Chapter 8: What Is the Night View Like from Your Home?

What a magical night it was.

Walking along the Han River greenway, feeling the cool evening breeze, Shin Youna quietly slowed her pace. With bright eyes slightly averted, she studied the man about half a step ahead of her.

The gentle wind brushed across his white shirt, revealing the clear contours of his muscles.

His simple, fresh tousled hair and a handsome face that carried a scholarly charm made him stand out distinctly, even amidst the bustling crowd along the Han River walkway.

Recalling the events in the underground parking lot, Shin Youna couldn’t help but feel grateful—interacting with someone who respected boundaries was truly comforting.

After she uttered that easily misunderstood request, Xia Xing was only momentarily stunned before cleverly easing the awkwardness between them.

“No,” he said firmly and decisively at first.

Noticing the girl’s flushed cheeks gradually returning to their usual pale hue and her gaze drooping, he added gently, “We can exchange contact information, but… it can’t be seen as a form of compensation.”

“Let’s think about other ways to make it up to you.”

Her emotions fluctuating like a roller coaster, Shin Youna looked at Xia Xing, whose tone remained gentle, and the panic in her heart slowly gave way to calm confidence.

“Perhaps…”

“Perhaps we could have dinner together?”

Originally, Xia Xing had only intended to clearly set boundaries between them to dissipate the awkwardness caused by her suggestion to exchange contacts.

Yet the situation seemed to be unfolding beyond his control.

But after all, it was just an invitation to dinner, and he had even offered to return the gift—a rather excessive gesture.

Inviting someone to a meal to apologize seemed quite reasonable.

Shin Youna cautiously asked, receiving his consent.

Like a child granted permission by an adult to explore an unknown world, she eagerly made more attempts.

“So, where shall we eat? Do you have a favorite restaurant?”

“I do like Chinese food, but as for a specific place… I’m not very familiar. I’d need to look it up online.”

As their conversation deepened and she received more and more responses, Shin Youna gradually returned to her usual bright and optimistic self.

In just the time it took to share a meal, they became friends who understood each other to some extent.

Naturally, as friends, they strolled along the Han River to digest their food.

Noticing the curious glances from passersby, Xia Xing slowed his pace and asked with concern, “Shin Youna, are you okay wearing only a mask? It seems like people are staring—is it possible they recognized you?”

He turned around, looking at the girl whose face was almost entirely concealed by a baseball cap and mask, with only her eyes visible, and couldn’t help but laugh.

“Looks like I was just overthinking.”

During their brief time together, Xia Xing had gradually come to understand Shin Youna’s nature.

That morning in the elevator, he had misunderstood her, thinking she was a reckless person.

But spending time with her revealed that she was merely a little immature.

Strictly speaking, she was only a month older than Xue Yun, but having entered the working world four years earlier did affect her temperament.

She was like an apple picked before its time—wearing a mature exterior as a disguise to cover an inner youthfulness yet to fade.

In some ways, he and Shin Youna were alike.

Growing up in a complicated chaebol family, especially with his real identity still unrevealed, safeguarding his own small domain required more effort than most.

Though he appeared increasingly mature and composed, he still carried the heart of a twenty-year-old.

But unlike Shin Youna, his heart was gradually becoming whole.

So no matter how many setbacks and grievances he faced outside, Xia Xing had the confidence and strength to persevere.

He knew there was always someone who cared about his feelings, waiting to share the day’s experiences with him.

“Representative Xia, are you someone who often daydreams?” Shin Youna’s voice brought Xia Xing back to the cool evening.

“Huh? How did you know?”

“You looked like you were thinking about something happy just now—your smile was almost ear to ear.”

“Yes, quite happy indeed.”

Xia Xing’s glance, evasive as it looked toward the distant Han River Bridge, invited curiosity about his true thoughts.

Or rather, ever since Mina said, “Xia Xing is quite interesting,” Shin Youna had planted a seed of curiosity about him in her heart.

It was probably unrelated to status or position, a pure desire to get closer and understand.

After a moment of silence and seeing Xia Xing didn’t elaborate, Shin Youna chose to gracefully let the topic drop.

She knew that some things, when others want you to know, will be shared without needing to be asked.

Since she didn’t yet have the right position to learn more about him, she might as well talk about other things.

Besides, Shin Youna wasn’t a complicated person; focusing on the present and savoring the beauty around her was her usual way.

“Representative Xia, do you see that market over there? It’s the famous Night Owl Market at Han River Park! It only opens irregularly, so it’s really lucky to catch it. Let’s go take a look!”

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Xue Yun connected the controller to her tablet, settled into a comfortable position under the covers, and launched the long-awaited Minecraft.

Her world was simple—after work, lying in bed playing games was enough to lift her spirits.

Beside her, Zhang Guizhen, trying on the jewelry Xia Xing had given her, was quite pleased and carefully placed it into the box reserved for her most frequently worn accessories.

“Big sister, Representative Xia comes from a well-off family, right?” she asked casually, not really expecting an answer.

She knew that once her sister immersed herself in the game, she was completely absorbed, hardly responding to anything else.

Yet the words “Representative Xia” seemed to have some magic, pulling Xue Yun back from her virtual world.

“Hmm? Seems like they’re quite well off. Their family even has a high-rise apartment on Yeouido.”

“Yeouido?!” Zhang Guizhen’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “Wow, their night view must be amazing!”

“I don’t know… Hey, why do you ask?”

“Uh…”

Faced with Xue Yun’s suddenly sharp gaze, Zhang Guizhen began to stammer and change the subject.

“It’s just… I thought you two were already… you know, at that kind of stage.”

What kind of stage would one know what the other’s family night view looked like?

Xue Yun pondered briefly, her cheeks flushing a deep red.

“Ah! Zhang Guizhen, at your age, why think such strange things all the time?”

“You’re always thinking the weirdest stuff.”

“Sis, I’ll be an adult in half a year! I’m not a kid anymore!”

Holding the controller, Xue Yun scolded the youngest member of their group sternly, though her mind drifted to that person whose whereabouts she didn’t know at that moment.

Though their relationship hadn’t progressed that far yet—

As quite close friends, she realized she actually knew very little about Xia Xing’s home.

And once curiosity about something awakens, it’s hard not to care until one gets a definite answer.

“Maybe… next holiday, I could visit Xia Xing’s home?”