NLFSD Chapter 71

Chapter 71

Seo Taecheon left the haunted house first. Jiwoon waited about a minute before slowly heading toward the exit. Once outside, he checked his phone — a message had arrived.

ㅌㅊC:

You’re going to watch the night parade, right?

Yes, of course. How could I miss it.

ㅌㅊC:

Then let’s meet somewhere out of the way.

Perfect. I’ll come find you.

As Jiwoon typed, the corners of his lips curled like a crescent moon. They couldn’t openly hold hands, but simply watching the parade together — that was happiness in itself. It was a thrill too: when else would I feel the adrenaline of secret romance if not now?

He was about to rejoin his friends, when—

“Assistant Lee… Wait a second.”

The ragged voice made him flinch. He turned, startled, to see Song Team Leader staggering stiff‑legged toward him. His clothes were filthy, torn — clearly trampled in panic, chased and tumbled about by haunted‑house actors. The broken goblin headband still clung crookedly to his hair.

“…Found you.”

Found me? What nonsense. God, I can’t even look at him. Even the horn’s broken! Pathetic.

The sight made Jiwoon almost pity him. But when he smirked in reflex, Song foolishly took it as encouragement — mistaking ridicule for affection.

“Assistant Lee, excuse me. Spare me a word.”

“Pardon? With me?”

“I’ve searched so hard just for you, Jiwoon. I’ve suffered.”

“…Oh. I see.”

“In the dark I couldn’t see a thing, but driven by one thought alone — that at the end of this road, you’d be waiting for me — I ran, heart aching.”

“Uh… right.”

Why is he telling me this? I need to get back to my friends. This is suffocating.

Feeling the heavy shift in mood, Jiwoon recognized the ominous air — the exact gaze Deputy Manager Ki had once given. That dangerous, pre‑confession atmosphere. Jiwoon tensed.

“Here’s a question. Do you know why?”

“…What? Question?”

As if they were in some cheap quiz show, Jiwoon sweated nervously. Song brushed back his ruined hair, and with what he thought was soulful solemnity said:

“Because, Jiwoon — as an Omega, you’ve captured my heart.”

“…Excuse me? What did you just say?”

Forgetting public decorum, Jiwoon shouted louder than intended. Mortification burned, wondering if anyone saw. Thankfully they were alone — only a few part‑timers nearby, who politely pretended to see and hear nothing. For that much, Jiwoon silently thanked them.

“Sorry, but… sir, what’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”

“Sudden? We’ve been flirting forever, haven’t we?”

“Flirting?! When did I ever—?!”

His blood pressure spiked from disbelief and anger, veins throbbing visibly at his temple.

“Come on. You picked up all my signals. Why act coy now?”

“Signals? Coy? Never. Team Leader, I’m honestly shocked you say this.”

Through being with Taecheon, Jiwoon had learned his own taste: calm and respectful men. Direct yet considerate. Not this aggressive, presumptuous badgering. Song was the opposite: pushy, tone‑deaf, trampling others’ feelings.

“Heh. So, you mean you intend to reject me? Reject Song Ho‑jong, of all people?”

His glaring eyes screamed self‑delusion: How dare you? Reject me, better than most Alphas, handsome as they come?

Jiwoon wanted to scream Get lost! but the problem was, this was his direct boss. Reject too hard, and he’d cling pathetically. He had to be clever.

How do I cut this without ruining my work life?

Seeing Jiwoon’s troubled expression, Song again misinterpreted.

“Ahh… I see. You want me to push harder. You want to be taken head on, swept away, don’t you?”

“What? When did I ever say—”

“Your eyes just did. ‘I’m a proud Omega, so win me decisively.’ That’s what they told me.”

Jiwoon nearly swore aloud. This lunatic.

“I thought you were innocent… now I see you’re a master player. No more games. Let’s skip dating — straight to marriage.”

“…What?”

Jiwoon pinched his ear. Could he have misheard? But no — Song had really said “marriage.”

“If you’ll have me, I’d hold a ceremony now. Or, let’s register the marriage at once.”

“…Hah.”

Barking mad. Outrageous. Jiwoon had had enough. He needed a clean cut — but quick, simple.

Telling him he was dating someone else could be dangerous. Song’s ego would ignite, determined to outdo a “rival.” Worse, if he suspected the partner worked inside the company, he’d dig relentlessly. Too risky.

Alright. Simple, final.

“I guess I didn’t mention before? Team Leader, I’m a staunch bachelor.”

“…What? Bachelor?”

“Yes. I don’t date. Not anyone. Marriage? Not a chance. I don’t even consider romance. Anyway, excuse me.”

When he moved closer, Jiwoon spread both palms to block him, then bolted at full speed.

Watching him vanish like light, Song gave a hollow laugh.

“That cheeky Omega… Daring to dump me? Smiled sweetly one day, now claims to be a bachelor? Hah.”

Embarrassment or heartbreak didn’t consume him. No — rage did. And twisted competitiveness ignited inside.

So. You’re of some exalted wealthy Omega family, I see. Not the easy ones. But know this — no Omega has resisted me for long. Assistant Lee, you’ll eventually kneel. I’ll make sure of it.

Disheveled, Song seethed to himself.

Meanwhile, Jiwoon sprinted away and rejoined his friends, flushed and sweating. They blinked.

“Why are you always wandering off?”

“Yeah, you disappeared from the roller‑coaster line, too.”

Chided, Jiwoon laughed nervously, buying them all ice cream as apology. Eating, then another roller‑coaster to churn his stomach, followed by fierce rounds of bumper cars, the night quickly deepened.

“At ten o’clock the night parade starts. You’ll watch with us, right?”

Kang Hee‑joo’s question jolted him. He whipped out his phone. A message awaited:

ㅌㅊC:

Parade soon. I’m at the cloud bridge entrance. Left the executives far behind, so no worries.

“Uh—guys, something urgent came up. I’ll be back!”

“What, where are you—”

“Enjoy the parade without me! Sorry!”

He sprinted at winged speed. Across the central lake stretched the broad Cloud Bridge, parade’s route.

[Attention: starting 10 PM, the Midnight Parade begins. The marching band will cross the Cloud Bridge. Please welcome them with applause.]

So the announcement echoed. No wonder crowds swarmed — parents hoisting children on shoulders, laughter spilling, all eager for the view. Since only Seohwa Hotel Group staff and families were present, every joyful face was familiar yet distant.

Perfect. In this crowd, Taecheon and I can stand side by side without suspicion.

Feigning casual sightseeing, Jiwoon scanned the area — until at last, he spotted Seo Taecheon.

Footnotes:

1. 독신주의자 (dok‑sin ju‑ui‑ja) — Means “lifelong bachelor by principle,” someone who claims a vow to never marry, often seen in K‑drama to dodge unwanted proposals. 
2. “썸” (seom) — Korean slang for “something going on,” a fuzzy pre‑dating but flirty stage. Song misuses it egregiously. 
3. Cloud Bridge (구름다리) — A scenic pedestrian bridge across a lake, common in Korean amusement parks. It symbolizes the perfect parade viewing spot, also a “meeting bridge” motif.