Having a lover who was curious about what he was thinking and what emotions he held and listened was a blessing.
Ian met Ganghyuk’s eyes and revealed his inner thoughts. He knew he couldn’t live in the soup restaurant building forever.
Talk of Hyoseong-dong redevelopment had been coming up steadily for several years, and by the time Grandfather passed away, concrete outlines were starting to take shape.
“I knew there would be redevelopment. Grandfather often talked about it too. But I vaguely thought I’d keep living there. I couldn’t imagine a home that wasn’t there.”
When he was just born, he lived elsewhere with his parents. But after his mother abandoned Ian and left, Sangmin immediately took infant Ian in his arms and entered Cheolho’s house.
From then on, home to Ian was always the soup restaurant building with its savory smell.
“After the building was sold, I was going to move with Grandfather to a house with a small garden. I can’t do that now though.”
He still felt heavy-hearted when thinking about Grandfather. His tear ducts swelled up quickly, as if they’d burst at just a touch from someone.
Still, being able to smile even faintly was all thanks to Ganghyuk. The affection filling the eyes looking at him filled Grandfather’s empty place.
“It’s true I miss it, but since I’ll be living with the Executive Director, no, hyung continuously, I think I can adapt quickly. It’s my first time living on a high floor though… I want to see the night view soon. Jaehyun hyung, no, Jaehyun ahjussi, ah, Executive Director, no, Ganghyuk hyung…”
Ian, who had been chirping like a bird, made a tearful face and tightly grabbed Ganghyuk’s forearm with both hands. Strength naturally entered Ganghyuk’s body and firm muscles filled his palms.
“Can’t I just use the titles comfortably like before? The title ‘ahjussi’ really doesn’t suit my mouth. I’ll call the Executive Director ‘hyung’ properly from now on too.”
Being conscious of titles made his words get tangled. At the face full of earnestness, Ganghyuk nodded slightly.
“Yeah, then.”
“Phew… Anyway, Jaehyun hyung. He told me the night view at the house we’re moving to is incredibly amazing. Ever since hearing that, I’ve been continuously curious, you know.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
So he felt both regret and excitement at the same time. The unfamiliar environment was scary, but since it was where Ganghyuk originally lived, curiosity was greater.
Was it called a penthouse? His mouth fell open when he heard the building had as many as 65 floors. Ganghyuk even lived on the top floor, the 65th.
There were five rooms, but Ganghyuk only used three, so Ian’s luggage was scheduled to go into the two empty rooms. They decided to put only Grandfather’s belongings in one entire room.
“When we get there, you can change the interior and accessories however you want. I just need you.”
“Cough, cough…”
At the embarrassing sound, a violent reaction burst out from the driver’s seat. Ganghyuk only looked at Ian’s gradually reddening face, whether Sucheol coughed or not.
“What if I change everything to floral-patterned blankets?”
“That’s fresh and nice.”
“You’ll really let me do whatever I want?”
“Yeah.”
At the face that seemed like it would accept whatever he did, Ian’s cheekbones rose roundly.
‘Ah, this is really ridiculously hard.’
The only person suffering in the car was Sucheol. Sucheol coughed and swallowed saliva down his scratchy throat while thinking of Jaehyun, who wasn’t here.
If he’d known it would be like this, he would have left the driving to someone else and gone on a business trip to the provinces.
Thinking about conveying what Ganghyuk said to Jaehyun made goosebumps rise on his arms again. When he shook his shoulders as if cold, Ian suddenly stuck his head forward.
“Hyung, are you cold? Then I can turn up the air conditioner temperature.”
“Don’t talk to me. It interferes with driving.”
“Okay.”
Even at the blunt tone, Ian wasn’t hurt. Having spent time with Sucheol, he knew his way of speaking was originally like this.
Several times he’d heard him talking with Ganghyuk’s other subordinates, and it was incredibly fierce. He seemed like someone who couldn’t speak without including curses.
This much meant he was trying really hard to speak gently to him. He returned to his original position. As he did so, he swept his arm once with his palm.
Cool skin was felt. It was an unconscious action.
“Sucheol-ah, turn up the temperature.”
At what Ganghyuk, who was devoting all his attention to Ian, said, Sucheol pursed his lips. He should be used to it by now, but when Ganghyuk protected only Ian, he felt a little hurt.
“Ye, yes.”
He answered as if rebelling without realizing it, then sneakily glanced at Ganghyuk. But Ganghyuk had no interest in Sucheol at all.
He’d already seated Ian on his thighs and was taking off his suit jacket to drape it over Ian’s shoulders. The face kissing the crown of Ian’s head looked so peaceful that Sucheol focused his gaze only on the navigation and the road ahead.
Without being conscious of it, a gentle smile also bloomed on Sucheol’s lips. One way or another, Sucheol was one of the people who wished for Ganghyuk’s happiness.
ლ
“Wow…”
Ian tilted his head back in admiration. It was amazing that such a store existed on Seoul’s outskirts. The standalone 5-story building had a strongly exotic atmosphere.
The black roof imitating roof tiles, and the red stone stairs contrasting with the dark gray stone exterior walls were striking. On the dark reddish-brown wooden sign, the Chinese characters ‘運龍軒’ (Unyongheon) were engraved in a stylish cursive script and painted gold, making it extremely splendid.
Around the characters, the picture of a dragon cutting through clouds was all gold too, dazzling to the eyes.
“They sell jjajangmyeon here?”
All the jjajangmyeon Ian had eaten so far was ordered from shabby Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood. He couldn’t believe they sold jjajangmyeon in such a luxurious building.
“Yeah. It’s quite delicious. Let’s go in.”
Ganghyuk stroked Ian’s head once and then took his hand to lead him to the stairs. Red lanterns were installed along the stair railing, creating a dreamlike atmosphere even though the sun was still bright.
When they arrived at the entrance, a woman wearing a red cheongsam came out to greet the two. Sucheol said he’d eat separately to feel comfortable and was walking at a distance.
The staff member looked up at Ganghyuk with sparkling eyes and smiled kindly. At the subtly wafting flower scent, Ian stuck a little closer to Ganghyuk’s side.
“Welcome. This is Unyongheon. Do you have a reservation?”
“No. Do we have to wait?”
“We happen to have one private room available on the second floor. Shall I guide you there? However, to use a private room, you’ll need to order either à la carte menu items including at least two main dishes or a course menu.”
“That’s fine.”
“Then I’ll show you this way.”
At Ganghyuk’s response, the staff member led the two to the elevator. Ian’s eyes widened as he busily moved his feet.
The flashiness outside was nothing compared to the interior. The floor was made of gleaming marble, and next to the counter stood a massive sculpture of intertwined golden dragons and phoenixes. The sculpture was as tall as Ian.
From the ceiling hung a super-sized chandelier made of wrapped red silk, emitting an enchanting light. The center was completely open, creating a considerable sense of openness.
In the middle of the first floor, a fountain and small garden were installed. With the garden at the center, private rooms were placed at regular intervals on each floor. The curtains could be lowered or raised, allowing diners to enjoy the garden and fountain on the first floor while eating.
Inside the elevator, a pleasant fragrance filled the air. Walking down the corridor laid with red carpet toward the private room, it felt strange, as if they had come to a foreign country rather than Korea.
“Here we are.”
The staff member pointed inside the room where red curtains were draped. Inside were a round rotating table and four chairs.
As Ian sat in the chair Ganghyuk pulled out for him, he rolled his eyes around. From the walls with intricate gold-leaf patterns carved into reddish wood to the golden vase with orchids planted in it.
Even before eating, he felt overwhelmed by the luxurious atmosphere.
“I’ll prepare tea for you first. Please take your time looking at the menu and choosing. The call button is here.”
At the staff member’s words, Ganghyuk nodded lightly. Shortly after, the staff member returned carrying a tray with a teapot and teacups on it.
Ian scratched his cheek while looking at the menu Ganghyuk handed him. Braised abalone with truffle sauce, lobster dish, Beijing-style crab meat soup, braised sea cucumber in abalone sauce, Peking duck, stir-fried lamb ribs with dried chili, fish-fragrant eggplant, XO sauce seafood fried noodles, century egg and pork congee, and more.
