“Seonbae? What are you thinking?”
Min-jun leaned forward with a puzzled look. Do-hwa was lost in thought as he turned his face toward him.
“Oh, it’s nothing, really.”
“I can tell you’re worried about that person, but there’s no need. Do you really think I’d tear someone’s face apart?”
Min-jun gave a kind smile and shrugged his shoulders. He seemed like a gentle elder, but looking at his veiny hands, it seemed like he could be tough when needed.
“I was just angry that person was being disrespectful to you, seonbae. I honestly want to tell them to apologize right to your face.”
“Oh, that’s okay…”
The texting was enough, and facing an apologetic Jio in person felt even more uncomfortable. Do-hwa, who usually had a weak heart, could have been the one apologizing.
Nevertheless, he couldn’t shake the thought that he had struck Jio right where it hurt, even though Min-jun might not even have known Jio personally. Jio had immense pride in his appearance. He often boasted that he could charm any Alpha in the world in just 10 minutes if he set his mind to it, and he actually could. Threatening to tear his face was probably more shocking to him than a death threat.
“I’ll tidy up now, seonbae, so you can relax.”
Min-jun started clearing the empty plates. Do-hwa tried to help, but he was stopped. It was always like this. He didn’t want to risk a disaster by clumsily helping and breaking a plate or something, so he left the kitchen and sat on the couch. He turned on the TV to break the silence, but his gaze kept drifting back to Min-jun.
He seemed to be just preparing to do the dishes, but there was a slight lift to his lips that looked joyful. Yet, there was a chill in his blue eyes. Because of his eerie yet affectionate duality, Do-hwa couldn’t help but think of him as a crazy person whose intentions were unpredictable.
Can he… get away from that guy?
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.
It was a moment of bleak hope for Do-hwa. Min-jun turned his head, and their eyes met. Min-jun gave the brightest smile, as if flowers were blooming. Do-hwa felt his heart skip a beat and quickly averted his gaze back to the TV. There was something on the screen, but Min-jun’s smile was imprinted in his mind. He couldn’t understand why that bastard could smile so well. And he couldn’t understand why he himself felt his heart fluttering.
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As he got older, he knew Santa wasn’t real, so he told his father he didn’t need any gifts. But his father kept giving him presents that he thought Do-hwa would like. It brought happiness, but now he felt a bit bitter thinking about those times he could never go back to. These thoughts were becoming more frequent and now felt mundane.
The narration in the documentary was soothing, almost like a lullaby. Do-hwa’s eyelids gradually began to droop. Had he eaten too much for dinner…? Now he even closed his eyes. Do-hwa was nodding off as he felt extreme exhaustion and wished to become one with the floor.
Despite trying to hold out, Do-hwa eventually succumbed and laid down on the sofa. The comfort overwhelmed his body, and he felt his consciousness drifting further away. He felt like he could become one with the sofa forever.
“Seonbae, would you like a cup of tea…?”
Min-jun, who had finished tidying up and came out of the kitchen, paused when he saw Do-hwa. Then, with a strange expression, he effortlessly lifted Do-hwa into his arms. But he didn’t move any further, instead gazing at Do-hwa’s face for a few minutes.
“I hope our baby takes after you, seonbae.”
He whispered eerily and gently laid Do-hwa on the bed in the bedroom.
“Um…”
Do-hwa murmured and made small movements. Though older than Min-jun, his actions resembled those of a child. Min-jun stared at Do-hwa as if he were entranced, then gently touched his flat stomach. After a brief moment lost in thought, he rummaged through Do-hwa’s pants pocket and pulled out his phone. He unlocked it effortlessly, checked the message preview, placed it by Do-hwa’s head, and left the room.
Min-jun headed to the study and sat down at the desk, where a laptop and phone were neatly arranged. The laptop screen was filled with the name and identity of someone named Na Jio. While he was moving the mouse, his phone rang. Min-jun hesitated for a moment, glanced at the screen, and upon confirming the name Jane, he relaxed his tense expression and answered the call.
“Do you have any more information about Na Jio?”
[Yes, I just sent additional materials via email. As you predicted, it seems to be what you suspected. It looks like he was targeting the money of the Alpha household he was involved with.]
Min-jun smirked bitterly.
“As expected… When I mentioned that fact, his face turned pale in an instant.”
[So what would you like to do now?]
“We need to set a trap and wait for an opportunity. I also sent the address of the loan shark’s office that Do-hwa’s stepfather allegedly used. Did you receive it?”
[Yes, it’s there. Shall we check it together? Are you planning to visit?]
“Hmm…”
Min-jun opened the email with a vague expression.
ꕥꕥꕥ
*Whoo.*
Do-hwa, who had been deeply immersed in sleep, opened his eyes at the sound ringing in his head. In the dim darkness, he could first see the soft blankets and plush mattress clearly. He wondered when he had moved from the sofa to the bed. Even in his drowsy state, he briefly pondered the question before realizing the vibrating sensation in his head and reaching out his hand. In the dimness, while facing the dazzling screen, his eyes stung. He closed them briefly before gently opening them again.
The screen displayed the name ‘Na Jio.’ Do-hwa felt his heart sink.
Why did he suddenly call? Perhaps he thought the apology text was invalid due to Min-jun’s threat and had no choice but to send it. He grew anxious. But unable to ignore it, he reluctantly answered the call with a heavy heart.
[Is this… Do-hwa-ssi?]
A strange man’s voice echoed through the phone. It was a deep tone, almost as if a bug were crawling down his throat. Who could it be? Was it a colleague of his father’s…? Various guesses spun around in his head.
[I’m Koo Jong-pil. Haha.]
It was a name he was quite familiar with. Koo Jong-pil was the representative of the loan shark his father had been involved with due to business issues. According to his mother, he was extremely violent and persistent. Until now, he had only pressured the company and his parents, but it seemed like now his claws had reached him as well.
As if overturning a pitcher of ice water, sleep fled, leaving only fear lingering.
“W… Why did you call me?”
[They haven’t been in touch, and they weren’t even at the hospital where they were supposed to be admitted?]
He suddenly stopped talking, using formal language. It consequently felt like he was looking down on Do-hwa.
“What? My father and mother aren’t there?”
They had always been at the hospital, even amidst the pressure of high debt. Moreover, his mother had forced Do-hwa to take a break from school and go to work, citing that she would take care of his stepfather in the hospital.
[So, I brought Na Jio with me… We’re short-handed right now, you see.]
Why would they be shorthanded? A foreboding feeling tangled his thoughts.
[Come to the place I’m talking about right now. It’s the factory at 122 Street.]
That place wasn’t too far from here.
[Oh, and don’t even think about bringing any backup or anyone else. Your brother might lose his head if you do.]
The menacing voice of Koo Jong-pil, who had been issuing a stern threat, faded for a moment. There was a sound as if someone was being dragged, and then gradually, Jio’s sobbing became louder. Koo Jong-pil seemed to be handing the phone to Jio.
[Do-hwa… hey… c… come… quickly… Ugh.]
Jio’s breathing was very rough, as if he could pass out at any moment. Jio had never been kind to Do-hwa before. He had instead tormented him. But regardless, the sound of someone terrified on the brink of death was profoundly poignant.
[Argh!]
Soon after, Jio’s whimpering continued, and there was a loud commotion.
[I told you to stand properly! Why are you falling over, you damn…!]
The surrounding mix of curses and shouts from other men continued, unpleasantly adding to Do-hwa’s already frightened state of mind.
[If you don’t come by 7 o’clock, Na Jio will be crossing the Jordan River. Then, it’ll be too late to wait.]
“Just a moment…”
Do-hwa tried to say more, but the call abruptly ended, leaving him trembling as he checked the time on his phone. It was currently 6:40. He had 20 minutes left. He opened the bedroom door to head to the dressing room, where his outerwear was kept.
The living room was empty, illuminated only by dim lights, and there was no sign of Min-jun. Was he gone or sleeping in his room…? But he decided not to speculate further, given the urgency of the situation. Do-hwa hurriedly entered the dressing room. Instead of carefully selecting and wearing his expensive clothes as usual, he hastily put them on and left the apartment.
He spotted a taxi stand. The taxis were lined up, and Do-hwa got into the one at the front.
After telling the driver the destination, he checked his phone. It was 6:45. It seemed like he could arrive on time if he went by car. Just when he thought of this as a stroke of luck amidst the hellish misfortune, his phone started ringing. The caller was Min-jun.
Min-jun buddy, help Do-hwa out 😭
The poor lad can’t even breath in a moment of peace for once
Bros already thinking about a baby?? 🤡🤡🤡