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This light novel is inspired by the beautiful landscapes and cultures of Bolivia and South Korea. However, the characters, events, and situations portrayed are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is purely coincidental. This content does not intend to represent or reflect the historical, social, or cultural reality of either country. The author disclaims any legal liability arising from the interpretation of these elements.
Chapter 88 —Who Gets Angry, Loses
88.1 An Awkward Encounter.
She had chosen her green dress, a color that in her homeland symbolized life and hope.
She walked at a steady pace by the river, excited at the thought of meeting people and enjoying a quiet evening.
It was the first time she would meet people outside of Ryu's family, and she was thrilled.
That night, she relished the idea of meeting new faces, especially after being told the dinner guests could speak English.
"How exciting, I might actually make some new friends tonight."
She thought.
The restaurant was elegant, with dim lighting, delicately set tables, and a stunning view of the Han River.
Upon arrival, Ryu took her hand.
"You're going to meet the wives of the businessmen."
He whispered, as if he already knew what was coming.
"Sounds great."
Zayra replied with her disarming smile.
She approached the group with an open smile, but the response was not mutual.
The women looked up with distant courtesy, exchanged brief glances, and lowered their voices, whispering in Korean.
"Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Zayra, and I'm from Bolivia."
She said in English.
The glances were quick and judgmental.
One of them, heavily made up, looked her over as if she were underdressed.
"Bolivia? I thought it was more… rural."
She asked with a feigned giggle.
Zayra blinked.
She was surprised to be treated this way by strangers, and suddenly, something clicked in her mind.
She remembered her university days.
at first, studying in a different department of Bolivia seemed like a great idea.
However, she soon learned an important lesson:
that the discomfort of some classmates said more about them than it did about her.
So, she told herself:
"He who gets angry, loses. And I am not going to lose."
Zayra smiled and said sweetly:
"Yes, we have cars, buildings, universities, electricity, and Wi-Fi..."
She took a breath to maintain that sweetness and, with a touch of sarcasm only a Bolivian would recognize, added.
"Before I came here, I thought everything would be like a K-drama, but I see there are weird things here too."
Awkward giggles broke out.
The others didn't know whether to laugh, take offense, or stay silent.
A woman with fair skin addressed her in a sweet tone that felt slightly off, said:
"You have a skin tone that's quite uncommon in Korea. I know a cream that could help you."
Zayra thought.
"I understand that beauty is in the eye of the beholder… but there's something in her tone that doesn't sit right with me."
A laugh escaped her, and in the most tender voice she could muster, she replied:
"Thank you, I'd like to believe you mean well, but if I lighten my skin, my mother will disinherit me."
The girl didn't know whether to laugh or be confused by the remark.
Zayra continued, now slightly more amused:
"Imagine the drama. I really don't want any family trouble at this point."
Laughter erupted uncontrollably, and unintentionally,
two of the ladies were no longer so defensive except for one who tried to maintain control.
With a tone of superiority, asked:
"And how did you manage to marry someone like Ryu?"
Zayra smiled innocently.
"No idea. If you're that interested, you should ask him… but good luck, he talks less than a statue."
The spiteful woman looked down, pursing her lips, and asked.
"And what exactly did you do in Bolivia?"
Zayra swirled her glass of water slowly.
The question was so strange she needed a second to decide if it was even real.
"I worked and lived."
She finally replied, adding nothing more.
The group fell silent. Someone murmured something in Korean without raising their voice.
Two of the women gave a faint smile, looking down.
Zayra took a deep breath and reflected.
"Not worth it."
She stood up and said sweetly in Korean.
"Excuse me, I need some air."
The ladies looked at her, surprised.
Zayra smiled to herself and headed toward the terrace.
On the terrace, one of the attendees approached her quietly.
"I'm sorry about her… she tends to take things personally when it comes to Ryu."
Zayra looked at her, biting her lip to keep from laughing.
"So that was it? How boring."
She didn't reply.
She simply smiled, and the young woman returned the gesture before heading back to the table.
The night air brushed against her face.
And in her mind, once again, with a cruceño accent, repeated.
"Who Gets Angry, Loses."
88.2 The Moment Before the Break.
The murmur of the dinner filled the room.
Ryu listened and smiled with the precision of the CEO he was, though something felt slightly off.
His expression didn't change,
but his back straightened by a mere millimeter an imperceptible gesture only he recognized.
He looked toward the wives' table.
Zayra looked different; she was on guard.
And then he saw her.
Among the seated women, Ryu recognized a figure he would have preferred never to see again.
It was the same girl who used to write to him at all hours,
with insistent invitations disguised as courtesy.
He had always been proper but firm; he never gave her any opening.
Yet there she was, right in front of his wife.
Ryu believed there were things a man should resolve quietly.
He looked away for a moment; the coincidence did not please him.
Then he looked for Zayra again.
She wasn't looking at him.
She maintained her most elegant posture, impeccable and distant.
He knew her well: the tension in her shoulders, the exact way she tilted her head.
Ryu had seen that stance before.
It wasn't fragile; it was restraint.
And that confirmed to him that something was wrong.
While one of the businessmen talked about mental health and stress, Ryu wasn't paying attention.
Zayra stood up with that grace, and he knew well her way of protecting herself.
He thought about following her, but saw another woman get up right after her.
Ryu narrowed his eyes.
He didn't like that at all.
Minutes later, the woman returned alone.
Ryu stood up calmly.
"One moment, please."
He said, interrupting the conversation with a slight nod.
***
The air outside was cool.
Zayra was leaning against the railing,
her face serene but her eyes shining with an intensity he knew all too well.
"Zayra."
He said softly, without getting too close.
Ryu knew one step too many could feel like pressure.
He commented carefully.
"You seem uncomfortable. I still need to talk to a few people, but if you want to leave, we'll find a way."
She turned her head.
Their eyes met, and in that instant, she remembered.
That night in the indigenous community, when he, without thinking twice decided to stay.
Despite the lack of comfort, just to be with her.
The memory warmed his chest.
She managed to smile and said gently.
—"I'm fine."
He didn't doubt her.
Ryu doubted himself for wanting to insist.
She gave him a more determined look and spoke.
"I know how to handle situations like this. Don't forget, I'm Camba… what do we Cambas say?"
Ryu smiled instantly.
He knew. "He who gets angry, loses."
He looked at her in silence.
Part of him wanted to ask more; another part understood he had to let her fight her own battles, as she always had.
It wasn't easy to love someone who didn't need saving.
He took a deep breath and spoke.
"Alright."
Ryu nodded and went back to the table.
Zayra could defend herself.
What neither of them imagined was that, sometimes, the greatest blunder is born from confidence.