Chapter 43 Part 1

My lover, Lee Jun, seemed infinitely strong on the outside, but he was a tender person on the inside. That’s why I wasn’t particularly keen on introducing him to people. Most of the people around me were snobs, and I was worried that they might hurt Lee Jun. Furthermore, I hadn’t even properly told him who I was, so if he felt a distance from me because of them, nothing could be more fatal.

He was a particularly wary person, so it took a long time just to approach him without making him feel burdened, which made me even more cautious.

However, not forming any connections with anyone wasn’t good either. To solidify the bond between Lee Jun and me, introducing him to acquaintances was the best way. Moreover, I wanted someone with whom the two of us could open up. Since he found the idea of going public at school burdensome, Chaeheon searched among his acquaintances for a suitable person.

Among them, there was only one person who wasn’t swayed by Lee Jun’s charm and was quick-witted. That was Han Jeong-min.

Sitting across from Han Jeong-min, Chaeheon gauged the right time to call Lee Jun.

“There was someone who wanted to meet you, so I was going to introduce you,” Han Jeong-min said with a hint of regret, subtly revealing his hope that Chaeheon might agree to meet her.

“Last time, when I asked on the phone if you were dating anyone, I think you said there was someone you would date…” Chaeheon’s indifferent gaze made him realize he wouldn’t get the answer he wanted.

“It seems like you don’t have anyone to take around yet…”

At the phrase “take around,” Chaeheon’s eyebrows twitched. Han Jeong-min, keenly sensing his discomfort, quickly added, as if apologetically, “It’s not a casual relationship, then. I misunderstood.”

Han Jeong-min grinned, changing the atmosphere to prevent Chaeheon from getting angry.

“You know, the people we meet now can’t form deep relationships.”

Han Jeong-min sought agreement, as if to say, “Don’t you know all this?” but Chaeheon didn’t answer.

“I have a blind date soon too, but who was the other person again? A professor’s daughter, was it? Or a musician? Anyway, they want a sophisticated family.”

Now, disregarding Chaeheon’s answer, Han Jeong-min sighed and tilted his glass.

“Does that make the family sophisticated? Their nature is to be obsessed with money.”

He said this because Han Jeong-min’s grandfather was the richest man in cash in this country. Han Jeong-min was the fifth-generation sole heir of that family, to whom businessmen and politicians alike extended their hands.

“Even after I’ve said all this, you still haven’t said anything?”

Han Jeong-min’s reaction wasn’t that he was disappointed by Chaeheon’s lack of response. Instead, he showed intense curiosity.

“Who is it? I’m curious, so tell them to come here.”

Chaeheon scowled. He had already called Lee Jun to meet today, but he didn’t like Han Jeong-min ordering him around.

“No.”

So when he refused outright, Han Jeong-min acted bewildered.

“Why? At least tell me. If I tell them who I am, they’ll be dying to come out, won’t they?”

“Hardly.”

Why would Senior Lee Jun willingly come out just because of you? A sneer naturally formed. If he liked that kind of thing, I would have revealed who I was and dated him from the beginning.

It was true when we were dating, but this time, I’m putting in enough effort to melt a glacier to win Lee Jun’s heart…

“Are you reluctant to bring them?”

“I didn’t think that way initially, but now I am.”

I thought Han Jeong-min would be quick-witted and handle things well, but I didn’t like his mindset. Thinking that he might treat Lee Jun disrespectfully made my heart turn cold. Should I text Lee Jun now and tell him not to come?

“What? Are you serious?”

Han Jeong-min’s eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed.

“So it’s someone you really like.”

“They’re not a child, so use respectful language.”

“Yes. Not a child, but a person. Your lover? How long have you been dating?”

Chaeheon, who had been acting indifferent until now, turned his gaze for the first time. Then, pretending nothing was amiss, he picked up his phone, but he couldn’t escape Han Jeong-min’s radar.

“You’re working on it, then.”

“It’s not like that.”

I can’t say that we’ve decided to date, but Lee Jun has been trying to clear up the awkward back-and-forth between us.

“They haven’t fallen for you yet.”

“It’s not like that, so just shut up.”

“So there’s someone the great Jang Chae-heon can’t win over?”

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, go home.”

I really should tell him to go home. In retrospect, perhaps it was a good thing I didn’t introduce Han Jeong-min last time.

“Actually, today…”

As his phone rang, Chaeheon stopped mid-sentence and checked the caller. As soon as he saw Lee Jun’s name appear, a faint smile automatically spread across his face.

He left the seat without looking back at Han Jeong-min. Han Jeong-min, suddenly left alone, watched Chaeheon’s back with a “What was that?” look.

“Are you leaving?”

Or did you just step out to answer the phone? He needed to know to decide whether to get up himself. Han Jeong-min looked at the empty seat, confused.

Lee Jun thought he would meet Han Jeong-min soon enough if he hung out with Chaeheon. Since Chaeheon had readily offered to introduce him, he wasn’t worried that Chaeheon might not show him.

But the opportunity came much sooner than expected.

[See you this evening.]

Lee Jun stopped Chaeheon from coming to pick him up and slowly made his way to the meeting place. Was it intentional that the meeting place was… Club IN, the same club where he had encountered Chaeheon last time?

As he looked at the entrance, lost in thought, he felt the gazes of people entering and exiting. As a place frequently visited by secondary gender individuals, those with pheromones observed Lee Jun.

Lee Jun took out his phone and called Chaeheon.

The call connected before a few rings had passed, and Lee Jun immediately got to the point.

“I’m here.”

The thought of meeting Han Jeong-min left him no time to greet Chaeheon.

[I’ll come out.]

With the instruction to wait, Lee Jun lowered his phone and looked at the signboard again.

‘I don’t think I’ll ever forget this signboard.’

Because it was here that he had seen a different side of Chaeheon; he would never forget it.

“Excuse me…”