Since he came home yesterday, Do Hyuk had been inexplicably excited.
Seeing Jaeyin flustered when the shoe topic came up, he had a strong intuition that it was related to that incident.
Lately, Sung Jun had developed a secretive hobby: observing the unfamiliar expressions of Do Hyuk, who had been more than 90 percent expressionless.
Noticing Sung Jun’s gaze, which seemed interested, Do Hyuk cleared his throat.
“Ahem. Let her be. She probably stayed up late yesterday and must be tired.”
That makes sense.
The image of Jaeyin, yawning with sleepy eyes, came to mind.
Last night, finally, it was 1 a.m. when the work was finished, and Sung Jun had some remaining tasks, so he stayed in the guest room.
“Young Master, please have your meal.”
The breakfast menu prepared by Sung Jun was Eggs Benedict with a side of fruit salad and an avocado open sandwich.
It had a visual appeal that could rival famous brunch cafes.
“Thank you, Manager Kim. In many ways.”
In response to Do Hyuk’s sincere greeting, Sung Jun smiled and cautiously spoke.
“Did you see what you were supposed to see yesterday?”
“Well….”
Yesterday, Saturday afternoon.
Do Hyuk and Sung Jun originally had a work schedule.
However, Do Hyuk suddenly received a call and said that something urgent came up, so they postponed the schedule to the evening.
As expected.
It was just as Sung Jun had anticipated, that Do Hyuk would be with Jae In.
“How was what you mentioned last Friday…?”
It was just a question out of curiosity to see if he was practicing the “kindness that brings comfort.”
Do Hyuk, avoiding Sung Jun’s gaze that was staring fixedly at him, answered.
“…I helped with the luggage, drove her, and even helped find her things….”
“I see.”
Do Hyuk, who detested troublesome and annoying things, followed my advice? That surprised Sung Jun.
When preparing dinner, Sung Jun remembered what Jae In had said.
“Honestly, at first, Team Leader was scary and uncomfortable. But now, I’m used to it, and he doesn’t seem scary at all.”
Judging from Jae In’s more relaxed expression, it seemed to be quite effective.
“But… she doesn’t seem to be in a particularly good mood.”
Sung Jun, who had been secretly pleased, was taken aback.
It was an action overflowing with kindness without any flaws.
Seo Jae In, why on earth?
“That can’t be true… Could it be because of nervousness?”
“Is that so…”
“Ah! When someone who wasn’t doing well suddenly treats you kindly, you might be surprised. If you think about it the other way around, it could be a good sign.”
“A good sign?”
Do Hyuk’s eyes sparkled.
“Think about it. A store you usually pass by without paying attention suddenly gives out bread as part of an event. Then, how would you feel when you pass by that store next time?”
“Ah, that’s the store that gave out bread. I would think like that.”
Sung Jun nodded his head and made a clicking sound with his finger.
“That’s it! You start to notice the bread. Maybe Seo Jae In has started to notice the presence of the Young Master in the same way.”
Sung Jun added with a confident tone.
“As a man.”
“…!”
A wave of relief and hope began to surge in Do Hyuk’s chest, which had been like a vast sea before.
Feeling that Jae In had started to notice him, a heat rose in his heart.
Sung Jun cautiously asked Do Hyuk, who couldn’t hide his joyful expression.
“Excuse me, but may I ask which aspect of Seo Jae In you liked?”
In an instant, Do Hyuk’s eyebrows twitched.
“I’m sorry. Normally, I wouldn’t ask about such personal matters, but it’s different from when you meet other people.”
As someone who had been by Do Hyuk’s side for a long time, Sung Jun had seen countless women approaching him.
Considering his background alone, it was natural, especially since he was handsome.
Although they had tried to approach the unresponsive Do Hyuk a few times and ended up being pushed away.
Sung Jun was certain.
After closely observing yesterday, Do Hyuk’s attitude towards Jae In was clearly different from how he treated other women.
Although it might seem like he was being curt in his words, everything was tailored for Jae In.
Even when he occasionally glanced at her through his laptop, his eyes overflowed with affection.
Just like now.
Do Hyuk smiled with a gaze that seemed to recall Jae In or dream about her.
Finally, Do Hyuk opened his mouth with a somewhat awkward expression.
“Just being together makes me feel good… That’s the only explanation I can give.”
In that moment, Sung Jun realized.
That Do Hyuk’s feelings went beyond mere liking and turned into true love.
Do Hyuk, who had never given the perfect women, who were flawless in their beauty, family background, and accomplishments, even a single chance, had fallen deeply for a woman.
Sung Jun had been quietly worried about Do Hyuk, who had spent his life working without experiencing the joy of living.
That’s why he was all the more delighted by Do Hyuk’s change.
But there was one thing that concerned him.
“Let’s finish here for today and continue the rest tomorrow.”
Last night.
The words Do Hyuk said when wrapping up their work.
And the dark shadow that fell upon Jae In’s face upon hearing those words.
From Do Hyuk’s perspective as a workaholic, working late into the night and weekends might feel like a date, but for Jae In, it was just tiring.
Sung Jun calmly spoke.
“How about finishing work early today and going out for some fresh air in the afternoon?”
“What? Why all of a sudden…?”
“Because you might get tired of just working and feel like running away.”
…To Seo Jae In.
Do Hyuk’s pupils shook as if he had read the sharp warning in Sung Jun’s gaze.
Rrrrrrr.
Rrrrrrr.
A hand suddenly popped out from under the blanket.
Groping around.
The hand quickly silenced the ringing phone found by the bedside.
And then it slipped back into the bed,
Rrrrrrr.
Rrrrrrr.
“Who is it, this early in the morning!”
Jae In grumpily dampened the covers with a swipe.
Struggling to open her heavy eyelids, she checked the time: 9:10.
It was Yura’s call.
In the desire to sleep a little longer, Jae In hesitated for a moment.
Last night, too.
Helping Do Hyuk with his work, she could only return to bed after past 1 a.m.
Continuing to work together, with their heads bumping against each other at the dining table even on weekends, irritation had gradually built up.
Cha Do Hyuk, that stubborn person!
Hey, Team Leader, the agreement was different.
You said from 10 o’clock, briefly.
Where can you find someone with such a lenient interpretation of “briefly”?
Sigh, but at least I didn’t make you work all night.
The mobile phone was still ringing.
Jae In reluctantly pushed aside sleep and pressed the answer button.
“Oh, Yura.”
As soon as she answered, Yura burst into an exclamation.
Hey, why can’t I reach you like this!
“Sorry, I was preoccupied and forgot to call. But what’s the matter so early in the morning?”
Jae In, where are you right now?
“Where am I? At home. I just woke up after receiving your call.”
Really? Since you’re on your way home, freshen up and wake up quickly. I’ll be there in 5 minutes.
5 minutes later?
Jae In shouted in surprise.
“Yura, no! Come next time!”
Why? You said you’re at home.
“Ah, I mean, I’m actually planning to go out from now on.”
Where?
Yeah.
Why should I suddenly go somewhere early in the morning?
“Co…nvenience store?”
Just that?
Jae In couldn’t believe her own words.
Pft.
Yura replied with a mocking tone.
Left the keys under the flowerpot and went. I’ll already be inside.
Hey, no way!
Ah, why?
We saw each other yesterday. It’s Sunday, so let’s rest well today and meet next time. Okay?
Hmm…
An ominous silence lingered.
Finally, a muffled voice came through the receiver.
Friend, if I honestly tell you, I’ll make an exception.
What, what?
The person who lives with Team Leader Cha.
lu lu lo la ▪️ net (lululola.net)
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
_____
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