16 16_
Ji Haishan didn't know what got to him but he just couldn't stop watching the drama once it started. It got very interesting after some episodes and he genuinely wanted to know what would happen next.
It made him become hooked.
Sometimes he and Bai Yulin would made some comments on the story and plotlines. Sometimes she would praise Lee Seung-Gi's handsomeness. She would also give Bae Suzy great compliments. They were literally into the drama.
He also told himself to stop munching on the snacks but they were so delicious he forgot his principle of a healthy lifestyle. He ate one full chocolate bar and Bai Yulin ate another. The red wine in the bottle was already in half and Bai Yulin had finished two cans of beer, she was on her way for the third.
At this point, Ji Haishan realized that Bai Yulin was someone with strong alcohol tolerance. She didn't seem drunk at all. In fact, her eyes were focusing on the television with preciseness.
Ji Haishan was also the same. His tolerance to alcohol was quite admirable. He thought only men could have such level of tolerance and this was the first time he saw a woman like Bai Yulin.
Whenever he went to parties or business functions, he often saw women unable to walk after just half a glass of wine. They would cling onto their partner with flushed faces and sultry attitude, no matter if it was intentional or not.
He was somewhat impressed because Bai Yulin wasn't like that but he would never tell her that.
They continued watching until it was two in the morning. They had made it past episode five. They were basically two bodies with one mind now- really into the action and criminalogy of the drama. Suddenly, a familiar- cute robotic sound was heard inside their head.
Bai Yulin and Ji Haishan were startled and they looked at each other- completely forgetting their first task!
They didn't notice the countdown had turn to zero!
They looked around and later saw the paper particles forming in front of the television, right in front of their faces. Bai Yulin didn't forget to pause the story as they waited for the stickman to slowly emerge, meanwhile telling herself to not jump in surprise.
*Good to see you, party A and party B!* the stickman-like thing danced around in the air. Then it stopped abruptly.
*Do you think I would say that?*
*The answer is no! Both party A and B have defied condition no. 4! You have failed on the first task!* the weird robotic sound was kind of cute despite it being angry.
*So a penalty must be issued!*
Ji Haishan and Bai Yulin finally came to their senses. They both made terrific faces and they didn't look happy at all. Well, whenever this stupid stickman arrived, it wasn't a happy occasion..
"Wh- what do you mean, penalty?!" Bai Yulin was the first to ask. Different kind of bad premonition made its way into her delicate mind.
*Don't worry! As this is only a warm up first task, only one trivial penalty is issued!*
Ji Haishan's mouth began to twitch. He got the feeling that this would turn out into another nightmare. He could never believe on this rambling doll's words!
*Task 1: failed
Penalty: party A and B must live together until the game is won!
Condition(s)
1. Choose one house to live together.
2. Move in together in two days time.*
"WHAT THE HELL????!!!"
Bai Yulin fell on her back due to shock while Ji Haishan was swaying here and forth, as if the alcohol was finally forcing himself to get drunk.
Both were utterly speechless. Craziness jumping within their heads and their mentality was in great turbulence.
It was madness!
They could tolerate it if it was for one month or two but this was until the game end! When would the game ever end?!! When would they win the f*cking Game of Fate! And how many more tasks would there be exactly??
There was no clear timeline and it was what made the two of them very on edge.
"This is.. stupid." Ji Haishan never thought he would live with a woman under the same roof. It was impossible.
"This.. I can't do this. Is there any other way?" Bai Yulin agreed with Ji Haishan. It was really a stupid penalty.
She couldn't possibly live together with a man she barely knew. Having danced with Ji Haishan once and changing bodies with him out of the blue- these weren't the things that made them closer! They were still practically strangers!
They met literally less than 48 hours ago, you bet!
*Apologies but there's no way to undo the penalty! Party A and B should've completed task 1 perfectly! It's not our fault that you've failed!* the paper doll flew around like it didn't bother it one bit.
Bai Yulin slapped her face once and she held herself back from crying. Oh no.. what should she do?? Her parents would surely ask a lot of things if she moved somewhere else. And her younger sister would surely make a fuss out of it.
Meanwhile, Ji Haishan was in a difficult predicament. He kept shaking his head like a stupid man and he asked "So this penalty.. what if we don't abide by it?"
*Obviously, another different penalty awaits!*
The doll's declaration made both Ji Haishan and Bai Yulin gulp down their own saliva. This was just like a domino effect, one failed attempt would cause another failed attempt. The number of accumulated tasks and penalties would become endless and they would never be able to complete the game.
This.. sounded like they were actually scammed?
F*ck the beta testers! They weren't beta testers! They were guinea pigs in the making!
'Gods and goddesses!! You will pay!!!'
*
And so, Bai Yulin and Ji Haishan's happy drama marathon came to a halt due to a sudden announcement of a penalty.
They both sat crossed legs on the floor, accompanied by several fluffy pillows that could never make them feel the same fluffiness. They were sitting in front of each other, in discussion.
"I think you should move with me in my place." Ji Haishan suggested. There was no need to buy a new house if they could just move anywhere with the same roof over their heads.
"What? No! You move in here with me instead!" Bai Yulin disagreed. What would she tell Li Rou if she was to move in to Secret Sanctuary with Ji Haishan!
"That's impractical. This apartment is small like a stupid cave- even a cave is much bigger than this. There's nothing for you here anyway. My house is equipped with every touch of modern technology and it's safe." he reasoned.
Bai Yulin couldn't retort because it was the truth. Her apartment was small and just random. If important people like Ji Haishan was to live here, his safety would be compromised.
She didn't want to admit it but she knew Ji Haishan was in the top ten of 'List of Important Individuals in the City'. There was no way his bodyguards wouldn't know his whereabouts whenever he went to. He couldn't stay here.
Besides.. his condo was superb..
The jacuzzi bathtub, the big shower that was a size her entire bedroom. The majestic huge bed, the cozy carpeted floors. The minimalism and elegance of his kitchen.. oh! Mamamiyyyaa!
"Your place.. does it have a theater room?" she heard rich people's house was equipped with one.
"It does."
"Really?!" Bai Yulin was instantly ecstatic. She never got the chance to tour the whole place yesterday so she didn't know.
Now she could move in with ease.. because her marathon would have to be continued there- with a full package of home theater! Ahh the perks!
Ji Haishan watched Bai Yulin's expression turn from apprehensive to indecisive and then to excitement. He somehow couldn't stop himself from smiling. She was very animated with her expression.
It was very unexpected. Not like the supermodel she was.
He came to realize that he never knew Bai Yulin from inside out. There was very little- in fact nothing that he knew about her.
It made him feel a strange sensation inside his heart but he pushed it away.
