CH 59

When Ja-kyung came from the basement and went upstairs, he was surprised to see Wang Han in the living room. How in the world did he know about this place? Wang Lun sat like a sinner beside him. Wang Han appears to have already scolded him, based on the look on his face.

Ja-kyung also looked up and approached them. Wang Han, who had been sitting, stood up and frowned, but his expression toned down when he saw Kang Il-hyun. The three stood up and walked to the doorway, conversing in Chinese.

[What happened? Is this Japan?]

Wang Han, who was contacted for the first time, was shocked and concerned, so he came right away. Obviously, he said not to go to save one person even if he was caught, but it was just words, and when something came up, he was worried that his younger brothers would be in danger.

[There was a reason for that.]

Wang Lun protested, but it didn’t work.

[Reason? I definitely told you not to go anywhere near Korea. And Wei. It’s also wrong that you lied to me. Do you understand?]

[Lun was arrested because of me, so I can’t pretend I didn’t know.]

[Is that why you’re locked up in the basement? You’re trying to save me?]

[That’s right. It’s strange no matter how you think about it. It’s not like you to be careless.]

[That crazy guy put a syringe in my neck.]

[Drugs?]

[Not really, but he’s really annoying. I should have killed him then.]

[I agree with that. So annoying.]

[Both of you, be quiet. I heard everything.]

Wang Han was usually generous with people and laughed a lot, but when he got angry, he was terrifying. Both Ja-kyung and Wang Lun responded with a few words, but then they closed their mouths and looked at their toes for no reason.

Kang Il-hyun was brimming with energy as he looked at the three. He was leaning against the sofa, applying an ice pack to the area where Ja-kyung had hit him. Go somewhere far away to talk. Or do they think I can’t understand Chinese?

Thanks to that, Il-hyun fully understood how much Lee Ja-kyung hated him. He knocked on the table as the conversation never seemed to end.

The eyes of the three were focused on Kang Il-hyun.

“I think that’s enough for the conversation, so can you take a seat now?”

The three of them came to the seats across from each other and sat side by side. Despite their polite demeanor, Wang Lun and Ja-kyung both stared at him. He placed the ice pack on the table. There was still swelling and blood crusts on the corners of his mouth. Ja-kyung felt refreshed on the inside. Wang Lun asked in his ear if he did that, and when he nodded, he was also overjoyed.

Tae-soo placed a file in front of the three of them after the employee brought out the tea. Wang Han was the first to open it. Wang Lun and Ja-kyung soon followed suit. It was a contract. Wang Han covered the papers and placed them on the table without even looking at the content entirely.

He had already heard the narrative on the way, but it was nonsense.

“I’m sorry. I appreciate the offer, but I decline it.”

Wang Lun’s eyes widened as he sullenly turned over the back page. It was a one-year contract with Kang Il-hyun, but the total amount was quite large when the down payment, salary, and case-specific incentives were factored in. He was taken aback when he saw it and nudged Ja-kyung with his elbow. Hurry up and read it. Ja-kyung saw it as well, but like Wang Han, he covered it up and threw it in front of him.

Wang Lun held on to the contract with a sad face until it was snatched and thrown away by Ja-kyung.

“Are you not satisfied with the terms?”

Wang Han tried his best not to offend him.

“In the meantime, I’ve received similar offers from a number of companies. But we are more comfortable with the three of us moving as we do now. It is inconvenient to be a part of a group and then receive supervision or instructions.”

Il-hyun looked at him with an expression asking him to say more.

“Also, there were some unsavory things between CEO Kang and our youngest. Wouldn’t it be difficult? When the relationship of trust has already been broken?”

Il-hyun leaned back on the sofa and muttered to himself as he crossed his arms. It was unfortunate. He looked over at Ja-kyung. Ja-kyung kept a glum expression on his face. His eyes are very lively for someone who has been starving for several days. Actually, when he hit him earlier, he appeared to be bursting with energy. He was a lunatic who brought a meal and went down for him because he was worried.

“Don’t worry about it. Because I don’t mind. I’m a human being who doesn’t hold grudges.”

When Il-hyun refused to step down easily, Wang Han kept his mouth shut. If he looked at the circumstances, it wasn’t so bad, but he was concerned because the relationship had gone wrong before. Ja-kyung would be in the same situation. Il-hyun returned the contract to Wang Han.

“I’ll give you a few days to stay here and think about it. Aren’t the terms too wasteful to overturn because of the past?”

Ja-kyung frowned as soon as he smiled. Wang Han tried to smile as he cleared his throat. He needs to finish the negotiation and get out of here without any mishaps.

“CEO Kang may have forgotten, but our youngest still has grudges.”

At those words, Il-hyun straightened his back and looked at Ja-kyung with friendly eyes.

“How. Shall I apologize here?”

Ja-kyung flatly refused.

“I don’t need it.”

Il-hyun lowered his eyebrows.

“I’m really sorry.”

Ja-kyung snorted, and Il-hyun immediately continued.

“Next time we have sex, I’ll be sure to ask for your permission first.”

Ja-kyung’s mouth opened, and Il-hyun immediately added.

“Still, you liked it when I sucked on your nipple. You agree, right?”

Wang Lun, who was drinking tea, spat it into the teacup. Wang Han’s eyes widened and his mouth half-opened. Ja-kyung held his breath and looked at Il-hyun confusedly.

In response, Il-hyun shrugged.

“Don’t your brothers know that you and I had that kind of relationship?”

Wang Han stepped forward.

“Hey, CEO Kang. It’s too much of a joke.”

Il-hyun laughed.

“Ask your cute youngest brother if I’m joking or not.”

Wang Han and Wang Lun’s heads turned at the same time, their gazes fixed on Ja-kyung, who sat in the center. Ja-kyung clenched his teeth and glared at Kang Il-hyun, then alternately looked at the two sitting on either side of him and laughed as if baffled.

“Do you believe him? Absolutely not!”

They both said ok then, but when Kang Il-hyun, who was sitting in front of them, smiled confidently, they became confused. Looking back, Ja-kyung never mentioned Kang Il-hyun during his entire life on the run. He could bring it out like a useless venting if he had a drink, but he avoided it at all costs. Perhaps that’s why…

When they stared at him intently from both sides, Ja-kyung couldn’t stand it and jumped up from his seat.

“Anyway, I don’t sign this contract. I’ll be back, so give me my stuff.”

Ja-kyung lost his temper and walked outside, but when Wang Lun tried to move, Il-hyun stopped him and stood up first.

“Don’t worry. I will go out and comfort him.”

After Kang Il-hyun disappeared, Wang Han and Wang Lun made eye contact and looked serious.

“Just now… Did he say he would comfort him?”

“Yeah. You heard it right.”

Wang Lun looked at his bandaged finger. Il-hyun put it together quickly because he said he was Ja-kyung’s brother.

“Is it true?”

“Hmm… You know how much Ja-kyung likes pretty girls.”

“That’s right.”

They both tried to deny it and looked out the living room window. Lee Ja-kyung hurried away, but Kang Il-hyun grabbed his arm, and Ja-kyung shook him off. Furthermore, Ja-kyung would not laugh or blink an eye at his opponent in this situation, but he was unusually hotheaded and displayed his emotions. It was very rare.

Ja-kyung now was swinging a stick around. Although it was hard to see, Kang Il-hyun looked happy. They should be worried that there would be a fight, but after what they heard a while ago, it looked like a lover’s quarrel.

The two took their eyes off the window and looked at each other at the same time. It was strange no matter how they looked at it.

***

Il-hyun held onto Ja-kyung, who was huffing and puffing as he walked across the lawn. Il-hyun grabbed him again after Ja-kyung shook him off, but Ja-kyung punched him. Il-hyun quickly avoided it, but Ja-kyung couldn’t take it anymore, so he broke a long broom nearby with his foot and swung the stick.

Il-hyun grabbed it and pulled it while avoiding it. Ja-kyung tried to hit him with his forehead when he tried to grab his arm because his body was being dragged. He was almost hit again where he had been hit before. Il-hyun dodged and clasped his shoulder.

“Honey, do you have anger management disorder?”

“It seems so. I didn’t know, but whenever I see Director Kang makes me want to kill you.”

As Ja-kyung was grinding his teeth, Kang Il-hyun let go of Ja-kyung’s shoulder and took his wallet from his pocket. When Il-hyun found what he was looking for, he put his business card between his fingers and proudly held it out in front of Ja-kyung. The words ‘CEO Kang Il-hyun’ were clearly seen. He waved it in front of Ja-kyung eyes and stuffed it into his shirt’s front pocket.

“Thanks to you, I got promoted. Sorry for the late gratitude, but thank you.”

He put his business card in and gently rubbed Ja-kyung’s chest, so he slapped Il-hyun’s hand away.

“So, help me a little more. You will not be disappointed with the reward.”

“I don’t trust you.”

“Don’t trust me, trust my money.”

“…”

“I will pay the entire amount you suggested in one lump sum. Including severance pay.”

Ja-kyung paused. Was he saying he’d pay the down payment, salary, and severance pay all at once? Ja-kyung vaguely remembered the amount he’d seen in the contract. Even if the three were not added together, the total was enormous. Il-hyun tilts his head and examines his expression as he continues to stiffen his expression while looking at him.

“The terms aren’t bad, are they?”

Ja-kyung bit his lower lip.

Kang Il-hyun, who was looking into his eyes, smiled and said something more.

“You can take my dick as a bonus if you want.”