PD Ch9

Though I had been a bit drunk, there was no way that memory could be blurred. Even if the memory had been blurred, he was certainly the man who had indifferently watched me mixing lips and tongues with a strange man in the pitch-black darkness of the Trax elevator. It wasn’t an impression that could be passed by vaguely. He was the man I had especially remembered because of the words he hadn’t finished after calling out to me.cbc55640e2a5fdb3

“…”777f6f1ec7a4cba4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Not knowing what I was doing, I sat down in the chair and stared at him blankly. My stepfather’s son slightly bowed his head towards me and then raised it. He was maintaining eye contact without breaking his gaze.f8d5ebce411148a1

“Is this your first meeting? Well, since you both didn’t come that day, it must be your first time. Greet each other. This is Yoon Junghyun, and this is my son, Seungwon. He lives separately and said he was busy with exams, so I just called him now. I should have introduced you earlier, I’m sorry.”d7a22edbc07c7505

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

My stepfather, who 6977a81651 knew nothing, proudly 122f33121d introduced his son 1737cd7714 to me. The man 3d5410243e greeted again.204c40bfc23693a6

“Hello. I’m Lee Seungwon.”66a56a6ea79185b1

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes. In the elevator. No. I’ll go up.”fdab69ce9c70081c

When I just stared blankly at Seungwon, momentarily flustered by the unexpected encounter in an unexpected place and form, my mother’s hand jabbed my side. I snapped back to my senses. I glanced at my mother’s hand moving quickly. Somewhat flustered, I hurriedly greeted him.15705e654ce0e7f7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes, hello. I’m Yoon Junghyun.”5e2bc718d15aab1b

“Junghyun is twenty-eight in Korean age, right? Or twenty-seven?”07325a56daec1ae0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I’m twenty-eight.”c0d75445878f45f2

“This guy is in his final year of university this year. He took a year off and went to the military, so let’s see. Is he twenty-five? No, no.”a82e46efcaafad61

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

While the people involved said nothing, my stepfather and mother busily calculated ages. My stepfather seemed unsure of his son’s age and calculated in his head for a moment.da9e07e99649d796

“You’re twenty-five, right?”9c272082736937ab

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes.”f879c66d70328bc8

Seungwon responded to his 1bcebdbfdd words.770fb39696b69b16

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Anyway, Junghyun is your hyung, so you should treat him well as the younger one from now on.”38d4045af5f006d7

“Yes.”2487fd7b051753b1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It was an answer 4787d7c638 as restrained in emotion 937b519a36 as the employees working 610d1a207b in this house. A quiet tone 50a5823e63 that was neither 7334ee4874 refusing nor particularly eca8a25cc6 engaged.e929d09f238f3c0e

“What does Seungwon like? The shrimp was fresh today, so I tried cooking some.”8ee4e94ead9511fb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I eat anything well.”b6ec6cc3602e7cc6

My mother spoke casually and asked warmly as if she had been interacting with him for a long time. My stepfather’s son demonstrated his words by picking up some shrimp with his chopsticks and putting it in his mouth. With my gaze lowered, I caught sight of his long fingers moving and the shape around his jaw.b7799e265b06ce52

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Junghyun, eat too. Oh right, didn’t you say you needed to learn English? How about learning from Junghyun? He grew up in America and graduated university there, so he should be as good as a native speaker. Right?”7cbb3984eb5975b8

“…”13b091686c489217

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I said nothing to my stepfather’s suggestion. But beyond my expressionless face, I looked displeased or burdened.3ace511ccf0d91a4

“I was planning to take it slow. You must be busy, so don’t worry about me.”4bc58f969c983004

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Whether he read my expression or simply didn’t really need it, my stepfather’s son politely drew a line and refused first.3055037c9812e505

“Well then, let’s eat now. Grace, thank you for preparing dinner.”6eb834503fbd7c12

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“The housekeepers did all the work.”b1e7d5404d45e2bf

My mother laughed like a refined lady. She was wearing light makeup and acting like a high school teacher to please my stepfather. I picked up my chopsticks too. My mind, which had been hazy from the medication, was now clear as if hit by a splash of water. The gaze that had been staring at me intently at first was also withdrawn. My stepfather’s son didn’t particularly look at me. When our eyes met briefly, it was simply because I happened to be sitting across from him. I had been inwardly displeased at the thought of being seen as someone who would squander my stepfather’s wealth or take away the share guaranteed to his only son, but there was no such hostility or wariness. My stepfather’s son was floating undisturbed beyond a clearly defined line. He ate his meal calmly.492b120e4c1eaa13

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Junghyun, are you sick?”589d179582e4f075

My stepfather, who 5d323ae28b had been glancing 771dc86011 at my complexion, edf55ed542 asked. It seems 9fdba52d1a my face ac49a7654b had turned 212dec9d3a pale without 462c44e1da me realizing. I shook 88793ecc46 my head.5f1338de8e0ba6f6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I took some headache medicine, so I’m feeling a bit dizzy.”5289bf2bb45d1e3f

“Do you have a headache?”2c54e0455ab2af5a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…Yes.”a0d345444e464446

“Is it bad?”14152b1011c46813

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“This kid has always been like an old man. Even in America, he lived on aspirin.”28dfc992bab789d3

My mother answered my stepfather’s question. She went on talking about Americans who eat Tylenol like snacks. When my mother asked my stepfather, “Teacher, do you know how much burden Tylenol puts on the liver?”, I suddenly felt a gaze and looked up, meeting eyes with my stepfather’s son. It was a deep gaze that didn’t convey emotion but seemed to dig in a little.622ef29cc15fc22b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He might not remember.c34d455dd7499671

I met his eyes without avoiding them. I looked at him with a clear intention that even if he remembered what happened then, he shouldn’t say anything, suggesting we pretend not to know each other. Knowing about each other’s sexual identity, especially in Korea where homosexuality was defined as a perverse act, was tantamount to knowing the most intimate depths of each other.ddbcd2adc42aa38a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Without realizing it, I had a desperate look in my eyes. I looked at him pleadingly, saying that if he kept the secret, I too would not disclose it to anyone. I expected that if he didn’t remember, he would look puzzled as to why I was making such eyes, and if he did remember, he would respond as a fellow secret-sharer. However, my stepfather’s son picked up a side dish with an expression that made it impossible to guess anything.d9fed2553d2fdb98

“Please, have some.”c2d987e74abed119

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It was a statement with unclear intent, but the leisurely tone of that casual speech was looking down on people from the top of their heads. My stepfather’s son was wearing a haughty smile as if he had completely figured out the opponent’s hand of cards in a gambling game where one’s wrist was at stake.345931fa6e6114fc

It meant 9ced831b53 he remembered.59009af5d42c7b9c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

In that moment, I realized I shouldn’t have made such a desperate look asking to bury it as a secret. As with all regrets, it was already too late. I responded with a coldly sunken face.4c2aaefd942d379a

“…You have some too.”19058b88504d58fb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…”3b783f61ed423aee

For the first time, an expression appeared on his face at my words. It was unexpected. ‘Unexpected’ seemed to be an unpleasant emotion for my stepfather’s son. Both the unexpectedness and the displeasure at that unexpectedness briefly crossed his face simultaneously. My mother, who had been talking about Tylenol, looked at us staring at each other. Though I felt her gaze piercing my forehead, I pretended not to notice and turned my eyes to the rice bowl mixed with black rice. The grains of rice grating in my mouth felt like hard stones.0afc419f9958f11e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Life had never been kind to me, not even once. I knew that. I didn’t want to despair anew over something I had known for a long time. I silently continued eating.f5ee929f02370b14

The first dinner of a remarried family where the sons of a single father and single mother meet for the first time was awkward no matter what. My stepfather and mother led the conversation. When talk of business came up, my mother became even more enthusiastic. While she had the sense to tone down her lipstick color and find modest clothes to wear, why couldn’t she hide her intimate and vulgar true feelings, which openly wondered how much profit such businesses actually made, with a crassness that was hard to listen to and bear.9dca535c19462d5f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“You must be tired managing all that, teacher.”0b2bb3eb9f0c043d

“Why do you keep calling me teacher? Call me comfortably now.”a4021614b0b2c0a5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m used to calling you teacher. I’ll change it gradually.”7ef3f73234f29fb6

The effects of the medication seem to be surging up. The man who said he loved me had married my mother, and my mother who married him had sold her son because she needed money. I was an object, sold by my mother and bought by the man. Their smiling conversation was ridiculous and also frightening. I couldn’t sit properly. A sudden urge to vomit everything up welled up. I barely managed to empty my portion of rice. I put down my spoon.80682850442349dc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I’m finished eating. Is it okay if I get up first?”27ffe3d5a4e15696

I asked more politely on purpose. My stepfather nodded in agreement. My mother nagged, saying, what could she do about my short appetite, and couldn’t a child who wasn’t affectionate at least match her eating speed to others? It was an effort to change the somewhat awkward atmosphere by putting down her own son. My mother’s way of leading the conversation was to make me look like a strange person before she was satisfied. I had already given up on that kind of thing. I just got up without replying. The stepfather’s son, who knew how to match his eating speed to others, made eye contact.e2b8b3cbf91d182c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…”df40ae1cc650eaee

I ignored his face, which was now sending a negative reply to my eyes that had contained a request and a warning. I coldly got up from the table. At the same time, my stepfather’s son spoke to my stepfather. Lee Seungwon, 1f525df2e2 was it?b7c7b88775241a2a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I’m just going to clean my room.”daff0463d134b104

“Why the room?”3fc0c9399a233396

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I have to move in. I have a family now.”db784941b71b2ca4

Pretending not to hear their conversation, I turned away from the table, clenching my fist so as not to falter. Behind me, my stepfather’s son continued.c8d9ad0b97c2e09d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Please clean the room and get it ready so I can move my things in tomorrow. It’ll be fun to live together. Don’t you think so, Auntie?”ed223cce661bbe3b

At his words, my mother, who had secretly wanted to use the remaining room as she pleased, revealed her shallow intentions and responded with a reluctant feeling, and my stepfather didn’t add anything to his son’s wishes. He simply told the live-in housekeeper to clean the room.63fe3841539b24bf

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I let their conversation ebcd67ea6e flow behind me as 9ff6702d07 I headed to my 8dd4505b04 room. My knees seemed 29000b7782 to buckle and 8bcf007330 give way.dcfad8e82623b2b0

I didn’t unpack on purpose. I only took out what I needed and washed up roughly, as if I were only staying for one night. It was a large space where even if the luggage in the carrier found its way to the bookshelf and closet, it would still feel empty, but since nothing was in place, it felt even emptier. I was reminded of my senior’s call, so I sat at my desk, opened a book, and sat there with a face that couldn’t read at all.64eba25c1735678d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Yes. In the elevator. No. I’ll go up.”3039d52807755a93

“…”7dd33869c24d0aa0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I won’t deny that if I hadn’t encountered him in this situation, I might have given him a favorable look at least once. A face that didn’t resemble my scholarly stepfather. A face with a stronger animal scent that seemed to subtly alternate between wildness and intelligence. For me now, having feelings for others is a luxury, and moreover, he’s my stepfather’s son. Under the same conditions where each other’s sexual preferences were exposed, it seemed that only my stepfather’s son was enjoying the situation.29ed24704ed18894

Suddenly, he’s going to move in?355e9c464e98f197

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

I heard that a289b15c81 he had become 9fadb47531 independent as soon d5361bf2d7 as he entered 223e2b1a8f university, even though f13b80ec58 there were only ee11b215fd two family members.f5d3808d228ef351

His intentions 5690ad1f0c were obvious. I was overwhelmed e45d3aee89 with a dirty 7ecc1c83cf feeling of being ca2c58522c a rabbit cornered 1c764681ac by a hunter.62f16c04c274bbfe

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

My nerves, which 92be091c8c were always sensitive 1c4ef7ce1d to the door, ea88dcb671 twitched unconsciously. Someone opened 6e1c2b02dc the door 6814da7f80 and came 10446b0f0b in. I was startled 333fdf5c27 and turned around.441bb5c5b2bfc89a

“What’s wrong?”ebe748a0c00cec01

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…”753bdae436d70ad7

The door 98ac6b27d1 closed behind 281b91263e my stepfather. The only escape route f8b08a434f was blocked. Every time the c6018d669d door closed, and 7751585405 every time the b32bc97251 person closing the 388ba24d40 door was my e285a6c1ef stepfather, I felt c050d2d46e trapped here. In front af1685161d of my a289983d39 stepfather, and 85fafb5de8 in a 27157e7cd3 space where 2aacf746c4 I was 60d917f83d alone with 5b6d74cf56 my stepfather, 2a9fab4e74 my whole e137aec985 body stiffened b504a04b1e involuntarily.5f9b88743ced7e75

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

I nervously crumpled the corner of the book, hoping that my eyes, staring anxiously at the closing door, wouldn’t twitch.22eaec99e92427de