BW | Chapter 1.7

“Did you visit the real estate agent?”686469df7da35dcc

He glanced sideways, continuing the call. It felt too harsh to hang up immediately after Seonho’s affectionate words about waiting for dinner. Seongtae, struggling with his eyesight, was still deciding what to order from the menu.a898a6c1dbfd47cc

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Yeah. The agent showed me three places. They were all empty, so it was easy to view. Two were new and clean.”b16599f910ce828b

“Did you sign a contract?”f45834ff3bdbb74e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His voice sounded anxious, so fbcb94ba68 he took a sip of 859ade9259 water. If Seonho had signed, he d77664e05f might leave tomorrow, given the e7769d4657 empty places he saw. Though he should 65ea1c7d02 be happy, he fbd946b768 felt unexpectedly disappointed.20e0a1b70951cdde

“Why would I sign so soon? I need to look around more. You told me not to rush into a contract.”b48ded349e563fa9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Right. Good job.”02c194eaa75def52

He listens well. Feeling pleased, a small 9859237a16 smile crept up.a719d55ab6b662c2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Near the school, it’s all studios, which I don’t like. To find a bigger place, I’d have to go further, and there aren’t many options.”069f3e562eab1f2e

Listening intently, something bothered him, 54300e3f9f so he asked.5eaddf11489d10a6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Can you eat dinner alone?”c4c6633e332ebf39

It sounded ridiculous after d4dfb4c17f saying it. Sure enough, Seonho laughed 99dd03674b and teased.d798661d3971563c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Oh, right. You said you can’t eat alone.”03df401e2a2b5797

Ah! Yoon Mina! He felt a twinge of annoyance at his girlfriend for sharing such personal details. Flustered, he couldn’t deny it, so he tried to downplay his vulnerability with a feeble excuse.7f382ce99605ef67

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“That’s only at restaurants. I eat fine at home alone.”4cf1e26ebc49c000

Seonho’s laughter tickled his ear. His face flushed, and he covered it with his cold hand, embarrassed yet oddly amused.e423e91cd4ac52e5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

After the call, 18ab61aacc he quickly set 1f9a1abb4e his phone to db38f3454a silent. Suddenly feeling a 7868a49754 gaze, he turned 3c5b4dccf3 to see Seongtae 7685a33127 watching him with c5a86e2532 a knowing look.ad3f99bceee934b5

“Your fiancée?”254b5b6d8efc55b1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“What? No, no.”39351f54ad4f3930

Flustered by the wrong 1ac6e2a282 assumption, he stammered a a5eaa4f15f denial. Seongtae squinted suspiciously.966053ab9fd3010c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“If she’s not your fiancée, why were you grinning like a fool?”450a3fb977bc9134

“Was I?”bd71a3dab4763cda

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Reflexively, he touched cd8c6f58c2 his lips, relieved 65548a690c to find them 19866c6cce relaxed. Seeing his embarrassed f40464e58c face, Seongtae chuckled 8b3ab2d33c and asked.b1b7ba31ae5a4478

“So, are you having a fling before the wedding?”d52becc2fb25e337

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“No! You know I’m not like that.”7349e14d5550d604

Raising his voice to assert his innocence, Jeongun waved his hands in denial. Despite his protests, Seongtae didn’t believe him and offered advice.7067897738971772

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Don’t do anything stupid before the wedding. Don’t make your fiancée cry.”dc476850a77a01e1

“I’m telling you, it’s not like that.”9634a77e8d8d6964

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

What kind of expression 0d7583a8b7 did I have during e3a5ed32aa the call for him f646647b5e to misunderstand so badly? Jeongun sighed, feeling troubled. Revealing who he was 691060beaf talking to would clear 863d7691ed up the misunderstanding, but 4e6e2b9235 he didn’t want to 453ebaa33f share the story of 8f726a4b3d almost becoming family with f9d3c53d32 Seonho.6531322aaab43510

Just then, the client 0102731666 entered, naturally ending the 6bed002699 conversation. They quickly stood to ee7828b821 greet the older man. Since they were 8c7ed0d6ee having sashimi, the 1e910517f1 accompanying drink was 68ab9d9191 soju. Soju didn’t sit well 7887843eba with Jeongun, so by 8638ad0337 the time they finished, d3d2ab1ad2 he was tipsy and aed2446eb3 disoriented.182c6782fd214536

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

On the way c3f2e76ce9 home with a 2ebd17de4f designated driver, he aec801265a fiddled with his e135cdae50 phone. He considered calling d5261de1b4 Yoon Mina but ba5ce69934 put it back 6ac72d7fe2 in his jacket 764e737d8c pocket. He didn’t want 1c95acc846 to hear his 1b72d33a82 own drunken ramblings.cecdf00ce4a1494c

Returning home after a long b0086bded4 day didn’t feel satisfying but 5bf356e8e1 rather empty. It felt like he was dad30e7731 wasting his short life tied 031e2345bd to money. Everyone lived like 01c1531002 this, but there 95d7facbc8 was nothing enjoyable 381dd5b5d5 about the hectic 4376ae6373 day.e9ab36c9f55d5e1a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He wanted to talk to cbff05125e someone but didn’t feel like 3927e38bff chatting with the driver he’d 1118f265ca just met. Staring at the blurry window, 2221daa58b he muttered, “Oh, right.”7b16ce239d17760a

There’s someone at home. Jeongun frowned and checked 1dddcecbfc his watch. His vision wavered from 5bbce3d40f the alcohol, and it 25636e5337 took a while to 5774a32df3 focus on the time. Contrary to his expectation of 16ecabe868 finishing dinner by 10, they d4532dd1b2 went for a second round, 5457b16d96 and it was nearly midnight. He clicked his tongue, 745d2debaa assuming Seonho would be da1e459495 asleep.0d4076292e3f2821

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

As he walked home, a79af4aa49 the cold wind sobered 39063ed8e2 him up. Climbing the stairs with heavy 517bbe953b legs, he unlocked the door 3d5ce24fa0 and was greeted by a b6d1022456 white face, contrary to his 53609447c7 expectations.3e239a11043f1755

“Welcome back. You worked hard.”24e6028cd87bec88

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Pausing at the entrance, 2910f0bc45 he couldn’t suppress a dc4388e5ea smile.86335783c721e289

“You’re still up?”62c9064dd4b6be0b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“How could I sleep before you got home? Of course, I had 34c13a4543 to see you come fc4fe1bbd9 in.”efb0e75430060254

Touched, he reached out and f01b4aed20 patted Seonho’s shoulder. Just last night, they had e103627adb stood here, almost confronting each 5c6120a9f9 other. Blocking Seonho from entering, 52edc7061d his guard had been 5382b6a586 up, but it felt 93d1478886 like a distant memory daf148c71c now, probably due to dba6aebf8a the alcohol.adc88534932ec288

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

After washing up 062a481682 with lukewarm water e476103760 to shake off 5349d5d743 the drunkenness, Seonho 9d03d949b4 handed him a db91e50af9 mug. Curious, Jeongun took it and bbc64de7c8 sat on the sofa to e60c527770 inspect the contents. It was a yellowish 0e70e28a17 liquid with a sweet 3458af4926 aroma.87e86c8218e624ad

“Is this honey water? Did we have honey?”d5f7bfefe4ad045b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I thought you’d come home after drinking, so I bought some earlier.”1b0a25b128d2859a

His thoughtful gesture reminded him 2fce77d785 of a fairy tale helper 62e2dfcd21 or a genie. Thirsty, he downed it in db391dfd23 one go and examined the b593dd8022 empty mug. Was this something 4a7542d003 his girlfriend had cbcfba1873 bought before? Seeing his puzzled look, 412a001230 Seonho explained.886c1c02f8784e15

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I bought it while grocery shopping. How long have you been 7f859fbae5 living alone?”c50823238ad09dca

Why is someone who’s going 6fc41de3a2 to find a place soon b41ec1ff17 buying things for my house? Though there weren’t many 61882b1da9 cups, there were enough 7a7592796e for two people. But his alcohol-clouded brain didn’t 7f3ef7f4c6 question it and answered honestly.35a166bf193e13e6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I’ve been living alone since college. Why?”839dfb55694d0bd4

“Then why are there so few dishes in the kitchen?”a3de1c49dc7a4370

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

When he replied that 2a31437178 he didn’t cook at 3eee6939dc home, Seonho expressed doubt.c5e3f75aeb2e33af

“You said you can’t eat alone at restaurants. Do you skip meals sometimes? Is that why you’re 9e6f25f85a so thin?”237e8eb7bd2aa221

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Sitting beside him, 8260a7eb4b Seonho took the d7751beb2e empty mug from 05d788bdb9 his hand and 0b262c5d75 stroked his slender 1b3e4ab64f thigh. His dulled senses reacted 700943d9ab a beat late. The ticklish sensation made 208be681b1 him shift, but he 229359b52d was blocked by the bd1ef85a5c armrest, only managing to cac291318d wriggle.3f0d99b77e4aebc8

Disliking discomfort, he wore short 3b6a6bdeb1 sleeves and shorts at home, 49ee65fc09 even in winter. His bare thigh was exposed 51254fe8c7 to the air. When Seonho’s large hand 21ab7848c9 brushed against his skin, 98bb5bdea4 goosebumps rose. Jeongun slapped his hand away 56e498da25 and sternly warned.958d899f93deb43e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Stop teasing.”f3edba65c89b7546

There are plenty of people a3de6d94b5 who can’t eat alone at e560590eda restaurants. Including kids, there 7f79b1070a are probably more 467348ca4c than you’d think.decf957f153e8069

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Ouch!”fd3bce113e13f80b

Seonho exaggeratedly rubbed f8d68837e9 his hand, pretending 1680a857c8 to be in d8a083d4ca pain. Watching him, Jeongun chuckled at 3860d19bcd the absurdity, and Seonho soon 9b7c987617 smiled too.ad722b2c39576fdc

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

As he stared at Seonho’s bc641018da white face, his gaze gradually 162928b6ac lowered. Seonho was also 3bad52aa86 wearing short sleeves. Yesterday, he wore 97c9ee5d6c long clothes, so 7e0a97cee7 he hadn’t noticed, 4b671d5da6 but his exposed 561b8deba6 arms were clearly 2a967aed58 defined with muscle. Finally, Jeongun understood 9d0d98cf1b how Seonho had 1452c91198 easily moved him 1e4dfc05e3 to the bed 834ae18b93 last night.d4fd42f900be1fe1

The honey water seemed effective. The discomfort in 1ca2f42cc5 his stomach eased, 69b2e08ba4 and Jeongun’s expression af8ac3120d relaxed. His body slumped b174c2a9f4 against the sofa, 3d1db7a769 adopting a lazy 8125364a15 posture. The nerves sharpened from f922f66a40 a day of work 81718657f3 declared a strike.4609801afd165328

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

A day filled with marathon fd65505624 meetings, ending with a client 198c654bdc dinner. It should have 11519eba05 felt frustrating, but 1329e8613d he wanted to bcc662f2dc say it was 89a7c1cd49 okay. Maybe it was the alcohol. His mood was light, and f2acd9e473 he barely held back laughter. He didn’t want to appear 65a0233320 tipsy in front of Seonho.7780ff115c1db138

The old, cramped apartment felt 63914508d7 different. Jeongun pondered the source of 0f051bb004 the unfamiliarity. The house even smelled e3e39346ae different, so he sniffed, 0189cb8809 focusing on the unfamiliar 8a2e1a2808 air. The warmth wasn’t just 8bdde92b30 from the heater. It was the cozy scent 02e984c1c8 of a home after cooking.945f1f58b2775cc6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Did you… make dinner at home?”284decc6140b5f88

It wasn’t food 0e25e04ce3 from a restaurant bea195f853 or delivery. He was sure it 3bfc97bab2 wasn’t a restaurant smell. Though hard to pinpoint, homemade 6ca0e46434 and store-bought food had distinctly eb362c2a87 different scents.5533c120d03aef11

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

As expected, Seonho nodded, d493fb3eac confirming he cooked. Feeling touched again, 373bb8c1b1 Jeongun was curious 4c2da9dbc9 about the delicious 31acf965b1 smell lingering in aa123e3e6c the air. It was familiar, 97c3029f6d but he couldn’t 376e96b075 place it, so e395361d3b he gave up ac5cf46361 guessing and asked.1d2599a4f32bf4a8

“What did you eat?”6c34e6edc8ce52db

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Your favorite. Galbijjim.”f1fd9de6babbe7cf

He remembers everything. Seonho was smart enough 5069f81968 to get into a 56980ed728 prestigious university, so he c7b29f2c26 had a good memory. Still, remembering such small preferences c139bb07fd warmed his heart. The old, uneasy dfb4bead36 feelings washed away, 14981a4c93 and he felt 4521a74de0 moved enough to 9f4c4a18a6 consider accepting him 071afd5248 as a brother, b5c9ba3e13 as his girlfriend 2973081e93 suggested.8b6a3bcfc0960ca7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Since childhood, Jeongun had an 29dee09c02 expensive taste for beef, especially ac0ca15673 salty galbijjim. His mother, confident in 46dcc4290a her cooking, made it 858f77705d for his birthdays, ensuring b351c90457 he ate well despite c8f6c8d8d1 their hardships.10fe9dd0443a4900

Come to think 211aa2b4df of it, it’s 202c2f56ef been ten years 4ca6fbeb73 since he last f606859579 had galbijjim on 2ce189bc91 his birthday. Though he could 4ef1e595f1 buy it from 8e21754908 a restaurant, it 120b71c3db was too dark 0118148d21 and intense compared dae5f4c41b to homemade. Unconsciously, he smacked his lips. Despite having eaten 2999843d13 a lot for f46e78ef03 dinner, thinking of 5d5668727e galbijjim made him dee7dc1574 hungry.37af2de3458addc0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Is there any galbijjim left?”5da8071a0f2d6bae

His voice was eager, 3e5e504b7a anticipating the taste of de85889afd homemade galbijjim after so f62c66c92d long. Even a single 175d13ac61 piece would be dca790a1da enough. He wanted it so badly.7cf29454270a316f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

His eyes must have reflected 6350a41e27 his thoughts, as Seonho looked dc2e6d1356 troubled. After hesitating, he casually cfb6ba69d4 dropped a bombshell that 35fc12a3cd sobered him up.4dc345eb96b07baf

“Mina nuna took all the leftovers. She seemed to really like f8f5e1b719 galbijjim too.”0cbff1609e27264c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“What? Mina? Yoon Mina was here?”47bd93e383dd9124

Jeongun was taken aback by 20e7fefec6 his girlfriend’s meddling, meeting Seonho 094635f25c without telling him. Her intentions were obvious. She wanted to ef83a86e0a connect the fake 540c84958e siblings as family db8d94a554 after their ten-year ce6ee5a438 reunion. Seeing his disbelief, Seonho 0286667fee asked curiously.2023699b9a4529eb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“You didn’t know she stopped by?”f5fe841aab334a70

His displeased expression answered for cd072112dc him, and Seonho shrugged, muttering, 357ce2eafc “I wonder why she didn’t 0afcafef86 mention it.” He didn’t seem 85726c9973 to think it was a fcf7bb622a big deal, and Jeongun didn’t 395ed6293f believe in sharing every detail 6cb30b2861 just because they were dating, cdc5092aa4 so he didn’t want to cd8a82e140 make it an issue. But his previously 21a9089d7d calm mood plummeted.0981c213c10b979c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Why am I so upset? If someone asked, he couldn’t 9f7e78e281 explain why he was bothered, d21b06f207 which frustrated him. Was it the alcohol? But it wasn’t 4ac29e9024 an unfamiliar unease. He’d felt it before when 158efa5e9b living with Seonho for a 7029e909c6 month.9bf98ee6c90a0daa

Not knowing why he a65725c2bd felt this way drove a75e17cc53 him crazy. It was always like this 56a2e2178f with Seonho. Vague, indescribable feelings. Unable to define them, 9a4130c26e his chest felt tight.c39387de427cb06a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What did you two talk about?”a19001dca00e9629

His voice, unable c0292d02e5 to control his c55dcdf92b emotions due to 32fe25dd14 the alcohol, came 7b3c6bccd5 out harshly, like 4e1df66804 an interrogation. Fortunately, Seonho remained calm, his 1013d1a3b4 expression unchanged.555babdc175785b3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What else would we talk about? We talked about you.”fe62c8d74589f99e

Hearing that, Jeongun 0f26df84d9 felt like a 1242ea6317 pathetic husband suffering 57a0f5c472 from jealousy. Suppressing his rising f5d6330f0b discomfort, he asked 9b5dfecc36 as nonchalantly as 87aac378d6 possible.7d1dd4344963ce5a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“What did you say about me? Did you two badmouth me?”604e688a48798f5a

He wanted to sound 9c91f23ab4 lighthearted, but failed. As expected, Seonho 2ef075a615 frowned at the 6f679adf8b inappropriate question.60a74f0c0f4e975b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Why would it be badmouthing? Did you do something wrong edb68c46a8 to Mina nuna?”9ab79a76fe5bd093

“So what did you talk about?”d6bf910d54b87083

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Persistently, Jeongun pressed 8012b4491a for an answer. Holding back the urge bdee2e4d7d to shout, he tried 7d5992d7f7 to maintain a nonchalant 7ad740b3e3 expression. Seonho, recalling the conversation, d31c83a76d gave a deflating answer.d76ad1f21d0b7061

“We talked about how you’ve been and your relationship.”c200c83af4baafa9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Why is that interesting? Knowing he’d lose control 92504dd7ff if he pressed further, 0bb8807122 Jeongun bit his tongue.06537e2bf9e9fa0d

Yoon Mina visited de56b8121c to connect them 78e241ecb9 as siblings. Since her boyfriend 01eaa11005 had shown resistance 555d76a569 towards Seonho the 0f62262dd5 day before, she 934907353d quietly visited to b61b6dccae avoid conflict.0aaa8f2f6bc06f36

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

What’s the problem? He was worried c228642a50 about Seonho eating a914388126 alone, but his 6c60516eb4 girlfriend spent time 39c1b999b3 with him, which 6cf1d3e1fa was good, right?7447521eb8b3048c

Though he understood logically, his de9dced8cf heart was uneasy. Yet he couldn’t tell if 02ee2717b1 his discomfort was directed at 618c74b13f his girlfriend or Seonho. Yoon Mina’s actions were 59f120351a unwelcome, but he was 8b25e979db inexplicably angry at Seonho 45539e1881 too. Why? What did he do wrong? He had no idea.89c85e810274dcc2

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The next day, during lunch, b7e628c6bc he called Yoon Mina. He didn’t bring 037c0007a0 up her visit 43224efc95 with Seonho. She didn’t mention it a23fd46b62 either, as if she’d 1dda8da640 forgotten.a8ee0bed6337d6e2

Suddenly, the person on 334b72dea8 the other end felt 050cae9295 distant. The distance from his 23e08e5cb5 girlfriend, whom he believed 8a8330d368 to be his closest 69654c4098 relationship, frightened him.e08363e5579221a6

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

After the call, he 4652052d21 sat frozen, his mind 80eba45637 blank. But it was only e94ea1cfe2 a moment, and he 7c5ebd11a7 calmed himself, blaming his 57ad19e668 strange feelings on fatigue.8ca1f2dd1066218a