As I tried to figure out how to smooth things over, an odd ticklish sensation crept up my spine.

I glanced around.

Everyone was staring at me.

Right… I had just let out a laugh in the middle of this serious situation. No wonder I had become the center of attention.

Sensing my discomfort, Hwa-eun spoke up, probably to help me out.

"So-ryong? What is it? What’s wrong?"

"Just a moment."

The weight of their stares was intense, but I quickly leaned in and whispered into Hwa-eun’s ear to confirm my suspicion.

I had to be absolutely sure—because if I was wrong, this was going to be really embarrassing.

"Please, just let this be wrong…"

Because if it wasn’t, I’d have to turn to Eunbong and tell her, "You’ve been using cinnabar-based lipstick, and with all the… intense kissing you’ve been doing with Ji-ryong, you’ve slowly poisoned him."

[Hwa-eun, uh… what do you call that thing women put on their lips? Is it called yeonji?]

[You mean lip color? Why are you asking this all of a sudden?]

[It’s important…]

Hwa-eun blinked in confusion, clearly baffled by my question.

Still, as I nodded seriously, she eventually answered.

[Yes, it’s called yeonji.]

A match. Good.

Now, I had to ask about the ingredients.

[Then… does yeonji ever contain zhusha?]

[Yeonji? No, it’s usually made from safflower. The flowers are processed to remove yellow pigments, leaving only the red color.]

"Huh? That’s not it? Then why is Ji-ryong poisoned?"@@novelbin@@

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