The wedding preparations progressed smoothly. Kwon Taejung’s mother, who had built a long-standing network, easily arranged for a renowned designer to create wedding attire for Kwon Taejung and Yigyeom. The designer, who already held a favorable view of Kwon Taejung’s family, readily accepted the request.
After work, Kwon Taejung took some time off to visit the designer’s studio with Yigyeom. They went through measurements, carefully selecting a design that was sleek and tidy from the designer’s famous collection. Kwon Taejung devoted more attention to choosing a bright-colored attire for Yigyeom than for himself.
After trying on several sample outfits, Yigyeom’s attire was finally decided. When they stood side by side in their wedding attire, admiring themselves in the mirror, the designer couldn’t help but praise how well they matched. Laughter echoed in the room, with the designer marveling at the perfect moment and Kwon Taejung capturing it in a photograph. A memento they could revisit whenever they wanted.
Although Yigyeom’s condition had somewhat improved, and it was okay for him to go out cautiously, spending several hours trying on clothes seemed exhausting. As soon as Yigyeom got into the car, he fell asleep.
Adjusting the air conditioning to a comfortable level, Kwon Taejung covered Yigyeom’s stomach with a thin blanket. He drove carefully to avoid waking him.
“….”
Upon arriving at the parking lot, Kwon Taejung found it difficult to wake Yigyeom, so he decided to let him sleep a bit longer in the car. Observing Yigyeom’s serene face, he quietly admired the moment, and then his vibrating phone broke the silence. Seeing the name “Secretary Baek” on the screen, Kwon Taejung quickly answered the call.
“Yeah, Jinwoo.”
-Oh, Taejung. It seems like there are already rumors circulating among reporters about your marriage. Some people noticed you and Yigyeom going around, and it seems like the news of your wedding preparations has spread among those who’ve seen it.
“Is the press release ready?”
-Yes, everything is prepared, ready to be released as soon as tomorrow morning.
“I’ll talk to Yigyeom and get back to you within two hours.”
Ending the call, the sound of the door opening reached Kwon Taejung’s ears. Seeing Yigyeom waking up, he quickly moved to the passenger seat, opening the door wider and helping Yigyeom down.
“Chief… is there something wrong?”
“Well, nothing to worry about too much. Still, since it involves you, I need your agreement… Let’s go upstairs. We can talk at home.”
Although he said there was nothing to worry about, Yigyeom felt tense throughout the journey upstairs, nervously fidgeting his intertwined fingers. Understanding Yigyeom’s concerns, Kwon Taejung tried to ease his worry, seating him comfortably before calmly addressing the matter.
“We’re getting married.”
“Yes…”
“Probably, whether we announce it or not, there will be news about it. My father is a conglomerate chairman, so there’s attention even from our family, and considering the accident I caused… there might be speculation about revenge driving, curious about who I’m getting married to.”
“Ah…”
Yigyeom nodded quietly. Frankly, it was not something he couldn’t understand. Even someone like him, who knew very little about the world, recognized Taesung Group as the largest conglomerate in the country. It wasn’t surprising that the family affairs of such a large corporation were frequently covered in the news.
“I don’t want to hide who I’m marrying because I’m ashamed. In reality, I want to tell everyone. I wish I could announce to the world that Yigyeom is mine and I am his, but I don’t want you to be uncomfortable because of me.”
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.
“I don’t think that way… Chief, I understand your feelings.”
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If it were in the past, all of this would have overwhelmed and scared Yigyeom. Having people he didn’t know find out about him, spreading rumors – it was genuinely frightening. However, hearing Kwon Taejung’s firm voice reassuring him not to worry while being held in his arms, Yigyeom felt no fear at all. He closed his eyes, pressing his lips to Kwon Taejung’s shoulder.
It was a night without trembling or fear.
* * *
[Exclusive] Taesung Group’s 3rd son, Kwon Taejung, to privately marry a civilian in the first week of August.
[Exclusive] Taesung 3rd son, Kwon Taejung, to marry a civilian… Not retaliation driving this time but speeding violation?
[Exclusive] ‘Terrifying Retaliation Driving’ Taesung Family’s 3rd son, Kwon Taejung, to privately marry a civilian in August! Who is the civilian marrying into the chaebol family? Taesung’s side: “Absolutely confidential.”
Reading provocative headlines, Kwon Taejung leaned back against the sofa, his irritation evident.
“Damn, even if I want to live without cursing, I can’t. Not bad this time. ‘Not retaliation driving but speeding violation?'”
Though annoyed by the sensational titles, what bothered him most was that they were all true. The retaliation driving incident was real, and Yigyeom having Piyak before their marriage was also true, so he couldn’t really object to the term “speeding violation.”
“They’re requesting us to refrain from using provocative and speculative titles.”
“Just because they give us guidelines, they still twist it like this. Fine, how are the reactions after the articles are out?”
Glancing at Secretary Baek, who hesitated before responding, Kwon Taejung nodded as if to say it was alright.
“It’s fine, go ahead and tell me.”
“…For now, there’s curiosity about what traffic rules you’ll break next, considering your history. Some find it amusing, showing positive reactions to your marriage with a civilian instead of another chaebol. Fortunately, the positive responses outweigh the negative ones.”
“Are they wondering what traffic rule I’ll break next, considering I’ve been accused of retaliation driving and speeding violations?”
“…Yes.”
“Sigh… Fine, damn it. Is there any personal information leaking?”
Seeing Kwon Taejung’s reaction, Secretary Baek cleared his throat and handed over documents containing anonymous online comments.
“There are posts claiming to have seen you and a seemingly unfamiliar man together, but so far, it seems like Yigyeom’s personal information isn’t circulating.”
“But eventually, someone will reveal it. Do your best to handle it. We can’t completely hide it, but we should do everything we can.”
“Understood. Still, now that the announcement is out, don’t you feel relieved?”
Kwon Taejung, glancing over the headlines on his phone, nonchalantly put it down. Honestly, it felt good. Even if it wasn’t a complete disclosure, he had let the world know about his marriage with Yigyeom.
“Good. It’s not a complete revelation, but it’s good. Jinwoo, you won’t believe how happy I am.”
“It shows. It looks like you’re the happiest you’ve been in a while. Congratulations on your marriage for real this time.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, another call coming in?”
Kwon Taejung looked at the screen displaying the name Goo Dae-jin. He probably called after reading the articles. Without wanting to receive congratulations or curses from Goo Dae-jin, Kwon Taejung hung up. Soon after, calls from various acquaintances in social circles flooded in. Suddenly announcing his marriage had indeed become a topic of interest to everyone.
“Ah, I think I should turn off my phone for a few days. Why is there such a fuss about me getting married? Can’t even invite those people.”
Smirking, Kwon Taejung glanced at his ringing phone, licked his lips, and quickly answered. The screen displayed the name ‘Babe.’
“Yeah, Yigyeom. Babe, did you call because you missed me?”
-Yes, Chief. Are you busy right now?
“No, not busy. Why, should I go home now?”
Getting up as if he was really going to his house, Kwon Taejung sat back down on the sofa, laughing at the protesting voice from the receiver.
-Dad said he’ll buy dinner for us tonight. He’ll send a car for us later. Did Chief receive a call too?
“Oh? I haven’t received a call yet. Seems like he wants to buy something delicious for us to celebrate the marriage announcement. I’ll come pick you up instead of the car. It’s better if we go together, right?”
-Yes.
“I’ll call my dad and then come after finishing up here. Don’t read articles and have a good day enjoying only fun things. Got it? Have a delicious lunch too.”
-…Yes. Uh…
Feeling there might be more to say, Kwon Taejung, waiting for a moment, leaned in to listen more intently across the phone.
“Yigyeom, feel free to say whatever you want.”
-Well, babe too… enjoy your lunch…
“…Huh?”
-Then, you’re probably busy… I’ll hang up.
“…?”
Even as the call ended, Kwon Taejung, holding the phone to his ear as if dumbfounded, met the gaze of Baek Jinwoo, who looked at him as if asking what was going on.
“Taejung, what’s going on? Did something happen to Yeon Yigyeom?”
“…He said ‘babe.'”
“Huh?”
“He said… ‘babe.’ He asked me to enjoy my lunch too.”
“…Damn. I’m going home.”
Trying to get up and leave the office as if he would rush right now, Kwon Taejung was stopped by Baek Jinwoo, who listed one by one the important meetings and tasks scheduled for the morning.
“Why. It’s almost lunchtime.”
“You have a lunch meeting, don’t you?”
“…Ah.”
“I understand how you feel, but calm down, Chief.”
“No, you don’t understand. If you knew, you wouldn’t tell me to calm down. This isn’t the time to calm down.”
Sighing about being obstructed by things like work, Kwon Taejung turned back to his desk and sat down. Then, he absentmindedly poked at some useless documents.
‘…Babe, too… enjoy your lunch…’
While I was curious, I thought that it wouldn’t matter if I didn’t hear a new title right away. Even though I was curious, I didn’t want to stress Yigyeom with a new title immediately. I knew that when Yigyeom was ready, when he had the courage, he would naturally call me something. However, now that I heard Yigyeom referring to me as “love” and looking closer to him than Chief, I finally realized how significant it was.
“……”
Oh, really, what should I do? I can’t help it if Yigyeom is so beautiful. Kwon Taejung, who was immersed in thought, shook his head, trying to focus on the documents in his hand. Even if it doesn’t catch my eye, I still need to work. It’s necessary to finish everything quickly and run to Yigyeom.
“Chief, there’s a call for you.”
Helping with necessary document sorting, Secretary Baek pointed to the vibrating phone on the desk. Kwon Taejung, glancing at the name ‘Dad’ on the screen, smiled faintly, quickly answered, and greeted him warmly. Thanking his dad for contacting Yigyeom first, expressing great gratitude for becoming attached to Yigyeom, Kwon Taejung hung up after saying goodbye.
Hehehe 😂 ‘babe’ so cute! Yigyeom