A honk sounded from behind the car. ‘Beep beep!’ Whether someone said something from behind or not, Jung Sanho just stared intently at Seungyeon. Unable to bear it any longer, the driver behind cursed, “Hey you crazy bastard, what are you doing suddenly stopping!” Flustered, Seungyeon repeatedly said “I’m sorry” while bowing his head and opening the rear door.
A man in a black suit was sitting in the driver’s seat, and Jung Sanho was visible in the back seat. Seungyeon hesitated and slipped into the seat beside him. Only after getting in the car and fastening his seatbelt did the car slowly start moving. At the curses still faintly audible, Seungyeon glanced at the car window.
“So harsh… Why curse like that?”
Of course, it was deserved. They’d suddenly stopped in a no-parking zone and completely blocked the right-turn lane. Even if told they drove like complete shit, there wasn’t much to say.
“Did you drink coffee? I smell coffee.”
“Ah… does it smell a lot?”
Seungyeon fiddled with the ends of his hair. Jung Sanho, who’d been looking at Seungyeon just by rolling his eyes, answered with reddened cheeks.
“It doesn’t smell that much.”
[An increase in a Specific Person’s favorability has been confirmed! As a reward, a Penalty Nullification (1-time use) has been issued!]
Seungyeon’s hand, which had been fiddling with his hair, hesitated. He couldn’t fathom what in the current situation could have raised favorability. Unless there’s some kind of fetish for coffee smell…
Seungyeon awkwardly lowered his hand quickly. Jung Sanho expressed his affection ceaselessly without even realizing it himself. It was the first time receiving such blind and honest affection. At this level, it had to be considered more favorable than even his real mom. Jung Sanho seemed to like him to death just from his mere existence, just from breathing in and out.
“There’s a party in a few days. It’s called a party, but it’s just something thrown together to build connections, so it’s not particularly a difficult occasion. I, I’d like it if you’d go there with me.”
“A party?”
For Seungyeon, who’d never done anything besides birthday parties, it was an unfamiliar term. Perhaps thinking he’d refuse, Jung Sanho hastily added.
“It’s just boring to go alone, it’s not a weird place. If you go with me, I can pay you double.”
“No. The money’s fine.”
If I accept double the money here, I’d be too much of a piece of trash. Seungyeon waved his hand, telling him to stop talking about money.
“Got it. If it’s a place I can go to, let’s go. It’s not like that’s difficult.”
[An increase in a Specific Person’s favorability has been confirmed! As a reward, a Penalty Nullification (1-time use) has been issued!]
As soon as he finished speaking, the status window appeared again. Seungyeon silently glared at the status window and swallowed a sigh. Isn’t there like a mute function for the status window or something? Somehow it feels even more chaotic because of that thing.
No other conversation followed after that. Jung Sanho wasn’t the type to speak first without a purpose, and Seungyeon also kept his mouth tightly shut, afraid to speak because of the status window. Every time he said anything, favorability went up, so now it was getting slightly scary.
“We’ve arrived.”
The car stopped in the parking lot and Jung Sanho turned his gaze. Looking around the VIP parking lot with curiosity, Seungyeon unfastened his seatbelt.
“But why did we come to the department store? Do you have something to buy?”
“I’m going to buy some clothes.”
I see. Seungyeon nodded and got out following him. A department store employee who’d been waiting from the parking lot greeted them respectfully. Shopping began with the employee who introduced themselves as today’s personal shopper. Not long after accompanying them, Seungyeon gained enlightenment.
‘He’s rich.’
Not just rich, but incredibly rich. The fact that he could receive such devoted treatment at a department store was surprising in itself. No wonder the sprout was different from when he casually offered three hundred. Not only did he spend money like water, but Jung Sanho seemed very accustomed to being treated this way.
They stopped by a space called the VIP Lounge, which he’d never heard of in his life, and heard various explanations. Then, a full-scale tour of the stores began. As soon as they entered a store, employees bowed their heads as if serving a master. The taste of money is really something. Before possession, he’d occasionally run for department store opening runs at his noonas’ requests, but it could be bought this easily and comfortably.
“How about this?”
Jung Sanho brought over a suit and held it up in front of Seungyeon. Carefully selecting even the necktie and cufflinks, he requested the employee show him other suits, as if something wasn’t quite right.
While he examined about five or six suits in succession, Seungyeon sneakily whispered to the employee asking for the price. Upon hearing an unbelievable amount, he calmly backed away from the area where the clothes were hanging. If it gets scratched or something and they tell me to buy it, I’ll go bankrupt right there, so his heart was pounding.
“Do you like this one?”
Looking over the clothes received from the employee, Jung Sanho asked, and Seungyeon answered perfunctorily.
“Yeah, it’ll suit you well.”
Looking at the favorability notification from the status window that appeared out of habit, Seungyeon smiled awkwardly. Jung Sanho stared at him intently, then called an employee with the clothes.
“I’ll pay for this one and all the ones I saw earlier.”
Lines he’d only heard in dramas flowed from his mouth. So this is how rich people shop. His eyes widened since there were at least six suits. That was the price for one suit, but he’s buying six? Just how much money does he have?
Perhaps because of the quantity, it took quite a while to check out. He was shocked by the culture again when told they’d deliver it directly. Department stores deliver too. Was that natural since he spent that much?
Seungyeon stayed by Jung Sanho’s side with a dazed face. While checking out and following him without knowing where the destination was, Jung Sanho’s phone buzzed. Checking his phone, he bit his lip as if troubled.
“Just a moment. I’ll just take one call and come back.”
“Huh? Yeah, sure then. I’ll wait here.”
Seungyeon leaned against the wall. I wanted to rest a bit anyway, so this works out well. After staring at him for a while, Jung Sanho reluctantly gripped his phone and headed somewhere. Left alone, Seungyeon tapped his legs that were complaining of fatigue.
“Shopping isn’t for just anyone…”
Actually, his body wasn’t tired, but the mental shock was great in many ways. On top of that, the status window that rang whenever he was about to forget it also created a strange fatigue. It wasn’t that he disliked Jung Sanho, but it was extremely burdensome. How should he put it? He expressed his affection so openly, and since sincerity could be felt in it, just being by his side made him feel like he was deceiving Jung Sanho. Seungyeon glanced bitterly in the direction he’d disappeared.
It seems like shopping is about done, so if I say I’m going home now, he won’t hold me back, right? Having received nullification rights generously, it seemed better to avoid meetings with Jung Sanho for the time being. Money was nice, but still, he couldn’t shake the thought that this wasn’t right. Before crossing the line any further, shouldn’t I maintain an appropriate distance…
While Seungyeon was seriously contemplating, someone passed by him. At the familiar back, Seungyeon’s eyes widened. “Huh?”
“Noona?”
Though he’d only glimpsed her side profile, it was definitely Baek Sehee. Shouldn’t she still be at the company at this time? As if possessed, Seungyeon followed after her.
“Noona!”
At Seungyeon’s shout, Baek Sehee, who’d been walking ahead, turned around. On her always gentle and clear face, delight appeared.
“Oh? Seungyeon! What are you doing here?”
She approached with quick steps and grasped his hand tightly with a bright smile. Looking at Baek Sehee, who was happy to see him, Seungyeon also smiled.
“Someone I know asked to meet. What brings you here, noona? Isn’t it time you should be at the company?”
“I came out briefly to buy something for work. Oh, Seungyeon, say hello. He’s Muhyuk-ssi’s friend.”
At those words, the man who’d been standing like a shadow behind Baek Sehee finally entered his view. Jung Sanho was tall, but this man seemed even taller than Jung Sanho. The man dressed in a jet-black suit stared intently at Seungyeon.
“Younger brother?”
His eyes were looking at Seungyeon, but the question was directed at Baek Sehee. She nodded in affirmation.
“Yes. This is my younger brother, Seungyeon.”
“You look alike.”
The man looked at Seungyeon and Baek Sehee as if comparing them. Even though they’d only exchanged a few words, he somehow exuded an atmosphere that made people feel intimidated. Perhaps noticing the uncomfortable attitude, Baek Sehee smiled and grabbed Seungyeon’s arm.
“We’ve been told we look alike a lot since we were young. Right, Seungyeon?”
“Huh? Yeah, well…”
Answering her question roughly, he smiled awkwardly. Tae Muhyuk’s friend, who is he? Even though he knew people from that family and company, no one who fell into the category of ‘friend’ particularly came to mind. Tae Muhyuk’s personality wasn’t that good either, and even as for friends, in the drama only a few names had passed by.
No matter how much he racked his brain, nothing came to mind, so his curiosity only grew. If he’s meeting separately with Baek Sehee, it sounds like they’re close. Or maybe he’s someone related to Tae Jeyoung, the real male lead?
His curious gaze turned toward the man. At the eyes still staring intently at him, Seungyeon’s shoulders flinched.
‘But he’s staring so intensely…’
