PEN Vol 3 Ch. 13

It was still too early to head to school. He’d chosen this time specifically to avoid running into Cheon Sejoo, but thanks to that guy, Doyoon, his mood was now all messed up.

Ever since last night, everything had been downright aggravating. Sejin couldn’t understand why his emotions were swinging up and down just because Doyoon insisted there was nothing going on between him and Cheon Sejoo.

So, in other words…

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

“What are you doing leaving so early?”

That man was the problem.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

As the elevator doors opened, Sejin found himself glaring at Cheon Sejoo, who had returned earlier than usual. His face, annoyingly handsome as always, was just the same today. But his perfectly sculpted body was different from usual, with sweat soaking through his T-shirt, making it cling to his upper body.

Cheon Sejoo always had a habit of picking the thinnest shirts possible, immodestly showing off his collarbones and chest. And today, thanks to that thin fabric, the marks left on him from the night before were even more visible beneath the white fabric.

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

The handprints on his arms, the bright red hickey on his neck, and a clear bite mark on his shoulder…. 

In that instant, Sejin frowned as he was reminded of all the times Cheon Sejoo used to go out on rainy nights and return with similar marks on him. 

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

So it hadn’t been a woman.

Just the thought that all those marks were left by that guy made Sejin boil with anger for no reason. His heart pounded, and words of resentment surged to the tip of his tongue.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

How could you do this? 

Yet he couldn’t bring himself to say it, because even he didn’t understand why he wanted to ask that question.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

What did Cheon Sejoo do that made me want to shout like this?

Why do I feel this urge to shout at Cheon Sejoo for whatever he’s done?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

No matter how hard he thought about it, Sejin couldn’t find a reason, and finally, with a sense of frustration he couldn’t trace back to any clear cause, all he could do was mutter,

“Disgusting.”

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It was Cheon Sejoo, still catching his breath from his workout, who was taken aback by that spiteful remark. With a stunned expression, he turned to Sejin and asked.

“I just came back from exercising, so of course I’m a little sweaty. Why are you leaving so early?”

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“Going to do self-study.”

“You little—be honest with me. You skipped your midterms, didn’t you? Hey! Kwon Sejin!”

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

As Cheon Sejoo narrowed his eyes as if suspicious, Sejin hit the close button on the elevator repeatedly. Once the doors closed and the elevator started descending to the first floor, Sejin’s mood soured even more. Again, he couldn’t explain why.

“So annoying….”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

His eyes turned red, as if he were on the verge of tears. Sejin let out a heavy sigh and ran his hand through his hair. The neat hairstyle that Cheon Sejoo had practically dragged him to the salon to get was now a mess. 

Just like his heart. 

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

A complete mess.

 

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

* * *

 

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Where are you?”

– Subway.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“What? Are you done early?”

– Hm.

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

“Then you should’ve texted me. How far are you? If you haven’t gone too many stops, get off. I’ll pick you up. Hello? Sejin-ah. Kwon Sejin?”

Cheon Sejoo looked down at his phone in surprise as the call suddenly ended. His usually composed expression wrinkled, and his mouth twisted in dissatisfaction. Just this morning, Sejin had made a fuss, calling him “disgusting” just because he was a bit sweaty. Now what’s his deal?

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Cheon Sejoo couldn’t help but feel baffled as he felt like Sejin had suddenly reverted to how he’d been eight months ago. 

Did I do something wrong?

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

…Could he have somehow found out I went to meet his mother alone?

Still feeling uneasy, Cheon Sejoo started his car. But even as he drove, the more he thought about it, the stranger it seemed. Sejin couldn’t possibly know. Not only had he been careful, but Kim Hyunkyung didn’t even have Sejin’s number, and Han Jiwon had called him directly since she didn’t have Sejin’s either.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

 

Kang Doyoon

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Hyung, hyung. 

Did you like the cookies I brought you last time?

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

16:28

 

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Just as he was driving home, unable to figure out the reason why Sejin was being prickly, a message arrived from Doyoon.

Doyoon, who had taken half the day off to rest at Cheon Sejoo’s place before going to work that afternoon, was now messaging him about how he couldn’t focus due to his hangover. Cheon Sejoo replied with an indifferent, Yeah, why?

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

Despite Doyoon saying it was from “last time,” Cheon Sejoo distinctly remembered Doyoon had given him the cookies last year. 

He had received them right when Cheon Sejoo began tutoring Sejin, so he had left them on the table, telling Sejin to eat it while studying. Of course, instead of studying, Kwon Sejin had practically devoured the cookies in one sitting, making it impossible to forget that scene.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

 

Kang Doyoon

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Those were actually ordered by my oldest sister from a place near her house. This time, she’s ordering a large batch to give as gifts to some friends, so she asked if I wanted some too. I could ask her to include some for you too.

16:31

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

 

16:32

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Sure, I’d appreciate it.

 

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He’d actually recently bought a gift for Doyoon, who was getting ready to start his new job. He’d just been notified that the tie he ordered had just arrived, and he thought exchanging it for the cookies would be a perfect. 

After Cheon Sejoo sent a message to Doyoon, he pulled into his underground parking spot. Parking in his designated spot, he made his way toward the elevator, thinking about how he would respond if Sejin confronted him about going to Ehwagak on his own yesterday.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

He was still running through excuses when he arrived on the 41st floor. Without much time to mentally prepare himself, he hesitated briefly at the front door before touching the panel to unlock it.

As he opened the door and stepped inside, he saw Sejin’s sneakers in the entryway. Noticing the slightly flattened heel, Cheon Sejoo realized Sejin’s feet had grown again. Noting that, Cheon Sejoo made a mental plan to take him to the department store over the weekend for new shoes.

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

He took off his shoes and stepped into the hallway, immediately catching the scent of food. It seemed that dinner was being prepared, as he saw Se-jin in the kitchen, wearing a sky-blue apron and moving busily.

“I’m back.” 

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Cheon Sejoo greeted casually.

Sejin spun his head around at the sound of his voice, looked him up and down with a scowl, then turned his attention back to the induction stove with a huff. His displeasure was clear, and Cheon Sejoo felt a pang of guilt.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

Still, Cheon Sejoo had no intention of mentioning his visit to Ehwagak until Kwon Sejin brought it up first. So, he retreated to his room, grabbed a change of clothes, and went to take a shower in the guest bathroom. He briefly noticed the marks Doyoon had left on his neck and frowned slightly but shrugged it off, getting dressed.

When he returned to the kitchen, Sejin had already finished setting the table and was waiting for him. As soon as he saw Cheon Sejoo, Sejin habitually turned around and scooped out a modest portion of rice for him, filling his own bowl with a larger serving before placing both on the table. Cheon Sejoo, as always, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge while Sejin served the rice, then sat down across from him.

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

“Thanks for the meal.”

Uusally, Sejin would have responded with a quick “Mm-hmm,” but today he said nothing. He barely looked at Cheon Sejoo, casting only a brief glance before fixing his gaze back on his rice bowl as if he hadn’t seen him at all. Seeing his behavior left Cheon Sejoo with a vague sense of discomfort, and he found himself finishing his meal faster than usual.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Any more, and he felt like it might make him sick.

As he set down his spoon and drank his water, he felt a sharp gaze on him. When he raised his head, he saw Sejin staring at him with narrowed eyes, his gaze trailing over Sejoo’s neck. Cheon Sejoo felt uneasy and raised his hand to rub his neck, subtly covering the marks Doyoon had left pretending to massage it. At that, Sejin’s expression grew even gloomier, and he returned to his meal with a look of barely restrained irritation.

For the best reading experience, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Thud.

The way Sejin slammed his spoon onto the table reminded Cheon Sejoo of a professor suppressing anger, unable to openly express his discontent.

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

Unable to stand the tense atmosphere any longer, Cheon Sejoo broke the silence. Since Sejin seemed to already know, he figured pretending otherwise would only ruin both of their moods.

“Did you hear it?”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

It was clear that someone must have told Sejin that he’d gone to Ehwagak and met with Kim Hyunkyung alone. Sure enough, Sejin, with a stiff expression, nodded. He muttered a curt “yeah” and scowled as he pushed back his chair and stood up.

For a moment, Cheon Sejoo thought he might be storming off in anger to avoid their conversation, but instead, Sejin went over to the rice cooker and served himself a second bowl of rice. Guess he’s not that mad, after all, Sejoo thought and asked him another question.

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

“How…?”

Who could have told him?

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

It couldn’t have been Kim Hyunkyung. Nor was it likely to be Han Jiwon.

Could it have been Chae Beomjun?

Support us by visiting our official site at lilyonthevalley.com

There was no one else who’d both know about Ehwagak and would relay that information to Sejin. Though Sejin didn’t know him personally, Chae Beomjun was the type of person who’d blabber on about any “secret” he knew when he bumped into someone in the elevator.

However, Sejin gave a completely incomprehensible answer to Cheon Sejoo’s question.

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…The door was… kind of open.”

“…”

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The door was open? 

Cheon Sejoo looked back at him with a confused expression.

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

“Wait, you mean the dormitory door was open?”

Did he overhear my conversation with Kim Hyunkyung?

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Cheon Sejoo recalled the things Kim Hyunkyung had confided to him yesterday, like how there was a man in the kitchen she had feelings for. If Sejin overheard that, it made sense he’d be this upset.

But then again, how did he overheard that in Ehwagak when he was supposed to be at school?

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Could it really be something to do with Chae Beomjun…?

“What does the dormitory have to do with anything here?”

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

“…Huh?”

While Cheon Sejoo was lost in his suspicions about Chae Beomjun, Sejin narrowed his eyes and asked the question back at him. Sejin’s face clearly showed he couldn’t make sense of the conversation. When Cheon Sejoo parted his mouth but didn’t reply right away, Sejin pouted slightly, looking directly at him and asked.

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

“Dormitory door? Are you talking about the dorm at Ehwagak? You went to Ehwagak? Why? When? Yesterday? But yesterday was Monday. Why would you go there? Did something happen to my mom?”

“…Wait, what? No, hold on.”

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish

Cheon Sejoo raised up his hand and looked at Sejin with a puzzled expression. Realizing his slip-up, he sighed in exasperation, running his hand through his damp hair. 

D*mn it, that wasn’t what he’d meant to say.

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

Kwon Sejin hadn’t known anything about Ehwagak.

So, what door was he talking about?

Visit Lily on the Valley to read full chapter without gibberish