After a brief meeting with the island residents, guided by the village head, Cheon Tae-seong decided to head straight across the island to the construction site.
The group switched to a vehicle better suited for navigating the rough terrain. While the rest moved as a unit, Ha-jin slipped out of the lead group and climbed into the rear truck.
Winding along the hillside path, they finally reached a dusty construction zone in the distance. Ha-jin lifted his sunglasses slightly and watched the dump trucks busily going back and forth, his eyes filled with interest.
Cheon Tae-seong was the first to step out of the lead vehicle. His long limbs and sleek, elegant build—along with his striking features—stood out awkwardly against the rugged surroundings. He approached the temporary office near the entrance of the site with the other staff who had followed him out.
Just then, the site manager, who had been waiting, hurried over to greet him.
“Welcome. We’ve been expecting you.”
“The weather’s great today, Manager Yoon.”
“Yes, it’s fantastic. Thanks to it, everything’s moving along smoothly. Please, this way.”
An employee from the temporary office came out and handed out hard hats and frozen water bottles. Nearby, others were busy unrolling a large banner and preparing for a commemorative photo. Glancing toward the bustling interior, Cheon Tae-seong offered a polite apology to Manager Yoon.
“Sorry for the sudden change in the visit date. I’m sure you’ve got your hands full already.”
“Oh no, not at all. It’s no trouble. We just show things as they are anyway.”
Manager Yoon let out a good-natured laugh. At his signal, some staff approached with cameras in hand.
No trouble, huh. Ha-jin inwardly scoffed as he put on the safety helmet handed to him by one of the site workers, his mind drifting to memories from his past life.
Back then, things had turned chaotic when landowners—whose properties were barely within the development boundary and thus either not purchased or undervalued—had shown up en masse to protest, blocking Tae-seong’s group in a heated demonstration.
Now, because he—Ha-jin—had returned to the past and intervened in Tae-seong’s life, the date of this trip had shifted. So far, things near the construction site were still quiet. But he couldn’t afford to let his guard down.
Originally, this visit had been a grand affair. Governors, lawmakers, and top-level figures involved in the project had all gathered, swarming the site along with a crowd of reporters.
But judging by the current atmosphere, it seemed Tae-seong had deliberately kept his visit under wraps until he was already on the island. Not a single politician or journalist in sight.
Did the details change because of me again? Was it something I altered…? Ha-jin could only speculate.
Thanks to that, the commemorative photo shoot went ahead with a modest lineup. In the center stood Cheon Tae-seong, glowing brighter than anyone.
The banner, which had been prepared in advance, was excessively long:
<I&CH Hotel Resort—West Sea Five Islands Tourism Development Project Site Visit>
The text printed boldly across the blue fabric was cheaply designed, but with Tae-seong standing in front of it, it looked oddly dignified.
“Here. Water.”
As Ha-jin resignedly held onto his rock-solid frozen water bottle, Kim Dae-hong picked out one that had half-melted and handed it over.
“Thanks. It’s not even summer yet, but it’s scorching.”
Ha-jin gave a short bow and wrapped the still-solid bottle in a handkerchief before stowing it in his bag. Beside him, Kim Dae-hong glanced over curiously, squinting hard against the bright light. His brow was deeply furrowed.
Feeling a little guilty, Ha-jin gave a sheepish smile.
“Would you like some sunscreen? The CEO already applied some earlier…”
“I’ve already got some on. The secretary team took care of it.”
“Ah, I see.”
“By the way, why do you carry so much in your bag? Isn’t it heavy?”
“I’m used to it. Feels uneasy if I don’t have it with me.”
The way Kim Dae-hong rolled his eyes suggested he’d just recalled Ha-jin carrying that bag everywhere. Yesterday, he’d acted like he wanted to kill the guy for smashing his boss’s head, and now he was subtly trying to make peace.
Knowing Kim Dae-hong’s fiercely loyal yet grudge-free nature, Ha-jin simply nodded along and kept the conversation light.
Before the group photo wrapped up, Ha-jin peeked into the temporary office and pulled out a long-handled umbrella tucked into a box in the corner. He stopped a passing site worker.
“Excuse me, would it be alright if I borrowed this?”
“Sure, take it. We’ve got plenty—made them for the event.”
The reply was easy enough, but the worker’s sideways glance at the glaring sun said otherwise—confused at why Ha-jin wanted an umbrella.
“Just in case,” Ha-jin replied, not that it explained much.
He left behind the puzzled gaze and exited the office. Outside, the group was already lining up to move again. Hoisting the rainbow umbrella like a cane, Ha-jin trotted to rejoin them.
The site tour lasted about an hour. Tae-seong paused at various checkpoints to ask Manager Yoon questions. He listened intently to each explanation and occasionally called forward subcontractor reps to hear their input.
From the back of the group, Ha-jin followed him with his eyes. Mostly he saw Tae-seong’s back, but every now and then, when that sharp profile came into view, Ha-jin couldn’t help being drawn in by the focused energy he radiated.
It was a massive construction project, involving the overhaul of nearly an entire side of the small island. The resort itself might be on a tiny island, but it was part of a larger development connecting five islands by bridges—truly a vast tourism zone. It was the kind of scale Ha-jin couldn’t even fathom in terms of money or resources.
Right… this is who he really is.
Even from his outsider’s perspective, things looked to be progressing smoothly. Whatever challenges arose, Cheon Tae-seong looked like someone ready to handle them all. He seemed so capable, so admirable—it made Ha-jin reflect bitterly on his own poor choices and the twisted results of his past.
The group crossed the wide construction site to reach the opposite end, where vehicles were waiting. The tour had ended. Some people took final photos while others wrapped up their notes, and the group naturally began to scatter.
That’s when Tae-seong approached Ha-jin at the back.
Ha-jin had been steadily drinking the now lukewarm water, looking back at the road they’d come. The workers remained focused and orderly, barely noticing the visitors passing through.
“Looks impressive, doesn’t it?”
Ha-jin recalled the bird’s-eye view drawing pinned up in the office.
“Yes, very. I’d love to come visit with my brother once it’s finished. The Chairman clearly has a good eye for these things. Would you like some water?”
Interrupting his own response, Ha-jin pulled a fresh bottle from his bag. It had thawed just enough to drink. He wiped the condensation off the bottle and held it out.
Tae-seong, who had been gazing out across the site, turned and looked down at Ha-jin’s outstretched hand—and then at his face.
The heat had flushed Ha-jin’s cheeks a soft red, and his full lips were even rosier. His helmet sat loose on his small head, tilting awkwardly. Behind the dust-covered dark lenses, his pupils gleamed like black stones.
Looking at him, you’d think he’d been raised like a pampered prince. But then he’d do something considerate like this, and you’d see the reliable older brother in him.
On impulse, Tae-seong pulled out a handkerchief and brought it to Ha-jin’s face. Grabbing his arm, he gently dabbed away the beads of sweat gathering under the helmet.
“Your sweat’s dripping toward your wound.”
“I can wipe it myself.”
But the silent, persistent hand continued. Tae-seong’s sudden tendency to keep touching his face felt foreign, disconcerting. Ha-jin couldn’t meet his eyes, only looking away awkwardly.
Just as the tension was about to peak, a message came in—the pickup vehicles had arrived nearby. Ha-jin pressed the cold bottle to his cheek and naturally stepped back.
“Let’s go.”
A quiet chuckle floated above his head. Blinking, unsure what to make of it, Ha-jin watched as Tae-seong turned and took the lead.
At last, the gate in the temporary wall surrounding the site swung open—it was time to leave. Ha-jin gripped the umbrella tightly in his hand, nerves prickling. As the group moved out in formation, he stepped up to walk close beside Tae-seong.
“…What is it?”
The question came just as a commotion broke out beyond the wall, and someone’s furious shout rang through the air.
“This is illegal!”
Ha-jin’s eyes went wide. He recognized that voice. He’d heard those exact words before, in his previous life. He had prepared for the possibility—but he hadn’t expected the same event to repeat so precisely, as if waiting for him.
Already knowing what was about to happen, Ha-jin didn’t hesitate. He pushed Tae-seong aside and stepped forward.
The unexpected shove made Tae-seong stumble slightly, cracks forming in his previously calm expression. It was Ha-jin—of all people—who had shoved him aside to shield him.
Then the angry shouting hit their ears full force as a crowd surged toward them from outside the wall.
The bodyguards reacted immediately, but it wasn’t enough. One protester swung a container filled with filth, and in that moment, time seemed to slow.
Tae-seong instinctively reached out to pull Ha-jin back into his arms—but just then, a burst of wind and color flashed in front of them.
Pop!
A giant rainbow-colored umbrella snapped open, blocking the oncoming mess. The foul contents splattered against it and flew in every direction.
While Tae-seong blinked in stunned silence, the person holding the umbrella smiled with unmistakable satisfaction.
From the center of the dazzling rainbow, Ha-jin turned toward him.
“You okay?”
Tae-seong was speechless for a moment. All he could do was nod.
Ha-jin stood firm in front of him, eyes steady and unwavering, guarding him completely.
