WCK | Chapter 2.1

It’s definitely a different vibe compared to hanging out with friends my age.

Seo-on sipped on a glass of champagne that was practically non-alcoholic, subtly observing his surroundings. He was attending a New Year’s party with Cha Dokwon.

Most of the attendees were in their thirties, which made sense—it was a gathering for couples. Unlike business events masked as charity galas, this was a simple social occasion, and the age group skewed relatively young for a high-society event.

Even so, Seo-on was the youngest among them.

Even in a world where arranged marriages were common, it was rare for someone to marry immediately after becoming an adult. He was likely the first twenty-year-old to attend since the gathering had begun.

As Seo-on drank the sweet champagne, he guessed that the person closest to his age was probably in their late 20s at the youngest.

“It’s just as boring.”

Even in his teens, Seo-on had occasionally attended New Year’s parties like this. They were mostly social gatherings where parents brought their children, and he would join whenever possible. Since these were people he’d likely encounter both publicly and privately as an adult, it wasn’t a bad idea to become acquainted with them—even if they didn’t attend the same school.

Still, despite his high attendance rate, Seo-on never particularly enjoyed these events. It might have been more tolerable if Hyesung were around, but growing up in a family that trusted no one outside their own made it hard to relax. And while he generally liked people, he had little interest in gatherings like this.

Even so, he had to match the mood.

Just because he didn’t enjoy these parties didn’t mean he was immature enough to show it.

Besides, today wasn’t just any gathering—it was a couples’ event. It was inevitable that others would treat him like a child, just as his spouse did. And by their standards, he was still a kid. But even so, he didn’t want to embarrass Cha Dokwon by acting like one.

“If you’re uncomfortable, you don’t have to go.”

Cha Dokwon said as he adjusted Seo-on’s suit one last time. Perhaps because of the time spent carrying a puppy around, he seemed comfortable touching Seo-on. Seo-on, having been held by a man for several days, accepted the touch naturally.

“It’s okay. If I don’t go, people will talk, right? That’s why the executive director brought it up to me.”

If it were really okay not to attend, he wouldn’t have mentioned it. Judging by how he handled guests at the wedding, he seemed used to such gatherings, but being used to something and enjoying it were completely different matters.

“You’re not wrong.”

Cha Dokwon slowly stretched his lips, as if he hadn’t expected to hear such words from Seo-on.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t go. But you’ll have to deal with the gossip.”

“Honestly, I don’t care about the gossip, but I don’t want to cause trouble for the executive director.”

Strictly speaking, attendance wasn’t required. It wasn’t a charity gala—just a social gathering held under the pretense of celebrating the New Year. And considering it was already February, the “New Year’s” title was little more than an excuse.

More importantly, Cha Dokwon was the type who rarely showed up to pointless events like this. No one would have been surprised if he hadn’t come.

But this wasn’t just any gathering—it was a couples’ event. And when a newlywed couple failed to appear, regardless of who the partner was, it was inevitable that rumors would start to circulate.

Seo-on had already figured out that Cha Dokwon wasn’t the kind of person who cared about gossip. Still, it was wiser not to give people something to talk about in the first place.

“Trouble?”

“You’re already hearing a lot of noise because you married me.”

“Do you read the articles?”

“Of course, I do. I read them every day, even when I was a student.”

Chairman Yoon wasn’t a strict father to Seo-on, but he was clear about his educational philosophy.

“I know it’s just PR, but if I don’t go, they’ll write ridiculous stories, so I think it’s better to just attend. I’ll be careful not to make any mistakes.”

“Mistakes, huh.”

The man silently twisted his lips as if he had heard something amusing.

“Even if Yoon Seo-on makes a mistake, it won’t be considered a mistake.”

Somehow, those words were reassuring.

Still, I should be careful.

Seo-on took the champagne glass away from his lips and glanced down at his attire. Even though he knew that wearing a formal suit instead of the casual clothes he wore as a minor meant his outfit wouldn’t suddenly fall apart, he couldn’t help but be concerned.

“Yoon Seo-on?”

At that moment, someone approached and called his name in a friendly tone. Seo-on naturally turned around. A man he had never seen before was smiling kindly at him.

“I didn’t expect to see the youngest of Yoon Oh here.”

“Hello.”

Seo-on gave a slight bow. No matter how much he racked his brain, it was a face he was seeing for the first time.

“Yoon Young-oh and Yoon Ji-oh haven’t been to this gathering either.”

For someone who casually mentioned his brother and sister’s names, the man was a complete stranger.

Seo-on was well-acquainted with the key figures of high society. Some had visited their home due to personal connections, and when they met in public, his parents always made introductions. Given his parents’ age, most of these acquaintances were middle-aged or older.

That didn’t mean he was unfamiliar with the younger generation, either. His brother and sister were part of that age group, after all—it would be odd not to know who they associated with. Besides, Yoon Young-oh and Yoon Ji-oh made a habit of introducing him to people they considered decent or potentially helpful, so Seo-on remembered everyone his family thought worth remembering.

But the man standing before him was a stranger.

Which meant he wasn’t close enough to Seo-on’s siblings to speak of them so casually.

“Somehow, I ended up getting married before my brother and sister.”

Seo-on smiled, squinting his eyes, and gave a playful shrug. Even if the face was unfamiliar, he could still guess the man’s species and approximate age.

The long, sturdy tail with scales protruding from the back of his suit gave it away—he was a crocodile, likely in his early to mid-thirties.

“Wow.”

At that moment, the man widened his eyes and exclaimed.

“You look so different from Yoon Young-oh and Yoon Ji-oh.”

In public, it was rare to see adults walking around in their half-beast forms. But in private gatherings like this one, it was considered acceptable.

Revealing features like tails, ears, or wings was often a gesture of intimacy—an expression of trust. It meant showing a part of oneself that wasn’t usually seen by others.

At this party alone, nearly half the attendees were in their half-beast state.

“Is it because you’re not a wolf?”

Or it could be an attempt to subtly intimidate the other person.

Inside the exaggeratedly open mouth, sharp fangs were visible. They were human canines, not crocodile teeth.

“Wow.”

However, Seo-on neither showed fear nor panicked.

“I’ve never heard that before.”

He simply echoed the exclamation in a similar tone.

“Do I really look different from my brother and sister? Even if the true form is a bit different, I’ve only heard that we look alike because our faces are similar.”

Due to the species-specific lines, the atmosphere didn’t completely match, but Seo-on deliberately left that part out.

“I never thought it was strange because it’s natural for siblings to look alike. It’s the first time I’ve heard that I look different, so it’s fascinating.”

“Haha. I didn’t mean you don’t look alike.”

Perhaps flustered, the man burst into laughter and drank the champagne he was holding. Seo-on just stared blankly at the man.

“How should I put it, I meant that your atmosphere feels relatively softer. I hope you don’t misunderstand.”

“Yeah. As long as you don’t have any other intentions, I won’t misunderstand.”

Seo-on replied in a gentle tone. Even though he had lived ten years less than the other person, he wasn’t so oblivious as to not realize that the topic was brought up to insult him.

“By the way, what’s your name? I don’t think I saw you at the wedding, but there were so many guests that I might not remember well. I’m sorry.”

And he wasn’t so easygoing as to let a sly insult slide.

Even though he was a dog who naturally liked people, Seo-on had been raised in a wolf family. The environment in which a person’s values are shaped has more influence than the genes they’re born with. So even if someone’s nature is easygoing, they can still grow up with a firm, unyielding character.

“Um.”

The mention of the wedding seemed to trouble the man, who scratched at the front of his eyebrow. Seo-on’s genuinely apologetic expression only seemed to fluster him more.

Seo-on kept his innocent look. He was used to this level of insult.
Being subtly looked down on—for being a dog, a variant species—was nothing new.

Annoyance was a natural response. But he didn’t have such fragile self-esteem that he’d hate or despise himself just because someone he barely knew did.

“Is there a problem?”

Just as Seo-on considered whether to say something more, a familiar voice came from behind. He brightened instantly at the sight of the man approaching.

“Executive Director.”

Cha Dokwon lowered his gaze and silently took the empty champagne glass from Seo-on’s hand. With a glance, he signaled a waiting staff member.

In one smooth motion, he passed the glass off before finally turning his eyes toward the crocodile standing opposite Seo-on.

“Do you have any business with my spouse?”

“Oh, Executive Director. Hello. I am…”

“I know who you are.”

Seo-on looked up at Cha Dokwon.

The brief separation had happened because someone else had caught Dokwon’s attention. Whether it was because he found gatherings like this bothersome, felt a sense of responsibility for Seo-on, or simply wanted to prevent any unnecessary rumors, the man hadn’t left Seo-on’s side since they stepped out of the car.

That moment apart had only occurred because Seo-on had tactfully stepped away. He’d sensed that the person speaking to Dokwon had something important to say and had quietly excused himself.

Even though he’d kept his distance deliberately to avoid being a burden, it seemed Dokwon had been watching him the entire time—especially considering he’d arrived less than five minutes after Seo-on began speaking with a stranger.

“I asked if you had any business with my spouse, not your name.”

“Oh, well, I just came over to say hello since it’s our first meeting.”

“Do you show your tail to someone you’re meeting for the first time?”

The man’s black eyes lowered. At the pointed remark, he sheepishly tucked his tail away.

“It’s better to mind your manners. Especially at a first meeting.”

Oh.

Seo-on parted his lips slightly, unable to hide his reaction.
He was captivated by the faint shift—Cha Dokwon’s dark irises gleaming gold.