CI 1.19

It turned out to be the oldest man among the group of young lawyers. As he approached the surprised Son Yeo-il, he took out a cigarette from his pocket and put it in his mouth.

“I didn’t know there was a place like this. Are you here to smoke too?”

“No. I don’t smoke. Well then…”

As Son Yeo-il tried to get up, the man approached so close that their toes were nearly touching, as if wanting to block him.

“Hey. Why are you avoiding me?”

“…”

“I just want to talk. Talk. Let’s see, my business card…Ah, I can’t find it. Forget about the card. I know your name, Son Yeo-il. Haven’t you heard about me from Dae-hyun? Koo Dae-hyun and I are very close.”

Already uncomfortable with this person, when Koo  Dae-hyun’s name was mentioned, Son Yeo-il couldn’t hold back how displeased he was. As Son Yeo-il’s eyes grew noticeably sharp, the man, who Son Yeo-il thought would get angry at the rudeness, instead looked even more intrigued.

He looked Son Yeo-il up and down with subtly sticky eyes and blew cigarette smoke toward Son Yeo-il’s face.

“You’re quiet. Want a smoke?”

“…I told you I don’t smoke.”

“Why not learn now?”

“No, thank you. Enjoy it yourself.”

As Son Yeo-il replied firmly and tried to get up, the man suddenly grabbed his wrist.

“Come on, I just want to have a conversation. Where are you going? We’re bound to run into each other in this small field anyway.”

When the surprised Son Yeo-il looked at him with round eyes, he added with a sneer, “There’s something I’m curious about. I’ve heard some things. Son Yeo-il, are you…?”

“What are y’all doing now?”

Just as Son Yeo-il was anxiously waiting to hear what would come out of the man’s mouth, another voice cut in. Though lower and more threatening than usual, it was a voice very familiar to Son Yeo-il.

“Let go of that and talk.”

Son Yeo-il couldn’t understand where this person had suddenly appeared from. Won Hee-yeon, who had appeared out of nowhere, was growling while firmly gripping the rude man’s wrist.

Son Yeo-il’s heart, which had been coldly sinking to the pit of his stomach, began to beat fiercely. Being at a loss for what to do next, he couldn’t help but feel glad and grateful for Won Hee-yeon showing up right then and there. But on the other hand, he was also worried.

He shouldn’t pick a fight. If a fight breaks out…

No matter how insignificant they might seem, there were lawyers on the other side. If a confrontation arose between a seemingly respectable lawyer and someone like Won Hee-yeon, it was obvious who would be at a disadvantage.

“What do you think you’re doing here…? Ah, no. What are you doing right now?”

The lawyer whose wrist was caught seemed well aware of this—he began speaking as if incredulous that this obvious thug-like man dared to block him, a lawyer. However, since the law was distant while fists were near, and getting punched hurt regardless of being a lawyer, he quickly changed his tone.

Won Hee-yeon was emanating a very sharp aura at the moment. It seemed he could just land one punch and reduce that man to a puddle at his feet if he wanted to.

His colorful shirt and flashy tattoos now appeared threatening rather than comical. The clearly defined forearm muscles beneath his slightly rolled-up sleeves twitched.

“I told you to let go…You’ve got quite a talent. How did you pass the bar exam when you can’t understand Korean?”

Won Hee-yeon easily removed the man’s hand from Son Yeo-il and flung it away, as if dealing with a five-year-old. Though his tone was deliberately calm, his eyes were ferocious, as if ready to fillet the man on the spot.

“How did you know I’m a lawyer? And how did you come here?”

The man looked both displeased and increasingly terrified. Won Hee-yeon crunched loudly on his lollipop, making a crackling sound with his teeth.

“I came for association business. That’s not something you need to worry about.”

“Association…?”

The man’s expression suggested he was thinking, “Do gangsters call their organizations associations these days?” but Son Yeo-il fully understood why Won Hee-yeon was here.

The “Legal Love Committee” sponsoring today’s event, despite its cringe-worthy name, was actually an organization of influential community figures. Since wealthy people were more likely to get entangled in litigation and need connections with legal professionals, it was reportedly an active nationwide organization.

The name is Legal Love Committee, but even with hands washed clean, it’s open to former gangsters?

Son Yeo-il was surprised by South Korea’s greater inclusivity, but that wasn’t the issue at the moment. Won Hee-yeon had his fists tightly clenched. The veins that stood out fiercely on the back of his hands looked precarious. With tension that seemed about ready to explode at any given moment, Son Yeo-il grew anxious.

I need to stop this!

Just as Son Yeo-il firmly grabbed Won Hee-yeon’s other wrist, the Chungbuk Bar Association president whom Son Yeo-il had greeted upon arrival came running over, having just spotted Won Hee-yeon.

“Oh my. Mr. Won, you’re here!”

“Aing. It’s been a while, Attorney Kim.”

Won Hee-yeon raised his hand in greeting, as if intimately acquainted with the president. The young lawyer who had been bothering Son Yeo-il was dumbfounded at this sight.

“You must be busy with your business, yet you still came. How have things been lately?”

“I’m doing well, thanks to you. What do you mean busy? I’m already over fifty. These days I’m staying in Yongju City, and it’s really a nice place to live.”

“Ah, Yongju City! So that’s why you know this attorney!”

The president glanced at Son Yeo-il’s hand gripping Won Hee-yeon’s wrist. Unaware that he had been holding it all this time, Son Yeo-il was busy trying to let it go discreetly, but Won Hee-yeon seemed more concerned that the Bar Association president couldn’t remember Son Yeo-il’s name.

“Oh of course. This Attorney Son Yeo-il here is a truly excellent person. I’ve been seeking, what’s it called, various consultations from Attorney Son lately.”

All he had done was receive free meals and rides, yet he called it consultations? It was a groundless claim, but it was true that packaging was important in legal work for the next thing he knew, the Bar Association president’s look toward Son Yeo-il seemed to change considerably with just that one statement.

After smiling with satisfaction as if having solved one problem, Won Hee-yeon turned his attention toward the young lawyer who had been pestering Son Yeo-il earlier.

“By the way, who is this person? Is he a lawyer too?”

“Ah. Attorney Kim. He’s been working at our office for three years. He even greeted you at last year’s event.”

“Is that so? So, what you’re saying is that our chairman here is this person’s employer, right?”

Won Hee-yeon pointed out that fact in a meaningful tone and smiled languidly. Unaware that his junior lawyer had turned pale, the president tried to invite Won Hee-yeon for a midday drink.

“Mr. Won. Do you like makgeolli? Why don’t we have a snack together?”

“I’d never refuse makgeolli, but I drove here today. I’ll contact you separately later, and we can meet up then. It would be nice to discuss business over pajeon and makgeolli. You know, for business to succeed, personnel management is most important.”

Understanding the situation, the young lawyer turned even more ashen and tried to read Won Hee-yeon’s expression in an attempt to salvage the situation, but it was already too late. He was dragged weakly to the makgeolli gathering by the Bar Association president.

That person will soon be fired.

Though Son Yeo-il thought this, he didn’t feel sorry for the man. To be honest, he felt a bit of schadenfreude.

“Yeo-il-ssi. Give me your hand.”

Left alone together, Won Hee-yeon addressed Son Yeo-il with a gently softened gaze. It was fascinating how he could look like a growling wolf one moment, then act like a cunning snake, and quickly switch to fox-like behavior.

When Son Yeo-il extended his hand out of reflex, Won Hee-yeon took it in both of his hands as if holding a precious treasure and examined it carefully.

“This is the hand that bastard grabbed, right? Shit, that son of a bitch must have had an incomplete home education. I have no idea why he’s kneading other people’s wrists. Did he touch you anywhere else? Are you hurt anywhere?”

Won Hee-yeon was also kneading someone else’s wrist right then, but unlike earlier, Son Yeo-il didn’t feel particularly uncomfortable and left it as it was for now. Then, seeing blood welling up on Won Hee-yeon’s palm underneath Son Yeo-il’s hand, he asked in surprise, “Huh? Why is this like this? Ah, earlier…”

When confronting the man earlier, he had clenched his fist so tightly that it seemed his nails had dug into his palm, causing it to bleed.

Only now noticing the state of his hand, Won Hee-yeon was more flustered than Seo Yeo-il. The strange thing was that instead of checking his own injured hand, he once again scrutinized Son Yeo-il’s hand, which he had been examining intently just moments before.

“Oh no. Is there blood on our baby’s hand?”

“Is that the issue right now? Why were you clenching your hand so tightly?”

“I really wanted to punch him once, but I had to hold back. If someone like me swings fists at a gathering full of industry people, how embarrassed would Attorney-nim be?”

It was indeed a concern. The old Son Yeo-il might have worried first about his reputation being damaged upon seeing Won Hee-yeon and the unfamiliar lawyer confronting each other. He had been sick of becoming the subject of gossip.

But just now, Son Yeo-il was different. While Won Hee-yeon was forcibly suppressing his anger out of concern for Son Yeo-il’s position, Son Yeo-il was conversely worried that if a fight broke out, Won Hee-yeon would get into trouble. Son Yeo-il seemed to understand what that meant but wanted to pretend not to know.

“But still, to the point of bleeding…”

“It’s not like I got stabbed in the gut. This is really nothing. Spit will heal it, so what’s the big deal? Ah. Our baby could lick it for me too.”

Won Hee-yeon languidly held his palm right in front of Son Yeo-il’s lips. Son Yeo-il stepped back in horror.

“Ugh, that’s disgusting. Seriously.”

Won Hee-yeon was unfazed by the blunt criticism. After staring at Son Yeo-il for a few seconds, he raised his left hand and tapped Son Yeo-il’s cheek with his fingertip.

“Now you look more like your usual self. Are you feeling a bit better?”

It was just a light touch, but the spot where his hand brushed felt strangely electrifying. As Won Hee-yeon’s eyes curved into a pleased smile, the sunlight filtering through the leaves shimmered curiously.

What is this? Heat stroke?

Startled by the sudden ticklish feeling near his solar plexus, Son Yeo-il quickly turned away from Won Hee-yeon and replied curtly.

“I wasn’t particularly bothered to begin with.”

“Our husband is truly magnanimous. But I’m petty, so I can’t let it go. Can you tell me what nonsense that bastard was saying earlier?”

“…”

“Was it just that bastard acting up, or are there others too? Just tell me. Who should I take care of?”

It was tempting, but Son Yeo-il could only move his lips without saying anything. While part of him wanted to tell everything to someone who had taken his side when he was being harassed, doing so would mean bringing up the story about Koo Dae-hyun.

“It’s nothing. It’s not like I got stabbed in the stomach.”

At Son Yeo-il’s evasive answer, Won Hee-yeon’s eyebrows twitched slightly before breaking into a grin.

“Always so magnanimous. Alright then, that issue aside, have you eaten lunch yet?”

“…Yes, sort of.”

“If you haven’t eaten, there’s a place nearby that makes great tofu hotpot. Want to sneak out and go there?”

That was also tempting, but Son Yeo-il shook his head.

“No. I have legal consultation volunteer hours later this afternoon. I’ll go after finishing everything.”

When they met at the office yesterday, Representative Bae had emphasized that consultation volunteering could lead to client retainers, so Son Yeo-il should do his best here. As if having forgotten that he had just tempted him with some tofu hotpot, Won Hee-yeon now quickly agreed with Son Yeo-il’s words.

“That’s right. You’ve done nothing wrong, so our Yeo-il has no reason to slip away.”

Seo Yeo-il straightened his shoulders further. Looking toward the event area, he saw people still drinking makgeolli and eating snacks. Since the stifling feeling had disappeared, it seemed like a good time to eat.

“I’ll go over there and have some food.”

Though it felt a bit inconsiderate to leave the person who had come to help him alone, Son Yeo-il left Won Hee-yeon behind and hurriedly walked back to the event area. All he could do was hide in a corner and eat alone, but his heart was proud.

Far from being disappointed, Won Hee-yeon smiled broadly and followed Son Yeo-il at a distance. While seemingly greeting the lawyers and sponsors present, he was scanning here and there with sidelong glances.

He stole the most glances at Son Yeo-il eating steadfastly alone, but he also seemed to be closely examining the group of young lawyers laughing and drinking makgeolli.

After surveying the venue for about 30 minutes, Won Hee-yeon appeared to have grasped the situation completely. Crunching his candy while looking at the group of young lawyers, his gaze became strangely ferocious.

Does he have something up his sleeve? He’s not thinking of killing them all, is he?

However, only Son Yeo-il seemed to notice Won Hee-yeon’s hawkish gaze, and lunch concluded peacefully. Well, perhaps not so peacefully, as by the end of the meal, more than half of the Chungbuk Bar Association lawyers were quite intoxicated.

Despite the lawyers’ intoxication, the afternoon event proceeded as scheduled. Since the local residents had already been informed they could receive legal consultations, it couldn’t be canceled.

All the senior lawyers escaped using their intoxication as an excuse, and only young lawyers sat in a row at the consultation booths set up in the community center. Even though they were young, no one was immune to daytime drinking, so everyone’s faces were flushed red.

Even for free consultations, is this really acceptable?

The moment Son Yeo-il realized he was the only one not drunk, he started to feel anxious. That was when the first client from the waiting villagers entered the community center with heavy footsteps.

Looking around the hall, he approached Son Yeo-il, who appeared to be the most sober lawyer out of the bunch. Son Yeo-il was tense due to the man’s angry, fierce expression when suddenly, someone spoke up.

“Oh, brother, it’s been a while. Have you been well? But I’ve already reserved this person.”

Just before the villager could sit at Son Yeo-il’s desk, Won Hee-yeon suddenly appeared and naturally put his arm around the man’s shoulder. As if they already knew each other, the man who received the brotherly embrace responded cheerfully to Woo Hee-yeon.

“Really? There are reservations for this too?”

“Ah, of course. How about that lawyer over there? He looks to be quite experienced.”

As Won Hee-yeon pointed to the booth next to Son Yeo-il’s, the villager who had been about to sit in front of Son Yeo-il nodded and headed in that direction. Son Yeo-il looked with a dazed expression at Won Hee-yeon, who sat down opposite him.

“You know the people in this village too?”

“My territory is a bit wide.”

“But why are you here…You don’t really have something to consult about, right?”

Won Hee-yeon sat down, pulling his chair closer with an inscrutable expression on his face.

“Where a flower goes, don’t butterflies follow? It’s nice to be cozy like this.”

Sitting across from each other at a small table like school desks, the distance between their bodies was close. As their bent fingers lightly brushed against each other, Won Hee-yeon lowered his voice and whispered as if sharing a secret.

“Earlier.”

Earlier when? When he suddenly appeared and removed that strange man’s hand from my wrist? Or when he smiled and tapped my cheek just now? Son Yeo-il swallowed hard. The lunch he had eaten seemed to be churning inside his stomach again.

“When Yeo-il firmly grabbed my hand.”

“What? Me?”

“Come on, don’t pretend not to know. You grabbed my wrist with this hand. Right?”

Won Hee-yeon took Son Yeo-il’s hand and made him firmly grasp his wrist. Seeing Son Yeo-il’s face instantly turn red, he seemed even more excited and grinned.

“That damn bastard’s behavior makes my blood boil, but thanks to him I got to hold hands with you, so it turned out to be a win-win situation after all.”

“…I wondered what you were talking about. Is that why you sat down here?”

Though visibly flustered, Son Yeo-il tried to appear nonchalant as he pulled his hand away. Won Hee-yeon clicked his tongue in disappointment and turned to scan the community center.