[Translator – Zain]
[Proofreader – Kshn]
Chapter 32
* * *
The next morning.
“This car really is comfortable,”
Yoon Seah remarked as she buckled her seatbelt, smiling.
“Didn’t you like the foreign car we rode yesterday?”
“The car was fine, but Heesu kept worrying about , saying ‘Seah~ what will you do now?’… That concern itself felt a bit awkward. I didn’t really want to hear it…”
Seong Jihan seed to understand what she ant.
When people express concern, saying ‘what will you do~’, it doesn’t always provide comfort.
From the recipient’s perspective, it can sotis feel more like they’re making fun of you.
“Let’s just use this car from now on.”
“Co on. There’s no need to refuse when soone offers to give you a ride. It’s fine… Huh?”
While deep in conversation, Yoon Seah’s eyes widened a bit.
At the parking spot number 17, where Seong Jihan had parked the day before, now stood a flashy sports car.
And soon, the car door opened.
“You’ve arrived.”
A tall woman, dressed in a suit, ca out.
It was Lee Hayeon’s bodyguard, Lim Gayeong, who bowed her head towards Seong Jihan.
“Isn’t she Lee Hayeon’s bodyguard?”
“Seems so. Wait here. I’ll go check.”
“ too, I want to go too!”
Seeing her sparkling eyes, it was evident she wasn’t going to listen.
Seong Jihan nodded slightly, parked the car in the adjacent spot, and stepped outside.
“Oh my. Mr. Seong Jihan!”
As the group including Seong Jihan ca out,the passenger door of the sports car opened, revealing the radiant beauty, Lee Hayeon.
“It’s unexpected to see you here.”
“Were you waiting for ?”
“Oh no, it’s just a coincidence. I’m an alumnus here, so I ca to visit my old teacher.”
“This early in the morning?”
“It’s customary to greet in the morning. Hoho, hello to you too, Miss Yoon Seah.”
“Hello, Miss Lee Hayeon!”
The two exchanged pleasantries, seemingly in good spirits.
“Co to think of it, Miss Seah, you were the Student Council President at the academy… We share a deep connection.”
“How so?”
“I was the academy’s fourth Student Council President.”
“Ah~ I see~.”
Perhaps Yoon Seah’s tone was a bit blatant, as she switched to a more formal manner of speaking. anwhile, Lee Hayeon, who had turned her gaze back to Seong Jihan, brought up the main topic.
“How about a coffee, since we’ve t like this?”
“With ?”
“Yes.”
“You ntioned eting your teacher.”
“Ah, I just realized they might be busy in the morning. There’s also a nice cafe in the academy.”
“Well… sure.”
Seong Jihan nodded his head amicably.
The purpose was quite clear.
‘Normally, I would have declined an invitation from any guild, but…’
He saw the need to maintain a connection with Lee Hayeon, who was a potential candidate for ‘Zero’.
“Uncle, are you going to have coffee with Miss Lee Hayeon?”
“Yeah, that’s the plan.”
“Got it. Then let’s go together.”
Seong Jihan nodded and boarded the elevator with Lee Hayeon’s group.
* * *
BattleNet Academy’s cafeteria.
The place, usually deserted in the morning, was unusually full. Those dressed in neat suits were unmistakably working professionals.
“Oh… it’s Seong Jihan!”
“Isn’t that Lee Hayeon from Divergent Guild next to him?”
As Seong Jihan and Lee Hayeon entered the cafeteria, murmurs began.
Those who instantly recognized them were scouts dispatched from various guilds.
‘They ca up from the student parking lot.’
‘Did Lee Hayeon also graduate from the academy?’
‘Divergent Guild contacted Seong Jihan first.’
Anticipating contact with Seong Jihan from the parking lot, the scouts from other guilds couldn’t hide their disappointnt.
‘I hope the deal falls through.’
‘If it does, we’ll contact him directly.’
Hoping that the conversation between the two wouldn’t go smoothly, they sipped their coffee.
Lee Hayeon looked around at them and smirked.
“It seems many familiar faces are here in the academy’s cafeteria.”
“You an those people?”
“Yes, they’re guild scouts… They must have co to see Mr. Seong Jihan.”
‘It was a good choice to wait in the parking lot.’
Lee Hayeon thought highly of her own decision as she took a seat next to Seong Jihan.
“Jihan, I felt hurt,” she said with a smirk as soon as she sat down.
Notably, her manner of addressing Seong Jihan had beco more informal, dropping the surna ‘Seong’.
“I even gave you my business card, but you didn’t contact .”
“I’ve been busy and forgot.”
“I kept waiting for your call, and I couldn’t sleep at night. Look, can you see these dark circles under my eyes?”
She laughed heartily, pointing at her flawless face.
Right now, she seed as relentless as a predator in the recruitnt industry.
“I’ll be more considerate next ti.”
“Also, during the broadcast… you wanted to give your contact to the person who kicked the soccer ball, right? Do you rember now?”
“Yes. I rembered after that incident.”
“Then, share it with too!”
She quickly scanned the surroundings, then brushed her hair back and leaned in, whispering towards Seong Jihan’s ear, “There are too many people around. Just whisper it to ..”
A faint, pleasant fragrance wafted from her.
Her side profile was so beautiful that the scouts watching from a distance were utterly srized.
‘She’s really on a mission… Lee Hayeon!’
‘With a face like that, she could’ve been a celebrity. Why did she co to this industry?’
‘It’s over, totally over.’
However, contrary to the scouts’ thoughts, Seong Jihan was reminiscing about the past.
‘That’s the sa fragrance as Zero.’
He recalled the image of Zero, recklessly causing trouble while being heavily intoxicated.
Seong Jihan decided to take this opportunity to test the waters.
“Do you want my number?”
“Yes!”
“Then, satisfy my curiosity, and I’ll share it.”
“What are you curious about?”
“Your gift, Lee Hayeon.”
[Translator – Zain]
[Proofreader – Kshn]
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