He washed his face to shake off his wandering thoughts.

“In any case, that’s not it. I would’ve known if that were the case.”

“Well… you’ve been with her for four years, so if you say so. But Jae Heon,”

Myung Woo looked worried as he spoke.

“What will you do if she leverages the fact that she knows about your insomnia to make unreasonable demands?”

“Unreasonable demands?”

“Like money, for instance, or a guaranteed promotion.”

Well, accommodating such requests would be no problem.

And he had known for a long time that Ra Jin was fond of incentives, so he had already thought about that…

“Or marriage.”

Jae Heon paused.

Marriage?

He had been so preoccupied with this contractual relationship that he hadn’t even considered marriage.

Ra Jin probably felt the same.

That must be why she suggested they date for just three months.

‘Marriage.’

He was momentarily flustered.

Jae Heon pondered more deeply.

They had verified over the past four years that they were compatible in many ways.

They shared many traits—needing to handle things cleanly and quickly to feel satisfied, disliking excuses, and valuing action over words.

They both knew each other’s work better than anyone else did, and Ra Jin was especially attuned to his preferences and tastes.

He was still getting to know her, and…

Come to think of it, there was no one more suitable to be his spouse than Ra Jin.

Although Jae Heon had no immediate plans for marriage.

There was still too much he had to do to be tied down.

In this world, marriage wasn’t just a union between two people.

It was akin to a contract between families, or even corporations.

There would be many details to handle, big and small.

His grandfather was pushing for his marriage just to keep his uncle in check, but…

That was a hit to his pride.

He was confident he could hold his own with just his capabilities.

With Ra Jin by his side, it would be entirely possible.

And as he thought that…

If he were to marry someday.

It wouldn’t be bad if it were Ra Jin.

After all, they could sleep together every night.

‘Is it not just ‘not bad’… but something I must hold onto?’

Myung Woo interpreted Jae Heon’s silence as agreement.

“The saying that you can know the water of ten paths but not the heart of one person isn’t there for nothing. Time spent together doesn’t mean you know the person well.”

Jae Heon agreed with what Myung Woo said.
Ra Jin, whose true nature I had only recently begun to understand despite being nearly inseparable for four years, was incredibly cute and lovely.

“Sir.”

With a resolved look, Jae Heon opened his mouth.

“Please help me.”

Myung Woo nodded as if it were a matter of course.

“How can I assist you?”

“Please help me avoid being forced into marriage by my grandfather.”

Myung Woo wore a worried expression.

“So you intend to keep seeing her?”

“Yes. As I’ve told you, I need Ra Jin.”

Ah, yes. He’d mentioned being able to sleep soundly when they were together.

Knowing better than anyone how vital a good night’s sleep was to Jae Heon, Myung Woo had no choice but to nod.

“Understood. I’ll also continue to look into ways for you to fall asleep even when she’s not around.”

The phrase ‘even when she’s not around’ struck a nerve in Jae Heon.

He hated the mere thought of her not being by his side.

“You can’t maintain this arrangement forever.”

Myung Woo was right. Jae Heon had thought the same thing when proposing the arrangement.

He had to find a way to fall asleep without Ra Jin within three months.

That way, they wouldn’t have to maintain the arrangement.

But it was strange.

Why did the mere thought of not having Ra Jin by his side make his chest ache and his insides tighten?

“I’d like to meet her at least once. It might help with the treatment.”

“First, promise me. Help me avoid my grandfather’s marriage pressure. He actually listens to you.”

“But we’ll hit a limit soon. He’s anxious that matchmaking isn’t proceeding. If he learns you’re seeing someone, then…”

Myung Woo trailed off. If Chairman Seo discovered the truth, he’d go to great lengths to find out who it was.

“We’ll have to stave it off as much as possible. Once it’s revealed, there’s nothing to be done. Then—”

Then, he’d really consider pushing forward with the marriage.

However, Jae Heon didn’t share this innermost thought with Myung Woo.

Somehow, he suspected Myung Woo would object for the same reasons his grandfather would.

Jae Heon knew all too well that Myung Woo, alongside his grandfather, was doing his best to protect him from his uncle Hwae Myung. Hence, he would want me to find a woman from our family who could provide support.

“Then?”

If Myung Woo and his grandfather found out what he was thinking, they wouldn’t sit idly by.

Afraid that it could harm Ra Jin, he chose to keep his thoughts to himself for the time being.

“I’ll have to squash it. Claim it’s not true.”