SB Ch 28

“What? Hey, are you done talking?”ced7afd913966b07

“Evaluations require standards, and if we go by your standards, wouldn’t all the bass players at the academy be excellent? That’s what I think.”aa9802e6e842aa49

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

There was nothing left 398a9aa666 to hold back. Since the deputy 64ef12e7e8 principal was ashamed 04f3b59a1d of spreading rumors 751cb59738 about his conflicts 5647d5bd20 with Haeyoon, Seo d6a3df3881 Haeyoon decided to 2adb6d931b stoop to his 9ba25134f6 level. He no longer 4fe449bdc1 wanted to tolerate 411f18ee28 it.fc92a71ba046f80e

“Please stop this, don’t you think it’s crossing the line, especially on the day of the performance among fellow musicians?”2049c67e795325ba

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He didn’t want to use the word “family,” but it was necessary to make the deputy principal aware of what he was doing.c383c93e93dc3633

Harassing and unsettling a fellow musician on performance day was something no sane person should do. Even those who had hated Haeyoon in the past didn’t even meet his eyes on the day of the performance.faf4e70827b9df49

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

However, instead of showing any remorse at Haeyoon’s criticism, the deputy principal only showed more disdain on his face. His arrogant look at Haeyoon was filled with an incomprehensible blind hatred.0fd100de7acca9b5

“Family? Who’s family? Your family should be back in your hometown. Right?”842f4c73e3c68489

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Hometown? Haeyoon, who had lived in the U.S. for a long time, didn’t know the exact meaning, but the vulgar tone gave him a rough idea. His face twisted in anger. The deputy principal had finally crossed the line, on this important day.ab24ea99dd3b53c8

“Why, does it hit a nerve?”d76e7cf6a1f358d1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The deputy principal’s face showed a relieved expression of having finally said what he wanted to say. His mood seemed lighter, and his eyes gleamed with a sinister light. Excited by the fact that he could finally wield the power he felt he had, he taunted Haeyoon in a mocking tone.af46090ec067014a

“I told you, I’m just holding back right now. If you don’t want to make a big deal out of it, you should know your place. But since you don’t understand, what can I do? Huh?”c656ccab5bb11051

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Who’s holding back?”32df80cf2138e997

“Aren’t you getting too full of yourself these days? Why, is the deputy director’s relationship with Seo Haeyoon amazing? Huh?”c22f3affcc0c5f4a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…What are you talking about?”3b419d633e2a687f

“So, you’re strutting around the academy, shouting his name everywhere because you’re so proud? You want to brag to everyone that he’s your sugar daddy…!”f23f0b99aeb42873

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Haeyoon was 9a481277ff speechless at 65a08a9422 such an c7c8fa5394 outrageous claim. His eyebrows raised, and af3dc6a066 his heart started to 0d1926ccf7 beat violently at this bf4fd3247a unprecedented, violent insult.79d4371aa9524817

Terms like “relationship” or “sugar daddy” were completely unrelated to Haeyoon, but the fact that he was the target of such accusations made him feel sick to his stomach. Swallowing hard, Haeyoon shook his head at the deputy principal, utterly shocked.96a6e4ff1f9a9f99

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Have you lost your mind? How dare you spout such nonsense, insulting me like that?”ca4d69d5911e854c

“Insult? You’re the one insulting us! You disrespect senior musicians by riding on the deputy director’s coattails to grab that spot in the quintet, that’s the real insult to our academy! Am I wrong?!”404c7a5c8fa34618

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“That was because the conductor saw my skills…”22de6d608008325e

“Skills? Pahhahaha!”cd0018ce5c87c29e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

At Haeyoon’s rebuttal, the deputy principal laughed as if he had heard the funniest thing, bending over in laughter. Hahaha! His loud, malicious laughter filled the lobby. His face, flushed red, was filled with contempt.f5f7acca457ebad4

This sincere sneer brought Haeyoon a sinking feeling. The deputy director. The word he had managed to bury after Chae Beomjoon’s firm denial was casting a shadow of doubt again.7c27825bd575a2aa

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The deputy principal chuckled in front of Haeyoon, who had gone silent with a hardened expression, not missing the chance to exploit Haeyoon’s vulnerability.8ef3e0812ba28e25

“Hey, do you really think the orchestra members don’t know? That you got the quintet spot by giving your ass to the deputy director, do you think nobody knows?”649125a215dd7ae6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Why do you keep bringing up the deputy director to me?”f20b2de3f349a7ba

Such a thing had never happened. Seo Haeyoon had never even seen the deputy director’s face. The only connection between them was a bouquet of flowers and a card he received. After swallowing hard, Haeyoon forced his voice out to reply.930b80ceb2932773

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I don’t know the deputy director personally. We were supposed to meet in a private waiting room a couple of times early on, but both times, he unilaterally canceled the appointment, so I never saw his face. You can check with Manager Hong…”8e6e800f3de6e1a2

“Fuck, don’t treat me like an idiot.”dd1b3baaa4f83032

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

But the deputy principal didn’t seem to hear Haeyoon’s explanation. He silenced Haeyoon with harsh words and then looked at him with eyes full of hatred. The intense dislike, anger, and disgust in his gaze cut into Haeyoon like blades. It was the rawest hatred Haeyoon had ever experienced.ed9136acf2e27d89

His heart sank. He had never been 3c82a8eccd hated this much by cb81a9cc48 anyone. Many had disliked 104ebecd2f him, but no a6019cbc96 one had ever 337570c027 looked at him d0c6d93369 with such disgust.3f54660740138731

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The vivid feeling 2ec4706c58 of rejection was 5b3753aa74 enough to make 35b9b12db9 Haeyoon step back, 6bdd75bb75 especially since he cad38cde21 had recently grown 415992c09c accustomed to being 0232a78af7 loved. As he bit his e42e861b70 lip and looked anxious, 8239de2452 the deputy principal taunted 6e8a6a5a17 him even more.7533091551465c97

“When you were boasting about it at Halloween, did you think we wouldn’t know? Are you looking down on us? Or is Seo Haeyoon just a dumbass? Did you think you could hide something like that?”ff753ce1ee597d9b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I really don’t…”443572eee7c21aa2

“Bragging about it at Halloween and then saying you don’t know? Hahaha! Are you going to claim it’s just a coincidence of names?”7e8008b028380e47

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I really…”a0296421f2f7d263

“Chae Beomjoon! The chief secretary for our director, Shin Kyoyeon, and the deputy director of the Seonseon Symphony Orchestra!! He was the one who visited the waiting room on Halloween, right? Are you still going to deny it?”5cdc32d950edc754

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

What…?1d13026cd4dc7f6f

The familiar name coming from the deputy principal’s mouth brought the lingering doubts to life. The rules that had defined life and death were broken, and Seo Haeyoon’s world was engulfed in chaos. Amidst the storm of confusion, Haeyoon began to waver.8b992f4e9d27ccb2

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The deputy director 9828edc0b9 and Chae Beomjoon.60ce597d2f5d3902

Chae Beomjoon had ce6f18be40 denied it with 340babbefe his own mouth, f9e9a36df5 but the deputy 90cf979c78 principal was strongly 854a85d3b4 affirming it.2200a80f9b520e5d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Standing there in a daze, Haeyoon couldn’t speak, his mouth closed. The deputy principal, taking this silence for disdain, shouted with a face red with anger as if he might hit Haeyoon any moment.4a455e1e0e151798

“New York? Is it even remotely possible for someone like you, who was playing in some no-name rural place, to get in here? The deputy director picked you because he saw your photo on your application. You gave him your ass in exchange for that position!”1eadb56acce46dba

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

This was 9860a3ebd8 far from 900b8156e3 the truth. Seo Haeyoon 8de2a6ac38 had never 18fa5de479 sold himself 4c0fab77c3 to Chae f9c7a6a8f3 Beomjoon.127e399fba19ab76

No, the premise itself was wrong because Chae Beomjoon wasn’t even the deputy director. When asked if he knew such a person, Chae Beomjoon had explicitly said he didn’t.4459ef5f6ca2e83b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Seo Haeyoon didn’t believe Chae Beomjoon had deceived him. He trusted Chae Beomjoon, who had firmly stated he hadn’t lied. He believed in the sincerity of the man who had respected him. Even at this moment, Haeyoon was trying to hold onto that trust.261f1f3aaca19ec6

“Doesn’t the world look different now? But how long do you think the deputy director will look after you? Don’t you know how light his pants are? Do you think you’re the only one Chae Beomjoon has toyed with in the orchestra?!”3cef88f0f0be2e25

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It made no sense. Chae Beomjoon…f320cc96947cc708

“They all quit! Do you think you’re any different? Don’t think about scoring points with the seniors with a worn-out ass later; enjoy it now, Seo Haeyoon. Huh? When will you ever get to perform with Jin Suryeon with that skill?”61068241d58bad1c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Chae Beomjoon…894a551dc01575a8

“…You’ve got it wrong. He’s not the deputy director.”c49ad4bcb78fa237

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Ha!”4e641ff45698ec42

Seeing Haeyoon shake his head in denial, the deputy principal scoffed in disbelief. Noticing something in Haeyoon’s dazed expression, he furrowed his brows and asked.fab6313b0d1dbf0f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…Are you saying you didn’t know the guy you’re dating was the deputy director?”ad72660aae2e3c86

“Not that I didn’t know, he’s not the deputy director. He said he wasn’t!”9cc21040ef781ea1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Haeyoon shouted sharply, his cfbcf42433 face pale. At that sharp tone, 1928d26d33 the deputy principal, who 6bffd7be95 had been frozen, suddenly 4bb4b1075f lowered his head and ab918e576a started laughing, his shoulders 82ef3345ae shaking.2557544e7de129af

The cackling made Haeyoon’s head ache. Seeing Haeyoon clutch his forehead, the deputy principal scoffed in contempt.a15b7740a4bf17ca

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Do you think anything changes by denying it?”e2320c3e9dfb0273

“He’s not…”80ce9e2154e01aad

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Not, my ass! He was playing with you. He let you in because he wanted to try your ass, and he brought Jin Suryeon to make you spread your legs for the quintet! Whether you knew or not, you’re no different from a whore who spread her legs for a position!”22dd06f437092335

Those words, as if they had been brewing in the deputy principal’s gut for a long time, reeked of filth. The vile truth that spilled out without restraint made Haeyoon nauseous. In an instant, Haeyoon felt as if he had been thrown into the gutter from the clouds.dad465cac56fdb9f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It didn’t make sense. The man who had kissed him so tenderly couldn’t have been toying with him for such vile reasons over these months.a85fa39eeb27ddae

…No, no.740bc1aa536d3697

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It couldn’t be. He needed to deny from the outset that Chae Beomjoon was the same person as the deputy director. The premise was wrong. Everything the deputy principal said was false, and this was an evil whisper to shake him before the rehearsal and exclude him from the quintet.6342e01dfe21442f

Seo Haeyoon clenched his teeth and shook his head. No, it couldn’t be. Seeing him refuse to admit it to the end, the deputy principal laughed coarsely.aa9b9d0118212d10

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yeah, think whatever you want… Anyway, congratulations! The mini-concert will be the brightest moment in your life, bought with your precious body. Practice hard! Hahaha!”821dd7d1c7d851bc

The accusations filled with malice crushed Haeyoon, leaving him helpless. He didn’t even try to stop the deputy principal as he walked away; Haeyoon just stood there like a dead person.e2af3cba70d87b04

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He didn’t want to believe the deputy principal’s words. But at that moment, a long-buried emotion from deep within Haeyoon sharpened like a pickaxe and struck his consciousness.6c37193239545192

For 20 years, the 63e9105e47 inferiority complex that had 37dab910e2 shackled Haeyoon was now d36e6dd21e dragging him to hell, a8e9e1e675 into the dark abyss 8c880b4c8c where he could never 6840d35d6a escape, where he had 61e20b76f6 to acknowledge his defeat.5ef95cad0e72b454

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘With that skill, when will you ever perform with Jin Suryeon?’70d2f6fd48821b29

Even Haeyoon had thought about it sometimes. He couldn’t believe he was participating in a piano quintet with such an extraordinary pianist.d5065306f55f0183

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

But the first ff3ffcc8cb double bass had 0f58a61932 declined the offer, 63f91047f3 and among those d84c8d3d41 remaining, Haeyoon had 36769fa308 the most acceptable 0fbc55df0b credentials, so he 9c400acbd6 thought it could 8009c41893 happen for the be54409e29 sake of filling b1ab4659b9 the ensemble. After the interview 0f17f422be with the conductor 754d295891 and concertmaster, he 05d445ff10 had even gained 6e0eadffc0 some confidence.ebb62d8c527afd08

But now, he 84fd19cfe6 objectively assessed the 656450151b situation.29ae80665ef1e465

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

About me.d3dd5cc54816ad2f

Really.feb26e1ac038aa67

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Do I have 06bf95bb4e the right.9dd08b6f9138ccc9

To perform with 0e0e870c7d Jin Suryeon?0a5e0a72293ea7ed

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…”b11e8acc804a510e

No.c13f0b5db975a9c4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

There was no such right…0df93bc5c72ac3d9

Was that opportunity something I truly earned? It didn’t seem that way. Haeyoon knew. He knew his own modest talent… knew how unremarkable he was under the sun.2c1c80b79ac83b2e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

In the 98b6fea6bd midst of 0e41642a8b the rising, 47b73b3f33 miserable realization, 24dff48275 Haeyoon bit 1f60642467 his lip 24c6fea619 so hard 47c3797c06 it bled.93a534d674653e7b

If what the deputy principal said was true, if he was indeed a chosen one in an unfair manner, having stolen someone else’s chance…ee627d25ade0b282

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Um, sir. It’s time for the rehearsal to start…”a1aa9e63e9bdc80d

What woke Haeyoon from bd9346ae48 his stupor was a 27f3a7da83 remark from one of 7e9a54077a the theater staff managing a93da54977 the lobby. Haeyoon finally d438723a2a snapped back cc7059f350 to reality 6e51a25bf4 and turned a03b04ebf5 around. The young employee seemed 6460b5701c to have heard their d28ddeb3f8 entire conversation, wearing an 7813ab3c61 awkward expression.db982170200b438a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Only then did he somewhat come to his senses. There wasn’t time for this. The performance was imminent. With his mind in tatters, Haeyoon moved by inertia back to the waiting room in the basement.b62cd66e0c7d9daf

He managed to gather 3258c60cb5 his instrument and enter 13814dec04 the rehearsal room just 54a31b3e75 in time. Park Giwon 5772b50379 gave him df643b819a a puzzled 516de66b1b look, noticing 17bfde2c3b his bad e64959f66b expression upon 065895ff9a his late c697567e9f arrival. Haeyoon silently shook his 31ca7000cc head and clenched his f4a865e965 trembling hands.8692b7ad10f8dfc1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘Be more careful when you have a lover, please. Even if you say it doesn’t bother you, these similar incidents keep piling up, and it will definitely cause problems.’a6b09f6f93f3eaab

Amidst the greeting from the conductor, Yewon’s advice, which he had heard before, floated around.e8ee3824ec6c3ad4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Even though he should trust Chae Beomjoon, the deputy principal’s words seemed increasingly convincing. Was he too accustomed to being deceived and betrayed by lovers? Even though Chae Beomjoon had said it wasn’t true, this doubt felt all too natural.20ea24dcdbc0e791

…No. I have to believe him. If I, his lover, don’t believe him when he says it’s not true, who else will?97a34b4f286dad36

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He had never believed c5f6b27d86 a word from his 5320b680eb previous lovers, but he fb756dc992 just wanted to believe 550ad72b16 Chae Beomjoon. He was different; 6ed1ba8026 he genuinely cared 2ea2fc10f7 for and respected 9657898e0b Haeyoon. He truly loved Haeyoon 21474aeeb4 deeply.cd21930c448855b7

Haeyoon gritted 718458ad61 his teeth 592b741032 and looked 61d2f75b3e forward. The deputy a2e04cd61d principal, seeing a99409968a this, laughed e0473dd24d in a 2a5c90ab7a sobbing manner ac55c8b675 from across dad3093711 the room.ccc8498ed52951c1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

That small laughter touched Haeyoon’s already frayed nerves. Even though it wasn’t true, it felt like all the musicians in the room were mocking him. Haeyoon wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and turned his gaze solely to the conductor. He had to. He had to do this.5bc2f0917465c0fa

“Please get ready.”b855b8192919f809

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Tuning began with the oboe’s A note. The loud, discordant sounds of each player tuning filled the room. Within that noise, Haeyoon was trying to shake off his emotions. But the more he tried, the more Chae Beomjoon’s face filled his mind.0814e370f7fbb5b6

The kisses on his dd798279ad fingertips, expressions of affection, da0f8bde37 all might have been ecbf273da4 calculated from the start, fd81ea5920 and this realization was e45d37152e dragging Haeyoon down.324e0064ecd1cab8

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

However, all these 8f237cc7e7 thoughts melted away efe0e9ad09 like snow when b3f8c7d053 the tuning ended fe6cb29261 and the conductor 6275a425cc raised his baton. A heavy silence c062d8e4f6 fell over the 1ec20189ff rehearsal room. Haeyoon felt as if b04b34f9d7 he were being crushed ca1c242a71 by the double bass 40fda0863c in his arms as 31a1d70a10 he lifted his bow. The rehearsal was d124ab7491 starting.f32b69429852719b

“Carol of the Bells.”603243697fc7ab26

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

As the famous carol’s prelude began to play, Haeyoon, holding his breath, desperately played his bow. To prove his worth before this fall ended…315568e49d0e29d2

🔮🌙e6a4266ec291ca36

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Thank you for your hard work over the past two months. Enjoy your lunch and don’t be late for the second rehearsal.”a104d61635d26ab4

After the 1ea4fa3f30 first rehearsal, 6886df10e5 the conductor f33d0dbe14 left the d7d71a21f4 room first. On performance day, 8d6fefa991 the management provided 39e1586095 lunch boxes. Haeyoon, staring blankly f2259e649f at people taking 7e936b8202 their meals and e198c633c6 heading to the 5aca178a7e waiting room, remained a20a827c3d seated.dc934348735ba589

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Had the 737a619d97 double bass 2094161813 ever felt 6c6274425d this heavy 11ef820b15 on his c1853bec83 shoulder? The instrument, which 5df6311d70 his father, Seo 6523b39362 Jonggil, had struggled e210ecbac6 to obtain, felt 7d68d1f77a unbearably heavy at 64a18b0262 this moment. In this misery of 76cb5de2e6 holding onto something beyond 3edadf0942 his station, Haeyoon could 920302d7d6 neither move forward nor 66b73a121f backward.0d4df7b8cdbb50f8

“Sir, are you okay? Why does your face look like that? Are you not feeling well? Do you want to go to the infirmary?”d0dfce39816d4b85

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Ah…”1edba45dceb1c51d

Park Giwon 51cb6b78e3 approached and e442ce55d0 asked. Seeing Haeyoon ec04bdc39b unable to c9863ae373 respond, he 733ecc43a6 carefully took 5d4d8914d0 the double 433bd9a216 bass from d62272594d him in ceaa94fc5e his confusion. The oppressive a2a583eef7 feeling on 4f106dd093 his shoulder 5defb08487 disappeared instantly.69aa2241909d759a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Haeyoon had never entrusted his instrument to anyone else, but now he wished for someone’s help. Watching Park Giwon neatly arrange his instrument in the soft case on the floor, Haeyoon struggled to stand up.d8bf986dc57c0f24

“Sir, could you watch my instrument for a moment?”c40edf21533b77e8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Huh? This? Me? Ah, are you going to the infirmary? Okay, don’t worry. Just go up quickly. Third floor! You know, right?”97fa9c537b016b22

Surprised by the high value of the instrument, Park Giwon, thinking Haeyoon was heading to the infirmary, shouted reassuringly. Confirming that Park Giwon had slung the double bass’s soft case over his other shoulder, along with his cello, Haeyoon moved to another location with a face full of confusion.e30f2743acdb0948

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

— Hello?25a1db7ab07c2d46

The person he called eac834b995 upon leaving the waiting 124c9fd9b2 room was Ahn Yewon. He knew she was 54252f660e having a date near 7793df509a Seongsu-dong today.63ad541525387d55

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…Ahn Yewon. Are you busy? Can you do me a small favor?”4b9cb707c7b46e6e

— Why does your voice sound like that? Are you sick? What’s wrong?d384f8d37f71d524

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Hearing the 4bad8e6f45 worry in b41f2cd554 her voice a04f907b0d at his 0aadb68d4f lowered tone, 611d7e957d Haeyoon asked d02109c9bd her to 5bdb00e18c go to cb55859cca his place 930b7ca4e9 and take c75911eb96 a picture 9c1fbd7ae1 of something. It was one of 1c122cd99f the puzzle pieces Haeyoon a34ba974c7 had left at home, 73c3b67ba6 one that would completely 04f393b182 disconnect Chae Beomjoon from f3b39c0ad7 the deputy director.3770d8fc280507af

— Alright. Wait for 10 minutes.149bc60950660e13

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Ahn Yewon agreed 84faa11fd1 to the request cbb0b2ec83 without hesitation. After hanging up 0af8125ce1 and waiting for 227a42acb9 a while, a 8bc289bccb photo arrived on 926c3f6798 the messenger. Next to a green 811a42fd49 card, there was a 4ad7df9e89 notebook. In the 43d4c56055 notebook, there 0143445d1c were traces 610cff1302 of playful 959dd55552 moments with e5a85f7ef7 Chae Beomjoon ca39248fd9 during a 1b96096182 recent break, f56f8b1c71 spelling out 920cbbafa4 names of d60f7a648c composers like e4639a237c Rachmaninoff, Schubert, 2a67795ce1 and Bottesini.16d4d54bfdd291f0

Haeyoon’s trembling gaze moved to the accurate spelling of Litvinov and the Korean transcription below it.b8230dcc3d28b86f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Beside the notebook was fbaadd45ec the card that had d150877dc1 resonated with Haeyoon. His moist b8b994f3a6 eyes moved 21282000ec back and decd2abba1 forth between 54bc0a3605 the card 420d923994 and the f79604e3d1 notebook for eac774e19e a long 4618be6a20 time before ef2da01add finally closing bc8d97ce56 under drooping 522a391e45 eyelids.ef45f37556c8710f

After a 319d6c3f12 while, Haeyoon fec25292c6 thanked Yewon bc7d3968c1 and began 1c9f08d966 to walk 8b57efb1a0 slowly. His destination was not b18b65f13d the infirmary on the 31f51b5c64 third floor but the 6b266f09dd rooftop on the fourth.d4e594c807abcd4e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The smoking 6072893cbd area of 5d49e1b051 the rooftop, a390879ac0 far from 1f760fce70 the rehearsal 01eb85a2d7 rooms and eabc8db5d9 mainly visited 99ddf40d8a by office 68e927a990 staff, was 147f535612 empty. In his thin 14f7b1c61a shirt, Haeyoon faced 1ccdd1685e the biting winter c3ab8dc276 wind, trembling as ef9d587269 he pulled out 5a9e4f9199 a cigarette pack.a23fbb713fb38c3e

He lit e00f8be578 a cigarette bf12ba97b4 with difficulty, 5cff653e54 inhaling and 59036abb78 exhaling the 48e0d433d1 smoke. It felt like the 1d00dee2f7 complex emotions filling his 076b74c73c mind were turning into 149c802533 vapor and escaping into 709cb2d200 the sky.9691b79009020f04

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Despite suppressing them deep in his heart, the doubts and distrust Haeyoon harbored during practice continued to grow. So, when practice ended and his thoughts finally burst forth, Haeyoon’s face turned a pale blue. As he slowly traced back his memories, that paleness faded.b68714521bd7c5a8

Looking back now, a lot seemed strange. Starting from the fact that he was admitted with an informal recording of his performance…a47e327ac94ecb91

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

No.7b084997137f6e67

No.49ee4b53a507400a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Haeyoon closed his eyes tightly then opened them again. His eyes, full of confusion, wandered through distant memories. With difficulty, he brought Chae Beomjoon’s kisses to mind, biting his lip as he lifted his phone.720fa5bc545f8177

He needed to ask 1f05b5286a face-to-face. That was the 10c251b79d kind of relationship 0653785a2e they had. They were.c1d9284b3f5661ab

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…”7683f975976891ba

Despite the cutting wind, Haeyoon’s cheeks were burning. After hesitating for a while, he turned on the screen. A message had just arrived on his phone. It was from Chae Beomjoon.4f4b48ab680fb297

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Beomjoon:3303301c2b3ae7d5

I’m at the theater parking lot now. If you have a moment, can you come out?af80fcc5b240e931

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

13:51ed88c23debe12381

Beomjoon:f174bbebdfda8b05

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

I have f08486c769 something to 5e4a514030 say.1eb1d8fea21e8aeb

13:52d505f66bedae1b01

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

His fingertips 8abba31f8f trembled as 735be534fe he read 25a1d68b55 the message. Haeyoon wiped the cold c977e4ab90 sweat from his forehead 2b2adcb52a and rubbed his cheeks. Something seemed to be e261c20372 flowing out, but there ea6d9fa0c6 was nothing on his 9b224eac50 hand.bedd5bf79ac657b6

His trembling fingertips pressed the call button. Holding the phone to his ear, he soon heard the man’s voice.a5fdbc1aa8ce3c9a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

— Haeyoon, is the rehearsal over? I wanted to tell you…4bf227a337ab7cf2

“Come to the fourth floor. I’m on the rooftop.”27008e718f33788e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

After speaking, Seo Haeyoon 555572e125 was surprised at himself. The voice 70a66edda3 that told 4094ffe548 him to 95acd3ff70 come here e03f2df97c sounded cold 801868da31 even to d6bb0b7c34 his own 12700bcf18 ears. Feeling his face, 3e9725ea76 it was frozen dbf6f7f9df by the cold 96dffc879e wind and colder 0a9bd36553 than ever.d6fac366dddfa55f

— …I’ll be there soon.af9ca57bbf2087a1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Chae Beomjoon seemed 5b414127b4 to sense it 574198ff26 too, as his f41ecf3d7e reply was stiff. Haeyoon hung up f72e2fe197 the phone and 30fbc80db7 lowered his head 74cc097cb0 deeply.6b96928825101fa5

The short yet long time it took for Chae Beomjoon to come from the parking lot to the fourth floor was a test of Seo Haeyoon’s patience. He had suppressed the things he wanted to ask since before the rehearsal started, but knowing he was so close, he couldn’t hold back anymore.e3ca246c97bce790

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

His hands shook not from the cold but from anger. He wanted to believe it wasn’t true, but it was pointless.8f57df6bd1873746

…Maybe I should just stay quiet. Pretend not to know until the end. The fact that he rushed here so urgently seemed to affirm that what he had denied all this time might be close to the truth.dcdb50b43f12a329

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Haeyoon lifted d7f1c81ee1 his head 70f71c1e4c without feeling 67ed316b1f the cold. The sky, white as 68404d6136 if it might snow, ee8ac63041 held above him. He felt 91ec090496 disconnected from 35afe277b9 reality, as c7656114b5 if he 241e68af5f had fallen 754598bfee into a 376e24401a solitary world.bbaf9e92b9506a72

“…Haeyoon.”0883a24c4d739f1f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

After staring at the 980847a6d7 sky for a while, ad869dfa11 he heard the familiar 3c49cf0022 voice.b09b1a3b21cbeb6c

Haeyoon lowered 7cea0d0d90 his chin a5287b04bb with an 471ae6112e expressionless face. Chae Beomjoon 17cf6cb9c4 stood before f0e4f36c82 him, still 824a24ff24 in the 6927d9add6 same clothes f050058920 as when fc8c49003d Haeyoon saw dacf5d862d him off 3efdeb20c4 in the e925e765bf morning, not b5da09dc62 having changed.a5c41bb46b8ffe9c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

His hair was damp with sweat, and his handsome face was tinged with confusion. His disheveled appearance made Haeyoon’s heart ache. It was already too late. There was no need to hurry…c260b1dbacbb66e5

“Haeyoon.”0424d393c721e726

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

When Haeyoon just stared 424a60b182 without a word, Chae 9f573abbc4 Beomjoon approached, calling his cbb4ea8e68 name again. It was a cd6c62cee7 name he had 9492f46c9e heard thousands of 43c38ed1b0 times, but now 5de34f00af it felt strange.3b448b4d836ab567

Since when 45b1aa130a did you 998b8fa308 know my 613dc8e533 name?795dc2f05635a8ee

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Unable to contain 84c5dfd925 the rising resentment, f66abcd783 Haeyoon spoke.5e5b30a3f6018fff

“Is Mister the deputy director?”083b6b73f878d865

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…”555fc9037e95e69b

“Is that you?”bbbbea3eaf70e2d0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

At Haeyoon’s trembling voice, Chae Beomjoon bit his lip. His face was red, like someone whose secret had been exposed, or someone with something to hide; his eyes were incessantly shaking.bc5d13d0162c867b

He took a 9456f20e38 step closer.1abb1369b295e516

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Haeyoon stepped back an ac8e3e0bf0 equal distance and asked 24b4732fa7 again.4d2c72dde6de2d0a

“Was it you who sent me the bouquet of flowers…?”cfe9bb536b461f59

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Haeyoon…”d8fd312408d4050c

A deep sigh clouded his vision. The white breath from his lips rose to the sky, turning into clouds. What he wanted to hear wasn’t his name. Even though he was being given a chance, Haeyoon, in front of someone who only hesitated, clenched his fist.b5f32bfc04183844

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Answer me. Is it true?”994dd74325797aab

“I…”3afbbab838a78428

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He reached out his hand. Haeyoon stepped back another step, glaring at the man. Facing Haeyoon’s face full of hostility, Chae Beomjoon, looking lost, finally nodded with difficulty.d510ec54b42f7fb8

“…Yes. I am the deputy director at Seonseon Grand Theater.”691420cfcbbca9dc

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“You said you didn’t know him, you pretended not to know…!”bd0c873028c63a88

The sound of the roots that had deeply embedded themselves in Haeyoon’s heart being brutally torn out was audible. The ground they had walked together, which they had firmly tamped down, was overturned, and from it, a monster-like despair emerged to engulf Haeyoon.6306a8ec53f67288

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The unexpected pass on the audition test, the excessive praises bestowed on him, the opportunities given to someone unworthy, the man who had blinded and deafened him to not realize these facts, his laughter and whispers…4e6d5aa7c0c1c653

Realizing that the man standing before him was the reason for the deputy principal’s hatred, the reason he had to hear those vile words, the reason he had been exposed to such blatant disgust, Seo Haeyoon fell into an abyss where he couldn’t see an inch ahead. Seo Haeyoon was isolated. There was no one left to guide him now.5854d797e84bc5f5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Seeing him sigh in af6c4469b0 collapse, Chae Beomjoon opened e75db6ee5e his mouth with a 6a96977579 pained expression.0faba41739aac041

“But…!”7c0f54a691be862e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

But, but, but.9f41f396bfa8db30

Those were the words 156693bda4 countless men who had 2bd4b34641 deceived Haeyoon always added.c4140df26def9872

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But you didn’t stay by my side.603e9dccae122acc

But I ed9685a18c was so fa33432d67 lonely.2a0929a41448d398

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

But you don’t love me.1fd09f48dfc931f3

Excuses that every 32527d405f single one of f4ea32296e them had uttered 235c4ca301 without fail, but 3baa305da4 none had ever aaedbb7623 helped mend their 90fe955537 relationship. Haeyoon had no 48e4768b27 intention of giving dd8ee836c7 a second chance ce29faf8c1 to someone who f44ec63175 had deceived him. Those excuses only added ed2b287688 to his extreme disappointment.633648ec6c55ddca

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

No matter what ab38c9ca30 he heard, nothing c85418a9bd would change.448e7b6c4d64c8b5

The conclusion was one, faf13cda7e no matter the reason. They had deceived 958a8eb0cd and trampled on 8a224359c5 Seo Haeyoon.645a689b1780a1ef

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

And now, even Chae Beomjoon was following in those footsteps. After committing wrongdoing, he tried to brush it off with a few pathetic excuses. He was no different from the nine men who had passed through Haeyoon’s life, which was truly revolting.bff025864c931f04

Everything was a 6d2952513f lie.9763e9a86f882ba2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The coincidental first meeting, 15bfed75c8 the encounters in the 7ddb1aa6e0 neighborhood, the appearance of 3258922224 wanting to hear his c9ddfb2dd3 performance so earnestly, the 16e221afed bright smile that seemed 3810653d11 to grasp the whole 956b19ebb7 world after waking from 390feb5bd0 anesthesia.8963002fd329647c

All of it… was not sincere…e7886d44e30653b4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He thought it f0b16170bf would be different. He thought 3ae45400c7 Chae Beomjoon 7bf2b85eeb would respect b881c5bb23 him, unlike 0dedb7c4ca the others. But Chae Beomjoon had f59feb4427 been playing with Seo ca61d7cfcd Haeyoon more arrogantly than 1214e943f1 anyone else.c49c8748c0594e7e

‘But Mister… respects me and genuinely cares for me. I’ve never felt this way before.’06592b36a7527ead

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The pride Haeyoon 6224503917 had boasted before 477b769832 Ahn Yewon was a0fc8c93cf torn to shreds.4fa5e0df25ce8e50

Why did he say cb311c8029 those things if he 19e4d099bc was going to do 59d4475675 this?543ad557f41c8f09

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The man who said he would learn to love fervently for Haeyoon had been deceiving him long before he even said those words. He hadn’t learned anything new for Haeyoon.ca7c2917b7b82b8c

Rather, it was Haeyoon 049a787bd1 who learned something.36f924663393d12f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He shouldn’t have trusted this man.30f4a71ef98631ba

He shouldn’t have liked him.189982b570d08d6b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

His eyes burned with f25a245760 the harsh lesson, and ba72dd90c2 his stomach churned. Unable to suppress d65955e223 his anger, Haeyoon 0c805c06a0 spoke.c4126e9a332941e7

“I asked you earlier…”523fcc18102e00ce

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Earlier, I was also taken by surprise!”f92fab2e1cef5cc1

“You answered without even thinking!”303fbd1f973db1ef

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

In fact, he had 552ea77b3f anticipated since the moment 2941009702 he locked eyes with 09eaca81f5 the deputy principal. After hearing what Kim e1b59163bc Cheongkyung said, the ominous 66c6568479 feeling that brushed through 7d5763d1a8 his mind was close 28fc69e33a to the truth.d2758affd927d997

However, even with only 27e5b5d084 circumstantial evidence, Seo Haeyoon a99d3e4fbd chose to believe him. Because Chae Beomjoon had 79e69879fd denied it himself. Despite many 66fca013cf signs, Haeyoon fdccad7ef8 humbled his a034339937 pride, believing 1464c4d472 he must 6d897ec017 be wrong.856cb07eed4b0fb0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

But after hearing the deputy principal’s story, the doubt turned into full certainty, and from then on, he wished Chae Beomjoon would never open his mouth.ce22d914d3ca6c2d

If he hadn’t realized the intent behind those kisses on his fingertips, they would have remained in Haeyoon’s memory as respectful kisses forever. If only he had done that, he could have preserved the coincidences they had shared and the time they spent together without tainting them.0c7f0d0e3b0851f1

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But Chae Beomjoon, foolishly, had rushed here with his feet hurting. If only he had just kept his mouth shut. If only he had let Haeyoon live in ignorance forever, as he had done until now…9cd53636c495eb7c

Anger surged from the 47c54b3e0a depths of his throat. Resentment, disappointment, despair, and 82cb968fad betrayal—a feeling Haeyoon had 1bd0a311f8 never experienced before—painted him.d34a646fb65bff49

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Haeyoon, I… I just didn’t want you to put up walls between us… If I had known you’d hate me this much…”fe5fb257f48db5cd

“I don’t want to hear it!”95ebb28f60085c77

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

At Haeyoon’s sharp shout, Chae Beomjoon froze. The handsome face that had once thrilled Haeyoon from the moment they met now showed pain. He looked as if he found it hard to watch Haeyoon shivering in disgust.a3b11093f0b0ed9f

His eyes were warm enough to melt one’s heart, but even that could be a facade. This situation, where doubt was inevitable, was truly unbearable.fc2cca275b6a0ce2

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

An invisible force was 16d4ea2ebf pressing down on him. Haeyoon felt like he 54f67530c2 was being crushed just 017ba878dc as he had earlier. The orchestra, the quintet, 1a82e9b8bd the feeling of occupying 98c97b77d9 a position beyond his b7b9e2e6b2 station made it feel d9318bdd68 like he was suffocating 363060cb99 to death.dc8f2fedfdc13ad6

“Mister… you, you put me in the quintet, right? To perform with Jin Suryeon…”7c26d725a97a1066

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What are you talking about? No, absolutely not.”09717200fa625330

“Don’t make me laugh…”26a1fa59adb75a26

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

There was 717cd49f8a no way 2d604d60ec the deputy 9a20f44def principal would 371469ad4b say such 37ab7917a6 things without 960e9548d6 reason. No, even cce97a1119 without thinking c00302a163 deeply, it f47bbc5b23 was obvious.0b81e8f89996fe65

Even Haeyoon, the musician 9b90f8f02c himself, had questioned if a656ca6f5f he deserved to be 08da4ebe10 there several times. But such doubts were b313edda8c natural. Haeyoon had b09a64c4b8 instinctively felt ab4a923cf8 that he b567ba8b17 was occupying 3e94f212c6 a spot 8710ba76ed without merit.110351e05455d7b9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Kim Cheongkyung, who had shown extreme contempt despite it being their first meeting, must have known that Haeyoon was included in the quintet not by merit but by Chae Beomjoon’s favor.d138f3f25bcabc0e

Kim Cheongkyung, the conductor, the deputy principal…eed7054d800b2ef4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Who else knew?71b2009b83329f69

Who else knew that I played the bow for a price…dfcc651902c2f3dd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

What pulled Haeyoon up from his sinking despair was Chae Beomjoon’s firm voice.a3d4b8407d72d3d8

“Haeyoon.”4642d8e8fa97b5c0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Haeyoon, looking up blankly, met the man’s face, wet with regret. His eyes, filled with deep remorse, were moist. Chae Beomjoon was pleading for half his innocence with the boyish face Haeyoon had loved so much.2027b855912a6a1f

“I understand why you might have such a misunderstanding, but I had no involvement in that. Yes, I am the deputy director, but I only learned about the planned piano quintet after you told me…”e16cf9bbfa311f35

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“How can I believe that?”d6d9b105a0dd10a5

But all he heard 80d620fc4b were excuses, excuses, excuses.38165d63af6d2f32

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Nothing would 8c091c5abc change by 22062122ee listening. Chae Beomjoon, who had 7f8363ad90 denied knowing the deputy 901af8feb2 director, was the deputy f8c78d9e2f director himself, and the 67e7e2bd24 man who said he 8c2ca12048 never lied had already e39c522ff9 told many lies.c5e92b89ee1cc552

“You knew I came from America.”80a6a2d8795d0bad

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…”c6be01d2a19a4359

“Answer me! You knew I played the double bass…!”321a3c76deab37cc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He remembered 7cda7f309a the thrill 27c5809c2b of having 72058fcc4a someone acknowledge 6f0e11f54d his sorrow b0a48eeab0 on the dd4d2a6da0 day he e2548bae9b played the 7e58938b9d Siciliano. But now, that a08dc3cd6a memory, which he cd303bf238 thought would be e0e2debbc5 unforgettable, was tainted 12d9655286 with filth. It felt 1e0f5e46c0 like a b0d3189934 smear on c11e712e52 the moments 9f8d42fca1 of happiness 8a9a680bea he had 668f2df47e cherished.79dd1ea4b3395a25

How much did he know? Perhaps he even knew about Haeyoon’s mother passing away. From their first meeting to now, there had been no truth between them.324b994fcf4b2343

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The endless doubts shattered all trust in Chae Beomjoon. That violent emotion finally targeted the center of Haeyoon’s world. Everything around Haeyoon was collapsing.938ecfe9149aff08

The double bass, the orchestra, music. These were his sanctuaries. They were Haeyoon’s reverse scale, something no one should touch.b8b8b5a2b5ab383e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

How much had he 8fa9e933c2 practiced for the quintet? Because neighbors kept ringing 779b77f5f8 the intercom when night afd75d422e fell, Haeyoon would take cb1cc28106 up his bow alone 815e58c0fc like a clown, waving 28cf9812a9 his arms in the def342f118 air when he wanted f19fb5463c to practice more. He pondered endlessly f0ad4bda2e how to perfect 8e40c3629d the music playing 15a69e8d4c in his mind.219f626650719b59

Yet, all of it wasn’t his in the first place.ae586c8208fce445

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Haeyoon hadn’t even the right to practice all night.9f3b30dcd7438fcc

He felt ridiculous.13a41657406d4943

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Pathetic.2af87d862115b7a8

Without knowing, I worked so hard…0ca01f57e7513bf2

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“But how can I trust you…?”249ff4fc4eb971ac

Haeyoon clutched his head, overwhelmed by the pain breaking through the cracks in his heart. His hair, the tips of his ears, felt like ice. Only then did he realize he had been standing in the cold wind for a long time, but he still didn’t feel the cold.76b91e3156efda9d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

His whole 5249ad9763 body seemed 8684cdeaa4 numb. His feet, his head, 48b64ea8b8 even his heart which 73107b25de had responded to Chae 646f8f5621 Beomjoon until morning.aad1cd1eb74605fd

“…Will you even listen to me?”5a5c2f73dd8e64c8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

In front of Haeyoon, cd174ca493 who was in despair, db57d7d889 Chae Beomjoon showed a 3570f5ce1e deeply saddened expression. His eyes seemed like b2bb97aeab they might shed tears bb18e7e1b8 at any moment.5bd4b28fe9da5e01

With his fists clenched, 58e29ee945 the man who had f18607cc8b been looking at Haeyoon a95f62aa4f swallowed dryly several times d25439d7f7 before speaking again, his 52511f1cdd voice firm as if b20e6715a7 mustering courage.d14d178e75af70bd

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I don’t understand why you’re so angry, Haeyoon…”abc33f5cc009992d

“You don’t understand…?”3ae13e06ee06e2f0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Haeyoon looked up with 12b270ca9d a vicious gaze.969ea94300264290

He crushes and breaks me, yet he doesn’t understand why I’m so angry.dcc14e4cf23344f2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Ha… Haeyoon burst into a bewildered laugh. Chae Beomjoon’s eyes, filled with emptiness, shook in confusion once more. He quickly scanned Haeyoon and ran his hands through his hair.8a9025818b29428c

His discomfort was evident. To Haeyoon, he just cdfc6246a3 looked like someone caught 903a27cb33 off guard by being 0bf5b04fbe exposed sooner than expected. Finally, he cleared bef2efbdd4 his throat again, 3c17fe7738 his voice calm e46bcd7ec4 as if trying af192cb3e5 to soothe Haeyoon.a5bbb8b63d481fa7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Haeyoon. I really don’t understand why. Of course, it’s my fault for deceiving you, but as for the quintet, I have no idea what you’re talking about…”4a604d6ca6e89c0c

“It’s all lies!”679309b67b3c00bd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

It was an outburst 265b0a0655 close to shattering ice.13cf6dcd173c4f64

Until morning, this 844158d41a man had softened 0a70dc128a Haeyoon. He had 02888d8f61 wormed his 92467f37c9 way into 885dd1735d Haeyoon, who 501549f30a only knew b88673d384 the double 9eefcef5b5 bass, and e162173f6d had cultivated 906a299dec an affection cc79b4d98e no one 6bc72723a6 else could.f1080ddb8f300076

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Now, he was the 28a6a97c8d last person Haeyoon wanted 6db6d1ff8b to see. He hated 93e83e6e89 him as f55fade2a2 much as 7c4e1a9b6a he had 634a6b5c9b liked him.3a4e5b0fda112091

At Haeyoon’s rejection, Chae Beomjoon clenched the hand he had extended towards him. His face, filled with regret and confusion, gradually became calm. Though his eyes still wavered, Chae Beomjoon regained his composure much quicker than Haeyoon.97d9893591a956e8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…Haeyoon. You’re very upset right now. There’s the final rehearsal in 30 minutes. Please calm down a bit…”cd470dcdbebdb1d2

“What rehearsal? What does that even mean to you?”b436abc1bc67a287

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

With a face on the verge of tears, Haeyoon approached him. His fists, stiff as a corpse, hit the man’s shoulder. It hurt his chest, his heart.f7fee621c5affb2f

“If I can’t do it, you can fix it, right? If anyone complains, you can just fire them all and make me the principal, can’t you? Isn’t that what you were planning?”c6ea9c9bdd730d7f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Haeyoon…”03752b13bc4b3ec3

“Don’t call my name!”3003430061a83cac

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He hated aab3f58a0f the man bd3697ac3f who, after 10f29d9d93 doing wrong, bf4f3a4c3d acted as 9cc0a6810f if he 80d317810d was hurt 9178ecca68 by such f0f5943cc2 words, his 82f9c2e01c eyes turning 779b8822d3 red.218cd21a30bf02d4

The time spent with him dispersed like a mirage. The times in the orchestra where he thought he was doing well with Chae Beomjoon’s encouragement and support, the achievements he thought he had earned through his own efforts—all felt like they were touched by his hands. It made Haeyoon feel like his pride was going mad.8d42536ecc0de21d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

How ridiculous e0d07ab4d0 he must b7022fedab have looked 43505df967 when he 4677127c12 was excited 143f8469ca about the 824a4b59a6 quintet offer. How pathetic he was 6d000981f3 when he was practicing 54274325d5 for a performance with 2861361142 Jin Suryeon. Maybe he was 27ff2bd496 mocked for trying a85c263686 so hard with 3d2778cda1 nonexistent skills, trying 252421b74c not to be 4d233436e5 pushed out of 19724e9a89 that position.a4e9f966c7078c39

This is really…eccceb56d911b32e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Horrible. That I… with someone like you…”0c62f826de85c771

His voice 539c026c97 trembled violently. It felt like his 8893100233 soul, which had been 48fcb392ee half-wandering in denial of d6c97a50d9 reality, suddenly returned to 6ddf44bdcd its place, his body c058b69e41 stiffening.9da54afe9df746b6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He was cold. So cold it 55eebe8c37 was unbearable.61b6ca72ba9c2a77

“…If I had known you would hate me this much, I wouldn’t have hidden it from the start.”048767105a913458

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Looking down at Haeyoon, Chae Beomjoon spoke with a face full of regret. Haeyoon didn’t look at him. He didn’t want to hear even that gentle voice, covering his ears with his clenched hands.916fbf246d4a7c25

But even so, the man’s voice crept into Haeyoon’s ears. It was the only warmth towards Seo Haeyoon on this cold, windy day.48521596e7626847

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I’ll explain later, so… let’s go inside. You’re cold. You’re freezing.”ccaaaec1278c7fa8

Comforting him like that, he grabbed Haeyoon’s hand. The man’s fingertips, touching the callused tips of Haeyoon’s, were also very cold, but Haeyoon felt no pity.f0862761569cad07

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It was all lies and pretense. Chae Beomjoon must have known how cold Haeyoon’s fingertips were. He must have touched Haeyoon knowing it. The sarcasm born from that friction froze Haeyoon’s heart.81ac10c97e526705

His once 5ca2dfefee burning head bab023287a cooled down a11f82af17 faster than 39d2e7bb01 anything else. With a twisted 7999be8282 smile, Haeyoon looked 51a94da662 up, meeting the 257762ce7f eyes of the aef3b7c297 man looking down 11843b8c18 at him silently, b26dc40957 and taunted him.7d59d785541227d8

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What does it matter? If it’s you, you could arrange a spot on stage even if I lost an arm.”24c0bcf93939a3a0

“…Haeyoon.”bbb0767e87f1bf6b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Oh, maybe by then you’ll have already kicked me out because you got bored of me?”0548cccea6d61ad7

Just as much as his pride was crushed, he wanted to hurt him back. Even though these words wouldn’t have much impact.eaa80064d71803fd

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Haeyoon looked at the man with disdain as he lowered his eyes, then swatted his hand away. Thud, he hoped the man’s touch would never reach him again.44719b7a893ea4ea

“I don’t want to hear any explanations, nor do I need them. I can’t trust your words anymore. It’s too late. It all ended the moment you lied to me earlier.”c9957e457a496b8c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

End. He had b0e7002646 uttered that c204050843 word before. It was on b8c6dbaedb the day of 0d8683452c the Halloween performance. After Chae 3d2de46e4a Beomjoon lied 139c1a7f24 to him 302c3d42f4 and tested 7616678029 him, what 7d89ac8c3e had he 4cece4e3bb been thinking? But Haeyoon tried to d10f7f7c28 cut off thoughts of aa42352a03 him. He no longer wanted 2c2d56b74f to know anything about 37b582ad9a the man named Chae a4a8b01ad0 Beomjoon.28f7851febeceb49

“…Let’s go inside. Warm up your hands before the rehearsal.”96b8cb29ff7cb7bc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Even after Haeyoon gritted his teeth and spat out these words, Chae Beomjoon kept his promise to explain later, his attitude calm as if he didn’t want to cause more confusion for Haeyoon.1e2e7d062c01c7ad

That attitude made Haeyoon even more furious. If you’ve done wrong, you should beg profusely, cling to my pants, or shout some convincing excuse even if I cover my ears. Pretending to care about me, pretending to think about me, was even more despicable and disgusting.b23538559438f1a2

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I really hate people like you…”7751836490f381f0

At his words, spat out with disdain, the man’s body stiffened. But again, Chae Beomjoon said nothing. He just gently pushed Haeyoon towards the entrance door by touching his back.c3cff9d3021a356e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Haeyoon coldly 07538d44b7 swatted away 8cd3c1b194 the comforting 2851853f35 touch and 517efc15f4 turned his 3a7cee1dc7 body.1488c0725dfed495

“Don’t contact me. I’ll kill you if you do.”63a5f96c816d4582

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Ahn Yewon bea0bd78ba was right. Someone like Chae Beomjoon 21dca500a8 should never be considered 8e8e58dcb0 for a romantic relationship. Not knowing that 4c0ba2441f and thinking he 79be9d5fb5 was a good, 5d86e1fc67 kind person made ee372b24fb Haeyoon feel like a07370dbce a fool.289ce0e3942d441a

An idiot. A moron without a c6e2c7ae57 single thought. A fool who, after 1330aee446 being deceived nine times, f70478ed51 crawls back to get 66f7147d7e hit in the back c6ac02ae7d of the head for 519b2893ae the tenth time.ea2e779f3fe8a09f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Haeyoon blamed his a04f393a63 own naivety for 0224ac4e1a losing his reason 5e9875bcca over a few 8715eb9176 words of praise 81dad3b5b5 about his performance 21fd71b47a and entered the 3e7606747e building. The relatively 473cf99697 warm air 7215349bf1 enveloped his cef0837d17 cold body.a770af89851e134e

Something felt like it e10c55a375 was flowing down his caa874061b cheek again. Haeyoon roughly 0128bb01dd wiped his a3ebe61d87 face with 0e3720fb89 the back 1d1948273f of his 2f36f77d7b hand. Again, there was nothing c1c10572c0 on it.2e5ebac23dfb795a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

At this moment, pathetically, Chae Beomjoon’s words came back to him.4bbdecdfc068d5b5

Not a single tear f1f70229e6 fell.6feacec35ab1f271

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

But it felt like 4f24912f08 he had cried a 49de4d60da lot.2c6dcfb80d1a2232

🔮🌙48ac7779ec793a72

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Instead of heading b5afeceb1e straight to the 6d41cbdcbf waiting room, Haeyoon cd3097c62b went to the 4c2f165a0a bathroom, turned on fcc1bcf82f the hot water, f9fd195bc0 and soaked his 8c20a727ca hands in it 7c5c66b5b8 for a long 1aedc46d36 while. The skin tingled, and f0a355c801 his joints ached sharply. He got even 196a73f40c more irritated, thinking abd143b31b that if he e2066a3938 had stayed there, 8550ee9187 he would have 9366e684b9 messed up the d72d4795d8 rehearsal. The fact that Chae e04aa2dfe1 Beomjoon made the right 7b08456236 choice for him was 79a154e9c6 nauseating.2ba58fb07bfb80f0

Since Haeyoon usually d7d1f9186c skipped meals on cdc5d746b4 performance days, he c6c80e0d68 warmed himself up b82ff87f19 instead of eating a5aed50fee before returning to 74e42f38d3 the waiting room. Park Giwon, who 24abc61c00 was sitting next a5d129f27a to Jung Yeonhee 14cef6da81 drinking coffee after 323a9cd7d7 lunch, jumped up 6329b66f6d when he saw 95f8f9bd22 the flushed-faced Seo 04635be2b5 Haeyoon.8dbbec28129dde4c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Teacher Seo! Are you okay? Your face is red, do you have a fever?”6e954b30306a85fa

“I’m fine. I’m okay now. Thank you, teacher.”c3ba5f4ea6df7c3b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh, no, no. When you play music, you encounter all sorts of things. I took good care of your instrument. It’s a 4/4 size, right? Wow, that was the heaviest I’ve ever carried. My arm nearly came off.”8441440029d8c63d

“Ah, it’s pretty heavy… I’m sorry.”3b8d4583071c1c89

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Thanking and 9334236e66 apologizing to f8d538a160 Park Giwon, ac32cdcbd4 Haeyoon retrieved 4e383aecd3 his double 7c508422eb bass. When he 5ac238c055 said he aabe8f8019 would move 77ba9b5d4c to the 8153ef440a concert hall 19d1d8ddae first, Jung 16a88b14f9 Yeonhee and 8e338f1276 Park Giwon 76076d33ec got up, 18a9b14ef5 suggesting they 040eb4c88c go together.4410cf21a075ef94

Upon reaching 8b0be9b86c the hall 33de458376 where the d9c42de114 curtains were 2076d96e91 open and bcc4235289 taking their eef96ae454 seats, there 7ea8dbfded was little 5df86c393f time left 44db2ed138 before the 577def42d0 final rehearsal. Haeyoon, while standing 4953ed2ba1 on one side 47892cc318 of the stage e81ff43340 with the conductor 63d9a7f928 and scanning the 5e2b47a67e audience, caught sight 5216dc4362 of Kim Cheongkyung bccac1c44d glancing at him, 04c90ac523 which made him 1346ae303e surge with anger c2cd406f77 before he forced 2774f57669 himself to calm 72ea21279b down.d99f59f8e78934e5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

If he messed up d9fbee914f the performance, he would 6cd4aa54c0 have to admit he e324398f5c was an incompetent musician. That was 55b9de2422 absolutely unacceptable. Haeyoon armed his mind 2328693a5b more firmly than usual cd32047426 and participated in the 5a9137392f rehearsal.76ac0e96158ba7e4

The opening of the performance was “Carol of the Bells,” joined by the boys’ choir from Sacheon International Elementary School. When their angelic voices reached his ears during the rehearsal, Haeyoon was able to steel his resolve even more. He couldn’t ruin a performance that would be a good memory for the children.b6baa356034553d1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The long 4797641411 rehearsal, the 010afa03a9 final break, a7b884813d and then 5200d419cb the main 8989d0a2ee performance.aee07a7682179a27

Having steadied 1defb39eda his breath b773f7279d behind the 7db73370f9 red velvet b67f1d071a curtain, Haeyoon 507432e426 finished the 4511d85734 Saturday performance 50a68b0152 well after b6a19d4aeb the curtains 4392d23d88 opened. It was an outcome 65ddc13df0 driven by the determination 22a9a43cc1 that failure was possible dfff796594 but giving up was 24795ddd0a not.5b866b4b0d65820e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Amidst the long applause from the audience, the conductor went in and out several times, and the encore piece chosen was Paganini’s “La Campanella,” with the concertmaster as the soloist.c22005a856d8c944

As he 930fc82183 had felt 01944e2372 during practice, ec37eba7b7 the concertmaster, 2e099d83f0 who had 68667cfe32 been with 430fd983ef the Seoul 590131aa64 Philharmonic, was c14cd5a350 quite skilled. His performance was 6958ee20ce so compelling that 49cc0d2578 Haeyoon managed not ced98da513 to turn his 9ec1eb4086 head towards the 95c4ca6339 audience until the 416d8b0b7e very end.43ef79338cf2a358

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Finally, when the applause bef8cc54ec stopped and the stage f472e9152c lights brightened, signaling the a4620b9449 end, Haeyoon quietly gathered 67391163e6 his instrument and headed ab46830e9f back to the waiting 670a5393d3 room with a solemn 1869cab5dc expression. After greeting Park b59489c99a Giwon and Jung 7341a2c39d Yeonhee, carrying his 4a61dcd649 case, he stepped 715a961932 outside to see 9091c4d363 his father dressed f17f3cfda2 in a splendid 3c0a6e3374 suit.1e7c9e852b6fda9f

“…”ea56135dc6888452

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

A dazzling white 9a9d6a5006 suit with a 2bb725cd11 red handkerchief. A bouquet of green, d7cccdcea1 red, and yellow flowers e8bbabbc80 arranged like a tree.3af524a741668413

For a moment, the 11d70202d7 world seemed to blur. Haeyoon wondered 9480d1b99f if he 3ea141a3a3 had been 75a9bb5e30 dreaming all c6be952ebf morning until 11a61587cd the scent 031d0f9a80 of the bae9c0d46a bouquet his 4839938732 father, Seo 574e2746a1 Jonggil, handed 7912990342 him with e6370d1a4a a bright 44ff7b58f2 smile made f4fb202414 him realize 4694436004 this was 7925f1f675 reality.4e4de87fc5e18546

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Wow, our Teacher Seo! Today’s performance was absolutely, wonderfully excellent! No, in your father’s eyes, only you were visible, right?”d2c138b8c978b42b

“…”19a9c4f9a0978b5e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

When Haeyoon seemed a bit hesitant, Seo Jonggil smiled even brighter and handed him the bouquet, which Haeyoon reluctantly accepted. With a chuckle, he patted Haeyoon’s cheek, looking proud and pleased at how splendidly Haeyoon had performed as an orchestra member.67bee8c94159b69e

Seeing his face made Haeyoon’s heart surge for some reason. When he told Seo Jonggil about performing in a piano quintet with Jin Suryeon, his father was ecstatic, almost as if he could fly. Haeyoon had to sweat to stop him from putting up a banner in the neighborhood.0a7664a0c3ee44e1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

How would Seo Jonggil react if he knew Haeyoon hadn’t earned that spot by his own skill? Would he deny it to the end, saying it couldn’t be true? Or would he comfort him, saying he should do well since he got the chance?f84ea69569f1af41

Thinking about 1c00d8d761 either reaction ce8a8b3d4f made Haeyoon b356049f79 sick to 29f028622e his stomach. He walked 48038af9c3 ahead of d2af43c128 his father, dd80f63c41 suppressing his c066594c78 rising emotions, 50803258e8 then, unable 7362838744 to contain fc97366201 his self-reproach, 580e4de7d4 he confronted ba74dd2281 him.5f6cd528592d6596

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Dad, aren’t you embarrassed?”f13232d42608a327

“Huh? About what? Are you asking if I’m not worried that our proud Seo Haeyoon might go abroad again because you’re so good? Ah, no need to worry about that now. I’ll just retire and follow you around. I’ll be your manager. Don’t worry about such things. My son with Jin Suryeon…”241a0212f4d54fd0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Haeyoon cut him b5c6d4a18a off, not wanting 457298c0af to hear it.1b9fb7de063ccbcf

“Not that. Aren’t you embarrassed that I’m performing in a place far below where Mom was?”313912addc528501

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Seo Jonggil had seen all the special performances of the Gürzenich Orchestra where Haeyoon’s mother was a soloist before he was born. Compared to the Gürzenich, the Seonseon Symphony Orchestra was nothing.ca4d584787df5580

How sincerely could his father, who had witnessed such grand stages, believe in the greatness of Haeyoon, who was performing on such a modest stage? He must think so only because he’s my son, because we’re related…9aa2d36106662518

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Seo Haeyoon.”4f2a4c5a22a5c8c3

While climbing the stairs to avoid musicians going into the elevator, Haeyoon was suddenly stopped by his father’s voice from behind. Turning around, he saw Seo Jonggil with an unusually stern expression.89b959f0be54431c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Why are you saying such things?”00747d5d5a2c5236

It seemed like he was scolding him. But Haeyoon had a lot to say. From the beginning, being in this position was wrong, and now he couldn’t claim to be anything special. That was something he couldn’t do, even to his father. It was not something a son should do.9c3d9eb7995c6a35

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Compared to Mom, I’m nothing. What I do is like child’s play…”94f260fd8c8cba45

“Jihyeon is Jihyeon, and you are you.”0b7add059716799a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But Seo Jonggil was firm. This wasn’t just parental talk. It was the wisdom of someone who had lived much longer in the world than Haeyoon.bec24a0bb48b4f62