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Editor: Badman
As life grows more challenging for the majority, there is a small minority of people that finds it even more enjoyable to live. While these individuals may be very few in terms of the overall population, they were far from scarce in my surroundings. So, I didn’t know if my life was one of those challenging lives. Director Baek, Jung Haekyung, and… my father.
After several meals with Lieutenant General Jung Kyungwon, my father’s business was at its very prime. Not too long ago, they decided to supply a new weapon to S.E. On the day he signed the contract, my father specifically went looking for Jung Haekyung, holding his hand and patting him on the shoulder as he laughed. Was he also laughing in such a manner a year ago, anticipating this outcome the day he signed the agreement form for my S.E. recruitment? Having to watch my father and Jung Haekyung sit across from each other laughing made my stomach churn.
We had lunch at some antique Korean table d’hôte that was a considerable driving distance away and even had some tea at a nearby cafe. They’d built up enough camaraderie at that point, so it was about time for us to return, but it seemed that neither of them intended to do so. I had never had a conversation with my father that lasted over ten minutes. He was too busy when I was young, and I had grown used to that. When I grew up, I had little to say, and nothing much I wanted to tell him, either. It wasn’t something that saddened me, nor did I think of it as a problem. However, it seemed like my father and Jung Haekyung would just chatter harmoniously throughout the night, going on and on about any and everything if I just left them be.
「Haekyung, do you happen to know how to play golf?」
「Of course. I often play with my father.」
「I’d also like to go out onto the field with Euijin, but he’s just too shy.」
My father patted me on the back. I was dumbfounded. Playing golf together? I could count the number of times we’ve had a meal together in the span of a year with my fingers.
「How about we play with my father next time, the four of us?」
「Oh! A match between fathers and sons sounds great. But I heard some rumours saying Lieutenant General Jung Kyungwon is a pro, and you’re an ability user as well, Haekyung. We’d be at a total disadvantage, wouldn’t we, Euijin-ah?」
My father chuckled, looking at me as though he were seeking my agreement. However, I didn’t laugh back. I didn’t say anything. Jung Haekyung kindly said in my place, 「How about you guys be in the same team, and Euijin and I team up?」
「Oh, that sounds good. How sensible of you.」
Sensible, my ass. The trivial conversation continued on with no end in sight, and just like that, time passed by without a single thing getting done, and it was nearing evening now. The topic had shifted to alcohol. They were recommending good wines to each other. With the way things were going, it seemed like they were about to go for a drink. Unable to hold myself back, I opened my mouth to say, 「I didn’t know you were this free.」
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
He wasn’t the type to spend this much time with a child much younger than him. My father’s time was always split in exact proportions according to necessity. He was well aware of who played the biggest role in him signing the contract today.
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「Stop that.」
I was taken aback by Jung Haekyung’s hand suddenly touching my lips. We were right in front of my father. I flinched and took a step back as I sat down, and Jung Haekyung said with a small sigh, 「It’s quite unexpected, but Euijin has a few bad habits. He likes to bite his lips or fingers until they bleed.」
My father nodded.
「I guess it’s because I used my business as an excuse and never paid him any attention when he was a child. At least you’re here to take care of him now, Haekyung. I’m grateful for that.」
It wasn’t even funny. I had never had any habits like that before I met Jung Haekyung. However, it seemed like he’d kiss me right here and now if I continued with the biting. More than anything, I was scared that my father would thank him for taking care of me, even if he were to witness something like that.
In the end, we had to get drinks and eat dinner together before my father would even go back to his hotel. Jung Haekyung went as far as driving him back himself instead of letting my father’s driver do his job. He even checked to see if my father entered his hotel room. Will we finally be able to return now? I let out a deep sigh. S.E. was a shithole, but sometimes I felt like it was the cosiest place I could be; like right now. We got on the elevator, but Jung Haekyung pressed the button for the 37th floor instead of the lobby. When I confusedly looked at him, he laughed.
「We came all the way to a hotel, but you want to just leave?」
「…What?」
Jung Haekyung extended a gilded key card. He even joked, 「The bed’s covered in rose petals.」 It wasn’t funny at all.
「Is this why you had dinner with him?」
「We can have sex in the morning, too. I just did it because father-in-law likes us.」
「Stop calling him your father-in-law. 」
「Then, my father-in-law?」
「…Forget it. Can’t we just leave today?」
「You want to leave?」
「…Yeah.」
「Okay, then.」
Jung Haekyung pressed the button of the floor we were heading to twice to cancel it and then pressed the lobby button instead. I felt a sense of unease rise from within me, but I’d already used up all my strength for the day, so I had no more energy left. When I leaned back against the wall of the elevator, Jung Haekyung asked, 「Are you tired?」
「A little.」
「Should we not meet him again in the future?」
「…Who?」
「Father-in-law.」
Along with the announcement that we had arrived at the lobby, the elevator door slid open. Jung Haekyung tried to step out, but I grabbed his wrist. I was relieved that there was no one else riding the VIP exclusive elevator. The elevator doors closed again, making a sound as it did so. Standing inside the halted elevator, I asked him, 「What do you mean?」
「It’s just as I said. You seem to hate father-in-law.」
「…Quit it with the father-in-law nonsense…!」
「Just hold it in for now.」
「I don’t hate him! Why would I hate my own father?! Quit thinking so weirdly!」
「I think it’d be good if father had a lot of money. You’re an only child, so you won’t have to fight for inheritance.」
「……」
「But, you know, we make a lot of money too, don’t we? Is there really a need for more? Even though you hate him so much.」
「…I already said I don’t hate him.」
「You didn’t look so good, stayed silent, and the few times you did speak, you…」
「…I’m sorry. I wasn’t feeling well, so I…」
「Why are you sorry? I’m the one who should be sorry for remaining oblivious to your feelings. If you dislike it, then I’ll…」
I tugged on his wrist, pulling him towards me. When the distance had closed enough for our eyelashes to touch, I tilted my head and kissed him. In order to prevent him from saying another word. Because Jung Haekyung always did what he said he would.
When I bit down on his lips, a soft and warm tongue swept across my teeth and licked the walls of my mouth. I reached a hand out to press the button for the 37th floor again. The elevator began to move up once more, accompanied by a small vibration. Our tongues wrestled with each other, and by the time we exchanged hurried breaths and saliva, the elevator stopped at the designated floor and let out a ding. The door slid open along with the mechanical sound, indicating our arrival on the 37th floor. I averted my eyes and took a glance at our surroundings. Thankfully, the empty corridor only had a long red carpet lining it and not a single soul in sight. But even if there was someone, the kiss couldn’t be stopped now. I pulled Jung Haekyung, my lips still on his, and got out of the elevator. I set him against the corridor wall, hugging him tightly as I said, 「I don’t hate it, I like it. I won’t act like that anymore. Okay?」
「…Really?」
「Yeah. Let’s go. To the room with the flower petals.」
「I knew you’d like it.」
orcinus comments:
i forgot to add the tl note…. a few hours isnt too late, right……? 🥲
Thanks for the update
I think this is the first time my blood pressure had gone up, not even profundis or Non-zero sum game did that 😭. Really, the author know how to write his Gong. Poor Kim, the world seems to be against him, pls hang in there 😅
Thanks for the update 💕
This is manipulation ona different level I kid you not. There manipulation where they don’t know they’re getting manipulated or manipulation by being forced. But this? Its fear. Inflicting anxiety and fear to an individual to this extreme is scary.
Bro I hate the fucking father so much 😒