Adjusting the Gangster Male Lead’s Intensity [Novel] Chapter 13

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 13

Chapter Title: Beach Trip Plans

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No one gave specifics on where I-ryeong Cha had vanished to or how I-heum Seo had gotten injured.

Even when Yi-hae Baek subtly asked Do-gyeom Seo if he knew anything, he remained tight-lipped. It felt like the guys in the mansion had all made a pact not to tell her.

'Did the boss issue a gag order or something? Do-gyeom too, and even O Seo-bang, who looks tougher than he is but is actually soft-hearted, seemed troubled while keeping the secret.'

It was a reasonable suspicion, but with no one spilling the beans, there was no point in agonizing over it alone.

With that in mind, Yi-hae Baek decided to let it go. After all, the person who had threatened her life was gone, and that was just cause for joy.

Thus, peaceful days repeated after I-ryeong Cha's disappearance.

It was when a month had passed.

"It's getting pretty hot now, huh."

With nowhere particular to go on the weekend, Yi-hae Baek was sprawled out long on the sofa in I-heum Seo's study.

I-heum Seo, working with his glasses on as if accustomed to her presence, asked,

"Should I crank the AC higher?"

"No, it's comfortable in here. I meant the weather outside. I hate summer."

"Why's that?"

"When I was little..."

Yi-hae Baek paused for a moment, rolling her eyes toward the ceiling. Then, figuring it didn't matter, she continued.

"When I was little, I got kidnapped once, and the perp hid me in a wardrobe. It was the middle of summer."

Though it was the original body's memory, not hers.

Since it was a story from the past, I-heum Seo wouldn't be able to verify it. Unaware that he had looked up from his work to stare at the back of her head, Yi-hae Baek blinked.

Recalling the old memory naturally furrowed her brow.

"It was so stuffy, hot, and humid. Whether from the heat or the confined space, I could barely breathe, and I was terrified I might die right there."

"...That must have been scary."

Such sentimental comfort from a yakuza boss's mouth.

Yi-hae Baek let out a deflated chuckle.

"Terrifying. That's why I still hate being alone in tight spaces. Dark places too, and heat. Pretty troublesome, huh?"

Still lying down, she wiggled her toes. It was just an embarrassed fidget.

"Too bad for you. You've already got me locked down, no refunds until I'm an adult. Got it, Uncle?"

"No such thing will happen. Did they handle that bastard properly back then? If not, I can investigate now and bury him six feet under right away..."

"The police caught him then!"

In truth, she'd passed out after and woken up rescued, so she didn't know the details, but the adults must have sorted it out.

Besides, it was a different world from here. Even if I-heum Seo poured money into it, he couldn't find that perp.

Still, seeing his concern—unlike before—Yi-hae Baek sat up.

"Thanks. I'm thrilled you're angry for me."

"...You've got a weird personality."

"It's not weird to like being worried about. Glad your wound's healing well too. I was worried since you wouldn't go to the hospital."

"This kind of thing heals on its own if you leave it."

As if.

She knew O Seo-bang had been beside himself with worry, yet he said that.

Yi-hae Baek chuckled and flopped back onto the sofa face-down. Then, in a whiny tone,

"Don't you ever do stuff like swimming, Uncle?"

I-heum Seo stared at her silently. At his look—like are you serious?—Yi-hae Baek grumbled,

"What? Even if you're a yakuza, you're human—you can have fun too! The pool might be too much, but the beach would be nice."

Saying it out loud made her want to go even more.

Wearing a cute swimsuit, beach sandals, strolling the sand and stamping footprints.

Building a sandcastle and watching the waves wash it away sounded fun.

Perhaps sensing her longing,

I-heum Seo pondered briefly before saying,

"The beach should be doable."

"...Whoa! We're really going to the beach? You're taking me too?"

"Yeah."

"When? I wanna buy a swimsuit—will you get it for me?"

I-heum Seo nodded coolly. He'd always been generous, but after the spy incident, he was even more free-spending with Yi-hae Baek.

As she grinned ear-to-ear, I-heum Seo lifted the corner of his mouth slightly and said,

"You pick the date."

"Then tomorrow!"

"...?"

He still seemed unaccustomed to her straightforwardness, but anyway.

"Tomorrow's Sunday, so we'll leave early morning! I'll pack lunches too! How about fox rice balls?"

"You're serious about tomorrow?"

"Yep. You think I was messing around?"

You told me to pick the date.

With that innocent blink, I-heum Seo scowled deeply.

He rubbed his brow, sighed heavily, and pressed the intercom button on the table.

-Yes, Boss! You called?

"O Seo-bang."

-Yes?

"Scout a beach spot with the guys for tomorrow and set it up."

-Got it... Wait, beach? Boss, the beach? Are you going to fight someone?

"Shut up and do as I say. Also, assign guards for Yi-hae to buy her swimsuit."

-Wait, Boss...!

The call cut off there.

With tomorrow's plans set by one word from I-heum Seo, Yi-hae Baek beamed and jumped up from the sofa.

No time to laze around.

"Thanks, Uncle! See you! I'll go shopping and grab a swimsuit!"

She drew a big heart over her head for good measure.

Once Yi-hae Baek left, I-heum Seo let out a hollow chuckle in the suddenly quiet study.

"Her pronunciation's something else. Maybe get her an English tutor."

Even as he picked up his pen, a faint smile lingered on his face.

Yi-hae Baek had just returned from a fun outing, accompanied by I-heum Seo's permission and the guards O Seo-bang assigned.

"Where've you been?"

Do-gyeom Seo, arms crossed and leaning against the wall as if waiting for her, asked.

"Huh? Heard we're going to the beach tomorrow, so I bought a swimsuit! Oh, do you not have one? Should've invited you."

She'd gone alone assuming he had one, but that was a mistake.

As Yi-hae Baek glanced apologetically, Do-gyeom Seo furrowed his brow in displeasure.

It was a subtle reaction, but they were close enough now that she could pick up on it.

"Guess you're not scared of anything anymore. Out wandering alone like that."

Ah, so that's why he was sulking.

Back when I-ryeong Cha was around, she'd constantly trailed after Do-gyeom Seo out of anxiety.

But after I-ryeong Cha fled, Yi-hae Baek roamed freely or hung out in I-heum Seo's study, naturally spending less time with him.

'I thought I was being considerate since I must've been a bother before!'

But it was cute too. He was acting up because he felt neglected.

The organization members carrying her bags eyed the situation and slipped away discreetly.

To them, Do-gyeom Seo looked angry, scaring them off.

"Nah, I'm still scared. Just didn't want to tire you out. I've been exhausting you all this time."

As she approached and took his hand like before, she felt him staring. First at their joined hands, then at her face.

For some reason, her face heated up. Yi-hae Baek hurriedly changed the subject.

"I'm practicing fox rice balls for tomorrow's lunch. Wanna eat some for dinner?"

"We have a maid."

"I wanna do this much since I mooch off her every day. Uncle already okayed it."

"...You're getting close to Dad."

Was she?

Yi-hae Baek tilted her head, then nodded, thinking yeah, compared to the start.

No way—was he jealous like she'd stolen his dad?

'Not Yeol, but acting so childish. But I'm magnanimous, so I won't show it!'

Pretending not to notice, she tugged Do-gyeom Seo's hand toward the kitchen.

"If you've got nothing to do, watch me cook. You can taste-test!"

A passing organization member glanced at them.

They seemed intrigued by how Yi-hae Baek casually dealt with the utterly expressionless Do-gyeom Seo.

'Every time I see reactions like that, it's thrilling. Feels like I'm someone special.'

Yi-hae Baek shrugged and hummed a tune.

Though Do-gyeom Seo eyed her oddly, he quietly sat in a chair, propping his chin as he watched.

Unaware she was being watched, Yi-hae's gaze lingered on her, refusing to shift away.