64.
As soon as Yu Jin got out of the carriage upon arriving at the mansion, the first face he saw was Jinhyeon’s. He calmly picked up Yu Jin and set him down, then asked kindly:
“Have you eaten?”
“No.”
In fact, Yu Jin had left Marilyn’s mansion long after the department store discussion had ended. The deal was concluded faster than expected, but other topics came up, and the conversation dragged on.
Yu Jin, who had experienced modern business tactics, realized that things he had habitually taken for granted might not be the same for Tulin. Tulin, who had been listening leisurely at first, became excited halfway through and sat up straight.
“Interesting. I can see it from that perspective too. Tell me more.”
Young Marilyn seemed tired from the long conversation. She tried to quietly slip out of the room but was caught by Tulin.
“Listen! This is educational!”
“…Yes.”
Marilyn shot Yu Jin a resentful look and sat back down on the sofa. As the conversation deepened, Yu Jin couldn’t even touch his tea. Tulin kept asking questions and only let Yu Jin go when he was satisfied.
‘Or was he really satisfied?’
Seeing how he even moved up their next appointment, maybe not.
“Let’s eat first then.”
“I want to sleep.”
“No. You’re too thin.”
Jinhyeon’s words were immediately followed by nagging.
“That’s right. You’re too thin! Didn’t I tell you to eat properly? No matter how busy you are, you’re doing all this to live, so you need to eat. Right, Keith?”
“I agree with Haruna. Let’s eat something before sleeping.”
“Just a little then.”
“I’ll prepare something light.”
Jinhyeon picked up Yu Jin again as he nodded. Yu Jin didn’t want to parade through the mansion like this, but he didn’t have the strength to get down. They’d already seen all sorts of things, so being carried like a princess should be fine. Yu Jin absently rested his head on Jinhyeon’s shoulder.
The meal Keith prepared was soft white bread, soup, and warm milk with honey. The gentle warmth and sweetness seeping in made his body feel even more languid. After finishing, Yu Jin wanted to go straight to bed, but Jinhyeon objected.
“Let’s digest a little before lying down.”
Then he sat next to the sofa and suddenly picked up Yu Jin and hugged him. Unexpectedly, Yu Jin ended up straddling Jinhyeon’s thighs face-to-face, but there seemed to be no lecherous intent. Jinhyeon gently rubbed Yu Jin’s back. Under the pretext of digesting, Yu Jin fell asleep in his arms.
“Mmm.”
Yu Jin wiggled his fingers and opened his eyes. Right in front of him was a handsome face that looked like a sculpture, with eyes closed. He stroked the long eyelashes with his fingertips, looking at that face with drowsy eyes. When Jinhyeon still didn’t wake, his touch became a bit bolder. His fingers left the eyelashes and traced down the straight nose bridge to rest on the soft lips. The sensation was nice, so he rubbed them for a while, then lightly pinched his cheek.
Should he pinch or not? While he was contemplating, Jinhyeon’s body trembled slightly.
‘He’s awake.’
Yu Jin gave up on pinching and removed his hand.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes.”
“You can sleep more if you want.”
“No, I’m awake.”
“Then let’s get up and eat.”
“Again?”
Jinhyeon pointed to the window in response to Yu Jin’s question.
“It’s already morning.”
It seems he had slept longer than expected. No wonder his body felt light and refreshed. Yu Jin stretched as he got up.
“Let’s all eat breakfast together today.”
At those words, Haruna and Keith joined them. They finished their meal in a peaceful atmosphere around the table. As always, Jinhyeon devoured an enormous amount, and Keith was similar. Haruna made a disgusted face watching the two but soon nodded in understanding.
“I should move around a bit too. My body feels sluggish from just looking at documents lately.”
Haruna said, pouting her lips. After a maid cleared the table, documents were placed on it. Keith argued that it would be better to rest a bit before the meeting, but Yu Jin shook his head. He had something important to tell the three of them.
“Tulin agreed to invest.”
Haruna’s eyes widened at Yu Jin’s words.
“Really? Is that true? Weren’t you going to meet Lady Marilyn?”
“Lady Marilyn introduced me to Tulin.”
“Wow, he’s not an easy person to meet. I’ve only seen him twice at merchant gatherings until now. And that was just greeting him. He was so popular, I couldn’t even get close. And she introduced him to you?”
“Tulin was also interested in what we’re doing.”
Yu Jin carefully explained the conversation he had with Tulin. After listening to everything, Keith praised him with a kind smile.
“You did really well. Thanks to you, we can proceed with our work smoothly.”
“That’s right! It’s all thanks to you, Yu Jin. Well done!”
Yu Jin’s expression naturally softened at the twins’ words. He felt elated, thinking he had accomplished something for the first time and the twins recognized it.
“That’s right.”
Jinhyeon added his words as well.
“You’re really amazing.”
Yu Jin’s face reddened at the softly whispered words. It was just a compliment, but he couldn’t understand why other things were coming to mind now.
‘Has a lecherous demon possessed me?’
Yu Jin deliberately tried to change his thoughts. Jinhyeon, who was smiling watching Yu Jin, soon reported on his assigned tasks.
“The back alleys are almost cleaned up, and now we’re reorganizing the group. I plan to define positions, roles, and compensation more clearly. Then we’ll assign positions according to each person’s talents. Once that’s done, we can start gathering information.”
“How long will it take?”
“Not too long.”
Jinhyeon assured. Well, he’s the protagonist who excels at everything, so he’ll manage well on his own. So Yu Jin needed to focus on the department store now rather than the back alleys.
‘Let’s do well.’
Yu Jin steeled his resolve.
With Tulin’s investment, the speed of everything increased. In no time, the old building was cleanly transformed, and all the uneven land nearby was cleared. Accordingly, the twins hurried their work as well. Yu Jin also wanted to help even a little, so he diligently considered the department store opening event with Jinhyeon. And then, an invitation arrived from the main family.
The person who sent the invitation was Pamina, the first wife and mother of the eldest son, Grain.
[I’d like to see you once.]
The address written on the invitation pointed to a small art gallery located away from the center of the capital. It was a place where mostly unpopular or rookie artists exhibited their works, and few people usually visited.
“It’s suspicious,” Haruna said, glaring at the invitation.
“Let’s not go,” Keith also said firmly.
While it was the second wife who openly bullied Yu Jin when he was young, the person who actually caused more harm was the first wife. She just didn’t show it like the second wife, but her nature was more vicious. How many times had Yu Jin nearly died because of her? Yu Jin suspected that even the kidnapping incident he experienced as a child was her doing.
Yu Jin unconsciously let out a deep sigh. He didn’t want to go, as Keith and Haruna said.
“But I have to go.”
It’s easier to prepare when you know you’re being targeted than when you’re caught off guard.
“No! You know what kind of woman she is!”
“Yeah, I’ll go instead.”
“Don’t say such nonsense. Lady Pamina holds grudges if things don’t go her way. If you go instead of me, she won’t leave you alone.”
“I don’t think she’ll let you off easily either.”
That was true. Jinhyeon hugged Yu Jin from behind as he was contemplating.
“If you’re going, take me with you.”
Yu Jin narrowed his eyes at Jinhyeon’s words. Considering what Jinhyeon had done with Keith before, it might be safer to leave him behind.
“I’ll follow you no matter what, so give up.”
As if reading Yu Jin’s mind, Jinhyeon declared.
“I’m going too.”
“Me too!”
Keith and Haruna also stepped forward eagerly. Seeing this, Yu Jin put his hand on his forehead. It seems they absolutely won’t let him go alone, so he probably should take them.
‘Will it really be okay?’
As he was thinking this, Jinhyeon firmly grasped Yu Jin’s hand from behind.
“The reason for the invitation is obvious, so I’ll play the role of your lover.”
Pamina will try to find out if Yu Jin has really stopped his debauchery, and if so, why. They can’t hide it completely, but they still needed to pretend to some extent that he was still living as a rake. In such a situation, Jinhyeon’s company would be helpful.
“I could do that too.”
“You could, but would other people believe it?”
Keith interjected, then clicked his tongue at Jinhyeon’s following words. Unlike Keith, who had been Yu Jin’s caretaker all along, Jinhyeon was originally bought as a slave. Naturally, it was obvious who would look more like a lover in others’ eyes.
“You’ll behave, right?”
“I’ll behave.”
Jinhyeon answered as if to say not to worry.
“Well, if that guy sticks with you, it might be a bit better. But just in case, take plenty of guards with you.”
“It’ll be fine. She’s not the type to cause trouble openly.”
“Still…”
Haruna repeatedly urged caution.
