In a dimly lit room, Gyounghyul’s calm gaze stared directly into Minhyuk’s eyes. He filtered through his emotions in his mind, not wanting to express his current feelings explicitly. Gyounghyul, maintaining a firm posture, began to articulate his thoughts.

“I think I may have been mistaken all this time after hearing what you said, sir.”

Minhyuk, thinking that his words were being accepted, lifted the crystal glass he had put down. Each time he turned his wrist to draw a circle, the transparent ice made a tinkling sound.

“It’s fortunate that you’ve realized something.”

Minhyuk, leisurely passing the golden whiskey, said, “Things I hadn’t even thought about became clear thanks to you.”

Gyounghyul’s eyes turned cold toward Minhyuk, who let out a sardonic laugh.

“As you mentioned, even if I pass, it will take time to graduate.”

Minhyuk lightly nodded, as if urging him to continue.

“Assuming good management of grades and taking seasonal courses, there are five semesters left until early graduation.”

2 years and 6 months, and he would turn thirty-one.

Waiting for Seoyeon until then, according to his graduation plan, was a selfish and complacent thought.

While under Minhyuk’s sharp attack, Gyounghyul reconsidered Seoyeon’s perspective. If he were Seoyeon, what would he have done?

“I thought it would be better to graduate before getting married to have a clear conscience.”

When the word “marriage” came up, Minhyuk laughed openly, as if saying he was talking nonsense.

Regardless, Gyounghyul continued his statement.

“But listening to your words, sir, made me think, ‘Is it necessary to wait until graduation?'”

Minhyuk’s face lost its laughter momentarily.

“If we’re already meeting with marriage in mind, changing the order of graduation and marriage shouldn’t matter.”

“Marriage is no joke.”

“Then, is it a joke to you, sir?”

“What?”

“If you have special feelings for Seoyeon, shouldn’t you respect that person’s feelings?”

Gyounghyul pointed out the fundamental issue.

Seoyeon’s feelings, the center of this relationship.

Minhyuk had excluded the most important thing from the beginning. Was it right to unilaterally push with a flashy background and age? He wanted to ask.

Age, graduation, family opposition, societal perception—all these problems could be overcome with love.

But what if the other person’s heart wasn’t there, no matter how many conditions were met?

Gyounghyul wanted to point out what Minhyuk was overlooking.

Even if he met Seoyeon’s parents and received help from Wonjun’s mother.

He had to know that the person Seoyeon chose was not Choi Minhyuk but Gyounghyul.

“If you can gain someone’s feelings by pushing, there would be no failed love in this world.”

Even someone like Minhyuk, who was experiencing love for the first time, didn’t think that proficient Minhyuk was unaware.

Perhaps this was Minhyuk’s useless pride and greed.

“Being together with Seoyeon in the future, as you mentioned, won’t be easy, sir.”

“Bringing up marriage when you know it?”

An uncontrollable emotion surged in Minhyuk’s eyes, a look that said, ‘Are you joking?’

“If tears need to be shed and knees need to be bent, I’m willing to do it willingly.”

“Isn’t marriage a joke for kids?”

“I will do everything to make sure it’s not a joke. I won’t let anyone hurt Seoyeon.”

Gyounghyul was resolute.

As adults, the two of them meeting, falling in love, and deciding to get married were matters that excessive interference would block entirely.

He had confidence that if he went strongly from the beginning, even Seokgu wouldn’t rashly oppose Seoyeon.

In fact, Seokgu was not a reckless person. He thoroughly judged the situation, watching the other person and making a move.

“So, my conclusion is that I plan to marry Seoyeon after passing.”

“Can you really do that?”

“There’s no reason not to. The most important thing is Seoyeon’s feelings toward me.”

Gyounghyul did not utter a word of agreement. From the moment Minhyuk interfered, the two were nothing more than equal competitors.

He did not commit any actions that violated courtesy. That was the line Gyounghyul thought he should maintain.
“And I’ve never thought of Borah as a potential partner. Not even once.”

She clearly stated her opinion about Borah.

She intended to cut off any potential misunderstandings.

“I’m not from a conglomerate. There’s no reason for me to use marriage for succession or securing shares.”

“Your grandfather concluded specific discussions with both chairmen. Do you know what’s going on?”

It was the first time he heard about it, but he didn’t want to show his confusion.

“No, but it’s not like we’re exchanging prenuptial agreements like chaebol families. I can handle it on my own terms.”

What on earth was happening?

The fact that it reached Minhyuk’s ears meant that information leaked from Borah’s family or relatives.

“I need to find out exactly what’s going on.”

While lost in thought for a moment, Minhyuk’s gaze didn’t miss it.

“I heard your plan well.”

Minhyuk casually accepted it as if listening to a group presentation from a professor.