Adjusting the Gangster Male Lead’s Intensity [Novel] Chapter 17

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 17

Chapter Title: A Daring Confession

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That night, in the hospital room left alone after Do-gyeom Seo and Yeol Seo had gone, Yi-hae Baek blinked up at the ceiling.

"Romance..."

She had no idea how to get home, and what if she ended up having to live here forever?

Do-gyeom Seo wasn't someone she could think about rationally from the start. He was handsome, sure, but he was a man who would become a dangerous yakuza in the future, destined to end up with the original female lead.

So yes, it was true—she'd idly thought about playfully reeling in the sub male lead or some nice guy if one was around.

Then a man named Yeong Baek appeared before her. Handsome and incredibly kind.

'He has a bit of a frail image, but that actually makes him more appealing. It's not his fault he's sickly.'

She wondered what it would feel like to date someone like that, and Yi-hae Baek felt her cheeks flush.

'It would be nice if someone unconnected to the original story liked me.'

She knew it was a futile wish. But she couldn't help hoping that maybe he had feelings for her too, since he'd waited for her.

'I'll definitely ask for his number tomorrow.'

With that thought, Yi-hae Baek closed her eyes.

Deep into the night after she had fallen asleep, a Status Window blinked faintly above her head.

It didn't blare noisily like it had at dawn when she'd blocked I-ryeong Cha's ambush. It blinked dimly before quietly fading away.

Then another Status Window floated up above it.

"Mm."

Yi-hae Baek tossed and turned, rolling onto her side. As she lay facing the wall, the Status Window behind her stretched out long toward the floor, melting away like liquid.

Soon, it took on the form of a human figure, gazing down at the sleeping Yi-hae Baek.

...

In that Happy Ending, there was no place for Yi-hae Baek.

With no knowledge of the dawn's quest incident, Yi-hae Baek hurriedly fixed her hair as morning came.

As a bonus, she'd secretly asked Yeol Seo for some lip gloss when Do-gyeom wasn't looking and applied it.

Even bare-faced, her face was so pretty that just adding color to her lips made her look instantly more vibrant.

'I'm pretty, but... if we're judging purely by looks, Oppa Yeong Baek is even prettier, so that's a bit awkward.'

Still, it was better than nothing. Blushing, she opened the hospital room door.

The organization member at the entrance, now used to her outings, silently pressed the elevator button for her.

"Rooftop, right?"

"Yes! But why are you here alone?"

"He said he was stepping out to the bathroom. Well, he'll head to the rooftop on his own without us."

That was true. Yi-hae Baek nodded readily and stepped into the elevator.

"Then I'll be at the entrance. Call if anything comes up."

As she stepped out of the elevator, she nodded to the organization member sitting on the nearby bench, as always.

Her light, eager footsteps headed toward the garden. Soon, under the warm sunlight, she spotted Yeong Baek sitting on a bench.

"Oppa!"

Yeong Baek looked up and responded to her greeting with a smile. It was always such a kind smile.

'Ha. It's been so long since I saw a real smile! Stuck in that cold family full of stoics, seeing someone kind is so healing.'

People really needed kind folks around them.

As Yi-hae Baek approached, even his small gesture of scooting over to make room for her beside him made her heart flutter.

Yes, she had to admit it. Yi-hae Baek was falling for this man named Yeong Baek.

"I'm discharging this afternoon, so I came up to say goodbye. That said... could I get your contact info?"

She hoped their connection would continue beyond this.

Perhaps surprised by how tense and careful she was being—unlike her usual self—as she held out her phone, Yeong Baek's eyes widened round before he smiled.

"Of course. I'll probably be here a bit longer, but feel free to contact me anytime. I actually enjoyed our time together quite a bit."

She watched his slow, deliberate movements as he took her phone and tapped in his number, every motion clear and vivid.

Feeling her heart pounding, Yi-hae Baek stole a glance at him and asked,

"Then let's meet up outside after you discharge. Or I can come visit you!"

"Sure, thanks. It feels like I really got a little sister."

Yeong Baek seemed to find her fondness for him endearing, sharing the same Baek surname and all.

He'd started out using only formal speech, but after her earnest pleading, he'd pretended to give in and switched to casual. Thanks to that, the distance between them had shrunk in a satisfying way.

She wasn't sure if it was mere fondness or romantic interest. Staring up at him with a dazed gaze, Yi-hae Baek found herself mumbling without thinking,

"The truth is, I'm interested in you, Oppa."

"...Huh?"

"Don't pretend you didn't hear! With a face like that acting all kind—it's only natural to get butterflies, right?"

"Yi-hae?"

His smile vanishing—a rare sight—Yeong Baek grabbed her shoulders with a flustered expression as she kept drawing closer.

He looked quite taken aback by her aggressive momentum, like she might hug him any second.

"Fortune favors the bold!"

"Am I the fortune?"

"Obviously! Anyone would say you're the winner between us!"

Stunned speechless by her utter seriousness for a moment, Yeong Baek soon burst out laughing.

As he doubled over, Yi-hae Baek flushed red and yelled,

"Oppa! How can you laugh at someone's serious confession like that!"

"Sorry, your eyes look serious, but your words are just too cute."

"Cute is flattering and all! But know I'm only letting it slide because it's you."

As she pouted and grumbled, Yeong Baek's hand gently stroked her head.

"I'm grateful for the affection. But I'm not thinking about dating anyone right now."

"I wasn't planning to push. I just confessed because I felt bad meeting you with such impure motives. Plus, it felt like you'd catch on quick anyway."

Impure motives.

Yeong Baek swallowed a laugh that threatened to escape. It was all over her face.

'Damn. I had hopes, but shot down right away.'

Though she played it cool, Yi-hae Baek—who'd secretly hoped—scratched her nose in embarrassment.

Then she abruptly stood.

"Leaving already?"

"I'm being considerate since I flustered you. Gotta pack downstairs anyway, and some housemates are coming later."

"The family you mentioned owing before?"

Yeong Baek smiled as he asked, but there was something oddly subdued about his eyes.

Missing the expression entirely, Yi-hae Baek nodded.

"Yeah. Uncle was gonna come in the morning, but I told him not to bother. There's a driver taking me home anyway."

"I see. That's a shame. It would've been better for you if I-heum Seo had come."

"Why would Uncle coming be bet—"

Yi-hae Baek shut her mouth.

She had no memory of ever mentioning the Seo family—including I-heum Seo—by name.

As she hurriedly tried to turn her head, a sharp impact struck her neck.

'What the—...?'

Her tilting body was caught in Yeong Baek's arms. As Yi-hae Baek went limp, in her fading mind she heard a voice.

"I thought you'd watch her longer, but your temper sure is hasty."

"The guys outside?"

"Knocked 'em out. The one who went to the bathroom too. Reports confirm I-heum Seo's at home, so it'll take them a while to realize Yi-hae Baek's been kidnapped."

It was a familiar woman's voice.

'I-ryeong Cha?'

I-ryeong Cha was reporting the situation. The one she addressed formally was definitely Yeong Baek.

Her heart pounded wildly.

It was no longer the flutter of excitement.

Yi-hae Baek lost consciousness.