Chapter 90
It wasn’t until noon on Thursday that Cheong-yeon was able to open his eyes.
While one should normally feel at least somewhat refreshed after waking up, perhaps due to having his energy thoroughly drained by Do-heon for six days, he felt exhausted from the moment consciousness returned.
‘I have urgent business so I need to go to work today. Get plenty of rest.’
He vaguely heard Do-heon leaving for work while half-asleep—apparently it wasn’t a dream. The car keys and briefcase that he always took when going out were nowhere to be seen.
“Thank goodness.”
Director Moon Do-heon had finally gone to work. Never before had Cheong-yeon been so happy about his departure for the office.
Still wearing his robe, Cheong-yeon immediately got out of bed and grabbed his phone from the table. Right next to the phone were the clothes he had originally worn, neatly laundered and folded.
Without hesitation, he pulled off his robe and changed into his regular clothes, planning to leave the house as quickly as possible while Do-heon was at work. If he dawdled and they happened to meet again, he might get dragged back to the bedroom.
Come to think of it, considering that Do-heon had gone to work, had his rut cycle completely ended?
“After all that activity, it better be over. If he’s even human…”
Cheong-yeon shook his head as he went downstairs. A savory aroma wafted from the kitchen where someone appeared to be cooking.
“Oh my, you’re awake? How are you feeling?”
The housekeeper quickly approached after hearing his footsteps.
“Don’t ask.”
Cheong-yeon waved his hand dismissively. The housekeeper working in the kitchen examined his complexion with a knowing look.
“You look like half a person. My goodness… the Director went too far.”
The fact that she was making such comments when she normally never criticized Do-heon’s behavior suggested that Cheong-yeon must look terrible.
“Would you like to eat? I can set the table for you right away.”
Wiping her damp hands on her apron, the housekeeper explained the menu without being asked.
“I’ve made beef porridge and braised short ribs that you like. Some excellent wild pine mushrooms came in, so I added them—the aroma is intense.”
Cheong-yeon, who had been about to head straight for the front door, paused.
“Beef porridge…?”
And braised short ribs on top of that?
“Yes. I sautéed plenty of Korean beef and added it, so it’s incredibly rich.”
The housekeeper naturally guided Cheong-yeon to the dining room. Following her almost by reflex, Cheong-yeon was conflicted.
He couldn’t afford to waste any more time here. If he was going to leave, now was his chance.
However, he wasn’t sure if his trembling legs would carry him safely home. Above all, he was so hungry that he simply couldn’t bring himself to walk away.
“Hmm. Then I’ll just eat a little.”
Cheong-yeon gave in and sat at the table, and the housekeeper began efficiently setting the table with no wasted motion.
The porridge she made was one of Cheong-yeon’s favorite foods. She used to make it whenever he wasn’t feeling well, and he had often thought about it even after divorcing Do-heon.
But whether he tried making it himself or bought something similar at a porridge restaurant, he could never recreate that familiar taste.
“I’ve really been craving this.”
The sight of the porridge filled with minced Korean beef made his mouth water. The housekeeper’s face brightened at his response.
“I should prepare enough ingredients so you can eat it until next week.”
Cheong-yeon, who had just been about to take a spoonful of porridge, looked up at the housekeeper with his spoon suspended in mid-air.
“Why until next week?”
“Well… aren’t you staying here now?”
The housekeeper asked as if it were obvious. Come to think of it, he had stayed here for nearly a week, so to others, it might seem like he and Do-heon had reconciled.
“No. I’m going home today.”
Cheong-yeon drew a clear line to clarify his relationship with Do-heon as he took a large spoonful of porridge.
The flavor was exquisite. The rich, sweet taste of Korean beef filling his mouth without being overwhelmingly fragrant. The housekeeper’s beef porridge was even more delicious than Cheong-yeon remembered, to the point of being moving.
“Is that so? The Director told me to prepare your favorites for dinner…”
The housekeeper watching from the side made a troubled expression.
For a moment, Cheong-yeon almost blurted out “that shameless bastard.” What was he planning to do after feeding him a good meal?
“I’ll just eat this and then leave. Oh, please call me a taxi later.”
“Why call a taxi? There are plenty of people who can drive you in this house. I’ll contact someone to have a car ready.”
“Thank you.”
Cheong-yeon didn’t refuse her offer. After all, a car driven by a chauffeur was definitely more comfortable and smoother than a taxi.
“I’ll pack some porridge and short ribs for you to take. I made plenty, so you should have enough for a few days.”
“Moon Do-heon really went to work today, right?”
As Cheong-yeon mentioned Do-heon’s name, the housekeeper’s eyes wavered with surprise.
“Yes. But he said he would come home early.”
I’d better escape quickly then.
Cheong-yeon checked the time while thinking this. It was only twelve-thirty in the afternoon, so there was plenty of time.
While diligently shoveling porridge into his mouth, Cheong-yeon picked at the side dishes in front of him. Despite being familiar with the taste, he couldn’t stop marveling internally throughout the meal.
In the past, he’d eaten these dishes almost every day and had grown tired of them, but after leaving Do-heon’s house and living alone, he was acutely realizing the importance of home-cooked meals.
Store-bought food had its limitations. No restaurant could recreate this taste. The neat presentation with just the right amount of umami flavor, the quality and freshness of ingredients, and the seasonings made from scratch rather than store-bought.
It was impossible to find side dishes made with such care outside.
“By the way, is Moon Do-heon feeling better?”
“Regarding that… he strictly reminded everyone to keep quiet about it this time… I can’t answer.”
“…”
Since Cheong-yeon hadn’t expected to get the answer he wanted anyway, he quickly nodded in understanding.
But he casually thought that Do-heon was probably fine—he had more than enough money, and from what Cheong-yeon had observed this time, there didn’t seem to be any issues with his virility either.
After all, when Cheong-yeon first heard that Do-heon was taking medication because he was sick, he had been genuinely worried, but the cause turned out to be his rut cycle. Since he had thoroughly completed this rut, perhaps the fundamental problem had been somewhat resolved.
“It makes me happy to see you enjoying the food. Let me get you some more.”
When the side dish plates were emptied, the housekeeper quickly brought out fresh portions.
“Ah. I’ll pack all these side dishes for you to take home. Do you have space in your refrigerator?”
“That’s fine with me, but shouldn’t we leave some for Moon Do-heon?”
Feeling guilty about taking everything from someone else’s refrigerator, Cheong-yeon politely declined once.
“The Director rarely eats at home these days.”
Hearing the concerned voice, Cheong-yeon tilted his head curiously.
“Really? I mean, lunch he’d eat at the company… But didn’t he used to eat breakfast at home regularly before? And dinner too, except when he worked late.”
“He says he’s too busy to eat. Even when I prepare food just in case, it ends up being thrown away… So don’t worry and take it with you.”
She disappeared into the kitchen, saying she would pack the porridge and side dishes while Cheong-yeon ate.
Meanwhile, Cheong-yeon checked the notifications on his phone, which he hadn’t been able to look at for six days.
“Wow, what is all this?”
There were so many messages piled up that it was difficult to read them at once. Most contained surprise and congratulations regarding the drama that had its first broadcast yesterday.
[What’s with this drama??? Are you acting?? Since when?]
[Congrats Cheong-yeon lolol I was watching TV and suddenly you appeared so surprising–]
[Hey hey what’s going on, why didn’t you say anything? That is you, right?!! (emoji)]
[Hmm didn’t you say you got married but suddenly I saw your name on the internet and it really was Yoo Cheong-yeon;]
Various people from close friends to acquaintances he hadn’t been in touch with had left calls, texts, and chat messages.
Cheong-yeon checked his manager’s messages first.
[Manager Park Yong-jun: Actor, I heard you’re sick ㅠㅠ Don’t worry. I’ve completely rescheduled everything *^^*]
[Manager Park Yong-jun: There’s a light photo shoot on Friday afternoon (tomorrow) so please just make sure your face isn’t too swollen *^^*]
[Manager Park Yong-jun: I’ve reorganized the schedule and sent it to you as a file~]
[Manager Park Yong-jun: And congratulations on the first episode of the drama^^ It started with 8% viewership-!!]
As expected, whether Do-heon had pulled some strings or not, the previously scheduled appointments had been conveniently pushed back. While that was fortunate, Cheong-yeon was concerned about the photo shoot scheduled for tomorrow. Would it be possible?
Cheong-yeon sighed as he looked at his haggard face reflected in the phone screen.
By the way, 8% viewership for the first episode? That was quite good by current standards.
Along with relief, he became curious about people’s reactions to his acting. While he was at it, Cheong-yeon searched his name on a portal site.
—Yoo Cheong-yeon (Actor)
Along with a recently taken profile photo, there was brief information about him. He was no longer an idol but an actor now.
Below that were articles related to yesterday’s drama. With mixed feelings—worried that articles linking him with Do-heon might appear, yet excited about the drama’s reception—Cheong-yeon scrolled down the screen.
Just as he was about to touch an article that had been uploaded recently, a new message came in.
[Moon Do-heon: Tomorrow at 8 PM, Four Seasons Hotel, 2nd floor restaurant.]
Cheong-yeon’s brow furrowed as he read the message.
“What’s he saying all of a sudden?”
What day was tomorrow again? Today is Thursday, so…
“…No way?”
Realizing that tomorrow was Friday, the day he had originally agreed to meet Do-heon, Cheong-yeon’s expression twisted.
Does this person actually have a conscience? Is he insane?
He was so dumbfounded that he couldn’t even manage a bitter laugh. He checked the message again in case he had misread it, but the content remained the same.
Fuming, Cheong-yeon couldn’t hold back and pressed the call button. This time, the call connected immediately.
“Are you crazy?”
Cheong-yeon snapped without preamble.
—I don’t know what you’re talking about.
“The message you just sent. Are you really planning to meet tomorrow?”
—Is there a reason we can’t? The contract specifies that we meet every Friday.
“If a person has a conscience… never mind. I have a photo shoot tomorrow afternoon, so it’s not possible. Let’s skip until next week, or even the week after.”
However, there was no response from the other end of the phone. That probably meant he wasn’t happy about it.
Cheong-yeon anxiously tapped his fingers on the table.
Why was he the one feeling anxious when he should be the one who was angry?
“Anyway, I absolutely can’t go. If you must see me because of that damn contract, then you can come to the photo shoot, Director.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
