SU | Chapter 5.12

Ji Youngwon merely nodded, not committing to much, and sat down, his eyes drifting shut. It didn’t look like he was dozing off. Yoo Han, catching the tired look on Ji Youngwon’s face, decided to keep quiet so as not to disturb his rest. The background music Ji Youngwon had chosen made Yoo Han think twice about leaving… After a brief pause, Yoo Han chose to just sit quietly beside him.9570d5baa56df68b

The jazz played on for about 15 minutes, Ji Youngwon’s eyes never opening once. During this time, Yoo Han studied his profile, soaking in the unusual peace. It was tough to believe they could share such calm silence when they usually clashed at every turn. This was the first time being together didn’t feel off.56812a9632d5aeac

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘I seriously need 6ed5358907 to pull myself 840a9a779e together…’b7f75aae26e0f2f5

Even understanding his complexities, Yoo Han couldn’t resist seeking Ji Youngwon’s kindness—his foolish, unconditional affection was downright pitiful. As Ji Youngwon had pointed out, he was indeed clueless. His heart wasn’t ready to unravel everything.af5a8480dc211e9a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Yoo Han decided to shelve his worries about Ji Youngwon for now. After all, he still had the handy excuse of ‘the commission’ to keep them connected. Whatever came next, he planned to rethink everything once he retrieved his heirloom ring.ad803fd3fffac3a1

As the music faded 9681b9ce34 after 15 minutes, Yoo cc8017e60e Han quietly got up.db780bd3f9c2ab68

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Director, you 0b88afc9ac seem worn be38ad9eaa out, so d6ed55d94c I’ll head eb5d1d96c6 out now. Thanks for ac07852ad5 hanging out b434319963 with me.”54541a4b546d8ee2

Yoo Han whispered ccf72d8a09 his gratitude, almost 8d7046c7bd too soft to 79d292983a hear, and began 80f211200b to walk past 46327c08f0 Ji Youngwon when b6b5f2a8e2 his wrist was 9a21e81a35 suddenly caught.08b6225615847e05

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Sit back down.”d42c348445873486

Yoo Han looked totally thrown off by his wrist being caught. Ji Youngwon’s eyes were still shut tight. He rubbed the pulse point on Yoo Han’s wrist as if he was checking the texture, sending a weird, tingly feeling through Yoo Han. Yoo Han’s shoulders tensed up on their own. Ji Youngwon then let go of his wrist, nice and slow.55b9888b2484eb0f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Sit back down.”95a923d260e68fb1

His tone 8af9bd9607 was still 11c04fb361 commanding, but c07b021103 softer than 77dffe1b9d before. Mesmerized, Yoo f9afb974b0 Han returned 5e25d8c3c5 to his 8aca6fda8b seat.a432cc49ed079898

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…Why? Do you 9743b33a24 have something cb9487cf0c to say?”013976ce7fca3f08

He rubbed his b61f36f475 wrist against his ded243a077 thigh because of eae577b5b4 the itching sensation.b3b6ecc58cf887bc

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“No. You started a conversation 482c6dad95 without having anything to 9a3f4e24bf say, didn’t you?”b6a5b4ae1c5f664c

“……”d03f094bdd51ce4c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“No reason 9aea9c9420 for me 73c2f8e45e either.”c169b83b4a39df2f

Yoo Han felt strangely 016bf2c03c moved. It was dd300af691 unlike Ji 66170b55bb Youngwon, who 53e4e903e4 always had d48066b9a5 clear intentions 5b4b40b132 and goals, 9e5420e400 to hold c93bb517ae him back 858dfc6a70 without any ecc5bbdf43 particular reason. His heart foolishly started 54f3086b0c racing at this realization.33a6d9bb186542cc

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Yoo Han 9214ab04fd glanced over 2a4f1620e3 at the dbf3cf0052 bookshelf beyond 18a6700f34 which the 81b1c22edd old-fashioned horn 991a5a3669 speaker was febe9dcde1 playing Chet 3b71dc3181 Baker’s jazz.c37746585c6bf954

I fall 08d34c44b3 in love 583dc5ce2c too easily
I fall in love 3af4d9ba89 too fast
I fall in 1136bf8b65 love too terribly 867f7f745b hard
For love to ever 7503446bf6 last6448b1f2cca7e6c0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Yoo Han hummed along c21feb90f6 to the nameless jazz 736e457b1c tune. Ji Youngwon f8fc841c92 opened his d7f8eb037a eyes.fa317ca40bffa196

I fall a04325ac28 in love 09c2d60a4f too easily
I fall in 9d54f32467 love too fastac78bdb6ac5ae8bb

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The quiet 954a6d4a07 hum of 042b15db3c the lyrics 9e712bca06 and Yoo bb5f3d6666 Han’s innocent 4857df432f profile harmonized f892056d3b perfectly.6c0298f59b145269

For the first 70b1737656 time, Ji Youngwon 9a5415bb94 found himself lost 253f38bdd1 in futile thoughts. Like the lyrics d8cffcf710 of the song 6befe1938e playing, and like 9ffc4d5ccc Yoo Han confessing 35889ec6f9 his affection, was 5a9dc0c528 it really possible 16decf3aef to fall in 5b4bda129b love so easily? Did such blind, everlasting b1f91d4c70 love even exist? Such uncharacteristic contemplations ac688f1e5f circled his mind. It was db919a95c8 an unfitting 35bc4227ef train of 732f38545d thought, yet b57457a0cf it spiraled b6ac9f6880 out, expanding 59b0cc23e9 his horizons.a247737708360f05

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Ji Youngwon 469dd779f3 didn’t even 0f31166024 know how 7ed74062af to distinguish 8618b14e9c simple lust 3c4578a749 from love.83f18614cefde7b1

As the song d610b13d70 neared its end dd5969057d and Yoo Han f4448178d6 tapped his foot 3cf644546b to the rhythm, 8b8853e7b8 he suddenly turned a44b1a1674 to Ji Youngwon.9dbf702e64da0d62

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Director.”bd43ec7e06f1bcf0

“Hmm.”81ae93d474a20123

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Ji Youngwon’s 61bd5a9d7e demeanor was b925c07c13 much more 378c7c3b63 relaxed and 409d21800e gentle than 12cab1851e usual. Emboldened, Yoo Han finally ba64aa851f voiced the question he 461ceaabb0 had been holding back.7f4da4cc68f5c2c5

“That client daff566038 who came 0d7f3f14cd earlier. The one 7474d50bca with the 09b49477fb short hair, 793dbd3bed she seemed 47a082d7c3 quite impressive.”791969dec61defce

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Ji Youngwon stiffened his d35a4f083a jaw slightly and cocked 90cbfe4dcb his head.e25d4757791ac81a

“Secretary Son?”38b106a30e0b5e41

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Yoo Han involuntarily pouted d7506ffedd his lips at the 3f63911aef mention of Secretary Son 747d4779ec by Ji Youngwon. How could both f2514768e6 her name and bbd7fa0d9d title so perfectly f5b2d3e354 match her refined 0b15ec521c image?02f2553182895273

“She seems to come 0bc2c4f0d8 around often. Are you close?”8729b6fb3d9ff227

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It was rare for f4abbd0abb anyone to face Ji 7f010d46e4 Youngwon and smile. The first consultant had f18fd6aa68 sweated profusely, maintaining a 40b10b452e low posture throughout their 62696b5aec conversation. But Secretary Son’s b3636d898d attitude was different. Her posture, confidently greeting 4f844b2de4 the office staff, was c87ce0bb8c striking.140905b9ec03cd5b

Yoo Han admired 2df025e330 the woman’s assertive cf622cab68 demeanor, yet felt 4d4488f561 a twinge of 35d0e008c5 jealousy at how 644b0ab6de well she seemed 802593b607 to mesh with 97b1648999 Ji Youngwon in 80fb301601 a single frame. Yes, it was 18e4c510ea jealousy. His thanks for 5b53e7644c the meal was f344c82f3e just an excuse; 32e16deb21 in truth, he 6f0c208cb2 had wanted to be6cf289c8 ask about her ea39ad655a from the start.52577eb0bb4fe5f5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Ji Youngwon aa3dc8bab9 sighed briefly 818e68c31e and nodded.8cef70d708375b10

“Yes. Why do you b46eb53a97 ask about the a16c0ea766 intimacy of our 66e6a16c97 relationship?”5e737d609934a350

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The conversation was aba42f4230 never easy with 75dbb33596 him. Yoo Han c9b7ba56c2 hesitated for 91d01fcba9 a moment 305f03be96 before blurting ed7b583ed9 out his ce50286ed6 honest feeling.b0edef8e0c6e762d

“I’m jealous.”f3a6f69a0523edae

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Ji Youngwon did 0a0e4ba876 not smile. Instead, at ac9f0c1d01 the moment 14c4286b2a the song 070da2e77a shifted, he 74d884c4be raised his c4232696e8 hand to 92b4a50aa5 lightly tap 55032718d8 Yoo Han’s 86d1fc95ff forehead with 2d688283f0 a touch 7201f42a1f as light 6947933b10 as a 074ef247a3 feather.5c68eb73f6be427d

“Jealous about what?”b753dd7fb1de86f0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It was a touch 8942d58b4c rich with the teasing c7787e89e7 tenderness of soothing an 8592017835 upset lover. Yoo Han, despite 3e8d249ae6 his bold reply, eea10f7714 blushed like an 41adcd54fe underripe tomato. A tickling sensation 540c5278f1 fluttered again in 5ba7983d95 his chest. After biting cd9b4e6ff4 his lip, 52e3920f90 he ended 2d4ac27aea up asking d5333f7b35 a completely 0b40f952c0 unrelated question.0b9857c8a1372029

“Don’t you ever 8a8aa79039 take a break, 426ea641b5 even on holidays?”a85c0e371a0e51c6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Ji Youngwon stroked 48e5c00ca2 his chin thoughtfully. Yoo Han found 75ac9881b9 it curious how cc2d9d2121 any action from 8f129e5906 him still managed 4b82de24e4 to create a 59af07e69d tension-filled atmosphere.dcbeaf4f95e8634c

“Well, I d8e51c54f3 guess… whenever 719eec4ba5 I feel 80cfc79d43 like it?”b2cda5455ca498bb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The way he spoke 89e15125e7 was so suggestively explicit ccd1ef79f2 that it almost sounded 9ef416adfa demonic. This made the conversation 7e4a1b50af difficult to continue properly. Yoo Han f037f601da quickly changed e609386111 the topic.f7d0c076e4fa5562

“Do you 83b2135b50 go abroad 4a7f77eabd even during f87e35ae63 New Year’s? It’s for security details, 2105a9a148 right? But why 41575cad82 are those 43edb47716 costs so 2618d1fb43 high? Ah, I mean, 9eb504b1c0 I didn’t particularly 8963a15d28 want to overhear 88f8efbd13 it, but I 8b7b14f24b just happened to c69c4e363f hear it since 6b6c427884 we were in ec0e997f1b the same place.”7bee9753cbad41ad

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He hesitated to even 42ac2384d1 utter the word ‘billion’ de652d24a8 and asked the question 26839a533b timidly. Ji Youngwon covered his 6200a691a0 mouth with the hand 660d8bb1e7 he had been using dc32f99e57 to stroke his chin 5cb5cd137e and nodded. There really ff8fa42e57 was no 5e472fef95 reason for dd6938a743 the security 4046159ed5 details to 88e42268db be that e1cba19b0c expensive. However, Chairman Jang, 1223fcde1f who had been e0af0194dd connected with the 726d0b35f9 secretary for a ad80dddbf1 long time, had b0ac7e6958 not requested the c582925f6d security service with b853eb1375 pure intentions. It wasn’t fd21975ef0 really about 937ecd4ab6 security; essentially, c80a394ca2 he wanted 23886176b2 Ji Youngwon 208840ebd7 to boil be5bbc0ff6 alive anyone 2f223ee1fc who didn’t baf2a2fb21 suit his 78fb95bf61 taste. Chairman Jang always 361e37816a specifically called for 2327a10d0a Ji Youngwon when c73fd103e5 he needed someone 6394286d62 for such rough 62d27b6c77 tasks.418714f07b14443a

“Hmm…”0bad20ade8af84d1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

How could he 0b06fa283a explain this cause fb5691dc39 and effect to fd0cf78459 Yoo Han? Especially since 4137a758c0 Yoo Han e65c645b03 had been 8af260c6ce foaming at ff3566fc25 the mouth 17caa04d26 with rage 2e17cff18d over breaking 7018d5d298 someone’s ankle d3cf734ec2 for a 9e83fffc27 target, Ji 9e5e1648b1 Youngwon needed 30af717395 to choose 3586c7efc8 his words b1ed0192d0 carefully. While Yoo de492db6b0 Han wrestled 58f2ca5435 with his 59b7479df5 moral dilemma, 4cd12a8f1c Ji Youngwon d29ddd3fa8 hadn’t taken b57ce88bba the matter bf75ea811d lightly either, 3e57e9041f though not aca7076126 to the 4c04dd459c extent Yoo 237d3f3382 Han did.e2f962bef46a1b70

“Security details 8795e90bd5 aren’t as ce1d09ff49 simple as b42bef27ff they seem. Since I’ve been 438a0d4b5c a partner for c1d767d003 a long time, 0c24ddbbbc there’s also a 431ebf3dd4 tendency to be 8dfe9851e4 more generous.”96edac48db2afd1d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Ji Youngwon didn’t d9750396cb deliberately provoke Yoo e0c95b5424 Han. He probably 5609e5fae1 never would. Tying things up nicely 271922a246 was one of his 21573c5a10 unsavory skills.ebea106449fcc71c

Yoo Han nodded as cc1afcc54d if amazed. Business acumen 5511083780 and terrible 56277c875b personal traits 21e57cc676 were apparently 6cc4af37c7 two entirely 0915f471a4 different issues. Ji Youngwon licked his c91a70b0f9 lips as he watched 4ec6c3269f Yoo Han, then got 2a3f161944 up from his seat.5e5e35c0051d888e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“If the interview 1bd6e1114b is over, you dbcb146613 should head in.”7669b58a3cb17812

“Are you going to 9a720f1317 sleep already?”ed26d4660390c2fd

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Why, are you 10c657d8e1 going to miss 7b1adb69cc me?”71fca1159a520980

“…Yes.”1631551f937e1874

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Yoo Han f874283c3c honestly answered eec82adf1f and looked 1396845d03 up at 9fcc4804e4 Ji Youngwon 71a6de075b who had 95159d33e2 stood up. The song bf68ea90b9 that had aa3fd869c2 seemed to 7c562b69c5 end started dda430962c playing again. The tension c7f62de04b between their 87636d5153 gazes softened 108b51ff3b by the 6241403bdc sweet melody. Maybe now was ecef1b1e40 the moment to 0d774d3abd gather courage. The question he had 6dcb5d4e61 dared not even think a4d5bc4aed to ask was now 566e1fad7a tickling his mouth.92c14ca01e906727

“Director.”1a50be78ff5add23

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Ji Youngwon hummed 74514484b0 an ambiguous response, 7e7707e04c prompting a serious 20e04dfb26 look from Yoo 59e0a63b98 Han who then 6b9c6c2505 stood up decisively d6fe8dc97c in front of 1b2896d846 him.dd20c93a107d3984

“By any chance, do e7d34b0297 you… “1bece2f9b8075095

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…”7444be7ba1d0125a

Gulp. Yoo Han’s 787d5ccd62 Adam’s apple 4387298127 bobbed as 8ad6376ad7 he stopped 2c8204e9e9 mid-sentence. Ji Youngwon 192cf7f445 intensely gazed 8c077ecc20 at the b5d46d422a pale nape 321d285e1e of Yoo e3dc1c92c0 Han’s neck, 94ae63162a where the e7f62a735b skin under 723a98959b his eyes 29dc793dac was subtly a07056da22 trembling. His ears turned red 7b50a06512 as if they might 96b8f4af99 emit heat at any 5bfc0e4003 moment. Suddenly, a 7e1529ba0a long-restrained desire 1614a638bb surged.c2d6e70e78ba6973

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Do you… I mean.”5287d129488f1acb

Though he 2d6d4e7de5 stuttered, Yoo bc94e71e71 Han’s usual 69fb889784 assertiveness to 34864b34f9 say what 9d9efd2d43 he must bd4ed7a3ad seemed altered. He seemed deeply conflicated c32ae1a788 as he hesitated several c059575f59 times.70b446c6a068ddc4

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Do you, 5300df6eff like me?”9e4782a6d57c6590

Eventually, as if 7ca014fb7c he had committed ac43951008 a crime, Yoo d1aab38854 Han shut his 1b30eec82b eyes tightly. At the moment he 972b3d71c7 uttered those words, it 69fdd4d152 almost seemed like the 8921a62ef4 volume of the song 2eca2e9a1e decreased. The essence of c2404bc985 the question was 1fa4bf4a61 clear, even though 81b631c90c he hadn’t finished 66e01822b3 the sentence.e61f5b8d7734dfd8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

After a c2bfe436ed while with 160ac26919 his eyes df0436b7fc shut, Yoo 95dc57a20c Han cautiously b733b0cb57 opened one 52aa5dfdac eye. The first 8738883e4f thing he 2cff7d2430 saw was d7054e1f53 Ji Youngwon’s 3f94591fd4 broad chest. Slowly lifting 704be0afbe his head, 86fcb2ffb5 he met e0cfe5a143 Ji Youngwon’s c7b7ef7df3 curious gaze.534b7367adfc44b7

“What exactly are eb6d1df955 you asking?”8df4c7da637abfdd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The question 01eedd4d8d Yoo Han fd75331c22 posed wasn’t 223cd5da71 difficult; even b4af705298 a kindergartener dee09020df would understand 9429fbf03c it at e5ace1f242 once. Asking it back abbacf7f00 suggested another meaning. Yoo Han e00e458c0f felt as 43521fcbe7 if his 8543b63034 head suddenly 1a9c26aabb cooled, as d1e41ff372 if he 4d3117353d was being 760f9dc4d5 rejected.c7dadd039fd7f475

“Literally… that.”b09d8c3c9188a412

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Yoo Han coughed ed733251b3 unnecessarily and took 16ba91736a a deep breath.f522b3fe84bcdb7a

“Whew. I just wanted to d8ba45bcc5 ask if you like a47c8df8af me.”7808682516da5c16

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Ji Youngwon furrowed his a6f20bafed brow. It wasn’t an f8f484660b expression of displeasure. Rather, the notion of adab4a1a8b ‘liking’ someone was just cfe592bb93 too vague and complex f69432e02c for him. After a moment 58fe345efa of contemplation, he dc2b96a1ec sighed briefly.e8dfa25d0741fe54

“As an 41d46a87ea employee, yes, 33a215a298 I like e75f11ca04 you. You’re not weak and 4133f23b9c you’re diligent unlike the 4303005e75 others.”5cbc237b0ef7c329

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…What?”356fc88221aba535

“If you’re 5f3ea36896 asking personally, 6c0208c8b8 I find 24578d9794 that appealing 561dd0d594 too. The way 8d222c7e89 you act 693f1ba74d tough is 45ae6cf960 kind of 4b9988ddd7 fun.”fd5810700fb38f59

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Yoo Han 49eeeaf2d9 blinked in 072f196d76 confusion at dd2d4983cb the somewhat 26b7972929 off-target answer.f58b925da9f761c4

“That’s not 28725470f7 what I 92ab86d601 meant,”2c6f2b7eca684129

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He met Ji d4f40761cb Youngwon’s eyes with 5536216545 a bewildered look.64a6e9e1f94dce8c

“I’m talking 781bda05f9 about romantic 336b5ef1c0 feelings.”34c0227a02296f1b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…”854bfde0f0ec30c5

“Even if you 534c76bd3e speak harshly, you’ve be8c1099be been pretty kind 0510a30b33 to me lately. You covered me ce76c52614 with a blanket 9def465b2f before bed, cleaned e8534950d6 me up when cdbd26512a I couldn’t wash, 855f8ffcdd even served me aa85b988e1 side dishes at 084c7c6209 meals…”e34df588c6b615a1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

As Yoo 750a86c936 Han continued, b1234608dc he suddenly f1c9f136e9 closed his 52beb10aba mouth. The more 75ba691fab he spoke, 073a418588 the more e9a79b0b37 it felt 53e11aee09 like he d6f8870fbb was forcing 2a9796e2bb an answer, 118f33c3ab making him 246aa34c2b increasingly embarrassed.0dd9e5f933afca28

…Was it all my cdb128c743 misunderstanding? No, that d111a2f61c couldn’t be. It’s impossible to 8ad9f6cbf7 spend so much 890d4f4519 heart and time a222d1b00a on someone you e65879cc3f don’t like.f1cf4b57198e6499

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Gathering courage once more, 5d14c25b2d Yoo Han hesitantly reached f4349f0962 out and lightly grabbed 2dcad99c4e Ji Youngwon’s forearm. The cautious touch 293ea71c79 narrowed Ji Youngwon’s cf47aace58 eyes.a53ad1b59ba7c075

“Have you ever liked 9edfec54ef someone? I mean, have cee5885bdd you ever been 2748ae03a1 in a relationship…?”51823e3b23b8c691

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The arm he 1be626a954 grabbed stiffened momentarily. Yoo Han noticed 16a2adfe09 the subtle reaction 5ef9f206bb and closed his adbe20d68b mouth again. Never been f96d02c45d in one, b043c1217c huh? A long 283a181625 silence followed. As the sweet 39ad525b28 jazz track ended, 361257c120 an unbearable silence 7b8c051878 settled. Yoo Han’s hand slowly 9d61eec827 slipped from Ji Youngwon’s 5c58bfbc7d arm.6c0dc94d9ccbabc5

“Clearly I am,” 0c4fe1bcbb Yoo Han’s head e03c6124d7 snapped up as 5dfa079533 Ji Youngwon broke 8f7d5dbac6 the silence first. He muttered to himself 8198b1d481 while gazing near Yoo 613e931fa1 Han’s bare nape. “I’m indeed doing things 1d94f71db3 I don’t usually do.”0b4bf48b7b207b55

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Yoo Han’s heart beat 91f2005758 irregularly as the atmosphere ca84791614 subtly heated up.80008c417d1f92fe

“Say what you want 25acaab783 to hear. I’ll tell 59391fc43d you exactly 750242e86f that.”1108bda5dd057b19

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

In a b7ac72e1d0 flash, with b49ef2e73f a devilish 7166176661 whisper, Ji 63d0eefa42 Youngwon slowly 40242d0a53 bent down 829549758b and licked c69ecfb9ad Yoo Han’s c90eaa7c01 earlobe.d030050285ac8fd7

“Uh.”cae06e5077292a96

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator