Actually, It’s a Messy Melodrama Chapter 7

When he first regressed, Haeshin thought luck had finally found its way into his life. A mercy from God, given to him after a lifetime of suffering.

The first regression point was a few days before Jin Youngmin’s proposal. It would have been better to go back to a time before he met him at all, but Haeshin was satisfied with this. Because he could take a completely different path from the life where he was suspected, confined, abused, and ultimately killed.

After regressing, Haeshin broke up with Jin Youngmin before his proposal, packed up his old house, and fled to a faraway place. It wasn’t an easy choice for Haeshin, who was poor and had to take care of his sick mother, but it was better than dying.

Youngmin’s obsession and suspicion intensified about a year after their marriage. So, Haeshin held out hope that around this time, Youngmin might let him go willingly.

However, after facing Jin Youngmin, who had persistently tracked him down, Haeshin realized something. His life had always betrayed his hopes.

Haeshin desperately tried to avoid Youngmin. He begged, pleaded, ran away, cursed, fought, and screamed that he would never see him again, even if it meant dying again.

As a result, Haeshin was killed again by a completely deranged Jin Youngmin. And when Haeshin opened his eyes again, a month after marrying Youngmin, he thought, maybe this regression wasn’t a miracle but a curse.

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“Eat a lot.”

“Thank you.”

Haeshin smiled naturally at Youngmin, who cut the steak and placed it in front of him. There was a time when just making eye contact with this man would make his body freeze. Violence always tamed people that way.

But now, Haeshin had become someone who could laugh comfortably in front of Jin Youngmin. If necessary, he could even act as if he was facing a truly beloved lover.

Haeshin’s mind was broken, and the fear of Jin Youngmin was still deeply etched into his soul, but experiencing countless deaths meant that, despite everything, he could become accustomed to it all.

As Haeshin put a bite-sized piece of meat into his mouth, Youngmin asked again,

“Is it good?”

“Yes, it’s delicious.”

“Good. You always liked the food here, Haeshin.”

Haeshin simply nodded at Youngmin’s words. Did he? His original life was now so distant that he honestly couldn’t remember. Not just his original life. With each loop, Haeshin’s memories became jumbled.

It was a natural consequence of repeatedly overwriting, altering, and overwriting similar data. The advantages of regression were long gone.

Youngmin, who only started cutting his own steak after watching Haeshin eat, opened his mouth again.

“Shall we go on a trip when you feel better?”

“A trip?”

“Yeah. Jaejin’s couple went to France recently, and apparently, you can rent a villa in the mountains there where you can spend some private time together. They recommended it, saying it was nice.”

“Ah…”

“It’s been a while since we’ve traveled together.”

Haeshin nodded silently. In the early days of their marriage, they traveled quite often. Youngmin said he wanted to give Haeshin experiences he had missed out on because of having to work without holidays due to money problems.

Honestly, he had thought Youngmin’s sincerity was truly heartwarming, even though he clearly knew Haeshin had married him for money, or more precisely, for his mother’s medical treatment.

Then, at some point, if Haeshin even made eye contact with a passing man, Jin Youngmin would go crazy, asking if he had slept with him, if he wanted to sleep with him, so now he felt sick just hearing the word “trip.” Haeshin hated traveling.

“I like anywhere, as long as I’m with you.”

“Okay. You’re not feeling well right now, so I’ll set a date next month. Until then, eat well and take care of yourself. Okay?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Still, Haeshin smiled prettily. The thought of a trip alone with Jin Youngmin in the mountains was horrifying, but it didn’t matter. Because it would never happen.

He had received this offer several times in the past, but it had never been carried out. Cha Haeshin always died before the scheduled trip. There were no exceptions.

Haeshin stopped his pointless reminiscing and put another bite of steak in his mouth. A well-fed regressor looks good even in death, that was Haeshin’s usual motto.

“Oh? Youngmin.”

It was at that moment that an unfamiliar voice interrupted them. Was it the keen senses of someone who had repeatedly died? Haeshin’s back went cold before he even saw the face.

“…Hyung?”

And Jin Youngmin’s reaction confirmed Haeshin’s premonition. Haeshin looked up at the man who had approached them. Haeshin’s hand holding the fork trembled slightly. It was Han Taejun.

“Fancy meeting you here.”

“What are you doing here, hyung…?”

Unlike Taejun, who seemed relaxed and natural, Youngmin’s voice sounded nervous. His eyes, darting between Taejun and Haeshin, were now filled with suspicion.

Haeshin knew this was the moment to lower his head and avoid Han Taejun’s gaze, as if he weren’t there, but he didn’t. It was important to understand this person called Han Taejun first.

This was the second time. He had suddenly suggested having dinner together, and now he had appeared before Haeshin. In a world that should have unfolded as it always did because Haeshin hadn’t changed anything, only Han Taejun moved as if he had deviated from his predetermined fate.

It was hard to suppress his laughter. It had been a while since he had encountered such an unpredictable variable. It didn’t matter that this, too, would end with another regression. Haeshin was genuinely happy that something new had happened after such a long time.

Anyone would call him crazy for finding joy in this endless hell. But without going crazy, he couldn’t endure such a terrible curse.

“I was here to meet someone, but my schedule suddenly changed… I was just about to leave when I saw you here.”

“Ah…”

Youngmin was openly displeased. His eyes darted around anxiously. But Taejun continued, pretending not to notice Youngmin’s reaction.

“This works out perfectly. I had something I wanted to talk to you about, and I wanted to see you… Do you mind if I join you?”

Taejun smiled at Youngmin. It was a relaxed smile. As if he was saying, as if someone like you could refuse my offer.

Youngmin bit his lip. Youngmin was also a member of the Myungjin Group and a department head, but there was naturally a difference between him and Han Taejun, the chairman’s grandson and Youngmin’s maternal cousin, who was also openly referred to as the most cherished bloodline.

Even if they had maintained a good relationship, it didn’t mean that Taejun had become a true friend, and no one knew better than Jin Youngmin himself that they could never be equals.

Practically no one in the Myungjin Group could avoid being wary of Taejun. Even Han Taejun’s father. In reality, he was the crown prince of this small empire.

However, Youngmin couldn’t readily agree. If he were alone, he would have welcomed dining with Taejun, but Cha Haeshin was here. He was already on edge because Taejun had specifically asked to have dinner with Haeshin, and he absolutely didn’t want to see them sitting at the same table.

Youngmin tried to force a natural smile as he replied,

“I’d love to, but you know, our Haeshin is a little shy… and he’s not feeling well these days, so I wanted him to have a comfortable meal.”

“Oh, is that so?”

At the same time, Taejun’s dark eyes stared at Cha Haeshin. Haeshin looked nervous, but instead of avoiding Taejun’s gaze, he met it directly. At that moment, an unknown emotion swept over Taejun. His stomach churned as if he had indigestion, and he even felt a chill. Was he always someone with such a subtle aura? Taejun’s mind became instantly tangled.

Although his first encounter with Cha Haeshin was a distant memory, he could recall it relatively clearly. Contrary to his expectations that Haeshin would be timid, he was impressed by his unyielding demeanor.

His family had clicked their tongues at Haeshin’s boldness, calling him thick-faced, but Taejun was different. He thought he could understand, at least a little, why Jin Youngmin had rejected all his prominent engagement prospects and fallen for Cha Haeshin.

The Cha Haeshin he saw again in the last loop was the same. Even while desperately pleading, Cha Haeshin had a certain cheerfulness about him. It was as if he were begging a gang boss to save him.

And the Cha Haeshin before his eyes now…

Well, Taejun found it difficult to describe the feeling he felt now. Although not sharp, Haeshin’s gaze seemed to pierce right through him.

As if he knew what kind of hell Han Taejun was wandering in. Even though that couldn’t be possible.

Shaking off the feeling of being exposed, Taejun said to Haeshin,

“Mr. Haeshin, am I making you uncomfortable?”

“…Excuse me?”

“If I’m making you uncomfortable, I’ll leave.”

As soon as he was asked, Haeshin reflexively turned to look at Youngmin. His lips formed an awkward smile, but his eyes were honest.

If he didn’t send Han Taejun away now, Cha Haeshin would die by his hand. It was a certainty born from long experience.

But so what?

Haeshin scoffed inwardly. He had already died countless times at Jin Youngmin’s hands, so dying one more time wasn’t anything special. Cha Haeshin said to Han Taejun,

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.”

Haeshin even gave Taejun a small smile. It was intended to provoke Youngmin. If Youngmin lost control right here and now, it could be an opportunity for Haeshin.