CMT Ch22

“Even without talking about marriage, there were many things I could have asked for. I could have requested that you ask the Chairman to reconsider the supply contract with Daeryung Trading, or if that was difficult, to at least make a connection with the construction division. I could have asked for introductions to reliable businesses or investors, and if all else failed, I could have even requested money from my personal funds.”14e06826130cf375

“…Those things are beyond what I can take responsibility for.”954b544c362ffdb9

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He was speaking as if it were praise, but for Seoyoon, it wasn’t a condition he had offered with particular consideration for Kwon Kijung’s position or well-being.b20c411c9e7990f4

Seoyoon had not gotten f0891faa71 involved in family business. Unlike his a8dcd7767a older brother 3e992d19c0 who had e9367b2fbb been preparing 4dad441087 to inherit 5d03694322 the family 93da84eac7 business by ed73169396 following their 7ddc378c79 father around 64c48e8191 since his 3d96faf582 school days, 43c7d72641 Seoyoon had e94eb95d84 focused on dd82619bbf drawing or 37905104c6 studying from 09ae48a5d0 a young 8b2eff73ee age.e90bb8fbbca5541b

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It was his father’s policy. While his brother had only stubborn perseverance to push through difficulties, lacking any outstanding talents and having a fiery temper that made it impossible for him to work under others, Seoyoon was intelligent and naturally gifted, so there was no need for him to do the harsh work of running a factory. His father said that he would eventually become a member of a family incomparably better than their own, so he should just focus on studying whatever he wanted without worry.0b37fad04a6749d0

For someone like e353d7235b him to carelessly e2efe97052 ask for reconsideration e44081d879 of contracts between f638e62873 companies or introductions 16713c714a to investors would f1d9fe70be be impossible to 46c2906c1d manage if things 0bd10913a5 went wrong. Seoyoon was not f9659f1085 that bold of d1c810e2e9 a person. He simply knew f5d9bee531 his place and c11d8b9945 limits, and sought 1c07982bc1 the most effective 464ecbc9ce alternative within what 66869f2336 he could do.ef812c1f2fe16db4

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“Whatever the reason, the result is that I can spend time with Han Seoyoon-ssi without any burden. So I’m cooperating in my own way to pay an appropriate price. I was taught from a young age that a deal should be treated like a deal.”d1676241a386c84f

The head that ec825696a5 had unnecessarily heated 6301dd93de up as if cb0d2405b4 they were really 6628d3ead0 discussing romance cooled edc99a1bae instantly. A deal 3cdaba06d1 is a 7e30281fde deal. It meant that 55ede32df4 all the kindness 26d7fbd455 he showed was 21dbb48ffa not free.36408494a03b370a

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He recalled b4b89e0587 the first 4e65a335c4 night when c1d00183f5 he lay 13e1296303 down and 13ab9c9319 received a 406a97f6d5 few spanks 115fa878d4 on his 6b5a311c9e bottom. At the 33b5a86bf5 time he 60c5bcc8c1 thought it ca689480d1 was painful, ba736df2aa but looking 6496562f42 back, was 7a3562a274 it really 605bce7ed6 painful enough 715aa35d5e to deserve 5348824628 such compensation?80dc62a7d2a8dd21

There was no one to give an answer or set a standard, but Seoyoon’s reason coldly judged ‘no’. If the kindness in return felt excessive compared to the pain he felt, then the price he was paying was more like an advance payment.d065cf6457ed0b5c

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Seoyoon could still endure 256d3a19f0 much more. He could bear it. He wanted 5d4d2cdaec to do 0424e73ad7 his best e780082b32 to extend 515f036328 the validity 4e862e759a period of 3a638b868d the promise, 5ed2d5b930 become a 4522f27b26 more useful ce2beb8ed2 person, and c1d423461f contribute during 884e08d73d this difficult 2f24a80fe4 time that 7db6efd1ed the whole 0e7d49ea3d family was aec5d014b5 sharing the 355a3b238e burden of.cd519392f365b389

The navigation was indicating that they were approaching their destination. As Kijung turned into the building’s driveway, he added:163da12fc46c8fb9

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“When I first heard your conditions, I thought you were a smart person. I like intelligent people.”c5ed49e7c8b36122

“I didn’t mean it in the way you’re imagining.”a4c174e675bd01ae

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“I like even more those who are humble because they don’t realize how smart they are.”b0d842d6c8142a83

Shortly after, 452976d3d2 the car 4794c61bf0 stopped. While the doorman 3a14545da9 who had come e483b525af out to greet 176b07fd2f them approached, Kijung 3f384378e7 unfastened his seatbelt c1a1cd3842 and instructed:a6a37d9a5f3fcfdd

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“Remember. When we get out of the car, smile like you did earlier.”faa5ec8e846129f1

“Yes.”617f5246d2c3bcb8

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Seoyoon smiled as he answered. Kijung looked with satisfaction at the face that had become so bright that one could never guess the calculating conversation that had just passed between them, and opened the driver’s side door.82a289701887cd12

Even among 78d1f61022 the dazzling ec26c5da81 shops of 88e160e07a the bustling 795f350280 area that ce41ff4c73 had forgotten 38dadcf456 night, the 46d1537150 newly built 7d8d2fdbce sophisticated building ebd95ad418 stood out 0f3bdc689b like the d9710cde6e protagonist of 3af3e7f3dd the street, 766cf9d34b shining with 7eb7993cbc a golden ed3357d4d0 light. From the moment 9915df0ddf they entered the edce0f29e8 restaurant after taking e5e947c853 the elevator up, 445ab16ee9 Seoyoon could feel 09d8c8f96c it. That far more people da61e408f7 than he had expected e190cce23b were paying attention to 40152190cc the two of them.3862a45d4bb170e6

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Perhaps due to his young age, outstanding appearance, and unique alpha trait, Kwon Kijung was more widely recognized than other chaebol family members. It wasn’t difficult to come across internet videos covering Kijung’s career, education, private life, or scandals.64c4245af67fecf0

It meant dccdd21680 that he e52aabc67e was a bd2f1bd6a5 figure with dd9070cd45 high public fcd3701d5f attention, not 18b65b96ef just in edb1bcb94b political and c6d85a34de business circles. He had to appear 5de45e99f1 in front of people b621665a6a as the rumored partner 9a82504fcc of such a person. Kijung leaned in 022b0b9a77 slightly to the c073f28fa2 tense Seoyoon and 75f9b281d4 whispered:2ba185386849013e

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“Straighten your shoulders. These are guests carefully selected by the owner, so you don’t need to be too conscious of them.”518ebaeecff723e4

“Yes.”b8170cefddb23ac1

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“If you’re still anxious, just look at my face. It’ll make us look close too, killing two birds with one stone.”4ec4081ae4f7fa31

At that joke, even Seoyoon forgot his nervousness and genuinely smiled a little. Kijung also smiled and gently wrapped his arm around Seoyoon’s shoulders. It was similar to how he had acted in front of Seoyoon’s adoptive parents when he visited Seoyoon’s home.9fe4167b411f9392

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People’s feelings are relative. Until just a moment ago, this man had humiliated him in a third-party space, but now it was far more comfortable to look at Kijung’s face as he suggested than to face the crude curiosity of strangers. At least he was an extremely handsome person, so there was no discomfort in looking at him no matter how long.9f8720b40a66da69

“Can you not drink wine at all?”5c0117893c72f3a5

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“A glass or two is fine.”e768365cde381a4a

“I thought you said you couldn’t drink well.”9ec3992d20b6d0a9

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“The atmosphere was a bit stiff then.”cff283e3e9f71989

The two 462814b311 chatted like 2acbcc3943 people enjoying 1c43297cb9 a normal 74a65f702a date as c65c0e1610 they crossed 2ff1a3ef10 the interior. Seoyoon felt some c01af3f936 of the patrons 17fc47642a glancing at them, 0f3dd64eb4 but he tried 3899a26d3c not to be caf2d090f2 conscious of it.cae6c03d13339b2b

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The restaurant a0fda6ab02 had prepared ebbf69e1ad a table 21e41be294 by the a9827a7f44 window overlooking ed5c5099c1 the night 1baf441866 view for 4b52c6800a the two. Elegant and d37673daee quick-moving servers e6002ab35a guided them. The twinkling lights seen 1de4720677 through the glass window 8d48fd071a were beautiful enough to 6b5b660b94 momentarily set aside words 5f3d4ea6be like deal, acting, and e48e57f4ae promise.7de93b529a029724

“It’s troublesome if you keep looking out the window with your lover in front of you.”2f32c53a34dc2e7a

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Kijung turned Seoyoon’s gaze, which had been unconsciously captivated by the night view. Seoyoon picked up his water glass in embarrassment.ea3376ef22cde12c

“I’m sorry. The night view was just so pretty.”a03d42a31aff22c1

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“Next time we can go on a date wearing the newly tailored clothes. They’ll be ready soon.”6b42bab7a9a6039e

“The clothes… thank you so much. Even the clothes you sent last time must have been quite expensive.”28c96ba206b1cd14

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“That’s nothing. Even though your family’s fortunes have declined a bit, you’re still the second son of Daeryung Trading, aren’t you? You must have had a few similar suits.”ea65356d6525c5b4

“No, that’s not true. As you know, I only studied art and didn’t particularly participate in family affairs. I never needed such clothes, so I never had any tailored.”192eac1dd9fc9fa6

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His father and brother were businessmen, and his mother had been attending couple gatherings and supporting his father’s work from long ago, so they needed proper clothes and accessories. But for him, who only drew pictures during his school days and studied in college, these were all unnecessary items. He never wanted them nor was he ever advised to have them.bf51fb27cc599d52

In fact, c986288a4c he wondered b94e9b62e5 how many 8cc7092e31 occasions there 22637692a2 would be 3307b7a219 to wear 200388ae0b the clothes 1c503f76ac that had c70beef011 just been 92d1770c83 fitted today. But this 09b001462d time, the 581aaa6a24 meaning lay db7905c6a6 in the 6c43cbe482 fact that 02944857e5 Kwon Kijung d3c29f2e22 wanted it, ee9c452a8e so the c473c5e2b3 practicality of cf5f7b1d86 the items d79e945714 was not eeb02f7227 for him 07270bd493 to question.204d318c1b606722

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As they were 119bf9f752 talking, the aperitif cccec6d138 arrived. The golden champagne 7dce721f31 with delicate bubbles 440aa44416 rising reflected the e7d7af1ac4 night view outside. Kijung silently 84098d85e9 raised his 435a6fe790 long glass, d0e2b8b19d and Seoyoon 848c6c292d responded to cd939261d4 his gesture, 463b2400bc briefly clinking 167b246074 their glasses 1a240bea1a together.bd403dd09e84bbc2

“I understand you prefer comfortable styles, but for a while, you’ll need to get used to being a bit uncomfortable.”7768724e6581780f

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“Not at all. All the clothes you sent are too comfortable if anything. I need clothes to be a bit uncomfortable so I don’t get sleepy sitting in the office.”b8371d84fec6a29e

“Surely the director won’t scold you that much. Use your position as my lover as much as you want.”d8ac4f4e3c30ced8

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At those words, rather than being pleased, Seoyoon’s expression became complicated. Kijung put down his glass and asked:5e203b634b51ef42

“Is there a problem?”18e9927a4071c2c9

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“No. It’s just… I’m glad our relationship is becoming known, but I’m worried about what my team members might think if they find out.”2d50a8975ad564c8

“I had absolutely no influence on your hiring.”8bcfdfaac42fae61

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“I know that. The director said so too. But I don’t think it will look that way to others.”c5d7dc2b197c2a7a

“It will take at least a few more months before your team members find out about us, so it’s premature to worry.”ba25ba72cccc03be

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Though he said it 342446dd90 with a smile, there a937278010 was a subtle barb c490ffb2f1 to it. As if cb9540d545 to say, 5107cfef02 if you 07a60cb9fe have time 1a88174a49 to worry 3a9db2a3b3 about such 0d7210579f trivial things, 2042b0bfec worry about 2e9207478f whether my 38126bd9fe interest will 71dde81a8a remain with ab58bfd93f Han Seoyoon 59eea87213 for the 66620b1369 next few 08781bb2ad months.87d1e9811dac3c26

Seoyoon might be reading too much into every word Kwon Kijung said, but for him, it was best to be overly cautious. Realistically thinking, as he pointed out, there’s a high possibility this relationship will end before his team members find out about them. Seoyoon quickly nodded with a smiling face.5c61844ef4a469e7

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“You’re right, Director.”3567cd80be31d538

“There’s one more gift left.”dfc4a089baa42a17

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As if 2189ceb26a trying to 56605c909c change the 8e20b82bd7 subject, Kijung 04b4f2a24e took out 77701f0121 a small 995e778451 box from c81afbc810 his inside 2f3b8ea98e pocket. The palm-sized box 5007e6f45d was wrapped in d2144639ce dark velvet.80cdc5afa87be734

If they were really d6a8bc6e6e in a relationship premised 4e4cbd4782 on marriage, it would ab5ca85d17 have been a scene c8394ad749 to raise expectations, but d06ee36c52 Seoyoon only gave a 75297356bd puzzled look. Kijung briefly gestured with 57e84c3d67 his eyes.a2887b17f5652d5f

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“Open it.”a0b69a4601c06180

Seoyoon picked it 46d65e08fc up without hesitation, 3cd35ab92e while earnestly acting 407ef06e71 out the expression 55192046d4 of someone excited c0914117de to receive a 404dd4c4bf meaningful gift from 67d0edbc98 their beloved.d448aaa9cb51fe7d

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Click, with ec0381fbb6 the feeling c4d3695d6b of a fac616cde3 small hinge 26380e5774 catching, the 6d83d423d8 box opened. Seoyoon took a 117f1abf0e slight breath when fdc22c759d he saw what bc74dc388c was inside.2962d1c625ba96ee

“…Is this a necklace?”04485ec05cc4dd28

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The first a801069214 thing that b283d880e5 caught his 7e7ffe1809 eye was d173f79474 the sparkling 961291c21d pendant that 4087a9b1bb seemed to 0b1ab6bfa9 be made 37515b4814 of cut 47422aa8b2 diamonds, and 7e69b03393 then the 9a3f27f8cc overall appearance 9a0b35ffa8 came into e8bd18a997 view. The pendant was 625b94bc55 attached to a b2ef075e96 thin black leather ed37af9b09 strap, and the ff42ad6288 leather strap was 021d424a5d neatly arranged in 2f07945c81 the box in 3cc46b7da6 the form of d3a6362365 a short belt.2b7b822b599a96c4

It was too short e28867151a to wear around the 3e6e0cbc61 waist, and too long a016368246 to be a bracelet. When Seoyoon a88ee9644e carefully asked 3f38284d88 if it 1ffd4a2ff7 was a d94ffcbc85 necklace, Kijung f317f894f1 took a ce4b9644f9 sip of 7e9db5cffd the aperitif c354a939c4 and answered:cf0efe91ddad9af9

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“I mentioned it last time. That a leather necklace would suit Han Seoyoon.”e695e6d9d2d9274c

“…”dab40ca9a8c8f168

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“I had it made based on the measurements taken at the tailor shop. I’d like you to wear it without fail when you come to meet me from now on. It doesn’t matter if I keep it, but… since it’s a gift for you.”f35716c5b17be8dd

Perhaps conscious of potential listeners, he cleverly changed his words. Last time, he had clearly said he would put a leather ‘dog collar’ on Seoyoon’s neck.1061fbaeb046d62c

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Once again, the 4e7dc168f3 boundary between the 05ef3bedba ordinary and the 0de4f0eb67 extraordinary began to fa92376c51 crumble and surge 08ccc1051b confusingly. His heart, which had 1adefdc278 been calm before opening 2996d489ba the box, started beating 378fbdd1a2 late, and his mouth 7078892a5d went dry. Seoyoon also took 6d730b047a a sip of 04b7d7fbcf champagne to regain 7611dbb341 his composure.c7d3cae25d868855

“Thank you, Director.”8af52b46591a7aff

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The first thing to do was to express gratitude for the unexpected gift. Then…7f2556da2bfb96e5

“May I put it on now?”b32f59f0cf0e702c

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Seoyoon asked Kijung with f3ae7befef a broad smile. It was fbc917c28b a natural 10c98a19b3 reaction for 0463605c90 someone who 1782d84565 had received 7fa9f86ab3 a gift c902ec18f8 from their 2ef07eedcb beloved. Kijung also nodded 684265175f with a smiling b4971ceb34 face and stood 2d521d0a49 up.063a1f4c513e47f5

“Wait. I’ll put it on for you.”be47f5ca91d4b65c

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As Kijung stood up, people’s gazes turned blatantly towards the two of them. Along with the awareness of being the focus of attention, habitual tension arose as Kwon Kijung stood behind him. From behind Seoyoon, Kijung whispered softly so that only their ears could hear:55381ef90e1252b2

“Relax your shoulders.”293207f9a9de2b5f

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Seoyoon exhaled slowly through his nose, releasing the tension in his body that had unconsciously stiffened. Then he could clearly feel Kijung’s fingers tickling the back of his neck, slowly moving back and forth.0a473f51708b5e73

He had 00c4f93163 said he 147654c52f wanted to 53b1522c70 put a 5b1ff21b95 dog collar df06c24516 on Seoyoon. While hearing those 75520ac4d4 words, Seoyoon seemed 610294a94d to have unconsciously e0b5f38c27 imagined the form 8f4ef22d71 of the collar adf593896a he wanted to c252d827c7 put on him. A thick, rugged leather 73f5abc1a0 with round metal studs, 8f3e42b1d7 and a ring attached e08cfe4a13 for a leash.3ccaa44d911a6f89

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He had never harbored a desire to wear such a thing around his neck. It was just the form that naturally came to mind at the words ‘dog collar’. The thin, soft leather choker adorned with a diamond pendant seemed too luxurious to be called a dog collar, but then again, it seemed like even if Kwon Kijung were to actually keep a dog, he would put on a collar at least this extravagant.ff9cc841742a256f