Cherry Cake Chapter 16.3

Soohyun fiddled with the clover, weaving it carefully. Making a ring from clover was simple enough for even a child. It would’ve been trickier with just one stem, but having plucked two made it easy to intertwine them.

“What’re you fussing with now?”

“Making a flower ring.”

Soohyun notched a groove in one stem with his fingernail and threaded the other through it. The two round flowers stuck together perfectly. Finishing the ring quickly, Soohyun glanced ahead. The rural road was nearly empty of cars, and Gi Taeyeon drove just as well with his left hand, so asking for his hand briefly seemed fine.

“Director, give me your hand.”

As if guessing his intent, Gi Taeyeon raised an eyebrow.

“Hurry.”

Only after Soohyun’s urging did he lower his hand.

The Director’s hands are big, alright… Seo Soohyun marveled inwardly. On his own hand, the flowers would’ve looked lush, but against Gi Taeyeon’s, they seemed a touch small. Still, pretty was pretty.

Soohyun positioned the flowers over the man’s right ring finger, struggling to weave the stems. Then, he trimmed the protruding ends with his nail, careful not to cut too short.

“What’s this now?”

The man, already bemused before the flowers were placed, let out a puff of air upon seeing the clover ring on his hand.

“You gave me a ring, Director. It reminded me, so I made one.”

Feeling proud, Soohyun kept Gi Taeyeon’s hand in his sight. The two white flower buds stood out starkly against the black steering wheel.

“Gonna brag to the kids?”

“They’ll wilt fast since they’re flowers… If it lasts till tomorrow, then brag.”

It suddenly hit him how fleeting clover rings were. Even though cut flowers wilt quickly by nature, delicate clover faded faster than sturdy blooms.

‘Still, it suits him better than I thought.’

Soohyun gazed at the white flowers perched daintily on Gi Taeyeon’s finger, lost in thought.

Indeed, the flower ring wilting so soon felt like a shame.

🍑

Drying his hair thoroughly, Soohyun headed to the bedroom. As soon as they got home, he’d sent Gi Taeyeon to the bathroom and steamed sweet potatoes, opting to bathe alone instead of joining him. Bathing with Gi Taeyeon was nice, but his constant touching sometimes made washing alone appealing.

‘I’ll steam sweet potatoes while you wash, Director.’

‘Sweet potatoes? I’m craving something else.’

“Don’t say weird stuff. It’s not a full meal, but you need to eat something. Hurry and wash. I’ll bathe after you.’

Seo Soohyun huffed, pushing Gi Taeyeon into the bathroom, and got to steaming.

‘The kids probably left the snacks you bought. Find some and eat.’

While steaming, he munched on snacks Gi Taeyeon brought from China.

It was late, so heavy snacks didn’t appeal. After pondering, a package with an odd cat-or-raccoon character caught his eye. It seemed to contain nuts, so Soohyun chose it.

The snack, shaped like chocolate balls, had a fine seam. Using a tool included in the package, he pried it open to eat the contents. Whether flavored or not, the macadamias were savory and sweet, making them fun to crack.

‘Done washing? I’ll shower quick, so eat the sweet potatoes.’

When Gi Taeyeon emerged, the steamed sweet potatoes had cooled just right. Soohyun handed them over and headed to the bathroom. After soaking in hot water and showering, it was now this hour.

Having eaten the sweet potatoes and brushed his teeth, the man sat on the bed, scrolling through his phone. He looked up as Soohyun entered. Seo Soohyun dawdled, climbing onto the bed and settling beside Gi Taeyeon.

“All clean?”

“Yup. Feels amazing. Maybe it’s the cool autumn air, but even though I didn’t sweat digging sweet potatoes, soaking in hot water feels great.”

“A chicken? Soaking and coming out?”

Finding the phrase funny, Gi Taeyeon chuckled, pulling him close. He unabashedly groped Soohyun’s thighs, spread from sitting to face him.

“It’s pale and soft, though.”

The meaning was obvious. Debating whether to swat the hand kneading his thigh, Soohyun glanced at Gi Taeyeon’s right hand. The white clover ring was gone.

“You threw out the ring?”

Since he’d washed, it was unlikely still on, so the question was casual.

“Who throws out something a kid gave?”

His gaze followed Gi Taeyeon’s nod. Under the lamp, the white flower ring rested. Bathed in light, it looked fresh, not wilted.

“Why didn’t you toss it?”

“If I carelessly throw out what my baby gave me and he sulks, should I sleep alone?”

“I don’t sulk over stuff like that…”

If Gi Taeyeon had yanked it off in the car, maybe, but that wasn’t the case. Despite his incredulous look, he’d kept it on until they got home.

“Wear it to work tomorrow and brag?”

Thinking the bragging talk was a joke, Soohyun’s eyes widened.

“You’re really gonna brag?”

“What’s stopping me?”

As he said, nothing was. Plus, flower rings weren’t common, so it was brag-worthy. Clover grew everywhere, but Soohyun couldn’t recall seeing it in Seoul. Most would pass by without thinking to make a ring.

“Tell me how people react.”

“Come to work with me.”

Guess he’s going to Seowoo Construction tomorrow. That works. Soohyun nodded.

“Then I’ll go with you tomorrow, Director.”

With Chuseok holidays over, going to the company with him felt nice. He had little to do there, but spending time in Gi Taeyeon’s office was fun despite idling.

“Oh, were the sweet potatoes good?”

“Ate everything Seo Soohyun set out.”

Though not grown by him, digging them himself filled Soohyun with pride.

“They’re pumpkin sweet potatoes, so they’re sweet.”

Pride swelling, he babbled about sweet potatoes.

“Different varieties have different harvest times, you know? The ones I dug today are pumpkin sweet potatoes, harvested around now. Each type grows differently—chestnut sweet potatoes are harvested in early September, the fastest. Honey sweet potatoes need ten more days, and pumpkin ones are the latest.”

Since sweet potatoes are planted in May, if he still lived at the old house, Soohyun would’ve planted them. They need some care but aren’t hard to grow, and planted in late spring, they’re perfect winter snacks, so he always grew them. Bokshil loved them too.

“Was gonna buy some this winter, but I’m glad I got them from Grandma. They’d probably send some without me asking, but I forgot they grew sweet potatoes.”

He’d mostly received oil, soy, or chili powder from the grandmas, so he forgot Jung Grandma grew sweet potatoes. With construction planned, he assumed the fields were empty, making it more surprising.

‘The grandmas must’ve known construction was delayed.’

As the ones who sold the house and land, they’d know, but Soohyun hadn’t thought it through. Getting an unexpected gift felt nice, though.

But Gi Taeyeon looked displeased. Because of the sweet potatoes? It wasn’t the first time Soohyun got things from the grandmas, so that wasn’t it.

“Why that face?”

Soohyun chose to ask directly. Gi Taeyeon, meeting his gaze, spoke slowly.

“Realizing I don’t know how Seo Soohyun lived pisses me off.”

It was natural he didn’t know Soohyun’s life. How would a city-born man understand rural living? Just as Soohyun didn’t know Gi Taeyeon’s past.

Their lives were polar opposites. Rural versus urban was nothing compared to the complete disconnect. While Soohyun spent nearly his whole life in a quiet, peaceful village, Gi Taeyeon lived far from calm, steeped in violence and blood.

More crucially, their life goals differed. Where they lived was a minor detail.

But Soohyun never minded Gi Taeyeon’s different past or goals. They weren’t obstacles to loving him. To Soohyun, they were just parts of the man he loved.

“Why’s that upsetting?”

Soohyun asked simply again.

“Because I don’t know rural life.”

Gi Taeyeon pulled him closer, frowning irritably.

“Talking to someone who knows it better would be more fun, right?”

That expression sparked a memory.

‘Why go with another guy when I’m here?’

He’d wanted to buy seedlings but thought Gi Taeyeon would find it a hassle, so he said he’d go with Uncle Jipil. Right after, Seo Soohyun went with Gi Taeyeon instead. He gave him lilies that day.

‘Was he jealous when I said I’d go with Uncle Jipil?’

Odd, since Gi Taeyeon paired him with Jipil, with a chuckle. But if it stemmed from jealousy, it made sense. Only now did Soohyun realize Gi Taeyeon had been jealous then—or at least bothered.

“Why think that? Talking to you is way more fun.”

It was obvious he’d connect with someone who knew rural life. Those talks were enjoyable too.

But Soohyun found it more fun to share things Gi Taeyeon didn’t know. He never felt they didn’t connect just because Gi Taeyeon couldn’t relate.

“Sure, it’s fun talking to someone who gets me right away, but sometimes it’s more enjoyable with someone who doesn’t know. I like talking to you way more.”

Thanks to Gi Taeyeon accepting his words, even without relating.

“And you listen to whatever I say without getting annoyed.”

“What’s to get annoyed about?”

Gi Taeyeon furrowed his brow, genuinely puzzled.

“Some people do.”

Chan-seo was like that. He never openly complained, but as a Seoulite, he often showed he didn’t like Soohyun’s new life. It was his prerogative, so Soohyun didn’t mind much. But when Chan-seo visited years later with macarons after starting college in Seoul, Soohyun realized they really didn’t click.

His refusal of candied fruit and dismissive attitude toward rural life showed through. It was his right, but showing it to others wasn’t polite.

“And by that logic, I don’t know your work either. Is talking to me boring?”

“Who said it’s boring?”

“See? Then we’re good. So stop overthinking, Director. I’d rather talk to you like this than anyone else.”

Even mundane stories felt fun with Gi Taeyeon, unlike today’s excited chatter.

But Gi Taeyeon still looked unsatisfied. Staring at his face, Soohyun recalled the snowy night he stayed over, trapped by a blizzard. Worried he’d be uncomfortable, Soohyun was proven wrong—Gi Taeyeon spent the night unbothered.

Should I live a few days at the country house with the Director?

A few days wasn’t rural life, but it’d create shared memories. Wanting to broach it, Seo Soohyun sat up slightly.

“Are you busy this winter? Last winter you were a bit free.”

“Why’s that suddenly?”

“If you’re not busy, come stay at my old house for a few days.”

“Old house?”

“The supermarket.”

“Oh, that place.”

Gi Taeyeon twitched an eyebrow, like he’d heard something odd.

“Fine by me, but why there? Bored here?”

“Not that. You seem bothered not knowing rural life. A few days isn’t years, but it’d make memories together. We could talk about it later. I also want to visit before the house is torn down.”

He’d thought about staying overnight before sorting the country house’s things. Especially today, maybe from visiting or opening the wardrobe, that urge grew.

‘It’s almost the last chance.’

He wasn’t clinging. The house and store being demolished didn’t erase his happy memories, so it wasn’t sad, just bittersweet. But if possible, he wanted to spend time there before it was gone.

Alone was fine, but with Gi Taeyeon, it’d be better. Once construction started, those memories couldn’t be made again.

“When you wanna go?”

“No specific time—just when you’re free.”

Asking meant he was willing. Heart leaping, Soohyun looked at Gi Taeyeon, grinning like an excited kid.

“If we go in winter, we can see narcissus bloom. The flowers you pulled up when I asked for green onions.”

Finding it funny himself, Gi Taeyeon let out a puff.

“Let’s go in winter, then.”

At the ready answer, Soohyun asked again.

“You sure it’s okay?”

“If it’s not, should I leave Seo Soohyun there alone?”

Gi Taeyeon tugged his lips, feigning a scowl.

“Why not live there?”

“They’re building next year. And I’ll keep living with you.”

Despite the teasing tone, Soohyun answered clearly. Satisfied, Gi Taeyeon tightened his arm around Soohyun’s waist, pulling him close.

“What’ll we do there?”

“Hmm…”

He pondered. Nowhere was as calm as the countryside, but that calm held many tasks. Winter had less to do with fewer sprouting plants, but it had its own preparations.

Plus, he didn’t know how long they’d stay. Though Gi Taeyeon sometimes seemed idle, Soohyun knew he was busy and didn’t expect much time. But a few days versus a week felt different, making it hard to answer.

“I don’t know yet. But anything with you will be great.”

The pondering didn’t last. Rural life varied by season and weather. Above all, with Gi Taeyeon, anything would be happy and fun, so he didn’t need to decide now.

“Make one of those too?”

Gi Taeyeon nodded toward the flower ring. Soohyun’s gaze landed on the white clover.

“Clover doesn’t grow in winter…”

The dainty, round flowers caught his eye, but instead of lingering on the ring, Soohyun turned to Gi Taeyeon. As pretty as the ring was, the man holding him was far prettier.

“I’ll give you something else instead.”

Gi Taeyeon’s eyes asked what, but Soohyun just giggled. Narrowing his eyes, the man grabbed his cheeks, biting his lips hard to coax an answer. Seo Soohyun laughed instead of groaning, opening his mouth.

Flowers wilt, so this time I’ll give something that never fades.

Vaguely planning, he didn’t forget to slip his tongue between Gi Taeyeon’s lips.

The peaceful night made the coming winter endlessly exciting.