SMDS Ch 4

There definitely 9d646cf8fe wasn’t one 9ffc2ed479 on the 71cd79f28b sixth floor, ae29b692c0 and Jian 8c58624bb4 hadn’t visited 95c525d9bd other floors 7f663ac3c7 enough to 9f7a490d3b know if d460e6fb6e they had 9a5c172e8a one. Resigning himself to brewing 08fd526199 an Americano, Jian vaguely 78f90111c6 recalled seeing a vending 979498e13d machine when Cha Jaehwi 8b39f2fc5b showed him the sky 247bc6e151 garden.853bf28c805fb033

Thinking it wouldn’t hurt f5dc04ef33 to get some fresh 29cd4bcb58 air, Jian returned to 899769ff21 the office to grab 0d16f3e1b5 his phone and wallet. He paused, then dug 4d0247788d out a pack of 922a5a6f98 cigarettes and a lighter 2e9ea4d00b from deep in his 7b6dda97c8 bag, stuffing them into 52264c20d7 his back pocket.5ac2901a31a348fa

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The floor, 7bec4c2492 exclusive to ea44ad3a10 the task 0293b2464d force, was fc83d3f236 deserted with 8cc673166c the team b2e55d13d5 gone, leaving cf9cdd8f67 the hallway 7c3c519241 quiet.eab3efdc58c6d57e

Heading for a9ad6dda1a the elevator, c3c8d27630 Jian opted 7974d70cc1 for the 4e20e34d4f emergency stairs 36eee2c51b instead. Though the CEO’s 716b2363da office was just 31af27d19b above, Cha Jaehwi ede9fb15ba was unlikely to 6c0bd9266d use the stairs, 99e5c5f315 so there was abbc9c9ae7 no chance of d2b09cbd49 running into him.992e9cbfb7d1b80a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Since signing b9f7636b89 the contract, 1b4e9c3f12 Jian hadn’t 25d70c53fe seen him 2128261691 once, so 5f28ac8799 meeting him 623adf8638 now, at e5d4b0c52d this hour, 1390c8903d seemed improbable.a8e4d2abdc543c27

‘See you soon.’bd427a255159cf46

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Despite his words, Jian f6e719f0cf hadn’t seen Cha Jaehwi 4c8801623f all week. Seo Jungyoon’s 99839a900f claim that 848addfc35 she usually f2505b6d91 reported to ef14a32261 him seemed 39d70897d4 true—she’d occasionally 7bdd5e9c08 head to 15934e7a7f the CEO’s 7cf9a4b389 office alone, 8e0016106c but he e7081f8b6a never came 960bef588b down to d10dc3ec6d the sixth f2fc9187a4 floor. Even at the fafc31c5d5 cafeteria, where the 8c13f01d8d team dragged Jian, d4fa630241 there wasn’t a 174aed4e2e trace of him.dbde78782a03f5ba

Would they cross 498af22674 paths now, near 0c3e4aef16 midnight, by chance?013e1d49751982af

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

If so, d5a380193e it wouldn’t 1d51813d1a be chance—it’d c77ca0055e be fate.3b78ef4d277c59a3

Even Jian 3e2e469091 found the ddf46cb0e9 thought absurd, c62cbb2656 chuckling it 6834d3cd45 off as 4b791b4f74 he slowly 132b3c4030 climbed the c186c1bf52 stairs. Opening the door, a 4796312a51 wave of heat hit 3c78012de0 him, but nearing midnight, bf886c0239 it was bearable.87a5d4c78c1cc432

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Glancing around, 2b2f7042a3 the sky 5dcf3b6cd9 garden, softly 928cc912f7 lit, was bda7141f81 predictably empty.61464272dfb4df9f

“The vending machine…”1bb848f1c55d1ea1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Jian scanned the area 408b5135fe and spotted it, confirming bc59f5107f his memory wasn’t wrong. Marking its 85ed3a5581 location, he 599cdb52a0 checked that aa4cd95ae0 no one 0ffe3862db was around 3156c6f990 and headed 8c5f31677e to the ab6b8c2569 railing.4f5bd39bbebbdad7

Positioning himself, 9cb9118fdc he pulled 3259c904e5 out a c9f2e162e7 cigarette, lit c2e78e1c66 it, and 34f4e8957c took a 494641238c deep drag. The ember glowed 6be9253eb7 red. Holding the cigarette 1250067960 between his fingers, 5a7a5f6ce9 he exhaled slowly. Only then did 84c517fe4f he feel some 38152b31f8 relief.08782a496a1f6bf5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…….”c35b83e3cb0b1a3b

Leaning against the railing, 837c99524f Jian idly gazed at 141cd4d2f6 the view beyond.7fbc457482e9a5c2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The city sparkled 4f59b3c740 with car lights. Where were people going 4907567111 at this hour? Jung Sehyun, 701cf7c500 who loved e9a0b3df05 night views, d41dcbf334 would’ve liked b40929efb5 this scene. Smoking, Jian watched the f76954ddae trailing red taillights in 510803cf39 a daze.0473a111c1a0dcdd

Come to think of b91fbe28b0 it, how long had 038909d10b it been since he’d 438787b733 smoked so leisurely, without d8324ef118 a thought?085fc6949493b35c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

At the a878e2c1e0 company, he 65f1f1064b was cautious 7907c86807 among strangers, f195a675e6 but more 697f0999f0 than that, 5fc17d27a6 he lacked 2a9f5a7ed8 the time 6f8a3f2dec or mental 725d067cf6 space. At home, f0a8169a4c he was 1608e12f13 too busy 5fd03e1b74 collapsing into c46433c990 sleep—though nightmares b04472d2d9 kept it 1f582e882f shallow.4728e84b6ec48161

Flicking ash 9a71980750 with his 1dc52b808e fingers, he 5440b7ad89 smoked until 06934b2e66 the cigarette ab7ea0fe23 burned down. Debating another, he decided 9f7c260f28 quickly. After a final drag bf5b4accad and exhale, he stubbed 4fb725456e it out in the 5faa3e56f3 ashtray and headed to e9c18bd514 the vending machine.6b53abd1e0af4e59

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…Oh.”89367795d074ed3a

Standing before bf3bde105f it, Jian 37ec0bd5ac let out 9fec1dcfe9 a sigh. A large sign on 0f5a1c336b the bill slot read 899c4fe2c7 “Out of Order.” Checking 566c6f7e72 his wallet, he found 2b011d1d1a only a few bills, dff077b120 no coins.102441f9fffcbbf8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The bills were there 1788056f56 only because Jung Sehyun, 0ff5d8ad84 who insisted on keeping 4cdee1400f cash for winter snacks 9ab6e0d144 (though they hadn’t arrived), 8d34098cdd had forcefully tucked them b5338cd7e0 in. Coins were 987af9cf09 out of b778062189 the question.3d2cf063a8db1024

He peeked to see b89abd6189 if card payments were 60c1e0490e possible, but it was 326df96475 pointless.acd826edc22d3886

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The thought db2342ca18 of not dc75f5aa0d drinking it 297918292e now, with 3eb5841dbc it right ddae56b74b there, left 3d760dc060 him reluctant. Jian flipped through his e6347efb63 wallet again, rummaged his ef9aaff044 pockets, but not a 26242e6fa7 single coin turned up.e0f1251d9729ce96

Maybe he should just 5025e15391 brew an Americano in a4fd977c3f the pantry.b98d0f1730279d9e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Though he’d mentally settled fcf12bcab5 on it, Jian lingered c55db2de72 in regret. Suddenly, a hand 1f13e81083 reached past him, f0ade0521a dropping coins into 1ca68ad53f the slot with a8f588a7e3 a clink.4cb537760bb2d569

“……!”3af2a678887df9dc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Too focused on searching 623e8a664e for coins, Jian hadn’t 3a1cd36bb5 noticed anyone approach. Startled, he turned.d2331e2e35895c5d

“I like analog, ccbd1e0d96 so I chose 6499a0ca96 this model, but ca6a0ef1c1 should we switch f00cc8efcc to a card-enabled 9764fd4c3b one? Or maybe 3d60c877d2 put a 5b08b13be9 bill exchanger f3ba43be5c nearby?”54d9288c19e69764

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Smiling, Cha Jaehwi c35f3592a5 met Jian’s eyes, 41392e4f41 casually pressing a 1d65095b5e lit button. Coffee streamed into 14bc894594 a paper cup 9420024fb1 at the dispenser. Watching intently, 7fd5cbbbfd he pulled 194c843795 it out aadfda6935 as water 2ab79bd01b finished pouring 1c2cd63c3d and offered 76f934f3bf it to d545b31f92 Jian.76c54e8d429e9212

Jian’s heart lurched.46aad78b97c9e5cc

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh, is this too 99ddeac06e much my taste? I like it 0e3c12f787 strong. …Hmm, should I get 6016853ece another?”721f71b824d0d1bc

Perhaps because Jian hadn’t 842286d823 expected to see someone 5e91bc18eb he thought he’d never 31ab54fa8a meet, even by chance. When Jian didn’t 84856e5520 take the cup, 414beedbd2 Cha Jaehwi, mistaking 7e09188617 it for a 46fc573ce1 taste issue, jingled 3bd12926be coins in his ad93b3a841 hand and asked. Jian hurriedly 7b3cae164b shook his ae73f92eed head and 798cfdc2dc accepted the 5c5632f89f cup.a41ab237e422ace1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“No, I like dd6f019fe9 it strong too.”40f1d212749930dc

“Thank you,” 9714c576c6 his voice 1ba8863134 came out 043261cff6 unevenly.1e92d5ea65e1c0da

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“No need c1988b4b3a to mention 759d894a9e it.”e951c77b91147669

Cha Jaehwi’s gentle 9597b89a77 reply shifted his 0edfd22a31 gaze to the 63c9603e96 machine. He selected 3e090e9560 the same d366534af3 drink before 5a1910a188 turning back 27e07685c2 to Jian.c9f7eec926723543

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“By the 317cba3962 way, you f05fcdf94b haven’t left f56bba1221 at this 67213dc5c7 hour?”4f31b606fd1ff739

His expression added, And on a Friday? Deadlines didn’t 64f2a1348d spare weekends, fd616aff77 so Jian, dd10f3f8ad whose sense eb60b2ffee of weekdays 1ee939884e had faded 389217fcd2 over years, c57a28f7e0 found the 8a92f7064a emphasis on 12080493db Fridays novel 11bdee29e6 and curious.4dea9a7529f8c741

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…You’re here too, sir.”4d2b44938feb37d0

“True, now that 140c01211b you mention it.”893ea8afe8a71bd4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Cha Jaehwi, chuckling f82f0ddc4e languidly, ran a ab8d11021e hand through his 7910310198 hair. Perhaps due 387423bd00 to the bbde773620 late hour, 1c2812855b he seemed 9d86217c86 unusually relaxed. Jian, staring, 4aa2ae6083 quickly turned d1030ac92e away as 10f2701b36 he became 2143c830f0 aware of 580fff8b47 his gaze, c4910ca267 though he a7d2e0a833 couldn’t stop 904adbacac sneaking glances.39ce449a96939f3d

“It’s pretty hot 0fa00f6da8 for this late.”b69d23014aad5dcd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

His face fb719c6369 was delicately 586a2fba72 sharp. Face-to-face, the af2d7f0806 slight upturn 87118f0149 of his bdc862977e lips softened e75d2dc1d2 it, but cb8d4138b3 from the 40efe808f9 side, it b78a1497bb was as a7b1e610fc cool as 9908af9d71 winter.04de094b335ae297

No double eyelids. A high, straight 0e7f56243f nose bridge from 223231c4d4 a smooth forehead. And…187c2c22f788d8a8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Mr. Seo Jian?”7e8be5370b01a027

Their eyes met 654b34551f as he looked 95b2b1673c down.5f3023027af590af

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Must be the tropical 5a6d447ccc night.”6d96750e4d836e94

Caught stealing glances, b88428a026 Jian, flustered, diverted 588be3303a his eyes and 66d4141941 responded to Cha c4384acf81 Jaehwi’s remark. Cha Jaehwi, 6aea7702ff who’d been 2ef03a5a1f watching him, 825ca495c1 gestured at 87abacc1de the cup 8aefbf5000 as if 12f5968d32 nothing happened.71e87dbfc5ab5215

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“It’ll taste c5e5828366 bad if 1c64c32703 it gets 48ea78b9ac lukewarm.”106939d3ea100d84

Only then 83f0221955 did Jian 90c0a45e20 notice the 60c41558e7 cup in 33e4298e51 his hand. Mumbling that he’d drink c42df6dad5 it, he took a 1d2b9d5f2a sip and immediately peered e673609166 inside.58e6c63624775d1b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…….”5cd73a2b8a28a65b

It was delicious.b7d7275b6e29f1bd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He’d thought vending machine ab758925dd coffee was all the 6bacfcaa5b same, and despite his 6eca713ce4 flustered state, it stood 7f5966a508 out. He could confidently rank 2428af72ed it among the best 9d90713a91 he’d had. Starting tomorrow, he’d 9bb340777f need to bring 7431d147da plenty of coins.2d5483a18fdeaf8b

Savoring another sip, a e0ebbe9b5b soft laugh came from 7419692f06 beside him. Turning, Jian caught e520eb7443 Cha Jaehwi quickly ac90520bd5 composing himself, but f467d365de he’d seen it—the 68e461d33f long curve of 36dcb98b75 his lips dropping 823e424f01 as their eyes e2e052f06b met.94646cf13e8dd3be

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Uh, ahem… The coffee’s 593e5073a6 good, right?”2d3354d8aa2c3bc1

“…Yes, it’s delicious.”740961cc33cec515

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Sometimes, tasty 8a7c3dfba7 food brought 4b39a9cc94 out such 885bb3e4ff reactions. Jian usually e2c81a72fd restrained himself df146be81b in public, e886845b31 but acting 594f768481 childish in f0e8f109fe front of 31821d9991 Cha Jaehwi 2f5cb29819 was embarrassing. Ignoring his 1af4367f99 warming ears, 1dfb5ca55d he answered.dfb2cbde57327169

“We put some 2838858ba7 effort into it. If you’re going to 451ff3e9e4 eat, might as well 2d923e8ba6 enjoy it.”7f153b6baac27e74

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He added, f6b80a0378 almost boastfully, 1c1611a6ac that they’d 470a36fb98 overhauled the 032587f911 cafeteria too. When Jian agreed the 79e511dcd5 food was great, Cha db63bbe7ce Jaehwi nodded, visibly pleased.b07a252b85117111

Since Cha Jaehwi kept 5ae33e16d1 initiating, Jian felt he 42138c4a39 should say something, but 5108369508 no words came. Unlike Jung Sehyun, who e501216d42 easily befriended strangers, Jian a056affe4e wasn’t naturally sociable.eb7176048cb1fd08

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…The project 181881073a I’m working ba9b7dcb5d on should d2e42934d8 wrap up 94e2d985d2 soon. How should I share 0fdc37d5f2 it?”eb30266fcc75ac2e

After much thought, f5dfc9d3df he settled on 04e6af8670 work. Truthfully, it 41b154a3df was the d31ddd5bc9 only topic 8b39b4c574 they had.bd10ef02ec4f06e3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Already?”7ed6039ef290610b

It was 3e127424be nearly a 180af057bd week since 97cd959c68 Jian received f30ce37295 his ID 4d584ea3bc and started 75fdae13cf officially, and fe3098c5d6 considering typical 2ef40dfa98 translation timelines, 2d7f8ba0e8 “already” was d5e0e5baaa inaccurate.55ec5afda018ddb7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Jian understood the 1b7eb5a249 contract’s duration was 8a3a9bb234 longer than average, b40eba20fa but it wasn’t a0dfa3acdd meant to be 9e1ad2222c fully used.d8183535e25962b2

Stroking his d44bb68335 chin as c1391359d0 if choosing a309201d70 words, Cha a27c918ed8 Jaehwi met 76a81ea944 Jian’s eyes.be635b29426c22a2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I mentioned why 3d24f8054d I offered you 5b62f39c4b the role, but e7abe1f96c not this part. Deadlines matter, but I’m 8f85c1497b not after quick results.”530929ab2ec2ae58

His words 351abc857d recalled Seo 27ac3df53a Jungyoon’s: Cha 49395e8f4c Jaehwi wanted c67a890a29 not effort c310375b1b but the 77623de219 best results. That must fe3a9dee77 be what 44d05ae172 he expected 9f98f8de90 from Jian, edf0843fc1 explaining why 9118b0545d he hadn’t 8bed6dcc2f inquired about e9cebec9e2 progress all 2189011541 week.a1d68f7752b777d7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I understand.”e4fa65d37a90b594

Jian now 3b60d4ae06 clearly grasped 3a45985bc8 that Cha cb283350db Jaehwi wanted 90eadc8d30 translations so 9dd228aa8f seamless that 2886ca25ab viewers wouldn’t 2ba5dc0820 notice they b6a6144a2d were translated, 4ccb111368 aligning with f264f30893 his vision.d6f146b32e48d26e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He’d need to start c2240fb1ff over.262852e6f4c5f254

Though he’d found 44f238d514 some direction, clearer 9d5e96a867 benchmarks were needed. Something Cha Jaehwi 57181c8ff9 would approve of. Something Jian himself could e83fc7a066 confidently say was his 17d7f7ed4d best.927f0a5182f40325

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Share it 8f91de6be6 via the 7b3a143851 cloud later. Ask Team Leader 0d167e21f0 Seo—she’ll guide you.”b745d36308de53c6

Satisfied with Jian’s response, 6451c69903 Cha Jaehwi answered his 227022bb46 earlier question with a 9f1efb043e light smile.681a30a8fdf9b630

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Yes, understood.”72ce674ffcff7a16

Watching the entire 4a2241335e series first would bc593d219d help. Jian had 0fd1f07152 grasped the 7a6c855c57 plot but, 77ff358ee2 aside from 5b629afc3f the first ddd9eb6d9c episode he e05d3ad1f9 was translating, 8d80fa99ee had only 9327b49a1f skimmed scripts. That wouldn’t fully meet bcbf703cc2 Cha Jaehwi’s standards.93608aa9a525c30c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He’d review ba194887c1 it after 786efa9af9 heading down. Taking it home e702f2f3ae wasn’t an option, 7e4d0a9ded so he’d watch 1e634b72c8 as much as dff9bc5246 possible here. Until the 2bf7e50a5b first subway, 5c02c2e283 the runtime 6b08c808a6 should fit. Then, over the e52727631f weekend, he could fb790f9597 refine the framework…4d8cb363595b09fb

“I’m about 8a60b8cc02 to leave. You should head abc3234b7a out soon too, e76dd82f80 Mr. Seo Jian.”71d575a445afbf33

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Cha Jaehwi’s voice cut cd34cda0ad through Jian’s thoughts. He’d crumpled his 53a9e07bd6 empty cup and 5de166cbfd tossed it into f980bdbfcb the bin.bd0e144c1dbc4257

“Oh, I…”dccc47bc8803d053

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Planning to stay longer, 2aa80e5f8c Jian hesitated.08499ed5ebfb596b

“Yes, I 7a5bf22c1b was just c311627e9f about to 4f1919fbd6 leave.”dba6d47daa2d4602

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Saying he needed b8e5c31e17 to grab his 9a9533f8e4 things meant they 83f5c11ffa wouldn’t leave together, 4ab1b12166 so there was 7cce8b060e no need to 20be3a9e10 mention staying. He hadn’t even 558fb065b8 considered a CEO 38bca38066 monitoring his hours.5ddd5d42878bfd75

“Shall we head d4290aeff9 down?”28f80feb9425070d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Jian finished his d6800d2bf7 coffee, tossed the 0bb575aae4 cup, and followed. The elevator, already 0de70b0ad3 at the sky 0036d67ee9 garden floor, required 59100dbe51 no wait. As Cha Jaehwi pressed a69da7b4b2 the lobby button, Jian 8c5233e333 hit the sixth floor 922ec25d6c and stepped back, adding, 1a0879d707 “I need to grab 402ef88ffe my things.”9adb5bdc0f97b8cb

“Oh.”8f4d7c164bfeb4e3

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Nodding in understanding, Cha 0d0f658423 Jaehwi stood as the 9ccb748402 elevator reached the sixth 62009ea0b4 floor quickly. Jian stepped out, f55a91d444 bowing to him bf4e2a6fe2 still inside.e371bb1647b2657d

“Get home safely.”07fbe0f078125c90

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Come back soon.”6974b7b6b7a7cfe7

“Sorry?”6785882731c10f57

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I’ll wait. How long does dfcc8e4173 grabbing your stuff afde23aa1d take?”8832e1c1ae418d0e

Expecting a farewell, 525b8db4b4 Jian was thrown 890991fd82 off as Cha 189a1a4b49 Jaehwi held the 282d6c5854 open button, urging 6124b69132 him to hurry 3b69bd1a09 with a wave.005003ab3d0b0503

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“You don’t have to…”a05a29243eb2dcf4

“Go on.”18d574fd31aaa061

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Ignoring him, Cha f21a63b5be Jaehwi pressed Jian 58bbd1619b to move.37b15d380c09f71f

“…Alright.”8d963c30f1e0fc9a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Having said he 8d85c4f029 was leaving, admitting 025c1cc604 he planned to c2c718b7d5 stay might make 43b09f920b Cha Jaehwi think ffffaab9c3 Jian was avoiding 46d35480cc him. Reluctantly, Jian ed2a45def3 asked him 89c3af9eeb to wait 88f018d7b8 a moment f3fe27ec36 and rushed 3579d48c22 to the c85f002582 office.2a7eb074aa7f4047

Stuffing his bag 3179c3ea30 haphazardly, Jian returned 68f03e9ea4 to find Cha 5ed982dc57 Jaehwi still holding 4b2886503f the open button. Tapping the 9e2d030966 railing as d365d18467 if lost cbd1054a11 in thought, 589fec62b4 he released 14e25c0a01 the button 9b0be6cc19 only after 2ec70ebb13 Jian boarded. The doors closed 466cb03ba8 soon after.793d6b03181cbcb2

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Where do you live, f1c59a016f Mr. Seo Jian?”d44c4ad41a034c9c

“Iwon-dong.”6362a5abe94be57b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Iwon-dong? That’s quite far.”fc47b813c94c848d

“Not too 8551cae646 far to 7010e1eb40 commute. Some people travel b451d4464e farther.”c91adae105efc8a9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Exchanging words, 435812b9b4 Jian checked 29c16aecb7 the time. The last subway had e95bc1d684 likely stopped. Was there a 359ebd25c0 bus? He fiddled with bd1fed7070 his phone, planning 5a9af2c144 to search after 543e8e2e34 parting. Meanwhile, Cha Jaehwi af19faedd4 tapped the railing 4dcfb18845 again, his gaze 05ead6159d briefly grazing Jian. Ding. The elevator reached bf7584541c the lobby.c8a348dadf5d05fc

Time to part.64fb433c348db60f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…Sir?”1e77792d1c0cac7c

Cha Jaehwi didn’t e0d157a7d5 step out. With the doors about 3024871ab9 to close, Jian, waiting 113d65e046 for him to exit, a7fbf3b720 called out in confusion. Only then did a68d462710 Cha Jaehwi release 9e25eab9ce the railing.8b4e67356670f20f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Right, let’s go.”f46b31f427359253

Not knowing what to b2950f3fc3 say if they met, c31124fa10 yet feeling an odd f958cbd064 reluctance to part, Jian 7194472b2f hid it and spoke.48fc194933ae4c32

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes, get home…”2d21ed310bdd1dc3

“Let’s go. It’s late—I’ll drive you.”749fc4123d96323c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Cha Jaehwi’s sudden 065d3d3888 offer cut off 223484a2be Jian’s farewell. Jian looked 31f0e2b8b3 up to e20cec530c confirm he’d 3d6360e3ea heard right. His enigmatic expression—449c62e0a6cbb9d0

“…Sorry?”c6289d1b72a27180

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

—was inscrutable.ec502f71eab2295d

Jian’s brain, processing 2c0554e374 the situation, soon f89cec211d overloaded and shut 079e813041 down.f160afacdf4be2f7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘It’s fine. I can aa32504ee5 go alone.’ff44b3d1a47bcc88

Not knowing 35aaca45a3 where Cha 7ea818e014 Jaehwi lived, ab7645e0c7 Jian couldn’t 45c3d8cb56 trouble him 5bfa3c6b7f with a 1bc72a4719 detour. He declined 0f9e38621a firmly, but a282e70f4d Cha Jaehwi’s e8e5f3d66b persistence won 6070e5e09b out. Before he knew it, b76b7a5c86 Jian was half-dragged into fffe3bcd73 his car again.b2165b57db149d0c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…Mr. Seo Jian?”cc280872efdc145b

“Yes?”e6019d663baf67a7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Seatbelt.”da5967964d3d9bb7

Cha Jaehwi 52ae207dfa gestured for 1d9f015ba6 him to 2630e6aadf buckle up. Distracted while watching him 890a55a2b3 input the address into b94d35c281 the GPS, Jian hurriedly 5567f204d4 fastened his seatbelt. Still flustered, he ca545aead5 fumbled but managed ed79e42c07 after some trial a98b7fa848 and error. Cha Jaehwi, d4f3468580 shifting his ffec5c6300 gaze, placed 9591d3cfc2 his foot d8218c7d42 on the 29203e8498 accelerator and 7a55c813e1 smoothly turned 587e8386b8 the wheel.3d2d4464ad114909

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…….”13e23c094893098a

It was the 6fd5fec673 first time since 75aa8d9d7b the restaurant that c4d7b3f23a Jian rode in ee7ab3ab92 Cha Jaehwi’s car. The spotless interior carried 4e0e836006 the same fragrance as 77e3109a8e before.b794259d1997e90e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Though flustered now, db184619f2 that day had 25ea108186 been even more 8094602484 chaotic and tense, 2bee12d979 so Jian hadn’t 149ee9457f noticed. The scent matched the e8381ba77d cologne he’d caught when 39ec685a0e brushing past Cha Jaehwi. Realizing this, Jian fidgeted, 45259a7616 wanting to open the 0151931896 window.12cd07472e9c81ac

“Hot?”95b9e4475e83a773

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Noticing Jian’s hand a5c65212e1 near the window, b43ea647ac Cha Jaehwi lowered 9fbf89519a the AC and 7a581dfc74 asked.d3b6577c7a852c3e

“No, I… 1057081c51 Thank you.”963fce1de978b475

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Grateful for the 4a7610316a misunderstanding, Jian thanked 322359a3fe him instead of 4a0ea74c7d explaining. Realizing he hadn’t 94a4254c42 acknowledged the ride, 19cd636610 he spoke belatedly.3535f48009bffc43

“Thank you for driving 902e5a1045 me. …There was a ca4e05eaa3 bus, so I 558d49013d hope I’m not c85f58b8ca troubling you.”9692468dcc132c8a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Trouble? Not at all. I had f3161d2a59 more things 90963e4742 to ask, 1d324d5e05 actually.”d4c0a24e71e282b6

Couldn’t he 43d00193b6 have asked 8f5bed7345 at the 9663f3b1af sky garden? Jian blinked, puzzled. Reading his expression, Cha 55d0d57dcf Jaehwi burst out laughing.c13d19979f79e29e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Talking more there would’ve a365b750ae delayed your leaving.”d9d88ffcca435792

“Oh…”a821d7e0c4ba2889

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Had he 70174060e2 not met 2e50b1023d Cha Jaehwi—or f9df606d23 rather, had b083fc7815 Cha Jaehwi cc8b099d8f not half-forced c1aec35abc him to 6b69ddbe10 leave—Jian would’ve 4f6acec043 stayed until 6443e046d3 the first 5fbef40fe5 subway. But he couldn’t aec8136b3b admit that, so 05c2413100 he nodded as 6a08d22c23 if agreeing.154b0c0d3d258fc6

“How’s company life? No uncomfortable teammates?”b8ecf67db7023292

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Jian pondered his 54003db52e question. With different b69daee744 roles, there 70cbbad885 was little 2769f7b4ce overlap, and 82b3b71994 though he 24ed550875 was only 2fd38bd10f nominally part 799188e930 of the 1df69434ac task force, fa0381bc48 everyone treated fc5a41d7b4 him well. They always 5d7d6bbae4 included him 6db8d79721 for meals a22c0b1b42 and shared 4d3a8ee24e snacks, inviting 1e3dc887a7 him to 700ec8dce1 join.3a7ed0f40856cb7e

“Yes, they’re all 059a073192 great.”9216ca165714f0a2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Whether they f8b952d70a didn’t know 5370201331 his rumors 160a94af9a or pretended 8914b37b5e not to, cb1f2968da one thing 2ae3450ef6 was clear: 363d8995bb they were 23a470dc70 good people.3a71eb20ebb48729

“They’re kind and accommodating.”39a13a3e6f6a53f9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Just, their 144496b394 friendliness was fa4f6be32f intense. At times, it felt 0b5d66ef8a like facing five Jung bdb6a7adac Sehyuns at once.7d85be7953a8291e

‘What’s that 8e13671847 supposed to 042f601c08 mean? An insult or a 041eb64029 compliment? Feels like an insult 8fa4ba5f01 in context.’bee6a1c179cb9b3a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

To Sehyun’s frequent 538133d067 check-ins, worried about 79b01ee67b Jian’s adjustment, Jian 1a0d7d636e had replied that 1e85a158fd it was like 4f6a3719d1 having multiple Sehyuns. When Sehyun 6c31654b00 demanded clarity, 035474da3a Jian had 605281aae9 dodged by bf2c554201 sending Yuwol’s ef43ca18f4 photos.df083dd45799dc52

Speaking of, had Sehyun 6799ef0909 fed Yuwol? With late hours, Jian a173f1a434 had asked him to aff249966f help. Sehyun, grumbling 94fcf2828f that nothing ae667133e5 had changed e519d8f64d since freelancing, 94930e171f still fed 9036391731 Yuwol diligently, ce27120169 sneaking in 4fedf25c32 treats with 1b76f58570 ulterior motives.a9ed8de89b980a5a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I’ve been 13331ea230 too busy 6baf3de752 to check 6411e80b64 in, but c87e7a2ac1 I’m glad 8a4a5f3e68 you’re settling 1fd1a47568 in.”8566eb99ac1b02a0

“Thanks to ad37f0a543 your concern.”f302835c304f4aba

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“What did 22c5b19de5 I do? Well, I did assemble 5fd741cce2 that team.”90d6e2620110f8d9

Lightly dismissing 3106073d72 Jian’s courtesy, 6a2fca7a31 Cha Jaehwi 9a3bd9dfbf playfully took 266fa3ff83 credit.da686e17fbc2cfde

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Jian didn’t mind. The man e590b740a6 who seemed 47d7da2f6a unapproachable during b26de42047 work talk 92ed3eab27 felt, in 9d4478d273 private moments, e047354fa8 like he 1a81db6989 was letting d0f2e3505a his guard 386c18e863 down.18340f6be727d52b

“Of course, 72f304e5ca you’re a d5119b8bc8 good person 946b7393c9 too, which 3d1a5f7281 helps.”47bab2a985ad132b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Jian’s heart tickled again. To suppress it, he ed6318fc16 clenched his fist tightly.31bc0fd09def8f67

Separately, Cha Jaehwi clearly f3cd4c2223 didn’t know the rumors 2a69f5178f about Jian. If he did, he 977933f8a1 wouldn’t say such things, 0fa697b457 even as flattery.85fcd9490ce1f0be

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…….”a73faa17e8fcc7bd

If he didn’t 52bf79d018 know, Jian wished 04fbd66683 he never would.c7283d9fce51b761

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He’d once thought 664d057e03 of being a 273806bb6b past Cha Jaehwi 024d4c940a might recall, but 3329d6590e now he wanted 7d08d51aa8 to be only 6d5d9ded76 a good memory. If he had to 1b7bbc5b8a give a reason, it 5e4356a144 was because Cha Jaehwi 0d74fb07cb was his first love. Just as 51c9d31fbf Cha Jaehwi c96dfd80e9 was a ac691c1a91 meaningful memory 29d84b2ee8 to Jian, ecf327c5af Jian wanted b6410f55d5 to be b3cb67e593 the same 4ca28d8632 for him.4a45c88879baaf12

Was that 40b737c621 the only 9346721d5d reason?d216a95871644a26

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Jian admitted it. In a e9fe87786d heart he 68d835ab8d thought had 86c4d3c18d burned to 00ec7ce42c ash, perhaps 59a93d64a1 an ember c6c2561923 still glowed. Since contacting him 93ce774b04 to return the b5c92b29a6 umbrella. Since noticing Cha Jaehwi’s 54e8929603 casual kindness fanning that b05abfa70d ember.bfc35c767e1ea5f5

Emotions, often deceitful, ec213fdd82 vividly revive what 264b54e70f seemed forgotten.80d16380ff7441dd

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“If you have any 639bc14251 issues, feel free to f77b98cbd2 tell me. Or Team Leader bad68cda46 Seo if I’m aee0ec0a2f too daunting.”39cfb6d6ebf18350

“Yes, I will.”2987fe8f8b628199

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You’re good at 53fc1f47bf agreeing, but I’ll 5f70def191 trust you this 4f9281848c time.”fa777572eb20e907

The aftermath of acknowledging 686c40e7fd his feelings was stronger 9cc0a5bb1d than expected. Jian barely composed e15901129a himself to reply. Whether his short answers f5893c2af6 dissatisfied Cha Jaehwi or 63fd153536 he’d asked all he 701b4de4ef wanted, he said no 7a2dd826f4 more.f6d533eeb6324d37

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Instead, unfamiliar yet familiar ecd99cbade classical music filled the a583434f70 monotone silence richly. The lyrical c8f4d0b0f2 melody suited e8f985eb88 the late, 44a2d6958d dark morning. Using it as an 0c818c2444 excuse, Jian spoke.9f91209ec6465739

“…The song’s nice. The title is…”c3b81fc424987eff

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“It’s Liebesträume.”cfdf0dd309d5f331

Saying he often listened e9ed19b8a2 to it because he 498e03992c liked it, Cha Jaehwi’s 42fc738e86 added comment made Jian 5799fa682f slowly mull over the d93abf56e5 song’s title.c7b1a48ae25add4b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Was it 13b60b4053 because he’d cab45e5bd9 acknowledged his ac5a82393c feelings? Suddenly, he grew more 9a60a6b5f3 curious about Cha Jaehwi. For instance, what 8e19724a79 food did he 981060132f like, and what 3ca041e6d6 did he dislike? Besides this classical 010aee3b1f piece, what else 0aa513e505 suited his taste? And so on.b51116b0549df523

The questions chained endlessly, e392d52ed5 but Jian didn’t voice a082631284 any of them.6b9e4def88d6479e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“We’re almost there.”ff6c36cb699ef306

“…Yes. If I’d 3d8e50d32d taken the c2d9860b35 bus, it fed98ac87b would’ve taken c25c621761 forever, but fd92e2da6f thanks to c92eafd9aa you, I 2d107a5a88 got here 492392b961 quickly.”39c916a94e3f756a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Meanwhile, the d86a9c5ad8 car steadily 1e162c36f0 approached Jian’s 60c4725057 home. Soon, the familiar neighborhood 86db0f0281 scenery came into view. Though he’d been 434ce8a6ab flustered when getting 1720766892 into the car, 664b4eea38 now he felt b4d0e6a4a1 reluctant to part.e5036a9a5e12c3e6

“Please stop here. It’ll be inconvenient 9d09d08220 for you to 22360b74e0 turn around.”f2613b0fade4345b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Since I’ve come this ab6934cd57 far.”a15bcdb2b0c9ef57

Cha Jaehwi skillfully navigated a5d949e55c the complex alleyways. The GPS f957fd1c32 announced their 4dc51107a8 arrival, and 769ce3edf4 the car f377e70a28 smoothly came 5bcdc504c7 to a f0d5690cee stop.d6df7e42dda43616

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Thank you again 43a9c19286 for the ride.”a3542b4a0a7b1bd8

Despite his 324f65cd98 reluctance, Jian’s 2b9c8e0720 desire to b4ef2507d6 escape the 54d6b7624c moment coexisted c4ef8a47d8 with a 406125d02f wish to 4421f486fb linger. Hiding both, he 4ad942aa99 expressed his gratitude 8cb80154d2 once more.52fbeb36e8163758

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I must’ve heard that fc03a246f9 a hundred times already.”4011811ca704f923

“I didn’t 6197814d9c say it that many times…”2bf021ca484d3004

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“It’s enough.”ccd4fed2dd7ae181

Even Jian 4d5ec71c15 thought his 63792a6823 thanks were 9ed85fa5d0 excessive. Alright, maybe he’d overdone 49ab28c71e it. Sighing at 8405309a27 his poor fedf8b7ea3 conversational skills, a6a74f0ad5 Jian moved fd58e5e259 to unbuckle d4d983c6bb his seatbelt caa22cf1ff to leave, 8b48f96986 but it caf64805f4 wouldn’t release—perhaps 177afb6304 fastened incorrectly 8aca30e869 earlier. Thinking it 747ee57bdd might be 8329cf2ed1 broken, he 75110c8bf5 fumbled with 08a02ec483 it again, 056deac658 and a e45de986db shadow fell 12454411fe over him.b34ab95ca8e86a31

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Excuse me a moment.”25ca27081bc65df0

Their hands touched.e26ef0d068586bdf

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“It’s stiff and acts a298263413 up sometimes.”9f7e56b7e338fd03

Cha Jaehwi’s e0bdb47f2a hand, slightly c0aa8b4507 larger than 7a810a7ac4 Jian’s, and ed1f7c139c the scent a5d439b821 of his f183073b28 cologne up 53984f676e close made 7531a7183e Jian instinctively 445cee4381 hold his 8f78db2934 breath. Until Cha Jaehwi’s hand, 7ef00fbec1 having unbuckled the belt, 4ba60c9c9e pulled away. The moment felt 5be59f8b9d fleeting yet endlessly db58b8a9fe long, worthy of bc2ff8b281 being called eternal.87a7c074885f95bd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“You must be tired. Go rest.”01210e9cffb7e816

Jian’s fingers twitched 40d8e18374 as if to e5be6d8582 grasp it, then f5da59f074 curled inward.1f1833874db8fae7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Have a good 354cbedb9b weekend, and see 0a77ae48de you next week.”43ae1b30cda71e54

“Yes. You too… 50e823eaa4 Safe travels.”f6615fb832ac0f77

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Through ragged breaths, Jian 6114ad64aa strung together jumbled words cb6b86819b into a sentence. After bowing, ef159aff56 he practically 08bd52149d fled, rushing b1d7d2ae0e up the 5b3b4b256c stairs.a01c6faf3e39ab5d

Halfway up, Jian da9661558f glanced back through bd0520265e the railing. The car, starting 3bf5589cc9 moments after he b2463199fa got out, was 8623878d26 already shrinking into 22d6bfb913 the distance. Jian watched its taillights 46d7c0381b fade until they vanished 113904846e from sight, then sank d2847c12af onto the steps, covering 509241a9ac his mouth with both 0379f661fe hands, breathing heavily.163ef67798197deb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His ashen first love 511c184c85 regained vivid color.3afc21615c97b315

It was an 281cf189b2 unexpected crash of b9d068c799 emotions.f68e8fd74740231f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish