Chapter 31
“Ready to Go Crazy”
It felt as though someone had reached into Lee Yeon’s head and was stirring everything without mercy.
Pieces of thought clashed and tangled, and it took her time to even recognise what they were.
That was exactly what Do-hyun’s words felt like.
A cascade of incomprehensible sentences, leaving her scrambling to make sense of them.
Never, not once, had she imagined he would say such things.
The shock left her utterly defenceless.
And then—he moved closer, pressing their bodies together so tightly she couldn’t think at all.
Pushed against the wall, Lee Yeon had nowhere to retreat.
Do-hyun stepped in, closing the distance until she was practically in his arms.
His rough breath grazed her hair, making it stir lightly against her cheek.
So what he meant was…
“The woman I brought home—the one I said I’d marry.
Even if things went well at first, my plan was to divorce after two years.
That way, my grandfather would see: Even the woman he chose himself ended in disaster after just two years.
Forcing him into marriage would never last either.
That was what I wanted him to realise.”
“……”
“But… I find myself liking her.
A lot more than I expected.”
He had fallen.
Her heart lurched as if it might stop altogether.
Lee Yeon couldn’t even think of how to respond.
“I already know the taste of mango.
There’s no going back.”
Mango taste?
“I’m ready to go even crazier.”
“Uh…”
At last, Do-hyun hurled his confession straight at her.
Her lips, parted toward him, refused to close.
Her wide eyes rolled and rolled in disbelief.
Do-hyun, catching every flicker of her trembling gaze, pressed forward mercilessly—refusing to let her regain composure, keeping her trapped in confusion.
“I want to shake you, Lee Yeon.
But I don’t know how.
This is the first time I’ve ever felt like this.”
First time.
The words rang so sweet, so dizzying.
Under his relentless confession, her face was like a bomb seconds before detonation.
“So if you start to waver, don’t hesitate.
Come to me.
Immediately.”
“……”
“I’ll tear that contract to shreds.”
Only then did Do-hyun release her.
The corners of his mouth curved upward, satisfied, as though he had finally let something loose.
He tapped her cheek lightly, then stepped back and went downstairs.
“I… I didn’t even say anything…”
No—she hadn’t managed a single word.
Her steps were heavy as she trudged back to bed.
She had never imagined Do-hyun could actually like her.
In her dreams, she had wanted him so much that she clung to him, kissed him.
But in reality, she had dismissed it as nothing more than an impossible, one-sided love.
“Does he really like this version of me?”
She raised her hand, brushing across her face.
How could it be, when not a single person before had ever liked her this way?
She even wondered—did Do-hyun somehow know her true appearance?
But no, that didn’t seem to be it at all.
Could it be that her real self was only visible through his eyes?
All sorts of impossible thoughts whirled inside her.
She didn’t know if she should feel happy… or afraid.
Finding out her love wasn’t one-sided was a relief so deep it shook her.
But the one Do-hyun liked was this version of her.
If she took off the disguise—what then?
Would he hate her for lying?
Would he accuse her of hiding things, of having other motives?
Knowing what kind of man he was, someone who built trust slowly and carefully, she worried how he might take it.
Even if she returned to her true self, she wasn’t sure Do-hyun would still say he liked her.
Her mind tangled in endless thoughts, keeping her in bed far longer than she intended.
**”
When the conference room door opened and Do-hyun entered, every employee already seated rose to their feet.
Once greetings were exchanged and he sat down, the staff followed suit, retaking their seats.
“So they finally signed with Card Company B.”
His voice rang out in the silence that had gripped the room.
The influencer they had been watching had ultimately signed with another card company.
“Yes, sir.
They offered one and a half times our contract fee.”
Team Leader Kim, sitting stiffly, spoke cautiously.
“Our new card issuance numbers are also dropping sharply.
I’m afraid our brand ranking might fall at this rate.”
A pointed cough from the deputy manager cut him off, and Kim quickly closed his mouth.
“Design a card with benefits that not only attract new customers but also keep them using it consistently.”
At Do-hyun’s words, pens scribbled busily across notepads.
What he wanted was clear: the number one spot in brand value.
He wanted their card to be the one customers instinctively reached for first.
“AI human influencer models are really popular with younger generations these days.”
Hearing Do-hyun’s words, Yeonjeong nodded, adding,
“Many companies are creating AI humans as brand models, crafting perfect characters by combining the most desirable traits.
They’re seeing profits ranging from billions to hundreds of billions—far exceeding the investment cost.”
“Then why don’t we also try using an AI human influencer first?
It could make Wuseong’s image more approachable for younger audiences.”
“But there are still many people uncomfortable with AI humans.
Resistance is strong.”
Assistant Manager Kim, seated across, voiced his objection.
“There’s also a rising actor I’ve had my eye on.
I think they’d be perfect as Wuseong Card’s model.
They played the heroine’s best friend in that blockbuster film—the response has been phenomenal.”
Do-hyun, who had been silently listening, finally spoke.
“Use both.”
“Pardon?”
“There’s no reason to limit ourselves to one model.
Let’s consider using both.
Push forward with an AI human and a real human.
Who is the actor you recommend?”
“Yes!
The hottest rising star right now—Jung Heera.”
Ah.
A faint sigh slipped from Do-hyun’s lips.
“What does everyone else think?”
“We also think Jung Heera would be a good fit.
She’s widely recognised across all age groups, and the movie she’s newly cast in is a major production with high box office potential.”
If a celebrity’s star rose after signing, the investor could reap even greater returns.
“All right, proceed with that.
As for AI humans, research at least three more and compile the data.
We’ll decide whether to create our own character or use an existing model.”
Do-hyun wrapped things up neatly.
With a final word to close the meeting, he rose first.
Heera, as the model.
He hadn’t expected that girl would ever become the face of Wuseong Card.
When he had first joined, she had pestered him endlessly, begging to be their model.
Of course, he had flatly refused back then.
At the time, she had been just a rookie, and frankly, there had been no reason to use her.
But life was unpredictable.
After the meeting, Do-hyun found himself wanting to see Lee Yeon.
He’d ask if she had lunch plans.
Resolved to eat with her, he quickened his steps.
Was he getting addicted to texting her?
[Do you have lunch plans today?]
Lee Yeon stared blankly at the message Do-hyun had sent.
He rarely asked about lunch plans—why today, of all days?
[Yes.]
[With whom?]
[With Team Leader Kim from Marketing.]
[We were going to eat before heading out of the office.]
When she didn’t reply, another message arrived moments later.
[See Lee Yeon, eat together.]
Had he forgotten they were at work?
[This is… the office, you know?]
[So what?
I’m saying I want to eat while looking at my secretary.]
Classic Do-hyun—all boldness and momentum, determined to act on what he said.
A long sigh slipped from her lips.
Deciding it was best not to continue the conversation, Lee Yeon quietly pressed escape.
Ding.
This time, the message window lighting up was from Team Leader Kim, her actual lunch partner.
[Secretary Yoo, what do you want to eat today?
Let’s go wherever you’d like.]
Thanks to his thoughtful kindness, she was torn over what to choose.
A happy, yet bittersweet kind of dilemma.
As she debated, another message popped up from him.
[Today’s surprise lunch members were supposed to be Um Jihoo and Kang Yeonjeong, but Kang had a bad case of indigestion yesterday and can’t make it today.]
What?!
Why today, of all days?
This was bad.
Do-hyun already openly disliked Jihoo.
This is going to be a problem if the Vice President finds out…
Of all people, Jihoo had to be included.
[Yes!
I’ll think a little more about the menu and let you know.]
Though uneasy, she couldn’t cancel on Team Leader Kim.
After all, it was true she had plans with him.
Lee Yeon sent Do-hyun a message telling him to enjoy his lunch, then met up with Kim and Jihoo at a jjimdak restaurant.
If nothing else, lunch should be hearty—so she decided on braised chicken.
“One large order, please.
And add extra glass noodles.”
After placing the order, Jihoo poured water into cups and handed them out one by one.
“You two were college classmates, right?”
Lee Yeon’s eyes widened as she took a sip of water.
Team Leader Kim had asked the question.
“Yes.”
She had never mentioned being classmates with Jihoo—how had that rumour spread?
And sitting right beside her, she had a strong suspicion of the source.
“Secretary Yoo, Jihoo must have been really popular at school, right?”
Team Leader Kim smiled warmly as he asked.
“I was nothing compared to Lee Yeon.
She was the real star.”
Jihoo gave her a sly, mischievous smile.
Um Jihoo, why would you say that?
Grinding her teeth, she shot him a sharp look, careful not to let Team Leader Kim notice.
“Oh, really?
Secretary Yoo was popular?”
Kim looked surprised, and Jihoo
answered with an easy grin.
“Especially with the girls. Lee Yeon has a great personality.”
Kim nodded, quickly convinced.
Fortunately, the jjimdak arrived soon after, and the topic shifted naturally.
“I heard Wuseong Card’s new model is Jung Heera?”
Team Leader Kim, fresh from the meeting, brought her up.
“Already?”
Lee Yeon’s eyes blinked in surprise.
