Chapter 42
[I’m going to Cheongbong too. Seoul is no fun without you.]
Just before getting off work, Yeon-woo noticed a belated text from Se-young and quickly typed a reply.
[What do you mean you’re coming? Get a grip. Do you know how hard you worked to get into Hanguk University? Hang in there! I’m against you coming just for fun.]
It wasn’t even Yeon-woo’s alma mater, Yeonguk University, but Se-young was doing an excellent job in her fellowship program at Hanguk University.
Even if there was one crazy professor causing trouble, Yeon-woo believed Se-young could endure it.
Deciding to call Se-young later, Yeon-woo hurried to carry out what she had planned.
“I have somewhere to stop by today, so I’ll leave work first.”
After handing over her duties to the night shift, Yeon-woo met Sa-jun’s gaze as he looked at her quietly.
“Alright, do that.”
Thankfully, he didn’t ask where she was going.
Yeon-woo quietly sighed in relief and began thinking about what she needed to buy in town.
Sa-jun exchanged farewells with the staff and left the ER, and Yeon-woo began tidying up her things.
Ji-woong, who had been watching the two from nearby, sidled over.
“Did you two have a fight?”
He whispered just loud enough for only Yeon-woo to hear.
In his own way, Ji-woong had been keeping their relationship a secret out of loyalty.
“No, it’s not like that.”
“It’s not? I don’t know, seems like it is.”
“I’m heading out first.”
She was in a hurry.
“Well then, thank you everyone for your hard work. See you tomorrow.”
“Good work.”
After finishing her goodbyes, Yeon-woo quickly headed toward the on-call room.
She needed to buy sexy lingerie, a nice-scented body wash, and, most importantly, condoms and birth control pills.
She doubted convenience stores sold condoms in that large a size, but she wanted to be prepared.
Whether it happened tonight or tomorrow—judging by the look in Sa-jun’s eyes, he could jump into her bed at any moment.
Hehehe.
Yeon-woo wanted her historic first experience to be absolutely unforgettable.
If Se-young saw her now, she’d probably say she’d lost her mind—but Yeon-woo no longer cared.
In her head, she and Sa-jun had already held hands and traveled five times around the universe.
Once you’ve confirmed your feelings for each other, that’s all that matters.
Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might explode.
She changed clothes and stepped out of the on-call room.
The sun was still bright, perhaps because the days were getting longer.
She mounted her bike, which was parked near the back gate.
Just like when she commuted alone between home and the hospital, she pedaled hard and moved forward.
The muggy wind struck her face.
The scent of Cheongbong filled her nose strongly.
Still, Yeon-woo simply felt happy as she pushed on toward town.
Having changed clothes to leave work, Sa-jun’s steps toward the parking lot began to slow.
“I have somewhere to stop by today, so I’ll leave work first.”
He couldn’t help feeling curious—and a little hurt—that Yeon-woo hadn’t told him where she was going.
He had pretended to be generous and cool, telling her to go ahead, but starting their relationship on day one with a snag made him feel deflated.
Had he been too forward?
Even he had to admit his clumsy moves earlier were a bit lame.
Sigh…
He should’ve taken it slower.
Thinking of Yeon-woo’s soft lips, he let out a low sigh.
Blood was rushing downward again, making even walking uncomfortable.
So, where was she going?
What exactly was this errand?
Why go alone when she had a perfectly good “farmhand” she could take along?
Should he just turn back and go after her now?
Standing between the ER and the parking lot, Sa-jun could only sigh, unsure whether to go forward or back.
“Beom Sa-jun! Go with me!”
Spotting Jang Chan-woo running toward him with a bounce, Sa-jun quickly headed to his car.
If he had to give that guy a ride, he’d rather go alone.
The moment he got in the driver’s seat, the passenger door opened and Chan-woo slipped inside.
“What, you were just going to leave me? Give me a lift to the town market.”
“What for?”
Bucking his seatbelt, Chan-woo looked at him like it was obvious.
“You don’t know? A bakery opened in town today. If you buy a baguette, you get free whipped cream, and if you spend over 20,000 won, you get a free sandwich.”
How he knew such things was a mystery.
“Who told you that?”
“One of today’s patients.”
“So I just have to drop you at the market?”
“Come on, buy some bread too while you’re there.”
“…”
Sa-jun thought about how Yeon-woo liked bread and started the car.
It would be better than the stuff they sold at the supermarket.
“By the way, about Dr. Ryu…”
Chan-woo tested the waters.
“What about Yeon-woo?”
“The physio room’s Dr. Gam was saying something weird.”
Fan club member No. 1 of “Yeon-woo Admirers.”
“What did he say?”
“Well, he claimed he’s in a something with Dr. Ryu.”
“…”
Something?
Sa-jun looked at Chan-woo with a cold smile.
“Uh, eyes front. Drive properly, Mr. Chauffeur. You’ve got a VIP passenger here.”
“Explain in detail.”
“Oh, right. So apparently, Dr. Ryu was hanging around the physio room today and borrowed a hot pack. Something completely useless to her. You get what I’m saying, right?”
He got it. Oh, he got it.
Sa-jun started chuckling like a lunatic.
That someone could interpret that as flirting was ridiculous—especially when he knew exactly who the hot pack was for.
“Have you lost it? What’s with the creepy laugh?”
Sa-jun didn’t bother to reply.
Bzzz
Rolling down the window, a warm breeze blew in.
“Hey! Why open the window in this heat? Close it!”
“The breeze feels nice.”
“I’ve been thinking since the festival—you know, Yeon-woo doesn’t seem that into you. What’ll you do, poor Mr. Chauffeur? You know Dr. Gam is the face of Cheongbong, right?”
“…”
“Even in terms of looks, he beats you.”
Go ahead and think that. This man had already kissed Yeon-woo.
Holding back the urge to boast, Sa-jun instead decided he’d deal with Dr. Gam eventually—dismantle that fan club too.
No, on second thought, maybe he wouldn’t even have to do anything.
“Lee Kwon submitted his résumé to our hospital.”
A pest control agent was on the way. And a strong one at that.
“What? Seriously? The Ryu Lee-kwon I know?”
“Yeah. He’s got to do surgery on that NS patient.”
“Oh right, his specialty’s skull fractures.”
“Exactly. So tell Bi to give up. Enough with this ‘something’ nonsense.”
“…Yeah, I guess so. It’d be awkward if Lee-kwon came. He’s nuts when it comes to his little sister.”
Before long, they entered the town.
Even though the festival was over, it was still bustling with people.
Still… where had Yeon-woo gone?
“Hey, see that store with the balloons? Whoa, look at the line. What if the whipped cream runs out? Park the car, quick!”
Sa-jun found a spot and parked, getting out with him.
Watching Chan-woo dash ahead, Sa-jun wondered if this guy was really over thirty.
“Tsk, no wonder he’s single.”
Tilting his chin up, Sa-jun followed him to where the line stretched.
It was strange yet amusing to see kids and adults alike lining up for bread.
If Yeon-woo enjoyed it, this kind of effort was nothing.
A little later, they got the baguette, the free whipped cream Chan-woo had coveted, and—after spending over 20,000 won—an extra sandwich.
Having eaten nearly a whole bread’s worth in samples, Chan-woo smacked his lips and looked around.
He was clearly still hungry.
“Hey, Sa-jun. Isn’t that Dr. Ryu over there?”
At the mention of Yeon-woo, Sa-jun’s ears perked up and he turned toward where Chan-woo was pointing.
