New Normal - Chapter 78

“It’s fine.”

His voice came low, almost husky. Jisoo, who had been holding her breath for a moment, lifted her gaze slowly. His usual calm, dark-brown eyes seemed deeper, hotter than ever. Flustered, she quickly grabbed her wine glass and wet her lips.

“Thank you.”

She whispered so softly that her cheeks instantly warmed with a faint blush.

Only a few hours ago, they had shared each other in the most intimate way possible, and yet—even the smallest gesture still left her heart reeling so easily. That in itself unsettled her.

The lingering sensation of his lips brushing the corner of her mouth refused to fade. Jisoo lowered her eyes, pretending to be composed. She moved her chopsticks absently, but her gaze kept straying back to his hands.

His long fingers, the veins running boldly along the back of his hand… She stole glances until suddenly, her grandmother’s sharp, scolding voice flashed through her head.

“Honestly, this family loses its mind the moment a man shows up. Hmph. It’s in the bl00d, that’s what it is!”

Maybe… she was right.

Surrendering to that thought, Jisoo reached for her water glass. Whether from the wine or simply her mood, her face was flushed red. Across from her, Juwon’s lips curved in a subtle, knowing smile as he watched her try to hide it.

“Shin Jisoo.”

“Yes?”

Startled by his sudden call, she blinked at him with wide eyes. He raised an eyebrow playfully.

“What were you imagining to get so red?”

“I wasn’t imagining anything!”

Jisoo denied it at once, a little too seriously. He only chuckled under his breath, leaning his chin into his palm as his eyes glinted mischievously.

“Liar.”

“It’s true.”

“With that expression? And you expect me to believe you weren’t thinking of anything? That’s cruel, you know.”

“Then what should I do so you won’t feel neglected?”

“Hmm, I don’t know. Don’t you think you’d know better than me?”

His teasing, tender tone made her pause. She bit her lip, hesitated, and then stretched one foot out under the table.

Her heart raced, but she steadied her breath and brushed her toes carefully against him. From his calf, tracing upward toward his knee. Her small foot slid slowly along his leg, and Juwon’s eyes glimmered with sharp amusement.

“And what do you think you’re doing?”

He narrowed his eyes at the teasing touch against his leg. Meeting his gaze unflinchingly, Jisoo murmured as if nothing were out of the ordinary, though her flushed face betrayed her.

“You said you were feeling neglected.”

The moment her toes grazed dangerously close to the inside of his thigh, Juwon’s expression flickered. She was just about to continue, inching closer toward the unmistakable hardness straining beneath his pants, when his hand shot down under the table and seized her ankle.

The sudden, firm grip sent a shiver racing up her spine. Juwon leaned closer, his voice low and rough.

“And how exactly are you planning to take responsibility for this?”

The air grew heavy, heated. The tension between them was charged, deliciously dangerous. Jisoo bit down on her lip, unable to hide her trembling. Yet his gaze, those deep brown eyes, held not only hunger but warmth, an affection that wrapped around her heart.

The fear and confusion she had once felt seemed like a distant memory. Now, every moment with him felt precious, comforting. She hadn’t even realized when this man had rooted himself so deeply inside her.

Could it be… that with him, she could really keep smiling like this in the future? Just as the thought brought a smile to her face, he suddenly dragged his thumb across her sole.

“Ah—Juwon!”

“Ticklish?”

“Yes! Stop! Ah—!”

She twisted and squirmed, unable to hold back her laughter. Juwon’s eyes curved into a smile as he watched her crumble helplessly beneath his teasing.

Then—

Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong.

The doorbell rang in urgent succession, shattering the playful mood. Breathless from laughing, Jisoo straightened up.

“Who is it?”

Puzzled, she asked. Juwon’s smile faded, his brows knitting together as if he had no idea either.

“I don’t know. Maybe Madam Kwon?”

He tilted his head and moved toward the intercom. But then—beep beep beep. The sound of someone pressing the passcode echoed through the hall, followed by the shrill error tone of a wrong entry.

Jisoo frowned slightly, but Juwon’s shoulders stiffened hard. She blinked at him in confusion as he abruptly hurried toward the door.

“Hey—!”

“Ah, fvck, you scared me! Hyung, you were here?”

The door burst open to a stranger’s booming voice. Juwon froze, and the sudden commotion at the entrance made Jisoo set down her glass mid-sip.

Hyung…?

“Good evening, Juwon hyung!”

The lively, cheerful voice carried all the way to the kitchen. She had never heard it before, and yet the inflection felt oddly familiar.

“Why are you here all of a sudden? What’s going on?” Juwon’s voice had gone stiff, laced with unease.

Curious, Jisoo instinctively rose from her seat. From her angle, she couldn’t see the front door clearly, only Juwon’s shadowy silhouette against the hall light.

“What do you mean ‘what’s going on’? Grandfather sent me on an errand. But hey, whose shoes are these?”

“You can’t just show up unannounced. Go home.” Juwon’s voice cracked with unease, almost desperation. Jisoo felt her curiosity spark, and she unconsciously stepped closer.

“Oh, come on. Do you have company? That’s fine. I’ll just say hi and go.”

“Leave.”

“What, your girlfriend’s here? All the more reason to introduce us!”

“There’s nothing to introduce. Get out.”

“What kind of host slams the door on his guest? And what’s this smell, did you cook?”

The boisterous voice came nearer and nearer. Juwon seemed to be blocking him, but it was useless, the visitor had already kicked off his shoes and was striding inside. Juwon’s awkward gestures, his clumsy resistance, cast jittery shadows across the wall.

Jisoo’s heart pounded. The sudden intrusion was startling, but more than that, it was Juwon’s uncharacteristic tension that unsettled her. Calm, composed Juwon, looking rattled? That was rare.

“Wait, Jungwon! Just hold on!”

At last, the man emerged from the hall, a tall, broad-shouldered young man with an open, mischievous expression. He exuded the same features as Juwon, but his air was freer, louder, more carefree.

And the moment his eyes landed on Jisoo—

“…Oh.”

The man froze, momentarily speechless. Jisoo stared back, equally startled. His face was unfamiliar, yet not entirely strange. She had never met him before, but she knew instantly who he was.

The younger brother Juwon had once mentioned.

Silence thickened between them. Flustered, Jisoo remained frozen, while Juwon quickly grabbed his brother’s shoulder.

“Uh… Jisoo, let me introduce you. This is my brother.”

Jisoo swallowed hard, forcing a polite smile. Jungwon’s face lit up in a grin, amusement dancing across his features.

“Well, well. So this is what’s going on. Could she be… that woman?”

“Jungwon.” Juwon’s tone was warning, but it went ignored. His younger brother marched forward with a bright grin.

“Hello, I’m Chae Jungwon, Juwon’s younger brother. Nice to meet you!”

Caught off guard by his bold friendliness, Jisoo hesitated before finally extending her hand with a wavering smile. Her voice shook faintly from the unexpected tension.

“Ah… yes, hello. I’m Shin Jisoo.”

Her awkward introduction made Jungwon’s grin widen even more.

“Great to meet you! Oh, I’ve heard so much about you from Grandfather!”

“…Grandfather?”

Jisoo blinked rapidly, turning her confused gaze toward Juwon. Grandfather? What was he talking about?

Their eyes met—and Juwon’s expression flickered with naked discomfort. His usual calm mask was gone, replaced by a look that sent unease coursing through her.

“Yes. The house in Myeongnyun-dong. You’ll be moving in there together, right?”

“The house in… Myeongnyun-dong?” Jisoo repeated slowly, bewildered. Juwon’s voice cut in, sharp.

“Chae Jungwon.”

“What? Why?”

But it was too late. Jungwon glanced back and forth between them, his grin faltering as realization dawned. His lips parted awkwardly.

“Wait… don’t tell me she doesn’t know yet? Oh. Oh, sh1t—”

Color drained from his face, and he shut his mouth, unable to continue. Jisoo’s confused eyes immediately sought Juwon. The room sank into a heavy silence. Juwon closed his eyes briefly, as if bracing himself. Then he exhaled, gaze steady but troubled.

“I’ll explain everything.”