Adjusting the Gangster Male Lead’s Intensity [Novel] Chapter 16

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 16

Chapter Title: Adjusting the Yakuza Male Lead's Intensity Level

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More surprisingly, Yeol Seo was coming to visit the hospital room with gifts, following Do-gyeom Seo.

On the first day of her hospitalization, Yeol had bowed to Yi-hae Baek and apologized for his mistake.

‘I'm sorry that you ended up with a scar on your body because of me. ...... And thank you for helping me.’

Recalling Yeol's apology, Yi-hae Baek scratched her cheek.

‘I didn't expect him to apologize so sincerely. He seems a bit more mature now, but I also feel bad for making him feel so guilty.’

There were no negative emotions left in his eyes, which were filled with genuine remorse and reflection.

That was why Yi-hae Baek could smile and tell him it was okay with a happy heart.

For some reason, those words had made Yeol sniffle and nearly burst into tears, which had flustered her a bit.

"All you Seo family rich folks have this sneaky reversal charm going on."

Well, that's what makes them charming, she muttered to herself.

That was when the hair tie holding her hair up snapped, and her long locks came spilling down.

She hurriedly tried to gather her hair and look for a new tie when someone extended a hand from behind her.

"Here you go."

It was a smooth hand. The white, delicate skin seemed to proclaim it had never done a hard day's work.

"Ah, thank you."

Yi-hae Baek had thought the rooftop garden was empty, but she expressed her gratitude without showing her surprise.

As she did, she glanced at the person's face and widened her eyes.

‘Whoa, he's ridiculously handsome. He could even give Do-gyeom a run for his money?’

If Do-gyeom was a cold, unapproachable beauty, the man before her had a gentle, kind-faced allure.

Yes, a beauty. Even as a man, he was delicately handsome.

‘Is this what peak handsomeness looks like? He looks like an idol. Not just pretty like a girl, but with elegantly refined features.’

Amazed, she blinked, feeling a strange sense of familiarity, as if she'd seen him somewhere before.

But there was no way she'd forget a face like that.

Wondering at her occasionally foggy mind, she asked the man in patient clothes.

"Are you hospitalized here too? I am as well!"

"Yes. I have some tests to do."

"I see. I hope it's nothing to worry about."

The man smiled warmly at Yi-hae Baek's kind words. It was a captivating, enchanting smile.

"Thank you. Actually, I've seen you a few times before, and you seemed approachable, so I wanted to say hi."

"Me?"

"Yes. You look about my age, so I thought we could be friends. I'm Yeong Baek. May I have your name?"

Ah, so that's what he meant.

Yi-hae Baek had braced herself, thinking he might ask for her phone number, but she made an awkward face instead.

"I'm Yi-hae Baek, a first-year high school student."

"Yi-hae. Pretty name. You're still in school, huh."

"Ah, and you, Mr. Yeong... are you an adult?"

"Feel free to speak casually."

"Then I'll call you big bro!"

Yi-hae Baek accepted the offer without hesitation and asked again.

"How old are you, big bro?"

"Twenty-five."

"Oh, older than I thought? You look so young."

"Thanks."

"You can speak casually to me too!"

"I'm comfortable with polite speech, so don't worry about it."

Yeong Baek glanced down at his wristwatch. His lowered lashes were a strikingly light color, unlike his black hair.

"I have to go for my next test, so I'll head out now. It was nice meeting you."

"Aw, too bad. See you next time!"

She felt genuine regret as she waved to him turning away, and he paused his steps.

Then Yeong Baek turned back with a smile.

"......Yes. Let's definitely meet again."

For some reason, it felt like his eyes weren't smiling, but it must be her imagination.

‘Yeong Baek, huh? I feel like I've heard that name somewhere... what was it?’

Yi-hae Baek tilted her head, frowning. No matter how hard she thought, nothing came to mind.

‘Why has my memory been so bad lately? Even trying to recall the original story feels foggy, like it's shrouded in mist. But Yeong Baek has nothing to do with the game, right?’

She pondered deeply, but still nothing surfaced.

Yi-hae Baek looked up at the sky. Her eyes, which had seemed strangely uneasy for a moment, soon regained their sparkle.

"It's just my imagination!"

It had to be. There was no way the status window was manipulating her mind too.

Yi-hae Baek shook off her unease as best she could.

Meanwhile, Yeong Baek left the rooftop garden and casually passed by the gang members at the entrance.

The moment he got into the elevator, he answered a call on his phone.

"What."

-Did you meet her? See? Cute, just like I said, right?

"Eh, not worth making a fuss over."

-Really? Her scared face was so adorable, I thought it'd be your type, boss.

"Cut the nonsense, I-ryeong Cha."

-Yes.

The woman's voice turned serious at Yeong Baek's words.

"If it's true she means something to I-heum Seo like you said, prepare the next step."

-You're really going to kidnap her? After making such a big deal over those minor burns, killing her might cause a real uproar.

"Uproar, huh..."

Yeong Baek looked at his reflection in the elevator mirror and touched his black hair.

Then he yanked it off, revealing light brown locks that reached just past his neck.

He straightened his hair and muttered.

"That could be entertaining in its own way."

He was smiling, but it was an utterly dangerous smile.

During her hospital stay, Yi-hae Baek developed a secret hobby.

"Where'd you go this time? You used to just stay in your room before."

It was meeting Yeong Baek in the rooftop garden.

She'd gone up to the roof as usual today, and by the time she returned, Yeol Seo and Do-gyeom Seo were sitting in her room—apparently having just arrived.

At Yeol's scolding, Yi-hae Baek smiled good-naturedly and apologized shamelessly.

"Sorry, sorry. It was stuffy, so I took a quick walk on the rooftop."

"Jeez. You're not even fully recovered, so why are you running around like that?"

Yeol hurried over and wrapped his arms around her waist. Ever since the burn incident, all his hostility had vanished, replaced by clinginess and affection.

‘Who would've thought that incident was a hidden quest?’

She'd been flustered by Yeol's excessive fondness, and then the status window had popped up beside him.

She would've saved him even without a quest, but getting the reward anyway left her with a nagging feeling.

Yeol, oblivious, followed her around like she was his real big sister.

"Can't you pick one—scold me or be happy to see me?"

"Hehe."

She patted his head, and Yeol's prickly expression melted into an adorable smile.

‘He's still young, so he just craves affection. Makes sense, since his dad and Do-gyeom are both so stoic.’

His delight at even small touches was both heartwarming and a little pitiful.

It wouldn't be true to say she hadn't disliked Yeol's behavior before, but now she resolved to truly care for him.

"Don't spoil him."

There was one person who often interfered when she tried to show Yeol affection: Do-gyeom Seo, who visited the room like clockwork for meals.

Yi-hae Baek stared in disbelief as he grabbed Yeol by the scruff and pulled him back.

"Hey, that's your little brother. You should be grateful."

"Yeah, I hate you, bro!"

"First time hearing that. Anyway, Yeol's a middle schooler, so don't treat him like a little kid. And don't indulge all his skinship."

"Oh right, Yeol's in middle school? I keep forgetting 'cause he's so small."

"Sis, you're the worst too!"

Yeol pouted, but Do-gyeom ignored him lightly and asked Yi-hae Baek.

"Do you go to the rooftop garden alone? Try not to go by yourself when we're not around."

"It's fine. The guys wait at the rooftop entrance for me! And I just walk around, so it's not dangerous."

In truth, she'd met Yeong Baek three days in a row and chatted with him, but that was a secret.

‘He said to keep it secret 'cause he was skipping tests. With exams every day, he must have something serious.’

Did he notice her drifting off into thought?

Do-gyeom frowned and waved his hand in front of her face to refocus her attention.

"Huh, what?"

"You've been spacing out a lot lately."

"Have I? My attention span's always been short!"

"......Sis, that's not something to brag about."

Yeol pointed it out in exasperation before grinning brightly again.

"Tomorrow afternoon's finally discharge day! Dad said he'd come pick you up in the morning if you wanted."

"Nah. No need to bother him when he's busy. We can go together in the afternoon."

"Hmph. If that's what you want, no helping it."

She'd worried he might find it annoying, but Yeol seemed secretly pleased.

How cute.

‘Couldn't talk today, so I should at least say hi to big bro Yeong tomorrow.’

Only Do-gyeom noticed the faint blush on her cheeks as her thoughts drifted back to Yeong Baek.