Chapter 26

“You like Master Beom, don’t you? Not as a man? If you both like each other, it should develop into something more. How long are you planning to stay stuck in the master-disciple relationship?”

“What the…”

“Anyway, ask Master Beom to save me a spot.”

“You don’t have to ask. They’re always hiring here.”

“Oh, really? That’s perfect. Then I can live with you, right?”

“You’re really coming? If so, I’d be thrilled, but what about your job?”

“They’re doing fine without me. No reason for me to stay. I’m sick of putting up with professors’ crap. Seriously, it’s exhausting.”

“Seyoung…”

“Yawn, I’m sleepy. I’m going to bed. Hanging up now. And since it’s your day off, don’t just stay home—go hang out with Master Beom or something. Bye.”

The call ended abruptly.

Yeonwoo smiled faintly as she set her phone down.

“You like Master Beom, don’t you? Not as a man?”

Not as a man? Of course she did.

In a place like Cheongbong, which was practically a retirement home for the elderly, the appearance of the hospital director’s son was enough to ignite the hearts of all the single ladies.

Offerings kept piling up in the ER.

Thanks to that, there was never a shortage of snacks and drinks.

To strangers, he was already a prized catch—so how could Yeonwoo be any different?

Sajun was still amazing, handsome, and had everything good going for him.

But just like Seyoung said, he was an excellent teacher, and she was nothing more than a lacking student.

Sure, sometimes her heart fluttered when he looked at her kindly, but that was probably just normal human affection.

Feeling unnecessarily muddled from Seyoung’s words, Yeonwoo stood up from her seat.

They say men and women are matched by heaven.

“Ah, what a nice day~.”

Stretching, she opened the curtains, and dazzling sunlight flooded in through the terrace window.

Maybe she should tend to her garden today.

Pick some lettuce, maybe cucumbers.

…And give some to Master Beom too.

It was nice living nearby.

He had the day off too, so he was probably resting.

Or maybe out on a walk.

Ever since Sajun arrived, the emptiness in her heart—like wind blowing through holes—was slowly being filled.

Cheongbong was starting to feel more like home.

She had to hurry up and wash up.

Yeonwoo quickly headed to the bathroom.

Ding-dong, ding-dong.

Just out of the shower, Yeonwoo checked the intercom at the sound of the doorbell.

“Who is it?”

—“Princess, it’s me.”

“…Ryu Samgwon?”

The glossy face of Samgwon filled the intercom screen.

—“Open the door, my arms are gonna fall off.”

“Okay, okay.”

Of her three older brothers, Samgwon—only a year older—was the one Yeonwoo fought and bickered with the most.

Seeing him here without any notice, clearly off from work too, drained her energy a bit.

Opening the front door, she saw Samgwon crossing the yard with his arms full of bags.

“What are you carrying all that for?”

As Yeonwoo moved to help him, Samgwon brushed past her and marched right into the house.

“It’s heavy.”

“I’m good at carrying heavy stuff.”

“Yeah, and you fight better than me too.”

“So what brings you here? Day off today?”

“Yeah. Mom told me to bring you some side dishes.”

He was being unusually nice.

Which meant he probably had something to feel guilty about.

Yeonwoo watched him suspiciously.

“Are you not happy to see your brother came all the way to this remote place?”

“Oh, I’m very happy. Thrilled.”

“You always say that but act different. And hey, check your messages once in a while.”

“I just saw them earlier.”

“Good.”

Like it was his own house, Samgwon laid out the containers on the kitchen table.

“This is kimchi, this is pickled perilla leaves, your favorite braised short ribs, some roasted seaweed, and dried fish…”

“Why’d she send so much? It’s just me. I can’t eat all this.”

As Yeonwoo opened each container to taste, Samgwon squinted at her in silence.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You haven’t been eating properly, have you? That’s why you’re so scrawny. A person needs some flesh, a little belly, to look human. But you’re all skin and bones…”

“Cut it out. Weren’t you the one who hated when I gained weight?”

“There’s a big difference between chubby and fat, okay? Anyway, let’s eat. I’m starving, didn’t have breakfast.”

“I only have instant rice.”

“You should cook real meals sometimes. Why even have a rice cooker then? Got any rice? Don’t tell me you ran out.”

Expertly finding the rice in the cabinet, Samgwon rolled up his sleeves and started preparing it.

Wasn’t he tired?

Since childhood, Samgwon always helped their mom around the house without being asked.

All three brothers took after their dad in being homey types, but Samgwon especially so.

He always had so much to say, following their mom around talking non-stop after school.

And she enjoyed chatting with him.

He even made the best instant noodles.

…Is that why girls like him?

Ugh, ramen…

Yeonwoo, who’d vowed to avoid ramen for a while, pulled out a chair and sat down.

Still…

Resting her chin in her hand, she stared at Samgwon’s well-shaped back, wondering what scheme he was up to today.

…Could it be that again?

She glared at him with suspicion.

“Ryu Samgwon.”

Turning around while heating the short ribs, Samgwon looked over.

Since when did he put on an apron?

“There you go again, rudely calling your brother by name.”

With a smile and a hand on his hip, Samgwon scolded her in his usual tone.

“Anyway, you’re not here to ask me for some favor again, are you?”

“…Huh?”

Yeonwoo’s eyes narrowed.

Samgwon avoided her gaze.

“When are you going to become a decent human?”

“No, no! It’s really not that.”

“Then why can’t you look me in the eye? You want me to do that gross thing again, don’t you?!”

“It’s not that! It’s about Seyoung.”

“What does Seyoung have to do with this?!”

As if she didn’t know why he kept buying Seyoung meals and coffee.

Clearly, he figured out Seyoung’s usefulness.

Since he was stuck here at Cheongbong, maybe he planned to use her to fend off clingy girlfriends.

No way in hell.

“If you dare ask Seyoung for that gross favor, I’ll tell Mom everything.”

“What?! No! I’m not trash! I wouldn’t ask your friend for something like that!”

“You already did! You’re the one who dragged her into it!”

“You’re the one who brought her!”

“Whatever, just don’t even mention Seyoung’s name. I will snap. You can’t even take responsibility, and you’re buying her food and drinks?”

“Honestly, she’s so cute when she eats. Makes me want to keep buying stuff for her. Plus, she’s your friend.”

“Stop trying to seduce that innocent girl!”

Even as Yeonwoo yelled, Samgwon kept going like nothing could hit him.

“This brother’s got it under control. Anyway, did Seyoung say anything?”

“She said she wants to come to Cheongbong. Said she’s tired of seeing all kinds of crap. Sounds like her professor is really pushing her.”

“Professor? Who? Which professor is bothering her?!”

His eyes wide with rage—it was strange.

This level of overreaction wasn’t like him.

Could he actually like Seyoung?

“…Do you like Seyoung?”

“…”

No response.

As he stirred the ribs, his ears turned red.

Is he insane?

Speechless, Yeonwoo glared at him.

There was definitely something going on between those two.

She needed to ask Seyoung again.

Samgwon and Seyoung? Even their names were a bit similar…

But no. No way would she approve of her friend being with Samgwon.

Who knows when he’d flip?

A guy who changes girls like he changes socks?

Over her dead body.

Even if she had to drag Seyoung to Cheongbong herself—she wouldn’t allow it.

As she made up her mind, the sound of a machine whirring came from outside.

Weeeeng, weeeeeng.