# Chapter 13
‘Cha Jaehyun’ is garbage not even worth mentioning. He’s a person who will soon disappear from the Daejin family, so don’t even acknowledge him.
This was what Cha Taeha always heard from his father whenever the name ‘Cha Jaehyun’ was mentioned.
Cha Taeha loved his father and admired his dignified appearance. The image of him always commanding something from above everyone else, leading the sizable company called Daejin.
Cha Taeha often thought that he wanted to become someone like his father later. So he believed and followed everything Cha Taehan said.
Cha Jaehyun is garbage that will soon disappear from the Daejin family. Dirty blood.
So if he ever encountered Cha Jaehyun, he would ignore him like avoiding a cockroach. When Cha Taeha first saw Cha Jaehyun’s face, he felt he understood why his father despised him.
Though he was smiling on the outside, even to a child’s eyes, his gaze was somehow empty and dark. The unmistakable smell of cigarettes when near him also remained as a very disgusting memory in Cha Taeha’s mind.
Of course, there were rarely occasions to see him. That’s because none of the family members wanted to associate with him. So the figure of Cha Jaehyun was imprinted in Cha Taeha’s mind as ‘a pathetic person who will soon disappear from Daejin,’ nothing more than a faint speck of dust.
But one day, he unexpectedly came into his house.
On the first day Cha Jaehyun moved in, Cha Taeha was very displeased with the fact that he had to share a table with this pathetic human whom his father called garbage.
But when he encountered Cha Jaehyun in the kitchen, his appearance was slightly different from the ‘garbage’ he had imagined. Moreover, the unpleasant gaze he had seen before seemed to have disappeared, replaced with bright, sparkling eyes, and instead of cigarette smoke, his body smelled of fragrant body wash. As if he had become a completely different person.
He looked around cautiously while taking food out of the refrigerator, and while eating that food, he smiled the happiest smile in the world. That appearance was less like garbage and more like a harmless herbivore. Like a silly animal character often seen in animations.
Also, no matter what he said to him, he just smiled and brushed it off. Is this what garbage looks like? Seeing that insincere, grinning face, Cha Taeha began to take a small interest in him.
* * *
After much deliberation, I ended up accepting Cha Taeha’s one-sided invitation. Cha Taehan would come late in the afternoon anyway. I planned to just quickly play along without upsetting Cha Taeha’s mood and then escape. As soon as I entered Cha Taeha’s room, I closed the door so that no one would see.
Upon entering the room, a large, pleasant space appeared. No, this wasn’t just a simple room. Opening the door revealed another private living room.
To think there’s a personal living room inside the bedroom. Moreover, there was a separate private terrace next to the living room. The structure was such that it wouldn’t be wrong to say there was another ordinary house inside the room.
‘Wow… This is amazing.’
“Hey, why are you closing the door?”
While I was inwardly marveling at how different the wealthy truly are, this ill-mannered kid called me “hey.” What a naughty kid, I’ll let it slide because he’s cute.
“Taeha, Uncle is too cold, so I closed it.”
“Who’s whose uncle? I’ve never had an uncle like you. And it’s summer now, you’re cold? Say something that makes sense.”
This logical kid. He doesn’t give an inch.
“Taeha, where’s the Lego? I really want to build Lego…”
I changed the subject to divert the kid’s attention. Fortunately, my strategy seemed to work as Cha Taeha looked me over once and then brought the Lego, starting an unplanned Lego building session.
“Taeha, I had a lot of fun today. I should go now. Thanks for inviting me!”
After roughly building Lego for 20 minutes, I prepared to leave, lying that I enjoyed spending time with Cha Taeha.
“Hah… Then come again tomorrow.”
Cha Taeha responded to my fake greeting with a frown. What does he want me to do? Anyway, I quickly escaped his room, grateful for the fact that I encountered Cha Taeha without causing a big commotion.
* * *
It’s already the third day since I moved into this house. If I could just endure the frightening breakfast, the rest of the day was somewhat bearable. Cha Taehan left early every morning and came back late at night. There weren’t many occasions to run into him, so I could avoid conflicts. That’s really fortunate.
‘Just hold on like this, only 11 more days!’
Quiet morning hours. I was in a good mood thinking that it was more bearable than expected and that I could soon set foot on American soil.
Ding-
I was lying on the bed when a text message arrived. Is it Han Woojin?
[Young Master, I’m sending you information about the school you’re scheduled to attend and the house where you’ll reside.]
As expected. Han Woojin is Han Woojin. It’s only been about 3 days, but he’s already gathered all the information about the school I’ll be attending and the house. I wonder if it’s possible because we have a lot of money or if Han Woojin’s work processing is fast. Whatever it is, his work processing is incredibly quick. There’s nothing bad about that for me.
I quickly looked over the materials he sent, and the school he sent wasn’t bad either, and as for the house, there was no need to say anything. When I saw the house where I’ll be staying, my mouth dropped open. This was beyond the luxurious lifestyle I had imagined.
‘This is incredible. But why did he only send one house? Has he found a separate house for himself?’
[Good work. Has Secretary Han found a separate house for himself?]
[I was informed that I would be living in the same house as Young Master, so I didn’t look for a separate house.]
He’s saying something shocking. At the first breakfast, Chairman Cha Taesan gave permission to live separately, but it seems he hasn’t received that information yet. I should let him know quickly. It looks like Han Woojin is also being dragged to America against his will, and if we live together, it would be unfortunate for both of us.
[I already discussed this with the Chairman. Secretary Han will live in the neighboring house. Please find a separate house for Secretary Han.]
[Young Master, understood. Please rest comfortably for the remaining period.]
I wonder if this person is actually reading my texts and replying. The reply came right after I sent the message. I’m starting to get used to his speed. How much must he have been pushed to achieve this speed? He must hate Cha Jaehyun as much as the time he was pushed.
I really don’t want to go with Han Woojin… But if I think positively, it might be convenient to occasionally receive help when there’s a capable person beside me.
‘Whatever. Let it be.’
While I was lying on the bed briefly, reading the documents Han Woojin had sent again, I saw Cha Taeha through the door gap.
“Taeha, did you come to play with me? That’s great!”
Hah, why are you here again? This time all the way to the front of my room. I smiled brightly with a fake smile and gestured for Cha Taeha to come in. His expression was still one of “Hmph!” but he slipped into my room.
Cha Taeha sat on the floor and began assembling the Lego he had brought with his small fern-like hands. Perfect cheeks, big eyes, long eyelashes. It was like watching a cute doll move.
He was a bud that would grow into a tremendous handsome man like Cha Taehan or Cha Jaehyun when he grew up. No matter how much he shouted at me or threw tantrums, I thought a child is still a child. Without realizing it, I looked at Cha Taeha with loving eyes.
“Why don’t you have any friends?”
Cha Taeha suddenly asked me. This kid has been calling me “you” since before. Well, what can I do? I only thought that if Cha Taehan looks down on Cha Jaehyun so much, even his child would act like this.
“Yes. As you said, Taeha, I don’t have friends. So, Taeha should play with me a lot while I’m at home.”
I answered Cha Taeha in a gentle voice, trying my best to act nonchalant.
“I’ll think about it after seeing what you do. Then draw pictures with me tomorrow.”
Quite a significant harvest. Calling me “you” instead of “hey.” But why do we have to meet again?
“Taeha, couldn’t you call me Uncle instead of you?”
I acted cute to Cha Taeha. Acting cute to a child. I felt a bit embarrassed for a moment.
“What are you saying!”
Cha Taeha spat out his irritation and quickly left my room. It was hard for me to act cute, and it seems it was the same for Cha Taeha who was watching.
‘Phew… Finally, he’s gone.’
As soon as Cha Taeha left, I turned on my phone screen.
[Seo Hanryul]
Seo Hanryul? A familiar name was on my phone notification.
[Cha Jaehyun. Let’s meet.]
Seo Hanryul, the undisputed male protagonist of this novel. Why do you want to see me again? I thought it ended cleanly. What’s this situation now?
