My deep soul

Chapter 20

The physician’s room smelled faintly of herbs and clean cloth. Jinyoen hummed softly to herself as she organized the vials, wiping the shelves with precise, practiced movements. But the moment she heard footsteps in the corridor—measured, unhurried, confident—her body froze.

The door creaked open, and there he was.

Jidiwi stepped inside with a smile that seemed too bright, too careless for the storm he had caused in her heart the night before. He looked almost smug, as though he had been waiting for this very moment.

Jinyoen’s first instinct was to shut the door in his face. She reached for it quickly, but his hand caught the edge before it closed.

“Did you sleep well?” His voice carried a teasing lilt. “You look like you did. I didn’t even get a wink.” His gaze slid over her, lingering just a second too long.

Her throat tightened, but she forced herself to keep her composure. “What brings you here?” she asked, stepping back, as if the distance between them could erase the memory of his lips on hers.

“What brings me here…” His grin widened, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes. “…is our little moment last night.”

The words hit her like a strike to the chest. Her pulse quickened, but she kept her face firm. “If you’re here to apologize, it’s accepted.”

His brows rose. “Apologize?”

“Yes. People apologize when they’ve done something wrong.” She spoke sharply, almost too quickly. Her hand brushed against the table beside her, fingers curling around one of her acupuncture needles—just in case.

Jidiwi tilted his head, studying her with a kind of boyish defiance. “What did I do wrong?”

Her eyes narrowed, her jaw tight. “If kissing me wasn’t your mistake, then what was it? You don’t know me well, but if I had been in my right mind yesterday, I would have killed you.”

The words were harsh, but her heart stuttered inside her chest. 'Why did my body freeze instead of fighting him off? Why do I still feel it?'

“Let’s just say it never happened. Agree?” she added, trying to sound final, but her voice betrayed the faintest tremor.

“Pretend it never happened?” Jidiwi repeated, his smile softening into something quieter, more dangerous. He took a step closer, eyes fixed on her as if daring her to deny what had sparked between them.

Her grip tightened on the needle. “Stop right there,” she warned, her voice steady but her chest heaving. “Don’t forget I’m a physician. I know pressure points that can make your manhood useless. I’ll press one if I have to.”

For a moment, his smirk faltered—but instead of retreating, he shook his head, almost amused. “You’d really do that to me?”

“Try me.”

But he didn’t stop. Another step. Another heartbeat closer.

Her patience snapped. In one swift movement, she jabbed the needle into the point on his thigh.

Jidiwi froze, eyes widening as his leg gave way under him. He stared at her, shock flashing across his face. “You—” His voice cut off as he realized he couldn’t move properly.

Jinyoen pulled her hand back calmly, though her heart was racing. “You won’t be able to move for a bit,” she said, voice even, though her ears burned. She leaned closer, meeting his eyes with fire. “Next time, I’ll press the actual point. Then you’ll be a useless man.”

For a moment, neither moved. His breath came heavier, not from the needle, but from the sting of her rejection. He wanted to laugh at her boldness, wanted to curse at his own helplessness—but above all, he wanted her.