Chapter 20: Personal Circumstances (5)
Chapter 20: Personal Circumstances (5)
It’s probably only 30 minutes at worst. After surviving rush hour traffic from the outskirts of Seoul to the provinces, I’ve developed an immunity to congestion. I leaned back comfortably into the seat. Though this wasn’t his usual car, he drove it with ease.
When we finally reached the city center, I nearly sat upright in surprise. It was dazzlingly vibrant.
Though the sun hadn’t fully set yet, lights were already flickering to life across the city. Signs glowed garishly atop every building, their reflections glimmering off the traffic-choked roads. Jazz flowed from open shop doors, and stylishly dressed people strolled down the sidewalks, cigarettes in hand and arms linked.
It was… a living, breathing modern downtown, bursting with energy.
Of course, there were also more unsavory scenes, like teenagers smoking openly, people spitting in the streets, and a general lack of public manners. But more than that, what stood out was the sheer vitality and hope that came with a rapidly developing era. You could feel the looseness, the lightness in everyone’s heart.
And then, like a bolt of lightning, a realization struck me.
Wait a minute, then how much is our mansion worth, standing there on that massive plot of land just ten minutes from downtown? Just how rich am I, exactly?
“Su… Super Bowl.”
“Pardon?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just thinking it’s not just a lottery win. It’s like hitting the jackpot at Super Bowl level.”
A shiver ran down my spine. Of course, no one here would know what that meant, so I simply shook my head instead of bothering to explain.
My fiancé didn’t press the issue. Instead, he began explaining the district in a relaxed tone.
“This is one of the busiest streets in Vern. It’s often called Romantown, that nickname seems to be more widely known.”
“Ooh…”
He must’ve thought I was marveling at the street and smiled warmly.
Sorry. The truth is, my head was filled with land value calculations. That’s what the awe was about.
“Lady Rose has been unwell, yes, due to personal health issues, you likely aren’t very familiar with this area. Once you come to our main residence, I’ll make sure you have plenty of opportunities to visit even grander and livelier city centers.”
“That sounds lovely.”
Let’s see… with assets like this, even if I split them with my stepmother and stepbrother, I could still live comfortably for the rest of my life. Excellent. Even if things go south and I have to bolt to my fiancé’s estate, as long as I get my share, I’ll consider my life a success.
I’ll absolutely have to invest in real estate speculation with that capital!
“Ah, I see the restaurant ahead.”
He pointed to a white building glowing under golden lights. Unlike this slightly messy but lively part of the district, that side looked visibly more elegant and upscale. D**n, looks like the higher-end commercial zone is over there. The difference is obvious.
Come to think of it, a few people walking down the street actually stopped and stared at our car, eyes wide. I guess this model is extremely expensive too. Is this why people post endless pictures of luxury goods on social media? Just to feel this kind of thrill?
I suddenly had the urge to fling open the door and yell, ‘Hop in!’ with a thumbs-up. Of course, I wasn’t that much of an attention seeker, so the car rolled smoothly toward the restaurant. Before long, we arrived at the dazzling white building.
“Good spot.”
The staff had reserved a window-side table on a private terrace. My fiancé propped his chin on his hand and looked out, murmuring approvingly. I silently gave credit to the staff. Good job, everyone. The handsome guy is pleased.
“This place is so charming, lively and wonderful!”
“Oh, Romantown? Yes, it shares all the charms of any bustling district.”
As I commented happily, admiring the evening city skyline as the sun dipped below the horizon, he nodded.
“Though it’s not particularly unique. It Rose up suddenly thanks to oil, after all.”
“Aha.”
Whoa. This neighborhood has oil? That means it won’t go bankrupt for at least 50 years. Oil’s still a big deal, right?
Wait, could there be oil fields in the inheritance I’m getting?
While I was internally squealing with excitement, my fiancé continued, voice gentle and composed.
“There are many other cities with cultural and social qualities that can’t be replaced. I’d love for us to visit them together someday.”
“That would be wonderful!”
We continued chatting pleasantly as we ate. The food was good, maybe not better than the cooking at the mansion, but the restaurant’s atmosphere made the price worth it.
“Nice.”
Just before dessert was served, my fiancé excused himself to take a work call at the front desk. I leaned back in my chair, waiting for the dessert and the handsome man to return.
A violin concerto filled the dining hall. As I soaked in the music and my food coma, blissfully content, someone sat down across from me.
“You look like you’re deep in thought, miss.”
At first glance, I thought it was my fiancé, his build was similar. But on second look, it was a complete stranger.
A tall, broad-shouldered young man in a light coat smiled amiably. His sharp, well-defined features and slightly tousled gold-brown hair parted to the side framed a pair of striking blue eyes.
And I realized.
That line, that timing, and, critically, that handsome face of a completely different type than my fiancé… There’s no doubt: this guy is the romantic sub-lead!
The second male lead. The crown jewel of every romance story, across all time and cultures. He intensifies the plot, boosts immersion, and spares us the frustration of slow-burns. He raises reader satisfaction with a variety of flavors and simultaneously creates the incurable syndrome known as Second Lead Syndrome.
For the record, I’ve never once bet on the wrong male lead. My instincts are flawless. A hundred percent success rate in identifying the main guy. Which is to say, this blond pretty boy? Not my type. He looks way too much like a normie extrovert.
“I actually have a special ability, you know.”
“…”
“The ability to solve any kind of problem.”
He spoke so casually and naturally even though I, a total stranger, was staring back at him in disbelief. I started to sweat for him. This guy knows exactly how handsome he is. He’s probably the type who schedules hangouts by the hour.
“Let me guess what you’re worried about.”
He placed one hand under his chin, theatrically striking a pose with those bright blue eyes fixed on me. Then he winked.
“Wondering whether to call the waiter because dessert’s taking too long, right?”
Who the hell is this guy? Why does he know me so well? I wasn’t actually thinking that, but… it’s totally something I might’ve been thinking. Do extroverts just have that superpower? Reading people at a glance?
“Am I right?”
“No.”
I replied firmly. Wrong is wrong. Shoo, be gone, you social butterfly.
“I was debating whether to order both desserts.”
“Ah.”
The young man fell silent for a beat, then burst into laughter. A bold, unapologetic laugh.
“Really? My bad. Total miss.”
And five seconds later, the staff arrived with dessert: coffee, chocolate cake, and vanilla ice cream. As soon as the waiter walked off, the guy raised both hands slightly by his head.
“Tada!”
And winked again.
“Still, I got it out faster, didn’t I? Not a bad deal, right?”
Should I applaud or something? I answered flatly.
“I think it just came out when it was supposed to.”
“Nope.”
He leaned across the table and lowered his voice like he was about to share a secret.
“See those two guys at the table to the left, acting all high and mighty? These plates were actually meant for them.”
“What?”
“But I made a few… tweaks. Had them sent over here first.”
What kind of nonsense…?
“I’ve got a lot of friends. So I can, let’s say, enjoy a little extra flexibility.”
I stared at this blond Adonis, the embodiment of this era’s romantic bad-boy archetype, someone who clearly believed flouting basic manners was charming. And I made a decision. I need to get rid of him. I don’t need a second lead.
