Adjusting the Gangster Male Lead’s Intensity [Novel] Chapter 50

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 50

Chapter Title: I Like You Too

-----------------------------------------------------------------

"Where's my place, and where's yours? If we're going by what you said, I'd be the protagonist."

Eun-seol Yeo pointed at himself with the fork he'd been about to use on his cake.

"I hate that fate. That role wasn't something we chose in the first place."

"But to me, you, Do-gyeom Seo, and everyone else are just characters in a game."

"So, is the story unfolding exactly like the game you know? You've already changed a ton since living as Yi-hae Baek."

Yi-hae Baek flinched at Eun-seol Yeo's sharp observation.

Sure enough, things had gone wildly off-script since she'd entered Do-gyeom Seo's house. And because of that, she'd even earned his favor.

"See?"

He smirked, reading her expression and seeing right through her.

"You know it too. Nothing's set in stone here. The ending can change based on how we move."

"The ending..."

"You like Do-gyeom Seo, right? You might deny it because you're scared he'll turn into a dangerous yakuza, but deep down, you're worried he'll end up with some other woman?"

Yi-hae Baek fell silent. That was answer enough for Eun-seol Yeo.

"There's no such thing as absolutes in this world. If I were a woman, it might be different, but I see meaning in becoming a guy."

"Meaning?"

"It completely rules out any chance of me getting tangled up with Do-gyeom Seo. That way, both of us can head toward a new future."

His words rang with such conviction that Yi-hae Baek clamped her mouth shut again. Unlike her, he followed his own beliefs unwaveringly, and it was kind of cool.

She figured her own indecision made her look pathetic by comparison, but she decided to change the subject.

"Oh, right, Eun-seol Yeo. Do you know Yeong Baek?"

Eun-seol Yeo froze, about to call her out for dodging. Then his face twisted in shock as he stared at her.

"How do you know his name?"

She hadn't expected him to know, since he'd been clueless about Yeol Seo despite her mentioning him, and she'd even gotten a bad ending with Do-gyeom Seo.

Surprisingly, he seemed to know about Yeong Baek. Had he been kidnapped like her?

"He kidnapped me once."

"No way, that happened to me too. I was bait to blackmail Do-gyeom Seo."

Yi-hae Baek leaned forward. Eun-seol Yeo did the same.

Despite the sudden closeness, neither minded.

"He's the worst, right? He used a honey trap on me, got me to let my guard down, then snatched me."

"That's better than what I got. He clocked me from behind on my way home from work. Blood was pouring from my head."

Eun-seol Yeo gritted his teeth. While he seemed eager to avoid Do-gyeom Seo, he looked ready to get revenge on Yeong Baek.

As they talked, Eun-seol Yeo suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, yeah. I heard there's a spy in Do-gyeom Seo's house. Shouldn't you be careful?"

He meant I-ryeong Cha. Yi-hae Baek nodded.

"Didn't I tell you last time? The uncle's favorability went up because I helped him out."

"Oh, that was the incident. I didn't pay much attention since it didn't involve Do-gyeom Seo."

That was a risky thing to say.

Realizing it himself, he shot her a glare, as if telling her not to get the wrong idea.

"Anyway, why'd you ask about him all of a sudden?"

"He's the guy I'm supposed to assist at work."

"You're insane. I'll get your assignment changed right now."

As he hurriedly pulled out his phone, Yi-hae Baek grabbed his wrist.

"...Just leave it. I don't have a choice."

Yi-hae Baek sighed and explained the main quest details. Eun-seol Yeo's initial confusion quickly turned to pity.

"You're really... living a harder life than me."

"Even if I wanted to skip the reward, the penalty stops me. If his favorability drops and the uncle kicks me out, I'd have nowhere to go."

"I'll find you a place to stay if that happens."

Whoa, that was kinda heart-fluttering.

But oblivious to how he'd stirred her, Eun-seol Yeo frowned and muttered,

"...Do-gyeom Seo's favorability dropping would be bad for me too."

Now stuck in the same boat, he looked serious.

"Don't worry, I've got a plan. Apparently, doing good work raises Yeong Baek's favorability."

"Makes sense. Bosses like competent people. Never thought of that."

Eun-seol Yeo gazed at her approvingly. At the same time, a status window popped up beside him.

In a way, Eun-seol Yeo was straightforward. He steadily raised trust without touching favorability.

"What? Why're you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing. Just thinking you're pretty simple."

"Wait, did my favorability just go up? Don't get the wrong idea. It's definitely not romantic."

This guy.

Yi-hae Baek pouted.

But that didn't last. They started sharing info they both knew and chatting about trivial stuff they'd held back on because of Do-gyeom Seo's prying eyes.

Before they knew it, an hour had passed since arriving at the café. Yi-hae Baek checked her phone.

There was a text from Do-gyeom Seo asking where she was.

"I should head out now. Do-gyeom texted me."

"Yeah? He's so thoughtful."

Eun-seol Yeo smiled warmly. Yi-hae Baek was baffled, but as she grabbed her bag,

"Yi-hae Baek."

"Yeah?"

"I know the status window restricts your actions a lot, but still... do what you want."

What Yi-hae Baek wanted.

What did he mean by that? But before she could ask, he stood up.

As he eyed her remaining cup like what are you waiting for?, she hurried after him.

"My driver's coming to pick me up, so go ahead. If Do-gyeom shows up and we run into each other, it'll cause misunderstandings."

Standing at the entrance, he waved goodbye. Yi-hae Baek stared at him before nodding.

She didn't need to ask what he meant. He was talking about her hesitation toward Do-gyeom Seo.

Just as Do-gyeom Seo's favor for her was obvious, so was hers for him.

As Yi-hae Baek walked away, she spotted Do-gyeom Seo waiting.

Sensing her, he looked up. His eyes slowly took her in, curving into a smile.

He might not realize it, but it was a gaze full of affection. Tickled by it, she walked toward him.

"Good work."

His natural hand-holding felt normal now. Their fingers intertwined.

Gently, but firmly enough not to let go.

"I would've come earlier if you'd told me."

"It's fine. You were working."

Since the café was in the company building, he assumed she'd just finished up late.

Her conscience pricked her, but Yi-hae Baek just smiled. She liked that he'd waited.

Maybe that's why.

She hooked her arm through his, resting her head on his bicep and acting cute. She felt his body stiffen in surprise.

"No one's ever picked me up before. This feels amazing."

She had few memories as Yi-hae Baek and only those from her orphanage days, so of course.

'It feels like being loved.'

A life so precious it felt like the world revolved around her.

So this is what being loved feels like.

'If I date Do-gyeom Seo, this could be everyday.'

They'd be engaged soon anyway. Eun-seol Yeo was even rooting for them, so no interference there.

Even if another woman showed up, would Do-gyeom Seo open his heart?

"Do-gyeom, wanna walk a bit before heading back? Nice weather."

Despite her unusual behavior, he nodded.

They strolled the street. An ordinary one, with people bustling and horns blaring.

But holding Do-gyeom Seo's hand made it feel unusually serene to her.

Her heart pounded.

That familiar thrill whenever she touched him lately.

'Do what you want.'

She recalled Eun-seol Yeo's words.

What Yi-hae Baek wanted. A family safety net. Someone to keep the loneliness away.

And.

"I think I like you too."

Do-gyeom Seo's steps halted. Their hands still linked.

As he stopped, she did too. A brief gap opened between them, hands bridging it.

"...What does that."

For the first time, Do-gyeom Seo looked flustered. He seemed unsure what expression to make.

Yi-hae Baek let out a soft, deflating laugh. Puhuhu.

"Let me correct that. It's not 'I think.' I like you."

"..."

She stepped closer. Letting go of their only connection, their hands.

Yet she felt no anxiety.

"Wanna go out with me?"

Right in front of him, she tilted her head with a playful smile. His eyes met hers, confusion fading.

Then his face flushed red. Reactions too innocent for Do-gyeom Seo.

"If you don't want to, forget it."

She teasingly stepped back, but he pulled her into an embrace.

Like when he'd locked his ankles around her—binding her tight, never to escape.

But his possessiveness no longer unnerved her.

"As if I'd say no."

His muffled voice came small from her shoulder. He buried his face there, quiet for a moment, then lifted his head.

Red-rimmed eyes.

Trembling as if tears might fall any second, scanning her like confirming reality.

"I."

Clearing his watery voice, embarrassed. But his face looked ready to crumble at a touch.

She wondered how I-heum Seo would react to this.

"I'll... be gentle with you."

"..."

She'd expected simple thanks or joy.

But those unexpected words shocked her.

A man indifferent to others' feelings, steeped in yakuza violence.

How much had he mulled over her fear of his scariness?

How many inner vows had he made?

Emotion welled up in Yi-hae Baek's eyes. Her hand trembled pathetically wiping under them.

"You're already gentle, you idiot. That's why I fell for you."

She had to admit it now.

What she wanted most was Do-gyeom Seo.