TTD 137

Ja-kyung, who had been quietly listening to the man’s words, spoke up.

“Could be a runaway.”

The man shook his head vigorously.

“He’s absolutely not that kind of person. Though there’s an age gap between us, he’s mature and responsible. The illegal work he did was all my fault. Since our parents are ill and it costs so much money… I think he wanted to help in his own way…. If I had known earlier, I would never have let him go….”

The man’s voice trailed off as he lowered his head.

“I’ll definitely get the money ready. Since this is something I can’t handle on my own. If you could just find where he is and let me know, I’ll go get him myself. Please… I beg you.”

Ja-kyung sighed at the man’s earnest plea.

“I think there’s been a misunderstanding, but I don’t do that kind of work. I’m sorry.”

Ah… Despair clouded the man’s face. He bowed his head, repeatedly apologizing, then walked out with slumped shoulders. After the man disappeared, Ja-kyung, now alone, sighed and got on the treadmill. He started running again, slowly increasing the speed, and turned up the music to clear his mind.

Sweat beads that had formed on his forehead began to trickle down, and outside, dark clouds were gathering as if it might rain. Ja-kyung, who had been running like mad, suddenly turned off the machine, cursing as he stepped down and exited the fitness room.

Coming downstairs to look for the man, he found him working with another employee. When he called out “Excuse me,” the man turned to look at him. Ja-kyung strode over and held out his hand.

“Give me your brother’s contact information and photo.”

A glimmer of hope appeared on the man’s face.

“Don’t get your hopes up too much. I’ll ask a friend I know, but I can’t make any promises.”

The man kept thanking him profusely, and Ja-kyung turned away with a sigh. Was he getting involved in something unnecessary? He had tried to keep a low profile in Korea. But, well, it wasn’t like he was killing someone; he was just trying to help find someone. What could possibly go wrong?

***

Wang Lun frowned while looking at the man in the photo.

“No wonder I wanted to stay in Thailand longer.”

As soon as the two arrived, Ja-kyung told them what had happened and provided the personal information, asking them to find the man in the photo. Unlike the grumbling Wang Lun, Wang Han readily agreed.

“Let’s help. In a way, we’re all working under CEO Kang. It’s good for employees to help each other.”

Wang Han soon made some calls. He had extensive connections and an excellent talent for gathering information. While Han waited for contacts to respond, Wang Lun called Ja-kyung.

“What about the deposit? Did you get it?”

“Not yet. After we find him first.”

“Why don’t you ask CEO Kang?”

Wang Han, who was exchanging messages by the window, laughed out loud.

“Even after all that, you still don’t get it? CEO Kang’s only interest is Lee Ja-kyung. Honestly, even if you and I died right now, he wouldn’t bat an eye. Remember when you were hospitalized before, and he brought white chrysanthemums? That’s the kind of man CEO Kang is.”

Wang Lun nodded and cackled in agreement.

“Right. That’s true. He’s completely devoid of humanity.”

Ja-kyung, who had been listening to their conversation, grumbled.

“Don’t talk behind his back.”

Don’t talk behind his back! He’s my boyfriend! When Wang Lun mocked Ja-kyung’s tone sarcastically, Ja-kyung swiftly pulled out a knife from his waist. Want to try something? Then Wang Lun felt under the sofa and grabbed an axe.

“Want to go?”

“You started it, hyung.”

“Who’s the one getting all worked up like a rookie just because someone criticized their boyfriend?”

“Rookie? Did you just call me a rookie?”

“Yeah, you rookie. Heh.”

As Ja-kyung stood up holding the knife, Wang Lun didn’t back down either, brandishing his axe demonstratively. Meanwhile, Wang Han received a phone call. He went to the window to take the call while behind him, Ja-kyung and Wang Lun were bickering and arguing. Wang Han, who had been on the phone, turned around and burst out angrily.

“Both of you sit down and stop it! It’s so damn noisy!”

The two sat down huffing, and Wang Han continued his phone call for quite a while. Since his expression seemed unusual, both became curious about what was wrong. After ending the call, Wang Han came over and flipped over the photo on the table.

“We’d better not do this.”

“Why?”

“I asked an acquaintance to look into that club, and it seems it’s not an ordinary place. Since Japanese guys are involved too, there could be trouble if we meddle, so we should drop it.”

When Ja-kyung didn’t respond, Wang Han tried to persuade him.

“You promised CEO Kang to stay quiet here and just do what you’re told. Wei, I understand you want to help, but let’s pretend we don’t know about this.”

Ja-kyung nodded. I got it. But in his heart, there was still regret. Perhaps it was because he’d only ever received requests to kill someone, never to save someone.

Moreover, he couldn’t forget the face of the man who had desperately begged help for his brother. While making a bitter expression, he caught Lun’s eye, who suddenly slammed his palm on the desk and stood up.

“Let’s not do that and help find him!”

“What? Why suddenly?”

“He must have been desperate to ask us. Put yourself in his shoes. If me or Wei were captured somewhere and you didn’t know if we were alive or dead, what would you do, hyung?”

“Since when did you overflow with such humanity?”

“What humanity? Let’s just do something good for once. Right, Wei?”

Ja-kyung quickly nodded. I agree with second brother. Wang Han laughed in disbelief. They were fighting with weapons just moments ago but now suddenly agreeing with each other.

Despite his words, he too felt uneasy. When he flipped the photo back over, there was a young man in workout clothes smiling brightly. Han tapped the table with his fingers, then firmed his resolve and nodded.

“Fine. But if it seems dangerous, we pull out immediately. Got it?”

***

The security guard was genuinely happy to hear they might be able to find his brother. Ja-kyung asked him to keep it secret for now. Afterward, he spent time playing games with his brothers, and later noticed a message from Kang Il-hyun had arrived.

[I’ll come early. Let’s go on a date tonight.]

After his brothers left, while waiting with an excited heart, he heard sounds from downstairs. Hurrying down, he found Park Tae-soo on the first floor. He was always a man of few expressions and words. He greeted him and went into the bedroom, just as Kang Il-hyun came out having changed clothes. It was the flashy shirt Ja-kyung had given him.

“…”

Ja-kyung tried his best to choose appropriate words. Was a floral shirt supposed to give off this kind of feeling? Why does he look more threatening than when wearing a black suit? Why? It’s like touching him would be the last thing one would ever do.

“Do you like it?”

“Are you… really wearing that?”

“You bought it for me to wear, right?”

Ja-kyung smiled awkwardly. As Kang Il-hyun headed outside, Ja-kyung followed, while Park Tae-soo’s expression remained unchanged. What a remarkable person. To be able to stay completely unfazed by this sight. Soon after, the housekeeper came out to greet them and smiled brightly with joy.

“Oh my. It looks so fresh and suits you so well. You look ten years younger.”

Good heavens. What a lie. He looked like a retired gangster living by his own rules, but Ja-kyung couldn’t say that honestly. He approached and reached out to lower his hair slightly, which made him look somewhat less fierce.

“It’s couple shirts, right? You should wear yours too.”

Ja-kyung shook his head. He lied that the clothes had mysteriously disappeared somewhere, but promised to definitely wear them next time. Fortunately, Kang Il-hyun believed him, and they went outside and got in the car.

During the drive, they exchanged meaningless conversation and jokes. After driving for quite a while, they arrived at the Han River, where there were quite a few people since it was after sunset. They walked side by side among families, couples, and friends.

Just then, a small child came running over after seeing a dog passing by Ja-kyung’s side. The child pointed at the dog with short fingers, “Woof, woof.”  Watching this, Ja-kyung found it cute and approached closer.

“Doggy? Do you see the doggy there?”

The child looked up at Ja-kyung and smiled widely. When Ja-kyung asked how old he was, the child suddenly turned his face away, and suddenly their face contorted and burst into tears with a loud wail.

Not understanding why, Ja-kyung turned around and realized the reason. Kang Il-hyun was looking down at the child with an indifferent expression. While the child’s parents came to hold and comfort them, Ja-kyung looked at Kang Il-hyun with an awkward expression.

“Ah, what a cute baby.”

“Seems like a crybaby. Must be tiring for the parents.”

It’s because of you. Ja-kyung almost said it but stopped, fearing it might hurt his feelings. Even after that, everyone who passed by stared at Kang Il-hyun, but seeing how they kept their distance, it probably wasn’t for good reasons.