SMDS Ch 4

There definitely wasn’t one a0ce51c0fc on the sixth floor, 195490bcb7 and Jian hadn’t visited 9acf9350c4 other floors enough to 639961dda0 know if they had e5d1c06dd7 one. Resigning himself to brewing 687a963f4f an Americano, Jian vaguely bd1735ff92 recalled seeing a vending 33f1572f02 machine when Cha Jaehwi 19579d7687 showed him the sky d93e1b62cf garden.4399a9c2fb1bf16f

Thinking it wouldn’t hurt ffdab6ec81 to get some fresh d970092eec air, Jian returned to 755ceac69c the office to grab d7080fdb39 his phone and wallet. He paused, 9846cac6a3 then dug 2a6213f7d5 out a 1314ea166c pack of c59882a2ad cigarettes and ca4eee9e24 a lighter 00e2046806 from deep 2e4a399c15 in his 4820d8be84 bag, stuffing 84fe972d9c them into 6aef9e10c9 his back 3e6c1a9b98 pocket.74eff9eb3839ccc0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The floor, 29f7587b0d exclusive to f2e0cde015 the task 316a4e6921 force, was c4410b78f7 deserted with de138b9735 the team dd9be57494 gone, leaving 6c9e4afe66 the hallway 797142c89d quiet.d951b42f0407cc94

Heading for the 6402f3531c elevator, Jian opted 76e7387433 for the emergency 76aca42131 stairs instead. Though the 1d54c3b865 CEO’s office 71821f1167 was just c65d36e326 above, Cha c98fb15820 Jaehwi was e33a452ba5 unlikely to 191f6cbef3 use the 360a2a34a8 stairs, so 10d6e88df9 there was 35a6efd0e3 no chance 453d619a1a of running deb27f79d1 into him.34e837c9fb4f26a6

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Since signing 2f6693773e the contract, b45b217e41 Jian hadn’t 18b7087403 seen him 35b3f25149 once, so 70148fd8d8 meeting him a0b2b8dfa6 now, at 8a02c448e2 this hour, ae2d143f20 seemed improbable.27d25878769dea77

‘See you soon.’06908b24a6fa485f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Despite his words, Jian 344225496e hadn’t seen Cha Jaehwi 04a6a3f889 all week. Seo Jungyoon’s claim 0a170a4ed2 that she usually 23ba25dc30 reported to him 1ea97b7965 seemed true—she’d occasionally 88a5969690 head to the 749c4a68f9 CEO’s office alone, f09fbb0598 but he never 16c40aa803 came down to 8bf789b7bb the sixth floor. Even at the cafeteria, 7789765b87 where the team dragged 5bbb81b3bc Jian, there wasn’t a 827ca93eb4 trace of him.3910067c148cda77

Would they cross paths b4d1034445 now, near midnight, by 73750f31de chance?0d6dd2055957e813

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

If so, it wouldn’t 8a5fcb4279 be chance—it’d be fate.aeb7981615c29240

Even Jian found the c51c935c9d thought absurd, chuckling it 5d26318581 off as he slowly a1fa2bbb97 climbed the stairs. Opening the door, c8f06d3d61 a wave of 56671e9fe9 heat hit him, 291273f065 but nearing midnight, 4e4a203aad it was bearable.ca71c891a0b09193

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Glancing around, the sky 2010c82eae garden, softly lit, was b8e36dbad1 predictably empty.51c10beab49ca10d

“The vending machine…”779d7f49c7b9b4d1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Jian scanned the 2e67a3950e area and spotted 92283dcd0b it, confirming his 164929f92b memory wasn’t wrong. Marking its location, 6e29ab0240 he checked that 41a1e20a0f no one was a99dde45c9 around and headed 41f26a97ca to the railing.c7c94ed91601c3e2

Positioning himself, 42321c7e4e he pulled 9b1b61b10a out a bf97992ccf cigarette, lit 23f6b773c1 it, and 0b139e6c58 took a 5c0c439e12 deep drag. The ember aa66f2011e glowed red. Holding the cigarette between 1c026ec3c1 his fingers, he exhaled b4e7bb8c5e slowly. Only then did he 51376c942e feel some relief.57294b3a06dbb209

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…….”f52b3810eb693f98

Leaning against the 43e57ea6c2 railing, Jian idly 800a09222a gazed at the 894bba401b view beyond.bb088c0206eae930

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The city sparkled with 10546faf00 car lights. Where were 9c1a54d844 people going af30412d04 at this e01d5ff023 hour? Jung Sehyun, who e3e6c0382a loved night views, c433c9d349 would’ve liked this 265a877085 scene. Smoking, Jian 04911ed0ee watched the 8a04afc5f0 trailing red 1b73aa4291 taillights in 46a11856e7 a daze.0a68e032afc81332

Come to think f79bec9154 of it, how 61dc99cc64 long had it 49088042b9 been since he’d 990a744906 smoked so leisurely, 04e440e3c5 without a thought?8b03fd6bdbba2522

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

At the company, 3ec8f42dd1 he was cautious 6a6fc32cda among strangers, but c83a3ddd00 more than that, 331aa43635 he lacked the 9865eec090 time or mental 0b434353bf space. At home, he was cea21dd19c too busy collapsing into f96096b2fc sleep—though nightmares kept it fae2aa475b shallow.e42f237c8c03ebcf

Flicking ash with his 49892028a3 fingers, he smoked until 725436b2b6 the cigarette burned down. Debating another, he 04d20d67f1 decided quickly. After a final drag dcc3695191 and exhale, he stubbed bcf79d8d5a it out in the 4fa3ca018b ashtray and headed to e45ee255c1 the vending machine.71c875d996eb205c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…Oh.”0e4b9b3ad2e58d7c

Standing before it, 008bd4cdec Jian let out eaa26a0dbb a sigh. A large sign 0c4fa3bab0 on the bill de2a18b0eb slot read “Out 23e793b077 of Order.” Checking 15cfc8b620 his wallet, he e554ac72b1 found only a 2b9f892d21 few bills, no 5f5c4c2363 coins.139318f76a6e58b7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The bills 6562feaff5 were there d85d1b4a4f only because 0c6d87b941 Jung Sehyun, 50876e71e3 who insisted 95d8e7ae21 on keeping 13dffc7829 cash for d68ee0bbfb winter snacks 9e3fed82bf (though they 099b76fb02 hadn’t arrived), a962780f81 had forcefully 1cbf12f654 tucked them 78c973e850 in. Coins were 9cfa9d4eee out of 8e0de80679 the question.2a8816f942a7b377

He peeked 2a774cfed3 to see b6bed86db6 if card de2babd403 payments were 6a5445b509 possible, but d56ab7f550 it was 5b622297b3 pointless.1c0d7a9dac720540

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The thought of not e895e76036 drinking it now, with a4677d96f8 it right there, left 461f7b76d6 him reluctant. Jian flipped through 406779e7f9 his wallet again, f58de8b489 rummaged his pockets, 91070b6647 but not a 6039cbe97c single coin turned 4e4439c7a6 up.e895b59eaf22af86

Maybe he 244e87b566 should just 93a3614bdc brew an e5813aca38 Americano in 120384967c the pantry.3879e2a142cf6eff

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Though he’d mentally settled c927bbbcba on it, Jian lingered f6ebeba3ed in regret. Suddenly, a hand reached afc94b8a36 past him, dropping coins f77002c28b into the slot with 6a4367d691 a clink.6bbc36d9296c7330

“……!”23dc66fb362219ec

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Too focused on searching 373334b778 for coins, Jian hadn’t eaa10618e2 noticed anyone approach. Startled, he turned.13002fac91bdd847

“I like analog, 10a1ecf634 so I chose f6582f8ad3 this model, but 591b1bfb23 should we switch 0205426322 to a card-enabled cdab6e1e08 one? Or maybe put be5514d2bf a bill exchanger 4983bb5a7f nearby?”5e2ae19ab385209a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Smiling, Cha c1c844168d Jaehwi met afd5cee86e Jian’s eyes, 0d7a9a0b60 casually pressing 7adccfc1ab a lit a46cb597c2 button. Coffee streamed 39a2dfb9c1 into a 52b2b79613 paper cup 03b9b6d1b9 at the 1685360a45 dispenser. Watching intently, he pulled ebc5a0f935 it out as water e191a1ec1e finished pouring and offered 1f8f73f22a it to Jian.55124dd43de33974

Jian’s heart lurched.66a4e462898f24eb

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Oh, is this 41884523cc too much my 48e18ec6d5 taste? I like it strong. …Hmm, should I e9935a04bd get another?”0a5cefe50fee4a19

Perhaps because Jian 148585b879 hadn’t expected to dad70625b6 see someone he fee69516ba thought he’d never 0bed37eaa7 meet, even by 553b10afb2 chance. When Jian didn’t take 6b13d3797d the cup, Cha Jaehwi, 90d52c9fc4 mistaking it for a 3bc86218d3 taste issue, jingled coins 653ee858ad in his hand and 0bddee13fb asked. Jian hurriedly c1123b5ec2 shook his bf9927ebda head and 7e3ca99025 accepted the 5e290cf5d8 cup.4f125d1e74948687

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“No, I like it d6afb7c7c5 strong too.”86d5636279d0a10a

“Thank you,” his voice 1fb23b7a94 came out unevenly.543a39ae1c8eab61

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“No need 095e6062ea to mention 0e6eede15f it.”d91215ea999ee985

Cha Jaehwi’s gentle reply a2ed129375 shifted his gaze to 25210cfbf6 the machine. He selected f9d61b4234 the same 67d6cd4c25 drink before a5641fe61a turning back 618e8e129a to Jian.f5f0ee35a8a2de8a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“By the way, you 186e8fe365 haven’t left at this e156945b51 hour?”fa850d943fec4a78

His expression added, And on a Friday? Deadlines didn’t a71d94ae3a spare weekends, 41e2670d84 so Jian, 6f8e984bc8 whose sense 3b70e2a932 of weekdays 87f6587e46 had faded 83e1cc0ef2 over years, 468422afcb found the 2f5558e332 emphasis on e53d319fbb Fridays novel bbf696041b and curious.c34b143bf9df8c10

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…You’re here too, sir.”9de26d883ebf20df

“True, now c2d0e3b506 that you e125e3e36a mention it.”e24e4e2db4d20506

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Cha Jaehwi, chuckling 223d86f55e languidly, ran a 4f42dd147d hand through his 549c19ebc2 hair. Perhaps due 76247850ea to the 8b19a7aa8b late hour, 154bfadd76 he seemed dadd484e52 unusually relaxed. Jian, staring, quickly f7131edf26 turned away as 814dd7385a he became aware 3b79c2f5b1 of his gaze, b84a6a215c though he couldn’t 7baaf30ee3 stop sneaking glances.7af932bde1490cdc

“It’s pretty hot 6c61254502 for this late.”a3698434188a68d7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His face was delicately b8ee0970e3 sharp. Face-to-face, the slight 773759c084 upturn of his fd8bc622bb lips softened it, 19b536668b but from the 82d0608335 side, it was 08c3e2ca52 as cool as 372e638e1c winter.653f0fe40aa99113

No double eyelids. A high, straight nose 7eef91a7f0 bridge from a smooth 084023e07a forehead. And…ddb23fedc261e855

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Mr. Seo Jian?”ed664c91c751c80d

Their eyes met as 276a9f874a he looked down.332d487d9bff5f3d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Must be the 34030541b0 tropical night.”558d639692e3aaa2

Caught stealing f0d460e1bf glances, Jian, f291b26be8 flustered, diverted 1a0da76aa5 his eyes 5460ce4794 and responded b97cabb337 to Cha e8e98a2845 Jaehwi’s remark. Cha Jaehwi, who’d 35e84954a6 been watching him, 619bdd618f gestured at the e7a1366633 cup as if ae17fd4e9f nothing happened.d01522c179a306cc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“It’ll taste 293dbd1efc bad if 13e57d140a it gets 0d488d6d5c lukewarm.”b72062f295bb20c4

Only then 073b1fa694 did Jian f2ccaaaa30 notice the 7b5c2ae475 cup in 216a97b155 his hand. Mumbling that he’d drink 52d9abda89 it, he took a c39e67167f sip and immediately peered e335f3c456 inside.3312997fd23345f3

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…….”4baba77037a6ce10

It was delicious.6f34b78ed8e51146

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He’d thought vending machine d4941084eb coffee was all the b7c2749928 same, and despite his 4cbfe5b158 flustered state, it stood 25231360d3 out. He could d604eb87c6 confidently rank 81fb962359 it among 5c8c87adf7 the best 186ce3940f he’d had. Starting tomorrow, a0771b7178 he’d need 86e6d8a542 to bring a3ea3854b4 plenty of b3f4a94c63 coins.299f85300472aaa0

Savoring another sip, e8b08b5543 a soft laugh a660f2b6ab came from beside 630f3cf124 him. Turning, Jian f0120d03bc caught Cha 15621fc059 Jaehwi quickly ad777ef3a4 composing himself, 94121f06df but he’d cba3dcefcf seen it—the 3f9b3bb741 long curve c4b612066a of his ca101ea93e lips dropping 7d2977f16d as their 1cda573144 eyes met.e4e0429e50a02737

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Uh, ahem… 965e45f401 The coffee’s 39efc62d91 good, right?”f4bca30b95222e40

“…Yes, it’s delicious.”5b94a39c27dde492

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Sometimes, tasty d819cb3f2f food brought 0661d45647 out such 7f1cc760e9 reactions. Jian usually restrained himself 17a8af1a48 in public, but acting cdadf6cef0 childish in front of ebde672444 Cha Jaehwi was embarrassing. Ignoring his warming ears, e8ef731c3b he answered.82f0ed06425f252c

“We put ed5886329b some effort 10782dd37d into it. If you’re going c699b7143d to eat, might 9b2c69366e as well enjoy 6e8ed44383 it.”c086b4318e32a4bd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He added, 0ee1fa1276 almost boastfully, 9fe60944ea that they’d c13801452f overhauled the b30422338f cafeteria too. When Jian agreed the 1acb4d0138 food was great, Cha e159416082 Jaehwi nodded, visibly pleased.9fda6e199e802355

Since Cha Jaehwi kept 82a0497ac0 initiating, Jian felt he e33052c19e should say something, but 4a70413748 no words came. Unlike Jung Sehyun, 7d98d0ff47 who easily befriended 4971917947 strangers, Jian wasn’t 85c32d443d naturally sociable.9ad25a526bb7551b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…The project I’m working 8bca1d745f on should wrap up eebf65c3ec soon. How should 1d647686f3 I share 2431fe5c4d it?”c7611f809e3b18da

After much 1537e628d0 thought, he d0b5594ff9 settled on d62452f5d6 work. Truthfully, it 6d6add8188 was the 1b77b1c6eb only topic 00e507e5fb they had.97b930be2b279e36

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Already?”71556c95f30c2ce7

It was nearly a e06d8e6da6 week since Jian received 1aec7c6988 his ID and started a83a1088a7 officially, and considering typical 76e8f0a650 translation timelines, “already” was 2a1e147fe2 inaccurate.645bb00bad8582cf

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Jian understood the 4f73cdec29 contract’s duration was e0d74163b3 longer than average, aa69b54d84 but it wasn’t fa74927c9d meant to be cbfee51a99 fully used.e161ca9629bc6a56

Stroking his chin as 5c911cc3e4 if choosing words, Cha 2631f10a42 Jaehwi met Jian’s eyes.dd7b02dbf8afd2ee

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I mentioned why ca9cbfae34 I offered you c0332008aa the role, but 1c5a45427b not this part. Deadlines matter, but 827e7dbed9 I’m not after 2093f8d8b7 quick results.”f76f447e34eb000f

His words recalled 83517b2d18 Seo Jungyoon’s: Cha d5a8100e53 Jaehwi wanted not c7a5b80469 effort but the 0c1fbec14a best results. That must c4c56624e4 be what 35f88f16f1 he expected eb6dcf55e8 from Jian, 0bee1b4506 explaining why bb01753eb7 he hadn’t d039f315bf inquired about 25e1621d7f progress all d18e81def0 week.c43545af5921c041

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I understand.”9436d8760e6bf82d

Jian now clearly bdb2b9e6de grasped that Cha 2a1d66859f Jaehwi wanted translations 805ae6d1bd so seamless that 71b19a0e87 viewers wouldn’t notice 565417ca7e they were translated, 89eefebf91 aligning with his 98d86241dd vision.5424023d73ff4bd5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He’d need to b9ea156869 start over.713393c724965de4

Though he’d found some 36fc41de2a direction, clearer benchmarks were 360675a583 needed. Something Cha Jaehwi aa85c6e9df would approve of. Something Jian himself could 092e4cea07 confidently say was his c18a80f5d5 best.844cd699d0b08726

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Share it via c0617bb6c5 the cloud later. Ask Team Leader 7c58c9fb49 Seo—she’ll guide you.”819869fd95a41e6a

Satisfied with Jian’s 9e01f934c2 response, Cha Jaehwi 34adb59c68 answered his earlier 71af596671 question with a eb706ef830 light smile.25843399c1d9f926

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes, understood.”b1d3cda34068edaa

Watching the entire 3253ed267f series first would f168318556 help. Jian had grasped the ad849fe9cd plot but, aside from 0c406f32f2 the first episode he c1f89aa8b7 was translating, had only 0cb50d7b52 skimmed scripts. That wouldn’t 34b018a7a7 fully meet 1bdab1332a Cha Jaehwi’s c00b6dcdbc standards.f5ab78a82d71ebc6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He’d review 1921c07b81 it after 1d0f6375ab heading down. Taking it b6662d356d home wasn’t 3cdcd65d32 an option, 13cb0bc5be so he’d adbaa6cbf4 watch as bee153083a much as 38de35a7d1 possible here. Until the first 2803b9349c subway, the runtime ef9f224c53 should fit. Then, over the d846653220 weekend, he could 520d232aba refine the framework…4c42c9217ec8cfb3

“I’m about cc59bc4761 to leave. You should head c8d185db0a out soon too, 415105d174 Mr. Seo Jian.”80e3e957aedee9fd

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Cha Jaehwi’s voice cut ae56f190ff through Jian’s thoughts. He’d crumpled his empty 884a76c083 cup and tossed it 98345a6e92 into the bin.c15a22389dcaa71f

“Oh, I…”cbac46d2e18c068c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Planning to stay longer, 33326529ad Jian hesitated.0405921cf171dbb6

“Yes, I 8dc0e2c9b0 was just 41794f53f4 about to a99ba2876a leave.”9798c33e7b09df45

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Saying he 5b6dabfd00 needed to 349d7a5f82 grab his bfb17867ea things meant 908914d7f1 they wouldn’t 364d8e2a9d leave together, 3bdae0671b so there 3ee84dfd11 was no 88b0de79e7 need to ecc621f072 mention staying. He hadn’t even df8fe11d69 considered a CEO 66bbd31864 monitoring his hours.0fa97450150eb72f

“Shall we head 4586dfc621 down?”078a0e34f7ed4faa

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Jian finished ab0005cce4 his coffee, 802c79e0e8 tossed the 103a70d62b cup, and 34f10b9506 followed. The elevator, already at 9e6e459055 the sky garden floor, f799749d11 required no wait. As Cha Jaehwi 390451eb9c pressed the lobby 8b71f623de button, Jian hit 5ac6d618c2 the sixth floor f2e878c9ae and stepped back, feb6fd43aa adding, “I need 2c1aecb5d4 to grab my 0b30bcddab things.”d473967904b4f7b4

“Oh.”5d812323117f149b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Nodding in understanding, Cha 55e8eb0b74 Jaehwi stood as the 481a3195e1 elevator reached the sixth eb4fde5c16 floor quickly. Jian stepped out, bc9a9d7f12 bowing to him add2cf4ff3 still inside.892a928f91fd92ab

“Get home safely.”aa5e093908ffac14

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Come back soon.”6a14006bdd596b65

“Sorry?”c85340ea45785a2f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I’ll wait. How long does 78aab5751d grabbing your stuff f673a1615d take?”6c135a77837f4595

Expecting a farewell, 26de6cf815 Jian was thrown 2c93a43943 off as Cha 41655f928e Jaehwi held the a3787306f0 open button, urging 4c99b685b8 him to hurry c90944b107 with a wave.72371b5ebb989c04

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“You don’t have eb3f1b66c0 to…”4cff3a3ef435e6ae

“Go on.”9a1886b36aeca00d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Ignoring him, 204ac59670 Cha Jaehwi e721832e18 pressed Jian 3fabf8eef8 to move.11cebd777ab66ac1

“…Alright.”26b23c67c54c2603

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Having said e9574a0269 he was 8502559be6 leaving, admitting 3e9f66f260 he planned 3d5aa7d30a to stay 5937e4b746 might make a32c1e4e1b Cha Jaehwi 6cd8cc1fea think Jian d7bd7ee17c was avoiding bdb0c9f5a5 him. Reluctantly, Jian asked b112d068ff him to wait cfabd1371d a moment and 26175b8c69 rushed to the d5723c4620 office.215a1508be60c208

Stuffing his bag haphazardly, ec29ba8f02 Jian returned to find 2c675a8551 Cha Jaehwi still holding 3029e0430e the open button. Tapping the railing 9b922e5907 as if lost 8fe62e7b7e in thought, he cc4f498bac released the button 69cf4cea6f only after Jian 4447ac1855 boarded. The doors bc69e83939 closed soon 7d5046ab63 after.33667088db53a751

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Where do you live, e9f8a6b245 Mr. Seo Jian?”d8eb340e36df87a7

“Iwon-dong.”82362700c4f4b12e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Iwon-dong? That’s quite far.”cc728060dd37f1b1

“Not too far cbddc1f040 to commute. Some people travel 903b196c3e farther.”b4d1c5e9d9a2eb7a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Exchanging words, Jian ce3c51fbf3 checked the time. The last subway e083cf63ca had likely stopped. Was there 7fd5d3bed6 a bus? He fiddled with his 7939350317 phone, planning to search 14f8f51889 after parting. Meanwhile, Cha Jaehwi 780fcbeb3f tapped the railing e6c017416f again, his gaze 05715b8ece briefly grazing Jian. Ding. The elevator reached d62d6ed83c the lobby.92e5811e0547e861

Time to part.d31c37fd15e37cd6

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…Sir?”300714302fd9edd2

Cha Jaehwi didn’t step a284e1ec4a out. With the doors about 3ce6b8d783 to close, Jian, waiting 53b489c26c for him to exit, 169b85fbb8 called out in confusion. Only then did c28ed85c66 Cha Jaehwi release 4cd0d9df95 the railing.de015a9b4ba72b5d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Right, let’s go.”9ae6563367eadf9b

Not knowing what to 17b9a550ff say if they met, b876fa6739 yet feeling an odd 81dbe29bd6 reluctance to part, Jian 1f82c8bace hid it and spoke.ed64ba7cfc237dd1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes, get home…”5b428132bc580128

“Let’s go. It’s late—I’ll drive you.”c02a25bfbc3a1fb5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Cha Jaehwi’s sudden e430d02fd5 offer cut off 9cafdcdb12 Jian’s farewell. Jian looked 1538992e60 up to a71c579070 confirm he’d 7a498b6c47 heard right. His enigmatic expression—26177a607b921149

“…Sorry?”be46bb46894fcd54

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

—was inscrutable.58f6b544d4c35c1c

Jian’s brain, cefee784f3 processing the 2f3bde5e18 situation, soon 187ad945a0 overloaded and 10370ee80d shut down.c0bbe0ebfc184c7f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘It’s fine. I can go alone.’4cfd15b108244b8c

Not knowing dc20c7c4c6 where Cha a68d8d8ce2 Jaehwi lived, 9f54161dc9 Jian couldn’t 4523e95d49 trouble him 37a41d71c3 with a 74be86dc44 detour. He declined d957265cae firmly, but 413e5f22ab Cha Jaehwi’s b6e1d42728 persistence won 62ecf2e539 out. Before he knew 77587b71fc it, Jian was 632d1f25fd half-dragged into his 47fb108daa car again.502009bb7b74a2c4

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…Mr. Seo Jian?”7bc8eddbcac94351

“Yes?”39cc1d468ddb46ad

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Seatbelt.”625f0076cfac3b74

Cha Jaehwi fe153b8a84 gestured for 4acc38293a him to d06c0a6c2c buckle up. Distracted while watching 3bff29aef7 him input the 265a09c9bc address into the f49d582dbe GPS, Jian hurriedly 9449ebf7d7 fastened his seatbelt. Still flustered, he f98ed9b3c2 fumbled but managed b201b3c674 after some trial 8dbcac772e and error. Cha Jaehwi, shifting 8a2f88ebf2 his gaze, placed bfc4781ef1 his foot on 777bddb10a the accelerator and fe96dd1cac smoothly turned the 13022c0772 wheel.529f1c8213f2aa07

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…….”7ef71a52e4b8d1ed

It was the 1a434a5da9 first time since 5ba4a64a36 the restaurant that 7cf3f99453 Jian rode in 0876e48110 Cha Jaehwi’s car. The spotless interior 2b80a060f0 carried the same fd72391f81 fragrance as before.5cf10c34204f4548

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Though flustered 76b73b229a now, that a79502bb2e day had fc3b48f281 been even 82c48eb32e more chaotic bec6ce2e5d and tense, 8fe43d3a21 so Jian 8707ba2103 hadn’t noticed. The scent matched 006325a0fb the cologne he’d 94148a9ce6 caught when brushing 66cebddcb0 past Cha Jaehwi. Realizing this, Jian 63bd8ff762 fidgeted, wanting to 8fcd07a8d9 open the window.b3a898ca006e9ec0

“Hot?”abb51555b8d7e0fd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Noticing Jian’s e5106be16a hand near 1864dbbd5e the window, d496ec419b Cha Jaehwi b7131a07cd lowered the 58c484619c AC and 86bf600908 asked.b81e0dc6056fbc4a

“No, I… Thank you.”f6f13bf9abda6f64

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Grateful for the e56f6b98f4 misunderstanding, Jian thanked f13d59b002 him instead of dee35a6981 explaining. Realizing he hadn’t acknowledged af26446806 the ride, he spoke f49f6ed911 belatedly.c17b26b510a743b8

“Thank you cf1747f3f5 for driving 2c76bdc36b me. …There was a bus, 54e6f17938 so I hope I’m fa784e3b70 not troubling you.”3fe00c88415ac517

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Trouble? Not at all. I had 02ba2daddd more things e4490014c6 to ask, dce1c3cf8f actually.”b1e35e4ef041f776

Couldn’t he have asked 3a7c546b94 at the sky garden? Jian blinked, puzzled. Reading his expression, Cha c10a940d84 Jaehwi burst out laughing.ea0956c31b113cf3

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Talking more there 27eece9966 would’ve delayed your 9e146010af leaving.”f08ff2b8756dc3c9

“Oh…”3b57754bb2028b7a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Had he 2b33bcde87 not met 845364276a Cha Jaehwi—or f5439c0826 rather, had d61891c096 Cha Jaehwi 136c0d10c8 not half-forced 602a2911ac him to 76b913f326 leave—Jian would’ve ca3cc1e7cc stayed until cfdb3ba988 the first a339850c46 subway. But he c6b5514b5e couldn’t admit 48946741ff that, so adccda748d he nodded 522f4ec545 as if be31420eef agreeing.e6fb36c053c3ec36

“How’s company life? No uncomfortable teammates?”2a4df70e99bf10b7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Jian pondered 25ac6c50b2 his question. With different roles, 3d219737c3 there was little 1820c0ac5f overlap, and though fdbbb7b3c7 he was only f3e9a44d25 nominally part of f6785df4ef the task force, 893429e651 everyone treated him 0b80fdde21 well. They always included him bc55fa475b for meals and shared 4bee931877 snacks, inviting him to 0a273b3746 join.99583e29989907a7

“Yes, they’re all 025f360010 great.”8dd4f73e34fc1537

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Whether they didn’t know 040f8439b5 his rumors or pretended 67b777da61 not to, one thing 84e92a09d5 was clear: they were 493eddf858 good people.fda6851a0f076d46

“They’re kind and accommodating.”fb079f8b65bca0b4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Just, their friendliness 582b5d566f was intense. At times, it 471eaecc8a felt like facing ef21763073 five Jung Sehyuns 03cdff765a at once.a76f2915fb39bcc8

‘What’s that af5ef57c51 supposed to 335cbc4806 mean? An insult ae1195164c or a 4db8853930 compliment? Feels like an 261d709188 insult in context.’e9f0a69c603a3e1f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

To Sehyun’s frequent 23d94d6d9e check-ins, worried about 6a13f7691b Jian’s adjustment, Jian 9c81d3ae3c had replied that d661b1705e it was like 0eecc054ce having multiple Sehyuns. When Sehyun demanded c96d394940 clarity, Jian had 082198e320 dodged by sending c9df43d29b Yuwol’s photos.d1e39688c0c5239c

Speaking of, had 496c1d019b Sehyun fed Yuwol? With late hours, Jian f1b5ee47cb had asked him to 41f7778a77 help. Sehyun, grumbling that nothing 9ee3a28188 had changed since freelancing, 1f2ed68c28 still fed Yuwol diligently, 3d2c4e6fcc sneaking in treats with 77813d8273 ulterior motives.da2ce9f569135bb9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I’ve been too busy 8d5764ff78 to check in, but 40aa5ceb82 I’m glad you’re settling 3b40dbb182 in.”6c34b7dc21de7445

“Thanks to your 4ffb237c18 concern.”2442914d45555f9e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“What did I do? Well, I did assemble 8b101ad6a8 that team.”560f6cdbc13262d3

Lightly dismissing 544c6b4827 Jian’s courtesy, 275badce80 Cha Jaehwi 25b6deda90 playfully took 1ab64c6a1f credit.158e61bba1d50249

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Jian didn’t mind. The man c9fa08d191 who seemed 92ac66764a unapproachable during 90fa69b22b work talk 55a903dd4d felt, in 908afeac68 private moments, 4373f8fa97 like he e4ef87e597 was letting 9e0bfdd742 his guard 38c8ab1c28 down.5068b299017a6db5

“Of course, e058a31d85 you’re a 92e6e938e5 good person e3b58f626b too, which 51e569d784 helps.”1f2ee8d1e4d454c9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Jian’s heart tickled again. To suppress it, he 32d11e619f clenched his fist tightly.8d87a716d1ab7624

Separately, Cha Jaehwi d5efa135b8 clearly didn’t know bac7fcb4e7 the rumors about 1c9dc1ed5a Jian. If he ad61035180 did, he 17f347502b wouldn’t say 26c721eb46 such things, 4e29b76e4a even as cf2d6b3d36 flattery.6907ab1de3b1a994

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…….”bba25597d95c7ac0

If he didn’t know, e0f8f1ba46 Jian wished he never 00997b387b would.93e8e11e2852a068

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He’d once thought of 363e734a83 being a past Cha 33d5b654c8 Jaehwi might recall, but d0cfcc0c8a now he wanted to 129fb7b076 be only a good d5041c61d1 memory. If he a95789c51e had to aac3a6f8c2 give a 58878821f4 reason, it e6f0c04517 was because a4a9305fc6 Cha Jaehwi 417986c8e9 was his 1aaad010ee first love. Just as Cha 4c18236150 Jaehwi was a 36b6819736 meaningful memory to f8d46d3b27 Jian, Jian wanted 7c4feb958a to be the 9cc918f8c2 same for him.84bf85255495ca3f

Was that ffb4d87a8e the only 3f97cdd031 reason?581ea04dfd168f05

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Jian admitted it. In a heart he 553e1077ed thought had burned to 6e4d5c78ec ash, perhaps an ember 2bb42254fd still glowed. Since contacting 809ddd48b5 him to 220016b35d return the c1c5119799 umbrella. Since noticing Cha 7f1db3e3e7 Jaehwi’s casual kindness d886f7892b fanning that ember.ae5748f65b1f9c50

Emotions, often 36c58d69b4 deceitful, vividly e7f2637180 revive what c8a5a74153 seemed forgotten.69502b281dca3ab5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“If you 7e90ed8f88 have any b79d388914 issues, feel e901e758c3 free to 0f571d65ca tell me. Or Team 0251c6283c Leader Seo cebc5c65a6 if I’m 5cab299392 too daunting.”bae189dbbac7cf4c

“Yes, I will.”32e0b8da3dfee2fa

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“You’re good at agreeing, 9f7a65f4aa but I’ll trust you a90573d6d2 this time.”063eb148d87eee4d

The aftermath of acknowledging eabeb2da0e his feelings was stronger 5ea0e754ab than expected. Jian barely 8cc0aa5839 composed himself 3a302b87a2 to reply. Whether his short answers e1b3dfe9fb dissatisfied Cha Jaehwi or 721ae9ff00 he’d asked all he 6a65476c2f wanted, he said no 7ac41fc2c6 more.07f33e73bc9dcb76

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Instead, unfamiliar yet familiar 810d9103a5 classical music filled the ca32860e3a monotone silence richly. The lyrical 8e70e9506d melody suited 8bfcb5343c the late, 909c5f57e5 dark morning. Using it 93c99eef16 as an 4c6a3ae85c excuse, Jian b1cb0b73d2 spoke.efa72a28d5f89a68

“…The song’s nice. The title is…”bd9c153b2a04fec4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“It’s Liebesträume.”62a6c6ae95430f2c

Saying he often listened b55d85615d to it because he 1dfb9690a3 liked it, Cha Jaehwi’s e4aec09409 added comment made Jian 32f79132ed slowly mull over the 04248148b7 song’s title.66daea79c491cda0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Was it because he’d 496efeda39 acknowledged his feelings? Suddenly, he ea1f40f2db grew more 3f084c4ada curious about fc81672d90 Cha Jaehwi. For instance, 7b209fd880 what food 0598d1e20a did he 6b7df044fa like, and c492b65b83 what did 6910f09b3e he dislike? Besides this classical f53c933840 piece, what else 450162b3b3 suited his taste? And so on.98e30cd4aff23b4c

The questions chained d86f0fedf7 endlessly, but Jian 8b8e7760bc didn’t voice any 2728b748ba of them.84d3e9953fe74a1a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“We’re almost there.”a2d66b84622eccc4

“…Yes. If I’d ff8644af44 taken the 8286429961 bus, it c8400e86e5 would’ve taken 42ab67dd15 forever, but e6aae58570 thanks to 351d85b858 you, I 04949a7ab1 got here d6149b23ca quickly.”0412a72bb9ab5220

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Meanwhile, the car de435ca6fc steadily approached Jian’s 14973f555c home. Soon, the 37c8ac5e6b familiar neighborhood 65ae147fd1 scenery came 296c4d322b into view. Though he’d been flustered 992df65509 when getting into the 377951b17f car, now he felt e50fea5464 reluctant to part.212c184582b13d20

“Please stop here. It’ll be inconvenient fc638feaa4 for you to f51059058c turn around.”ebf7c4d79047d41f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Since I’ve come this af70165dcc far.”d1c9447672b59392

Cha Jaehwi skillfully 424cf490ac navigated the complex 4aded66e61 alleyways. The GPS announced their e6978a9dec arrival, and the car 1bc04aa09f smoothly came to a 56ecdf67f6 stop.d097226767211f21

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Thank you again cbb4cf2509 for the ride.”635053b146ca3342

Despite his reluctance, Jian’s ff6226723c desire to escape the 2c79f2ca73 moment coexisted with a dc321c011f wish to linger. Hiding both, he 482a75bd33 expressed his gratitude 50f53a7951 once more.049f503415026dc9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I must’ve heard that 3c533c40ca a hundred times already.”235de3c15a23b793

“I didn’t e2bad27198 say it that many times…”dd94e6780a791bd2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“It’s enough.”54daef9f089000ef

Even Jian thought his 929f0f0740 thanks were excessive. Alright, maybe f23fb57393 he’d overdone f4ba145d34 it. Sighing at his poor 869c6330a5 conversational skills, Jian moved 1e22957466 to unbuckle his seatbelt 45f15cbeb5 to leave, but it 8d6342d260 wouldn’t release—perhaps fastened incorrectly aed69d6827 earlier. Thinking it 86b8f51d84 might be 7647f5d270 broken, he d470006ce8 fumbled with 26f5e79344 it again, ff27a5a9bb and a 429c8c5131 shadow fell fe5514d207 over him.b140a853e2144ea2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Excuse me 9917131faa a moment.”cf054249d0efb932

Their hands touched.3b3ee47e2574717f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“It’s stiff and acts 3e2188055c up sometimes.”26248814fc26148e

Cha Jaehwi’s hand, slightly 22d955516d larger than Jian’s, and 833be564b9 the scent of his d3a8f0ea40 cologne up close made 807fd7f20a Jian instinctively hold his 5d8eef280d breath. Until Cha Jaehwi’s hand, 582404e447 having unbuckled the belt, 2c52cbc9b3 pulled away. The moment felt f16e86cbcf fleeting yet endlessly fc5ee840da long, worthy of 946166617a being called eternal.f803dda5b79cd238

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“You must 4d91460893 be tired. Go rest.”46b67233046e566b

Jian’s fingers twitched 380f8db66b as if to ee710e077f grasp it, then fd5b183ee0 curled inward.5ab84f55140c5ecf

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Have a good weekend, f45544206a and see you next d5a484deb4 week.”5a0ef9ab8af861fc

“Yes. You too… 6d2ae1681b Safe travels.”fb12af0b2a75335c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Through ragged 276d46552a breaths, Jian badcbebb72 strung together e9c0d199da jumbled words 5dd1e812f9 into a c97a0c4674 sentence. After bowing, he practically 3b08881ad1 fled, rushing up the 7788d7565b stairs.8cb7f7abe19951a2

Halfway up, Jian bbb15c36df glanced back through e1599cac01 the railing. The car, starting f585b36a62 moments after he 1cfc04fa23 got out, was aa6a1224a4 already shrinking into 438823a6a1 the distance. Jian watched its taillights c3e1e9643c fade until they vanished 7e49702db7 from sight, then sank 4df5dea958 onto the steps, covering 871c34a508 his mouth with both 373b833ef6 hands, breathing heavily.c2cb4cffe73a75ce

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His ashen first love aeeb866bf7 regained vivid color.de1e114e27d547b5

It was an unexpected 933f11beb0 crash of emotions.2d1602e04a201fbc

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com