Chapter 64: Are You Out of Your Mind?

"What is mine is mine, unless I choose not to have it, do you understand?"

Inhaling the complex fragrance emanating from his collar, Seol-yoon couldn't restrain herself from exerting force, leaving a distinct bite mark on his shoulder blade.

"If I'm not mistaken, the scents on you are quite a mix. Camellia, citrus..."

"It seems the situation is much more complicated than I imagined."

Her fingers gently loosened the collar where she had ripped off a button, sliding slowly down along his collarbone and into the depths of his shirt.

Seol-yoon's wrist was soon grabbed by another large hand. Failing in her attempts to grope a few more times, she finally gave up struggling and let him push her away.

Planting her hands firmly on Ha-seong's solid chest, Seol-yoon leaned over him, lifting her gaze to study the guy whose eyes were filled with melancholy. Though she hated him for being so fickle, she couldn't truly blame him.

After all... she hadn't given him any promises either, and there had been a time when she unilaterally hoped he would wait for her.

With no other choice, the girl let out a soft sigh:

"If only you were an ordinary person, even if it were just working part-time at a convenience store every day."

"But instead... you're the heir to a chaebol family. That identity alone decides that your life won't be very peaceful."

Ha-seong gently pushed Seol-yoon off him, wiping away the faint traces of blood from the bite mark with a tissue, and straightened his rumpled shirt.

He knew Seol-yoon was angry with him, which was why he hadn't resisted when she bit him.

Once she had vented her frustration, it was time to push her away.

For Ha-seong, ever since the day they met at the convenience store, he had never, from start to finish, wanted to drag Seol-yoon into his family's disputes.

As for Shin Yu-na, what he wanted was to protect his young girlfriend as much as possible, keeping her from being hurt by this messy business.

As for why he had such different thoughts toward the two of them...

He drew a parallel to the difference between a "white moonlight" and a "vermilion cinnabar mole."

"To be honest, from the moment I first met you until I joined Peninsula Foods, there was a period when I naively thought I could live a happy, peaceful little life."

"Later I realized, just as you said, ever since the moment I was born, I was destined not to escape these conflicts."

"So when you deliberately kept your distance from me a while ago, although I felt depressed... I actually felt a sense of relief instead."

If you're really just afraid of dragging the girl you like into this, why did you get involved with Shin Yu-na... Could it really be just acting?

You guy... what on earth are you thinking in your heart?

The girl lightly bit her lip, swallowing back the words about Shin Yu-na that were on the tip of her tongue.

Keywords like Minatozaki Sana, Shin Yu-na, family infighting, and turning pretense into reality crashed against each other in her mind, exhausting all her brainpower without leading to any clear conclusion.

After all, she was only a nineteen-year-old girl.

But she knew one thing clearly: whatever happens, follow your own heart. Even if it's selfish, so what? At least she wouldn't have regrets later.

Lifting her gaze, she noticed the melancholy and struggle in the boy's eyes, and reached out to smooth the space between his eyebrows:

"Fool, your brow hasn't relaxed a single bit tonight. Watch out for vertical wrinkles."

"After all, I'm not even twenty yet, and I don't come from some wealthy family."

"So I don't understand what burdens you're carrying, nor can I understand in a short time."

"I just selfishly want to possess you, just like I bit you earlier without your permission."

"So... stop overthinking everything. Wouldn't it be better to live selfishly and unapologetically like me?"

"As for who ends up with whom in the end, let fate decide."

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A 14K pure gold nib gently glided across the paper, leaving behind an unfamiliar yet neat handwriting.

Feeling the quality of the solid copper barrel of the George Bernard Shaw signature pen, Yu Ji-min stared blankly as she practiced three Chinese characters in her diary.

Her thoughts inevitably drifted back to that impulsive moment tonight. Really, how could she have suddenly made such a rash move?

But did she regret it? It didn't seem so...

Recalling the sensation of pressing her head against his shirt, it actually felt surprisingly nice. Ha-seong-daepyo's muscles were very well-toned, much more comfortable to lean on than Ning Ning.

However, how on earth did that guy manage to stay so calm? Was it really a composure built from countless romantic encounters?

Yet she clearly felt the heat surging up from his body—quite scorching.

Ever since joining SM as a trainee and constantly being the center of attention, it was the first time she had felt a hint of frustration.

That was why she couldn't help but want to prove through various details—that to Ha-seong or Lim Seong-chan, she possessed charm.

It was just that his level was too high, and he hid it deeply... That must be it, right?

"Leaving evidence will only harm you, you fool."

For some reason, that helpless voice of his appeared in her head again.

Feeling the warmth brought by her hoodie, the girl lightly bit her lip, wrote "pabo" right after those three Chinese characters, gave a satisfied little hum, and muttered inwardly to herself.

You're the real fool.

"Lim... Seong... chan... Fool?"

A crisp voice came from behind her, startling Yu Ji-min into slamming her diary shut instantly.

"Yah, Ning Ning..."

She gritted her teeth and looked at the mischievous maknae:

"Are you a cat? You walk without making a sound."

"No way, it's clearly you who were too absorbed, Unnie." Ning Ning pushed away Yu Ji-min's hand, which was coming toward her abdomen: "That's a guy's name, right? Swing both ways, do you?"

"Can't I?"

Taking advantage of Ning Ning's inattentiveness, Yu Ji-min's mischievous hand gave a crisp slap to the maknae's backside.

Quickly putting her hand behind her to cover the spot, Ning Ning let out a helpless sigh:

"You still haven't answered me. Who on earth is that Lim Seong-chan?"

"Don't rush, we'll see him in a few days."

Yu Ji-min rummaged through her black tote bag and found the invitation letter. Because this schedule was handled directly and communicated to Yu Ji-min by Department Head Lee of the PR department, the other members hadn't had a chance to find out yet.

"What is this? Performing 'Next Level' at a seventieth birthday banquet?"

Ning Ning took the invitation letter, thought of the fate of another senior group in the same company, and gave a wry smile.

"Can the grandpas possibly appreciate it?"

"Besides... we have so many songs, why did they specifically pick 'Next Level'?"

"Even singing a ballad would be fine, like 'Lucid Dreams'."

Reminded by Ning Ning, Yu Ji-min suddenly snapped out of it. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly as she associated it with the lyrics in "Next Level."

"I am on the next level, open that door"

"Next level, I will finally destroy you"

Singing "Next Level" at someone's seventieth birthday banquet felt a bit like starting a rebellion...

Lost in thought, Yu Ji-min was suddenly poked by the maknae, which made her notice that her own ringtone had started ringing as well.

The screen displayed three Chinese characters: "Lim Seong-chan."

Under Ning Ning's teasing gaze, Yu Ji-min answered the phone.

"Go out to meet you right now? Have you lost your mind?"