"Are we there yet?" Jiang Hai asked from the driver's seat, glancing back at Kim Taeyeon, who had instructed him to stop.
The two girls in the back seat didn't answer. They neither confirmed nor denied anything—they just stared at him. Jiang Hai felt a little embarrassed. He wasn't a saint, but he wasn't heartless either, and seeing them in such discomfort made him uneasy.
"Uh… are we there yet? Say something!" he added, scratching his head in frustration.
The girls finally took a deep breath.
"Don't think that just because you brought us back, we'll thank you or forgive you," Kim Taeyeon said first. She had complicated feelings toward Jiang Hai, but no amount of charm could erase what he had done.
"Well, to be honest, I don't need your gratitude or forgiveness," Jiang Hai replied, shrugging. "In a sense, I don't owe you anything. I've already done what I promised."
"You bastard! Then why did you bring us back?" Lin Yun'er yelled, exasperated. Jiang Hai shrugged again.
"Maybe I owe you something… but whether you forgive me or are grateful doesn't matter. I'll probably be leaving South Korea the day after tomorrow—and I likely won't be back in this lifetime."
"You… you scumbag!" The two were momentarily stunned. Then Kim Taeyeon opened the door, whispered something to Lin Yun'er, and led her away. Fearing Jiang Hai might follow, they ran into the darkness. Jiang Hai watched their backs, curling his lips in amusement.
"Scumbag? Is there a scumbag like me? Well, I suppose I am a scumbag… but it's a little unfair. I haven't done anything too scumbag, really." He chuckled self-deprecatingly, settling back into the driver's seat and gazing at the night view.
"I haven't even had dinner. I guess I'll eat after we get back to the hotel." He shook his head, started the engine, and prepared to leave.
But just then, the gate to a villa ahead opened. A young woman in casual home clothes stepped out, carrying trash to a roadside bin. Jiang Hai's eyes widened—he recognized her.
"Scumbag? Then let's do some scumbag things, shall we?" he murmured, a small smile curling his lips. He got out of the car and walked to the villa. The woman had already returned inside.
Jiang Hai dialed a number on his phone.
"Beep… does that mean 'Ya-Me-Sai-Yo-Wei'? Maybe!" he chuckled as the phone rang. Soon, a familiar female voice answered, anxious and low.
"It's me," Jiang Hai said calmly.
"I… I know. What do you want?" the woman asked, her voice tense.
"I have something to tell you. Can you open the door?" Jiang Hai smiled. The woman hesitated, stunned.
"What do you mean?" she asked cautiously.
"I mean exactly what I say. I'm right outside your door," he replied with a chuckle.
"Bang!" The call ended abruptly. Ten seconds later, the door opened, revealing a terrified Han Jiaren.
"Why are you here? Are you checking on me or following me? Whatever your reason, leave immediately! My husband is home!" she whispered, her eyes wide with panic.
"Don't worry. I just happened to see you taking out the trash. I mean no harm—I'm just a little hungry," Jiang Hai said with a shrug.
"You… just hungry?" Han Jiaren stammered, unsure how to respond, but she dared not provoke him.
"Of course," Jiang Hai replied, smiling.
"Then… come in." She glanced upstairs and stepped aside. Jiang Hai entered quietly, changed his shoes, and surveyed the small villa. It was cozy and exquisitely arranged.
"Where are your husband and child?" Jiang Hai asked.
"My husband drank and is sleeping upstairs. The child is with my mother," Han Jiaren replied, walking into the kitchen without making eye contact. Jiang Hai followed her, observing silently.
"There's only ramen and rice cakes. Can I put rice cakes in the ramen?" she asked, holding two packs of Shin Ramyun and a box of rice cakes.
"Sure," Jiang Hai said with a smile, not one to fuss over details.
Han Jiaren set to work, while Jiang Hai explored the villa. The first floor had three rooms: a bathroom, a children's room with foam mats, and a living room adjacent to the kitchen. Upstairs were three more rooms, all for living purposes. In the largest bedroom, a man—average-looking with a prominent nose and single eyelids—slept. This must be Han Jiaren's husband.
"Why are you here?" Han Jiaren suddenly appeared behind Jiang Hai, tugging at his clothes nervously.
"Come and see my enemy," Jiang Hai said with a smile, teasing her. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Han Jiaren instinctively tried to resist, but seeing her husband through the door crack, she froze, afraid to wake him.
Jiang Hai's hands moved with her reactions, but she finally pushed him away.
"Are you going to eat noodles or not? If not, leave!" she snapped.
"Of course I'll eat noodles. And I also want to eat you," Jiang Hai teased.
"You… you rascal! Not here!" Han Jiaren scolded, blushing furiously. She realized protesting now would not change his mind, so she gritted her teeth. Jiang Hai smiled, knowing if not here, then elsewhere would do.
With that, he scooped Han Jiaren up and dashed downstairs to the empty children's room. Upstairs, her husband stirred slightly in his sleep, sensing something amiss.
To be continued.