Adjusting the Gangster Male Lead’s Intensity [Novel] Chapter 47

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 47

Chapter Title: Unexpected Reunion

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“The decision should be Yi-hae’s to make. I have no intention of forcing you.”

“Even if it’s just a formal engagement? It’s only to keep the promise to my benefactor anyway—nothing will really change.”

Benefactor.

At O Seo-bang’s words, I-heum Seo’s gaze fixed on Yi-hae Baek. More precisely, he recalled the man and woman whose faces resembled hers.

Following them, the face of his late wife, who had passed first, naturally came to mind, and I-heum Seo’s expression darkened.

O Seo-bang, quick on the uptake, sensed what he was thinking and quietly shut his mouth, turning his head away.

“Huh?”

“What.”

“Looks like she’s not wearing our love filter. There are guys approaching Yi-hae.”

Two men who appeared to be adults were approaching Yi-hae Baek and saying something to her.

Judging by the hand they extended, they were either inviting her to hang out or asking for her number.

I-heum Seo eyed them indifferently. His look said it took guts to approach Yi-hae Baek with faces like that.

Even without them stepping in, Do-gyeom Seo would handle it himself.

As I-heum Seo ignored them and tried to lie back down, an irritated shout came from the men’s direction.

“Fuck, she looks pricey! Flaunting that disgusting back scar around without a clue!”

The bellow echoed, drawing the attention of passersby even from a distance.

Yi-hae Baek’s face flushed red in an instant. She, who had never been ashamed of her scar, shrank back for the first time.

Do-gyeom Seo and Yeol Seo beside her hardened their expressions in a flash.

Especially Yeol Seo, the cause of the scar, glared at the men as if he’d tear them apart right then.

“O Seo-bang.”

“Yes.”

“Make sure you remember those guys’ faces clearly.”

I-heum Seo stared at the men with sunken eyes as well.

By then, it had turned into a fight, but the opponents were no match for Do-gyeom Seo and Yeol Seo, getting thoroughly beaten.

O Seo-bang nodded emphatically.

“Yes, sir. I’ll investigate everyone around them too. It’d be ideal if they’re in an environment where they won’t be missed if they suddenly disappear.”

To dispose of them more cleanly.

O Seo-bang ground his teeth, glaring at the men who had hurt Yi-hae Baek.

It was a brief moment of peace.

They had gone to the beach for a rare outing, but had to flee home like fugitives due to the commotion.

Fortunately, the guys who got beaten didn’t report it—either out of fear of retaliation or intimidated by O Seo-bang’s hulking frame when he arrived late.

Yi-hae Baek finally eased her worry that these gangsters might get in trouble because of her.

She had felt a bit upset at the sudden insults, but it wasn’t bad seeing others get angry for her sake.

“Annoying. We should’ve killed those bastards.”

Yi-hae Baek sat in the middle, with Do-gyeom Seo on one side holding her hand and gazing out at the scenery.

On the other side, Yeol Seo sniffled, hugging one of her arms with an upset face as he spat vicious words.

“I’m fine, so don’t say such harsh things. How can a little kid already be spouting scary stuff like that?”

“But they talked to you like that! Your scar, the scar... it’s because of me!”

O Seo-bang in the driver’s seat and I-heum Seo in the passenger seat both checked Yi-hae Baek’s expression via the rearview mirror at the same time.

Their actions brimmed with concern that she might be hurt, which oddly dispelled the lingering unease from earlier.

A laugh slipped out unwittingly.

“I’m okay. It’d be a lie to say it doesn’t bother me, but I’ve never regretted helping you.”

I’d do the same even if I went back in time.

Yeol Seo looked up at her, entranced by her matter-of-fact words. His teary eyes made his youth obvious.

Yi-hae Baek smiled faintly and brushed the corner of his eye. She felt the wetness.

“So don’t worry. From now on, think twice before saying harsh things because of me. I hate violence.”

Screech!

The car braked abruptly just as Yi-hae Baek spoke.

Do-gyeom Seo and Yeol Seo both reached out to steady her forward-lurching body.

Yi-hae Baek’s eyes widened round as she confirmed she was unharmed, then I-heum Seo ground his teeth and called O Seo-bang’s name.

“O Seo-bang.”

“S-Sorry! Are the young lady and young masters okay?! I missed the red light!”

Not really, but anyway.

As he muttered under his breath so Yi-hae Baek wouldn’t hear, I-heum Seo shot him a glare, clearly having caught it.

He was being brazen despite obviously feeling pricked by her words too.

“Watch it, mister! Yi-hae noona is fragile—she’d die if you bump her!”

Not quite.

Yi-hae Baek bit her lip, unable to say it aloud. Truth be told, any of the four men here seemed like they’d crumple from a light tap.

“He’d only learn after dying.”

Do-gyeom Seo glared coldly at O Seo-bang and said.

She couldn’t retort to his serious face with something like, How would he learn after dying, you merciless guy?

It feels like they’re getting overprotective... or am I imagining it?

It was because women were rare in their household.

Yi-hae Baek decided to think simply.

“By the way, have you planned what to do during break? If you want tutoring, Yi-hae, just say the word anytime.”

Unlike his sons, I-heum Seo was sincere about studies and considerate of Yi-hae Baek, but she shook her head.

She knew money wasn’t an issue, but she didn’t want to impose that much.

“I’m good; I can study on my own. I’ll ask if I fall short!”

“Alright, anytime.”

“Yes! And I’m getting a part-time job anyway, so I won’t have time for tutoring.”

“...Part-time job?”

I-heum Seo paused before asking again, as if doubting his ears.

Everyone in the car felt the same, but Yi-hae Baek nodded brightly with a big smile.

She was sharp, after all.

“Yes! A part-time job!”

She was just pretending not to notice.

“Absolutely not.”

As expected, opposition to the part-time job was fierce. She’d half-anticipated resistance even over swimsuits, but...

No, this felt even more adamant.

The mood sank instantly, and O Seo-bang gripped the wheel tightly, glancing around nervously.

“Why?”

“If there’s something you want, I’ll buy it. If there’s something you want to do, I’ll give you money. Why go earn it yourself?”

I-heum Seo seemed somehow offended, like his pride was hurt.

Yi-hae Baek peeked at the back of his head, then Yeol Seo asked her with a panicked face.

“Noona, why a part-time job all of a sudden? If it’s awkward to tell Dad, tell me! I’ve got tons of savings!”

Who’d take your snot-nosed savings?

Actually, seeing her allowance, Yeol Seo’s savings probably weren’t insignificant.

Still, she hadn’t expected such strong opposition.

“It’s a friend’s dad’s company, simple assistant work! I want to experience society early and earn my own money. It’s not hard, so don’t worry!”

Even as she rattled off her prepared explanation, the men’s faces didn’t soften.

I-heum Seo seemed worried about making her suffer, Yeol Seo just puzzled why she’d do something so pointless.

And Do-gyeom Seo was...

“Which friend?”

Pressuring her on a completely different point.

Can I say Eun-seol Yeo?

The imaginary Eun-seol Yeo was shaking her head desperately and begging. Yi-hae Baek felt the same.

The mood was already against it; mentioning a male friend’s referral would make it worse.

“Uh, Jang Seul-gi—you know her? The one who called me to the hall on the last day of school! She said she wants to get close to me.”

“She wants to get close, so why introduce you to a job?”

It was an uncharacteristically logical question from Do-gyeom Seo.

“She’s doing it too and invited me to join. We can earn money together and grab something yummy after! It’s my first girl friend, so I wanna go...”

But Yi-hae Baek, no longer scared of Do-gyeom Seo, said it innocently. Even she thought her attitude was brazen.

Still, she saw Do-gyeom Seo’s expression soften at her words.

“Yeah?”

I-heum Seo did too. He seemed to think her pleading wasn’t about money but Jang Seul-gi.

Yi-hae Baek didn’t bother correcting the misunderstanding.

I’ll really meet up with Seul-gi after work later.

Then her conscience wouldn’t sting as much.

Yi-hae Baek was growing bolder even in her thoughts. And so, she got I-heum Seo’s permission and Do-gyeom Seo’s silent approval.

A few days passed like that.

When she texted Eun-seol Yeo about it, she replied that her father had coincidentally just approved too, and was thrilled.

The part-time hours weren’t long: simple assistant work from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Like copying documents or Excel tasks.

-They won’t give a student anything tough, so don’t stress.

Eun-seol Yeo advised her like that and texted the location. She added they’d meet after work since she’d let them know ahead.

It was a lie, but actually starting makes it feel like real society stuff—kinda nerve-wracking.

Yi-hae Baek stood tensely in front of the large building.

Her reflection in the glass showed her in a white tee and black slacks, dressed as neatly as possible.

At reception inside, they handed her a red-lanyard name tag as if already informed.

Yi-hae Baek blushed excitedly. It felt just like experiencing the adult life she admired.

“Right here. Go in, and the assigned staff will be waiting.”

The receptionist was professional but polite, guiding Yi-hae Baek without dismissing her as a student.

Confirming the receptionist had gone back the way she came, Yi-hae Baek took a deep breath. Smiling at the name tag with her name, she opened the door.

“Hello—!”

She hadn’t dreamed the person inside would be someone she never expected.

The other recognized Yi-hae Baek too and froze in shock.

Yeong Baek, whom she hadn’t seen in a while, was still strikingly handsome.