My Ex-Boyfriend is Sold Out

Chapter 2: The Pain of Parting

* * *

Leaving Chae-yeon’s irritated voice behind him, Si-hyun walked away from the park.

In case she might follow him.

In case she might see him in his vulnerable state, he quickened his pace, wiping his tears as if scratching his eyes and lowering his head to hide his face from others.

“………”

Looking down, he noticed his disheveled appearance. A plain white shirt, ripped jeans, and black-striped slippers on bare feet.

The wound from his earlier fall was staining his shin red.

“No wonder it stings like hell…”

Seeing his own pitiful state, Si-hyun let out a hollow laugh.

The realization that he couldn’t keep the relationship alive despite his desperate efforts hit him with a wave of emptiness and regret.

“Why did I even bother? Nothing was going to change, no matter how much I clung.”

This incident confirmed that their relationship was beyond saving.

If she truly loved him, would she not have said she liked him at least once in over a year of dating?

Si-hyun believed Chae-yeon saw him as nothing more than an easy target, a convenient servant.

As someone labeled at the bottom of the social ladder in their relationship, he knew she’d never meet any of his needs.

Drip… drip…

Raindrops began to stain his white shirt.

They say in dramas that rain hides tears, but experiencing it firsthand, Si-hyun found it only unpleasant.

“Of course… my luck is just terrible.”

He muttered under his breath and came to a stop, looking around.

“Come on, don’t be silly!”

A couple, arms entwined, laughing and teasing each other.

“I love you…”

Another couple, embracing close, whispering sweet words of love.

Everywhere he looked, people had what he had tried so hard to achieve but couldn’t.

All he had wanted was for Chae-yeon to say she liked him, just once. For her to initiate even the smallest gesture of affection.

If she had done that, he could have felt secure in his love. But having never experienced such affection, he could only feel doubt.

Those doubts piled up until they finally led to today’s breakup.

“This is just… so messed up.”

Laughing at himself, Si-hyun limped away.

The rain-soaked night wind was freezing and heavy.

*

On his way home, he spotted a street food stall.

He wasn’t usually a heavy drinker and often switched to soda after a few drinks when out with friends, but tonight, he felt an intense craving for alcohol.

He wanted to drown the dark cloud in his heart with alcohol.

“Welcome.”

Pushing aside the red tent, he entered and saw an older lady in a red apron.

The warm, savory aroma of fish cake and the sweet smell of chicken skewers filled the air.

Swallowing with anticipation, Si-hyun pulled up a stool and placed his order.

“A bowl of fish cake soup and a bottle of soju, please.”

His insides were already burning; adding alcohol wouldn’t make a difference, he figured.

Tonight, he had a baseless confidence that he could drink excessively without any consequences.

“Ahh…”

He took a swig straight from the bottle. After about three shots’ worth, he let out a satisfied sigh.

Normally, the burn down his throat would make him wince, but now, he found it oddly pleasant.

It felt as though the pain was from the alcohol, not from the heartbreak.

“That selfish woman… I did everything for her…”

With his mind fogged by alcohol, the emotions he had held back began to seep out.

Tears he thought he had shed all began to flow again, and sobs rose from his throat.

“All for her pride… she couldn’t even say sorry once?”

What kind of boyfriend would forgive his girlfriend’s blind date with just an apology?

If the roles were reversed, if he were caught cheating and an apology was enough, Si-hyun knew he’d say sorry a hundred, a thousand times.

“Ugh…”

He finished the rest of his soju, patting his burning chest.

Then, he ordered another bottle…

Ting.

He opened a familiar dating community app on his smartphone.

—

[Relationship Advice] [Dating Stories] [Breakups] [Mature Content]

—

Since this was his first serious relationship, Si-hyun had relied on the dating advice forum daily.

He’d dissect her responses, hoping to find hidden meanings.

He’d ask for advice on how to behave and treat her with respect during dates.

The users, finding his overthinking endearing, had always taken his questions seriously.

“They were such good people…”

But now that they had broken up, he couldn’t post in the relationship advice forum anymore.

As a newly single man, his place was not in the dating advice section but rather…

[Breakups]

It was here.

—

[Day 24 of wishing my ex goes bald – Voodoo Lover]

[Found someone I get along with better than my ex. What should I do? – DatingBronze]

[My ex texted after three weeks asking if I’m okay. Is this the aftermath of a breakup? – SplitSecondBreakup]

—

This was where people who couldn’t let go of their exes gathered to share their grief.

“I thought maybe one day I’d end up here, but I didn’t expect it to actually happen.”

With a heavy heart, Si-hyun posted an introduction in the breakup forum.

—

[Just broke up with my girlfriend… – Chae-yeon Devotee]

My girlfriend told me she was going out with friends, but I found out she was actually on a blind date at a wine bar.

When I confronted her, she claimed she was just filling in for a friend and insisted she did nothing wrong, even going as far as to act defensive.

She never admits her faults, but seeing her respond this way to this situation was just too disappointing.

So when she suggested we break up, I agreed without much hesitation…

—

After posting, Si-hyun took a bite of his now-cold fish cake.

He took a sip of the warm broth, and as he refreshed the page, he saw an unexpected number of comments flooding in.

[Yankee Household Head: Lol, “just filling in for a friend”? That’s 100% a lie. She probably got caught cheating and threw her friend under the bus.]

[Sympathy Unicorn: Man, it’s lucky it just ended with an argument. If it were me, my fist would have met her face, girlfriend or not.]

[Prophet of Heartbreak: Consider it a blessing in disguise and move on. Once a girl has eyes for another guy, she’ll never change, no matter how long you’re together.]

—

In no time, Si-hyun’s post had become popular, with users expressing their disbelief and anger over the situation, saying he was better off without her.

Among them were people who had previously given him relationship advice, knowing the nature of his relationship. Now they were offering their own harsh words without holding back.

So breaking up was the right choice, after all.

The outpouring of frustration from others seemed to validate his decision.

If he had clung to Chae-yeon at the park, it would’ve only reinforced the power imbalance between them.

Maybe, as some comments suggested, he should try finding someone who would genuinely love him.

Sip. Sigh…

He was halfway through his second bottle of soju.

After replying to a few comments, Si-hyun began scrolling through other people’s breakup stories.

—

[Damn… My ex got into a new relationship just a week after we broke up]

[Hey Ji-hoon, I hope you’re happy with someone less attractive than me ^^]

[Do you think it’s too late to apologize? I really miss my ex…]

—

Reading about others’ breakups and regrets, Si-hyun feared he might become like them—someone who couldn’t move on.

As he exhaled, lost in thought, he came across a post that caught his eye.

—

[My ex won’t stop being clingy. What do I do?]

I was with her for about two years, but she was the one who wanted a cool breakup. Now that I’m dating someone else, she won’t stop calling and asking me to get back together, even saying it’s all her fault…

—

For Si-hyun, who had always been the one clinging, the post was unfathomable.

To him, the writer’s distress seemed like a trivial, enviable problem.

What does it feel like to have an ex who won’t let go?

Rereading the post, Si-hyun began to imagine himself in a similar scenario with Chae-yeon.

What would he do if that arrogant woman started clinging to him? Would he be happy, feeling avenged, or would he brush her off in anger? He wasn’t sure.

But if, even at the last minute, Chae-yeon were to realize his worth and sincerely apologize, telling him she loved him…

It would feel like the least she could do to repay him for all he had been through.

Though that’s unlikely.

Scoffing at the thought, he finished the rest of his soju, feeling the burning sensation flow down his throat.

Sigh…

He exhaled, letting out a sigh mingled with the heat from the alcohol.

Just as he was about to zone out again, tapping his fingers on an empty fish cake skewer, his phone buzzed with a notification.

—

[Aloe Flavored Tea Bag: Did you really break up with your girlfriend, Chae-bara?]

—

Aloe Flavored Tea Bag.

During his peak of relationship struggles, this person had offered him a link to a private chat, offering one-on-one advice.

Shortened from Si-hyun’s username “Chae-yeon Devotee” to “Chae-bara,” this person had been a guiding figure throughout his relationship journey.

—

[Me: Yeah, that’s how it turned out…]

[Aloe Flavored Tea Bag: I knew it… I told you to break up ages ago, didn’t I? You should’ve listened.]

—

Aloe had always viewed his relationship with Chae-yeon negatively. Despite their serious counseling, Aloe had often told him to end things.

—

[Me: I thought if I kept treating her well, things would change. But I guess I was just deluding myself…]

[Aloe Flavored Tea Bag: At least you finally figured it out. So, what are you up to now?]

[Me: Just drinking alone at a street stall near home.]

[Aloe Flavored Tea Bag: With who?]

[Me: Alone.]

[Aloe Flavored Tea Bag: What? Don’t be like that, call a friend to join you. Oh wait, do you even have friends..?]

[Me: Of course I do. I just don’t want to be a burden, that’s all.]

[Aloe Flavored Tea Bag: What are you talking about? After a breakup, it’s normal to vent to friends and complain about your ex.]

[Me: It’s fine. I’ll just drink quietly and head home.]

[Aloe Flavored Tea Bag: Alright… Take it easy and don’t drink too much! Cheer up!]

[Me: Thanks. Have a good night.]

[Aloe Flavored Tea Bag: You too, Chae-bara!]

—

As the chat ended, Si-hyun paused, hovering over his phone screen. Out of curiosity, he opened the conversation with Chae-yeon.

The “read” notification had disappeared, indicating she’d seen the message, but she hadn’t replied.

I thought she’d at least leave a nasty message… That’s surprising.

Since he didn’t have anything to say to her, he turned off his screen.

He then ordered a chicken skewer to go with his half-empty soju bottle.

Just as he took a bite of the sauce-covered skewer, he heard a familiar voice beside him.

“Auntie, can I get a bowl of fish cake soup here?”

He looked up and saw a woman with wavy brown hair entering the tent, moving the flap aside.

Her casual outfit looked like something she might wear for a quick evening walk. She had a striking face that drew the attention of everyone around, reminding them that a beautiful face completes any look.

Oblivious to the stares, she scanned the area for a seat, and the men around quickly lost interest when she didn’t seem to notice them.

Doesn’t she realize everyone’s looking at her?

She sat down at the table next to Si-hyun.

As he glanced at her briefly, intending to focus on his drink, she spoke.

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

The woman next to him knew his name.