TSS 20

Chapter : 20

When Hayeon was in the middle of being annoyed, Geonhyeong was suffering from an even deeper sense of self-loathing.

“You crazy bastard…”

Standing under the stream of cold water, Geonhyeong grumbled with a sigh. Even if it was a summer rain, catching such a downpour was enough to give someone a cold—but his body was still burning so much that even a cold shower did nothing.

“Not even an animal would…”

Scrubbing his face hard, Geonhyeong muttered to himself. He wouldn’t call himself a good person. Objectively speaking, he was a rotten, black-hearted guy.

But to pounce on her in the car? That was less than human. By the time he barely managed to pull his reason back from the brink, Hayeon’s cold, sharp eyes were waiting for him.

‘Damn it, and in the middle of that, I still had the thought of moving somewhere else…!’

What are you, a creature with nothing but your lower half? Is your brain located down there? Geonhyeong cursed at his own waist. But clumsy sparks of mischief only burned hotter once ignited.

The problem was, if this went on, he was going to burn the whole house down.

At this rate, whatever Hayeon did to him next, he’d have to be prepared. No matter how much his instincts tempted him, he must never cross that line again.

“Haa…”

Only after making that firm vow could he finally step out of the shower booth. He shook his head violently, water spraying everywhere, and let out a deep sigh. Falling asleep peacefully tonight was out of the question.

And then—he heard a phone ringing, almost like a hallucination.

‘A phone? What phone…’

It was late at night, so it couldn’t be work.

That left Taeseon. But Geonhyeong had specifically told him never to call on days when he was with Hayeon. Then, could it be his parents?

No chance.

He shook his head. His parents were the sort who would either use Taeseon to call out of laziness, or just break the door open like his father. Especially at this hour, they’d never call. They preferred spending their evenings quietly alone together.

Then maybe… Hayeon?

With a towel loosely tied around his waist, Geonhyeong rushed to the bedroom. He grabbed his phone, which was tossed carelessly on the bed.

“…Ha.”

His expression twisted into a scowl. Caller ID blocked. He’d gotten a call from that number just this morning.

From none other than Hayeon’s father.

The following evening, Geonhyeong stopped by his maternal grandparents’ house. Nothing unusual—it happened on holidays, or sometimes just to bring cat snacks. Of course, Geonhyeong himself had no interest in cats, but Taeseon nagged him so much that he gave in. He even thought about bringing Hayeon along in the future.

‘…Tch.’

Just as he was about to leave the parking lot, Geonhyeong frowned. He went back to his parked car and leaned toward the side mirror.

“…Damn it.”

As he adjusted his tie, the curse slipped out. There were countless reasons for visiting his grandparents’ place. But days like today were the worst.

“There.”

His tie was fixed neatly, but his expression only grew darker. Entering through the front gate, he was greeted by Baek, the ever-straight manager, who bowed politely.

“They’re waiting for you.”

“…Damn it.”

Even though Geonhyeong cursed openly right in front of him, Baek didn’t flinch. He only sighed, as if he understood.

“As you know…”

His voice trailed off.

Choi Geonhyeong, CEO of Ise Financial.

Perhaps no one else in Korea had such cash-mobilizing power. Naturally, countless people wanted to meet him. But Geonhyeong had no interest in women or alcohol.

So, the easiest way to approach him was by visiting the courtesan house run by his mother’s family. Or so people assumed.

‘Politicians, conglomerates—none of them really matter…’

Geonhyeong smirked at Baek. That wasn’t how he operated at all. But it seemed not even Hayeon’s father, Na Myeongshin, could be ignored. Geonhyeong nodded, as if to say he understood.

“No, you did the right thing.”

“Well, he’s set to be your father-in-law. What can you do? That’s marriage for you.”

Baek’s tone was like that of an elder giving advice. Geonhyeong sighed. To him, Baek had always felt less like an employee of his grandparents’ household and more like a senior family member.

‘He really is about the same age as my grandfather…’

Looking closer now, Baek’s face was full of wrinkles. Grandfather, Baek—their ages were both impossible to pin down.

And yet today, he suddenly felt their years.

“What kind of man is he?”

Geonhyeong asked casually as they walked. Normally, Baek would never answer such a question, and Geonhyeong would never ask it.

But today felt different. Baek hesitated, then looked back at him. For a moment, the sharpness behind those silver-rimmed glasses felt reassuring—until it gave way to a weary sigh.

“…Haa.”

A sigh? Baek wasn’t the type never to sigh, but one this heavy, this tired—that was new.

Then he muttered, almost to himself:

“I’d try to stop you if you were my own kid.”

It was rare for him to grumble so informally. But Geonhyeong only smiled faintly.

“Good thing I’m not, then.”

“Even if I were your father or grandfather, would you have listened?”

“No.”

With a crooked smile, Geonhyeong answered. Baek took out a small handbell and rang it. The bright, clear sound echoed down the quiet hallway.

They resumed walking in silence.

“Mr. Choi Geonhyeong has arrived.”

At last, at the small door, Baek announced softly. A light cough came from inside.

Relieved by Baek’s steady tone, Geonhyeong entered.

“Good evening.”

“Welcome. I’m Na Myeongshin.”

Hayeon’s father greeted him without rising from his seat. He didn’t invite him to sit, either.

‘Already looking down on me, huh.’

His mother’s grumbling words came to mind. But whatever—Geonhyeong smiled as always. Since no invitation to sit came, he simply sat down across from him. Myeongshin stared silently at him. No wonder Baek had been so weary.

‘He has the presence of an inanimate object.’

Baek was unshakable against people, but weak against non-human things. That’s why he hadn’t taken a vacation in twenty years—because of the cats. This was that same sort of oppressive presence.

Still, Geonhyeong was the junior here, so he spoke first.

“This is my first time meeting you, sir.”

He had no intention of drinking or chatting with this man, just to finish the talk and leave.

But Myeongshin’s reply made the corners of Geonhyeong’s mouth curl upward.

“Whether I become your father-in-law or not depends on you, Mr. Choi.”

Ha. Not an easy opponent, then.

Geonhyeong tugged his tie loose, tossed his jacket aside carelessly, and leaned back.

“…We’ll need drinks. What will you have?”

He rolled up his shirt sleeves and undid his cufflinks. This might take longer than expected.

Luckily, Myeongshin wasn’t entirely unreasonable. With a faint smile, he too removed his jacket and folded it neatly beside him.

“This place is famous for its traditional liquor.”

“I thought you were more of a wine man?”

Geonhyeong had done his homework. A professor at a prestigious foreign university, with a wife from another top school—a promising student herself, though she gave up her studies after marriage.

He was well known among wine enthusiasts. The fact that his daughter Hayeon didn’t care for Western food was unexpected, but perhaps that was just another assumption.

At his remark, Myeongshin gave a smile that didn’t quite look friendly.

“This place wouldn’t have wine to my taste. And if they did, they wouldn’t store it properly.”

So that’s how he looks down on people. Geonhyeong smirked, tugging at the cord hanging from the ceiling.

“Well then. Guess I’ll have to order as I please. What a shame—there were strange rumors going around, but I suppose they were true.”

“…Rumors?”

“That your palate’s gone dull. That you can’t tell what you’re drinking anymore, and only choose by the label.”

At that, Myeongshin’s calm expression finally changed. A vein bulged at his neck. Apparently, patience wasn’t his strength—he looked ready to raise his voice. Just as he opened his mouth—

“You…!”

“You called, sir?”

Baek entered, not another attendant. His eyebrow twitched slightly at the sight of Geonhyeong’s crumpled jacket on the chair.

Unbothered, Geonhyeong addressed him.

“Soju, please.”

“Would you like a local brand, artisan soju, boutique soju…?”

“Which would be best…”

Resting his chin on his hand, Geonhyeong glanced at Myeongshin. His Adam’s apple bobbed; he looked about ready to explode.

“No need for anything fancy. Just plain soju.”

“…Excuse me?”

Baek blinked in confusion. Of course he knew Na Myeongshin was a renowned wine enthusiast, not just some random politician but one of the leading candidates. Naturally, he’d memorized his tastes.

But Geonhyeong remained unruffled.

“In case you didn’t know, traditional liquor requires delicate care. To pour such rare bottles—guarded with decades of expertise—down the throat of someone who can’t even taste it? That’d be a waste.”