Chapter 230: ‘Let Me Stay Like This For A Little While Longer’
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Ji-Won was willing to sacrifice himself, so that Su-Jin wouldn't have to walk under those terrible weather conditions. It was his way of atoning for something he considered to be his fault.
Meanwhile, Su-Jin was worried about Ji-Won's well-being.
Even though it was a short ride back to the village, with Ji-Won's special conditions, he would have an awful time before they were able to reach the station. He would be lucky if everything ended with just a palpitating heart and slight shortness of breath. Worst case scenario, he could have a full blown panic attack and even lose consciousness. It even happened with Seo-Jun standing at the wheel, let alone with a stranger.
She wanted to continue opposing such a mad idea, but Ji-Won didn't give her the chance.
After giving Su-Jin a small smile, Ji-Won opened the door and stepped outside.
Seeing this, she moved quickly, springing from her seat before he could come and open the door for her. Then, they both walked several meters away, towards the service company's car.
~~~
Just as she had feared, not even two minutes after getting inside the other car, Ji-Won began sweating profusely. His breathing soon became ragged and Su-Jin could hear him trying to stifle a series of harsh pants.
"Director Kang." she called out softly.
Ji-Won slowly turned his head around, gazing at her through a heavy mist.
With just one look at his face, Su-Jin instantly knew that Ji-Won could barely see her properly.
Worried sick, she quickly reached out and touched the hand that was hanging limply on his side. Her fingers twitched at the coldness of his skin.
Acting more out of instinct than anything else, Su-Jin quickly pulled his hand towards her. Next, she wrapped all her ten fingers around Ji-Won's freezing hand.
"Director Kang, we're almost there. Can you hang on just a little bit longer?" Su-Jin whispered, glancing at Ji-Won from the corner of her eyes.
"Mn." Ji-Won hummed in reply.
He averted his eyes by lowering his head so much, his chin almost touched his chest.
Even though he only saw a blur, he could still make out the young woman's silhouette. He was also keenly aware of her presence very close to him. Su-Jin's gentle touches sent wave after wave of warmth through his body. They began from his fingertips, going along his arm and all the way to his heart.
As soon as that heat reached his core, Ji-Won felt the final piece of ice melting into a pool of limpid water.
Luckily, Su-Jin didn't find anything too strange about her boss's reply. Otherwise, Ji-Won wouldn't have been able to maintain his aloof image anymore.
Perhaps Ji-Won might have been able to mask his flustered expression as a symptom of being under extreme stress. Su-Jin would have definitely believed that. However, there was absolutely no way he could have found a plausible excuse for his crimson red cheeks.
With every rub and knead Su-Jin gave his hand, Ji-Won felt as though his body wasn't his own anymore. Every bit of his skin had turned numb, all except for his hand. It was as if his entire sense of touch was now concentrated solely around his fingers.
Even his heart gradually turned against him. The way it kept pounding loudly in his chest, like a drum heralding the beginning of a battle, it deafened Ji-Won. At the same time, it threatened to let Su-Jin know of the man's turbulent inner storm.
Indeed, some of Ji-Won's resolve was slowly about to crack. If it wasn't for the uncomfortable churning of his stomach, and the knowledge that there were strangers inside the car as well, he might have made a bold move.
Maybe something like holding Su-Jin's hand in return. He could then lace their fingers together, bring them to his lips and place soft kisses on the young woman's knuckles.
Or perhaps he would be even as courageous as to pull her into his arms, planting those soft kisses on her forehead instead of her fingers. His lips would then trail down the young woman's temple, sliding along her cheeks until they finally reached her mouth.
Reaching this point of his vivid imagination, Ji-Won hurried to smack himself mentally.
Surely, such a wild fantasy could only be a product of his increasing anxiety. Yes, surely that was the case. If not, how else could a well-bred person like him even think of doing something like that to a woman whom he never even confessed to?
Thus, Ji-Won dared not think about it further, lest his weakened determination surpassed the anxiety and he actually did the things he imagined.
Just then, Ji-Won happened to hear a shuffling sound and felt a small movement next to him. A moment later, Su-Jin's soft whispers floated past his ear, tickling his hearing.
"Director Kang, you should breathe. I don't know why you keep holding your breath but, considering your current condition, it's not something you should do. So, take deep breaths and let them out slowly. Just like this."
Saying that, Su-Jin inhaled deeply. She allowed her chest to gradually fill with air, then she let it all out unhurriedly. She did that three times, then turned her head to stare at Ji-Won.
"Now you try it." she urged.
Seeing how the man didn't answer, though, Su-Jin grew both worried and restless.
"Director Kang, are you feeling too sick? Should I ask them to stop the car for a moment?"
During this time, Su-Jin had leaned closer and closer until her face was merely centimeters away from Ji-Won's profile.
Unexpectedly, she saw something that made her gasp.
"Director Kang, why is your face so red? Are you running a fever?"
Without waiting for Ji-Won to react, she stretched out her free hand and placed it on his forehead. The skin was indeed very warm, but not to a worrisome degree.
"Hm, odd. It doesn't feel like you have a fever. But your face is so flushed, I thought…"
But Su-Jin didn't get to finish her words.
Before she had a chance to understand what was happening, a pair of arms suddenly stretched on either side of her upper body. Then they wrapped themselves tightly around her shoulders and back.
"D-Director Kang?" Su-Jin gasped.
"Shh, don't move. Just let me stay like this for a little while longer.." Ji-Won whispered.
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Ji-Won was willing to sacrifice himself, so that Su-Jin wouldn't have to walk under those terrible weather conditions. It was his way of atoning for something he considered to be his fault.
Meanwhile, Su-Jin was worried about Ji-Won's well-being.
Even though it was a short ride back to the village, with Ji-Won's special conditions, he would have an awful time before they were able to reach the station. He would be lucky if everything ended with just a palpitating heart and slight shortness of breath. Worst case scenario, he could have a full blown panic attack and even lose consciousness. It even happened with Seo-Jun standing at the wheel, let alone with a stranger.
She wanted to continue opposing such a mad idea, but Ji-Won didn't give her the chance.
After giving Su-Jin a small smile, Ji-Won opened the door and stepped outside.
Seeing this, she moved quickly, springing from her seat before he could come and open the door for her. Then, they both walked several meters away, towards the service company's car.
~~~
Just as she had feared, not even two minutes after getting inside the other car, Ji-Won began sweating profusely. His breathing soon became ragged and Su-Jin could hear him trying to stifle a series of harsh pants.
"Director Kang." she called out softly.
Ji-Won slowly turned his head around, gazing at her through a heavy mist.
With just one look at his face, Su-Jin instantly knew that Ji-Won could barely see her properly.
Worried sick, she quickly reached out and touched the hand that was hanging limply on his side. Her fingers twitched at the coldness of his skin.
Acting more out of instinct than anything else, Su-Jin quickly pulled his hand towards her. Next, she wrapped all her ten fingers around Ji-Won's freezing hand.
"Director Kang, we're almost there. Can you hang on just a little bit longer?" Su-Jin whispered, glancing at Ji-Won from the corner of her eyes.
"Mn." Ji-Won hummed in reply.
He averted his eyes by lowering his head so much, his chin almost touched his chest.
Even though he only saw a blur, he could still make out the young woman's silhouette. He was also keenly aware of her presence very close to him. Su-Jin's gentle touches sent wave after wave of warmth through his body. They began from his fingertips, going along his arm and all the way to his heart.
As soon as that heat reached his core, Ji-Won felt the final piece of ice melting into a pool of limpid water.
Luckily, Su-Jin didn't find anything too strange about her boss's reply. Otherwise, Ji-Won wouldn't have been able to maintain his aloof image anymore.
Perhaps Ji-Won might have been able to mask his flustered expression as a symptom of being under extreme stress. Su-Jin would have definitely believed that. However, there was absolutely no way he could have found a plausible excuse for his crimson red cheeks.
With every rub and knead Su-Jin gave his hand, Ji-Won felt as though his body wasn't his own anymore. Every bit of his skin had turned numb, all except for his hand. It was as if his entire sense of touch was now concentrated solely around his fingers.
Even his heart gradually turned against him. The way it kept pounding loudly in his chest, like a drum heralding the beginning of a battle, it deafened Ji-Won. At the same time, it threatened to let Su-Jin know of the man's turbulent inner storm.
Indeed, some of Ji-Won's resolve was slowly about to crack. If it wasn't for the uncomfortable churning of his stomach, and the knowledge that there were strangers inside the car as well, he might have made a bold move.
Maybe something like holding Su-Jin's hand in return. He could then lace their fingers together, bring them to his lips and place soft kisses on the young woman's knuckles.
Or perhaps he would be even as courageous as to pull her into his arms, planting those soft kisses on her forehead instead of her fingers. His lips would then trail down the young woman's temple, sliding along her cheeks until they finally reached her mouth.
Reaching this point of his vivid imagination, Ji-Won hurried to smack himself mentally.
Surely, such a wild fantasy could only be a product of his increasing anxiety. Yes, surely that was the case. If not, how else could a well-bred person like him even think of doing something like that to a woman whom he never even confessed to?
Thus, Ji-Won dared not think about it further, lest his weakened determination surpassed the anxiety and he actually did the things he imagined.
Just then, Ji-Won happened to hear a shuffling sound and felt a small movement next to him. A moment later, Su-Jin's soft whispers floated past his ear, tickling his hearing.
"Director Kang, you should breathe. I don't know why you keep holding your breath but, considering your current condition, it's not something you should do. So, take deep breaths and let them out slowly. Just like this."
Saying that, Su-Jin inhaled deeply. She allowed her chest to gradually fill with air, then she let it all out unhurriedly. She did that three times, then turned her head to stare at Ji-Won.
"Now you try it." she urged.
Seeing how the man didn't answer, though, Su-Jin grew both worried and restless.
"Director Kang, are you feeling too sick? Should I ask them to stop the car for a moment?"
During this time, Su-Jin had leaned closer and closer until her face was merely centimeters away from Ji-Won's profile.
Unexpectedly, she saw something that made her gasp.
"Director Kang, why is your face so red? Are you running a fever?"
Without waiting for Ji-Won to react, she stretched out her free hand and placed it on his forehead. The skin was indeed very warm, but not to a worrisome degree.
"Hm, odd. It doesn't feel like you have a fever. But your face is so flushed, I thought…"
But Su-Jin didn't get to finish her words.
Before she had a chance to understand what was happening, a pair of arms suddenly stretched on either side of her upper body. Then they wrapped themselves tightly around her shoulders and back.
"D-Director Kang?" Su-Jin gasped.
"Shh, don't move. Just let me stay like this for a little while longer.." Ji-Won whispered.
Ji-Won was willing to sacrifice himself, so that Su-Jin wouldn't have to walk under those terrible weather conditions. It was his way of atoning for something he considered to be his fault. Meanwhile, Su-Jin was worried about Ji-Won's well-being. Even though it was a short ride back to the village, with Ji-Won's special conditions, he would have an awful time before they were able to reach the station. He would be lucky if everything ended with just a palpitating heart and slight shortness of breath. Worst case scenario, he could have a full blown panic attack and even lose consciousness. It even happened with Seo-Jun standing at the wheel, let alone with a stranger. She wanted to continue opposing such a mad idea, but Ji-Won didn't give her the chance. After giving Su-Jin a small smile, Ji-Won opened the door and stepped outside. Seeing this, she moved quickly, springing from her seat before he could come and open the door for her. Then, they both walked several meters away, towards the service company's car.~~~Just as she had feared, not even two minutes after getting inside the other car, Ji-Won began sweating profusely. His breathing soon became ragged and Su-Jin could hear him trying to stifle a series of harsh pants."Director Kang." she called out softly.Ji-Won slowly turned his head around, gazing at her through a heavy mist. With just one look at his face, Su-Jin instantly knew that Ji-Won could barely see her properly.Worried sick, she quickly reached out and touched the hand that was hanging limply on his side. Her fingers twitched at the coldness of his skin. Acting more out of instinct than anything else, Su-Jin quickly pulled his hand towards her. Next, she wrapped all her ten fingers around Ji-Won's freezing hand."Director Kang, we're almost there. Can you hang on just a little bit longer?" Su-Jin whispered, glancing at Ji-Won from the corner of her eyes. "Mn." Ji-Won hummed in reply. He averted his eyes by lowering his head so much, his chin almost touched his chest.Even though he only saw a blur, he could still make out the young woman's silhouette. He was also keenly aware of her presence very close to him. Su-Jin's gentle touches sent wave after wave of warmth through his body. They began from his fingertips, going along his arm and all the way to his heart. As soon as that heat reached his core, Ji-Won felt the final piece of ice melting into a pool of limpid water.Luckily, Su-Jin didn't find anything too strange about her boss's reply. Otherwise, Ji-Won wouldn't have been able to maintain his aloof image anymore. Perhaps Ji-Won might have been able to mask his flustered expression as a symptom of being under extreme stress. Su-Jin would have definitely believed that. However, there was absolutely no way he could have found a plausible excuse for his crimson red cheeks.With every rub and knead Su-Jin gave his hand, Ji-Won felt as though his body wasn't his own anymore. Every bit of his skin had turned numb, all except for his hand. It was as if his entire sense of touch was now concentrated solely around his fingers.Even his heart gradually turned against him. The way it kept pounding loudly in his chest, like a drum heralding the beginning of a battle, it deafened Ji-Won. At the same time, it threatened to let Su-Jin know of the man's turbulent inner storm. Indeed, some of Ji-Won's resolve was slowly about to crack. If it wasn't for the uncomfortable churning of his stomach, and the knowledge that there were strangers inside the car as well, he might have made a bold move. Maybe something like holding Su-Jin's hand in return. He could then lace their fingers together, bring them to his lips and place soft kisses on the young woman's knuckles. Or perhaps he would be even as courageous as to pull her into his arms, planting those soft kisses on her forehead instead of her fingers. His lips would then trail down the young woman's temple, sliding along her cheeks until they finally reached her mouth.Reaching this point of his vivid imagination, Ji-Won hurried to smack himself mentally. Surely, such a wild fantasy could only be a product of his increasing anxiety. Yes, surely that was the case. If not, how else could a well-bred person like him even think of doing something like that to a woman whom he never even confessed to?Thus, Ji-Won dared not think about it further, lest his weakened determination surpassed the anxiety and he actually did the things he imagined.Just then, Ji-Won happened to hear a shuffling sound and felt a small movement next to him. A moment later, Su-Jin's soft whispers floated past his ear, tickling his hearing."Director Kang, you should breathe. I don't know why you keep holding your breath but, considering your current condition, it's not something you should do. So, take deep breaths and let them out slowly. Just like this."Saying that, Su-Jin inhaled deeply. She allowed her chest to gradually fill with air, then she let it all out unhurriedly. She did that three times, then turned her head to stare at Ji-Won."Now you try it." she urged.Seeing how the man didn't answer, though, Su-Jin grew both worried and restless."Director Kang, are you feeling too sick? Should I ask them to stop the car for a moment?"During this time, Su-Jin had leaned closer and closer until her face was merely centimeters away from Ji-Won's profile. Unexpectedly, she saw something that made her gasp."Director Kang, why is your face so red? Are you running a fever?"Without waiting for Ji-Won to react, she stretched out her free hand and placed it on his forehead. The skin was indeed very warm, but not to a worrisome degree."Hm, odd. It doesn't feel like you have a fever. But your face is so flushed, I thought"But Su-Jin didn't get to finish her words. Before she had a chance to understand what was happening, a pair of arms suddenly stretched on either side of her upper body. Then they wrapped themselves tightly around her shoulders and back."D-Director Kang?" Su-Jin gasped."Shh, don't move. Just let me stay like this for a little while longer.." Ji-Won whispered.
