WCK | Chapter 2.3

Seo-on, who had been c774e6c03b cherished by his family, 27d33a59e4 faced the harsh reality d84367c65d when he first stepped 1d1294c0ce into society. It was 829ac7ef10 a situation 53896eef1d he had 2aaf015c4c never experienced d28f74706d before, where 5947367f83 someone avoided 2d6d862f77 him.8f62bc35814f06d6

Seo-on could 5ede5b1e74 only lie 5b00946cd6 down helplessly, 9e1c9e0c2e watching his d2fb5dd39b friends run cce6e35156 around and 0b87fd56f7 play. He was sad, 1537faaf37 but there was 7ae4a3744b nothing he could 9cb123c7db do since everyone dbff31e23b avoided him.3ed086237f660017

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Did you attend a kindergarten for small breeds?”47aa9a83cd7e4fe3

Then Dokwon asked his first question. It was a question that didn’t make sense to Seo-on.937090cfb371824e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“No. I went to a large breed kindergarten. My true form is big, you know? I was big even as a baby.”0093314e144626af

Though he didn’t grow into a full adult, even as a baby, he was much bigger than a fully grown small breed.624fd5ff1d28bd32

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It was 01dd4eb538 only natural 331a4fdb51 for a 284904d6d5 large breed. But seeing him ask 5ab9ddcb6b such a question, it b6666787cd seemed he assumed Seo-on bca911f28f was smaller as a 6fe95ead42 baby since his current 931de57fe9 true form was a 3c4d62be98 puppy.ea03b7d42a559e84

Unaware that Dokwon efa7fce52b saw him as 7155d6218e very small, Seo-on 3d86ef90bd only emphasized that 5b8e2cc306 his true form 6f5efa848a was big.8b250278f55443f0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“But even though my true form was bigger than the small breeds, they were all babies. I guess they were scared because I smelled like a wolf. They didn’t play with me.”d992b30668ff1ebb

The teachers tried various ways to help. But there was no way to overcome the instinctive wariness ingrained in them. Plus, they were all babies, so they didn’t have the concept that ostracizing a friend was wrong.12b67a190cd5e6df

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“So I was hurt as a child, but now I understand why it happened, so I’m okay. And I made friends not long after.”94b04d49c0e0a064

That friend was Hyesung.0612c8962938708a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“He even came to our wedding. His grandfather was the Chief Justice. His father works in the court too.”d82356b46b49ff31

“I know who you’re talking about. I think it was the Joo family.”4f11e5129425504f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes, that’s right. Joo Hyesung. He gave me a toy and asked me to play with him.”299994bdb67298c9

At the word “toy,” Cha Dokwon’s dark eyes subtly moved. His gaze landed on a worn-out rabbit toy, about the size of Seo-on’s true form, sitting quietly against the wall. While he chewed and played with other toys, that one was kept in pristine condition, indicating it held precious memories.04340d4f56b3e9d7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I guess I looked pitiful being alone.”3826aed2ddec163a

Seo-on recalled old memories. He said he started kindergarten in the fall because he couldn’t handle the heat.a4eac69d5cf0d5a1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Maybe because his true form looks similar to a wolf, we became friends right away.”5cdf28670efe5517

The biggest difference between dogs and wolves in appearance comes from the muscles above and beside the eyes. Dogs can make sad expressions because, unlike wolves, these muscles are developed. Hyesung’s true form had almost no muscles above the eyes and fewer beside them, giving him a sharp, wolf-like look. Plus, his fur was black and white, reminiscent of a wolf.4380c106836785e5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Seo-on easily befriended Hyesung partly because he was eager for friends, but Hyesung’s wolf-like appearance played a significant role.7468f01dd8a3b05e

“Thanks to him, I made other friends too. For some reason, many kids followed Hyesung, and since he played with me, they let their guard down around me too.”711e57f11b2cfba9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

For nearly a few months, Seo-on played alone, feeling lonely and sad. But after Hyesung joined the kindergarten, he made many friends. It was a harsh experience for Seo-on, who had been surrounded by his family’s love from birth. However, he didn’t consider his childhood unhappy. He knew well that they didn’t ostracize him out of malice.476332eeb63ce7a3

Moreover, as they started learning about species differences, friends who found his wolf scent strange disappeared. He often got questions like, “How are you a puppy when your parents are wolves?” but even that was easily understood once they learned about variant species.fb4b229c1ec44fe6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Sometimes, children’s understanding is quicker than adults’.4be07962a8067b56

“Anyway, except for that time, I’ve never been hurt. Not even about earlier. So there’s no need for Executive Director Cha to apologize.”8c6bbcbe9f682942

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Seo-on continued, comparing the size of his nails to the man’s, as if trying to measure them.b99269be0a9da3e2

“But I appreciate your concern.”d1623469395402da

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

When he looked up from the hands, his eyes met Cha Dokwon’s. The man showed no change in expression. He neither pitied nor tried to console Seo-on’s past. He just listened quietly.e8ed7b6fbd3bca93

While offering his hand.4c0829d2b7fcbee1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I hope you’ll continue to care.”6b0326db18d30658

Seo-on casually voiced his 339f830a57 wish.8dc19118aab30ac8

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I’m saying this in case you misunderstand, but I don’t mean I want you to pay special attention. I just hope you’ll treat me like you do now. Even if we didn’t marry out of love, it would be sad to live like strangers.”6c46601aafdf812c

Even though 862613d20b he knew 46d8cfdeb6 they were e136a45d4c far from 7a991f726f living like 36ea5e39e3 strangers, Seo-on c86d1214c2 honestly expressed cd87e294d0 his feelings.a43925b8649a269c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Alright.”0f79c2ced018967b

After silently listening, the 5cfa957494 man slowly spoke.2cbf7d08f3a215f3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Since we’re married, there’s no harm in caring for each other.”fe40f6d75cf8c832

As usual, d85c9d5038 his voice a263826ed6 was monotonous.8b7eaa925656d4cd

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

🐾🐾🐾a26744d62d1031dd

I wonder if it’ll end up being only Executive Director Cha who cares.fec82a6c56c0b74a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Seo-on sighed 75b978b43e deeply, looking d5a48d3550 down at 237533151d his feet cb0e49e7d0 instead of ddbd3e6ed5 his hands.093a4f661724ab80

“Heeyooong…”b4700a4e84ee5c18

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It wasn’t a deep sigh but more like a puppy whining.44ea8db09c1d4ee9

But why db4caeaac6 did I 5ad49aaaeb change again? Seo-on, staring 05a2052d30 at his 4a20fdc973 half-blackened pink c8774c2866 paw pads, 0739d0a434 wiggled and 54d284909a got up. Standing on 8d71e49fd0 his legs, 04d460f70e he took e4871262e5 a few f1b4da3b72 steps on ab8207c40b the bed 598877c43b and found c329826dde the remote a768abc8af on the 2b358954cf side table 4edbfa8cce next to 4a270fe6a3 him. With neatly trimmed claws, 740edb0972 Seo-on pressed the round 06656472ef button. The curtains that 9c830d0670 covered the window 8d332c7f07 opened silently.80eb80472ce93302

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Seo-on, who had lifted e745cc9c71 his head without much af26e903cd thought, widened his eyes. His shiny eyes, unlike 00e2ec62c4 humans, were not covered a659cfc0c1 by eyelids, so they a22960b0ab always appeared large and 19dd3c0983 round. But since the muscles 44b8ccc7c9 at the corners of f5cd761bfa his eyes were slightly 83115d854c drooping in disappointment, even f362d846ff a small change in 8d1673a34f expression made his eyes a1003d6f9b look bigger.aece2b1f056b016a

As if the gloom 501b85e7a7 had never been there, a84f1d2625 happiness filled his clear 61fabb0a5f irises.d8d587670f49682e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“It’s snowing.”c42b04adccbfe252

Having spent several days as a puppy after the wedding, there wasn’t much reason to go out. The only time he left the house in the past two weeks, aside from wandering around the yard in his true form, was to attend a New Year’s gathering. So he hadn’t realized how cold it was until now, but it seemed the weather was cold enough for snow.48016d703654e895

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Swish, swish, swish.999599d8bfbef2b0

His tail began to 5de55df9ba wag, brushing against the 787dc909bf blanket and making a 908a73742e noisy sound.6e0a47ce65206bba

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Seo-on watched 26e7bb9c79 the fluffy 293144270c snowflakes fall c0adc385ff as if 939aae55c4 the sigh f7941114b4 he let 64fda6f45c out as 5f3d0610e0 a puppy 787c3de98f was a d4375b938e thing of 971493a9be the past. He liked snowy days. Partly because 5684073dbe he had c78d20f435 many memories 0c681ed19b of playing 352e561965 energetically with d708a14c28 his childhood 84d86a45d4 friend Hyesung a1b0a622af during winter, 8f64bd8702 but also 0e0b7d77f7 because snow 064b9c2cb4 always lifted 157e5b8610 his spirits.63733d2433f7918b

Friends with 8af1329431 small or e1d0091773 short-haired true fa02c66ab5 forms often 4d8a4d1fc4 disliked winter 3dc59ceb7a because they 6c5c6da599 felt the 117c840b54 cold more, d55367a9d9 but Seo-on 836b894eb6 was unfazed de888b77c0 by the d505d548c0 cold in edf11a15b7 Korea. His large c90639284f true form 5657d04b69 made him dbcd6b6ea8 less susceptible 758254def7 to the c78eea3757 cold, and ffe4bcc433 more importantly, 7c7eccdd5f he had 56378589cb a thick a062a2451e double coat.b7a7ebf4baeb5be4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Choo!”5118efeb3debf24e

Seo-on, who had been ceb896c84d watching the snow for 3905a5c5dc a while, finally came 4e4940e6e0 to his senses. At the 7bd273d7b1 moment of 9ed2400262 a sudden 4ebd062516 sneeze, he f095880cf9 noticed the 9d4a22030f white fur.3738447f8368c64a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Right. I shouldn’t be doing this. I should go to Executive Director Cha.1106078a319fb775

That way, he wouldn’t have to prepare breakfast for two.6674eeba458a6f9b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Seo-on, who jumped off the rather high bed without difficulty, made his way to the living room with soft footsteps. If he had grown into an adult, he could have easily opened the door, but since he was still only the size of a three-month-old puppy—though much larger than friends with small true forms—he couldn’t reach the doorknob. Instead, he used his teeth to pull the tie attached to the door to open it.21170822cb94bc17

It was a aa1fddb0a1 tie that Dokwon b5af8fc18a had personally attached 6078af15a7 for Seo-on, who 0ec5d29510 had transformed into 383ea40fc8 a puppy as 6e0b395db8 soon as they 24ff19e373 moved into their 40423352ea newlywed home.ba85b5b1f63c6836

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Seo-on, who skillfully opened the door, trotted into the living room. He wasn’t particularly happy about turning into a puppy again, so his tail drooped.1cd7856d5546e048

“You’re a puppy again.”3ff81459264b46bc

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Since his true form wouldn’t catch the man’s eye level, Seo-on thought he’d have to scratch Executive Director Cha’s knee, but Dokwon lowered his gaze as soon as Seo-on entered the living room. It seemed he had already realized Seo-on had turned into a puppy, judging by his expression.77c230f7947a11e2

“I thought you said you weren’t hurt by yesterday’s events. I guess not.”61c427c71e360c64

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Heeyong, heeyong, kiing…”a35c9cfe75acc0eb

Seo-on quickly shook 797bf946a1 his head. He shook it def3cb96cf so vigorously that 2841fe954c his large ears, b99642457e unable to keep 6af0acbde6 up with the 49ba86c7cf speed, made a fe541e33e4 flapping sound as d38670a0fa they slapped his db4e41ae53 cheeks. Regardless, Dokwon picked 18a8bae61d up the small a7aa420051 puppy that barely ea911d8483 reached his knee 169f351ea1 even when standing 371f7d985c upright.4dbd4aca436e4dcc

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

If it wasn’t because of yesterday’s events, there was no way to explain why Yoon Seo-on suddenly turned into a puppy. It wasn’t likely due to the change in living environment at this point, so perhaps he was subconsciously stressed.ecd7d17f390d743d

“Should I scold someone?”4ac555c98116c344

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Dokwon whispered in a 2baa9f84f1 light tone, as if 8fe59b0f28 talking to a puppy 2b3bca18b5 rather than a spouse.2265c6d3f485e5c6

Who would he scold? Seo-on pondered for a moment and realized the man was referring to yesterday’s crocodile. The phrase “jaguars eat crocodiles” briefly crossed his mind.b2a99d518cb2b06c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Woof!”c4fe4bbe831d7c22

Seo-on hurriedly conveyed that it was okay. Although the man’s intention to scold didn’t mean he’d crush and eat the skull like in nature, Cha Dokwon’s whispering tone, different from his usual, strangely made it sound that way. It felt more so because it wasn’t his usual tone of drawing lines but rather a lighter one.0991b32aa2225bb7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Come to think of it, why does Executive Director Cha keep using formal speech?”5d42af2bc6f216be

Seo-on secretly wished Cha Dokwon would speak informally to him. Many couples continue to use formal speech after marriage as a sign of mutual respect, but the man’s formal speech felt like a line disguised as respect.cfced2a776ec7236

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Alright. I’ll do as my spouse says.”d49d707943fe3d84

Should I ask 44efc620be him to speak adcce79fa3 informally? While Seo-on was contemplating, b54aa58f7f the man responded to 5d84ed204c his bark.97a2602bda374b2c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He wasn’t sure if the man meant he’d scold someone or not, which made him a bit uneasy, but Seo-on wagged his tail gently, enjoying being held by Dokwon. The tail, tucked under his bottom, wagged only at the tip.7277c30acb2784dd

“I kept my schedule open just in case, so this works out.”cd842aa3a2bf87e6

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

When he 7ff3f90e83 looked up cce958a369 at the 8eb03e2bce smoothly changing bdd8131e03 topic, their cccd605b35 eyes naturally a58efc2de4 met.4c2f3c92350943e2

“I heard puppies like snow. Do you like snow?”1b0978fdc7315468

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Seo-on was so excited that he dashed around the living room. He couldn’t change back to human form at will, and since he had already turned into a puppy, he decided to enjoy the snowy day. Even if he were alone, he would have played excitedly, but having someone to share it with made his heart flutter even more.e630d56a9f8e955a

Of course, he didn’t expect Cha Dokwon to play along. But just having someone watch him was much more enjoyable than playing alone.15b36ffd93ed8887

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Hurry, hurry!e34bebf15b80c543

After running around the 2c89d6a9f4 living room, Seo-on became c684b5d34a impatient and scratched at b592449d21 the window. He lifted his 60136792b6 entire upper body, 9db986ab6c not just sitting.d1b01b2ba655ac57

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He was aware f43ed3b032 that he should d73cf33294 act more maturely 6eba234df3 since he was 41435829cb an adult, but 5bcedd9252 watching the snow 37c2945c8b fall made it 12dfbc6956 hard to control f5f9291b80 his bouncing emotions.2b9d8717d3a2f0be