The Substitute Wife

CHAPTER 178

Too many changes had taken place in the past 10 years, and Park Jimin wasn't sure if the book rental store was still around, but he decided to give it a shot and led Rosè Jang toward where it used to be. Rosè Jang had loved that store; however, it was no longer a book rental store, but an actual retail bookstore.

A large advertisement was erected at the door promoting a recently published book titled Back Then, I Adored You. Park Jimin was familiar with the author because he had seen Rosè Jang flipping through another book at home by the same author—Ye Feiye.

Rosè Jang was puzzled about why Park Jimin had brought her to this bookstore. Park Jimin didn't explain and merely took her hand again and took her inside. When they reached a corner, they saw a stash of old books. Most of the covers had rotted, and the pages inside were torn.

"Jimin, why are you looking at these old books?" Rosè Jang could not help asking as she stood watching Park Jimin squat down and flip through them.

Without answering, he continued to search patiently and, after a long time, stood up holding two books. He handed them to Rosè Jang. "I can only find these two books. I bet the other one has been discarded."

"Why are you giving them to me?" Rosè Jang asked curiously. When she saw that Park Jimin had no intention of responding, she took the books and read the titles—Mister, Please Love Me and Devil Teacher, You're Really Naughty.

Park Jimin watched Rosè Jang staring at the books without any reaction and, as if reminiscing, said, "Girls who are slightly dirty-minded are cute!"

After hearing this, Rosè Jang finally understood what was going on. She lifted her head and glared at Park Jimin. "So, the reason why you laughed that day was not because of the person who was on the phone with you—It was because you had heard what I said!"

Park Jimin raised his eyebrows. He reclaimed the books in her hands and tossed them back in the corner. Then, he took her hand and led her out of the bookstore. Once outside, Rosè Jang suddenly took a step forward and stood in front of Park Jimin. Her dark eyes were wide open as she asked happily, "Jimin , had you already started paying attention to me at that time?"

Park Jimin , who had been exposed, furrowed his eyebrows. He answered stiffly, "What are you talking about?" Then he released her hand and took two steps toward the car before emphasizing, "I just happened to hear that."

If the young Park Jimin had no interest in girls back then, how could he possibly have just "happened to" have overheard my conversation with my friends? Explaining is concealing, and the only thing worth concealing is the truth. He must have already started paying attention to me by that time...

This realization made Rosè Jang feel sweet all over. She chased after Park Jimin and, when she reached him, she tugged at his collar and continued saying, "Yes, yes, it was just a coincidence. You just 'happened to' hear that."

...

It was still early when they returned to the car. Park Jimin and Rosè Jang went to the theater where they had had two dates in the past and watched a literary film. When they came out, they drove to Chen's for dinner.

When they left Chen's, it was already after 9:00 p.m. Park Jimin and Rosè Jang strolled down the pedestrian street hand in hand and walked toward the parking lot. There was still a long line at the bubble tea shop where Park Jimin used to buy her drinks. When they walked past the cafe where Park Jimin had shot a robber using Lee Taemin's gun, Rosè Jang couldn't help but ask, "Jimin, why did you choose to enlist in the military back then?"

Why did I choose to enlist in the military? This is a question I find very difficult to answer. Every hot-blooded male once dreamed of saving the world. I guess I wanted to be a world hero back then. After entering the military, I watched the documentary on the Hongseong earthquake and witnessed the horrors of the Wenchuan earthquake on television. I also learned about the terrorists who killed innocent people at the Kunming Railway Station during Spring Festival two years ago...