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Chapter 687. Exploring (2)
Chapter 687. Exploring (2)
Chapter 687. Exploring (2)
Kang Jin-Ho didn’t have to pay attention to Vator's so-called advice. After all, Vator shouldn't be demanding common sense from other people when his physique alone had transcended past what was accepted as 'normal'!
What 'embarrassed' Kang Jin-Ho in this situation wasn't Vator, but the way Zhang Dajing was openly staring at him! Those eyes that screamed, 'You sure do live an exciting, dynamic life, don't you?' were rather effective at making Kang Jin-Ho shrink back.
Vator smirked deeply. “I have to say, master, your tastes can be a little... peculiar at times. Even if that woman's face is pretty, a person's looks don't last for eternity.”
Kang Jin-Ho groaned. “It's not about her looks.”
“Oh, really? If so, isn't that more strange?”
Kang Jin-Ho couldn't readily think of something to retort with. Still, he tried to say something. “People all have their unique aspects.”
Despite Kang Jin-Ho's best attempt, his excuse sounded so... lame. Thankfully, though, Vator didn't bother pointing that out and chose a different route of attack instead. “Whatever the case might be, shouldn't you be happy about your woman's passionate desire to see you off? In that regard, she is indeed very much deserving of all your love and attention.”
“...That's enough of an evaluation from you.”
“Master, since ancient times, a man standing at the top could never escape the scrutiny of his retainers whenever he wished to choose a bride. Finding a woman might be an insignificant pastime for you, but to us? We're about to welcome a new boss into our midst. Of course we will be far more invested in this matter than you.”
Something about that assertion sounded rather convincing. Kang Jin-Ho didn't want to admit it, but Vator sure could be shockingly persuasive.
'Why is Vator such a smooth talker anyway?'
Kang Jin-Ho cocked an eye at Vator. Judging from his appearance alone, Vator should only know how to grunt and growl, so how?
Of course, nothing was more idiotic than judging a book by its cover. Even so, anyone looking at Vator would realize that knowing something and actually doing that in reality were two separate things.
To make matters worse, Vator wasn't just an eloquent speaker. No. There was this subtle hint of... 'twistedness' in the way he spoke, something Kang Jin-Ho couldn't sense from either Jo Gyu-Min or Lee Hyeon-Su. And this twistedness could subtly get on a person's nerves, too...!
“Master, you shouldn't just stand there looking like a dazed mannequin in this heartwarming scene. I have a suggestion. How about I command Zhang Dajing to go and find some wildflowers in the vicinity so you can...?”
Craaack...
When Kang Jin-Ho powerfully clenched his fists, the eerie sounds of his joints popping threateningly resounded in the air.
That forced Vator to raise his hands in mock surrender and sneakily back away. “Master, I'm against unnecessary violence. We are all civilized people capable of holding meaningful dialogue. If you resort to violence at every insignificant little issue, you are no different from an unruly beast.”
“No problem. I don't mind becoming a beast for a little while.”
“...I promise not to flap my gums now.”
“Fuu...” Kang Jin-Ho groaned deeply. This feeling he was getting? He hadn't felt it in a while. How long had it been? Maybe a few years?
After he started focusing on the Martial Assembly's matters and regained some of his former strength—in other words, before his social status had climbed to its current peak—Kang Jin-Ho didn't get many chances to feel this emotion. But here was Vator, making him relive those emotions!
'I had no idea Vator had this kind of personality!'
It was too late for regrets, though. Kang Jin-Ho had already decided to keep Vator around, after all!
Thankfully, the white van arrived before Vator could say something else. Kang Jin-Ho reflexively sighed in relief.
Clunk!
The door opened, and Choi Yeon-Ha urgently climbed outside. Her complexion was quite flushed.
“...”
“...”
The two of them stared at each other, unable to say anything.
Some people might interpret this sight as a very romantic scene, but the truth wasn't as rosy as on the surface.
Kang Jin-Ho had absolutely no clue what to say in this kind of situation and could only fidget nervously. Meanwhile, Choi Yeon-Ha realized how unsightly her behavior had been only after exiting the van and was busy kicking duvets and blankets inside her head.
'What should I say to her?'
'What should I say to fix this situation?!'
Their thoughts were fairly similar yet also a little different at the same time!
However, it seemed someone nearby found this situation rather boring.
“Yaaaaawn~...”
Kang Jin-Ho's head stiffly turned to his side.
The target of his glare, Vator, stopped yawning and apologetically waved his hand, his expression awkward and cramped. “D-don't mind me. I wasn't getting a good night's rest recently. Must've been the sudden change in the bed or something. My apologies, master. I'm rather fussy about where I sleep.”
Fussy? With a huge body like that?!
A man who looked like he'd munch on granite for breakfast was talking about being fussy? Maybe all the actually-fussy people on Earth had frozen to death? Besides, why bring up 'fussy' of all things in this situation?
Kang Jin-Ho had oh-so many things to say. However, now wasn't exactly the...
“Mister Jin-Ho!” Choi Yeon-Ha suddenly blurted out his name. She sounded urgent.
“Y-yes?”
“N-not here. Can we go over there? Just the two of us?”
"...Sorry? Why?"
Instead of providing a verbal explanation, Choi Yeon-Ha began tugging forcefully at Kang Jin-Ho's sleeve. He had no choice but to get dragged away even though he still had no idea what she wanted from him.
Vator smirked while staring at the two people heading off to a distant corner far removed from everyone's eye. “Zhang Dajing, it seems the new boss is about to join us... is a lioness in sheep's clothing.”
Zhang Dajing slowly rubbed his face.
***
Awkwardness. That word best described the current situation.
After dragging Kang Jin-Ho all the way to a shady corner far removed from people's gazes, Choi Yeon-Ha finally let go of his sleeve. However, she was immediately slammed in the face by the tidal waves of awkwardness. Unable to endure the onslaught, she had to take a step back and revert to a defensive state.
Since that was the case, Kang Jin-Ho should've been the one to ease the situation, but...
'What am I supposed to do here?'
A century-old solo player was indeed a fearsome creature. Kang Jin-Ho sometimes felt uncomfortable talking to his fellow menfolk, so for him to talk to a nervous woman and gradually unravel this awkward situation? That was asking for a miracle.
If that had been possible, he wouldn't be in this spot in the first place!
Thanks to his lack of experience, Kang Jin-Ho could only stand around fidgeting in silence. Even he could tell someone must break this awkward silence, and that someone should be him. However, just what should he say here? He couldn't figure it out.
Eventually, Kang Jin-Ho did blurt something out. But all he could think of was something far too obvious.
“I, uh, I thought you still had stuff to film?”
Choi Yeon-Ha gently smiled back at him. “Yes, I did.”
“Then, how did you...?”
“I've rescheduled them.”
“I'm sorry?”
“I wanted to see you, that's why.”
“...”
Kang Jin-Ho's ears grew ever-so-slightly redder. It was true that many things happened between him and Choi Yeon-Ha. However, this must be the first time she was being this direct.
Kang Jin-Ho coughed to clear his throat. “Ahem. You told me you'd focus on your acting career...”
“Yes. But I got my priorities mixed up. When I thought about why I was so devoted to my career and why I had to fly all the way to China... The answer I got was so obvious.”
“Oh...” Kang Jin-Ho continued to nod away even though he couldn't quite understand what Choi Yeon-Ha was talking about. However, even a total rookie in all things romantic, like him, still knew now was the time to agree with her rather than ask for clarity.
“Mister Jin-Ho?”
“Yes?”
Choi Yeon-Ha stared directly at Kang Jin-Ho, her eyes burning in the flames of sheer determination.
'Be direct! Be more direct! Yes, beating around the bush like an amateur is not my style!'
When she looked back at her past behavior... What a fool she had been until now! Simply telling him she liked him would sort everything out, no?
It wasn't as if Choi Yeon-Ha was lacking in some areas, now was it? Yes, she knew Kang Jin-Ho was an excellent specimen, but that didn't mean anything... If Choi Yeon-Ha was being honest here, finding another woman as good as her should be tougher than plucking stars from the night sky!
'...Wait a minute. Is that really true?'
Anxiety rushed into her heart again.
Obviously, Choi Yeon-Ha was dead-certain that finding another woman as beautiful as her was impossible. She was 100% confident about that. Her looks were so outstanding that offering 108 kowtows to her parents everyday would still not be enough to express her gratitude.
However, when Choi Yeon-Ha was evaluated on the whole as a human being...
'No, wait! Be strong, Choi Yeon-Ha!'
Choi Yeon-Ha cutely shook her head.
In the meantime, Kang Jin-Ho had to stand there and watch Choi Yeon-Ha's face grow hot before cooling down, then frown slightly before smiling brightly. She even shook her head before starting to nod away, too! No wonder Kang Jin-Ho's expression grew increasingly frightened.
'...Just what is she thinking about?'
Even if Choi Yeon-Ha was an actor, to think she could express her thoughts so dynamically with nothing but her expressions alone!
“E-excuse me, Mister Jin-Ho!”
“Yes?”
“W-what will happen if I come directly at you and pull no punches?”
Choi Yeon-Ha decided to be honest. She didn't have the courage to push him down and 'assault' him, but that didn't mean she should retreat after coming this far. So, she did the next best thing by sending the ball into Kang Jin-Ho's court instead.
However, as it turned out, her playing partner possessed a mean backhand.
“...Wouldn't you get arrested for battery?”
“Oh...” Choi Yeon-Ha dazedly nodded. Kang Jin-Ho was right. That would be a bookable offense, no? '...You! You abominable...! Uwaaaaah! How can I do anything when it's impossible to hold a normal conversation with him!'
Choi Yeon-Ha was almost overcome by the urge to turn around and slam her head against the nearest wall. She swallowed a whole bottle of brave pills to come here and speak to him, yet he had the galls to say what now? Get arrested?
Forget head-butting the wall, she wanted to arrest Kang Jin-Ho in a headlock and beat him senseless instead!
“N-no, wait. That's not what I...” Choi Yeon-Ha pouted and fidgeted nervously before spitting out a loud groan. 'Dang it! I can't do this...'
Two people were needed to complete a romantic tale, but what could she do when her partner was none other than Kang Jin-Ho? Choi Yeon-Ha had to accept the fact that as long as she chose to date Kang Jin-Ho, enjoying a fairytale-like romance would always be a pipe dream for her.
Even so...
'Why can't I stop smiling?'
Why did he have to say that thing about getting arrested!
Choi Yeon-Ha couldn't figure out why this man was so off-kilter at times. Still, that quirk of his had blown away her nervousness. After giggling to herself for a few seconds, Choi Yeon-Ha relaxed and smiled gently at Kang Jin-Ho. “Mister Jin-Ho?”
“...Yes?”
“I really like you.”
“...”
Choi Yeon-Ha's voice remained composed. Much calmer than before. “I tried to remain aloof and even wanted to create situations by beating around the bush, but... It's not working out for me. When I think about it, I start to wonder what's so important about my pride. I'll only be full of regrets if my pride ends up ruining everything, anyway.”
Kang Jin-Ho wasn't sure of what to say here. If he knew that, he wouldn't be Kang Jin-Ho. Besides, Choi Yeon-Ha wasn't expecting a cool reply from him, anyway.
“That's... right. A boy confessing his love in the coolest, most amazing way to a girl, and that scene is captured in the most beautiful way imaginable, then the girl tearfully accepts the confession... Something like that only happens in movies and TV shows. But it's like my head's been stuck in la-la land all this time.”
“...”
“Reality isn't that pretty, you know? Actually, it's a little rougher around the edges, yet it can be a little weird and unexpected, too... Mm... I don't know what I'm trying to say here...”
The more she spoke, the more Choi Yeon-Ha changed little by little. No, rather than changing, it'd be more apt to say she was regaining her previous cool, confident self.
“Okay, so! What I'm trying to say is that... I think what I'm doing right now is good enough. I might get embarrassed by it later on, but I still think this moment will be worth remembering for the rest of my life. That's why, Mister Jin-Ho?”
“...Yes, I'm listening.”
“How about we... date for real? Like a real couple?”
“I, uh, I'm sorry?”
“You don't have to answer me right away. In fact, you should wait until we're back in Korea. You and me both. I don't have the courage to hear your answer right now, you see? This is as far as my courage can take me.”
“Oh...”
“Whew. Now I feel so much better. Mm! This is more like it. Now I know why I've been feeling so frustrated,” said Choi Yeon-Ha while smiling brightly. No one would dare deny that smile was blindingly gorgeous. “Okay. I'm going now.”
Kang Jin-Ho blinked his eyes. “Already?”
“Well, yes. I've said what I came here to say, you see? Now that I'm done playing the romance game, I should get back to work. Okay, later!”
Kang Jin-Ho dazedly raised his hand and waved while looking like his soul had abandoned him. He couldn't comprehend what his body was doing. Even the inside of his head was blank.
Choi Yeon-Ha started walking briskly away without any regrets in her steps, only to suddenly spin around to look back at Kang Jin-Ho. “Oh, and by the way...!”
“Y-yes?”
She clenched her fist and shook in front of her face. “I might not have heard your answer, but... No, wait! Since you haven't given me your answer, you better not stray, okay! Or else!”
“...”
“Imma yank your eyes out if you do!” Choi Yeon-Ha spat on the ground like a sailor, snorted like an aloof madam, then spun on her heels. Her steps were truly airy as if she really didn't have any regrets now.
Kang Jin-Ho couldn't say anything and just watched her walk away. Even Vator's mumbling of, 'What a wuss,' coming from somewhere sounded like an auditory hallucination.