“But I didn’t expect even that bastard Ma Zhuihui to come to us. Why would someone who’s an executive at Sovereign need to borrow someone else’s hand?”
“Sovereign’s affairs must be pretty unreliable. Plus, he needed quick cash. Since he has such a high-class hobby of collecting paintings.”
Manager Park, who had gulped down his drink, smacked his lips.
“Apparently an Italian broker is coming in this time. They’re bringing in some Baroque-era religious painting, and if it hits the market, even museums will be calling about it. No matter how rich Ma Zhuihui is, it seems he’s short on cash to move around right now.”
“Huh, is some old scrap of paper really that expensive? Still, if it were me, I’d rather dispose of real estate.”
“Real estate takes time to sell. When it’s coming into Tuen Mun Port next Monday, how are you supposed to dispose of real estate in the meantime? That’s why he’s re-exchanging chips too.”
“Ah……. It’s such a shame, hyung-nim. Of all times for Sovereign to blow up just when we caught such a big fish. The timing is so shitty….”
“What can we do? I know you’ve been through a lot, but hang in there a little longer until we get settled somewhere new. Have a drink.”
“Yes, hyung-nim! You’re the only one who truly understands me.”
Ju Xiang smiled broadly, seemingly moved by Manager Park’s minor praise. Since the farce these two gangsters were creating wasn’t Kang Siwon’s concern, he organized the situation in his mind.
So, the Baeksa Faction had apparently dreamed of an ambitious business expansion. But at this crucial moment, a fatal problem erupted at Sovereign, which was supposed to serve as the foundation for tax evasion.
It seemed like a time of upheaval all around. The Baeksa Faction, Sovereign, and himself too. For Kang Siwon, it was a wind of change he didn’t wish for.
“Kang Siwon, you should have a drink too.”
Manager Park shook the white porcelain liquor bottle with a swish. Normally he would have declined, but Kang Siwon just held out his glass. Even if he refused, he’d just get scolded for rejecting an elder’s offer of alcohol, and he was too tired to go back and forth over such issues now.
Baijiu flowed out from the white porcelain bottle.
Kang Siwon, having received the drink, tilted his glass. He tried to just wet his lips pretending to drink, but a few drops flowed down his throat.
Even though it must be expensive alcohol, it was only strong and bitter. As bitter as his own future.
* * *
The meal continued into the night. While Manager Park and Ju Xiang emptied glass after glass, Kang Siwon only pretended to drink.
After finishing the uncomfortable gathering, he took a taxi with Ju Xiang. Looking out at the night streets flowing past the car window, Kang Siwon suddenly thought he was like an object.
An object with no will of its own, moved around here and there according to others’ wishes.
Soon the taxi arrived in front of the Sovereign dormitory. Ju Xiang, who got out of the car first, emphasized again.
“Process Tian Feifei’s exchange properly tomorrow. Got it?”
“……Yes.”
There were no parting words. After separating from Ju Xiang just like that, Kang Siwon took the elevator up to the fourth floor.
“Phew…….”
Standing in front of Room 404, Kang Siwon exhaled deeply. Just for a moment—then he turned the doorknob.
Despite the late hour, the dormitory was bright. Ray Jun came out to the entrance to greet him, apparently having waited without sleeping all this time.
“Xie Wei, you’re back? Nothing happened, right?”
“……Yeah.”
The pearl white lighting in the living room looked especially warm today. Kang Siwon looked around carefully as if taking in the scene. His chest felt heavy at the thought that soon he wouldn’t be able to return to a lit dormitory or have someone come out to greet him.
“Did you drink by any chance? I smell alcohol.”
“No.”
“Then why are you avoiding eye contact? Look here for a second.”
Ray Jun grabbed his shoulders to turn him. However, Kang Siwon lightly swatted his hands away and moved forward.
“I’m tired. I’m going to wash up.”
“……Okay.”
Leaving Ray Jun, who seemed to have a lot to say, behind, he headed to the bathroom. Kang Siwon carelessly threw off his clothes and stood under the showerhead.
As the hot stream of water poured down from above, his body grew weary. Usually his thoughts would organize themselves during a shower, but today he just felt endlessly confused.
He wasn’t angry or sad, but he was terribly exhausted. He didn’t want to be a chip broker, but he also didn’t want to continue living as cage staff either. He didn’t know what to do or how to do it, and he couldn’t even tell what emotions he should be feeling.
“……Ha.”
After finishing his shower, Kang Siwon roughly dried off and left the bathroom just like that.
The living room light had been turned off in the meantime. Instead, a gentle light was seeping out from the bedroom. When he headed there, Ray Jun, sitting on the edge of the bed, raised his eyebrows. Well, he couldn’t have expected his roommate to appear completely naked without a thread on.
Thoughtful hazelnut-colored eyes carefully looked Kang Siwon over. Without needing words, everything about Ray Jun urged, “You can rely on me as much as you want.”
Kang Siwon’s throat tightened as he quietly called his nickname.
“Ray.”
Once he opened his mouth, a thirst he hadn’t even realized surged up. He muttered in a small voice.
“……Can you hold me?”
He thought he’d finally gone crazy. How could he shamelessly make such a request of Ray Jun?
But the moment Ray Jun spread his arms, Kang Siwon walked into his embrace as if drawn. Even if it was a crazy act, right now he wanted to be faithful to his desires.
Kang Siwon wrapped his arms around Ray Jun’s neck. Perhaps because he’d just showered in hot water, Ray Jun’s body temperature felt slightly cool. Still, that broad embrace and strong arms holding him tight gave him a sense of stability.
“Don’t you want anything more?”
A low, soft voice seeped into his ear. It was like a temptation to demand more. However, Kang Siwon silently shook his head.
“Really?”
Ray Jun slowly stroked Kang Siwon’s head. His large hand gently swept through the damp hair.
“What’s gotten into you to act so well-behaved? What made you so upset? Hmm?”
“…….”
“Tell me. Did Ju Xiang demand debt repayment?”
“……No.”
“Did he hit you again? Should I teach him a lesson?”
The tone treating him like a child was embarrassing, but he was also grateful. Kang Siwon mumbled with his face buried in Ray Jun’s chest.
“It’s not that.”
“Then? You wouldn’t ask to be held for no reason.”
“……I just went crazy for a moment.”
Kang Siwon lay down on the bed while holding Ray Jun. As they rolled over, Ray Jun naturally ended up on top. His muscular body weight pressed down heavily, but that pressure rather calmed his mind.
“…….”
Just holding each other without saying anything was the best comfort for him. In reality, no problems were solved, but the stress that had built up to his head seemed to gradually settle. Kang Siwon slowly breathed in and out.
Then, he felt something at their touching centers. Ray Jun’s thing had swollen.
“……I’m not in the mood for that.”
“Really not?”
Ray Jun fiddled with Kang Siwon’s earlobe. Even though he wasn’t stimulating a sensitive area, it was quite a lewd touch. However, Kang Siwon wasn’t moved at all.
“Think about it. Would you want to do that on a day you came back from meeting a loan shark?”
“Mm, I’ve never been chased by a loan shark, but I think I’d want to?”
“Forget it. Let’s not talk…….”
Ray Jun continued to fiddle with his earlobe like playing with his hands, but didn’t touch anywhere else. It was just a guess, but he also seemed sufficiently satisfied with this moment.
“Ray.”
“Yeah?”
“Would you do this with other roommates too?”
The hand that had been fiddling with his earlobe stopped.
“What are you talking about? Xie Wei, are you changing roommates?”
“…….”
“Are you going somewhere?”
Kang Siwon closed his mouth for a moment.
Nothing good would come from spilling his circumstances, but still, he wanted to at least prepare for a farewell. They’d lived together for over half a year—wouldn’t it be too much to leave without any hint?
Anyway, Manager Park and Ju Xiang had never told him not to tell others about quitting Sovereign. Using this as an excuse, Kang Siwon continued.
“I’m going to quit Sovereign soon.”
“Why?”
“I think I need to go somewhere I can earn more money.”
Since it wasn’t a lie, his conscience didn’t prick him. He just felt regretful about the fact that he’d have to part with Ray Jun before long.
If he fulfilled the term promised with the Baeksa Faction and became free, would there be a way to meet Ray Jun again then?
Such absurd thoughts kept making lingering attachments well up.
“Where pays more money than Sovereign?”
Perhaps that’s why—a sinister tone passed through Ray Jun’s voice, but Kang Siwon didn’t notice it.
“I don’t know either. Still, if I look, there must be somewhere.”
“Xie Wei.”
“I’m not saying I’m quitting right away. ……But I thought I should tell you in advance.”
Ray Jun was silent for a moment, thinking about something. His embrace, which had been so comfortable, became a bit awkward. When Kang Siwon fidgeted unnecessarily, he pulled him even tighter.
“Can’t you not go?”
