Yeom Cheonho pushed a glass with shimmering golden liquid in front of Yeonrok and said,
“Since you came as my partner, you can act more confidently. No one will dare treat you carelessly.”
“Because I’m a Name Partner?”
Though many people here had said Hwamyeongja, Yeonrok was still more accustomed to the term Name Partner. Yeom Cheonho looking at such a Yeonrok had a gentle expression. It was a gaze as if looking at something endlessly docile and harmless.
“Yes, that’s right. Because you’re a Name Partner.”
It was the first time Yeom Cheonho used the word Name Partner. He explained to Yeonrok one by one like an affectionate lover.
“I told you that for people like me, people are as important as money. In that sense, Name Partners are the most precious people. They have very low possibility of betrayal and at the same time are like a lifeline. That’s why regardless of their origin or background, they can be treated equally with the other person. Aren’t they as precious as gold and jewels?”
It was a gentle yet clear voice that could only be heard by Yeonrok’s ears. However, the content somehow sounded strangely cold on one hand. Yeom Cheonho added,
“And most of the powerful people here truly love gold and jewels.”
“Uh…”
“That means everyone cherishes and loves their Name Partner that much. Isn’t it really romantic? So everyone will treat Yeonrok-ssi as they would treat me. Unless they want to upset me.”
The corners of his mouth and eyes curved in round arcs, but somehow only his gaze felt cold. His values were quite different from Yeonrok’s. Thus, unable to readily give an agreeing answer, he smiled awkwardly and sipped his drink. He was a bit surprised that the golden liquid was alcohol, but it was very delicious.
“This is tasty.”
“Do you like alcohol?”
“Mm, I neither particularly like it nor dislike it. But I think I’ll come to like this.”
While chatting pleasantly, the opening speech ended before he knew it.
The nominal purpose was a charity banquet for patients with rare diseases, but peeling away the shell, it was a venue for networking. Yeonrok, who’d been watching people, belatedly realized something strange. Why were there so many Name Manifestors in particular?
‘The probability of Name manifestation is only about two or three out of a hundred people, but here, exaggerating, it seems like almost half.’
He looked around the banquet hall carefully once more. It was full of wealthy people like Yeom Cheonho, prominent professors, artists, politicians, and legal professionals. These were people who never spoke the words “Name” or “Name Partner” frequently used by the public, but particularly revealed and emphasized the picture-like name, “Hwamyeong.”
‘Why did the President say bringing a Name Partner was essential? Even though there are quite a few people here who didn’t bring Name Partners.’
The moment he recalled words he’d let pass without much thought, he felt like he was in a gathering of some strange, peculiar, and secret community… However, before he could continue that thought, people swarmed from all directions.
“President Yeom Cheonho! It’s truly an honor to meet you like this.”
“Do you perhaps remember me?”
“If you have time, could we talk together for a moment…”
Not wanting to be a bother to Yeom Cheonho but also not wanting to repeat the same greeting dozens of times like before, Yeonrok stood up abruptly. At that movement, their clasped hands separated.
“I’ll go over there and get something to eat!”
Yeom Cheonho looked down at his now-empty hand for a moment, then nodded. As soon as Yeonrok left, people quickly filled that empty seat. Only after escaping to a somewhat quieter place did Yeonrok catch his breath.
“Wow. I didn’t even do much, why is this so exhausting?”
Being a chaebol isn’t for just anyone. I can see why Yeom Cheonho overworks every day. Yeonrok stood at a distance, occasionally glancing at Yeom Cheonho while diligently filling his hungry stomach. He was also sipping alcohol here and there when someone passing by saw Yeonrok and stopped walking.
“Excuse me.”
Yeonrok quickly swallowed what was in his mouth and answered “Yes?” The other person seemed to be an attendant. There was a reason he could tell right away. Like attendants such as Kim Jeongseong, this person also wore a stereotypical achromatic suit and held a phone and tablet in their hands. The other person smiled harmlessly and said,
“You seem unaware that something’s stuck in your hair.”
“Oh, really?”
Yeonrok hurriedly fumbled at his hair, but couldn’t feel anything. Even looking with the selfie mode of the camera app, he couldn’t see it well. The other person asked carefully,
“If it’s not rude, shall I remove it for you?”
“Ah, yes. Please.”
When Yeonrok quietly bowed his head, the other person reached out their hand. He flinched. His scalp stung as if a hair had been pulled. The other person showed Yeonrok something like a piece of tape.
“This was stuck on. It must have transferred from some decoration. Then I’ll be going…”
“Ah, thank you.”
As he bowed in greeting and stroked his head, Kim Jeongseong, who’d been assisting Yeom Cheonho, quickly approached. While glaring at the attendant who’d approached Yeonrok, he asked Yeonrok,
“Do you know that person?”
“No. He said something was stuck in my hair and removed it before leaving.”
Even at that answer, Kim Jeongseong wasn’t reassured. After touching Yeonrok’s hair and clothes, checking thoroughly if there was anything wrong, he gave a warning.
“Next time, just come to me. If you allow contact from others in this place, troublesome things might happen. Some people attach listening devices.”
“I’ll be careful.”
Attach listening devices? The surprised Yeonrok quickly answered. Still, perhaps because it bothered him, Kim Jeongseong kept watching him or kept coming back and forth busily taking care of him, so Yeonrok had no choice but to return to Yeom Cheonho again.
“I’m back…”
“Did you fill your stomach well?”
Yeom Cheonho said while affectionately holding Yeonrok’s hand. Unable to answer that he’d devoured three or four plates, Yeonrok shamelessly pretended to be shy as he answered.
“I filled it a bit.”
Though quite a lot of time had passed, there were still many people around. Fortunately, perhaps noticing Yeonrok’s burdened feelings, Yeom Cheonho appropriately deflected conversations.
Listening to the conversation in one ear and letting it pass through the other, Yeonrok continuously sipped only the alcohol he’d drunk deliciously earlier. When he’d asked Kim Jeongseong about three times what time it was, the banquet finally showed signs of ending. The banquet host took the microphone and went up to the podium.
― I have good news to share with all our distinguished guests. This charity fundraiser has exceeded the target amount and achieved the highest total!
Cheers and applause rang out from all directions. With a heart wanting to go home quickly, Yeonrok also clapped hard.
― Thank you so much. In return, the top ten donors will be invited to a special gathering after the banquet ends.
For a moment, Yeonrok flinched with an ominous premonition.
― Now, the glorious first place is, none other than… President Yeom Cheonho of HM Capital! He generously donated a whopping 1 billion won.
The applause grew louder. Surprised at the news that his partner had donated 1 billion won, Yeonrok also clapped even more enthusiastically.
“Wow, you donated 1 billion won? That’s amazing.”
When Yeonrok exclaimed in admiration, Yeom Cheonho smiled broadly and whispered a fact Yeonrok didn’t know into his ear.
“Donations result in significant tax savings.”
I see…! But even so, 1 billion won was still an astonishing amount. Subsequently, names were called one by one up to tenth place. Hearing quite familiar company names and celebrity names, Yeonrok realized:
‘If this is a venue for networking, these ten people must be incredible connections, right?’
Quite a few people showed disappointment at missing the “special gathering” by not placing in the rankings. Above all, judging by the donation amounts, it was clear that including Yeom Cheonho, they were all wealthy people everyone was trying to strike up a conversation with.
Separate from that, Yeonrok felt a bit sad. Though he didn’t know what the special time was, it would delay their return home by that much. As he expected, when the banquet ended, an attendant from the host side approached and guided them politely.
“Yeom Cheonho-nim, and Lee Yeonrok-nim. We’ll escort you this way.”
He’d hoped they’d only take Yeom Cheonho, but as his Name Partner, Yeonrok was also taken along. Including the donors, partners, and attendants gathered in the lobby, the number was as many as several dozen. Soon the banquet host approached and smiled brightly.
“I’m truly happy to see you again this year following last year. I see there are some new faces too. Welcome. Then shall we all go enjoy a fun after-party?”
The host, with a flushed face as if very excited, led them. It was in the direction of the elevators. Naturally, they couldn’t all ride at once, so the donors and attendants were divided. The host pressed the button for the top floor located at the very end of the elevator.
Watching the electronic numbers indicating the floors change without much thought, Yeonrok suddenly detected something strange. Yeom Cheonho’s hand, which was always warm to the point of being hot, seemed to be gradually cooling.
“…President?”
Yeonrok called out, but for some reason, as if his mind was very preoccupied elsewhere, he didn’t seem to hear at all. Soon the elevator stopped with a ding sound. It was the top floor of the hotel.
