As True as a Dream Chapter 155

I had never used my arm muscles this intensely before, and now my entire arm trembled as if it didn’t belong to me.

The saying “too much is as bad as too little” exists for a reason.

Hae-Joo calmly considered this before finally following Yi-Ho’s lead.

The way back to their house wasn’t much different from the way they had come.

Hae-Joo securely fastened the gun and ammunition to her back and clung tightly to Yi-Ho’s waist like a cicada.

As Yi-Ho chuckled low and moved, a chilling gust of wind—unexpected for summer—whipped past Hae-Joo’s ears and fluttered her hair.

After hanging on for what felt like an eternity, they finally landed in the courtyard of their home.

 

“Something’s here.”

The moment her feet touched the ground, Hae-Joo let out a relieved sigh and glanced around, following Yi-Ho’s gaze.

“What’s that…?”

Before she could finish muttering, Yi-Ho stepped forward and picked up a small rock in the courtyard.

No—more accurately, he picked up the piece of paper tied to the rock.

“Open it.”

Hae-Joo moved closer as Yi-Ho untied and unfolded the paper.

It seemed someone had thrown it over the wall while they were away.

 

“In two days, at 9 p.m., the flowers will bloom. Come to Bongchun Pavilion by noon that day.”

 

A short and simple letter.

Hae-Joo and Yi-Ho exchanged glances.

“…It’s in two days.”

“Will you be alright?”

“I’m actually looking forward to it.”

Hae-Joo clenched the letter tightly, her eyes gleaming.

 

Just then, a few crows descended from the chaotic, multicolored sky and landed in the courtyard.

One of them transformed into the figure of a teenage boy and approached Yi-Ho and Hae-Joo.

“Reporter Lee Yongzhou said there’s an old printing machine at a bookstore he knows. We’ve purchased it and set it up in a rice warehouse on the outskirts of Gyeongseong. Once the paper arrives tomorrow, we can start printing immediately.”

“That’s faster than I expected.”

“Reporter Lee’s father’s connections were a big help. But distribution outside the capital will be difficult.”

“What about Gyeongseong?” Hae-Joo cut in sharply.

“We’ll handle distribution in Gyeongseong overnight.”

“Good. You’ve worked hard. Thank you.”

Hae-Joo nodded at the crow before looking up at Yi-Ho with sparkling eyes.

“Hmm, should we train all day tomorrow and head into Gyeongseong at night? We can’t leave everything to your brother. The day after is even more important.”

“Fine.”

Hae-Joo grinned.

 

It suddenly occurred to her that ever since their relationship deepened, Yi-Ho had rarely—if ever—said “no” or “I don’t want to” to her.

 

 

* * *

 

Late at night.

 

Lying beside Yi-Ho, Hae-Joo tossed and turned, unable to fully grasp that everything would be over in two days

.
“Can’t sleep?” Yi-Ho asked in the dark.

Hae-Joo turned toward him and whispered,

“It’s in two days. We only have one chance. Will we really be able to pull it off?”

“Yeah. We will.”

His answer was calm, without a hint of hesitation. Hae-Joo let out a soft laugh.

While his unwavering confidence reassured her, she couldn’t shake her worry over the persistent low fever he’d been running.

 

“…How’s your body holding up?”

“I’m fine.”

“But your fever hasn’t gone down.”

She reached out and touched his face—beautiful even in the darkness.

“Will you really be okay facing Man Insa?”

“Do I look that weak to you?”

“That’s not it, but being in pain is a different matter.”

“I’ve always had a slight fever like this.”

His voice was light, as if to ease her concern.

 

“Don’t underestimate a fever. You never know when you might collapse.”

Memories flashed through Hae-Joo’s mind—times she’d seen him suddenly cough up blood in his sleep or sway unsteadily mid-conversation.

 

“Don’t worry. Even at my weakest, I’m stronger than Man Insa. And once he’s dead, you won’t have to worry about anything ever again.”

“…Don’t change the subject. I’m talking about your health. You’ve looked worse these past few days, and you’re not eating well.”

“Tch.”

 

A sharp click of his tongue echoed in the dark.

 

Before she could react, Hae-Joo found herself flat on her back with Yi-Ho looming over her.

His eyes, usually sharp as a blade, now held a warmth that made her heart race.

“If you’re still unsure, why don’t I prove just how fine I am?”

“…Huh?”

Before she could process his words, Yi-Ho dipped his head and lightly captured her lips, then pulled back just enough to meet her gaze.

 

“B-Boss.”

So much had happened.

Yi-Ho’s secrets had been exposed, Eun-sil’s family had been killed, Song Yue Pavilion had been bombed, and Manager Hongo was dead.

All the misfortunes had crashed down at once, as if fate had planned it.

Yet despite everything, Yi-Ho and Hae-Joo had grown closer than ever.

 

“If you don’t believe me, I’ll just have to convince you.”

His leg slid between hers, pressing firmly against her core.

Even through the thin fabric of her sleepwear, she could feel the hard length of his arousal.

“Ah, um…”

Words failed her as she stared into his mesmerizing eyes, swallowing hard.

 

His gaze alone was enough to steal her breath, and her heart pounded wildly, heat flooding her cheeks.

His intense stare, his burning body, the way their breaths tangled—everything overwhelmed her senses.

The press of his abdomen against hers, their tangled legs, his lips hovering just out of reach—it all made her mouth water.

Her mind felt hazy under the sheer force of his desire.

 

“Yeon Hae-Joo.”

He murmured her name, and her lips brushed against his as he spoke.

“I’m really fine.”

He licked her lips, then gently nipped at them, his voice coaxing.

 

Hae-Joo slowly lifted her hand from where it rested on the bed and traced her fingertips along his smooth skin.

‘Don’t worry,’ he always told her. ‘No matter what happens, you’ll be safe.’

Maybe it was because he knew how desperately she wanted to live.

And maybe, just maybe, he truly believed he would survive this fight.

 

But deep down, a sliver of unease remained.

What if, after everything, she made it out unscathed—but he didn’t?

 

The thought made her want to cry.

If not for her, Yi-Ho might have remained a detached observer in this bleak era, untouched by the chaos.

But because of her—because he loved her—his future had become uncertain.

 

No matter how many times she told herself they’d be okay, there was always the fear that things could go wrong faster than expected.

And now, with that fear pressing down on her, this moment felt infinitely precious.

 

Human life could be long or short, but no moment should ever be wasted.

Hae-Joo wanted to love Yi-Ho with every fiber of her being, in every possible way, for as long as she could.

How could she not cherish a man who loved her so completely?

 

“What are you thinking?” Yi-Ho asked, watching her dazed expression.

Hae-Joo cupped his cheek, her fingers brushing his neck and shoulder.

“I was thinking… I want to love you.”

“Hm?”

“I already love you, but I want to love you even more.”

 

Slowly, she hooked her leg around his, pressing their lower bodies even closer together.

A bewitching smile curled at the corner of Yi-Ho’s lips.

“Oh? That’s a good thought.”

“Yeah.”

Smiling, she lifted her head and kissed him.

 

Then she slipped her hand under his shirt, sliding her palm over the firm muscles of his abdomen.

“You started this.”

 

“Yes. I started this.”

She answered without hesitation, even as he let out a low groan.

 

In the next moment, he pulled her up into a sitting position.

With a few quick movements, he stripped off her top and undergarments, then pushed her pants down.

Dazed by his speed, Hae-Joo soon laughed and helped him pull off his own shirt.