Chapter Text
Zhang Hao’s life had been great. As an only child, he had his parents doting on him at every possible moment. This was also why they were rather heartbroken when Hao made the ultimate decision to pursue a career in Korea instead of his hometown in China.
Still, his parents were very supportive of him, bragging to their neighbors at every given opportunity about how Hao had ranked first in his college entrance exam and is now a professor at one of the best universities in the world.
For Hao, it was everything he ever wanted. Not only did he get to teach his favorite subject at the university, but he also loved his workplace.
Every day, he looked forward to seeing each one of his students and colleagues, all of whom fortunately shared the same passion for learning and teaching. Moreover, being a professor at one of the more demanding departments at a top university did come with the bonus of a hefty paycheck, a benefit that Hao rarely mentioned to stay humble.
When he first arrived at the school, the words had already spread about a young and handsome faculty member on campus. Students and teachers alike had flocked to the principal’s office with the hope of catching a glimpse of the new professor at his welcoming ceremony.
In the first few months, Hao had received more confessions than he could count on his fingers, a record that probably beat the one he set back in his college days. It didn’t help that there was more to his beauty, as Hao was known for having a likable and friendly personality.
All that is to say that Zhang Hao’s students got to see the bright and approachable Professor Zhang, who rarely assigned homework despite teaching an advanced music theory course, most of the time. On rare occasions, however, they would get to see the current Professor Zhang, who was grumpy and would most definitely not curve the midterm he was grading.
“I thought I assigned you all homework last week, so why are there only two papers on my desk right now?!” Hao huffed, slamming the attendance sheet on his lectern.
It was his first class of the week after having an extended weekend off for Seollal, so Hao was sure he had given everyone enough time to complete whatever he had assigned.
A student in the front row raised his hand.
“Yes, Park Gunwook?” Hao’s eyes narrowed, but he motioned for the boy to speak up.
“You told us before break that the essay was optional and we could do it if we wanted extra credit,” Gunwook said, his voice small.
Hao looked down at the papers on his stand. “Your paper is up here, Gunwook,” he said flatly. If Hao remembered correctly, the boy was also doing extremely well in his class.
“I just wanted to speak up on behalf of the class,” Gunwook muttered sheepishly as he lowered his hand.
Hao sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. Maybe he was still hungover from everything that happened yesterday.
“Is that true, class?” Hao glanced at the rest of his students as he braced himself on the edge of the lectern.
A wave of collective nods swept through the room.
“Well then, this assignment will be due tomorrow, for a grade,” he frowned. “So you all better get to it.”
A chorus of sighs and bodies slumping in relief, possibly disappointment, filled the room. Hao turned to the blackboard, making quick notes of things to cover in today’s lesson.
Just as he was about to begin the lecture, a teasing voice rang out from behind him. “Did you get dumped again, ssaem?”
Hao turned back to face the class with a heated face and hands clawing at his hair.
“Don’t even mention it!” Hao groaned as his students lightly snickered. “I don’t understand why this keeps happening to me!”
So yeah, Zhang Hao’s life had been great, except for one thing: Despite being very good-looking and having a great personality, he had never been in a proper relationship in his twenty-eight years of life.
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Hao stared blankly at his lunch as the steaming bowl of rice fogged up his glasses. The school provided lunch for all teachers, and today’s menu was gukbap, one of Hao’s favorite Korean dishes. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to enjoy it.
“Zhang Hao!” A slap on his shoulder snapped him out of his thoughts, and Kim Taerae arrived with his usual grin. “I heard you got dumped again.”
Taerae was a professor in Hao’s own Music Department, two years younger and never let him forget that fact. While he specialized in music theory and violin, Taerae taught vocal performance.
Since Hao’s very first day at the school, the two of them had been inseparable, bonded by a shared love of K-pop girl groups and the same sense of humor. Hao loved his friend, but in moments like this, Hao wished he could wipe the snark off the younger’s face.
“How did you know?!” Hao frantically hushed the other man and pulled him down onto the seat next to him.
“You do realize that a lot of students from your class take my class, right?” Taerae deadpanned. “Anyways, you also seem down, and there is usually only one explanation for that.”
Hao groaned, putting his forearm over his eyes. “Ugh… I wish the whole school didn’t know about my business sometimes.”
“Just to let you know, we do appreciate you providing us some entertainment with your love life,” Taerae smirked, clearly enjoying Hao’s distress. “Why did you get dumped this time? Was it because of… that thing?”
“Yes! He said it was strange,” Hao cried out in frustration. “I don’t feel like it should be a make-or-break kind of thing.”
“Well, I have to admit, having a ‘no kissing’ rule while dating is a bit… strange, to say the least,” Taerae leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “I agree it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker, but you have to admit it’s a bit odd.”
“Except they all knew that was the one condition I had before dating me!” Hao frowned. “They all just think I wasn’t being serious. Also, I am literally down to do everything but kissing!”
Taerae narrowed his eyes. “That makes it even weirder.”
“How!?”
“Hao… Are you afraid of being emotionally invested in a relationship by any chance?” Taerae gasped at the sudden realization.
“No!” Hao’s eyes widened. “It’s not like that!”
Taerae shrugged like he didn’t believe a word coming out of Hao’s mouth and snapped his focus to his food. Hao couldn’t blame his best friend either. His situation was definitely unique.
“Anyways, I am curious…” Taerae said while chewing his rice slowly. “Why do you even have that rule? You’ve kissed before, right?”
Hao flinched at the question, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
“No way! You haven’t?!” Taerae nearly choked on his rice, his eyes widening. “Zhang Hao! You’re twenty-eight! Why? Do you have some kind of sickness?”
“Well… I guess you could call it that,” Hao muttered as his cheeks heated up and turned slightly pink.
“Then you just have to be honest with them. I’m sure most will understand,” Taerae shrugged.
“It’s… not that simple. Anyways, can we please not talk about this right now?” Hao threw his arms up in defeat, only to feel them hitting something hard.
He quickly turned around to find that he had collided with the lunch tray of one of his colleagues, spilling much of the soup that was on it.
“Oh, no! I’m so sorry!” Hao jumped to his feet, bowing his head desperately as he uselessly wiped off the stain on the other’s shirt with his hands.
“It’s fine,” a cool and composed voice rang out.
Looking up, Hao’s eyes widened as he recognized the person he had just bumped into: Sung Hanbin of the Dance Department.
He’s fucked.
“Are you sure?” Hao asked, his voice laced with concern. “Did you burn yourself?”
Sung Hanbin simply dismissed Hao’s worry with a simple wave and continued walking across the cafeteria to his friends on the other side. Hao froze with a gaping mouth as he watched the other sit down with Kim Jiwoong of the Literature Department.
Tall, well-built, with black hair that fell just slightly over his forehead and sharp eyebrows, Sung Hanbin could easily strip away from Zhang Hao the title of the campus’s hottest attraction and probably already had.
Hao frustratingly sat down at the table, pouting. “I’m surprised he even has friends with that personality of his,” he muttered.
“Who? Sung Hanbin?” Taerae asked, his mouth stuffed with rice. “What do you mean? He’s super nice.”
“Did you not just see him brushing off my apology?”
Taerae shook his head. “No? But I think you’re overthinking it, Hao. Maybe he had some urgent lesson plans to go over with Jiwwong.”
“Between Korean literature and dance?” Hao deadpanned.
“It’s not impossible,” Taerae shrugged.
“The thing is, I don’t even hate him! He’s the one who hates me!” Hao hissed.
When Hao first started working at the university, he and Sung Hanbin were at least on speaking terms. They exchanged polite greetings, occasional small talks during departmental dinners, or glances while walking past each other.
After about a month, however, the other man began treating Hao like he didn’t exist, ignoring and avoiding him at all costs. Hao thinks he didn’t get to see Hanbin for weeks at some point, despite their departments being in the same building.
At first, Hao wasn’t bothered by it. Hanbin was just one professor among hundreds at the university, most of whom Hao had probably never spoken to anyway. It shouldn’t have mattered.
Except it did.
Hao realized that nearly all of his close friends at the school were also close to Sung Hanbin. Logically, that should’ve made him impossible to avoid. And yet, Hanbin managed to do just exactly that.
Taerae hummed, tapping his spoon against the side of his bowl. “I don’t know what you could’ve possibly done,” he said after a moment. “He has always been nice to me. Honestly, I don’t even think he’s the type to express a grudge, so… obviously, even if he had one.”
“Well… Me neither!”
“But… Don’t you think he’s kinda cute? Totally your type, if I may,” Taerae smirked.
“What are you talking about?” Hao shot his friend a glare.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Taerae said, raising his hands in surrender. “We’re close enough that I can spot your type when I see one.”
Taerae wasn’t wrong. Hao definitely had a type. The pretty and sweet-looking boy-next-door kinda type. And without a doubt, Sung Hanbin’s image fitted the part.
“Just go for it,” Taerae nudged. “I sure already have my eyes on a certain someone.”
Hao pretended to gag as Taerae’s gaze shifted to Kim Jiwoong. Although Jiwoong was from the Literature Department, he was often seen in the Performing Arts building hanging out with Hanbin.
While it was very obvious (at least to Hao) that they were both into each other, the two never made it official but instead enjoyed whatever dynamic existed in their situationship.
Sensing Taerae’s eyes on him, Jiwoong winked at his lover(?), and Hao finally found the appetite for his food.
The lunch period was almost over when Taerae stood up to put his tray away, deliberately taking the long way around so he could pass by Jiwoong’s table. Hao shuffled behind his friend, hiding behind the other’s back (he knew his effort was futile, considering Hao was noticeably taller than Taerae) to avoid any potential awkwardness with Sung Hanbin.
Taerae slowed to a stop and struck up a conversation that Hao couldn’t quite hear. Instead, his gaze drifted unintentionally until he landed on Jiwoong’s seatmate.
Sung Hanbin was seated across from Jiwoong with a straight posture and hands folded neatly around his cup. Hao only meant to glance, just long enough to confirm the other wasn’t looking back.
Hao couldn’t help but notice how Hanbin’s lashes were long and dark, fanning softly against his cheeks when he blinked. He probably could balance a pencil lead on them if he tried.
“Our department is planning on going out for drinks tonight. You’re coming, right, Hanbin?” Taerae asked, snapping Hao out of his thoughts.
“Yup! I would never miss out on some fun with my own department,” Hanbin smiled sweetly at Taerae. “Some of the dance teachers and I were planning on meeting at the school entrance and walking together, if you want to join us.”
“That would be nice! Jiwoongie, you’re coming too, right?” Taerae cocked his head.
“Of course, since you’ll be there,” Jiwoong winked.
“Fantastic! Hao and I will meet you two at the gate.”
“I will see you there,” Hanbin smiled.
He and Taerae bid their goodbyes to the two teachers and proceeded to their classrooms.
Hao nudged Taerae’s side. “Did you see? He didn’t acknowledge me at all in that conversation!”
“I think you’re overthinking this,” Taerae laughed. “Relax. If there’s really a misunderstanding, we can sort it out at tonight’s dinner.”
Hao certainly hoped so. It wasn’t like he had a crush on Sung Hanbin or anything, but being on the bad side of everyone’s favorite coworker and teacher was far from ideal. He really needed to figure out why Sung Hanbin seemed to hate him.
༻⊰ ˗ˋ૮ • ﻌ - აˊ˗ ⊱༺
Taerae and Hao crossed the university courtyard toward the main entrance, where Jiwoong was enthusiastically waving them over. A few other teachers from their department were gathered there as well, though most seemed to be from the dance division.
Hao didn’t recognize anyone else except Seok Matthew, a Canadian-Korean English professor he had met during orientation. They had bonded instantly over the fact that they were both foreigners.
“I think everyone who should be here is here,” Sung Hanbin said, counting heads before giving a small nod. “Should we start walking?”
Most of the group was too engrossed in their own conversations to notice that Hanbin never once glanced in Hao’s direction while he counted. Hao frowned briefly, but continued trailing alongside Taerae, whose arm was now comfortably looped through Jiwoong’s.
The restaurant they had reserved was only a few blocks away, so the group enjoyed a stroll along the brightly lit streets of Seoul. The sidewalks were crowded with people looking to shop in stores glowing from decorations for the upcoming holiday. As they passed, laughter and music spilled out from the open doors.
Hao couldn’t help but smile. Moments like this reminded him of why he had chosen to work in the city in the first place.
“Oh my god! It’s an animal shelter!” Matthew exclaimed. His excitement made the group slow to a stop, gathering around a large glass window. Inside, a small, fluffy golden retriever toddled up to the glass, its tail wagging restlessly as it peered out at them.
Soft coos rose from the group of teachers, and the puppy’s tail wagged even harder in response.
Matthew laughed and pointed. “Hao, it looks exactly like you!”
Hao smiled and, without thinking, struck a puppy pose with his hands. The kind he had seen idols do at press conferences.
“Guys, come on. We’re almost there,” Hanbin urged everyone in an unamused manner.
“Just a little longer,” Matthew yelled back, now adoring a Siamese cat behind the glass window.
Hanbin sighed, then reached out and grabbed Matthew by the arm, pulling him upright. “We’re going to be late for the reservation,” he said apologetically, despite the firm grip.
“We’ll actually be early,” Matthew bit back with a frown. Still, the Canadian let himself be dragged along toward the restaurant, which was now visible down the street.
Hao's gaze lingered on Hanbin’s hand, still clutching the sleeve of Matthew’s jacket. Up close, he noticed the discoloration on the other’s skin. Hao suddenly realized it was the same spot he had spilled hot soup on earlier.
“Hanbin-ssi,” Hao began cautiously. “Is your hand like that because of—”
Hanbin cut him off with a sharp glare and immediately picked up his pace.
Hao froze, mouth hanging open, as Hanbin practically raced Matthew toward the restaurant. A moment later, Taerae fell into step beside him.
“Please tell me you saw that,” Hao said, disbelief thick in his voice.
“I did, but…” Taerae shook his head, brows knitting together. “That really wasn’t very Sung Hanbin of him. Maybe he just really wants to get to the restaurant on time?”
“Taerae, you can’t be serious,” Hao snapped, already striding after the rest of their group.
“Hey! Sorry!” Taerae protested from behind, sounding mildly offended. “I just can’t imagine him being mean to anyone unless they did something to him.”
Hao huffed. Fine. If Sung Hanbin wanted to be mean to him, then Hao would return the favor. At this point, he had no interest in being the bigger person.
One day, he would expose Sung Hanbin’s true nature in front of all of their colleagues.
༻⊰ ˗ˋ૮ • ﻌ - აˊ˗ ⊱༺
Dinner had started off pleasantly enough.
The restaurant was warm and lively, filled with laughter and clinking glasses. Conversation flowed easily between everyone, despite some unfamiliarity here and there. Jiwoong helped lighten the mood by showing off party tricks he had learned back in his college years, swirling soju with beer.
Hao, immersed in the comfortable atmosphere and still irritated from earlier, found himself drinking more than he usually did. By the time dessert came around, the world felt pleasantly fuzzy.
“Hao? Zhang Hao?”
A voice called out to him, but Hao could barely make out who it belonged to. Faces blurred together as the room swayed gently.
“Are you okay? Just how much did you drink?” The voice continued. Hao thought it might be Taerae.
“Kiss…” Hao slurred, his thoughts wandering freely. “Kissing…” He frowned, then brightened slightly. “I wanna try kissing too…”
“Oh god, he’s really wasted,” Taerae sighed, slipping an arm around Hao’s back to steady him. “Hey, it doesn’t hurt to try it once. It’s super easy.” His eyes glinted with amusement as he glanced over at Jiwoong.
“Try…? Easy…?” Hao furrowed his brows, struggling to process the words.
“Yeah, just try it,” Taerae said casually, taking another sip of his beer. “Only if you want to, of course.”
Hao pushed himself unsteadily out of his seat. He supposed he could try it. Just once. Just to know what it felt like.
“Hey—Hao?” Taerae’s voice sharpened with alarm. “Where are you going?”
“Find…” Hao mumbled, swaying toward the restaurant exit. “Kiss…”
The next thing he knew, cold night air rushed over his face as the door swung open.
How embarrassing it was to live twenty-eight years on this earth without knowing what it felt like to kiss someone. Hao sighed heavily. There had to be someone out there who would accept him for who he was, right?
How did people even kiss again?
In most dramas and movies, they just pushed their lips into a little O-shape and pressed them together. Taerae was right, that didn’t seem too hard. Maybe he could try a small peck. Just a little one.
That wouldn’t hurt, right?
Hao puckered his lips and leaned forward into the empty air. Instead of nothing, they met something soft. Warm.
Well, that felt… nice. He hadn’t realized winter air could feel so warm—
“Hao? Are you okay?”
The voice pulled him away from the soft and warm sensation, and Hao groaned softly in disappointment.
“Hey, Taerae asked me to check on you. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, Hao muttered. “Just… kissing.”
“Well,” Jiwoong said carefully, scratching the back of his head, “you just kissed… Hanbin.”
Hanbin?
Hao jolted awake. He shook his head hard, clearing the fog just enough to take in his surroundings. They were standing in an alley beside the restaurant, hidden from view. Hao was leaning heavily against Jiwoong, and standing directly in front of him was—
Sung Hanbin.
Hanbin didn’t look angry. Just bewildered. Hao supposed that was the reasonable reaction to being kissed by your least favorite coworker out of nowhere.
“Fuck!” Hao yelped, scrambling away from Jiwoong. “I kissed Sung Hanbin?”
“Yes—” This time, it wasn’t Jiwoong. Hanbin’s voice rang out, equally confused.
“What time is it?” Hao cut him off abruptly, fumbling for his watch with shaking hands.
“11:46,” Hanbin answered.
Under different circumstances, Hao might have been thrilled that Hanbin was speaking to him at all. Right now, only dread flooded his veins.
Hao bowed deeply. “I’m so sorry! Please forgive me!”
And then he ran.
He immediately waved over a taxi with a vacant sign, bowing once more in apology to Hanbin before stumbling inside. After rattling off his home address, Hao glanced out the window to see Hanbin staring after him in silent disbelief, with Jiwoong standing beside him.
“I’m sorry,” Hao whispered even as the car pulled away. “Please, if you could drive faster…” He turned to the driver and begged, sweaty hands gripping the seat.
How could he have been so stupid? His loneliness had really gotten the better of him, so much so that it led to such a reckless decision and the very situation he had spent his entire life avoiding.
As soon as his apartment complex came into view, Hao shoved money into the driver’s hand, tipping extra without explanation. He bolted up the stairs, unwilling to wait for the elevator, lungs burning as he reached his floor.
He punched in the passcode and burst through the door.
“Shen Quanrui…”
The boy lounging on the couch startled upright.
“Hao?” His cousin hurried over, concern flashing across his face. “You scared the hell out of me. What’s going on?”
“I—I made a huge mistake,” Hao panted, words tumbling out in a rush.
Just as he finished his sentence, the clock chimed, signaling the hour of midnight. And just as he finished his sentence, Hao felt strange in his own body.
The sudden white smoke and the widening of his cousin’s eyes were all the confirmation Hao needed.
The curse had taken effect.