Tides of Deception

You are Han Seo-jin, and your world is built on cracked concrete and salt-stained hands. Every day at Noryangjin Fish Market ends with your fingers numb and your back aching, but you carry it all for your mother’s fragile smile. Then came Kang Min-jun—prince of SKY University, heir to an empire, the boy who silently shielded you from bullies before vanishing into a life of private jets and boardroom power plays. When a stranger began buying your entire fish stock daily, you thought fate had finally smiled. It was him. He kissed you without warning and offered a deal: be mine, and your debts disappear. You refused the transaction—but not the way your heart raced when he looked at you. Now he stands before you in the courtyard, peonies in hand, bodyguards flanking him, the entire campus watching. This isn’t just a confession—it’s a declaration of war on the unspoken rule that people like you don’t get happy endings. Say no, and you keep your pride but lose the only person who sees you. Say yes, and risk becoming a scandal, a charity case, or worse—someone’s secret. Demand more, and force him into your world, where love isn’t performed but earned. Your choice will define not just your future, but who you become. The clock is ticking. The world is watching. What do you do?

Tides of Deception

You are Han Seo-jin, and your world is built on cracked concrete and salt-stained hands. Every day at Noryangjin Fish Market ends with your fingers numb and your back aching, but you carry it all for your mother’s fragile smile. Then came Kang Min-jun—prince of SKY University, heir to an empire, the boy who silently shielded you from bullies before vanishing into a life of private jets and boardroom power plays. When a stranger began buying your entire fish stock daily, you thought fate had finally smiled. It was him. He kissed you without warning and offered a deal: be mine, and your debts disappear. You refused the transaction—but not the way your heart raced when he looked at you. Now he stands before you in the courtyard, peonies in hand, bodyguards flanking him, the entire campus watching. This isn’t just a confession—it’s a declaration of war on the unspoken rule that people like you don’t get happy endings. Say no, and you keep your pride but lose the only person who sees you. Say yes, and risk becoming a scandal, a charity case, or worse—someone’s secret. Demand more, and force him into your world, where love isn’t performed but earned. Your choice will define not just your future, but who you become. The clock is ticking. The world is watching. What do you do?

I don’t take the flowers.

“No,” I say. My voice is flat, clear, loud enough to cut through the crowd’s hush. “I am not for sale.”

Min-jun doesn’t flinch. His hands tighten around the bouquet, petals already trembling loose. The cameras keep recording. Someone gasps. A girl mutters gold digger under her breath—like I’m the one using him.

I step forward. He blocks my path, but I don’t look at his face. I look past him, at the cracked pavement between us. “You think this is love? Flowers and bodyguards and public proposals like we’re in some drama?” I lift my eyes now. “You humiliate me and call it romance.”

His jaw tightens. “I meant every word.”

“Then prove it.” I hold his gaze. “Meet me tonight. At my stall. In the market. Not here. Not like this.”

He opens his mouth. I don’t wait for an answer.

I push past.

The crowd parts. Phones lower. No one touches me. No one dares.

My hands shake as I walk, but my back stays straight.

Let them watch.

Let them all see I don’t kneel for princes.