From Now On, A Marriage Proposal Is The Only Way To Survive - Chapter 70
Shouldn’t I try to get closer for the sake of my college life and relationships with classmates…?
“I heard there are a lot of group projects in the business department…”
Muttering quietly, Shin-Yeon was about to turn notifications back on for the group chat he had muted earlier when he felt a gaze from the side and turned his head.
Under the shadow cast by a hoodie and cap, he caught sight of blue eyes.
From the high bridge of the nose, the color of the eyes, and the deep eye sockets, he guessed the guy was either mixed-race or a Korean of foreign descent.
Maybe I should try to befriend him so we can do group projects together?
“…Hi?”
Already used to intimidating atmospheres thanks to his in-laws, Shin-Yeon awkwardly greeted Han Tae-Young, who was staring at him with arms crossed.
Han Tae-Young, who had been staring back, gave the slightest nod.
It wasn’t exactly a greeting, but it wasn’t a rejection either. Then, Han Tae-Young turned his head away.
…Yeah, he’s fully committed to the loner route.
Once introductions ended, the professor told them to have their textbooks ready for the next class, and the first lecture was over.
“Haa…”
Only then did Shin-Yeon relax and take in his surroundings.
“Hi!”
“Oh, hi!”
Classmates were exchanging greetings all around and building connections.
But no one came up to greet Shin-Yeon first.
After hesitating, he checked his schedule and stood up. His next lecture was on the fourth floor.
As he was slinging his crossbody bag over his shoulder and leaving the classroom—
“Hey, is that the latest release from H Company?”
Park Kyung-Joo, the stunning beauty who had drawn everyone’s attention earlier, approached him while looking at his bag.
It was a recently released bag that had only just come into the country, and the camel color Shin-Yeon had was not yet widely available.
The gold accents made it look even more luxurious. Kyung-Joo’s eyes scanned over his clothes too—every piece was from ultra high-end brands rarely seen.
“It was a gift from an elder. I don’t really know much about brands. Sorry.”
Flustered, Shin-Yeon answered hesitantly. Kyung-Joo, having quickly assessed him, nodded.
“So you’re the real deal—a chaebol.”
Is this bag really that expensive? He had just picked a light bag for the first day of classes.
While Shin-Yeon was glancing at the gift bag from his mother-in-law, Ha Min-Seon—
“Excuse me, coming through.”
Hwang Bo-Yoon exited toward the door, passing between them.
Taking the opportunity, Shin-Yeon said goodbye to Kyung-Joo and quickly walked down the hallway while messaging Kyo-Shin.
[Shin-Yeon: Is the bag Mother gave me very expensive?]
[My Husband♥: No. Why? Do you want it in another color? I can order one for you.]
[Shin-Yeon: No, someone just asked and I got curious.]
As he exchanged messages and headed to the fourth floor, he noticed Han Tae-Young passing by.
Almost as tall as Kyo-Shin, Han Tae-Young gave him a brief glance before darting up to the next floor.
Arriving in the fourth-floor lecture hall, Shin-Yeon sat toward the back, clutching his bag to his chest.
Even if Honey says it’s not expensive, it’s definitely pricey.
Kyung-Joo’s reaction had convinced him.
“What group are you from?”
It was then that Kyung-Joo, apparently in the same class, sat beside him with a glint in her eyes.
“What?”
“I’ve kept it secret from the others, but… I’m the daughter of the president of the Paris Palace Hotel, a subsidiary of the Paris Group.”
Wait, isn’t the Paris Group the company where that omega Kyo-Shin once had a blind date with works?
Surprised by her words, Shin-Yeon hesitated before replying softly.
“This is a secret too… but I’m from Seolgang Group.”
He’d blurted it out without meaning to talk about his in-laws.
Despite her doll-like beauty, Kyung-Joo was quite easygoing. She tapped his arm and held out her phone.
“Let’s exchange numbers. I’m Park Kyung-Joo.”
“I’m Kim Shin-Yeon.”
As they exchanged contacts, Kyung-Joo paused, staring at him with a conspiratorial expression.
“Classmates should keep each other’s secrets. I’ll keep yours, so you keep mine. Let’s be friends who share secrets.”
“Okay.”
Kyung-Joo saved his number and returned to her group.
As Shin-Yeon glanced around the room, his eyes landed on Han Tae-Young sitting far away—when someone sat down beside him.
“Mind if I sit here?”
It was Hwang Bo-Yoon, who had already sat down and was now smiling while holding out his phone.
“I saw you exchanging numbers with her. Let’s swap too. I’m Hwang Bo-Yoon—just call me Yoon. You’re Shin-Yeon, right? Let’s get along from now on.”
The friendly, handsome Yoon naturally took down Shin-Yeon’s number and lightly bumped his shoulder.
“Believe it or not, I actually worked up the courage to talk to you. I’m more introverted than I look, so I’m not great at making friends.”
“I’m kind of like that too. I can do it when I have to, but… most of the time it’s hard to make friends.”
Having used up a year’s worth of extroversion flirting with Seo Kyo-Shin, Shin-Yeon scratched his cheek with a finger.
“So I’m also looking for classmates whose personalities match mine. I get the feeling you and I would get along.”
Hwang Bo-Yoon tilted his head slightly and gave a smiling glance as Shin-Yeon saved his number.
“Shin-Yeon, you’re really pale.”
“Huh?”
Hwang Bo-Yoon reached out to him. Running his fingers through Shin-Yeon’s sleek black hair, he said,
“Small, fair, and pretty.”
“Uh…”
When Shin-Yeon tried to subtly lean away in surprise, Hwang Bo-Yoon chuckled playfully and explained,
“Oh, I wasn’t flirting to date you. Kitten—no, I just meant you’re cute as a friend. Sorry if it made you uncomfortable. I’m kind of clumsy with words.”
At his request for understanding, Shin-Yeon hesitated but eventually nodded.
***
Once the semester began, Shin-Yeon was quite busy.
He applied for a personal locker in the business school and bought the required textbooks from the campus bookstore, now in the middle of carrying them over to the business building.
“Did I buy too many at once? Ugh, they’re heavy.”
With the thick books stuffed in his bag, slung on his back, and some cradled in his arms, he finally understood why Kyo-Shin kept telling him to get his driver’s license quickly.
Of course, the fact that the campus bookstore was far from the business school made transporting the books even more of a hassle.
“Hoo…”
Catching his breath, Shin-Yeon glanced at the clothes he was wearing, a slightly troubled expression on his face.
Until recently, the only brands he knew were popular sportswear labels—but thanks to Park Kyung-Joo, he had learned about luxury brands.
The clothes, bags, and shoes he received from his in-laws, including Kyo-Shin, were all extremely expensive.
This kind of thing only stands out to people who really care about fashion. Most wouldn’t even notice, since there’s no logo.
Kyung-Joo had warned him to refuse if anyone asked to borrow clothes or accessories and to keep them safe from theft.
If someone’s well-off and also naïve, the really bad types will latch on to them and make trouble. If anyone shows interest in your things and asks to borrow or try them on, just firmly say no.
“Should I just buy some new clothes?”
It bothered him to hear that, but it felt wrong not to wear the gifts his in-laws had carefully chosen because they thought they suited him.
Besides, he genuinely liked them and thought it would be a waste not to wear them.
“Eh, I’ll just say I don’t know if someone asks, and keep wearing them.”
Vroom—
Just then, as Shin-Yeon was struggling along with his load of books, a large black motorcycle slowly pulled up beside him.
When he turned his head, Han Tae-Young lifted the visor of his helmet and said,
“Looks heavy. Want me to carry it for you?”
“Really? I’ll buy you a drink!”
The bike didn’t have a passenger seat, but it did have side bags, so it could carry his load. Tae-Young jerked his chin toward the side bag.
“Put the books in the side bag and give me your backpack.”
“Wow, these were really heavy. Thanks.”
Though he rarely spoke at school, Tae-Young actually chatted with Shin-Yeon—who was a bit of an outsider among their classmates—and they had grown closer.
Their personalities meshed, and conversation flowed better than expected, so Shin-Yeon also made an effort to keep their friendship going.
He put the textbooks in the side bag and handed his backpack to Tae-Young.
With the backpack slung loosely over both arms, Tae-Young lowered his visor and set off for the business school.
“Ah, I can breathe again!”
Free from the burden of the books, Shin-Yeon stretched his shoulders and walked lightly toward the business building.
In the business school parking lot, Tae-Young—now helmet off—stood as usual in a cap, hoodie, and mask.
“Tae-Young, thanks.”
“Don’t be lazy and buy everything at once. Get one or two at a time. You trying to wreck your back?”
Retrieving the books from the side bag and handing them over, Tae-Young scolded him while also carrying the bag himself.
“It just sort of happened. Did you get all your textbooks?”
Having followed the crowd in buying them, Shin-Yeon hugged the stack to his chest with an embarrassed smile.
Tae-Young, about to pat his head, hesitated. Removing his motorcycle gloves and stowing them in the side bag, he looked at his own large hands and clenched them. Being so tall, he knew his presence could feel intimidating.
He’d probably be scared.
But Shin-Yeon suddenly seemed to think of something.
“Oh! Forget the drink—if you’ve got time, want to grab lunch?”
“Not if it’s the cafeteria.”
Catching up to walk alongside him, Shin-Yeon asked,
“I’m not big on cafeteria food either. Have you ever had Indian food? I’m curious about curry and some of the other dishes, but it feels awkward to go alone.”
“Indian food… Indian curry’s different from the kind of curry you’re used to.”
Planning to refuse if it was something ordinary, Tae-Young instead gave him a look of interest at the unexpected suggestion.
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Hiyuuu
MC is an alpha magnet. Hahahaha. I’m not doubting Mr. Chameleon if he suddenly went full psycho mode. 😂