Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 96

Chapter 96

Woo-hyun's hand, waiting for Arin's answer, had grown cold with tension. His heart was racing for no reason. Just as he stared at her lips, waiting—

"I've just never seen you with anyone else. It's not that you're a woman, it's just... new."

Her casual reply deflated him.

"So you don't care if I hang out with other women?"

"What kind of answer do you want?"

Her puzzled expression only made him more irritated.

She blushes whenever Baek Muje shows up, but with me, it's always complaints.

"You spend all your time with Baek Muje—why can't I have my own time?"

"Why are you bringing him up now!"

Her flustered reaction soured his mood further.

"You're the one too conscious of him. Have you fallen for his pretty face like everyone else?"

"..."

"Instead of lecturing me, watch yourself. You're not kids anymore. This 'friend' game has gone far enough."

His sharp words, laced with his own feelings, left her silent. She had been uneasy about the strange tension with Muje lately.

"Do we not look like friends to you?"

Still clinging to the word "friend"—Muje must be having a hard time too. No need for him to meddle.

Watching her sullen face, Woo-hyun said,

"You two look like brothers-in-arms to anyone."

"..."

"Focus on your work and stop worrying about useless things."

"I know."

Her expression finally cleared, and she continued her task—then stopped.

"Someone's coming."

Before long, Cheong Yuhui appeared in the distance. Woo-hyun tensed and blocked her.

"What are you doing here?"

"I heard you were nearby."

Yuhui glanced over his shoulder at Arin, then whispered in his ear,

"I need to talk to you alone."

He grabbed her wrist. "Follow me."

"Oh my, so forceful."

She let herself be led and called back to Arin,

"Excuse us for a moment."

Arin nodded, and when they were gone, she muttered,

"Are they really up to something?"

---

Once alone, Woo-hyun released Yuhui's wrist.

"I told you not to come when I'm with the little Divine Maiden. If I get caught, we're done."

"Don't be so harsh—I brought good news."

At that, he perked up.

"Did they agree?"

"Yes. They said you can come."

"Then..."

"With a condition—you have to bring the little Divine Maiden."

"That's impossible."

He refused flatly, and she laughed.

"Then I'll have to tell them no. You know this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance."

"I told you—she doesn't fully trust me. She doesn't even know my face."

"Then why should we trust you?"

Leaning against a tree, she crossed her legs and traced her chin with a long nail.

"Those stabilizers aren't easy to make. I can't keep giving them away for free."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Of course not. We just need proof you're on our side."

"...Why the sudden interest in the little Divine Maiden?"

"I don't know. The one above me doesn't give reasons."

"You're not hiding anything from me?"

"Hiding?"

Her denial made him play hardball.

"Fine. Count me out—I'll find another way."

She grabbed his arm.

"So impatient. If you can't lure her, there's another way."

She pressed something into his hand—a talisman.

"Hide this among Baek Muje's belongings."

It looked suspicious, and he frowned.

"What is it?"

"A special gift for my poor friend?"

"You mean Hong Sosso?"

"Yes. She's head over heels for Baek Muje. You know they were almost betrothed."

"Hmm."

"This should be easy—no threat to his life."

After a moment, he asked cautiously,

"Sure? No risk to his life?"

"Of course. Why bother with a White Dragon about to die anyway?"

"Fine. But no backing out."

He took it and slipped it into his pocket. Yuhui smiled.

Turning to leave, he warned,

"The little Divine Maiden suspects us, so don't act like that again."

Her suspicion that he had no interest in her made him sour.

Yuhui scoffed. "Really? Then we could pretend to be lovers to meet more easily."

"Absolutely not!"

He shouted, and she blinked.

"It's been a while since a man said he disliked me. Do you have someone you like?"

"None of your business."

He left her behind. She watched him go, her smile suspicious.

---

"Who wants to meet whom?"

Dogyeong's fierce question made Socheon tense.

"Hong Ijin, the head of the Red Serpent House, wishes to see the young lady..."

Bam!

Before he could finish, a desk slammed—cracked—under Dogyeong's fist. Socheon fell silent.

"The man who hasn't requested a meeting in over a decade suddenly shows up? To see the daughter he abandoned?"

Dogyeong bared his fangs, and the air chilled. Arriving early suggested he genuinely wanted to see Arin.

"Has Arin been told?"

"Not yet. But if we refuse, he might cause a scene."

"Hah. Out of the blue."

With the succession and Yeoryeong's illness, everything was already tense. This was an unwelcome distraction. He wanted to refuse, but before he could decide, Arin walked in.

"Wait for what?"

"To stall Hong Ijin from see— Ah! Child."

He had blurted it out. Socheon silently watched his master's foolishness.

After a pause, Arin asked, "Head Hong wants to see me?"

"That..."

Dogyeong grimaced.

"I don't know why he wants to meet you. You could just wait forever and never..."

"We've done nothing wrong. Why go that far?"

At her words, he sighed and admitted his true fear.

"Because I'm afraid he'll hurt you again."

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