LS Ch 85

The next morning, Jewoo quietly left the room, leaving a still-sleeping Yiwon. Jiho, who was waiting in the hallway, clicked his tongue at the sight of Jewoo being even more cautious than usual with his steps.

“The one who flew all the way to Jeju Island just to see his face, and you, tiptoeing around so as not to wake him.”

Jewoo just chuckled at Jiho’s casual remark. Last night, they had returned to the room, eaten cake, had a glass of wine, and before they knew it, it was past 2 a.m. when they finally fell asleep. Jewoo was also tired, but he didn’t want to disturb Yiwon’s sleep when he had no work.

“Just control yourself, please.”

At Jiho’s advice, Jewoo inwardly thought, I did control myself last night, though. After all, they hadn’t gone all the way because of the next day’s filming. After witnessing Jewoo struggling the next day after a thoughtless night during their film shoot in Japan, Yiwon made it a rule never to go all the way during filming. He didn’t want Jewoo to be uncomfortable, and the way Yiwon struggled to hold back while clearly wanting to was quite cute. So, Jewoo sometimes teased him on purpose, initiating skinship and subtly trying to seduce him.

Jiho, sitting in the driver’s seat, started the car and glanced at Jewoo in the backseat through the rearview mirror.

“What?”

When Jewoo told him to just say what he wanted to say, Jiho sighed deeply.

“How about you distance yourself from Kang Yiwon for a while?”

At the unexpected words, the smile disappeared from Jewoo’s face.

“My stepmother… You know how she is, so I think it’s best to be careful.”

Jiho explained that Jewoo’s mother might, out of spite, take photos of them together and sell them to the press.

“She wouldn’t go that far.”

While Jewoo thought his mother would at least maintain some semblance of decency, he understood Jiho’s concern.

“Even if she doesn’t sell them to the press, she could use them to blackmail you. Whatever it may be, I think it’s better to nip any potential problems in the bud.”

“We barely see each other now anyway. Maybe once or twice a month, if that.”

“That’s true, but…”

Jiho also looked troubled, unsure of what to say. They could only meet by squeezing time out of their busy schedules, so asking him to be more careful was no different from telling him not to see Yiwon at all.

“Just tell me to break up with him. That’s more realistic.”

He spoke sarcastically without realizing it. He wasn’t angry at Jiho. He was angry at his mother for creating such a messy situation that Jiho had to say such things. If he was worried about his mother’s actions and didn’t want to harm Yiwon, breaking up was indeed the cleanest solution.

Honestly, he’d considered it. But he wasn’t confident he could do it. The very act of breaking up with Kang Yiwon, knowing they wouldn’t remain friends afterward, and becoming complete strangers felt incredibly difficult. At the same time, he realized he was more deeply into Kang Yiwon than he had thought.

“Do you think he’d actually break up with you if I told him to? Neither you nor Kang Yiwon.”

Jiho sighed and replied, making Jewoo laugh. He wasn’t sure about himself, but Yiwon definitely wouldn’t accept a breakup. After waiting for seven years, Jewoo was confident Yiwon wouldn’t let him go.

“Should we live together?”

At the sudden question, Jiho almost slammed on the brakes.

“Live together?”

Jiho, turning around as they stopped at a red light, asked with wide eyes.

“Why are you so surprised? When we don’t have work, we’re practically living together anyway.”

“Is that the same as actually living together? Whose name will be on the house if you live together?”

If the house was under Yiwon’s or Jewoo’s name, the chances of reporters finding out were high.

“Will you lend me your name? I’ll pay all the taxes. Or I could ask my father.”

He thought it would be better to buy the house under his father’s name than his own.

“Kang Yiwon is amazing. To think I’d hear Han Jewoo talking about getting help from his father.”

Jewoo rarely asked his father for favors. Therefore, Jiho knew Jewoo was being serious.

“I haven’t planned anything concrete yet. Yiwon suggested we live together yesterday. I just thought it was an option. I haven’t given him a definite answer yet.”

Even though Jewoo backtracked, saying he wasn’t certain about it, Jiho was already holding his forehead. He seemed to be contemplating whether it was better to leave things as they were or have them live together.

“Just figuring out how to explain Kang Yiwon’s presence in Jeju is giving me a headache.”

“Why are you worrying about that? If anyone should worry, it should be Yiwon’s manager.”

Jewoo replied lightly, and Jiho retorted that he wouldn’t be worried if Han Jewoo wasn’t trending alongside Kang Yiwon’s trip to Jeju.

“You don’t have to worry about that, I think?”

Checking his phone after seeing a new post notification, Jewoo shook his head with a smile. Kang Yiwon was truly unbelievable.

“How can I not worry? There were people who saw you in the lobby yesterday, and your stepmother could spread rumors.”

“Rumors or not, Yiwon just posted that he came to Jeju.”

Jewoo showed Jiho the screen with Yiwon’s new SNS post. Jiho couldn’t properly see the screen while driving.

“What is he thinking?”

“He posted a picture of the squished cake.”

A smile touched Jewoo’s lips. Last night, after they returned to their room, Yiwon had suggested they take a picture to commemorate his birthday. Jewoo held the less-damaged side of the cake and made a V-sign with his fingers as they took the picture. That was the photo Yiwon posted on SNS.

“Why a squished cake?”

“Yiwon gave it to me last night. It’s my birthday today.”

“Birthday? Today?”

“So inconsiderate.”

Jewoo added that Jiho should pay more attention to his cousin, but he himself couldn’t remember Jiho’s birthday properly, so he glossed over it.

“So Kang Yiwon openly posted a picture of the cake for your birthday?”

Jewoo nodded at Jiho’s question. Below the picture were the hashtags #JewooHyungBirthday, #CameToCongratulate, #JejuIsland. He was openly advertising that he was in Jeju Island to see Jewoo.

“I’m speechless.”

Jiho clicked his tongue, saying he was almost impressed. Jewoo agreed. He had been worried about what people would say if it was subtly revealed that Yiwon was in Jeju Island, but he hadn’t expected such a bold move. He didn’t know if Yiwon had planned this from the beginning or if he came up with it after meeting Jewoo’s mother yesterday.

In any case, the reactions in the comments were not bad. Actors who had worked with him in the drama, such as Sihyeon, Yejun, and Jiyoo, commented, asking why he went alone and saying they would’ve joined him if they had free time. Most fan comments were positive, saying it was nice to see them getting along so well. Of course, there were comments speculating about their relationship and saying they looked cozy together.

“Well, he played his cards right.”

Jiho praised Yiwon.

‘Trying to hide it makes it look more suspicious. If you act confident, no one will think it’s strange.’

Remembering Yiwon’s usual words, Jewoo nodded with a smile.

“He even flew to Jeju Island for your birthday. Truly devoted.”

“That’s true.”

A soft smile spread across Jewoo’s face. Seeing that, Jiho realized telling them to stay apart wouldn’t work. If he tried to separate them when they were so fond of each other, they’d only become more passionate.

Maybe it’s better to let them live together. He seriously wondered if he should discuss it with Yiwon’s manager.

Yiwon’s birthday gift didn’t end there. Arriving at the set, Jewoo was puzzled to see a crowd gathered.

“Was it your birthday today, Jewoo? Congratulations.”

A staff member congratulated him and handed him a cup of coffee. Taking the coffee in surprise, Jewoo asked how she knew. She gestured towards the crowd. At the center, there was a coffee truck with Jewoo’s picture and a happy birthday message.

“Kang Yiwon sent a coffee truck. Thanks to him, we can enjoy good coffee.”

At the staff member’s thanks, Jewoo let out a chuckle. He hadn’t said anything about sending something like this…

“Is this also something that can be interpreted as just friendly?”

Jiho nudged him with his elbow and asked.

“I guess so.”

None of the actors or staff on set found it strange.

“Last year? When we were filming with Senior Yerin, Senior Hyunwoo sent a coffee truck for her birthday, too. As a supportive gesture.”

It wasn’t uncommon for actors to send each other coffee trucks if they were close.

“That’s right. And they announced their marriage last month.”

Jiho nodded in reply. At the mention of marriage, Jewoo spat out the coffee he was about to drink. He turned to find Jiho staring at him.

“And now you’re talking about living together.”

At Jiho’s remark, Jewoo laughed awkwardly and turned to look at the distant mountain.