“I’ll contact you when the time is right. Chairman, please keep Kang Hyun at that time.”

Tae Seok-gyu’s heavy head finally moved up and down.

Since they had reached a dead end, there was value in taking the risk.

“We should send only one person. If more than one unfamiliar man enters, the guards might find it suspicious. Director Jo, find a suitable person.”

“Understood.”

Kim So-ye, who had achieved her goal, smiled triumphantly.

Ji-an, wearing Kang Hyun’s T-shirt like a dress down to her thighs, placed a pot of clear bone soup on the induction stove.

Having enjoyed Christmas and returned home, she hadn’t set foot outside for three days.
Due to Kang Hyun’s busy schedule, always accompanied by Seokwon, there was actually no reason for Ji-an to go out. Kang Hyun found Ji-an staying quietly at home to be somewhat serious, and though he often showered her with kisses, Ji-an occasionally pushed him away. Despite Kang Hyun’s affection as if he had everything in the world, Ji-an expressed concern that perhaps he stayed at home because of her, suggesting he didn’t need to do so just for her sake.

In response, Kang Hyun, claiming he was freely eating, sleeping, and playing, would then hug her, carrying her into the bedroom while jokingly portraying her as his child. Ji-an, enjoying the overflowing love, honestly didn’t want to return home. She considered confessing the truth to her dad and trying to live together. While Ji-an pondered deeply about convincing her parents, Kang Hyun, who had sneaked up behind her, slipped his hand into her loose T-shirt.

“It’s time for breakfast.”

Although Ji-an felt no sign of his approach and her shoulders twitched, she didn’t reject Kang Hyun’s touch. After three days of rolling around until the mattress’s lifespan was exhausted, skin-to-skin contact felt even more natural.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, and you, Director Jo?”

“I slept well.”

“Lately, I’ve been getting more sleep, thankfully.”

Entering the temperature on the induction pad and facing Kang Hyun, Ji-an pressed against his gradually firming abs.

“Until when do you plan to steal my T-shirt?”

“Until Taekang Hyun stops hiding my clothes. Why does he keep hiding clothes when he’s not a lumberjack?”

“I said it’s nice to feel each other. Thanks to that, I sleep well.”

“Yesterday was really suffocating. Maybe we should use separate rooms when sleeping.”

Ji-an playfully teased with a fresh voice.

“I made a mistake, gently, not too tight.”

The mischievous joke that captured Kang Hyun’s unstable attachment as a hostage brought a strange sense of satisfaction. Ji-an couldn’t help but continue the same joke five times, seeing Kang Hyun react the same way each time.

Having enjoyed such peaceful moments, the name Koo Se-jun had long disappeared beyond consciousness for Ji-an.

“It’s a joke. Now I need Director Jo too. It’s a big problem that an attachment doll appeared so late.”

Raising her chin slightly, Ji-an placed her hand on Kang Hyun’s chest, which thumped like the same-sized heartbeat from the Christmas Eve at the hotel. When she buried her face here, it felt like drifting off to sleep while listening to a lullaby.

Understanding why Kang Hyun pressed against him to sleep, Ji-an naturally understood. Grasping Kang Hyun’s firm chest with a slim jaw in hand, Kang Hyun reached out with the opposite hand and held down the induction button for a long time.

“Breakfast!”

“Let’s eat 30 minutes later.”

Grumbling, Kang Hyun carried Ji-an, who wrinkled her nose in displeasure, back to the bedroom.

“Don’t forget that we’re having a meal at our house tomorrow. Don’t leave visible marks.”

“Got it.”

“Can this request seem a bit strange? It might make a good impression on your parents, like a stable boyfriend.”

“I’ll try.”

Sitting on the bed, Ji-an lifted both arms to help Kang Hyun easily remove the T-shirt.
Jian, sitting on the bed, raised her arms so that Kang Hyun could easily take off his T-shirt.

On the bed where the sunlight striking fiercely, only the white skin that remained was entwined.

Without anyone deciding who should go first, they explored each other and whispered words of love.

It was a chilly winter morning with the cool air lingering, but beads of sweat quickly formed on Kang Hyun’s back.

In the busy arms that were pulling her close, Jian, with her nails embedded, lifted a hazy gaze.

Furrowing his brows, Kang Hyun released the arm that had been holding his round knee, covering his languid eyes.

“Why…”

“If you look at me
Jian intentionally pressed the bell to inform Jeong-hye, who was busy preparing food, of Kang Hyun’s arrival.

With a bang, the door opened, and Dochul, wearing slippers, welcomed them.

“Come in. Welcome, Director Jo. Nice to meet you for the first time since the hospital. I’m Jian’s dad, Seo Dochul.”

Following him, Jeong-hye, wearing an apron, came out with short steps.

“Oh, you’re even more handsome in person. I’m Jian’s mom.”

“Taekang Hyun.”

“You just came empty-handed again. Come here.”

Kang Hyun awkwardly handed his luggage to Dochul. It looked as if it was being snatched away, making Jian burst into a small laugh.

“Mom, why did you do so much?”

Taking care of the uncomfortable Kang Hyun while entering the living room, Jian’s eyes widened. The number of dishes on the rectangular dining table was immeasurable.

“Don’t say anything. Your mom went around the agricultural and fisheries market three times since dawn. She packed it tightly on a table with land, sea, and air. I joked, if others see it, they might think you’re courting.”

Dochul, who didn’t know the relationship between Kang Hyun and Jian, burst into a hearty laugh. Though not yet a son-in-law, it was an appropriate occasion to introduce Jian’s boyfriend.

“Just sit down after making rice and soup.”

“I, I’ll help.”

Not having said anything to Dochul yet, Jeong-hye and Jian escaped to the kitchen.

“Please sit, Director Jo. Thank you for taking good care of Jian.”

“Feel free to speak.”

“Oh, no matter how old you are, you don’t have to be formal. You’re Jian’s boss.”

Looking at Dochul, who was clapping his hands, Kang Hyun, with an emotionless gaze, said in a monotonous voice, “Today, I came as Jian’s boyfriend.”

“What?”

“Jian’s boyfriend.”

“Uh?” Dochul’s eyes widened in surprise, with his mouth agape.