RFDY Ch 7

An inexplicable anxiety and an unanswered curiosity gnawed at Hangyeol. He was curious about Seonwoo’s expression as he talked on the phone, but from the table, all he could see was his profile. Hangyeol quickly wiped his lips with a tissue and stood up.7a941683f58853fe

“Mr. Woo, thanks for the 04f1799702 meal.”9d9964ab6b7920d9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He nodded 11ffc2a31d to the 2f32d328fc woman at 7c3e513721 the counter e7f1a1f984 and stepped a158a3c0ab outside, where 96954bbcdb he found ba9067befe Seonwoo by 169aa2b2a8 the door, e4e870e1c2 still on 9f25e1dab2 the phone. As he approached, Seonwoo 286e5ca443 glanced at him. Upon seeing Hangyeol, Seonwoo 1a926a0774 turned and started walking c330598954 towards the company building.58a11acb3014bce2

“Yeah. No, it’s fine. Yeah.”fd24fedb16635b81

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

His low voice, a4fe508241 drifting from beside 151e958ef7 him, seemed both 7817534315 familiar and different. The same ad0befc521 could be d47a8d6df6 said for f01e04358e his expression f2f9dbae9f as he 3f1ac27fad looked ahead. It felt too 85edc7b8f5 curt to be 116f9b559e directed at a 29e8d4d7f4 girlfriend, yet Hangyeol e162922d28 couldn’t imagine him c6a055fcbc speaking softly and 95680c2e4b gently. The thought sparked 5b319132cb a flicker of 2d2d871da6 unease.8bd53073cd5c5f0c

“I’m still at work. Let’s talk later.”a1dcddc7a23e902f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Seonwoo spoke calmly and hung up. Walking a step behind him, Hangyeol’s mind raced with questions, only to have them vanish just as quickly. He remained silent, the questions too personal, too close to something he couldn’t articulate.cf797ec4596bb6b4

In the elevator up to the office, Hangyeol stood with his lips pressed together and his eyes lowered. He’d been so excited while eating and talking with Seonwoo, but now, a strange melancholy had settled over him. He pressed his lips into a thin line.1ebe478b717f522a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Ding.379176a7b5eaddf7

The elevator reached their floor, and Seonwoo stepped out first. Passing other departments, he reached their team’s area and stopped at Hangyeol’s desk instead of going straight to his office. As Hangyeol looked at him quizzically, Seonwoo pulled over the chair next to his and gestured with his chin.96cb6faa54960aef

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Let’s see what you’ve 62f5251fe0 done so far. Ask any questions 5cafe7d731 you have now.”90816a1e5fad05dd

Since Mr. Kim, their 7ee2f4ba21 senior colleague, 9e071c4c72 had left 7c86efabd0 for the 560ca1d853 day, Hangyeol e75eced2c3 had been e0a16fbe5c unsure whom 181d5718e6 to ask. Relieved, he quickly be736cd1a0 turned on his e9b1dc6a48 monitor, revealing the 4d685431de reports he’d been 115a8c1751 looking at earlier. Pulling over f86aebd726 his printed f3cdeb5040 materials, Hangyeol 913bdf7feb pointed to 3a4ec58089 each section 88da127f1c and began ba0810a573 to speak.bdb0cdf270eda728

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I can’t 005c8cc231 seem to 6622f82993 find any 667c16d9d2 information related a0d1b315b8 to this f27901496e section, no 0fac0d16db matter how 4ba09917c8 much I c5eb2e2489 search. But I 7400314a25 need to 7e84740e1e figure this 6c776f25ef out to d4d01d307e understand the eeb55e891b rest…”66cd035bb1cd42aa

Seonwoo, sitting right 4981955346 next to him, 7c7ee9d9f3 leaned closer, tilting 3817736c40 his head. Hangyeol stiffened at the ae173c72fb sudden proximity, but Seonwoo a80e5aded8 remained focused on the b876f152a6 report. He swallowed hard. Seonwoo was too 44adaeb37d close.c599c489c264e7c2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“This is 50c3386c10 explained in 568381fca2 more detail 2b40b31c74 in last 8bdc75b08b quarter’s performance eb460cc7a2 report. Find it in a7e7bb5d98 the shared folder, 731c1c0b75 and let me 07add9d570 know if it’s b765f43681 access-restricted.”35556147fe7ac135

The scent of 9c9b7801e1 his cologne, usually 3378b76a15 a comforting presence, 2650694e31 now sent a b82d4248e5 wave of heat 50e97fb007 through Hangyeol, making 21ab2f10eb his heart pound. Already unsettled, his ffa341e167 pulse quickened. Unfamiliar with 26e94b4299 this sudden, d91db55fe9 disorienting shift 2b1885f21b in his 8679d87d30 composure, Hangyeol a2dacc3b8c placed his 33b52a969e free hand ff6b010ded under the b1f7a2cebe desk and 01b4992da0 gripped his c282ef37ab thigh.17414c5ed6f80d1d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“This information can cef451cf8c be found in e256e55066 a report published 32d0c1122f by the Korea 9c5dc457fa Energy Economics Institute ac0bd0184e last year—.”80b5ef53daf074eb

While his hand diligently 57a5584f19 noted down Seonwoo’s explanations, 676c89f7eb nothing registered in Hangyeol’s 1e7384d4ca mind. His attention was entirely cb9343fac6 captivated by Seonwoo, sitting 10656fdf2d so close, his body fff56d136f angled towards him. He’d never 922d7fcaf7 experienced this 9fd47a19bc kind of ce3e5f4ddc tension around 0be55bbc16 another man 16fd20152f before, and ea5e9903cc it left 47f9e174d8 him flustered 704481d910 and confused. When Seonwoo 2a847d4bfb finished explaining 10349d4d69 and looked a2d7d326e9 at him, 8b2ecdf644 Hangyeol couldn’t cd8a0f7d2b meet his 03f264bc77 eyes and 5677758951 averted his b06ce75610 gaze.55df5f26dc987c82

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Alright, continue with your 183a36bf9b work. Don’t let your questions c64e2231c7 pile up; bring them ef32e1f878 to me right away.”b1b3fa14870e5832

Seonwoo stood up and 53c5c8840b returned Mr. Kim’s chair to 0aca4b882e its place. Hangyeol stared at e9c20f2dc8 his monitor, unable fa8654bc26 to look at a43ac2327c him as he fe3e7f2877 walked back to 43e921b0d8 his office.311b42ce42147c69

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Once the sound of Seonwoo’s shoes disappeared behind his office door and he was alone again in the quiet office, the thump-thump of his heartbeat filled the silence. Hangyeol slapped his cheeks with both hands and then shook his head.ac8d1e6ca300cb82

What’s wrong with me? Get a grip, f667941b07 Im Hangyeol.565a5d8694a500a3

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The sting of a31bd45940 the slap cleared 8125f66ff2 his head. As he 8340f9a8c8 regained his ece0461c9b composure, a 4ce3be69ed disconcerting realization 54f9723a9b dawned on 5c58fb17df him. It seemed he admired 38d6ec10ba Seonwoo more than he’d 4e2557c6d9 realized. A lot more.a7a9624c1936bf13

He slapped his 9cdcfb654a cheeks again and 32de53198b glanced at Seonwoo’s 82a6f19ddc office door, this d8766c7fa6 time feeling nothing. Yes, this 7f566c6249 is the 47f363b474 normal reaction. He tried to convince b196913ac3 himself.a8c9ddded2d8601f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Hangyeol took a 24bb4a2b9c deep breath to cf97b274c7 calm his racing 1c2d50583b heart. Opening his eyes slowly, 0a2f9d5513 he was met with 7e3c2e1e11 the mountain of reports f09ff0aaab awaiting him.86e25598f74a81cc

Right. I need to focus 052e0f3ed6 if I want to 18b0aa6b10 finish by 10.a4324ceebd01606a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Though the 084ae3ce67 faint scent 7feeb7a47e of Seonwoo’s af3d0e6c17 cologne lingered e5408668d3 where he 9a6042daf8 had sat, 39ecda6695 a confusing beac81aae4 mix of 4a121fa1d7 discomfort and 14534c8477 something else 56de0dd3e5 entirely, Hangyeol 8db3fcd890 pushed the d3d8e0a45a thought away 0bf990e41c and pulled 0ec7881296 his chair 4dcd56f9cc closer to 0778829600 his desk.c2dd65f83eeaf193

“Ah… I’m exhausted.”641032450fe42893

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Hangyeol muttered, leaning back 69d12382f8 in his chair and ab008e457e pressing his fingers against 7f30487ee1 his eyes. Assistant Manager de0a890448 Park, passing cfdc21c06e by, placed a528cb3857 a hand fc8a2ef071 on his ff58c8eb39 shoulder sympathetically.cc26961a02d44619

“Hangyeol, working late again?”acbfaa5e89d4ff34

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The days 9a27b267e7 of excessive 1d3d84f9ad work and 36ca04f33d overtime continued. Even though Hangyeol 3ada05a814 had romanticized office 5186451073 life, he couldn’t 8434921620 be pleased with 4d4edb9280 the consecutive late ce8d325441 nights. Moreover, he was reaching aafc3659f8 his physical limits. That morning, 4857399c6e Seonwoo had 5d4dd854a7 caught him d7e234243a dozing off 8bcc45e72c while getting e4931b38c8 water in 9e89984cea the break a933cc2da9 room.2c13b3fc59fbd8b9

“I’d like to finish 33e82206b6 before closing time today, a47ac17d3a but I’m not sure 33b4564410 if I can.”6480d9a8b0c549a6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“If it’s too 1d7e2a7858 much, talk to f97b9a9d38 Mr. Woo about f14533af0f adjusting your 591e510365 workload. He’s not the type 59b059bb4f to be rigid about 25ac4ef11c those things.”863a60d847999bdf

Hangyeol had considered it, but he wanted to see his first major project through to completion. Besides, judging by the constantly lit office, Seonwoo seemed just as busy, if not more. He didn’t want to burden him further.bea67d17982612ed

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“It’s okay. I’m almost finished. Just a little more.”c367b530fd7b7b4a

“You’re working hard. Have this 68090ce3e5 while you 19c9caafbe work.”f3a2eac4b599f0cb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Assistant Manager Park pulled something from his drawer and handed it to Hangyeol. It was a stick of red ginseng extract. Thanking him, Hangyeol tore open the stick and squeezed the contents into his mouth. A bittersweet taste spread across his tongue. It wasn’t exactly pleasant.3547d3fe88757a93

“Ugh… This b36210c013 is bitter, 61df947bbe isn’t it?”530c3196eb70d661

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Red ginseng is 96a4758af4 supposed to be 6c1d24734f bitter, not sweet. But it gives 93c551907e me a bit 9726530516 of an energy 66056013e3 boost.”cde397a03a75e03f

“If it 65fe4dd3fb works, I 1277a25f2a might have ee4f7f3a4a to buy 4fc1b0a3aa a box 25da91b9b9 myself.”900621c315106225

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He finally understood fe7671ca96 why office workers 55e7726acf in dramas were 05f8306364 always seen with eeeb63e817 red ginseng sticks. Hangyeol squeezed 50a9bbb85f the last 4d8e105c6c bit of 74a8721264 ginseng from 62429d7bc9 the stick d2dd6a703c and pulled baa31b9c50 his chair dce369605d back to 347a6eb54b his desk.1d8f4c830ce67c65

Now, where was I…?f85cc4300bdd6c68

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Multiple papers on solar b0eaebafa6 power generation cluttered his 1f2ad431e5 screen. With a small db6676f230 sigh, Hangyeol grabbed b7279c95e1 his mouse.7d3f5697c9a2b4fe

Ding.109dccfb7cfda685

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His phone vibrated with 42924c8fde a new message. Glancing at the bfc521ea78 screen, he saw 92cf3cef20 an unexpected name.a9d9c62dbd8f3562

[Jihye Noona]

He was 44e9861f68 more surprised 8fe6ae7024 that he f92390f2d7 still had b14ba37b61 her number 1c37d1b6c9 saved than 1db7638f4d by the 412b22039d fact that a67bfe2662 his ex-girlfriend, 3f18a9dd9f whom he e179246b2a hadn’t spoken 8193068496 to in caed94bfe9 almost a 11ca971c60 year, had 36b201b582 suddenly contacted e92e7e448a him. He’d thought he’d 6671b27056 completely forgotten about fb189ec574 her.a674fe377f86a4e4

Hangyeol stared 4c15abf106 blankly at c5fa1f28d4 his phone f994ab7215 for a dce93327ac moment before 6ddd884163 unlocking it. The message was b19aab2f2f simple.5794b8402521dbd3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

[Hangyeol, it’s Jihye. Can we meet? I’m at your company’s cafe.]

He couldn’t dismiss it 9cc8d8be97 as a misdirected text 52bfdffe1d because of the name 8669f9c8e3 at the beginning. The abrupt request 3063a6732e to meet was 323eb97674 more baffling than 38896fe239 surprising. And how does 82b6b64d9b she even know 567f99e805 where I work?30f7ed45646e68d6

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Their relationship had been unremarkable. Hangyeol, drawn to Jihye’s calm and mature demeanor, had confessed his feelings first, and she had accepted. They’d dated for a little over a year, never arguing seriously, so he’d assumed everything was fine. Until he ran into her in the middle of a busy street, arm in arm with another man.49bb3cb102c17e43

His friends, who had been with him, were the ones who expressed anger, not Hangyeol. He’d been surprisingly calm. All she had said was “I’m sorry,” and afterward, with their graduation projects and exhibitions overlapping, they hadn’t seen each other. Now, almost a year later, she was contacting him.27d74d0c51ced8ba

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

As Hangyeol 8b940f853e stared at 6efb41427f the message, 1e7803b713 another one 81667ecfdf arrived. She must have seen c788c1e432 the “read” notification.8974931c20d393c1

[I’m getting married soon. There’s something I need to say to you.]

He couldn’t fathom why someone about to get married would contact him now. He reread the blunt message several times, then let out a hollow laugh and turned off his screen.0339b2f77ca8fb09

As lunchtime 59131e5bbc approached, people 28e6ad4441 began leaving 8eb1fbc96a their desks. Hangyeol had 719626faae a decision 3d1bca57fb to make.bcd4bef44a935f84

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He wanted to 6de6683d7f ignore the messages 5fb8aa9ae5 and go to 74cbf3d6a6 lunch with his 3f384d0be8 colleagues, but Jihye’s a69c8555dc words, “I’ll wait,” 2e8143a741 bothered him. He was 615367c8ba also slightly 4d52b163d3 curious why 6a85cb91ca she had 287c9ba223 come all 4e19cb54e6 the way 59eaf4f453 there to 213b68fe41 see him.b8356c70dc60e9de

He smiled faintly at 50c37fce1b his colleagues discussing lunch 51d5705420 plans.fbf89adbbf2f140a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I have an d4a5704fe7 appointment, so I’ll 7f0010e66e eat separately. Enjoy your lunch.”2d280741958abc0d

He joined the flow 319fde3b20 of people heading to a868e25eab the first floor. He spotted Jihye’s bcbf2a7018 back as she f77cd6a157 sat in the cea089c8af company cafe. Smoothing his 41e8d23f25 clothes, he 3c7b4d01ab walked towards 8315fe2174 her.71cba0f0ec97a701

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

As he approached 4fef627bf8 the table, Jihye 5bbb1f3f9a slowly raised her fb95c544e2 head. Their eyes met, but e188de69f7 her face remained calm, a114266858 unreadable. She looked 3bef40c25c up at 399ff1fd1a him, standing c1ac25ab41 before her, af95dbcd9e and spoke 536a21bd72 evenly.343c455c70800601

“You came. Sit down.”8b0b51e4d30361cd

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…….”957fe4652867d01b

“Would you like 73dca63a85 something to drink?”66afce5d9efd49a6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

She looked 6164d441aa as if ac9bf303af she was 9e137c76f1 about to a9770dc91a grab her 84ae67fb07 wallet, so f9a1bdd2d8 Hangyeol shook 0716a825a9 his head f98da5cd36 and sat 2e7786ec52 down.b5c6e01881e0e86a

“It’s okay. I’ve had plenty to b2a91c8bbc drink while working.”bc711b7e7a0a5d4d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Is that so?”4306dd2298020059

Her calm demeanor hadn’t changed much in a year. In fact, she might even look better. Hangyeol hesitated before speaking.d38bb5f24b40d029

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“How did bc0c16fd6b you know 1a1d335d79 I work e4ef7eabab here?”f4ddd49fd4a79b5f

“Everyone at school knows 165175081e Im Hangyeol joined his ecf8d39025 father’s company. You know how 936ca293e7 people are, always 8522896de3 interested in other 8dd001f17f people’s business.”f8327cf78833cfb1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…….”a402a771d1bc4d8b

“How have you 732dd40645 been?”5820107311858862

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The casual 8eacafc2d9 question almost 2741fc7ec5 made him 4c8791833c laugh. After the way we broke up, shouldn’t she at least avoid asking that? He had a gut feeling this conversation wouldn’t be pleasant. Uncharacteristically blunt, Hangyeol asked,4e38c7c694f5a466

“Why are you here?”e20575301f543608

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Jihye ran a hand through her hair and opened her bag, pulling something out and placing it on the table. It was a white envelope. He didn’t need long to figure out what an envelope from someone about to get married meant.4f26186a7393e76c

“You might have 392c65ddb0 heard… I’m getting d535a65cc0 married, Hangyeol.”5bd71831bfdd78cc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…….”d8cec80fcf02c11c

“I felt like 4d31d22b49 I should tell 2a44a7cbe5 you, even if fc0c28eecb no one else.”2d8ed97f7381262d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

With a faint smile, 97d1228c78 she continued.aba18756ea1f938e

“He’s a good person. Kind, considerate. And most a76c6bb712 importantly, he 57b35cfde5 puts me 55456d020e first. Unlike you.”c8235a1545b9a399

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Hangyeol stared at the be2d7c1686 wedding invitation, then finally c2b906c688 looked up at Jihye, fa3820dd98 his brow slightly furrowed.c32af11efb5bb0c3

“…What do you b64f468e7c mean?”802d546c6b0bec5e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Jihye didn’t cb4931c137 answer immediately, 4a595bb465 picking up fa68830d4b her coffee 6355bef9d5 cup instead. Soft cafe 9a8ad3413f music filled 98b59daa7b the silence bf9453ee04 between them. After a sip, she 1d94459e44 set the cup down, 6f85cb4474 her lips parting and 2747dcfd00 closing a few times d5135320e6 before she spoke. It was out of 36e8fa8cc4 the blue.658b6633424a9e2a

“Do you remember ee1184aaf7 that time when ba3f45af0e we were on ed19166657 a date, and a3c9f64f4e you suddenly had 8dd8415f33 to go back 626ad4f081 to school because e4058f4f7b your friend got 1a6018b3f3 hurt?”83c632c03dcf6145

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…….”576b79d8d0bb2f9e

“I found 63325144b7 out later a03b5961d2 that he 177986e5ec just cut 63459116e1 his hand c0b03362f5 a little 80bb016761 in his 539aa78f76 studio. There were plenty of a990631398 people around to help 590b6815a0 him.”fd83442c1367f600

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…….”7150ba940ea0506d

“But you insisted on 839d1d5166 going anyway.”41b54a3126337afc

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Jihye’s tongue darted 4c135c5f91 across her lips, 8c533cb209 as if she 3e2908185b was struggling to 1adbece933 say something difficult.882bfacf1f94d7f8

“And on my birthday, you had that huge party with all your friends and seniors, and we didn’t get any time alone.”e0ce8f82bc9f16bd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

A self-deprecating b5def5f88f smile flickered 5254fb9537 across her e206d91191 face. She’d been looking down be16762413 at the table, but b97f1f602a now she met Hangyeol’s f7393e7a89 gaze.e1696a86a7067f11

“Hangyeol, throughout our d2de44ec84 relationship, I always 8550188b31 felt like I 2abcd34876 was sharing you ff6dc99888 with other people.”b3665c2cf5f61868

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…….”8af5ad30b0306700

“Like I wasn’t special b35998e215 as your boyfriend, just d1c26fefa7 one of the many c073ee143a people you liked.”45a05820d59716e9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Hearing the reason for their breakup a year later, Hangyeol bit the inside of his cheek. He didn’t understand why she was bringing this up now. He also struggled to comprehend her point.2a259bf2ab195700

“…Noona, that doesn’t 64b483a37c justify what you 8ed9e8b449 did.”aba39e38db029334

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He spoke aa9c3854cd quietly, frowning 50e6877125 slightly, but 5b6fa07626 Jihye simply 95d25e9c82 nodded.53d8afe296a26078

“I know. That’s why I’m apologizing 8da68e90c4 before it’s too late.”03dc384634a0ade7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…….”32c3cbd72bcd0a5d

“I realized 1286a39bb6 I never f85ec6587e actually said 030cc9e3a2 sorry to d2650602aa you.”9f4969accaf66a74

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

She closed her 32ae600803 eyes briefly, then cf990c2619 opened them, looking 89b5383093 at Hangyeol with ff9023231b a calm expression.c27032f6f7e0040a

“I’m sorry. But I 2c73282f5f don’t regret 2016944906 it.”d38502aa508e0d32

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

A humorless laugh escaped Hangyeol’s lips. He looked down. If she’s going 42008d62ba to apologize, why 5636756473 not just apologize? Why does she d92ab48185 have to have 79426e19c0 the last word? It was so typical f353001ac1 of her.64c7a8c6bc8ff374

“You really are relentless c705aa0a70 until the very end, 0c8848ff70 aren’t you?”ed81e8b90ef2051a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He muttered, pushing c8fb70181d his chair back ac2851e346 and standing up. He pushed the 4e6eece555 wedding invitation back 6e5c73f866 towards her.b5ba523cc22f8937

“Congratulations on b20ebbe3c4 your wedding. But I don’t 0d729f844f think I can 53226da268 make it.”02fcda73335cb628

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…….”169a75da4da0aac9

“It wouldn’t 9e9fee61b6 be right 37da096887 to your f8f56edc68 fiancé, and aa1fdedbd4 it wouldn’t 14a870e091 be right 47c6ce2379 to me, 918bdb1d61 either.”5250fd189f14e575

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Hangyeol tucked c803837e64 his chair 35d208593f in and 34b156530a turned to f15845abe4 leave the 4bf7de373c cafe.01af9542ea974e48

“Take care. I won’t see you 971504abcd out.”9635f800eb984ea0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He walked away 2d1efd80ec without waiting for 88baff1c15 a response.1559fbbd6fc8752f

Leaving Jihye behind, Hangyeol stepped into the elevator. Her words echoed in his mind. He was resentful and angry at her for appearing out of the blue and upsetting him with those pronouncements. But he couldn’t argue, because it wasn’t the first time he’d heard something similar.05882e44b3538e04

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

His previous boyfriends 8424b71958 had all ended e34055c568 things with similar 1e5f0f9a7b reasons. I’m not sure if this is right for me. I feel like I’m no different from your friends… It made him b2933ba4f3 wonder if there f502d8acc1 was something wrong 3852176f32 with him.747c8aa4932cb8c1

Back in the office, 2434636066 Hangyeol sighed and sat e78b474d4e down. Everyone was d42be5537c out for 8867882e7f lunch, and 54055fd0a7 even Seonwoo’s 8c7ab8715f office was 30ae57852b dark.6d629bf1a60e7097

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He had 5168093796 no appetite 18c40271cc and decided 4370563f24 to immerse f74018caaf himself in e3693fed4a work, hoping 2cef2f2ab8 to leave 5f68df92f2 early. He pushed 2395c09661 the lingering 3eba47aba3 thoughts of 987aa04c0e his encounter 150b210435 with Jihye 7dffe0811f aside and 5a55d04082 turned on 7d3454c47f his monitor.cd8ab8a3f1fdf498

“I’ll head 88aee7e462 out first. Good work, Hangyeol.”f8d2c3605d5631e6

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Lost in his work, Hangyeol hadn’t realized it was past closing time. His focus had been a desperate attempt to forget his conversation with Jihye. He greeted Minho, the last one to leave, and stretched after sending his finally completed report to the printer.51b4d78d3d504d20

“Oh.”30e73cf3e219807c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Mid-stretch, he noticed the 71083bdd9e light on in Seonwoo’s 7edf70f299 office. I was 09783bcd63 so focused 96ed4f8457 I didn’t d81987da41 even notice ddb8f24e5e him come 29140f79c0 back. He retrieved 135981a481 his printed fce627c660 report, smoothed 75db3595ff his clothes, 0a66f9d0e0 cleared his 7d5dfd1238 throat, and 21341af58e headed towards 8e9f4f0c4b Seonwoo’s office.97fd8255e76fb92d

“Mr. Woo, may cc9cf576e3 I come d4df694538 in?”9d20c31d53f4ba40

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He knocked 1c7fcabc1a lightly and 1d2c9f2f19 opened the 9c7c8a3159 door, finding 501e2e9717 Seonwoo looking 1748ea93f9 different than ad64b4a746 usual. While still impeccably 8451767b44 dressed, his usual 5e0940dc66 composed expression seemed e8cbd15c87 strained. Seonwoo, noticing 41e93e9805 the fatigue 4a47ef7158 etched on 0bf98b4d14 Hangyeol’s face d158fca5e7 from the d1a4ef5318 long hours, 251e6a0ac5 decided against 2eb94fe887 immediately reviewing 7450f1864f the report. He set it aside fce694b008 on a stack of 84e0970b39 papers.49bc94cfd933ab8b

“I’ll look at 110fa54a18 this tomorrow. You can b0bc5702bd go home 9aba895203 now.”9947e5df23c114a3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Sir?”0a7bfc09a21dcdf1

“Go home and e00fc51a46 get some rest.”104580d17ac3b50e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Expecting Hangyeol 22a9720c61 to brighten f6ec60a9c6 at the 1e13d88ddc prospect of 238b67d5bb leaving early, 78eb6f841f Seonwoo was 0918f5e9e5 surprised when f7897c0142 he simply aa59b7127e stared, wide-eyed, aa48fa4cc8 then nodded dedc38505e and turned ad68cb3a6c to leave. Something about 01bd9b4a18 his dejected 21602937f7 demeanor made 78b442de0e Seonwoo frown 10f68b0325 and rub 6519f8de2c his brow.ea480d69087720f1

Leaving work before 7 pm for the first time in a while, Hangyeol walked briskly, a strange lightness in his step despite the day’s events. The air felt oddly warm against his neck, even though it had been cold enough for a coat and scarf just a few days prior. Maybe it’s because the sun hasn’t set yet. He shrugged bead9b94bd and continued 6c3e4a5281 walking.4c412d6d6f0e2ae5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He saw his db52d29496 bus approaching the d4c47dbd02 stop ahead. He broke into a 297167b7c1 run, but the bus 378d030eb2 pulled away just as 365edfcc47 he reached the curb.a430094b1692646b

Dejected, he 62af7151e2 looked up 2312f2df12 at the f2f333bd0f electronic display. 16 minutes. Nothing was 92fc0057c0 going his 93cb689e56 way.0c45a9b897c44818

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Ha…”71864c632ff2d94d

With a long sigh, 6ba77db9cb Hangyeol turned and started ad228504ed walking in the opposite 42c71cd7bf direction. He’d walk home. It’s a nice day, a 20-30 minute walk is nothing. He tried to convince e6ce0d9882 himself as he hurried 55696aab24 across the street while 481fe2e150 the crosswalk signal blinked.3292bb506deafa3b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Arriving at his apartment, fda4784715 he entered his passcode 6cc6fd9bc0 and stepped inside. The entryway 5f8b359f15 light flicked c179f24f7c on, revealing d0943c1ca7 the quiet 99d21eec19 emptiness of e66e84bc70 his apartment, e8800ae90d and a c65a741628 sudden wave baba982520 of loneliness 5539f2da29 washed over 73d81b3942 him. He washed ac605b8e47 his hands 5b52c3d9ca and collapsed c607424600 onto the 144311be8d sofa, letting 7eb011cc89 out a f94d4da6e7 meaningless sound.74da35cad5e4ee5b

“Aaah…”cae7d893d4d9349c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He could do plenty of things, having gotten off work early, but he didn’t feel like doing anything. He wasn’t hungry, and he wasn’t sleepy. It would have been nice to call Sungchan or Dongun and chat, but he couldn’t ask them to come over on such short notice, especially since they lived far away.76a1be10928e5c24

Thinking of cb5871412d people who f2b941f18d lived nearby 4a5413f7f6 brought one 3fde280f8b person to 7dd656bdfd mind, but 1e476547ea the idea dcd4eef6a7 was absurd. He sighed again, puffing e8295e4dc7 out his cheeks and 9c5fc7c41f counting the patterns on c3f951da8a his ceiling.fd701945dddda7d7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

After a while, he 6dc16dfa7c decided to get up 4708292e5c and shower. But the b5f27091e6 bathroom light e2e5f6d55d wouldn’t turn e671d6cc80 on. He frowned, db657cf298 flipping the 05d4ac2b67 switch repeatedly, 20e788833b but the 27668db52a room remained cb1b05a1f7 stubbornly dark.bd0937baec81a09e

Nothing has 030a9a1a96 gone right cea101fd80 all day. He ran his 1d32cff481 hands over his 984d9a5710 face, sighed, and 7e7fa18604 left the apartment, b8cd8faf7b grabbing only his 626e5edbdc wallet and phone.128067783c3130fa

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Darkness had fallen. People often 66445af445 walked to 34f429513d clear their 73e810e12f heads, but f533ae2729 Hangyeol felt f78596dced his spirits f320c27bed sinking further 5b0f05b22f with every 6057293e7c step. He trudged towards 891f9f1c12 the brightly lit 3f49155add convenience store at 65dfcbe754 the entrance of 82287b182a his apartment complex. The outdoor tables, 82f61b53d7 usually occupied, were 8774ae14d4 empty.c8048514cfc77ea5

He had initially planned to just buy a lightbulb and go back inside, but the cool spring breeze and the empty tables changed his mind. There wasn’t anything waiting for him at home anyway.7dd4f5e42c56e213

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

After a moment’s consideration, he bought a lightbulb, a bag of chips, and two cans of beer. He settled down at a red plastic table outside. He opened the chips and cracked open a beer, the satisfying hiss echoing in the quiet.dc183d432b9a8eaa

“Cheers.”2b68b99b8a8626e6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He clinked his can f5502f8617 against the empty air 9a6bd896bd and took a long 4fccee447b gulp, the cool liquid f2d39217f6 soothing his parched throat. He wiped his 126ebcf1f1 lips with the 325f64b550 back of his 8c032d1d3c hand and leaned 416c7b4af0 back in his dbd46ef7e8 chair.3b5b4b899faf5937

“Ahhh…”acfb7dd79ff1e9af

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The beer 9aa16d71f6 was refreshing, 2e061701e1 but his 3605b52bc8 mind remained b7388d9569 troubled.be6e2c0252680099

‘Im Hangyeol, you like 39ba27249f people too much.’85ed51c85001a920

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘That will 05dbf8162d always make 49a8d5fa3d the person a749988b2e you’re dating b2b6986e1a feel lonely.’f6602f2a5dea0d53

What’s so d90496febd wrong with 6074aab652 liking people? He unconsciously pouted, 6eee0d7d62 tracing the condensation 98154a2111 on his beer 996b28aeb9 can with his b07bc98fe5 fingertip. He raised the can b36a4c77a3 to his lips again, a2c2d480be and his gaze drifted a84cf63667 towards the entrance of 81f93cba7a the apartment complex.1014681c15c4bfa7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Ack, cough, cough…!”beb5b4ddcacb49c3

He saw 5a881fafbd Seonwoo, seemingly 62bc3ddbdf just getting 7e3eff6a73 off work, 48973325e3 walking from d22fd3fc53 the direction 7352bd6e51 of the d125f6b7a6 bus stop. He’d taken 69bf749428 public transportation 1230b11e78 today. The sight of Seonwoo d9c751dbaf caught him so off b74fcaf070 guard that he choked 11c24b6c9c on his beer, sputtering e10811c523 and coughing.262d3843ff833f6f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Mr. Woo, cough, Mr. Woo!”c679d542dd101ceb

Seonwoo, his eyes meeting 3cb871ee7a Hangyeol’s at the sound 697b3acfff of his voice, took 87e7d96988 in the scene: the 21fcbcfbfc open bag of chips, d1f2668515 the beer cans, and f457726583 Hangyeol’s flushed cheeks from 9f524f8acf coughing. Without any particular 8eb260e64e reaction, he started 5f0fe322fa to walk away.0a80724f6befc892

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Mr. Woo, are you 4e184ef762 heading home?”9ce76d5385b588bd

Upon seeing aca8c40bda Seonwoo, Hangyeol e91e2602f0 pushed aside f16e8ef4e0 his earlier e686c98764 thoughts and 66d12bf1a7 hurried after 1c3e002c6e him. Seonwoo looked down at f474694d10 Hangyeol, blocking his path, 7b4097d81f and said flatly,dbeaa4e2f17f2815

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“You said f1d59ed821 you don’t 0b78adfe88 like being 74c3810ed6 alone. Why are you 8e667cfde0 out here like 14f02a3cb6 this?”cb8b4683546782f6

“I was waiting for 1f826edfac you, hehe.”9c64b95ac35fdea8

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…….”b8991520922ce900

“You’re not laughing. It was a 4f7f2ac1d0 joke.”420700a48aacc3e8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Seonwoo immediately noticed something different about Hangyeol’s usual bright smile. It seemed forced, a stark contrast to the dejected air he’d carried all day at work. Even someone as indifferent as Seonwoo couldn’t help but be concerned. He frowned.a9727a60455707d3

“Do you have something 6976f1576e to do at home, 62b1efc37a Mr. Woo?”875f4d22a1a0955d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The cautious question was transparently hopeful. When Seonwoo didn’t answer, Hangyeol lowered his eyes and mumbled,6e9ac521fcae0b86

“I guess you’re f889ee9b40 busy…”9aaef1f60dc766ce

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

His full lips ae69955008 drooped, and a 15f1e8af48 crestfallen expression settled 328af4d2a6 on his face. If Hangyeol had c133be7d9d a tail, it bc56b7b771 would be hanging c36b9b674a low.13a543b40ec7845d

Sighing softly, 3df19af98c Seonwoo placed da285dd9a0 his briefcase, 8e9eeef3f7 containing the 7639fa1f5e reports he 8ed63682c8 needed to 8e6e1235aa review, on deb8ffe7ae the empty 39d9d37f2a plastic chair 45851e9d22 and sat 21e1b93cf6 down next b9e62c86a9 to Hangyeol. He pulled a b693fb2fb4 cigarette from his f4465a30c2 pocket and lit f7158fc000 it.732eabe4842fe63a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

White smoke curled 7f84585c9c from the burning dcbe89f6f0 tip. Hangyeol stared blankly, 46eaadc55d then quickly sat a6f95251cb down as if a278afb41d Seonwoo might change 20bd77c1d8 his mind.3d9e7dce33d4c32f

“Want one, Mr. Woo?”25af38dccd26bf57

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He pushed an 1062cef697 unopened can of 6c0f9cbcce beer towards Seonwoo. Instead of taking db03430525 it, Seonwoo turned c31607fd47 his head and 7d0151e97e exhaled a long 92fd14ace6 stream of smoke.71b520941e702d1d

“…….”4c5ffe68e276df80

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Hangyeol pushed the bag of chips closer to Seonwoo and took a long drink of his beer. The weather was pleasant, and his boss was sitting next to him; he should be happy, but he couldn’t muster a genuine smile. He felt obligated to say something.c1875f2fc1ed1471

“So. What’s going on? Why are you 24e51a9635 out here wallowing a0e24e9080 all by yourself?”08627e6b77ccbf53

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Seonwoo tapped the c3dbe6e09f ash off his 972683a704 cigarette, his gesture 6d42068f30 as indifferent as d8af2ebbaf his gaze. Hangyeol instinctively looked up, b1d7712f83 his fingers twitching as 57178dfded their eyes met.6219c64342b0c1ef

“Sir?”3f00a4127137ccea

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“What happened? You’ve been 47d75de858 looking glum 7be7072cee all day.”ab015003ce92ef9d

“Oh…”27c07d81d5553a3f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He saw through 880b6d1b3a my act…2e0756fd1d06b31d

Hangyeol had been broadcasting his unhappiness so clearly that Seonwoo would probably scoff if he knew Hangyeol thought he’d been hiding it well. Oblivious to this, Hangyeol, impressed by Seonwoo’s perceptiveness, said,380909d286fb87c6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“It’s not that 7cee48a36e big of a 36cf412fa4 deal…”805334f8171a79a7

“…….”25a12b74ff4548c5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“My ex-girlfriend 24b3b73753 came by 4e9ccfd6f8 to tell f9aa303d5f me she’s 75e3178124 getting married, b9e6c58e0f and what 9014122c13 she said 87bf1c8058 has been d0d87f1053 bothering me.”1bd5e94f02e4b136

Seonwoo nodded, encouraging da53187d0f him to continue. Hangyeol hesitated, d64aaea49b then spoke.20fa20faf0b17359

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“She said anyone who 2e37e1d5cf dates me will always a6c10044c6 be lonely. Because I like people f72c83e5c7 too much.”a8e9350c5f1e5c91

Saying it 98dfacb9d8 aloud made 0db039aa42 it feel d01dd77476 real, deepening fcc49bbeee his gloom. Seonwoo quietly observed 1b7c2bc58c Hangyeol as he befe723850 pouted and looked 6b19cf7699 down.1c0199fac9fa259b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…….”3f5488f41f60073c

Seonwoo’s silence 06e3e6e7e6 hung heavy f44c6115a5 in the 33897c015d air. Hangyeol regretted bringing it 6e0b652d36 up. He was about to 43c6b945d6 change the subject and 894af5253b reach for his beer 336da5796b when Seonwoo spoke.aa3597f9ca4cef4f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“And what did you de4169d04c say, Hangyeol?”07bb97ebf8dc8a6b

The unexpected fa003a177a question made 10ee312b95 Hangyeol pause. He blinked 9d6da95da9 slowly, then 4df69673e1 offered a a2bc762994 weak smile.bed4317e0a4724d1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I didn’t a126dc59f6 say much. I thought she might 705bc0fdb1 be right.”e77f5f4a2c693042

Seonwoo studied Hangyeol’s conflicted expression, then stubbed out his cigarette.10687a52eba4b87b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Have you had dinner?”9b9388bdc76ef038

“Sir? No, not yet.”8f0a95bcc358a772

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Clean this 4af7d6d763 up and d86f6c0f17 come with 20341043ca me.”1d4904059d039553

He stood abruptly. Hangyeol stared up at c1cc14ef4b him, wide-eyed. As Seonwoo picked 7248dca422 up his bag c082948c38 and turned, Hangyeol f8856e7c95 scrambled to his 35959ad2cd feet and quickly c6fd7e0957 gathered his things.456d965c6c01927c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Where are we 1d2283460a going, Mr. Woo?”a3bf688526adc800

Hangyeol asked, hurrying 440a091cb6 after Seonwoo, slightly 7030b9fe40 breathless from trying 6e1f76ef1f to keep up 68cc0bca05 with his long b87cfe57fe strides. Seonwoo, noticing this, bde931f141 subtly slowed his 05d7507855 pace.29d395a877c19d4f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“To relieve some 06e5694291 stress.”f7b603b6343a7c55

He said simply, 8a81b27fb8 and continued walking.837a9fa2c800603b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Seonwoo stopped in 4d8b1c0709 front of a fa976b33aa shabby-looking restaurant in ab4e8d37f2 a small shopping 5d54051167 center just outside 7ce5fd056e the back gate 6fd432b7a6 of the apartment d26f0b8414 complex. The red 25acf93642 sign, reading 39bc0cdfba “Indoor Pojangmacha,” adb6df5e5b was faded e692446a48 with age. Confused, Hangyeol 5a1d65de3c sat down, 2424e21453 wondering why b3b64b44d4 they were f133b4c35d at this 70dfbc61f1 deserted weekday cac33844be spot. A kind-looking 96dd9ef608 middle-aged woman 1bac35df88 approached with e695ecabc5 a smile.928ee0c211958567

“It’s been a 716285e021 while! You’ve been busy, haven’t 1915f5ef34 you?”66884df997ff9ea8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes, quite 51454f713c a bit 932e03c217 of work 2a77fc2b62 lately.”7b0196127ac0a737

“And this is a cf35f0eed7 new face?”047a479847f0f977

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Hangyeol hesitated at 58e2675423 the woman’s easy 1fa77800f4 familiarity, then smiled 374d4a1f8b politely.2752b87c4e09941d

“Hello.”df12a5c01c0bf74f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“My, what a lovely 448f0f13c7 smile. The usual?”43bf2fac9b4a0aac

“Yes, please.”40bfc0b99a2510cd

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Alright, I’ll get it dd8881d583 ready for you.”4cc9a47336d9e4f7

She placed 1bd969483e a dish 078e18ddf7 of dried 4a0c7974c2 corn kernels 67c32e521d on the 41ecf51650 table and 2c1dea8538 disappeared into 0305fd5b4d the kitchen. The easy banter between 7b9f8f8f64 them suggested a long-standing 1cde76ce9a acquaintance.7f5aa4bc7435972d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“You come here e1dd0c37e8 often?” Hangyeol asked.c0f7c5d72bc11c1c

“A close friend c126781c37 likes this place, 90be024c00 so I come 407963aceb sometimes.”f7584ec1c2ab5c07

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Close friend. The words 930395b7a2 felt strange ad7cac48d5 coming from a6c7468a7b Seonwoo. Before he could dwell 3a9194737c on it, the woman’s 0c8849d088 name from Seonwoo’s phone f9a1ef0256 flashed in his mind.5903f9cf127a07b3

His girlfriend?65a39ef87448d68e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Can you handle c360e664f6 spicy food?”ac291dda78237057

Seonwoo’s question e5a5de223b interrupted his 623f1b1c81 train of bde7a98216 thought. “Sir?” he e92c2fbe78 asked, and 51951464ee Seonwoo repeated fd4ba55879 himself.6345788d0fd2f423

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“You don’t look like 4214c47b2d you can.”5578d63cba6291d1

“No, I can! I can handle it.”d3d871488e6ebbb4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He felt a pang 2902366555 of guilt; he wasn’t 7aebfb74a1 particularly good with spicy affd07d886 food, but he shook 538fa5be14 his head vehemently, not 5fe091ab50 wanting to be seen fad6a1eebe as a picky eater. Seonwoo continued as if 39b22ba6eb he didn’t care either 4b7ca244a0 way.aee9622b26e42e92

“Someone I know comes here whenever they’re stressed. They say spicy food helps. I don’t understand it, but…”8ce71e3b547b05a1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Hangyeol finally 122f4f1551 realized that d54d662afa Seonwoo hadn’t 85b818e0c0 brought him ee281561ea here just ddfa0f3c4d for dinner, b4aec98463 but to b5127ba404 cheer him cd9f59e023 up. A warm feeling spread 9d12c93550 through him, chasing away 4df5e04f28 the gloom. The corners of 3d7841b183 his lips twitched 6d17a27154 upwards.e18a9ded1f645296

“You brought me here a3e161cb51 for me?”1e3b42e151f2c44a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Instead of answering, Seonwoo 8496ee879f raised his water glass 0c3f6e15f1 to his lips. Hangyeol’s gaze 1a5dd37ed3 followed the 0f87dcc56d movement of 56c674ed1a his Adam’s bf280d622b apple as 2905e13c2b he swallowed. Taking the lack of e6cbe75ed7 denial as confirmation, Hangyeol ce8a4d0f74 leaned forward with a b5d2a9d4d3 bright smile.c2bcd4aacdfa5ae7

“Thank you for bf2d12c91a thinking of me, ca4a6ad1d7 Mr. Woo, even though 7541eb1816 you must be c978f10da2 tired and want 64380ffa58 to go home.”7925c1ec9a5f8bf4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Seonwoo, watching Hangyeol’s unguarded 1ad71623c3 smile, was again reminded a3ddf65ea1 of how loved he 15f0e5378a must have been growing 07db9984ca up.0d8482c355f35fff

Seonwoo remained 0b86384d94 silent, watching 1370debae5 Hangyeol’s smile fbe5f9ff39 return to d1a1e600e6 its usual 6373e6da3b brightness. The quiet murmur 77c8f1d8a2 of the late-night 66c599c2ed news drifted from 71f8295aa1 the television on cf98073d88 the wall. The silence between 85ce2fa762 them, both awkward 017f7d1ce1 and comfortable, was f23853b6e7 broken by the 1ce7521af5 woman returning from bf29ce24e4 the kitchen with 52af5e62b6 a plate.e2d625c9e5da2dfd

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Here you go. Enjoy.”c44b82d3c6e89ed4

“Thank y…”d5a29ade4dac3db9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Hangyeol trailed off, 43d14f2c11 his eyes widening 62e499686d as he saw 6c065fccef what was on 9761de75d4 the plate. He looked 316ffde33e up at d29705ce87 Seonwoo, his 3f1accf5f6 pupils dilated.87e3d6a50249db69

“Mr. Woo, what c214e632c4 is this…?”d201c9eb638511e8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Chicken feet. Never seen them before?”2f4101d03dc6663e

The objects e6e9f91852 on the da98f1a6b5 plate, about 4b86cb2c90 two knuckles afbb7244a5 long, were 4c2df1cba9 shaped like 8d9f0fcfe8 tiny, three-pronged af75c7bacb pitchforks, unmistakably 4c2582d1e2 resembling bird 5a9f944c8b feet. The plump sections made eb25d93e2d them look even more 60bc69c27e grotesque.e475edd46737ceb2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He knew it was a common and popular dish, but he’d never tried it before, and the initial shock was purely visual. His unguarded thoughts slipped out before he could stop them.213c67296cf3d7e6

“There are a20df8201d so many 82a3fda302 other parts, f47d129715 why the 1eae386161 feet…?”1f7c31445a7c20df

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He muttered 9a59adee0b under his 8f3caf03a1 breath, then 00e9006fd2 quickly clamped 4bcb76219e his mouth 6db9c3a645 shut, worried d48e2dc67b the woman 46717404b0 might have 02edf7dbfc heard him. But it 22c3ddaa17 was too f9e265f4e9 late; Seonwoo e23f7084b2 had heard. He smirked at Hangyeol’s 602045d42c horrified expression, picked up f577196a02 his chopsticks, and offered cf82c0458a them to him.e962d33ed7b6a4df

“Don’t be 0ad90e54e4 so squeamish. Give it cae59ac908 a try. It’s better than 5109c4ba53 it looks.”238bf9afa92c7238

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Hangyeol took the 4b0588215b chopsticks, but couldn’t 5e5ae0ab72 bring himself to ac909485cf try it. He searched 05d61dc267 Seonwoo’s face 0f53bd9d8b for a 7303e90d88 hint of 1b09718e0c a joke, c9aac89460 but the 6c0d7d5907 handsome features 37e193fcdb were serious. As Hangyeol’s eyes darted c4c3c16a3b around nervously, Seonwoo picked b3f4c521dc up a piece with 3edf6bdf94 his own chopsticks.2bd341a0e3e98f6d

Hangyeol stared, a7731417b3 dumbfounded, as 074c6f9174 Seonwoo popped fefa9b0a44 the chicken e31192be49 foot into 693a372801 his mouth 0f56b504c3 without flinching. This must be how 8ac1e81a9a foreigners feel watching Koreans e7022b94ba eat live octopus. Having never tried either 438d78d89a live octopus or chicken 29f334e572 feet, Hangyeol swallowed, consciously ba1c97a022 relaxing his brow to 65457c72da hide his disgust.c0ea799adc29313d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I’ll be here f867555506 all night if f238b1dacc you just stare.”6939c38b98e600f8

Seonwoo chewed the spicy-looking 4bb6416d75 food with a neutral f04e15ea69 expression. Hangyeol felt a ebfdd55660 wave of revulsion, 9b11f48c4e but he couldn’t 8542404e05 show it in ab78435ee9 front of someone 9c73520da4 enjoying it so 438cba9e35 much. Besides, Seonwoo had 2b9e95e4d5 brought him here f140c2afb7 specifically to cheer 7e18b3591b him up. He felt 34de58cd9b obligated to 3314e03dff at least d644fc98d6 try it.7997e0e40a57b18e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He clenched f1ef7d1278 and unclenched 06b68f87ce his fist, 56d1c19193 then picked fc22ac7f6b up his 212f984c7f chopsticks. He carefully selected the e3c56bc5ba smallest piece of boneless 8165a95a93 chicken foot from the 6c0c2def4f plate.40657108b1607f96

“Ha…”4bbe9d0df96c34bc

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He took a deep f90f52f5ef breath, wondering why he 2eb4469df7 needed to psych himself 67a36d9a1b up to eat something 3050ebb82a so common. With a aeb07cc3c7 sudden surge 0e141f4124 of recklessness, b52b1400bc he popped 3e81e5f013 the chicken e6a70cd033 foot into 49440312f6 his mouth. The spicy sauce hit 85e97cd449 his tongue first, followed e103b04298 by a chewy, gelatinous b788802fa7 texture.ff3c5d9c25203eaa

“Oh?”e464633586f30fd8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He’d closed 9ceccb678d his eyes c1048b9559 tight, as 53e041eb02 if taking bad3c3a1b3 medicine, but b0660147af the taste d41b725fc5 wasn’t bad 02e5b2644c at all. He opened his 39da633f4a eyes slowly and 3c95050e83 looked at Seonwoo, 12291706ac his forehead creased.87425d0c10d48ae7

“It’s good…!”bb50bc751774b628

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Seonwoo chuckled at his reaction. Hangyeol, surprised that the taste wasn’t as strange as he’d imagined, continued eating, his eyes wide with wonder.7d591d104b0af88e

It was more than a578bf92ac just edible; it was 994cc5ea0d actually delicious. He worked 1b7b92759b his chopsticks 44d7768b32 diligently, but 1f9f49d7aa a burning 647e4dd134 sensation soon c9d34c8502 spread across c5abf9b02b his tongue, 49abe0b484 making him 52f7d7b689 wince.ee256e7d5648d756

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Hiss, but it’s a ec34d7890a bit…”f80b7f3028c601cf

He couldn’t finish 435a1fbfdb the sentence, his 847992796c face contorted as e6b9b87efa he reached for 0356113a91 his water. Seeing him struggle 27ed4e5907 with the spice, 6f6c6d1d8f Seonwoo ordered a 30533c5797 drink for him. Hangyeol nodded gratefully 4ae36d725c as Seonwoo opened 81780f3802 the can and b3255dc00f handed it to c9d7a108c7 him.b749a83b7235b77f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Ha… hoo…”c4867671087022ee

Even after chugging the 1c287614cf soda, the burning persisted. Hangyeol stuck out 9ad75c2015 his tongue and 29076d217c fanned it with 879926fa7b his hand. It felt like a d94f638ae1 thousand tiny needles pricking bc0b768c08 his tongue. Panting like 6f1579fbc8 a dog 710f2e8d0b after a 7aafe6ba18 run, he 3210762425 met Seonwoo’s 6286933302 eyes and a117fb4efe made a 5aa5f972d2 face.45b4c89071606dbd

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It was tasty, but b893d4b649 too spicy and hot 741b1bf40a to eat comfortably. But this was a cd864ade1d place Seonwoo had brought f35097d7d0 him to, a place 1bf5ca09ee he frequented with his d9f5588921 friend, which meant he a3704a4560 liked it. Hangyeol wanted a7415e0c5e to be 12c4a8b865 interested in 03dcd0840b the things 243cdb73d8 Seonwoo liked.6a845e7c0e666fae

Alternating between 733705851c water and 7d63ef5c36 soda, he aed2d3a8b8 continued picking 592dad3152 at the db7ffbeb06 chicken feet. Seonwoo, having finished bf82062f4a his portion, watched 2d39aee068 him. Every time 62fbec06cb their eyes b95b1c874e met, Hangyeol 68fc1baf01 forced a e8af5ece86 smile, trying 35b8878769 to soothe af11aab13b his burning b4d1d63ca0 mouth while 8ba8141210 simultaneously trying 545f2a9af4 not to d947fe56d2 appear uncomfortable. The distraction, however, kept e34bfd0265 his earlier worries at a3c7fbdbc0 bay.6e2e656ce0e816ad

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He winced 588845cd32 and swallowed, fb0b821832 diligently working e7b3c75d57 his chopsticks, 03ea080375 not wanting 1b673408d8 to disappoint 8157088f44 Seonwoo. A vibration 5d7e9550fd broke through c34d55114e the air. Seonwoo pulled his phone 62a9781450 from his pocket. In that 30c4251099 brief moment, 586dc188b0 Hangyeol saw 9f32675b37 the familiar 6dafb914e4 name on 516bdd1251 the screen 4d2a491b0e and froze.51b0f8eca865b2fe

[Lee Yunhee]

The same name 850f604975 that had called 4a110928db Seonwoo when they f5ab33e892 were having dinner 16a48dea36 in front of b1366fc62a the company building. He instinctively looked at 84ccc08849 Seonwoo’s face, but he 78f343fd9a only saw a slight 8588b19642 twitch of his eyebrow. Seonwoo showed b43e972d7f no other a488600e7b reaction and 82125f8ca4 was about 64dcc2e173 to stand 7bdb315368 up with 38f7043ee8 his phone 4bc9b55e60 when Hangyeol, 41a6496d4c without thinking, 1de797d4c0 grabbed his 1ba5e82e51 arm.caa12c0fb7a01834

“You can take it b099ec87db here.”3c93f0f11f44bf45

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

His expression bf9e00fd3a was unusually 84b84b7574 serious. Seonwoo looked at 4366f556dc him, puzzled, then 437df87f6b sat back down 520702a9c0 and answered the 48e57cc04c call.042572dbcc5aba8a

“Yeah. What’s up?”1bb15c2df4c7de1f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He answered immediately, without f69bf4f316 a hello, suggesting a baf5ab3c1d close relationship. Hangyeol held his 792e728ee3 breath, hoping to d7bf54b474 hear the other 491fd9672d voice, but only 40491e5433 the television’s murmur 3cbfc011ec filled the air.992f0b96dce9ecc5

“Now?”d77dd5f47b280b30

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Seonwoo’s voice 1d1a2b3565 was laced 6e9993d84c with surprise. He listened 840e693481 for a eddef411a8 long moment, c5b7e142b6 then frowned. Hangyeol, who had stopped ce95e9bbd4 eating and fanning his e27c14c46c tongue, watched him intently. Their eyes ccfc3f32bc met briefly. Seonwoo quickly looked 3f7a1d50f1 away and said,5d14ccacfcec4e73

“Wait. I’m coming.”6a40e0516120a947

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

A bad feeling settled 7de2ee453f in Hangyeol’s stomach. Seonwoo’s expression as he cc97685114 hung up confirmed it. He glanced at the 6d55eccbaa half-eaten plate of chicken f4f0a1bbe5 feet, then ran his ca78109fdf tongue along the inside 33c1e2b6bf of his cheek. He spoke reluctantly.8107c4ff2cc6a185

“I’m sorry, but I 3445deb527 have to go somewhere.”b5f291c514c51773

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Oh…”09e04cb2c88ea926

“I’ll pay on 5615c21131 my way out. Take your time 34c075ba7a and finish eating.”9674a8e8464b3a33

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He hesitated, remembering Hangyeol’s dislike of eating alone. He felt a pang of guilt for leaving him after specifically bringing him here. He’d made a mistake.0df5242d74314d5d

“You can 22cc7b483c get it 50cc127d7c to go 0028d80bfc if you dd2aa7d903 don’t want ef034a3473 to eat 96b4e24f3b alone. Whatever you prefer.”99fb22a8597e4b1d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Hangyeol, who 6ac02f1569 had been 162264ef61 staring wide-eyed, 98388b2b39 pressed his bba597e616 lips together. He was less f3d97a419f upset about Seonwoo 492bf688c0 leaving abruptly than de2058da95 he was touched 2a95299d42 that he’d remembered 46626c443f his comment. He forced 01d5104cd8 a smile.991f08d77c78723c

“I’m fine, Mr. Woo. You should go.”a72fc503b1ecfc79

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He wanted to ask 5b3a645cf2 who had called and 9673229fa3 where Seonwoo was going, 758e1613f0 but he knew Seonwoo 770143eb86 wouldn’t appreciate the personal e310771c4c questions. He held his tongue c348969a60 and watched as Seonwoo 0d02de52e2 stood up.42df89a663d1173b

“…I’ll buy you d1c23d110b dinner sometime. Let me know when 250e250a45 you’re free.”e689443f59c872ce

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Yes!”890a0f309979040a

Seonwoo picked up 4e7bc4f735 his bag and c080d6ebc1 turned to leave. As he abe68f7ab2 watched Seonwoo’s 8de703e7a1 retreating back, a73b7c7da7 Hangyeol called 3f7dcd3375 out, as 2b66c83fd4 if just b8e5894753 remembering.36dc1cc54e80af23

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Mr. Woo!”eb9ed6d88d12ae28

Seonwoo turned around, 20a2925d6a their eyes meeting. Hangyeol grinned.b88f92cf36879e3b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“See you 6656f69b84 at work c19256fed0 tomorrow.”2f1fc771c0c6dc54

Seonwoo nodded and left after paying the bill. Now truly alone, Hangyeol finally felt the weight of Seonwoo’s absence. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t disappointed, but the promise of another meal together eased the sting.d154425e968edb5f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Staring at the empty e74cf2e411 chair across from him, 8113495c49 he picked up his a7e8acc425 chopsticks again. He popped fca79bee8f another fiery 77749b5a93 red chicken f59bcc851b foot into 7566b76ce6 his mouth, 921a448358 a sharp 26957b2c39 pain shooting 3d3de56d35 through his 9a80fb89fd tongue. He gasped and 762d636654 reached for his 5ce48c4862 drink, but it 9977282ec0 was empty. He refilled his 2cc2c84f7a water glass and d2b58a5d9f called out to 79b89c200d the woman in a01c896dc6 the kitchen.f7f7bd45ae20aa9c

“Another soda, please!”d475d989389d6d4e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His lips, swollen from fa41c209b3 the spice, curved into 74ae4f0fd6 a smile. He chuckled a883dfc716 and clenched f4749a468b his fist, 9b4bcb9bc8 determined to 6cfa904e88 finish the 0eef6de8bb chicken feet a3b7999bb5 Seonwoo had a25fd49fc8 bought him.4cb7e5ba4af87f61

The next day at work, Hangyeol kept glancing at Seonwoo’s office, the light stubbornly off. Each time, he leaned sideways, craning his neck. After the fourth time, Mr. Kim, sitting next to him, finally spoke.701d9c65c968c92b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Hangyeol, do 43d438d132 you need 13c12c2dbd something from 2656f11ce8 Mr. Woo?”1d63efb8fb577c04

“Sir? Oh, I f787dcb8d0 just have 1f244d0aa4 something to 86bb1d858f tell him…”7ab397974dd1a301

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“He said he’d be 21ba1638d3 out this afternoon for aa97d63d40 a personal appointment. If it’s important, 4d9055c7e1 send him a 494cbc043a message. He checks 20731f24b8 his messenger cf5f3e6646 regularly.”b6f3b411cbe19793

Hangyeol had been f39d7b987d hoping to casually d6e08553c7 thank Seonwoo for fa413fc010 the chicken feet, c20c736bb1 mentioning that it a728dd0992 was his first 2c49c6e553 time trying them. But Seonwoo remained absent d01f89b6df as the day wore 36fee48035 on. With his report 0938d80c5e finished, Hangyeol had cb9cc32bb6 little to do. Mr. Kim’s words 696b68c755 sparked an 8ae0ddcc83 idea.7d5fc3e0fd699fb3

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Ah! Why didn’t I think 7dcb1a3a2b of that?”da98b13a128c224d

His face a97084e77f brightening, he ff2bba9347 nodded at d2b11fdd80 Mr. Kim, opened the company b847c8b843 messenger, and scooted closer 136388712a to his desk.068446d60975f0fa

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

How should 0871fbc932 I start…?eb0cd7796299a423

It was e64fa8b140 just a 6b1f2b4121 message, not 07d9c2cc79 a letter 7d4ef14ca9 or email, f34048fbcb but he 7891c8819d found it 94adb511b1 surprisingly difficult 405747ba6c to begin. He pondered for a 70b4a3d2c2 moment, then carefully typed 74da68d5eb out the first sentence.a0941941255e9ab0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

[Mr. Woo, thank you for yesterday. That was my first time.]

Once he started, 38e74aead1 the rest flowed 02aa0ac6fb easily. He typed 4ba4f55dc0 diligently, a 37eb1c6fcb serious expression f64f7479e2 on his feb2226326 face, as 74156dded8 if composing ae311ac0e1 a letter. After a few 33fde341be minutes, he reread c96d3cabc7 the finished message, eef3abf2a1 smiled with satisfaction, 3e56926407 and hit send.b141a8b4db47c59d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Oof.”3dc0f25f2addc557

Having thanked Mr. Woo, he leaned back b1ad93d61d and stretched, ready to f16eab2b96 pack up for the 46319d075d day. A ding sounded from his computer 795fb3d858 and the one behind 5ce2816518 him. He shrugged it fdbefa24ef off, continuing to d58b0027fa tidy his desk.7c0744f9f94f0b59

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Hangyeol…”12771a59ac8cbf39

Mr. Kim’s voice made him 2797ec372b turn. He blinked innocently, realizing aef1d8e3e1 that everyone on the 5b775eebd9 team, including Mr. Kim, was staring at 8804128fa4 him.ea57195958d8e6c7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Yes?”de0d0ec06c38cf9e

“I think you sent fe482239dd that message to the 6b709dd68b wrong person…”f5ae70496039562e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Huh?”3b46c09d7a031e08

He frowned, c7aa993732 puzzled, and b198156d06 wheeled his 836a06f7a7 chair over 9cdd8fd927 to Mr. Kim’s computer. A familiar message d185b46fef was displayed on e39c20fead the screen.c8dfee03006b8860

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

― □ ✕a482ef589f6d882e

Im Hangyeol (New 00eb95b237 Business Planning Team)87859b17c198e318

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Mr. Woo, thank you for yesterday. That was my first time. At first, it was so hot and painful that I struggled, but towards the end, I think I enjoyed it. Oh, and I took care of everything after you left, so don’t worry! If you’re okay with it, I’d like to meet up again sometime and do what we did yesterday. Let me know.ba0297c5ac1c9c12

It was the message he’d just sent to Gi Seonwoo. He couldn’t understand why it was on Mr. Kim’s screen. He frowned and pressed his index finger to his temple. Mr. Kim, observing his bewilderment, said hesitantly,dc75355639ef39f1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Hangyeol, you f9f381052b sent that 0e3c9cc831 to the 70685fd4d1 entire department…”62edf4bf7b3e8228

“Sir?”c17ce1242cd64efb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Everyone in our division 996ea7abf9 got that message.”e2703f8b87bcfbaf

“Oh!”442f99d56f914c49

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Hangyeol gasped, his eyes 8dee5b860a widening. He could d040376fad have sworn 7b8e3f5148 he heard 018a14cc43 murmurs from 28c37a8fcb beyond the 6d68533823 partitions. He inhaled 17d2c9fdc9 sharply and 4c18eae80e asked Mr. Kim, his forehead 8ef801081c creased with worry,3a1d8273b29b13c2

“What do I 5ea99988ca do?”3e6f5850190af1d0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator