Chapter 201: Overcoming Insecurites
The cabin life was cozy, and before Alex knew it three whole days had passed with him and Ja-Young alone together, living almost as a husband and wife on the prairie. Ja-Young cooked meals for Alex using their 18th century style kitchen, while Alex would go out into the rain and hunt for some food with his spear.
He did not have a choice to use his bow, considering the bowstring was made from animal sinew, and once wet it would begin to become ineffective in the field. Thus, Alex walked through the muddy jungle, and found himself another sambar stag. Which Ja-Young used to cook into a delicious meal.
Eventually, though, the storm passed, and the two of them descended from the mountain side closer than ever before. Alex had to admit, the cabin life was incredibly cozy, and perhaps it was because he was lacking modern technology that he felt so comfortable in there. But Ja-Young’s turn was up, and instead tomorrow morning he would bring another girl to her place.
In the meantime, Alex got some much needed rest, and another health screening, before spending the night in a giant orgy of all his women. Now that the storm had cleared, Alex intended to begin construction of another element of the settlement.
He had already converted the dugout shelter into a smokehouse to help preserve the meat he caught. But what he really needed now was a smithy. As until now, he had been relying on foreign imports to make use of metal materials.
Thus, Alex brought the raw materials he would need for this, along with his next target for increasing affection. Which was none other than Ji-An. The klutzy idle manager, and failed idol herself, was of course not suited for being around sharp objects. This was something Alex had found out after she damn nearly cut off her finger while attempting to prepare a meal.
Hell, Alex could not even trust the woman to adequately hike to the cabin, thus he carried her the entire way, despite her attempts to insist she be allowed to walk. Eventually, however, the woman realized her wishes were not to become reality, and stopped struggling. Making Alex’s task a hell of a lot easier.
Because of this, Alex tasked the woman with two very simple jobs. One… She must maintain the water purification project. Two…. She must warm up water for the bathtub. That was it. That was all she needed to do.
Thus, Alex kept a constant vigil over the woman, making sure she didn’t fuck anything up, while he began construction of the building that would house his forge. Ji-An did not appreciate being treated like a toddler, but she also understood why Alex would want to keep a close eye on her.
Ever since she was a kid, she had a tendency to drop things or fall over. She had no idea why this was the case. She was just a natural klutz. And though some found this to be an endearing quality, Alex was not one of those types.
Ultimately, the two of them would have quite an unproductive day. As Alex could only get part of his smithy’s structure done. After all, he had to keep a close eye on Ji-An to make sure she didn’t hurt herself, or him for that matter.
Alex was actually the one to cook the meals. He only trusted Ji-An with blunt instruments, and thus she helped him tenderize the meat, and make the noodles, sauces, et cetera. While they were cooking, Alex appeared to be in a better mood, and thus the teal haired beauty was quick to speak up about this.
“I’m sorry I’m so worthless Alex…”
There was a definite tone of self-hatred in the woman’s voice. Which caused Alex to look over and see her crying in the dough. He was quick to stop what he was doing as he approached the woman and hugged her. Much to her surprise.
Ji-An’s teal eyes widened in shock as she looked at the serious look in Alex’s eyes. She was just about to question why he had turned so serious when he kissed her on the spot. Though this was a surprise, it was a welcome one as Ji-An’s self-hatred washed away from the tidal wave that was Alex’s love and support.
And once they had finished kissing, Alex stroked the woman’s teal hair with his bloody hands, hands that were stained from the meat he was carving up, before he lectured her about her own self-worth.
“You’re not worthless Ji-An… Sure you’re clumsy, and can’t be trusted with sharp objects. But there is more to life than just that… Without your constant support, Mimi would be a total mess. Before I came along, you were the closest thing she had to a friend.
Like her, you have a good heart, and in addition to that you are amazing in the role of a supporter! Believe it or not those are both desirable qualities in a woman. So don’t call yourself worthless. Your support means the world to Mimi, and to me….”
Ji-An broke out in tears as she hugged Alex after hearing his kind words. Most of her life she had been scolded for her lack of coordination. Which, as much as Alex might try to downplay it, was a serious part of life, both as an individual and as a professional. It was the entire reason she had failed to achieve her dreams as an idol.
Sure Ji-An had the looks, especially when she was younger, and she also had the talent in terms of voice. But she could never quite get the hang of the choreography that was required of Korean popstars. Thus, her career was a short-lived one, with her never really making it beyond the stage of a trainee.
To compensate for this failure, she decided to manage young idols. But if she was being honest with herself, she always envied those like Mimi who had the looks, voice, and talent as a dancer to make it big in the industry. While she herself could only sit on the sidelines and support others more talented than herself.
Even now, she was simply supporting Alex with the cooking, not being able to take an active role in the cutting of the meat and vegetables. But Alex had done the unthinkable and assured her this was perfectly fine. And he had gone a step further, while whispering I her ear that the path of a supporter was an admirable one.
Thus, after wiping the tears from her eyes, Ji-An wore a warm smile on her face, while making a promise to her man.
“If you really are fine with me only providing the role of support, then I will give you all the support you need, Alex!”
Alex kissed the woman again after hearing those words, before assuring her that was all he required of her.
“That is all I will ever need….”
After saying this, a message appeared in Alex’s vision, confirming that the woman had indeed maxed out her affection for him.
[Ji-An has overcome her insecurities thanks to your kindness and is now satisfied with her role in life as one who supports others!]
[+40 Affection from Ji-An!]
[Ji-An’s Affection: 200/200!]
With this, Alex smiled as he watched the already beautiful young idle manager blossom into a divine existence. Ji-An saw the smirk on Alex’s face, and immediately berated him for an answer about why he was acting in such a strange way.
“What? What is it? Do I have flour on my face?”
However, Alex simply spun the woman around so that she was facing the kitchen mirror, and after gazing upon her own reflection, Ji-An couldn’t believe what she saw. She quickly touched her face, spreading flower on it by accident. And yet the baking substance did absolutely nothing to mar the perfection that was displayed in front of her.
By now Alex had come up with an explanation for this miracle, one that while a difficult pill to swallow, was satisfactory for his women. And thus, when Ji-An turned around and asked about how she had suddenly transformed, he simply smirked and responded with the following words.
“Now you can finally see yourself, the way I have always seen you…”
Once more the young woman broke out into tears as she hugged Alex tightly, and of course accidentally slipped on the floor, causing the young couple to fall to the ground with Ji-An sitting on top of Alex’s face by accident. This, of course, caused the woman to break out into a fit of giggles before asking Alex if he wanted to take a break from cooking.
“So… Now that we’re here… Do you want to have a late dinner by any chance?”