Ch 14

The conversation abruptly stopped at the sound of a knock, followed by the sliding door opening. As he looked at the barely-touched food being taken away and then at the seasoned abalone placed before him, Ji-an pursed his lips slightly before letting them relax.

Since entering the restaurant, it was clear it wasn’t an ordinary place. If he’d felt like it, he would have at least tasted a bit of everything, but his cold hadn’t completely cleared, so his mouth still felt scratchy, and honestly, he couldn’t fully appreciate the delicate flavors.

“Please bring out the remaining dishes and dessert together.”

“Understood.”

After the staff left, an awkward silence lingered.

“If I’d known we were coming to such a nice place, I would’ve fasted all day. But I had a big lunch earlier.”

“I’ve learned that 24-year-olds aren’t big fans of traditional Korean course meals.”

“Let’s just talk about the compensation. You need to be clear about what you want so I can prepare or do something. I may be unemployed and free, but I know you’re busy. I can’t keep taking up your time.”

Changing the subject, Ji-an picked up the marinated eel next to the abalone with his chopsticks and ate it slowly.

“You don’t need to think about that. Haven’t you been job-hunting since you graduated?”

“I’m applying to places here and there. Recently, I even got a job offer.”

After chewing the eel, which had a sweet yet savory flavor with a touch of fire, Ji-an answered quickly. It was delicious, but… it seemed like there was only one piece per person.

“Then you’ll start work soon.”

“I got the offer, but I said I couldn’t take it…”

A pair of chopsticks reached over and placed a piece of grilled eel on his plate, followed by the comment, “I’m not really into eel.”

“Oh… Bobo. Come here.”

Ji-an’s eyes wIdeuned as he saw Bobo, who had somehow climbed onto Ideun’s lap and was poking his head up. Seemingly enjoying Ideun’s embrace, Bobo sat on his lap, sniffing the table, and looked up at him.

“Bobo!”

Meow.

Don’t just answer me, come over here! Ji-an awkwardly knelt down and bit his lower lip, furrowing his brow in a stern expression.

“Bobo, are you hungry? Want some yum-yum?”

Bobo’s ears perked up at the word “yum-yum” as he stared back at Ji-an.

“Yum-yum. Hyung’s got yum-yum here.”

The moment Ji-an opened his backpack and took out a can, Bobo leaped up.

“No!”

Without an ounce of self-restraint and entirely driven by instinct, the kitten didn’t go around to the side of the table or under it, but instead launched itself straight onto the table, prompting a near scream from Ji-an.

Meooow!

“Haah.”

Ji-an, unable to stand, sit, or stop Bobo in mid-air, let out a deep sigh. Bobo, now caught in Ideun’s hand after his reckless leap, was putting on quite a show of frustration.

Amid Bobo’s vocal complaints and fussing, a laugh from Ideun broke through. What started as a soft laugh grew until it was close to uncontrollable, and as Ji-an circled the wide table and went to Ideun’s side, he took the squirming Bobo from his large hands.

*Chomp chomp.* 

Mew.

“Hey, slow down… Did I starve you? Did I? I may skip meals, but I always make sure you get your food and treats.”

The kitten, instantly excited at the sight of the can, devoured its contents frantically. Sitting close, Ji-an tried to make sure it didn’t eat too fast and even considered giving it some water between bites, indulging Bobo’s dramatic fussing.

How could they hold a conversation like this? Ideun looked over the untouched spread of traditional Korean dishes and sighed. This was supposed to be your meal, not the kitten’s. If he’d known, he should’ve ordered pizza or a burger instead.

Was it a mistake to pick a quiet and serene traditional Korean restaurant, given that traditional cuisine wouldn’t be off-putting to most Koreans? Or maybe this unexpected kitten was the real wild card.

Ji-an, who had emptied the first black sesame porridge that was served, showed little interest in the rest of the food and occasionally coughed. His transparent carrier was full of new cat treats, toys, and cans, suggesting that he didn’t hold back when it came to spending on his pet.

Meanwhile, Ji-an’s worn jacket had frayed cuffs and collar. Dressed in simple sneakers, jeans, a hoodie, and the jacket, he wore exactly the kind of clothes that someone his age would prefer for comfort. His neatly cropped hair bore no trace of dye, making him look unpretentious.

Ideun’s gaze on Ji-an deepened.

It was hard to imagine the Ji-an he saw now with the one from France, based on what he’d seen in Ji-an’s résumé. The Ji-an who stayed at a hotel costing 3.5 million won a night, and visited exclusive places that most wouldn’t dare enter. The Ji-an who leisurely enjoyed wine with course meals by a window at a restaurant that was booked out during the season, or the one who barely touched an elaborate afternoon tea set.

Thinking back on these indulgences that required wealth, Ideun found himself drifting toward an unappealing conclusion.

A sponsor, or perhaps a rut partner.

Having a sponsor didn’t explain Ji-an’s current attire, so the thought leaned toward rut partner. Ji-an had been the one in a rush to receive an alpha, sobbing and begging for him to knot.

‘Ah, why? No, I understand you. Because of me, right? You couldn’t use the room and all. But that guy’s not me, right? It was a mutual fault, wasn’t it? Did I attack him?’

‘You did.’

‘Uh… um. I did. But no, still. He was all like this and that, so strong. If he didn’t want to, he could’ve left. Why! We both agreed, right?’

‘So you’re saying you did nothing wrong?’

‘So petty. It’s not like it was the first time. By the way, are you close to that guy?’

Rather than feeling embarrassed, Ji-an’s response had been more like “It happens.”

“Are you full now? Ate plenty? Oh, come on, stay still. You got food all over your paws.”

After feeding Bobo, he took out a wet tissue and cleaned the squirming cat, who clearly didn’t like it. The image of Ji-an, looking messy on the bed earlier, overlapped in his mind, giving him a slight headache.

“I’m sorry. You couldn’t eat properly, right? What were we talking about before? Bobo distracted me…”

As Ji-an released the cat, Ideun loosened his neatly knotted tie and unbuttoned two of his shirt buttons. It didn’t really relieve the tightness he was feeling, though.

“Employment.”

As they were about to resume the conversation, there was a knock, and the food Ideun had ordered as a course was served all at once on the table. After clearing off the large table, there still wasn’t enough space, so a few of the basic side dishes had to be sent back.

“Who’s going to eat all of this?”

“Just eat what you want. So why don’t you want to go to work?”

“Bobo is still a baby. How can I leave him alone and be away for ten or eleven hours a day? Once he’s a bit older and can stay on his own, then I’ll look for a job. Until then, I’ll just do some part-time work here and there.”

“Well, then you can start going to work.”

It would’ve been nice if he’d chosen something hearty to eat, but Ji-an’s hand went to the sikhye dessert instead.

“Pardon?”

“There’s flexible working hours. You can negotiate that kind of thing with the person in charge of hiring.”

“Someone who’s just received an offer can’t suggest things like that.”

“Well. Let’s do it this way.”

Ideun flashed a slight smile when Ji-an, who had been drinking sikhye, glanced over at him.

“Compensation. By tomorrow morning, call the company and inquire about flexible hours or remote work.”

Seeing Ji-an’s eyes wIdeun as he drank the sikhye, Ideun gave a slight nod.

“If you follow through on that, depending on the circumstances, I might give you the contact information of the person you’re curious about.”

“I’ll do it! It’s just asking, right? I can do that, no problem. If I do that, you’ll give me that person’s contact info.”

Ideun clicked his tongue at Ji-an’s eagerness, nodding fervently with his eyes shining the moment he heard the word “contact.” Ji-an was different from anyone he’d met before.

Despite seeming intimidated, Ji-an boldly proposed things and offered advice. Yet, he didn’t seem curious about Ideun himself, which grated on Ideun.

“…Aren’t you curious about me?”

“No.”

“You don’t even know what kind of person I am…”

Though Ideun had offered first, Ji-an had fearlessly accepted his ride, agreed to dinner, and followed all his suggestions without any suspicion.

“A good person.”

When Ji-an put down his empty sikhye glass and responded cheerfully, Ideun swore inwardly.

“Well, then. There’s nothing left between us. I’ll call the company tomorrow and ask, then let you know right away.”

After what couldn’t exactly be called a proper meal, Ji-an left feeling better than ever. He had finally made up for the incIdeunt that had been weighing on him, and he’d even paid for dinner tonight, leaving him feeling unburdened.

All he had to do tomorrow morning was make the call to inquire. He’d promised to inquire, not to accept the job, no matter the outcome.

Besides, Ideun would have no way of knowing whether he actually made the call or not. What if he lied?

Ji-an adjusted the backpack containing Bobo, who wanted to stay outside, bringing it forward and draping a scarf over it. Taking in the cool air, he glanced around. Although the restaurant was a bit pricey, the atmosphere was just right for the man standing beside him.

An elegant hanok with a striking alpha. They looked like a perfect picture.

Following the path to the front gate, Ji-an stopped in his tracks upon seeing someone approaching. A dignified elderly woman in a graceful hanbok, a young man in a suit and coat, and another man behind them.

In a situation he could have ignored as customers dining here, Ji-an’s attention was caught by a man in an ivory coat who locked eyes with him.

“Ji-an… and hyung?”

The wind lightly ruffled Haneul’s brown hair, which had soft curls, possibly from a perm. Their gaze only held briefly before Haneul noticed Ideun, who was walking behind him, making Ji-an press his lips tightly together.

He was having dinner with Ideun alone on Christmas Eve. It was more than enough to cause a misunderstanding.

“If you were going to eat here, you should have told me,” the elderly woman said, holding Haneul’s arm as he helped her walk comfortably.

“It’s a personal matter. I didn’t know you’d be dining with Haneul,” Ji-an responded, glancing back awkwardly.

As Ideun took a step forward, the elderly woman and Haneul were obscured from view, and Ji-an’s vision was filled with Ideun’s broad back.

“This cute fellow kept insisting on having dinner together. He should be eating with you, not an old lady like me,” she remarked.

“I’ll make time for that.”

“Of course you should. You should be the one taking care of the person who’s going to be your spouse.”

Inadvertently overhearing their conversation, Ji-an glanced to the side.

The graceful elderly woman, Ideun, and Haneul, who was smiling beside them.

Dressed for the setting and speaking in low voices, they seemed to belong here, while Ji-an felt like a complete outsider.

In his casual clothes, with the cat carrier strapped to his chest, he didn’t need anyone to point out who was the main character and who was the passing extra. Hesitating, Ji-an took a step back to wIdeun the distance between him and Ideun.

“Who’s the child behind you? Haneul seems to know him,” the elderly woman said, making Ji-an’s attempt to distance himself futile.

“A college friend of mine.”

As he felt everyone’s eyes scanning him from head to toe, Ji-an carefully chose his words. What would be the safest way to pass through this moment without causing misunderstandings? Simply saying they knew each other sounded strange, and saying they were work-related didn’t make sense. But the introduction came from Haneul, not himself.

“Hello. I’m Seo Ji…”

“It’s not something you need to concern yourself with. It’s cold, so please head inside. I’ll visit the main house soon.”

Just as Ji-an was about to introduce himself, he found his words cut off by Ideun’s firm tone as he stepped forward, blocking his view. Sensing an atmosphere that seemed to forbid him from intruding, Ji-an bit his lower lip tightly.