The Textbook of a Lover - Chapter 17

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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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17.
A cold smile flickered across Cha Kyung’s lips.
He’d avoided a terrible burn only because the relentless misfortune that dogged him had honed his reflexes to a razor’s edge.
The instant steam erupted toward his face, he stepped back on pure instinct, shielding his face with his arms.
Thanks to that split-second judgment, the scalding vapor glanced off his suit instead of searing his skin.
Cha Kyung roughly adjusted his crooked necktie and gave orders.
“Call the Facilities Team right now. Once this is cleaned up, find out whether it was a mechanical defect or negligent maintenance and report back. Are any employees injured?”
“We’re fine, but Sir, you nearly had a serious accident.”
Cha Kyung’s face was so expressionless that no one would have guessed he’d just lived through something so harrowing.
Yet inwardly, he was deeply unsettled.
‘Has something ruptured in my very fate?’
How many times was this now?
A drunk driving accident. An elevator malfunction. A plane fire. And now a coffee machine exploding.
Cha Kyung had never believed in superstition, but one thing he couldn’t deny:
This overwhelming probability of catastrophe that followed him wherever he went.
“I’ve never seen a coffee machine blow up like that in my life.”
“It’s not even a pressure cooker. I’m done buying coffee here.”
“And they just replaced it less than a month ago.”
As Cha Kyung turned toward the Conference Room, leaving the murmurs behind, his secretary approached cautiously.
“Sir, the Chairman couldn’t reach you, so she called directly.”
Of all the timing.
Cha Kyung spoke to his secretary.
“Tell her I’m going into a meeting and can’t take the call.”
“Ah, well… the Chairman says she heard about the accident just now. She said if you don’t answer, she’ll come straight to the office.”
His temples suddenly throbbed. Reluctantly, Cha Kyung pulled out his phone, which he’d set to silent.
― Cha Kyung, are you all right? I heard there was an accident just now! Everything the shaman said has come true. How many times has this been for you this year alone?
Gyu Seon’s sharp voice lashed through the receiver. Cha Kyung closed his eyes and exhaled deeply.
“It was just a machine malfunction, Grandmother. I have an important meeting right now, so I’ll have to go.”
― The meeting can wait. You need to go to the hospital first!
“I’m not injured, so there’s no need to worry.”
― When are you planning to meet that young lady? If you won’t step up, I’ll arrange it myself!
“I’m already seeing her. I’ll introduce her properly soon, so please calm down.”
After barely managing to end the call, Cha Kyung sighed and headed to the main Conference Room.
As he reached for the door, he froze at an odd sight.
What on earth was this?
Choi, the head of the Marketing Team, was stuffing something white and folded into the gap at the corner of the doorframe.
Cha Kyung stepped silently behind him, his eyes cold.
“Choi, what are you doing?”
“S-Sir!”
Startled at being discovered, Choi jumped up.
A white envelope-sized packet was wedged in the doorframe.
“What is that?”
“Ah, well, you see…”
As Choi’s words trailed off, Cha Kyung lowered his voice further.
“Would you prefer I look for myself?”
“No, Sir!”
Choi hastily waved his hand.
“I’ve just been having some bad luck today, so… as a precaution, I placed some salt here. Ha.”
Though Choi explained with an awkward laugh, Cha Kyung made no response and took his seat at the head of the table.
The air in the Conference Room noticeably froze.
As everyone held their breath, Cha Kyung looked up.
“Choi.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“What’s your birth date?”
“I was born on October 11th, 1977.”
“What’s your zodiac sign?”
“Snake.”
Cha Kyung scrolled through his tablet screen, speaking matter-of-factly.
“I’m a Tiger, and Tiger and Snake signs are incompatible.”
Cha Kyung’s gaze landed on Choi.
“They’re said to dislike each other for no reason at all. Can I really work alongside a subordinate who resents me without cause?”
“That’s not true, Sir! Absolutely not.”
Choi shook his head urgently.
“I have no reason to resent you, Sir.”
Every employee in the Conference Room held their breath.
“Blood type?”
“…Pardon?”
“What’s your blood type?”
“Type A.”
“I’m Type B.”
Cha Kyung continued.
“That’s a mismatch too. People say Type A individuals tend to harbor resentment toward Type Bs, who are impulsive and self-centered.”
“I have no resentment toward you, Sir. Not at all.”
Choi’s face grew increasingly pale.
“With so many incompatibilities between us, how can I possibly work with you?”
“Sir, I promise to work harder going forward.”
Cha Kyung spoke without a trace of concern.
“I should consider including zodiac sign and blood type in performance reviews and promotion assessments.”
Before he’d even finished speaking, the color drained completely from Choi’s face. But Cha Kyung, indifferent to his distress, began the meeting.
The meeting stretched past two hours.
Back in his Executive Office, Cha Kyung sank deeply into his chair, exhausted.
“Damned superstition.”
His conversation with his grandmother circled through his mind.
No matter what accidents befell him, Cha Kyung absolutely refused to trust any shaman’s words—yet he couldn’t dismiss his grandmother’s.
“If Grandmother goes to find that woman herself, I’ll have a real problem on my hands.”
Though they’d only met a few times, Do Ah was the sort of woman whose every thought played across her face.
That was precisely why he’d suggested the Dating Training.
Her lack of comfort around him seeped through her tone, her gaze, every small gesture—how could she possibly convincingly play his lover?
“Maybe I’ve been pushing too hard.”
For her to act convincingly, she needed to be less tense when they were together.
Lost in thought, Cha Kyung quickly picked up his phone.
The moment the dial tone sounded, Do Ah answered as if startled.
“Are you free this evening?”
Through the receiver came the soft sound of her swallowing.
“If you’re available, shall we have dinner together?”
* * *
‘So it’s finally here.’
That was Do Ah’s first thought after hanging up.
She’d already steeled herself for this from the moment Cha Kyung mentioned “dating practice.”
But understanding something in your head and accepting it in your heart were two different things.
Now that his proposal had become reality, her mouth went dry.
This was the man who’d thrust a two-billion-won lawsuit at her at their very first meeting.
That icy atmosphere still lingered in her mind, and now she was supposed to sit across from him and share a meal.
Her stomach was already twisting in knots.
‘What choice do I have? He’d threaten me with another lawsuit if I didn’t pull it off properly.’
Do Ah muttered bitterly to herself.
That clipped way of speaking, impeccably groomed appearance, the chill that radiated from merely standing beside him.
He was like a cold metal sculpture—devoid of warmth. It made perfect sense.
With such thoughts, she stepped into the Break Room, and the employees inside visibly startled.
“Oh, Do Ah, you’re here?”
Someone broke the awkward silence with a strained greeting.
In that single uncomfortable phrase, Do Ah reflected:
How easily people’s trust swayed on just a few words.
Until recently, these same people had treated her like a stalker based on what Na Hee had said.
Then, once they saw her with her boyfriend, their attitude shifted. Now, having heard Na Hee mention the Role-Play Dating Service, their gaze had turned to contempt and ridicule.
Do Ah nodded slightly and approached the water dispenser, pulling out a paper cup.
As she watched cool water fill the cup, one of the hesitant employees carefully ventured to speak.
“Do Ah, we were planning to grab dinner after work. Want to come with us?”
Before the words were even out, the employee beside her jabbed her elbow—probably reproaching her for even asking.
“I’m sorry. I have a prior engagement this evening.”

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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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