Do Not Feed Recklessly - Chapter 7. Part 3

That wasn’t true, of course. Jia had never thought highly of Park, not even for a moment. She had always thought of him as one of the annoying, awkward people in the office. 

“Jia, if you’re causing this kind of disruption in the team, we can’t just let it go.” 

“Oh, don’t worry. This isn’t something I’m just going to let slide either.”

With that, she grabbed a piece of A4 paper from the desk and casually started writing her letter of resignation. 

“I’m quitting.” 

“What? What did you say? Do you think resigning is a joke?” 

“Team leader, please process my resignation properly. And make sure my salary for the days worked is paid on time,” Jia said, forcing a smile as she packed her few belongings and her bag.

“Yes, I easily get involved in trouble, so I don’t want to burden my colleagues with issues like prostitution or stalking.” 

Looking back, she was surprised by her boldness. They say that when you’re faced with absurd and unreasonable situations, your mind tends to clear – and this was true for her. Without hesitation, Jia had spoken firmly and left the room. Now that it was all said and done, the sense of relief far outweighed any feelings of regret.

[Yu Jia: I’m heading home now.] 

[Ethan: ?? Now? It’s still lunchtime!] 

[Jia: Just come pick me up.] 

Deep down, she wondered if this was what she wanted when moving to Korea. But even if she could go back in time, she was sure she would make the same choice again.

“My parents would be upset if they knew I was putting up with a company like this.” 

With no intention of returning to the office, she secretly raised her middle finger as she walked out and headed for the subway. The subway was quiet on a weekday afternoon, and her steps felt light as she made her way home.

* * *

“Jia!”

When she exited the station, she heard Ethan’s voice calling out to her. He typically felt warm and welcoming, but today, his presence brought her an even greater sense of relief. 

“Are you okay?” 

“Yeah, I’m fine.” 

She found it strange how just seeing him could provide her with such comfort and stability. 

“I quit my job.” 

At the mention of her resignation, Ethan looked momentarily surprised but then smiled gently as he hugged her. 

“You did well.” 

He didn’t ask why. He just patted Jia’s back reassuringly at regular intervals.

“Now that you’ve quit, you must have a lot of free time on me, right?” 

“I have more time, but I’ll be poorer…” 

Even though she had leaped, the thought of money overwhelmed her. How was she going to manage the rent for her apartment and cover her living expenses?

As those worries piled up, Jia shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. At least for today, she didn’t want to hold on to any more headaches or anxieties.

“Ethan, thank you.” 

“Where did that come from?” 

“I was just thinking, and I’m grateful for everything.” 

As they walked home, Jia smiled awkwardly at Ethan and continued, 

“And I’m sorry for coming to Korea without telling you.” 

Noticing Jia’s unusually serious demeanor, which lacked her usual playfulness, Ethan shrugged lightly. 

“Just knowing is enough.” 

He playfully ruffled her hair and patted her head. 

“But don’t do it again.” 

“I promise I won’t.” 

“Oh, you silly girl.” 

Ethan teased her by pinching Jia’s cheek, laughing as she slapped his hand away. Despite her attempts to brush him off, she couldn’t help but smile like a fool, enjoying his playful actions. 

As they playfully bickered, the two of them arrived at the apartment. However, when Ethan spotted the convenience store at the entrance, he seemed to have a sudden thought and sighed.

“Ah, let’s stop by the convenience store.”

“At the convenience store? Why?” 

“We’re out of condoms.” 

When she heard him mention condoms, she furrowed her brows and looked at him. 

“What? We can’t have s*x without that, OK?” 

“Y-You’re crazy; what are you talking about…?” 

“Just buy the condoms so we can head back home.” 

“What would they say? Who would I even use the condom with, right?” 

Flustered, Jia took a few steps back, her face turning red. 

“…You’re such a pervert.” 

“So, does that make you a perverted girlfriend?” 

“What are you talking about? You’re still not my boyfriend!”

“Not yet? Then you will be soon, right?”

“Ugh…”

Realizing she had misspoken, Jia lowered her flushed face and hurried into the apartment. 

“Hey, Jia. Are you going in first?”

Seeing her head toward the apartment instead of the convenience store, Ethan called out loudly, 

“Got it, babe! I’ll just grab the condoms and come right up, so you go wash up first!” 

Startled by his loud voice, Jia looked around in shock. Fortunately, there was no one else nearby.

‘That… that crazy guy.’ 

‘There are so many people in Korea who speak English!’ 

Jia hurriedly covered her face, trying to act as if she wasn’t with Ethan as she rushed inside. Meanwhile, Ethan was heading to the convenience store, seemingly determined to buy condoms. 

Her heart raced unnecessarily, thumping wildly in her chest. As she arrived home and made her way to the bathroom, Jia thought. 

‘I’m not washing up just because Ethan told me to.’ 

She had just gotten home and needed to clean up. There was no way she was going to do anything inappropriate with Ethan. 

Trying to convince herself, she washed herself thoroughly. But before she could dry herself with a towel, she was startled when the bathroom door swung open.

“Hey! Knock first!”

“Oh, sorry. ”

Ethan pulled several boxes of condoms from the black bag in his hand and smiled brightly.

“So, babe, did you clean up down there?”

“W- Who’s your babe? Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Why, you like it, don’t you?”

Normally, Jia would have protested loudly and denied any enjoyment, but today the words simply wouldn’t come out. She looked away awkwardly, her lips moving silently.

“Just go away.”

“Why?”

“If we’re going to do anything, let’s do it on the bed.”

Jia muttered as she stepped out of the bathroom.

“The last time we did it here, I thought I was going to die from exhaustion.”