CHAPTER 130: SIT ON MY BACK

The next morning

Yeri rose early, she wanted to thank Shin for allowing Lianna to stay, but also to let him know she’d be taking her home. Staying here for no important reason wasn’t good and might only create issues.

Butler Hong, ever polite, led her across the hall. "The young master often trains in the gym on weekend mornings," he explained with a small smile.

"Thank you," Yeri replied softly, clutching her hands together.

She pushed open the gym door only to immediately freeze.

Shin was on the treadmill. Shirtless.

Sweat glistened across his skin, muscles flexing with each stride. The light pouring from the tall windows carved sharp shadows along his body, every line honed and precise like a sculpture.

Yeri’s face heated instantly. The memory of the gazebo incident flashed in her mind and how close she had been to him then, how flustered she had felt. Instinct screamed at her to retreat before he noticed.

But Shin was already looking.

He slowed, jumped off the treadmill, and grabbed a towel. "It’s the weekend. You woke up early." His gaze lingered on her. "Something?"

Yeri quickly focused on his face, forcing her eyes not to wander. "It’s nothing urgent. I’ll tell you later. Continue what you’re doing."

Shin rubbed the towel over his damp hair, unbothered. "It’s fine. You can tell me."

Her throat went dry. Did he not realize? A girl couldn’t just stand here and talk to a man like him while he casually wiped sweat off his chest.

Inwardly, Yeri scolded him. He knows she’s attracted to him physically, doesn’t he? Is he doing this on purpose, flaunting himself like this?

A dangerous thought crept in, before, she had always kept her distance, and maintain a polite stance, refusing to let herself be pulled deeper into this troublesome man’s orbit.

But now... now they were getting engaged. Did she even need to hold back anymore?

"Yeri?" Shin’s voice broke her thoughts. His dark eyes studied her, suspicious of her absentmindedness.

She blinked rapidly and waved her hands. "No, no...it’s really not important. I’ll come back later."

But Shin caught her wrist before she could leave. His grip was firm, his voice soft. "Whatever you say is important to me. What is it?"

Yeri’s heart skipped. She forced herself to look only at his face. ’Don’t look down, don’t look down,’ she repeated in her head.

Otherwise she might actually lunge at him and poke those abs.

Clearing her throat, she said quickly, "I... I came to tell you I’ll be leaving today with Sister Lianna. She’ll stay at my house for the time being."

She waved her other hand dismissively, pretending she wasn’t also waving away her shameless thoughts.

Shin’s eyes darkened. "Is it because of the old woman last night? I’ll tell Butler Hong not to let her or anyone bother you again. You can stay here comfortably with that woman."

Yeri shook her head furiously. "No, it’s not that. My parents wouldn’t allow me to stay here for long. And even if you don’t mind, Sister Lianna would feel uncomfortable, especially with Dr. Neri’s villa nearby."

Shin didn’t like it, but he knew she had a point. "Fine. But stay for today. I’ll take both of you back this afternoon."

Relieved, Yeri nodded quickly and turned to leave before her restraint broke.

But Shin stopped her again. "Since you’re here, help me with the weights. I usually do push-ups with weights on my back, but Tristan borrowed them and hasn’t returned them yet."

Yeri blinked. "Weights? How do I help?"

Shin dropped to the floor in perfect form. "Simple. I’ll do push-ups. You sit on my back."

Her brain short-circuited. Sit on his back?

He had to be seducing her. No man could say that so casually without knowing exactly what it meant.

And Tristan? Borrowing weights? Yeri wanted to laugh. With all his money, couldn’t he buy ten gyms? Clearly, Shin just wanted an excuse.

"Yeri," Shin prompted, already in position.

Her face went crimson. She stared at his broad back, every muscle taut, his shoulders flexed and waiting. Heat rushed to her head, and she was sure she’d nosebleed any second.

But before she could talk herself out of it, she moved.

Carefully, awkwardly, she sat on his back.

And instantly regretted it.

His body was so warm, the heat seeping through her clothes, wrapping around her. Her hands trembled as she balanced herself.

"Alright," Shin muttered, voice steady. "Just hold still. Don’t worry about your weight. I can handle it."

’But I can’t!’ Yeri screamed inwardly.

She wanted to shout at him that this was no ordinary exercise, that he was absolutely doing this on purpose just like the time he had leapt into the pond wearing only a towel.

Her face burned hotter, her thoughts spiraled.

He’s not training. He’s killing her!

Shin lowered himself with ease, then pushed back up, his movements steady and controlled.

Yeri, clinging to his shoulders for balance, felt her entire body stiffen. The sensation of his muscles shifting beneath her was almost too much.

He’s really doing it... with her on his back...

Her face burned brighter with each push-up. She didn’t even know where to look anymore. Staring down at him felt indecent. Staring away only made her more aware of the warmth under her.

"Are you comfortable?" Shin asked suddenly, his voice calm but faintly amused.

Yeri nearly slipped off. "W–What kind of question is that?!"

"I mean," Shin said evenly, lowering himself again, "you look tense. Relax. You’ll make it harder to balance."

Relax? Was he insane? How could she relax while sitting on him like this?

"I can get off," Yeri blurted.

"Don’t." His tone brooked no argument. "Stay still."

Yeri froze. Her hands curled tightly on his shoulders. ’Why does he sound like he’s commanding me, not asking?’

Shin pushed himself up again, deliberately slow, the muscles of his back flexing under her hands.

Yeri swallowed hard. Her brain screamed, Don’t think about it, don’t think about it!

But her palms itched, and before she realized it, she brushed her fingers lightly against his shoulder.

Warm. Firm. Strong.

Shin stilled mid-push-up, his head turning slightly as if he’d felt that fleeting touch.

Yeri yanked her hand back as if burned. "I–It’s just sweat! I was checking if... if you’re tired!"

He gave her a look that made her want to melt into the floor. "Do I look tired?"

She glanced at his broad back, his effortless pace. Not even a drop of weakness. "...No."

"Good," Shin said smoothly, resuming his push-ups without pause.

Yeri puffed her cheeks, embarrassed. She wanted to get off, but she also didn’t want him to think she was weak.

So she sat still, counting silently in her head.

By the time he hit forty, her thighs were trembling, not from weight, but from the sheer strain of sitting so stiffly.

When Shin finally stopped, lowering himself flat against the mat, Yeri exhaled in relief and scrambled off his back.

"Done?" she asked, too quickly.

Shin rolled onto his back, one arm behind his head, breathing steady. "I was only warming up."

Yeri stared. "...That was warming up?!"

He smirked, eyes glinting. "If you’re willing, we can continue."

Her face flamed. "N–No thank you! I’m not some... exercise tool!"

"Who said you’re a tool?" Shin drawled lazily, his gaze never leaving hers. "You’re motivation."

Yeri’s heart skipped violently.

This villain...!

She turned sharply, storming toward the door, trying to escape before her knees gave out.

Behind her, Shin chuckled lowly, the sound rich and amused.

Before Yeri could even touch the doorknob, she froze. Behind her, Shin’s deep voice muttered lowly, almost as if he was speaking to himself, "Whatever happened to the brazen woman I met for the first time in that bar?"

Yeri’s back stiffened. Heat crept up her neck.

That night, oh heavens, yes, she had been bold. She had leaned into him, teased him, even seduced him. But that was only because she was drunk, her inhibitions floating away with every glass she downed.

At that time, she had thought it would be their first and last meeting, nothing more than a fleeting night with a man who looked like her ideal type. She hadn’t known his name, much less his frightening prominence. She only wanted to taste a bit of freedom, check off her reckless fantasy list, and then wave him goodbye the next morning.

Except fate clearly had other plans. Instead of goodbye, she got shackled to him in ways she never imagined, tangled up in his world, his mess, his intensity and now standing at the threshold of something serious she wasn’t sure she had signed up for.

Annoyed, Yeri spun around. "What did you just say?"

Shin, clearly pleased that his bait had worked, rose smoothly from his mat. His eyes glimmered like he’d just won a private game.

"I’m just saying... back then, you didn’t care about anything. You just said whatever you wanted, did whatever you wanted."

Yeri arched a brow and crossed her arms, trying to summon the same sass she once wielded like a sword. "I’m still the same."

"No, you’re not." His gaze sharpened, pinning her where she stood. "At least not with me."

Her lips parted, but nothing came out for a moment. She blinked, gathering herself.

"Well, I’ve grown. I’m an adult now. Adults have... a lot of worries. Responsibilities."

Shin tilted his head, his expression almost too casual. "Oh? Then tell me, what kind of childish thoughts did you have that night when you decided to sleep with me?"

His smirk was lethal.

Yeri choked, coughing into her hand as if that would disguise her rising blush. She quickly averted her gaze, suddenly fascinated by the empty wall.

What was he trying to pull here? Whatever it was, she knew it wasn’t to her advantage.

"Doesn’t matter," she muttered, biting her lip. "People are complicated. They... they have complicated thoughts."

Shin’s chuckle was low and maddening. "It doesn’t have to be complicated. You can still say and do whatever you want with me." He shrugged, as though offering himself like a convenience store snack.

Her brain short-circuited for a second before she blurted, "And what do you think I want to do with you?"