Chapter 7.1

Chapter 7.1

Haewon felt her body sinking heavily. A thread of consciousness had been submerged even deeper below. It slowly pulled upwards, and her awareness gathered into a single point.

It was a familiar sensation. It felt similar to the morning after an incredibly exhausting day. But unlike usual, her body felt incredibly stifled. It was as if she were trapped somewhere.

Haewon frowned at the unknown discomfort, then slowly opened her eyes.

The surroundings were dim. There was some light, but it wasn’t bright. She blinked a few times, then soon discovered something in front of her.

“……!”

It was someone’s face.

Instantly, Haewon’s body stiffened. The distance between their faces was too close. If their faces were this close, it meant their bodies were too.

Why on earth was Kwon Yeonwoo here…?!

She tried to recall her memories. Her last memory was falling into the Mui River.

The border had been just within reach. She was injured by a drone explosion, barely clinging to life. Then someone appeared. That person threw her body into the river.

As she struggled in the water, the last person she saw was Kwon Yeonwoo.

Why did he save her? He was the man who had hidden in a bunker to avoid the firefight.

There were many puzzling things. But for now, her body, pressed so tightly against his, was a more urgent concern. She glanced down. Kwon Yeonwoo was fast asleep, holding her body tightly wrapped in a blanket.

Is this man insane? Why is he hugging someone else’s body?

What’s more, he wasn’t wearing a shirt. She frowned at the bare skin openly revealed before her and tried to pull her body away. But he was holding her so tightly that she couldn’t move.

Were his arms made of cast iron?

Haewon’s gaze went to Yeonwoo’s arms and shoulders, which trapped her. She had noticed it yesterday too, but the firm muscles beneath his smooth skin were incredibly dense.

Why did a man who wasn’t even an agent have a body like this? Even Ha Gyuho wasn’t like this.

“……”

Her suspicious gaze turned to Yeonwoo’s face. Unlike his monstrous body, his delicate features drew her eye. A handsome face, a large body, and a distinct mole beneath his left eye.

Just as she thought he must break many hearts, Yeonwoo frowned around his eyes, as if about to wake up. Haewon was startled and quickly averted her gaze.

Soon, a voice thick with sleep reached her ears.

“Awake?”

“…What is all this?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why are you embracing me?”

Kwon Yeonwoo slowly blinked his eyelids, then looked at Haewon with pupils clouded by sleep.

“Because there’s only one bed.”

“Even so, you didn’t have to hug me to sleep…!”

“I did it because I thought you’d be cold. It’s a bit chilly down here in the basement.”

Haewon was dumbfounded watching Yeonwoo utter such ridiculous words so casually. Was he seriously using that as an excuse?

“Let go… I’m not cold at all.”

“But I’m a little cold.”

“Why don’t you put some clothes on?”

Yeonwoo met Haewon’s gaze without flinching and grinned. A playful glint shone in his brownish eyes.

Haewon decided this wouldn’t do. She gritted her teeth and pushed him away with force.

“… Ugh!”

But at that moment, a sharp, searing pain shot through her right arm. Seeing this, Kwon Yeonwoo released the arm he had been holding around Haewon’s body.

“Ah…”

Haewon pulled her arm out from under the blanket to check it. Bandages were wrapped around it. She pulled out her other arm to check it too. It was covered in scrapes and burns, with no uninjured spots.

But more importantly,

“My clothes… where are my clothes?”

Haewon, who had lifted the blanket, said in a flustered voice. Underneath, she was wrapped in a large towel instead of clothes. Her eyes wide, she stared at Yeonwoo. He raised an eyebrow and replied.

“There was no choice. You can’t make a patient wear rags, can you?”

She understood the situation at the time, having rolled around on the ground, but she didn’t feel good about it.

“So, you saw everything?”

“Saw what?”

When she didn’t answer and merely glared, Yeonwoo’s eyes crinkled as he smiled.

“I didn’t mean to see anything. I’m not that kind of weirdo. If anything, I’m your lifesaver.”

“….”

“If you feel unfairly treated, want me to show you mine? Want to see?”

“Are you insane? Do you think I’m a pervert like you?”

Haewon turned her head and retorted irritably. Yeonwoo burst out laughing. He then got out of bed and pulled a nearby chair over to sit. He studied Haewon’s face carefully, as if observing her, and spoke.

“Good recovery, huh? I thought you’d be sleeping like the dead until tomorrow.”