Chapter 91: Midnight Convenience and Lingering Shadows

Do Yun flashed into my mind again. In this world, certain major events are already predetermined, and one should never harbor greed that exceeds their station. I thought of my father from my previous life, who ran away after his business failed, and ‘Choi Seung Hyeon’ from Romantic Cinderella, who met a miserable end because of his bottomless greed.

In the past, all I wanted was my own safety. And now… I hoped that fact would remain unchanged.

After a rather draining meeting with Grandfather, I stepped outside to find a bright full moon hanging in the obsidian sky. Despite Grandfather’s insistence that I stay the night, I turned him down and headed home, only to find a massive silhouette standing in front of the apartment’s main entrance. I nearly jumped out of my skin.

“…Why are you here?”

Do Yun, looking weary, gave a faint smile. “We didn’t get to have dinner together today.”

“You haven’t eaten yet?!”

“I’m hungry. Did you eat all by yourself and leave me behind?”

No, I told you today’s plans were canceled! I knew he was playing the guilt card on purpose, but hearing him speak so weakly made my heart ache. It was 11:30 PM—why was this wealthy jerk starving himself until now?

Instead of scolding him, I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward a nearby convenience store. A man’s got to eat. Starving is a serious matter.

Do Yun’s eyes went wide when I dragged him over and sat him down at a shabby outdoor plastic table. I plopped down across from him and pulled out my wallet.

“What, are you unhappy with this?”

“No, it’s not that….”

“There are no restaurants open around here right now. I’ll hold the table, so go pick something out.”

I pulled out my card and handed it to him with a flourish. Fortunately, it was spring, so the night air wasn’t too cold. Do Yun blinked like a doll.

“No, it’s just…. Every time you do something like this, I don’t know why it feels so strange and unfamiliar.”

Something like what? “You look like someone who’s never stepped foot in a convenience store in his life.”

“Please.”

That’s your story. Standing there in his beige shirt and black trousers, Do Yun looked like he was filming a solo commercial. After a moment, he playfully snatched my card, gave a beaming smile, and spoke.

“Anyway, since you’re buying, I’ll pick something expensive. This feels like being a kid again. I like it.”

He returned with sandwiches and sodas. He bought one for me, too. I’d clearly told him I had already eaten, but I had no idea what was going through his head.

“They didn’t have any with steak and cheese. I tried to find something with a similar taste…. Instead, I got one with chicken, ham, and cheese. It’s healthier anyway, so just settle for this.”

I didn’t know why he was talking to me like he was soothing a child. Do I look like someone who’s dying for a steak and cheese sandwich?

“Whatever.”

I shook my head, and Do Yun let out a small laugh before elegantly taking a bite of his sandwich. I munched on mine while watching his face as if I were watching a K-drama. Seeing him eat well was both a relief and, strangely, a bit pitiful. I looked at him and spoke bluntly.

“Why were you sitting there waiting like a fool when you knew I went to the main house? What would you have done if I’d stayed the night?”

Do Yun looked at me and smiled softly. “I waited because I knew you were coming out.”

“…Who’s giving you reports?”

“It’s a secret.”

Seeing my serious face, Do Yun chuckled. “I was in my car until a moment ago. I came out when I saw you arriving.”

“Ah….”

He lowered his head, a slightly shy smile playing on his lips. “Actually, I thought if I waited outside your door, you’d tell me to come inside. But that didn’t work. I never imagined you’d drag me to a convenience store…. Haha.”

I was speechless with embarrassment. I had no idea he wanted to come into my home. But wait—is he allowed to be this blatant about his schemes?

Still, I felt a sense of relief that the idea hadn’t occurred to me earlier. I had no idea what the atmosphere would have been like if we were alone inside. I know I’m being hyper-aware of him like a crazy person. That’s exactly why we needed to be in an open space.

My brain tried to replay memories from a few nights ago, but thankfully, Do Yun distracted me with a different question.

“What did Grandfather say today?”

“Nothing much. It was nothing.”

“…Was it a suggestion to change companies, by any chance?”

My jaw dropped. “Who is actually reporting to you? I heard Grandfather got new security at the main house—did you plant them?”

Do Yun burst into a fit of laughter. “It’s nothing like that. It’s just obvious what Grandfather would say. So, what did you tell him?”

“…I just said I didn’t want to.”

A sunflower-bright smile bloomed on Do Yun’s previously anxious face. “Why? Were the terms bad?”

“…It wasn’t that. I just like where I am right now.”

Earlier, because Grandfather was pestering me so much, I used the current project as an excuse and asked him to wait a bit. But logically speaking, now that the male and female leads have met, it was only right for me to avoid them and move elsewhere. It would be better for my own survival. Yet, strangely, I didn’t want to.

Do Yun spoke with an expression of immense relief. “I was worried you might go somewhere else.”

“Why?”

“Just… for various reasons. You said being around me is uncomfortable. People are gossiping, too.”

He looked uncharacteristically discouraged. Since when did Choi Do Yun care about what other people said? I didn’t want him worrying about useless things or getting hurt. I answered calmly.

“No. I like being with you.”

“Really?!”

I nearly jumped; I thought the table was going to break. I worried I’d been too honest, but seeing Do Yun look that happy made me feel like I’d made the right choice.

“…The adults seem to care a lot about you being my superior, but I don’t care at all.”

Do Yun is the one destined to become the Chairman of Haewon Group anyway. It would be stupid to be jealous just because he’s doing a bit better than me. Besides, I wasn’t jealous.

“I’m just satisfied if we can continue to get along well. I just meant that I hated the ‘noise’ that comes with it.”

“Hyung….”

Do Yun covered his mouth with both hands, seemingly moved by my unexpected words. He was even trembling slightly.

“You… like being with me?”

He looked beyond happy—he looked like he might cry. Because of that, I ended up getting serious, too.

“…Yes.”

My voice shook slightly as I answered. Suddenly, Do Yun lunged forward and grabbed both of my hands.

“Me too. Me too. Honestly, that’s why I came to this company. Because I wanted to be with you all the time.”

“Right. Let’s stay together with the whole family.”

In an instant, Do Yun’s face stiffened almost imperceptibly. He looked at me and asked in a slightly anxious tone.

“Hyung… your family is very precious to you, isn’t it?”

“Well, I can’t say we’re perfectly harmonious, but we’re family. Of course they’re precious.”

To be honest, I don’t feel much affection for Choi Young Gil. But I felt a complex form of attachment to everyone else—even Grandfather, who cherished me simply because I was the eldest grandson. Do Yun fidgeted with my fingers for a while before speaking.

“Hyung, if you had to choose between me and the rest of the family…. You’d choose the family, wouldn’t you?”

I hesitated. I knew the analogy was strange, but the look in Do Yun’s eyes carried an atmosphere that felt like he was asking me to choose between love and family. My brain, which starts hallucinating at the drop of a hat, was the problem. To hide my embarrassment, I replied with an intentionally puzzled tone.

“Why would I have to do that? You’re my family, too.”

“Hmm….”

Do Yun gave an ambiguous smile. But he never told me why he asked such a question.

A short while later, Ji An returned from her trip. Her expression was incredibly bright, as if France had been a joy. She chattered away about how it was her first time on a plane, her eyes shining as if they had stars embedded in them. Our team decided to go to a nice place for lunch to celebrate the return of the two travelers. Bae Ji An looked happy throughout the meal as she shared stories from the trip.

“The city was so, so beautiful. I saw so many movies…. And there were so many people. I think I saw every foreigner I’ll ever see in my lifetime there.”

“You’ll end up seeing even more later.”

As I replied with a smile, A Young, who was cutting pizza with a knife, chimed in.

“Exactly. Ji An adjusted to the jet lag so well, too. I was dying of exhaustion…. Ji An was such a big help.”

“Oh, no! It’s all thanks to you, Sunbae!”

“Show us some of the photos you took.”

When someone asked Ji An, she pulled out her phone immediately. She looked like she’d been waiting for someone to ask. Soon, the people sitting near Ji An leaned in to look at her screen. Exclamations of “Wow~” and “Ooh~” followed one after another. Since I was sitting directly across from her, I didn’t bother getting up to look. But then, someone asked in a curious voice.

“Who are these people?”

“Oh, they were just some Koreans we met while traveling. We ended up getting along well, so we shared a table and had a great time.”

A Young, who was looking at the photos next to her, nodded and added.

“At first, they kept talking to us while we were eating, so I thought they were from a rival company. But looking back, this person here seemed really interested in Ji An.”