With a smile on his face, Yeom Cheonho kindly explained.
“I have a gathering today that requires me to bring my Name Partner, so we’re on our way there together.”
Choi Hwan’s mouth gaped open and shut. He alternated looking between Yeonrok and Yeom Cheonho, who were dressed so impeccably they wouldn’t look out of place at a year-end awards ceremony, then suddenly raised his voice.
“Why aren’t you taking me!”
“Don’t you have filming tonight too? Won’t you have to go out again?”
Yeonrok asked, bewildered. He remembered well how Choi Hwan had grumbled just yesterday about suddenly getting filming scheduled late at night. So regardless of what kind of relationship Yeom Cheonho and Choi Hwan had, bringing a partner was impossible from the start. Choi Hwan wanted to complain, but even he seemed unable to articulate a specific reason, as frustration colored his face.
“I’m also a Name Partner, so why are you leaving only me out!”
Wondering if that was really something Choi Hwan should be saying, Yeonrok looked at him, and somehow that handsome face even showed a resentful light. Unable to understand at all, Yeonrok was about to ask why he was acting crazy when Yeom Cheonho tapped the watch on his wrist as if troubled.
“We need to depart now. Let’s continue this conversation later.”
“Oh, yes.”
Though Choi Hwan was a bit concerning, they couldn’t be late, so Yeonrok moved forward, leaving him behind. Perhaps it was just his imagination, but the back of his head felt hot.
As they exited the entrance, Kim Jeongseong quickly ran ahead and opened the door of the vehicle waiting in front of the main gate. Soon after the car departed, Yeonrok grew anxious and quickly forgot about Choi Hwan.
“I really just have to greet people, right?”
“Of course. And even if something were to happen, I’ll cover for you, so rest assured. There won’t be anyone who’ll treat you carelessly, Yeonrok-ssi.”
Since it was none other than Yeom Cheonho saying this, Yeonrok felt much more at ease. He alternated between looking at the mirror and his phone, worried his clothes might get disheveled, and before he knew it, they had arrived at their destination. When Yeonrok still couldn’t relax, Yeom Cheonho leaned in and asked for permission.
“Just a moment…”
Soon, warm and firm fingertips brushed Yeonrok’s forehead. Though nothing was actually disheveled, he simply stroked Yeonrok’s hair and collar unnecessarily for the sake of his young partner’s peace of mind. When Yeonrok looked up anxiously, Yeom Cheonho comforted him affectionately.
“You’re absolutely perfect. As my partner, you suit me perfectly without any deficiency.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
Finally, Yeonrok’s complexion brightened. The hand he had been clenching tightly from anxiety relaxed, and his shoulders straightened. Meanwhile, the car stopped in front of the hotel entrance. A doorman quickly approached and opened the door. A brightly trained smile greeted the two of them.
“Good evening. President Yeom Cheonho, and Partner-nim. I hope you have a pleasant evening today.”
Just like at the department store, he recognized them immediately just by looking at their faces. Yeonrok wondered if they might be acquainted, but his mindset was extremely cautious, so he couldn’t ask and just widened his eyes. Noticing this, Yeom Cheonho leaned over and whispered kindly in his ear.
“He memorized my car number and face in advance. He appears to be a quite experienced doorman.”
“Is that what it was?”
Finding it fascinating, Yeonrok stuck close to Yeom Cheonho’s side as they moved. The gathering was being held in the hotel banquet hall, where they were checking invitations at the entrance. When Kim Jeongseong, who accompanied them, presented the invitation, the staff carefully verified it before letting them in.
Inside the banquet hall, many people had already arrived. Despite Yeonrok’s efforts to dress up, there were splendid outfits everywhere, making his efforts seem pale in comparison. What was particularly fascinating was that a considerable number of people were highlighting their Names. They revealed shoulders or chests where Names were located with off-shoulder clothing, or made hands, feet, and necks stand out with flashy decorations.
It was the first time in Yeonrok’s life seeing this many Name Manifestors gathered in one place. The sound of instruments playing softly to suit the spring evening banquet, the fresh-colored interior decorations, the fresh flowers filling every corner along with drinks and food. Like someone dropped into an unfamiliar world, Yeonrok followed Yeom Cheonho around with a sense of novelty.
They had barely set foot in the banquet hall when someone approached them. Yeom Cheonho leaned toward Yeonrok, who had his attention stolen by finger foods and desserts, and spoke into his ear again.
“The chairman of Yujoong Steel Company is approaching us. Shall we greet him together?”
Only then did Yeonrok’s body stiffen. Soon, a middle-aged man approached with a broadly smiling face and greeted them.
“President Yeom! It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
“Director Yu. I’ve been doing well as always.”
“This is the first time seeing you here. Then perhaps…”
The other party subtly glanced at Lee Yeonrok, who was obviously frozen stiff. Yeom Cheonho smiled even more deeply.
“Yes, this is my Hwamyeongja. I’m introducing him to you for the first time, Director Yu. Yeonrok-ssi, this is Chairman Yu Dongho of Yujoong Steel.”
“Hello, I’m Lee Yeonrok.”
“I’m meeting President Yeom’s Hwamyeongja! Haha, truly pleased to meet you.”
Yeonrok had secretly worried that the other party might notice he was nothing special and show signs of disregard. However, there was no such sign at all, and he remained friendly and consistently polite until the conversation ended.
After that, Yeonrok met and greeted countless people. They all showed strangely strong curiosity and interest in Yeonrok. Perhaps it was because Yeom Cheonho stayed by his side. But even considering that, they treated him amicably to a suspicious degree. Even though every person he greeted was a president, chairman, director, professor, or celebrity of somewhere. It was as if they were trying to make a good impression on him.
‘Am I being overly self-conscious?’
His mind spun rapidly, trying to understand the situation so as not to make any mistakes. Only after hearing the word “Hwamyeongja” dozens of times—something he rarely heard normally—was he finally able to sit down.
When the opening remarks began and they took their seats, Yeom Cheonho, reading his partner’s dazed expression, handed him a water glass. Only then did Yeonrok realize he was quite thirsty. After emptying one glass, this time a sweet dessert was placed in front of him. Once the sweet thing went in, perhaps because sugar was circulating, he gained some composure too.
“Honestly…”
When Yeonrok began speaking softly, Yeom Cheonho gently held his hand. Yeonrok flinched but resisted the urge to look around. Instead, he stuck close to Yeom Cheonho’s side and spoke so only he could hear. He didn’t notice, but many people were glancing at them. And among them, there was one particularly intense gaze.
“I thought I might be looked down upon.”
“Why did you think that?”
Instead of listening to the opening remarks, Yeom Cheonho asked while looking only at Yeonrok’s flushed cheeks.
“I was afraid I might show signs of being inadequate…”
Yeonrok’s confidence had been greatly diminished after meeting the Name Partners. It wasn’t that high even before, but it was because he had been severely looked down upon by Choi Hwan and Moon Gyeonwoo. Although the relationship had improved considerably now, the influence of the suffering he experienced back then still remained.
“Oh my.”
Yeom Cheonho saw through him at once. To Yeonrok, who was embarrassed for having honestly opened his heart, he leaned in even more intimately.
“You do show many signs of being lovable.”
“Huh?”
Ugh! Yeonrok almost let out a scream. He truly had absolutely no immunity to words like this. Holding back the urge to squirm, he squeezed hard on the hand clasped with Yeom Cheonho’s.
“I’m a fully grown adult man, President. Those kinds of words really, truly don’t suit me at all.”
“That doesn’t matter. Because Yeonrok-ssi is just my precious person.”
“President, I’ve been thinking this for a while, but you really say embarrassing things without hesitation.”
For some reason, Yeom Cheonho laughed lowly with a pleased expression. Even when hearing cringe-worthy words, Yeonrok had been fine, but for some reason, upon hearing this laughter, his ears turned completely red.
Clearing his throat, he quickly drank water to cool the heat. And only then did he notice the gazes directed at him. Most scattered as soon as Yeonrok turned his head, but one particularly intense gaze remained.
The well-dressed middle-aged man hurriedly looked away only after making direct eye contact with Yeonrok. Yeonrok tilted his head. He was definitely seeing this person for the first time, but strangely, he felt a sense of familiarity… Well, today wasn’t the first time receiving such piercing stares.
Following around with Yeom Cheonho, Yeonrok could tell that his Name Partner was an even more remarkable person than he had known. There were faces he had only seen on the news normally, and names familiar even to Yeonrok, who had little interest in politics and business, were frequently mentioned. Conversations about money in units of hundreds of millions and business talks went on endlessly. Hearing the word “Hwamyeongja,” which he normally never got to hear, quite often made it feel like a truly different world.
