# Chapter 122
“Right. You made a wise decision.”
“He told me to seriously consider either having a public relationship until marriage at around thirty, or choose to let him go and regret it later, so I said let’s break up.”
“You said you didn’t think you’d be happy in the future, so what’s with the marriage and public relationship talk? And what’s that about regretting letting him go? What nonsense.”
“I don’t have any regrets or lingering feelings, but since he was the person I trusted most, I think I’ve been deeply hurt psychologically. I’m putting on hold the movie I was going to star in. I don’t want to cause problems.”
“Is your current place safe? That guy was always coming and going.”
The world was vast, and criminals were numerous—the social section of the news was filled with countless articles. Even seemingly normal people could act beyond the bounds of common sense, so the possibility of impulsive revenge crimes couldn’t be ignored.
Though the company would surely manage the situation properly, Tae Igyeol was worried about Shin Dael, perhaps because he’d felt a special internal connection with her from the start. Part of it was because he thought if Mo Eunje had a younger sister or older sister, she might have been like Shin Dael, and also because even though they’d only known each other for half a year, they had become close enough to call each other friends.
“The CEO said he’d provide an officetel where I could stay temporarily before moving, but Suji said I shouldn’t be alone at a time like this, so I’m staying at her place now. Even staying at a hotel might lead to being photographed…”
Baek Suji had once mentioned on a talk show that she had overcome a difficult period of suffering from malicious comments by staying with Shin Dael. At that time, Shin Dael wasn’t well-known, so it didn’t become a hot topic, but when Shin Dael became famous, that interview resurfaced, highlighting their strong friendship.
Tae Igyeol suddenly remembered hearing that the couple living in Ritz Ville unit 401 had won a lottery for an apartment and would be moving out by the end of the month. Song Yeonhwa had hoped Mo Eunje would move in, but she had asked to wait a bit without telling Mo Eunje yet. Living in the apartment above or below wasn’t bad, but living together would be better.
“Have you found a place to move to?”
“Not yet. The company said they’d look into it, so I’m waiting.”
“Hmm… The floor below mine will be vacant at the end of this month. You could move in around early July. The security is tighter than at the officetel you’re living in now.”
Tae Igyeol stroked his chin and casually dropped the information in a slow tone. Since Shin Dael’s opinion was important to proceed with this, he was testing the waters first.
“Isn’t that luxury villa quite expensive? When I was looking for a place last year, there was a vacancy on the second floor, and I checked it out. It was really nice.”
“I’ll lease it to you on jeonse terms that fit your budget. If I talk to my mother, she might match it to your current officetel deposit since you’re part of my father’s company family.”
Tae Igyeol decided to block all escape routes for Mo Eunje. Given Mo Eunje’s personality, he would stay at Ban Hajun’s officetel for a week at most. So he needed to force Mo Eunje to return to his house by leaving him no other options. While Song Yeonhwa’s real estate agency managed tenants, it was also true that it was easier to have a tenant like Shin Dael, who kept the place clean and lived quietly, rather than dealing with troublesome tenants.
“I’d be so grateful if you could do that, but isn’t that place around 30-pyeong? I live alone, so my current officetel size is enough.”
“The floor below is about 34-pyeong, I think. What are you saving all your earnings for? Didn’t you say you envied Baek Suji for buying and moving into her 30-pyeong apartment?”
“I’m still far from earning as much as Suji.”
“Take it when I offer to match the deposit. Wouldn’t it be nice to be neighbors with your favorite novelist, living in the units above and below?”
“I’d love that! It would be really great. Getting book recommendations, sharing reviews… But wouldn’t it be awkward for you if you accommodate me too much?”
“What would be awkward? There’s nothing like that.”
Although Song Yeonhwa’s real estate agency managed the building, it was in his name, so there was no need to be concerned about Song Yeonhwa’s feelings. As they say, blood is thicker than water, and Song Yeonhwa, wanting to give Ritz Ville unit 401 to Mo Eunje, might not be fully satisfied with having Shin Dael as a tenant. But if she knew about Shin Dael’s current situation and state of mind, she would soften and gladly agree. Besides, Song Yeonhwa liked Shin Dael the most among the Ila Actors artists.
“Then I’ll ask a favor. I’ll talk to the CEO, and you please speak to CEO Song.”
“CEO Song is your fan, so she’ll probably want to sign the contract right away.”
“Okay. Then I’ll plan to move in early July.”
Anyway, Ila Actors’ artists usually went through Song Yeonhwa’s real estate agency when buying homes or getting jeonse contracts. Actors mostly preferred buying, and jeonse wasn’t Song Yeonhwa’s specialty, but she would exceptionally find jeonse properties when Ila Actors’ artists asked.
“By the way… If you’re having a hard time, why don’t you really try forming a book club with Mo Eunje?”
This wasn’t just for Shin Dael. It was about giving Mo Eunje valuable time. Mo Eunje found healing in conversations with people who shared similar values and mindsets. Plus, Shin Dael was Mo Eunje’s reader and someone whose thought patterns matched his, so she would definitely be helpful to him. Objectively speaking, both Mo Eunje and Shin Dael could win from this.
In fact, Tae Igyeol could suggest this because he knew Shin Dael didn’t see Mo Eunje as a man and only had pure fan feelings for the novelist. He would still feel jealous, no, his heart would be crushed with jealousy, but right now he wanted to create something that Mo Eunje would like.
“Isn’t the novelist busy preparing his new work? I don’t want to be a bother.”
“This would be good for your novelist too, and he’d be happy if you suggest a book club. Don’t get caught up in weird scandals when you two meet, and make sure to invite Gye Minho too.”
Tae Igyeol sent Mo Eunje’s contact information to Shin Dael. After checking her phone and saving the contact, Shin Dael tilted her head.
“What about you? Won’t you join?”
“Right now, Mo Eunje would feel uncomfortable if I were there.”
“You confessed…”
“…”
“Oh? Wait. What did I just say? Oh no, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”
Shin Dael, who had muttered calmly, realized what had come out of her mouth and became flustered, not knowing what to do. Tae Igyeol maintained a poker face without showing any change in expression, neither confirming nor denying. He thought it wouldn’t matter if Shin Dael knew, as she could keep a secret. However, the slight discomfort he felt was because someone now knew about their situation without Mo Eunje’s knowledge.
“…Logically, wouldn’t you normally first ask if we had a fight in this situation?”
“Exactly. I must really not be in my right mind. I didn’t even realize my thoughts came out of my mouth. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.”
“It’s fine, why would my feelings be hurt? But how did you know?”
“How could I not know? Your eyes change only when you talk about the novelist.”
So it was my eyes…
Though he had already heard about this from Manager Yoon Hyesu, and wasn’t unaware, being confirmed again made him wonder if it was that obvious.
“Your tone is the same, but your eyes are completely different. It’s super obvious. I even consulted you about my love life—wouldn’t I have to be an idiot not to know?”
Whether it was Ban Hajun, Shin Dael, or Manager Yoon Hyesu, they noticed because he hadn’t properly controlled his behavior and had shown his feelings.
Mo Eunje is mine, so don’t eye him or covet him.
“Anyway, I’ll be extremely careful in front of the novelist and absolutely won’t show any sign. I’m sorry.”
“I said it’s fine, why do you keep apologizing?”
“But it’s a sensitive and private matter, and I spoke without thinking… I must be really crazy. Why did I do that? I must be out of my mind, really…”
“You didn’t do it on purpose, so stop blaming yourself.”
Tae Igyeol, whose feelings had been discovered, was unfazed, but Shin Dael, who had unintentionally noticed, felt terribly sorry. With her personality, he felt less anxious about her meeting and talking with Mo Eunje under the pretense of a book club without him. But that didn’t mean he felt no anxiety at all, and since his feelings for Mo Eunje had been discovered, he needed to make things clear.
“Don’t like Mo Eunje. It’s hard enough as it is, so don’t create a clichéd and vulgar narrative like a rival appearing.”
“Igyeol. I don’t really like handsome men. Handsome men have their charm buried in their faces, which makes them less attractive. If anything, Writer Gye Minho is more my type?”
“…Who? Gye Minho?”
Tae Igyeol’s response was half a beat late due to sheer bewilderment. No matter how much we respect individual preferences and how different people’s tastes can be, he couldn’t understand how someone could say Gye Minho was their type over Mo Eunje. Feeling relieved at the fortunate fact was completely different from immediately understanding Shin Dael’s taste.
“He might not be conventionally handsome, but he has a likable appearance, pure, kind, and gentle style. That’s exactly Writer Gye Minho, right?”
“Your eyes must be on your feet. He got a girlfriend at the beginning of this month, just so you know.”
“I meant I like that style, not that I like Writer Gye Minho as a man. Right now, I feel sick just thinking about dating.”
“Right. That guy should be kicking himself with regret, so don’t break down and maintain your self-esteem for your own sake. You’re top star Shin Dael.”
For Shin Dael to suffer from insomnia and depression because of such a guy—reality is too harsh and cruel. With proper treatment, rest, and positive interactions with people around her, she could recover quickly.
“Let’s sort out the housing issue soon.”
“Thank you.”
“…”
“But Igyeol.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m not in a position to give advice to anyone, but no matter how much you love someone, it’s okay to want and expect things, but I hope you don’t yearn or obsess. That would make your heart too painful.”
Having reached a relationship where they could call each other friends, Shin Dael worried about Tae Igyeol’s heart until the end. However, unfortunately, Tae Igyeol, unable to understand those words, didn’t even listen with the back of his ear.
