Looking for the Runaway Heavenly Maiden - Chapter 57

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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57.

“Ah, right. About your car though….”

Hand Ogeong’s voice trailed off, and his gaze seemed to deliberately avoid mine. Anxiety suddenly flooded through Yerim.
My car. That precious vehicle I’d earned with money I’d painstakingly saved over a month of hard work. How much I’d cherished it.
“Don’t tell me… it’s not, right?”

When I’d asked about the Jade Emperor, Jiho had said she needed to go back to school for something. That answer flashed through Yerim’s mind.
How could the Jade Emperor have gotten back to school from here?
Spatial teleportation? But if she’d used that method, the Jade Emperor wouldn’t look like that.
Besides, the Jade Emperor had come home just before midnight. Something had definitely happened.
Had my car been involved in that something….

“That’s what happened.”
“W-what do you mean, what happened?”
“It’s been scrapped.”
“….”

Ah, why were my bad premonitions never wrong?
Yerim’s body crumpled, and she slowly sank to the floor. The days of grueling work flashed before her eyes like a revolving lantern.

“Hey, hey. Don’t be like that. I’ll buy you a new one. How much could it be?”

Flustered by Yerim’s reaction, Hand Ogeong stammered out the words. A glimmer returned to Yerim’s vacant eyes.
She lifted her head and looked at Hand Ogeong.

“Really?”
“Yeah. The Princess approved it too.”
“Then I want a Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Drophead.”
“La Rose… what?”

Hand Ogeong couldn’t understand why a car’s name had to be so complicated.
Since he had little interest in cars, Hand Ogeong pulled out his phone and searched for the name. He at least knew what Rolls-Royce was.
Hand Ogeong’s expression darkened as he checked the car’s price.

“…Are you insane?”
“I’m joking. Just get the Phantom series from there. Besides, it’s not even the Jade Emperor’s money anyway.”

That was true. The money was what Yeonhwa had set aside. She’d also mentioned not to worry about the cost.
Hand Ogeong let out a hollow laugh watching Yerim, who was bold beyond measure.

“Fine, I got it. But then how are you getting the kids there?”
“The kids will have to take the bus, obviously.”

Yerim spoke as if it were nothing and called Jiho.

“Hey, Jiho. Sorry for making you wait, but I don’t think I can pick you up today. Why? Because the Jade Emperor smashed my car to pieces.”

Hand Ogeong was dumbfounded. It wasn’t he who had smashed Yerim’s car—it was Imdonggu.
And Imdonggu was dead. News of Imdonggu’s death had reached his family abruptly, and he had collected the body in pristine condition and sent it to them.
Watching humans weep while clutching a corpse was always an unpleasant sight for him.

“Alright, then be careful on your way to school.”

With a warm farewell, Yerim hung up. Then she spoke to Hand Ogeong.

“Aren’t you going, Jade Emperor?”
“…Yeah, I’m going.”

Hand Ogeong wondered what Gihyeongrang had seen in Yerim to date her.
Could Yerim really seduce Gihyeongrang again like this?

* * *

“So we’ll have to take the bus.”

After hanging up, Jiho looked around the underground parking lot as she spoke. Now that she thought about it, she didn’t see any car with a distinctive color.
Yesterday the Jade Emperor had taken that car to school. What happened at school that made the Jade Emperor smash the car?

‘Did something happen to her?’

But the Jade Emperor had looked perfectly fine this morning.
Jiho tilted her head in confusion, then pushed the thought aside and looked at Cheonhaerang.

“But shouldn’t you go see Yeonhwa first?”

Cheonhaerang was already dressed in her school uniform, as if she intended to walk to school with me. At my question, she responded casually.

“I sent her a message. Besides, we’ll see each other at school anyway.”

When Yeonhwa received the text from her youngest sibling, she was overjoyed, yet simultaneously overwhelmed by the practical matters that needed to be handled, pressing her forehead with her hand.
Cheonhaerang interlaced her fingers one by one with mine, locking our hands together.

“Should we head out now?”
“Oh, wait a moment.”

I quickly moved my fingers and sent a message somewhere.

“Who are you texting?”
“Huh? Um…”

I hesitated. I had just messaged Kim Seulgi, telling her I wouldn’t be able to walk to school or leave together afterward.
Kim Seulgi. The Cheongan’s己.
Cheonhaerang still didn’t know about my plan to deliberately approach the Heavenly Realm. That was only natural, since I hadn’t met Yeonhwa yet.
But could I even tell her about this plan? Especially if she learned that I was in contact with the Heavenly Realm—would Cheonhaerang really stay quiet?
I could say with certainty that Cheonhaerang would definitely object.
This had to remain hidden. But could it stay hidden?
Cheonhaerang would recognize Kim Seulgi at first sight. Hadn’t Yueul recognized her too?

“Jiho? Did I ask something too difficult?”
“Huh? No, no, just a friend.”

I answered hastily, worried that Cheonhaerang might grow suspicious.
Of course, my answer about a friend didn’t entirely dispel her suspicion either.

“A friend?”
“Yeah, a friend.”

Cheonhaerang’s eyes narrowed as she looked at me. Deliberately avoiding her piercing gaze, I pulled her along.

“We’ll be late. Let’s go.”

Cheonhaerang followed me without complaint. I didn’t want to ruin this moment we were sharing together.
We took the elevator up from the underground parking garage and stepped out of the apartment building. The spring air enveloped us.
The cherry blossoms that had been in full bloom were already falling, replaced by fresh green leaves sprouting everywhere.
It didn’t feel like that much time had passed, yet walking to school like this with Cheonhaerang felt like it had been an eternity since the last time.
It still felt surreal at times.
I turned my head and gazed quietly at Cheonhaerang walking beside me.
Even this morning when I woke up, I exchanged greetings with her. I wasn’t sure how long she’d been awake, but Cheonhaerang was already looking at me.
When our eyes met, she smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. I felt utterly enchanted.
It was the same now. All the complicated thoughts that had been cluttering my mind had evaporated, and I remained captivated by her.
She was always beautiful, but today she looked exceptionally lovely.
Then I suddenly remembered something. I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten—it was the most important thing.

“But Cheonhaerang, are you sure you’re okay? Your body, I mean?”
She’d only just woken up. I was worried whether she should be moving around like this.
Cheonhaerang turned to look at me, lifting the corners of her mouth. Then—
*Peck.*

“…Huh?”

My eyes widened in surprise. Something had definitely touched my cheek.
I stared blankly at her, and Cheonhaerang smiled with her eyes, just like she had this morning.

“I’m well enough to do this, aren’t I?”

I was left speechless. Men and women were different, after all. And we weren’t even adults yet….

‘…But we’re dating now, so this should be fine, right? It’s not like it was on the lips….’

Without realizing it, my gaze dropped to her lips. They looked so soft.
Actually, they were soft. I knew because they’d touched my cheek.
If they touched me again….
Improper thoughts bloomed like clouds in my mind, filling my head completely. Like the thought of her lips touching mine.
*Whoosh*—my face flushed bright red like an apple. Seeing me like that, Cheonhaerang was satisfied.
I had no idea how long she’d been holding back. Now she had no intention of restraining herself. Besides, this was quite wholesome dating, wasn’t it?

“It seems like our Jiho is the one who’s not okay. Your face looks like it might burst.”

Her teasing voice pierced my ears. She was definitely making fun of me.
Snapping back to my senses, I shot her a disgruntled look.

“Don’t tease me.”
“I’m not teasing. You’re just cute.”
“W-what…!”

Flustered, I stammered incoherently. Cheonhaerang was relentless, like an unbridled colt. And then.
Smack.
Her lips touched me again—this time on my other cheek.
I stood there with my mouth agape, unable to utter a single word. I felt like my face might actually combust.

“So, should we really go now?”

After pulling off such a mischievous stunt, Cheonhaerang looked completely unbothered. Meanwhile, my heart was racing wildly, and the world spun around me.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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