Chapter 43 - Why Me?

Yiyoung’s face lit up with absolute joy as she cut the juicy steak into bite sized chunks. “It looks so good!”

Yiyoung put a piece in her mouth and hummed as the flavor burst in her mouth like fireworks. She shoved another bite into her mouth before she could even gulp the first one, expressing her delight by shaking her arms in the air, fork and knife still in hands.

Muyeol watched as he sipped his wine. Yiyoung was always happy while having food. Even back then, she used to relish those boring school lunches as if they were delicacies served at a five star hotel. She really hadn’t changed a bit.

By the time Yiyoung noticed Muyeol’s stare, she had already devoured half of her steak. “Why aren’t you eating? It’s really good.”

“It’s alright,” said Muyeol. 

The food was growing cold. Yiyoung ogled at his plate with yearning; she would have wiped the plate clean if it had been served to her. Muyeol noticed her stare and commented, “Don’t even think about it. If you want to eat more, order another one.”

Yiyoung frowned and went back to cutting the steak. It had been a while since she last had a decent meal like this. Oftentimes, she ended up eating a bowl of overcooked ramen or a boring sandwich, and sometimes she missed meals, too. The ER needed all its doctors to be available at a moment’s notice, so Yiyoung often simply ate whatever was at hand. Soon, it had turned into a habit, and now she never thought of enjoying a nice meal.

Yiyoung took another bite. “I’m so happy I could die.” 

Muyeol scoffed and Yiyoung stared at him as she happily chowed on the meat.

Muyeol said, “I thought you wouldn’t be able to eat because of what I said earlier, but it seems that it didn’t affect your appetite at all.” 

“So what?” Her cheeks turned pink, but Yiyoung put on a straight face, trying to convince herself that it was too hot in the restaurant. “This is my first meal of the day.”

“No, I was only complimenting you. You’re not overly sensitive, it’s good.”

“Oh, yeah? Why doesn’t it sound like one, then?” But then she took another bite and felt at peace again. “Actually, you might be right. Recently, I’ve been thinking that I’m too simple-minded.”

“You’ve always been like that,” Muyeol snarked, and Yiyoung amusedly widened her eyes in response.

Muyeol could clearly see her ebony eyes. However, he also noticed the specks of hazel scattered in her irises, which he could have sworn she did not have back when she was in school.

Yiyoung slightly pushed the plate forward once she finished the steak. “Okay, I’ll admit I’m insensitive. I’m still hungry, so I’m going to order more steak. Let’s talk about your wish after that.”

Muyeol nodded and called for the water. Thinking of footing the bill herself, Yiyoung ordered the best quality steak, and within moments, the waiter came out carrying a plate of the sizzling meat. “This one looks even better than the last one!”

Muyeol idly watched Yiyoung gulp down her second steak, pushing his now cold food away and choosing to continue sipping the wine instead. She was eating like she had been starved for days, determined to absorb all the nutrition of the steak. “You sure are recharging yourself.”

“So I can put up with your nonsense,” Yiyoung responded cheekily. The juicy meat had given her the most satisfaction possible; she couldn’t even put her fork and knife down. The last piece she had cut out ended up being a bit big, so she looked around for something to drink.

Muyeol noticed this and offered his wine. “Drink it.”

“I’m a bad drunk,” Yiyoung refused as she poured herself a glass of water. When Muyeol raised a brow, she explained further. “I fall asleep after drinking alcohol. That doesn’t mean I just collapse anywhere, though.”

Yiyoung gestured toward Muyeol’s wine glass with her chin. “Were you able to eat anything at the seminar, at least?”

Muyeol only shrugged his shoulders in response.

“Whether it was in school or now, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you eat something. Did you have a private space to eat alone in school?”

“That would have been possible. Why?” Muyeol scoffed, “I know you would have wanted it.”

Yiyoung smiled in agreement. “Yeah, I did want a place like that. There was always someone ready to pick a fight when I was hungry. I was never able to eat well back then.”

“You endured all that like an idiot.”

Yiyoung muttered as she sighed heavily, “What? Can you stop being so snarky? You might not want to start a fight, you’re the one asking for a favor, you know?”

“I never forced you to make a promise, you did it on your own.”

“Still! The least you could do is make me want to help you out.”

“You endured it well,” Muyeol corrected himself. But it didn’t matter anymore. Yiyoung already knew what he truly felt like. He only changed his words because she asked him to.

“Fine, keep that attitude.” Yiyoung pulled the bottle of wine toward her. “Just watch what I’ll do.”

“I thought you said you’re a bad drunk.”

“Exactly!” Yiyoung smiled brightly. “Will you abandon me here once I fall asleep? Even though I’m going to be your fiancé soon?”

“You sure made that decision quickly.” Muyeol’s lips lifted into a small smirk.

Yiyoung rolled her eyes, suddenly realizing that she had just dug herself a hole. However, her cheeks were a flaming red now.

“Now, tell me if you made a promise like this to anyone else,” Muyeol spoke without any hesitation, “if you did, I need to resolve the situation as soon as possible, before you end up giving your life to another person.”

Yiyoung pursed her lips. She had never made a promise to anyone other than Muyeol. It was impossible to come across another man like Muyeol.

Back then, all Muyeol had to do was hire a lawyer for Sangsu, and everything was taken care of. Yiyoung had been taken aback by how easily money had solved such a complicated mess. Muyeol had saved both her and Sangsu’s life.