Chapter 23
Even Knowing It’s an Act
The President’s Office at Daetong Corporation.
Hakje sat deeply sunk into a black chair, listening to his secretary’s report.
Judging by his expression, it didn’t seem like good news.
“…Alright. That’s enough. You may leave now.”
“Yes, sir.”
The secretary bowed respectfully and exited the room.
Once the door closed, Hakje was left alone in the office.
His eyes, staring at empty space, suddenly flickered.
Bang!
A flowerpot that had been sitting quietly on the desk flew across the room in an instant, shattering against the wall.
Unable to contain the surge of emotions, Hakje’s shoulders heaved violently as he tried to steady his breathing.
The muscles in his face twitched with uncontrolled rage.
Though the shattered pieces littered the office, he had no time to care about such things.
“Whether it’s the promise with Sosuke or whatever… should I just kill him?”
When he first heard about the explosion at the Saito family residence and that one of the culprits had escaped, he hadn’t thought it particularly interesting.
But the moment he heard that Woo-gun had introduced So-hye as his fiancée in front of everyone,
his blood boiled to the point he almost punched his secretary.
“This is getting truly tedious.”
Hakje twisted his lips into a bitter laugh.
It felt as if his most coveted prey had disappeared before the hunt even began.
But the more he thought about it, the stranger it seemed.
No matter how he looked at So-hye, she didn’t seem like a woman who had just become engaged.
The day they met at Songil High, the way she had been with Woo-gun was unnaturally awkward.
As if she were someone in love with him on her own, secretly.
Hakje had observed every subtle reaction she had to Woo-gun’s slightest gestures or words.
And yet, in such a short time, had they confirmed their feelings and gotten engaged?
“Ridiculous.”
There must be some secret between the two that nobody else knew.
“Should I say it’s a challenge to my competitive spirit, or that he’s digging his own grave…?”
Tilting his head slightly, a dangerous snap resounded.
Hakje wanted to take it from him, no matter what.
And if possible, he wanted to do so brutally.
He wanted Woo-gun to feel the same crushing defeat that he himself felt now.
“Perhaps I should dig in a little faster.”
He had planned to wait and approach slowly, but it seemed he needed to move faster than he had anticipated.
Baek So-hye, that coveted woman.
“I… I’m all dressed.”
So-hye lifted the thin curtain and stepped out.
What she wore wasn’t the worn shirt or jeogori she usually wore.
It was the latest suit dress, currently all the rage among modern girls.
A pale white dress with a subtle sheen, accented with a thin leather belt at the waist that highlighted her graceful curves.
The fabric, smoother than the clothes she had borrowed from Hakje’s house, hugged her skin delicately, and the elegant, refined cut maximized her inherent grace.
Thanks to Soonshim styling her hair up, So-hye’s white, smooth neckline was fully revealed.
“Oh my, this dress suits you so well!”
Soonshim exclaimed the moment So-hye appeared, practically bouncing with excitement.
“How does everything you wear look so perfect? Kim, make sure to get this one tailored for her too.”
“Yes, of course.”
“No, no, it looks perfect as is. Just wear it as it is.”
The shop assistant added one more dress to the paper he was holding.
So-hye quickly grabbed Soonshim’s sleeve and shook her head.
“No, I just wanted you to try it on…”
“But it fits so perfectly! Then we must buy it!”
Before So-hye could stop her, Soonshim paid for the dress she was wearing.
This was already the fifth dress she had tried on, not counting the dozens of other shirts and skirts they had previously bought.
And every single piece was expensive.
‘How much is just this dress worth…? This alone could cover a month of living expenses.’
And one month was nothing. If she spent carefully, she could survive for months on this.
The more she wore, the heavier the dress felt, and So-hye’s shoulders sagged under the weight.
“If we keep buying everything like this, we’ll deplete your teacher’s fortune.”
“Huh?”
Upon hearing this, Soonshim’s eyes went wide, and she laughed heartily.
“Hahaha! You worry too much! This family isn’t the type to go bankrupt over a few dresses.”
“But it feels like too much…”
“Master insisted these are gifts. He wouldn’t just spend like this on his own.”
Soonshim blushed as if she were the one receiving a gift.
“I always thought our master was obsessed with butterflies and treated women like stones, but I didn’t realize he could be so gentle with his fiancée.”
Her words made So-hye blush as well.
Though Woo-gun’s feelings might not be as affectionate as Soonshim imagined, the fact remained that he intended to buy clothes for her.
“Yes. He is a very considerate person.”
The only flaw was that she hadn’t witnessed this kindness firsthand.
Thinking about it, as a teacher at Songil High and the fiancée of a world-renowned scholar, she probably shouldn’t appear too impoverished.
She had promised herself to be a partner befitting him.
Even if she had to repay the cost later, for now, it was best to follow his lead.
“I think this should be enough for now. We can buy more later if needed.”
“Shall we do that, then? My stomach’s growling…”
At that moment, Soonshim’s belly rumbled audibly, and she smiled sheepishly.
“This belly doesn’t lie… Let’s hurry. There’s a fantastic noodle shop nearby.”
Soonshim took the assistant’s paper and quickly headed outside.
Blushing, she kept glancing back at So-hye as if checking on her. The sight was utterly endearing.
“The dresses are packed here for you.”
“Ah, thank you.”
So-hye took the paper bag and hurried after Soonshim.
But as they walked a bit,
“Oh my, isn’t that Master?”
Following Soonshim’s finger, So-hye saw Woo-gun in the crowd, with Se-ho by his side.
Perhaps he had been nearby on some errand.
Woo-gun checked his pocket watch when he saw them, then said something to Se-ho.
Se-ho nodded and left with the packages.
As Woo-gun approached, So-hye’s heart naturally skipped a beat.
“Did you come to buy clothes?”
“Yes. Master said to get clothes that suit her. Now we’re heading for noodles.”
Woo-gun turned his gaze toward So-hye.
His eyes deepened in a way she couldn’t read.
He tilted his head slightly, giving Soonshim an apologetic smile.
“Oh, I forgot I have something to do. You go on ahead and enjoy your time with Master.”
With that, he snatched the paper bag from So-hye’s hand and left in a hurry.
Suddenly left alone with Woo-gun, So-hye’s eyes blinked rapidly from nerves.
Why had he sent Soonshim away?
To talk privately? Or perhaps to intentionally display them together for rumors?
A thousand thoughts fluttered like butterflies in her mind.
Just a few days ago, being alone with him made her heart race with excitement.
Now, the thought that they had to act as fake lovers made her tense, her body stiffening.
The new clothes only added to her unease.
‘Do these clothes… look okay?’
She tugged at the hem of her new dress nervously, glancing at Woo-gun.
But contrary to her expectations, he looked at her coldly, without comment.
“It’s better to stay close for now.”
He simply signaled her to come closer with his eyes.
Feeling disappointed, she hesitated but stepped toward him.
At that moment, warmth seeped into her palm naturally.
“Come a little closer.”
Their hands intertwined and rested on Woo-gun’s arm, as if she had casually linked her arm with his.
Their bodies were now pressed together.
“When we’re outside, it’s better to do this. People will believe our relationship more.”
She nodded slightly, afraid that speaking might reveal the tremor in her chest.
Heat pooled on her cheeks.
Her heart pounded so hard she feared he could feel it through his arm.
So-hye clutched his arm tightly, trying to erase the awkwardness flooding over her.
“Let’s go now.”
“Yes.”
So-hye walked beside him, letting him lead.
Every small gesture occupied her daily life more and more.
They entered a nearby shoemaking shop.
The bell on the door rang as they entered, and a neat, middle-aged shoemaker came out to greet them.
Woo-gun knew the man personally, and greeted him warmly.
“Long time no see, Mr. Shin.”
“We’re here to have a pair of shoes made.”
“I thought it wasn’t time to make new shoes for you yet. Do you need something else?”
“Not for me. For the woman beside me.”
The shoemaker’s eyes widened as he looked at So-hye.
So this was the infamous ‘Woo-gun’s fiancée’ shaking up the streets of Gyeongseong.
Seeing her in person was even more startling.
“Ah, yes, please come in here.”
He hurriedly guided them inside.
So-hye looked at him in surprise.
Woo-gun smiled gently and said,
“Since we bought new clothes, we need shoes to match.”
He had accurately predicted that Soonshim had only bought clothes.
The shoemaker’s apprentice brought a small chair, and So-hye sat on it.
“I’ll measure your feet.”
Woo-gun leisurely browsed the displayed shoes.
There were so many designs and colors that one could spend hours just looking.
After much consideration, he finally picked up a pair of black leather shoes with rounded toes and ankle straps.
He returned to So-hye.
“May I try them on?”
“Of course.”
As the apprentice stepped aside, Woo-gun knelt, lowering himself.
His long, strong fingers wrapped around her slender ankle.
So-hye’s lower abdomen tensed, her shoulders stiffening without her noticing.
He removed her old rubber shoes, revealing her small feet in white socks.
“Let me… I can do it myself…”
“I want to do it.”
Just the ankle wrapped, yet her whole body felt aflame.
Perhaps it was the warmth of his hand spreading through her pulse.
So-hye clenched her fists, watching every movement.
Finally, the shoes slid perfectly onto her feet.
He fastened the ankle straps and gently placed her feet down.
His gaze lingered appreciatively before slowly rising to meet her face.
Every glance sent a shiver through her like blooming red flowers.
“You look perfect. Both the dress and the shoes.”
Her heart felt lightheaded.
Her breath seemed to stop entirely.
Even compliments she hadn’t heard before came all at once in his low voice, melting her ears.
“Is this why the lab felt so stifling today? You didn’t need to buy research materials now.”
Fingers intertwined, their hands pressing together, So-hye held her breath.
She felt a strange, unexplainable sensation coloring her chest.
If she exhaled, her quivering breath might betray her.
Even knowing this was an act, her chest ached.
Ah, I mustn’t let myself fall into this fake romance.
‘If I do… I’ll only want more.’
So-hye clutched at her skirts to hold onto her wavering heart.
Unbeknownst to her, Woo-gun was feeling the same way.
But of course, the shoemaker and his apprentice had no idea what the couple were thinking—they only exchanged astonished glances, witnessing something extraordinary.
Was this really Shin Woo-gun, the man they had always known?
Before women, his eyes were cold, his words minimal, his expressions almost non-existent.
Yet here he was, warm, tender, speaking gentle words—like an entirely different person.
‘Well, what wouldn’t a man do when he’s in love?’
The shoemaker masked his thoughts and casually asked,
“Will these shoes do for now?”
“They will.”
Woo-gun placed the shoes on her feet again, then stood and offered his hand.
So-hye took it, rising to stand, linking her arm through his as when they first entered.
Once again, this was at Woo-gun’s guidance.
“When the shoes are ready, we’ll contact you.”
“Please make them with care. My lady’s feet deserve the best.”
“Yes, we’ll do our best. Please take care going home.”
The shoemaker bowed deeply as they left.
To any onlooker, they appeared as a beautiful couple.
“Wow… to think I’d see that stubborn scholar with a woman.”
“Indeed, sir.”
The shoemaker and his apprentice stared blankly as the couple disappeared.
Whispering to each other, their lips close, they looked like lovers sharing a secret.
“Someone is following us.”
“F-Following us?”
“Don’t look back. Stay close to me.”
Of course, if they had known the truth behind this conversation, they could never have thought that.
