NOVEL NEXT Chapter 97: Meetings in Passing
The clinic was quiet, sunlight slipping through the blinds in pale stripes across the floor. Harin sat cross-legged on the reception sofa, a tablet in her lap, her hair still slightly messy from her rushed morning routine. Joon-ho was nearby, sipping his tea, scrolling through messages but mostly watching her work.
She tapped the screen, frowned, then glanced up. "Hey… about Madam Seo."
Joon-ho looked over, setting his cup down. "What about her?"
Harin chewed her lip, hesitating. She wasn't the type to dance around words, but something about Seo always made her feel like she was peeking into a world too heavy for her. Still, she pushed. "Last night, before we slept… she seemed different. Like she had something heavy on her mind. Is it about her husband? You never told me much, and she doesn't either."
Joon-ho leaned back in his chair, gaze steady, as though weighing what to give her. The silence stretched just long enough for Harin to fidget, then he finally spoke. "She has her own battles. With him. With her family. It's not something you need to worry about yet."
His tone was calm, but it carried a quiet finality.
Harin tilted her head, brows furrowing. "So it is serious."
He didn't confirm, didn't deny—just sipped his tea again, the smallest crease showing at the corner of his mouth. That told her enough.
Her shoulders dropped with a small sigh. "Fine. Keep your secrets. But… she's strong, right? She'll be okay?"
"She's stronger than most people give her credit for," Joon-ho said simply. And though it wasn't the full answer she wanted, the certainty in his voice made Harin's chest ease a little.
That didn't fully satisfy her, but she let it go, nodding slowly, reading the unspoken line he'd drawn. There were things he knew that weren't hers to pry open yet.
She blew out a breath, straightened in her seat, and flicked her tablet back to life. "Alright then. Work talk it is." She swiped quickly, bringing up the schedule, and turned it toward him with a faint smile. "Here. Look. Your empire for the next two days."
"Anyway, today's quiet. No clients at all. Tomorrow though…" She scrolled. "Final therapy for Hye-jin before she goes back to training camp. And one of your old clients after working hours. That's it."
Joon-ho nodded. "Simple enough." His lips twitched slightly as he added, "You're getting the hang of this. Managing the list, keeping everyone happy."
Harin puffed up instantly, straightening her back and pushing her chest out in mock pride. "Of course. Most of your clients don't even complain about scheduling anymore. Some even adjust their plans just to fit your open slots. Unlike those uptight assholes I had to deal with in my old job—people who thought the world revolved around their preferences."
Joon-ho chuckled softly. "It's not just me they adjust for. It's you. The way you handle them, the way you talk—it makes a difference."
That earned her a pleased grin. She smacked the tablet shut and lifted her chin dramatically. "Well, I'll have you know… I survived working under the worst boss in Seoul."
"Mr. Baek?" Joon-ho guessed dryly.
Harin flung her arm with mock theatrics, letting her head drop against the sofa cushion. "Yes! Seo unnie's idiot husband. Do you know how painful it was? Endless emails, stupid deadlines, shouting matches. It was like working in hell. But…" She lifted a finger, her smile cheeky. "With my team and the other staff, I pushed through. If I can survive him, I can survive anything."
Joon-ho's smile deepened. "That explains a lot."
Harin popped back upright, eyes glittering mischievously. "So if you or Seo unnie ever open a company, you know who to hire as the CEO. Me. The boss." She spread her arms wide in a dramatic pose. "Arm-flinging, order-shouting, terrifying CEO Harin."
Joon-ho shook his head, amused. "I'll keep that in mind. Maybe someday."
Harin smirked, satisfied, then leaned back against the sofa again. "Good. Just don't regret it later when I start demanding my corner office and personal driver."
For the first time that morning, Joon-ho laughed—quiet but genuine. And the sound made Harin beam, proud of herself for pulling it out of him.
The clinic settled back into silence after, but a comfortable one.
The late afternoon sun spilled across the glass as the mall's ceiling shimmered with skylight reflections. Starfield COEX was buzzing—families, couples, teenagers weaving through the wide corridors, the air thick with the scent of coffee and fried snacks.
Harin walked at Joon-ho's side, her hand curled around a cup of brown sugar boba tea. She slurped noisily through the straw, eyes darting left and right at the storefronts. "I still can't believe we're just… out like this. No clinic, no stress. Just shopping like a normal couple."
Joon-ho raised an eyebrow at her phrasing but didn't comment. His own drink hung loose in his hand, condensation dripping down the cup. "You needed a break."
"You too," Harin shot back, poking his arm with her straw.
They strolled lazily, blending with the crowd. After a few quiet minutes, Harin turned her head, her eyes mischievous but curious. "So… oppa. What's your plan, really? Don't tell me you're just going to massage women forever. I saw your bank account once, remember? You're loaded. There's no way you're not planning something bigger."
Joon-ho sipped his drink before replying. "I don't care about things like FIRE."
"FIRE?" Harin blinked.
"Financial Independence, Retire Early." He glanced at her. "Everyone wants to quit, sit on a beach, pretend they're happy doing nothing. That's not me. I actually like what I'm doing. Opening a clinic, working with people—it makes sense for me."
Harin frowned thoughtfully, chewing her tapioca pearls. "So… no yacht? No villa in Hawaii?"
He smirked. "Not interested." Then his voice dropped, quieter. "But I am planning to cash out my crypto soon. Market feels heavy. Too much fatigue. Better to lock in profits before the next crash."
Her brows furrowed, lost. "Crypto, USDT, whatever that means… yeah, I'll just leave all that to you." She waved her hand dismissively, making him chuckle.
They turned a corner, and Harin froze mid-step, nearly spilling her drink. Her eyes widened, then lit up. "Oh hey! Look—it's the BboBbo booth again!"
The pop-up was impossible to miss. Bright pastel signage, shelves overflowing with plush dolls, a giant mascot balloon bobbing above the display like a playful guardian. Children tugged at their parents' sleeves, pointing excitedly at the colorful display, while couples laughed as they posed for selfies with the oversized plushies.
Harin tugged Joon-ho's arm eagerly, her grin wide. "Come on, let's at least say hi."
The salesgirl who had served them before noticed instantly. Her eyes went round in recognition before warming with genuine delight. She gave a polite bow, her voice carrying over the hum of the crowd. "Ah! Welcome back!"
Harin giggled, covering her mouth. "See? We're remembered. We're practically VIPs here now."
But beside the girl stood someone who didn't quite belong to the playful atmosphere—a sharply dressed man in his mid-thirties, standing with perfect posture, his dark suit pressed flawlessly, polished shoes gleaming even under the mall lights. His presence radiated quiet authority, drawing a small circle of deference around him despite the casual setting.
When his gaze shifted to them, it wasn't with suspicion but with calm precision. He stepped forward, bowing lightly before speaking in a smooth, formal tone. "Good afternoon. I'm Secretary Jung. I wanted to thank you again for the other day. The incident could have escalated, but your intervention prevented that."
Harin blinked, surprised at his formality. She straightened unconsciously, hugging her cup to her chest, while Joon-ho remained unruffled, inclining his head slightly. "No need to thank me."
Jung gave the smallest nod, his expression easing just enough to betray sincerity. "The Chairman is recovering at home now. His condition is stable, and he's resting comfortably."
"That's good to hear," Joon-ho said. He hesitated just a moment, as if weighing his words, then added, "If he's open to it, you can bring him to my clinic. I'll take a look. Nothing formal—just a check-up."
The offer seemed to catch Jung off guard. His brows rose, a flicker of surprise before he quickly schooled his expression again. After a pause, he gave a small, thoughtful smile. "I'll pass the message along. I know he'll appreciate it."
He bowed once more, precise and respectful, before excusing himself. Even as he disappeared into the flow of the crowd, he carried an air of discretion, the kind that marked a man used to moving between power and silence.
The salesgirl, oblivious to the subtle weight of the exchange, waved them off cheerfully. "Please come by again anytime!" she chirped before turning back to a new group of customers clamoring over the plush dolls.
Harin exhaled a little, shoulders relaxing as she nudged Joon-ho's arm with her elbow. "Okay… that felt way too serious for a doll booth," she muttered, still half-grinning, half-curious.
As they walked away, Harin sucked her straw loudly, her expression puzzled. "Why did you offer that? I mean… isn't it weird? All your clients are women. I've never seen you treat a man before."
Joon-ho's lips curved faintly, but he didn't answer right away. His eyes stayed forward, watching the flow of the mall crowd.
When he finally spoke, it was quiet, almost evasive. "You'll understand in time."
Harin frowned, curiosity burning in her chest. But his tone made it clear she wouldn't get more out of him today. So she only pouted, poking his arm again before dragging him toward the next shop.