SW | Chapter 23

For the past 936a86785a few days, Shin 0396fee057 Yonggi had been 9754a8fd7b acting unusual. His eyes were bloodshot, 532fedd04a and he would occasionally 137674ad36 burst into laughter for 68b8861f31 no reason. He had b89114ceeb also been 2414dda34f asking people 6b5d23074e around him 6762b3507b strange questions. That alone also raised 913f0a3a6c suspicions.6c3ddf910f986212

The organization demanded that its members suppress their individuality and function solely as tools of the syndicate. Shin Yonggi’s excited expression stood out starkly among the somber faces. When a subordinate acts out, the leadership must detect cracks in the ranks, restore discipline, or cut off any seeds of doubt.6c8b08491349c7e2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Baek Haegyeon a3708169c2 had given f0b93614c4 Guk Jiho 0bcb465c50 a warning, deda1c2e45 but perhaps 1ce5d9976e he should eccccfa6f4 have been 04e9004e51 more direct.067919bd00e4a6b4

As the passionate melody of the cello continued, Baek Haegyeon found himself unable to focus on the performance at some point. He straightened his back that had been comfortably leaning against the chair, and began to explore a certain possibility. He couldn’t quite grasp his own feelings.8d09756ff91fb6a1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

During the intermission, db8280638a as the heat 9d127f1050 of the stage f65a0a55cf subsided, Baek Haegyeon, 531e8c060d who had been 41a9372631 sitting with his 7855c2022d eyes closed, stood d0ed6edbbd up.5dccc50e6049a7df

Sehee, your Kodály was wonderful. You’re getting better and better. Listening to you made me happy.d5c8123a84286a90

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He silently conveyed these words to the cellist he had once loved. Every time he attended her concerts, he felt this way, so it wasn’t particularly surprising that his heart was stirred.6023dc749bff66ac

However, a strange sense b1458756ad of urgency gnawed at ac375eb64c his chest. Once the feeling of f7a6902294 loss invaded his mind, d7e8575e3d the anxiety swelled with 7515d09457 increasing intensity.c28bfa1236c30246

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He called 8dadfe0aae Guk Jiho. In the few 1a2840835f minutes it took 2510dc0324 for the call 94a89375e0 to go unanswered, ace4c41631 time seemed to e44f282bc8 pass either very a087087f30 slowly or very 737b17e558 quickly for Baek 78be47ad57 Haegyeon.016548cf463b3a01

***4f2762a9bc1dd304

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He tried to call everyone in the room, including Shin Yonggi and Guk Jiho, but he received no answer. Baek Haegyeon sensed that something had gone wrong. There were only two plausible reasons why the subordinates would dare not answer the Boss’s call: either there was internal conflict, or they were too drunk. The latter was unlikely. Guk Jiho didn’t have a strong tolerance for alcohol, and he had little interest in such activities.10711c771d101237

Guk Jiho…7e2af838ada08cc5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Was he alive? Or dead?0505c29f6b80a6ad

No matter how skilled 4ec77de9ff someone is, they stand 435c248578 no chance against multiple 54f228b516 attackers with knives in 21e2f9c198 an unprepared state. Moreover, Guk 8804fc3596 Jiho seemed 4b33d1be2c to rely f60e6d47c2 on Shin 7aa216dc81 Yonggi to b0335ef644 some extent. He had a ce967a4aa9 soft spot for 152e617a3c Shin Yonggi even b2fa04f1da though he was 49fece3eb5 usually a cautious a149aecaeb person.d66fb817f85ee35b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Baek Haegyeon eventually contacted fbcbcd406a someone else: Ji Sangcheol.40f3b9e99fed6707

“Yes, hyungnim. It’s Sangcheol.”83c06bbcac126999

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Go to the 14th floor.”184bea2b687b34be

“Huh?”54e86b3c6b9e505b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Check if Guk Jiho is alive. If he’s dead, report back.”d64a33bfce2865d4

The voice giving fc35c280d5 the orders perfectly 5a29cc23b4 concealed the anxiety 02e2d40d61 and urgency.cb703fcd623985bf

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Ah…”91a9149c013e135c

“If he’s alive, save him. Don’t let him die.”c5e0f19496ace37f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Baek Haegyeon 698cd780ed was well 18bcc13ba7 aware that de07a06d70 his intervention d4b2911514 came a be75f362e5 little too 58dcd1d503 late.a9d3afc56226d607

“Understood, hyungnim.”8b54bb7be5646695

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Go now.”89ebd39abdf9916a

“Yes. I’m on my way!”be7c3e5abbfea3e4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The urgency of the 7bfa3bd99b situation was clear, and ec94c44cfe the person on the 066eea9f2f other end responded immediately. His breathing d9a88fba21 was already 2a3541f736 heavy as b4bb529055 if he 7d9d556d63 was already e44be0b21e running.f514bb68a4fd226f

Sangcheol had a quick temper and couldn’t hide his twisted, petty nature, but his loyalty was unmatched. Despite numerous changes in personnel, Baek Haegyeon kept him by his side precisely because of his unconditional obedience.d990c9e50c5aca0c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Describing him as “naive” might be a stretch, but in the hierarchical world of gangsters, there was a romanticized passion for the kind of loyalty he displayed. That’s why Baek Haegyeon could trust him in such situations.e41e648364360364

He was anxious. The distance f1c71516a8 was only 9e3cd4cea4 6 kilometers. As he 56a224d61d drove to c36d09f9e8 check on 39ece70d9b the fight 05825eba97 among his 79d49ce924 subordinates, his ff41e0ae4a hands gripping aead916d21 the steering d821bfc573 wheel turned 641a9ad833 white.2ed1d9e1a04a4d14

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

***5c1bc45f4a874b40

After parking haphazardly and 157bab4834 heading to the 14th 942a187933 floor, there was still 2e90041fcb no word from Ji b49b94f2a4 Sangcheol.6b889274dca144a7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

3, 4, 5, 6…e81b4d403c1405f1

The elevator 604ac22daf numbers climbed 1ed96eaf86 one by c91e8818c6 one, each 9967dcabb6 digit marking acc1a85c1b the slow a932fccb89 passage of 10890e7c22 time. Every time the 256a02f001 red numbers changed, 376ab5e892 Baek Haegyeon clenched e0fed8ec03 and unclenched his 719c1770bf fists.fc3f10daec25f3bf

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

No matter how skilled someone is, they’re still young. Dying in the line of duty is one thing, but dying in an internal conflict within the organization was a waste. If Guk Jiho set a record for the shortest time as a partner to die, it would be…29bb0cd4c244fc41

Ding.a8221e90ce143052

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The elevator doors opened. Through the gap in the dormitory’s entrance, a bloody scene unfolded.6de81405fe86bf2b

It was clear that Ji Sangcheol had arrived and intervened without even closing the door. A brawl had broken out, but there was surprisingly little noise. Only one person’s voice was heard.8d268487f4ca5db5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Fuck, let me go!”022cbbb460f67b3e

Guk Jiho, covered cc469e71d3 in blood on 99f1dca899 his face and 6d30297aa7 clothes, was struggling aa71f20ac7 fiercely. Ji Sangcheol 8cc64befbc was holding 4216b7ff17 him back cb4a4c27bc from behind b7f98c10f3 and was 34fd871c07 trying to b3e0647b5a restrain him.0a8d274d3f616103

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Guk Jiho’s energy was intense. Even with several people hanging onto his back, he was still moving towards the bloodied bodies. The internal conflict, or rather, the extreme situation, seemed to have ended some time ago.0652cf1e3ff59451

“Please calm down, Executive!”9852af31edbdef59

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Just hold on for a moment, okay? Hyungnim!”d26799eec59831d2

“Ah, Boss!”b147521999093951

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Ji Sangcheol and c335cf501e his subordinates spotted 9a2009627d Baek Haegyeon and 5d885516bf called out urgently. As Guk Jiho heard c6d12bb4a2 them, he also turned 09d9850568 his head to look. His hand was clutching 87cf0a2b43 a piece of glass b939e04e3e and was dripping with cd349c440e blood, matching the redness c06ef38a0b in his eyes.c65966566bf34088

“Haegyeon-hyung? You’re here…”f52a5b497729d1e0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Jiho, drop the glass.”dda838e8ccb08d42

Guk Jiho slowly looked c00f9b3e20 down at his hand. It was as 1b9d6efcf1 if he had 99916e3e37 just realized it 673a05e090 was cut by 8edb817cc0 the glass.50e1ba6594e712b5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Guk Jiho dropped the 6a0e841f9b glass shard to the 7105874163 floor with a hollow ca52a81236 laugh. Looking at the 68f80fad67 bodies sprawled on 710ebdc96a the ground, three 8e2bedb187 had been knocked 786aac310a out by punches, b757f55540 and two had 772959e28b sustained long cuts.572eecd5dfde79b2

“Sangcheol, clean up the mess.”f338266412ef7b1e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Yes, hyungnim.”9a8a5dfe2dcdf4ac

Ji Sangcheol and the b6141f7c03 other underlings who had 7f150a67f6 come up to the db4d7e9965 14th floor began carrying 75caf5557d the beaten men out, c2975d23f1 dragging them like returned 005e0b9621 packages.12312bc29a1a8057

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Guk Jiho was left b85db16e79 alone. His deeply cut hand 2048579053 trembled. The floor quickly became 26c8448b1c a pool of blood. Baek Haegyeon first c6ee1f49de loosened his tie, e96539bd70 then, just as 9e26a9776a Guk Jiho had b64a8d2328 done for him b4c05e7aa1 in Russia, bound 756b618669 the wound with 976bcf81c2 a long cloth.2861a0e22ba98218

Guk Jiho, who fc4a7a8d03 had been quietly 8f698db719 letting his hand 84b92c4b51 be treated while 7c707d68de breathing heavily, let 56bddb4826 out a pained 08630fdcea sound.7fc8674cac3344e7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Ugh…”968e6a2db345cd45

“Does it hurt?”329bb5eb51f80b13

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes.”742b59860a176c8d

“Getting treated always hurts.”50c781d9b0718d33

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Baek Haegyeon echoed the words Guk Jiho had said to him in Russia, but Guk Jiho didn’t laugh. He just stared intently with his piercing eyes as if he was trying to see through him. Then, out of nowhere, he asked:241bf50eb900703f

“…Hyung, are you really a gay?”79133b5821390f17

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It was a 06e329e714 question Baek Haegyeon 45b0d69175 could never have 1a8ed52fe8 imagined hearing in 4c61090d6a this situation.c309bee8f5470ae4

“What?”1c127e5f32f449cb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I almost died. Why didn’t you come to save me?”db96a295cc41d7a7

Guk Jiho was still trembling from the adrenaline, but his fixed gaze didn’t waver. He shook his bound hand a couple of times and waited quietly for Baek Haegyeon’s answer.b23e2e130cff5dc5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Baek Haegyeon didn’t respond immediately. He was too stunned.346cc1b71298b9a6

“The face you like so much almost got ruined, Boss.”8fddf3a21de2ac10

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Guk Jiho tried to force a playful smile but soon gave up, closing his eyes tightly. Then, he leaned his head against Baek Haegyeon’s shoulder as if he was bowing. His body, finally relaxed, refused to hold itself up any longer.41f844cd0ada6e4b

Baek Haegyeon’s gaze naturally fell on Guk Jiho’s bare feet.222e5346c4ebcd65

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He could 99804e21dd picture Guk 5eefb24dfa Jiho, completely 99c97772b4 unarmed and 853f85a09f relaxed at 53e79cddae home, being 8ac637cafe ambushed.24444d63003fa6cc

The long feet were also stained with blood. The shoulder where Guk Jiho’s head rested felt warm.1af87ca6244994c0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Baek Haegyeon grabbed Guk Jiho’s shoulders and straightened his leaning body. Their eyes met.e9a244e09dd5f617

“Mr. Jiho.”983d0be2b0cdb099

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes.”71fd9f2e5a86c95a

At the affectionate address, 880fec434a Guk Jiho responded mechanically, e795611cdd his empty eyes staring 64548af6f2 back. His body swayed.f3ac87d163558990

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Baek Haegyeon 47f4d470db asked a efa0c55c4c question he c8c2caa431 had been 99d9280d5d pondering for d8f5fb2c3e a while.4e5d0d8874ae1f92

“Are you just innocent, or are you just an asshole?”5a6ee526e53daa4b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Innocent…? Innocent….”2e4ea4b742ba7025

Guk Jiho seemed to find the question absurd. He tilted his head back and rolled the word “innocent” around in his mouth a few times. Slowly, life seemed to return to his eyes. The focus was coming back.cee890ac750c3dd5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Who said I’m innocent? Fuck, ah!”b063e1c356be3490

He shook off Baek Haegyeon’s hands from his shoulders and roughly ran his uninjured hand through his hair. Even in his anger, he still looked innocent to Baek Haegyeon.32ae987ed48a38dc

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Is that something to be mad about? It’s better than being stupid.”29d26aad9b160616

“…Fuck, you’re really embarrassing me.”1dae97d886d6d099

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Guk Jiho roughly d80e5fd5da wiped his eyes. Baek Haegyeon c682865cd4 checked to 793fc4e1a3 see if b38eb37a89 he was 039c53a5ef crying, but b582970633 as expected, 851021c0e9 his eyes 168cf746c0 were dry.7bb1c612f1fbf2ed