Chapter 23: A Meal for Show
It was a quiet Korean traditional restaurant with a view of the Han River nightscape. Though there were private rooms available in the back, Dohyuk deliberately reserved a table in the main hall. Perhaps because of the spectacular view, Baek Hyeri didn’t ask why he hadn’t chosen a private room.
“That person sitting over there is Director Choi, right?” Baek Hyeri asked, pointing to a spot diagonally behind her. Dohyuk’s gaze shifted to the table behind her. Director Choi and Yeon were sitting there. Only the back of Director Choi was visible, but Yeon was facing them directly. Their eyes met occasionally, but neither Dohyuk nor Yeon acknowledged each other.
“Who is the person with him?”
Baek Hyeri showed interest in Yeon. Since Director Choi always accompanied Dohyuk, it would be natural to assume that Yeon was also part of the secretarial staff, but his attire seemed to suggest otherwise.
“He looks quite young. Is he Director Choi’s nephew or brother? But if that were the case, he wouldn’t have brought him along while attending to you, Kang Dohyuk-ssi.”
She made a logical guess about Yeon’s identity.
“He’s an acquaintance of mine.”
Because of Yeon’s youthful face and attire, Dohyuk couldn’t pass him off as a new employee. He wondered if he should have made him wear a suit, then chuckled to himself. Even in a suit, Yeon would never look like a company employee. The strange aura Yeon emanated was unusual. Even without his shaman’s robe, his light brown hair and blue eyes made him stand out.
“An acquaintance…”
After hearing Dohyuk’s response, Baek Hyeri’s eyes narrowed and she gave a meaningful smile.
“He must be quite special. Considering you brought him to a place like this.”
In many ways, he was indeed special. More accurately, ‘unique’ would be the right description rather than ‘special,’ but Dohyuk didn’t bother to clarify.
“He could be a celebrity. You know? People keep looking in that direction.”
Baek Hyeri gestured toward the other tables with her eyes. Looking around, Dohyuk saw she was right. Couples who appeared to be lovers and even older adults were occasionally glancing at Yeon.
“I think you made a mistake, Kang Dohyuk-ssi. Bringing someone so eye-catching to our meeting.”
Baek Hyeri smiled mischievously. She wasn’t criticizing him for bringing someone special to a meeting with a potential marriage partner. She nodded toward the corridor on the opposite side of the hall. Behind a large tree, something shiny was visible.
Dohyuk had known from the beginning but hadn’t spared it a glance.
“Aren’t you worried that the camera that should be focused on us might be pointed elsewhere?”
Those spying on them were reporters. Since rumors of a strategic marriage between Dragon Holdings and Kangsan Construction had circulated in financial circles, there had been reporters following them lately.
“I can control what gets published, so it doesn’t matter.”
At his suggestion that he could select which articles would be released, Baek Hyeri smiled slyly. It was her way of saying, ‘Of course you can.’
“Still, stop looking over there so much. It makes me want to turn around and see what’s so interesting.”
The subject “the reporter with the camera” was omitted but understood. Dohyuk’s expression stiffened slightly. Had he been staring at Yeon that noticeably?
“From a distance, they might not notice. But since you rarely show interest in people, even the slightest movement of your gaze is obvious to me.”
“…I apologize for my rudeness.”
In response to Dohyuk’s apology, Baek Hyeri said it didn’t matter and placed a side dish on top of his rice bowl.
“This much is fine, right?”
She rolled her eyes toward the camera lens that sparkled in the lighting despite being hidden behind the tree. It was an action deliberately performed with the camera in mind. Dohyuk nodded and put the side dish she had given him into his mouth.
He looked at her and smiled faintly. Since their voices wouldn’t be heard anyway, expressions were enough. Understanding this, Baek Hyeri also smiled prettily back at Dohyuk.
***
“It’s better not to stare too obviously. There’s a reporter nearby,” Director Choi warned Yeon while continuing to eat. At the mention of a reporter, Yeon unconsciously looked around. Director Choi cleared his throat to signal his disapproval.
“It’s a strategic marriage for a joint venture between Dragon Holdings and Kangsan Construction, but a pretty presentation would positively affect the stock, so…”
Yeon stared blankly at Director Choi for this unsolicited explanation.
“Is it alright for you to tell me such things?”
He couldn’t understand why Director Choi, Dohyuk’s closest aide, would share information about business or Dohyuk’s personal relationships with him.
“You’re not likely to go around telling others, and anyway, the news about those two will be all over tomorrow, so there’s no need to keep it secret.”
Both reasons were valid.
“But Director Choi, you’re wrong. Those two won’t get married.”
Yeon looked briefly at Dohyuk, then looked away and spoke calmly. Director Choi stopped using his chopsticks and stared at Yeon.
“How can you be so certain?”
“Because I can see it.”
Director Choi knew roughly from Dohyuk about Yeon’s abilities. However, since Dohyuk himself didn’t believe it at all, Director Choi also had zero trust in the idea that someone could see the connections between people with their eyes.
But when Yeon spoke so calmly like this, it was a bit disconcerting.
“If what you say is true, that would be quite problematic.”
He had no intention of engaging in a useless argument about whether to believe Yeon or not. His own belief wasn’t important in this matter.
“This deal with Kangsan Construction is quite important for us. It’s a major project that must succeed.”
“There won’t be any problems with the business. Kang Dohyuk-ssi and that woman are perfectly tied together as business partners.”
“You can see that too?”
Despite thinking just moments ago that he didn’t believe Yeon, he reacted instantly to his words. Embarrassed at his own reaction, he cleared his throat.
Watching Director Choi, Yeon smiled faintly. Such reactions were quite rare lately. Being constantly surrounded by humans with many hidden agendas, someone who showed genuine surprise or curiosity felt refreshing.
The believer, the non-believer, the half-skeptic—he was already familiar with all types. So whether they looked at him with suspicious eyes or clung to him with blind faith, he just accepted it.
“You and Kang Dohyuk-ssi are bound by a connection that will last a lifetime.”
A person showing absolute loyalty to Kang Dohyuk. Someone who would be a source of strength to him in any situation. Director Choi was a necessary person for him.
Unlike himself.
***
Kim Seonuk picked up his loudly ringing phone after finishing his shower. His eyebrows twisted crookedly when he checked the caller ID. Should I not answer? While hesitating with reluctance, the call ended. Thinking it was for the best, he tossed the phone onto the bed.
However, moments later, a message notification sound rang out. There was no need to wonder who it was from. The ding, ding sounds continued one after another. When he finally checked, unable to ignore it anymore, it was indeed from the person he had met at the hotel a few days ago.
– You’re slower to act than I expected.
– How long are you going to just watch?
– Just make a decision. I’ll provide the people.
His face contorted upon reading the messages. Not only did he dislike being pushed by this person, but he also didn’t like following his orders. He detested Kang Dohyuk, but this bastard was equally untrustworthy.
– Do you think it’s as easy as you make it sound?
After retorting, he immediately received another message.
– You’re more of a coward than I thought. With guts the size of a bean, no wonder you never beat Kang Dohyuk.
He bristled at the dismissive comparison to Kang Dohyuk. Chewing on curses that lingered in his mouth, he was about to throw his phone when another notification sound rang.
– Think all you want. You’ll miss your chance and regret it later.
This was followed by a photo. It showed Kang Dohyuk and Baek Hyeri sitting across from each other, smiling over dinner.
– Check the internet news tomorrow morning. It’ll be chaos everywhere.
His teeth gritted at the subsequent message. He immediately called the person.
[Feeling desperate now?]
The mocking tone grated on his nerves, but he suppressed his anger once.
“Are you serious about the news article?”
[If you don’t believe me, check it yourself. Looks like Today News will have an exclusive.]
“Stop it!”
[Why should I?]
“Fuck! It won’t benefit you either!”
[It won’t particularly harm me either.]
The playful voice made him feel like his insides were turning over.
[You know. It doesn’t really concern me anyway.]
He could hear chuckling. The person was clearly enjoying the situation.
[Seems you’re still hesitating. Think all you want. But your mind might change after seeing tomorrow’s article. Call me if you change your mind.]
The person hung up first.
“Aaargh!”
Unable to contain his overflowing anger, Kim Seonuk threw his phone at the wall. With a thud, the phone hit the wall and shattered as it fell to the floor. The housekeeper outside asked what was wrong, but when he yelled at her not to bother him, he heard hurried footsteps moving away.
Whew, after taking a deep breath, Kim Seonuk roughly pushed his bangs back and turned on his computer. He cross-searched the names Kang Dohyuk and Baek Hyeri on the internet but found nothing significant. There were only occasional articles about Dragon Holdings and Kangsan Construction where they were mentioned as related personnel.
Just in case, he then searched for Dragon Holdings, Kangsan Construction, and the word “engagement,” but still found nothing. He wondered if that bastard had been playing him. The thought that he might be ridiculing him made his anger rise.
Still, the photo of Kang Dohyuk and Baek Hyeri sent in the message bothered him. They looked like an affectionate couple from any angle. It seemed like it had been a long time since he had seen Baek Hyeri smile so prettily.
Was it just a matter of good timing? As the people in charge of the Yeouido project, they could have plenty of reasons to meet.
He really needed to get involved in the Yeouido project somehow. He had tried to persuade his father again with the materials that guy had shown him at the hotel, but his father remained unmoved. He only said they would decide after seeing the joint business presentation by Dragon Holdings and Kangsan Construction in a few days.
Wouldn’t that be too late? By then, Dragon Holdings and Kangsan Construction, Kang Dohyuk and Baek Hyeri, might have already announced their engagement.
Damn it. He paced around the room anxiously, but had no good solution. The risk of following that person’s suggestion was too great. No, he couldn’t do that.
At least, that’s what he thought at the time.
