Chapter Fifteen: Warmth Is

At this moment, Jinwon found himself at a crossroads. As a rather reserved person, he was not skilled at expressing his emotions, nor did he know how to refuse someone gently. Though the words of rejection were on the tip of his tongue, feeling the girl’s embrace and the delicate fragrance swirling around his nose, he wavered.

If he refused, would Rachel truly lose all confidence in him? After all, that was how she’d asked at the beginning. But if he didn’t refuse…

What would happen if he didn’t refuse? Suddenly, he realized that perhaps nothing much would change if he didn’t.

“Don’t be silly.”

Jinwon didn’t return Rachel Liu’s embrace. Instead, using his height to his advantage, he gently patted her head in a very affectionate manner.

He could sense that Rachel Liu was feeling quite low, and so he understood that this was probably her unconscious way of seeking someone to lean on.

Hearing Jinwon’s words, Rachel Liu felt an inexplicable ache in her heart.

She really was unwanted, wasn’t she? Not liked by anyone.

All her life, few had ever confessed to her. She envied others who received love letters or invitations to parties and events, but perhaps her cool demeanor was too convincing—she ended up with neither friends nor a boyfriend.

Because she felt both upset and embarrassed, her hands clung tightly to Jinwon’s shirt, unable to bring herself to lift her head. Now, after saying all those things, she herself could hardly believe it.

Jinwon sighed softly, his tone gently indulgent. “There’s always a way. Whether it’s your mother’s situation or Jin Tan’s, there will always be a solution, so you don’t have to think about it all right now.”

The girl in his arms shook her head, wanting to refute him, but not knowing what to say.

Just then, some tourists passed by. Seeing the two of them embracing, they fell silent and took another path.

Jinwon was speechless for a while, but he couldn’t bring himself to push her away.

She really did seem heartbroken.

In truth, there was some sadness, but even more embarrassment. She’d never been so forward before—she really must have lost her head this time. Not to mention Jinwon was so much older; besides, he was Jin Tan’s older brother. If she really agreed, wouldn’t it all become even more complicated?

She mustered her courage and looked up.

“Brother… if I—”

“You’re just saying this for revenge, aren’t you?”

They spoke at the same time. Rachel Liu paused, then suddenly understood. “I see now. If I’m with you, my mother can’t marry President Choi, and… you just broke up with your girlfriend, right? You’ll soon be forced into a marriage alliance. This way, not only can we deal with my mother and Jin Tan, but your father too. Brother, you really are clever!”

“…”

If her earlier actions were purely impulsive, Rachel Liu now realized that this idea was actually brilliant.

Seeing the once-heartbroken girl now brimming with fighting spirit, Jinwon suddenly felt as if he’d dug himself into a hole.

“Do you really think I’m that childish?” Jinwon was baffled. Wasn’t he supposed to be the cold and serious type?

Rachel Liu snorted, “If you hadn’t run away from home so ridiculously, maybe I’d believe that.”

…This sister really isn’t very lovable.

“So, what do you think? Pretty good, right? Want to try it?” Rachel Liu’s eyes gleamed with calculation, and she couldn’t be happier.

Jinwon hadn’t even considered things at this level. As for his father and marriage alliances, he didn’t really care anymore.

“It doesn’t matter to me, but what about you? As a girl, you really shouldn’t make such decisions about your life so lightly,” Jinwon said earnestly.

“Then what do you think about me and Jin Tan? Should I marry him and watch him cozy up to that maid at home?” Just the thought was disgusting.

Besides, if she ended up with Jinwon, it would really be like a tabloid scandal—just imagining it made her want to laugh out loud.

Could she be any happier? Jinwon wanted to ask, but let it be—if she was happy, that was enough.

Now that Jinwon wasn’t objecting, Rachel Liu’s mood soared. Clearly, everyone has a little demon in their heart. The thought of stirring up trouble thrilled her to the core.

Jinwon, however, didn’t feel much about it. Maybe he was just too old to appreciate this kind of joy. Still, he felt a strange warmth in his heart, an indescribable emotion.

Though for now, it couldn’t be called affection or love.

“Shall we go back?” Jinwon asked, worried that she’d be so happy she’d forget she was still in the middle of a fight with her mother. Some things, if not dealt with promptly, would become deadlocks, and opportunities would slip by in vain.

“No,” Rachel Liu refused at once. “If I give in too easily, my mother will stick to her original plan.”

She and her mother couldn’t communicate anymore; it was all about who held the stronger cards and could suppress the other.

So Jinwon took Rachel to his room. After all, letting her wander the streets alone wasn’t an option, and he still had work to do.

Rachel Liu followed him in without feeling awkward or burdened. This was how they’d always interacted, so it felt quite natural.

The hotel room felt almost like a home, filled with books, documents, and two computers. While Jinwon worked, Rachel used the other computer to go online.

Han Ji-eun immediately started a chat—she had already figured out that Rachel was the online friend she’d been talking to for years. But since both had been busy lately, she hadn’t had a chance to express her shock. Now she finally caught her.

[Enzi, Aspiring Novelist: Little Laixi~]

[Laixi: …I’m logging off]

So fond of calling her little sister, really! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

[Enzi, Aspiring Novelist: o(>﹏

Rachel glanced at Jinwon. Changed into loungewear, he looked much softer. Well, to her, he was always gentle. In the dim light, he read documents, researched, and made calls.

She smiled lightly.

[Laixi: At a hotel with my boyfriend.]

Just to tease Han Ji-eun, of course (←←

[Enzi, Aspiring Novelist: !!!!!!!!]

[Enzi, Aspiring Novelist: Are you with Jinwon? Tell him I’m sorry again for me.]

[Enzi, Aspiring Novelist: What! You’re actually at a hotel with Jinwon!]

[Laixi: …I’m logging off]

[Enzi, Aspiring Novelist: o(>﹏

Rachel had no idea that Han Ji-eun was now living with Lee Young-jae, nor that he had decided to marry her nearby for his grandmother’s sake. She thought Ji-eun was just brainstorming for her novel.

And since it was a novel, the more dramatic, the better.

[Laixi: Isn’t this the moment to slap a few times, kick him, and yell ‘scumbag, get lost!’]

[Enzi, Aspiring Novelist: (⊙o⊙) Oh, I see! Logging off! Thanks!]

Her friend’s profile dimmed, only to light up again.

[Enzi, Aspiring Novelist: You’re only seventeen, take care of yourself. But I trust Jinwon~]

…

Once Han Ji-eun logged off, there was no one left to chat with. The world felt so lonely. Rachel retrieved tonight’s homework from the teacher’s page, finished it carefully, and noticed Jinwon was still at work.

Was it really okay for her freshly-minted boyfriend to be ignoring her like this?

Of course, neither of them felt like an actual couple yet.

Time ticked past ten. She stretched, suddenly feeling sleepy.

…

She yawned, waiting for her mother’s call.

She went to the fridge, took two cartons of milk, heated them, poured them into cups, and placed one by Jinwon’s hand.

Interrupted, Jinwon looked up to see her. Rachel smiled and said, “Don’t forget to nourish yourself, even when you’re working.”

“It’s really because you want some milk, isn’t it?” Jinwon put down his pen and picked up the cup. Rachel sat in the chair beside him.

She giggled foolishly. She didn’t even know why, but she just felt like laughing. She’d smiled more in the past few days than she ever had before.

Jinwon, seeing her like this, had the urge to ruffle her hair, but in the end, he didn’t. After all… things between them had changed. Somehow, there was a touch of awkwardness.

Rachel soon received a call from Esther. She told her the hotel name, and Esther drove over herself. Rachel knew her willfulness hurt her mother, but she couldn’t bear to see her get hurt for money and profit.

When Jinwon walked her down, Esther was already waiting in the lobby. The woman, who would usually chat with him a bit, simply took Rachel and left.

Rachel looked triumphant. Jinwon was speechless.

He mouthed, “Take care of things.”

Rachel pouted, murmuring something in protest.

He watched her leave before returning to his room.

The cup of milk was still warm.