Chapter 35
Yesterday, because of that punk Chan-woo, Sajun’s plans had been interrupted.
Today, he was determined to finally tell Yeonwoo how he felt.
Time was too precious to just keep watching from a distance forever.
When he sent her a text, Yeonwoo’s reply came almost immediately.
[No, I’m fine. Then I’ll come by car when I get off work.]
Along with the message came a cute emoji, making Sajun chuckle.
The feeling wasn’t bad.
Sweeping his finger over his phone screen, Sajun let out an excited breath.
It had been a long time since he’d felt this nervous.
Before leaving work, Sajun decided to stop by the ICU for a quick check.
The room was filled with faint machine noises and a peculiar sense of tension.
The regular whoosh of the ventilator and the steady beeping of the heart monitor pierced the silence.
The patient who had come in with stab wounds had stable vitals.
He checked the nursing notes, the urine output, the administered medication, and confirmed there hadn’t been any special incidents.
If the patient made it safely through the night, recovery would be smooth.
After exchanging a glance and a nod with the nurse, Sajun left the ICU.
For some reason, he felt like everything tonight would be peaceful.
His gut told him so.
The rural chili festival looked no different from yesterday.
Hot, humid, and noisy with loud singing.
Everything was the same — except for Yeonwoo, who was happily eating ice cream beside him.
Was it because she’d had her favorite donut?
Or was it simply because she enjoyed being with him?
Her steps seemed as light as if she were floating.
As they strolled and looked around, Yeonwoo suddenly pointed somewhere, her eyes wide.
“Doctor, let’s go over there!”
“Where?”
“Hurry!”
She was never this assertive unless it was about a patient, so Sajun followed where she led.
<Find the Golden Chili!>
“Phew, thank goodness. It hasn’t started yet.”
People were lined up to join the search for the golden chili.
It seemed you had to pay an entry fee, and inside an area half the size of a swimming pool was a pit full of colorful plastic balls.
“So you have to find a golden chili in there?”
“Yes!”
Her eyes blazed with determination.
“Then we can’t lose.”
He yanked off his necktie, shoved it in his jacket pocket, and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt.
His exaggerated readiness made Yeonwoo laugh like a child.
Even if he had to crawl on the floor like a dog, he vowed he would find it.
“Geez, Jiwoong, slow down, you’re gonna kill me.”
“Then we’ll be late.”
Recognizing the familiar figure running up to them, Sajun’s face stiffened.
“Oh, Doctor? Oh, Yeonwoo’s here too.”
Seeing the two together, Jiwoong’s eyes lit up as if to say, I knew it.
“I already knew.”
“Good. Keep your mouth shut, then. And is that your father?”
“Yes, sir!”
Buttoning up his suit jacket, Sajun walked over to greet the man.
“Hello, I’m Beom Sajun. I work at the same hospital as Dr. Seo.”
“Oh? Beom… aren’t you the hospital director’s son?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Jiwoong’s father.”
“Hello, I’m Ryu Yeonwoo. I work with Jiwoong.”
When Yeonwoo greeted him politely, the father’s expression visibly softened.
“My goodness, such a pretty lady works with my Jiwoong?”
“Yes.”
“Dad, go register us already.”
“Yes, yes.”
Sajun stepped aside to let Jiwoong’s father register first.
There was a bit of awkwardness, but it seemed only Yeonwoo felt it — Jiwoong was all smiles.
“Dr. Seo.”
“Yes, sir!”
“You’ve got good hands. I’ll call you to the OR more often.”
“Thank you! And I didn’t see anything today. Really.”
Whether he was being oblivious or just tactful, that answer was good enough.
It wasn’t time for rumors to start yet.
In the end, they didn’t find the golden chili.
They got consolation tickets instead and won chili powder.
Walking beside Sajun, Yeonwoo looked up at him.
He’d rummaged through the ball pit more furiously than anyone, but the golden chili had gone to someone else.
Jiwoong had grumbled about the organizers rigging it, but what could they do?
Soon, Jiwoong left with his father to join the chili king contest.
By then, the night sky was full of stars.
“Want to sit over there?”
Sajun pointed toward a quieter spot, looking tired.
“Sure.”
They moved away from the crowd and sat on a bench.
Sitting side by side and staring ahead, a wave of awkwardness washed over them.
“Yeonwoo.”
He called her name gently.
She turned to him.
Their eyes met in midair, colliding softly.
Why was he calling her like that?
Fidgeting with the container of chili powder, she waited for his next words.
“I think I’ve fallen for you.”
“……!”
“For Ryu Yeonwoo. And I’ve fallen hard.”
It felt like even the music and the voices carried on the breeze had fallen silent, listening to him.
Yeonwoo held her breath and looked up at him.
“I know it’s shameless of me, but… that’s just how it happened.”
“……”
“Will you go out with me?”
They gazed at each other without speaking.
In their eyes, there was no hiding the growing affection.
Yeonwoo gave a small nod.
She liked him.
Still caught in his gaze, she nodded again and replied.
“Okay.”
Biting her lip, she smiled shyly.
Sajun sighed in relief, brushed her loose hair back, and gently cupped her cheek.
His hand was trembling helplessly, and it made her chest ache.
“Let’s date.”
Master Beom and she would now be dating as a man and a woman.
“I’ll take it slow. You don’t have to push yourself.”
Her ears were ringing with the pounding of her own heart, but she shook her head.
“No, I don’t want to wait. I don’t want to wait anymore. Run to me at full speed — I can handle it.”
She didn’t even know what she was saying anymore, but once it was out, she felt relieved.
What if he slowed down because she was a friend’s younger sister, and they went back to the way things were?
She didn’t want to lose him.
They were two grown adults — wasn’t this the perfect time to burn brightly together?
“Do you know what you just said?”
“I do.”
Her fingertips tingled, her heart pounded, but she didn’t back down.
“You’re driving me crazy.”
Seeing his small smile, Yeonwoo decided to be even braver.
“Then kiss me.”
“Ha…”
His heated gaze closed in instantly. Cupping her neck with his large hand, he exhaled a hot breath.
“What am I going to do with you?”
His voice was low and sweet enough to make her eyes flutter shut.
She waited, eyes closed, for his lips to meet hers.
But even after a long moment, nothing happened.
Just as she was wondering whether to peek or keep her eyes shut, something soft and firm brushed her lips and pulled away.
A soft pop sounded as it left — but it didn’t seem like it would return.
That’s it?
She opened her eyes just a slit to see what happened — and then her lips were captured in a heated bite.
“Ah.”
Her lips parted, and his thick tongue slipped inside.
Overwhelmed by the dizzying sensation, Yeonwoo clutched at his chest.
