Adjusting the Gangster Male Lead’s Intensity [Novel] Chapter 49

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 49

Chapter Title: The Man as Sharp as a Knife

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Yeong Baek was a man as sharp as a knife.

Whether because Yi-hae Baek had told him not to talk to her unless necessary, or because he had zero interest in getting friendly...

‘He really didn’t say a word except when giving work instructions.’

Other than that, he only responded when Yi-hae asked about something unclear.

She didn’t like the surprised look he gave her when she spoke first, but she hated even more the idea of him slacking on assigned tasks.

Surprisingly, Yeong Baek’s favorability had gone up because of Yi-hae’s strict separation of work and personal matters.

‘Who’d have thought his favorability would rise by 3 just from watching me work.’

Right. Favorability didn’t just mean rational affection like with Do-gyeom Seo.

‘There’s the family-like kind with Ajusshi, or gratitude toward Yeol.’

There was friendship-based favorability, and plain first-impression favorability too.

Admiration, affection—all positive emotions boiled down to favorability.

‘In that sense, Yeong Baek’s favorability rising probably means he sees me as someone reliable to work with.’

She had no idea what he was doing, but he seemed pretty focused. She’d wondered if they should eat lunch together, but then he’d ordered a sandwich for her too, which caught her off guard.

In the quiet office, Yi-hae mulled things over as she chewed her sandwich.

‘Even at lunch, he’s working.’

She snuck a glance at the man skimming documents between half-hearted bites of his sandwich.

And wouldn’t you know it—he set the sandwich down and dove right back into work. No wonder he stayed so lean.

Yi-hae rubbed her belly. She’d polished off a whole sandwich without feeling full.

‘Maybe Yeol was right. Maybe I really am a pig.’

At least learning self-defense from Do-gyeom Seo had helped build her stamina.

She eyed the coffee machine and tea bags in the corner and stood up. After a moment’s hesitation, she turned to Yeong Baek.

“Want some coffee?”

Yeong Baek finally looked up. He blinked slowly, then nodded.

“You just pop in a capsule and hit a button, right?”

“Yeah. Help yourself if you want some. Ice is in the pantry.”

“I’m still a student, you know?”

“It’s not booze. It’s coffee. Relax.”

Fair enough.

Yi-hae’s eyes lit up. She’d never had coffee before.

As she fiddled with the capsule, wondering if she needed to unwrap it, Yeong Baek walked over.

“Don’t unwrap it. Just slot it in here. Close the lid, pick your coffee, and press the button.”

He set a pink mug under the machine and hit the button.

The coffee pouring out fascinated her. Her nose twitched at the rich aroma filling the room in seconds.

‘Coffee smells amazing.’

If not for the kidnapping—if she hadn’t known he was Yakuza—Yeong Baek was the type she could easily fall for.

His brusque thoughtfulness kept drawing her in, even if he wasn’t doing it on purpose.

‘Of course. He figured I wouldn’t know the machine since it’s my first coffee. No big deal.’

Not out of pity. Definitely not affection for Yi-hae.

“The sandwich.”

“Huh?”

“Taste okay?”

Yeong Baek handed her the pink mug. Their eyes met for a second, and Yi-hae dropped her gaze to the cup.

“Yeah, it was good.”

“Good to know. I’ll add yours to my order from now on. If it’s a hassle, hit the staff cafeteria.”

“I’m fine here, but... oh, right. How much was today’s?”

“Forget it.”

Yi-hae started toward her bag for her wallet, as if she’d just remembered.

Yeong Baek caught her shoulder briefly, then let go. He grabbed a black mug and said,

“I’m not broke enough to take a student’s money.”

True. Like I-heum Seo, the head of a Yakuza outfit probably had cash to spare.

He wasn’t someone she needed to impress anyway. If he said it was fine, no point pushing.

Yi-hae nodded. Coffee in hand, time to head back to her desk.

But she lingered, watching the black mug fill up beside him.

A beat of silence, then she spoke.

“I actually prefer salmon sandwiches, though. Love seafood. Nothing I won’t eat.”

Yeong Baek’s fingers curled around the mug handle. She couldn’t tear her eyes away.

Maybe because that hand had wrapped her waist once. Or just gripped her shoulder.

“Got it. I’ll keep that in mind.”

He sipped from the mug, a faint smile tugging his lips. Yi-hae returned to her seat as he headed to his.

The coffee smelled divine but hit bitter on the tongue. She couldn’t fathom why adults drank this stuff.

Yet somehow...

‘Not bad.’

Her mouth kept watering for more.

The scent must have hooked her, bitterness and all.

No talk after lunch. When quitting time rolled around, he just said she could leave without saying goodbye—he was busy.

‘What’s he got going on that’s so urgent?’

Yi-hae bowed quickly in lieu of a proper farewell and slipped out of the office.

-At the 1st-floor cafe, waiting!

She called Eun-seol Yeo on her way out. He picked up like he’d been expecting it.

-What’ll you have? I’ll order ahead.

“Something cool and refreshing. Skip the coffee—I had some.”

-Roger. I’m on 2. Come up when you get here.

Yi-hae hung up and picked up the pace.

The 1st-floor cafe was huge, open to outsiders. Up on 2, a flashy blond head stood out.

“Hair color makes you easy to spot. Handy.”

“Oh, hey.”

Eun-seol Yeo smiled and waved her to the seat across from him. His outfit screamed grown-up—nothing like Yi-hae’s neat, student vibe.

Suit and all. He looked like old money, which intrigued her. He caught her stare.

“That surprising?”

“Kinda. You look like a rich kid like that. This okay? Don’t we need to sneak around or...?”

“Nobody’s watching me that close.”

He teased her for too many dramas, then pointed at the cake in the middle.

“Eat up.”

Yi-hae blinked, then asked carefully,

“How much? I’ll Venmo you. Places like this gouge on cake, right?”

“Same as anywhere. Forget it. Not taking a student’s cash.”

He was a student too, but shrugged it off. Still, Yi-hae’s fluster puzzled him.

“First time in a cafe? Girls hit these places all the time.”

“Ah...”

Yi-hae paused, then admitted,

“Grew up in an orphanage in my last life. First time buying anything here with my own money.”

“...Sorry. That was dumb of me.”

“Nah, it’s fine. Ajusshi gives decent pocket money now.”

Big money, though. She was too scared to spend it, so it sat in her account. People who knew poverty spent wisely, right?

Easier to wheedle stuff from I-heum Seo or Do-gyeom Seo anyway. She sipped her drink, thinking that.

Eun-seol Yeo watched her, then asked,

“Just my two cents, but... doesn’t that make this world better for you? Got someone you like over there or what?”

“No.”

“Then why’re you so set on going back?”

His genuine curiosity made Yi-hae clamp her lips shut.

Yeah. No family. No friends. No dreams fulfilled. She’d just be alone again.

No scarfing two bowls of rice without a care, like at I-heum Seo’s place.

She got his confusion.

“...Feels like I don’t belong here.”

She couldn’t bring herself to say she was terrified of being tossed aside someday. Instead, Yi-hae forced a smile.