Yi Hyun had returned from the restroom after almost ten minutes in there. When she came out, she was immediately surprised by Tae Hoon's presence who was standing leaning against the wall while folding his arms.
"Tae Hoon?" Both of Yi Hyun's eyeballs were again perfectly rounded. But she was grateful because she was no longer as nervous as before.
Tae Hoon immediately observed Yi Hyun's body from head to toe as soon as he turned around. He noticed that a few things had changed, from her hair and clothes being quite wet, to her eyes being red.
"Are you okay?" asked Tae Hoon with a worried expression.
Yi Hyun knew very well that the anxious feeling Tae Hoon was showing her wasn't because of a crush or anything like that. The feelings Tae Hoon was showing were more of sympathy than any form of personal feelings. Yi Hyun immediately turned her face the other way when she realized that fact. Even so, Yi Hyun still felt happy to be on good terms with Tae Hoon even as a junior.
With that in mind, Yi Hyun dared to lift her face and gave Tae Hoon a long smile. "I'm fine."
Tae Hoon's anxiety disappeared like dew as soon as he saw the smile on Yi Hyun's face. Unconsciously, the corners of his lips also rose and his right hand moved to stroke the top of Yi Hyun's mane.
Yi Hyun knew very well that Tae Hoon's treatment just now was like a form of affection for his own sister. But somehow, that fact made her heart ache.
"Are you hungry? Do you want to eat something?" asked Tae Hoon as he moved his hand away from Yi Hyun's head.
"Um..." Yi Hyun smacked her lips and thought for a few moments. There were currently many types of food that came to mind. If told to choose one, it would probably take a long time. But she certainly didn't want to waste her time choosing a meal. That's why she immediately answered firmly, "Samgyeopsal!"
"Samgyeopsal? Alright, let's go eat samgyeosal." After giving a simple smile, Tae Hoon immediately took a step and left the library—accompanied by Yi Hyun's footsteps that followed from the side.
That's right, this was enough. Yi Hyun didn't want to be greedy and make their relationship awkward and complicated. At least right now, Tae Hoon was still treating her well. She had to be satisfied with that.
Yi Hyun didn't want to imagine her relationship with Tae Hoon any further, like walking around hand in hand. Or feeding each other cotton candy like lovers.
"Yi Hyun, we've arrived."
Tae Hoon's words successfully brought Yi Hyun's consciousness back to the surface. What was displayed in front of her eyes right now was a large shop that had a large banner displayed on top.
"They say it's quite famous these days. Shall we go in now?" Tae Hoon turned his head as he asked in a very friendly manner. Yi Hyun had never hated Tae Hoon's attitude of always being friendly to others. Although for some reason, she had been jealous of other women who also received friendly treatment from Tae Hoon.
Yi Hyun looked up, then gave a sweet smile as soon as their eyes met, "Okay."
Tae Hoon smiled as well. With that, they entered the shop together. Once inside, they were immediately greeted by the cashier's friendly smile. It didn't take long for the two of them to order their food, after which they walked away to find an empty seat that was still available inside the shop.
As Tae Hoon's gaze wandered around, he accidentally caught sight of someone very familiar—sitting in the corner with a man. For the past two days Tae Hoon had wondered what So Hyun was doing until he never saw her again, only to find out that she was alone with a handsome man.
No, Tae Hoon wasn't jealous. It was too soon for him to have such feelings for So Hyun. Let's just say that Tae Hoon was upset because he felt like an item that was being played with, and discarded after getting bored. Yes, that kind of feeling.
"Tae Hoon, what's wrong?" Yi Hyun's question just now managed to jolt Tae Hoon who was lost in his reverie. He quickly turned his head to Yi Hyun and gave her a knotty smile.
"It's nothing. Let's sit down." Tae Hoon chose to push away the useless thoughts that had popped into his head. And now, he just wanted to focus on his activities today.
It felt strange that So Hyun was now behind him. She didn't even glance at him as if she was unaware of his existence. No, let's forget about that and focus on what was ahead.
"Do you come to this place often?" Yi Hyun asked with her eyes twinkling slightly. They sat facing each other, there was no particular reason. It was just that such a position was more comfortable and made it easier to communicate.
"No, I don't. This is my first time visiting this shop. It's more crowded than I expected."
"Can I order a beer?" Yi Hyun's eyes were a little sad when she asked that. Hyun Woo had always forbidden her to drink alcohol in public alone.
Tae Hoon then smiled, "Of course. Don't worry, I'll take care of you."
Yi Hyun was touched. Those words almost brought down the wall she was slowly building. And again, her heart pounded without asking permission first. Yi Hyun knew there was no special feeling in Tae Hoon's words just now, but Yi Hyun was taking it too far. Yi Hyun looked away, her face turning red again.
"Han So Hyun! Wait!"
Tae Hoon immediately turned his head when the name of someone he knew was called out loudly. He was also surprised that So Hyun was currently standing right in front of his eyes, and also that the man who had been sitting with So Hyun was gripping his right hand tightly.
"So Hyun, are you so busy today? Why did you go home as soon as the broadcast was over?" the man asked with a sad expression.
So Hyun glanced at her right hand for a moment before she pulled her hand out of that man's grasp. "Our agreement is only until the broadcast ends. After that, our contract is over," she replied coldly.
"I know. But can you spare a moment of your time? We can have a drink together to get closer," the man added, giving off a slightly pushy vibe. He also seemed to be getting fed up with So Hyun's refusal.
"No, thank you. I've already agreed to your offer to cooperate with my channel, but I will feel very offended if you continue to force me like this, Kim Ha Min." So Hyun's words were filled with emphasis and affirmation.
Honestly, Tae Hoon felt quite amazed by So Hyun's attitude that could still refrain from the man's impolite behavior. He didn't know that So Hyun had such a firm and brave side. It was also the first time he saw So Hyun's gaze so sharp and cold. So Hyun had always looked at him with bright and meaningful eyes.
It would be strange if he felt honored just by such an ambiguous fact.
The man named Kim Ha Min was getting more and more angry. Indeed, at that time he should have added a few things related to their contract, that way So Hyun would be able to comply with his request easily. Ha Min regretted having missed that opportunity.
"Are you done talking? Then I'll leave." So Hyun immediately turned around after saying that cold sentence. Ha Min's expression turned sour, his jaw hardened. Similarly, his hands were clenched tightly below.
"So Hyun, wait—"
Ha Min's right hand that was about to grab So Hyun's shoulder was immediately held back by Tae Hoon. The man reflexively turned his head, and in that instant his forehead furrowed in annoyance as if he saw a parasite.
"What are you doing?" he asked with a displeased expression.
"You've gone too far. This is a public place, don't make a scene here," Tae Hoon emphasized with his sharp eyes.
Ha Min pulled his hand away roughly, then snapped back, "None of this has anything to do with you. Go away."
Tae Hoon did not heed Ha Min's command. Instead, his gaze grew sharper and colder. There was no particular reason why Tae Hoon had stepped in to help So Hyun—he just didn't want to let that impolite man do whatever he wanted in a public place. Especially since the visitors had been watching them.
Think of Tae Hoon's actions as a form of humanity to most people.
"If you misbehave here again, I will call the police." Tae Hoon said these words in a cold, firm tone. But it was still not enough to bring down Ha Min's rock—like stubbornness.
"I said get lost, damn it." Ha Min repeatedly tried to break free from Tae Hoon's strong grip. His blood boiled even more as he felt his pride being violated—just because of a man shorter than him.
For a few moments, Ha Min clenched his other hand so tightly that the veins running through his skin were clearly visible. He was gathering strength from behind his fist before he threw it at Tae Hoon.
So Hyun happened to have noticed Ha Min's hidden intentions. Before the hand could move, she immediately opened her voice to stop the action Ha Min was about to take.
"Stop it." Ha Min and Tae Hoon's attention shifted to So Hyun who was walking over. "Ha Min, look around."
So Hyun paused her sentence to give Ha Min time to check the surroundings. She clearly saw Ha Min's dilated eyeballs when he realized that he was being secretly recorded by the visitors.
"If you do more than this, I'm sure you'll have a lot to lose," So Hyun said as she gave a lopsided smile.
Kim Ha Min is an influencer just like Han So Hyun. They must always present a good image in front of the audience. If they made even the slightest mistake, the losses they would incur would not be worth the profits they had been making.
Ha Min was not stupid to not realize such important things. He just lost his mind for a moment because he wanted to spend more time with So Hyun—a woman he had admired since she first debuted as an influencer.
Ha Min had been waiting for this moment for a long time. He had worked hard to become a famous influencer just so he could collaborate with So Hyun. This opportunity that only comes once, there was no way he was going to miss it!
"Please... do it with me just once." Ha Min's face lowered, but that look on his face was still clearly visible.
"Sorry, I can't." So Hyun didn't even think about it before answering Ha Min's offer.
Ha Min's jaw hardened. He was clearly annoyed and frustrated at the same time—feeling like his struggles so far had yielded absolutely no results.
"Let go of my hand," Ha Min said in a tone that sounded cold mixed with annoyance. Tae Hoon let him go without much calculation—there was no point in him keeping him here for long.
Ha Min turned and left without any intention of saying a word or two to So Hyun. His pride had already fallen since his action was stopped by the stranger who acted like a hero. The failure he experienced today was not the end. Ha Min was determined that he would have So Hyun someday, no matter what.