THE LITTLE BRAT'S SWEET AND SASSY 11

The night self-learning program in Busan Second Senior High School ended at 9:00 p.m. The Lee family’s mansion was located less than half an hour’s drive away from the school. The journey would not take more than 40 minutes even if one were to travel on a public bus. However, it was now past 11:30 p.m.! It was only Jungkook first day at school yet he had already come home late. How could Son Ye-jin not be upset?

Jungkook

(He simply reacted to the latter’s rage with nonchalance.) “Something came up all of a sudden.”

Then, he turned around, intending to head upstairs. Son Ye-jin jumped to her feet.

Son Ye-jin

“Something came up all of a sudden? Do you mean you went out with a hooligan?!”

Jungkook looked over her shoulder to throw the woman an indifferent glance. A shudder passed through Son Ye-jin instantly. However, this feeling was immediately replaced by the fury rising inside her. People at the Lee family’s mansion grew concerned when Jungkook was not home at the expected time. It was not until So-hee made a few calls to her friends that they learned Jungkook had left with a hooligan on a bike after the night self-learning program ended.

Son Ye-jin

"You’re mixing with such bad people at this young age. Is this how your grandma raised you?!”

Jungkook

(He wrapped his fingers around the bag strap over his shoulder. His beautiful eyes exuded an oppressing indifference instantly!) “You out of all people can’t say that.”

Everyone else could criticize Jungkook on his upbringing, but not Son Ye-jin! The latter coughed drily all of a sudden. She felt suffocated being placed under that intense, piercing stare. She pointed a shaking finger at Jungkook.

Son Ye-jin

“You!”

Footsteps were heard shuffling upstairs. Lee So-hee walked out of her room dressed in a pure cotton nightgown. She poked her head over to look at what was happening downstairs. Upon seeing Jungkook silhouette, she heaved a sigh of relief and spoke in a soft voice.

Lee So-Hee

“Brother Jungkook, you’re finally back. Mom has been waiting for you all night in the living room.”

Lee So-Hee

(Her gaze swept past Jungkook and landed on Son Ye-jin.) “Mom, what matters is that Brother Jungkook is safe. Please don’t get upset.”

Jungkook

“Why wouldn’t I be?” <questioned.>

Hearing that, some might think that he was out doing horrible crimes.

Jungkook

“Was it you who said I’ve been out spending time with a hooligan?”

Lee So-Hee

(She pursed her lips). “Brother Jungkook, I didn’t say that.”

Son Ye-jin

“Jungkook! Don’t shoot the messenger!”

Son Ye-jin

( She took a long inhale.) “Were you planning to keep lying if Lil soso hadn’t asked around?!”

Jungkook

(He felt like laughing out loud.) “I didn’t plan to keep anything from anyone. Even though it looks like Lee So-hee didn’t find out about the whole picture.

Jungkook

“I’m not bothered by what you say about me, but the Hwang family probably isn’t going to be pleased to hear you calling Hwang Hyunjin a hooligan.”

Both Ye-jin and So-hee froze.

Son Ye-jin

“What? What do you mean?!” (Confusion washed over her face.)

Hwang Hyunjin? From the Hwang family? That powerful and influential Hwang family of Busan? Hwang Hyunjin was the family’s only son, and he was infamous for being arrogant and wild. How would Jungkook get to know him? Thinking that the boy must be lying, Son Ye-jin scoffed.

Son Ye-jin

“Jungkook, do you think you can get out of this by using his name? Does he even know who you are?!”

So-hee silently grabbed onto the stair’s railing for support. She heard from a friend that Jungkook was picked up by a young man in a motorbike after school. Her informant had no idea who the young man was and So-hee did not enquire further either. Unexpectedly, Jungkook claimed that young man to be Hwang Hyunjin? However, she remembered that Hwang Hyunjin did like riding a motorbike… Besides,Jungkook who was new in town, would not have said the man’s name if they did not actually know each other. Jungkook was uninterested in their reactions. he was too tired today to waste his breath arguing with these two. If bringing up Hyunjin was not convincing enough... he lifted his eyes to look at So-hee, who now appeared tense.

Jungkook

“Besides Hwang Hyunjin, I was also accompanied by Jung Ho-seok and Kim Taehyung,” (he simply said.)

A pin-drop silence fell upon the entire villa. If the women were not persuaded before, surely mentioning these two names would change their minds. Most importantly, these two men had visited the Lee family’s mansion not long ago, hence they actually knew Jungkook. he would not be foolish enough to lie about these men. Son Ye-jin parted her lips. Thanks to Lee Cheng, she now shuddered each time at the sound of Kim Taehyung name. So-hee suddenly recalled the elegant, nonchalant look on that man’s face the other day as he leaned casually against the doorframe. He seemed like someone way out of her league. However, Jungkook just said that they had spent time together? An inexplicable feeling materialized in her heart as she clenched her hands into fists subconsciously.

Lee So-Hee

(She asked tentatively) “BrotherJungkook, I heard the two of them have such busy schedules that many people have to wait months to meet them. Did you just bump into each other by chance?”

The innocence on her face made it look like she had simply asked out of curiosity.

Jungkook

(He narrowed his eyes before replying) “I can make a call if you don’t believe me.”

Then, he retrieved his phone and dialed into it a series of numbers. … Ring, ring. The phone began vibrating. Taehyung was resting in the front passenger seat with his eyes closed. His handsome face frowned slightly. The unrest between his brows hinted that he might be having a nightmare. The noise interrupted his restless sleep. His eyes opened gradually. A hint of redness could be seen hidden deep beneath his deep-set eyes. Not unlike a rose that was struggling out of its cage in the dark. It was extremely dangerous, yet exuded a fatal attraction from within that lured others in subconsciously. He fished out the phone from his pocket. It showed an unknown number. Jhope appeared surprised at the sight.

Jhope

“Who’s this person calling your private number?”

Taehyung had two numbers. One that he gave out to the public and the other which he kept private. Only the few closest to him knew about the private number. He made an effort to save those few people into his contacts. Evidently, he was not familiar with this number. Taehyung looked at the number for a few seconds before accepting the call, almost out of a hunch. In the next second, a young boy voice sounded from the speaker.

Jungkook

“Hello? Second Master Kim?”

For some reason, his voice sounded exceptionally sweet over the phone. All of a sudden, Taehyung felt something softening in his heart. He straightened up in the seat. The frustration and dangerous intention between his brows vanished silently, and so did the redness

Kim Taehyung

“Hmm?” (he replied casually. His hoarse voice was laced with patience.)

Jungkook explained the situation briefly.

Kim Taehyung

(He chuckled.) “Alright. Pass the phone over to her.”

He handed the phone over to Ye-jin. The latter remained skeptical. She accidentally pressed the loudspeaker button while receiving the phone. Taehyung low, lazy voice sounded loud and clear.

Kim Taehyung

“Madam Lee, it’s true that Kookie was with me tonight.”

Kookie Everyone was stunned into silence upon hearing that. Both Ye-jin and So-hee turned to look at Jungkook subconsciously. Taehyung had such an endearing nickname for his after seeing him twice? It was as if they had known each other for a long time. Jungkook seemed slightly surprised as well. What was Taehyung...

Kim Taehyung

“I happened to pass by Busan Second Senior High School and gave him a lift. It’s not really safe for a young people like him to walk home alone at this time of the night.”

His tone was distant when speaking to Ye-jin, not unlike his usual elegant indifference. It was completely different from the casual, friendly tone he spoke with when he first answered the phone. Ye-jin felt perspiration forming on the hand that was holding the phone. She was certainly a senior to Kim Taehyung who was only 21 this year. However, for some reason, she could not help feeling like an invisible weight was on her shoulders when she spoke to this man. An awkward burst of laughter escaped her lips.

Son Ye-jin

“I see, Second Master Kim. Hearing that he was with you earlier gives me some reassurance. This child has only moved to this place a few days ago. he didn’t inform us that he was coming home late and that’s why we were—”

Kim Taehyung

“he’s new to this place yet Madam Lee isn’t concerned about letting her walk home alone. The Lee family must be so busy lately that you can’t even give her a ride.” (He simply said.)

A flurry of emotions chased across Ye-jin features. Indeed, he had to be more thoughtful since it was only Jungkook first day at school. Well, he had sent the driver over to pick up So-hee. Besides, the boy proposed to go home alone. How could this be their fault? It sounded as if Kim Taehyung was blaming them for being bad parents.

Son Ye-jin

“Second Master Kim, there was a miscommunication today. Most importantly, it’s because Lil Soso…” (She lifted her eyes to look at Jungkook and quickly frowned.) “I’ll send someone over to pick him up at the right time starting tomorrow. Anyway, sorry to have troubled you today, Second Master Kim.”

Frankly, she was not bold enough to challenge KimTaehyung. The man smiled.

Kim Taehyung

“It’s no trouble at all.”

Jungkook took his phone and thanked the man before ending the call.

Jungkook

(He threw a nonchalant glance at Ye-jin.) “Do you have other questions? If you don’t, I’ll head upstairs.”

Ye-jin felt a tightening feeling in the chest. She came to realize that Jungkook did not respect her as a mother at all. It appeared the boy had taken on the mission to go against her in everything. Evidently, the boy was not actually asking for her permission. he left the living room before waiting for Ye-jin to answer. Upstairs, Jungkook was walking past So-hee. Suddenly, the former paused in his tracks and said flatly without looking back.

Jungkook

“Remember to get the full picture in the future. It can save you from embarrassment.”

All color was drained from So-hee face. By then, Jungkook had already returned to his room.

Son Ye-jin

(She was enraged.) “Where did he get that poor temper from?!”

So-hee remained silent as she stared at the closed door. Emotions washed over her like waves. Perhaps it was just her imagination, but it seemed like Kim Taehyung … was protective over this brother of hers who had appeared out of nowhere.

After entering his bedroom, Jungkook had just sat down when his phone vibrated. Out of his expectation, Kim Taehyung was calling. After a brief moment of hesitation, he picked up the call.

Jungkook

“Second Master Kim, how can I help?”

The man looked out of the car window. The streetlights illuminated his eyes, revealing their mysterious intention.

Kim Taehyung

(He curled his thin lips into a smile.) “Nothing much. I just forgot to ask you something earlier.”

Jungkook

“What is it?” (He was baffled. he thought everything had been sorted.)

The man chuckled softly. It sounded as if he had laughed right next to his ear. he could not help rubbing her ear to relieve the ticklish sensation. Then, he heard him asking casually.

Kim Taehyung

“How did you get my phone number?”

Jungkook froze in his movements. A heavy silence fell upon the room. he did not answer right away. Taehyung waited patiently on the other end of the phone. The rhythm of their breathing was the only noise that entered the speaker. This was the first time he experienced unease after being reborn. How could he have forgotten this?! Taehyung gave him this phone number in his past life. It completely slipped his mind when he naturally phoned him earlier. What should he reply?! The man was admiring the scenery outside the window. It was not difficult for him to imagine the embarrassment on her face right now. Silently, his lips formed a smile as his brows softened.

Kim Taehyung

“Alright, from now on, remember to call this number first if you need anything.”

he seemed a little distracted. It was not the first time he had heard him say this. The only difference was he thought he was just being polite the last time. That was why she had only called the number once until the day he died. However, given what happened today, it seemed that… Kim Taehyung was being serious? He had surely helped him many times. Even if they were just acquaintances. Jungkook felt he should not always trouble the man, especially after he had received so much assistance from him before. Nonetheless, he had to reply to the man.

Jungkook

“Okay.”

Satisfied, Kim Taehyung put his phone away. He turned over his head to meet Jhope curious gaze.

Kim Taehyung

He raised an eyebrow. “What?”

Jhope

(He raised his chin slightly.) “So? How did he get your phone number?”

Kim Taehyung

(He stretched his long legs, raised his eyebrows, and smiled.) “I gave it to him, of course.”

Jhope

“...” (He was speechless.)

Jhope

💭‘So why did you ask him then?!

Jhope

💭‘How did I not realize this man is so annoying before?’

Jhope

(He considered this briefly.) “Hang on, I was there both times you met this Jungkook boy. How could I not have noticed when you gave out your number?”

Not to mention that Taehyung had given out his private number. The man could not be bothered to reply. Jhope noticed the joy in his friend’s eyes and silently felt bad for all the socialites and young ladies and boys in the capital. Upon thinking that Kim Taehyung had gone to Xiaosong Hill with him today, he loosened his tie.

Jhope

“Old Master Kim gave me an order. No matter what happens, I’m to bring you to Doctor Choi when he arrives at tomorrow.”

Taehyung had refused the last time, but Old Master Kim was equally stubborn too. The latter had insisted the doctor come over and instructed Jhope to bring his grandson over no matter what. Jhope did not think to take this seriously, but he became extremely concerned after what happened with Taehyung today. If his condition continued to worsen… Taehyung closed his eyes. His slender finger tapped on the black hair tie around his wrist. A faint fragrance filled his nostrils.

Kim Taehyung

“No one knows my health better than I do.” (Besides, he had already found the cure)

Jungkook dreamed again tonight, thanks to the last phone call with Taehyung. In his dreams, countless fragments of memories came flooding his mind without making much sense. When he woke up the next morning, he plopped himself on the bed for a while to collect his thoughts. After changing into the school uniform, he subconsciously reached out to grab his backpack. Out of the corners of his eyes, he saw the stack of reference books he had removed from the backpack last night. he remained silent for a brief moment. Finally, he gave in to fate and put the books back into the backpack. Jungkook and So-hee walked into the room one after the other. The noisy classroom suddenly fell silent. The former came to his assigned seat. he was pushing his backpack inside the desk drawer when he felt something on the inside. Startled, he reached in to take out whatever was inside. Out came a stash of love letters.