24ES | Chapter 8.5

Unlike Jung Hageon, who freely spilled his thoughts, Yesung replied dryly. He wanted to end this conversation and get away from Jung Hageon as quickly as possible. Being alone with him felt unbearably uncomfortable; his response was a kind of protest, a signal to wrap things up quickly.

This was work, after all. Moreover, the patient was a child from a foreign country, who had to come all the way to Korea due to inadequate medical technology back home. Thinking of such a child, Yesung shouldn’t be acting this way. In fact, he should have been the one to hold onto Jung Hageon, eager to discuss the details more thoroughly. Yesung knew this, but dealing with Jung Hageon made things complicated.

“Then, when the organ recovery is almost finished, I’ll give you a call. So don’t come too early, and if you have nothing else, take a rest before entering the surgery room.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“…Okay.”

The conversation finally seemed to be wrapping up. Until now, it was always Jung Hageon who initiated, but this time Yesung tried to get ahead.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Is that everything? Then I’ll be going….”

“Sunbae, about that day.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Jung Hageon’s voice flowed softly, stopping Yesung in his tracks as if his feet were glued to the floor. His legs wouldn’t move.

Jung Hageon was smart. No, it would be more accurate to say he knew everything about him in too much detail. He knew exactly what to say in any situation to keep him there.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

That day. That day was undoubtedly the day he had received an ambiguous kiss or peck on the rooftop.

Holding Yesung in place, Jung Hageon continued.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“If what I said that day made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry.”

The look in Jung Hageon’s eyes suddenly changed—impatience, desperation… possessiveness. The desire to have him was painfully evident, pushing other emotions aside.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“The thought of you being with another man makes me go crazy…”

As soon as Jung Hageon brought up the rooftop incident, Yesung felt like he was watching someone walking a tightrope. True to his fears, the words that slipped out of Jung Hageon’s mouth were shocking.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Startled, Yesung cut him off, yelling, “Wait, wait, wait!”

He repeated the word three times, emphasizing his urgency. Yesung dashed towards Jung Hageon and covered his mouth with his hand.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Are you crazy? Do you know where you are to say such things?”

Muttering as if he were chewing his words, Jung Hageon’s eyes conveyed his thoughts. By covering his mouth like this, you’re stopping me from speaking, Sunbae.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Realizing what he had done, Yesung hastily removed his hand from Jung Hageon’s mouth.

“I’m… sorry.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He took a step back, realizing just how close they had been. Jung Hageon watched him intently and spoke.

“…It’s just the two of us here, Sunbae. Just like last time on the rooftop.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

His voice laden with dissatisfaction kept reminding Yesung of that day on the rooftop. Yesung clenched his teeth and glared.

“Are you saying here is the same as there?!”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Is there a difference? There or here, it’s all inside the same hospital.”

He wasn’t wrong. Everything he said was correct. Yet, Yesung refused to concede.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“It’s different. The rooftop could at least be called an outdoor space, and we were blocked by a thick iron door, so unless someone came out, it was hard to hear what was said. But this place is different. Anyone could hear us at any time, from anywhere.”

There’s a saying that the walls have ears. This was especially true in their workplace, where any spoken word could spread unpredictably. They always needed to be cautious about what they said.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Jung Hageon pressed his lips together, clearly understanding Yesung’s pointed reality check. Yesung, unable to hold back a sigh, roughly ran his fingers through his hair. His fine hair scattered across his white forehead.

Jung Hageon’s gaze, which had stubbornly clung to Yesung’s face, now touched the forehead revealed as the hair moved.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What are you doing right now, Jung Hageon?”

Yesung couldn’t hide his confusion. His pupils dilated in shock. But Jung Hageon, undeterred by Yesung’s panic, continued his actions.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

His rough fingertips kept caressing the soft skin, sweeping across the eyebrow and down to cup the cheek. It was a small face, completely enveloped by his large palm.

Holding Yesung’s cheek, Jung Hageon spoke slowly.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“How did you get hurt on your forehead? Did you really fall as Chief Kim from Radiology said?”

Forced to tilt his head up by the touch, Yesung merely twitched his lips. Words formed in his throat but failed to emerge.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

In that moment, Jung Hageon’s gaze shifted from Yesung’s eyes back to his forehead.

“No, not from falling. If it were from a fall, the bruising would be more severe. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like it will bruise.”

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

The touch of his large palm enveloping Yesung’s cheek, with just the fingertips caressing his forehead, was incredibly gentle yet filled with a poignant sadness.

It was like handling a delicate glass sculpture that could easily break. Yesung strangely felt a tickling sensation deep inside, a bit like the tightness one feels when congested. The rough texture of Jung Hageon’s fingers was oddly warm against his skin.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

His heart thumped as if he had just received an emergency call. Words failed to leave Yesung’s mouth easily; he furrowed his brows. Yesung reached out to grasp Jung Hageon’s wrist, which was caressing his face.

“What are you doing in a hospital, Jung Hageon?”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“….”

“Don’t you know that a hospital has many eyes and ears, and you need to be careful?”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Yesung’s face hardened as he chastised him. However, Jung Hageon did not respond easily. It seemed he only wanted to speak his mind, which nearly seemed absurd, but that wasn’t quite it either. His tightly closed lips looked stubborn.

It was the same face he made when Yesung had warned him not to make strange noises just before.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Jung Hageon finally muttered.

“I’m worried.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What?”

“You asked me what I am doing in a hospital. I’m worried.”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…You.”

“You showed up in the ER with injuries that weren’t there before. How could I not be worried?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Yesung was at a loss for words at Jung Hageon’s unabashedly focused demeanor. How could he be so consistently intense? What filled Jung Hageon’s mind, what occupied his thoughts, seemed almost palpable without needing to pry it open.

Yesung’s silence prompted another question from him.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Can’t I even be worried inside the hospital?”

Yeah. You can’t. Others might, but not you, Jung Hageon.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Contrary to the answer Yesung had readily in mind, his lips asked something else.

“What about the question before that.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What?”

The puzzled look on Jung Hageon’s face slowly blinked as he tried to recall the question Yesung had posed to him.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Yesung waited silently for him to remember. Soon, Jung Hageon let out a short exclamation.

“Ah.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He aligned his gaze leisurely with Yesung’s. Jung Hageon nodded.

“Yes.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

His lips smoothly confirmed it. The affirmation was also a response to Yesung’s earlier question. If his words had burdened Yesung, he was sorry, but he had no intention of retracting them.

Yesung bit the inside of his cheek instead of his lip.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Really… consistent yet overly honest. What to do with you, Jung Hageon.

That’s why he had been avoiding him. Without a conclusion to his internal debates, encountering him seemed to invariably sweep Yesung away.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

“Ha.”

Unable to hold back a sigh, Yesung ruffled his hair once more. Avoiding the direct black pupils focused solely on him, he muttered.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“For now… what you’re thinking of… that sort of thing isn’t going to happen.”

“What?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Jung Hageon blinked, not understanding. Yesung chewed on the tip of his tongue instead of sighing again.

“That app… looking for someone.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…What?”

This time, it wasn’t that Jung Hageon needed the question repeated to understand it; he needed to confirm he had heard it correctly.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Sensing that clear difference, Yesung hastily presented his prepared excuse.

“I’ve been so busy that I can’t even remember the last time I used that app. Right now, I’m too busy to even get proper sleep.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

But the words he had thought through in advance didn’t come out as organized when he tried to say them out loud. Yesung rambled on.

“Even if I find some time, I’m too exhausted to do anything but sleep, let alone use that app. I don’t have the time or the inclination, really.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

After spitting out his last word, Yesung clamped his lips shut like a clam. Then, watching him blankly, Jung Hageon nodded.

“…That makes sense.”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Jung Hageon knew better than anyone how busy Yesung was. Not only did they share the same profession, but they also worked in the same hospital. It was impossible for Jung Hageon not to know just how overwhelmed Yesung was.

Yet, seeing Jung Hageon’s dazed expression, Yesung furrowed his brow and added, “So that kind of thing you mentioned won’t happen… Ah, this is driving me crazy. Why am I even explaining this to you?” Even as he spoke, Yesung couldn’t help but feel perplexed by his own behavior—detailed excuses included.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Let’s just stop.” Being entangled with Jung Hageon never led to any good. Interacting with him made Yesung feel as if he were no longer himself but someone else entirely.

A sudden realization hit Yesung, and he pressed his lips tightly together and turned to leave. However, he couldn’t simply walk away from Jung Hageon. As he twisted his torso to go, his wrist was seized.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…Sunbae.”

Jung Hageon’s dark pupils sparkled with a subtle joy. He wasn’t smiling, but his face was filled with elation as he spoke, “Still, if you ever find a moment, or even the slightest desire arises, please tell me right away.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

There was a desperation in Jung Hageon’s voice. “Not to anyone else, but to me. You must tell me.”

Why on earth should I have to tell Jung Hageon about that? Yesung thought, clearly puzzled—a sentiment that seemed to be noticed as Jung Hageon’s grip on his wrist tightened. The clinginess of his hold signaled he wouldn’t let go until he heard an answer.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Since Yesung had no intention of feeling that way anytime soon, lying to extricate himself from the situation wouldn’t be too hard.

But for some reason, he didn’t want to lie.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Frowning, Yesung looked up. “Alright, alright, I get it!”

Ultimately, Yesung gave in and provided the answer Jung Hageon wanted. Somewhat grumpily, he shook his arm as if to signal Jung Hageon to let go, but Jung Hageon did not release his wrist. Despite this, Yesung found himself unable to ask to be freed again.

Read the complete chapter at Lily on the Valley without random text

Jung Hageon was smiling too beautifully. Looking at his face, Yesung couldn’t bring himself to want to escape.

It took a long while longer before Yesung could finally free himself from Jung Hageon’s hold.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com