"Do you have all the evidence I asked you to collect?" Yui-Hyuk inquired, his tone laced with a palpable edge of impatience as he spoke to Hee-Jun over the phone. It was the same evening when Woo-San had stumbled upon Yeon-Jun at the park, an encounter that sparked Yui-Hyuk's growing unease. He had been increasingly aware of Woo-San's frequent absences from work, often without Hee-Jun by his side. Under scrutiny, he suspected Woo-San of possibly dating someone—or at least attempting to do so—behind his back, a notion that stirred a fierce protectiveness within Yui-Hyuk. He couldn't bear the thought of Woo-San repeating the mistakes of his aunt. "It's time I teach him that such an influence from his aunt isn't family love."
"What approach should I take, considering he can't talk and would likely run away?" A deep voice emerged from the phone, calm and collected. It was clear he wasn't annoyed; instead, he maintained a stoic demeanor. "Don't worry, Hyung. He shares more similarities with you than you'd realize. Just stay silent; that will speak volumes." Unfortunately, Woo-San wouldn't be present to witness their meeting, having rushed back to the office after receiving word of Yui-Hyuk's unexpected visit. Little did he know that a storm was gathering at the other end.
Meanwhile, nestled among the many cats in the shelter, Yeon-Jun's composure faltered as he sensed the animals around him suddenly alerting him to an unseen presence. With their fur bristling and low growls echoing in the air, the dogs barked loudly, breaking the stillness. Yeon-Jun instinctively turned his heart racing, to confront a tall shadow emerging from the bushes. As the light gradually revealed the figure, its outline transformed into that of a slim man, clad in black from head to toe, complete with a mask and a cap that obscured his features. Instinctively, Yeon-Jun brandished a small knife, his grip firm as he assessed the man's intentions. The animals instinctively gathered behind him, some peeking anxiously from their safe spots while others positioned themselves protectively at his side.
As the stranger closed the distance, Yeon-Jun noticed that he was carrying a large bag. The man placed it on the ground with a thud, unzipping it to unveil an assortment of cans and packets of dog and cat food. He opened the packages and laid them out in front of the animals, who, upon recognizing him, rushed forward in joyous abandon, purring and barking as they devoured the food. Observing their warmth towards the stranger, a twinge of jealousy pricked Yeon-Jun's heart.
Once the animals were engaged in their meal, the man straightened up, removing his mask and cap to reveal a set of strong features and soft eyes. He approached Yeon-Jun, crouching down to meet him at eye level. "Kyung-Min Kim," he introduced himself, an almost imperceptible smile gracing his lips, yet his deep voice remained unyieldingly calm. "I sponsor an animal shelter," he explained, a touch of urgency creeping into his tone as he brought out a business card. "I'm attempting to rescue these animals before the construction starts. Would you be willing to assist me?"
Yeon-Jun, taken aback but intrigued, accepted the business card extended to him. He scanned the information printed on it. With a gesture for Kyung-Min to wait, he deftly pulled out his phone, searching for more details while Kyung-Min returned to feeding the animals.
A few minutes later, having gathered his thoughts, Yeon-Jun stood up and gently tapped Kyung-Min on the shoulder. He handed over his phone, where he had composed a message. "Hi. My name is Yeon-Jun Shin. I work at a cafe nearby. If you'd like to talk more, I'd be happy to brew you something." Kyung-Min read the message, an amused chuckle escaping him as he watched the way excitement illuminated Yeon-Jun's face in response.
Yeon-Jun began to pack the remaining stuff into his bag, eyes shining as he looked down at a particularly fluffy cat curled up contentedly within it. "You're finally getting a home," he whispered, both to the cat and to himself, hope blooming within him.
"What brings you here?" Woo-San inquired, his voice low and laced with a hint of curiosity, as Yui-Hyuk rose from the worn-out chair across from him. With a flick of his wrist, Yui-Hyuk adjusted his collar, which had become slightly untidy. He shot a piercing glare at Woo-San, whose disheveled appearance only fueled the fire brewing within him. In one swift motion, Yui-Hyuk struck Woo-San across the face with a sturdy cane he had gripped tightly. The impact was brutal, sending Woo-San crashing to the cold floor, where he gasped involuntarily, blood droplets escaping his lips and painting the ground beneath him.
The sound of the beating echoed through the walls, a grim rhythm that resonated with an audience that had been waiting outside, cautiously excused by Hee-Jun. Yui-Hyuk was relentless as he continued to bring the stick down upon Woo-San, the fabric of his shirt darkening with each strike, bruises blooming like dark flowers across his cheeks and neck. After what felt like an eternity, he paused, casually taking a seat in Woo-San's chair, a throne he had almost usurped through violence. Woo-San sat up unsteadily, his legs entangled in the pain, and struggle of maintaining composure.
"Do you know what it means to sit on this chair?" Yui-Hyuk began, his voice dripping with authority and disdain. "It signifies your superiority over others. Why? Because you're my blood, my grandson. Keep that in mind when you choose to fuck someone." He halted abruptly, his demeanor shifting as he marched towards the door, casting a shadow over Woo-San's battered form. "You will begin blind dates as soon as your face is presentable. You can waste your time with whomever you wish, but your marriage will be with the person I select." His decree hung heavy in the air as he exited, leaving Woo-San in a state of confusion and pain.
When Hee-Jun attempted to re-enter to assist Woo-San, Yui-Hyuk called him back, ensuring that help stayed away. Alone and reeling from the sudden violence, Woo-San sat on the floor, the adrenaline that had previously surged through him now ebbing away, replaced by an agonizing realization of his injuries. Tears threatened to spill as he fought to maintain his composure. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he managed to rise unsteadily and stumbled toward the roof of the building, seeking the fresh air that might offer a momentary reprieve.
Once outside, Woo-San retrieved his phone, trembling fingers dialing Tae-Min's number as he leaned against the ledge. "What's up? I'm busy," came Tae-Min's voice, muffled by the chaotic background noise of a lively gathering. An uneasy sensation crept over Woo-San as familiar laughter floated through the line. "There's a lot of wind where you're standing. Where are you?" Tae-Min inquired, concern creeping into his tone.
"Hyung... Are you with Yixan?" The weight of unspoken worries hung in the air, causing Tae-Min to glance over at Yixan, who was perched nearby, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Hmm..." he replied, clenching his jaw. "Can you pass the phone to her?" A moment of hesitation followed before Tae-Min relented, handing over the device to Yixan, who eyed it warily.
"Yixan... No matter what happens, never go back to that man," Woo-San insisted, urgency coursing through his words. Yixan's brow furrowed deeper as she glanced back and forth between the phone and Tae-Min, trying to decipher the gravity of the situation. "Even if I'm gone... And he tries to blackmail you... Never go back to him..." The tension of the moment pressed heavily on her as she let out a long sigh, rolling her eyes in response to what felt like an overly dramatic warning. "If you're on top of a building and planning to jump after this call, I'd say you're just wasting time. Just do it," she replied bluntly.
Tae-Min snatched the phone back, his voice rising in panic as he shouted, "Get down from there! Where are you? What happened? It doesn't matter what's going on, just get down!" Panic laced his words, the potential gravity of Woo-San's situation sinking in.
"I wasn't planning on jumping anyways. Working in a company like this, I would, of course, ensure we have guardrails. I'm not stupid," Woo-San retorted, a hint of humor lacing his tone as he attempted to downplay the moment's intensity. Relief washed over Tae-Min as he slumped to the ground, the tension in his shoulders finally loosening, while Yixan took the phone back from him.
"We're near Mr. Seo's apartment having drinks. Come join us," she suggested, her voice lightening the mood ever so slightly before she ended the call, leaving Tae-Min with a lingering stare. "Did you really just tell him to jump?" he asked incredulously, standing up straight as reality settled back in. "He's a smart person. Do you really think he'd jump off? Calm down and have something to eat. The meat here is good."
"I still don't understand how he manages to be friends with my cousin when I hardly know him," Yixan remarked, her irritation evident as she bit into a lemon, its sourness temporarily distracting her from the unsettling sight of the cat regurgitating blood. "Seriously, what are you doing here if you can't even stand the sight of blood?" Sung-Hoon shot back, deftly removing the lemon from her grasp and replacing it with a sweet, refreshing drink. "Besides, he's technically your second cousin. At this point, he's practically a stranger." Yixan nodded, conceding to Sung-Hoon's point, and took a sip of her drink, the cold soothing her.
As they sat there contemplating the situation, Sung-Hoon and Yixan caught sight of Yeon-Jun and Kyung-Min emerging from the corridor, the vet trailing behind them. "We'll keep her here for the next few days," the vet explained, his tone reassuring as he spoke. "Our staff member will arrive tomorrow to ensure she's comfortable here," Kyung-Min added, leading the trio in a respectful bow to the vet. "Thank you so much for your help, Doctor." She responded with a kind smile before making her exit.
"Should we all have dinner together?" Yixan suggested eagerly, a hint of excitement in her voice, but Sung-Hoon quickly interjected. "Mr. Kim is probably busy. We shouldn't disturb him." She shot a disapproving glance at Sung-Hoon, her eyes seeking Kyung-Min's face for a more favorable response.
"You two should go ahead, he and I have something to talk about," Yeon-Jun signed with a gentle smile, interlacing his fingers with Kyung-Min's as they turned to leave. This left Yixan and Sung-Hoon exchanging glances, both coming to the mutual realization that they were in a similar predicament.
"It really hits hard that Kyung-Min is his only real friend," Yixan voiced her frustration as she began walking forward, Sung-Hoon trailing behind. It was a bitter truth; despite years spent in school and college, Yeon-Jun had chosen to form a genuine bond only with Kyung-Min, a significantly older man he met by chance.
"Have any of them made any significant moves?" Yui-Hyuk inquired, his tone serious as Hee-Jun presented his weekly report. Accompanying him was Joong-Ho, who was tasked with discreetly monitoring Yixan. "Ms. Yixan has maintained her daily routines without any changes. There's been nothing to suggest she plans on moving in here; in fact, she seems to have completely ignored your orders and hasn't informed anyone about her plans," Joong-Ho reported, his expression neutral.
"And you?" Yui-Hyuk turned his attention to Hee-Jun. "Ah, yes. The only notable change in Woo-San's behavior is that he's been frequenting a particular cafe more often," Hee-Jun replied, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "He even took me along once. It's the same cafe he used to visit before." He had braced himself for Yui-Hyuk's wrath, but instead, he displayed almost no reaction.
"Would you like me to stop him?" Hee-Jun asked hesitantly,
"No," Yui-Hyuk replied with a firm resolve, rising from his chair, his face set in a contemplative expression. "I made a grave mistake by trying to control him before. He is my grandson, after all. Surely, he has impeccable taste. How could I forget that?" Confident in his cryptic words, Yui-Hyuk passed a smug look towards Hee-Jun. "Bring around the car," he said. Hee-Jun, scared that he was going to punish Woo-San again, immediately asked where they were going. Yui-Hyuk chuckled in response. "Don't worry. Woo-San's not the one I'm targeting this time. We're going to Strawberry Hanok."