Chapter 106
“No, I’m fine. I know where it is, so I’ll go by myself.”
The restaurant was already familiar to Cheong-yeon, as he had visited it occasionally with Do-heon before their divorce. Although the internal structure was spacious and complex with every table separated into private rooms, they had always dined in the same room whenever they came together, so there was no need for a staff guide.
Cheong-yeon walked down the corridor, unable to fully sort out his complicated emotions. His steps felt heavy and dragged, as if someone were holding his ankles from below.
His plan was to first observe how the atmosphere unfolds once he enters the room. If Do-heon didn’t seem to be in a bad mood, he would try begging while pretending to be pitiful…
“Huh?”
While taking slow steps under the restaurant’s soft lighting, Cheong-yeon felt his phone vibrating in his pocket.
The caller ID he casually checked was an unexpected person.
—Hyung
Why would his brother call suddenly?
Cheong-yeon stopped in his tracks, still holding his phone. He was conflicted about whether to answer immediately or contact him back after meeting with Do-heon.
As soon as he saw the word “Hyung,” he got a headache, since he hadn’t properly explained anything to his family about his divorce from Do-heon or about starting his acting career.
Then he realized that the anniversary of his uncle’s death was approaching. That’s probably why his brother was calling. No matter how busy they were, the family always gathered for death anniversaries.
Instead of hanging up, Cheong-yeon pressed the call button.
“Hyung, it’s been a while.”
—Yes, Cheong-yeon. Have you been well?
After a lukewarm greeting, his brother’s voice, which he hadn’t heard in a long time, grated on his ears.
“Yeah. But I’m outside right now. Can you call me back later if it’s not urgent?”
—Oh, really? Well, I wasn’t calling to have a long conversation anyway. I just wanted to remind you that Uncle’s death anniversary is coming up soon.
“I know. I’ll make time to visit home. Are you… studying well?”
—I’m always working hard. And doing well too. You know that without even asking.
“Right. You always do well.”
Cheong-yeon nodded as if accustomed to his brother’s sudden self-praise.
His brother had always excelled at everything since childhood. Whether in sports or academics, he was such a perfect student that everyone around him praised his talent in whatever he touched.
—Cheong-yeon, you just need to take care of yourself. Don’t cause any trouble that would worry our father. You know what I mean, right?
“When have I ever asked you or Father for help? I’ll handle things myself, don’t worry. Anyway, let’s talk later.”
—Oh, right. I heard tuition is increasing next semester?
As Cheong-yeon was about to hang up, his brother hurriedly brought up a new topic.
“Tuition? For your university?”
—Yes. It’s not a huge amount, but since it’s medical school, it’s already so expensive that it’s becoming a burden.
There was something strange about his tone. Cheong-yeon paused for a moment, thinking.
“…But? Why are you telling me this?”
—Since this morning, I haven’t been able to get in touch with Secretary Shim Jung-hyuk for some reason. It seems he’s very busy, so I called you instead.
It was an increasingly puzzling conversation. Why would his brother be contacting Secretary Shim in the first place?
Pushing away his ominous feeling, Cheong-yeon kept his voice as calm as possible.
“So why are you telling me about your medical school tuition? No, wait. And why are you contacting Secretary Shim? Explain properly.”
—Didn’t you know? That secretary has been sending me my tuition and allowance.
“What?”
Cheong-yeon’s voice rose involuntarily. He was so shocked that his thoughts froze for a while.
“Hyung, are you crazy? Wait, now…”
Tuition and allowance? Secretary Shim? To his brother?
This was all news to him.
“You know I divorced Moon Do-heon, right?”
Even if they hadn’t divorced, his brother receiving money from Secretary Shim—that is, from Do-heon—would still be shocking.
Unable to let go of the futile hope that his brother might be speaking nonsense because he didn’t know about the divorce, Cheong-yeon questioned him incoherently.
—I know. That you divorced. And you’re starting acting again, right? I heard about it.
However, his brother’s nonchalant voice shattered Cheong-yeon’s expectations.
—Of course, Father and I were against it, but when we heard he would continue supporting our family even after the divorce, well. Father and I just went along with it, thinking it’s all good. I’m already busy enough managing my GPA.
“…”
—But you didn’t know about this until now? I thought you had asked him separately to send the money regularly. Well… you’ve always been oblivious to these things.
His brother kept rattling on, but Cheong-yeon couldn’t hear anything anymore.
So, even knowing about the divorce, his brother had been receiving living expenses and tuition from Do-heon?
Why? Without even telling him, with what shamelessness?
And to think this had been happening even before the divorce? It was the first he’d heard of it.
No wonder his brother hadn’t contacted him even though he must have known about his return to acting. Perhaps he didn’t care what Cheong-yeon did as long as he was still receiving money, which explained why he hadn’t even sent a simple greeting all this time.
Who would have thought such a situation existed? His head felt numb, as if someone had struck him.
What on earth was Do-heon thinking, continuing even after the divorce…
“Excuse me? Is there something specific you’re looking for?”
Just then, a restaurant staff member approached Cheong-yeon, who was standing motionless, looking at him curiously.
“Ah. No. I was just about to go in.”
Cheong-yeon, startled out of his daze, shook his head. Then he hung up on his brother without even saying goodbye.
“…Please let me know if you need anything.”
The staff member was about to bow and leave when he seemed to recognize Cheong-yeon’s face and hesitated, but then quietly passed by and disappeared.
Cheong-yeon stood in front of the room, still unable to shake off his bewilderment. Thinking that Do-heon would be sitting inside, his face flushed with heat.
To think that his family had been demanding living expenses from Do-heon all this time. He wondered if they could really be so shameless, but then thought that it might indeed be possible considering his father and brother. They had openly demanded material support even when he announced his marriage to Do-heon.
What must Do-heon have thought of him all this time? Why hadn’t he told him? Out of pity? Or did he think Cheong-yeon was no different from them, making it unnecessary to mention?
Cheong-yeon stood in front of the room, clutching the doorknob. Though he knew he shouldn’t, he wanted to turn around and run away.
But avoiding this now would only add one more shameless act. Meeting Do-heon today was unavoidable.
“Huff…”
Cheong-yeon ran his hands over his face, brushed back his hair, and opened the door.
At the sound of the door, Do-heon, who had arrived earlier and was drinking tea, turned his head to look at Cheong-yeon.
His straight posture, the perfectly fitted suit, the tie neatly wrapped around his neck and shirt collar, his closed lips, and expressionless eyes.
And that neat, beautiful face that had always been like poison to him.
As soon as he saw Do-heon, his breath caught in his throat.
“…”
When Cheong-yeon stood motionless for several seconds, Do-heon put down his teacup with a puzzled look.
“What are you doing? Sit down.”
At Do-heon’s quiet voice, Cheong-yeon awkwardly nodded and sat across the table from him.
“I’ve already ordered your usual food.”
“…Yes.”
Shortly after Cheong-yeon sat down, a staff member came in to take his coat. Soon after, they brought a plate with the appetizer.
His appetite was already poor, and seeing the food in front of him made him frown involuntarily.
Cheong-yeon didn’t even glance at the food, merely picking up his cup and gulping down water.
“I heard you drank again.”
“…”
“I told you not to drink for a while.”
Cheong-yeon couldn’t think of anything to say, so he lowered his head.
No matter how much he pondered, his thoughts only became more tangled. He had no idea where to begin or what to say first.
“Are you not going to talk to me anymore?”
Do-heon opened the conversation again. Cheong-yeon lowered his gaze further and shook his head slightly.
“No. It’s not that.”
His voice was choked, barely audible. Looking at the neatly presented food, instead of working up an appetite, Cheong-yeon bit his lower lip. He felt bloated even though he hadn’t eaten anything yet.
“Director, my stomach doesn’t feel well today. I don’t think I can eat.”
“Eat even if you don’t feel like it.”
He seemed to judge that Cheong-yeon’s unusual attitude stemmed from unresolved emotions from their previous conversation.
“Today I really don’t feel like eating…”
“If you don’t feel like eating. Should I adjust to your mood?”
“…”
“It should be the other way around.”
Do-heon spoke as if reminding Cheong-yeon that he was the one who should be yielding and accommodating, not disturbing his mood.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
