Winter Season Chapter 29

The item he was looking for was a new type of drug that was scheduled to be brought in from South America last month alongside children’s Barbie dolls. Though it weighed less than a small child, the quantity boasted a market value of over thirty billion won, but it had vanished without a trace during the process of being brought in through Hawaii.

Chairman Gu believed those Seung-ri-pa bastards had overstepped their bounds and gone on a rampage, but Seunghyeok’s thoughts were different. Judging by the way someone was screwing him over in such a dirty, lingering fashion, it was undoubtedly the work of Gu Jinhyeok.

As if to prove that thought, the drugs being released into the market were decreasing. It seemed he intended to tighten the noose until the moment Gu Jinhyeok inherited management rights, then release them at the highest possible price just before the punks went crazy.

There was only one place expected to house the diverted items. The lounge building for entertainment purposes, where construction was nearing completion.

Information had come in through the architectural side that one additional storage room, not present on the blueprints, had been created. He heard it was designed so that it could only be opened with an OTP number that changed every day.

Even if they put a tail on him to find out the password, it would be useless if they couldn’t access the lounge that day. Therefore, the day the VIP party was held was the only opportunity.

He still couldn’t judge whether it was right to drag Kwon Yihyeon into such an important matter, but the water had already been spilled.

“…”

Yihyeon bit his lower lip repeatedly. It was because Seunghyeok’s demand felt absurd. If it was an important password, he wouldn’t show it easily, so by what means was he supposed to get it?

No, before that. The only thing between him and Gu Jinhyeok was a chance encounter; they were in a relationship where not a single point of contact could be found.

“…I don’t think he’s the kind of person who would let someone like me get close just because I approached him.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. Even if you just stay still, that side will approach you first.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s the kind of human who isn’t satisfied unless he snatches away whatever is in my hands, whether it’s an item or a person.”

Seunghyeok, tilting his head, let out a smirk.

“Gu Jinhyeok doesn’t discriminate between women and men. But it seems kids who look like you are his taste. Kids who are pale and thin but have a spark in their eyes.”

“…”

“His hobby is playing with kids like that and then throwing them away when he gets bored, so there’s no way he’ll leave you alone when you’re by my side.”

Seunghyeok, who pulled out a cigarette and put it to his mouth, flicked a lighter and brought it to the tip with a click. With his eyes cast down while holding the cigarette, he continued speaking with indistinct pronunciation.

“Whether you seduce him with your body or your face, try wrapping him up whichever way you’re good at.”

“…”

“If you just pull off the password properly, I’ll treat the debt as if it never happened.”

The heart that had hesitated at the thought of it being a task beyond his abilities was gone in an instant; his head lifted at the mention of clearing the debt. Seunghyeok was watching him as if observing him with his arms crossed. Yihyeon looked at him without avoiding the clashing gaze.

The Gu Jinhyeok he had seen in the manager’s office storage room or at the Taeseong Group main office seemed like a flawless businessman who wouldn’t let a single needle penetrate. He lacked any resemblance to Seunghyeok, who wore loud clothing and behaved like a thug in every matter, to the point that it was hard to believe they were brothers.

He couldn’t know for what reason he had to steal the password from him, but the fact that it was a good opportunity for him was self-evident. Yihyeon stared vacantly at the file folder placed in front of him before reaching out and clutching it firmly.

“…What do I have to do?”

“I’ve set up a short-term intern position in Gu Jinhyeok’s secretariat. I’ll relay the details through the kids, so commute there starting next week.”

At the sudden story, a furrow formed between Yihyeon’s brows. Since he had even broken his savings account to prepare the money, he was in a situation where he was worried about immediate living expenses, and now he was about to quit his part-time job at the blood sausage soup restaurant.

I’ll have to look for a part-time job I can do in the evening. Should I at least ask if there’s a spot left at the bar where I used to work?

Yihyeon swallowed a sigh and nodded. For some reason, it seemed he would become even busier than before. When Yihyeon lifted his head as no more voices were heard, his gaze met Seunghyeok’s, who was staring at him intently. He was leaning against the sofa with an expressionless face, twitching his foot in his dress shoe.

Is there more to say, or is there another meaning?

He couldn’t understand the reason for staring at a person continuously. While he was facing him without avoiding the gaze, the sound of a knock broke the silence. Even though Seunghyeok didn’t answer, someone poked their head through the open door.

“Hyung-nim, the food is here.”

As the man, who had glanced at Yihyeon, closed the door and left, silence returned once again. Seunghyeok put his legs down first and stood up from his seat.

“I don’t need to tell you to eat before you go, do I.”

“…”

“We aren’t in a relationship where we can sit facing each other and do that.”

A self-mocking laugh flickered over his handsome face. Yihyeon watched him with an expressionless look and then stood up as well.

“That’s good. I had no intention of doing that either.”

“…”

“Don’t forget that you said you’d clear the debt if I succeed in the job you ordered.”

A person sitting in the position of a director at a company like Taeseong wouldn’t be an easy opponent. It weighed on his mind a bit that there was no mention of what happens if he fails, but regardless, it was a deal where Yihyeon had nothing to lose.

Yihyeon stared intently at Seunghyeok and then reached out his hand with a calm expression. Seunghyeok’s mouth, which had been slightly raised, seemed to settle slowly, and soon his large hand met Yihyeon’s in a grip.

The warmth passing through the firm palm was strange. Even stranger than that was the look in Seunghyeok’s eyes as he stared intently at him. Yihyeon hurriedly pulled his caught hand away from Seunghyeok. He felt as if a stinging gaze were following his back as he turned away in haste.

༘⋆🤍˚ .❄️₊˚ෆ

To think I would return here of my own accord.

Yihyeon looked up at the high-rise building with its sparkling glass windows and clenched his fists tightly. The monument engraved with the word ‘Taeseong’ standing at the entrance seemed even larger than before.

Although it was a rigged game, this was his first time commuting to such a respectable company as an office worker. Behind his neat face, tension and worry about having to deceive others were hidden.

Perhaps because it was strange to see him standing still in front of the building, people dressed neatly in suits glanced at Yihyeon as they passed by. Snapping out of it at those gazes, Yihyeon hurriedly moved his feet.

Entering the lobby and presenting his ID at the desk, the employee who recognized Yihyeon gave a faint smile. This time, as if there had been content relayed in advance, the gate doors opened immediately, unlike that other time.

Following the people commuting, he arrived in front of the secretariat by elevator, and only then did the tension begin to set in. Only then did the reality sink in that he had to stay near Gu Jinhyeok for less than two weeks and get close to him. Yihyeon let out a deep sigh and knocked lightly on the secretariat door.

At the sound of the door opening with a click, four employees sitting at their desks poked their heads up. Avoiding the gazes mixed with curiosity and wariness, he gave a bow, and a woman rose from the desk placed alone on the right.

“Mr. Kwon Yihyeon?”

“Yes.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Yoon Jiyeon, the Chief Secretary. Everyone, please say hello. This is Mr. Kwon Yihyeon, who will be working as an intern for the next month.”

“Hello. I look forward to working with you.”

When he bowed his head once more, there was a small sound of clapping. Jiyeon took Yihyeon, who was standing still, and headed toward a desk located in the corner.

“You can use this seat. You’ll only be here for a month anyway, so please understand even if it’s uncomfortable. It wasn’t originally a spot for a desk.”

As she said, the top of the desk was quite cluttered. It was an appearance that clearly revealed it had been a place for storing various office supplies and items. Yihyeon sat down in front of a laptop that seemed to have been placed there in a hurry. His face reflected on the black screen somehow seemed more tired and shabby than usual.

“Ah, and…”

His head lifted naturally at the tone that left the ending ambiguous. What he faced was the Chief Secretary with a troubled look. She brushed the area near her eyebrows with her hand and then opened her mouth.

“We have a dress code.”

“Yes?”

“The company regulations are on the stricter side, and especially for the secretariat, there is a visible image to maintain.”

At Jiyeon’s words, Yihyeon looked down at his own attire. It was a casual suit he had often worn while working at the club.