NLFSD Chapter 37

Chapter 37

“Uh, so… Director, have you ever, by any chance… dated someone before?”

By the time Lee Jiwoon uttered those words, his face had turned beet red.

Ah, why did I even ask that? What if he says something like, ‘And what business is that of yours? We’re about to divorce and you’re asking me nonsense like this?’ What do I do then? But now that the words were out, there was no way to take them back.

Silence settled over the bedroom.

I knew it—shouldn’t have asked. This is mortifying…!

“A-ah, forget it. I take back what I just asked. Please don’t mind it! Ugh, I should just nap or something.”

Throwing the duster to the floor, Jiwoon let out an exaggerated yawn and claimed sudden drowsiness. Pretending to be sleepy, he crawled under the blanket, eyes half-lidded. But then Seo Taecheon grabbed his wrist in one swift motion.

“Gasp!”

Jiwoon flinched in surprise—only to be even more shocked when Seo Taecheon suddenly leaned in close, until their noses were almost touching.

“…Why do you ask?”

But contrary to Jiwoon’s fear, Taecheon’s expression wasn’t cold or harsh. Instead, there was a faint smile on his lips, and his eyes held a blend of curiosity and amusement. Based on Jiwoon’s accumulated “facial-expression database” of the director, that seemed about right. If he had to quantify it: 20% curiosity, 50% amusement, 10% surprise, and 20% something unidentifiable.

“Ah… I… nothing really, I was just curious.”

I’m dying to know your dating history. What kind of omegas did you date? Were they pure and innocent? Sexy? Do you mind beta or male omegas too? If you’ve seriously dated someone, I’ll probably boil over with jealousy, but that’s presumptuous of me… isn’t it?

Of course, he couldn’t say that aloud, so all he could manage was a meek “just curious.”

“Hm, really? That’s surprising. Assistant Manager Lee taking personal interest in me.”

Seo Taecheon lightly traced Jiwoon’s wrist with his index finger, and Jiwoon jolted. Did my heart just relocate to my wrist? Why is my wrist pounding so loudly? I’m losing it. I think I have a fever.

“It’s not—it’s not personal interest… I just asked casually.”

Jiwoon deliberately shot back in a prickly tone, averting his gaze. Seo Taecheon chuckled softly in response.

“Well, too bad. I’ve never dated anyone.”

“…Excuse me? Never dated anyone?”

“That’s right. I’ve never had a relationship.”

“…What?”

Jiwoon instinctively froze, his expression turning dead serious.

“How is that even possible? No way.”

Good-looking face, towering height, born into a family so wealthy you wouldn’t be surprised if money spouted from their faucets—and yeah, sure, his personality might be a little robotic, but he’s quietly thoughtful too. A perfect alpha.

And his best quality? When he smiles… it smells like fresh greenery. A man like that being single? Even a stray dog would laugh at the absurdity.

“Stop lying.”

“It’s the truth. I’ve never had a proper relationship because I was buried in work. Sure, people introduced me to others; we had meals, exchanged numbers. But I’ve never personally initiated a relationship, let alone sustained one.”

“H-how… how is that even possible?”

Jiwoon’s own dating history wasn’t exactly sparkling. Plenty of people had asked him out, but between evening classes and weekend part-time jobs, he barely had time for dates. If he had a free hour, it was better spent doing overtime or taking on another tutoring gig. So, for both his sake and theirs, he declined from the start.

But that was a decision forced by circumstance—after his grandparents, his guardians, passed away, he had no choice but to juggle school and survival. If life had been kinder, maybe he wouldn’t have ended up entirely single. Jiwoon wasn’t a die-hard celibate; he didn’t hate the idea of romance.

And yet, comparing himself to the director baffled him even more. If I looked like him and had his resources, I’d probably be changing omegas with every breath. But he never dated anyone?

“Does that answer your question?”

“Uh… y-yes.”

Jiwoon replied blankly, awkwardly propping himself up against the headboard.

“Then it’s my turn to ask. How about you, Jiwoon?”

Jiwoon was so flustered he didn’t even realize Seo Taecheon had called him by name instead of “Assistant Manager.” He also failed to notice how personal their conversation had become.

“M-me? My dating history?”

Caught off guard by the question, Jiwoon hesitated, torn between honesty and bravado. Should he tell the truth, or put on a front? His mind whirred rapidly until he struck upon what he thought was a brilliant idea.

Wait a sec. What if I pretend I’ve had tons of exes? Say I was insanely popular with alphas—wouldn’t that make him jealous?

On pure impulse, Jiwoon blurted out,

“My past was… colorful! I’ve dated so many people I can’t even count!”

He puffed out his chest, feigning pride. The reality? He usually bolted straight to work after class and most of his confessions came from customers at his part-time jobs.

“Is that so? What kind of people?”

Seo Taecheon asked casually, still wearing that faint smile instead of any trace of jealousy. Jiwoon felt a surge of panic.

Ugh, I have to make something up—damn it. Wish I’d actually dated someone. Whatever, improv it is.

“Uh… Well, I only dated impressive alphas.”

“I see.”

“And—uh—height! Height matters. They have to be tall. I prefer black hair and black eyes too.”

“Oh, do you?”

Without realizing it, Jiwoon began describing the man sitting right in front of him.

“For hairstyles… they look good with it slicked back, but also handsome with it down.”

“And?”

“And when they smile… they look boyish. I like that.”

As soon as Jiwoon finished, the director broke into that very boyish smile. Jiwoon’s heart dropped straight to the floor with a loud thud, and his face flamed bright red.

“I-I’m sleepy. I’m going to bed.”

“You’re stopping mid-cleaning?”

“I’ll finish later. Ugh, I’m so tired.”

Jiwoon dove under the blanket, feigning sleep with exaggerated snores, though his eyes were wide open.

What do I do? I’m done for. That was the most gorgeous smile in the entire country—no, the entire world.

The image replayed itself endlessly in his head, keeping him wide awake. Right beside him, Seo Taecheon’s presence—his scent, his warmth—was impossible to ignore.

“…Assistant Manager Lee, you’re not really asleep, are you?”

“Gah—ack!”

Jiwoon squealed awkwardly, startled that his act had been so easily exposed.

“I can tell you’re not sleeping. Pull the blanket down. You’re suffocating yourself.”

“……”

Jiwoon sheepishly lowered the blanket to reveal his eyes.

“Are you free tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?”

“There’s somewhere I’d like you to come with me.”

“Huh? Where?”

Jiwoon shot upright in surprise.

Is this man… inviting me out?

This wasn’t just rare—it was unprecedented in their entire married life. Jiwoon could hardly believe his ears.

“There are a few places I need to check out. We can make it a drive, head out to the outskirts.”

Could this… could this be a date?

Jiwoon’s heart pounded wildly.

“If you come, I’ll buy you a nice lunch.”

“Yes! I’d love that!”

He didn’t even hesitate. Jiwoon answered immediately.

Oh no, wait—does that make it sound like I only agreed because of the food?

He hurried to add,

“What I mean is—the food’s great and all, but I also really like the idea of the drive. I’m agreeing because going out with you sounds fun.”

“I know. Then get some rest.”

Seo Taecheon spoke calmly, then switched off the bedroom lights.

Jiwoon lay back down, fists clenched in the dark.

Nice. Hell yeah. Yessss. Let’s gooo.

Today had been wildly successful. A bit embarrassing, sure, but he’d learned Seo Taecheon had no past lovers, exaggerated his own dating life just enough to maybe stir some jealousy, and—best of all—he’d landed himself a date tomorrow.

He couldn’t wait for morning to come. Not even when he was a kid, excited for a field trip, had he felt this giddy.

Feigning sleep, Jiwoon subtly rolled over, turning toward the director. Seo Taecheon lay flat on his back, eyes closed, breathing calm and even as if already asleep.

Must be asleep.

Jiwoon slowly hovered his palm over Taecheon’s face, then, convinced he was truly out, gently rested his head against Taecheon’s shoulder. The firm, sturdy feel of it was nothing short of heavenly.

Grinning in the darkness, Jiwoon sneakily placed his hand atop Taecheon’s shoulder.

What do I do? I like you way too much.