A Fresh Start
A few weeks after recovering from his fractured shoulder, Haneul-i felt a pang of guilt as he watched the villagers go about their day. He knew they had pooled their resources to pay for his hospital bills, and the weight of their kindness rested heavily on his conscience.
I need to repay them somehow, he thought.
Remembering the modeling offers Ji-eun had mentioned, Haneul-i decided to approach her about the opportunity.
The Modeling Job
That evening, Haneul-i found Ji-eun sketching designs near the community center.
"Ji-eun," he began, his voice steady, "I want to take up that modeling job you mentioned before."
Ji-eun looked up, surprised but pleased. "Really? Are you sure?"
"I need to repay the villagers for what they did for me," Haneul-i said, his expression firm. "If modeling can help, then I'll do it."
Ji-eun smiled. "Alright. I'll take you to my workplace in Seoul tomorrow. They've been asking about you anyway."
The next morning, Haneul-i offered to take Soo-jin to Seoul with him so she could retrieve some belongings from her dorm room.
"Are you sure it's not too much trouble?" Soo-jin asked as they prepared to leave.
"It's no trouble at all," Haneul-i replied, smiling.
After picking up her things, the two headed to Ji-eun's workplace—a bustling fashion studio in the heart of Seoul.
As they stepped into the studio, the air buzzed with energy. Designers and photographers moved about, preparing for their shoots. Ji-eun led Haneul-i to meet the team leader, a sharp-eyed woman with a commanding presence.
"So, this is the guy you've been talking about?" the team leader said, her gaze appraising as she studied Haneul-i from head to toe.
"Yes," Ji-eun said with a smile. "He's perfect for the job."
The team leader nodded, clearly impressed. "Alright, let's see what you've got. Would you mind trying on some of my personal designs?"
"Of course," Haneul-i replied, his voice calm.
Haneul-i disappeared into the dressing room, and the team leader handed him a stylish ensemble: a tailored pair of pants and a shirt with a modern design.
"Make sure to tuck in the shirt but leave the buttons undone," she instructed. "It'll complement your look."
Meanwhile, Soo-jin sat behind the set, chatting quietly with Ji-eun. She was excited to see how Haneul-i would look but didn't expect the sight that awaited her.
When Haneul-i finally stepped out, the room fell silent.
His shirt was tucked in as instructed, but the buttons were left undone, revealing his lean, muscular chest and abs. Scars from his past hinted at a rugged history, adding to his already captivating presence. His pants were perfectly fitted, emphasizing his tall and powerful frame.
The male staff in the room exchanged glances, their envy evident. Meanwhile, the women—save for Ji-eun—were visibly smitten, their eyes wide and cheeks flushed.
Soo-jin's Reaction
Soo-jin, who had been laughing at something Ji-eun said, froze the moment she saw Haneul-i. Her face turned bright red, her heart pounding.
The last time I saw his body, I was too worried to notice, she thought, recalling their time in the hospital. But now…
She looked away quickly, trying to compose herself. Ji-eun smirked, noticing her reaction. "You okay there, Soo-jin?"
"I-I'm fine," Soo-jin stammered, her gaze fixed on the floor.
The Shoot
The team leader clapped her hands, breaking the spell. "Alright, Haneul-i, let's see some poses."
Haneul-i, ever composed, struck a series of confident poses. The camera clicked rapidly, capturing his sharp angles and effortless charisma.
"Perfect!" the team leader said, beaming. "You're a natural."
The Offer
After the shoot, the team leader approached Haneul-i. "You've got something special," she said. "We'd like to sign you for a three-month contract. You'll get your first paycheck as soon as the paperwork is done."
Haneul-i nodded. "I accept. Thank you for the opportunity."
As the papers were signed and the team celebrated, Haneul-i glanced toward Soo-jin. She was chatting with Ji-eun, her usual warmth returning.
I'll work hard, he thought, for the villagers, for myself, and maybe… for her too.
For Haneul-i, the day marked the beginning of a new chapter—one where he could give back to those who had given him so much, while also navigating the unexpected turns life continued to throw his way.
In just two weeks, Haneul-i's modeling debut had become a sensation. The fashion company saw its profits soar, and social media exploded with posts about him. His rugged charm, lean build, and the signature scar on his face made him an icon almost overnight. Despite the attention, Haneul-i remained grounded, using his earnings to repay the villagers with interest.
Occasionally, he traveled to Seoul with Soo-jin to help her with errands, but most of his time was spent with Ji-eun for work.
One evening, the villagers gathered to celebrate Soo-jin's birthday. Haneul-i helped organize a surprise party, the entire village coming together to make it memorable.
"Happy birthday, Soo-jin!" they cheered as she entered the room, her eyes widening in delight.
"Thank you so much, everyone!" Soo-jin said, her cheeks flushed with happiness.
When asked what she wanted as a gift, Soo-jin thought for a moment before smiling shyly. "I'd love to see the Women's International Badminton Tournament tomorrow."
The villagers turned to Haneul-i, who immediately understood their silent request.
"I'll take her," he said with a nod.
At the Tournament
The next day, Haneul-i and Soo-jin arrived at the bustling stadium. The energy in the air was electric, with fans cheering and waving banners for their favorite players.
As they watched from the sidelines, Haneul-i felt a strange surge of nostalgia. The sound of shuttlecocks being hit, the tension of the rallies—it all felt oddly familiar, though he couldn't place why.
Meanwhile, Soo-jin was on the edge of her seat, cheering loudly for her favorite Korean player, who was competing against a Chinese player named Li Wei.
The match was intense, both players displaying incredible skill. In the end, Li Wei narrowly won, the crowd erupting in applause. Soo-jin clapped enthusiastically, her admiration for both players evident.
The Autograph Hunt
After the tournament, Soo-jin turned to Haneul-i with an excited expression. "Do you think you could get me autographs from both of them?"
Haneul-i hesitated but nodded. "Alright, wait here."
Meeting the Korean Player
Haneul-i approached the Korean player first. As soon as they locked eyes, recognition flashed between them.
"Wait… aren't you the Rookie King?" the player asked, his tone surprised.
"And aren't you one of Kang company's models?" Haneul-i replied with a smirk.
The two laughed, exchanging pleasantries before the player signed Soo-jin's requested autograph.
"By the way, can I take a picture with you for Soo-jin?" Haneul-i asked.
"Of course," the player said, smiling.
Haneul-i called Soo-jin over, and she excitedly posed for a picture with her idol.
Meeting Li Wei
Next, Haneul-i approached Li Wei, who was signing autographs for a line of fans. When it was his turn, Li Wei's gaze lingered on him a moment longer than usual.
"Have we met before?" she asked softly, her tone thoughtful.
Haneul-i shook his head, his expression calm. "No, I don't think so."
Still, Li Wei couldn't shake the feeling that his eyes seemed familiar. She dismissed the thought, chalking it up to coincidence, and handed him the signed autograph.
"Thank you," Haneul-i said in Chinese, bowing slightly.
Li Wei's eyes lit up. "Oh, you speak Chinese?"
"A little," Haneul-i replied.
They exchanged a few more words in Chinese, their conversation polite and brief. Just as they began to delve deeper, Soo-jin called out to Haneul-i, asking if they could leave for a restaurant she liked.
"Sure," Haneul-i said, waving goodbye to Li Wei.
Li Wei watched them leave, her gaze lingering on Haneul-i. Though she couldn't pinpoint why, something about him stirred a faint sense of familiarity.
Dinner with Soo-jin
At the restaurant, Haneul-i and Soo-jin sat at a small table near the window. The warm lighting cast a gentle glow on Soo-jin's face as she excitedly recounted her favorite moments from the match.
Haneul-i barely spoke, too captivated by her expressions. Her laughter, her smile, even the way she tucked her hair behind her ear—it all made his heart race.
"You're so quiet," Soo-jin said, tilting her head. "Are you tired?"
"N-no," Haneul-i replied, stammering slightly. "I'm just… happy you're enjoying yourself."
Soo-jin smiled brightly, and Haneul-i felt his chest tighten. She's beautiful, he thought.
Unbeknownst to them, Li Wei had also chosen the same restaurant for dinner. From her table across the room, she noticed Haneul-i's face light up as he watched Soo-jin.
She smiled faintly to herself. He's in love with her, she realized.
Though part of her felt a strange connection to Haneul-i, she decided not to interrupt. Instead, she finished her meal quietly and left shortly after.
After dinner, Haneul-i and Soo-jin returned to the village, the night air cool and refreshing. Soo-jin hugged him tightly before heading to her room, thanking him again for the wonderful day.
As Haneul-i lay in bed that night, he couldn't stop thinking about her. Despite the mysteries of his past and the questions swirling in his mind, one thing was clear—his feelings for Soo-jin were growing stronger with each passing day.
For now, he decided to focus on the present, cherishing the simple joy of being by her side.
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