NLFSD Chapter 13

Chapter 13

 

Lee Jiwoon squatted beside the bed and quietly watched Seo Taecheon sleeping, then stood up with a soft grunt.

He really is ridiculously handsome. Last night’s popularity vote was guided by my objective aesthetic judgment. It wasn’t because of personal feelings. Nope.

Even though no one had asked, Jiwoon rationalized to himself as he quietly crossed the room, opened the door, and stepped outside.

While catching his breath back in the room, a text from the production crew arrived on Jiwoon’s phone.

Dear Love Village residents, did you have a happy night?

Please come to the breakfast restaurant on the first floor by 9 a.m., where we will have a group breakfast and provide today’s filming schedule.

“Whew… Can I say I had a happy night?”

The foolish self who stumbled around under the influence of alcohol, the moments when Seo Taecheon flipped him over just to take a photo, and the face he secretly admired at dawn—all of it flooded back.

To Jiwoon, last night was a mix of emotional turmoil and embarrassment.

“It’s going to be awkward seeing that guy’s face…”

It wasn’t just that he showed his drunk side—rolling all over the bed like a ragdoll was even more humiliating. Still, the restaurant here boasted ultra-luxurious quality, so missing breakfast wasn’t an option, and he couldn’t skip the production meeting either.

“Sigh, no helping it. I have to go down.”

After washing up and getting ready, Jiwoon headed to the breakfast restaurant. Inside the spacious dining area, the participants were scattered in small groups at tables. Jiwoon also took a seat at an empty spot.

“Oh, good morning.”

“Director. Good morning.”

People stood up and greeted Seo Taecheon as he entered. As always, he was dressed in a luxurious suit and looked impeccably prepared, not a single detail out of place.

“We’re all participating in this project together, so no need to be overly formal. Just think of me as Alpha No. 1 showing up.”

With just that one line to ease the mood, the female Beta and Omega participants let out small gasps of admiration.

“Do you think he really meant that? That here in Love Village, he’s just Alpha No. 1? Then I could actually try hitting on him!”

“Of course. I came today fully prepared to make my move.”

Hearing the confident tone of the participant seated next to him, Jiwoon frowned.

Make a move? On that guy? He’s married! A grown man!

Jiwoon grumbled inwardly.

As everyone was enjoying the buffet breakfast, the production crew began announcing the schedule.

“There was a popularity vote based on first impressions yesterday. We’ll be announcing the results shortly. The person who came in first will receive the right to request a private date.”

The participants focused on the staff explaining.

“Simply put, the winner gets the right to ask someone for a one-on-one date. While the couple is out, the rest of the participants will enjoy some recreational time.”

As the word “popularity vote” came up, participants whispered among themselves. It’s obviously the director, right? Who else would beat the director for first place? People were already feeling envious of whoever Seo Taecheon would choose for a date.

Jiwoon waited for the results, heart pounding. Surely, it wouldn’t be Seo Taecheon… right?

“We’ll now announce the result. The winner of the popularity vote is… Alpha No. 1!”

Applause and cheers erupted from all directions. An assistant director approached Taecheon and handed him a mic.

“Alpha No. 1, may we hear your thoughts?”

“There’s not much to say. Thank you.”

“Then who would you like to ask on a date?”

“Hmm…”

Seo Taecheon hesitated. A quiet stir spread through the crowd. The male Betas and Alphas were nervous about losing their crushes, and the female Betas and Omegas were brimming with hope that it might be them.

Jiwoon swallowed hard and clenched his fist.

Hey, mister. Who are you going to pick? Hurry up and say it.

His throat dry from tension, Jiwoon gulped down cold water. That’s when Seo Taecheon looked straight at Jiwoon and spoke.

“I’ll use my date ticket on Omega No. 1.”

“Gah.”

Jiwoon choked and spat out water. The area buzzed with chaos. Some even stood up from their seats to get a look at Omega No. 1’s face.

“Wow. Omega No. 1’s been chosen. Now, it’s your turn to answer. Omega No. 1, do you accept Alpha No. 1’s date invitation?”

“Ah… that is…”

“Of course, you’re free to decline. But if you do, Alpha No. 1 will need to choose a different partner.”

Jiwoon, who had been hesitating, suddenly snapped back to his senses. Choose a different partner? Over my dead body. How dare a married man…!

Overwhelmed by emotion, Jiwoon raised his hand and shouted.

“Yes! I accept!”

“Wow, that was a refreshingly clear answer. Then the two of you will begin your separate filming now. Everyone else, please continue your breakfast.”

The assistant director clapped, looking quite pleased. While Jiwoon was still dazed, they clipped on a mic, fixed his hair, and pulled him out of the dining area.

Wait, hold on a second. They’d been married for over a month but had never even thought about going on a date. That wasn’t the kind of relationship they had.

But now here they were, in Jeju Island, participating in a matchmaking program, and Seo Taecheon had picked him.

What on earth is he thinking? Does he have some kind of plan? Or… could it be that he actually likes me?!

Dozens of theories raced through Jiwoon’s mind.

“Okay, calm down. Calm down and just go on the date.”

Trying to sort through the mess in his head, Jiwoon cautiously stepped outside the resort.

Filming took place at the Aewol beach. Except for a few vacationers enjoying the late summer, the weekday beach was quiet. The weather was unusually nice, and the ocean glistened like emerald, the light sparkling like jewels. In short, it was the perfect atmosphere for a date.

“We’ll be filming from a distance, so just relax and talk naturally. You’re free to move around however you like.”

The crew said they’d stay far away, then moved off from Jiwoon and Taecheon. They whispered among themselves about how the couple’s visual match was amazing and how perfect the Alpha-Omega pairing looked on camera.

As Jiwoon stood awkwardly like a statue, Seo Taecheon spoke first.

“Shall we take a walk?”

“Ah, yes.”

Lee Jiwoon walked along the coastline side by side with Seo Taecheon. Although the heat had let up a bit, the Jeju sunlight was still strong, and the temperature was quite high.

“Are you thirsty?”

“Uh, yes. A little.”

“There’s a café over there. Let’s have a cup of coffee.”

Where Seo Taecheon pointed, there was a stylish wooden house-style café. The interior was designed to provide a view of the sea from the terrace, which stood out beautifully.

“Oh, nice.”

They walked a short distance and arrived at the café. As they opened the door and stepped inside, the cool air conditioning instantly cooled the sweat off Jiwoon.

“So refreshing.”

“It’s exhausting to stay outside too long.”

“Thank you. I’ll have… a Hallabong ade.”

“One large ade, please. And I’ll have an iced Americano.”

After placing their order, the two of them sat facing each other at a table with an ocean view. Soon, a staff member brought out the brightly colored, sweet-looking ade and the dark coffee.

Taking a sip of the Hallabong ade, Jiwoon couldn’t help but exclaim.

“This is so good.”

“Is it that good?”

“It tastes like a Hallabong orchard unfolding before my eyes. Seriously, it’s amazing.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Saying so, Seo Taecheon brought the pitch-black Americano to his lips. Jiwoon hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

“Would you like to try a sip?”

He wondered if Taecheon would be reluctant since he’d already drunk from it—but that wasn’t the case. Seo Taecheon nodded, took the cup, removed the lid, and drank the ade.

“Hmm. Sweet.”

Apparently not to his taste, a wrinkle formed on Seo Taecheon’s forehead.

He looks even more handsome when he frowns… What’s going on.

Just as Jiwoon was inwardly marveling at him again, his phone suddenly rang. But it wasn’t a regular call—it was a video call request. And the caller was none other than the Divorce Deliberation Supervisor.

“Gah! A surprise call.”

A signature move of the Divorce Deliberation Center. A surprise video call to check whether the spouse was with them, or whether they were perhaps spending sweet time with someone else.

Until now, he had always taken those calls at home—this was the first time he’d received one outside.

“What’s going on?”

“Turn off your mic!”

“The mic?”

Seo Taecheon turned off his lapel mic. Jiwoon quickly did the same.

“It’s the supervisor—she’s video calling!”