Chapter 4
Ryu-jin’s heart fluttered. This man was definitely not someone easy to handle. Realizing this, she spoke in a calm voice.
“I think I’ve been exposed enough… Could you leave? I just want to drink quietly alone.”
Ji Woo-tae remained silent, his gaze still inspecting her thoroughly. Just as Ryu-jin unconsciously pressed her lips together, he spoke.
“That was my intention anyway.”
Suddenly leaning in, Ji Woo-tae made Ryu-jin stiffen.
“I genuinely became curious about your eyes.”
Ryu-jin broke out in a cold sweat as she saw his hand reaching toward her sunglasses.
It stopped precisely above the bridge of her nose.
“You’re not stopping me?”
He smirked, clearly provocative. Ryu-jin responded with a teasing tone of her own.
“If you insist on taking them off…”
“More flirtatious than I thought…”
The provocation didn’t end. Ryu-jin frowned slightly to signal a boundary, and Ji Woo-tae chuckled.
He retracted his hand lightly. She had expected him to force it off, yet he withdrew voluntarily.
Still, his curious gaze remained. He seemed in no hurry to leave.
Ryu-jin sipped her drink. She had endured more obvious and sticky stares before, yet this one felt unusually hard to bear.
Why was that? His behavior was crude, yet somehow carried an air of composure.
It was easy to imagine he had a history of unsettling women completely.
“…I guess I’ll wait.”
Ryu-jin murmured, and Ji Woo-tae initially seemed confused. Then, realization dawned on him casually.
“That person earlier… isn’t your girlfriend?”
Ryu-jin’s question was answered simply.
“She has a boyfriend. I’m the fiancé.”
Such a shameless relationship.
Living a double life before marriage—wasn’t that too messy?
Well, she couldn’t complain much; she made a living off melodramatic performances herself.
“You must be looking at her like she’s trash.”
Ji Woo-tae guessed, chuckling. It was accurate enough to make Ryu-jin secretly frown.
Still, since it seemed like a mutually agreed-upon arrangement, she didn’t want to add commentary. Of course, she had no place to interfere regardless of their relationship.
So it was a business-like connection, with no emotions exchanged?
But the woman’s eyes earlier had looked painfully desperate…
“What are you thinking about?”
Ji Woo-tae suddenly leaned in, and Ryu-jin flinched. He laughed lightly and whispered, “I’m not taking it off,” in a soothing tone.
It wasn’t that she had flinched because of that, but she didn’t deny it either. At least, she had clearly conveyed that she didn’t want her face revealed.
“I was wondering when you’d leave.”
Even with Ryu-jin’s sarcastic reply, Ji Woo-tae showed no sign of offense. Clearly, he had no intention of leaving.
“I’m really tired today.”
Ryu-jin added a sigh, but Ji Woo-tae only tilted his head curiously.
Even if she poured alcohol over him, would he still smile like this? It was hard to imagine him looking flustered.
Maybe that’s why she felt a sudden impulse to see him closely at least once.
“…Are you a college student?”
Ryu-jin blurted out, and Ji Woo-tae raised an eyebrow.
“I am.”
He followed her tone mockingly.
Ryu-jin suspected he might be lying like her, but quickly dismissed the thought.
A man born with such innate superiority wouldn’t need to hide his status.
Only someone with a lackluster truth needs lies.
For example, someone like her.
That sudden irritation stemmed from this thought.
“Actually, I’m not married. I lied.”
Ryu-jin confessed while staring at him. Ji Woo-tae asked with a relaxed gaze,
“Why?”
“I just lie when I don’t feel like it. To men I don’t like.”
Ha. A hollow laugh escaped his lips. Just as she hoped, he looked slightly annoyed.
She wanted him to reveal his true nature, not play coy. Surely, he could be far bolder and more shameless than this, yet he kept it hidden. That irritated her.
His earlier sigh about his name being exposed had been irritating enough.
She always craved stimulation. Even men approaching with pure interest were fair game for teasing.
Especially men like him, who seemed to have no hardships in life. She wanted to make them uncomfortable, humiliate them, and send them away.
“…Confusing.”
A low, teasing voice slipped through.
“Once more and I really won’t know what to think.”
It seemed he had never fully believed her marriage story. She wasn’t certain, but his gaze appeared deeper than before.
Somehow, her competitive spirit had been stirred, leaving her with an uncomfortable feeling.
Buzz. Buzz.
The vibration came from Ji Woo-tae’s phone.
He frowned, clearly annoyed by the interruption, and pulled it from his pocket. Yet, upon seeing the caller, his expression changed completely. He answered.
“Why.”
His tone was curt, but the voice was surprisingly gentle over the speaker. “Uncle!” came a spirited voice.
Ryu-jin froze. It seemed to be a nephew. She couldn’t hear much beyond that, but his face was full of playful energy.
“I don’t want to! You’re not coming with me!”
He seemed to be teasing, speaking naturally as if arguing with the child. Ryu-jin felt a pang of irritation watching him.
“I don’t like fish!” The child’s words hinted at a plea to visit an aquarium.
“Tomorrow morning, 9 o’clock. Be ready. Brush your teeth. Finish your homework. I’ll check.”
After ending the call, he put the phone down.
On the lock screen, a young boy, around six, sat on the floor crying. His features were strikingly similar to Ji Woo-tae’s.
Using a crying photo as a wallpaper was oddly mischievous, yet it also showed how much he adored the child.
He looked like he disliked children, yet he seemed particularly fond of his nephew—a surprising twist.
“Introduce me?”
Noticing Ryu-jin’s gaze on the screen, he offered. Yet the look in his eyes seemed doubtful, as if unimpressed by her interest.
Ryu-jin rolled her eyes.
“Don’t worry. I’m not interested.”
She could tell he was pretending to misinterpret, but she still straightened her expression.
He let out a small chuckle, still scanning her with narrowed eyes.
“I almost would’ve embarrassed myself in front of my sister-in-law. Lucky me.”
His playful mutterings continued, and Ryu-jin let out a resigned sigh.
