CH 461

“Wow, how nice of you to finally make it,” said Choi Yeon-Ha.

As soon as those words left her mouth, she began groaning inwardly. It seemed this crappy chronic disease still didn't want to leave her alone.

'Just when... can I start being honest with other people?'

She should do something about this disease that prevented her from saying what was really in her heart.

Even so, Choi Yeon-Ha wasn't scared. She knew the man before her eyes would understand.

That man was strong enough to chuckle at her thorn-laden rebukes. He might be narrow-minded about weird things and could also be a bit too timid at times for her liking, so the label of open-minded didn't exactly suit him, but... But he was still shockingly generous, too. A man with too many contradictions, that was who Kang Jin-Ho was.

Not even a single text message. Almost causing a woman to have a nervous breakdown through his radio silence. Yet defying her expectation by showing up at the airport without any warning... That was the kind of man he was.

Seemingly disinterested, yet still meticulous, easily capable of making a woman's heart quiver... Indeed, Kang Jin-Ho was that kind of a man!

Choi Yeon-Ha couldn't help but chuckle softly.

'He's a pro at this, isn't he?'

Of course, she knew that Kang Jin-Ho himself didn't intend to do any of that. He just didn't have the requisite feel for it, which wasn't surprising since he was clueless about a woman's heart. No, he was just acting according to his whims, and that was already more than enough to perplex others.

“I'm sorry about being a little late, Miss Yeon-Ha,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“What are you doing, though? You didn't even call me ahead of time.” Choi Yeon-Ha grimaced immediately after saying that at how curt she sounded. A part of her started worrying about Kang Jin-Ho getting flustered by the tone of her voice. However, she was also annoyed by her own lack of ability to speak in a gentler tone.

“You told me you'd be leaving today, that's why.” Kang Jin-Ho chuckled softly as if he didn't care. And that smile burned deeply into Choi Yeon-Ha's memories. “I thought it'd be better to see you before you left. China is pretty far away, after all. And you'll be gone for six months at minimum, which means we won't see each other for a while, too.”

“...It's not like we're in a relationship where we must see each other often, now is it?”

“Mm, that's true.”

Choi Yeon-Ha chewed on her lips. Her damn disease showed no sign of going away. Kang Jin-Ho took time out of his schedule to come here and see her off, so why couldn't she say something nice to him for a change? Even though she was grateful for him coming all the way here?

Didn't she resolve herself to seduce Kang Jin-Ho somehow, no matter what? Even going as far as putting her pride on the line, too? How would this attitude help in that case?

'Besides, why are you smiling? Like an idiot, too!'

This was an even bigger problem. If it were Choi Yeon-Ha who got shouted at even after making time out of her busy schedule to see someone, she'd have walked away while fuming in anger. It wouldn't have mattered who that person was, too. However, Kang Jin-Ho was chuckling away as if none of this affected him.

“Why are you smiling, Mister Jin-Ho?”

“Not sure. It just feels natural to smile right now,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“Urgh! Seriously...!”

Han Eun-Sol quietly observed the lost-looking Choi Yeon-Ha fidgeting away and slowly shook his head. 'Yup, Mister Kang Jin-Ho is her natural enemy, isn't he?'

Han Eun-Sol wasn't sure how it was possible, but Choi Yeon-Ha's intense emotions didn't seem to affect Kang Jin-Ho. Thanks to that, Choi Yeon-Ha would naturally get sucked into his pace no matter how much she complained and whined in irritation.

Han Eun-Sol could never be like that.

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'Still... Can't she express how much she likes him, at least by a little bit?'

What a good decision it was to have the staff go ahead first. That decision had been partly fueled by the looming flight departure time... and the staff members' desire to distance themselves as much as possible from Choi Yeon-Ha after they spotted her stormy mood earlier.

Choi Yeon-Ha sucked in a deep breath and tried to sound as gentle as possible. “Aren't you busy?”

“Not really,” Kang Jin-Ho shook his head. “I don't have much going on in life.”

“Mm? A man needs to be occupied with something to be called a man, you know?”

“Yes, I agree with that sentiment. That's why I've begun a new project, but it's still on the starting line, so…”

“...Which means you'll get busier later?”

“Most likely, yes.”

A faint smile of relief floated up on Choi Yeon-Ha's face. “Then... I guess you won't stray, right?”

“...I'm sorry?” Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head.

“Nah, it's nothing,” Choi Yeon-Ha chuckled before turning her head toward her manager. “Eun-Sol, please get ready. We should head inside, too.”

“Got it, noona,” Han Eun-Sol nodded, then began picking up their luggage. However, he continued to keep an eye on the refreshed-looking Choi Yeon-Ha.

After confirming that her manager was picking up their carrier bags, Choi Yeon-Ha turned her attention back to Kang Jin-Ho. However...

'...What am I supposed to say to him?'

It felt like the inside of Choi Yeon-Ha's head had blanked out after staring at Kang Jin-Ho's face. Even though she knew she had to say something, finding the right words—any words, as a matter of fact!—proved too difficult for her. Besides, she was scared of being rude again even after finally saying something to Kang Jin-Ho.

Choi Yeon-Ha wasn't a child anymore. And she knew that only little kids could get away with whining and grumbling. If she kept acting rude and whiny like this, Kang Jin-Ho would eventually run out of patience one day.

No, maybe... Maybe he was already irritated by her but admirably holding his temper back. Choi Yeon-Ha told herself not to take his goodwill for granted.

After sucking in a deep breath, Choi Yeon-Ha bowed deeply at Kang Jin-Ho. He tilted his head in confusion and stared at her.

“Thank you for coming to see me off, Mister Jin-Ho.”

“...I'm sorry?”

“I didn't think you'd come. But you took time out of your busy schedule to see me off. I'm grateful for that. Thank you.”

Kang Jin-Ho blinked his eyes and cocked an eyebrow while staring weirdly at Choi Yeon-Ha. However, he suddenly started nodding in understanding. “Ah. Are there any hidden cameras filming us?”

“What the hell?! You dummy!”

“...”

Choi Yeon-Ha couldn't keep her rising fury down and yelled at Kang Jin-Ho before scanning her surroundings in panic. Much to her relief, though, no one seemed to have recognized her.

'That could've been bad!' Once her panic calmed down, her anger reared its ugly head again. “I was just trying to act normal, you know! What's the matter with you?!”

Kang Jin-Ho shrugged his shoulders. “Well, it was too strange and awkward, so...”

“What? Are you trying to say that me acting like a normal person is strange and awkward?”

“That wasn't my intention,” said Kang Jin-Ho with a serious face.

This isn't working, Choi Yeon-Ha thought. Having a normal-sounding conversation full of gentle, considerate words with this man was simply impossible!

“Did you come here to make me angry?! Is that it! Don't worry, I was planning to work my butt off, anyway! There's no need to deliberately wind me up like this, you know!”

“That... wasn't my intention, either.”

“Ah... ah...” Choi Yeon-Ha covered her face in despair. 'What was I expecting when I'm like this...?'

Choi Yeon-Ha imagined a romantic scene of lovers saying goodbye in a busy airport, just like in a romance movie. Unfortunately, knowing her life... Something that dreamy would never happen to her. However, that realization suddenly lifted all the weight off her shoulders.

'Right. This might be for the best.'

A refreshed look formed on Choi Yeon-Ha's face after it felt like a heavy load was taken off her mind. It wasn't as if she and Kang Jin-Ho were in a serious relationship, anyway. So, it was too early for her to shoot a tragic heroine's airport goodbye scene.

'Well, that'll be too cringy even for me!'

Thinking this way helped lighten her mind. Choi Yeon-Ha sighed softly, then looked straight at Kang Jin-Ho. “Mister Jin-Ho?”

“Yes?”

“Did you come here hoping to see me?”

“...”

Choi Yeon-Ha smirked softly when Kang Jin-Ho visibly panicked. Yes, this... This scene was the right one. For the time being, at least. “No need to panic like that, Mister Jin-Ho. I was just teasing you, anyway.”

“I see.”

Choi Yeon-Ha's reason for going to China was to become a little more... confident. To be able to stand tall. For that purpose... Even if she had a chance to get a little closer to Kang Jin-Ho now, she needed to push herself away. She needed to stay away until she could stand tall and proud before this man. Until she could stand as an equal to Kang Jin-Ho.

“Then... I'm off, Mister Jin-Ho.”

“I see. I wish you luck, Miss Yeon-Ha. Do your best.”

“I don't mind you trying out different things, but you better not stare at any random girls for too long, okay? Plenty of them are thirsty enough to lose their minds if you look at them funny, you know?”

“...?” Kang Jin-Ho cocked an eyebrow.

That should be enough, Choi Yeon-Ha thought. With a refreshed smile on her face, Choi Yeon-Ha turned around to leave, but Kang Jin-Ho hurriedly stopped her. “Hold on, Miss Yeon-Ha.”

“Yes?”

“It's your first time in China, yes?”

“W-well, of course.”

Kang Jin-Ho nodded. “Please be careful since the food on that side might not be to your liking.”

“...?”

“The water also tastes different, so keep an eye out on that one as well. And a person's body can get frail in an unfamiliar environment, so I advise you to take supplements as often as you can.”

Choi Yeon-Ha blushed deeply. What had gotten into Kang Jin-Ho? Why was he acting so uncharacteristically like this?

Kang Jin-Ho coolly nodded. “Then, I'll see you again later.”

“O-of course. Later.” Choi Yeon-Ha quickly turned around, only to stop again. “Hang on a sec? Mister Jin-Ho?”

“Yes?”

“I think I heard something weird just now, so... When you asked me if it's my first time in China, I got this weird feeling and... Mister Jin-Ho, have you been to China yourself?”

A cramped smile formed on Kang Jin-Ho's face. Of course he'd been there before. Not only that, but he even used to live there, too. However, that wasn't what Choi Yeon-Ha wanted to know.

“Yes, I've been there before. For about two weeks or so,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“What? Really? Does that mean you have a visa and everything?”

“Probably?”

“In that case, come see me sometime, okay?”

“...Sorry?”

Choi Yeon-Ha tutted. “You said you've been to China before, right? What's stopping you from visiting it a second time? I can't speak any Chinese, and I don't know anyone on that side, so it'll get mighty boring for me there, you know? So, set a date and come see me in China.”

“...”

“What's the matter? You don't want to?”

“N-no, it's not that, but...”

“Then, I'll think of it as a yes, okay?”

Kang Jin-Ho wordlessly nodded. Something told him that saying no in this situation might result in a right hook to his jaw.

“Fuu...!” Choi Yeon-Ha sucked in a deep breath before raising her head abruptly to stare straight into Kang Jin-Ho's eyes.

He was taken aback. “W-what's the matter...?”

“Please keep quiet!”

“...Of course.” Kang Jin-Ho clamped his mouth shut after being suppressed by her forceful aura. Usually, no one and nothing could suppress him like this, but Choi Yeon-Ha's attitude today was too grave for him to casually brush aside.

“This is your reward to me for taking this massive step and going to China. And also, the declaration of your determination, too!”

“I'm sorry?” Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head in confusion.

Without a warning, Choi Yeon-Ha rushed toward Kang Jin-Ho and embraced him tightly. It was as if she was trying to cling to him for the rest of eternity.

Although Kang Jin-Ho could've dodged her, he wasn't dumb enough to do so. He carefully raised his arms and wrapped them around her back so she couldn't slip out of his grasp.

Choi Yeon-Ha buried her face in Kang Jin-Ho's broad shoulders without saying anything. However, she took two quick breaths before pushing Kang Jin-Ho's chest away. “Okay. I'm on my way now.”

“...Have a safe trip.”

“Of course. Later.” Choi Yeon-Ha smiled brightly, then confidently strutted her way toward the security checkpoint. Han Eun-Sol snapped out of his daze at this sight and hurriedly chased after her.

Kang Jin-Ho wordlessly watched them before turning around to leave, a faint smile etched on his lips.

***

Choi Yeon-Ha held her blushing cheeks. “I must've gone mad...!”

“...”

“No, really! Eun-Sol, I must be insane, right? Seriously!”

Han Eun-Sol groaned loudly. “...Get a hold of yourself, noona. Please!”

“Awwwww...!” Choi Yeon-Ha limply sank deeper into her chair, her face as red as a well-cooked octopus. Even though the attention of her surroundings focused on her, Choi Yeon-Ha didn't seem to notice it while tearfully shielding her face in despair. “I... He won't see me as a lunatic, right? Right?”

“If you're worried this much, why did you do that in the first place, noona?”

“Listen here! No one thinks first before doing something like that! I was already in his arms when I sobered up, you know! What was I supposed to do, then?!”

“Where did you dump your pride, noona? Seriously now.”

“What was that?! Want me to beat you up?” Choi Yeon-Ha got triggered and began yelling at Han Eun-Sol, but he could only shake his head and groan deeply.

'It'd be so much easier for me to match her pace if only she behaved the same whether it's in front of the camera or behind it...'

Then again, that wouldn't be fitting for Choi Yeon-Ha. Her duality was what was so charming about her, anyway!

“Let's get going, noona. We might miss our flight at this rate.”

“I... I can't get up. My legs have no strength left…”

“You want me to carry you?”

“Get lost, will you? How dare a strange man even think about touching me? I'm going to sue you.”

Han Eun-Sol chuckled and offered his hand. “However, as your little bro and the best manager there is, it's okay to hold your hand, right?”

“Hmph.” Choi Yeon-Ha grabbed the offered hand and pulled herself up. “Uh-whew... I can't think straight anymore. Maybe I'll feel better once we're inside the plane, sitting in one cramped spot for hours... Eun-Sol, can you tell the attendants to get me a comforter? I might need one for the whole flight…”

“Yes, ma'am. Leave it to me.” Han Eun-Sol nodded.

While watching Choi Yeon-Ha head to the security checkpoint with her luggage, Han Eun-Sol stared at his hand and began thinking about something.

'My hand, huh...'

On one side was Kang Jin-Ho who Choi Yeon-Ha didn't mind hugging. On the other side were 'strange men' that shouldn't even think about touching Choi Yeon-Ha. And Han Eun-Sol stood in the middle, on the vague boundary separating the two camps.

Choi Yeon-Ha's face was deeply blushed, but her mood couldn't be described as poor. No, make that very good, instead! No one could lift her mood until now, but Kang Jin-Ho only needed a few moments to get the job done.

'Yup, that's all we can ask for.' Han Eun-Sol glanced back to where Kang Jin-Ho probably was and smiled gently. “Yup, that is good enough.”

Choi Yeon-Ha called out to him. “Why aren't you coming, Eun-Sol?”

“I, I'm coming!” Han Eun-Sol hurriedly picked up the luggage, which numbered a lot, and rushed toward the security checkpoint while yelling at Choi Yeon-Ha. “Didn't I tell you to check in all these luggage?! Why are we carrying so many bags around?”

“Don't you know how much they cost?! If you check in those luggage only for something to happen to them, I swear, you'll be taking a dip in the Yellow Sea!”

“Eii! You and your crappy personality...!”

“What did you say!”

The two of them stepped into the security checkpoint while bickering away.