“Oh, is that so?”
Since he was saying this himself, it created an excuse to tell Moon Gyeonwoo later too. When Yeonrok quickly walked over and held Yeom Cheonho’s other hand, Choi Hwan strangely felt very wronged.
“I-I’m holding it for him!”
“…? Yeah. But if two people hold it, it’s more efficient. Don’t you remember doing that when I was sick before? Name Partners should help each other out.”
While scolding him, Yeonrok tilted his head wondering why on earth he was acting like this. In a voice that strangely seemed to be holding back laughter, Yeom Cheonho said,
“If you’re doing this to look good because of the card, you seem to have reflected enough, so I’ll unfreeze it.”
“Ah shit, it’s not because of the card…!”
Choi Hwan couldn’t finish his words and fumbled, his face flushing red and pale. Still, quite tempted by Yeom Cheonho’s words, he pouted and retorted.
“You’ll really unfreeze it?”
“If you promise not to ditch your bodyguards again.”
“I won’t.”
Choi Hwan agreed quickly without sincerity. Perhaps because it was obvious even to Yeom Cheonho, he advised in a gentle voice.
“If this happens again, I’ll double the number of bodyguards and hand the card over to Manager Jo Junho.”
As if the thought alone was terrible, Choi Hwan nodded with a deflated face. Yeom Cheonho’s words didn’t end there.
“And while we’re at it, how about entrusting your asset management to someone else? I think Hwan-ssi has shown enough sincerity to your family at this point.”
Choi Hwan, who’d been planning to rush to the department store with a happy face to sweep up all the new items, paused. He became defensive and pressed his lips tightly shut. Yeom Cheonho also knew about Choi Hwan’s circumstances, but it seemed he hadn’t been able to touch on it since the person in question had this attitude and it was a sensitive matter.
“If you don’t trust other people, then fine. Someone like Yeonrok-ssi.”
“Huh? Me? I should manage his assets?”
Yeonrok was greatly surprised when his name was suddenly mentioned. There was no way Choi Hwan would accept such an absurd proposal. Thinking he’d naturally throw a fit, Yeonrok looked at him, but unexpectedly Choi Hwan had an intrigued expression. Meeting his gaze, he slightly lifted his head.
“You said it. All my money is your money.”
“No, that was…”
That obviously wasn’t something he’d said sincerely, right? Of course it was a counter-strategy to drive out his troublemaker parents!
However, on the other hand, he also thought this: thinking about those parents who’d seemingly taken almost all the money their son earned with his excessive spending, yet shamelessly came and acted violently…
It wouldn’t be strange if Choi Hwan went bankrupt soon and ended up living off Yeom Cheonho. If he left Choi Hwan alone, unable to make a peep in front of his unfairly treating parents and only listening, the same thing would clearly repeat.
Still, as Yeonrok was wondering if this was right, Yeom Cheonho gave him a look. Seeing him, Yeonrok had a realization. Ah! Was this all a joint operation to save Choi Hwan from being exploited by his parents? It was just in name that he’d manage the assets; it seemed like Yeom Cheonho would help from behind, so Yeonrok quickly nodded.
“Okay. Then I’ll manage it for you from now on.”
Perhaps because it was money that had been continuously taken by his parents, even though someone else would manage his assets, Choi Hwan seemed quite pleased. Thinking he was entrusting it to him to keep it from being taken by his parents, Yeonrok felt a bit sorry for him.
Yeom Cheonho smiled as if he’d done well and winked, sending a smile to Yeonrok. Yeonrok felt a bit proud. He felt good since he was protecting Choi Hwan’s wealth and receiving Yeom Cheonho’s trust and support. Soon Yeom Cheonho changed the subject.
“So about the cherry blossom viewing I mentioned earlier, there happens to be a suitable place.”
* * *
On some island in the South Sea that had been recommended, in a landscape full of fluttering cherry blossom petals, Yeonrok, left alone with just Moon Gyeonwoo, thought:
‘Why did it turn out like this…?’
It was definitely cherry blossom viewing that Choi Hwan had suggested going to and Yeom Cheonho had recommended a place for, but the only person by his side was Moon Gyeonwoo with a sour expression. He recalled the process of how it came to this.
‘Then shall we go play this Tuesday?’
Choi Hwan had spoken confidently, but having not consulted with his agency at all, Jo Junho, who’d been unilaterally notified of the schedule, immediately rushed over. He scolded that what kind of cherry blossom viewing was this during such a busy time, saying they could see them just by going to Yeouido, and after trying to persuade him, finally gave permission to go briefly on Sunday afternoon. And two days later, Yeom Cheonho said this:
‘I think I can make some time on Sunday too, would it be all right if I join?’
Choi Hwan showed his dislike with his whole body, but Yeonrok readily agreed. Going out to play all together felt like a picnic, and it also felt a bit like they’d become family. Hearing that Yeom Cheonho was going, Moon Gyeonwoo also made time to go along.
But on the actual day of departure, Choi Hwan, who had an urgent filming matter come up, dropped out with a dejected face. Yeom Cheonho was the same. He had something urgent to handle and couldn’t join, so he asked that the two of them at least have a good time instead. Perhaps because it was his lover’s request, Moon Gyeonwoo reluctantly accompanied him. As a result, only the two of them ended up going cherry blossom viewing.
“Haah… I have a mountain of work to do.”
Moon Gyeonwoo sighed next to him, blatantly showing his displeasure. Regardless, Yeonrok was busy looking around.
The place they’d arrived at after a few minutes on a yacht was a small island owned by Yeom Cheonho. Cherry blossom trees and wonderful ornamental trees were planted all around, and it was so neat it showed signs of frequent human maintenance.
‘He really does have a lot of money. He even has his own island.’
Standing still and looking around, Yeonrok raised his head feeling a stinging gaze. Moon Gyeonwoo was glaring at Yeonrok. He felt a sense of déjà vu similar to when he’d gone to the club with Choi Hwan.
“Ah, why again?”
“Nothing.”
Though he answered like that, he didn’t stop staring. After glaring back, Yeonrok asked suspiciously.
“You’re not misunderstanding that the President and I were trying to meet alone just the two of us, are you? I was originally going to come with Choi Hwan, but the President said he’d join.”
“I said it’s nothing.”
“Or is it because I held the President’s hand last time?”
“I said it’s not?”
It seemed to be the correct answer. Yeonrok, who’d received such looks from Moon Gyeonwoo more than once or twice, scoffed. Moon Gyeonwoo didn’t say anything more either way and started walking. Yeonrok quickly followed behind him.
“Speaking of which.”
He’d been wondering when that would come up. However, Moon Gyeonwoo’s next words were different from Yeonrok’s expectations.
“I’m not dating President Yeom Cheonho.”
Yeonrok was a bit surprised by the unexpected words. He’d been treating Yeom Cheonho quite affectionately and nicely lately, so he’d assumed they were definitely dating. But thinking about it carefully, neither Moon Gyeonwoo nor Yeom Cheonho had ever said they were dating, and though they were close, they’d never had any particularly intimate physical contact.
“If you’re not dating, then just at the something stage?”
“If I had to say, you could see it that way.”
He could feel reality hitting in Moon Gyeonwoo’s tone as he said this. Of course, he expressed it with more sophisticated words.
“I’ve been feeling a bit doubtful lately.”
Wondering why he was bringing up such intimate stories to him, Yeonrok stared. It seemed to be an extension of having been a drinking companion once before. Walking along the path where cherry blossoms scattered, Moon Gyeonwoo spoke matter-of-factly.
“You said I have no eye for people, right?”
It was something Yeonrok had casually thrown out on the night they drank, but Moon Gyeonwoo seemed to have listened fairly seriously and remembered it.
“President Yeom Cheonho seemed like a decent person no matter how you looked at it. At least it seemed like he’d keep what he should keep well. But…”
Moon Gyeonwoo’s brow gently furrowed as he looked at the petals fluttering down, blown by the sea breeze.
“He’s too cold and calculating to have a personal relationship with.”
With shapely fingers, he picked off a petal that had fallen on the sleeve of his cardigan and let it drop to the ground as he spoke.
“Romance is something you do with someone who has at least some emotion toward you, but if the other person is that cold, I don’t feel much either.”
“President Yeom Cheonho is cold?”
Completely unable to understand those words, Yeonrok asked in bewilderment. To him, he was the most affectionate, kind, and dependable person he’d experienced. To use expressions like cold and calculating for such a person—it was hard for Yeonrok to accept. Moon Gyeonwoo ridiculed Yeonrok.
“You are young.”
“I said I’m twenty-five. Want to see my ID?”
“Does Choi Hwan seem like an adult to you?”
That’s not it but… No! Choi Hwan’s story is different. He’s someone who seems like he’ll still be the same even if he turns thirty, but he’s different. After glaring at Moon Gyeonwoo, who’d been treating him like an incompetent person ever since visiting the research lab last time, Yeonrok said,
“I know from experience that not having a lover isn’t that bad either. Life is originally lived alone anyway.”
Though he’d said it fairly seriously, Moon Gyeonwoo just chuckled. Surprisingly, it wasn’t mocking. Strangely, Yeonrok got the feeling that the other person found him just a tiny bit cute. Of course, that absolutely wouldn’t be it…
