The Textbook of a Lover - Chapter 16

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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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16.
“Um, I’d like to get a consultation, if you have time.”
Na Hee lowered her voice by a full octave as she spoke.
“Can you do boyfriend roleplay too? Down to very specific scenarios?”
― Of course. Just tell us the situation and concept, and we’ll set everything up exactly as you want it—height, appearance, style, even the way he speaks.
Na Hee’s lips curled upward with a bitter edge. They could arrange everything just as she wanted?
“Is it possible to do a scene where he picks me up in a really expensive foreign luxury car?”
― That’s possible. There would be an additional rental fee depending on the vehicle. Do you have a specific car in mind?
Eureka!
That was it.
After hanging up, Na Hee’s chest swelled with a hot, spiraling rush of triumph.
Seong Do Ah, I knew it had to be this way.
There’s no way you’d have a boyfriend who drives a three-hundred-million-won foreign luxury car when you were standing in a competitor’s lobby with a picket sign because of a thirty-million-won dowry.
A few moments later, Na Hee clicked her tongue as she looked at the quotation that arrived by email.
Clothing rental, vehicle rental, actor fees—the breakdown was laid out in meticulous detail.
“So you had money for this after all? Should’ve told you to squeeze Kyung Jun for assault settlement money instead.”
Na Hee gripped her phone tightly. The thought of crushing Do Ah’s pride once more made her heart sing with pure joy.
“Just wait. I’ll make sure you can’t even face anyone at the company after this.”
A brief, satisfied smile ghosted across her lips.
* * *
“Team Lead, the Printing House just called to say they finished the Hyun Shin Department Store POP sample. Should I go check it out and bring it back?”
Do Ah turned from the monitor. For Na Hee, who ordinarily wouldn’t be caught dead volunteering for mundane errands, to step forward like this—hell had frozen over.
“Sure, go take a close look at the color balance and font size. And bring the sample back with you.”
The moment the team lead gave permission, Na Hee added on eagerly.
“Oh, and Team Lead! Did you know there’s this really hot new Bagel Shop that opened near the company?”
It was Yoo, seated across the desk, who spoke up instead.
“Oh, that place you’re talking about, Na Hee? The one across the Four-way Intersection!”
“That’s the one, Yoo. The wait is insane—normally we’d never even try. Since I’m heading out anyway, could I make a reservation? What do you all think about grabbing lunch there together today?”
“I’m in!”
“Me too!”
At Na Hee’s suggestion, the office came alive. Everyone voiced their enthusiasm, and the team lead readily nodded her approval.
“Alright then. Let’s all have lunch there today.”
With the team lead’s word, the lunch plan was decided on the spot.
When lunchtime arrived, everyone made their way to the Bagel Shop that Na Hee had reserved.
“Wow, no wonder everyone’s lining up. I’ve eaten bagels plenty of times, but this place really is amazing.”
“The cream cheese here is so good. I wonder if they sell it separately?”
The meal finished relatively quickly, given how simple the menu was.
True to its reputation as a hot spot, the quality bagels and fresh ingredients captivated everyone’s palate.
In the relaxed atmosphere, as everyone sipped iced coffee, Na Hee suddenly turned to Do Ah.
“Do Ah. My cousin’s getting married next month.”
At the abrupt comment, Do Ah set down her coffee cup.
“She’s worried because she doesn’t have many friends. She thinks the reception will be empty, and she’s been upset about it. Do you happen to know anyone who works at a Guest Substitute Agency? Could you recommend someone?”
A colleague beside her snorted with laughter.
“Na Hee, how would Do Ah know about that? She’s not even married yet.”
Na Hee’s eyes gleamed as if she’d been waiting for exactly this moment, and she raised her voice.
“Actually, I think Do Ah would know quite well.”
“Why?”
“Because I saw a business card for a Role-Play Agency tucked under the glass on her desk the other day.”
All sound at the table ceased abruptly.
The peculiar undertone of the words “role-play” made everyone turn toward Na Hee with puzzled expressions.
“Role-Play Agency? What’s that?”
“Do you mean a Guest Substitute Agency?”
Na Hee nodded and continued.
“Yeah, but they don’t just do guest substitutes. They do parent substitutes, friend substitutes too.”
At that, Yun Mi, seated next to Do Ah, asked bluntly.
“Do Ah, did you really have a business card like that? What were you planning to use it for?”
Do Ah didn’t answer. At her silence, Na Hee’s eyes narrowed.
“They even do boyfriend substitutes.”
“Boyfriend substitutes?”
“Yeah. Like, they can arrange for a boyfriend to pick you up in an expensive foreign luxury car—that kind of scenario.”
At those words, everyone’s gaze snapped to Do Ah’s face as if on cue.
She’d never mentioned having a boyfriend, yet somehow a boyfriend who drives a high-end luxury car picks her up late at night?
It was something they’d all found odd, even if they hadn’t said so.
But as they sat in uncomfortable silence, Na Hee opened her mouth again.
“So Do Ah, why did you need that substitute agency business card? It’s not like you need wedding guests. Your boyfriend…… You wouldn’t have…?”
Do Ah swallowed the hot, bitter sneer rising in her chest.
She’s already thinking exactly that, and now she’s asking ‘surely not that’?
“Na Hee, you certainly seem very interested in me. You even memorized what the business card under my desk says.”
“Oh, the card was just so unusual that I couldn’t help but notice it. It’s not the kind of card ordinary people carry around.”
Do Ah rose from her seat and fixed Na Hee with a cold stare.
“Like I’ve said before, don’t you think you’re taking too much interest in other people’s private lives? You’d do yourself some good spending that energy on your own life instead. Well then, enjoy your meal everyone. I’ll be going now.”
Do Ah left the shop without the slightest hesitation.
Behind her, Na Hee’s bewildered voice and the murmuring of the team members spilled out, but she ignored it all.
Once she’d completely left the shop, the rigid set of Do Ah’s mouth gradually softened, and a small smile bloomed on her lips.
“Go ahead, Na Hee. Do whatever you can. That rope you’re pulling will eventually be the one that strangles your own neck.”
* * *
Today, Cha Kyung had to start with a video conference with a European brand early in the morning, followed by negotiations all morning with a new partner company in the Middle East.
And in just a few minutes, he was scheduled to enter a staff meeting about restructuring at overseas branches.
“Exhausting.”
Even Cha Kyung, who worked out daily, was feeling the strain of this relentless pace.
Normally he didn’t seek out caffeine, but today his mind felt unusually foggy.
Cha Kyung decided he needed coffee and opened his mouth.
“Where is the espresso machine? It’s not in its usual place?”
The secretary immediately looked up.
“I’ll make it for you, sir.”
“No. Just tell me where it is.”
After getting directions to the espresso machine from his secretary, Cha Kyung stood in front of it, located not far from the Executive Office.
He placed a cup under the dispenser and pressed the button. The sound of beans grinding filled the air as hot steam rose and dark liquid began to drip into the cup.
By the time the extracted liquid had filled about two-thirds of the cup—
A sudden grinding sound. Something had caught.
Bang!
Immediately after, a sharp burst followed as a jet of high-temperature steam erupted from the top of the state-of-the-art espresso machine.
As scalding vapor sprayed toward the ceiling, ground coffee beans and sharp shards of glass flew in all directions.
“Sir! Are you alright!”
Startled employees paled as they rushed over.
Through the billowing smoke, Cha Kyung slowly emerged into view. At first glance, he didn’t appear to be seriously injured.
‘Good Lord. What’s next?’

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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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