My Ex-Boyfriend is Sold Out

Chapter 3: Childhood Friend’s Love Advice

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“Huh? Si-hyun, what are you doing here?”

The brown-haired woman sat across from Si-hyun, holding her ordered food.

She brushed her hair behind her ear and smiled brightly, causing Si-hyun’s eyes to widen in surprise.

“Yerin…?”

The woman in front of him, Han Yerin, was his childhood friend of fifteen years, ever since Si-hyun moved to Daegu and they attended kindergarten together.

The two had gone to the same schools throughout childhood and even ended up in the same major at university.

Though they’d been inseparable at school, things had gotten awkward after Si-hyun started dating Chae-yeon, so it had been a long time since they were alone together.

Swish

Yerin poured some soy sauce onto her small plate for her fish cake and asked.

“Did something happen? You hate alcohol, so why are you sitting here drinking alone?”

Unhappy about running into a familiar face, Si-hyun lowered his head, trying to hide his disheveled appearance.

“It’s… complicated. I’m in a bad mood, so just eat and go quickly.”

Yerin, usually playful, waved off his reaction with a laugh.

“Why so serious? Anyone would think you just broke up with your girlfriend.”

Si-hyun’s expression hardened at her comment.

He wasn’t sure how he looked, but judging by Yerin’s laughter fading, he guessed his face was pretty grim.

“Wait, did you… really break up?”

“Yeah. So don’t bother me and go your own way.”

“Oh… I’m sorry.”

Yerin scratched the back of her head, feeling awkward. As Si-hyun reached for his soju, she quickly took the bottle from him.

“Stop drinking. You’re going to hurt your stomach.”

She took a swig of his soju to keep him from drinking more.

“Ugh, that’s so bitter.”

Wiping her mouth with her sleeve, she gave him a small smile.

“Come on, don’t bottle it up. Spill it all out. What happened between you two?”

“You really…”

Si-hyun was about to tell her to mind her own business, but then he remembered the advice from his chat earlier.

[Aloe Flavored Tea Bag: Why is it a burden? After a breakup, you’re supposed to meet friends, vent, and trash-talk your ex.]

Would it really feel better to share everything, as the counselor had suggested?

Feeling conflicted, Si-hyun looked at Yerin, whose face was already a bit flushed after half a bottle. She leaned in, clearly ready to listen.

Since we met anyway… maybe I should just tell her everything.

Sighing deeply, Si-hyun rubbed his face with his hands. After a moment of inner struggle, he looked at the empty soju bottle and finally began.

“Well, actually…”

Si-hyun started recounting the events of the day.

How he’d rushed to confront Chae-yeon after a friend tipped him off about her blind date.

How she ignored his calls and blatantly lied to his face.

How they ended up arguing, with her insisting she did nothing wrong and taking a defensive stance.

And finally, how he reluctantly agreed when she suggested breaking up, leading him to drink alone at the stall where he ran into Yerin.

As Si-hyun’s story went on, Yerin’s face shifted from sympathetic to outright horrified.

She listened with wide eyes, covering her mouth in shock, and then—

“That Im Chae-yeon… is she out of her mind?!”

She slammed her fist on the table, furious.

Her face, red as a tomato, brimming with anger, Yerin ordered another bottle of soju.

“That crazy witch… if I see her in class, I’ll smack her in the head with this bottle.”

Seeing her rant about smashing Chae-yeon’s head was oddly satisfying, but he worried she’d actually do it if she drank more. Si-hyun reached out to take the soju bottle from her as she tried to pour herself another glass.

“Give it back. I wasn’t finished.”

Face flushed as red as a beet, Yerin reached out with unsteady hands, her eyes unfocused.

“You’re more drunk than I am. Stop drinking.”

“Ugh…”

Looking deeply wronged, Yerin’s fists trembled as tears welled up in her eyes.

She looked like a pouting child, which made Si-hyun laugh despite himself, prompting her to scold him.

“How can you laugh after going through all that? Wake up… you’ll have to face those two again soon.”

Si-hyun, Chae-yeon, Yerin, and So-hee were all in the same department, meaning he couldn’t avoid running into them no matter how much he might want to.

Oh right, I forgot about that.

Focused on the breakup, he hadn’t even considered the awkward encounters he’d face at school.

Just thinking about meeting those two again gave him a headache.

Tap tap.

Si-hyun tapped the soju bottle he’d taken from Yerin and muttered.

“I really don’t want to see them again… Maybe I should just take a leave of absence.”

Yerin, pointing a fish cake skewer at him, retorted.

“What did you do wrong? If anyone should take a break, it’s them.”

“It’ll just be awkward.”

Yerin clicked her tongue disapprovingly, then thumped her chest with her hand.

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep them away from you. I’ll block them myself.”

Though her hiccuping promise didn’t sound very reliable, Si-hyun felt comforted by having a friend by his side.

“That’s reassuring.”

“Hehe… right?”

Yerin laughed with a drowsy blink, her eyes drifting shut now and then.

Glancing at his watch, Si-hyun realized it was already past midnight. Seeing Yerin looking exhausted, he got up.

“Let’s head home.”

“Huh? I want to keep talking…”

“I’m just tired, that’s all.”

“Really…? Well, okay then.”

After settling the bill, Si-hyun helped Yerin out of the tent as she staggered, leaning on him for support.

Luckily, the rain had stopped, so there was no need for an umbrella.

“This wasn’t supposed to end up like this…”

Yerin murmured something incoherent, leaning against Si-hyun’s shoulder.

At first, she matched his pace, but soon she was nodding off, her shoes scraping against the ground as he walked.

“You’re really a piece of work…”

Promising to comfort him, only to get drunk and fall asleep on his shoulder. Si-hyun let out a small laugh at the absurdity of it.

Seeing her almost dragging along the ground, he decided to lift her up onto his back.

Making a guy with a leg injury carry her…

Though she wasn’t heavy, the pain in his shin flared up with each step he took.

At least her house was only five minutes away, so he decided to bear it and keep going.

Inhale… exhale…

Her warm breath and familiar weight on his back reminded him of times he had carried Chae-yeon home after a night of drinking.

Whenever Chae-yeon drank too much, I’d always be the one to come pick her up.

Whenever Chae-yeon got blackout drunk, he’d rush over to carry her home, while So-hee thanked him and entrusted her safely into his care.

For someone who didn’t even like alcohol, she sure drank until she was wasted all the time…

She had been impossible to understand. Si-hyun shook his head, as if to shake off the memories.

Not that I’ll be doing that anymore.

Dwelling on his memories of Chae-yeon, he soon found himself at Yerin’s house.

Si-hyun, carrying Yerin on his back, turned his head slightly and asked, “Hey, we’re here. Want me to open the door?”

“Sure… Do whatever you want, Si-hyun…”

Despite being half-asleep, she answered every question.

Si-hyun shifted Yerin to keep her from slipping, then entered her apartment code.

1017. Using her own birthday in this day and age…

Sighing at Yerin’s lack of concern for security, he opened the door, revealing her minimalist, somewhat gloomy apartment.

There were no fancy decorations, just essential furniture. A large refrigerator stood out, covered in takeout menus from various restaurants.

Nothing’s changed, even after all this time.

Glancing around, Si-hyun carried Yerin into her bedroom, turning on the lights.

The faint scent of her cosmetics filled the air as he laid her down on her light blue bed.

Thud!

Perhaps he misjudged the force, as she rolled and bumped her head on the bedpost, letting out a small groan and blinking awake.

“Are you okay?”

Yerin sat up, rubbing the top of her head, and replied, “Jeez… why’d you throw me like that?”

“Sorry about that.”

Her eyes watered slightly from the pain as she continued rubbing her head. Then, looking down, she pointed, startled, at his leg.

“What… what happened to your leg?”

“Huh?”

Si-hyun looked down, following her gaze. His shin was visibly stained red.

Seeing it in the light… It does look pretty bad.

Through the tear in his jeans, the wound looked nasty enough to make anyone turn away.

Si-hyun, already aware of it, shrugged it off, but Yerin, seeing it for the first time, froze with her hand over her mouth.

Trying to reassure her, he said nonchalantly, “This? Just happened while I was walking—”

“Was it because of Lim Chae-yeon?”

She cut him off, her expression serious. Si-hyun looked from the wound to Yerin’s tense face.

“Did this happen because of her?”

As she pressed him, Si-hyun scratched the back of his head, uncertain.

Can I really blame Chae-yeon for this?

Though Chae-yeon was partly responsible, Si-hyun felt awkward pinning it all on her since he’d tripped on his own.

Taking his silence as a confirmation, Yerin swept her bangs back, frustration in her eyes.

“Of course. That crazy girl just let her boyfriend get hurt like this?”

Yerin jumped up and stomped to her cabinet, bringing back a first aid kit.

“Just give me the supplies. I can do it myself.”

Ignoring him, Yerin bit her lower lip and replied firmly, “Just sit there and be quiet.”

Something in her tone made him shrink back slightly, and he nodded obediently. She dipped a cotton swab in antiseptic and gently dabbed it on his wound.

“Hsss…”

“It’ll be over soon. Just bear with it.”

Si-hyun clenched his fists, holding back a groan.

Once the wound was cleaned, Yerin applied ointment with a fresh swab, muttering, “What if this scars…”

She finished by covering the wound with a large square bandage. After a long look at his leg, she sighed and sat on the edge of the bed.

“You know what? Just stay here tonight.”

“It’s fine. I live close by. I’ll just walk home.”

“No way. Don’t push yourself with that leg. Stay here, and we’ll go to the hospital together in the morning before class.”

Seeing how firm she was, Si-hyun felt a headache coming on.

He knew from experience just how stubborn Yerin could be.

If I try to leave, she’ll be moody and clingy for days.

She’d hover around him, sulking, or act hysterical, as if every day were a new drama.

He was well aware of the repercussions his choices could have on the future.

“Alright… I’ll stay.”

It was easier to give in, especially since he wanted nothing more than to lie down anyway. And he saw Yerin as family, so sharing her space didn’t bother him.

“I’ll get you some clothes.”

Yerin hummed as she rummaged through her wardrobe, humming a tune. She pulled out a set of men’s clothes—all of them his.

“I thought I lost those clothes, but they were here this whole time?”

“Yeah. You left them here.”

“Really?”

Si-hyun tilted his head in confusion.

Did I ever come here wearing those clothes?

Trying to recall, he gave up quickly, deciding it wasn’t worth overthinking.

I must’ve left them ages ago.

He shrugged it off, then took a shower and changed into the clothes Yerin gave him.

When he returned, Yerin was lying on her bed, lifting the blanket halfway up with a grin.

“Come on over. For old times’ sake, let’s sleep together.”

“Yeah, right. How can you still be like this after all these years?”

Shaking his head, Si-hyun rolled his eyes at her lack of boundaries.

It’s fine since it’s me, but with any other guy, she’d be in serious trouble.

He laid out a spare blanket on the floor instead.

“I’ll sleep here. You looked tired earlier, so get some rest.”

Yerin, glaring at him with dissatisfaction, scoffed and pulled the blanket over her head.

“I’m turning off the lights. Goodnight.”

“…Goodnight.”

As Si-hyun lay down, he barely had time to think about his heartbreak before exhaustion claimed him.

Mentally and physically drained, he soon started snoring softly.

In the dim room, Yerin peeked out from under her blanket, gazing intently at his sleeping form with a thoughtful expression.

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