thousand thoughts flashed in his mind.
So many people are looking for Min Hoje. Why would you get involved with him so carelessly…
He bit down the words rising in his throat. Instead, he said something else with a worried look.
“I was curious about what kind of person your boyfriend is. So I went.”
Her pounding heart instantly turned cold.
“And why would you check that?”
Her brows furrowed.
“Why? Because we’re friends. Someone shows up claiming to be your boyfriend out of nowhere — you expect me to sit back and do nothing? Isol’s worried too.”
“So being a friend means you get to meddle in my relationship? You crossed the line.”
“You’ve never dated anyone before.”
“That’s because I never wanted to.”
He hit her where it hurt.
“And now you suddenly do? The Do Yeonshi I know isn’t the type to just date some random guy.”
Yeah, you know me way too well. That’s exactly why you drag me down. Why I end up leaning on you without meaning to.
The more he spoke, the heavier her heart grew. Who she dated was none of Hyunsoo’s business.
He should mind his own love life.
“Baek Hyunsoo, you piss me off when you act like this.”
“Hey, Do Yeonshi—”
“You’re not my guardian, you’re just a friend.”
“You don’t even know what kind of man Min Hoje really is.”
And what if I do?
“Do you know? Don’t judge so carelessly. From what I know, he’s a good person.”
“Yeonshi, Min Hoje is a far bigger deal than you think. You don’t realize it, but there are people desperate to find him. For now, no one seems to know he’s here. But word will spread fast. Then the fact that you’re his girlfriend will come out in no time. You’ll be hounded by fans and reporters — can you handle that?”
“Why worry about things that haven’t even happened yet? Wait. What did you say to him? Don’t tell me you…!”
Her body shook with fury. Hyunsoo let out a heavy sigh.
“I told him that if he really cares about you, he should break up with you.”
“You…!”
She was livid. She wasn’t a child needing protection anymore. Yet Hyunsoo still acted like her self-appointed guardian.
And the thought that Hoje had to hear such words from her friend made her feel humiliated.
“You’re the worst tonight. Because of you, I’ll make sure things go even better with Min Hoje. If you spout that crap again, we’re done. Got it?”
“Yeonshi, I’m just worried about you—”
“Baek Hyunsoo, when a friend is worried about your relationship, they don’t sabotage it — they support you first. When you’re crying from heartbreak, they comfort you. When you’re angry, they curse along with you. That’s what a friend does!”
What an annoying guy.
Shouting, she stormed back into the villa.
“Yeonshi! Do Yeonshi!”
He called after her retreating back, but she was too furious to respond.
Hyunsoo just stood there, unable to stop her, staring with an apologetic expression.
Stomping up the stairs, Yeonshi’s eyes welled with tears.
Her first love had already failed, and now it felt like even her romance was being sabotaged.
“Who says we’ll break up? No way. Never.”
Hoje returned home to a suffocating silence. He slumped against the sofa, resting an arm over his eyes. His mind was in turmoil.
Hyunsoo’s words from earlier echoed in his head.
“Why did you really come to this village?”
“And why do you want to know that?”
What, are you interrogating me now?
Hoje could only let out a bitter laugh.
This face of his might as well be cursed. During his years as a celebrity, a normal life was a luxury he could never have.
Wherever he went, people recognized him. He endured strangers rushing at him, claiming to be fans. Always welcomed, but never treated as just another person.
Except for one.
Yeonshi never cared much about his background or career.
Strange, isn’t it? Why aren’t you curious about me? Everyone else was desperate to know more.
With a bitter smile, Hoje heard Hyunsoo’s voice playing back in his ears.
“It’s suspicious, isn’t it? You’re a successful chaebol heir, and yet you suddenly retired and came to this tiny village.”
“I don’t think I owe you an explanation.”
“Then I can’t accept your relationship with Yeonshi.”
Hoje gave a sharp laugh, his eyes flashing.
He, who usually showed no emotion, was visibly shaken.
“And who are you to decide whether my relationship with Yeonshi is acceptable? That’s extremely offensive.”
A chilling aura radiated from him, his atmosphere shifting in an instant. The intensity made Hyunsoo flinch, though he didn’t back down.
“Your background will only make Yeonshi miserable. Even now, fans and reporters are desperate to find you. If it comes out that she’s your girlfriend…”
They both knew what would happen next. Even if she tried to stay private, her information would spread. Reporters would show up at her door, digging for stories.
I know. I already know.
Hoje wasn’t blind to the weight of the situation. He knew Yeonshi’s life could be ruined because of him.
What was he even thinking when he confessed to her?
What infuriated him most was that Hyunsoo’s words were right. The same scrutiny that had plagued him all his life could now fall on Yeonshi.
“So what exactly are you saying?”
“If you truly love her, then break up with her.”
Since then, he couldn’t think straight. His chest felt tight, his heart pounding uncomfortably fast.
“Get out. Now.”
“Min Hoje—”
“I said, get out!”
Hoje grabbed Hyunsoo by the arm, shoving him toward the door. Sweat trickled across his forehead.
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he forced Hyunsoo out, locked the flower shop, and staggered toward the water dispenser.
He grabbed the emergency pill bottle, popped one out, and swallowed it with a gulp of water.
Then he slid down, back against the dispenser, closing his eyes as he struggled to calm his trembling body.
He thought he was getting better since moving here. But no… he wasn’t.
