Career Student Kang Jeongbae (3)
However, the man’s sex style was too rough, so Jeongbae soon regretted it. Moreover, as soon as he came out after washing up, the man made a dumbfounded face at him holding out a workbook. Still, the saying about pillow talk wasn’t wrong, as he explained quite sincerely.
Jeongbae thought it wasn’t a bad deal. Of course, he never met that man again after their first encounter. The business card he received went straight into the trash.
‘…That college student, he said Yoon Jaehyuk, right? He probably saw all kinds of things today, so he won’t contact me again.’
Having organized his thoughts, Jeongbae neatly arranged the dishes he’d eaten and went to the sink. Leaving the now-empty hall behind, he began washing the pile of dishes.
‘…Let’s just rest from designated driving today. My back is still aching.’
Then he changed his mind again.
‘But they said it’ll rain tomorrow. Better to work today.’
Instead of sighing, Jeongbae spoke loudly.
“Ha, that was delicious. I’m really full. Thank you, Auntie.”
Meanwhile, Jaehyuk had no way to calm his boiling insides.
“What, why do you keep looking at your phone? Let’s go get coffee.”
After class, that beautiful class representative stuck beside him as usual. Jaehyuk glanced at him briefly and quickened his pace.
“You must be busy. Then let’s drink together next time.”
He didn’t respond to the voice coming from behind.
‘Right, that’s how it should be.’
Since that absurd encounter at the hospital, Jeongbae hadn’t contacted him for several days. Jaehyuk had been in a ‘let’s wait and see’ mindset but ended up being the one waiting.
In the meantime, his nickname was downgraded from ‘Law Department Asshole’ to ‘Law Department Human Scum.’ But Jaehyuk didn’t care. That was just rumors—the people clinging to him were endless. It was even more irritating.
“I can’t focus on studying or anything.”
Though somewhat lacking in humanity, the highly intelligent Jaehyuk began analyzing why he was so angry.
He definitely didn’t like Kang Jeongbae. Of course, he sometimes thought about that night. The body temperature embracing him, the gentle hands stroking his hair, the fairly sweet body and things like that. That was in the realm of instinct, so let’s set it aside for now.
Jealousy? That was ridiculous. Of course, sparks flew from his eyes when he imagined him getting it on with that annoying bespectacled doctor bastard Jung Woohyun. But that was indignation at being played with while the guy was two-timing, not jealousy.
Right. That’s it. Indignation.
How dare you. Mock me?
Jaehyuk tried to simulate calmly again. What if Kang Jeongbae was actually a fox and deliberately cut off contact? Aiming for a situation like ‘You’re the first to treat me like this.’
Well, that could be. Cunning Omegas and Betas who approached him that way, regardless of gender, numbered more than a truckload.
The problem was himself. He could just ignore them all.
And yet he was curious. Like crazy. Where Kang Jeongbae was, what he was doing, exactly how deep his relationship with that doctor was. To a degree he couldn’t understand even himself, that tacky pink-haired guy circled around in his head. No matter how he thought about it, it was a losing deal….
‘Ah, whatever. I’ll just play along with the fox act.’
As if making a big decision, Jaehyuk searched for ‘Pink Head’ on his phone. Perhaps because he’d already pressed it several times, his fingertips were familiar with the number.
‘…Fine, you win.’
His hesitating finger finally pressed the call button.
—…cannot take your call right now….
—…cannot take your call right now….
—…cannot take your call right now….
Greater annoyance following annoyance. Jaehyuk gritted his teeth and held back from throwing his phone. He adjusted his bag and ran toward his car.
‘You’re really dead today.’
It didn’t take long to arrive. The restaurant where he’d dropped off Kang Jeongbae right in front of the school.
[Macheon Granny’s Rice Soup]
Tacky sign, shabby entrance. For such a place, it must be famous—people were even lined up and bustling. Jaehyuk’s brow furrowed further.
‘He works in a place like this? Does that doctor bastard know too?’
As Jaehyuk strode toward the entrance, a man behind him stopped him.
“Don’t you see people waiting in line here? Get in line.”
“I’m….”
Strength briefly entered his throat.
“Not here to eat.”
A moment of silence. When Jaehyuk turned around, the people standing in line began sneaking glances. A model-like man, tall with a large build. Jaehyuk’s beauty had an inexplicable sense of intimidation. Eyes naturally gravitated toward him.
“Next customer, please come in.”
An energetic voice—a staff member came scurrying out from inside. Pink hair. It was Kang Jeongbae.
“How many are you? Yes, this way please. Two regulars? Yes, coming right up.”
“……”
“Auntie! Two regulars here!”
Jeongbae organized the order slip and raised his head. At that moment, his eyes met Jaehyuk’s, who stood at the door.
Briefly.
Very briefly.
Jaehyuk’s heart beat strangely fast.
“Just one person? Please wait a moment.”
But Jeongbae smiled brightly as if nothing had happened. Jaehyuk was momentarily at a loss for words.
‘What did he just….’
At that moment, the man standing behind him burst out angrily.
“Ah, don’t cut in line, come on!”
Jaehyuk unconsciously stepped back. Jeongbae had already scurried back into the restaurant. He looked busy carrying hot earthen pots.
‘What is this….’
Jaehyuk’s irritation surged, but there was nothing he could do. In the end, he went to the back of the line and took his place.
“You’re really going to get it today.”
His teeth ground audibly. After waiting a full 20 minutes, his turn came. Jaehyuk was thoroughly riled up.
‘If he pretends not to know me this time….’
“Yes, next customer. Oh?”
Jeongbae, who came running out, widened his eyes.
“Ah…. You’re. The one who goes to Korea University…. right? Thank you so much for the hospital last time. Welcome! Are you alone?”
A brightly smiling face. Jaehyuk momentarily lost his words and stammered again. They’d definitely made eye contact earlier, so why does he look like he’s seeing him for the first time?
“……”
“Sit down quickly. I was thinking of treating you to something good anyway.”
“……”
“What a coincidence, right? Don’t pay for your meal today. The rice soup here is really delicious.”
“……”
“Auntie, one special here! Make it extra good please.”
“Oh, okay. Must be a friend.”
Jaehyuk’s eyes wavered minutely. While he was briefly malfunctioning, Jeongbae quickly left only hot rice soup and kimchi before busily running around the shop again.
‘Damn it.’
Jaehyuk had no choice but to pick up his spoon. Rice soup with rice mixed in. Absolutely not his taste. He grumpily scooped a spoonful and put it in his mouth, chewing. One bite. Two bites. Jaehyuk’s spooning quickened. He slipped some kimchi into his mouth too. The crisp texture made him angry for no reason.
‘Why is this kind of thing delicious?’
He quickly emptied one bowl. Then Jeongbae came scurrying over and in the blink of an eye cleared the bowl and wiped it clean with a dishcloth. Smiling as if proud, he patted Jaehyuk’s back.
“You eat well. Come eat again.”
“……”
This isn’t it… he thought, but Jaehyuk couldn’t say anything. Since there was a wait, he had to awkwardly stand up and vacate his seat. In the end, having accomplished nothing, he was leaving the shop with an empty feeling.
“Wait a second.”
Jeongbae stopped him. In his smiling, outstretched hand was a mint candy.
“Eat this to cleanse your palate. It’s good.”
With his earlier fighting spirit gone and only fullness remaining, Jaehyuk silently took the candy and put it in his mouth. He seemed to have forgotten even why he came here.
“Take care. Thanks for the ride last time.”
Jeongbae waved his hand and disappeared back into the shop. The candy was sweet and refreshing.
‘Have I gone crazy? Why does that look cute?’
He’d definitely been angry, but the justification for why he’d been angry had disappeared. All assumptions were wrong. It wasn’t fox tricks or push-and-pull tactics. Kang Jeongbae wasn’t even thinking about him at all.
“Jeongbae, isn’t that handsome friend coming today?”
“Well, not quite a friend…. He’s a younger guy I know through someone.”
“My goodness, he’s so good-looking.”
Even the middle-aged restaurant auntie recalled Yoon Jaehyuk’s face with admiration. Jeongbae stopped organizing the utensils.
“When did you say handsome people are valuable….”
“Oh, that’s when they’re only half-formed. My goodness, if you’re that good-looking, you could live off your face alone, kid.”
Jeongbae laughed loudly as if amused. Indeed, when Yoon Jaehyuk came, the shabby shop looked like a retro photoshoot backdrop. Due to his tall height, the moment he entered with his head slightly bowed, customers’ and staff’s eyes were already drawn to him all at once.
Perhaps the rice soup had been quite tasty that day, because Yoon Jaehyuk appeared at lunchtime every other day. He seemed to come 3 out of 5 weekdays.
‘Even the most delicious food should get boring if you eat it this often….’
Jeongbae tilted his head, then quickly changed his mind. Though usually middle-aged men and grandfathers were common, regulars who liked alcohol also stamped their attendance for hangover soup daily, so it wasn’t too strange. And though disparaged with the term ‘rice soup addict,’ there were few foods as cost-effective and hearty as pork rice soup.
There was one more curious thing about Jaehyuk, who’d become a regular. His companions changed every time. Omega, Beta, women, men—both phenotypes and genders varied. The common point was that they were all handsome men and beautiful women who sparkled even next to Jaehyuk.
Seeing Jaehyuk’s glamorous partners change each time, Jeongbae clearly realized that one night had indeed been a simple whim.
‘In a way, I was lucky.’
It felt like confirming his position again. Anyway, he’d slept with him for a different purpose, so there was no reason to feel hurt.
The day Jaehyuk first came to the shop, on his way home from work, he confirmed three missed calls.
[Yoon Jaehyuk]
[Yoon Jaehyuk]
[Yoon Jaehyuk]
‘He probably wanted to ask about the restaurant’s location.’
Jeongbae didn’t call back. If he called for no reason, he’d obviously just be embarrassed when the other person asked what he wanted after their business was done.
“Welcome!”
It was about time for the lunch rush to start. At the sound of the door opening, Jeongbae closed the utensil holder lid and jumped up.
“Ah, I hate the smell of pork rice soup though.”
“Why are you saying that now? Then I wouldn’t have come with you.”
Yoon Jaehyuk entered with his usual companion. Like a regular, he even had the leisure to avoid peak times.
“Two people, right? Please sit here.”
Jeongbae deliberately didn’t acknowledge Jaehyuk when he came with companions. Just the relationship of restaurant staff and customer. They only exchanged words to that extent.
“Two specials.”
“I can’t eat a special. The portion’s too big.”
“Then one special. One regular.”
The man sitting across from Jaehyuk had large eyes and flashy features. Ivory knit sweater and light jeans. Slightly light brown hair and fair skin. He had a refreshing atmosphere as if he’d smell like soap.
“Excuse me! Please wipe this table one more time.”
“Yes!”
The man who came with him made a fuss, saying it was dirty. Jeongbae quickly ran over with disinfectant spray and a dry cloth.
“What is this sticky stuff?”
“Ah, I’m sorry. I’ll wipe it clean right away.”
Jeongbae smiled energetically and wiped the already shiny table more thoroughly. He felt Jaehyuk’s gaze but kept his head down. He was just working, but he felt slightly embarrassed and envious.
It was funny how he felt awkward for that brief moment even though they’d only shared a body for one night.
‘Well, I can go to college too. To do that, I need to work hard and earn money.’
Jeongbae just smiled. But whenever Jaehyuk finished his meal quickly, paid, and grabbed handfuls of the mint candies left out as after-meal treats on his way out, he felt a bit strange. A strange delusion that it seemed like an action meant for him to see.
“Hahaha… I must be getting old. Am I being narcissistic?”
Feeling awkward for no reason alone, he took out his phone that he rarely looked at while working.
‘Hm? A text.’
It was Jung Woohyun.
