PAID

Chun-bong, who had asked to talk, started walking without a word. Seo-jun followed her.

They stopped in the open courtyard.

Chun-bong turned around, locking eyes with Seo-jun. Her expression was rigid.

“…Oppa.”

“Yeah?”

Chun-bong hesitated, pressing her lips together before exhaling deeply.

“Are you… okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you think I’ve only known you for a day or two?”

Chun-bong stepped forward, reaching out with both hands. She pressed Seo-jun’s cheeks, squishing them as she pulled his face closer.

Her wide eyes sparkled inches away from his.

“Relax your face. You’ve been too on edge lately.”

“…Are people uncomfortable with it?”

“That’s none of my business.”

Chun-bong leaned her forehead against his.

“Smile.”

“Out of nowhere?”

“Damn it, just do it.”

So he did. He pulled the corners of his mouth into a smile.

Chun-bong huffed out a breath.@@novelbin@@

“Good.”

“What was that for?”

“Don’t let your emotions consume you. I’m giving you advice as someone with experience.”

Seo-jun clamped his mouth shut.

"Someone with experience," she said—he wasn’t sure how to respond to that.

“I know it’s hard. You act like you don’t care, but you feel things deeply.”

“Do I?”

“You do. You respected the Patriarch a lot.”