Chapter 6.2

Chapter 6.2

In reality, large corporations and government agencies didn’t officially use appearance as a criterion when selecting people.

However, interpreting was ultimately a job between people, so there was an unofficial, practical preference for certain appearances.

Requesting a calm and tidy interpreter in terms of looks ultimately meant that they considered appearance in addition to language ability.

“An interpreter just needs to interpret well. What does that have to do with anything?”

“Because they prefer someone who won’t damage the company’s image wherever they take them.”

“So. You dressed like this every time you had an interview?”

“Yes. Does it stand out?”

“No, you’re pretty.”

At his genuine words, Yeonsu stopped talking and took a sip of water. A faint blush appeared on the bridge of her nose, and Hajun’s mind started working properly.

Had Shin Yeonsu ever shown such coy behavior in front of him? She was definitely more of a secretly wild dog than a haughty cat.

Hajun raised his hand and asked the waiter to refill Yeonsu’s empty glass.

“Anyway. You don’t need to look good for me. You’re confirmed because my father chose you.”

“Ah.”

“He must have considered your skills, of course, and other things too.”

“…”

“Like the personal connection between us. He probably wanted to assign someone comfortable for a long business trip.”

“…Yeah.”

Yeonsu’s eyes met Hajun’s directly. It was frustrating, as he couldn’t read her thoughts.

Was she surprised? By him showing up here like this?

He cautiously observed Yeonsu’s expression and asked,

“Um, by any chance… are you going to tell the others?”

“Should I tell them?”

“No.”

“Why? Are you afraid they won’t hang out with you if they know you’re a chaebol heir?”

Hajun moistened his dry lips. He wanted to emphasize that the real person inside the suit that enveloped his sturdy body was no different from them.

“I’m afraid they’ll develop prejudices against me for no reason.”

“You care about that, senior?”

“What kind of person am I in your head, exactly?”

Yeonsu rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. Her two pupils darted across her pale skin like piano keys.

Pretty people look pretty no matter what they do, he thought, devoid of proper context.

“A playboy, a free spirit, a good-for-nothing, thoughtless…”

“Stop.”

Hajun fanned himself with his hand as if he felt hot. He wasn’t quite sure what the emotions swelling up to his throat were.

He had liked her, yes, but Shin Yeonsu wasn’t so precious to him that he’d be pacing nervously for not confessing like others.

A moderate fondness, a desire to wrap his hands around that slender waist and take her to a soft bed—he had simply been by her side, balancing on that edge.

He was sure he had wanted to see her for a long time, so there was no need for a confession, and eventually, even that faded.

At twenty-nine, as he aged year by year, he had known Yeonsu maturing, but perhaps it was because he sometimes saw a hollow emptiness in her clear eyes.

He had never once thought of breaking Shin Yeonsu. He only felt the urge to suck her dry all night.

No. Had he had bad intentions for many years?

It wasn’t like he truly forgot just because he was told to forget, yet he was excusing himself, pretending not to remember.

“I see why my uncle asked me to have dinner with you beforehand.”

“Huh?”

Through her resume, he would have easily figured out that Yeonsu was his junior from the same school and department.

His father might have already known why he hung out with Yeonsu’s classmates every day.

So, should he consider this a provocation from his father?

Did it mean he wanted him to make things work with Shin Yeonsu? Or was he preemptively drawing a line, marking them as purely professional acquaintances?

Was he setting up a shield because he knew his tendency to go wild if opposed? What if he fell deeply for Shin Yeonsu?

What if he sold his soul just to break her once? She only gets prettier with age, so it’s worth a try.

He imagined sweet chocolate, like the whispers of a devil, appearing before his eyes only to vanish.

Was this biological excitement he felt from his lower body just a man’s instinct? Or was it a long-standing affection?

‘If you keep meddling in my affairs, father, your son will go astray again. I’ll just focus on work. Only work. I won’t fall for Shin Yeonsu. She’s secretly wild, father. I’ll never sleep with her again…’

“Senior?”

Hajun snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of his name.

There he went again.

The person offering the rice cakes wasn’t even thinking about it, but he was imagining eating them alone.

Hajun awkwardly smiled at Yeonsu, who was staring intently at him.

“Uh, let’s do our best.”

Hajun extended his hand, fingers outstretched, for a handshake. He tried to act even more casually, lest she feel burdened.

“Okay, I’ll work hard.”

With an expression that lacked warmth and cool fingertips, Yeonsu waved her hand.

This girl, honestly. Did she smear candy all over her hands? He wanted to talk only about work, but he kept wanting to indulge his personal desires.

His heart thumped, beating wildly and intensely as if going insane.