DS Ch9

Joo Taehyun’s expression and voice were usually impassive, but this time there was a slightly different quality to them. It was the unique confidence of a sheltered young master who had never faced opposition to anything he did.

I mean, what the hell made this bastard think he could just blurt out to me that he’s taking Switch? While dumbfounded, Seo Baekhan found himself wanting to observe Joo Taehyun a bit more closely for the first time since meeting him. Could this be called interest? Though it was a mix of both positive and negative meanings, it could be seen that way.

He had thought it was just the rash proposal of a spoiled child who had a lot and therefore wanted a lot, but Joo Taehyun had actually derived what he considered the most correct answer from his own situation.

“Though I’m embarrassed that it seems like I’m borrowing my family’s influence rather than using my own abilities… you said you wanted good conditions in a marriage partner, hyung.”

Tap, tap tap. As Seo Baekhan, lost in thought, began tapping his knee with his index finger, Joo Taehyun’s voice, which had been glancing over repeatedly, gradually shrank.

“Marrying an alpha who’s also male would have a big impact, and I’m also a member of Hatch. So if you marry me, one thing’s for certain – His Highness the Crown Prince would really hate it.”

At those last words, he almost laughed without realizing it. A combination the Crown Prince would really hate… That’s not bad.

“…Alright, now I understand a bit. To be honest, I was quite angry when I first heard your marriage proposal, but if those were your reasons, fine. I see where you’re coming from now.”

Seo Baekhan slowly rubbed his thin face with one hand, trying to hide his amusement, as he prepared his final ultimatum for Joo Taehyun.

“But you’ve miscalculated, Taehyun. By that logic, there’s even less reason why you specifically need to be my marriage partner.”

“…Yes?”

“Chaebol families wanting to join hands with me? I hate to say this, but there are quite a few even besides DH Group. Moreover, unlike you, other chaebol families could even put forward a female alpha.”

“…”

“While choosing me might be the best move for you, I’m saying it’s not for me.”

Joo Taehyun, apparently not expecting his argument to be refuted so easily, could only gape for a moment.

“…But, um, other places-”

“Right, other chaebol families might care less about trait issues than DH Group. But I don’t think the end result would be that different.”

“…”

“To summarize, the one thing DH Group, or rather you, can offer is that as a Switch user, you’re a bit more desperate to marry me than others…”

Seo Baekhan stared intently at Joo Taehyun’s face, wearing a faint smile.

“Should I marry you for that reason alone?”

An uncomfortable silence engineered by Seo Baekhan filled the lounge.

Now that he understood the kid’s circumstances, his mood had improved compared to earlier. Since it seemed he had grasped his biggest concern, he no longer intended to push Joo Taehyun on the marriage proposal issue. He knew there was no need to crush a child’s spirit this much…

It was also fascinating that Joo Taehyun’s expression remained unchanged even in this situation, and at the same time, he wanted to see that impassive face crumple or fill with tears. There was no particular reason for this. If pressed, it was simply due to Seo Baekhan’s nasty personality.

“…But you know.”

As if he had been lost in deep thought for that brief moment, Joo Taehyun’s voice was sunken. It was a strange tone, past puberty but not quite that of a full-grown man.

“I like the world you want to create.”

“…The world I want to create?”

“Yes. When I first joined Hatch, you said it was your dream to create a world where people aren’t discriminated against for being trait-bearers, that everyone should be equal when it comes to trait issues, whether they’re the son of a wealthy family like me or someone living day-to-day on basic welfare.”

Joo Taehyun, who had been trying to maintain a composed expression even as he viciously tore at the tender skin under his nails, finally let his frozen face melt as he gave a slight smile. It was an awkward smile, with the corners of his eyes and mouth lifted ambiguously.

“That’s why I liked you, hyung…”

For a moment, as if dreaming, Joo Taehyun revisited some point in time unknown to Seo Baekhan. Then, belatedly coming to his senses, he shook his head briefly.

“Ah, sorry, ahem, I apologize. Of course, I know you’d prefer me to list more of the conditions I can offer rather than talk like this. Still, this is my true feeling. I don’t want to tell lies hastily made up just because I’m in a hurry.”

“…Haa.”

Seo Baekhan let out a long sigh through his nose. Now he could see this bastard’s head was full of flowers.

As expected of a pampered young master, Joo Taehyun’s view of the world was not just pure, but naive.

Desperation? Dreams? True feelings?

He’s bringing up such words while proposing one of the most important deals of his life? While inwardly scoffing bitterly at Joo Taehyun like that… Seo Baekhan realized a beat late that the arms he had unconsciously folded had loosened slightly.

Though he quickly smoothed out his furrowed expression, Seo Baekhan stroked his chin several times, surprised by his own unconscious lowering of defenses.

Seo Baekhan was quick to accept situations and acknowledge his own state as much as he disliked unexpected events occurring. That was necessary to properly control himself and his surroundings.

From that perspective, it was true that the nonsense from earlier, which had seemed like grasping at clouds, had touched a corner of Seo Baekhan’s heart more than any logic Joo Taehyun had presented so far.

“I sincerely want to help with what you’re trying to do.”

As he had pointed out to Joo Taehyun, he could meet someone from another chaebol family with similar specs to DH Group. However, it was also true that he couldn’t find someone as sincere about what he needed to do as Joo Taehyun claimed to be.

“I won’t bother you anymore. After today, I won’t call you out about this issue again. Instead, please… just review this once.”

Joo Taehyun, who had somehow returned to his usual gloomy expression, fumbled to pull something out of the coat draped over the backrest and held it out. It was the new model smartphone that DH Electronics had been aggressively promoting lately.

“I put a few documents in there… Yes, you can just tap on that folder.”

Seo Baekhan’s brows furrowed as he skimmed over just the titles, intending to take only a quick look.

Detailed corporate information on DH Group, key members and asset status, conditions DH Group could promise and conversely what DH Group wanted, media response guidelines related to the marriage, and Joo Taehyun’s detailed profile…

It was a thorough and candid record of the DH Group family that had never been covered anywhere before.

“I prepared it hoping you’d at least review it…”

“…Did the adults give permission for you to share such documents with me?”

Deliberately tossing the handed phone lightly upwards before catching it, he scrutinized Joo Taehyun’s expression. Even though he knew that with just a few taps he could share the documents to his personal phone or elsewhere, Joo Taehyun continued to stare blankly at Seo Baekhan.

Rather than conveying trust, it seemed he couldn’t even imagine that the other party might act with malicious intent.

“Hmm. Not everything, but… it should be fine. Probably.”

Listening to him speak so nonchalantly made Seo Baekhan feel drained in turn. He was too dumbfounded to even tease Joo Taehyun further.

“Then I’ll get going first, so please look it over at your leisure.”

Joo Taehyun, who had casually handed over his weaknesses to another person, calmly bid farewell, oblivious to others’ thoughts.

“For the phone… just contact me anytime and I’ll send someone to collect it.”

Though his words were unhurried, Joo Taehyun seemed busy hurriedly gathering and putting on his clothes. Like a five-year-old child trying to act innocent and escape after causing all the trouble he could, it was awkward to try to scold him.

“Well then… thank you so much for making time in your busy schedule, hyung.”

With the same expressionless face as when he first greeted him, Joo Taehyun bowed his head.

Seo Baekhan stared blankly at the phone he had received. He didn’t think reviewing these documents would change his mind. No matter how he looked at it, this marriage only benefited DH Group’s side.

“Thank you for listening to me as well. I’m truly grateful that you didn’t storm out of here in anger.”

In any case, it seemed Joo Taehyun wasn’t completely clueless and understood his position well…

Seo Baekhan closed his eyes deeply before opening them again. Instead of a formal marriage proposal, he’s handing over confidential company documents and running away?

While he sighed involuntarily at what seemed like the kid’s insistent pushing… Honestly, he couldn’t deny that the displeasure that had welled up as soon as he heard the marriage proposal had subsided considerably.

“Joo Taehyun.”