Transit Love After Revenge – Chapter 11

Author: amourtentia

“Huh? Is it really because of the vote? It’s not that big of a deal! I got zero votes too. Or wait—did I? Am I just too simple-minded? I was literally doing a face mask and humming to myself just a moment ago.”

“No, you’re right, Taeri. We’ve barely had a chance to talk, and it’s just first impressions. Don’t let it get you down.”

Gaeun chimed in to back Taeri up. Minji’s expression, caught somewhere between a smile and tears, was something to behold.

Just like that, the tables had turned.

Now, the viewers’ attention would naturally shift from Minji to Taeri. In the exact same situation, their responses were complete opposites.

Taeri’s cheerful and unfazed attitude came off as confident and cool, while Minji’s downcast mood, which made even the other contestants worry about her, made her seem overly sensitive and insecure.

‘Thanks, Minji. I learned this move from you, you know?’

That thing where you overdo your compliments or worry too much, just enough to make people uncomfortable and push them away.

“Eonni, I heard you’re coming down with a cold. Oh no. I’ll tell Seongjun to take you to the hospital right now. You look like you’re about to collapse.”

“What are you talking about? She’s fine.”

“No, seriously, get to the hospital right away.”

“Ugh, Seo Haeyoung. Stop being so dramatic, it’s annoying!”

‘Even when I said nothing, just being around you turned me into the whiny, annoying one.’

Minji’s gaze shifted past Gaeun and Taeri, landing squarely on Haeyoung.

‘You, right?’ That was the look she gave her.

‘Yeah, that was me,’ Haeyoung smiled softly.

Minji opened her mouth as if to say something, but before she could get a word out, Haeyoung stepped forward and pulled her into a hug.

“Minji-nim, stay strong, okay? This is just the beginning. You’re incredibly beautiful, and cute, and charming. Everyone will see it soon.”

Minji’s body stiffened in her arms.

* * *

Despite having gone to bed only in the early hours after filming late into the night, the cast was up bright and early the next morning. They said they hadn’t slept well, probably due to the unfamiliar environment.

Everyone carefully picked their outfits, did their makeup and hair. Today marked the start of the official first date.

「Meet your friend and receive your date location.」

That was the mission displayed on the monitor earlier that morning.

If it was Haeyoung’s friend, then it must be Yoonhyuk. He hadn’t come to the house, was she going to meet him early?

Haeyoung stepped outside and followed the directions given.

A heavily tinted car was waiting. She was told her conversation with her friend would take place inside.

Weird. One-on-one meetings were usually filmed on set.

The PD called Haeyoung over. Since this was a car PPL, she asked her to show as much of the interior as possible, and to naturally include the sponsor’s ad lines.

Another unexpected change.

Things were starting to shift in ways even Haeyoung hadn’t planned for. The filming location had changed, and the set had been adjusted bit by bit. The world remained the same, but since Haeyoung had changed, it made sense that all these changes stemmed from her.

Yet, she couldn’t even begin to guess which of her actions had triggered this butterfly effect.

Haeyoung got in the car.

“You’re here?”

The deep voice rang in her ears.

She locked eyes with Yoonhyuk, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe.

Had he always looked like this?

His neatly styled hair, chiseled features without a trace of excess, the sharp jawline, broad shoulders, and the elegant line of his neck, all exuded a quiet masculinity. But more than anything, Yoonhyuk had a mysterious aura that caught her attention.

She had spent the whole day yesterday with so-called ‘handsome’ men, but now, facing Yoonhyuk, she couldn’t even recall their faces.

She suddenly understood why the <Friendship Romance> PD had accepted the late addition of Haeyoung and Yoonhyuk, and why she had picked Yoonhyuk as the show’s ‘catfish’ contestant.

“Are you tired?”

Yoonhyuk asked in his characteristically slow tone.

“What?”

“Your face has changed a bit in a day.”

His eyes swept down her face, top to bottom. The teasing glint in his gaze wasn’t offensive, it felt playful.

Haeyoung blinked, momentarily dumbfounded by the unexpected comment, then quickly came to her senses.

The show’s backstory was that Haeyoung and Yoonhyuk were childhood friends. They used to play together in the neighborhood playground, lost touch when he went abroad for school, and reconnected after he returned to Korea.

But this was too casual. Even if the setup justified it, Haeyoung wasn’t sure she could pull off this level of closeness.

She jabbed Yoonhyuk in the side, where the camera couldn’t see. A subtle hint to tone it down.

“Why did you poke me? Got something to say?”

Yooonhyuk turned even that into a joke. Haeyoung bit her lip in flustered silence. The more flustered she got, the more amused he seemed.

“Nothing. Just, commenting on my face the second we meet? Rude.”

“I meant it. You look tired.”

“It’s because I didn’t get much sleep. I guess I was nervous. Couldn’t fall asleep.”

Haeyoung She rubbed her face, a little self-conscious. She had used every trick in her limited makeup skill, but if her fatigue still showed through, maybe she was just bad at it.

“Then you must have missed me.”

“I guess so. Everyone else got to come with their friend. So… when are you moving into the house?”

“I don’t know. The PD told me not to say.”

Haeyoung glanced out the window. They were definitely listening from outside. Did he just say “PD” in banmal?

Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, the PD, seated far away with headphones on, didn’t react at all.

“Anyway, I wish you would come in soon.”

She was sincere. With Yoonhyuk around, navigating situations would be a little easier. And maybe her heart would feel a little lighter, too.

Because, maybe, somewhere deep down, she still believed he was on her side.

“So, anyone caught your eye yet?”

“Hmm… not really. Haven’t had any real conversations. But… there is someone I’d like to talk to.”

“There is?”

Haeyoung nodded.

It was a lie, of course. But in a dating show, saying no one interested would kill the flow. She had to make it up.

“Don’t.”

“What?”

“Don’t talk to him. You’ve got no taste in men. Don’t do anything until I’ve checked him out.”

“Huh?”

Haeyoung was flustered, she hadn’t expected that kind of line.

“I’ll pick it for you.”

“Why the hell would you pick my boyfriend? I can choose for myself.”

“Your ex-boyfriend was a broke-ass piece of trash who–”

“Yoonhyuk.”

Haeyoung quickly covered Yoonhyuk’s mouth.

The comment wouldn’t directly reveal her relationship with Seongjun, but there was no reason to bring him up on camera. Even small remarks could build up and cause trouble later.

“What, mad I badmouthed your ex?”

Yoonhyuk casually pulled her hand down with his large hand.

“That’s rude to him. Anyway, let’s just not talk about him.”

“Respect? For trash? Honestly, I’m doing him a favor by not lighting him on fire.”

“Ugh, shut up. Change the subject. Now.”

Yoonhyuk finally closed his mouth, but his eyes were still smiling mischievously.

She had to redirect the conversation, fast. Pulling her hand back, she grasped at a new topic.

“Right! Want to hear about the other cast members? The girls?”

“Sure.”

The guy who’d been so playful just a moment ago was now totally disinterested, staring out the window indifferently.

Even if he only joined because of her, did he have to look this uninterested? Maybe she should have added ‘must actively participate in the dating show’ to the conditions.

“The girls are all great. Pretty, sweet, funny. I bet you’ll like them. What’s your type again?”

“A fun woman.”

“A fun woman? Oh—there’s this one girl, really witty and upbeat. You would totally vibe with her.”

Haeyoung thought of Taeri. Bright, easygoing, with a sharp sense of humor. She might actually get along with Yoonhyuk.

Sure, he only joined for the money, but still, if he could meet someone good while he was here, why not?

“Good. I had better find someone. I’m getting married to whoever I meet here.”

“What?”

It should’ve sounded like a joke, but it didn’t.

“Didn’t I tell you? If I don’t find someone here, I’ve gotta go through with a marriage of convenience.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Do I look like I’m kidding?”

It was the kind of line you’d hear in a drama. Of course it had to be a joke.