Adjusting the Gangster Male Lead’s Intensity [Novel] Chapter 36

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 36

Chapter Title: Names and Revelations

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Was it because they'd exchanged phone numbers?

After visiting the infirmary, Eun-seol Yeo didn't approach Yi-hae Baek any more than necessary. Thanks to that, Seo Do-gyeom's tension—born of his wariness toward her—seemed to ease a little.

As expected, Eun-seol Yeo was quick on the uptake. She must have figured there was no point in provoking Seo Do-gyeom.

"Let's go."

As soon as classes ended and it was time to head home, Seo Do-gyeom waited as if it were the most natural thing in the world for Yi-hae Baek to pack her bag. It was their usual routine.

The only difference was that his changed appearance drew more stares than usual, making things feel awkward. The girls' gazes, including Jang Seol-gi's, were particularly intense.

Yi-hae Baek let out a secret sigh, nodded, and walked alongside him.

Between them flowed the same nutrient-poor small talk as always, nothing of particular substance.

The one change was that whenever Yi-hae Baek spoke, Seo Do-gyeom stared fixedly at her face.

It was downright embarrassing.

"Seo Do-gyeom."

"Yeah."

"Look ahead. You're staring so hard my face is gonna get drilled through."

Yi-hae Baek said it playfully. She was embarrassed, but also worried about him not watching where he was going.

At her remark, he pressed his lips together briefly, then furrowed his brow in subtle displeasure.

What was his problem now?

"You call Eun-seol Yeo by her name, so why do you use my full name?"

He muttered it like a soliloquy.

Yi-hae Baek pretended not to hear and didn't respond. When the signal changed, she stepped forward first, but his long legs quickly closed the gap behind her.

"Yi-hae Baek."

"You use my full name too. You're such a hypocrite."

Seo Do-gyeom blinked slowly. Then his thoughtful expression carried the nuance of Come to think of it, you're right, which only annoyed her more.

He never reflected on his own behavior but demanded it from others.

Personality education was important, but it seemed he needed lessons in basic manners first.

"If you want something, ask nicely instead of being pushy. And always reflect on your own attitude first."

"Okay."

"Also, I told you I don't like violence. Don't try to control my actions with force like you do at school."

The first time was the hardest; if she let it slide once or twice, Seo Do-gyeom would push boundaries without knowing limits. It was better to set firm boundaries from the start.

At Yi-hae Baek's resolute words, Seo Do-gyeom nodded obediently. It wasn't the look of someone realizing his mistake—just complying because she told him not to.

Still, this was decent progress, so Yi-hae Baek decided to lower her expectations a bit.

"Yi-hae."

Then, out of nowhere, Seo Do-gyeom called her name. Seo I-heum occasionally called her "Yi-hae" affectionately, but this felt different.

Just those two stiff syllables. At the sound, Yi-hae Baek turned her head straight forward.

To hide the flush creeping across her face.

"From now on, I'll call you by your name. And if you don't want it, I won't try to force you."

"Good. That's how it should be."

"You?"

"Huh?"

"You call me by my name too."

What was with the embarrassing request? She'd call him when needed without being asked.

Yi-hae Baek opened her mouth, then—grateful that he'd followed her wishes—complied.

"Do-gyeom. Happy now?"

She blurted it out like charity to cover her shyness, then narrowed her eyes and glared at him on purpose. But she ended up clamping her mouth shut.

Because it was the first time she'd seen Seo Do-gyeom smile right in front of her.

"......"

It was just a name. Just calling his name, and he acted like he'd gained the whole world.

"......Let's hurry up and go."

Yi-hae Baek averted her gaze, grabbed Seo Do-gyeom's arm, and pulled him forward. It was unconscious, and in her flustered state, she didn't realize it.

Seo Do-gyeom followed, glancing down at the small hand gripping his arm.

The favorability that had only been dropping little by little had shot up. And he felt that from their mere touch.

It was an awkward moment to let go of his arm, so she bowed her head deeply. She almost wished the status window would disappear.

She wanted to crawl into a hole.

"You agreed to help him study for midterms?"

Seo I-heum asked.

The moment they got home, Yi-hae Baek dumped a pile of homework on Seo Do-gyeom with orders to study, then fled. After changing into comfortable clothes, she headed straight to Seo I-heum's study.

Despite her sudden intrusion, he casually made space for her.

"The young master studying......"

O Seo-bang muttered in disbelief as he brought snacks for Yi-hae Baek.

For him to say that even with Seo I-heum around, Seo Do-gyeom must have built quite the reputation for avoiding books. His grades certainly backed that up.

"I don't know if Do-gyeom will follow in your footsteps and become a yakuza or not."

Yi-hae Baek was the only one in the house with a sweet tooth, so the snacks were always bought just for her.

She stretched out her legs, wiggled her toes, and took a bite of cake. Such sweet consideration.

"Studying will help him make judgments without being swayed by others, whether he becomes a yakuza or not. And if he doesn't, it'll give him more options."

In a family that assumed Seo Do-gyeom and Yeol would naturally become yakuza, her words might sound presumptuous.

Seo I-heum stared at her silently. O Seo-bang quietly shut his mouth and gauged the mood.

"No one knows the future. Do-gyeom and Yeol are good kids. I just want them to have better choices."

"Good grades don't solve everything."

"True. If anything, money's the real universal solver."

Most things could be settled with money. Violence probably worked the same way.

Seo I-heum had both money and power—and planned to pass them to his sons.

"My opinion isn't the absolute truth."

Yi-hae Baek stated it without stubbornness. Perhaps liking her straightforwardness, Seo I-heum quirked one corner of his mouth.

He'd been watching her as she propped her chin on her knee, sitting on the sofa and eating cake.

"Yi-hae."

"Yes?"

"Maybe rethink the engagement with Do-gyeom."

An affectionate call, but cold content. Puzzled, Yi-hae Baek tilted her head, and Seo I-heum added,

"You're too valuable to waste."

"What? Your son is Seo Do-gyeom."

Yi-hae Baek burst into laughter. O Seo-bang smiled warmly at the sound.

He cherished the young masters, but the bright princess's laughter was even better.

"Oh, right. I had a question. You said the formal engagement would be simple. When's it happening? And is the partner definitely Seo Do-gyeom?"

Recalling Yeol's words, Yi-hae Baek probed casually. Fortunately, Seo I-heum answered without suspicion.

"The partner's not set. I said one of my sons, so Yeol's fine too if you want. Timing...... Nothing fixed, but before you turn adult."

When she hugged her knees at his offer to pick any date, resting her chin atop them, she asked,

"Date doesn't matter. But even as our parents' dying wish, does a formal ceremony have meaning?"

"Think of it as my self-satisfaction."

"Honest. What were you and my parents? Friends?"

Seo I-heum crossed his arms. Was he refusing to answer, unlike before?

A glance at O Seo-bang showed no sign of signaling. Then what?

Noticing her look, Seo I-heum met her eyes briefly before answering slowly.

"Your parents were my benefactors. They helped my late wife."

She'd guessed the wife was gone, from the lack of sightings or mentions.

Seo Do-gyeom was the spitting image of Seo I-heum, so cute-faced Yeol must take after his mother. She must have been a stunning beauty to captivate Seo I-heum.

"Benefactors and betrayers. In the end, your father was the cause of her death."

Wait, what?

Yi-hae Baek, idly imagining Seo Do-gyeom's mother's beauty, gaped like a fool.

She'd suddenly become the daughter of his enemy.